flstandardbreds Chapter 123 is quite despicable.
Chapter 123 is quite despicable.
In this way, the Zhao family would have relatives in the county town?
Madam Peng wasn't just talking; the very next day, she sent a matchmaker to the Zhao family's old residence to present betrothal gifts, which were brought in by horse-drawn carriage.
Inside were twenty taels of betrothal gifts, a gold ring, gold earrings, a gold necklace, two bolts each of dragon and phoenix double happiness cakes, four-color candies, and silk, as well as bedding and pillows, a pair of live chickens, and a pair of white geese.
Zhao Xinghua couldn't take her eyes off the three gold pieces!
Grandma Sun exclaimed in surprise, "Oh my, which family is giving so much gold as a betrothal gift? All of this must be worth over a hundred taels of silver!"
Mrs. Wang couldn't stop smiling; she never expected her daughter, Xinghua, to marry so well.
The matchmaker, Lu, immediately said to Old Madam Sun, "Madam, this is more than just a hundred taels of silver. You've raised Miss Zhao so well, that's why the Lang family is giving so much."
In all my years as a matchmaker, I've never seen a family so generous with their betrothal gifts.
The gold jewelry was given away just like that.
Although the bride price in the county town is higher than in the countryside, it is still mostly around fifteen taels of silver, and there's not much else to it.
But look, the Lang family's betrothal gifts, including the dowry and other items, totaled over one hundred taels of silver.
Old Mrs. Sun agreed with what Matchmaker Lu said, but then she suddenly asked another question:
"The Lang family is so rich, why would they take a fancy to my Xinghua?"
Old Zhao took a puff of his pipe and gently tapped her with it, telling her not to overthink things.
It's like the Zhao family's ancestral graves are emitting auspicious smoke for Xinghua to marry into such a family. Don't go looking for trouble.
Seeing this, Grandma Sun nodded to Zhao Sanshi and his wife, indicating that she could agree to the marriage between Xinghua and the Lang family.
When the matchmaker, Lu, saw that the Zhao family had agreed to the marriage, she happily spoke auspicious words.
After finishing his sentence, he added, "Since you all agree, then this marriage is settled."
The Lang family set the date for Miss Zhao's coming-of-age ceremony, hoping to get married as soon as possible and have an heir for the Lang family.
Young Master Lang is the only son of the Lang family; we hope you understand.
Wang immediately replied, "I understand, I understand!"
The groom's family is eager to bring the bride home as soon as possible, which is a good thing. It shows that they are satisfied with Xinghua, which is why they made this decision.
Wang Shi didn't want Xinghua to miss out on such a good in-law family as the Lang family.
Seeing this, the matchmaker, Lu, continued, "Actually, I also brought a token of love that Young Master Lang asked me to give to Miss Zhao. It's a jade pendant that Young Master Lang wears every day."
"It's still a few months until Miss Zhao's coming-of-age ceremony, and Young Master Lang hopes that the jade pendant he always wears can accompany Miss Zhao in his place."
After finishing her story, the matchmaker took out a jade pendant from her bosom and presented it to Zhao Xinghua.
This is a rectangular Hetian jade pendant, with a regular yet lively shape, smooth and natural lines on the edges, and extremely smooth polishing without a single flaw.
It was clearly very valuable. When Zhao Xinghua touched it, the texture was warm and delicate, as soft and white as mutton fat, and it shimmered with a faint halo in the sunlight.
Just as she was holding Lang Yuan's jade pendant, feeling a slight thrill in her heart, she suddenly heard the matchmaker Lu's question:
"Miss Zhao, please give me something too, to take back to Young Master Lang, as a token of your love."
"You two still have several months before your wedding; let the young master see these things to remind him of his beloved."
Zhao Xinghua pursed her lips shyly upon hearing what the matchmaker, Lu, said.
Although she didn't say anything, she immediately went back to her room to search.
She didn't have anything of real value, except for some small embroidered items she did on a daily basis.
For example, this sachet is what she considers her best embroidery.
The pattern on it is of apricot blossoms, but not pure red ones; they are pinkish-white.
Men can wear such sachets too.
"Grandma Lu, please take this back to Young Master Lang."
The matchmaker, Lu, glanced at the sachet and asked, "Did you embroider this yourself?"
Zhao Xinghua nodded gently.
“Miss Zhao’s needlework is excellent. I will send it over to Young Master Lang.”
After taking the gifts, the matchmaker did not linger.
Looking at the house full of fine things, and the Hetian jade pendant held in Zhao Xinghua's hands, the people in the Zhao family's old house felt that everything was not quite real.
Zhao Lianhua said enviously, "Xinghua, you are the most dazzling girl in our village."
When Shen Ming presented Tao Hua with betrothal gifts, he brought items worth a total of sixty taels of silver. I thought no one would ever surpass that in this lifetime.
I can't believe it! It's only been a short time, and you've already gained so much!
And that jade pendant—it's something many people will never see in their entire lives.
As Zhao Lianhua spoke, her eyes were full of envy. Her cousins were all incredibly capable, while she was the only one destined to stay at home for the rest of her life, becoming an old maid.
Zhao Xinghua was very pleased with Zhao Lianhua's words.
However, she still said, "Young Master Lang's family owns a restaurant in the county town and is quite wealthy."
Brother Shenming has no parents and relies entirely on himself. Sixty taels is all he can afford.
Zhao Lianhua also agreed, saying that since Shen Ming gave everything he had to Peach Blossom Sister, it was clear that Shen Ming was willing to give 100% of his love for her.
"Xinghua, it's good that the Lang family has given you so much. When you marry into the Lang family, you'll be the young mistress."
Zhao Lianhua said enviously.
After her family had all had their fill of looking at the Hetian jade pendant, Zhao Xinghua finally put it away contentedly and placed it in her bosom.
She walked through the village with a radiant smile. It happened to be midday, and the villagers who were building the mountain protection project on the mountain had all come down.
She could see the tall and slender Shen Ming walking among them from afar.
Since Shen Ming and Zhao Taohua are engaged, Shen Ming now goes to the Zhao family's house for lunch every day at noon.
Originally, Shen Ming was considered a jinx by everyone, so she didn't dare to get close to him.
However, after Zhao Taohua gave him a shielding charm, he was no longer the same.
She thought he was an orphan from a poor family, but she never expected that he would actually be able to come up with sixty taels of silver in order to marry Zhao Taohua.
"Brother Shen Ming, I want to say a few words to you."
Zhao Xinghua blocked Shen Ming's path and said to him.
"Zhao Xinghua? What do you want to say? Speak."
Shen Ming said casually.
This is the only way for villagers to come down from the mountain, and Zhao Xinghua felt a little embarrassed.
Remembering that the villagers from the embroidery workshop had all gone home by now, she called Shen Ming into the workshop and said:
“Brother Shenming, the sun is too strong here. I’m getting married soon, so I can’t be in the sun. I’ll get tanned and won’t look pretty.”
"Alright, just say what you want to say."
Shen Ming followed her into the embroidery workshop with some impatience.
Actually, Zhao Xinghua was already a bit dark-skinned. If you were to say which girl in the village wasn't dark-skinned, it would be Peach Blossom Sister.
Peach Blossom Sister's family didn't have any land before, unlike others who had to work in the fields every day, so she's still fair and tender now.
Looking at the tall and handsome Shen Ming before her, Zhao Xinghua mustered her courage and said:
"Brother Shen Ming, I like you!"
Her words left Shen Ming completely bewildered: "I'm engaged to Peach Blossom Sister."
Once we get married, he'll be her cousin's husband. Why is she coming to tell me this now?
Zhao Shengan, who had seen Shen Ming and Zhao Xinghua enter the embroidery workshop from afar, quietly followed them in, only to hear such shocking news.
Does Zhao Xinghua like Shen Ming?
However, Shen Ming is already engaged to Peach Blossom Girl, and the two will get married when Peach Blossom Girl comes of age.
Now, is Zhao Xinghua confessing her feelings to Shen Ming to ruin their relationship and steal Shen Ming away?
Zhao Shengan found Zhao Xinghua's behavior despicable, as she interfered in other people's relationships.
Suddenly, Zhao Shengan seemed to hear Zhao Taohua's voice coming from next door. The voice was getting closer and closer, and she was about to arrive.