When is something or someone most precious?
At the moment you realize you've lost it, that's when it's most precious.
Did Liu Tong like Sister Dong?
Yes, he did.
The daughter of his father's superior, a well-bred young lady, cultured and sensible, obedient and understanding, good-looking too, with hardly any flaws. How could he not like such a girl who had grown up with him as childhood sweethearts?
However, knowing that she would be his future wife was like knowing about something already in his possession. He thought she was nice, but didn't bother to appreciate her properly, because she was already his. There was no need to praise what was already his every day.
Even when he broke off the engagement, and had several heart-wrenching talks with Qing Qing, he didn't really feel that Sister Dong had left.
Because the world was far more unfair to women, who else would marry Sister Dong after she had been engaged to him and known him since childhood?
He probably wasn't that bad; deep down he was conflicted and hesitant. So when his father scolded him, he was still willing to come and propose, feeling it was his responsibility.
But at this moment...
Watching that tall man jump off his horse and bow to Minister Dong, seeing Sister Dong step forward to curtsy.
Watching him return the courtesy.
Liu Tong had never seen Sister Dong talk to other men before. At this moment, he discovered how beautiful she was, realizing for the first time that when she smiled, she had two dimples, one on each cheek. He noticed how beautifully her eyebrows and eyes curved, like crescent moons. Her eyes were spirited, her face round, her skin snow-white, her lips rosy. What he had previously thought of as a somewhat ordinary girl next door, not stunning enough, in this moment, Liu Tong suddenly discovered that she was not ordinary at all.
She was actually very beautiful.
She was actually so vibrant and pretty.
So this was how she really looked.
If there were stars, she would be like this – she was the brightest star.
Qing Qing was a cold moon, distant and unapproachable.
But Sister Dong was the brightest star.
In this moment, Liu Tong suddenly understood that he and Qing Qing could never be together, and that he couldn't miss out on Sister Dong. He would regret it for the rest of his life.
He also wanted to be manly for once. He stepped forward to intervene.
"Sister Dong, he's not a good match. You can't judge a book by its cover. He once killed a weak woman in the street without distinguishing right from wrong. Don't be fooled by him."
Dong E: ...
Looking at Liu Tong who had stepped forward to stand beside Brother Jiang, Dong E realized that Liu Tong was half a head shorter than Brother Jiang. Brother Jiang had a higher nose bridge, longer legs – such long legs! His lips were so beautiful, his eyebrows so handsome, the flower above his eyebrows so pretty, his eyes so captivating.
Dong E couldn't help but wipe the corner of her mouth, worried she might be drooling.
As for what Liu Tong said?
What did he say?
Something about not judging a book by its cover?
No need, no need. This appearance is enough. No need to rush, we can get to know the heart slowly.
Killing a woman?
Yes, Brother Jiang's looks had indeed "killed" this weak woman, killing her a thousand times over at first sight. Oh my!
One of today's matchmakers, Inspector He, stepped forward. He cleared his throat and said, "As it happens, I investigated this matter in Jingzhou. I know about the 'weak woman' you mentioned, Xiao Feng Xian. She had more than a dozen lives on her hands. She particularly enjoyed watching men torture and kill their original wives in front of her. Such a 'weak woman' should be executed according to the law. Young Master Liu, you habitually fail to distinguish right from wrong because of a woman's beauty, unable to resist pitying them. This is not good; sooner or later it will implicate your father and your entire family."
Liu Tong dared to speak freely in front of Sister Dong because he was used to being arrogant, but facing Inspector He, his legs went weak with fear.
He hurriedly said he had remembered wrong and fled in panic.
Vice Minister Liu also felt a bit uneasy facing Inspector He. Although he was usually very careful, he felt somewhat lacking in confidence in front of Inspector He. He decided to leave first today. As for today's humiliation, he would surely repay it in the future.
He resented Minister Dong for being fickle, thinking he could find a better match for his daughter. Tomorrow, they would become prisoners. By then, even if old Dong begged his son to marry her, he wouldn't agree. At most, he might take her as a concubine.
Vice Minister Liu left in a hurry with his subordinates and the betrothal gifts they had brought. Because there were many onlookers and the snow made the ground slippery, one of his servants accidentally slipped and overturned one of the gift trays.
A stack of cloth fell out.
What appeared to be very luxurious silk on the surface turned out to have a pile of dark-colored fabric underneath, which looked quite old. People hadn't expected the Vice Minister's family's betrothal gifts to be like this, all for show.
The onlookers couldn't help but whisper and point.
The Liu family fled in disgrace.
...
Minister Dong had been a bit worried because of Vice Minister Liu's words.
But when he saw Meng Qingshe and Inspector He appear together as matchmakers, he immediately felt relieved.
Old Meng might be a bit muddle-headed, but old He was shrewd.
He enthusiastically invited them into the house.
Looking at the heavy trays of betrothal gifts, one after another, they swayed as they crossed the threshold. The carrying poles of the servants bearing the gifts were bent under the weight, but their steps were steady, with no instances of slipping.
Isn't this quantity a bit too much? Minister Dong felt a bit uneasy.
When Meng Qingshe saw Minister Dong, he became much more friendly. He quickly avoided Inspector He and slapped Minister Dong's arm with his big hand, making a series of pat-pat-pat sounds. While patting, he winked and said, "Old Dong, your judgment is still good. No, I mean your judgment is almost as good as mine now."
Minister Dong didn't know what Meng Qingshe was talking about. He just looked at all these betrothal gifts and people, feeling touched but also a bit nervous. He asked, "Mr. Jiang, isn't this a bit too much, a bit excessive?"
Madam Dong saw the trays of betrothal gifts, each weighing more than two or three trays from others, coming in endlessly.
This... the in-laws really liked her daughter, didn't they?
When Minister Dong received the marriage certificate from Tai'a Temple and the betrothal letter, he was very satisfied. The Jiang family understood etiquette.
Meanwhile, Madam Dong was arranging the placement of the betrothal gifts.
To her surprise, her daughter's rooms couldn't hold them all.
It wasn't good to put them outside in the snow, so some were moved to their own rooms.
Each tray weighed more than two or three from others combined, but the quantity was a bit excessive.
They were being so courteous that Madam Dong didn't count in detail. She just felt there were many. She thought to herself that even if she saw some cheap bulk items among the gifts later, she would accept them. She appreciated the sentiment.
She had been afraid that others might look down on her daughter for having broken off an engagement before and not value her.
At least they had shown full respect, unlike the Liu family. They had come with a procession of musicians, but with just a few light trays of things. How could there be anything good? They weren't even willing to put on a good face, how could they expect substance?
Madam Dong saw her daughter was happy. Seeing her daughter playing with her jade pendant, she finally believed that her daughter had really been saved, and coincidentally by Vice Minister Jiang's son. This was truly... a perfect coincidence.
Minister Dong also realized when he saw the fish pendant that they had stumbled upon a stroke of luck.
Seeing his daughter so silly, just focused on being happy, almost losing her husband without even knowing it.
Minister Dong was both happy and worried.
Dong Chichi didn't like Liu Tong, but had always been polite to him because Liu Tong might be his future brother-in-law.
Now meeting Jiang Feng, he naturally wouldn't let the opportunity pass. He engaged in serious conversation.
Unexpectedly, Jiang Feng, who came from remote Jingzhou, spoke knowledgeably about construction. The two shared many similar viewpoints. Dong Chichi felt as if he had met a kindred spirit, wishing he could talk with Jiang Feng late into the night. Moreover, hearing that Jiang Feng had never attended school or taken the imperial examinations, he felt regretful.
However, Brother Feng was now already a sword-bearing guard, with an official position.
Dong Chichi was also concerned about this future brother-in-law's physical abilities, so he took Jiang Feng to compare archery skills.
He thought that as long as he could hit the target, it would be fine. He would praise him vigorously if he succeeded.
He also called his sister to watch.
Archery was too easy for Jiang Feng, especially with stationary targets. He shot six arrows in quick succession, each one hitting the bullseye.
Dong E clapped and cheered enthusiastically on the side.
Jiang Feng turned to Dong E and said, "There's one arrow left. Do you want to try? I can teach you."
Dong E nodded like a pecking chick, saying yes, yes.
However, when Brother Jiang helped her adjust her posture, one hand pressing hers, even embracing her entirely, Dong E's face turned from white to red, burning hot.
She didn't know how the arrow was shot; it seemed to have hit the target, but because of the force of drawing the bow, her body leaned back, resting against Brother Jiang's firm body.
Dong E's face and ears were red. She was so embarrassed that she lifted her skirt and ran away.
She hadn't imagined that being with someone you like would be like this. She had known Liu Tong for over ten years and had never blushed...
Meanwhile, Meng Qingshe and Minister Dong had successfully played the role of matchmakers.
The conversation was delightful.
The first meeting ended perfectly.
Minister Dong was quite pleased.
Vice Minister Jiang was very courteous.
Moreover, he was very capable. When he last expressed interest in forming a marriage alliance, Jiang Feng was still a commoner.
By the time he came to propose, he had already become a sixth-rank armed guard.
It was good that they had acted quickly.
The first meeting concluded flawlessly.
Minister Dong was satisfied.
Madam Dong was very satisfied.
Dong E was extremely satisfied.
Dong Chichi was a bit unsatisfied, wanting to keep the guest longer to chat more, feeling the conversation wasn't enough.
After the guests left,
Minister Dong's heart finally settled. He could now relax on the soft couch, holding a cup of tea, ready to look at the list of betrothal gifts sent by the Jiang family.
Although the number of items seemed a bit excessive, it wouldn't matter if they were combined. If the people don't report it, the officials won't investigate. Vice Minister Jiang might have come from Jingzhou and wasn't aware of local customs.
Minister Dong looked at the betrothal gift list, thinking about how to prepare the dowry, which should at least exceed the betrothal gifts.
He took a sip of tea, then opened the box containing the list of betrothal gifts.
It was a large and rather exquisite box.
When he took out the list, it seemed very long, endless as he unfolded it. He glanced at it first.
Twenty pearls from the East Sea, six pairs of ancient coral from Bizhou, four pairs of jade ruyi scepters, ten strings of five-blessing peridots, a pair of He Shi jade discs, a pair of ivory tusks...
Minister Dong started reading seriously at first, but as he continued, he was startled. His hand trembled, nearly dropping the list.
Minister Dong held the list of betrothal gifts with uncontrollable shaking hands.
Dong E ran to the hall, seeing her father looking at the betrothal gifts, holding the list with a serious expression and shaking hands.
She approached him coquettishly and said, "Father, even if they gave too little, you don't need to be so upset. I've already agreed with Brother Feng that I have plenty of dowry, enough for us to live comfortably. You don't need to worry. Brother Feng's family just moved to the capital from Jingzhou and settled down, it's normal if they don't have much money. He saved my life, isn't my life worth more than those things?"
At this moment, Minister Dong could no longer imagine.
How could these things appear on his daughter's betrothal gift list?
He had heard that Vice Minister Jiang came from a rebel background. Had they successfully overthrown the government and looted the national treasury?
He felt so anxious...
...
