The Prodigal Son of Zhenguan

"Then invite them here? Wouldn't that be a bit abrupt?" Li Fu asked.

"My dear, our family and the Duke of Ying's family are about to become one family. This is a done deal. It's not abrupt. Moreover, inviting them to come and see our farm at this time also has another meaning." Old Zhao said: "In the marriage affairs between the rich and powerful families in Chang'an City, there are many cases of flattering the powerful and trampling the weak."

"The five surnames and seven names, the aristocratic families, don't even look at the royal family."

"To be honest, after you and the young lady of the Duke of Ying's family were married, I also inquired about the Duke of Ying from many sources." Old Zhao smiled a little embarrassedly.

Li Fu grew up under his care since he was a child. The friendship between the two is not just a master-servant relationship. In Old Zhao's heart, he regards Li Fu as his close junior.

When the children in the family are getting married, the older elders always have to worry more.

Even though he knew that this marriage was facilitated and checked by the palace, he still wanted to do more and learn more, so that he could have a better idea in his heart, fearing that his own child would be able to use it one day.

Therefore, Lao Zhao tried every means to inquire about the affairs of the Duke of England, and he knew a little bit.

Having lived in Chang'an for so long, Lao Zhao has been making progress.

In Chang'an, the "rules of survival" that no one has announced have to be explored by themselves on a daily basis.

Li Fu did not live in Chang'an for a long time, so these things fell on Lao Zhao's head.

It was also stumbling, but he finally stood firm in Chang'an and did not make others laugh at him.

"Tell me about it." Li Fu looked at Lao Zhao.

"Officials in the court naturally know the origin of the Duke of Ying, but for us, if we don't ask, we will have no way of knowing." Lao Zhao said: "Speaking of which, the marriage between our mansion and the Duke of Ying was so easy to achieve, in addition to the support of His Majesty and the Queen, it is also because our two families are well-matched and both are prestigious.

Sir, don't be angry if I tell you about the marriage customs in Chang'an City. If it is a noble lady from the Five Surnames and Seven Famous Houses, they may not look down on us, unless they give several thousand or even tens of thousands of guan for the marriage."

"Li Fu nodded. I know that. The custom of wealth marriage has existed for a long time."

Li Fu was not surprised when Lao Zhao said so, and there was nothing to be angry about.

This is the social atmosphere.

The Five Surnames and Seven Famous Houses have money, power, and connections. Do you marry them to find a wife and have children?

Isn't it because they value their connections and reputation?

"Even if you give them money, they may not appreciate it, and they will definitely make things difficult for them." Old Zhao looked helpless.

This was just a nice way of saying it.

To put it bluntly, the Five Surnames and Seven Families looked down on even the royal family, not to mention that they had just returned to their roots and had status.

Even if they looked at their family, it was because they were thinking about their own money-making industry, not wanting to marry, and they were all malicious.

"The wealthy families in Chang'an City interact with each other. Men have their own battlefields, and women have their own circles. When they get together, sit there and talk about their children, I dare to think that as the one who is getting married, we must give the woman's family more confidence, so that your future mother-in-law can sit among the nobles and have something to say."

Old Zhao went around in circles and finally expressed his thoughts.

The Duke of Ying's Mansion is not one of the most outstanding families in Chang'an City.

The Duke of Ying's Mansion has only the Duke of Ying as the pillar. He was born in the Xu family of Gaoping Beizushangfang. His ancestors were wealthy and rich, with many servants and thousands of bushels of chestnuts.

The Duke of Ying's ancestors, tracing back to his grandfather, were only the governor of a county. His father was given the title of governor and the title of Duke of the State in the early years of Wude because the Duke of Ying surrendered to the Tang Dynasty. He died in the second year of Wude.

The current prosperity of the Duke of Ying's Mansion is all due to Li Ji.

The status of men directly affects the status of women in their circle.

Add to that the topic of children's marriage.

Li Fu only needed to think about it for a while to understand what Lao Zhao meant.

"It's hard for you to think so much about me. I really neglected this aspect. We have to do what we can do for these things and try to be as thorough as possible." Li Fu sighed.

I don't really care what the wealthy families in Chang'an say about me behind closed doors. I can't control it anyway.

As for the public, we are all intellectuals, and no one would lose face and gossip like a gossiper.

Idiots like Lawyer Pei are not worth the world.There are not many in the family.

In Chang'an City, there are occasionally arrogant and domineering people. Just listen to their identities and you will know that they are nothing more than scraps in the big family.

Those who will be the backbone of the family in the future will not be like a fool and disregard their image outside and embarrass themselves.

"Old Zhao, how about this? I will write a letter to invite the Duke of England and his family to come to the manor. The future son-in-law invites his father-in-law, mother-in-law, and future wife to come out for a day or two, two or three days of summer vacation. Isn't it a good etiquette?" Li Fu asked.

"That's fine." Old Zhao responded: "But I don't know if the Duke of England himself is willing to come. If he is not willing, there is no female family member of suitable status to receive him in our manor. I am afraid it is a bit inappropriate."

Li Fu frowned when he heard this.

What should I do?

"Then let's put this matter aside for a day or two. Let me think about it carefully." Li Fu said, "Since we have to do it, we must consider it carefully and make sure it is foolproof."

Old Zhao nodded in agreement.

After dinner in the evening, Li Fu strolled around the house.

Yan Lide and his friends had returned to their residence. They were not sleeping yet and were sitting in the yard chatting. Li Fu also strolled over and joined them.

"I think Huairen doesn't seem to be in a good mood today." Yan Lide asked with a smile, "But what's bothering you?"

Li Fu smacked his lips, looking embarrassed, and told Yan Lide and his friends about the problems he encountered.

"That's easy to say." Yan Lide smiled and said, "It's hard to say if there are few people, and I'm worried that others will be picky. Wouldn't it be easier to say if there are more people?"

"There are more people?" Li Fu looked puzzled.

Yan Lide sighed: "Come to think of it, I have lived in this manor for such a long time, and I haven't seen my wife for a long time."

After he finished speaking, he looked at Yan Liben and Jiang Que.

"It's the same for you two, right?"

The two nodded when they heard it, and then their eyes lit up.

Yes, wouldn't it be easier with more people?