EBE Chapter 1452 Dowry
Chapter 1452 Dowry
"Tell me if it hurts," Lu Jingheng said softly, his eyes filled with heartache.
Zhan Miao looked at his focused eyes and felt a lump in her throat, but she couldn't help but smile and say, "It doesn't hurt. With you here, it doesn't hurt at all."
The carriage moved smoothly toward the Marquis's residence. Lu Jingheng pulled her into his arms, letting her lean on his shoulder, and whispered, "I should have come to pick you up myself. It was my carelessness that frightened you. From now on, wherever you go, I will accompany you and never let you out of my sight again."
"I believe you," Zhan Miao replied softly, reaching out to wrap her arms around his waist. Feeling his warm embrace and reassuring presence, all her fear and unease vanished.
Once back at the Marquis's residence, Lin Yiwan was relieved to find Zhan Miao unharmed.
She and Zhan Yan met Lu Jingheng in the front hall, where he stubbornly declared, "My resolve to marry Miao'er remains unchanged; I beg you both to grant my request!"
Zhan Yan reached out and helped him up: "Miao'er likes you, and we as parents will naturally not interfere. The eighth day is an auspicious day, so your mother can present the betrothal gifts!"
Lu Jingheng was immediately overjoyed and nodded excitedly, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Excellency, and thank you, Madam!"
Lin Yiwan smiled, her eyes narrowing: "We're practically family now, why aren't you changing how you address me?"
Lu Jingheng immediately said, "Uncle, Aunt!"
On the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, just as dawn was breaking, the long streets of the capital were already adorned with a festive touch of red. The betrothal procession from the General of the State's Mansion set off from the mansion gate, proceeding in a grand procession towards the Marquis of Zhanyi's Mansion.
The horses' hooves clattered on the bluestone slabs, creating a rhythmic and lively sound that drew the attention of passersby who stopped to watch and exclaim in admiration.
Lu Jingheng was dressed in a crimson brocade robe, with a jade belt around his waist, his black hair tied up high, and the red beads on his jade crown swaying gently with his movements, making his sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes full of spirit and spirit, while also hiding a bit of barely suppressed joy.
He rode a snow-white steed at the head of the procession, his gaze always fixed on the direction of the Marquis of Zhanyi's residence not far away. The smile on his lips never faded, and even his cold and hard aura was softened by the festive atmosphere.
For this betrothal, the General Zhenguo's Mansion prepared extremely generous gifts, daring not to neglect the Marquis Zhanyi's Mansion in the slightest.
The sedan chair, carried by eight men, was laden with various betrothal gifts. Wrapped in red silk and trimmed with gold, it stretched for several meters. The servants carrying the sedan chair were all strong and sturdy men, walking with steady steps.
The accompanying servants carried brocade boxes and jade artifacts; each of them was neatly dressed and had a respectful expression.
Several personal guards stood on either side, their armor gleaming, displaying both the grandeur of the general's residence and ensuring the safety of the betrothal gifts.
The types of betrothal gifts are countless.
The silk fabrics were all top-quality brocades from Suzhou and Hangzhou, including Yun brocade and Shu brocade, with vibrant colors and soft textures, piled up like small mountains.
The store is filled with a dazzling array of gold and silver jewelry, including pure gold ingots, jade pendants, and coral ornaments—each piece a treasure.
Not to mention the betrothal gifts that symbolize good fortune and auspiciousness, such as a pair of live geese, signifying a match made in heaven between the two families.
A pair of golden pheasants symbolize the couple's wish for a long and happy marriage, along with dozens of jars of aged wine, signifying a lasting and enduring union.
General Lu, the General Who Protects the Nation, originally intended to come in person, but because he had caught a cold the day before, he instructed his eldest son, Lu Jingyan, to accompany Lu Jingheng. He repeatedly reminded him not to be disrespectful in the slightest.
Lu Jingyan, also dressed in a red robe, walked beside Lu Jingheng. Looking at his younger brother's absent-minded appearance, he couldn't help but tease him in a low voice: "I've never seen you this nervous when we were fighting and breaking through enemy lines in the military camp. Now it's just a betrothal, but you're acting like you're going to the battlefield."
Upon hearing this, Lu Jingheng's ears burned slightly, but he was not annoyed. Instead, his smile deepened: "When my sister-in-law and brother got engaged, my brother was probably even more eager than I was."
Lu Jingyan chuckled at his words, then patted his shoulder and said, "Alright, I know you're thinking about Miss Miao'er. After today, it'll be a done deal. Don't overstep your bounds."
Lu Jingheng nodded emphatically, his gaze falling again toward the Zhanyi Marquis's residence, his eyes filled with an intense anticipation.
Ever since he received Zhan Yan and Lin Yiwan's consent at the Zhan Yi Marquis's residence, he had been looking forward to this day every day. He would even toss and turn at night, thinking about whether the betrothal gifts were prepared properly and what he would look like when he saw Zhan Miao.
Before long, the procession arrived at the gate of the Marquis of Zhanyi's residence.
The steward, who had been waiting at the gate, rushed inside to announce the arrival of the procession. The servants on both sides of the gate immediately opened it wide, and the large red lanterns hanging there swayed gently in the wind, adding a touch of festivity to the four characters "Marquis of Zhanyi Mansion" above the gate.
Zhan Yan, dressed in a dark blue brocade robe with a crimson shawl over it, stood in front of the mansion gate, his expression dignified, yet unable to conceal the smile in his eyes.
Lin Yiwan smiled gently, and standing beside her was Zhan Miao, the bride-to-be.
Zhan Miao wore a moon-white dress with red trim, her dark hair loosely tied up and adorned with a red-gold hairpin with intertwined flowers. A few strands of hair fell by her temples, making her skin look as white as snow and her eyebrows and eyes as beautiful as a painting.
Perhaps infected by the festive atmosphere, her cheeks flushed slightly. With her eyes lowered, she gently twisted her handkerchief with her fingertips. Her heart was pounding like a deer, filled with both shyness and indescribable joy.
Last night, her mother, Lin Yiwan, talked to her for a long time about the thoughts of a young woman and taught her the principles of being a wife in the future. As she listened, she couldn't help but think of Lu Jingheng.
Seeing him dressed in a red robe, riding a white horse, with a tall and straight posture, looking over with a smile in his eyes, Zhan Miao's heart skipped a beat. She quickly lowered her head, not daring to meet his gaze, but her ears secretly turned red.
Upon seeing Zhan Miao, Lu Jingheng's eyes lit up instantly. He dismounted swiftly and strode forward, bowing respectfully to Zhan Yan and Lin Yiwan. His voice was loud and clear, filled with undisguised joy: "Uncle, Aunt, I have come today to present my betrothal gifts. I hope you will accept them."
Zhan Yan smiled and reached out to help him up: "Good boy, get up quickly. You must be tired from your journey, come into the mansion and rest."
Lin Yiwan smiled and nodded, her gaze shifting between Lu Jingheng and Zhan Miao, her eyes filled with satisfaction.
Looking at her daughter's shy demeanor and the undisguised affection in Lu Jingheng's eyes, she felt that this marriage was truly the right choice.
Afterwards, Lu Jingyan stepped forward and greeted Zhan Yan. After exchanging a few pleasantries, the betrothal procession slowly entered the mansion, led by the Zhan family steward. The servants carrying the betrothal gifts carried them to the front hall, filling it to the brim. The front hall was instantly filled with red and gold, and a festive atmosphere was palpable.
The servants in the mansion had already prepared tea and snacks for everyone in the Zhenguo General's Mansion, but Lu Jingheng had no heart to rest. His eyes were always following Zhan Miao's figure. However, Zhan Miao stayed by Lin Yiwan's side and never left her side, so he could only watch from afar, but the smile on his lips never disappeared.
In the front hall, Zhan Yan and Lu Jingyan checked the list of betrothal gifts. Every time they mentioned one item, the Zhan family steward would respond loudly, his voice clear and loud enough to be heard throughout the room.
Each and every betrothal gift was a precious item, demonstrating the sincerity of the General's Mansion.
Zhan Yan looked at the room full of betrothal gifts and was satisfied, but he just smiled faintly and said, "General Lu is too kind. It is enough that the children understand each other. There is no need to spend so much money."