Chapter 1058: Little Tiger

At precisely the hour of Shen in the afternoon, Elder Qin and the Luo Family People arrived right on time. In accordance with tradition, both families prepared the nine sweet gifts as their entrance gifts.

The nine sweet gifts are nine types of sweet-tasting gifts: sugar, wine, cakes, glutinous rice, white rice, white flour, sweet dates, sweet fruits, and two pieces of broken silver soaked in sweet water.

The items are quite common, yet they hold the meaning that the young couple can enjoy sweetness for a lifetime after marriage.

Third Grandpa, Third Grandma, Gu Dashan, Mrs. Cui, Gu Jin’an, and Brother Cheng went out to greet them, joyfully received the nine sweet gifts, and invited Elder Qin and Father Luo along with Ms. Chu into the guest hall to sit.

Elder Qin did not waste words, he took out the three dates prepared by Qin San Lang and handed them to Gu Dashan: "San Lang had someone look at these. They say these three dates are auspicious. You two take a look and choose one."

Fix the date, handle the engagement gift ceremony, only then can that kid feel at ease.

Ms. Chu also handed over the dates calculated by her family to Mrs. Cui, smiling as she said, "This is the reselected date, you take a look. Although it’s a bit rushed, it’s a good date nonetheless."

Initially, the Luo Family had liked a date from last year, but back then Luo Wu was schemed against by Master Xia, and the opportunity for that date was missed. So this time, they are looking at new dates.

Mrs. Cui and Gu Dashan, fearing changes in their two daughters’ marriages, dared not wait any longer, and the couple quickly chose the dates.

As Qin San Lang had guessed, the couple chose the dates of the ninth of May and the nineteenth of May. Gu Jinxiu and Luo Wu were older, so their engagement ceremony would be held first, on the ninth of May.

Qin San Lang and Gu Jinli’s was set for the nineteenth of May.

Elder Qin was pleased and laughed. San Lang knew Xiao Yu’s birth date and time, and these dates were calculated based on both of their dates and times. May nineteenth was a more auspicious date for them.

"Alright, that’s settled then. On the nineteenth of May, the Qin family will find the official matchmaker and come with the engagement gifts." Elder Qin said with anticipation, eager to see Qin San Lang’s likely embarrassing excitement on the engagement gift day.

Xiao Ji was eavesdropping under the window of the guest hall and, having overheard the conversation, ran back to tell Gu Jinli.

Upon hearing the news, Gu Jinli was dumbfounded: "Is it really that simple?!"

Her mother and Third Grandma had been preparing in advance for a long time, nervous all day, and it turns out all the man has to do is hand over a proposed engagement gift date to the woman’s side, and once she chooses a date, it’s all over. The only ceremonial aspect is really the nine sweet gifts.

Gu Jinxiu laughed: "This is just the two families communicating to set the date for the engagement ceremony, it is supposed to be simple. The actual engagement ceremony will be more complex."

After hearing this, Gu Jinli lay her head on the table, saying: "True, if it was really complex, my Brother Qin wouldn’t be absent."

Given how much Qin San Lang values her, he would certainly have stayed to accompany her if it were more complicated.

Even so, Gu Jinli still felt a bit sour, because Luo Wu had specifically stayed home for it today.

However, she bore no ill will toward Qin San Lang, she knew his intentions for her; feeling a bit sour was just instinctual.

Gu Jinli turned to look at Gu Jinxiu, teasingly saying: "Big sister, why aren’t you bashful? Brother Luo Wu is here and is sure to come to see you before he leaves, don’t you have anything to say?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Jinxiu’s face immediately flushed red, responding: "I, I’ve known Brother Luo Wu since childhood, and we’ve already exchanged engagement letters, so what’s there to be shy about."

Gu Jinli looked at her face, practically red enough to bleed, and clicked her tongue: "Big sister, your blush is really not convincing."

Upon hearing this, Gu Jinxiu’s face reddened even more, but she did not flee in embarrassment. Having been teased by Xiao Yu so often, she was no longer easily scared off.

"Young Master, Sister Xiu, Dong Family’s Madam is here." Erqing came and reported.

Gu Jinxiu quickly said: "Xiao Yu, stand up. Mother instructed us to wait at the door."

Gu Jinli was a bit helpless: "Why do I feel like we’re putting on a show?"

Even though we’re already so familiar, we have to pretend as if it’s the first meeting and let Ms. Chu take a good look.

Xiao Ji said: "Young Master, you need to get up quickly, it’s the custom. Dong Family’s Madam has said it shouldn’t be violated, or it won’t be auspicious."

Having been bored in one place all day, Gu Jinli wanted to get it over with quickly so she could move about freely, so she obediently stood up, alongside Gu Jinxiu, to wait at the main room’s entrance.

Soon, Third Grandma, Mrs. Cui, and Ms. Chu arrived together.

Mrs. Cui even made a point of saying: "This is my eldest daughter, Sister Xiu. Sister Xiu, quickly show your respect to the Luo Family’s Madam."

Gu Jinxiu obediently saluted Ms. Chu, then presented her own embroidery work as a gift for their first meeting.

Ms. Chu was delighted, and after accepting the gift, she laughed and said: "She’s a good girl. Once she enters the Luo family, I’ll certainly treat her as my own daughter."

Gu Jinli almost laughed out loud; it really felt like a performance—all the words sounded like they were unfamiliar, but in reality, the two families were already well acquainted.

But she didn’t dare to laugh aloud, to avoid being scolded by Mrs. Cui, so she held back her laughter.

Then it was her turn.

Ms. Chu was representing the Qin family’s elders to meet her; according to protocol, she praised her with a few words, asked for her embroidered work, and with that, the matter was settled.

Ms. Chu said: "Since San Lang is not here, next time he’s back, I’ll bring your embroidered pouch to give it to him."

Indeed, Gu Jinli knew how to embroider a pouch and had personally embroidered a cute, round-headed little tiger on it.

Hmph, you all thought I couldn’t do needlework. Now you see, my stitching skills are top-notch, just a few stitches and I can craft a little tiger.

However...

"Why is there a Qin character on the tiger’s forehead?" Mrs. Cui asked with both amusement and exasperation: "This is your first official embroidery gift for San Lang, why be so careless?"

Gu Jinli replied: "Brother Qin’s last name is Qin, so I embroidered a Qin character for him; it’s quite good."

It doesn’t have to be a wang character, a Qin character feels more personal and original.

Moreover, in her eyes, Brother Qin is like this adorable little tiger—even though he’s a Beast King, he turns so cute when he’s around her.

Mrs. Cui conceded, knowing that San Lang adores her and wouldn’t be picky; he’d probably be even happier upon seeing the Qin character, so she didn’t scold her for it.

"All right, if you want to go to the pharmaceutical workshop, go ahead, but make sure to return within an hour, and remember to invite Doctor Wu over so we can all have dinner together."

Their family held Doctor Wu in high esteem, treating him like an elder, and since Doctor Wu was a partner with Xiao Yu in the pharmaceutical workshop, now that Xiao Yu’s marriage to San Lang was settled, Doctor Wu ought to be invited for a meal.

"Yes, I know, mother. I’ll be back within an hour!" Gu Jinli was very happy, immediately went to her room to change into work clothes, and went to the pharmaceutical workshop with Xiao Ji and Erqing.

The pharmaceutical workshop was bustling with activity.

Tong Dayu, Ye Jingzi, Ah Shi, Mai Dong, San Qi, Ye Dakou, Uncle Xiao Liu, Aunt Hong, and Nanny Tao were all leading the workshop crew in making Convenient Medicine.

When they saw Gu Jinli arrive, they didn’t stop their work, merely happily greeted her, "Young Master is here."