Do You Know?: Rule the World.

Chapter 56 The betrothal ceremony is officially completed

As the eldest son of the Sheng family, Sheng Changbai followed the etiquette at that time and went forward on behalf of the Sheng family to welcome the marriage proposal team.

When the betrothal party passed by Fan Tower, Wei Xingshou leaned against the carved window lattice on the second floor, gazing at the betrothal gift that looked like a red dragon, with a complex tenderness in his eyes.

"Miss, the tea is getting cold." The maid Huichun stood by and reminded softly.

Chief Wei acted as if he hadn't heard anything, and only when the betrothal party walked away did he look away with a sense of loss.

"The eldest daughter of the Sheng family, is she the girl who arranged flowers and made tea at Madam Wu's gathering earlier?"

Huichun answered cautiously, "Indeed, I heard that the eldest daughter of the Sheng family is not only exceptionally talented, but also extremely tactful in her interpersonal relationships. Although she comes from a fifth-rank official family, her overall demeanor is in no way inferior to that of the daughters of noble families."

"That's it, otherwise how could I be a match for Master Zhao." Wei Xingshou said with a smile.

"Come to think of it, Young Master Zhao hasn't been to Guangyuntai for a while."

Wei Xingtou turned his head to look at her and said, "The Hanlin Academy is busy with official business, and there is a beautiful woman by his side. How could Mr. Zhao remember Guangyuntai?"

Wei Xingshou knew very well that he came from a brothel. Although he had the reputation of selling his art but not his body, his innocence was ultimately compromised.

When those young masters from noble families come to listen to music, they are all very attentive and willing to spend a lot of money, but when it comes to marriage, who wouldn’t avoid it as much as possible?
Thinking of marrying into a reputable family and becoming the head of a family is something that you cannot even dream of.

In her opinion, if she could become Zhao Han's confidante in this life, she would be very lucky and would not dare to ask for anything else.

The auspicious time had arrived, and the betrothal team stopped outside Sheng's mansion on time, with the sound of flutes and pipes and the deafening roar of drums.

At the steps in front of the hall, the maids and servants of the Sheng family lined up to greet him.

The matchmaker held the gilded invitation in her hand and spoke in a loud voice, each word resonating with a firm voice, "A good match is made in heaven, and a good couple will be found!"

"The Zhao family has come to present a betrothal gift! We have prepared a pair of live geese, a room full of gold and jade, hundreds of pieces of silk, and eight kinds of delicacies. We respectfully invite Master Sheng, and Madam, please accept them—"

These words were passed down through the servants into the main hall, and every time they passed through a place, a servant would repeat them aloud.

For a moment, the entire Sheng Mansion was filled with the sound of this festive announcement.

Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu exchanged a look of delighted delight and said in unison, "Yes!"

As soon as the word "Yun" was uttered, drums and music started to play.

The betrothal gifts were carried into the house one after another, shining with jewels and precious stones, making the whole room bright and beautiful.

The guests were amazed at the generous betrothal gifts.

Several ladies who were on good terms with Wang Ruofu gathered around her and said with a smile, "My husband said that your son-in-law is highly regarded by Lord Hai in the Hanlin Academy and has a bright future."

"I saw your son-in-law when his name was called during the palace examination. He had bright features and a clear, elegant demeanor. What a striking young man!"

"If my daughter had not yet reached the age of marriage, I would have definitely competed with you for this marriage."

"Madam, you are so lucky! Such a generous betrothal gift shows the Zhao family's sincerity."

"..."

Listen to the praises and congratulations around you.

Wang Ruofu waved her round fan rapidly, suppressing the smile on her face as she said with a reserved air, "Oh, it's just a matter of etiquette."

"Everyone, please go and have some tea and snacks. Today, we specially asked the chef from Fanlou to prepare these."

As she spoke, she personally led everyone to the flower hall in the backyard.

Wang Ruoyu followed behind her and looked at the betrothal gifts piled up like mountains in the backyard. The smile on his face gradually froze.

I thought to myself that my sister and brother-in-law are really lucky!
In her letter, she took great pains to discredit the Yuan family and prevent them from marrying into the Earl's Mansion, but she turned around and found a son-in-law who was a promising and wealthy scholar.

The third place winner is a disciple of the emperor, and it is unknown whether he will enter the cabinet and become a prime minister in the future.

Even her mother praised this marriage as a match made in heaven and prepared more than ten loads of dowry for Hualan early on.

Thinking of this, I thought about the chaotic days of the Kang family.

Wang Ruoyu felt a tightness in his chest, and he clutched the handkerchief tightly, almost biting his teeth to pieces.

Sheng Hong and Sheng Changbai were also busy in the main hall dealing with guests who came to congratulate them.

I saw him returning the greeting with a flushed face, stroking his beard and smiling from time to time.

After the banquet was over, the guests gradually dispersed. The Sheng family specially prepared generous return gifts and instructed the steward to lead a dozen servants to send them to the Zhao family in an orderly manner.

At the end of the day, the betrothal ceremony was officially completed, and everyone in the Sheng family finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Hot tea and snacks had already been prepared in the old lady's room. Wang Ruofu and Sheng Hong, unusually, chatted and laughed all the way to Shou'an Hall. "Mother!"

Wang Ruofu's cry startled the old lady so much that the teacup in her hand shook and she almost spilled half of the hot tea.

She took two steps at a time and walked up to the old lady, her face full of joy.

"I didn't expect the Zhao family to be so wealthy. The things in the boxes are all real!"

"Oh my goodness! There are twenty rolls of top-quality Shu brocade alone, all in the latest fashion, and two complete sets of red gold head ornaments, all meticulously crafted!"

The old lady calmed down and said softly, "A generous betrothal gift is a good thing, but our Sheng family doesn't seek such a thing when marrying off our daughter."

"Don't be so surprised. If this gets out, you'll be laughed at."

Wang Ruofu nodded vigorously upon hearing this, "Yes, yes, mother is right."

Sheng Hong held the verified betrothal list, narrowed his eyes, and said in a deep voice, "Seal up all those gold, silver, cloth, money, silk, and jewelry in the warehouse."

"Especially the things bestowed by the Emperor, you must instruct your servants to take good care of them."

"When Hua'er gets married, all of these must be included in her dowry. Not a single thing can be left out."

A noble family like the Sheng family, which does not hold high official positions and values ​​reputation, is most particular about etiquette.

The betrothal gifts sent today include some seasonal food and fresh items that are inconvenient to store.

The rest is all taken back to the daughter's husband's home as a dowry, so as to avoid being criticized for greed for betrothal gifts and selling daughters for money.

"A gift from the Emperor?" When the old lady heard this, a barely perceptible strangeness flashed across her face.

As Sheng Hong handed the betrothal list to the old lady, he said, "Yes."

"Han Ge'er won the emperor's favor when he lectured on classics and history a few days ago, so he specially rewarded me with these."

The old lady lowered her eyes, slowly closed the list, and thought for a while.

She said, "The wedding is still a few months away. Let Hua'er move to Shou'an Hall and I will personally teach her some etiquette."

Wang Ruofu's face was full of confusion, and she felt a little reluctant.

After all, after Hualan got married, the mother and daughter saw each other less often.

During these last few months, she had originally wanted to have more personal conversations with Hualan.

"Mother, what's wrong with Hua'er? I think she's quite decent."

How could the old lady not know what she was thinking?

But there were some things she wasn't sure about at the moment, and she didn't know how to start.

So, he just said softly: "You are right to listen to me. I can't harm Hua girl."

Although Sheng Hong didn't know what the old lady was thinking, he also agreed, "Just listen to your mother."

"Hua'er, learn more from your mother. If you find it useful in the future, it will bring honor to our family and Ru'er."

Wang Ruofu looked at the two of them, sighed softly, and nodded.

After leaving Shou'an Hall, Wang Ruofu frowned, feeling unhappy.

"Old Madam, what a fool! It's not enough to have Minglan by your side. She even called Hua'er over at this hour."

Mother Liu said in a gentle voice, "I think the old lady must want to teach the young lady more about managing the household, being a daughter-in-law, and the rules of being a wife. There is no need to be reluctant, madam."

"After all, I am also the daughter of the Wang family. I have been in charge of the Sheng family for many years."

"Can't you teach your own daughter these things?"

As she spoke, Wang Ruofu's face became very long.

Mother Liu was speechless for a moment. "Madam, what you said... I really don't know how to put it."

From the first day Wang Ruofu came into the house, she never behaved properly in front of the old lady.

He never paid his respects regularly in the mornings and evenings, and only went to pay his respects three or five times a month. She saw all of this.

If the mother-in-law was not so tolerant and loving, she would have been accused of being disrespectful and ignorant of etiquette, and the reputation of the entire Wang family would have been affected.

(End of this chapter)