Tianliangyuan

Chapter 179 Recognition of relatives

The investigation on Mai Dong's side was quick because Xiu'er's background was easy to verify.

After reviewing the information, Xu Zhaozhao simply sighed slightly, thinking that she was indeed a pitiful woman.

Fortunately, she married a good man. Although he was poor, he protected her and was willing to let her manage the money and the household. That's what makes a good man.

In this era, we can't have too high expectations for good men.

Being able to support a family and not mess around outside is already quite excellent.

“In that case, Maidong, please lend a hand and help Xiuer get her identity confirmed as soon as possible. Also, since she has already married into the Wang family, this household registration matter is obviously no longer feasible, but the family that abused her should not be let off lightly.”

"Yes, ma'am."

Xu Zhaozhao is a typical person who is very protective of her own.

If Zhu Zi is her person, then Zhu Zi's sister is naturally also her person.

Especially since Zhu Zi's parents were still working at the mansion, it was natural to let them know that the master of the house was benevolent and righteous.

With the Marquis's family intervening, the county government's judgment was swift, and it was a single document that directly severed Xiu'er's relationship with her adoptive parents. As for the so-called debt of raising her, when Xiu'er got married, the two taels of silver given as a betrothal gift by Wang Youtian were all accepted by her adoptive parents, who did not give Xiu'er a single penny. This was considered as repayment for the years of raising her.

The elderly couple wanted to argue further, but Xiuer presented evidence that she had worked every day without interruption since being adopted by the couple, and that the neighbors could also testify to this. Therefore, the elderly couple had no choice but to grit their teeth and accept it.

Actually, even if she didn't go to the government office, Xiuer wouldn't need to go back to that home.

After all, in this day and age, it is customary for a woman to follow her husband after marriage. Xiuer is already a mother herself, and she has no relation to her adoptive parents anymore.

However, to avoid future troubles, it's best to have the government handle the matter thoroughly.

Now that the matter was out in the open, Zhu Zi led Xiu'er through a small side gate of the Marquis's mansion, into the servants' quarters, and finally saw her parents.

Wang Youtian followed along and only then did he realize that his wife's family was actually the stewards of the Marquis's mansion. Tsk tsk, that's quite a respectable family.

Don't underestimate these people just because they are servants in the Marquis's mansion. When they go outside, whether they are shop owners or village heads, everyone greets them with a smile.

For the first time, Wang Youtian felt that marrying this wife was like holding a gold ingot.

Zhu Zi's parents had worked in the Marquis's mansion for many years. Not to mention their monthly salary, they had received quite a bit in bonuses over the years.

Because the couple were loyal and honest, a small courtyard was set aside for them to live in, which was reserved for the servants.

Zhu Zi's mother works in the kitchen, and Zhu Zi is now a capable steward in front of the young lady. It is said that Zhu Zi's monthly salary alone is one string of cash, which makes Wang Youtian extremely envious.

Xiuer and Wang Youtian kowtowed to their parents together before the matter was considered closed.

Zhu Zi's mother was a kind-hearted person. Although Xiu'er was not her biological daughter, she still put a jade bracelet on her wrist.

"Your mother has worn this jade bracelet for over ten years; it was a gift from the madam back then. As for the dowry, we can't be hasty. Originally, your father intended to give you some money and jewelry as a dowry, but I heard from Zhu Zi that your family is still renting a small courtyard. So, we had Zhu Zi buy a small courtyard in Pingkangfang as your dowry."

During the Daxing Dynasty, women were also allowed to own property, especially land deeds and house deeds.

However, under normal circumstances, it is the bride's family that prepares these items before the girl gets married, as a way of showing that they belong to the woman and that there is no reason to dispute them in the future, whether they divorce or live separately.

Zhu Zi's mother was worldly-wise, so she suggested that they buy a small courtyard house and register it under Xiu'er's name, so that the Wang family would not dare to bully her in the future.

Zhu Zi immediately thought his mother's idea was good.

We need to let the Wang family know that Xiuer also has a family to rely on.

Upon hearing this, Xiuer was deeply moved, tears welling in her eyes, and she knelt down again with a thud.

"Thank you, Mother, for planning this for me. I am an unfilial daughter who has not served you for many years. Now I have to trouble you, Father and Mother, to worry about me."

"Alright, get up now. From now on, live a good life."

Zhu Zi's father casually hung a small silver lock around his grandson's neck, which left Wang Youtian stunned.

My in-laws are so generous!

The family was talking when a woman in charge called out from outside the door.

Is Zhu Zi home?

Upon hearing this, Zhu Zi came out of the house: "I'm here, which sister-in-law called me?"

"Has your sister been found?"

"Exactly."

"Just now, Miss Dingxiang from Ziyuan instructed that if Xiuer and her husband are both here, she should go to Ziyuan to see Miss."

"Yes, thank you, sister-in-law."

Zhu Zi's mother smiled kindly: "Xiu'er, this is a good thing! Our young lady is known for her kindness. The fact that your background can be revealed openly this time is because the young lady helped you behind the scenes."

"Don't worry, Mother, I'll go over and kowtow to Miss a few more times in a bit."

Zhu Zi led Xiu'er and Wang Youtian to the Purple Garden to express their gratitude.

After meeting Xiu'er, Xu Zhaozhao realized that even though they were both women, their lives were indeed different.

Xiuer was probably not bad-looking, but because she worked hard day and night after getting married, she looked older than the other people of the same age in the mansion.

“Zhu Zi is a sentimental person; he has thought of you all these years. Now that you have recognized each other as family, you should live a good life together. If you encounter any difficulties, go to Zhu Zi; he still has some standing in our capital city.”

Zhu Zi quickly bowed and said, "Master, please don't make fun of me."

Xu Zhaozhao smiled, raised her hand, and peony led the way, followed by several little girls, none of whom were idle.

“You are Zhu Zi’s older sister. Since Zhu Zi’s family has given you a dowry, I, as the head of the household, cannot leave without giving something in return. Here is a string of cash, a set of silver jewelry, and two bolts of cotton cloth. Consider this my contribution to your dowry.”

"Thank you so much, Miss! I will never forget your great kindness in my lifetime!"

It's described as a set of silver headdress, but it's actually just a hairpin, a hair ornament, a pair of silver earrings, and a silver necklace.

For ordinary people, this might be a rare find that they could never afford in their entire lives.

But for Xu Zhaozhao, it was merely something she could use to reward people at any time.

"Zhu Zi, I'm giving you the next two days off. Get things arranged as soon as possible. I have other things to tell you to do afterward."

"Yes, master."

The small courtyard in Pingkangfang that Zhuzi bought for Xiuer was very close to where Xiuer worked, and it was even larger than the one they had rented before.

It not only has three main rooms, but also a rear building, and the yard is large enough to grow more vegetables.

"Sister, keep this safe. These are the house deeds and land deeds, all officially registered with the government. If he ever dares to bully you in the future, just kick him out!"