When Li Yao returned to her courtyard, she used her spiritual power to carefully examine the red-silk-bound chests.
Inside were thirty chests each of gold and silver, 28 chests of various jade artifacts, jade pendants, and large pieces of jade, as well as many gold, silver, and jade jewelry pieces, complete sets of gemstone jewelry, solid gold, silver, and gemstone-inlaid ruyi scepters, openwork carved porcelain, land deeds, and so on.
There were also various fabrics, silks, and brocades, from small items like needles and thread, mirrors and combs, to large items like tables, chairs, and benches. There was also a thousand-piece canopy bed and an eight-bearer sedan chair, all exquisitely made, comparable to what Li Yao had seen in museums.
What impressed Li Yao the most was that many of the large items were made of mortise and tenon joints that could be disassembled and assembled, and they were made of good wood, which would be rare even now.
Each piece carries some auspicious carvings or patterns, basically encompassing everything a person has from birth to burial. Yes, there is even a coffin made of Phoebe zhennan wood.
This is the kind of treatment that only wealthy and powerful families in ancient times enjoyed.
After reading it, Li Yao understood a bit why it was said in ancient times that a dowry was a woman's source of confidence, and why it was essential to have betrothal gifts and dowry.
The groom's family's betrothal gifts represent his sincerity and also allow the bride's family to see the groom's financial situation.
A woman's dowry represents her confidence in living independently in her husband's family.
She thought about how in later generations, many women who stayed at home to take care of children would say to their husbands when they were disliked, "You eat my food, wear my clothes, what's wrong with taking care of a child, doing laundry and cooking? This is what you should do." Li Yao felt that her ancestors were indeed farsighted.
Every item in Li Yao's betrothal gifts gives the married girl the confidence to be independent and not dependent on her husband's family. She can live without her husband's family for anything from birth to death. Even if they divorce, the law allows her to take her dowry with her and live a good life.
Another day of envying the young ladies of ancient times.
However, this is indeed a standard that only wealthy families would have. Judging from this, my grandmother's family is indeed a large family.
It was past midnight before Li Yao finally washed up and went to bed, her mind filled with thoughts of her luxurious dowry.
The next morning, after breakfast, Li Yao went to the [Spirit Spring Space] to exercise. Afterward, she asked the housekeeper to tidy up the second courtyard and replace the toiletries, bed sheets, and duvet covers with new ones.
Around 10 a.m., Cui Minghao arrived with three people and their luggage.
After settling them in, Li Yao told Cui Minghao about Grandpa Tan. Cui Minghao felt that as a junior, he should pay a visit and thank him for taking care of Li Yao.
That afternoon, Li Yao called the Tan family and told Tan's mother that her cousin was going to visit the old man and arranged a time.
The next day, Li Yao took Cui Minghao and some gifts to the military compound.
Grandpa Tan was very happy that Li Yao had found her family. During the conversation, he also told Cui Minghao about her relationship with Tan Guangyao.
Upon hearing this, Cui Minghao glanced at Li Yao, his brows furrowing slightly. The cabbage they had just found had been eaten by a pig; who would be happy about that? He could only make excuses, saying that he would discuss it with the old man when the elders of the family returned.
When Grandpa Tan heard Cui Minghao's explanation, he was happy that Li Yao had found a relative who cared about her. However, he also felt that his grandson's marriage would be complicated, so he had no choice but to have someone notify Tan Guangyao to come back quickly so that he could face his older cousin himself.
The meeting between Tan Guangyao and Cui Minghao was not very confrontational; Tan Guangyao appeared very humble.
When Cui Minghao said to wait, he had no objection and remained well-behaved and sensible throughout.
Cui Minghao eventually felt he was putting himself in a difficult position, so he gave a definite answer, saying that his parents would be back next week and the two families could meet.
Tan Guangyao quickly seized the opportunity, offering to pick them up from the airport, showing great enthusiasm.
Li Yao just watched the show the whole time. She thought it was best to leave this kind of thing to the men; she could just focus on looking beautiful and eating and drinking.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
