Chapter 11 : The Betrothal Gift Ceremony

Chapter 11: The Betrothal Gift Ceremony

“Direct Heir of the Jiang Family? So the rumors were true—this is a marriage proposal to a daughter of the Li Family?”

“With a pair of wild geese as the token, and thirty gift bearers… this is the highest standard of a betrothal gift ceremony.”

“To form a marriage alliance with the Jiang Family—the Li Family is about to rise in glory!”

On the main street, as people watched the procession stretching like a long dragon, discussions erupted from all sides.

Many children ran alongside the procession out of curiosity, their cheers rising and falling in waves, creating a lively scene.

“A daughter of the Li Family? She has no reputation at all, yet she was chosen by the Jiang Family?”

“Exactly. The talented lady of the Qin Family and the direct daughter of the Zhou Family are renowned throughout Qingzhou City. Countless men wish to meet them but never get the chance.”

“I heard that both the Qin Family’s talented lady and the Zhou Family’s direct daughter once said they admired a man like Jiang Yu.”

“And yet the Jiang Family ignored them?”

“The Qin and Zhou Families are well-matched with the Jiang Family in status, yet who would have thought the Jiang Family would choose an obscure Li Family instead.”

From the surrounding restaurants and teahouses, countless guests gathered by the windows, engaging in heated discussions.

The Qin Family held the position of city lord, controlling the people’s livelihood and governance of Qingzhou City, wielding unquestioned authority.

The Zhou Family oversaw the city guards, public security, and punishments, their influence equally formidable.

Together with the Jiang Family, who commanded the stationed military forces of Qingzhou City, they were regarded as the three top families of Qingzhou City.

Though there were many smaller families, almost none could match the strength of the Qin, Zhou, and Jiang Families—the gap was vast.

“Bang!”

Inside a lavishly decorated restaurant, a table was overturned, and teapots and cups shattered across the floor with loud crackling sounds.

“How could he go and propose to some unknown woman?”

“The Li Family? A small family like that deserves this?”

An angry yet crisp voice rang throughout the restaurant.

Qin Wan’er lifted her foot and kicked over another chair, shouting, “I, Qin Wan’er, am the number one talented lady of Qingzhou. I have already entered the martial path, and in talent and beauty I lack nothing—how am I inferior to a daughter of the Li Family?”

Her chest heaved, her face growing even more flushed with anger.

Her bright eyes were filled with unwillingness, as if flames were burning within them, fixed firmly on the procession along the long street.

At that moment, a silvery laugh rang out. Zhou Ru appeared, smiling as she said, “As long as Brother Jiang Yu isn’t marrying you, I’m happy.”

As she spoke, Zhou Ru’s gaze also turned toward the procession, and a trace of unwillingness flickered in her eyes.

Yet compared to Qin Wan’er, she was not as angry or heartbroken.

In fact, upon learning that it was not Qin Wan’er, she even felt a strange sense of relief.

The Jiang Family controlled the military. As long as they retained military power, they would never decline in Qingzhou City.

Naturally, both the Qin and Zhou Families wished to form a marriage alliance with the Jiang Family, and their parents often reminded them of this.

Thus, from a young age, Qin Wan’er and Zhou Ru had constantly competed with each other—vying for the title of talented lady, competing in martial arts as well.

All they wanted was to attract Jiang Yu’s attention and favor.

“You…”

Hearing Zhou Ru’s words, the flames in Qin Wan’er’s eyes burned even brighter.

“What? Want to fight? Whether in literary or martial arts, I’ll accept!”

Zhou Ru smiled, dressed in a luxurious light red gown, like a blooming peony in full splendor.

“Hmph! Brother Jiang Yu isn’t marrying you either—what are you so pleased about!”

Seeing the smile on Zhou Ru’s face, Qin Wan’er gradually suppressed her anger.

Her own luxurious red dress was no less striking, like a blooming rose covered in thorns.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Ru did not retort. After a moment of silence, she spoke, “Have you ever seen the Li Family’s daughter?”

“I’m curious—what kind of woman did we lose to?”

At these words, both fell silent.

The entire restaurant grew quiet.

The thirty gift bearers formed a long procession, moving steadily away until it disappeared from their sight. Only then did the two snort coldly and leave separately.

At the Li Residence, the main gates had long been opened. Servants stood neatly dressed, like guards on a battlefield.

Li Yansong stood at the front, his face filled with pride, as if he had won a great prize.

Behind him, Li Shuo stood equally straight, occasionally glancing at Li Yunqing, who stood quietly to the side.

He wanted to speak, but after secretly glancing at Li Yansong, he held back and instead looked toward the long street.

“They’re here!”

From afar, a large group could be seen approaching.

The laughter of running children, the chatter of onlookers, and the waves of discussion merged into one continuous sound.

Li Yansong lowered his head to smooth his clothes, then turned to glance at everyone before letting his gaze fall on Li Yunqing.

“Yunqing, smile. Not like that!”

His stern voice sounded, prompting Li Yunqing to lift her head. Then, a gentle smile appeared on her delicate face.

“I understand, Father!” Li Yunqing responded.

As a great family of Qingzhou City, even if unwilling, they could not refuse the Jiang Family—they had to welcome them with smiles.

In this era, hierarchy and the law of the strong devouring the weak were even more nakedly apparent.

A single accident could doom the Li Family beyond redemption.

Her father and elder brother treated her well, and she had been protected by the family for fifteen carefree years—how could she stand by and watch everything collapse?

With a smile on her face, she looked toward the approaching crowd.

At the forefront was Jiang Yu, dressed in a dark blue brocade robe embroidered with pale golden patterns that shimmered under the sunlight.

His figure was upright, holding a pair of wild geese, walking with the stride of a dragon and tiger, a gentle smile on his face.

His handsome appearance made countless observing women blush.

As if sensing her gaze, Jiang Yu looked over, meeting Li Yunqing’s eyes directly.

Seeing her flower-like smile, an inexplicable calm settled in his heart. “She truly is different!”

Other women either giggled coquettishly or blushed shyly upon seeing him.

But Li Yunqing simply smiled gently, calmly meeting his gaze.

“Is she also happy because I came to propose?”

Jiang Yu’s thoughts became tangled, and his steps unconsciously quickened, as if he wished to approach her sooner and understand her feelings.

Before long, Jiang Yu, holding the pair of wild geese, stopped in front of the Li Residence.

Beside him, the stern-faced head of the Jiang Family, Jiang Hong, now also revealed a smile.

“Family Head Jiang, worthy nephew, please!”

Li Yansong cupped his fists in greeting, then stepped aside and gestured inward.

“Brother Li, if you don’t mind, you may call me Brother Jiang.”

Jiang Hong spoke with the firm tone of a soldier, yet with a straightforward and bold manner.

His gaze shifted to Li Yunqing, and he gave an almost imperceptible nod.

His son had good taste. The young woman before him bore a gentle smile, serene and elegant.

That must have come from her cultivation in Zither, Chess, Calligraphy, and Painting, naturally exuding the temperament of an orchid in a secluded valley.

She was neither shy nor intimidated, and carried an innate grace.

Her appearance was delicate and beautiful, her skin fair as jade even without makeup.

It was only because she seldom went out that her reputation was unknown—otherwise, no one in all of Qingzhou City could surpass her beauty.

“Brother Jiang!” Li Yansong responded, both surprised and honored, returning the salute. “Please, enter the residence.”

The group stepped into the Li Residence and walked toward the main hall.

Jiang Yu followed behind his father, Jiang Hong, his gaze repeatedly drifting toward Li Yunqing. For some reason, he found her even more interesting when she smiled like this.

Behind them, the procession carrying the gifts entered the courtyard after they stepped into the main hall, placing each set of gifts neatly in order.

At that moment, the formally dressed matchmaker stepped forward, holding a red cloth-bound list of betrothal gifts.

After slightly bowing to Li Yansong and Jiang Hong, the matchmaker spoke:

“When a man comes of age, he must marry; when a woman comes of age, she must wed, to honor heaven, earth, ancestors, and the state.”

“Ritual is the foundation, affection its complement. Under the Red Luan Star, a good marriage is formed, continuing the lineage of the ancestral halls.”

“The Li Family’s daughter, Yunqing, possesses a virtuous heart and gentle nature, with graceful beauty. The Jiang Family, upholding the rites of the ancestors, has sent me to present betrothal gifts on behalf of their son, Jiang Yu.”

After speaking, the matchmaker once again bowed toward Li Yansong from afar.

Li Yansong’s expression turned solemn. He returned the salute and said loudly, “The humble Li Family’s daughter, Yunqing, though not yet fully taught, honors the rites of the ancestors and dares not refuse.”

The matchmaker returned the salute, then looked toward Jiang Yu and said, “Present the geese!”

Jiang Yu lifted the wild geese, slightly bowed, and presented them before Li Yunqing, speaking softly:

“May joy endure without end, and blessings be everlasting.”

“May we be joined as one, and I shall never betray you until death!”

Hearing Jiang Yu’s firm vow and seeing his sincere, resolute gaze,

Li Yunqing’s calm heart suddenly felt a trace of timidity and unease.

“Should she accept the geese?”