Of course, if Zhao Yuru particularly likes this daughter-in-law, she can also pay out of her own pocket to add some more, such as four sets of headdress and jewelry.
However, to make up for Jia Huan's inappropriate behavior, the family had already added half of the book collection to the betrothal gifts, which satisfied the Peng family enough, so Zhao Yuru did not add anything more.
The couple had already planned that if they earned more money in the future, they would find a way to compensate their family.
After all, the collection of books belongs to the public, and we can't just give it away for nothing because of Jia Huan causing trouble.
It must be said that the Li family is doing well, the brothers remain united, and the sisters-in-law get along well, largely because of this self-awareness.
There's no such thing as obligation or duty in this world. It's all about you being good to me, me being good to you, understanding each other, and supporting each other as we move forward!
Mr. Wen, the matchmaker, was the first to arrive in Luo'an, followed by Li Zhensheng, Li Lao Er, the village chief, and Jia Huan, all dressed in new clothes. Finally, Liu Zhiheng and his wife arrived.
Tao Hongying had to stay at the restaurant, and Li Laosi couldn't return from the dockside military camp.
Therefore, this is the lineup for today's betrothal ceremony.
Although Li Laosan had no official position and Jia Huan was just a cook, the old lady was a first-rank noblewoman, Li Laoer was an earl, and Jia Yin was a princess. They all personally went to the Peng family to propose marriage, which was enough to show the Li family's sincerity in taking a daughter-in-law.
With Liu Zhiheng and his wife accompanying them, the arrangements were even more meticulous.
The group went directly to the entrance of the academy. They originally thought that Steward Peng would greet them, but unexpectedly, Mr. Peng was waiting for them in person, which showed how much he valued the Li family.
In this way, the two families respect each other and are very close, which is naturally a wonderful thing.
Mr. Peng invited two teachers from the academy and Dean Zhou to accompany him, while Mrs. Zhou also stayed in the backyard with Wenjuan.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the betrothal gifts were brought in. After a quick look, Mr. Peng was very satisfied.
The two hundred books in particular made his and Dean Zhou's eyes light up.
Mr. Wen accepted the matchmaker's red envelope and jokingly said he was rich. He said he should help the Li family's sons find partners in the future, and maybe he could get rich just by accepting red envelopes.
Everyone was laughing so hard, making the courtyard even more lively.
Since the Peng family did not have a matriarch, the betrothal gifts and the betrothal gift list were carried to the backyard and handed directly to Wenjuan.
Wenjuan blushed and returned four gifts, all of which were needlework, clothes, shoes and socks made for Jia Huan.
Her skills are exceptional, and she puts her heart into it, earning praise from everyone.
At noon, the Peng family prepared two tables of food and drink. After everyone had eaten, they took their leave, waiting for the Li family to come and fetch their granddaughter-in-law on the eighteenth day of the twelfth lunar month.
Jiaren and the other young men, concerned about the betrothal, were all waiting in the shop.
With classes about to start at the academy and their families still not back, they were all getting anxious.
After finally picking up the family, Cat Brother and Li Brother laughed and played around the house.
"Brother, you've settled on a wife? We're going to have a sister-in-law soon, right?"
Jia Huan was honest by nature, but now he was so ashamed that his face turned bright red and he couldn't say a word.
The old lady quickly patted her two grandsons and scolded them, "Don't bother your brother, or he won't cook you anything delicious anymore!"
"Yes, hurry up and go to class! Kids shouldn't pry into family matters!" Li Zhensheng also urged his son to leave.
The boys then ran happily toward the academy gate. Jia'an and Jiaxi didn't forget to make faces at their older brothers, causing Jia Huan to bury his head in his collar.
Jiaren patted his younger brother on the shoulder, both to comfort and to congratulate him, then said goodbye to his family and turned to follow his brothers into the academy.
"It must be so hard on Jiaren, having to study every day and take care of so many naughty younger brothers!" Li Zhensheng laughed. "Especially Li-ge'er and Mao-ge'er, they must be the most worrisome. Tomorrow, when I see good paper and pens again, I will definitely buy more to reward my eldest nephew."
Li Lao Er quickly waved his hand, "Don't waste that money. Jia Ren is the older brother, it's only right that he takes care of his younger brother."
"Alright, we're family, no need for formalities. Let's pack up and go home." The old lady was worried about home; if it weren't for her grandson, she wouldn't have been willing to leave for several days.
The thought of her house being empty and unattended made her feel like she was on fire.
Jiayin had had enough fun and missed home terribly, so she hugged her grandma's leg and cried out, "Grandma, let's go home. Fu Niu'er misses home too."
"Okay, let's go home, let's go home right now!" The old lady hugged her granddaughter and called to Granny He, Dongmei and the others to get busy immediately.
In less than fifteen minutes, several carriages left the town of Luoan...
Last time it was too rushed, and Jiayin didn't even have a chance to go to her uncle's restaurant.
This time, taking advantage of the opportunity to pick up her mother, she was determined to take a good look.
At lunchtime, the restaurant was almost full.
Jia Huan went home to propose marriage again, and only Tao Hongying and two chefs were left to support the family, one of whom specialized in seafood, making the work quite heavy.
Now that the peak season is over, Tao Hongying is taking a rare opportunity to sit under the eaves, enjoy the breeze, and rest for a while.
As a result, the whole family returned.
Jiayin ran all the way to her mother's arms, laughing and shouting, "Mom, Fu Niu'er is back! Fu Niu'er missed you!"
Tao Hongying was overjoyed and hugged her daughter tightly, kissing her several times. "You little rascal, you finally decided to come back! I thought you ate too much sticky rice cake in Luo'an and got stuck there!"
Jiayin hugged her mother's neck and giggled, quickly flattering her, "Sticky rice cakes aren't as delicious as Mom's cooking!"
"Look at you, silly!" Tao Hongying kissed her daughter again with a hint of disgust. "Is there anything you want to eat? I'll make it for you right away."
"Don't give her any more!" Just then, the old lady came in and quickly stopped her. "We ate a lot at the Peng family's house at noon, and her belly is bulging. She can't eat anymore, or she'll get indigestion."
Upon hearing this, Tao Hongying picked up her daughter and rubbed her belly while talking to her mother-in-law about the betrothal.
Her nephew's wife is about to be married into the family, but she hasn't even had a chance to see what she looks like yet.
The old lady spoke with a smile.
Both families were satisfied with the marriage; the betrothal was just a formality, so how could things not go smoothly?
Jiayin wanted to stroll around the restaurant, and finally seized the opportunity to drag her mother to the front.
It was already late afternoon, and there were very few customers in the building.
While the young men were busy cleaning and wiping, Tao Hongying carried her daughter and helped her mother-in-law up to the third floor.
The third floor is decorated much more lavishly than the first and second floors, especially the innermost private room, which is luxurious yet grand, with calligraphy and paintings hanging on the walls, adding a touch of scholarly atmosphere.
Jiayin ran around the room and was extremely satisfied.
"Mom, let's sell the new vegetables here from now on!"
Just then, Li Zhensheng came up and heard this. He hugged his little niece and said, "It's rare that our Fu Niu'er likes it, so we'll keep this room for your mother to cook her own dishes."
After saying that, he shared the good news with the old lady, "Mother, I have booked a table for my sister-in-law's private meal for sixty-six taels of silver. Someone has already paid for it, and the first table will be in five days."
"Really?" The old lady was happy for her daughter-in-law and laughed, "That's wonderful! Hongying has a place to show off her skills!"
"Oh dear, Grandma! The table! Tell Uncle San to hurry up and break the table!" Jiayin clapped her hands anxiously, which puzzled everyone.
The old lady said, "That girl is naughty. She's been pestering the third son to make a new table these past few days. She even drew a picture, all very mysteriously. Eldest son, remember to send someone to Luo'an to deliver another message and see if the third son can speed things up!"
After saying that, she patted her granddaughter again and said reproachfully, "You really found your third uncle a good job!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com