Chapter 603 - 375: Engagement

Chapter 603: Chapter 375: Engagement

It was likely that the Liu family was also waiting for the Jiang couple to discuss it, so only after a few days did they have the steward who came every day to collect goods quietly come ask about the matter in private.

Clearly, the steward didn’t actually know what exactly the master and madam wanted him to ask.

His question was also rather vague, something like: "The madam asked me to come and ask you two, that matter we mentioned last time, how is it?"

The answer from this side was: "Good, we’re all very fond of it, the child likes it too."

And then, that was that.

The steward had no idea what this was supposed to mean, but it didn’t stop him from repeating their words verbatim.

So the day before, Second Aunt had just gone as the matchmaker, together with Qixi and Aunt Yang, to Zhang Yuan’s house to arrange the betrothal for Xiao Hua and Qixi.

The next day, a whole group of people came in a grand manner. Liu Hongcai and his wife came as well, and they’d even invited the most famous official matchmaker in the county. They’d gone straight to the finish line, having both the betrothal letter and the gift list all prepared.

It seemed they really wanted to settle this early. Otherwise, following the big households’ full "three letters and six rites" process, just preparing the betrothal gifts alone would take at least a month of fussing.

But since both families had already confirmed their intention for this marriage, and the two children also liked each other, skipping the steps of first finding a matchmaker, then arranging a meeting for the children and so on, was indeed acceptable.

Furthermore, the fact that Liu Hongcai and his wife came in person today was enough to show how much they valued this marriage.

Compared to Liu Ze’s full anticipation, Xiaoxue was still a little dazed. They’d only brought this up a few days ago, and now they were already getting engaged.

When the Liu family arrived, she was actually still in the chicken coop collecting eggs, with two chicken feathers stuck in her hair.

She was supposed to be at the embroidery workshop, but Second Aunt said the Liu family would likely come over sometime these days, so she told her to rest at home for a few days first.

They just didn’t know exactly which day they’d come, and so this scene appeared.

Liu Ze had sharp eyes. Before they even reached the house, he saw Xiaoxue over by the chicken coop from atop his horse. He quickly swung himself out of the saddle, greeted his parents in the carriage, and hurried over.

He hadn’t been idle at home these past few days. So he could look a bit more dashing on the engagement day, he’d specially learned to ride. Though he was still a little unpracticed, the ride from home to Xiangmu Village was no problem.

"Xiaoxue." When Liu Ze approached the chicken coop, Xiaoxue hadn’t noticed him yet. He quickly called out to her, then slipped inside himself.

It had been a full ten days since he’d come home.

"Ze?"

Xiaoxue looked up in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

At the same time, she also saw the group in the distance carrying boxes and baskets. "Who are they? Why are they at our house?"

Liu Ze reached out and plucked the two chicken feathers from Xiaoxue’s hair. "Of course they’re here to bring the betrothal gifts. Didn’t Uncle and Auntie tell you?"

Xiaoxue shook her head and said, "They did say something, but they didn’t say which day."

Liu Ze carefully watched the expression on Xiaoxue’s face. Sure enough, just as his sister had said, Xiaoxue was not indifferent to him. At the very least, she wasn’t unhappy.

She was just still young, and didn’t yet understand what all of this meant.

But it didn’t matter. If she didn’t understand, she didn’t understand. She’d figure it out someday anyway.

Thinking this, he directly took Xiaoxue’s hand. "My fault, I forgot I should have told you beforehand. Let’s go back first. My father and mother are here too. Wait, Uncle and Auntie aren’t out, are they?"

This was actually the first time he’d openly taken Xiaoxue’s hand like this. It felt wonderful.

"Father and Mother are both at home. Knowing you all might be back soon, they haven’t gone far these days."

Xiaoxue didn’t pull away. One hand held the basket, and she pointed at the bamboo basket beside them with the other. "Ze, let’s carry this out first."

So before the soon-to-be groom had even received his future bride’s birth date and hour, he was already busy doing chores.

The front courtyard was already growing lively. Jiang Hu and Second Aunt hurried back from the fields. Liu Hongcai apologized for forgetting to send someone ahead to give notice, and urged them to go change clothes first.

Other villagers, seeing such a grand scene, all crowded over to watch the excitement. They didn’t dare get too close, though; they only watched from a distance, while talking amongst themselves.

Someone had already spotted Liu Ze dismounting and quickly told the others.

Everyone guessed that from the looks of it, they must be here to ask for Jiang Xiaoxue’s hand in marriage.

Some people remarked that Young Master Liu usually kept a low profile, hardly ever appearing in the village. They hadn’t expected his family to be so wealthy.

Just look at those boxes of gifts—any one of them, picked at random, would be enough to support them for a lifetime.

Others said that Jiang Xiaoxue was marrying up by joining the Liu family. They’d heard the Liu family had a lot of money, and the one who came daily to collect goods from the Jiangs was only a minor steward under them.

While the onlookers chattered away, both sets of parents had already begun exchanging the two children’s birth dates and hours.

As for the two people in question, they first carried the eggs out, then picked up the rest of the eggs, and only then went back through the back door.

Liu Ze told Xiaoxue to go change clothes first, then waited outside the side courtyard, taking the opportunity to brush off the chicken feathers on himself.

Fortunately, they’d been careful while collecting the eggs just now, so their clothes hadn’t gotten dirty, only a few feathers stuck on.

Xiaoxue quickly changed into fresh clothes, a light blue long dress. She also redid her hair, and even the hairpin she wore was the birthday gift Liu Ze had given her last year.

Liu Ze spotted it at once, and the smile on his face widened noticeably.

He stretched his hand toward Xiaoxue. "Let’s go over. Father, Mother, Uncle, and Auntie have been waiting a while."

Everyone was in the main hall, and they could clearly see the two of them from there. Xiaoxue could even feel the teasing glances from the others.

For the first time, she actually felt a little nervous and shy.

Still, she stretched out her hand and placed it in Liu Ze’s.

His hand was large enough to completely cover hers; his palm was warm, just like the person himself.

Liu Ze’s heart was racing too. Xiaoxue’s fingers were slender and soft, but because she also did chores, there were small calluses.

And it was precisely those prickling little calluses that made his heart itch and burn.

Even so, Liu Ze quickly collected himself and smiled lightly. "Let’s go."

He then led Xiaoxue in big strides toward the main hall, and only when they reached the elders did he reluctantly let go of her hand and offer a cupped-fist salute.

"Father, Mother, Uncle Jiang, Auntie."

Xiaoxue also gave a proper curtsey and greeted them one by one.

Liu Hongcai laughed heartily and nodded. "Good, good. The more I look, the more I feel the two of you are a perfect match—talented gentleman and beautiful lady, a pair made in heaven."

Madam Liu nodded repeatedly, agreeing with her husband. "Exactly, the more I look, the more suited they seem, don’t you think so, Second Aunt?"

Jiang Hu and Second Aunt, standing to the side, were all smiles, nodding happily.

They had clearly seen the interaction between the two children just now, and it was obvious that both of them had feelings.

With that, the two of them were completely at ease.

Liu Ze also saw several cards laid out on the table: the betrothal letter they had brought, the gift list, and the birth date card they had especially prepared in advance.

Since the birth dates and hours had already been exchanged, it meant the matter was settled. All that remained was to find someone to choose an auspicious day, and they could marry.

Of course, given how young they still were, the actual wedding would certainly be put off for a few years.

But that wasn’t important. What mattered was that their engagement was set.

Liu Ze immediately gave Jiang Hu and Second Aunt a deep bow. "Please rest assured, Father-in-law, Mother-in-law. I will treat Xiaoxue well and never let her suffer the slightest grievance."

Just listen to him—he was already calling them Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, and they weren’t even married yet.