The Moon Over Tang Dynasty

Chapter 20 A mess of tit-for-tat confrontation

Chao was stunned and could hardly believe her ears. Before she could jump, there was a loud "bang" outside, and the door of Cudi's house was unceremoniously knocked open, and more than a dozen figures swarmed in. In the blink of an eye, the official matchmaker who had just returned home yesterday was already standing at the steps of the main hall, still wearing a green jacket and green skirt, and those two thick black eyebrows seemed to fly to his forehead. The sixteen strong men who carried the boxes also put down eight boxes filled with wedding gifts, and they all shouted at the top of their lungs: "Great joy! Great joy!"

Mrs. Cao didn't have time to settle accounts with Liuli, so she hurriedly ran out, stood in front of the matchmaker, raised her head and smiled and said, "Thank you for your hard work, ma'am. Please go and have a rest in the hall." Naturally, she didn't want to listen to Liuli's boss, but when she saw the matchmaker, she , but immediately gave up all thoughts of differentiation.

Xiao Tan also followed out, bowed to the matchmaker and then smiled and said: "Alang went out yesterday and hasn't come back yet. My wife has sent many people to look for her. I think she will turn around after a while." Seeing that the other party's expression was uncertain. He moved and added: "My aunt is also going to bed." The An family's maid hurriedly took out hundreds of Kaiyuan Tongbao that had been prepared and distributed them to the big men one by one.

When the official matchmaker heard that the master of the house was still not at home, his nose almost turned crooked with anger. However, seeing that the maid spoke and acted in a decent manner, he couldn't help but feel a little less angry. He also heard that the real master this time, Aunt Kudi, was also angry. In the upper room, he felt a little curious and nodded coldly, "Then I won't bother you."

She walked out of the main room with her head held high, and saw a young woman slowly standing up from the couch at the east end. She lowered her eyebrows and bowed, and she couldn't help but be surprised: this courtesy and demeanor was not like that of a small family. woman. Immediately, he returned the gift and heard a gentle voice in his ears: "My father is not here, and I have a hard time, Madam, so I have to go back and forth twice. Please wait a moment."

The matchmaker sat down on his knees on the west couch and looked critically at the woman who had been favored by the prince of Hedong. He saw that she was only fifteen or sixteen years old. She was wearing a moon-white short undershirt and a long skirt. She was of reasonable height. Tall, but obviously not plump enough, her facial features are extremely delicate, but more than deep, not soft enough, and she does not have the blessings that people like nowadays. Instead, she has a pair of clear and smart brown eyes, which is quite strange, and has an unforgettable charm of its own.

She secretly thought that it was no wonder that yesterday when she returned to the Hedong Duke's Mansion, the Crown Prince's wife didn't pay much attention to it. However, when she came out after a while, she ordered her servants to prepare the betrothal gift with a stiff face, and then put aside the need to give up the betrothal gift. The cruel words sent to her - According to the laws of the Tang Dynasty, the marriage contract is considered to have been concluded after accepting the betrothal gift. If the bride's family goes back on her word, she will be asked to give her sixty sticks. I think it was probably the prince who got mad. She originally planned to give this family some color so that she could get rid of yesterday's depression, but she didn't expect the lord's magnanimity...

The maid lowered her head and brought fresh buttermilk, and the official media put on a smile and said in a slow voice to Mrs. Cao who had already sat down on the glass table: "The aunt of your house is indeed a good person, the prince of Wei Dao Madam, you are so considerate. Today’s eight wedding gifts are all made of fine silks and satins, and there is a full bride price of one hundred gold. If it is convenient, Madam, could you take a look at them first?”

 Hundred...gold? That’s more than six hundred thousand dollars! There were eight boxes of silk and satin... Cao almost fell down on the mat. The official media seemed to have disappeared. They stood up with a smile, took out a prepared document from their sleeves, and placed it on the desk in front of Cao. Written on the paper were two large characters: "Marriage Letter". Below it was written that the eldest daughter of the Kudi family had grown up. Ling Shu heard that she was planning to marry Pei Chengxian, the prince of Hedong, for a betrothal gift of one hundred gold and one hundred and twenty silks. The girl chose an auspicious day to pass the match, and also indicated that the matchmaker was the official matchmaker He's Liu Niang.

Mrs. Cao picked up the marriage certificate and felt that her hands were shaking: as long as they signed the document, the one hundred gold and eight boxes of silk and satin would be theirs, which was enough to buy a bigger yard... In the middle of a trance, she suddenly heard someone beside her. Liuli coughed and looked sideways, only to see her looking at him with a sarcastic look. She suddenly woke up: It turns out that Hedong Duke's mansion is so rich. If she really goes to that mansion, how can this family still be there in the future? Do you have a place for your own mother and child?

Thinking of the rich life Liuli might live in the future, Cao's heart became cold. She rubbed her face, put on a decent smile, and said to the matchmaker: "The slave is the concubine of the aunt, so her father still has to sign this document. "But I was secretly worried, why hasn't Duwei Pei's family arrived yet? If both places come, this matter can be settled in one fell swoop!

As if he heard her thoughts, before the matchmaker could speak, Ah Ye rushed in, "Madam, here we go again!"

Ms. Cao was overjoyed, but she lowered her face and said, "What's happening again?"

Ah Ye took a breath and said: "The matchmaker also brought someone to carry the wedding box, and the Fifth Lady's car..." Was it actually Kudis who came in person with the matchmaker and betrothal gift? Ms. Cao had already breathed a sigh of relief, but when she heard the last sentence, her heart started to lift again. She glanced at Liuli, and for the first time she was a little glad that Kudi Yanzhong had been sent out by her.

He Shi stood up from the official media and said solemnly: "What is the reason for this?"

Ms. Cao's heart was racing, and she stood up and said with a smile: "I'd like to teach this lady to know that my aunt has an aunt who works as a concubine in Pei Duwei's mansion. Because she likes her, she often said that she should go there too. Maybe the house brought a matchmaker here today?"

Mr. He sneered, and then he understood what the "Erlang of Pei Duwei's family" mentioned by Mr. and Mrs. An yesterday was about. He thought that after getting the news, he came to compete for the job today. No wonder the head of the Kudi family was "" Not here." But since she brought the betrothal gift first, if they were to reverse this matter, she would have been serving as an official mediator for more than 20 years in vain! How dare an official of the fourth or fifth rank in the Duwei Mansion compete with the Hedong Duke Mansion for people?

She was not in a hurry at the moment, and watched coldly as Mr. Cao hurriedly walked out. Then she dusted off her skirt and walked out leisurely. From the corner of her eyes, she caught sight of Liuli, who still had a calm look on her face, and she felt satisfied in her heart. The sound is strange.

I saw many strong men pouring into the courtyard of Kudi's house, carrying more than ten boxes of wedding gifts, but the one at the head was a woman wearing red and gold. Mr. He rolled his eyes, it would be fine if she was a noble lady wearing purple clothes, but she is just a concubine, how can she pretend to be a noble person?

Mrs. Kudi, who had specially put on her vermillion uniform, had already seen Mrs. He. She hurriedly raised her head and walked over. She habitually wanted to glance at Mrs. He along the bridge of her nose, but found that she was too tall, so she had to turn her head and face her. Ms. Cao said: "Didn't you agree to come and hire me today? What's going on!"

Mrs. Cao had already made some plans in her mind, and replied with a smile: "This lady He is an official mediator sent by the Hedong government. She came here yesterday and brought a betrothal gift today. Because Da Lang is not here, A Cao is not here." If you dare to make the decision, please go to the main room to rest and wait until the elder comes back." Kudi's face sank: "Nonsense! I made an agreement about the matter two days ago. Why didn't I explain it to this official matchmaker yesterday? Not only was the time wasted, but the government prepared all these items in vain!"

Ms. Cao was just about to break it up, but Mr. He calmly saluted, "Madam, since we said it was agreed the day before yesterday, do you have the documents?"

Kudi was startled for a moment and could only say: "We agreed to sign today."

He asked again, "Did you leave any betrothal gift?"

Cudi quickly pointed behind him: "Isn't this it?"

He's face was stunned, and she took a step forward, looking down at Kudi: "Doesn't this lady not know that taking a concubine is not the same as marrying a wife, only the financial gift document shall prevail. If we talk about the betrothal gift, the betrothal gift from the Hedong Duke's Palace has already been In this courtyard, the documents are already in this room, even if the matter is settled, what does it have to do with Captain Pei's Mansion? "

Kudi's eyes suddenly widened and he looked at Cao: "Brother, did you sign the document?"

Ms. Cao hurriedly said: "No, if Dalang is not at home, who can sign the document?"

Kudi breathed a sigh of relief, frowned and looked at He, "Although the Hedong Duke's family has a noble family, it cannot deceive others like this. My niece's marriage has been arranged for a long time, so I don't need to worry about the official matchmaker."

He stood up straighter and said coldly: "Since we have made arrangements long ago, why can't we see the proof? Yesterday, the matchmaker also went to my uncle's house and here again. Why didn't anyone talk about both places? Why? Are you allowing me to enter the house with a betrothal gift today? If you think the matchmaker is easy to bully, could it be that the Hedong Duke’s Palace also allows you to bully me?”

Kudi was stunned for a moment, turned around and glared at Cao, "Why didn't you tell people clearly? Where did my brother go? Why don't you hurry up and find him!"

Mrs. Cao thought of the curse that Mrs. Kudi had pointed at her and Coral last time, and she was secretly satisfied in her heart, but on her face she said with panic: "Da Lang has not been at home since yesterday. A Cao is just a concubine. Da Lang is not interested in this matter." I haven't told you yet, how dare you make trouble in front of the matchmaker? Now I've sent two groups of people to look for Da Lang, and I'm sure he'll be back soon."

Kudi calmed down for a moment, then turned to look at He and said, "It turns out that my brother has been away all this time. No wonder no one mentioned it to my wife. My brother and I decided on this matter two days ago. The marriage of children has always been decided by the parents." I will make the decision. When my brother comes back, he will naturally sign the documents. I am afraid that this lady will have to explain it clearly to the Hedong Duke's Mansion. It is not intentional deception. The aunt is indeed destined to be married. She has even been to the Duwei's Mansion. This matter Everyone knows it.”

Mrs. He sneered and said: "Madam is my aunt, so why is it so strange for me to go to the Duwei Mansion to visit my aunt? Can this also be considered as a voucher? Is it possible that the women who have been to the Duwei Mansion are all concubines? I, He Liu Niang, do the same As a government media person for more than 20 years, I only know that once the betrothal gift comes into the house, there is no reason to carry it out. If the wife wants to sign the document, she will have to meet her at the Chang'an County Hall! "

Mr. Cudi always spoke his mind in this courtyard. Never had he been ridiculed and intimidated like this before. His face suddenly turned red with anger: "Just go! According to you, it's hard for people in the world who want to have wives and concubines to break into the house." Isn’t it enough to complete the ceremony by putting down the belongings? No matter how high-ranking the Hedong government is, they can’t take a girl from a good family as a concubine without signing a document!”

He thought: Nonsense! Is it possible that high-ranking men don't take concubines and maids too often? It can be seen that he is ignorant! He sneered more and more, "Okay, okay, it's clear that the Hedong Duke's office sent people to the door in advance and gave the financial gifts first. Now that you haven't signed the documents, the financial gifts arrived later, which makes sense. Let's wait and see!" After that, he said loudly! : "Put down the wedding box and let's go!"

Before he finished speaking, he heard a voice coming from behind, "Wait a minute!" Everyone looked back and saw Liuli standing at the door of the upper room at some point, with a pale face but a cold determination in her eyes.

 (End of this chapter)