Chapter 509: You silly girl, why are you saying all this!
In the front hall, Qian Zhengwang was pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back. Although the Qian family was wealthy, today it was the Regent Princess who personally brought his future son-in-law to propose marriage. This honor made him both excited and inexplicably nervous.
He thought over and over again: Lan Shenye is a boy with excellent character, talent and appearance. Standing together with his lively Duoduo, they are truly a perfect match made in heaven.
The servant's breathless voice was like the sound of nature. The wrinkles on Qian Zhengwang's face instantly stretched out, and he smiled like a ripe pomegranate in autumn, his face flushed with rosy light. His Qian family was not short of money, but the Regent Princess's pomp and thoughtfulness gave Qian Zhengwang and the entire Qian family great face!
He quickly straightened his clothes and walked out quickly.
Just as he stood firmly on the high stone steps at the gate of the mansion, the huge team stopped in front of the gate.
Lan Shenye dismounted swiftly and gracefully, took a few steps forward, clasped his fists towards Qian Zhengwang on the steps, and said loudly: "Hello, uncle Shenye!" His voice was clear, with the youthful vigor and respect for elders.
Qian Zhengwang looked at his upright figure and sincere eyes, feeling even more satisfied. He nodded repeatedly with a smile, "Good, good boy."
At this time, matchmaker Yuan, who had been following the carriage, twisted her round body and came forward with a smile on her face. Her high-pitched and festive tone immediately raised the temperature of the scene: "Oh my god! Congratulations, Master Qian! Congratulations, Master Qian! Your family is going to have a big wedding! Look at our son-in-law, his handsome face, and look at the grand betrothal gifts. Wow, I have been a matchmaker for so many years, but this is the first time I have seen such a dignified thing! Master Qian, you are so lucky!" Her mouth was like honey, and auspicious words came out one after another.
Qian Zhengwang was overjoyed when he heard this and gave a wink to his trusted servant beside him.
The servant was also a shrewd man. He immediately understood what she meant and took out a bulging brocade purse embroidered with the word "Fu" from his bosom and handed it to Matchmaker Yuan respectfully: "Thank you for your hard work. This is a little gift from my master."
Matchmaker Yuan weighed the heavy purse in her hand, and the smile on her face was as bright as a blooming chrysanthemum. She kept saying good things like "Thank you for the gift, sir", "I wish you a long and healthy life", and "I wish the newlyweds a happy marriage".
At this lively moment, the carriage curtain was lifted by a delicate hand and Lan Xiyue got off the carriage.
When Qian Zhengwang saw him, he hurriedly lifted the corner of his robe and bowed deeply: "I, your humble servant, pay my respects to the king..."
Lan Xiyue was quick to act. She gave him a light support, with a gentle smile on her face, and interrupted him in a crisp voice: "Uncle Qian, there's no need to be so polite! Let's not talk about these empty formalities. Today we have come here specially to propose to Duoduo!" Her tone was intimate, and the distance between them was instantly shortened.
Upon hearing this, Qian Zhengwang felt even more relieved, and the smile on his face deepened. He hurriedly turned sideways and respectfully made a "please" gesture: "Your Highness, you are right! Quick, please come into the palace and take a seat to talk!"
Lan Xiyue nodded with a smile, and under the guidance of Qian Zhengwang, she went up the stairs with Lan Shenye and Yuan the matchmaker and walked into the grand gate of the Qian Mansion.
The Qian family's housekeeper immediately stood outside the gate in high spirits, directing the palace guards and Qian family servants to carefully carry the heavy betrothal gifts with big red silk flowers and double happiness characters on them to the storeroom in the palace in an orderly manner.
The long line of bright red boxes and cages flowed into the Qian Mansion continuously, causing the people outside the mansion to stretch their necks and talk like a tide:
"Tsk tsk, the Qian family has really climbed up the social ladder this time! Regent Princess's eldest brother, from now on in the capital, who dares not give face to the Qian family?"
"Who says it's not? Look at this betrothal gift, it's probably enough to cover half the street! Even if the Qian family is rich, can they afford such a grand occasion?"
"Hey, have you forgotten? The Wuguo Marquisate is gone now, but I heard that this legitimate brother and sister... aren't Lan Zhenrong's biological children at all! That Marquis is really pitiful. Not only is he raising other people's children, but his own..."
"Shh! Shut up! Are you looking for death?" An old man next to him suddenly changed his expression and hurriedly pulled the sleeve of the speaker. His voice was very low and filled with fear. "A few days ago, the guards of the Regent's Palace patrolled the whole city and posted notices. It is strictly forbidden to discuss the princess's life experience! Violators will be arrested and thrown into the palace dungeon! If those in red clothes hear what you said..." As he spoke, he subconsciously moved a few steps to the side and looked vigilantly at the guards of the palace who were carrying the boxes.
When the people around heard the words "palace dungeon", their faces changed and they quickly moved away from the man who had just spoken so bluntly, as if they were avoiding the plague.
The man himself was so frightened that his face turned pale and cold sweat oozed from his forehead. He secretly glanced at the palace guards at the gate who were looking straight ahead but exuding a stern air. Seeing that they didn't seem to pay attention to this side, he hurriedly lowered his head as if he had been pardoned, staggered out of the crowd, and quickly disappeared around the corner of the street, for fear that he would be caught if he was a step slower.
Inside the Qian Mansion, in the flower hall, Qian Zhengwang courteously invited the distinguished guests to take a seat. Maids filed in one after another, serving them fragrant fine tea and various exquisite snacks.
Lan Xiyue sat at the side, her slender fingers picking up a small piece of lotus cake and savoring it slowly. She then picked up the celadon teacup, gently blowing away the foam and taking a sip. She said nothing, a smile on her lips, her gaze gently cast around the hall, quietly listening to Matchmaker Yuan's eloquent words of good fortune, and to her eldest brother, Lan Shenye, nervously but sincerely discussing the details of the ceremony with Uncle Qian, such as the betrothal gift, the name, and the date.
In the backyard, there is Qian Duoduo’s boudoir.
The little maid, Xiaohong, had just sneaked back from the front, her face flushed with excitement. Like a joyful little bird, she pounced on Qian Duoduo, who was putting on her makeup in front of the mirror, chirping and gesturing, "Miss! Miss! This is incredible! The Regent Princess is here in person! She's in the front hall! And the son-in-law is riding a tall horse, so impressive! You didn't see the scene at the gate of the mansion! Oh my! The betrothal boxes, one after another, bright red, lined up so long that you can't see the end! The outside is full of people watching the excitement, it's so crowded that there's no way to get through! The door lintel of our Qian Mansion is so bright today!"
Qian Duoduo listened to Xiaohong's description, imagining the grand and lively scene, especially the heroic figure of Lan riding a horse late at night, and felt a sudden heat rushing up his cheeks, and his ears instantly turned red.
She covered her face with her hands in shame and said angrily: "Oh! You silly girl, why are you saying these things!"
Seeing her young lady's rare shyness, Xiaohong couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle, "Hehe, young lady, where's your usual fearlessness? It's just the son-in-law coming to give the betrothal gifts and discuss the wedding date, why are you so embarrassed? Your face is almost as red as the red silk on the betrothal gifts!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
