Chapter 282: Chapter 282

Many people pointed at the hanging screen above the main hall, whispering among themselves.

This was a gift from the County Magistrate, news of which had spread far and wide. Those still discussing it were the ones who had just witnessed it with their own eyes.

Li Xingmao and Chai Eying walked together, receiving numerous congratulations along the way.

The couple entered the main house, first offering tea to the matchmaker and the village chief, then to Prince Luling and his wife.

Prince Luling handed each of them a red envelope, smiling as he said, "Good, good, in the future, live well together, I am pleased to see this."

The red envelopes, about the size of a palm, contained something bulging inside, the content unknown.

Princess Consort Luling also gave each of them a red envelope, smiling as she said, "I hope you respect and love each other and live harmoniously for a lifetime."

The red envelopes were of the same size and contained an object within.

Li Xingmao placed the red envelope he received into Chai Eying’s hand.

Chai Eying looked at him, somewhat stunned.

Princess Consort Luling laughed and said, "Eying, when Dalang gives you the red envelope, it means he wants you to manage the household, so keep it well."

Li Xingmao nodded to her, "You keep it."

Chai Eying suddenly understood, handing over money for her to manage implied a tremendous amount of trust. Her heart felt warm, and with a gentle smile, she turned to Princess Consort Luling and said, "I will manage the household well."

After offering tea to the elders, it was time for the younger ones to offer tea to them.

Princess Consort Luling invited Li Xingmao and Chai Eying to sit beside her.

Li Yuzhu and several brothers and sisters took turns bringing tea to the newlyweds, "Brother, drink tea. Sister-in-law, drink tea. Congratulations on your marriage."

Li Xingmao returned the bag that Chai Eying had taken to her, "You distribute them."

Chai Eying looked at him, blinking her eyes.

"The money is under your management."

Chai Eying pressed her lips together in a smile, "Alright."

She opened the bag and distributed the small pouches inside to each person.

The Great Princess received the pouch, turned around, and quietly opened it. Check latest chapters at 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭•𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢•𝓷𝓮𝓽

Inside the pouch were two silver ingots, one engraved with the words "prosperity and wealth" on the bottom and the other with "all wishes come true."

The two silver ingots weighed about four liang together.

The Great Princess sighed inwardly, Chai Eying was indeed generous.

Xue Family, being the daughter of the Duke, claimed to be quite wealthy at home, but the silver in the red envelopes given initially was only about this much.

The Great Princess, feeling delighted, tucked the pouch into her bosom.

She then turned to look at the Second Young Master and Li Xing’an.

Both were also examining their silver ingots, which were about the same size as hers, though the inscription on the bottom differed.

Their silver ingots were engraved with the words "top of the imperial exams" and "limitless prospects."

Likewise, the brothers had expressions of surprise.

On the other side, Li Yuzhu and the Second Princess were also looking at the silver ingots in their pouches, their expressions equally astonished.

Li Yuzhu accepted the pouch, smiling as she said to Chai Eying, "Thank you, sister-in-law."

Chai Eying returned a slight smile, "It’s just a token of affection, hope you don’t mind."

The Li Family had no other relatives, and those who came to witness the ceremony were all villagers that the Li Family and Chai Eying recognized.

After receiving congratulatory remarks from everyone, Chai Eying returned the greetings one by one.

With the greetings completed, it was time to hold the banquet.

This was the banquet to welcome Chai Eying.

Lady Liu, Second Lady Liu, Mrs. Li Zheng, and the couple of Liu Da Niu, who were helping in the kitchen, were all invited to stay and share the meal.

The villagers who had come to watch the event dispersed joyfully, having eaten during the day, they left when they saw the Li Family preparing to start the feast.

The sixteenth day’s moon was bright and radiant, illuminating the Li Family courtyard brilliantly.

With many people, plus the hot weather,

tables were arranged in the open space in front of the North Courtyard Main House.

The Li Family and the village chief sat at one table, the helpers at another.

However, the food and drinks at both tables were the same.

As the bride, Chai Eying, was well taken care of by everyone today, she wasn’t allowed to serve dishes as everyone continued to place food on her plate.

Princess Consort Luling placed a bowl of red date chicken soup in front of her, smiling as she said, "Here, Eying, have some to nourish your body." She added, "Some ginseng slices for energy have been added inside, which will give you strength."

Chai Eying was taken aback, thinking she wasn’t doing physical labor, why the need to replenish strength at night?

Nevertheless, the nourishing soup sent by the mother-in-law was definitely good, so it was fine to eat it.

Sitting beside her, Nanny Jiang understood Princess Consort Luling’s good intentions; only a mother-in-law would be this thoughtful.

She discreetly squeezed Chai Eying’s palm, writing two words on it.

Chai Eying suddenly realized, and her face flushed red like a cooked shrimp.

Sitting on her other side, Li Xingmao, noticing her embarrassed blush, asked her, "What’s wrong? Eying? Why’s your face turning red, are you feeling hot?"

As he spoke, he called out to Li Xing’an to fetch a fan.

Having received a lot of silver from Chai Eying, Li Xing’an put down the bowl he was holding, happily responded, and ran into the house to look for a fan.

With Li Xingmao staring at her face, Chai Eying’s heart grew increasingly shy and flustered.

Borrowing from Li Xingmao’s words, she continued, "It is a bit hot."

Li Xing’an took the fan and, smiling broadly, handed it to Chai Eying, "Sister-in-law, the fan."

Li Xingmao glanced at him, took the fan, and began fanning Chai Eying.

Chai Eying was utterly surprised. In front of so many people, he actually fanned her?

She worried that her father-in-law and mother-in-law would say she was being pretentious, and quickly looked up to observe Prince Luling and his wife.

But soon, her expression turned to shock.

Her father-in-law was fanning her mother-in-law while she was eating. Her father-in-law held a wine cup in his right hand and fanned her mother-in-law with his left hand, never letting go of the fan.

Her father-in-law took a sip of wine, put down the wine cup, picked up chopsticks to eat, and upon finishing, put down the chopsticks to lift the wine cup for another drink.

Not realizing that what he was doing was overly troublesome.

Chai Eying suddenly understood; was fanning one’s wife a Li Family tradition?

Princess Consort Luling took a bite of her food and noticing Chai Eying staring blankly, she asked in confusion, "Eying, eat, does it not suit your taste?"

Not even glancing at the fan in Li Xingmao’s hand.

Chai Eying came back to her senses, blushing, replied, "I am eating; the soup is a bit hot. I’ll blow on it."

Princess Consort Luling acknowledged and called out to Li Xingmao, "If you’re holding a fan, at least fan Eying’s bowl to cool it down."

Li Xingmao replied, "I’m fanning it now; it’s hot, the bowl cools slowly."

Nanny Jiang laughed, "I’ll find a slightly bigger bowl to cool with water."

She put down her bowl and stood up to find a bowl.

Chai Eying pursed her lips into a smile and continued drinking her soup.

Once everyone finished eating, the helpers from the Liu Family and the village chief’s family stood up to take their leave.

Li Xingmao gifted each family two jugs of wine and some dishes that hadn’t been served at the table.

Everyone smiled, expressed their thanks, and jokingly left.

Li Lixing heard that Chai Eying could draw little beasts and both Li Jinghe and Guoguo had several books, he felt envious and kept asking Chai Eying when she would draw a book for him too.

Li Yuzhu frowned at him, "Those books are meant for three-year-olds, how old are you still wanting those drawings?"

"I...I want them to give to my cousin," Li Lixing refused to admit it was for himself.

This little kid truly lacked tact, the newlywed lady had finished eating and should proceed to the bridal chamber, yet, questioning her about drawing books, was he looking for trouble?

Li Yuzhu gave him a stern look.

Chai Eying, aware he was the son of the County Magistrate, gracefully smiled, "Tomorrow, I’ll find some time to draw for you."

Li Yuzhu waved his hand, "Sister-in-law, no need, no need, he has to leave tomorrow, you can paint later."

Saying that, she tugged Li Lixing away.

Mu Yuanxiu was still in the Li Family, his face darkened, and he followed them.

Princess Consort Luling called Li Xingmao, "It’s getting late, Eying must be tired, quickly take her back to rest."

Chai Eying’s face immediately flushed red.

Li Xingmao smiled, "Understood, mother."

Princess Consort Luling then called the Second Young Master to deal with Li Lixing, annoyed that the brat disturbed the newlyweds; Princess Consort Luling wasn’t pleased.

The Second Young Master chuckled, "Got it, mother."

Li Xingmao led Chai Eying back to the South Courtyard.

Nanny Jiang, as Chai Eying’s dowry, also followed.

The South Courtyard had three rooms; one was for the children’s bedroom, another was a reception room, and another was the couple’s bedroom.

Once Nanny Jiang arrived, Chai Eying arranged for her to stay in the children’s bedroom.

The room wasn’t too cramped, with two small beds for the children and another for Nanny Jiang, there was enough space.

Li Xingmao took Chai Eying into their bedroom and said, "Eying, sit for a while, I’ll go fetch the bath water for you."

Chai Eying blushed and gently nodded, "Okay."

But at that moment, Nanny Jiang stood outside their bedroom door and said, "The water is already prepared, you both can go bathe."

Nanny Jiang and Chai Eying had stayed in the Li Family for quite some time, knowing well where all the rooms in the Li Family house were, she had boiled hot water and cold water, and brought them to the bath room next to the main bedroom.

Li Xingmao walked over and thanked her, "Thank you for your hard work, nanny."

Nanny Jiang waved her hand smiling, "I’m the girl’s nanny, since she married you, I’m your nanny too, you needn’t be polite. Oh, by the way, the bath room is spacious, I placed two tubs there, you both go together, it’s getting late, bathe early and rest."

After saying this, she pursed her lips and left with a smile.

Leaving the two newlyweds standing there, eyeing each other.

Chai Eying felt uneasy all over.

Though this man was her husband, sharing a bath didn’t make her brave enough yet.

She blushed, "Jin... Jin Lang, you go first, I’ll... I’ll come later. I have many clothes to find."

She turned towards the wardrobe.

Li Xingmao followed her, holding her hand, "If we take turns, it’ll be midnight before we finish, let’s go together."

"Many clothes, I’ll help you find them." He smiled at her, "Eying, I’m your husband, you needn’t avoid me."