"Is everything packed?" Jun Molin looked at himself in the mirror with satisfaction, then asked Pei Chen beside him.
"Your Highness, everything is wrapped up," Pei Chen replied.
"Would Marquis Zhen'an like the paintings and ancient books I send him?" Jun Molin was actually a little nervous.
What if I give the wrong gift and my future father-in-law doesn't like it?
“The Marquis of Zhen’an doesn’t care for gold and silver. Bringing gold and silver to his door might just anger him. He’ll definitely like paintings and ancient books. Your Highness, please don’t worry.” Pei Chen tried hard to suppress a laugh. It was the first time he’d seen the prince so nervous, and it was a little funny.
"Pei Chen, go to the study and wrap up those sword manuals and military strategy books that I treasure." Jun Molin felt that the gifts were still a bit insufficient.
"Your Highness, those sword manuals and military strategy books are your treasured possessions!" Pei Chen exclaimed.
The prince usually doesn't even bother to turn the pages of those sword manuals and military strategy books!
"Just go when I tell you to, stop with all the nonsense." Jun Molin scolded. His future father-in-law was a military general, so he must like sword manuals and military strategy books.
"Yes," Pei Chen replied.
Pei Chen walked to the door, but Jun Molin called him back, "Oh right, go to the storeroom and pack up those cakes of ancient tea as well, and also bring the fine wine that was presented as tribute from the grasslands."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Just as Pei Chen was about to leave, Jun Molin called him back, "Go to the pastry shop and get a few boxes of fresh and delicious pastries. Oh, and Ranran's maternal grandmother is here too, so go to the fabric shop and get a few dozen bolts of fabric suitable for her age, and then go to the jewelry shop and pick out some jewelry."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Pei Chen had already walked out when Jun Molin called him back, "Minister Yun, you've been working hard. Go to the stationery shop and pick out the best sets of brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, and pack them all together."
Pei Chen: If the Yun family had a dog, Your Highness might even prepare a gift for it. Your Highness isn't just a little nervous, he's practically bursting with nervousness.
After everything was prepared, Jun Molin personally checked it over to ensure everything was in order, then added many more things before heading to the Yun family.
Jun Molin chose to ride a horse today, which attracted a lot of attention and discussion on the road.
"My goodness, His Highness the Northern Cold King is so handsome, I'm about to faint from his handsomeness."
"What are the requirements for marrying His Highness the Prince of Beihan?"
"The condition is that you are Yun Qingran."
"Whoever marries His Highness the Northern Cold King will truly have their ancestors' graves emitting auspicious smoke, no, a billowing auspicious smoke."
"Those dozens of boxes behind His Highness the Northern Cold King must be gifts."
"It should be, this box is for storing gifts."
"Where is the King of Northern Cold going with all these gifts?"
"Judging from the route, I guess they're going to the Marquis of Zhen'an's residence, probably to visit the future in-laws."
"See? Even His Highness the Prince of Beihan has to be very respectful when visiting the Yue family. The gifts are prepared perfectly."
...
Everyone envied this perfect couple.
Upon arriving at the Yun family's gate, the steward announced, "His Highness the Northern Cold King has arrived."
Jun Molin didn't wait for Yunxiao and his son to come out to greet him; he went in himself with the gifts.
"Your Highness, the Northern Cold King, I have failed to greet you properly." Upon arriving in the courtyard, Yunxiao bowed and cupped his hands in greeting to Jun Molin.
"Marquis Zhen'an, please get up. I have already said that you need not bow to me in the future." Jun Molin personally helped Yunxiao up.
"Thank you, Your Highness, King of Northern Cold." Yunxiao straightened up.
"These are gifts that I have prepared for Marquis Zhen'an, Minister Yun, and the old lady. They are just a small token of my respect." Jun Molin gestured to the dozen or so boxes of gifts behind him.
"I cannot accept this." Yunxiao was startled when he saw the dozens of boxes of gifts; there were far too many.
According to the customs of Beiyin, the groom's family does need to prepare gifts when visiting, but they are usually simple gifts. Dozens of boxes of gifts are something I've never seen before.
"No, no, it's not much. Marquis Zhen'an, you've worked hard raising Ranran." Jun Molin bowed to Marquis Zhen'an with the respect due to a junior.
The matter has been discussed to this point, and the two of them should be a done deal. Marquis Zhen'an suddenly felt a pang of sadness. He felt as if he had painstakingly nurtured a potted plant from a young age, only to have it stolen by a thief, pot and all, just as it was about to bloom.
?_?
After the initial heartache, Yunxiao felt happy again. Jun Molin's attitude was very sincere, which was enough to show that he truly liked Ranran. Moreover, he was also very outstanding, and it would be a good match for Ranran to marry him.
"Come in," Yunxiao said to Jun Molin.
"Okay." Jun Molin followed Yunxiao into the house.
Upon entering the dining room and seeing Madam Zhao, Jun Molin bowed to her, saying, "Junior Jun Molin greets the old lady."
"Your Highness, Prince of Beihan, please get up." Madam Zhao looked at Jun Molin with loving kindness.
This young man is more and more likable the more you look at him; Ranran has good taste. Zhao secretly sized up Jun Molin in her heart.
"Dinner's ready." Yun Qingran carried a plate of food up with one hand, followed by Jun Yanyan, Jun An'an, Bicao, and Yun Qingbi, who also carried dishes. The scene was heartwarming yet a little funny.
"Stir-fried pork kidneys, braised pork belly, shrimp and tofu, stir-fried beef with cabbage stalks, garlic ribs, chicken stew with mushrooms, seafood hot pot, braised pig's trotters, salt and pepper chicken wings, twice-cooked pork, spicy blood curd, shredded pork with garlic sauce, steamed fish." Yun Qingran recited the names of the dishes one by one.
These are all home-style dishes, delicious and perfect for family gatherings.
"Ranran, when did you learn to cook, and you cook so well?" Zhao asked with some surprise as she looked at the delicious dishes on the table, which looked and smelled wonderful.
Ranran used to be completely incapable of cooking; she couldn't even boil water properly. Now, she can cook such a large meal all by herself, which is truly astonishing.
"I just thought about this when I had nothing to do. Grandmother, please try it." Yun Qingran said, touching her nose.
“Alright, Grandmother, have a taste.” Zhao sat down, picked up her chopsticks, and put a piece of braised pork into her mouth.
Sweet but not cloying, with a perfect balance of lean and fatty meat, it melts in your mouth. Her eyes lit up; this was the best meat she had ever eaten.
"It tastes really good." Madam Zhao nodded approvingly at Yun Qingran.
"I'm glad Grandmother likes it. I'll make it for you every day from now on." Yun Qingran was very happy to see that Zhao Shi liked it.
Zhao smiled at her, then lowered her eyes, a hint of doubt flashing in them.
The Ranran of the past and the Ranran of today are worlds apart, as if they are not even the same person.
Yun Qingran didn't notice the subtle change in Zhao's expression, but Yunxiao did. He sighed inwardly, realizing that his mother had also noticed something was wrong with Ranran.
Yun Qingran's cooking was delicious, and since it was a family dinner, there weren't many formalities, so everyone ate to their heart's content and was very happy.
After dinner, they chatted for a while. It was getting late, and since the two were not yet married, it was not appropriate to ask for lodging. Jun Molin took Jun Yanyan and Jun An'an back to the Northern Cold Prince's Mansion.
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