The passing months seemed to flow faster than anyone expected.
Before anyone truly realized it—
Only one month remained before the wedding.
The entire capital had become immersed in preparations for the grand union between Crown Prince Xu Chen and Yue Ning.
Inside the imperial palace, wedding robes were nearing completion, ceremonial officials worked day and night, and countless noble families prepared gifts for the future Crown Princess.
Meanwhile, within the Yue Mansion—
An equally important task was underway.
Yue Ning's dowry.
Early in the morning, the main hall of the Yue Family was already filled with activity.
Servants moved constantly between courtyards carrying account books, jewelry boxes, silk rolls, paintings, antiques, and various treasures.
Several merchants stood nervously outside waiting for instructions.
The old matriarch sat at the center of the hall while reviewing endless lists.
Beside her sat Old Master Yue, looking increasingly helpless.
"Ning'er only needs enough to live comfortably," he muttered.
The old matriarch immediately glared at him.
"Our granddaughter is becoming Crown Princess."
Old Master Yue sighed.
The old matriarch continued.
"And future Empress."
Old Master Yue sighed again.
The old matriarch narrowed her eyes.
"And the only granddaughter of the Yue Family."
Old Master Yue wisely stopped speaking.
Nearby, Yue Ning watched everything unfold while drinking tea.
She had long since accepted that nobody intended to listen to her opinion.
Especially regarding the dowry.
"Grandmother."
The old matriarch looked up immediately.
"Mm?"
"I don't need that much."
The old matriarch laughed.
Every servant nearby laughed too.
Even Yue Ming looked amused.
Yue Ning instantly understood nobody had taken her seriously.
The old matriarch pointed toward several account books.
"That is impossible."
"Why?"
"Because your ten brothers are involved."
Yue Ning immediately understood the problem.
Too late.
Far too late.
At that moment, Yue Tao rushed into the hall carrying another wooden box.
"I found something else!"
Yue Ning closed her eyes.
Her headache instantly worsened.
Yue Tao proudly placed the box on the table.
Inside rested an ancient jade ornament worth enough money to support an ordinary family for generations.
The old matriarch nodded approvingly.
"Good."
Yue Ning looked toward her brother.
"When did you even get that?"
Yue Tao answered proudly.
"I bought it last year."
"For what purpose?"
"I don't know."
Yue Ning stared at him.
Yue Tao grinned.
"But now it can become part of your dowry."
The old matriarch approved immediately.
Another servant entered carrying documents.
"Old Madam, Young Master Yue Rui wishes to add three shops located along the eastern commercial district."
Yue Ning nearly choked on her tea.
"Three shops?"
The servant nodded.
"Young Master Yue Rui said his sister should never worry about money after marriage."
Yue Ning rubbed her forehead.
The servant continued reading.
"Young Master Yue Jun wishes to add two tea estates."
"Young Master Yue Liang wishes to add farmland."
"Young Master Yue Heng wishes to add several horse ranches."
The list continued.
And continued.
And continued.
By the end, Yue Ning simply sat silently.
Because all ten brothers had apparently decided independently to contribute their own portions.
The result was becoming terrifying.
Even Old Master Yue finally looked concerned.
"Are we giving a dowry or funding a second treasury?"
Nobody answered.
Because the question was surprisingly reasonable.
The old matriarch reviewed another document before nodding.
"Add everything."
Old Master Yue sighed deeply.
Yue Ning looked toward Yue Ming desperately.
"Eldest Brother."
Yue Ming calmly drank tea.
"Mm?"
"Help me."
"No."
Yue Ning looked betrayed.
Yue Ming finally smiled faintly.
"Our family has only one daughter."
The hall became quieter.
Yue Ning looked toward her eldest brother.
Yue Ming continued.
"Since childhood, you have always brought happiness to this family."
His voice remained gentle.
"When you enter the palace, you must do so knowing your family stands behind you completely."
Several brothers entering the hall overheard those words and nodded.
Yue Tao immediately sat beside Yue Ning.
"Exactly."
Yue Rui grinned.
"If anyone bullies you, we'll storm the palace."
Yue Liang looked horrified.
"You cannot storm the palace."
"Why not?"
"Because that's called treason."
Yue Tao thought seriously.
"Fine."
Then he pointed dramatically.
"We'll ask permission first."
The entire hall erupted into laughter.
Even Yue Ning couldn't stop smiling.
The old matriarch watched her granddaughter quietly.
For a moment, memories surfaced.
The tiny child who once followed her through the gardens.
The little girl who learned calligraphy beneath her guidance.
The young lady now preparing to leave home.
Time truly moved quickly.
The old matriarch's expression softened.
"Ning'er."
Yue Ning looked up.
"Grandmother?"
The old matriarch smiled warmly.
"The dowry is not important."
The hall gradually quieted.
She continued softly.
"The treasures, shops, land, and gold are merely symbols."
Her gaze held affection.
"What matters is that wherever you go, you remember this family will always remain your home."
Several servants lowered their heads respectfully.
Even the usually playful brothers became quieter.
Yue Ning felt warmth spread through her chest.
She rose from her seat before walking toward the old matriarch.
Then gently hugged her.
The old matriarch immediately smiled.
"There, there."
Old Master Yue laughed softly.
The brothers watched with warm expressions.
For a brief moment, nobody thought about status, politics, or the coming wedding.
They were simply family.
A family preparing to send their precious daughter into a new chapter of life.
Outside the hall, servants continued carrying treasure chests and account books across the mansion.
Inside, laughter gradually returned.
Yue Tao began arguing with Yue Rui again.
Yue Liang complained about their lack of maturity.
Yue Jun encouraged the argument.
Yue Heng quietly watched everything.
And at the center of it all sat Yue Ning.
Listening.
Smiling.
Treasuring these moments.
Because in only one month—
She would leave the Yue Mansion as Yue Ning of the Yue Family.
And enter the imperial palace as the Crown Princess of the Xu Dynasty.
Yet no matter what title she carried in the future—
The love of her family would remain unchanged forever.