Before dawn, a request for pink.
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The day of the engagent was set for the end of April. Before the break of dawn, the Lian Manman family began bustling about. Wu Lang and Xiao Qi both took a day off work to help out, scurrying between the snack shop and the old residence.
It was Lian Zhizhi’s auspicious day, and everyone in the family put on new clothes. Lian Zhizhi wore a silver-red cotton linen beizi and a pogranate-red skirt. Her modest, joyous face was set off by her attire, making it glow with a radiant blush, enhancing the festive atmosphere. Lian Manman was dressed in lotus-root pink cotton linen shirt and mung-bean green skirt, with the hem embroidered with colorful butterflies that seed ready to take flight with her every move.
Lady Zhang rose early to help Lian Zhizhi dress up, while Lian Manman also quickly tied her hair into a neat bundled hairstyle.
After breakfast, and about the ti it took to drink a cup of tea, the sound of horse carriages could be heard outside.
"They’re here, the people from the Wu Family have arrived," shouted Si Lang and Liulang, who were tasked with guarding the front gate, as they ran back into the courtyard.
The people from the Wu Family indeed were arriving, and Lian Shouxin, Lady Zhang, and Lian Manman hurried out to welco them.
Wu Yugui and Lady Wang, along with Wu Jiaxing, Wu Jiayu, Matchmaker Wang, and a servant had all co. The two families were already well-acquainted, and after so brief pleasantries, they sat down in the house to talk.
Lady Wang instructed her people to bring forth the engagent gifts.
In the hos of tenant farrs, a small engagent often didn’t follow any fixed convention, and the customary gifts were quite simple—often just a copper hairpin and a piece of fabric. There were even poorer families that could not afford such gifts, but as long as the match was agreed upon by a matchmaker, the marriage arrangent was considered definite.
However, the Wu Family had prepared no less than five different types of betrothal presents.
A large dark-red tray covered with plain satin held two small red gold phoenix hairpins, two red gold rings each weighing about an ounce, a pair of gold-gilded silver bracelets, a purple crepe handkerchief tied with a reduction-gold silver three-piece set, and a bright blue square satin handkerchief with a similar reduction-gold silver set attached. The second tray contained two lengths of colorful satin.
A rough estimate suggested that preparing such engagent gifts must have cost at least thirty to forty taels of silver.
The arrival of the Wu Family’s betrothal gifts brightened the room and drew exclamations from everyone present. With the Wu Family’s wealth, it was certain that Lian Zhizhi would live a life of comfort once she married into their household.
Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang were also very pleased. The substantial engagent gifts prepared by the Wu Family showed that they cherished Lian Zhizhi and placed great importance on this marriage. This pride for their daughter and confidence in her future made the parents feel honored.
Lady Wang called Lian Zhizhi to her side and personally inserted the small phoenix hairpin into her hair and slipped a ring onto her finger.
Everyone in the room watched as Lian Zhizhi shyly bowed her head. Wang Jiaxing sat beside Lady Wang, his face also flushed red, but his eyes loyally fixed on Lian Zhizhi.
"Ti flies so quickly. Zhizhi has grown into such a beautiful young lady. In our ten villages, I reckon no one can compare to our Zhizhi," Lady Chiang said with a flattering smile on the side.
Today, as Lian Zhizhi’s engagent was being celebrated, Lady Zhang had also invited Lady Chiang to help out.
Lian Manman was busy serving tea and water, peeling fruit and was genuinely happy for Lian Zhizhi.
"Brother Jiaxing, have so water; you’ve been watching so intently, you must be tired," Lian Manman playfully offered Wu Jiaxing a cup of tea, smiling as she spoke.
Already blushing, Wu Jiaxing’s face turned even redder.
The room erupted in laughter.
"Manman, co help ..." Lady Zhang hastily called Lian Manman, fearing she might continue to playfully embarrass Wu Jiaxing.
Lady Wang sat Lian Zhizhi down beside her and looked around. Old Master Lian, Lian Shouren, Lian Jizu, Lady Gu, Lady Chiang, Lady He, and Lady Zhao were all present. Though Zhao Xiu E was pregnant, she too joined in the excitent. This ant that aside from those working on the mountains, only Lady Zhou and Lian Xiuxiu from the Lian Family were absent.
"Why haven’t I seen the second aunt and Xiuxiu?" Lady Wang asked Lady Zhang.
"Her mother isn’t feeling very well, so she didn’t co. Xiuxiu is staying with her in the upper room," Lady Zhang replied, her smile betraying a hint of helplessness that she quickly concealed.
For Lian Zhizhi’s engagent, Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang had personally gone to the upper room to invite Lady Zhou, but she claid to have a headache and refused to attend. The couple knew that Lady Zhou was acting petulant. It would have been one thing at another ti, but this occasion was Zhizhi’s big mont. Lady Zhou’s unwillingness to show face saddened them deeply.
Tangles and tiffs were inevitable in family life, but in tis of significant events, it was expected to co together as one. Lady Zhou’s actions made the couple feel a chill toward her.
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