Deputy Prefect Ying put on a show of siding with neither party. Ge Xiaomao's classmates could only glare at Sheng Rong's mother in displeasure, unable to argue-not only out of respect for Deputy Prefect Ying, but also to avoid deepening the dispute.
Lu Lin coughed lightly and said, "It's getting late. Let's dispense with some of the tedious formalities. Since Deputy Prefect Ying has arrived, I think the wedding can continue. Let the newlyweds enter the bridal chamber soon."
Deputy Prefect Ying nodded and was about to speak, only for Sheng Rong's mother to shout, "Wait!"
Everyone looked at her in surprise.
Sheng Rong's mother swept a glance over the Ge Family and smiled contemptuously. "When we discussed the marriage back then, the Ge Family said they could invite Void Sage Fang. That was why we waived the bride price, asking only for some ordinary gold and jade jewelry, all of which would ultimately go to Little Rong. But as everyone can see, Void Sage Fang hasn't come today. So your Ge Family's bride price will have to change."
"How?" Ge Xiaomao glared at her.
Sheng Rong's mother smiled. "Our Little Rong might not be a nationally renowned master of the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but she's proficient in every one of them. She's beautiful, too. Even distinguished families have come to propose marriage. Of the suitors back then, the highest bride price offered was three thousand taels of silver, a large residence with three successive courtyards, and three shops. Your Ge Family can match that. And we won't be leaving this bride price to the young couple."
"You..." Ge Xiaomao nearly burst into curses.
Customs differed from place to place. Some families left both the bride price and dowry to the newlyweds, while others left only the dowry,