TTTQF Chapter 86

The Dowry List

“Ah Che, let’s go quickly. Someone from your family is delivering food to you again.” Han Qin finishes packing up and heads out the door, but as soon as he reaches the entrance, he turns back and raises an eyebrow at Pei Che.

“Mm.” Pei Che responds calmly, but his movements quicken. He sweeps the items on the table into his bag, strides to the door, and then suddenly remembers something. His pace slows, and he exits the door with a very graceful demeanor, heading toward Jiang Miao.

Unfortunately, Jiang Miao is surrounded by Han Qin and the others who went out first, and doesn’t notice his handsome side at all.

“Ahem!” Pei Che clears his throat loudly. When everyone looks over, he smiles faintly, like ripples spreading across a still pond. He warmly says, “Ah Miao, Mu’er, you’ve come.”

“Mm, the shop has new meat zongzi, so I brought some for you to try. I’m not sure if you’ll like it.” Jiang Miao, slightly distracted, awkwardly raises the basket. Pei Mu nods, glancing between Jiang Miao and Pei Che, looking thoughtful.

“As long as it’s from your hands, there’s nothing I can’t get used to,” Pei Che smiles again. He naturally takes the basket from Jiang Miao and leads them toward the Jingcui Garden.

Han Qin and the others exchange glances and quickly follow, calling Pei Che disloyal in their hearts.

After waiting for a long time, the zongzi, which was warm before, is now cold. But in May, eating something cold is no problem. After sitting down, Jiang Miao peels a zongzi for Pei Che, skewers it with chopsticks, and hands it to him.

“You all should eat too!” Jiang Miao calls out to Han Qin and the others, then peels a zongzi for Pei Mu, placing it in a bowl, and uses chopsticks to hand half of it over to him.

Pei Mu eats it obediently, but his little eyes occasionally glance at Pei Che’s hand, probably wondering why he gets to eat the big zongzi.

Jiang Miao eats the other half himself and then says, “The zongzi is cold, so it’s not good for little ones to eat too much and have trouble digesting. Save some room for dinner later.”

The chef at Jingcui Garden is quite skilled, and Jiang Miao’s favorite dish is the shrimp and tofu casserole. Almost every time he comes to deliver food, he orders this dish. Similarly, Pei Mu loves the tofu in it. Although his little face usually has no expression, the joy he radiates is palpable.

“Is it good?” Jiang Miao asks immediately after Pei Che finishes one.

Pei Che says, “The meat is fresh and flavorful, better than the zongzi I’ve had before.” Pei Che doesn’t have a sweet tooth; in previous years, he only eats sweet zongzi to mark the occasion.

He reaches for another zongzi, but Jiang Miao stops him, saying, “Don’t eat too much cold food. If you’re hungry later, just heat up a few yourself.” The student dorms here have stoves that can be used for heating in winter or cooking food. Jiang Miao had worried about carbon monoxide poisoning but later discovers that the rooms have ventilation vents, and no one has ever died from heating-related issues over the years.

Han Qin and He Chen, observing the “family of three” scene in front of them, feel a lump in their throats, unable to swallow their food. Especially Han Qin, who has always prided himself as a romantic, though he hasn’t officially won over any girl's heart, considers himself the most reliable among the four. He didn’t expect Pei Che to have a fiancé so quickly, and one who is so considerate, and on top of that, skilled at cooking—it’s simply enviable!

Su Jin eats the zongzi eagerly, ignoring the scene in front of him. He has always enjoyed glutinous rice dishes, and the savory meat zongzi hits the spot for him. He decides he won’t eat lunch today!

After eating, they head back to their lodgings. They are dispersed in different rooms and have roommates, so they usually gather at Pei Che’s place. Today, they habitually follow Pei Che

When they are still a few dozen meters from their lodgings, Pei Che suddenly stops, turns around with a puzzled tone, and asks the three, “Aren’t you supposed to be doing something? Go quickly, don't delay.”

Han Qin is about to say that it’s okay and that Pei Che must have remembered incorrectly when he sees Pei Che looking at them with a threatening gaze.

“Oh! I just remembered, we do have something to do. Brother Jiang, we won’t keep you any longer!” After saying that, he and He Chen pull the bewildered Su Jin away.

“What’s wrong?” Su Jin asks in a low voice after they’ve walked a few steps.

Han Qin snorts, “He thinks we’re in the way!” He remembers he was the first to notice Jiang Miao! Considering that, he might as well be the matchmaker for them. It’s like the matchmaker being kicked out after sending the newlyweds to the room!

Jiang Miao watches them leave, filled with questions, and turns to Pei Che, asking, “They have something to do, but you don’t? Don’t let me and Little Mu delay your important work. Since the things have already been delivered, let’s head back.”

“No hurry,” Pei Che quickly replies. “I’ve finished my work. Stay a bit longer; I need to discuss something with you.”

“What’s the matter?”

“Yesterday, I received a letter from the estate saying that our wedding garments have been tailored and are just waiting to be sewn. We need to go back to have our measurements taken to ensure they fit properly,” Pei Che says, handing the letter to Jiang Miao to prove he’s not lying.

Jiang Miao hears the words “wedding garments” and momentarily doesn’t react, but thinking about the upcoming wedding day, he suddenly feels a bit nervous.

“Can’t I just take the measurements myself and have you bring them in for her to check?” He hopes to avoid going, as he’s not eager to meet Pei Che’s elders.

Pei Che responds seriously, “Every tailor has their own method for taking measurements. If we just use some generic size, what if the clothes don’t fit well once they’re made?”

“Well, then we’ll have to go,” Jiang Miao sighs. “By the way, should I bring something for your family when I visit your estate?”

Pei Che shakes his head, indicating it’s not necessary. Jiang Miao then suddenly thinks of something and asks, “And the wedding garments—there won’t be one for men and one for women, right? I hope I’m not going to end up sitting in a flower sedan with a big red veil over my head!”

Although it is shameless for a man to marry a man, Jiang Miao still wants to maintain some dignity.

Pei Che frowns, unsure what the wedding garments will look like. However, since the designs are from the palace’s tailor shop, they shouldn’t be the same as those for a man and woman, right?

Seeing his hesitation, Jiang Miao worries his guess might be true and quickly says, “If there are separate garments for men and women, then you’ll have to wear the women’s set!”

Pei Che doesn’t respond but looks at Jiang Miao with a questioning gaze and then down at himself. This behavior seems odd, and Jiang Miao quickly realizes—oh, he’s implying Jiang Miao is short? The matter of finding milk must be put on the agenda!

Pei Che doesn’t understand Jiang Miao’s thoughts and says, “Once we’re back, I’ll check the style of the wedding garments. If they really do distinguish between men and women, I will make sure they don’t.”

“Make sure you do!”

"Don’t worry. Marrying me has already been a sacrifice on your part. I will never let you suffer any more grievances," Pei Che says firmly, his handsome face full of sincerity.

Jiang Miao can’t help but blush, feeling that his words are too ambiguous. What does marriage have to do with anything? They are clearly just business partners! And this guy, usually not very smiley, turns out to be quite good at sweet talk. If he were a girl standing here, he might have been moved by it.

After saying this, Pei Che pulls Jiang Miao to his desk, asks him to sit down, and places a red booklet in front of him. Pei Che then casually drapes one arm over the back of the chair, bends slightly, and points to the booklet, saying, “Take a look at this. It’s the dowry I’ve prepared for you. See if there’s anything you want to add or remove.”

"Dowry?!" Jiang Miao repeats, and is a little confused at first. Then he remembers that in ancient times, women had dowries when they married, which provided them with a sense of security while away from their families.

Jiang Miao opens the booklet, takes a deep breath, and starts reading line by line. It includes everything from large items like antique calligraphy and paintings, gold, silver, and jade artifacts, to smaller items like pots, bowls, and other household goods. It even lists the shop and farmland, totaling a thousand acres. It’s a comprehensive dowry that would give any woman a significant sense of security.

“How is it? Is there anything you think needs to be added?” Pei Che asks.

“It’s too much. Anyone can see that this isn’t really mine,” Jiang Miao says, not underestimating the wealthy; he knows his background has been thoroughly investigated by those people.

“So what?” Pei Che says nonchalantly. “In the capital, if there’s a significant difference in wealth between the families, it’s not uncommon for the groom’s family to give a larger dowry to save face. No one criticizes them; in fact, they’re praised for their deep affection.”

“I see!” Jiang Miao understands now. “You want to confuse people and make them believe our relationship is very good, right?”

Pei Che is silent for a while, then nods helplessly. “Yes.”

“Then I’ll take another look!” Jiang Miao examines the booklet again but ultimately feels that Pei Che’s list is too perfect and comprehensive. He doesn’t know what else could be added.

“How do you consider everything so thoroughly?” Jiang Miao asks. “It’s not something you could come up with if you haven’t married off several daughters.”

Pei Che explains, “I have my mother’s dowry list. I base this on her share and make some adjustments. Her dowry is so lavish that saying it’s a ten-mile-long bridal procession would not be an exaggeration.”

Jiang Miao sighs again. The man in front of him is truly a high-status, wealthy individual.

After chatting for a while, the bell suddenly rings, and Pei Che, a bit regretful, says he needs to go study.

“Go ahead. I’ll tidy up here for you and then leave,” Jiang Miao urges, worried about him being late.

“No need to tidy up; I’ll handle it when I return. By the way, we have a three-day break for the Dragon Boat Festival. I’ll come find you the day after tomorrow afternoon,” Pei Che says.

"Okay, I'll show you my skills then. Hurry up and go,” Jiang Miao replies. The bell rings again, and after the third chime, it will be time for him to face the teacher’s displeasure.

Pei Che finally picks up his things and heads out. Jiang Miao tidies up the room, wakes up Pei Mu, who has been dozing off, locks the door, and walks out.

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