Baozi Xishi's Struggle

Chapter 512 The Lu Family’s Official Engagement Gift Has Come

Shen Yu smiled and said, "I've been standing here for quite a while. Mom, what are you looking at?"

Li smiled and said, "Early this morning, there were two magpies standing on the branches and chirping. It must be that something good is coming."

As she spoke, she looked around and saw that no one was paying attention to the two of them, so she whispered in Shen Yu's ear: "The last time Mr. Lu came, he said that the matchmaker sent by Mr. Lu would arrive soon, either on the second or fourth day of August. This time he came to officially make the decision."

Shen Yu was a little surprised and muttered to himself: "Hey, why didn't Mr. Lu tell me?"

As the mother and daughter were talking, they heard the sound of joyful music coming from afar.

When Li heard this, her face immediately lit up with joy, and she whispered, "I'm coming, go to the front yard first."

"At times like this, girls shyly hide in their rooms. No one would stand here and watch like you."

As he said that, he gently pushed Shen Yu and asked her to go faster.

Shen Yu shook his head helplessly and had to go back to the front yard.

Listening to the drum sounds getting closer and closer, I became very curious and wondered what the formal ceremony would be like.

I couldn't help it, so I quietly opened the window a crack, hoping that she could see it when the matchmaker came over.

After waiting for a while, I heard a commotion at the door of the inn. Someone was reciting something in a rhythmic manner. When he finished, I heard everyone shouting, "Congratulations, Madam."

"Mrs. Li is so lucky. She will be the mother-in-law of the county magistrate in the future."

"Yes, yes, Madam Li, when is the wedding? Please invite us to the wedding banquet."

Li said in a loud voice, "That's for sure. Everyone present will have a share, so you must come."

"Of course, of course. Miss Shen will be the wife of the county magistrate in the future. She will really bring honor to our merchant family. I will definitely give her a big red envelope when the time comes."

"Oh, that's for sure. I'll also give you red envelopes. Madam Li, don't forget to treat me."

Everyone was clamoring and saying nice things. Although Shen Yu couldn't see Li, he could imagine Li's face full of joy and glow just by imagining it.

Shen Yu was thinking that after the crowd dispersed, he would give Li some good advice, telling her not to get carried away and get criticized by the neighbors.

But then he heard Li yelling, "Everyone, move aside. You are all standing here to watch. How can we carry the betrothal gifts sent by the county magistrate into the yard? We can't just leave them here forever."

Everyone burst into laughter.

After a while, a group of strong men with red silk draped over their bodies and flowers on their head scarves came in, carrying loads of red-painted boxes and cabinets.

They lifted the items one by one, and in a short while, they had filled up half the courtyard.

Li hurriedly greeted them, and Zheng Sanniang, who was standing nearby, brought over a large tray with a smile.

Inside were strings of shiny, yellow new copper coins strung together with red strings. No one knew when Li had gone to the bank to exchange them.

At this time, a tray was filled with glittering things.

Li grabbed a bunch of copper coins strung together with red strings and stuffed them into the hands of the strong men carrying the gifts, saying, "Thank you for your hard work. I don't have much money. Buy some tea for everyone."

The strong men also smiled, took the copper coins and said, "Thank you, madam, congratulations, madam."

For a moment, the courtyard was filled with noise and the scene was extremely lively.

After the teams that presented betrothal gifts received their rewards, they dispersed with smiles on their faces.

Jiang and Zheng Sanniang invited the neighbors and diners who had gathered to watch the fun to go to the lobby of the inn to eat the prepared fruits and candies. Only Li was left in the courtyard, and Shen Yu then came out.

When Li saw Shen Yu, she said happily, "The Lu family really values ​​you. Do you know who the matchmaker who just came is?"

Shen Yu couldn't help but laugh. She had been in the room the whole time and didn't see anyone come in, so how could she know.

But seeing Li's expectant look, he still shook his head cooperatively and asked with a very curious look, "I can't guess that. Is there any difference between a matchmaker?"

There were no outsiders in the yard at this time. Li raised her eyebrows proudly, smiled and nodded, "Of course it's different."

"I heard that this matchmaker is the most famous lady in the official matchmaking in the capital, and ordinary people can't invite her."

"You even took the trouble to come all the way from the capital to make an appointment for the Lu family. Do you think the Lu family values ​​you?"

Shen Yu was really curious this time and asked, "Oh, why didn't the matchmaker come in? She came from such a long distance. Should we host a banquet for her?"

Li smiled and shook her head, saying, "This lady Quanfu is very impressive. She came here in a sedan chair and only stood in the lobby of the inn."

"He read the gift card and waited for me to get your engagement card. He watched the gentlemen carrying the gifts bring them over and gave me the gift card with the gift list written on it."

"He only took a sip of tea and said he had to hurry back."

"Let's compare your horoscopes with Mr. Lu so that we can quickly choose an auspicious day for the wedding."

"They said the Lu family was pressing us, so we dared not delay any longer."

Shen Yu frowned as he listened: "Are you so anxious? What did mother say?"

Li looked at Shen Yu strangely and said, "What's wrong with you, girl? Can't you get married soon?"

"Mr. Lu is the county magistrate of Anping County. You will definitely stay in Anping County after you get married. It's not like you have to live in the capital as soon as you get married."

Li said, "I told Madam Quanfu that the wedding date is entirely up to the Lu family, as long as it's a good day."

Shen Yu knew that the lady Quanfu who came to make the engagement had already left, and it would be useless to say anything at this point.

She didn't want to spoil Li's fun, so she smiled and said, "Mother, you are quite open-minded. Have you prepared all the wedding clothes and other things for me?"

"If the Lu family says there will be a good day this month, I have a ready-made wedding dress to wear."

Li said confidently, "Do you think your mother is a fool? How could the Lu family propose in August and get married in August?"

"Even in the countryside, it's not that fast."

"I estimate that it will take at least half a year, and at most a year. This is the etiquette of a well-behaved family. They won't be so impatient."

Shen Yu only then realized that there were such rules, so she nodded and smiled: "That's almost right, the wedding dress will definitely be embroidered well."

But in my heart I thought: "Fortunately, if I get married next year, the daily operation of the restaurant and the inn will be stable. Even if I can't watch over them every day after the marriage, I can feel more at ease."

From that day on, whenever Shen Yu appeared in front of everyone, she was always teased by the neighbor ladies she knew well: "Miss Shen, you are going to be the wife of the county magistrate, why don't you stay at home and embroider your wedding dress instead of busying yourself in the restaurant?"