pdf-ebookys Chapter 168 A Meager Dowry
Chapter 168 A Meager Dowry
Qiao Qingle, behind the screen, glanced at Qiao Qingqiao and tugged at her arm, saying...
"Second sister, just you wait and see. The betrothal gift list of the second branch of the Xiao family is bound to be extremely meager. You'll find out when they read it out."
Qiao Qingqiao frowned, somewhat displeased, as her betrothal gifts had already been delivered a few days ago.
Her betrothal gifts amounted to only eight loads, which was rather meager for a young lady from a noble family. However, she was not a vain person and therefore did not say anything more.
Hearing her third sister say this, she couldn't help but ask, somewhat angrily,
"Third sister, were you also gossiping about me behind my back a few days ago? Did you also think my betrothal gifts were extremely meager?"
Qiao Qingle is a straightforward person who doesn't think before she speaks, so how could she have thought of this?
He was immediately frightened and waved his hands in denial.
"Second sister, you've misunderstood me! I didn't! I really didn't!"
Actually, yes!
A few days ago, when Qiao Qingqiao's betrothal gifts were delivered, Qing Le happened to witness it.
She and several maids mocked each other for almost the entire day, greatly satisfying her competitive nature.
Her two older sisters, one married a son of a concubine and the other married a poor scholar, while she was born with a noble destiny!
She has a deep bond with the current Crown Prince and will surely be able to marry into his household as a concubine in the future. When that time comes, she will rise to great heights and make up for the mistreatment she has suffered today.
But how could she possibly admit to being vain, materialistic, and prone to comparisons to someone's face?
The small argument behind the screen was only stopped when voices from the main hall came through.
Xiao Zhinuo handed the betrothal gift list to Qiao Jizhou.
Qiao Qingle peered out from behind the screen and saw that the betrothal gift list was thin. She immediately smiled smugly.
She was secretly delighted. Her eldest sister was usually the most dignified and respectable person, but now she had such a small dowry list, probably only ten or so loads of dowry at most. It was really not presentable.
How embarrassing for the older sister!
Qiao Qingle looked towards Qiao Qingshu, hoping to see some unease or dissatisfaction on her face, but Qiao Qingshu's expression remained calm and composed, as if she were not affected at all.
Qiao Jizhou's expression turned cold. The sheet was so thin that you could tell there was nothing on it just by touching it.
His previously cheerful expression vanished instantly, and he let out a barely perceptible sigh.
Though there was contempt in his eyes, he concealed it well, and then waved his hand dismissively.
"Someone come here! Inform us of the betrothal gifts!"
Butler Lai had been waiting at the door for a long time, and immediately came in to take the betrothal gift list.
The smile on the face of the originally delighted housekeeper Lai froze as soon as he took over.
He looked up at Qiao Jizhou, who gave the order in a cold voice.
"Read!"
Butler Lai was still somewhat uncertain, so he turned to look at Qiao Qingshu again, and Qiao Qingshu nodded calmly at him.
Only then did Butler Lai obey, standing at the main gate of the Qiao family's residence and reciting aloud.
"Dowry..."
He hesitated for a moment, his brows furrowed slightly, and he glanced at Qiao Qingshu again.
Qiao Qingshu nodded emphatically at him, and only then did Butler Lai raise his voice again to read aloud.
"A dowry of five thousand taels!"
"Three hundred catties of wedding cakes!"
......
Qiao Qingle, who was hiding behind the screen, burst out laughing and quickly covered her mouth to prevent herself from laughing out loud.
She was overjoyed! Five thousand taels! Hahaha! It was absolutely hilarious!
Nowadays, even respectable merchant families spend more than five thousand taels on weddings. This is a wedding in the Duke's mansion, yet it's so stingy!
You should know that one of her sisters in the capital, Xiao Wan, was only the illegitimate daughter of a seventh-rank official, yet she received a dowry of eight thousand taels.
The Xiao family's offer of such a figure is an insult to Qiao Qingshu.
Even Qiao Qingqiao, who had been standing quietly, frowned deeply at this moment.
Just a few days ago, her beloved Zhou Lang, a poor scholar, sent her a betrothal gift of three thousand taels of silver.
Logically speaking, the wedding of a grandchild of the Duke's family should cost more than ten thousand taels of silver, according to custom.
Five thousand taels is really a bit unreasonable.
Although the second wife was born out of wedlock and Xiao Zhijie was also born out of wedlock, the eldest sister still had the support of her maternal grandfather, the Bai family. It was truly inappropriate to treat the eldest sister so lightly.
Qiao Qingqiao twisted the handkerchief vigorously, feeling indignant on Qiao Qingshu's behalf!
Upon hearing this number, Qiao Jizhou's lips twitched, and the joy on his face gradually faded, replaced by a cold and indifferent expression.
He knew that the second branch of the Xiao family was poor and powerless, but he didn't expect it to be so shabby!
He had assumed that the matriarch of the Xiao family would at least contribute some money to make the betrothal gifts look more respectable.
It seems that the second wife is not well received by the old lady of the Xiao family at all, and she is not even willing to give him any money. If Qiao Qingshu marries into the family, how can he expect the Xiao family to help him?
Thinking of all this, Qiao Jizhou wished he could immediately kick out the second branch of the Xiao family and re-arrange a marriage for Qiao Qingshu!
Xiao Chengyan, standing deep within the crowd, stared at Qiao Qingshu with an expression of anticipation.
He had just been rejected by Qiao Qingshu with such haughtiness, and now he wanted to see Qiao Qingshu's expression of losing her composure with his own eyes!
He had secretly seen the betrothal gift list in his grandmother's room yesterday, and he was amazed by how thin it was.
It was precisely because he knew the betrothal gifts were meager that he blocked Qiao Qingshu's path.
He thought Qiao Qingshu would realize the situation and change her mind, but he didn't expect her to be so stubborn!
good good!
Now let's see if you, Qiao Qingshu, can get your act together!
Butler Lai read the betrothal gift list in a loud voice, which could be heard clearly even in the inner courtyard.
Startled, Old Madam Qiao sat up abruptly from the couch, exclaiming excitedly.
"Is that all? That's so little!"
After sending someone out to inquire and confirm, Gui's mother also confirmed with the old lady.
After days of looking ashen, Old Madam Qiao finally broke into a gloating smile.
She was so happy she slapped her thigh.
"Good, good, good! That's how it should be! Shu'er has been out of control these days. No one in the Qiao family is more powerful than her. How about that now!"
Old Madam Qiao's triangular eyes were full of sarcasm.
"I'd like to see what face Shu will have left to be arrogant in front of me after today! With her husband's family treating her so badly, she'll probably never be able to go back to her parents' home in the future!"
Madam Gui naturally chimed in,
"Yes, Madam, you're right! Shu'er has been too arrogant these days. This matter may be able to curb her arrogance."
The list of betrothal gifts was very thin, and Butler Lai finished reading it after a short while.
At this moment, the betrothal gifts from the Xiao family were being carried into the Qiao family's home, landing in the courtyard to be counted and stored.
Xiao Zhinuo, the second master of the Xiao family, cupped his hands and said,
"My dear in-law, let's go out and take a look at the inventory."
Qiao Jizhou's face was almost contorted with rage as he reluctantly stepped into the courtyard.
At this moment, the people following behind, including Qiao Qingle and Qiao Qingqiao, came out from behind the screen and went into the courtyard.