Blood is thicker than water

  It goes without saying that the deeds to these lands given by Father, Li and Zhang are definitely unaware of them. These are all good pieces of land, they would not be happy if they knew Father gave them to her, she doesn't want to make things difficult for Father.

  Zhu Chang looked at Yuan Yi with a mixture of affection and pity, only then did he see the youthful appearance that she had. Normally, she was too mature and sensible, it pained him to see her like this. When he heard that Yuan Yi had personally prepared her dowry recently, his heart couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness and guilt. If she had a mother, there would be no need for her to take on this responsibility, and people would not have reason to mock them.

  He couldn't help but feel a few points of annoyance towards both Zhang and Li, which was unbecoming of someone in his position. He patted her hand comfortingly and said, "Alright, hurry up and wipe away your tears, what's the point of crying like this? As your father, I can still afford to provide for several households and shops when you get married. Don't worry about the dowry, I've got it all figured out in my mind, just focus on preparing for your wedding."

  Yuanyi hastily pulled out a handkerchief from her sleeve to wipe away tears, feeling deeply embarrassed with a flushed face. Lately, she had been overly sensitive and easily moved to emotion.

  Who knew that she had just wiped away her tears, and another sobbing sound came from beside her. Only to see Anling with a pair of phoenix eyes red, looking at her with wet eyes, grabbing her sleeve and saying: "Sister, I don't want you to leave, can you not get married?"

  Ling Ge'er was brought up by her, and she had a soft spot for him. Seeing his pitiful expression, Yuan Yi's nose turned sour, and the tears she had just wiped away began to flow again.

  "Anling, don't be reckless. A man has tears but doesn't shed them easily, what are you crying about?" Zhu Changren scolded Anling again, but his eyes were also slightly red and moist, making him seem unconvincing. It wasn't until the two siblings finished crying that he spoke again, saying: "Yi'er, although your father is not fond of Xiao Heng, since you've chosen him, you must make a good life together. Although their family is simple and has only recently risen to prominence as a noble house, the rules of their household are slightly different from ours. Try your best to adapt, but don't suffer any grievances, Father will support you."

  Yuanyi nodded, and her father, considering that she didn't have a mother to teach her, was worried that she wouldn't understand those social interactions, so he told her everything about how to handle things after marriage. Such meticulous care was completely unlike his usual strict and solemn demeanor.

  Actually, Yuanyi was mature in his daily dealings and could handle all kinds of relationships with ease. Zhu Changren wouldn't be unaware of this, but it's just that raising a child for a hundred years brings worries for ninety-nine years. Unless one is a parent themselves, no one can truly understand the weight and depth of those emotions.

  He Anling bid farewell to her father and left the study, but Yuan Yi's heart was still not calm. Seeing her younger brother by her side, her emotions became even more turbulent. "Ling Ge'er, in the future, you must listen to Father's words, study hard, and make a good life for yourself. Sister doesn't ask for wealth or high status, but hopes that you can make a name for yourself and earn a living to support yourself."

  Anling pouted and said with red eyes, "No, sister, I must become a high-ranking official, so that your husband's family will not dare to bully you in the future."

  The original intention was both heart-wrenching and gratifying, and there was no refuting his words. It's good for young people to have a goal, so as not to waste their youth. "Foolish younger brother, having this ambition is good, but don't overexert yourself either. Being flexible and yielding is the way of a gentleman."

  Anling nodded as soon as he heard her words, "I'll listen to sister."

  Yuanyi smiled comfortingly and stroked his head, saying nothing more.