After being reborn as a man, the woman improved her family's fortunes through education.

Chapter 693 A Little Cousin Appears Out of the Way

Whether it was intentional or because both families felt they were getting on in years, the marriage between the Jiang and Tan families was arranged remarkably quickly.

The step of meeting the prospective bride was eliminated, and the process of expeditling the three letters and six rites was accelerated, with several items completed in just a few days.

Although Landlord Jiang and his wife were satisfied, they also felt that they were somewhat unprepared.

However, Jiang Xiaoqi insisted on completing everything that could be done before the end of the year, and getting married immediately after the Lunar New Year.

The elderly couple asked their grandson several times, but he wouldn't give them the specific reason.

"It's really because of your sixth sister's age, but this is a bit too rushed, and there's not enough time to prepare many things."

"Good days are few and far between. The sixteenth day of the first lunar month next year will be quite good, Grandmother. The next good day may not come until the year after next. Are you sure you want to wait until the year after next?"

"Huh? How can there only be one auspicious day in a year? Are you kidding us?"

Jiang Xiaoqi said in a serious tone, "Grandmother, there are specific rules for choosing a wedding date. It requires considering both parties' birth dates and times, as well as the auspicious and inauspicious days in the Chinese almanac. The sixteenth day of the first lunar month next year is an auspicious day that has been carefully selected. Once it's over, it will be hard to find another one."

Madam Jiang was skeptical. "You investigated this yourself? Don't tell me you just listened to the nonsense of those charlatans."

"Grandmother, don't worry. My master and I observed the celestial phenomena for a long time before arriving at this conclusion. Even if you don't believe your grandson, don't you believe Mr. Ouyang?"

"Since Mingfei has already found out everything, let's go along with it. Let's not delay any longer. Once the marriage is settled, let's get it done as soon as possible, so we can put our minds at ease."

Madam Jiang sighed, "Alright, alright, we'll do as you say, but the servants in the manor will be swamped."

"This year's year-end bonus will be increased by 30%, and I'll cover the cost."

Jiang Xiaoqi's lips curled up slightly, secretly relieved that she had made preparations in advance and had informed her master well in advance.

Of course, next year will not only have the sixteenth day of the first lunar month as an auspicious day; it's just that next spring will only have this one auspicious day.

His Majesty the Emperor can only last until next spring at most. Once the Emperor passes away, the entire Great Zhou Dynasty must observe mourning, and all entertainment, weddings, and engagements will be prohibited.

If we don't get Sixth Sister and Tan Hao's wedding done before His Majesty passes away, we really will have to wait another year for a good day.

However, Jiang Xiaoqi couldn't tell her elders about this reason, especially since walls have ears, so she had to be careful.

As they approach the final stage, the Jiang family and the Second Prince must proceed with even greater caution and prudence.

Moreover, since the matter was carried out in secrecy, if more people knew about it, unexpected events and changes were bound to occur, and Jiang Xiaoqi did not want to take that risk.

Just as the Jiang family was busy preparing for the wedding, an uninvited guest suddenly arrived at the Tan family.

The woman claimed to be Tan Hao's distant cousin and brought a keepsake from their childhood.

When Madam Jiang and Landlord Jiang heard this, they were very worried. The wedding was already halfway done, and now this unexpected trouble had come out of nowhere!

The Jiang family wasn't in a hurry to step forward; they were waiting to see the attitude of the Tan family and Tan Hao himself.

Jiang Weier, the person involved, remained calm. Although she had known about the matter for a long time, she did not react after hearing it.

If this person is unreliable, no matter how much you try to keep them close, they will still be unreliable.

If this person is reliable, he will know what to do without you having to say anything.

"Sixth Sister, are you really not worried?"

Jiang Xiaoqi was only worried about his sixth sister. He really didn't expect Jiang Weier to be so strong-willed. He was wrong. He shouldn't have treated his sister like a delicate little white flower.

"What are you worried about? Are you worried that your fiancé will be snatched away by your little cousin?"

Hehe~ What can be taken away probably never belonged to me in the first place. What truly belongs to me won't be easily taken away. Is that so hard to understand?

Jiang Xiaoqi was stunned for a moment, as if she had returned to the 21st century and heard the female lead speak.

"I'm relieved that my sixth sister thinks this way."

Let's put Tan Hao's matter aside for now. We'll continue with what we're doing as usual, and I'll prepare my sister's dowry as planned.

My mother is also having someone make a list of things to add to my sixth sister's dowry, and the things my grandparents need to prepare are basically all ready.

"My little matter has alarmed the whole family. There's no need to make things too complicated; just prepare as usual. Besides... we might not even need it~"

Jiang Xiaoqi smiled helplessly, "No matter what, we still need to make preparations as usual. Sixth Sister also said that it's not certain, and we don't know which way the scales will tip in our favor."

Neither of them took the matter of their cousin too seriously. To be honest, at worst they could just break off the engagement, and Jiang Xiaoqi could provide for her sixth sister.

Jiang Weier herself did not value marriage more than her own life. She was happy to know that her husband was lucky, but she was also dead when she lost him. Why be hysterical or feel like she was dying?

However, neither Tan Hao nor the Tan family kept the Jiang family and Jiang Weier waiting for too long.

The next day, Tan Hao personally visited the Jiang family to apologize.

"Grandpa Jiang, Madam Jiang, this junior Tan Hao only has Miss Wei'er in his heart, and he would never let this misunderstanding cause her any harm."

Madam Jiang and Landlord Jiang exchanged a glance. Although they felt somewhat relieved, they still had doubts.

Jiang Xiaoqi observed Tan Hao's expression from the side and felt that what he said should be true, but had the matter of his cousin been resolved?

With elders present, Jiang Xiaoqi naturally wouldn't speak rashly, but instead gave her grandfather a meaningful look.

The grandfather and grandson naturally understood each other perfectly; with just a glance, Landlord Jiang knew what his grandson meant.

Landlord Jiang cleared his throat and asked, "Young Master Tan, how is the matter concerning your distant cousin?"

"Please rest assured, sir, my father and mother are already arranging marriages for my cousin."

My cousin and I haven't seen each other for many years. We only had a brother-sister relationship when we were children. As for the so-called keepsake, it was just a wooden toy we played with together when we were kids, which can be seen everywhere on the street.

Actually, my cousin was forced to come to Beijing by her family; she herself didn't want to leave her hometown.

They were my distant cousins, who somehow learned that I had now obtained an official position, and they wanted to persuade my cousin to come to the capital to establish a family connection.

Landlord Jiang frowned. "Oh? A mere seventh-rank official position can be so tempting?"

Hmph~ Then wouldn't his Mingfei, a top scholar from a proper family and a fifth-rank lecturer, attract half of the Great Zhou?

Landlord Jiang deliberately emphasized the word "small," but Tan Hao remained unfazed, showing neither anger nor resentment.

This impressed Landlord Jiang, who was somewhat satisfied.

"Alright, we Jiang family accept your apology. However, until the matter of that distant cousin is completely resolved, Mr. Tan and Mr. Tan, please refrain from visiting us for the time being."

The Jiang Family Temple is too small to accommodate even the slightest bit of dirt.