Chapter 1391: Chapter 1369: Abundant Gifts (Wishing the book friend "Miao Miao" a happy birthday)
Bai Dalang went to the silver store to buy jewelry according to his own wishes, but Second Miss Cheng sat in the carriage regretting deeply.
She clutched a handkerchief and began to ponder, feeling she was too impulsive today.
The maid noticed that the young lady’s face was flushed and comforted her, saying: "Miss, I see Young Master Bai seems to be well-mannered, he probably won’t spread today’s events."
Second Miss Cheng replied with red eyes: "After all, we were the ones who were rude first."
"It’s not Miss’s fault; who knew Young Master Bai would leave so quickly? We didn’t even have time to invite anyone for the engagement banquet, just had a meal at home," the maid still felt it was a bit awkward.
Second Miss Cheng whispered: "Father said he knows how to be studious, which is good. If he delays his studies for marriage, it wouldn’t be worth entrusting him."
The maid didn’t understand, "Isn’t it good that Young Master Bai values Miss?"
Second Miss Cheng clutched the handkerchief and said: "It’s good, but also not good. The matter is too complicated for you to understand. Ask the coachman to hurry up; we have been out for a long time and need to pick clothes at the cloth shop. If we return late, mother will worry."
They used this as an excuse to go out today; if they return without picking clothes, her mother will certainly find out.
The maid agreed.
Bai Dalang carefully selected items in the silver store, finally choosing a jade hairpin he felt particularly suited to Second Miss Cheng. After having it wrapped, he looked at the gold jewelry nearby and pointed to a set, saying: "Wrap this up too."
The shop assistant wrapped it up and happily saw him out.
Bai Dalang and the Xiaos reached the Cheng Family’s gate. He took the letter he had been carrying in his arms, placed it on the box, handed it to the Xiaos, and after closing his eyes for a moment, said: "Take it inside."
The Xiaos embraced the box and again confirmed with the Eldest Young Master, "Eldest Young Master, shall I take it inside?"
Bai Dalang waved his hand, turning his back to avoid looking at him.
So the Xiaos went to knock on the door, and couldn’t help but think: having just seen the person, why not give them the letter, requiring an extra trip now.
Could Bai Dalang tell him that he simply forgot?
Of course not.
Second Miss Cheng returned home feeling somewhat down, but just after finishing talking with her mother and before she could leave, someone brought two boxes over, bowed and said: "Madam, Second Miss, Young Master Bai’s Xiaos sent two boxes, saying they are gifts for Madam and Second Miss."
Madam Cheng glanced at her daughter, seeing her in a daze, and smiled while waving her hand: "Bring them for me to see."
The servant presented the two boxes and a letter, bowing and saying: "There’s also a letter from Young Master Bai, said to be for the Miss."
Madam Cheng accepted the letter and opened the bigger box with one hand, seeing the dazzling gold jewelry inside and laughing: "I’m afraid my gift is incidental; he truly wants to gift you."
Second Miss Cheng’s face was already red, whispering: "Mother..."
"Alright, I won’t talk about you. Quickly open and see what it is."
Although Second Miss Cheng wanted to take it back to view herself, she still opened the smaller box.
Madam Cheng peeked inside, seeing a jade hairpin carved with plum blossoms, and glanced at the hairpin and her daughter, nodding with satisfaction: "Not bad, this jade hairpin is well chosen, showing thoughtfulness."
Second Miss Cheng couldn’t resist smiling, gently placing the jade hairpin back in the box, her eyes darting to the letter her mother held.
Madam Cheng did not want to give the letter directly to her; she needed to know what Bai Dalang wrote inside, whether there were any inappropriate words. If he was reckless, it would be best to change things while the marriage could still be amended.
Therefore, Madam Cheng smiled and handed her the letter, saying: "Quickly open and see what he wrote in this letter."
Second Miss Cheng, holding the letter, did not want to open it, so Madam Cheng signaled to the servants, and once they left, she softly pulled her hand, saying: "Silly girl, would mother harm you? These words and letters best reveal a person’s character."
She said: "Your father says the Bai Family is like a waking tiger, what they value is Bai Family’s future prospects. But when we women marry, we cannot only look at prospects; we must consider character as well."
Madam Cheng spoke earnestly, saying: "Initially, I did not like the Bai Family, not for any other reason but because they dared to propose to us without any acquaintance. Your father is at least a secretary; your uncle also holds a government position. Your character and appearance are commendable, even a magistrate’s son could propose, yet his father is a scholar without official titles..."
"But later after meeting Mrs. Bai, felt she was not very clever, but simple and romantic; I also quietly listened to Old Master Bai speak with your father, he seems sincere, and you fancy his looks, so I relented."
Second Miss Cheng quietly retorted, "It’s not because he looks good..."
Madam Cheng looked at her, and Second Miss Cheng responded softly, "His scholarship isn’t lacking either."
Madam Cheng replied: "Then what about Marshal Geng’s oldest son? His scholarship isn’t lacking, his character is also good, and he is even a classmate of your brother. Why don’t you favor him?"
To sum it up, isn’t it just because Bai Dalang looks better than Geng Dalang?
Second Miss Cheng blushed and stayed silent.
Madam Cheng nudged her and said: "Quickly see, what he wrote to you."
Second Miss Cheng then opened the letter, reading with a red face.
This letter was written by Bai Dalang in the morning, revised several times, using a lot of paper, and finalized only after lunchtime, copying a version neatly before sending it.
Originally intended to be delivered along with the gift to Second Miss Cheng, but halfway there he hesitated, upon meeting Second Miss Cheng forgot about it, almost discarding it.
Second Miss Cheng knew right away this letter wasn’t just written, at least since it mentioned their parting yesterday, clearly indicating it was prepared ahead.
Second Miss Cheng couldn’t help but smile, her previous gloom completely dissipating, her spirits soaring.
Not hiding it any longer, she showed it directly to her mother, "Look, he didn’t write much, just mentioned his address in the Capital. If I want to contact him, I can send letters to this place or hand them to his family for delivery."
Madam Cheng focused on the first half of the letter, where Bai Dalang wrote why he agreed to this marriage, in other words, it was his love letter to Second Miss Cheng.
But it remained courteous and restrained, with beautiful language, so Madam Cheng pretended not to see it, taking the third note detailing the address and nodded slightly: "Alright, take them all."
Seeing her daughter’s smile, Madam Cheng said: "Though the engagement was only yesterday and gifts arrived at the mansion today, those unaware might think you had prior exchanges."
Second Miss Cheng quickly suppressed her laughter, denying: "No, doesn’t mother know I haven’t met him before?"
"I know, but others don’t. The house is not just us, to prevent gossip, you must remain composed in the future, understand?" Madam Cheng said: "His sending gifts shows his regard, keep them first, but refrain from easily associating with him. Later, sending gifts during festivals or birthdays would seem more proper."