Chapter 328 Betrothal

Chapter 328: Engagement

When Qiu Heng arrived at Qiansong Hall, she happened to meet the matchmaker at the courtyard gate.

The matchmaker was in her forties, dressed in bright clothes, with a red flower pinned in her hair. Upon seeing Qiu Heng, she hurriedly bowed: "This humble woman Wang pays respects to the Commandery Princess."

"Do you know me, Madam Wang?"

The matchmaker smiled with pursed lips: "The Marquis said that a girl as beautiful as a fairy must be the Suiyun Commandery Princess."

Qiu Heng paused for a moment.

Whether Xue Han had said that or not was uncertain, but the matchmaker he had found was undoubtedly a master of her trade, with a honeyed tongue.

In the main hall, the old madam was in high spirits, though she tried to maintain a composed exterior on the surface.

Only yesterday, she had argued with the old man over Xue Han's proposal, and now today the matchmaker had already arrived.

And so early at that.

What did this mean? It meant her judgment was correct—it was that young man who couldn't wait to marry Heng'er, not the other way around. Only that old fool couldn't see it.

The old madam inwardly sneered at Earl Yongqing when she heard the maid announce: "Old Madam, the Sixth Miss and the matchmaker have arrived."

The old madam was taken aback.

What did it mean that the Sixth Miss and the matchmaker had arrived together?

Could they have arrived together?

Just as she was bewildered, Qiu Heng and the matchmaker entered.

"Grandmother." After paying her respects, Qiu Heng walked over to the old madam's side. "I happened to meet Madam Wang at the courtyard gate, so we came in together."

The matchmaker smiled warmly as she greeted the old madam: "This humble woman's surname is Wang. I have been entrusted by the Marquis of Anping to come to your manor to ask for the Sixth Miss's hand in marriage."

"Please, have a seat, Madam Wang."

Madam Wang sat down and accepted the tea offered by the senior maid, Chun Cao.

The old madam gave Qiu Heng a subtle glare. "Heng'er, Grandmother has serious matters to discuss with Madam Wang. You can go back now."

Qiu Heng glanced at the row of four-season screens, thinking it was unfortunate she had come in with the matchmaker; now she couldn't hide behind the screen as planned. She could only curtsy slightly. "Granddaughter takes her leave."

When Qiu Heng returned to Lengxiang Residence, she was immediately surrounded by Fang Zhou and the others.

"Why did you come back so soon, Miss?"

"Did you see the matchmaker, Miss?"

"Did the matchmaker bring a wild goose?"

"Will you be married this year, Miss?" The speaker was a usually quiet young maid, her tone hesitant. "If you marry into the Marquis's household... will everyone from Lengxiang Residence be taken along?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the chattering stopped abruptly, and the sound of something hitting the ground seemed especially loud.

It was the orange that Nanny Yu had been peeling.

At that moment, Nanny Yu had only one thought: She felt like the sky had fallen—she wasn't from Lengxiang Residence!

Several pairs of anxious eyes fixed on her, Qiu Heng smiled. "Those who wish to go can all come along."

Cheers immediately erupted.

Nanny Yu hesitated for a moment before asking, "And what about those who are not from Lengxiang Residence?"

As a governess, she shouldn't have asked, but her days at Lengxiang Residence had been far too enjoyable.

"Those not from Lengxiang Residence won't be taken."

Nanny Yu's jaw dropped!

Qiu Heng broke into a grin. "Except for Nanny Yu and Wu Qingzhou."

The sudden joy made Nanny Yu blurt out a pledge of loyalty: "When you and the Marquis have a daughter, this old servant can serve as the young lady's governess."

She only regretted not having been able to fully display her skills here at Lengxiang Residence, making the young maids here think she was only good at eating and lazing around.

And people from other courtyards likely thought the same!

The thought gave Nanny Yu the frustration of a talent going to waste.

Qiu Heng hadn't felt shy about the matchmaker's visit, but Nanny Yu's words made her blush. "Nanny Yu, you're thinking too far ahead."

Nanny Yu was stunned for a moment, then clutched her chest in dismay.

How could she, a governess, have made such a remark to a young lady not yet betrothed...

Leaving aside how Nanny Yu, out of self-reproach, skipped a bowl of rice that day, the news that Xue Han had sent a matchmaker spread like wildfire through the Earl's mansion.

Qiu Fu and Qiu Ying came together to Lengxiang Residence to congratulate Qiu Heng.

"Sixth Sister, judging by how eager the Marquis of Anping is, you might marry before Fourth Sister."

Qiu Fu’s betrothal had been settled in March. The groom was the leader of the Imperial students who had petitioned on behalf of Qiu Heng and Xue Han, surnamed Chen, courtesy name Huaiqing. The wedding was set for the spring of next year.

Qiu Fu gave Qiu Ying a reproachful look. "If you're talking about Sixth Sister, why bring me into it?"

Qiu Ying covered her mouth with a round fan and laughed. "Fourth Sister is shy."

Qiu Fu’s face turned a deep crimson.

This marriage was one she had taken the initiative in.

She couldn't trust the matches her parents might choose for her, but she was getting older and knew she couldn't keep putting it off.

On an outing one day, she had happened upon a group of Imperial students, among whom was Chen Huaiqing. When she heard someone call his name, she remembered her cousin Qiu Yang mentioning that the leader of the Imperial students who had petitioned on behalf of her Sixth Sister was named Chen Huaiqing.

At that moment, her mind was made up.

A man of good character was unlikely to treat his wife poorly.

Besides, he was handsome.

Qiu Fu was a decisive person. She walked boldly over to the Imperial students and expressed her thanks, singling out Chen Huaiqing in particular.

A few days later, she quietly asked her grandmother to send someone to inquire about the Chen family’s interest. Perhaps the brief encounter had left a favorable impression on Chen Huaiqing, and the match was settled.

Her parents were dissatisfied, but with her grandmother backing her, she paid them no mind.

Sure enough, because Xue Han had sent a matchmaker to propose, Madam Zhao was again distressed over her daughter's marriage. Just as Qiu Fu returned from Lengxiang Residence, she was summoned.

"Look at your Sixth Sister, and then look at yourself. In the future, her husband will be a marquis holding great power, while your husband is still a student without an official post. Both of you are sisters—are you content with such a gap?"

Qiu Fu pursed her lips. "I have no resentment. It is you, Mother, who resents it, isn't it?"

"How dare you talk back!"

"What is this commotion about?" First Master Qiu walked in and, instead of scolding Qiu Fu, rebuked Madam Zhao: "Stop always saying such things."

Madam Zhao was unconvinced. After Qiu Fu left, First Master Qiu said, "Circumstances change. The new emperor favors virtuous young men. That Chen Huaiqing, by leading the imperial students in a petition, has made a name for himself before the new emperor. Besides, have you forgotten whom he petitioned for?"

It was for Qiu Heng and Xue Han, and Xue Han is now a trusted favorite of the new emperor.

Madam Zhao realized and suddenly felt a mix of emotions.

So, that ill-tempered Wretched Girl had casually found herself a husband with boundless prospects?

Madam Zhao felt frustration at wasted effort, as if all her efforts had been for nothing.

Apart from Madam Zhao, who was sour, the entire Earl Yongqing's mansion was filled with joy over the matchmaker's visit. Soon, the couple's birth charts were matched and the minor betrothal gifts were exchanged. At this point, Qiu Heng and Xue Han were formally betrothed.

Afterwards, the groom's family had to prepare the betrothal gifts and the bride's family had to prepare the dowry. Even though Xue Han had secretly been preparing long ago, because he had been made a marquis and had many things to attend to in moving into the marquis's mansion, and the grand betrothal ceremony required an auspicious day to be chosen, even at the fastest pace, it could not be completed in just ten days or two weeks.

Xue Han was so busy that his feet barely touched the ground—he was run off his feet. Xue Quan was even busier than Xue Han. In comparison, the Earl Yongqing's mansion was much more leisurely in preparing for the Sixth Young Lady's marriage.

Qiu Heng was even more at leisure. She did not intend to trouble herself with embroidering mandarin duck pillowcases or a red bridal veil; instead, she calmed her mind to prepare a new incense formula.

A new life, a new status—a new incense should celebrate it.