The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 382: Chapter 375: I’m Just a Face-Lover 17

Mr. Li and the story of a dog is now known throughout the streets of Qingyuan City.

Qing Xing specifically asked a maid to go out and gather information, and she would report the latest updates to Anning every day.

Everyone in the Xu Family also seemed very interested in discussing this matter.

It is said that Li Fugui brought home a dog from the street, and since then, he treated the dog better than his own father.

Mr. Li was so frustrated that he wanted to get rid of the dog.

However, the dog was thrown out, but Li Fugui chased after it crying and shouting, and it took him a whole day and night to find it, nearly losing his life in the process.

Li Fugui originally had two concubines, but since he brought the dog home, he didn’t have time to bother with the concubines and spent all his time with the dog, making him look half-human, half-ghost. He would clutch his chest and gasp for air whenever the yellow dog was out of sight for a moment.

The family who had arranged a marriage with Li Fugui also heard about this and immediately went to call off the engagement.

Eventually, the two families made a scene and the marriage arrangement was cancelled.

At first, Anning would listen to the maids discussing it, but later she didn’t have time anymore.

As the wedding day drew closer, Mrs. Xu had already started packing Anning’s dowry.

Her dowry had always been stored in the Xu Family’s storeroom, and now Mrs. Xu unlocked the storeroom and began moving things out one by one.

He Juren had no close relatives, so after his death, all his property was left to Anning as her dowry.

The He Family was rather wealthy, and indeed, the dowry was substantial.

All the furniture had been made early on with good materials, in addition, there were quite a bit of gold and silver jewelry, lands, and shops, but mostly it was gold and silver.

A few days ago, Mrs. Xu had already started having the servants buy fabric and found skilled embroidery women to make Anning’s wedding dress.

Now, the dowry was taken out for cleaning, and the newly purchased fabrics and some other items were being packed into boxes and organized, keeping the entire household busy.

Days passed swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, it was the day before the wedding.

That day, the Xiao Family sent people to carry the dowry, and over eighty loads of dowry were carried out of the Xu Family, attracting onlookers on the streets.

Yue Zhong just happened to be at the bookstore helping with copying books and saw the display of the dowry on his way back, standing on the side of the road with a dark and unsightly expression.

Such a massive dowry could support a family for half a lifetime, it’s a pity, it wasn’t his.

Yue Zhong thought of Anning, and remembered how he had already given Xu Pengju the talisman, but who would have known Xu Bao’er would be so useless, becoming so frail during those days, otherwise, all this dowry would have been carried to his house, and Anning would have become his wife.

The more he thought about it, the more discontent Yue Zhong felt.

Meanwhile, the front door of the Xiao Family was wide open, Mr. Xiao stood at the door with the housekeeper, smiling and chatting with the neighbors.

Watching the dowry being carried in, Mr. Xiao’s smile grew even brighter.

Many people came over to congratulate him, Mr. Xiao responded with a fist-and-palm salute: ”Oh, it’s nothing, our two families had arranged this marriage long ago, and the two children are familiar with each other. It’s all for the children’s happiness.”

Some of those close to Mr. Xiao chuckled: ”He Juren was a capable man back in his day. It is said that this daughter-in-law of yours was personally raised by him, she might also be capable, your family has indeed gained a fine daughter-in-law.”

Mr. Xiao smiled as radiant as a flower: ”The child is good, ah, I even feel like my son is not worthy of her.”

Mrs. Xiao was also extremely happy.

Today, many Madams came to help, each eyeing the dowry filling the courtyard, offering their congratulations verbally, but inside, they felt a hint of sourness.

Qingyuan City isn’t the Capital; there are many rich and noble families in the Capital, and over eighty loads of dowry might not stand out there.

But in Qingyuan City, it’s top-notch.

Those who previously talked about the Xiao Family marrying a orphan girl are now keeping their mouths shut.

What about being an orphan girl? She brought a substantial dowry and won’t need to care about her parental home anymore; how peaceful is that?

Anning’s alarm rang before dawn, and Mrs. Xu woke her up, followed by a series of dressing and makeup preparations, and by the time she was ready to put on her wedding dress, it was already bright outside, with the sound of gongs and drums thundering.

Suddenly, Xu Bao’er came running: ”They are here, the Xiao Family people have arrived.”

Mrs. Xu quickly covered Anning’s head with the bridal veil, and just after the veil was properly placed, Xiao Yuan, dressed in red, entered.

Upon entering, he firstly paid his respects to Mrs. Xu, then helped Anning walk outside.

The couple went to the front hall to greet Xu Pengju and Mrs. Xu with a kowtow. With tears in her eyes, Mrs. Xu admonished: ”From now on, you are the Xiao Family’s daughter-in-law. Remember to be respectful and virtuous, honor and serve your in-laws well, take good care of your husband, and also... take care of yourself...”

Mrs. Xu truly didn’t want to part with Anning.

Anning’s mother passed away not long after her birth. Although He Juren raised Anning, being a man, he inevitably overlooked many things. Anning had often lived at the Xu Family since she was little and was practically raised by Mrs. Xu, almost no different from her own daughter. Now, she suddenly had to leave, which deeply troubled Mrs. Xu’s heart.

She was not only reluctant to part with her child but also worried about her child suffering away from home.

Wiping her tears, Mrs. Xu said to Xiao Yuan: ”Take good care of your wife in the future. If she does anything wrong, tell me, and I will discipline her.”

Xiao Yuan agreed repeatedly.

After knocking their heads, Anning was supported onto the flower palanquin by Quan Furen.

The Xiao Family valued Anning greatly; the wedding was celebrated with much joy and noise.

Anning waited in the bridal chamber until evening before Xiao Yuan arrived.

He had a bit of unpleasantness with his rowdy friends; hence, no one came to disturb the bridal chamber that night, which gave Anning some peace.

That night, the couple enjoyed a tender moment; by morning, Xiao Yuan was still unwilling to get up from bed.

Anning had no choice but to dress herself first, then drag him out of bed.

Xiao Yuan, holding Anning’s waist playfully, pleaded, ”Wife, let’s sleep a bit more. I’m so sleepy, and our parents are not the type to mistreat their daughter-in-law. Paying respects a bit later won’t be a problem.”

Anning gave him a look: ”No way, get ready quickly. We still need to serve tea to our parents and offer incense to our ancestors. We cannot be late.”

Xiao Yuan had no choice but to get up and freshen up.

When both went to pay their respects in the main house, Mr. Xiao and Mrs. Xiao clearly felt the love between them, and seeing Xiao Yuan’s smile, they knew the couple’s feelings were genuine.

Mr. Xiao was all smiles, and Mrs. Xiao had a few words with Anning before allowing her to serve the tea.

Of course, they did not make it difficult for Anning during the tea ceremony. As soon as Anning kneeled, Mrs. Xiao took the tea and drank it, giving her a big red envelope in return.

After offering incense to their ancestors, it was almost time for lunch.

During lunch, Anning stood beside Mrs. Xiao to show proper etiquette, but Mrs. Xiao quickly pulled her to sit down: ”No need, our family does not mistreat daughters-in-law. We don’t make them stand on ceremony during meals, unlike some families with one rule after another. Good daughters-in-law get tormented out of recognition.”

Anning smiled: ”Then let’s just make a gesture, otherwise it might not look good.”

Once the dishes were served, Anning symbolically served some dishes to Mrs. Xiao and then sat down.

Mrs. Xiao found Anning to be very polite and was very pleased.

In the afternoon, Anning and Xiao Yuan had no particular obligations, so they took a nap. After waking up, Anning began to read books.

Xiao Yuan also took out a book to read.

After flipping through a couple of pages, Anning asked Xiao Yuan: ”I heard you made a bet with Li Fugui, betting that if you pass the Imperial Examination, he will have to address you as ’Grandpa’?”

Xiao Yuan put down his book: ”Yes, that happened.”

Anning pointed at the books: ”Do you understand what you’re reading? If not, why not go to an academy or find a teacher to teach you?”

Xiao Yuan shook his head: ”Really, it’s not necessary. I can understand it, I recognize all these characters. If there’s something I don’t know, I’ll just ask someone else.”

Anning was speechless.

Recognizing characters is not the same as understanding.

There are so many nuances in the exams, and at this rate, Xiao Yuan won’t even pass as a child student, let alone as an Advanced Scholar.

With no other option, Anning sat next to him, pulled out a book, and asked Xiao Yuan about it.

Turns out, he was clueless.

And he still wants to be an Advanced Scholar?

Anning almost wanted to shake her head.

But afraid to dent Xiao Yuan’s confidence, she could only smile and praise, ”You’ve only studied for such a short time and already recognize all these characters, that’s really impressive; you’re quite smart.”

Xiao Yuan, looking smug, said, ”That’s right. Recently I met a fortune teller who told me I was destined to be wealthy and prestigious. If I take the exam, I’ll surely pass with high marks. I’m even thinking of giving it a try next year.”

”Hmm, you could give it a try.”

Not wanting to hurt Xiao Yuan’s feelings, Anning just went along with him: ”I like reading too. Why don’t we study together? If there’s something I don’t understand, I can ask you.”

”That’s settled.”

Xiao Yuan proudly stated, ”I’ve read all these books and understand them. If you find some words you don’t recognize, you can ask me.”

Immediately, Anning pointed to a passage in the book and asked Xiao Yuan what it meant.

Xiao Yuan scratched his head and stuttered after a long pause, ”Let me, let me think a bit more.”

Anning, with a smile, said: ”Oh, I remember now, isn’t it... what you were going to say too, right?”

Xiao Yuan nodded: ”Right, I was going to say the same thing. It just slipped my mind for a moment.”

Anning gave him a thumbs up, ”You’re really amazing. If you weren’t here, I wouldn’t have remembered it either. It seems I’ll need to consult you when I study in the future.”

Xiao Yuan, more confident, replied, ”Exactly, we’ll read together, and you can ask when you don’t understand.”

Anning chuckled secretly, ”Definitely, definitely. You can’t find me annoying or call me dumb. You must teach me well.”