Blossom

Miao Anping exclaimed in shock, "Then, what should we do?"

The guard sighed, "If the ruler demands a subject's death, the subject cannot refuse. If a father demands his child's demise, the child cannot resist. No matter how formidable our Young Lord is outside, in front of the Duke, he must adhere to his filial duties. At most, he can only vent his anger like this—what else can he do?"

Miao Anping was overjoyed and immediately dragged Jie Wan toward his home.

Jie Wan, however, hesitated.

The reason he had agreed to preside over the Miao family's wedding was to gain an opportunity to speak with Song Mo, the son-in-law of the Dou Family of the Northern Mansion. What did the second son of the Duke of England's Mansion have to do with him? Now, before the engagement gifts were even presented, Song Mo had stormed off in anger. Was there still any need for him to go to the Miao residence?

But Wanping County was small, and Miao Anping was pressing him urgently. The sedan bearers, mindful of the Miao family's newfound connection to the Duke of England's Mansion, dared not slight him. Before Jie Wan could gather his thoughts, the sedan chair had already stopped at the entrance of the Miao residence.

Reluctantly, he stepped out.

Miao Ansu's uncles and father rushed out in a flurry to welcome him.

Jie Wan strode through the gate with an air of arrogance.

Meanwhile, Miao Anping pulled his father aside behind a pomegranate tree.

"Father, listen—I just met the Young Lord of the Duke of England's Mansion," he hurriedly recounted the incident. "It's clear this Song Yantang is weak at home. And today, he wasn't even present. What do you think—can we renegotiate the betrothal gifts?"

Miao Anping's father felt his heart race, finding his son's suggestion highly plausible.

He immediately sought out Miao Ansu's eldest uncle to discuss the matter.

After a long silence, the eldest uncle said, "A horse cannot grow fat without night grazing, and a man cannot grow rich without unexpected wealth. Let's try it first—if it doesn't work, we'll reconsider."

Miao Anping and his father nodded eagerly.

The three of them returned to the main hall.

After sharing a cup of tea with Jie Wan, the representatives from the Duke of England's Mansion arrived with the engagement gifts.

The matchmakers from the Song family were Qiao Lu, a Record Keeper from the Five Armies Commandery, and Li Wen, a fellow scholar who had taken the imperial examinations alongside Song Yichun.

The mere mention of this matter filled Song Yichun with resentment.

He had originally intended to ask the Third Imperial Son-in-Law to preside over the wedding, but the latter had refused outright, claiming he had never served as a matchmaker before. Left with no choice, Song Yichun turned to the Marquis of Anlu instead. To his dismay, the Marquis still harbored a grudge against Song Mo for undermining him and not only declined but also subjected Song Yichun to a barrage of sarcastic remarks. Furious, Song Yichun stomped around at home, cursing Song Mo vehemently, before recalling his uncle, Lu Fuli. However, Lu Fuli excused himself, citing old age and frailty, and suggested Song Yichun find someone younger.

After all these delays, they had no choice but to hastily appoint one of his subordinates and a former examination colleague as matchmakers.

Jie Wan's eye twitched as he looked at the two men.

After all, he was a Successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations—was he really expected to share a table with petty officials and mere scholars?

Feigning a headache from the wind, he delegated the matter to Ma Hao, the county magistrate, and fled in his sedan chair.

Wanping County was an imperial county, and even its magistrate had to be a Successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations.

Ma Hao had initially been relieved to be merely an accompanying guest, but now, in the blink of an eye, he found himself thrust into the role of host. His expression darkened instantly. He remained seated in the east guest room, sipping tea and chatting, refusing to come out and entertain.

The Miao family had no choice. They ushered the two Song family matchmakers into the west guest room, leaving the women of complete blessings from both sides to exchange pleasantries and present the betrothal gifts.A gold choker inlaid with numerous gemstones, ruby earrings the size of lotus seeds, heavy gold filigree bracelets, and gleaming horseshoe-shaped rings.

Miao Ansu's mother's eyes crinkled into slits at the sight of these jewels.

The woman of complete blessings from the Song family was none other than Third Madam Song.

She adorned Miao Ansu with the choker, earrings, bracelets, and rings.

A faint smile flickered in Miao Ansu's eyes as she rose with the support of her maid to kowtow to Third Madam Song.

Third Madam Song presented two gold-gilded handkerchiefs as courtesy gifts, then had the accompanying pages carry in presents for each branch of the Miao family.

Thus, the betrothal gifts were concluded.

Miao Ansu's paternal aunt and Third Madam Song retired to the main hall to discuss the bride price, dowry, and wedding date.

Miao Ansu's personal maid scurried in, grinning as she reported, "Madam, Young Miss, I've seen clearly—the Song family sent tea and wine. Fourth Master says the tea is premium West Lake Longjing, and the wine is authentic Shaanxi thick rice wine."

Miao Ansu pressed her lips together in a pleased smile.

Her mother shot her a mock-stern glance. "Satisfied now?" she chided.

Miao Ansu tugged at her mother's sleeve playfully.

In the main hall, Third Madam Song's expression had frosted over.

She sipped her tea deliberately before setting the cup down. "As the saying goes," she began coolly, "the groom's family provides the house, the bride's family the furnishings. Thirty-six crates of grand betrothal gifts and ten thousand taels of silver for the bride price—this is hardly extravagant for the Duke of England's Mansion. When the Young Lord married, his betrothal gifts filled one hundred twenty-four crates, costing a full twenty thousand taels. In return, the Young Lord's bride's family sent one hundred twenty-six crates—two of which contained nothing but silver notes, each worth ten taels, totaling forty thousand taels. The entire dowry was worth over one hundred thousand taels. By this measure, your household should prepare... at least thirty thousand taels' worth of dowry."

Silence met her words.

Had she angered them beyond words?

Third Madam Song looked up to find Miao Ansu's aunt—the Miao family's woman of complete blessings—gaping at her as if she'd swallowed a toad.

She sneered inwardly.

Expecting ten thousand taels in bride price with less than three thousand taels of dowry? Such audacity!

When she'd married into the Song family, her own bride price had been a mere two thousand taels.

Were it not for that meddling palace noble, the Miaos wouldn't even qualify to polish the Songs' shoes—let alone aspire to marry their daughter to her nephew! The very thought was laughable.

Suddenly, Dou Zhao seemed remarkably agreeable by comparison.

When Dou Zhao first arrived, her Red Envelopes for servants had all contained eight mace of silver. Her own daughter alone had received eight such envelopes, plus an additional thousand taels from the Dou family simply for being Song Mo's cousin.

Could the Miaos possibly match such generosity?

No wonder Sister-in-law had refused to come—she'd known all along the Miaos were shameless paupers.

Third Madam Song sighed internally.

The Duke of England's Mansion could certainly afford ten thousand taels, but to accept a bride with only three thousand taels of dowry? The Song family's reputation would never survive the disgrace.

How shrewd Sister-in-law was to avoid this affair entirely.

She'd need to be more cautious herself in future.

Miao Ansu's aunt was truly at a loss.

Events had spiraled far beyond her comprehension.

What family would spend one hundred thousand taels marrying off a daughter?

One hundred thousand taels—just think how much land that could buy!"Wouldn't this money be better left to sons and grandsons rather than taken to another family by a daughter?"

Was the Song family trying to swindle her?

The thought flashed through her mind. Feeling reassured, she smiled and said, "What other families do is none of our concern. As Da Taitai said so well, the groom's side makes an offer, and the bride's side matches it. If the Song family offers ten thousand taels as betrothal gifts, we'll provide five thousand taels in dowry for our girl—these things follow tradition. It's not up to you, nor is it up to me."

"Indeed," Third Madam Song replied, smoothing her hair at the temples. "I understand your family's position and will convey it to the Duke upon my return. As for the wedding date—"

The Miao family's paternal aunt laughed. "How can we set a date when the betrothal gifts haven't been settled?"

Third Madam Song snorted inwardly.

It seemed no agreement would be reached today.

She'd likely face more difficulties ahead.

Not one to avoid conflict, she reminded herself this was an imperial decree—would the Miao family dare break it?

If they wanted to play hard to get, let them.

When the Emperor inquired, surely he wouldn't side with the Miaos?

Worst case scenario—if no one asked, Song Han was a man. Even delaying three to five years, he'd still have warm beds waiting, perhaps even illegitimate heirs by then. The ones who should worry were the Miaos—they might even beg the Songs to hasten the marriage.

Then we'll see who answers to whom!

Third Madam Song rose abruptly. "In that case, I shall take my leave. When your family reaches a decision, I'll return to visit my future in-laws."

The implication was clear—the Songs would only offer five thousand taels, take it or leave it.

The Miao aunt stood stunned.

What did the Songs mean by this?

Did they intend to defy the imperial decree?

Were they unafraid of the Emperor's wrath?

She blurted, "This marriage was arranged by the palace itself."

Third Madam Song smiled faintly, undisguised mockery in her eyes. "Our Duke visited His Majesty just yesterday. Should negotiations fail, we'll simply explain matters to the Emperor. The Miao aunt needn't worry." With that, she turned to leave.

Behind the door, Da Taitai (The Eldest Madam) panicked.

The Songs could enter the palace at will, even meet the Emperor; the Miaos hadn't even seen the Crown Prince's face. If the Songs made false accusations before the Emperor, the Miaos would have no chance to defend themselves!

She hurried out, calling after Third Madam Song, "The banquet is ready—we've been awaiting your presence to begin." In three quick steps, she clasped Third Madam Song's arm, softening her tone. "Our gentlemen are already seated with your family's matchmakers. We should join them."

The Song delegation who'd come for the engagement gifts remained—surely Third Madam Song wouldn't abandon them?

Da Taitai smiled expectantly.

Third Madam Song arched a brow but allowed herself to be led to the women's banquet tables.

The Miao matriarch immediately pulled her daughter-in-law aside, whispering urgently, "Well?"The eldest daughter of the Miao family looked thoroughly disgruntled as she said, "The Song family is only willing to offer five thousand taels of silver for the betrothal gifts." She then relayed Third Madam Song's words regarding Song Mo and Dou Zhao's wedding to her mother, adding, "Tell me, is this true or false? If it's true, then we're in trouble. How could our family possibly afford such a lavish dowry? If Ansu marries into that household, wouldn't she be completely overshadowed by Madam the heir, unable to even lift her head?"

Mother Miao was left speechless.

"Is it true or not?" she flustered, preparing to seek out Father Miao. "I must discuss this with her father."

The eldest daughter of the Miao family shook her head in dismay and went to join the banquet.

Upon hearing Mother Miao's words, Father Miao was overwhelmed with worry.

Miao Anping, who had come to fetch Father Miao to entertain guests, couldn't help but chuckle. "Look how troubled you all are. What's so difficult about this?"