"Yuanyuan is very beautiful and pleasant. Don’t worry about having a big face. When you grow a few years older, your face will beco smaller," Gu Jinli laughed.
Shang Yuanyuan felt a little better upon hearing this but worriedly said, "Sister Xiao Yu, I won’t cause you any trouble, right? After all, it’s General Xiao Guo. If he gets angry, will he vent his anger on you and Brother San Lang?"
Shang Yuanyuan felt very guilty, thinking she acted too impulsively and shouldn’t have resorted to violence.
Gu Jinli said, "No, General Xiao Guo isn’t a petty person. He’s carefree. I reckon he’ll forget about it soon. Just avoid the front courtyard so he won’t see you and rember it."
Hearing this, Shang Yuanyuan felt much more at ease and nodded, saying, "Okay, Yuanyuan will stay here with Sister Xiao Yu."
...
At the exact ti of the si hour, the Qin family’s auspicious ti to send the betrothal gifts to the Gu Family had arrived.
The Zong matchmaker changed into elaborate ceremonial attire, accompanied by two generations of the Qin family, carrying boxes covered with red silk cloth containing the betrothal gifts, arrived at the Gu Family.
The Zong matchmaker adhered to ancient rites, so the entire betrothal ceremony began without stepping out of the Qin family gate. By the ti they entered the Gu family gate, nearly an hour had passed.
By the ti the red silk was unveiled to see the betrothal gifts, over an hour had passed.
Though the ancient rites were elaborate, everyone felt the wait was worthwhile. The betrothal gifts Qin San Lang sent to Gu Jinli were impressive. While others usually sent just three headpieces and jewelry, he sent nine, and in two kinds: one of golden head face and the other of pearl head face, symbolizing a long-lasting and harmonious union.
When the eighteen sets of betrothal gifts were presented, everyone was astounded, realizing they had underestimated San Lang’s wealth!
Seeing these betrothal gifts, everyone wished they could bring their daughters or granddaughters to beco Qin San Lang’s concubine.
Yet, recalling Gu Jinli’s fierce deanor, they reluctantly abandoned this idea.
Mrs. Chen stared at the eighteen sets of head pieces, salivating. So wealthy, not only gifting golden head face but also pearl head face. Such large pearls, even just plucking one off would fetch dozens of taels of silver.
As Mrs. Chen thought about this, her hands itched to pluck the large pearls off the headpieces, but Gu Dagui slapped her hand away.
In addition to the expected betrothal gifts, the Qin family also delivered a congratulatory gift from Madam Guo, which was a pair of small jade ruyi.
The jade ruyi was only two fingers wide and a palm’s length, yet such a pair of jade ruyi was sothing rural families couldn’t afford.
Village Chief He nearly fainted upon seeing them: "Jade ruyi, and real ones, not made from polished stone. It must be worth at least a few hundred taels of silver, right? It’s a first in our countryside. Even County Magistrate Zou didn’t send jade ruyi when marrying Mrs. Zou."
Moreover, this pair of jade ruyi was gifted by the General’s wife, Madam Guo; given her status, the value of this pair of jade ruyi would increase several tis over.
The Qin family truly struck it rich.
Village Chief He was so thrilled; he wished he could snatch Qin San Lang over for himself. Such a good young man—how wasn’t he a son-in-law of their He family?
He family people and the Lu Family People thought the sa way.
Previously, they were concerned Qin San Lang had a heavy aura, lacking parents at ho, with an unlucky fate, but now there was no distaste at all. They wished he would break off the betrothal with the Gu Family imdiately and unite with them.
No matter how much the He and Lu families envied, Qin San Lang’s heart was with Gu Jinli. After gaining enough face for Gu Jinli, he was taken to the flower hall in the backyard, where he sat, waiting for Gu Jinli to co and present him a robe.
Not long after, Gu Jinli was supported by Erqing as she walked towards Qin San Lang step by step, according to the Zong matchmaker’s prescribed rituals.
Today, she didn’t wear her hair in a bun but let half of it down, flowing like silk. Her light red long dress added a touch of brightness to her appearance, making her look incredibly beautiful.
Qin San Lang couldn’t stay seated; he stood up instinctively, his gaze fixed on her.
Gu Jinli felt his intense gaze and couldn’t quite bear it, glancing up to glare at him, which caused Qin San Lang’s breath to catch... He felt he could die for her at that mont.
Gu Jinli felt helpless; why did one glare not retract his gaze but make it even hotter?
Forget it, better to pretend not to see and finish the betrothal ritual first.
The Zong matchmaker instructed her not to walk too fast, keeping pace, so it took her half an hour to reach Qin San Lang and hand him the robe: "A stitch of enduring sentints, thread of lasting ties, presenting a garnt of affection, may the Qin family husband accept it."
Ah ah ah, so embarrassing, why must she speak such blush-inducing words?
Qin San Lang smiled, slightly lowering his head to look at her, and accepted the robe after being glared at again, saying, "The lady’s affections, I accept and shall treasure and cherish it for a lifeti."
Gu Jinli: "..."
Gosh, your words are even more embarrassing.
Gu Jinli felt she was reaching her limit, luckily after exchanging courtesy bows, the Zong matchmaker finally declared the ceremony was complete. This elaborate and blush-worthy betrothal ritual was finished.
Gu Jinli couldn’t stay long, as the Zong matchmaker had Erqing help her back to her room.
That day, the Gu Family was quite lively due to General Xiao Guo’s visit and Qin San Lang’s eighteen sets of headpieces, with guests eating and drinking until dusk.
Gu Jinli was already too exhausted and had her al early, took a bath, and lay down to sleep.
Yet she was still wearing the light red long dress from that day. She knew Qin San Lang liked this dress and was certain he would co tonight, so she wore it specially.
As she expected, Qin San Lang, having had a busy day, ca to see her after bathing late into the night. Upon seeing her in the light red dress from the day, his eyes lit up, and he comnted, "Beautiful."
Then he asked, "Did you wear it specially for ?"
Just as he knew that she liked his ink-colored long gown, he’d wear it when visiting her to make her even happier upon seeing him.
Gu Jinli shook her head, "Wrong, I just think this dress is beautiful and wore it for myself. Don’t kid yourself."
There was no way Qin San Lang would believe that. He cupped her face, murmuring "Liar," before leaning down to kiss her.
He was very happy today, making his kisses more fervent and greedy.
Gu Jinli let him kiss her, raising a hand to embrace his waist, her lips curling into a slight smile: Finally betrothed officially, next is marriage, how fast.
She hadn’t planned on getting married, only wanting to earn enough silver, establish a female household, and adopt two children. But she t him, and could only accept her fate.
...
The Zong matchmaker didn’t stay long. After officiating the betrothal ceremony, she left the next day with Guo Qiang.
Qin San Lang had a break and wasn’t in a hurry to leave but didn’t remain idle either. Aside from spending ti with Gu Jinli, he was busy arranging for Gu Jin’an and the others to attend the college examination in Linhe Prefecture.
The college examination was scheduled to begin on the ninth of June, and today was already the twentieth of May, aning Gu Jin’an and the others would depart for Linhe Prefecture tomorrow, spending the entire day packing their luggage.
They also needed to go to the Xu Family and Scholar Qu’s family to agree on the eting place and ti.
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