Although the Han family was not a wealthy family, they attached great importance to this marriage.
Mrs. Han added everything she could think of that was presentable.
The betrothal gifts were prepared in full, with each load weighed down heavily.
In the capital, there are many families who appear glamorous on the outside and bring many boxes when the betrothal is arranged, but they are actually quite empty inside.
Looking at the servants from the Han family who were carrying the boxes, all of them looked exhausted and on the verge of collapse, which showed that the Han family's betrothal gifts were not cheap.
Han Yu's parents came in person, and Yan Qingqing gave them a lot of face by personally entertaining them.
After the officials from the Ministry of Rites greeted Yan Qingqing, she instructed them to begin the formalities according to protocol.
It was nothing more than announcing the results of the birth chart test and the betrothal gifts from the Han family, followed by some auspicious words.
Han Yu, along with Ji Tongwen and several others, also paid their respects to Yan Qingqing.
Ji Tongwen and his companions had long wanted to visit the renowned Lady Mingzhao.
So the group bowed to Yan Qingqing in unison. Yan Qingqing looked at the children and found that each one of them was quite good-looking.
If these were in later generations, they would all look like celebrities, the kind that would make a group of women scream.
However, Yan Qingqing is now an old auntie, long past the age of drooling over young heartthrobs, after all, she is already a grandmother.
Thinking of this, Yan Qingqing smiled and said to the group, "Alright, there's no need for such formalities."
"You are all good children, and pillars of our Great Yan. You must never let down your families' expectations and the Emperor's trust; strive to be upright and honorable officials."
What could Yan Qingqing say? They were all working for the emperor, so naturally they had to stand on the boss's side and say a few words in his defense.
Whether they listen or not is beyond Yan Qingqing's control.
Upon hearing this, the group quickly agreed.
Yan Qingqing instructed Yuan Huiniang to entertain the people from the Ministry of Rites.
She then led the Han family, who had come to propose marriage, into the house to rest. Yan Qingqing had the servants serve them tea and snacks, and they immediately began chatting casually.
Han's parents seemed somewhat restrained in front of the group.
They were afraid of saying the wrong thing and making Han Yu lose face in front of his colleagues.
So after a brief chat, Yan Qingqing smiled and said to the group, "You are all young people, and you can't sit still. Let Xiang An show you around the mansion. I'll chat with Master Han and Madam Han about everyday matters."
Li Xiang'an quickly agreed, while Han Yu gave Yan Qingqing a grateful look. His future mother-in-law was indeed very understanding.
They must have noticed their parents' predicament before letting them go out.
Sure enough, after Han Yu and the others left, Master Han and Madam Han felt much more at ease.
Madam Han looked at Yan Qingqing and finally spoke up, "Madam Mingzhao, I know our family's betrothal gifts are rather meager, but rest assured, I will definitely make it up to Yue Niang properly after she marries into the family."
Upon hearing this, Yan Qingqing waved her hand and said, "Mrs. Han, we're family, so there's no need to be formal. You don't need to worry about this."
Besides, betrothal gifts and such things are all external possessions. What I value is Han Yu as a child, not your Han family's wealth.
As long as Han Yu treats Yue Niang well in the future, nothing else matters.
Even Han's father, who had been relatively quiet until now, spoke up upon hearing this: "Don't worry, Madam Mingzhao, if Han Yu ever dares to treat Yue Niang badly in the future, I will be the first to punish him!"
Yan Qingqing nodded and said, "With such sensible parents, I have nothing to worry about."
However, Yue Niang is still young, so our marriage is officially settled today.
As for getting married, it will probably have to wait another two years.
"I also need to prepare a proper dowry for Yue Niang these next two years."
Upon hearing this, Mr. and Mrs. Han quickly nodded in agreement. Although Han Yu was almost twenty years old, Li Yueniang was still young and had not yet reached marriageable age.
Even if they desperately wanted a grandson, it was no use. Lady Mingzhao was known for her love for her children, and she would definitely not agree to her daughter getting married so early.
Just as the three were discussing marriage, Ru Xue suddenly rushed in in a panic and said, "Madam, something terrible has happened! The Second Young Master and Scholar Mu are fighting!"
Mr. and Mrs. Han stood up abruptly. Mrs. Han asked in a surprised voice, "How did they start fighting? Is anyone injured?"
Mu Yang came with them to present the betrothal gifts. If he were to be injured, not only would it be embarrassing for Han Yu, but the Mu family of Jiangnan would also be someone they couldn't afford to offend.
Of course, the Li family is even more untouchable, as the two families have just become engaged.
Thinking of this, Madam Han became extremely anxious.
In contrast, Yan Qingqing merely frowned slightly, but remained seated without moving.
Although she didn't know Mu Yang very well, she knew her own son very well.
Li Xiang'an is always cautious in his actions, and Mu Yang is a guest. If there were no other reason, he would never have made a move against Mu Yang.
When Madam Han saw Yan Qingqing sitting there motionless, she realized that she had lost her composure.
He smiled somewhat awkwardly at Yan Qingqing, then sat down again.
They were fighting in the Mingzhao Mansion, and Madam Mingzhao wasn't worried at all, so why was she in such a hurry?
Yan Qingqing looked at Ruxue and asked, "Weren't they fine just now? Do you know why they started fighting?"
Ru Xue glanced at Madam Han and Master Han, hesitating as to what to say.
Yan Qingqing stood up and said, "Alright, let's go. I'll go with you to take a look."
Then he said to Han Yu's parents, "Please sit here and have some tea and rest for a while."
I'll go check on them; a little bickering between the two kids shouldn't be a big deal.
Yan Qingqing didn't ask them to come forward, and the two of them couldn't disobey, so they had no choice but to agree.
Once outside the room, Yan Qingqing looked at Ruxue and asked, "Alright, tell me, what's the reason?"
Ru Xue then replied, "It seems to be because of Miss Mu Xi."
Yan Qingqing paused, turned around, looked at Ru Xue, and asked, "Who did you say it was for? Mu Xi?"
Ru Xue nodded and said, "It is indeed for Miss Mu Xi, but I am not quite sure of the specific reasons."
Yan Qingqing thought to herself, "No wonder Ruxue hesitated and wouldn't tell me the reason in front of Han Yu's parents."
So it was because of Mu Xi. This girl must be afraid that revealing it would ruin Mu Xi's reputation.
What a clever girl! She's quite sensible. I'll have to reward her properly later.
However, now is not the time to talk about this. Yan Qingqing said, "Where are they now? Take me to see them."
Upon hearing this, Ru Xue quickly led Yan Qingqing towards the direction of the pavilion in the middle of the lake.
By the time they arrived, the pavilion in the middle of the lake was already in complete chaos.
Li Xiang'an and Mu Yang were fighting fiercely, while Han Yu, Ji Tongwen, and a few others were busy breaking them up.
But Li Xiang'an was like a madman, and Ji Tongwen and the others couldn't hold him back at all, and he even took several punches.
Seeing this, Yan Qingqing took a deep breath and shouted, "Li Xiang'an, stop right now!"
Li Xiang'an's waving fist suddenly stopped in mid-air. After taking a few deep breaths, he slowly stood up.
Mu Yang was beaten black and blue, and Han Yu and the others helped him up from the ground.
Yan Qingqing was about to scold Li Xiang'an for looking at Mu Yang's appearance, but a possibility suddenly occurred to her, and her gaze suddenly fell on Mu Yang's face.
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