klisemfg Chapter 521 Expensive Dowry
Chapter 521 Expensive Dowry
Although Ding Dahu proposed a bride price, he believed that he couldn't just give his daughter to a country bumpkin for nothing.
This is a matter of face.
Even if you send me two wolf pelts, I'll still have something to say about them.
When Cao Erdan married Shanxing, he even brought an old hen and pushed a cart full of firewood to her family.
We can't let the country bumpkin get something for nothing.
But when Jiang Guizhi actually took it out, he pretended to be nonchalant and didn't even look at it.
Xie Chunfang kept a close eye on her.
Ding Mei was also curious about what kind of dowry her future mother-in-law would give her.
I couldn't help but look over.
The moment the handkerchief pouch was opened, the whole room shone brightly.
No one made a sound, then Xie Chunfang let out a loud "Aww!"
"A gold bracelet? My goodness!"
A gold bracelet might not have been so astonishing before the liberation.
Having experienced war, the struggle against landlords and the distribution of land, the hardships of frugality, and the need to tighten their belts, the current members of the rural commune are completely honest and simple.
Many young people have never seen gold in their lives.
Ding Mei and the other girls, including Xiao Ying and Xiao Qian, had never met her.
Xie Chunfang recalled seeing the work team find several gold coins hidden in the lining of a landlord's wife's cotton-padded jacket when she was a child.
Everyone has heard of gold bracelets and necklaces, but no one has ever been this close to one.
Even Ding Dahu, who considered himself knowledgeable and experienced, was startled.
Quickly look down:
"Holy shit... oh my god..."
It felt like the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) was scalding my bottom, and I jumped up as if a gold bracelet were dazzling.
Jiang Guizhi, who was about to speak, was so frightened that she dared not utter a sound and forgot her lines.
He quickly turned around to look at Lu Yao.
I thought to myself, this thing isn't a bomb, so why is your father-in-law jumping so high?
Lu Yao smiled and said, "Uncle Da Hu, this was left to me by my father. My grandmother brought it from her maternal home. Even my grandfather didn't know about it. I had the bracelet remade as a betrothal gift for Xiao Meizi. Do you think... it's enough?"
Jiang Guizhi then took out a pair of earrings:
"This is also made of real gold; consider it my gift to Xiao Meizi."
As soon as they were taken out, Zuo Xiaoying and Lu Xiaoqian each grabbed one and took a look.
Ding Mei also picked up the bracelet and put it on:
"It's so beautiful..."
Before she could put it on, Ding Dahu snatched it away:
"Don't wear it randomly, it's heavy."
Take a closer look, and you can tell it's gold just by holding it in your hand. It's heavy and has a substantial feel.
"Look at you... Oh dear, Guizhi, what are you doing? How can you give this family heirloom to a child? You should keep it for yourself!"
Although Ding Dahu really liked the bright yellow thing, he still became polite.
This is what is referred to later as the magnanimity of a social being.
No one is immune to greed; at the very least, one must try to conceal it.
Jiang Guizhi was also very fond of Ding Mei when she met her.
After all, this girl's looks speak for themselves.
Compared to Yuan Shumei face-to-face, Ding Mei still seems prettier.
Her eyes were innocent and bright.
Authentic and genuine.
Upon hearing the marriage proposal, he showed more than eight teeth the entire time.
He was truly someone who couldn't hide his joy.
Looking at Lu Yao, her little face was flushed.
She knew Lu Yao would come to propose marriage, but she didn't expect it to be so formal, with even Grandpa Zuo brought along.
He's much higher in seniority than Ding Dahu.
At this moment, Grandpa Zuo spoke:
"Big Tiger, the Lu family is offering the highest level of hospitality to marry Xiao Meizi. Give me a straight answer."
Ding Dahu nodded: "Okay, I'll ask the child."
He looked at Ding Mei and asked, "Little Mei, would you be willing to marry Tuwazi and become his dutiful daughter-in-law?"
"Yes, I do!"
Ding Mei blurted it out.
Lu Xiaoqian was so happy she laughed out loud.
Ding Mei laughed so hard she was embarrassed and playfully punched her.
Ding Dahu turned to Grandpa Zuo:
"Okay, I agree!"
"How about we make a marriage agreement?"
Grandpa Zuo is from the old era and still observes traditional etiquette.
Xie Chunfang waved her hand and said, "Marriage contracts are no longer common; people register at the commune. Marriage isn't something an individual can decide; it requires the approval of the national government."
Grandpa Zuo chuckled dryly, "Hahaha, I guess I'm just not very knowledgeable."
Actually, at this time, weddings in the countryside still mostly follow local customs, and holding a wedding ceremony is considered a marriage.
Many couples have children who are quite grown up but still haven't registered their marriage.
Yuan Shumei shook her head: "I almost forgot, there's an age limit for registering marriage, and Lu Yao isn't old enough!"
Lu Yao also knew that there were indeed legal age requirements for marriage: men had to be at least 20 years old and women at least 18 years old.
He just smiled and said, "It's okay, I can handle it. My age is two years older on my household registration."
Back then, household registration books were handwritten. Lu Yao was already six years old when he was registered.
The person registering the birth made a typo and wrote down the wrong date of birth.
Lu Yao is 21 years old according to his household registration.
It has no other use, but it does meet the age registration requirements.
Ding Dahu was also happy.
The boy's skills are undeniable; you won't find another one like him for miles around.
At first, he was a little disgusted by the Lu family's poverty.
However, adhering to the principle of "better to marry a rich man than a rich woman," she agreed.
Unexpectedly, the Lu family managed to subdue him with just one move.
In the whole village, which family receives a gram of gold dust when their daughter gets married?
Such a large gold bracelet was displayed.
Suddenly, all sorts of things, face and substance, came out.
Ding Dahu quickly told Jiang Guizhi to put it away first, and then take it out for Ding Mei when they went to the man's house.
Traditionally, the groom's family gives betrothal gifts when they visit the bride's family to formally propose marriage.
However, Ding Dahu thought that there were too few people today, so he should wait until they arrived at the groom's house to host a feast. It would be more impressive to bring out the food when there were more people!
Ding Dahu was still happy and said to Grandpa Zuo:
"Okay, have dinner at my house tonight, and I'll return the gift tomorrow. It's an essential custom for visiting each other's families."
Grandpa Zuo nodded: "That makes sense, that makes sense."
Ding Dahu quickly directed Xie Chunfang to the kitchen to prepare the meal.
Jiang Guizhi quickly said that she had already eaten.
Ding Dahu refused to agree: "Even if we've already eaten, we have to eat again."
He chased Xie Chunfang out and chatted with Jiang Guizhi himself.
"Guizhi, when we go to your man's house for the blind date, you should invite all the neighbors over. Just prepare some melon seeds and candy, so everyone can witness it."
"Okay, okay, then I'll do as you ask."
"It's not my request, it's just old custom and rule!"
Several adults sat and chatted on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed). Lu Yao also climbed onto the kang and joined Ding Mei and three other girls to play a game of Red Ten with playing cards.
Although they're getting married, they're all just big kids.
Use Tiger Girl as a cushion and play your cards on her.
This little guy is getting lazier and lazier. Five people have been hitting it twice, but it hasn't changed its posture at all.
When it was time to eat, Ding Mei suggested:
"Tuwa, go and call Sister Yuejuan over for dinner. This is such an important matter, we need to tell Sister Yuejuan."
"..."
Lu Yao was actually quite conflicted.
Although he had made an agreement with Huang Yuejuan beforehand, he knew how much Yuejuan liked him.
She would definitely feel uncomfortable if I told her I was getting married.
However, this matter cannot be kept secret, so let's go and tell them the news openly.
Look at Yuan Shumei chatting with Zuo Xiaoying; she seems to have accepted reality and doesn't show any dissatisfaction.
It wasn't as intense as what the young nurse, Jing Youxiang, had shown.
I wonder what Yuejuan's mindset is.
So they went outside to the clinic.
Lu Xiaoqian was a little rascal, and she came out with her brother.
……
Huang Yuejuan was resting her chin on her hands, staring blankly out the window.
I wanted to read for a while, but I just couldn't concentrate.
As I looked at it, the book transformed into the face of a country bumpkin.
I'm not looking anymore, I'm looking out the window...
As I looked at it, the frost on the window turned into the shape of a clay doll.
Quickly wipe your eyes.
I'm not seeing things, it really is a country bumpkin.
Lu Yao knocked on the window: "Open the door, what are you staring at like an idiot for?"
"Okay!"
Huang Yuejuan quickly got up to open the door.
I locked the door when I came back just now; basically no one goes to the doctor during the Lunar New Year.
People are reluctant to see a doctor when they are sick, as it is considered unlucky to see a doctor during the first month of the lunar calendar.
Unlike later stages, when people want to see a doctor even if they're not sick, just in case they are sick and want to get treatment as soon as possible, they are actually already mentally ill.
Huang Yuejuan opened the door, and Lu Yao came in, all smiles.
"Sis, I'm going on a blind date with Ding Mei today. Why don't you come over and have dinner together?"
"I'm not going. What does your blind date have to do with me?"
Lu Xiaoqian's little head peeked in through the doorway:
"Sister Yuejuan, why aren't you going? Are you angry?"
"Huh? No!"
When Huang Yuejuan saw Lu Yao arrive with Lu Xiaoqian, she quickly put on a smiling face.
"I'll change my clothes and come over right away. Who said I'm angry? It's a joyous occasion for your brother, how could I be angry!"