Chapter 36 2/2

He remembered how Huo Shu had previously joked about the betrothal money given by the You family, thinking it wouldn’t be added on top of that.

This person is really something. When he initially mentioned thirty taels, it almost covered all the expenses of the entire marriage process. He wouldn’t just give so much in betrothal money alone.

But it was her gossipy aunt who inadvertently dispelled his doubts.

“A hundred and twenty taels of betrothal money; could it be a joke?”

Taoyu also stood frozen in place upon hearing this amount.

“Madam Ji, the three letters and six etiquettes are not mere talk. The betrothal money must be written into the marriage agreement. How could it be a joke?”

Seeing Madam Wanglan looking down on their family, Yuan Huiru wasn’t polite either.

“My son-in-law-to-be sincerely seeks marriage. Once he has set his sights on someone, he won’t bargain like this. Giving meagre betrothal gifts not only belittles the girl’s family but also embarrasses them.”

Madam Wanglan’s expression faltered upon hearing this, feeling ashamed. Their attempt to propose marriage to the Zheng family had failed due to issues with betrothal money.

The Zheng family couldn’t keep their mouths shut and even spread rumours afterwards, making them undesirable to others.

She forced a smile. “It’s fortunate for our Taoyu to receive such a favour.”

A hundred and twenty taels of betrothal money is enough to marry three brides. It was madness just to marry a weak and sickly boy!

She glanced at Huo Shu and couldn’t believe he would do something so foolish.

But then again, this reserved young man, who always looked dishevelled, actually had quite a fortune hidden away. If they had known earlier, their son wouldn’t have been seen as inferior to Taoyu.

For a moment, Madam Wanglan forgot why she had come here. She regretted not paying more attention to this newcomer in the village.

Ji Yangzong said, “Regardless, it’s overly generous. My intention is to save face.”

“After marriage, everything will belong to him. Adding more betrothal money is fine.”

Both Ji Yangzong and his wife were visibly pleased.

“If you insist, then my husband and I won’t touch this money. We’ll add it all to Taoyu’s dowry, for you two to use after marriage.”

Ji Yangzong smiled broadly; whether there was betrothal money or not, they had gained face.

“Now, let’s talk about the wedding banquet. Will it be held here or at the Zhao family’s place?”

Madam Wanglan was confused by now. Not only did her brother seem greedy for money, but he was also already discussing the wedding banquet after seeing the betrothal money.

What wedding banquet? Here or there?

Yuan Huiru said, “The Zhao family is an outsider here and has few relatives in the village. There are many relatives and friends of the Ji family here, so it would be more lively to hold the banquet here. Plus, since both children will live here in the future, it’s better to have the wedding banquet here to save trouble.”

“Great! Let’s hold a lively banquet here, saving time and effort. If the timing is right, we can also invite officials from the city.”

Ji Yangzong was even happier: “We must also invite a lion dance troupe.”

“That goes without saying, and we must have plenty of firecrackers.”

Seeing both sides negotiating smoothly, Madam Wanglan realised that both families had already agreed in principle. This was just a formality with the matchmaker.

She couldn’t help but feel a sense of bitterness and muttered, “So, are you going to marry into our family after all?”

“San Jie’s words were too harsh. Huo Shu couldn’t bear to see Taoyu endure hardships, so he showed this courtesy because he was afraid Taoyu wouldn’t adapt elsewhere and went through so much trouble. Even inserting a’reverse door’ has happened.”

Ji Yangzong’s face turned cold, and he said a sentence, then turned to Huo Shu with a smile: “Let’s settle the marriage today. I’ll post the wedding couplet on my side to inform the villagers. Once the date is set, we’ll prepare the invitations, so you don’t have to keep coming over here.”

Huo Shu agreed with a sound.

“I’ve chosen the 8th and 22nd of the twelfth month. I wonder if they’re suitable.”

“These two days are auspicious for marriage. I’ve checked the almanack, and they’re both good days. Let’s go with the 8th; the 22nd is close to the Spring Festival, and every family will be busy with the New Year’s reunion.”

“I think that works too.”

Ji Wanglan looked at the harmonious atmosphere of the two families and felt redundant standing here. While the discussion was lively, she quietly slipped away without even saying goodbye.

Taoyu, who had been eavesdropping behind the door from a distance, felt tired standing there. Clearly, it was her own marriage matter, yet she couldn’t participate in the discussion, feeling somewhat bored.

Seeing her third aunt leave, she wanted to go out, but she was hindered by the presence of the matchmaker and couldn’t leave without being impolite.

She secretly observed Huo Shu’s expression and saw him furrowing his brows one moment and relaxing them the next, but after a while, there were only those two expressions.

However, judging by the frequency of his expression changes, it was evident that he was seriously discussing marriage matters.

They talked for nearly an hour before finally finishing.

Taoyu saw that Huo Shu was about to leave, took advantage of her parents and the matchmaker being busy talking to Yuan Huiru, quickly sneaked to Huo Shu’s side, slipped a note into his hand, and then hurried away.

Huo Shu’s palm felt momentarily warm, but that warmth didn’t linger. When he looked up again, the person was already gone, without a trace.

His eyes softened as he put away the note.

“It’s really comforting to discuss important matters with someone who is willing to talk. This morning, a big worry has been resolved.”

Ji Yangzong and Huang Manjing saw off Huo Shu, feeling very satisfied.

“Hey, where did Sister San go?”

“She left early.”

Huang Manjing said, “She’s so concerned about Little Taoyu and their relationship with Yuan Fei that she won’t dare to say anything more after today.”

Ji Yangzong said, “I told you, this kid, Huo Shu, acts quickly and isn’t at all procrastinating.”

It was only at this moment that Taoyu came out, as if she didn’t know what had happened.

“What’s going on?”

“Who doesn’t know you’ve been eavesdropping?”

Huang Manjing smiled. “Just as your father was saying, we’re going to put up some festive couplets.”

“Taoyu raised her eyebrows but didn’t respond.

“Huo Shu said to look at the betrothal gifts list and let him know if anything is missing.”

“Since we’re both living in the same household, there’s nothing we lack.”

“That’s right! But I didn’t expect this kid to be willing to give so much in betrothal gifts.”

“Oh, right, you should send a letter to Dad soon, so he knows about this joyous occasion.”

“No rush; I’ll personally inform my father when I go to town to buy things.”

Seeing her parents engrossed in conversation, Taoyu didn’t interrupt.

Now that things were settled, she didn’t have anything else to hope for. She returned to her room with light steps.

The walls in the village were porous, and in the quiet month, it was hard to conceal anything.

As soon as the matchmaker left someone’s house, the news spread throughout the village.

Originally, no one thought the marriage would happen, but Yuan Huiru was generous and agreed to everyone who asked.

“The engagement is settled, and the wedding will be in the twelfth month.”

The villagers were astonished. No one expected that the only marriage to be confirmed at the end of the year would be between the Ji family and the Zhao family, two households that had no connection whatsoever.

“You don’t say, our village really moves fast. They cut off the unlucky engagement with the You family and found a new one for their own son.”

“I always thought they had a chance. That iron-faced man even brought his own horse to propose to Taoyu.”

“Anyway, it’s another excuse for a feast.”

A few villagers discussed the matter with folded hands, either optimistic or simply curious.

Sun Yuanniang, with only her eyes visible from a nearby side road, paused to listen. It was indeed strange; there was no mention of the You family today. But upon hearing this news, she still found it somewhat unbelievable.

“Forget about the Zhao family’s unfamiliar surname; Bingshilu looks like a dubious character. The Ji family dares to marry into it. She must be desperate to marry anyone.”

Sun Yuanniang returned home, served the cleaned fruit to her son, You Lingxiao, whose face was silent and waxen. She mentioned what she had heard.

The despondent You Lingxiao reacted as if struck by lightning and absentmindedly looked at Sun Yuanniang. “He’s engaged!”

Sun Yuanniang, seeing his excitement, quickly said, “He was going to get married sooner or later, so stop thinking about him. If they can get engaged so quickly, it’s as if our family can’t find a match in time. Tomorrow, I’ll invite a matchmaker to talk about your marriage.”

However, You Lingxiao muttered to himself, “He’s actually marrying such a barbaric person.”

Sun Yuanniang thought her son had let go of it already, but mentioning the Ji family again seemed to hit him like a bolt of lightning. She opened her mouth, having offered too many words of advice these days, but it seemed none had reached her son’s ears.

Seeing this, she decided to try a different approach. “Since he’s getting married and marrying such a person, you should pull yourself together and make him regret his choice.”

The dazed You Lingxiao paused, as if he had really taken in those words, yet seemed too weak to respond.

Amidst the storms outside, Taoyu had no inclination to think. The rainy day grew dark quickly, and she quickly finished a simple dinner and rushed back to her room, locking the door behind her.

The window in the room was wide open, and the cold wind, laden with rain, blew into the room, extinguishing the warmth from the charcoal brazier.

Shivering, she wrapped herself in her collar and found the lampshade for the oil lamp.

Just as she brought the shade over, there was suddenly a thud by the window, followed by a gust of wind and a dark figure. The oil lamp was blown out abruptly, and the room plunged into a dark gray.

Only the open window revealed a faint, hazy light.

Taoyu was frightened and nearly shrank back when suddenly something descended over her head, warm and comforting.

With a flick of a matchstick, the room lit up again, revealing a tall figure standing there.