Baili Xiao knew that Xia Hongfen was looking him over. He clasped his hands together, bowed, and said sincerely, "Junior Ning Xiao greets Aunt. I have long admired Miss Xia and wish to marry her, entrust her with the management of the household, continue the family line, and live out my days in peace. Please grant my request, Aunt."
"What does this mean? So they've really come to propose marriage?"
"This young man looks much older than Chunmei."
"What does it matter if it's a bit bigger? Look at their betrothal gifts! Tsk tsk, last time the Jin family's VIPs sent Chunmei three large boxes of clothes and a box of fabric. This time, it's a mountain of fabric again. If they made clothes from this, would she be able to wear them all in her lifetime?"
"Even the dowry for a landlord's daughter might not be this much. Three mules! That's the real part."
"Tsk tsk... Chunmei is so lucky."
...
The villagers were so jealous they could hardly stand it.
Upon hearing this, Xia Chunmei curiously stood by the window and peeked through the crack, only to be utterly shocked.
She knew Baili Xiao was coming to propose today, and she knew he wouldn't be stingy, but she didn't expect him to prepare so many things.
It was agreed that this was just a formality.
"Come in and sit down, everyone." Xia Hongfen invited them into the house, but suddenly felt awkward because the house was too small, and they were just staying there temporarily.
"My new house isn't finished yet, so I'm staying here temporarily," Xia Hongfen said, and quickly told Xia Qiumei to pour tea for the guest.
Su Xuedan stepped down from the carriage and looked at the surroundings, feeling a mix of emotions.
She knew her aunt might come from a humble background, but she never imagined it would be this bad!
Is this house habitable in winter? It looks like it could be washed away by a heavy rain.
Su Xuedan's maid, Yu Meng, whispered, "Miss, is Master's eyesight alright? If he really marries a country girl, can she manage a household well and keep things in order?"
"Shut up! You're not allowed to talk about my uncle like that. If my uncle is going to marry my aunt, she must have some extraordinary abilities."
Yu Meng pursed her lips and didn't say anything. In fact, seeing this environment, she already looked down on the future Lady Baili.
She was convinced that Baili Xiao was just playing around, and Xia Chunmei was probably just a mistress. However, since she was the first woman Baili Xiao wanted to sleep with, he gave her some face.
Xia Yuqiu, on the other side of Su Xuedan, was also shocked. She knew that the person Baili Xiao was going to marry might come from a humble family, but she never expected that her background would be even worse than hers. After all, her father was a student who had passed the imperial examination.
Her eyes flickered, and she began to have some plans.
The matchmaker took a sip of water and gave a brief introduction of the people who had come from Baili Xiao's side.
"Young Master Ning's ancestral home is around here, but he became successful and moved his whole family away. There are no elders left in the family now. This is his niece, Miss Su."
Su Xuedan bowed to Xia Hongfen and said, "Xuedan greets Grandma."
"Don't give me such a grand bow." Faced with such a wealthy heiress, Xia Hongfen was a little at a loss. "Chunmei is in her room, go and talk to her."
At this moment, Xia Chunmei opened the door, came out, and smiled slightly at Su Xuedan: "Is this Miss Dandan? Come, let's come in and talk."
There were too many people in the main room, and Xia Chunmei was afraid that they would feel uncomfortable, so she led them into the side room.
"My humble abode is simple, so you'll have to make do with sitting on the bed."
This is a bedroom with two beds, cabinets, and boxes. There's no room for chairs anymore, since so many people are coming. Actually, the number of chairs in the house is limited.
Yu Meng looked around and, upon hearing Xia Chunmei suggest that Su Xuedan sit on the bed, immediately said, "Our young lady can just stand." Who knows if there are any fleas on the bed?
Although the last sentence was not spoken, Xia Chunmei could still sense her thoughts.
Xia Chunmei could clearly see the deep disdain in her eyes, but she didn't say anything. In any case, it was just a fake marriage, and she wouldn't have much contact with these people in the future. As long as they didn't go too far, she figured it was better to avoid trouble.
"Aunt Xia, this is a betrothal gift that my uncle prepared for you separately." Su Xuedan handed over the box.
When Xia Chunmei opened it, she found a set of exquisitely crafted gold jewelry, which was very beautiful and inlaid with several rubies, clearly worth a lot of money.
However, Xia Chunmei was not the original owner of this body, and was not really only fifteen years old. Moreover, she had seen the world, so when she saw this set of jewelry, she did not show much surprise, but remained very calm.
Su Xuedan was very satisfied with her composure, feeling that although her future aunt came from a humble background, she was dignified and did not seem like someone who was easily swayed.
However, her maids on either side of her thought differently. In Yu Meng and Xia Yuqiu's view, Xia Chunmei was simply ignorant of the value of this thing, which was why she was so calm.
Xia Yuqiu didn't say anything, but Yu Meng's eyes widened, and she blurted out without hesitation, "Miss Xia, don't you know the value of this headdress? This is the most expensive headdress set in Wufu Gold Shop in Zhaoling County, worth..."
"Yu Meng, shut up!" Su Xuedan snapped.
"Oh dear, Miss, I didn't say anything. I was just worried that Miss Xia might not understand the value..."
"Thank you so much," Xia Chunmei said with a smile. "I thought you thought I was naive and wanted to scare me by telling me the price."
Upon hearing this, Su Xuedan's face immediately turned red.
Yu Meng was speechless.
Because that's what Yu Meng meant, but Xia Chunmei saw right through it.
Su Xuedan blushed and immediately said, "Aunt Xia... Aunt, I'll call you Aunt Xia for now. I'm sorry, that's not what she meant. Yumeng, apologize quickly."
Yu Meng was somewhat reluctant. Xia Chunmei looked her over and then said, "No need for an apology. Just don't come to my house again."
Su Xuedan is Baili Xiao's niece, and they will inevitably have to deal with her in the future. Xia Chunmei doesn't want this maid who looks down on her to come and cause trouble for her.
Su Xuedan, Yu Meng, and Xia Yuqiu were all taken aback by Xia Chunmei's words, probably not expecting her to be so disrespectful.
Yu Meng's eyes widened, and she was about to lash out when Xia Chunmei casually said, "Bai Li is just outside. You'd better think carefully about the consequences before you say or do anything."
Even if Xia Chunmei comes from a bad background, if she causes trouble on this day, the general will definitely not let her off, and even her mistress cannot save her.
Yu Meng immediately shut her mouth.
"Aunt Xia, Yu Meng grew up with me and we're like sisters. Please forgive her this time, okay?" Su Xuedan pleaded.
"We grew up together." No wonder he's so arrogant.
Xia Chunmei thought her niece, Baili Xiao, wasn't very bright; she was actually protecting a maid without even bothering to put on a show.
Xia Chunmei remained silent, and the atmosphere suddenly became somewhat awkward.
However, this awkward situation was quickly broken by an uninvited guest...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com