Chapter 333: Red Dowries (VII)
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Xu Ke’s hands were shaking. He took the pamphlet out to see. His calm expression gave way to a sudden mix of emotions. He could hardly suppress his internal shudder, and his eyes were filled with tears.
Jiang Pengji spoke indifferently. “This is yours and Xun Mei’s slave deeds. They are to be your wedding gift.”
Based on the rules of ancient times, children born to slaves were still slaves. Their names were recorded in the slave records, making them worse off than commoners.
Jiang Pengji did not need the slave deeds to control both; their existence would ultimately be their shortcoming, so she might as well seize the chance to solve it.
If the slave deed was returned and removed from the record of servants, she would become a commoner.
“I have never seen you as the servant of Liu manor. This point is evident throughout the years when I allowed you to call yourself ‘Ke’ rather than ‘your servant.’ Xun Mei is my personal maid, but I have always treated her as my real sister. Xu Ke, I am overjoyed that you are going to marry her. But, if you become successful in future, don’t forget the affection you shared with her in your youth.”
Xu Ke calmed his heart and mind down, controlled the thrill that was overflowing in his heart, then bowed and thanked her respectfully. “I will definitely not forget the vows made today.”
Jiang Pengji hit home a few times. How could Xu Ke not understand her intentions to protect Xun Mei?
With that assurance, Jiang Pengji grudgingly chose to trust him. The audience members in the live streaming room were worried of the contrary, however.
Laosiji Lianmeng: “#rubsface. It feels like young Xu Ke has planted a big flag.”
Yinyuejia Zhuge Qinmo: “Hope we won’t be embarrassed in the future… It is quite nerveracking.”
Hunyin Zixunlushi: “Ai, seriously… Based on my work experience, I don’t have a good feeling about this. Young Xu Ke, if placed in the present generation, would possess wits, good looks, and capability of work. He would be set to be the assistant general. While Xun Mei is good looking, her other attributes are average. Even though they are compatible now, they have differing potentials. Thus, their future standing in society will differ, too.”
Boji Hesaoba: “There shouldn’t be a large disparity. Xun Mei’s supporter is the streamer. Ai, young Xu Ke, why do you dare to do this?”
Laosiji Lianmeng: “The streamer’s temper covered up her shortcomings, which is fine, but she should be based on principles. If Xun Mei wanted to improve herself, the streamer would be glad to help… But Xun Mei appears to be a submissive ancient woman who needs to be protected… If Xu Ke really lets her down in the future, she will likely choose to bear it and not be angry––let alone be sorry––about it.”
As a matter of fact, during the ancient times, one husband had one wife and many concubines, whereas a harem was legal.
Jiang Pengji did not neglect the audience’s comments. After a while, she aired something on the bullet screen.
Streamer V: “I believe in Xun Mei and Xu Ke. As for their wedding, I should first send them my best wishes.”
The audience in the live streaming room started to respond. The couple was not even married, and they already sounded pessimistic. That was not a good sign.
Therefore, there was an explosion of flowers on the screen in the streaming room, and various gifts were generously bestowed from above. Sweet candies, lovers’ hearts, blue and white panties, and more small gifts came in succession.
Jiang Pengji glanced backstage again. The announcement for the bestowing of gifts refreshed endlessly, akin to flowing water.
Audience Haowu Renxing: “Awards 99 groups with 1,314 candies.”
Audience Genben Buchaqian: “Awards 666 groups with 520 lovers’ hearts.”
Audience Zuiai Xushaonian: “Awards 1,314 pairs of blue and white panties.”
Going down the list, there was a blue beauty that dazzled one’s vision, a kidney apple, and other presents and props. Other than the small tokens of appreciation, the big prizes were numerous and came freely, as if they were going to overflow from backstage in the live streaming room.
Audience Doraemon: “Awards 99 groups with a lifetime together, wishing young Xu Ke a joyous marriage.”
Audience Shili Hongzhuang: “Awards 99 glamorous, private ships, blessing husband and wife, Ke and Mei, with eternal unity.”
Audience Laosiji Lianmeng: “Awards 99 glamorous, private airplanes, wishing that husband and wife, Ke and Mei, will have a child soon.”
One lifetime together, a glamorous private ship, and a private airplane were all the livestream System’s tools for prizes.
The former rose by 999 points of popularity, while the latter rose by 1,000 points of popularity. The expensive prizes were given out to 99 groups in one breath. What logic was that?
Jiang Pengji discreetly rolled her eyes. The people in the streaming room did not boast about their wealth normally, but when there was a commotion, it was like a competition.
The wave of prize-giving continued for half an hour. Jiang Pengji took stock of the presents backstage; the points of popularity given out was close to 2.6 million. After halving that with the System, the Zhou exploiter, Jiang Pengji managed to credit close to 1.29 million points of popularity.
Glancing at the score backstage, Jiang Pengj frowned thoughtfully.
As the System had mentioned before, the more audience members there were in the live streaming room, the easier it was to gain points of popularity. But the points of popularity that the System gained that time could support its activity for how long?
The live streaming room was level four now… That meant that the System required a hefty amount of points of popularity to sustain its daily activities.
All these years, she had familiarized herself with the System’s appetite… Controlling it was getting easier.
After all, it was just a mass of algorithms that was trying to escape her grasp.
Streamer V: “Yi, you’re all so generous!”
Was that considered generous? The audience in the live streaming room made a condescending gesture with their noses. The streamer had yet to see the world. There were many local tyrants in other live streaming rooms. Giving an award when there was a disagreement was seen as heroic to the heavens.
If Jiang Pengji was willing to act ignorant and flirtatious, then the prizes would have been much better!
Even if she did not betray her sex appeal, there would be many local tyrants fighting to throw one’s money away recklessly. They were akin to kids who knew how to scream and cry to get their milk. The streamer, who did not know how to make a fuss and scream, was like a clear stream in the live streaming world.
Streamer V: “I must speed things up between Xun Mei and Xu Ke. I need to allow them to quickly get married and have children.”
The audience was speechless. They were in a daze for a moment, not understanding what Jiang Pengji was referring to.
Their brains quickly registered. They realized the heartless streamer was already thinking of the milk powder and the first month celebration money. There were many celebrations that came in the first year.
Wrong! They seemed to have forgotten something…
The tool that was given to the streamer… Would young Xu Ke and Xun Mei be able to receive the prize?
It was quite impossible in the end. Jiang Pengji would not convert the points of popularity to gold and silver because the System’s program did not support it.
But as her Langjun, Jiang Pengji would naturally prepare for Xun Mei ample and generous dowries, which would allow her to marry in splendor.
As for Xu Ke, she would give him an advanced salary so he could hold a grand wedding.
In comparison to the weddings of rich people, the wedding between commoners was much simpler. Xu Ke and Xun Mei’s wedding would first have to be approved by the head of both houses. Thereafter, the planning could begin.
As Xu Ke was a literate person, he held customs very highly. Since it was a legal marriage, even if things were made simple, not even one of the three letters and six etiquettes could be omitted.
The task was given to Xu Ke’s only elder, a widowed aunt at home. She would carry out the task.
Xun Mei stayed in Heijian to take care of Xu Ke’s aunt for many years, who long saw her as her own daughter. She naturally took interest in this.
Jiang Pengji switched off the livestream and took a bath comfortably. She had just put on her nightgown when the maid’s footsteps sounded from outside. “Langjun, the accompanying maiden that came from Chongzhou is here.”
Her maid’s words put a smile on her face.
The pillow came after one yawned––just at the right time.
