Travel Through The countryside

Chapter 8

In Lihua Town, inside the Song family's courtyard, Song Man's study:

He San stood respectfully, listening to Song Man instructing him, "I am entrusting the young master's wedding arrangements to you. You know what to do, right?"

Having served Song Man for over a decade, He San understood his master's intentions clearly. It was always just a few basic things. He replied, "Rest assured, sir. I'll ensure everything is grand and proper, so the entire Lihua Town knows of your benevolence."

Using the young master's wedding as an opportunity, many things could be worked out.

"Hmm, I heard the Wang family has been quite prominent lately..." Song Man mentioned cautiously, aware that they were the Song family's long-time rivals in town.

"You are right, sir. But the Wang family's young man is just momentarily arrogant. He won't stay lucky for long." He San had his own calculations, wondering how much he could benefit from this wedding. He immediately suggested, "Perhaps we can use this occasion to humble the Wang family a bit."

"Oh?"

He San asked, "How much dowry are you planning to give, sir?"

"Ugh..." This stumped Song Man. Though wealthy, he had never married off a child before. "What do you suggest?"

He San thought, the more the better, as he could also get some reward from the young master. He proposed, "How about thirty-eight chests?"

Song Man winced, "Is that necessary?"

He San smiled, "Give more big items and fewer valuables. It will look impressive without being too costly."

Song Man agreed, "Alright, thirty-eight chests then. More big items, fewer gold and silver ornaments. As for cloth... arrange it as you see fit."

He San asked, "What about the silver and land?"

Song Man asked, "Do we have land in Chashan Village?"

He San nodded, "I remember we have about 150 mu of paddy fields."

Song Man, hearing it was just 150 mu, wasn't concerned. He said, "Give it all to him, and... thirty thousand taels of silver."

Without Song Jingwei's knowledge, his dowry was decided: thirty-eight chests, 150 mu of paddy fields, and thirty thousand taels of silver.

In a place like Lihua Town, no one could probably match such a dowry. Although Song Man wasn't particularly fond or attentive to his son, he didn't mind spending money to build a good reputation.

Hearing the news spreading in the mansion, Li chi was both happy and shocked. The master was usually generous, but this dowry was exceptionally large. He hurriedly ran back to tell Song Jingwei the good news.

"Young master, the master is really good to you. This dowry is huge," said Longan.

Song Jingwei smiled. He wasn't truly Song Man's son; getting this much money was like hitting the jackpot.

"Aren't you happy with such a large dowry?" Li chi and Long an asked, puzzled.

"I'm happy." Song Jingwei's response was somewhat perfunctory, but his calm expression revealed nothing of his true feelings.

After sending off the two chatty boys, Song Jingwei stayed alone in his room reading. He had been here for several days and had read most of the books in the study. Based on clues from the books, he could roughly piece together the structure of this society.

One thing that had been troubling him was the idea of men giving birth, and according to his conclusion, he was very likely pregnant... all because of that damn river water.