dtnovels Chapter 187 A Dowry Worth a Billion
Chapter 187 A Dowry Worth a Billion
Similar to the betrothal gifts, tea, wine, cigarettes, candy, and cakes were prepared again according to the previous specifications.
But these few items were just "appetizers"; the main betrothal gifts included gold and silver jewelry, fabrics and silks, and antique paintings and porcelain.
The gold and silver jewelry alone filled several boxes, including 18 pairs each of dragon and phoenix bracelets in gold and silver, 18 necklaces and earrings in each material, and 18 pure gold phoenix hairpins.
Besides gold and silver jewelry, there are also many exquisite jadeite jewelry pieces.
For example, there are 8 pairs of high-quality icy jadeite of various colors, and each color is also paired with a necklace, earrings and hairpins inlaid with gold in the same color jadeite.
Regardless of their monetary value, the sheer variety of these items demonstrates the sincerity and effort put into their creation.
In addition, there are eight pairs of gold dragon and phoenix ornaments, eighty-eight gold ingots, and eight white marble ornaments.
Jewelry from other countries is also included, such as: a diamond crown, eight ruby and sapphire brooches, and eight sets of high-end jewelry from internationally renowned brands.
Although silk and satin are not as rare as brocade, there are many other well-known and precious fabrics.
Includes: 18 bolts of floral damask, 18 bolts of plain damask, 18 bolts of silk brocade, 18 bolts of antique satin, 18 bolts of Shu brocade, 18 bolts of Song brocade, and 18 bolts of Yun brocade.
It just so happens that there are eight kinds of pure hand-woven silks and satins.
The last antique items were all treasures: two sets of Ming and Song dynasty official kiln porcelain, a pair of Qing dynasty doucai vases, two famous Ming and Qing dynasty paintings, two Qing dynasty rosewood screens depicting a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix, a pair of Ming dynasty Xuande incense burners, two sets of Qing dynasty scholar's four treasures, two Qing dynasty rosewood-handled tortoiseshell palace fans, and two Ming dynasty white jade ornaments.
These antique artifacts are all from the Ming and Qing dynasties. There are no artifacts from earlier dynasties because it was difficult to match them all. It just so happens that we have a total of 8 types of artifacts.
A dazzling array of precious jewelry and antique artifacts were displayed in the main hall of the He family home, filling the room with splendor.
In addition to these actual items, the gift list also includes two properties: a storefront in a prime location in Central and a high-rise apartment in Victoria Harbour.
Just like the betrothal gifts at the last engagement, the last few boxes this time were still filled with cash, totaling [amount missing].
The Gu family not only spent lavishly, with a wide variety of rare and precious items as betrothal gifts, but they also specifically calculated the total cost of the betrothal gifts and dowry, which was exactly HK$9 million, symbolizing a long and lasting union.
Not to mention that Shen Wancheng, who was just an ordinary person in her previous life, had never seen such a grand gesture before, even the other members of the Gu and He families, who were part of the elite circles in Hong Kong, had never seen anyone give a dowry of 10 billion yuan when getting married.
At this time, the purchasing power of 1 billion is equivalent to more than 10 billion in the future.
Looking at the betrothal gifts from the Gu family, Xu Pingtao thought Shen Wancheng was a worthy bride.
Of course, Xu Pingtao wouldn't covet a single penny of these betrothal gifts. When he was talking to Shen Wancheng, he deliberately let the Gu family hear him.
He said that on the day of Shen Wancheng's wedding, the betrothal gifts and dowry given by the Gu family would all be part of Shen Wancheng's dowry. In addition, he would also give Shen Wancheng a dowry, making Shen Wancheng's wedding a unique spectacle in Hong Kong.
These words, when heard by the Gu family, were meant to show them that Xu Pingtao and the He family he represented would always be Shen Wancheng's support.
Everyone can see that Shen Wancheng and Gu Jinxing have a harmonious relationship now, but marriage cannot be maintained by feelings alone. Material conditions and the support of both families are also essential conditions for a long and stable marriage.
The betrothal ceremony was also held at the He family's house for lunch, and only Gu Jinxing's parents and a famous Hong Kong resident who acted as matchmaker came to the He family's house.
After lunch, the Gu family prepared to leave.
Since Shen Wancheng and Gu Jinxing had already registered their marriage, they agreed to move into their marital home first.
The house that Shen Wancheng and Shen Yao originally lived in, located in Central, has been transferred to Shen Yao by Xu Pingtao. From now on, this will be Shen Yao's own residence, and it can still be the two sisters' little space.
On the afternoon of the day the Gu family presented the betrothal gifts, Shen Wancheng and Gu Jinxing went out together to buy household items needed for their wedding home.
Shen Wancheng invited Shen Yao to come along, but Shen Yao smiled and said she didn't want to be a third wheel, so she didn't go.
Shen Wancheng was moving into the marital home with Gu Jinxing, and Shen Yao's emotions were the most complicated.
She and Shen Wancheng had never been apart since they came into this world, always together. Now that they had to live separately, even though they could still see each other every day, Shen Yao felt extremely reluctant and also a sense of inexplicable panic.
Unfortunately, since Shen Wancheng and Gu Jinxing's wedding was a joyous occasion, Shen Yao couldn't let her irritability and anxiety show.
That's why she didn't go out with Shen Wancheng and Gu Jinxing.
Shen Yao stayed home alone watching TV.
Liu Ma noticed that Shen Yao wasn't in a good mood, so she took the initiative to talk to her.
"Second Miss, are you in a bad mood?"
Shen Yao leaned back on the sofa listlessly without moving, and replied to Aunt Liu.
"Today my future brother-in-law is presenting the betrothal gifts. How could I possibly be in a bad mood with such expensive gifts?"
After saying that, he emphasized it as if talking to himself.
"I'm in a great mood."
"That's what Aunt Liu said with a smile."
"Second Miss is reluctant to part with Eldest Miss, everyone understands. Eldest Miss must also be reluctant to part with you."
"Yes, I know, so I don't want to show it and spoil everyone's fun, but I just feel so stifled inside, and I can't control it."
"You'll feel even more uncomfortable staying at home, why don't you go out and have some fun?"
Shen Yao said in despair, "Besides my sister, I don't want anyone else on the whole of Hong Kong Island who can be with me."
"How could that be? I think the second young lady has a lively and likable personality, and I'm sure many people would like to play with you."
"Ding dong."
The doorbell rang at that moment.
Seeing that Shen Yao didn't move, Aunt Liu stood up to open the door.
"Mr. Liang, are you here to see the Second Miss?"
Liang Muchao had been here once or twice before, and Aunt Liu remembered him.
"Hmm, is Yao Mei home?"
Aunt Liu glanced back at Shen Yao, and seeing that Shen Yao was looking towards the door and did not seem to mind, she said, "Yes, please come in."
Liang Muchao entered the room and saw Shen Yao sitting on the sofa watching TV. He smiled and said...
"Yao-mei, are you watching TV? What's interesting on TV?"
Liang Muchao naturally sat down next to Shen Yao.
Shen Yao glanced at him.
"Prettier than you."
Liang Muchao didn't care about Shen Yao's attitude towards him and continued to ask, "Is it as fun as me?"
Shen Yao looked at Liang Muchao again, "What?"
Liang Muchao said, "I'll take you out to play, do you want to come?"
"Don't go."
Liang Muchao brought his face close to Shen Yao's, blocking the television.
"Is Yao Mei not in a good mood today?"
Shen Yao pressed Liang Muchao's head down, turning his head away.
"Don't block my view of the TV."
"Nothing on TV is as good-looking as me."
Shen Yao was suddenly amused by Liang Muchao's words and wanted to laugh, but she pursed her lips and held it in, only letting out a cold "heh".
Liang Muchao pressed on, "Really, I'll take you to do things you've never done before, things that are more fun than driving."
Liang Muchao knew that Shen Yao had just registered for her driver's license but hadn't gone to learn yet.
Shen Yao's eyes moved, looking at Liang Muchao, waiting for him to continue; she was clearly interested.
Liang Muchao continued, "Your sister called me and said you weren't at work today. She was worried you'd be bored, so she asked me to hang out with you when I had time. Of course I'll keep you entertained, don't worry, you'll definitely be interested."
When Shen Yao heard that it was Liang Muchao, whom Shen Wancheng had called, she instantly felt a warmth in her heart.
It's normal for Shen Yao to feel uncomfortable, but she can't bring it up and spoil everyone's mood, since Shen Wancheng's wedding is a joyous occasion.
But Shen Wancheng not only knew how she felt, but also asked Liang Muchao to play with her, which was a subtle way of comforting her.
After all, as the person involved, Shen Wancheng cares about Shen Yao's feelings and comforts her. However, Shen Yao will feel burdened and think that it is wrong for her to feel uncomfortable while her sister is having a good time.
But it's different when Shen Wancheng calls Liang Muchao over; this directly bypasses the point that makes Shen Yao sad.
Shen Yao stood up and agreed to Liang Muchao's request.
"Let's go, let's see what kind of strange things you can take me to play with."