Chapter 5 - A Man Without Money Is No Man At All
1306 Words
Qian Jiujiu heaved a sigh of disappointment. She was thankful to have the thick layer of make-up on her face just now. She would rather die than let Mu Yexiao see her bare face.
Notwithstanding that, Qian Jiujiu was happy with her eyes. They sparkled and made her attractive.
Also, she had great facial features, and the only downside was her skin. She believed that she would look fine after taking good care of her skin.
Qian Jiujiu heaved a sigh of relief and gave Hong Ling a smile. “Hong Ling, can you get something for me?”
That was before she was reminded that she was penniless. Wait! I still have some dowries, right?
She looked at Hong Ling again. “Hong Ling, can you please take me to my dowries?”
Hong Ling stared at Qian Jiujiu as she searched her body, but to no avail. When Qian Jiujiu requested to be brought to her dowries, Hong Ling finally understood what was going on.
“Yes, I will bring you there now.”
The dowries were placed at the room beside the bridal chamber. At that moment, Mu Yexiao had already left the room, and returned to his own bedroom.
After all, he did not see the wedding as a real marriage. He only let Qian Jiujiu stay because he thought that she was an interesting woman.
Qian Jiujiu followed Hong Ling to the room with the dowries. There have to be some valuables in these hundred cases, right?
She opened the first case, and to her aghast, there were pieces of old rags and nothing else.
“What the f*ck! Can that old troll from the Qian family be any stingier? I am, after all, his youngest daughter!”
She refused to believe it, and continued searching through the other cases. It took her some time before she finally realized that the idea was just wishful thinking.
There was absolutely nothing valuable there! Enraged, Qian Jiujiu’s face turned purple. She was ready to beat the Qian family up.
How could they? They should at least pay me after exploiting me!
The cases were the only thing worth any money there. Qian Jiujiu was furious.
Back then, she was never necessitous. Now, she finally understood the saying—a man without money is no man at all.
Qian Jiujiu turned around and sized Hong Ling up. Hong Ling did not seem like a woman with money as well. Where else can I get any money?
She blinked as she worked her mind. Quite a few candidates passed by her mind before she finally selected Mu Yexiao as her target.
After all, he was the richest person she knew at that moment.
She took a glance at the darkened sky to know the time. She supposed that Mu Yexiao would not bother to see her now, as they had to visit the palace together the day after. Qian Jiujiu was extremely perturbed.
On the side, Hong Ling was watching Qian Jiujiu all the time as she ransacked the dowry cases and eventually stood there with anger and frustration. Hong Ling could not help but felt sorry for Qian Jiujiu.
In fact, Princess Consort, who was standing before her, was rather pitiable. She was forced by her family to wed the Prince, but did not even get any proper dowry from them.
Regardless, it was still a blessing for her to be married to Lord Xiao.
Before Hong Ling could find the right words to comfort her, Qian Jiujiu abruptly rose to her feet.
“Hong Ling, let’s go. I’m going to sleep.”
Knowing that she was not capable of doing anything now, she decided to hit the sack. She had already learned from the historical Qian Jiujiu’s memory that the Qian family was not the kindest. Now that she was treated in this way, she would definitely hold grudges against them.
She did not expect the Qian family to be this cold-hearted! Qian Jiujiu followed Hong Ling back to her room and threw herself onto the bed before she quickly fell asleep.
The advising nannies arrived at that instant. They looked at Hong Ling and asked, “Where is Princess Consort?”
“Princess Consort is sleeping. Is there anything I can help you with?”
The two nannies were puzzled when the Prince ordered them to serve the Princess Consort. We know who Qian Yuge is. She is famous in the Capital. Why would she need an advising nanny?
The corners of Hong Ling’s mouth twitched upon hearing the nannies’ query. She was afraid that Princess Consort desperately needed some lessons for her etiquette.
They peeked into the room and saw Qian Jiujiu, who was still in her wedding dress, was asleep on the bed with her four limbs wide apart.
The nannies’ expressions changed. Nanny Lin spoke out aloud.
“How graceless.”
Her voice woke Qian Jiujiu up from her sleep. She sat up and looked at the trio.
“Hong Ling, who are these people?”
Hong Ling returned to the room and replied, “Princess Consort, your advising nannies are here.”
Qian Jiujiu blinked in confusion as she had completely forgotten about this matter. She gave the advising nannies a glance and beckoned Hong Ling over.
“Hong Ling, here. Can I meet His Highness right now?”
Hong Ling had no idea why Qian Jiujiu wanted to meet Mu Yexiao at this odd timing. However, she shook her head coldly.
“No. His Highness is now resting. You should focus on your lesson with the two nannies now.”
The nannies understood the situation right after they saw Qian Jiujiu. She was clearly not Qian Yuge. Their appearances differ too much.
It was clear that this girl had a rather average appearance. She did not even look like the daughter of a noble family.
Subconsciously, Qian Jiujiu touched her nose. Does that mean that I have to start the lesson now? She hated etiquette training the most.
She never thought that she would ever need to take etiquette lessons. As for the nannies, they were still clueless on why Princess Consort was not the woman they expected.
“Princess Consort, you should learn some simple etiquette, and learn how to curtsy to the Emperor and the Empress, since you will visit the palace tomorrow.”
Curtsy? Qian Jiujiu only knew that she had to kneel down. What else is there to learn?
“Princess Consort, please observe my movements. Stand upright, keep your head high, then straighten your chest and legs.”
Qian Jiujiu thought that the nanny’s voice was as irritating as a fly, but nonetheless, she observed earnestly.
However, she continued to make mistakes because she was tired. She took one whole sleepless night just to get a hold of a simple curtsy.
To everyone’s surprise, a message was sent from the palace during sunrise.
The Princess Consort was asked to take care of the Prince instead of visiting the palace.
The corners of Qian Jiujiu’s mouth twitched when she heard the news. Her effort was for nothing.
She turned to look at the nannies. “Nannies, since I don’t have to visit the palace anymore, can I have some rest?”
The nannies gave each other a reluctant glance. When they turned to look at Qian Jiujiu, she was already on the bed, fast asleep.
Hong Ling found the scene hilarious. However, she made no delay to report it to Mu Yexiao.
“Your Highness, Princess Consort went straight to sleep after receiving the news from the palace.”
Mu Yexiao murmured in acknowledgment. “Bring her to me once she’s awake.”
Upon receiving his order, Hong Ling left the room. Dong Chen looked at Mu Yexiao and asked, “Your Highness, do you actually believe that she can cure you?”
The question had been bugging Dong Chen’s mind for the whole day.
Mu Yexiao shook his head. “I don’t, but like what she said, I will not lose anything from this bet.”
Dong Chen seemed indignant as he continued to gaze at Mu Yexiao. “Your Highness, why wouldn't you lose anything?”
“You should inform the Emperor that the Qian family replaced their promised daughter with their illegitimate daughter. Then, the Qian family will be convicted of perfidy.”
Mu Yexiao snorted. “Do you think that the Qian family doesn't have a contingency plan?”
- Writer
