Chapter 2 Dowry List and Contract.

Li Yang accepted the embroidered ball, and everyone knew they had no other chance. Except for a few onlookers, most of them dispersed.

The man in blue finally straightened up. "Miss, may I ask your name?"

Li Yang smiled, his eyes narrowing, and replied irrelevantly, "Just call me Li Yang. I'm available every day. Is your place convenient today? Let's discuss the marriage right here in this teahouse."

Seeing Uncle Fang and Aunt Fang's faces change from curiosity to joy in an instant, Li Yang thought to himself: Chen Junbo, right? The cooked fat duck has been delivered to my mouth. How can I let things drag on? I need to capture him quickly!

Urged on by her, the day for the marriage proposal arrived in the blink of an eye.

Early morning, Fang's Tea House.

A festive baby figure emerged from the store.

Li Yang wore her hair in two buns, tied tightly with red ribbons. She wore a crimson jacket and red skirt, and dark purple cotton shoes. Her face was adorned with red nail polish.

The teahouse behind her was also newly decorated.

Old Fang tied the reed fence of the 'private room' with a red ribbon, looking quite cheerful. However, the ribbon was speckled with water stains, which turned out to be the hydrangea ball that had been smashed into the wonton pot a few days ago.

On that day, upon hearing Li Yang mention that they were discussing marriage at Fang's Tea House, the two elders clasped hands, overjoyed.

Old Fang's Teahouse was just a small family-run business, catering to customers from all directions. The owner's farmhands, the bricklayers from the west street, and the镖头 (bodyguards) from the south suburbs came to drink tea every day, and even the scholars who loved literature and calligraphy would occasionally patronize it.

But what do farmhands, bricklayers, and镖头 (bodyguards) want—private rooms?

They speak like drums, drink tea like oxen, and only care about being straightforward and frank in everything they do.

According to Fang Yuan, thanks to Li Yang, her family will soon be receiving their first young master.

Upon hearing this, the two elders, fearing they might slight the wealthy man, worked through the night to build a fence around the private room.

"What's wrong with you! They're coming to discuss marriage soon, why are you messing around with your broken stove again?" The cursing came from inside the shop. Fang Yuan rushed over and grabbed Li Yang's ear. "Selling one less pot of wontons won't kill anyone."

She dragged the girl all the way inside, only to hear Aunt Fang exclaim with distress, "Pah, pah, pah! What nonsense are you spouting on such a joyous occasion? Let go of her! You troublemaker, you've ruined Zhao Zhao's hair!"

Fang Yuan then pouted and let go, "Mother, look at her, she's going to light the stove again. She'll be covered in soot and she'll really be a troublemaker."

"You're the one who's causing trouble."

"You're a crybaby."

"You're a nuisance."

"Who are you……"

Aunt Fang's patience ran out, and the two of them each received a flick on the forehead. Rubbing their foreheads, they shut up and continued their verbal battle with their eyes.

After settling into the private room, Aunt Fang nudged her husband with her elbow, and Old Fang chuckled, "Zhao Zhao, look at this marriage proposal, the two of us..." He gestured to himself and his wife, "Isn't it a bit inappropriate?"

Li Yang felt it was only natural. "What's the big deal? Uncle and Aunt, I've been so grateful to you these past two years. I don't have to crawl through dog holes every night anymore. You can rest assured and keep an eye on things for me today."

Upon hearing this, the wrinkles between their brows relaxed.

Old Fang agreed and happily went to wait outside the shop.

Aunt Fang sighed.

This girl has had a tough life. Two years ago, her parents suddenly disappeared. She was just a little girl. She sat at home for three days, waiting for them to come back. She didn't cry or make a fuss. Instead, she packed her bags and came to town to find a way to support herself.

The old couple watched as the girl put down her deposit and set up her stall, thinking she was quite capable.

Who would have thought that her home was in the back mountains, and the daily commute was time-consuming, making sleep a problem. The little girl didn't tell anyone, wrapped herself in a blanket, and scurried into the Xiahai Temple.

There was a dog hole next to the magnolia tree in the temple, not too big or too small, and she spotted it. She was quite bold; she would shove the quilt under the feet of the God of Wealth and sneak into the temple every night to keep watch for him.

Several months passed like this, without anyone knowing, and the Taoist priest never caught them.

Fang Yuan only learned all this later, after she became closer to her. When the two elders heard this, they were heartbroken and immediately gave her a job: to stay at the shop at night and look after the teahouse.

This teahouse, apart from a few broken teacups, only contained some melon seeds and tea leaves. Even thieves were too lazy to break in. It was only because the old couple had taken pity on her that she had a proper place to sleep at night.

Thinking of all this, Aunt Fang raised her sleeve to wipe the corner of her eyes. "Zhao Zhao, don't worry, I will definitely help you pass this test today and I will never let anyone wrong you."

"Miss Li."

A male voice came from outside the fence.

The group turned around, and Old Fang moved the fence gate aside, letting in a man in a blue robe. He was wearing the same dark blue robe as that day, so he was easy to recognize.

Old Fang moved the fence gate and invited everyone to sit down.

A moment of silence followed, with only a few pairs of eyes darting around in the room.

Seeing this, the man in blue clasped his hands in greeting and slowly said, "Miss Li, everyone, I am the steward of the Chen residence. You may call me Bi Fang."

What a strange name.

For example? (The character "笔" is a phonetic component.)

Li Yang turned around and looked out the door through the gap in the fence.

Then Bi Fang said, "There's something going on at the salt shop today, so my young master can't come. He sent me here to discuss the marriage on his behalf. If you have any requests, just tell me. If I can't make a decision, I'll write them down and take them back to the Chen family for my young master to decide."

Aunt Fang murmured, "What else could possibly be more important than marriage? Such an important matter, and he doesn't even show up in person."

Fang Yuan advised, "Mother, Young Master Chen works day and night; otherwise, how could he have built such a large and successful business today?"

Li Yang reluctantly withdrew his gaze, lowered his head and tugged at his sleeve, "Okay, Butler Bi."

He took out the betrothal gift list and read it aloud: One hundred acres of fertile land, ten shops on East Street, two sets of gold jewelry, one pearl curtain...

After reading out the betrothal gifts for about half a cup of tea's time, Old Fang and his wife, under the table, gripped each other's arms, their eyes wide with rage.

Goodness, I've never seen a dowry list this long in my entire life.

He paused, then placed the gift list on the table: "Gentlemen, does anyone have any objections?"

With such a grand display, who would dare utter a sound? They've given way too much. Aunt Fang stayed up several nights in a row, asking around the neighborhood to come up with those matchmaking tips, but frankly, it's nothing more than a matter of a few chickens and a few cows.

Under such bombardment, they were utterly useless.

Li Yang scratched his head. "Are these all for me?"

The other party nodded and smiled, "If you all have no objections to this betrothal gift list, I have another matter that I need to discuss with Miss Li privately."

The Fang family members tactfully left the private room, fearing that if they were a step too late, they would lose some of the betrothal gifts.

Bi Fang reached into his robe, took out a letter, and handed it to Li Yang.

She took it, read it carefully word by word, then frowned and pressed the letter back onto the table.

"Is there something you don't understand, young lady?"

Li Yang shook his head.

Bi Fang's brow twitched. The letter was written entirely in parallel prose, and in order to maintain rhythm, it used many uncommon characters, yet she could read it fluently without any difficulty.

Li Yang asked in a low voice, "So, the fertile land and commercial properties on the betrothal gift list will be registered under my name in two years, right?"

Bi Fang nodded: "Miss, it will be registered under your name first, and the transaction can only take place when both parties divorce. In addition, Chen's Salt Company will also provide a thousand taels of silver at that time."

After a moment, he added, "However, this matter concerns the young master's privacy, so please keep it a secret and do not let anyone else know, lest it ruin the young master's reputation."

really.

She understands correctly.

This seemingly auspicious marriage between the Chen family and their relatives was, in reality, a transaction with a clear written agreement.

Li Yang's gaze passed over the man's shoulder and landed on the fence behind him. A thin thread of red silk ripped out, curling and wrinkling a corner of the satin, shimmering faintly in the light, like a delicate velvet clinging to something.

It's so irritating to look at.

She frowned, looked away, and glanced at the betrothal gift list spread out on the table, as well as the bright red contract next to it.

Pretending to be the young mistress of the Chen family for two years would earn her a thousand taels of silver and a hundred acres of fertile land... It seemed like a sure-fire way to make money.

A glimpse of clothing flashed past the fence gate. It must have been Fang Yuan peeking from behind the gate. Li Yang chuckled to himself, finding it the first time in his life that he couldn't feel any joy at making money.

“Miss Li, you have seen my young master’s sincerity.” Bi Fang watched her face change repeatedly and felt annoyed. Sure enough, when faced with such a lucrative opportunity as the Chen family, even the most simple woman would become insatiable.

"Why?"

Bi Fang was taken aback, unsure if he had heard the question clearly, "Miss?"

Li Yang explained, "I don't understand. With young master Chen's conditions, what kind of wife couldn't he find? Why would he choose a wife by throwing an embroidered ball in the street, and why would he agree to a contract marriage?"

Upon hearing this, the man in dark blue stammered and remained silent.

If it were anyone else, they would either be overjoyed or demand a higher price, but this young lady has a nature that likes to find out the truth.

He only prepared how to persuade the young lady to sign the contract, but never thought of bringing up the young master's private affairs, especially since this matter could not be explained in a few words.

Seeing his hesitant expression, a thought flashed through Li Yang's mind: this man had just said 'this matter concerns Young Master Chen's privacy'... which meant...

Li Yang was stunned by his own guess and hurriedly said, "I understand, I understand, no need to say more, I get it."

Bi Fang was somewhat puzzled: What did she understand?

At this moment, Li Yang's thoughts were running wild—the only son of the richest family, Chen, was actually gay.

In an instant, this thought took hold of her mind, and she became convinced that the handsome Chen Junbai had a beloved man.

Young Master Chen's reluctance to marry and his absurd act of choosing a wife with an embroidered ball are likely due to a difficult choice between his family and his beloved.

Such a noble and virtuous person actually had homosexual tendencies.

But this wealthy young master, who is as handsome as a bright moon and gentle breeze, rebelled against his family by holding a wedding ball selection for his beloved... This kind of affection is quite remarkable.

"girl?"

"Oh, Mr. Chen, he really is a respectable man."

Bi Fang chuckled lightly, thinking that few could refuse such a betrothal gift. He replied, "Of course, but I wonder if the young lady would be willing to accept it."

It's a good thing to start a relationship.

Besides, there's this long string of betrothal gifts—no, it's basically hush money. She doesn't want it; plenty of people are willing to help. She can just consider it as working as a maid at the Chen residence for two years. Just thinking about all that money, she'd have to sell wontons for several lifetimes.

That's fine too. Anyway, I was going to look for my parents anyway, so this way I have a fixed schedule. It's just a pity that the handsome young man is homosexual. As expected, the sordid affairs in the inner chambers of a large family are beyond the imagination of outsiders...

"Don't worry, I'll definitely keep it a secret!"

After the contract was signed, Bi Fang had nothing else to do, but he was puzzled. The girl had looked half-dead when she first saw the contract, so why did she suddenly become so excited?

However, he had finished his errand for the day and should hurry back to report his success to the young master.

If he knew what price he would pay for this moment of letting his guard down, he probably wouldn't have been so relaxed.

The rest of the process went very smoothly.

On their wedding night, Chen Junbo set up a screen in a partitioned room of the main house, with bedding laid out on a soft couch inside, which served as his place to rest at night.

The room was divided into three sections from left to right by two embroidered screens: a dining room and a canopy bed.

Upon entering, the groom faces left and the bride faces right.

If life had continued peacefully day after day, there would have been no further troubles.

A note from the author:

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