Chapter 404: Reunion
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Li Yu found Granny Yang and told her why she had come. Granny Yang didn’t expect Li Yu to not even know about this. Thinking that Li Yu had just entered the capital from elsewhere, she realized it was normal for her not to know the rules of the capital. She thought to herself that others were afraid that the people from the palace would know about the things in their residence. Madam Li even asked her for help. She was indeed a straightforward person who didn’t care about trifles.
Granny Yang smiled and said, “Madam, the majority of the betrothal gifts are betrothal gifts, seafood, three animals, and… the rest will depend on the groom’s family’s attitude.”
Li Yu was dumbfounded when she heard that. She thought to herself that it was so complicated. When she and Xiao Xi were engaged, Xiao Xi’s betrothal gifts could be considered unprecedented in the village. Now, it was a simplified version compared to the ones in the capital.
Li Yu couldn’t help but sigh. “It’s really not easy to get married. Fortunately, it’s only once in a lifetime. If the man is so complicated, what about the woman’s dowry?”
“That’s right! Fortunately, it’s only once in a lifetime.” Granny Yang was amused when she heard Li Yu’s words. She pursed her lips and said, “No matter if it’s a man or a woman, they have to see if their family background is rich. There are also people from poor families who are only given a set of clothes as betrothal gifts. There are also people from the female family who carry a small bag containing two pieces of old clothes to marry into the man’s family.But the families of officials and merchants in the capital usually have 64 dowries, including fields, shops, and trump cards. Every box is filled to the brim. There are also families who have even prepared the food and clothes that their daughters need in their lives after getting married. Those young ladies from big families have been preparing dowries since they were a few years old. Those families with poor family backgrounds can’t even fill half these.”
When Li Yu heard this, she felt that her dowry was also a reduction. When she heard Granny Yang’s words, she said with a headache, “Granny Yang knows so much. To be honest, I don’t know anything about this. I’m afraid that I won’t know even if I offend someone. Unfortunately, you’re going back to the palace
in two days. If only you could come back later and guide me for a few days.”
Granny Yang looked at Li Yu’s troubled expression and thought to herself that she had not thought of where to go after leaving the palace. It would be good to come to the Zhou family to help. “I won’t hide it from you, Madam. I’m going to leave the palace and return to my hometown in two days. If you don’t mind,
I’ll shamelessly help you for a few days.”
“Thank you, Granny,” Li Yu said with a smile.
As Li Yu was asking Granny Yang about some things to pay attention to when holding a wedding, Mr. Wen returned with Yangyang, who ran to Li Yu and leaned against her.
Mr. Wen glanced at Granny Yang, who was sitting in the hall. Granny Yang was also staring at Mr. Wen. Suddenly, Mr. Wen pointed at Granny Yang with a surprised expression. “You’re from the Yang family?”
Granny Yang also recognized Mr. Wen. She stood up and bowed. “Hello,
Physician Wen.”
Mr. Wen chuckled. “Yang Gongren, we haven’t seen each other for more than
20 years. We’re all old, but you haven’t left the palace yet?”
Granny Yang smiled and said, “Yes, I’m old. Physician Wen, I’m leaving the palace in two days.”
Li Yu saw Yangyang leaning against her and yawning. She smiled at the two of them and said, “What a coincidence. So Sir and Granny Yang are old friends.
Sir, catch up with Granny Yang. I’ll bring Yang’er to sleep.”
Mr. Wen stroked Yangyang’s head. “Let him go and sleep for a while. He’s already impatient.” Granny Yang retreated to the side and sent Li Yu and Yangyang to the door.
Li Yu held Yangyang’s hand and returned to her room. After Yangyang climbed onto the bed and lay down, she said to Li Yu, “Mother, Grandmaster brought me to watch the drama. Those people’s faces were painted with many colors. They didn’t talk properly and sang at the top of their lungs for a long time. It wasn’t as good as the song you sang.”
Li Yu smiled at his wrinkled nose and kissed his forehead. “If you don’t like it, you don’t need to watch it next time.”
Yangyang narrowed his eyes and said, “Then Grandmaster won’t have anyone to accompany him. I promise Brother Seven Pounds to play well with Grandmaster.”
“My Yang’er is a good and filial child. Go to sleep! I’ll sing a song for you.” Li Yu patted him gently and hummed a tune as she waited for him to fall asleep before leaving the room.
Seeing that Mr. Wen and Granny Yang were still talking in the reception hall, Li Yu went to the kitchen and looked at the dishes. When she returned to the main courtyard, she saw that Li Qing and Zhou Jia had already returned.
Zhou Jia said to Li Yu, “Two days later is an auspicious day for proposing marriage. How’s the nanny from the palace?”
Li Yu nodded. “Very good. Granny Yang and Sir are still old friends.”
Zhou Jia was relieved when he heard that. Li Yu told Li Qing and Zhou Jia about Lin Zexu’s visit and discussed with Li Qing, “Ah Qing, he wants to acknowledge us. I think he’s sincere to Mother. Do you want to acknowledge this uncle?”
Li Qing thought to himself what Brother Zhao Cai had said about those people in his brother-in-law’s old residence. Although his brother-in-law had gone out, that person was still his biological father. When they reached the end of the line and found out about his situation, they would definitely come looking for trouble. His brother-in-law was now an official in the capital and his every move was watched! With an elder at home, someone would speak on their behalf.
After thinking about it, Li Qing smiled at Li Yu. “Sister, Brother-in-law, if he really wants to acknowledge us, let’s acknowledge him!”
Zhou Jia nodded. “They’re elders after all. Since we’ve decided to acknowledge them, let’s take the initiative and not wait for them to come…
Before Zhou Jia could finish speaking, Zhao Cai reported from the door,
“Master, Madam, Scholar Lin and his wife have sent someone to bring gifts.”
Li Yu, Zhou Jia, and Li Qing hurriedly went to the front hall. They saw Lin Zexu and Madam Gong with two men and two girls. Behind them were a few servants carrying gifts. They had just passed the screen wall.
Zhou Jia and Li Qing went forward and bowed. “Scholar Lin, Madam Lin, please come in.”
When Lin Zexu heard Li Qing call him Scholar Lin, he looked at Li Yu and Li Qing with red eyes. “Ah Yu, Ah Qing, are you still unwilling to forgive me, your uncle?”
Madam Gong took a step forward and said to Li Yu, “Your uncle has never forgotten your mother all these years. He has always blamed himself. He feels that he has let down his in-laws and failed to fulfill his brother’s responsibility.”
Li Yu looked at the Lin couple’s red eyes and felt a little sad. She bowed to Lin Zexu and said, “Ah Qing and I have forgiven you. If you hadn’t come to my house first, we would have gone to your residence to meet the two elders.”
“Then you’ve forgiven me? You’re willing to acknowledge me as your uncle?” Lin Zexu looked at Li Yu and her brother in surprise.
Seeing that Li Yu couldn’t say anything with a red face, Li Qing took a step forward and bowed to Lin Zexu. ‘Yes, Uncle.’
Lin Zexu helped Li Qing up. “Ah Qing, Ah Yu, thank you for being willing to forgive me.”
Zhou Jia smiled and said to Li Qing, “Ah Qing, let’s invite the two elders and these people to sit in the main hall first!”
Li Qing nodded and said to Lin Zexu’s family with a smile, “Uncle, Aunt, please..”