Chapter 87 : Can this arranged marriage be withdrawn?

Zhou’s palms were sweating as she forced a smile. “Of course, Ying’er is the daughter of our Song family, so we must take her dowry seriously. I’ve already made the preparations…”

But Song Jinlan didn’t even acknowledge her. Instead, she motioned for her maid to hand a brocade box to Song Ying.

“This was given to me by Han a long time ago. She was too generous, didn’t even ask if I needed it. Now that you’re getting married, just consider this me being lazy and passing it on as your dowry.”

The corners of Zhou’s eyes twitched slightly. She realized that Song Jinlan was clearly criticizing her.

After Han passed away, her dowry and later properties aside from what Song Ying held personally, had all been transferred to the Marquis’ Mansion.

After Zhou entered the mansion, she also asked Song Jinzhuo for a portion of the money and transferred it to her own name.

When Song Ruoer got married, Zhou had prepared a generous dowry for her daughter, which naturally included parts of Han’s original assets.

Now, there wasn’t much of the Han family’s property left in Zhou’s possession, and the rest remained in the Marquis’ Mansion.

So how could she possibly hand over everything she still had?

Zhou glanced at Song Jinzhuo beside her and saw that he remained calm and unmoved, as though everything being discussed had nothing to do with him.

Zhou lightly tugged at his sleeve.

Only then did Song Jinzhuo turn to look at her.

Zhou lowered her eyes slightly, her expression soft and pitiful enough to melt any man’s heart.

Song Jinzhuo gently patted her hand and then turned to Song Ying. “You’re a princess now, so your dowry must match your status. Just tell your mother how much you want and what you need.”

Song Ying smiled and gave a slight bow to both of them. “Thank you, Father. Thank you, Mother.”

Zhou was stunned. ‘How did things turn out like this?!’

Song Jinlan rolled her eyes and said, “Now that this is settled, I’ll be on my way.”

Song Ying stood up. “Aying, see your aunt out.”

Song Jinlan didn’t object, and Song Ying accompanied her toward the main gate.

“Aunt, did my mother really give you a dowry?”

Song Jinlan recalled how Han had come to her with various contracts back then, saying they were dowries prepared for her.

But at the time, the man she married wasn’t Huo Leiming. She had been disheartened and angry, and handed everything back to Han.

Han had refused to take it back, but Song Jinlan was stubborn she wouldn’t accept it if Han refused to reclaim it.

Now, when Song Ying asked about it, Song Jinlan responded bluntly, “Why are you so nosy? Either way, don’t expect me to help. You’re not my daughter.”

Song Ying nodded repeatedly, but couldn’t help grinning. “Yes, yes. I’ll help Aunt get into the carriage.”

Song Jinlan: “Forget it. I don’t dare let a princess support me. Go back.”

Song Ying: “Aunt, are you coming to the wedding banquet?”

Song Jinlan: “Not coming.”

Song Ying: “Then should I send the wedding wine to your house?”

Song Jinlan: “Whatever.”

Song Ying waved. “Take care, Aunt.”

—

Song Ying arranged for Han Zhu to stay in a courtyard close to her.

It had been a long time since the uncle and niece had seen each other, and they had much to talk about.

“That Huo Zhen… is he really reliable?” Han Zhu asked.

When he first heard about Song Ying’s divorce, Han Zhu had held himself back from coming to the capital.

That was because both Han and Song Ying had told him: If we don’t call for you, don’t come.

Han Zhu had trusted them, believing that if Song Ying didn’t ask for help, it meant she had her own plans.

Song Ying said, “He’ll come tomorrow. Uncle, will you test him?”

Han Zhu: “Alright. And if he fails… can this marriage still be called off?”

Song Ying: “Well… we can try?”

Han Zhu laughed. “Uncle’s just teasing you.”

Song Ying smiled too. “I know.”

Han Zhu glanced at Faer in the courtyard and said, “Actually, I came here this time because there’s something else I want to talk to you about.”

Song Ying asked, “What is it?”

Han Zhu replied, “Faer is old enough now, right? Your mother once asked me to find her a proper family. There are a few decent young men in our Han family.”

Song Ying looked outside and saw Faer chatting with several maids from the Han family.

“You should ask her directly. But I’ve spoiled this girl since she was little especially when it comes to food. I’m worried that if she ends up with a harsh mother-in-law, she won’t be able to bear going hungry.”

Han Zhu said, “Uncle understands. That’s why I’ve only looked at households that are generous and easygoing, no messy or demanding families. If you’re still concerned, I can have someone come over for you to check them out yourself?”

Song Ying: “Let me ask her first.”

Han Zhu: “Alright.”

—

After returning to the house, Song Ying asked Faer, “Uncle is thinking about arranging a marriage for you. What do you think?”

Faer blinked in confusion. “Huh?”

Song Ying smiled and said again, “I’m looking for someone for you to marry. Do you want to get married?”

Faer immediately shook her head and waved her hands, the tassels in her hair swaying in circles.

“No, no! I don’t want to get married. I want to stay with the Princess a few more years.”

Song Ying teased, “You’re that reluctant to leave me?”

Faer said playfully, “Princess, if you give me money, I can eat the new dishes at the fancy restaurants too.”

Song Ying: “A good family will feed you well. And anyone Uncle picks certainly won’t be short on money.”

Faer began to act spoiled. “Mmm….No, I just want to stay with the Princess.”

Song Ying laughed, “Alright, if you don’t want to, we won’t. But if you change your mind, just let me know.”

Faer’s eyes turned into smiling crescents.

—

While Song Ying felt warm and light-hearted, Zhou, on the other hand, was sighing and sobbing softly.

Zhou sat in front of the dressing table, her tear-streaked reflection in the mirror making her look pitiful and sorrowful.

Song Jinzhuo walked up and gently coaxed her, “You’re fine. Why are you crying?”

Zhou leaned weakly on him. “My Lord, Ruoer is also your daughter.”

Song Jinzhuo frowned slightly. “And?”

No matter how resentful Zhou was over what had happened today, she still spoke tactfully: “It hasn’t been easy for Ruoer to get pregnant. Now Aying has remarried and been granted the title of princess. Even the clan elders have come forward… Ruoer is also the jewel of the Marquis’ Mansion. She’s sensitive by nature. I’m afraid she’ll overthink things and worry herself too much…”

Song Jinzhuo closed his eyes slightly. “Are you saying we’ve given Aying too much attention?”

Zhou immediately denied it. “No, no, that’s not what I meant at all. I’m just worried about Ruoer. When she got married, none of the elders showed up. If she finds out, she might take it to heart. And the child she’s carrying… is, after all, of royal blood…”

Song Jinzhuo slightly curled his lips into a smile and stared intently at Zhou’s face.

She really is beautiful.

“Give the dowry list to Aying tomorrow and let her choose. She knows her limits.”

Zhou had originally hoped to win Song Jinzhuo’s favor and, in Ruoer’s name, get some advantages to comfort herself but this was all she got in return.

Song Jinzhuo opened his arms and said, “Go to sleep.”

Zhou stepped forward to help him undress, but he pulled her into his embrace, and she softened…

—

Since Song Jinzhuo had told Song Ying to choose, Zhou organized the dowry list and delivered it to her.

“Just look and choose whatever you want.”

There were items from both the Marquis’ Mansion and the Han family but none from the Zhou family.

Song Ying went through it carefully, then glanced at Zhou. Zhou appeared calm, but her fingers clutched the handkerchief tightly.

Song Ying quickly ticked some items on the list and handed it back. “These will do.”

Zhou looked at what she had selected and felt puzzled. Song Ying had only picked items from Han’s share, and not even all of them. She specifically chose the less profitable shops, farms with low yield, and abandoned properties.

Does she really know her limits, just like Song Jinzhuo said?