Chapter 75b: Without a Dowry, She Won’t Marry
The two of them were unable to come to an agreement, neither of them backing down at all. Luo Qing Luan also didn’t continue to stay, as she turned around and left.
It wasn’t long after she returned to her courtyard that Luo Cheng came. From a distance, she could already perceive his sullen appearance. It was evident that w.a.n.g Xue Ru had told on her.
“Qing Luan, how can someone speak to their father’s concubine like you have? Do you dare to not marry when His Majesty has already issued a decree? Do you want to bring our entire family down?” Luo Cheng was truly burning with anger. This second daughter’s marriage had already involved so many twists and turns, he was originally already unhappy. In the end, she was bestowed in marriage to the Prince of Chu. This could be considered not too bad, but he didn’t expect Luo Qing Luan to actually be so greedy. She flatly wanted four hundred thousand taels. How could he put up with it?
Having foreseen early on that Luo Cheng would come to criticize her, Luo Qing Luan replied indifferently, “What, Father, I haven’t said that I won’t marry. It’s just that I hope that the dowry will be a bit bigger, so that I can marry grandly into the Prince of Chu’s Mansion, not causing you to lose face, that’s all.”
Pausing slightly, as if she thought of something, she continued in surprise, “It shouldn’t be that Father begrudge parting with that money and is unwilling to prepare such a dowry for his daughter?”
This was the truth. Howebbarra.s.sed, awkward manner, “How can I be unwilling, you’re truly acting too willfully. You should just be at ease while waiting at home. Father’s Concubine will arrange everything. I guarantee that it’ll be exactly the same as your sister’s. What are you still dissatisfied about?”
Knitting her brows, Luo Qing Luan answered, “But the one sister married was Fifth Prince. Who doesn’t know that Fifth Prince is least favored by His Majesty. Presently, the one I’m marrying is the Prince of Chu. Can Fifth Prince really compare to the Prince of Chu?”
Hearing this, Luo Cheng was at a loss for words. He didn’t know how to respond and just listened to Luo Qing Luan continue firmly, “Father naturally hopes that Daughter will live well. If the Prince of Chu discovers that my dowry is about the same as Sister’s, don’t tell me that he won’t be angry? Father is equating him to an insignificant, authority less and powerless Fifth Prince. Tell me, will the Prince of Chu not find you objectionable, will he not look down on me as well? Concerning your daughter’s lifelong happiness, how can Father be miserly towards me?”
These unrestrained words carried a trace of overbearingness. Only now did Luo Cheng discover that the daughter in front of him already was no longer that yielding and obedient one from the past, the Luo Qing Luan who was timid and afraid.
A full length dress as white as snow, pure and cold beauty. Although she was faintly smiling, there was only coldness in the depths of her pupils. An intensely unfamiliar feeling attacked him. Luo Cheng actually was a bit afraid to look straight at her. He couldn’t help but take a step back, before he recalled that the young lady before him was only his own daughter. How could he be a bit afraid of her?
In the end feeling a bit embarra.s.sed, Luo Cheng nevertheless was unable to retort. Luo Qing Luan grasped the timing and again gently spoke a few words. He finally agreed and quickly left.
“My Lady, you’re awesome!” Dai Yue had been waiting in a corner and finally had a chance to speak. Her entire face displayed admiration. “You’ve actually convinced Master to give you double the dowry? I’m afraid the side madam will be angry enough to die, right?”
This being what she had planned from the beginning, Luo Qing Luan laughed coldly.
Since she’d already decided to sort out w.a.n.g Xue Ru and wanted the woman to be worse living than dying, she might as well start with her most beloved money. This time, she’d first have w.a.n.g Xue Ru feel the pain deeply. Following this, there would be even more fun awaiting her!
After ten days, w.a.n.g Xue Ru finally sold fields, sold land, sold shops, and gathered a dowry worth four hundred thousand taels. It could be seen that the family properties and cash in its accounts had decreased by eighty percent. Her heart was in so much pain even her teeth were clenched tightly.
“Master, aren’t you pampering that girl too much? It’s been said that a daughter marrying out is like spilt water (TN: Once gone unable to be retrieved). At present, she already speaks so domineeringly. It’s very likely that she’ll be a thankless wretch in the future, yet you’re still counting on her to be filial in the future? Save it!”
Taking the opportunity to show Luo Cheng the account books, w.a.n.g Xue Ru immediately complained, saying that very likely, for the next one or two years, their family will have to live frugally and would even need to sell off a few servants. Otherwise, they simply wouldn’t be able to support such large expenses. Listening, the skin on Luo Cheng’s face twitched fiercely.
“Forget it. In any case, the one Qing Luan is marrying is the Prince of Chu. With a good dowry prepared, the Prince of Chu’s betrothal gifts will naturally also not be few. They won’t be deficient.”
Luo Cheng had just finished speaking when w.a.n.g Xue Ru also reacted, knitting her brows. “Oh yeah, it’s been agreed that the wedding date will be the twenty sixth of January. Almost one month had already pa.s.sed, why hasn’t the Prince of Chu delivered his betrothal gifts? Is it possible that he’s planning not to give any?”
“How’s that possible? No matter what, Nalan Ye is a t.i.tled prince. The gifts that His Majesty bestowed upon him each year are too many to count. This time, he’s marrying his primary imperial consort. How can there not be any betrothal gifts?” With a slight thought, Luo Cheng shook his head. “Don’t worry, not only will the betrothal gifts from the Prince’s Mansion be generous, very likely, then that time comes, His Majesty will also bestow no small amount. We won’t be at a deficit.”
Right at this time, her personal servant, Ziyu, came in, already panicked and fl.u.s.tered as she entered the door. “Master, Side Madam, not good. The second lady dressed as a man and left……”
She hadn’t finished speaking when w.a.n.g Xue Ru’s complexion darkened, “This is an outrage! Master, how can Qing Luan casually leave home at this time? Moreover, she’s even dressed as a man. This is simply……what if someone discovers this. Our General’s Mansion’s reputation will be completely wrecked by her.”
Luo Cheng stood straight up in fury, “Impudent! Why haven’t you sent someone to bring this girl back here!”
Ziyu promptly replied, “That’s not it, Master, the second lady already came back. But she……she even brought a woman back. It’s one of the three famous stars from Immortal Dream Tower, Miss Hongyu (‘Rainbow Jade’).”