Chapter 171 Parental Gifts

Chapter 171 Parental Gifts

With Xie Daoheng's approval, there were naturally no obstacles from the Hu family, so the process of finalizing this important matter was surprisingly smooth.

Xie Wanniang's situation was special; she did not intend to go to the Xie family during the normal formalities of marriage.

Xie Daoheng understood her concerns, but he still didn't want Xie Wanniang to simplify things or make do with whatever she wanted.

He informed Xie Wanniang, "I will find an excuse to go to Yi County. You should tell that boy to follow the proper etiquette."

Xie Wanniang looked surprised, "Are you just going to abandon the academy?"

Xie Daoheng snorted, "Even an ordinary teacher can ask for leave when he has personal matters to attend to, let alone your father, who is the headmaster of the academy."

Xie Wanniang then realized that the scholars of this era were not like the corporate slaves of her previous life; they were all quite willful.

Office workers have to be mindful of their bosses' moods when taking annual leave, and unpaid overtime is commonplace. But scholars these days are much more carefree and free. Leaving aside those who resign from their official posts, just look at the teachers at her father's academy. When they ask for leave, they don't need to rack their brains to come up with a so-called "legitimate reason."

If there's something going on at home, that's it; if you want to visit friends, that's it; and if you occasionally have a sudden urge to travel or stay at a temple or monastery, you'll say it all with a clear conscience.

This phenomenon wasn't limited to her father's academy. It was a mainstream practice that was socially acceptable and without any problems.

Realizing that she had gotten stuck in a rut, Xie Wan's mother immediately smiled and nodded, "As long as Father can leave."

Her genuine smile instantly brightened Xie Daoheng's mood.

Hu's feelings were quite complicated, but she did not show it on her face.

Hu Shi smiled and pushed the prepared gold, silver, pearls, jade, house deeds, land deeds, and a gift list containing all the items they had brought with them to Xie Wan Niang.

“These are the dowry that your father and I secretly prepared for you. Your situation is special, and the furniture and bedding are too conspicuous, so your father and I converted all of these things into silver notes and added them to your dowry.”

Xie Wanniang was surprised that they had prepared a dowry for her. Her eyes immediately reddened and stung. She took a deep breath, stood up and bowed deeply, "Thank you for your kindness, Father and Mother."

Madam Hu helped her up, saying, "We, as your parents, are incompetent and couldn't protect you, forcing you to flee far away to avoid disaster. Your father and I... feel guilty and can only make up for it slightly with money."

Xie Wanniang shook her head, "The trouble was not brought to me by you and Father. On the contrary, if it weren't for you and Father, I wouldn't be like this today. It was your upbringing and cultivation that gave me the ability to live well even without the protection of the family."

She slowly gave Mrs. Hu a confident and radiant smile, "Don't worry, just give me a little more time, and I will definitely be able to stand in front of people openly and honestly again."

Mrs. Hu patted her hand and said, "Don't push yourself too hard. If there's anything your family can do to help, remember to write back quietly."

Although she couldn't treat Xie Wanniang as her own daughter, she had never mistreated Xie Wanniang in the slightest over the years, and she genuinely loved Xie Wanniang.

Xie Wanniang nodded, "I understand, thank you, Mother."

Although she most likely won't ask the Xie family for help, there's really no need for her to say something so blunt and hurtful at this time.

Having arranged to meet Xie Daoheng at a certain time and place in Yi County, Xie Wanniang stood at the door of the side room in the backyard of the shop, watching Xie Daoheng and Madam Hu get into the carriage and leave.

About 15 minutes after they left, Xie Wanniang, accompanied by Haitang and several guards, took the gifts the two men had given her and returned to her house in Mingfu Village.

The dowry prepared for her by Xie Daoheng and Madam Hu mainly consisted of gold, silver, pearls, jade, house deeds, and land deeds. The remaining small portion consisted of brocade, furs, bird's nests, calligraphy and paintings, etc., which did not take up much space but were very valuable.

Xie Wanniang could pack up everything else and take it to Yi County, but she had to finish dealing with the three house deeds and land deeds representing the estate, mansion, and shop in Tang County.

She couldn't bear to rent out the house, so it would have to remain vacant for the time being. She planned to entrust the shop to the same broker she had used before, asking him to help her rent it to a reliable businessperson.

Zhuangzi Xie Wanniang needed to visit the estate in person. Firstly, she had to inform the estate manager and tenants that the estate had changed hands and she was now their new owner. She also needed to observe whether the current estate manager was reliable and whether the tenants were diligent and honest. Secondly, she also needed to thoroughly understand this newly acquired estate, carefully examining its location, soil, water source, and attached houses, etc.

Only after reviewing and understanding the situation can she decide whether to maintain the status quo or make adjustments based on the actual circumstances.

She greeted Hao Yu and told him that she needed to stay in Tang County for another two or three days.

Hao Yu had already finished his own business. Even if Xie Wanniang hadn't come to find him, he would have gone to find her anyway to ask about her departure time.

Upon hearing Xie Wanniang say that she would stay in Tang County for another two or three days, Hao Yu immediately nodded, "Then I will go to the county town tomorrow and book a carriage to depart from Mingfu Village to Yi County in three days."

Xie Wanniang nodded and said, "Okay, thank you for your hard work."

Hao Yu smiled and waved her hand, indicating that she should go ahead and do her work.

Over the next three days, Xie Wanniang first went to the county town to see her newly acquired house and shop, and entrusted the rental of the shop to a broker. Then she went to her newly acquired estate twice to conduct on-site inspections and make some minor adjustments to some matters on the estate.

She didn't change the head of the manor because she recognized the familiar face from the Xie family the moment she arrived at the manor.

The other party was a member of the Xie clan. Although he came from a relatively inconspicuous branch of the Xie clan, he was a member of the Xie clan who was highly trusted by her father and had lost a leg while protecting the village.

"Uncle Rong!" Xie Wanniang was very familiar with this man and respected him greatly. The moment she recognized him, she immediately curtsied.

"Sixth Miss." Xie Daorong clearly knew he would see Xie Wanniang here. On his dark face with two scars, there was only joy, not surprise.

Xie Wanniang stepped forward, "Uncle Rong, what are you doing here? How did you become her manager?"

Xie Daorong was a little embarrassed. "I asked your father to help me find a job, and that's why he arranged for me to come here."

Xie Wanniang was taken aback. Although Xie Daorong's words were mumbled, Xie Wanniang still sensed something was amiss.