"You don't even have a place to live, where are you taking Danqing? When you get married, the Empress will grant Danqing a residence, and then you can live there," Xu Qingfeng said, not looking down on Qiao Ci but stating a fact.
Qiao Ci waved her hand, "No need for that. I've already bought a house and decorated it according to Danqing's preferences. He can move in directly."
"Really? You know my imperial brother's preferences?" Before Xu Qingfeng and Danqing could speak, Dan Rong exclaimed loudly.
"Yes," Qiao Ci nodded.
Hearing this, Danqing's eyes sparkled. He was clearly eager to leave with Qiao Ci.
Xu Qingfeng was speechless for the first time, "Marriage is a serious matter. Today you and my son have just confirmed your engagement. There will be various ceremonies later, and someone will assist you with the arrangements. My son cannot just follow you without proper procedure. He must be formally married before entering your residence."
As for how Qiao Ci acquired the property or where the money came from, Xu Qingfeng would not inquire. After some observation, he could tell Qiao Ci was not a deceitful person. Since he had chosen to marry his son to her, he would not question her.
"But, can I go see it today, Father-Consort?" Danqing blinked his eyes, his exquisite and perfect little face looking incredibly cute and innocent.
Xu Qingfeng's heart, that of an old father, was about to melt, but he still refused, "You cannot break the rules. You two haven't even exchanged birth charts. How can you rashly visit a woman's residence?"
Danqing was not angry at the refusal. Since their marriage had been agreed upon, everything could be discussed. If they weren't allowed to go openly, they could just sneak there.
Seeing her cute and gentle brother return, Dan Rong became even more satisfied with Qiao Ci and quickly raised her hand, "I'll go, I'll go! I'll go to Qiao Ci's residence first to see if it's truly decorated according to my brother's preferences. If anything is not right, I can give her some suggestions, hehe."
This time, Xu Qingfeng did not say anything.
In fact, Qiao Ci's bold claim that the new residence was decorated according to Danqing's preferences didn't quite convince him. After all, even he, as a father, wouldn't dare claim to fully understand his son's preferences.
It would be good for Dan Rong to take a look and perhaps give Qiao Ci some pointers.
Danqing left with Xu Qingfeng, while Dan Rong, who was foolishly smiling at Qiao Ci, went to her residence.
"Wow, this is a prime residential area in the capital. You can't buy it without connections. How did you manage to buy it?" Dan Rong exclaimed in surprise as soon as they reached the entrance.
Qiao Ci had never met such a noisy person. She hadn't stopped talking since they started their journey.
Even if Qiao Ci didn't reply, she could happily talk to herself.
After knocking on the door, a young attendant opened it with a grin, "You're back."
The doorkeeper didn't recognize Dan Rong, but seeing her opulent attire, he quickly welcomed her inside.
This was a three-courtyard residence.
The main gate was made of bronze, with a black plaque bearing the words "Qiao Residence" hanging on the vermilion red door. Two stone lions stood on either side of the grand entrance.
The one on the left was over half a person's height, while the one on the right was much smaller. Both stone lions were carved from white jade, reflecting a soft and warm luster under the sunlight.
Entering the residence, it was a world within a world.
The interior was adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, with flying eaves and bracketed supports, all showcasing opulence.
The rockeries and ponds in the courtyard were sculpted into various animal shapes, and a stone table with two stone chairs was placed in the center.
Along all the paths Dan Rong passed, plum blossom trees were planted. It was late summer, and it was not the season for plum blossoms to bloom.
However, as far as the eye could see, plum blossoms were blooming competitively, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene.
Dan Rong knew that Danqing's favorite flower was the plum blossom, so Qiao Ci had put in a lot of effort.
But still,
"Why are your plum blossoms blooming now, when it's not the season?"
Perhaps knowing Qiao Ci was taciturn, the accompanying doorkeeper explained with a smile, "The plum blossom trees along the paths are fake. They are meant to decorate the residence. Haven't you noticed there's no fragrance of plum blossoms? There's a large plum blossom forest in the back courtyard, and when winter arrives, the plum blossoms will bloom in abundance, and there will be the scent of plum blossoms."
Hearing this, Dan Rong reached out to pick a plum blossom, and indeed, it was a fake flower, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship.
The young doorkeeper continued, "Our Sister Qiao said her future husband likes plum blossoms and wanted to give him a surprise. This is just the tip of the iceberg. There are many other things that our Sister Qiao's future husband likes. Everything is meticulously crafted, and all of it was done personally by Sister Qiao.
Oh dear. One wonders whose son it is that our Sister Qiao is so devoted to. Our Sister Qiao is the most devoted and considerate wife in Dan. Whoever marries her will be blessed~"
Dan Rong was stunned. This was just the tip of the iceberg?
When she saw the meticulously prepared beds, quilts, men's clothing, tea sets, and dressing tables...
She suddenly felt that her brother was somewhat unworthy!
Beautiful in appearance, graceful in demeanor, profound in martial arts, and so thoughtful, finding such a wife would be like looking for a needle in a haystack!
Dan Rong, in a daze, returned to the palace in disbelief.
As soon as she returned, she was summoned by the curious Xu Qingfeng. Seeing his daughter somewhat indignant, Xu Qingfeng chuckled and tapped her head, "Did that Qiao Ci exaggerate? Is the residence decorated ordinarily? You don't need to stand up for your brother. Women are usually careless. At worst, when your brother marries, he can rearrange it according to his own preferences..."
Dan Rong did not respond to Xu Qingfeng's words. Instead, she said something completely unrelated, "Father-Consort, why am I not a man?"
Xu Qingfeng: !!!
"What stimulated you to say such improper words?"
Dan Rong thumped her chest and stomped her feet. For the first time, she swore in front of Xu Qingfeng, "Damn it, that Qiao Ci is too amazing! I even want to marry her!"
Xu Qingfeng was extremely curious and didn't mind her inappropriate words, "Tell your father in detail."
Dan Rong recounted everything she had seen and heard at Qiao Ci's residence to her Father-Consort.
She said with slight disappointment, "Father-Consort, you don't know, I originally wanted to apprentice under her to learn some self-defense techniques, but she directly said I'm not cut out for it. Sigh, my brother's wife is good in every way, except she's too direct.
However, it is precisely this straightforward woman who opened my eyes today. The idiom 'meticulous to a fault' probably describes her deep care and effort for my imperial brother."
"Is it really that good?" Xu Qingfeng was somewhat incredulous, his expression blank.
"Why don't you go and see for yourself?" Seeing that her Father-Consort didn't believe her, Dan Rong became displeased and suggested he see it himself.
"I understand. You may go down now."
Dan Rong retreated, and Xu Qingfeng's expression became deep.
Being so familiar with Danqing's preferences could not have happened overnight. Coupled with Danqing's love at first sight and unwavering devotion to Qiao Ci,
A terrifying truth suddenly flashed in Xu Qingfeng's mind!