Traveling through Tianlong: Starting from the Zhenlong chess game

Chapter 422: Can the betrothal gift be smaller?

After Zhao Mu returned to his mansion, he was formulating a plan to attack Xixia in his room.

Although Zhao Mu did not understand the military formations of this era, he understood strategic concepts far beyond this era.

At this time, someone knocked on the door and shouted: "Mu'er! Is it convenient for me to come in now?"

Zhao Mu put away the plans and drawings, and then said: "What the mother-in-law said, of course it is okay."

Then Concubine Chai walked in with Princess Xiao Qian.

Both of them looked happy.

Concubine Chai said: "Mu'er, it's great that you can agree to these two marriages. But you don't necessarily need to trouble Your Majesty to grant the marriage. Wenxiu and Yuhuan both want to marry you, and Prince Deng's Palace and Duke Xinguo's Palace are also trying their best to marry you. Agreed. Why do you need to ask the emperor for a marriage?"

Princess Xiao Qian also said happily: "I think Third Uncle's arrangement is very appropriate. Because His Majesty granted me the marriage, my father and mother are very happy. And thanks to Third Uncle's great blessing, His Majesty also conferred the title of eldest brother on me. Commander-in-Chief of Hulao Pass, I would like to express my gratitude to my third uncle for taking care of you."

After listening to what the two of them said, Zhao Mu understood what happened.

"Perhaps His Majesty wants to use a soft policy to win over a few aristocratic families and monitor me through marriage?" Zhao Mu thought. Although some people judge the emperor's belly with a villain's heart, this is the only reason that Zhao Mu can think of. After all, even if he tried hard, he couldn't figure out that Zhe Zong planned to pass the throne to him.

However, Zhao Mu always felt that Zhe Zong seemed a little abnormal during this period, but he couldn't tell what was abnormal. I just care a little too much about my own personal problems.

After all, the emperor couldn't seem to be too nosy. It was claimed that Zhao Mu asked him to grant the marriage.

Concubine Chai said: "Yes, Xiao Mu is really serious about it. I just came here today because my mother and your sister-in-law have some things to discuss with you."

Zhao Mu looked at the two of them and said, "If anything happens, my concubine and sister-in-law can discuss it with my mother. As long as the parents make the decision on marriage matters, there is no need to come and inform me."

But after Zhao Mu thought about it, he felt it was right.

Zhao Mu simply walked down the slope and said: "Haha, this is what it should be. I think this will look more formal. My mother-in-law and sister-in-law are so worried about me, how can I let down everyone's love? Today I am with Your Majesty. Speaking of this, His Majesty decreed the marriage. "

Concubine Chai and Princess Xiao Qian looked at each other, and then Princess Xiao Qian said: "We did ask my mother-in-law about this matter, but she said she can't be your master. So we will listen to your opinion, Third Uncle."

Zhao Mu asked: "Oh? What exactly is going on? Do you still need me to make the decision myself?"

Princess Xiao Qian couldn't open her mouth, so she turned her attention to her mother, Princess Chai. Concubine Chai said: "That's it. Since the emperor has decreed the marriage, then the matter is a certainty. We can also arrange the marriage for you. When I came, Prince Deng's Mansion and Duke Xinguo's Mansion also sent They came and discussed it with us. Since my family, Wenxiu, is slightly older than the princess of Prince Deng’s palace, we plan to marry Wenxiu first and then choose an auspicious day to marry Yuhuan.”

Zhao Mu nodded and said: "This is what it should be. But you don't need to ask me about this kind of thing. Mother and concubine can handle it on their own."

Concubine Chai replied: "It's not just about this. It's about the bride price and dowry."

"Ah?" Zhao Mu said after being stunned for a moment. "Oh? How much betrothal gift do Prince Deng and Duke Xin intend to ask for? Are they not satisfied with the same as Jin'er?"

Zhao Mu thought for a while and said: "That's right. Prince Deng and the young daughters of the Xinguo family are in their prime years. It is human nature for them to be reluctant to part with their daughters. If this is the case, then let's add one more thing. This time, the emperor personally issued the decree. Jin'er is not a stingy person, I think."

Hearing Zhao Mu's words, Princess Xiaoqian waved her hands quickly and said: "No! No! No! Uncle misunderstood. The slave family and mother-in-law came today not to ask for betrothal gifts for the little sister and Lord Chai County. They came to discuss with uncle. Wait, can I give you a smaller betrothal gift?”

Concubine Chai also said: "Yes, Duke Xin also means the same thing."

"Ah!?" Zhao Mu couldn't help but exclaimed. Zhao Mu smiled awkwardly and said: "Haha, this is strange. Since ancient times, when a daughter was married, she was dissatisfied with the small betrothal gift given by her husband's family. This is the first time I heard that the gift given by the husband's family was too much. Isn't it? The more, does it mean that you value the girl more and bring glory to both your husband’s family and your natal family?”

Princess Xiaoqian waved her hands and said, "Uncle is right. But in this capital, not only betrothal gifts are given. When a woman gets married, there is also a dowry. And the dowry is also related to the face of the girl's family. Our Prince Deng's Mansion is not like that. Prince Zhongxiao's family has a great business. Prince Zhongxiao went on an expedition with his uncle and received many rewards from his majesty. Prince Zhongxiao's family can naturally afford a dowry equal to the betrothal gift, and Jin'er's dowry can be said to be the highest among the noble ladies in the capital. The only one."

"But our Prince Deng's Mansion, as well as the Duke of Xinguo's Mansion, although we cannot say that the family is in ruins, it has been in decline for many years. Few of the family's children serve as officials in the court. In addition to titles, salaries, and some industries, there are no other sources of income. This time the men of the two families were able to get several official titles thanks to my uncle's great blessing. Therefore, our family really couldn't prepare such a large dowry, so my father and Duke Xin asked me to discuss it with my mother-in-law. Let’s keep the betrothal gifts and dowry within the limits that our family can afford.”

Concubine Chai said at this time: "Oh! If the dowry given by my son is too much, and the dowry given by Duke Xin and Prince Deng's Palace is too small, then Wenxiu and Yuhuan will be unable to hold their heads up when they marry into Prince Qi's Palace in the future. . And if the disparity is huge, it will probably bring disgrace to His Majesty.”

After listening, Zhao Mu didn't know what expression to make now.

He now feels that the "old society" has some rules, and it seems that not everything is backward. At least he feels quite advanced when it comes to things like marriage.

Zhao Mu smiled and said: "Haha, okay. Since there is such a rule, it's hard for me to break it. But the girl's face must still be taken care of. No matter how much dowry Duke Xin and Prince Deng give, then When we give the betrothal gift, we will add 30% more and buy a few decent pieces of jewelry, which will be considered as an extra engagement gift from me to County Master Chai and the little princess."

Hearing Zhao Mu's words, Princess Xiao Qian was happy and a little angry. She was happy that the matter was finally resolved satisfactorily. Zhao Mu still worried about the face of the two families.

What she was angry about was that she got married too early. Although she is Zhao Mu's sister-in-law, she and Zhao Mu are about the same age. If he hadn't married unkindly, I'm afraid his sister wouldn't have had this opportunity. It's a pity that it's too late to regret now.

While the three of them were talking, Mei Jian broke in and said, "Young Master! An uninvited guest has arrived!"

(End of this chapter)