In principle, Qin Xiaozhou, as the niece-in-law, should not have the right to interfere with her aunt's betrothal gifts. However, since she has made the greatest contribution to the Lu family's current prosperity, Qin Xiaozhou also listened in the main hall.
The matchmaker smiled and handed Wang Lan a red invitation card. "This is the betrothal gift list from the Li family. Auntie, look at this! The betrothal gift is quite generous: twenty taels of silver, a bolt of cotton cloth, a bolt of silk, a silver bracelet, a silver hairpin, two wild ginseng roots, and a pair of ducks."
It should have been a pair of geese, but geese are difficult to catch, so ducks are usually used instead.
The matchmaker had arranged so many marriages in the surrounding villages, but this was the first time she had ever seen such a generous dowry. It was the most respectable dowry in the village. However, compared to the Lu family's large courtyard, it didn't seem like much, so she couldn't boast too much.
Li Changpu sat down, his palms sweating, his face flushed with nervousness. This was all he had, but he still felt it wasn't enough. For many people, this would be enough for three to five years' expenses, but he had secretly inquired in the county town and heard that sometimes the Lu family would spend one or two taels of silver on a seafood meal, and the cheapest clothes in the embroidery shop cost two or three taels. The most expensive outfit was said to have been bought by the eldest daughter of the Zhu family for a full one hundred taels.
He must make money well so that the Lu family will not look down on him, and he cannot let Lu Yu suffer.
He had caught a glimpse of Lu Yu from afar a few days ago. For some reason, he wanted to visit the Lu family every few days. At first, he just thought that this would be his future mother-in-law's house, and he wanted to show his concern by visiting more often and try to build a closer relationship. Then one time, he knocked on the door, and a young, slender girl opened it. She had delicate features and was a thin and frail woman. He was stunned for a moment before realizing that this was his future wife.
A surge of heat rose in his heart, making his whole body flush. He was so nervous that he didn't know how to speak, so he could only shove what he was holding into her hands and run away. After running a long way, he felt disappointed and hurriedly came back to check, but the door was already closed. He was upset about this for a whole day, and from then on, he was even more determined to make money and take good care of this thin little girl.
Doctor Li remained calm and composed. He trusted the Lu family's character; if the Lu family were a materialistic family that favored the rich over the poor, he wouldn't have made that request in the first place.
Wang Lan was illiterate, but she was delighted to hear the matchmaker's words and slapped her thigh, "That's too much! Who uses twenty taels as a betrothal gift? Ten taels will do. In-laws, the children will need to make a living in the future, so save this for them."
Li Changpu breathed a sigh of relief, relieved that he hadn't been disliked. However, he hadn't seen his wife for a long time, and he was extremely anxious. But it was customary not to meet before marriage, so he could only sit properly and make sure his future mother-in-law didn't dislike him.
Doctor Li laughed: "There's no such thing as a betrothal gift being returned, mother-in-law. Your daughter won't suffer in the future."
Lu Yunfeng was also surprised that the Li family would give so many betrothal gifts. Qin Xiaozhou raised her eyebrows slightly, beckoned Lu Yan over, and whispered a few words in her ear. The little girl then happily ran away.
For the first time, Lu Yu felt that the front hall and the backyard were so far apart that she could only hear some voices but could not understand what they were saying. She held the embroidery needle, bit her lip, and did not put the needle down, her thoughts already wandering far away.
On one hand, she worried that the dowry from the Li family would be too small and she would be embarrassed; on the other hand, she was worried that if they gave too much, their family's savings would be depleted and they would have a hard time making ends meet. But then she realized that no matter how much the Li family gave, it would probably be insignificant in the eyes of her nephew and niece-in-law.
“Little Aunt.” Lu Yan came running over, her face beaming with joy, and told Lu Yu about the betrothal gifts from the Li family. “Grandma, Mother, Eldest Brother and Sister-in-law are all very happy. Eldest Sister-in-law said that the Li family is very sincere and values Little Aunt very much.”
Lu Yu was startled by Lu Yan, almost pricking her finger with the needle, and hurriedly got up, "So generous?"
Surprised and delighted, she asked, "Are Mother and Sister-in-law both very happy? Didn't my niece-in-law say anything else?"
Lu Yan touched her bright red wedding dress. "My sister-in-law only asked me to come and talk to you about the betrothal gifts. She didn't say anything in the hall, but she seemed quite happy."
That's good, that's good. It's good that Qin Xiaozhou doesn't say anything. Lu Yu was afraid of her mouth. She was on tenterhooks the whole time, afraid that if anything in the Li family displeased her, she would lash out. Qin Xiaozhou is the kind of person who can't tolerate the slightest imperfection. Many things that seem trivial to them are major issues that she would rather not marry than let go of.
After a while, a secret joy rose in her heart. With such a generous dowry, she would no longer lose face in the village. Those who wanted to see her make a fool of herself would no longer be able to.
After seeing off the matchmaker and the Li family, Wang Lan happily went to the backyard, took her daughter's hand, and held some things in her hands. When she opened them, there were two silver ingots, each worth ten taels, a piece of cotton cloth, a piece of silk, a silver bracelet, and a silver hairpin. "These are part of your betrothal gifts. Keep them safe and take them with you when you go to your husband's house."
Her eyes slowly welled up with tears, filled with relief. "My son, after all this time, there's finally someone like this, and a good one at that. I feel like I'm dreaming."
Although the family wasn't wealthy, the man was a doctor, and he valued her daughter so much, giving such a generous dowry. From then on, no one in the village dared to bring up her daughter's marriage again.
Lu Yu's eyes also reddened. Over the years, her mother had worried so much about her marriage. Several times at night, she had heard her mother secretly sighing and wiping away tears. "Mother."
She couldn't hold back any longer and hugged her mother tightly. Her mother was very thin and her hair was already gray. "Mother, keep these. I will live a good life from now on. You keep the money for your retirement. I can't be by your side anymore."
"Silly child." Wang Lan wiped away her daughter's tears. "Why are you crying on such a good day? Listen to me, take these. Keep this twenty taels of silver to yourself and don't let anyone know. You'll be getting married in a little over a month. I'm preparing your dowry."
After saying that, she went to her room and quietly took a small package, wrapped it layer by layer in dark blue cloth, and carefully opened it. Inside was a silver bracelet. "This was prepared for you by your father when you were born."
The silver bracelet is about the thickness of a little finger, decorated with floral patterns. It's a very simple design, but quite substantial.
Wang Lan once owned some silver bracelets and hairpins, but unfortunately, her family suffered a misfortune three years ago, and she had to sell them all. However, she couldn't bear to part with this silver bracelet, as it was the only thing her husband had left for their daughter.
She thought to herself that even if she died poor, her daughter would eventually get married, and she couldn't let her daughter have no dowry at all. "You don't need to worry about your mother's old age. Your sister-in-law is a kind-hearted person. Both Dayun and Eryun are filial. Your niece-in-law is just good-natured, but she has a good heart. She gives me one or two taels of silver every month."
Lu Yu still didn't want to accept the betrothal gifts. "Mother, you gave birth to me and raised me. You should accept these betrothal gifts."
"Why are you so stubborn, child?" Wang Lan said helplessly. "I eat and drink well at home, and I can eat as many chickens, ducks and geese as I want from the back hill. Dayun always buys rice, flour and oil when he comes back. I don't lack anything. You should keep this and listen to your mother."
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