Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 1384 - 706: Dowry Dispute (Part 2)
Seeing these items being brought out, the three women couldn’t help but feel dazzled.
Lady Zhang already knew Lady Li’s intentions, so she and Zhang Caiyun began to select items. Once they had made their choices, they showed them to Lady Li and Lady Zhang Wang. In the end, they picked only four pieces of fabric, two pairs of porcelain vases, and some silk flowers and beads.
"Select another set of lacquerware like the one prepared for my sister," Lian Manman instructed Shopkeeper Chiang.
Shopkeeper Chiang agreed, and in no time, selected a set, consisting of four pieces of various-sized containers, four trays, four small storage boxes, two food boxes, and two collection boxes, all decorated with red lacquer and intricate carvings, featuring luxurious and festive patterns like folded paper flowers of various colors, and "Pomegranate and One Hundred Sons" motifs.
This set of lacquerware was exquisitely crafted, suitable both as decoration and for practical use.
Lian Manman also separately picked a red lacquer cosmetic case for Zhang Caiyun.
"There’s no need for this cosmetic case," Zhang Caiyun declined, "Manman, don’t you remember, you already gave me a cosmetic case earlier. I can use that one when the time comes."
"I remember," Lian Manman smiled and said, "That one is a bit small and not festive enough. It’s fine for everyday use. This one is more suitable for a bride."
Lian Manman was right; the previous cosmetic case given to Zhang Caiyun was beautiful but with softer colors and patterns more suitable for a young girl. Now that Zhang Caiyun was getting married, it was naturally appropriate to switch to something larger and more festive.
Lian Manman opened up the cosmetic case layer by layer for Zhang Caiyun to see. It came with a dressing mirror, and both the carvings on the outside and the delicate drawers inside were exquisite and beautiful, making Zhang Caiyun increasingly delighted as she looked.
"If you fancy it, just keep it," Lady Zhang Wang said when she saw how much Zhang Caiyun liked it. A daughter’s wedding is such a significant event.
Zhang Caiyun did like the cosmetic case very much, but she was also aware of her family’s budget. Despite her fiery nature, she was a sensible girl.
Lian Manman glanced at Zhang Caiyun and knew exactly what she was thinking.
"Don’t worry about the cost, I’ve got it figured out," Lian Manman said.
Lian Manman then asked Shopkeeper Chiang to tally up the total cost of these items. Without using an abacus, Shopkeeper Chiang quickly calculated the total.
Upon hearing the final number from Shopkeeper Chiang, Lady Li, Lady Zhang Wang, and Zhang Caiyun were all shocked.
"You must have calculated wrong; it can’t be this cheap," Lady Zhang Wang said. Even buying these things from a town would cost twice as much. Moreover, those would surely be inferior to these. Besides, everyone knows that goods in the county town are more expensive than those in the towns.
"How could Shopkeeper Chiang’s tally be wrong?" Lady Zhang smiled and said.
"...If we were selling to someone else, of course, it wouldn’t be at this price," Lian Manman said, "but since we’re buying ourselves, as long as the shop isn’t losing money, would we really profit from our own family?"
"That’s true," Lady Zhang said.
The items picked for Zhang Caiyun were all priced at the cost Shopkeeper Chiang bought them for, naturally incomparable to the selling price.
Lady Li and Lady Zhang Wang didn’t insist further, as Lian Manman said, the shop wouldn’t lose money and wouldn’t profit from them either.
After selecting items at Lian’s Department Store, the group went to the largest jewelry shop in the county town. Zhang Caiyun had some old jewelry kept by Lady Li and Lady Zhang Wang, and they planned to make two trendy jewelry pieces.
Lady Zhang didn’t interfere with this; once they had chosen, she asked the shopkeeper to bring out samples of several headpieces for Zhang Caiyun to choose from.
"...I have discussed it with Caiyun’s eldest uncle, and we plan to make a set of headpieces as an additional gift for Caiyun..." Lady Zhang said with a smile.
It was rare for women from farming families to have a complete set of headpieces. But now that Lian Manman’s family was well off, a set of headpieces wasn’t difficult for them. Lady Zhang had this intention as an aunt, and of course, Lady Li and Lady Zhang Wang wouldn’t object.
"This is from your aunt, pick the one you like," Lady Li and Lady Zhang Wang said to Zhang Caiyun.
Zhang Caiyun was naturally overjoyed and had Lian Manman and Lian Zhizhi help her choose a set.
The whole family stayed in the county town for a night. The next day, they invited the tailor over and had him cut Zhang Caiyun’s clothes according to the most fashionable styles. In the afternoon, the group left the county town and returned to Thirty Mile Camp.
When the carriage entered the courtyard, Lady Zhang and others went back to the house first, while Wu Lang and Lian Manman watched as the goods were unloaded from the carriage. This trip into town was not only to prepare Zhang Caiyun’s dowry but also to get things for Lian Zhizhi and other household needs—quite a lot of miscellaneous items. Xiao Qi heard them return from the study and excused himself from Mr. Loo to join the bustle. When the unloading was almost done, Wu Lang took the items bought for Mr. Loo and, accompanied by Xiao Qi, returned to the study.
Lian Manman was the last to leave, just watching as the last bits were moved into the house when she suddenly caught sight of someone peering in at the courtyard gate out of the corner of her eye.
"Who’s outside, peering in like that?" Lian Manman said to Han Zhong’s Wife.
As soon as Lian Manman’s words fell, the partially closed door was pushed open, and Lady He walked in with a cheeky smile.
Seeing it was Lady He, Lian Manman was surprised. Initially, she thought it was some ill-mannered long-term worker or wife and wanted Han Zhong’s Wife to discipline them, not expecting it to be Lady He. Lian Manman’s family had clearly shown their unwelcome stance towards Lady He, but Lady He was not someone who could take a hint. She visited Lian Yeye’s family every day, making a point to pass by Lian Manman’s gate and would intrude whenever she had a chance. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
