Chapter 372 A Giant Dowry
Lu Youming was about to give Yun Yichen a perfunctory answer when Yun Yichen looked at the matchmaker not far away with a smile, as if he had discovered a new continent.
"Isn't this the matchmaker? I was just thinking of sending someone to find you, but you've arrived first."
It's not unusual to ask a matchmaker to give a blessing when presenting betrothal gifts, but it just so happens that Yun Yichen invited this very matchmaker.
The matchmaker who had been summoned wished she could disappear into a hole in the ground. She had indeed agreed to visit Yun Yichen's house to deliver her blessings, but Yun Yichen had not told her which house it was, nor what day it would be.
She had only thought that since it was a betrothal, the two families must have already discussed it beforehand. She never expected that the family Yun Yichen was betrothed to would be the same family as the Third Prince, and even the same person.
While she was in a dilemma, Yun Yichen and Lu Youming both turned their gazes over. Facing someone she couldn't afford to offend, the matchmaker's face was a fascinating mix of emotions.
What kind of situation is this! One is proposing marriage and the other is offering betrothal gifts, and they still manage to run into each other! She's been a matchmaker her whole life, and this is truly the first time she's ever experienced something like this since she was reincarnated.
The matchmaker's gaze moved back and forth between the two men's faces. In the end, she forced a smile and walked up to Yun Yichen.
"I never expected that the lord would be betrothed to the Marquis's family. What a coincidence!"
As the matchmaker spoke, her gaze swept across the Third Prince's face. Since she had already offended everyone, she might as well flatter Yun Yichen. In the end, considering how well she had handled things, she hoped that Yun Yichen would help her out, and perhaps then she wouldn't have to work as a matchmaker forever.
In the eyes of the matchmaker, although Yun Yichen and Lu Youming are both major clients, Yun Yichen is still more important than Lu Youming when compared side by side.
After all, the title "Ghost-Faced Yama" was no joke. If she offended him, Hua the Matchmaker didn't even dare to think about what would happen next.
"The betrothal gifts have been delivered to the manor; may we begin?"
Yun Yichen looked at the matchmaker and a smile appeared on his face.
Since Yun Yichen appeared in the capital, no one had ever seen him smile. In just a short while, one shocking event after another had occurred, leaving everyone present speechless.
But do you think that's the end of it?
As the servants went in and out, the red boxes soon filled the entire courtyard.
After the matchmaker's blessing, the person delivering the gifts stood at the door with the gift list and began to recite the gift aloud.
"A pair of golden sandalwood inlaid with cicada-shaped jade beads, a delicate silver hairpin adorned with kingfisher feathers and pearls, a jade pendant with vine patterns, and a pair of red jadeite and pearl earrings..."
As the announcer's voice rang out, the servants continued to carry boxes into the room.
"My goodness, how many betrothal gift chests must that be? Did you know the Grand Secretary is this wealthy?"
In everyone's eyes, Yun Yichen was just a poor scholar. Although he was a top scholar in the imperial examination at a young age, in the eyes of the aristocratic families, he was nothing special except for being good at studying and being disliked.
"Is Lord Yun's family the richest man or something? These things sound incredibly valuable. Even we aristocratic families might not be able to afford such a dowry."
The lady who said this was known throughout the capital for her honesty, and it was precisely because of her honest nature that she was able to get along with Lady Ji.
However, there are pros and cons. As soon as she spoke this truth, the ladies beside her looked at her with displeasure.
Although she was right, even powerful families like theirs might not be able to afford such a large dowry.
Knowing it in one's heart is one thing, but being exposed to the public is another. Who can admit in front of others that their family is not even as good as a young man who has been in office for a few years? That would be too embarrassing.
"Ninety-nine loads in total!"
Sun Ruoyun looked at the last box of betrothal gifts being carried in and said calmly.
Upon hearing this, everyone turned to look at her. "Miss Sun, did you count them just now?"
Upon hearing this, Sun Ruoyun glanced at the young lady who had asked the question and nodded slightly at her.
Upon seeing this, everyone present couldn't help but gasp.
Ninety-nine chests of betrothal gifts—how much gold and silver treasures must have been packed inside! Most importantly, none of the people present had ever seen so many betrothal gifts in their entire lives!
"My lord, all ninety-nine loads of betrothal gifts have been delivered to the mansion."
On the male guests' side, after the servant carried in the last box, he came forward and reported to Yun Yichen.
Yun Yichen nodded, and the servant immediately called the people from the Yun family to leave.
Because the Yun family mansion and the Yi'an Marquis's mansion were only separated by a street, the betrothal gifts were delivered directly from the Yun family mansion's courtyard, so no one paid attention to how many were carried.
Everyone present was stunned when they heard what the servant said.
"Lord Yun, is this ninety-nine loads of betrothal gifts?"
The speaker was an older minister, and his voice trembled as he looked around the courtyard, where there wasn't even enough room to put his feet down.
"Well, I originally intended to prepare 120 loads, but I heard that when the late Emperor was alive, he used 99 loads for the betrothal of Empress Fude, so I changed it to 99 loads."
Yun Yichen spoke with such a wronged tone, as if giving ninety-nine loads of betrothal gifts was a great injustice to Gu Shuyan.
"I never imagined that Lord Yun's family was so wealthy."
The old minister was speechless for a moment, and finally uttered this sentence before silently shutting his mouth.
Lu Youming, who had been standing next to Gu Jin, finally couldn't stand it anymore. Had he forgotten to check the almanac before going out today? One insult after another was humiliating him. Although the humiliation wasn't directed at any specific person, it was clearly more unbearable.
"My lord, Grand Secretary, I suddenly remembered that I have some matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now."
Even with his excellent self-control, Lu Youming couldn't help but lose his composure when faced with the boxes of betrothal gifts filling the courtyard.
If it weren't for the fact that these betrothal gifts couldn't be prepared in a short time, Lu Youming would have thought that Yun Yichen had planned this all along and was deliberately trying to provoke him.
"Your Highness, won't you stay for dinner before you leave?"
Seeing Lu Youming's ashen face, Yun Yichen changed his usual attitude and asked her in a gentle tone.
"No, let's do it another day!"
Lu Youming had never found Yun Yichen as annoying as he did today. It was one thing for Yun Yichen to ruin his plans in the past, but now he was so ashamed and indignant that he was still acting so innocent.
With a flick of his long sleeves, Lu Youming bypassed the crowd and walked straight toward the gate.
"Your Highness, I respectfully see you off."
When the officials present saw that Lu Youming was about to leave, they all bowed to him.
Lu Youming had actually been itching to leave for a long time, and now that he could finally go, he was naturally eager.
The more he rushed, the more mistakes he made. Lu Youming tripped over the betrothal gift box and almost fell to the ground. Fortunately, a guard helped him up, which prevented him from making a further embarrassment.
Watching his departing figure, Yun Yichen couldn't help but smile.
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