Chapter 270: Chapter 270

In the village, when girls are married off and daughters-in-law are brought in, such generosity is unheard of; the red envelopes usually contain only two or three coins.

Even when the Chai Family’s second girl married into the Luo Family, the red envelope only contained five coins.

But this Li Family, they gave eight coins, considered as one of the most generous households.

The villagers held the red envelopes, each discussing the Li Family’s generosity.

When marrying off a daughter-in-law, the more generous the groom’s family is, the more face they give to the bride’s family, showing respect for the bride’s family.

Chai Dalang did not expect that the Li Family would do so well in this regard that he was satisfied.

Even Chai Eying’s sister-in-law secretly praised them, whispering to Chai Dalang, "This Li Family seems quite well-mannered."

Praising the Li Family was equivalent to praising one’s own good judgment.

Therefore, Chai Dalang proudly said, "Of course, why else would I marry Eying off to their family? The family’s wealth is secondary; the key is respect and etiquette. There are wealthy families who hoard money without respecting etiquette, making things difficult for the bride’s family. I don’t care for them."

But two of the Chai Family Elders were not pleased, both with stern faces.

Because they hadn’t seen the Li Family send over any bridal dowry jewelry, nor any betrothal gifts, only a pile of extravagant sacrificial offerings.

The Chai Family is wealthy and did not care for this bit of cheap goods from the Li Family.

While Chai Dalang and Second Young Master Li were exchanging congratulatory words, one of the Chai Family Elders sneered and spoke, "Our Chai Family, being a prominent family in the village, marrying into your Li Family is marrying down, yet your family hasn’t offered even a single coin as a betrothal gift? Are you disregarding the daughters of the Chai Family?"

The village chief, invited by both families as a matchmaker, was taken aback, wondering how things had taken a bad turn.

He hurried forward, smiling and trying to mediate.

But the two did not heed the village chief, maintaining their cold demeanor.

Chai Dalang’s face also turned sour, "Seventh Uncle, Fifth Uncle."

"Don’t speak! If we don’t stand firm now, are we waiting for them to humiliate E Ying tomorrow?" Chai Family’s Fifth Uncle sneered.

Seventh Uncle also said bluntly, "You only have one sister, and you treat her with such disregard?"

This made Chai Dalang angry, "When have I not cared?" When the Luo Family broke off the engagement, he immediately approached them.

For all these months, he had been running back and forth, all for his sister’s marriage.

But with the Li Family present today, he dared not speak much.

Angered, he flicked his sleeves.

Li Er advised him a few words, and smiled slightly at the two elders, "Of course, there is a betrothal gift. As my elder brother said, no grievance should fall upon Miss Chai."

"What is the betrothal gift?" asked Chai Family’s Fifth Uncle coldly.

"One thousand ounces, is it enough?" Li Er smiled.

One... one thousand ounces?

Everyone present was utterly shocked.

This must be the highest betrothal gift in the village.

Chai Family’s Fifth Uncle lightly coughed, "Talking big at this moment is meaningless; the wedding invitations are sent out, the feast is set, the villagers have come."

Implying that the Li Family was making empty promises, deceiving the bride’s family to marry her off.

Such incidents indeed happened with some grooms.

Everything was exaggerated, only for the bride to discover later that all was empty, money and house were borrowed. The man was a lazy gambler.

What’s worse, the bride also got pregnant, unwilling to abort, and if not, she’d be stuck with such a family, suffering all her life.

Even if divorced, she couldn’t marry into a good family again.

Li Er chuckled, took a large red envelope wrapped in red paper from his pouch, and handed it to the village chief with both hands.

"Please, Uncle Li Zheng, bear witness."

The village chief was a bit surprised, then smiled, "As the matchmaker, this is my duty."

He took it in his hands and then turned to hand it to Chai Dalang, "Dalang, this is the Li Family’s betrothal gift."

Chai Dalang was equally surprised.

He and Li Family’s eldest son had already agreed there would be no betrothal gift as long as the groom’s family treated his sister well; he did not ask for much.

But he never imagined the Li Family would still send a betrothal gift.

Since it was sent, they sent a thousand ounces, more than the Luo Family, which was truly astonishing.

"Your family is too considerate." Chai Dalang said with a smile as he received it.

"The envelope is sealed, who knows if it’s filled with paper?" Chai Family’s Fifth Uncle said coldly again, "As per tradition, the wedding envelopes should be opened and checked on the spot."

Chai Family’s Seventh Uncle also said, "Perhaps there’s not even paper, just an empty envelope."

While speaking, the two glanced coldly at Li Er.

When has Second Young Master Li ever suffered such humiliation? His face turned dark instantly.

If it weren’t for Prince Luling and his wife’s repeated instructions at home to prioritize Eldest Young Master Chai’s dignity, he would have pulled the beards of these two old men as a lesson. Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by NoveIꜰire.net

Eldest Young Master Chai’s expression wasn’t looking good either.

"Brother Chai, go ahead and open it. Inside there’s a thousand silver, personally placed by my mother. Everyone in my family saw it," Second Young Master Li nodded towards Eldest Young Master Chai.

Eldest Young Master Chai patted his shoulder, "Alright, I’ll open it then."

He shook the envelope, glanced at everyone and then carefully opened the seal, revealing the corners of several silver notes.

The villagers who were there to watch were stretching their necks to see.

"Is there really a thousand? Hope it’s not just ten silver in there," Seventh Uncle from the Chai family sneered again.

Eldest Young Master Chai took out all the silver notes, shook them, looked through them one by one, and then passed them around for everyone to see. He raised his eyebrows slightly and said, "There are ten silver notes, each with a hundred silver, totaling one thousand silver."

At this, the two uncles from the Chai family fell silent.

Yet, the village chief commented, "You two gentlemen, the Li Family members are reliable, Chai Dalang has seen well. At this point, why are you two still being so stubborn?"

This made the two elders feel ashamed and embarrassed.

Fifth Uncle still expressed dissatisfaction, blowing his beard and saying, "We’re just worried about Dalang’s sister. She grew up without a mother or father. If we elders in the clan don’t watch over E Ying, who will?"

Eldest Young Master Chai felt a cold sneer in his heart. When his sister was rejected by the Luo family, who from the clan spoke up for her?

Chai Eying’s sister-in-law noticed their faces were turning cold again, and she spoke to smooth the situation, "Let me have a look at E Ying’s jewelry. Village chief matchmaker, where’s our E Ying’s jewelry?"

The village chief smiled and said, "Right, right, and there’s E Ying’s jewelry not yet shown; let’s bring it out for everyone to see."

The jewelry box was held by him, and he placed it on the table.

Chai Eying’s sister-in-law stepped forward, opened the lid of the wooden box, revealing a set of bright and shiny pearl headdresses.

A pearl flower crown, with a large pink pearl at the front.

On both sides were bird mouth gold ornaments that swayed.

Chai Eying’s sister-in-law secretly exclaimed, ’Goodness, how much is the Li Family spending to marry a bride?’

This headpiece, no less than a hundred silver to create.

Didn’t they say the Li Family had no money?

First, a thousand silver in engagement gifts, now a hundred silver in headpiece jewelry.

Under the light, the pearl flower crown gleamed dazzlingly, and the villagers who were watching were all shocked.

Girls in the village who get married typically only have a few poorly made golden hairpins inserted into their hair.

Wealthy families use gold ornaments to craft crowns. Pearls, being such rare items, are not affordable for common families.

When Miss Chai got married, she only used a golden phoenix crown, not worth more than fifty silver.

Second Young Master Li observed their envious and astonished gazes, laughing coldly inside. The pearls were purposely bought by his brother in the county, and the crown’s design was made by his mother.

The people from Lu Ling Royal Mansion, if nothing else, never lost in matters of appearance.

Today, Eldest Young Master Chai earned full face.

He deliberately said to the two clan elders, "Fifth Uncle, Seventh Uncle, the Li Family still regards my sister with respect, don’t they?"

The two elder clansmen coughed lightly, "We hope it’s not borrowed."

Second Young Master Li’s face went dark again at that.

Eldest Young Master Chai wasn’t pleased either, but today was not the day for arguments. He respectfully said, "Two Uncle Elders, the feast is ready, please take your seats."

"Yeah, let’s go eat, go eat, on such a festive day, let’s not talk of other things," said Fifth Uncle of the Chai family as he stood up and walked outside with hands behind his back.

Eldest Young Master Chai restrained his displeasure and called over the village chief and Second Young Master Li, "Uncle Li Zheng, Li Er Brother, this way please."

"Please," Second Young Master Li replied courteously.

The village chief also returned the salute.

The table for the guests and hosts was arranged in the side room, while those helping were arranged in the courtyard.

Because there were many people helping, they had to sit at a big table. The room was too narrow for a big table to fit.

Moreover, the helpers had to serve dishes to the guest table constantly. It was inconvenient for them to eat inside.

It was better to sit outside where it was more spacious.

With the wedding gifts delivered, engagement gifts supplemented, bridal jewelry presented, they ate the feast. Then Second Young Master Li took the Princely Heir’s ceremonial attire and left with the village chief.

The two elder uncles from the Chai family also left, as did the onlookers once a feast was set in their house.

Only the helpers remained in the kitchen, busy with the dishes and drinks for the next day.

In Chai Eying’s bedroom, her sister-in-law was telling her about the events that occurred in the main room earlier.