Chapter 48

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Chapter 48: Dowry

     

Mr. Liu opened the door, and it was Liu Qian. Dinner outside was already prepared and ready.

     

Tonight’s dinner, though hurriedly prepared, was still quite sumptuous. Most of the dishes were already made at Liu Yueyue’s house, and the ones Liu Qian made added a special touch, greatly pleasing everyone who hadn’t tasted her cooking in a long time. The meal was filled with joyful conversation, with the host and guests exchanging many casual remarks. Butcher Liu’s family understood Mr. Liu’s intentions and were genuinely happy for Liu Qian, offering many blessings. However, since the engagement with the Zhang family had not been formally arranged, they spoke with some reservations.

     

Everyone was very happy, except for Zhang Xiaohu, who occasionally glanced at Liu Yueyue. Unfortunately, Liu Yueyue’s attention was not on him, leaving him somewhat disappointed.

     

After dinner, they chatted for a while longer. Liu Qian, having walked all afternoon, was already yawning, so Liu Kai arranged for Zhang Xiaolong and his brother to stay the night and rest, while Butcher Liu’s family went home to rest.

     

Early the next morning, Zhang Xiaolong and his brother were ready to depart for Guo Village. Liu Qian, considering she hadn’t been home for a while, decided to stay for a few more days. Additionally, Zhang Xiaolong needed to discuss the engagement with his parents, and she felt too shy to accompany him for that. Mr. Liu specifically instructed Zhang Xiaolong to explain his intentions clearly to Zhang Cai, ensuring there were no hard feelings about the previous refusal. He also asked Zhang Xiaolong to choose an auspicious date to come back and formalize the engagement.

     

Zhang Xiaolong readily agreed, and under Liu Qian’s reluctant eyes, the two finally set off.

     

The way here had been filled with sweetness, while the journey back was filled with joy.

     

Returning to Guo Village, from afar, one could see a family standing in the small courtyard beyond the low walls of the Zhang household, frequently glancing toward the village entrance. It seemed that apart from Zhang Xiaohua, no one else had rested well last night. Upon spotting Zhang Xiaolong and Zhang Xiaohu in their view, Zhang Xiaohua was the first to jump up, quickly running out and reaching Zhang Xiaolong’s side, eagerly asking: “Big brother, how’s everything? Is there the good news all been hoping for? Hey~~ Why didn’t Sister Qianqian come back with you? Is it because…”

     

Zhang Xiaohua was a little afraid to ask.

     

Before Zhang Xiaolong could speak, Zhang Xiaohu, feeling annoyed, said: “Can’t you see how happy Big Brother looks? He’s practically beaming. Anyway, just take the jug from my hand first. I’ve been lugging it all the way.”

     

With this, Zhang Xiaohua cheered up, not taking the jug from Zhang Xiaohu’s hand but instead turned and dashed back home to report to their parents.

     

Upon receiving the good news, Zhang Cai and Guo Sufei were overjoyed, rushing to the courtyard gate to welcome their sons. Zhang Xiaolong and Zhang Xiaohu were escorted into the Zhang family courtyard like heroes. After Zhang Xiaolong settled into a chair and took the boiled water handed to him by Zhang Xiaohua, he took a few big gulps before beginning to recount the situation in Baligou. Zhang Cai and Guo Sufei listened with great excitement, feeling relieved as if a heavy burden had been lifted from their hearts.

     

When Zhang Xiaolong proudly mentioned Mr. Liu’s apology and the news about setting a propitious day for the engagement, the couple’s feelings were mixed. They were delighted that their judgment of Mr. Liu as a trustworthy friend was confirmed, and soon he would become their relative by marriage. However, they were also worried about the traditional betrothal gifts. Their family’s financial situation posed a dilemma, giving too little would embarrass Mr. Liu’s family, but giving too much would burden Zhang Xiaolong and Liu Qian in their future life together.

     

However, those were considerations for later. The key now was to celebrate a little and set the date first. Guo Sufei joyfully shared the good news with the bedridden Grandmother, bringing a radiant flush to the old lady’s face.

     

In the following days, the Zhang family was immersed in joy. As spring returned to the land, it also brought Zhang Xiaolong’s spring. While Zhang Cai and Guo Sufei were busy with the engagement arrangements, Zhang Xiaolong and his brothers were busy with spring plowing and planting in the fields. Each day grew warmer than the last, and the soil in the fields had already thawed. The gentle spring breeze reminded people that it was time to start farming without delay.

     

The custom of engagement is quite simple. The groom’s parents bring various gifts and the groom’s birth natal charts to the bride’s family. The bride’s family accepts the gifts and provides the bride’s birth natal charts in return. Once this exchange is completed, the engagement is considered finalized. Sometimes, the exact date of the marriage is decided at that moment, while other times, it is left for further discussion. Originally, the dowry consisted of various gifts, but due to people’s tendency to compare and compete, it often includes money nowadays, referred to as bridal gift money.

     

Here, Zhang Cai and his wife were troubled about the bridal gift money.

     

Zhang Cai believed that Liu Qian was a good daughter-in-law and deserved a generous dowry. This would signify the value Zhang’s family placed on marrying her and would also uphold Mr. Liu’s reputation. On the other hand, Guo Sufei thought that while they should express their sincerity, their family’s financial situation limited their ability to provide an extravagant dowry. Overdoing it might cause difficulties in their daily life if they are unable to bring their daughter-in-law home due to financial strain.

     

In reality, Zhang Cai was well aware of this situation and had thought about it before. However, when faced with the actual matter at hand, he hesitated. After all, weren’t still several hundred taels of silver hidden at home? With this possibility in mind, he naturally wanted to handle things better. When Zhang Cai mentioned the silver banknotes, Guo Sufei also hesitated.

     

She had previously made up her mind to use these silver banknotes when talking to Liu Qian, but Liu Qian had stopped her. Now that they had the silver tickets, why not use them? Moreover, it had been over a month since the incident, and no one had come to cause trouble at their home. Presumably, the other party had indeed considered the money as compensation. In that case, the money belonged to them, so why not use it?

     

The couple’s disagreement seemed to be dissipating as they both leaned towards using the silver banknotes. Therefore, Guo Sufei retrieved the silver banknotes hidden at the bottom of the box along with the token. Then she called Zhang Xiaolong into the inner room.

     

Zhang Xiaolong’s injuries had been healing rapidly, and in the past few days, he no longer needed to immobilize his arm. However, his injured arm still couldn’t lift heavy objects. When Zhang Xiaolong entered the room, he asked: “Father, Mother, is there something you need? I was just about to go to the fields to loosen the soil.”

     

Guo Sufei lovingly said: “Your arm hasn’t fully healed yet, so it’s better to take it easy. Let Xiaohu and Xiaohua do more work.”

     

Zhang Xiaolong smiled and replied: “I’ve spent enough time in bed this past month. My bones feel like they’re going to rust. Moving around now feels really comfortable. Besides, Xiaohua is still young and growing, how can I let him do more work?”

     

Zhang Cai said: “We know you’re eager to get back to work, and we don’t intend to stop you. But the days ahead are long, and you need to take care of your health.”

     

Zhang Xiaolong nodded: “I understand, Father. So, what’s the matter? It’s not just about asking me to rest, is it?”

     

Guo Sufei said: “Well, here’s the thing. Your father and I are planning to finalize your engagement with Qianqian in Baligou in the next few days. However, our family can’t afford a lavish dowry, so we’re thinking of using the silver banknotes from last time to exchange for some money.”

     

After speaking, she placed two silver tickets and the token in front of Zhang Xiaolong, pointing at the token she said: “Take this too. If anything goes wrong during the exchange, perhaps this token will come in handy.”

     

Zhang Xiaolong looked at his father and mother’s earnest expressions, as well as the silver tickets and token in front of him, sighed, and didn’t pick them up. He said: “Father, Mother, didn’t we agree that we wouldn’t use these silver banknotes anymore?”

     

Zhang Cai smiled bitterly and said: “Yes, that’s what we said at the time. But circumstances change. If we don’t present a decent dowry, won’t it be embarrassing for Liu Qian’s family?”

     

Zhang Xiaolong said: “Father if we talk about family background, there are many households in the surrounding area much better off than ours. There are also countless suitors going to the Liu family to promise marriage. How can we compare ourselves to them? Liu Qian’s willingness to marry into our family is not based on our family background. The other day at Liu’s house, Mr. Liu spoke to me extensively. He is well aware of our family’s situation and didn’t mention anything about dowry. I think we don’t need to pretend to be richer than we are.”

     

Guo Sufei said: “Xiaolong, just because they didn’t mention it doesn’t mean they don’t care. It’s better to be prepared. The more gifts, the better. Let’s make arrangements.”

     

Zhang Xiaolong insisted: “No, Mother. I can’t ruin our family just to marry someone. These silver banknotes are trouble, and we must not use them.”

     

Guo Sufei said: “Your father and I have also considered this. It’s been so long, and no one has come knocking on our door. It should be fine. Besides, we have this token. They may not dare to do anything to us.”

     

Zhang Xiaolong smiled bitterly and said: “Mother, this token was given to us by Heroic Lady Xu to save our lives. It’s just to prove that if any bullies come looking for trouble, we have her backing. And didn’t Great Hero Wen also say? Don’t use these silver tickets. If the evil tyrants show up, we return them immediately. If we use them now and later someone comes looking for them, what will we do?”

     

Zhang Cai and Guo Sufei were left speechless by what he said. In fact, they were not unaware of these matters. But when it came to concerns about their son, it’s inevitable that they would be confused.

     

Zhang Xiaolong continued: ”The Liu family’s appreciation for us isn’t about material wealth. Besides, don’t we have something more precious than money at home? We’ll have plenty of opportunities to repay Mr. Liu in the future, won’t we?”

     

Zhang Cai sighed and said: “What do we have that’s better than money? Why am I not aware of it?”

     

With a mysterious smile, Zhang Xiaolong uttered the following words.