The rented little horse-drawn carriage was tied with red ribbons. They hadn't dared to adorn it with flowers, fearing it would appear too ostentatious. However, a red needlework piece, the handiwork of the woman inside, hung from the carriage curtain.
He Chu was the coachman.
In recent days, He Chu had been feeling that everything was inexplicably strange.
Bizarre winds, bizarre rains, and a bizarre sky.
His sister, whom he had painstakingly nurtured.
The precious gem in his and his Ah Daddy's eyes.
All because of that young man's suprely rude comnt.
She took herself right into his bed!
What's more frustrating is that I can do nothing about it, because I know my stubborn sister; she would truly drive that hairpin into her own neck if pushed.
It's a done deal; the rice is already cooked.
And I can't even vent my anger.
How could I?
My daughter, my sister... she offered herself!
This is like doing business.
I've already invested my capital.
Will I continue with this business?
If not, the capital is already lost, and I can't get anything back.
If yes, then I have to continue with what I've laid down.
We no longer harbor hopes of making a profit,
or even of breaking even.
What Ah Daddy and I hope for now,
is rely one thing:
If we have to take a loss,
then damn it, we'll take it knowing exactly why!
While the He family wasn't among the dignitaries of Nan'an County Town, they were certainly not so declining household. The father and son made a decent inco from their pork stand.
He Chu was sturdily built and presentable, and his family was reasonably well-off. Matchmakers had already co to propose marriages. For those young won, marrying into his family, not to ntion other things, the guarantee of at in every al was already attractive enough!
So, the He family really had no need to "sell" their daughter to help their son get married!
After that day, Ah Daddy and He Chu closed their stall for the day and sat at the small table at ho, drinking to drown their sorrows.
The cabbage was growing so well, the fence was tight and secure. How did it just grow legs and run off because of a single sentence from soone else?
In the first half of the night, the two of them drank their troubles away.
We just can't figure it out!
In the second half of the night, the more they drank, the clearer-headed they beca, and they began to discuss, back and forth, how to redy the situation.
Ah Daddy said, "How about we find a live-in son-in-law?"
He Chu imdiately waved his hand. "Sister wouldn't agree."
Ah Daddy's spirits sagged. Setting aside Head Constable Yan's status, if they really took in a live-in son-in-law, Head Constable Yan wouldn't be able to hold his head high when patrolling Nan'an County Town. A man who marries into his wife's family is always seen as inferior when issues arise.
A hundred years ago, a live-in son-in-law was treated the sa as a prisoner. By royal decree, such n were inevitably conscripted for border defense.
Ah Daddy, feeling helpless, retrieved a small wooden box from under the bed and placed it on the table.
Inside the wooden box were the He family's assets.
He Chu watched as his father opened the box, revealing the jewelry, deeds, and rows of silver ingots inside!
Ah Daddy sighed and said, "Ever since your mother passed away, my biggest endeavor in this life has been to earn the betrothal gifts for you and the dowry for Sisi."
Betrothal gifts and dowries had never had fixed amounts since ancient tis.
More substantial betrothal gifts gave a son more choices in marrying a good wife.
A generous dowry ensured that one's daughter could hold her head high in her husband's ho and not be bullied.
This was the heartfelt wish of parents for their children, not a transaction.
"PHEW..." He Chu let out a long sigh.
Even as the eldest son, having worked with his father at the stall for so long, he had no idea his father had accumulated so much wealth. Never mind the silver and jewelry; he hadn't even known they owned land deeds for property outside the city!
Ah Daddy pointed to the box, a hint of guilt towards his son in his eyes, and said in a conciliatory tone, "Split it in half?"
As the saying goes, whether siblings are close or not often depends on whether their parents can treat them equally. But according to the customs of the ti, a married daughter was like spilled water; frankly, the family property would ultimately go to the son.
He Chu shook his head.
Ah Daddy's face darkened, and he was ready to erupt with a curse of 'beast!'
However, He Chu picked up his wine bowl, swirled it, and said, "That Head Constable Yan isn't a local, and we don't know his financial situation. If his family is well-off and sister's dowry is small, she won't be able to hold her head high or speak assertively to her in-laws. Large, established families place the utmost importance on etiquette and propriety—frankly, these are cultivated by a solid family foundation.
"If his family is ordinary, or even struggling, a small dowry for sister won't be much help, and she'll still have to endure poverty with him, serving her in-laws, her husband, and eventually her children.
"At ho, though sister helps with cutting at and other chores, we've never let her do any heavy labor.
"Let's give it all to sister!"
Ah Daddy was stunned for a mont. "You foolish boy," he asked, "you don't want any of it?"
He Chu patted his chest and said, "There are plenty of girls who'd want to marry , He Chu. If the money's gone, we father and son can just earn more. Your son, whatever his shortcomings, isn't so lacking that he can't find a wife."
Ah Daddy hesitated, then thought, That's true.
After all, his daughter was his little darling. No matter how tired he was, seeing his daughter nding his clothes by the oil lamp reminded him of her mother, and it was as if all his fatigue vanished. He couldn't bear to see his daughter wronged, not even in the slightest.
Finally, Ah Daddy slapped the table and shouted, "Deal!"
...
In contrast to the He family's extensive preparations, as if facing a great enemy, Head Constable Yan acted as if nothing were amiss.
The person...
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