Chapter 47

At night, at the Xu family residence.

Watching the girl their son had insisted on bringing home gradually disappear into the distance, Mr. and Mrs. Xu Qingtang exchanged a wry smile. Mrs. Xiao sighed, "It's already hard enough for a widow, let alone when the child isn't even her own. I never expected she would be mistreated to this extent."

"How cruel! Look at how Rainshi's hands are frozen!" Mr. Xu Qingtang said angrily, then became somewhat troubled, "It's fine for her to stay with us for a few months, but over time, it won't be proper. That rabbit's attitude is set on keeping her here."

"Why can't I keep my own niece at home? Who would dare to say anything? The old lady, being kind-hearted, will surely agree," Mrs. Xiao said without any worries, instead with a smile, "Rainshi is a gentle girl, kind and considerate from a young age. Her appearance is pitiful, and she can be well-nurtured for a few years to be kept for Hao."

Mr. Xu Qingtang, envious in his heart, deliberately contradicted, "Wouldn't that make the relatives say we have ulterior motives? And what merit does that rabbit have to make Rainshi a concubine?"

"Don't keep calling him a rabbit. What does that make you as a father? A rabbit father?" Mrs. Xiao shot her husband a dissatisfied glance, "She is a secondary daughter, and I think it's a match above Rainshi's station. According to their side, she might be sold to some scoundrel for a high price."

"Alright, alright, I won't say anything more." Mr. Xu Qingtang quickly stopped his wife from continuing, walked to the window with his hands behind his back, and suddenly remembered something, sneering, "What about Yuying? That girl is a beauty, perhaps she could be a concubine for your precious son?"

But Mrs. Xiao shook her head, "She is beautiful, but her character is not good. She is not a suitable match. I'm afraid that when she comes, it will cause trouble in the house."

"Hmm, indeed a beauty that brings disaster," Mr. Xu Qingtang nodded in agreement, thinking of Xiao Yuying's charming appearance, he lowered his head in thought, "I'll have my son move back in, so I can keep an eye on him and prevent him from doing anything disgraceful."

Mrs. Xiao glared, "Don't assume your son is like you, full of schemes. Ha! If anything happens, it's just a chance for me to have a grandson early, and I would be delighted."

Mr. Xu Qingtang panted heavily, almost fainting from anger, thinking to himself, "You've watched me all my life, but now you're so relaxed about your son. It's infuriating."

In the garden's embroidered building, Xu Qinglian gently applied ointment to her cousin's arm, which was bruised and purple from the cold, with multiple cracks and scars, a sight that was heart-wrenching.

Hongye's eyes were filled with tears, sobbing, "I said, why did my cousin say she wasn't hungry and didn't touch her food all night? If it weren't for my brother's keen eyes, what would have happened?"

"Don't be sad, cousin. It will heal in a few days," Xiao Yushi said with a faint smile, as if those damaged hands were not hers.

Xu Qinglian said softly, "From now on, you will live and eat with me. It's good to have a companion to talk to."

"Okay," Xiao Yushi nodded without hesitation.

At that moment, Xu Hao was sitting on the first floor, gazing at the dark night outside the window. To him, his cousin's plight was just a small matter, and he helped her out of kindness, nothing more.

He held a piece of paper in his hand, a matter of great importance, one that could decide his future. After much deliberation, he still couldn't make up his mind, so he got up and burned the paper with the candle.

He walked out of the embroidered building, and Qiu Xiang, along with four or five young maids, were waiting for him. Xu Hao said, "You all carry lanterns around, I'll walk by myself."

Qiu Xiang was about to protest, but Xu Hao had already started walking, saying, "Do I need you to support me? I might as well stay in bed all day."

This made Qiu Xiang swallow her words, silently walking ahead and holding up the palace lantern to guide the way.

From some point on, Xu Hao was less willing to deal with the maids in the house. Qiu Xiang was a first-class maid, earning one tael of silver per month; Qingwen and Mushue were second-class, earning 500 coins per month; the six young maids, four of whom were third-class, earning 250 coins per month, and two were rough maids, earning 100 coins.

The difference in monthly pay was significant, and with additional rewards and clothing, the gap was even wider. Who wouldn't want to earn more and improve their status? The quickest way was to get close to him, and as people spent more time together, they would develop feelings. Xu Hao, fearing he would be swayed, decided to keep his distance.

Starting from the third day of the first month, the Xu family began preparing for Xu Wen's grand wedding, hiring eight silversmiths to live in the house, with three managers taking turns to oversee the continuous crafting of various gold and silver jewelry.

Mr. Xu Qingtang also hired two high-ranking craftsmen from the capital to guide the silversmiths according to the royal style. Additionally, there were tin workers making various tinware, carpenters crafting carved gift boxes, and lacquer workers painting oil colors.

Xu Hao accompanied his father, running back and forth. Fortunately, this was the frugal Hongwu era, and except for the various rituals and rules that had to follow the royal style, weddings and funerals were almost the same as those of common people, differing only in scale. Otherwise, the Xu family would have been bankrupt.

Furthermore, boxes of silk and brocade were delivered to the house, and over ten of the most famous seamstresses were hired to sew the wedding clothes and new clothes for the four seasons.

There were also various other items to prepare, and the manor was constantly receiving various meats and vegetables, but the silver was flowing out like water. As the eldest son and grandson, Xu Wen was marrying a princess, and saving money was a dream.

Two eunuchs from the Qin王府 (Qin Wang Fu) were sent to inspect the preparations. When they saw the north courtyard designated for the new house, they found the rooms too small and pointed to the garden, demanding it be built there.

Mr. Xu Qingtang was very troubled. If he followed the Qin王府's (Qin Wang Fu) requirements, the scale would be unknown, and the time and cost would be unbearable.

"What? Troubled?" The leading middle-aged eunuch smiled, raising his head, "The wood and craftsmen will be provided by our palace, you just need to clear the space."

"This..." Mr. Xu Qingtang hesitated, the garden was in the center of the house, and if it became the new couple's residence, it would cause inconvenience to the whole family. Moreover, if it was occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Xu Wen, where would the old lady and the women go to relax? They couldn't build another garden, could they?

Xu Hao didn't care. With Zhu Yuanzhang still on the throne, it wasn't the time for a eunuch to speak. Besides, the court strictly prohibited extravagance, and any overstepping in the construction could bring disaster.

Xu Hao said irritably, "This is our house. You can choose to marry or not. Come, let's see you off."

"What kind of talk is this, young master?" The eunuch was taken aback.

Xu Hao flicked his sleeve, sneering, "It's true that our Xu family is getting a daughter-in-law, and your side can come and nitpick, but our side can also explain and insist. As the saying goes, 'marriage follows the husband.' Even if a princess marries, she must follow the rules of a common wife. This garden is a place for the whole family to relax. If you point and claim it, what about the rest of us? If you're not satisfied, you can tear up the marriage contract, or we can go to the Clan Office to reason. What do you think?"

The two eunuchs looked at each other, blinking, and said nothing. They dared not go to the Clan Office, where they would be at a disadvantage, whether they had a case or not. The marriage contract was recorded in the royal registry, and even the prince couldn't change it without special reasons.

In the end, these two had ulterior motives, hoping to gain some benefits. If the Xu family didn't give them face, it was better to let it go.

They bowed and left without a word. Watching them go, Mr. Xu Qingtang frowned, "Rash, it's best not to offend such people, or they will seek revenge."

Xu Hao said, "They are the Qin王府's (Qin Wang Fu) servants, far from here. In the capital, they don't count."

"Young and impulsive." Mr. Xu Qingtang shook his head and instructed the steward, "Go after them and say some nice words. Yes, secretly give each of them twenty taels of silver."

"Too little?" Xu Hao pursed his lips.

"Nonsense, I'd like to give them hundreds of taels, but would they dare to accept?" Mr. Xu Qingtang said irritably, walking away with his hands behind his back.

Oh, sixty taels of silver was a capital offense. Xu Hao realized, with the support of the Prince of Yan, he had nothing to fear from two palace eunuchs.

He pondered his father's words. Eunuchs were indeed a pitiful and hateful group, relying on the royal family, skilled in stirring up trouble, bullying with power, and secretly causing harm, making them hard to guard against.

Under Zhu Yuanzhang, eunuchs lived in constant fear, as evident from his father's lack of concern. Unfortunately, later on, they became more powerful and produced many notorious eunuchs who brought disaster to the country.

It seemed the rise of eunuchs began with the Yongle Emperor. Xu Hao sighed, no matter what, it was impossible to stop their rise unless the industry was eliminated, which would mean overthrowing the imperial system, a ridiculous idea.

From history, even without eunuchs, there would still be court jesters, corrupt officials, and traitors. The decline of a feudal dynasty was often inevitable, beyond human control. These were matters for great men to handle.

Xu Hao was fortunate to come from an era of China's comprehensive rise. The humiliation of a hundred years was a recurring theme in the long river of history. Future generations, like the people of the Ming Dynasty, who hated the Mongols and sought to exterminate them, felt the pain deeply.

Xu Hao had few enemies in his heart, only two. If he had the chance, he would not hesitate to act. He had no ambition to conquer the world, but he was willing to relieve the resentment in his heart.