The importance of Nacai to ordinary people is to discuss marriage, clarify the betrothal gifts and dowry, ask the man’s professional income, etc., and it is still the same today, whether the man has a house, whether he has a car, what job he does, how much income he earns, etc. The woman can also make a betrothal gift request, which is a colorful and green one. These are the modern Nacai customs.

The people's adoption in the Song Dynasty was actually the same as later generations. They paid great attention to marriage and bargaining was very pragmatic. However, later generations valued bet gifts more. The Song Dynasty not only had bet gifts important, but also the dowry of the women was equally important. These were all done by matchmakers, just like intermediaries, so as to avoid the failure of bargaining and turning against each other.

In fact, there was a blind date before Na Cai. Although this was more important, it did not fall into the category of the Six Etiquettes. The Six Etiquettes are marriage etiquette, while blind dates are just a kind of social interaction.

The Nacai of the Song Dynasty also included asking for names, that is, asking the woman's name to see if there is any horoscope incompatible with the man, but these are all formalities. Ordinary people look at property, and what the higher families want is marriage. As long as they are not the same surname, nothing else has to do with them.

Zhong Shidao handed Li Yanqing's marriage letter to the Cao family, and the Cao family also handed Cao Yun's marriage letter to Zhong Shidao to take it back. The two sides discussed the details of Na Zheng again, and today's proposal was over successfully.

However, Li Yanqing was invited to the backyard by Cao Yun's father Cao Xuan. Today he had another highlight, that is, Cao Yun's mother wanted to see him. Seeing that her daughter was about to get married, she didn't know what her future son-in-law looked like. Of course, Cao Yun's mother was anxious, so she gave her husband a strict order, and she wanted to see Li Yanqing anyway.

Cao Yun's mother's surname is Wang, but in fact she is Wang Jun's aunt. She is determined to match the marriage between her daughter and nephew. Last time Wang Jun was severely punished by her father, Wang also went to the royal palace to visit her nephew's injuries. She also wanted to save the marriage.

Unexpectedly, just a few days ago, she received news that the Wang family had already married the Pan family, and her nephew Wang Jun would marry Pan Changde's daughter Pan Qianyun, which made Wang extremely angry, and she turned her face to her brother.

Perhaps because of his anger at the Wang family, Wang began to feel that his nephew Wang Jun was not worthy of his daughter. After so many years of school, he could not even sacrifice his life, and he had not even passed the Kaifeng Prefecture Examination. This was simply embarrassing. My daughter might not be able to even be a county magistrate wife.

On the contrary, when she heard that her daughter's future husband was actually the Jinshi Tanhua mentioned by Mrs. Gao Shen, and she was also the sixth-rank attendant censor. She was immediately overjoyed and naturally felt that it was a wise move for granting the Wang family.

Just when Wang was anxious to see his future son-in-law, Cao Xuan was hurried to the yard where he lived.

"Your aunt has a bad temper, so you can take care of it more. You can follow her whatever she says and don't be as good as her."

Cao Xuan was generous and had a good temper, which was also a famous fear of the Cao family. He taught Li Yanqing all the way, with the word "tolerance".

"Don't worry, uncle! Yanqing will definitely be respectful."

When he walked into the yard, a maid reported, "The master is back!"

Cao Xuan hurriedly walked towards the living room first. At this time, a small figure slipped out of the bushes next to him and said with a smile: "Brother Li!"

It was Cao Jiaojiao, and Li Yanqing asked with a smile: "What are you doing when you hide here?"

"Send you a letter!"

She stuffed a small note into Li Yanqing's hand, and then crawled into the bushes like a rabbit and disappeared.

At this time, the sound of ring pendants sounded, and a middle-aged woman in high clothing appeared at the door surrounded by several maids. It was the Wang family of Cao Yun's mother. Wang family was about forty years old and had one son and two daughters. The eldest son served as the commander of the Xiang army in Hedong. The eldest daughter was Cao Yun, and there was also a young daughter Cao Jiaojiao.

She has the highest status in the family and has managed her husband to obey. Cao Xuan did not dare to take a concubine, and the maids around her dared not get involved.

Li Yanqing hurriedly stepped forward and bowed, "My younger brother Yanqing greeted my aunt!"

Cao Xuan beside him smiled at his wife with a flattering smile: "This is Yanqing, the last time he won the leader of the pot arrow in Pan's mansion..."

Wang glared at her husband and secretly scolded her husband for not being able to speak. What is the point of showing off when the leader of the pot arrow is worth showing off? Cao Xuan was frightened by his wife's sharp eyes. In fact, he wanted to say that Li Yanqing had won the Cao family's Seven-Star Sword, but he couldn't say the second half.

Wang looked at Li Yanqing with a smile again. Seeing that he was taller and taller, and was a burly figure. She liked it very much and said with a smile: "It's cold outside, let's go to the house to talk."

Li Yanqing came to the living room to sit down. This time was different from the visit of Gao's family a few years ago. He specially brought gifts. He placed two small boxes one long and one short on the table and presented them to Wang. "This is the eight bottles of perfume in Baoyanzhai, which are only for the exclusive use of the Queen Mother and the Queen. The younger generation specially gave them to my aunt. I hope my aunt likes it."

Wang also used Baoyanzhai's powder perfume. Of course, she understood the meaning of Li Yanqing's words. Her eyes lit up. She opened the brocade box and neatly placed eight simple and small perfume bottles with simple shapes on them. There were pictures and names on them: "Genyue Xingyun, Yishan Sunset, Jinliang Xiaoyue, Zisheng Xunfeng, Baigang winter snow, big river spring waves, blowing the platform autumn rain, and opening the Baochen Bell. This is the famous eight scenic spots in Bianjing.

Originally, Li Daqi wanted to use the name of eight famous beauties in history, but Li Yanqing reminded her that these beauties all represent a complex in the palace, which folk women liked, but real palace women might be very taboo. Li Daqi woke up and changed it to the Eight Scenerys of Bianjing.

Wang was suddenly overjoyed. Although she was a daughter of a famous family, she was also a woman after all. Last time she got a red box, she felt a little uncomfortable. Every sister-in-law and sister-in-law were the same, and she couldn't show her speciality. This time, Li Yanqing specially brought her Baoyanzhai for only the exclusive perfume for the Queen Mother and the Queen, which made her feel very comfortable. She even applauded. She also heard these perfumes, but it was the first time she saw them.

Cao Xuan next to him suddenly breathed a sigh of relief and secretly praised his future son-in-law for his work. In fact, this was prepared by Li Daqi. He knew the psychology of powerful women. These noble ladies did not care about the price, but about status and rareness. Instead of giving Wang a hundred red boxes, he would give her eight bottles of top-grade perfumes that represent status.

Li Yanqing handed Fang Jin Box to Cao Xuan again, "This is also the best ambergris incense in Baoyanzhai, and it is a little bit of my wish for my uncle by the younger generation."

Ambergris is the best in fragrance, a hundred times more expensive than agarwood. This small box is about two taels, worth thousands of guan. Both men and women can use incense. Wang usually uses agarwood. He heard that it is ambergris, but Wang took it without hesitation, "Thank you, Mr. Yanqing, why don't you?."

She raised her eyebrows and a strange look flashed in her eyes. Of course, outsiders couldn't understand it, but for more than 20 years, only Cao Xuan understood his wife's eye words. His wife's eye words said, "I confiscate the things, so you can't give it to any slutty vixen!"

Cao Xuan smiled bitterly in his heart and had to say to Li Yanqing: "Thank you for your kindness!"

According to customs, it is only the first step in the ceremony to accept the title. You cannot call your father-in-law and son-in-law. You can only call your uncle and nephew. You have to call your tribute, that is, the title will be changed after the man gives the betrothal gift. Otherwise, it will be laughable if you change it too early.

Small families don’t pay attention to it, and when they succeed in blind dates, they start to call out the son-in-law and son-in-law. However, the Cao family is a noble family and pays great attention to the title and etiquette. Although they don’t care about some small details, for example, Li Yanqing came with the matchmaker today, but he is not vague in etiquette rules.

Wang took a sip of tea and asked again with a smile: "I heard that Yanqing has taken a concubine?"

Cao Xuan next to him was anxious and tried his best to wink his wife. How could he say such rude words? But Wang seemed to have not seen it, and still looked at Li Yanqing with a smile.

Generally speaking, it is said that marriage is the first step and the second step. Concubine is a supplement to the wife. For the prosperity of the descendants and the daily life, it is not recommended to take concubines first. It is mainly to consider preventing the situation where the eldest son is not a legitimate child. It is a bit inappropriate to take concubines before marrying a wife.

But in fact, which wealthy family did not have a woman they loved before marrying a wife? Even the prince had several palace concubines before he decided to become a princess, and no one took this etiquette seriously. Cao Ping did not mention this matter at all. But Wang asked, of course, this was also because she felt sorry for her daughter. It was understandable. If she didn't ask, no one would ask again.

Li Yanqing was already mentally prepared, so he bowed and said, "I have a concubine at home, mainly because of special circumstances."

"Oh——What special circumstances?"

"My aunt didn't know that my younger generation's father had no brothers, and my mother saw that she was very early, and my younger generation had no brothers. The younger generation passed the imperial examination two generations. After passing the Jinshi exam the previous year, the younger generation entered the Hedong Army and wanted to participate in the upcoming battle of Song Xia. In that battle, the Song army killed tens of thousands of soldiers. My father was extremely worried. In order to keep a family of fireworks for the Li family, my father married a concubine for the younger generation."

Cao Xuan next to him could no longer help saying, "I think it's understandable that Yanqing is taking a concubine. After all, the war is too cruel, and no one can guarantee that he will survive from the battlefield."

Wang glared at her husband fiercely, and Cao Xuan did not dare to speak anymore, so he had to lower his head angrily.

"Then has your father fulfilled his wish?"

Wang was very scheming, and this was what she wanted to ask. She didn't allow her husband to take a concubine, but she couldn't control others. Li Yanqing's concubine was no longer a success. What could she say? Can she still oppose this marriage? She actually just wanted to know whether Li Yanqing has a son now. This is the key, which is related to her daughter's future husband's status.

After a few circles, she asked the key points.

Li Yanqing was also a little unhappy. He was already very reluctant to answer. Wang should stop when he saw the problem, but he was still asking questions. At this time, Li Yanqing also realized that his future mother-in-law was a very powerful character and was unambiguous in key issues.

He had no choice but to shake his head, "The younger concubine is not in good health, and his father's wish has not been fulfilled yet."

Wang suddenly felt relieved and laughed, "What a pity!"

At this time, a maid at the door said, "The Grand Master has sent me a message, and the guest is going to say goodbye."

Li Yanqing stood up and said, "I will come to visit my uncle and aunt next time, so I will say goodbye first!"

Wang said with a smile: "Go back and prepare well. Our family is ready. Welcome to come at any time!"

Li Yanqing said goodbye and left. Cao Xuan led him back to the front yard and apologized to him on the way: "Your aunt has this temper, she has a sharp tongue and is so slandered. In fact, she is kind. She has spoken a little today. Don't take it to heart."

"I fully understand. I don't care about any parent who doesn't care about their children!"

"That's good, hey! I wonder how many people she offended with her knife mouth?"

Li Yanqing left Cao's mansion and was in the carriage. He quickly glanced at the note Cao Jiaojiao had given him before, "I met at the gate of Daxiangguo Temple at dusk the day after tomorrow."
Chapter completed!