Chapter 1519: Chapter 1519

Manbao and Fifth Brother and Sixth Brother stood together, watching Fourth Brother Zhou who was almost hugging Old Man Qiu, and thought to themselves: Is this Sixth Brother’s betrothal, or Fourth Brother’s?

When Fourth Brother and Fourth Sister-in-law were engaged back then, he also blushed shyly and couldn’t say a word for a long time. What experiences has their Fourth Brother been through all these years?

Mother Qiu also warmly held Ms.Fang’s hand, inviting her to the seat of honor. Naturally, Ms.Fang declined, insisting on seating Mother Qiu in the primary seat.

Zhou Liulang stood on the side, holding the gifts with both hands, his face slightly red.

Qiu Pei was even more so, standing on the side, his face redder than anything.

After some courteous exchanges, everyone finally sat down. Manbao noticed that the relatives invited by the Qiu family across from them looked very indifferent.

Once everyone was seated, Zhou Liulang was nudged forward by Zhou Wulang to present the gifts he was holding. The matchmaker then had their moment, praising Zhou Liulang’s character, appearance, and the Zhou family’s sincerity while listing the gifts he brought.

Zhou SiLang listened with satisfaction, no wonder he personally selected the matchmaker; their eloquence was truly impressive.

Of course, after praising the groom’s side, the matchmaker also timely praised the bride’s side, stating that they were truly a match made in heaven. The source of this content ɪs novelꞁire.net

Even Manbao thought so, not to mention everyone else.

But the relatives on the Qiu family’s side looked even more indifferent. After the matchmaker finished speaking, Aunt Qiu Pei couldn’t help but ask suspiciously: "I heard from my grand-aunt that after you two get married, you will have to take care of them in their old age?"

Zhou Liulang glanced at Qiu Pei and then nodded with a red face, "Yes, Uncle Qiu only has one daughter, of course, we will take care of Uncle Qiu and Aunt Qiu in their old age."

"But you’re not a son-in-law living with the bride’s family. If you take care of this side, what about your own parents?"

Zhou SiLang, sitting nearby, smiled and said, "Aunt Jia, rest assured, this matter won’t trouble my Sixth Brother. We have many brothers in our family. He’s the youngest, and our parents have always doted on him, and we brothers spoil him too. As for taking care of our parents in old age, the five of us brothers can handle it together. If he’s ever uncomfortable, he can just be more filial with money and gifts."

Zhou Liulang silently complained on the side: Not true at all, he was basically left to fend for himself since childhood. He barely remembers if his parents favored him, but his older brothers often beat him up, especially Fourth Brother and Fifth Brother, who liked to blame him for their troubles.

However, no matter how much he grumbled in his heart, Zhou Liulang was still very pleased with Fourth Brother’s words.

Aunt Jia pulled a smile on her face and said, "So does that mean if they have children, one must take the Qiu surname too?"

Zhou SiLang’s smile remained unchanged as he answered "Yes."

Aunt Jia pouted and said, "Why complicate it then? Wouldn’t it be easier for him to become a son-in-law living with the bride’s family? You have many sons anyway, you won’t miss this one."

"This isn’t right, Aunt Jia," Zhou SiLang laughed, "Even if we have many sons, my Sixth Brother was raised carefully by our parents, their flesh and blood, and surely precious to them."

He glanced at Old Man Qiu and then smiled, "Precisely because of this, my parents were kind and thought Uncle Qiu and Aunt Qiu must be reluctant to see their daughter wed far away, so that’s why they agreed to Qiu Family’s conditions for my Sixth Brother. Otherwise, with my Sixth Brother’s conditions, what kind of wife couldn’t he find?"

No matter if it’s true or not, they first boasted.

Old Man Qiu, on the other hand, felt he was telling the truth, especially since he recently visited their big house in Chongyuan Courtyard.

Moreover, his sister is a big official too.

Although it’s a sister, not a brother, but since she’s unmarried, it still counts as family, right?

So Old Man Qiu hurriedly stopped Aunt Jia, nodding repeatedly, afraid that she would ruin the long-negotiated marriage.

Zhou SiLang, who wanted to say something, noticed Old Man Qiu’s attitude and the complexion softened a bit, letting Aunt Jia go and started the main purpose of their visit.

The matchmaker seized the opportunity to ease tensions, thereby warming the atmosphere again. After both families exchanged betrothal gifts and family records, and signed the marriage agreement, the engagement was mostly settled. Only waiting for the right day to celebrate the wedding to complete all the steps.

Of course, the requirements of both families were also written into the marriage contract.

Old Man Qiu took Zhou Liulang’s family record, while Ms.Fang took Qiu Pei’s family record, and everyone exchanged smiles. Zhou SiLang smiled and said, "Being engaged is also a joyful occasion, so our family specifically cleared the second floor of our family restaurant to host a few tables. Shall we all go over there and have a drink together?"

Old Man Qiu immediately said, "The engagement banquet should be held at our place, how could we let you spend money?"

Zhou SiLang laughed, "There’s no distinction between our two families now. Our family has prepared it already at Lichong’s place, so let’s go there and eat."

Old Man Qiu was still somewhat reluctant but was tugged over by Zhou SiLang.

Zhou SiLang then introduced to the relatives of the Qiu and Jia families, "This is my eldest nephew, Lichong, second nephew Liwei, both now doing business with us brothers. This is my second niece Lijun, as Uncle Qiu knows, she manages our shop accounts and now manages all our family accounts. This is my third niece Liru, currently learning medicine with my youngest sister."

Zhou SiLang smiled, "By the way, you don’t know my youngest sister, do you? This is my sister, Manbao, currently working as a royal physician in the palace. Just recently, His Majesty promoted her to a fifth-rank official."

Qiu and Jia families: ...

Zhou SiLang continued introducing, "This is my third nephew Lixue and fourth nephew Ligu, both currently studying at the academy. Ah, they’re not as smart as my youngest sister, so we hope they can pass the exams and become minor officials. By the way, is Bai Shan here?"

Asked Zhou Lichong, nodding dumbfoundedly, not knowing what Fourth Uncle was going on about today.

Zhou SiLang then smiled, "Old Man Qiu, Uncle Jia, let me introduce my brother-in-law, his studies are truly impressive. Currently, he serves as a study companion for the Crown Prince in the palace and has come out today to celebrate Sixth Brother’s engagement with us."

Finally done boasting, Zhou SiLang, satisfied and in high spirits, led Old Man Qiu’s brother and older brother-in-law upstairs, not forgetting to beckon Old Man Qiu and his wife.

Prior to the New Year, before deciding on this engagement for Zhou SiLang, he had inquired about the Qiu family’s situation.

The Qiu couple only had one daughter, Qiu Pei. Normally, in such a situation, they would either welcome a son-in-law to live with them or adopt a son from their brothers’ families. Otherwise, after passing, their estate other than what’s given as a dowry to the daughter, most of it would be divided among the clan.

Besides this shop, the Qiu family also had a single-entry small house, just two streets away.

Though it’s only a single-entry, it’s quite spacious inside, and many in the clan were envious of it.