Chapter 485

Chapter 491: Unease (Part 1)

Hearing this, the matriarch instructed Yu Ban to set out new bowls and chopsticks and serve some side dishes for the meal.

Only then did the third lady realize that the matriarch and the eleventh lady had already eaten their breakfast.

She felt slightly uncomfortable.

In the past few years in Shanyang, she had been in charge of all the big and small matters at home. Even when visiting other families, she was respected as the magistrate's wife, and her wishes were followed. Now back home, she had to adjust to a life of mutual yielding, which felt somewhat unfamiliar. This only strengthened her resolve to live independently. However, having already said she would join them for the meal, it was too late to change her mind. She could only stiffen her resolve and pick up her bowl, saying, "I came late!"

The matriarch had always found her third daughter-in-law unpredictable; engaging with her often led to self-inflicted trouble. Thus, she treated the third lady with particular leniency.

"It’s not that you came late, but that we ate early!" the matriarch smiled, "Take your time, there’s no rush, it’s still early."

How could the third lady dare to take her time? Without considering whether she would be full, she asked a young maid to fill her bowl with a little more than half of the porridge and hurriedly ate it.

Xu Sizhen came to greet his grandmother. Seeing his mother and his third aunt present, he was a bit surprised. After paying his respects, he moved closer to the eleventh lady, saying, "Mother, the teacher is coming soon, and Brother Wu and I haven’t practiced our flutes enough yet…" He looked at the eleventh lady with a slightly coquettish smile.

To avoid disturbing Jingge, Xu Sijie usually went to Zhenjie’s place to practice the flute. By saying this, Xu Sizhen actually wanted to go play with Xu Sijie at Zhenjie’s.

The matriarch chuckled, "I’ll let you off for now. But when the teacher returns, don’t forget your studies just because you’re eager to play the flute."

Xu Sizhen hurriedly said, "No, no. I finished the tasks Mr. assigned long ago."

The Dowager Lady nodded slightly, satisfaction evident in her eyes, then she looked at Eleventh Miss.

Eleventh Miss agreed with Lord Xu’s opinion; Xu Sizhen couldn’t remain immature forever, but nothing could be achieved overnight.

"Remember to come back for lunch!" she smiled and reminded Xu Sizhen.

Seeing his request granted, Xu Sizhen's face lit up, and he nodded repeatedly before being attended to by the maidservants as he went to find Xu Sijie.

Third Lady’s gaze shifted slightly. She smiled and said, "Our Zhen-ge is changing every day. It seems that going to school is indeed beneficial!"

Speaking of Xu Sizhen, who had grown up in her own quarters, becoming more obedient and sensible each day, the Dowager Lady’s face was filled with a gentle smile: "People become well-behaved through books!"

"Exactly," Third Lady agreed with the Dowager Lady. "We didn’t realize it at home. Everyone was the same. But since we came to Shanyang, we’ve seen that those who have read books and those who haven’t are worlds apart. No wonder my father always dreams of making the imperial list and becoming a Jinshi." She then shifted the topic to Xu Siqin’s marriage, "… I didn’t get to talk about it in detail yesterday because the children were around. I came early today specifically to discuss this matter with you."

The Dowager Lady had also been puzzled by this marriage arrangement—news came suddenly, and the wedding was set hastily.

Leaning forward, the elderly lady asked with concern, "What exactly happened? Tell me about it."

Third Lady, unlike when speaking with Third Master, did not reveal everything. She only mentioned how upright County Magistrate Fang’s character was, and how much Third Master admired him. Mrs. Fang, worried about her husband, brought her children to his post a year ago to take care of his daily life. She occasionally saw the eldest daughter of the Fang family, whose appearance and learning were outstanding, cherished by County Magistrate Fang like a treasure, which inadvertently delayed her marriage. Mrs. Fang was very anxious, and she herself had proposed the match, leading to the eventual agreement between the two families.

The marriage arrangement — was reported to the Grand Lady.

As she listened, the Grand Lady fingered the sandalwood prayer beads in her hand.

"Is County Magistrate Fang's parents still in good health?"

This question was loaded with meaning.

In most official families, the husband, while serving away from home, would usually bring a concubine along to attend to his daily needs, while the main wife stayed at home to serve her in-laws and raise the children.

Lady Fang’s concern about her husband going to his post could be seen as jealousy on the surface, but deeper down, it could be viewed as filial impiety.

Third Lady was taken aback for a moment.

She did not want the eldest daughter-in-law to lose face before the Grand Lady and her aunt. She quickly replied, "County Magistrate Fang’s parents are still alive and well. Matters at home are managed by his elder brother, who has resigned from office. When County Magistrate Fang took up his post, he also brought a concubine to attend to him. Last spring, after catching a chill, County Magistrate Fang fell ill for several months. It was only when Lady Fang traveled a thousand miles with their children to see him that he began to recover. If not for Lady Fang bringing medicinal herbs from Jiangnan to care for him, County Magistrate Fang might have resigned and returned home!"

The Grand Lady’s expression brightened, and she smiled. "From this, it seems Lady Fang is quite decisive in times of need."

"Indeed!" Third Lady sighed in relief, smiling. "Otherwise, this marriage wouldn’t have been arranged so hastily — Lady Fang said that now County Magistrate Fang is much better. She can return to Huzhou with peace of mind to serve her in-laws. After the eldest daughter marries, she will return to Huzhou to arrange matters for the second daughter."

"The eldest son of the Prefect of Chengdu?" the Grand Lady smiled.

"Yes!" Third Lady nodded with a radiant smile. "The second daughter of the Fang family is betrothed to the eldest son of the Prefect of Chengdu." She felt that the Fang family’s connections were all scholars, and they held prestigious positions.

The official, his face glowing with pride, said, "The Prefect of Chengdu and Magistrate Fang are not only from the same imperial examination but also from the same hometown. They made a small engagement four years ago. If it weren't for Lady Fang's desire to marry her eldest daughter first, the second Miss Fang would have been married long ago."

"Why is Lady Fang in such a hurry?" the Dowager Lady laughed, "Second Miss Fang is two years younger than the elder one, so she is only fourteen this year, not yet of marriageable age!" She then exclaimed, "I wonder how old the eldest son of the Prefect of Chengdu is?"

"He is sixteen this year!" the Third Lady smiled, "Speaking of which, the age difference isn't significant. It's just that the Prefect's wife wants to bring a daughter-in-law into the family soon, so her son will have someone to care for him. The matchmaker comes every few days, and with the elder daughter's marriage already arranged, Lady Fang couldn't resist any longer and had to agree. However, Lady Fang did say that she would start preparing for the second daughter's wedding as soon as she returns. But with all the back-and-forth, it will take at least three or four years to complete!"

"The customs in Jiangnan are quite strict!" the Dowager Lady said, smiling at Lady Shiyi, "They have the tradition of the ten-mile red dowry. Each family tries to outdo the others in grandeur. Marrying off a daughter can impoverish a family." The conversation then turned to the grandeur of various weddings.

Lady Shiyi was concerned about Jinchao and wanted to find an opportunity to take her leave, but the Dowager Lady was in high spirits and often engaged her in conversation. She had no choice but to stay and accompany her.

During the conversation, the Third Lady mentioned who would be a good matchmaker. Before she could finish speaking, the Dowager Lady recommended Lady Huang. The Third Lady thought for a moment; Lady Huang was the wife of the heir to the Yongchang Marquisate. Her involvement wouldn't demean her son. Moreover, Lady Huang was known for her assertiveness, which matched the Third Lady's personality better than Lady Shiyi's. By the time the Dowager Lady suggested asking Lord Xu to be the matchmaker, the Third Lady had already made up her mind. She smiled and agreed, expressing her gratitude profusely to the Dowager Lady, who was pleased. Then she stood up, "Since we're asking Lady Huang to be the matchmaker, we mustn't neglect the matchmaker's gift. I'll go prepare it now and visit the Yongchang Marquisate this afternoon."

The Dowager Lady nodded with a smile. After the Third Lady left, she sent Du Mama to inform the Yongchang Marquisate. She then kept Lady Shiyi to continue their conversation.

"I fear there is something amiss with this matter." The Grand Lady dismissed the attendants in the room and whispered, "Think about it, since the Prefect of Chengdu and County Magistrate Fang are not only from the same imperial examination but also from the same hometown, and their eldest son and daughter are of similar age, why did the Prefect of Chengdu propose to marry our Second Miss instead of First Miss? And as for Lady Fang, she only brought her children to join County Magistrate Fang at his post last spring when he was ill. The eldest miss has always stayed in the old home, and the third daughter-in-law is only interested in spectacles. What really happened..." She frowned deeply, "After all, Young Master Qin is the eldest grandson. If anything goes wrong here, it might be difficult for Young Master Chun's bride when she enters our family."

These were all speculations.

They hadn't even met the person yet; it was too early to say such things.

Moreover, the marriage had already been arranged. Could they possibly break it off?

How much harm would that do to the girl!

"Marriage over a thousand miles is tied by a single thread," said Lady Shiyi with a smile. "Whether this match will succeed depends on whether their eight characters (birth dates and times) are compatible. Perhaps the eight characters of the Fang family's eldest miss and the eldest son of the Prefect of Chengdu do not match? That could explain why one is worried about marrying and the other about being married, and they happen to meet at just the right time. Perhaps this is the destiny of the Fang family's eldest miss and our Young Master Qin!"

The Grand Lady remained silent for a long while, then sighed softly.

Lady Shiyi tried to console the Grand Lady, "Once she marries into our family, she will be one of us. With your extensive experience, if there is anything amiss with her, you can always remind her. Think back, if you hadn't guided me, where would I be today?"

Her words made the Grand Lady smile.

"A thousand flatteries can't go wrong."

Lady Shiyi smiled with her lips pursed.

**********

At the hour of Si (9:00 AM), Lady Huang San arrived.

She first paid respects to the Grand Lady, gladly accepted the matchmaking task, then bypassed Lady Third and went straight to Lady Shiyi's room.

Jingge was sound asleep in his cloud silk quilt after a full meal, while Lady Shiyi and Aunt Gu were sitting on the kang bed and the brocade stool beside it, sewing for him.

"I thought you'd come tomorrow!" Lady Shiyi laughed, inviting Lady Huang San to sit on the large kang bed by the window in the western annex, teasingly saying, "They say one must invite the matchmaker, but you're different; you came without being invited. Our Third Sister-in-Law did well in choosing you as the matchmaker. Just don't forget to accept the matchmaker's gift when the time comes!"

Lady Huang San was a straightforward person who enjoyed such banter, finding it a sign of closeness.

Lady Shiyi expected her to retort sharply, but instead, she gave an awkward smile and asked about Jingge: "...Is he sleeping? Or has the wet nurse taken him out to play?" Her tone seemed somewhat distracted.

"He's sleeping!" Lady Shiyi smiled and handed the tea offered by the young maid to Lady Huang San. Lady Huang San took a sip from the teacup but didn't mention seeing Jingge, which was quite unlike her usual quick-witted self.

Lady Shiyi found this rather surprising.

Then she saw Lady Huang San take a deep breath and say solemnly, "Is the Marquis at home?"