Chapter 641: Date
Editor: Atlas Studios
Chen Jiacai had been observing everything since they entered the military camp. Naturally, he could tell that Liu Dahei was deliberately showing off, and he also caught the disdain in Lieutenant Zhong’s gaze.
Just now, his father-in-law had also said that Qi Haoran had proposed a marriage alliance. In that case, the six people accompanying Qi Haoran were obviously the shortlisted candidates. Although Liu Dahei wasn’t exactly very eligible, he had put in the effort. That said, he could not tell if Liu Dahei truly adored Jinhua, or if it was purely for benefits, or a mixture of both.
But no matter what, Liu Dahei was at least willing to put in the effort for Jinhua. This made him far better than Lieutenant Zhong, who came to attend the blind date while despising Jinhua.
He was Han Chinese. Although he did not grow up among his race, he had studied with a Han Chinese teacher for more than ten years. Hence, he knew Han Chinese men the best. Among them, there were many self-righteous and self-deluding people like Lieutenant Zhong.
On one hand, they felt that marrying a Miao woman was beneath them, and that by doing this, they were making a sacrifice to promote an alliance between the two races. On the other hand, they couldn’t bear to part with the power they could obtain from this. Just thinking about it made Chen Jiacai feel disgusted.
Fortunately, his sister-in-law did not fancy Lieutenant Zhong. Otherwise, for the sake of peace in the family in the future, he would definitely persuade his father-in-law to give up this marriage.
As for Liu Dahei, Chen Jiacai could just look the other way. This was his sister-in-law’s marriage, after all. It was better for them to make the decision themselves.
Indeed, the next day, his father-in-law called Chen Jiacai over and asked him to make a list of the unmarried fine young men under Qi Haoran. He wanted to personally go through the list to choose a husband for his daughter.
When Jinhua heard the news, the first thing she said was, “Father, I’ve taken a fancy to Liu Dahei. Go and propose marriage to him.”
“No way.” Ji’an’s face twitched. “Liu Dahei is too old!”
“How is he old? He’s only 32.”
Ji’an glared. “Who told you that?”
Jinhua held her red face and said with a smile, “He told me himself. He said that he’s a tad bit older, but as long as I’m willing to marry him, he’ll forever dote on me. Father, he’s my type. Hurry up and propose marriage!”
Ji’an held his breath in his chest and widened his eyes at Hanlan and Alu. Didn’t he ask them to keep a close eye on Jinhua yesterday? Why did they still get a chance to speak?
Alu and Hanlan lowered their heads. Who could stop the stubborn Jinhua?
Ji’an said with a bitter expression, “Jinhua, you’re the apple of Daddy’s eye. How can you marry such an old guy? His Highness said that you can choose any handsome man under him. I took a look yesterday and realized that there were a few fine young men amongst them, all very valiant.”
“So what? I like Liu Dahei. When I see him, my heart goes ‘badump badump’, just like when you met my mother back then. I’ve already decided on him.”
“You said the same thing the last time you saw His Highness.”
Jinhua pouted. “But His Highness already has a wife whereas Liu Dahei doesn’t. If not, marry me to His Highness!”
Ji’an instantly fell silent.
Jinhua cried and threw a tantrum. Seeing that her father still refused to give in, she stole her brother’s horse the next day and went down the mountain to look for Liu Dahei in the military camp.
To increase his odds of marrying the girl, Liu Dahei shamelessly stayed in the military camp and handed the West Camp to his subordinates to manage for the time being. When he saw that Jinhua had come to see him, he was delighted. Recalling Fei Bai’s tips for him, he decided to deploy the strategy on Jinhua.
It was said that this was how the Prince wooed the Princess Consort back then. Thinking of the Princess Consort’s martial strength, Liu Dahei felt that she and his Jinhua had something in common. Perhaps they would fancy the same tricks?
Therefore, Liu Dahei applied for leave and brought Jinhua into the city to play for half a day. He brought her to eat delicious food, bought her some small trinkets, and personally brought her into the jewelry shop to buy a set of precious jewelry.
Jinhua said with a flushed face, “Isn’t it too expensive?”
“No, I’m willing to splurge any amount of money on you,” Liu Dahei said with a grin. Unlike that lecherous Lin Man who spent all the money obtained from being a bandit on women, Liu Dahei had always saved his money.
Jinhua responded with a shy look.
After that, Liu Dahei brought her out of the city for horse riding. However, when he returned, he felt very regretful. Fei Bai had said that when the Prince and the Princess Consort went out for horse riding back then, the Prince often picked flowers to make a garland to be worn on the Princess Consort’s head. It was very romantic. Liu Dahei, too, knew how to make garlands. Unfortunately, because it was winter now, he didn’t see a single flower along the way.
Liu Dahei gave Jinhua a lot of gifts, but at the same time, he didn’t forget to conquer the hearts of his future in-laws. He asked Jinhua to bring Chief Ji’an a precious dagger (which he had snatched when he was a bandit), several bolts of good fabric for his future mother-in-law Alu and sister-in-law Hanlan (which were rewarded by the Emperor when he was appointed an official), a fine steed (which was borrowed from the Prince) for Ji’an Yong, and an ancient book (which was obtained by luck when he was a bandit) for Hanlan’s husband.
Therefore, Jinhua returned with a full load. She rode a horse, with the soldiers escorting the items following behind her. With her head raised and chest puffed out, she returned to the Miao stockade valiantly.
When Chief Ji’an saw the horse and the box, he immediately flew into a rage and shouted, “Liu Dahei actually dares to send these things as betrothal gifts?”
Both Jinhua and the soldiers escorting her were stunned.
Then, a soldier quickly explained, “Chieftain, you’ve misunderstood. This is a gift from our army for you and your family.”
Jinhua pursed her lips and said, “Father, you’re underestimating Liu too much. He said that if you agree to our marriage, he won’t hesitate to do everything.”
“Keep bragging. Does Liu Dahei like you that much?” He knew his daughter well. Because she was his youngest daughter and looked like his wife the most, but her temper was like his, he had spoiled her since she was young. Her family could tolerate her because they were family, while their stockade mostly tolerated her on account of Chief Ji’an’s power. How could that Han Chinese man tolerate Jinhua’s personality?
Therefore, Chief Ji’an preferred a mild-mannered son-in-law. A man who was slightly more cowardly was fine too, for at least such a man wouldn’t dare to bully his daughter. This way, if his daughter did something overbearing, he could suppress the son-in-law, and the other party could only grit his teeth and tolerate it.
Chief Ji’an felt that he had really put in a lot of effort for this daughter of his. If Liu Dahei could turn from a farmer rebelling to a bandit leader and then become an assistant commander, how could he be a simple person?
What if in the future, the couple quarreled and he couldn’t suppress his son-in-law? Wouldn’t his daughter have to suffer then?
Therefore, Chief Ji’an glanced at the box from the corner of his eyes and turned his head away, intending to ignore it.
However, Jinhua felt that even her father looked down on her. Eyes reddened with anger, she threw down the reins and ran in, sobbing as she ran.
Seeing this, the soldiers feared that it would be difficult for them to answer to Assistant Commander Liu if Chief Ji’an asked them to carry the things back, so they quickly threw the things away and turned to run. As they ran, they said, “Chief, now that the things have been delivered, we’ll take our leave first.”
Chief Ji’an couldn’t catch up to those soldiers and was also curious about the gifts that Liu Dahei had prepared, so he opened the box and took a look. After a while, he said with a sigh, “He’s really considerate. I wonder if he’s sincere about Jinhua or more interested in the power behind her.”
When Chen Jiacai came over and heard this, he thought for a moment and said, “Father-in-law, I see that Liu Dahei is indeed sincere. If you have doubts, have a talk with him and you’ll know his true intentions. One has to discuss the marriage before it goes through, in any case. Unlike the Han Chinese who have the ugly practice of taking in concubines, our Miao tribe practices monogamy. Although Sister is a Miao girl, she’s the apple of your eye. It’s reasonable for us to make such a request. If Liu Dahei can’t comply, he’ll naturally reject the marriage. It’s a bad idea to blindly drag things on, because Sister might fall harder for him as time goes by.”
Chapter end
