Chapter 19 Betrothal Gifts

Zhao Chuan let Venerable Wang stay in the main Hall before he went out to receive Yan Xing.

Outside the manor, the steward of the Zhao family was respectfully talking to steward Liu. Prince Yan Xing and Jingsheng were yet to alight from the carriage. 

Zhao Chuan hurried out and greeted Steward Liu and looked towards the carriage. 

Yan Xing's dexterous hands lifted the silk curtains and his handsome face came into Zhao Chuan's view. 

"Your Highness, please forgive me for my poor courtesy. Your subject was not aware that Your Highness would personally come to my humble abode", Zhao Chuan hurried forward and bowed toward Yan Xing.

Jingsheng's foot that had just landed on the ground from the carriage nearly twisted when he heard the words 'humble abode' from Prime Minister Zhao Chuan. Looking at the luxurious manor behind him, Jingsheng twitched his lips.

Where is the word, 'humble' pasted on it?

Every nook and corner of the manor was screaming the word 'luxurious'

"Minister Zhao doesn't have to be modest and, it is this Prince who has come unannounced. I hope Minister Zhao doesn't mind", Yan Xing said.

"Not at all, not at all. Your Highness, please come inside", said Prime minister Zhao Chaun who was grinning ear to ear. 

Steward Liu came forward and said, "Minister Zhao, may I request you to first summon the Second Miss Zhao out. His Highness wants her to personally receive the betrothal gifts"

Zhao Chuan immediately answered, "Of course, servants, go and notify Ling'er that His Highness the Fifth Prince is here to personally present the betrothal gifts"

When Zhao Ling arrived at the front of the manor, his father, Prime Minister Zhao Chuan was enthusiastically chatting with Fifth Prince Yan Xing who was already seated inside the manor gate. 

Jingsheng stood behind Yan Xing acting as a guard. He saw Zhao Ling walking slowly towards them supported by a maid. Ever since he returned from the temple, Jingsheng had his suspicions about the Second Miss Zhao. This time he was extra attentive to every move Zhao Ling made.

Although Zhao Ling looked frail and vulnerable, he didn't dare to relax and remain wary.

When Zhao Chuan saw his daughter, his face brightened and a big smile appeared on his face. He looked like a loving father.

"Linger, come and greet His Highness", Zhao Chuan beckoned to Zhao Ling.

"Zhao Ling greets Your Highness", Zhao Ling bowed and greeted Yan Xing in a feeble voice.

Yan Xing smiled and said, "Second Miss Zhao, hope you have been well"

The warm smile on Yan Xing's face while looking at Zhao Ling almost blinded Murong Xue's eyes, who was supporting Zhao Ling. He looked like he was interested in her senior sister. It was not only her but other members of the Zhao family and servants also thought so.

"Thank you for your concern Your Highness, Zhao Ling has been living well", Zhao Ling replied with her head down. She looked meek and weak.

Yan Xing beckoned to Steward Liu and Steward Liu immediately came forward and said, "His Highness the Fifth Prince had prepared the betrothal gifts and will bring in now, Second Miss Zhao, here is the list"

Zhao Chaun's expression became stiff when Steward Liu handed over the list to Zhao Ling. He looked at the long list of betrothal gifts on his second daughter's hand with a burning gaze. Prime Minister Zhao Chaun was a greedy man who hoards wealth and treasure to no end. He was expecting a lot from Fifth Prince.

Zhao Ling was aware of his father's gaze but acted nonchalant to it. She was very satisfied with this action of the Fifth Prince. 

"His Highness the Fifth Prince gifts the Second Young Miss of Zhao family a jade hairpin, diamond hair accessory from immortal's touch pavilion, gold earrings and necklace set from the late dynasty, a pair of jadeite bracelets, a set of pink pearl accessories, pink diamond lotus hairpin, crystal mirror of the west, five bolts of snow silk, seven bolts of purple silk, west country's starry crystal vase, phoenix porcelain tea set, ...   five shops in the center of the capital, two manor's in the Eastern street, four petals moonflower herb, hundred-year-old ginseng, purple mint leaves, golden thorn flower, six petals moon anise…"

As steward Liu readout, the servants from the Fifth Prince estate's brought chest after chest of gifts inside the manor and within no time the yard almost full of gifts.

Zhao Chuan and the servants had their eyes wide open. Even the neighbors and passersby were stopped to look at the gifts entering the Prime Minister's estate. 

The passersby were discussing how generous the Fifth Prince is to give such a long list of expensive gifts to Second Miss Zhao. They couldn't help but think that Fifth Prince Yan Xing had fallen for the Second Miss of the Zhao family.

Even Zhao Ling was caught off guard by Yan Xing's betrothal gifts. She finally understood what Yan Xing meant by the satisfying betrothal gift at the banquet last time. 

'Is he this generous', Zhao Ling thought.

Murong Xue and Zhao Ling looked at each other briefly and looked at the gifts surrounding them.

"Is the Second Young Miss Zhao satisfied with the betrothal gift?", Yan Xing leaned forward and questioned.

"Your Highness is very generous, Zhao Ling thanks Your Highness for the gifts", Zhao Ling spoke softly and bowed again. 

Jingsheng looked at Zhao Ling who was acting like a docile cat in front of Yan Xing and couldn't help but think about the 'fairy Jei join that the kids mentioned at the temple.

'In the end, are they the same person or not?', Jingsheng thought in his heart.

"Your Highness, how can we be not satisfied with your gifts? Your Highness is very generous to our Zhao family. Thank you, Your Highness", Zhao Chuan said too.

Yan Xing shifted his gaze towards Zhao Chuan and said, "Minister Zhao, you seem to misunderstand. The gifts are for the Second Miss of the Zhao family not for the Zhao family"

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A/N: Don't forget to throw some power stones. Helmet on :D