Transmigration: The Little Chef Calls The Shots-Chapter 1545 - 343, Betrothal Gifts (Part 2)

Speaking of which, Lao Fan was actually the matchmaker for Lin Yuan and Xia Zheng. Had it not been for Lao Fan’s craving for Lin Yuan’s cooking at the Lin family hollow, Xia Zheng wouldn’t have secretly followed him there, and he wouldn’t have formed an inexplicable bond with Lin Yuan.

Princess Anle came to know of this and thus sent someone to invite Lao Fan over, asking him to continue his role as the matchmaker.

Lao Fan is one of the most renowned Divine Doctors in the Capital city and even the entire Dayong. Having him as a matchmaker is a matter of prestige for both Xia Zheng and Lin Yuan.

"Xia Zheng, show some respect!"

Princess Anle frowned and scolded Xia Zheng, then she herself stood up and ushered Lao Fan to take the seat of honor.

When he was young, Lao Fan had saved Xia Zheng’s grandfather. Later, he also showed great kindness to Zhao Hongde and Consort Shu, and even had favors owed by Princess Anle. Not to mention Princess Anle, even if Xia Yuan were here, he could only sit in a lower seat.

Lao Fan was like a child at heart, and seeing his own son being reprimanded by his mother, he closed his eyes in delight, his white beard mischievously twitching up and down, looking very pleased.

Lin Yuan couldn’t help but smile, discreetly winking at Xia Zheng.

However, seeing Lao Fan argue with Xia Zheng energetically and in good spirits, Lin Yuan also felt relieved.

Lady Liu had just been discussing the betrothal gifts with Princess Anle. Lady Liu always knew about Princess Anle’s fondness for Lin Yuan, so she wasn’t too concerned about these things. But when she saw the stack of dowry ledgers brought out, she was still utterly astonished.

Isn’t this too much?

Princess Anle laughed and waved her hand, saying, "Not at all! Here in our Capital city, the more betrothal gifts, the more esteem for the future bride. Yuanyuan is my future daughter-in-law, and it’s only proper to have ample betrothal gifts."

With that, Princess Anle couldn’t help but smile at Lin Yuan.

Lin Yuan bit her lip coyly and slightly bowed her head, feeling a conflict inside.

Should she, while the two elders discuss the betrothal gifts, smile shyly and then sneak away with her head lowered?

It seems that this is how they do it in the television dramas, yes, and she should timidly say, "Just let my mother decide."

Thinking of the television heroine’s shy and coy twisting of her slender waist, Lin Yuan couldn’t help but get goosebumps. Even if forced, she just couldn’t emulate that!

While she was tangled in her thoughts, she suddenly heard Princess Anle hum sharply, speaking somewhat angrily, "I have no idea which bold thief it was, to dare and target the General Mansion! Several items that I had prepared as betrothal gifts for Xia Zheng and Yuanyuan have been stolen, which has infuriated me!"

Hearing this, Lin Yuan immediately thought of Second Uncle Xia Hen, who had been wrapped up like a white zongzi (rice dumpling) and "flying" in the courtyard. It seemed that the servants and the butler were all too afraid of Xia Zheng, for none of them had informed Princess Anle that her son’s betrothal gifts had actually been pilfered by her younger brother.

Just as she was pondering, Xia Zheng suddenly coughed, his voice carrying uncontrollable mirth: "Mother, I have already caught the little thief!"

"Caught? Who?"

Princess Anle’s eyes lit up, and she couldn’t help standing up from her chair, grumbling fiercely, "Is he tied up? Bring him to me quickly. I want to hack him to pieces!"

No sooner had the words "hack him to pieces" left her lips than a white figure abruptly appeared at the entrance of the living room. The sudden descent startled Lady Liu.

Lin Yuan turned her head, couldn’t help but laugh, and thought, Second Uncle, what perfect timing!

Xia Hen immediately regretted his descent to the ground.

After Xia Zheng and Lin Yuan left, he, terrified and frightened, had summoned the old butler. novelbuddy-cσ๓

The old butler dared not untie him, so he had to feign carelessness and drop a small knife. Xia Hen struggled for a long time before finally managing to cut through the robe that bound him, using his mouth to hold the knife.

He didn’t cut the rope binding his body because it served as evidence of Xia Zheng’s mistreatment of his uncle. He came to settle accounts with Princess Anle.

He had even thought out the terms of compensation, deciding that no matter the amount of gold and treasure, considering they were family, he would forego it, as long as he didn’t have to return the stolen vase and wooden box.

But, although he came to demand an account, why did he hear Princess Anle’s words about wanting to hack him to pieces as soon as he landed?

He had planned to flee, but being bound and seeking a shred of dignity, he had used Qinggong at the entrance of the living room. Unable to control his bound body, he had almost no chance to escape.

"Xia Hen! What happened to you?"

Princess Anle had sharp eyes, and even before he could prepare to use Qinggong to leave, she had already shouted loudly, urging others to bring him in quickly.

Xia Hen was on the verge of tears, hopping and trying to run away, but that scoundrel Xia Zheng, once again, got ahead of him!

"Second Uncle, don’t go! Weren’t you going to tell on me? Come on, come on, my mother is right over there. Hurry up and tell on me!"

Being restrained at a pressure point on his wrist by Xia Zheng, Xia Hen was "invited" in with a pained expression.

Lin Yuan examined Xia Hen from head to toe, his body was covered in mud and dead leaves, even his head. Not only that, the robe that was wrapped around him had a big rip at the position of his rear end. As Xia Hen walked, the rip moved up and down, revealing a certain slightly perky butt.

With narrowed eyes, Lin Yuan curled the corners of her lips. She remembered he wasn’t this disheveled when she left, so it seemed the guy was deliberately making himself look pathetic to gain Princess Anle’s sympathy.

Unfortunately, upon hearing Xia Zheng declare that Xia Hen was the thief who stole the betrothal gifts, the look of concern on Princess Anle’s face vanished like smoke.

"Xia Hen! You, as an uncle, actually stole your nephew’s betrothal gifts! Where is your shame?!"

This content is taken from fr(e)ewebn(o)vel.𝓬𝓸𝓶