In mid-April, after much preparation, Guo Shao led his group to leave Tokyo and head to Damingfu again; it was only two months since his last trip to Hebei. The numerous etiquette and preparations really made him feel very tired, and the cost was huge, but fortunately Fu Ermei was worth it.
Marrying Fu's second sister and forming an alliance with the Fu family was also one of Guo Shao's long-term plans under the Queen's arrangement. It had been implemented since the attack on Shu the year before last, and it had only been nearly successful after countless efforts. Of course, Guo Shao did not mind the trouble and personally took care of the final process.
The substantial improvement in his status brought about by his marriage to Fu Ermei, who was as beautiful as the queen, enabled Guo Shao to overcome the tedious chores and running around and maintain his motivation.
Fu Yanqing originally had seven sons, but only the eldest son Zhaoxu reached adulthood. The second son died two years ago, and the third son, the oldest, was only eleven years old.
Now the people who can manage the family are discussing the dowry of Fu Ermei in the inner house, mainly Fu Yanqing and his son. Because his first wife, Madam Zhang, the mother of the Fu sisters, has passed away, Madam Xiang, the second wife, is only called the nominal sister of the aunt by her children. She is kind to others and does not have many opinions.
However, the eldest son Zhaoxu's wife, Zhang, was able to say a few words because she was from the Zhang family, the maternal uncle of the Fu family.
Uncle treats my second sister better than his own son. Fu Yanqing's daughter-in-law Zhang muttered, with a hint of envy and jealousy in her tone.
In this tightly packed room with a small window, there were several large boxes filled with treasures. One of the boxes was filled with gold, jade, and jewelry. If Fu Ermei wore all of them, they would be heavier than the heaviest armor, and she would probably not be able to walk.
Fu Yanqing also took out two land deeds, one of which was a fertile farmland in the south of Tokyo, covering 3,000 mu of farmland. The other was a mansion in the southeast of Tokyo's inner city, where Guo Shao lived now. The queen did not give the land deed because it was the property of the Fu family and the land deed was not in the queen's hands.
Fu Yanqing had more wrinkles and age spots on his face, but he was not old and confused. When he heard what his daughter-in-law said, he said decisively: "How can an old man marry off his daughter and be stingy and humiliating?"
The eldest son Zhaoxu has a similar character to his third brother. He is more loyal, brave and courageous. He also supported his father at the moment: "The more dowry my sister has, the higher her status in her husband's family. My sister can't be bullied. By the way, Daming Prefecture collected some tolls a few months ago and cast a box of gold and silver. Father might as well give that box to my second sister as well."
Zhang couldn't help but mutter when she heard this: "I heard that Shao Ge'er had made great military achievements, but he just started his career two years ago and his family had no extra money. Now, he has to rely on his father-in-law's family to make a living. Even the place he lives in is the Fu family's house. Not only has he married a wife, but he has also turned his life around. This much wealth is enough for him to enjoy a life of wealth and glory."
She thought for a moment and said softly: No wonder he ran back and forth twice in person, and was so happy.
Although Zhang's words were a bit stingy, Zhao Xu found it pleasant to the ear. To him, she was praising the Fu family for their generosity. Zhao Xu always thought the best of what others said.
He laughed and said: These things are not given to the Guo family, they are given as dowry, and in the end they are still in my second sister's hands. When you married into the Fu family, I secretly gave you some of your dowry. We are all people of dignity, how can we touch the dowry from our parents' home casually? Hehe, the people in Shao'er's family have to ask my second sister for permission if they want money, who dares not to take her seriously
Fu Yanqing said very little, but he knew in his heart: no matter whether his sons or daughters were his, they would have to inherit something, and the dowry was actually a name to give his daughters some inheritance. Besides, Fu Yanqing loved his daughters more, and his three daughters were really lovely, and their personalities were all good. Of course, he was extra generous to his favorite children.
The daughter cannot be given an official position because of the official position of the King of Wei. After leaving home, she will have no income. If she relies on her husband's family for support, she will have to depend on others. Fu Yanqing has lived a lifetime, and he doesn't believe in many things, but only in realistic things.
He said casually: The second sister is not like the eldest daughter, she is much weaker. That's it. But not to mention the tax savings, Fu Yanqing himself also lived a life of luxury and spent a lot of money.
After hearing this, Zhang said: "The eldest sister is the queen, so the second sister is naturally inferior in comparison." Women always seem to be unable to resist comparing people they know.
At this moment, Fu Ermei and Lao Liu walked in. Zhang was a little caught off guard, her face turned ugly, and she quickly shut up.
Fu Ermei must have heard what her father and brother said. Her curved eyes, which seemed to be smiling, could not hide her sadness and she seemed very moved. When she came up to pay her respects, tears almost came out of her watery, clear eyes.
The eldest brother Zhao Xu took a look at his sister's Mo Yang'er, his expression changed, and he sighed: It's really a good deal for that kid Shao Ge'er.
Seeing her sister's expression, the sixth brother shouted: "Second sister is going to be a bride, why are you so unhappy?"
Everyone couldn't help but smile after hearing this. Fu Ermei said unhappily: I'm really worried about you. You are fourteen years old and still so stupid.
Their aunt, Madam Xiang, was also a beauty. She was not in a position to speak just now. At this time, Lao Liu came in and immediately taught her a lesson: Those young girls who got married would cry when they got married because they couldn't bear to leave their parents. Your second sister was lucky, she didn't cry.
This is not Fu Er's fault. She was too embarrassed to cry in front of her father at her age. Lady Xiang was not her biological mother. Before her mother, Lady Zhang, passed away, she did not have a good relationship with her daughters, because Lady Zhang was a woman who was very old-fashioned and strict in her words and deeds. After the defeat of Li Shouzhen and his son, Queen Fu returned to her parents' home and was forced by Lady Zhang to either commit suicide or become a nun. Fortunately, Fu Da was also very tough and did not obey.
After hearing this, Lao Liu nodded as if he had understood something and said, "I thought my second sister was reluctant to leave me. But she shouldn't be like that. She used to be best friends with my eldest sister. I'm afraid she's eager to go to Tokyo as soon as possible to be with my eldest sister. I should be crying. Now I'm all alone at home."
After saying that, he was about to hug Fu Er, but was pushed away by his second sister. Lao Liu immediately stood there feeling aggrieved, as if he wanted to cry but had no tears.
At this time, Fu Yanqing suddenly realized and took out a letter from his sleeve pocket and handed it to Fu Er: "A letter from the Queen. This one is in the envelope, and it clearly says that you should open it yourself, so your father has not touched the letters from you sisters."
Fu Ermei took it with both hands and said quietly: My elder sister and I didn’t have anything important to talk about, they were all small matters.
Fu Yanqing nodded, but seeing Fu Ermei's expression, he had the illusion that Fu Er had finally grown up a little overnight and was no longer as playful as before.
Sister, can you let me see it too? Lao Liu posted it again. She never holds a grudge.
Fu Er ignored her and walked over to the side, opened the envelope and read it. The reply was only one page, and she wrote eight pages to the queen with only a few lines. In the letter, the queen responded to Fu Er's description of the interesting things about the Lantern Festival in one sentence: Shao Ge'er has known me for several years, and we have met in the past two years.
Only then did Fu Ermei realize that Guo Shao must have recognized her at first sight.
At this time, the aunt, Madam Xiang, advised: "What Lao Liu said is right. The Queen is in Tokyo. After the second sister gets married, there will still be someone to take care of her in Tokyo. Besides, you and the Queen used to be together all the time and had such a good relationship. Don't be sad anymore."
Fu Er quickly scanned the paragraphs on the letter and put the paper away. She raised her head, the sunlight outside the door reflected on her face, with a rather sad expression, and said softly: I knew I would go to Tokyo, and I missed my elder sister for two months, and I also wanted to see her as soon as possible. But now that the time has come, I am a little scared. I suddenly have to leave my father, brothers and family, but I don’t know what life will be like in the future, and whether the people in Tokyo are easy to get along with.
Fu Yanqing sighed after hearing this: "Girls should get married when they grow up, but you have delayed until now. Why does your father keep you here? You have seen Shao Ge'er and picked him out. If you were born in another family, you would have to wait until you get married to find out what your husband would be like. What's the point of letting your imagination run wild now?"
Madam Xiang whispered again: Shao'er's parents died early, and although my second sister could not fulfill her filial duties, there was no one to take care of her. Who in the Guo family is older than you
Fu Ermei was not a person who was really sad about the passing of time. When she heard what Madam Xiang reminded her of, she immediately felt that it made sense. She didn't say it, but her heart suddenly felt relieved. It was unfilial to say it, but it was really the case; if the Guo family's parents-in-law were here, they were elders whom she had never met. Any affection she had was forced by etiquette, and it was really difficult to get along with them.
She thought of Shao Ge'er again. Although he was pretending to tease her about her identity as a dancer, he was not a strict person. Who would bully whom in the end? Thinking of this, Fu Ermei gradually became happy.
Two days later, Madam Gao and people sent by the Guo family came to deliver the betrothal gifts. Originally, Guo Shao's family should have come forward, but Guo Shao had no parents or brothers around, so he sent Zuo You to make the deal.
When the list of gifts was delivered and more than a dozen boxes were carried to Prince Wei's mansion, Fu Yanqing and his family came to see and were stunned with surprise.
Boxes of high-quality silk fabrics (since the Tang Dynasty, silk could replace currency to a certain extent), boxes of brand new copper coins, and various gold and silver utensils and jewelry. This gift was even more generous than the betrothal gift of aristocratic families.
Fu Yanqing's eldest daughter-in-law Zhang was stunned when she saw the colorful treasures, as many as eighteen large boxes.
Others were reluctant to say anything, but her husband Zhao Xu said jokingly: A few days ago you said that Shao Ge'er depended on our family for a living, look at these things.
Zhang was stunned and looked very embarrassed. She wanted to say that the Fu family didn't have so many gifts to marry her, but she thought that her family's dowry was also limited, so she couldn't argue back. She could only mutter: Where did Shao Ge'er get so much money
Zhao Xu blurted out: "The Guo family shouldn't have been able to get so much money with their limited assets. Could it be that they borrowed money from Tokyo?"
After hearing this, Fu Ermei's face darkened. Her eldest brother Zhao Xu turned to her and said: "It can be seen that Shao Ge'er still has feelings for the second sister. He must be willing to spend all his money to do this."
At this time Fu Yanqing pondered for a moment and said: The dowry needs to be modified, and the box of gold ingots that Zhao Xu mentioned should also be included.