Chapter 83

Chapter 84: The Wedding (Part 1)

On an autumn night, the moonlight was bright and gentle, streaming through the window lattice onto the blue floor tiles, filling the room with serene tranquility.

Eleven Miss lay awake, gazing at the crimson robe with gold embroidery hanging on the clothes rack. Tomorrow, she would marry into the Xu family. Was she truly prepared?

She turned over in bed.

Wu Xiaquan had come from Yuhang to Yanjing not only for Luo Zhensheng's wedding but also for Eleven Miss's dowry. Since her dowry consisted of two estates and two courtyards, the matriarch had instructed Wu Xiaquan to bring four families from Yuhang to serve as her dowry attendants. One of them, Jiang Bingzheng, was reportedly the younger brother of Jiang Mama, just over thirty years old. Another, Liu Yuanrui, was of similar age. The third, Wan Yizong, was thirty-eight, and the fourth, Chang Jiuhe, was thirty-two.

Wu Xiaquan's wife had proudly told her that she had helped select these four families. Wan Yizong and Chang Jiuhe were skilled farmers. Jiang Bingzheng had once been the manager of the Luo family's shop in Hangzhou but had been demoted to the estate after offending Tao, the steward in charge of the Luo family's business in Hangzhou. Tao was the third uncle of Madam Tao, who served Eldest Miss, and was known to be cunning and treacherous. Even Madam Tao had to be cautious around him. As for Liu Yuanrui, he was an honest man, good at farming. The main reason Liu Yuanrui was chosen was because his wife was an excellent cook. During major events such as the start of spring or the autumn harvest, Liu Yuanrui's wife would take charge of the kitchen, proving her capability. The matriarch decided that Liu Yuanrui's family would manage the courtyard. When not busy, they could stay there and handle meals.

Eleven Miss thanked Wu Xiaquan's wife but did not personally approach the four families. Instead, she asked Amber, "Do you know them?"

Amber hesitated for a moment. "I know Liu Yuanrui. He used to be the head of the estate, a very honest man. Later, he was replaced by Xu Mama's nephew. If not for his wife's connections with Wu Xiaquan's wife, he wouldn't have been able to stay on the estate. However, his wife is an excellent cook and is often invited to help with weddings and funerals. As for Jiang Bingzheng, I don't know him personally, but I've heard of him. He's quite shrewd. Jiang Bingzheng once competed with Tao for the position of steward in Hangzhou but was demoted to the estate after being caught embezzling funds. If it weren't for Wu Xiaquan's protection, the matriarch would have expelled him long ago." She hesitated for a moment, "He doesn't know how to farm and often skips work on the estate. But due to his connection with Wu Xiaquan, no one could do anything about him..." Eleven Miss was curious, "Why does Wu Xiaquan protect him?"

Amber smiled, "He married Wu Xiaquan's niece."

On one side was Jiang Mama, and on the other was Wu Xiaquan, and he had even competed with Tao for a position. Jiang Bingzheng's background was quite complicated. However, those who were chosen must have some abilities. For instance, Liu Yuanrui's wife, whose husband had been replaced by Xu Mama's nephew, still managed to connect with Wu Xiaquan's wife and was eventually sent to Yanjing as part of the dowry...

Eleven Miss nodded slightly in understanding.

"I've never heard of Wan Yizong or Chang Jiuhe before!" Amber said, "Should I inquire about them? Liu Ruichun's wife should know."

They were all older individuals. Their personalities would become clear upon meeting.

Eleven Miss smiled, "Forget it. This is just Wu Xiaquan's wife's side of the story. Who knows how Mother will arrange things?"

Eleven Miss then recalled another issue.

Yesterday, Xu Mama had told her that the matriarch would allow her to bring four maids with her.

After pondering for a while, she called Dongqing over, dismissing Amber to speak with Dongqing alone. "It seems I can only bring four maids. What do you think we should do?"

Dongqing was startled and lowered her head. After a long silence, she said, "Miss, considering how I've served you, please, please arrange a proper marriage for me!" Tears silently fell, forming a small wet spot on her skirt.

Eleven Miss sighed softly.

Dongqing must have thought she was in a difficult position and was privately giving her a heads-up to prepare her mentally.

"Don't worry, you'll be the first one I take with me," she reassured Dongqing with a smile. "I won't let you fall into Yao Mama's hands."

Dongqing nodded tearfully, "Miss, in my next life, I will serve you as an ox or a horse to repay your kindness."

"Why would I need you to be an ox or a horse?" Eleven Miss couldn't help but laugh.

She then called Binju to ask her opinion.

Binju was straightforward, "Naturally, we should find a way to keep Amber." She even suggested, "Miss, why don't we do as we did before and have Amber take some laxatives..."

Eleven Miss laughed, "That won't do!"

"Then what should we do?" Binju frowned. "I feel uneasy just looking at her." After a moment's thought, she told Eleven Miss about how Amber had once flaunted herself in front of Ten Miss over a few pieces of clothing. "You always tell us to be patient. But she, for a few clothes, became so proud. I'm afraid she'll cause trouble for you."

"Mm," Eleven Miss nodded with a smile. "I understand. I'll handle this matter."

Binju breathed a sigh of relief.

Eleven Miss inquired of Qiu Ju.

Qiu Ju paused, then looked at her earnestly: "Miss, I wish to stay!"

Eleven Miss was very surprised.

Qiu Ju smiled: "I wish to return to Yuhang. My mother, father, and brothers are all in Yuhang."

Knowing when to speak and what she desires... Eleven Miss suddenly felt very reluctant to let her go.

She instinctively took her hand: "Is there something special you desire?"

Qiu Ju quietly sighed in relief.

Although she knew her mistress was not the narrow-minded type, it still surprised her that she was being let go so easily.

She smiled: "I wish to learn Miss's double-sided embroidery."

Given the time and current situation, that was impossible.

Eleven Miss considered for a moment and said: "I will have Manager Wu assign you to the Hangzhou residence. I shall also write a letter to Master Jian, and you can take my letter to find Master Jian. As for whether you can master it, that depends on your fortune."

Qiu Ju promptly knelt and kowtowed three times to Eleven Miss: "I will remember Miss's great kindness for the rest of my life."

She must mean letting her return to Yuhang to reunite with her family!

As they parted, Eleven Miss realized Qiu Ju was a gem, but unfortunately, she had not noticed it before.

With a touch of regret, she asked Zhuxiang: "...What do you think, which four should I choose?"

Zhuxiang was utterly shocked.

As a young maid, she always trailed behind Qiu Ju or Binju, so it was natural for her to feel surprised when asked such a question.

Eleven Miss smiled: "Since Fifth Aunt introduced you, I can't leave you behind. But when we move to the Xu family's residence, we'll be strangers in an unfamiliar place. I fear we'll face many challenges. If you all can't come together, I fear it will be quite challenging for me. By asking you, I'm also forming some plans!" Zhuxiang bowed her head, fidgeting with her fingers, and stayed silent for a while.

Eleven Miss did not rush her, quietly drinking tea.

After a moment, she finally murmured: "Please, keep Sister Qiu Ju! She still has her mother and father in Yuhang."

Eleven Miss was somewhat moved but smiled: "Qiu Ju has been serving me since she entered the residence; I am somewhat reluctant to let her go. Regarding Amber..."

Before she could finish, Zhuxiang had already raised her head.

Her wide eyes were brimming with panic: "Please, don't... the matriarch won't approve... Fifth Aunt remains in Yuhang! Why not send me back to Yuhang? Fifth Aunt will need someone to serve her!"

Eleven Miss looked at her and smiled slightly: "I understand."

Zhuxiang said: "Miss, don't worry, I won't tell anyone else about this."

Eleven Miss's smile deepened.

A few days later, the matriarch introduced her to the four accompanying families.

As Amber had said, Jiang Bingzheng was indeed a clever man, with very lively eyes. He stood at the door with Liu Ruichun, Wan Yizong, and Chang Jiuhe. The other three kept their heads bowed and did not dare to look up, but Jiang Bingzheng actually glanced at Eleven Miss several times.

Eleven Miss carefully observed the hands of the four.

Jiang Bingzheng's hands were white and neat, not like those of a farmer.

Liu Ruichun, Wan Yizong, and Chang Jiuhe all had rough hands with thick knuckles. However, Wan Yizong's hands were different from those of Liu Ruichun and Chang Jiuhe. Wan Yizong's hands were washed very clean, while Liu Ruichun and Chang Jiuhe still had dirt in their fingernails.

Thinking of this, she turned over again.

The rustling of her dress against the bed was loud in the quiet night.

"Miss, are you asleep?"

It was Amber, on night duty, sleeping on the bed step, who asked her.

"Not yet," Eleven Miss replied softly.

Usually at this time, Amber had something to say to her.

After waiting for a while, Amber indeed spoke up: "Even if the Marquis reaches the heavens, it's all the same!" Her voice was so soft it was almost inaudible, as if blending into the moonlight. "I often hear people say that all good banquets must come to an end..." Her tone was probing. "They also say that the higher you climb, the harder you fall... The Marquis is not that kind of person, is he?"

When Lord Xu returned victorious, the Emperor once again offered to ennoble him, but Lord Xu wrote a long letter of gratitude, politely declining once more. The Emperor then rewarded Lord Xu with ten thousand taels of silver and ten qing of fertile farmland.

Hearing this, the matriarch sneered. The patriarch sighed and said, "What a shame."

Who would have thought Amber had such insight?

A thought that had lingered in her mind resurfaced.

Eleven Miss turned over, rested her head on her arm, and looked at Amber on the bed: "Do you know why Mother gave you to me?"

"I don't know," Amber's heart trembled. "I've been thinking about it too. All the sisters are so clever. Perhaps she thought I was too slow-witted, so she sent me away." She looked at Eleven Miss, her eyes flickering in the dark.

"I don't know either," Eleven Miss smiled. "But since she chose you, she must have had her reasons. Now I want to ask you: are you willing to follow me?"

She wasn't asking if Amber was willing to follow her to the Xu family's residence, but if she was willing to follow her personally... There was a fundamental difference.

"You don't have to answer me now," Eleven Miss lay back down. "Think it over carefully before answering me!"

Could she really return to the matriarch?

She had never had a choice.

Becoming a maid in the residence had been her parents' decision; serving the matriarch had been Xu Mama's decision; being transferred to Eleven Miss's room had been the matriarch's decision... But she knew she could only be wholeheartedly devoted... Serving two masters would lead to no good outcome, just as being in Cao's camp with a heart in Han would.

Amber smiled. "Of course, I will follow you, Miss." Her voice was calm and steady, with a touch of solemnity.

In the darkness, Eleven Miss's lips curled slightly as she turned over to sleep. "Remember what you said."