Zhou Haiqing's actions were especially grand. Even though the warm room was a few yards away from Xue Bitao's room, she could still hear the noise. The old women outside the room kept discussing: "This general is really good to the second young miss. Did you see that? The jewelry was carried in box by box."
"The second young miss is really lucky to be married to the general. I wonder who the eldest young miss will be betrothed to."
Although they were guessing who Xue Bitao would marry, they all knew that even if Xue Bitao married, she would not be able to find a better partner than Zhou Haiqing, unless that person was the crown prince.
But was the crown prince someone ordinary people could covet?
It was a pity that the eldest young miss was not as lucky as the second young miss in the end. They did not know what the general saw in the second young miss.
The old women discussed animatedly, and their words naturally reached the ears of Xue Bitao, who had been standing by the bed and listening attentively. However, those speculations and gossips all sounded different in Xue Bitao's ears.
She was already sullen enough that she could not be betrothed to Zhou Haiqing. Now, she had to listen to the servants talk about her future. Xue Bitao wanted to rush out and tear those people's mouths apart. Bitches.
Xue Bitao felt disgusted when she thought about being compared to Jiujiu.
In her previous life, she was under Jiujiu's shadow. In the end, she was poisoned to death by the crown prince because of Jiujiu. Even her child was killed by the crown prince.
Xue Bitao's life in her previous life was worse than death. She finally had a chance to start over, but because of the old ancestor's favoritism, Jiujiu beat her to it. However, what made Xue Bitao feel most humiliated was that Zhou Haiqing actually fell in love with Jiujiu like in her previous life. Xue Bitao came back to be with Zhou Haiqing. Now, she had lost her goal and she was betrothed to the crown prince just like in her previous life.
Xue Bitao's heart felt like it was being cut by a knife when she thought about how she was killed by the crown prince and how her child died in front of her. She wanted to resist, but there was nothing she could do.
Some things were destined to be lost. Even if Xue Bitao was annoyed, she couldn't do anything about it.
Charles had grown up by Xue Bitao's side. Seeing Xue Bitao's distressed expression, he was also very anxious.
She didn't know that Xue Bitao was upset because of Zhou Haiqing and Jiujiu. She thought that Xue Bitao was upset because Jiujiu was going to marry Zhou Haiqing and she couldn't compare to Jiujiu.
He opened the window and scolded, "Gossiping all day. Aren't you afraid that your tongue will rot? Hurry up and get back to work."
The old woman, who had been discussing heatedly just now, was splashed with a basin of cold water by Charles. She instantly scattered like birds and beasts.
Seeing that the old woman had left, Charles walked over to Xue Bitao and comforted her in a low voice.
"Miss, those old women don't know how to shut their mouths. Don't take it to heart. With your looks, are you afraid that you won't be able to find someone better?"
Xue Bitao lowered her eyes and didn't say anything.
Charles said, "Although the Great General isn't neat, he is older. After so many years of war, he still hasn't had anyone to warm his bed. His subordinates all say that the Great General can't have sex because of a hidden illness. If Second Miss marries the Great General, she will be a living widow. No wonder the Great General would compensate her like this."
Charles thought that Xue Bitao was upset because Jiujiu was going to marry Zhou Haiqing, so he casually said something nice and even deliberately belittled Zhou Haiqing to make Xue Bitao feel better.
Xue Bitao was depressed. She wanted to tell Charles how Zhou Haiqing was impotent. In her past life, he had given birth to several children with Xue Biyu. However, she did not reveal the fact that she had lived for two lifetimes. Otherwise, it would become a chaotic mess. Even if Charles was loyal to her, if he knew about this, he would not hesitate to send her to the fire and burn her to death.
Xue Bitao pursed her lips and didn't say anything. However, her face darkened.
However, the matter didn't end there.
The next day, the Zhenyuan Marquis residence received another imperial edict.
History was so similar. Xue Bitao was once again married to the Crown Prince as the Crown Princess.
First Madam, who was originally indignant that Jiujiu was going to marry Zhou Haiqing, instantly felt proud and elated.
So what if Jiujiu was going to marry the Great General? His Bitao was going to marry the Crown Prince. After the Emperor passed away and the Crown Prince ascended the throne, she would be the Empress. Although the General's wife was powerful, how could she compare to the Crown Princess?
Even Zhou Haiqing had to kneel and greet Xue Bitao when he saw her, let alone Jiujiu.
For a moment, First Madam couldn't help but feel a little smug. When she thought that she was going to be the Crown Prince's mother-in-law, she was especially excited.
Because one of the two girls in the Zhenyuan Marquis residence was married to the Crown Prince and the other was married to the powerful Great General, the status of the Zhenyuan Marquis residence suddenly rose. There were as many officials who wanted to be on good terms with the Zhenyuan Marquis as there were carps crossing the river. There was an endless stream of people and carriages in front of the Zhenyuan Marquis residence.
It was the Lantern Festival.
The Old Ancestor sighed with emotion as he led everyone to look at the moon. "Back then, Yu 'er and Bitao were still so small. In the blink of an eye, they are going to get married. Time really does not spare people."
Zhenyuan Marquis's eyes couldn't help but soften. He looked at Jiujiu with an especially gentle gaze.
Jiujiu thought of her deal with Zhou Haiqing and couldn't help but frown.
She didn't know how Zhou Haiqing was going to look at her on the day of the wedding.
When First Madam heard the Old Ancestor's words, she immediately said, "That's right. After coming of age, they will get married. Old Ancestor, the Crown Prince is not an ordinary person. Why don't we add another 10% to Bitao's dowry?"
First Madam was especially dissatisfied. What was Jiujiu's status? She was only marrying a military man, but her dowry was as much as Bitao's. Moreover, the Old Ancestor had covered up Jiujiu's betrothal gifts so tightly, which made First Madam angry and annoyed.
The Old Ancestor raised his eyes and glanced at First Madam, spitting in his heart. She really didn't know who she was anymore after receiving some benefits.
So what if Xue Bitao married the Crown Prince and became the Crown Princess? People often said that once one entered the palace, one would be as deep as the sea, not to mention that the Crown Prince now had two concubines. Given Xue Bitao's petty thoughts, if she married the Crown Prince, she would definitely be eaten up by others once she married him.
If it were her, she would definitely be ten thousand times reluctant to let Jiujiu marry him. She didn't know what First Madam was thinking. Her face was full of joy, as if she couldn't wait for Xue Bitao to marry him immediately. She was really short-sighted.
The Old Ancestor couldn't be bothered to pay attention to the short-sighted First Madam. He half-closed his eyes and slowly said, "According to the rules of the ancestors, the dowry is this much. When He 'er left, she also had this much dowry. If you think it's too little, then add it yourself."
He 'er was the Old Ancestor's only daughter.
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