This Is What They Call “A Marriage With Gold and Jade Predestined by Fate”
Resplendent diamonds and glossy, lustrous pearls met Gong Mo’s eyes and stunned her. She thought that they were too beautiful. They had blown her expectations out of the water.
She held up the pearls carefully and asked, “They’re so pretty. Are they for real?”
“What do you think?” asked Sheng Nanxuan.
“They’re fake?” Gong Mo laughed. However, no matter their genuineness, she was still extremely happy.
She put them down cautiously and held up the diamond necklace. “They look so real. What are they made of? Crystal? Aren’t crystals expensive as well?” she gushed in admiration.
“Don’t worry about it.” Sheng Nanxuan held up the necklace and walked so he was standing behind her. “You only get married once in your life, so it’s alright to spend a little money.”
He put on the necklace for her. His fingers brushed against her collar lightly when he was adjusting the clasp and Gong Mo shivered as though she had been shocked by lightning.
He retracted his hands unobtrusively and held up the clothes. “Go try these out.”
“Okay.” Gong Mo took the clothes and walked into the bedroom.
She had two pieces with her. After hesitating for a moment, she chose to try on the white one. After donning the piece, she rearranged the “crystal” necklace around her neck. She then opened the door and looked nervously at Sheng Nanxuan in the living room.
Sheng Nanxuan smiled and extended a hand towards her. “Come here.”
Gong Mo walked over and placed her hand in his. He led her to the sofa, sat her down, knelt on one knee in front of her, took her slippers off, and picked up the heel less sandals beside him.
Gong Mo realized what he was about to do and retracted her feet.
He looked up, puzzled. “What?”
“I-I’ll do it myself!” said Gong Mo hurriedly. How could she let him put on her shoes for her?
“Don’t tear the clothes. Sit properly.”
“Oh,” mumbled Gong Mo as she sat properly.
He held her delicate ankles and put on her shoes for her.
Gong Mo moved her toes anxiously and whispered, “Thank you.”
Sheng Nanxuan smiled as he observed her cute toes. He looked up and asked, “Do you like it?”
Gong Mo smiled as she nodded. “I like it. I like it a lot.”
“That’s good.”
He knew Mama Gong was back when he heard the sound of the lock turning. He immediately released Gong Mo’s foot and stood up. Upon hearing the sound, Gong Mo stood up as well.
Mama Gong saw them standing around in the living room when she entered and got a shock. “What are you doing? Eh, are you wearing new clothes, Momo? Did you go out to buy clothes?”
“No,” said Gong Mo with a smile. “These were made by Nanxuan’s friend and they were just delivered.”
“They look great!” Mama Gong held her and turned her around. She said to Sheng Nanxuan, “They must have cost a lot! I already bought clothes for her!”
“The clothes Ma bought are her dowry, but the ones I bought are her betrothal gifts.”
Mama Gong burst out laughing. “Alright, alright, alright.”
…
On the day they went to register their marriage, Gong Mo wore the red dress. When she was about to wear the string of pearls, Mama Gong brought a necklace of pure gold over to her. “Wear this.”
Upon seeing it, Gong Mo said, “You should keep it for yourself!”
“What are you talking about?” Mama Gong ignored her protests and put it on her. She then produced a jade bracelet and slid it onto her wrist. “This is called ‘a marriage of gold and jade predestined by fate!'”
Gong Mo looked at the bracelet and asked, puzzled, “Where did you get this? I’ve never seen it before.”
“Your grandmother gave it to me when I got married,” said Mama Gong. “Only your father knew and your Aunts were all unaware of it. How could I let them know of its existence? They’d surely think of a way to get their hands on it!”
Gong Mo smiled. “But why show it off now?”
“You’re about to go to the capital, so I must give you something nice,” said Mama Gong with a smile. “Alright, go downstairs now. Nanxuan is waiting for you.”