Chapter 146

The hot July ended with Prince Xi falling and getting up again and again.

Time quickly arrived at the tenth of August, the day Qiao Mansion was to send betrothal gifts to the Han Mansion.

Mrs. Qiao got up early. Although she had checked the betrothal gifts against the list many times, she still couldn’t help but check again before leaving.

Mr. Qiao specially took the day off today and stood obediently on the side, ready to assist at any time.

However, Mrs. Qiao found him too clumsy and didn’t let him intervene at all.

According to custom, the groom’s side would invite two female relatives and matchmakers to accompany them to deliver the betrothal gifts and money to the bride’s family.

Mrs. Qiao was very pleased with Miss Han as her future daughter-in-law, but there weren’t many high-ranking female relatives in the Qiao family and the Duke of Yanguo’s Mansion.

To avoid letting Miss Han feel aggrieved, Mrs. Qiao invited those sisters from the capital who got along well with her.

In addition to Matchmaker Mrs. Yang, there were Mrs. Xiao from the Duke of Dingguo’s family, Mrs. Wang from the Ministry of War, and Mrs. Dou from the Ministry of Revenue, who was Mr. Qiao’s boss, and so on.

Such a powerful lineup for delivering betrothal gifts indeed gave the Han family plenty of face.

As the groom-to-be, Qiao Tianjing didn’t need to participate in delivering the betrothal gifts.

So he stood at the gate of Qiao Mansion, holding Jiaojiao, watching as the group banged drums and carried a stream of betrothal gifts.

Jiaojiao was smiling, feeling joyful in her heart.

“Oh my!”

She exclaimed, her thoughts never stopping.

[It’s really lively! Sis-in-law is about to be engaged!]

[Look at my brother, still holding back! You say he’s reserved, but he’s more like a shy guy!]

[Who knows, maybe he’s rolling around in bed unable to sleep with joy at night!]

Qiao Tianjing: “…”

He wasn’t!

He was just quietly happy in his heart!

Miss Han… was about to become his wife.

Thinking of this, the corners of Qiao Tianjing’s mouth couldn’t help but lift up, he tried to suppress it but couldn’t.

Seeing this, Jiaojiao couldn’t help but cover her mouth and chuckle.

[Hehe, it’s not embarrassing to be happy. Big brother can also spread the reputation of spoiling his wife in the future, just like dad!]

[A person without shame is invincible. Just look at dad, people laugh at him for being afraid of his wife, but he still chuckles along!]

Just as Qiao Zhongguo walked out with the group delivering the betrothal gifts, he happened to overhear this. He immediately nodded in agreement.

Their Old Qiao was famous for spoiling his wife!

This should become the family motto of the Qiao family, allowing the eldest and second sons to carry it forward!

All the betrothal gifts from the Qiao family were carried into the Han family, taking more than an hour.

Onlookers along the way couldn’t help but be amazed.

They thought the Han family was much lower than the Qiao family, so Miss Han must not be valued. But they didn’t expect the Qiao family to prepare such rich betrothal gifts, giving Miss Han plenty of face.

Outside the Han Mansion, there were already circles of people, and the steward of the Qiao family was standing in the hall reading the list of gifts, as is customary, as a sign of respect to the bride’s family.

Mrs. Yang and Mrs. Xiao stood together, seeing this joyous scene, both couldn’t help but feel happy for Mrs. Qiao, who couldn’t be here.

After the gifts were delivered, it was the bride’s family’s turn to reciprocate, still brought by the groom’s side, indicating that the bride’s family was very satisfied with this marriage.

Han Yaxian stood in the back hall, listening to the sound of drums in the front courtyard, her heart beating faster with each beat.

These days, she had been obediently staying at home preparing for marriage. Her father knew that the Qiao family was extraordinary, so he had started talking to her about court matters during this time.

“Xian’er, the eldest son of the Qiao family is ambitious. He won’t stay under someone else’s thumb for long. Your father isn’t saying this to encourage you to compete or snatch anything, but he hopes you can keep up with the eldest son of the Qiao family.”

“Women should speak less and act cautiously, but they shouldn’t be empty-headed. They should have some knowledge and insight.”

“Of course, your father also knows your abilities. When you go to the Qiao family, you don’t need to belittle yourself.”

“You are your father’s beloved daughter, and even compared to the young men in the capital, your father dares to confidently say that you won’t necessarily lose!”

Upon hearing this, Han Yaxian’s nose suddenly felt sour.

She naturally knew how much her father loved her. Her mother’s health problems prevented her from having more children after giving birth to her.

Her father never showed any coldness towards her mother because of this, nor did he take concubines. He just wholeheartedly raised her.

Although her father was marginalized by the courtiers because of his stubbornness, she always understood that her father had his loyalty and righteousness. He devoted himself to the people and had already set aside personal life and death.

Her father was the person she respected and admired the most!

“Father, rest assured, even when I go to the Qiao family, I won’t forget the dignity of our Han Mansion!”

“I am your only daughter, how can I tarnish your reputation!”

Han Mingzhe heard this and felt embarrassed.

His reputation was really bad, which resulted in very few young ladies willing to befriend Han Yaxian. He even worried that there wouldn’t be enough people on the day of the marriage…

The days finally came to the ninth of September amidst everyone’s anticipation, which was the day the Han family sent the dowry.

Qiao Mansion had opened its doors early in the morning, and Qiao Tianjing happened to be resting today, so he was waiting at home.

The Qingzhu Courtyard had been cleaned several times inside and out, and red silk was hung everywhere. Lanterns were lit, and it was extremely festive.

Around noon, Han’s dowry was carried in, stuffing the Qingzhu Courtyard full.

Every large wooden box was adorned with large red silk flowers. There was a large dressing table, which Han Mingzhe had spent a fortune on months ago to have crafted, and now it was placed in the main hall.

After the servants all left, Qiao Tianjing stared blankly at the main hall.

He always enjoyed elegance and disliked elaborate extravagance, so the main hall was simple, with plain colors.

Now seeing the exquisite dressing table and the abundance of red, he felt for the first time that such a lively atmosphere was quite good, full of human touch.

Especially when he thought that Miss Han would live here with him in the future, and this place would be filled with her presence, Qiao Tianjing felt a sense of urgency and anticipation rise in his heart.

Just as he was blushing and feeling excited, Qiao Zhongguo suddenly walked in from outside the courtyard.

He didn’t enter the room, just shouted from outside the door, “Eldest, get out here!”

Qiao Tianjing hurriedly suppressed his emotions and walked to the door. Several books were thrown at him as soon as he got there.

He managed to catch them calmly. With a puzzled look on his face, he looked at his father.

“Father, what’s this?”

As he spoke, he lowered his head. When he saw the big word “Sexual Techniques” on the book covers, he was so startled that his hand shook, and his face turned red.

Qiao Zhongguo felt a little embarrassed and touched his nose, speaking in a low voice, “Our Qiao Mansion doesn’t have the tradition of concubines, so I guess you, this little brat, are still confused.”

“Study carefully, don’t—”

He couldn’t finish the sentence. He gave Qiao Tianjing a meaningful look and slipped away!

Qiao Tianjing felt his blood boiling, his whole body feeling hot. Seeing no one around, he hugged the books and walked into the main hall.

He… needed to study them carefully…