Chapter 318: How Could You Not Give It?

Chapter 318: How Could You Not Give It?

At first, Zhenyun Su was delighted with the abundance of betrothal gifts, as it showed that Xie Yan valued Nannan. However, upon closer inspection, he couldn't help but worry.

Would the Emperor take notice of their two families?

This young man, how could he have no sense of propriety?

Despite this, Zhenyun Su did not dwell on his concerns for long, as the joyous occasion took precedence.

Gao Sheng approached and quietly handed him a note. "Minister Su, this is from our master for Doctor Ji. It's the fee for treating the eldest miss's leg. With this note, you can withdraw silver at any Fu Sheng Bank in Great Shen."

Zhenyun Su was momentarily stunned, unsure why Xie Yan wanted him to deliver it, but he instinctively accepted the note. "Alright..."

Though distant onlookers couldn't hear, nearby members of the Su and Lu families did, including Xiao Wangshi and Lu Shuangshuang. Their eyes were almost glued to Zhenyun Su's hand, recalling that the fee was ten thousand taels of gold.

Zhenyun Su, oblivious to their gazes, tucked the note into his sleeve and turned to look at Su Youyue, who was still in a daze. "Nannan, don't worry. Your father has prepared your dowry. On your wedding day, I will ensure you have a grand procession, envied by all the maidens in Yanjing."

Su Youyue smiled and shook her head. "Father, taking care of yourself is my wish."

The father and daughter gazed at each other for a moment, both feeling a surge of emotion.

Zhenyun Su looked at his now grown-up daughter, memories of her childhood flooding his mind. It seemed like only yesterday he was holding her as an infant, yet now he was about to give her away.

Time is merciless, but people have feelings.

Even though Su Youyue had been married once before, she still felt a pang of sadness.

Apart from the Xie Mansion's representatives, officials from the Ministry of Rites were also present to oversee the wedding arrangements. Lu Lin, coming back to his senses, urged Zhenyun Su to invite everyone for drinks.

Zhenyun Su gave his daughter a few more instructions before leaving.

"Big sister, so many betrothal gifts! Brother-in-law must really love you!" Su Rong couldn't resist running over with a mischievous grin.

Su Youyue pinched the little girl's cheek. "Don't worry, the Hou Mansion won't forget you."

Jinghai Hou also placed great importance on his children's marriages, making the weddings of his three sons especially grand. When it came time for Su Rong, there would be no exception.

Su Rong blushed instantly.

"Rong girl, that's not proper. Xie Yan and your elder sister aren't married yet," Xiao Wangshi interjected in a tone of reprimand.

Lu Shuangshuang rolled her eyes. "What manners could a wild girl have?"

As soon as she spoke, Su Youyue suddenly turned around, her gaze sharp and chilling.

Such a look was not typical of a pure-hearted maiden; it belonged to someone who had faced great storms and perhaps even taken lives.

Xiao Wangshi and Lu Shuangshuang were unnerved by this gaze.

Just then, Lu Xiaobao, who had been eyeing the betrothal gifts for a while, saw the Xie Mansion's bearers leave and couldn't resist running up to touch the gleaming golden basin under the sun.

"Mom, I want this!"

Lu Xiaobao shouted, trying to lift the basin.

But it was too heavy, and despite his best efforts, he couldn't budge it. He then turned his attention to the golden bowls nearby.

This time, he managed to pick them up, holding one in each hand, but his eyes continued to dart around the gifts.

He wanted everything!

It would all be his someday!

When the crowd in the courtyard noticed, they saw Lu Xiaobao holding a golden bowl in one hand and a jade ruyi in the other, seemingly intent on reaching for the box of pearls.

The servants of the Su Mansion exchanged glances, remembering the rumors and becoming even more hostile toward the second branch of the Lu family.

While it was customary to adopt a son if there were no male heirs, they certainly didn't want such an unruly and impolite child as their young master.

How could their lives be peaceful with him around?

Seeing Su Youyue's cold expression, a servant immediately stepped forward to stop Lu Xiaobao. "Oh, Young Master Xiaobao, you can't take these. These are betrothal gifts from Minister Xie to your cousin."

As she tried to take the items from his hands, Lu Xiaobao clung tightly and kicked her. "Wretched servant, get lost! Who allowed you to touch me!"

Caught off guard, the servant felt pain in her legs but dared not show displeasure, focusing instead on retrieving the gifts.

These gifts were meant to come in pairs, and it would be inauspicious if they were taken individually before being stored.

Despite the child's strength, the servant quickly retrieved the items. But in that instant, Lu Xiaobao burst into tears. "These are mine! Mine!"

The servant, unused to dealing with such a difficult child, was at a loss, trying to console him, but Lu Xiaobao continued to kick and hit.

Xiao Wangshi finally stepped forward, feigning concern. "Xiaobao, what are you doing? Come back!"

Lu Shuangshuang didn't find her brother's actions embarrassing; rather, she felt a sense of satisfaction, given how Su Youyue always treated her coldly.

Su Rong, indignant, was about to argue, but Su Youyue intervened. "If Xiaobao really likes them, I can retrieve them from the storeroom later and give them to you, alright?"

"Big sister?" Su Rong looked at her elder sister in shock, confused.

While it was common for relatives' children to ask for things during visits, the golden basin and jade ruyi were valuable. They couldn't just be given away to relatives' children.

The servant was also stunned. She had assumed that the eldest miss would be displeased with the young master's behavior, but now that the eldest miss offered to give him the items, she wondered if she had made a mistake in stopping him earlier.

The servant felt uneasy.

Xiao Wangshi and Lu Shuangshuang's faces lit up with joy, not expecting Su Youyue to be so kind.

Lu Xiaobao stopped hitting the old lady when he heard the voice, immediately turning his attention back to the other gifts. "I want this one too! And this one, this one..."

He pointed at several items in a row, all of them valuable.

Su Youyue simply nodded. "Fine, they're all yours."

Xiao Wangshi and Lu Shuangshuang were overjoyed, lifting their chins high. They had said it all along; after all, their Lu family was an honored guest of the Su household. Was it too much for a child to ask for a few things? How could the Su household refuse?