The Xu family arrived.
Gu Zhen was so nervous that her hands were trembling.
If this marriage proposal fell through, she would truly become a spinster.
Gu Jiu squeezed Gu Zhen’s hand. “Da jiejie, take a deep breath, relax. Think about how mama taught you. Don’t worry.”
Gu Zhen nodded.
Since returning to the capital, she had relearned etiquette with the mama, studied household management under her eldest aunt Zhang shi, and learned needlework from her yiniang.
Even she could feel that, compared to her days in the northwest, she had made great progress.
Other than her shu-born status, she believed she was in no way inferior to her sisters.
At the second gate, they met the Xu family.
Zhang shi was all smiles. When the two families met, they were exceptionally cordial.
After exchanging pleasantries, everyone headed toward the Flower Hall.
Xu taitai swept her gaze over the gathered girls, and her eyes immediately picked out Gu Zhen.
Gu Zhen instantly straightened her back, tense with nerves.
Once in the Flower Hall, they sat down according to guest and host.
After a few words of small talk, Zhang shi called the girls of the fu forward, introducing them to Xu taitai, giving special emphasis to Gu Zhen.
“Zhen yatou is the eldest young lady of the family. Her manners and needlework are both first-rate. Since last year, she has been learning household management from me, and on ordinary days, she also goes to the hou fu to study reading and writing with the female tutor there.”
“Oh? She goes to the hou fu to study as well?”
Xu taitai showed interest.
Gu Zhen gave a slight curtsey. “Replying to Aunt Xu, every afternoon, I go with my sisters to the hou fu where we study reading and writing under Madam Luo.”
“And how is your learning?”
Gu Zhen looked a little embarrassed. “My foundation is weak, and I am slow to learn. So far, I have only completed two books.”
Hearing this, Xu taitai was very satisfied. For a daughter-in-law, she did not need someone overly learned. As long as the girl could read, manage accounts, and understand proper conduct, that was enough.
A girl like Gu Zhen, who hadn’t buried herself wholly in books, nor taken on the airs of a scholar, was actually more suitable as a daughter-in-law.
Xu taitai had met several daughters from official families who spent all their time studying, to the point their heads had been muddled by books. She wanted nothing to do with such girls.
Taking Gu Zhen’s hand, Xu taitai said warmly, “Skilled in needlework, able to manage accounts, and also literate, you are truly a fine girl. To be matched with our sanlang, it is he who is unworthy.”
Gu Zhen’s face flushed at once, then her heart tightened with unease.
What did Xu taitai mean by those words? Was she expressing approval or disapproval?
That day, Xu taitai had even brought a meeting gift. With a glance, she signalled to a maid, who promptly stepped forward with a pair of jade bangles.
Xu taitai smiled cheerfully. “I like this child very much. This is a little token from me. Don’t reject it.”
Seeing the bangles, Gu Zhen’s heart thumped wildly. “Such a precious gift, how could I possibly accept it?”
“Take it. What elders bestow must not be declined, understand?” Xu taitai insisted.
Gu Zhen looked toward Zhang shi.
Zhang shi chuckled. “Zhen yatou, Aunt Xu truly likes you. Just accept the gift.”
Only then did Gu Zhen accept it, saying, “Many thanks, Aunt Xu.”
“No need for thanks.”
Xu taitai then turned to chat with Xie shi. “Er taitai is truly blessed. All your daughters are as lovely as flowers, sensible, well-mannered, skilled in household affairs, and even literate.”
Xie shi beamed with pride. “Xu taitai flatters us. In our family, whether di or shu-born, the girls are all taught the same. Zhen yatou’s character, needlework, and manners are all excellent, and her writing is very neat.”
Xu taitai nodded secretly in approval, but did not rush to a decision. She still wanted to observe further.
While the elders chatted in the flower hall, the young ladies led the Xu girls to a side chamber for tea and pastries.
Xu er guniang also came with a task today; she had to help her mother judge character, observing Gu Zhen’s behaviour in private.
Gu Jiu, leading everyone, was intent on creating a favourable atmosphere so Gu Zhen could best display her strengths.
But unexpectedly, Gu Yue sat with a sour face the whole time, clearly displeased.
Though she said nothing, her stony expression made Xu er guniang’s heart race nervously.
“Gu san jiejie, are you unhappy?” she asked.
Gu Yue shook her head slightly. “You misunderstand. I am only upset with myself. It has nothing to do with you, so please don’t mind me.”
What?
Xu er guniang looked toward Gu Jiu and the others in confusion.
Gu Zhen clenched her handkerchief tightly, glaring furiously at Gu Yue.
What was the meaning of this? Was she trying to ruin her marriage prospects again?
Gu Jiu secretly stopped Gu Zhen from acting rudely in front of the guests.
Instead, she stepped forward. “San meimei, if you are unwell, why not return to your room to rest?”
Gu Yue stood abruptly. “Fine! I was just thinking of going back to rest. You all continue chatting, I’ll take my leave.”
With that, she left the side chamber.
In her heart, Gu Zhen guessed anxiously: Would Gu Yue once again use her tricks, this time on Xu sanlang himself?
Uneasy, she quietly instructed her maid Lüyi to find Hu yiniang, asking her to send someone to keep a close watch on Gu Yue.
Lüyi accepted the order and left.
Once Gu Yue was gone, thanks to the efforts of Gu Jiu and Gu Shan, the mood in the chamber grew lively again.
The girls drank tea, ate pastries, shared boudoir stories, and even discussed poetry and songs, enjoying themselves greatly.
By noon, a maid came to announce that the banquet was prepared, inviting everyone to the small flower hall.
When they arrived, they noticed Gu Yue was absent.
Zhang shi whispered to Xie shi, “Dimei, what’s wrong with your san yatou?”
Xie shi hesitated a moment, then answered smoothly, “She wasn’t feeling well and went back to rest. I’ve already sent for her; she’ll be here soon. There’s no need to wait.”
“Very well, then.”
In the Zizhu Yuan, the maid Putao entered the bedchamber. “Guniang, taitai has sent someone to call you. Please go quickly to the flower hall for the banquet.”
“I’m not going. I won’t go!” Gu Yue buried herself beneath the covers, seething with anger and resentment.
As for the banquet, she absolutely would not attend. She would rather starve.
Putao stomped her foot in distress. “Guniang, what on earth is wrong with you? Since yesterday, you’ve been acting strangely. Can’t you tell nubi what troubles you?”
“Shut your mouth, you chatter too much!”
Gu Yue snapped at her. “Go give my reply, say that I am unwell, I’ve no appetite, and I will not attend the banquet.”
Putao asked again and again: “Guniang truly won’t go?”
Gu Yue sat up from the bed. “Do I look as though I’m jesting? Hurry along!”
Helpless, Putao stamped her foot once more, then hurried out to deliver the message.
Gu Yue sat by the bedside, teeth clenched, feeling as though a fire burned in her chest, scorching her very heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys.
Without Gu Yue at the banquet, the atmosphere grew lighter and more pleasant.
Had she been present, that stiff, unsmiling face of hers would have been enough to silence the whole table, a perfect destroyer of cheer.
Now, with food and wine, hosts and guests alike were delighted.
After the feast, once they had rested a while, Xu taitai rose to take her leave.
Zhang shi urged her to stay again and again. They were sisters by blood and spoke freely with one another.
“Meimei, are you dissatisfied with Zhen yatou?”
Xu taitai shook her head. “Jiejie mistakes me. I am most satisfied with her.”
“Then why hurry away? Why not dine again at supper and leave afterward?”
Xu taitai waved her hand repeatedly. “That will not do. The lao taitai at home awaits my return; I promised to report back by afternoon. Jiejie must understand my difficulty. Tomorrow, when your dalang weds, I shall remain here the whole day, without fail.”
Seeing her sister insistent, Zhang shi could not press her further. “If you must return home, I shall not detain you. But give me a clear word, this marriage between Zhen yatou and your sanlang, what is your intent?”
Xu taitai considered, then said, “To tell you true, jiejie, Zhen yatou is excellent in both looks and conduct. To pair her with my sanlang, it feels rather a pity. You know what he is: scarcely schooled, forever swinging sword and spear, coarse in manner. I fear it would wrong Zhen yatou.”
Zhang shi laughed. “Meimei jests. Yours is a house of generals. Would you have your son nose-deep in books all day instead of learning arms?”
Xu taitai thought a moment, then asked, “Your er taitai, she does not look down on my son?”
Zhang shi lowered her voice. “You know well, er taitai was once a concubine raised to wife. As for the marriages of shu-born daughters, she pays little heed. What matters is er laoye’s opinion.”
Xu taitai pressed, “Has er laoye shown favour towards my son?”
“I cannot yet say. Once I speak with my laoye, I shall send word to you.”
She did not conceal her uncertainty.
Xu taitai nodded. “If your er laoye raises no objection, then I am willing.”
At this Zhang shi beamed. “Excellent! Then our two families shall be joined, and we may visit often.”
Xu taitai rose with pleasure, and took her leave.
After the Xu family had gone, Gu Zhen looked eagerly at Zhang shi.
Zhang shi comforted her, “Do not be anxious. Within a day or two, word will come.”
Gu Zhen nodded. “Thank you, da bomu. Tomorrow I shall make you a pair of shoes and stockings, please do not disdain them.”
“Good child. If they come from your hand, how could I despise them?”
Gu Zhen asked no further, but returned to her room, where idle thoughts would not leave her.
Toward evening, Zhang shi met with Gu daren.
He was direct. “The Xu family’s sanlang may lack learning, but his character is sound. To take the path of arms is, after all, a way forward.”
Zhang shi asked, “Then er di consents to this marriage?”
Gu daren nodded readily. “Please convey to the Xu family, they may choose an auspicious day to send their betrothal gifts.”
Zhang shi laughed aloud. “Splendid! This marriage is settled at last; all my labour was not in vain.”
Gu daren bowed. “My thanks, dasao.”
“No need for courtesy, er di.”
Yet in her heart, Zhang shi mused: Gu daren’s manners were indeed proper, but in his youth, he had been greedy for beauty, and even raised Xie shi to principal wife. She only hoped such matters would not hinder his official career.
Three days later, on a propitious day, the Xu family sent a matchmaker to the Gu fu.
For the occasion, Gu daren even took a half-day’s leave from court to await the matchmaker at home.
The two families exchanged birth charts and signed the betrothal contract; thus, the marriage was formally fixed.
The matchmaker added, “The Xu family hopes to proceed quickly, and wishes to set the wedding in the seventh month. What does Gu daren think?”
Gu daren frowned. “This year’s seventh month? Is that not too hasty? By calculation, scarcely two months remain for preparation, far too rushed.”
The matchmaker hastened to assure him: “Not rushed, not at all! The Xu family has long since prepared every necessity. So long as your fu’s dowry for the guniang is ready, a seventh-month wedding is perfectly timely.”
Gu daren coughed lightly. He could not bring himself to admit that Gu Zhen’s dowry had not even taken shape, that all must be thrown together at the last minute.
Inwardly, he could not help but lay the blame on Xie shi.
Xie shi, as the taitai of the second branch, was truly incompetent.
Gu Zhen was already of marriageable age, yet not even a shadow of her dowry could be seen. What a disgrace if word got out.
Gu daren said to the matchmaker, “As for the wedding date, allow benguan to give it more thought. Please also tell the Xu family it need not be so rushed. Postponing for a few months should be no problem.”
The matchmaker hurried to explain: “Gu daren may not know, after this year, Xu sanlang will be posted to the northern front for garrison duty, for at least two years. If the marriage is not settled soon, it would actually wrong your esteemed da guniang.”
Gu daren was taken aback. “There is such a matter?”
The matchmaker nodded. “Exactly so.”
Gu daren then understood why the Xu family was in such a hurry.
After a marriage, conceiving a child still takes time.
If they wed in the seventh month, and he left the capital at year’s end, that would still allow half a year. If things went smoothly, within that time, a child could be conceived.
In that case, although Xu sanlang would be gone for two years, Gu Zhen would not be left aggrieved. With a child at her side, she would have a measure of security.
If the wedding were postponed, and Gu Zhen had not conceived before Xu sanlang’s departure, her situation in the Xu household would become awkward.
Gu daren nodded. “Benguan understands. The wedding shall be set for the seventh month.”
The matchmaker was overjoyed. “Many thanks for Gu daren’s understanding. I will immediately go see Xu laoye and Xu taitai, so that we can quickly fix a date for the betrothal ceremony.”
After sending off the matchmaker, Gu daren went to Furong Yuan to see Xie shi.
By this time, news of Gu Zhen’s engagement had already spread like wildfire throughout the manor.
Gu Zhen, cheeks flushed with joy, went to see Hu yiniang. “Yiniang, I am so happy. My marriage is finally settled.”
Hu yiniang smiled with her, gently caressing Gu Zhen’s cheek. “You have suffered grievances.”
Gu Zhen shook her head. “Nü’er does not feel wronged. Though the Xu family cannot compare with Haixi bo fu, when facing Xu sanlang, I feel confident, not afraid of him.”
Hu yiniang laughed. “In that case, this marriage is indeed better than the Haixi bo fu’s match.”
Gu Zhen nodded repeatedly. “I am very grateful to da bomu. I’ve made a set of shoes and socks for her; once I finish in a few days, I’ll send them to her.”
“As you should.”
Gu Zhen bit her lip, as though she had something difficult to say.
Hu yiniang chuckled. “What is it that you cannot say before me?”
Gu Zhen grew a little nervous. “Yiniang, my dowry, how much will taitai prepare for me?”
Hu yiniang thought a moment. “I will speak with taitai. Don’t worry, your dowry will certainly not be lacking.”
Gu Zhen nodded quickly. “Thank you, yiniang.”
“What is there to thank for, silly child?”
In Furong Yuan, when Gu daren saw Xie shi, his face was stern and sour. “Quickly begin preparing Zhen yatou’s dowry. The wedding is set for the seventh month.”
“The seventh month? Why so rushed? How can there be enough time? Did you not discuss this with the matchmaker?”
Gu daren glared at her with dissatisfaction. “If you had long ago prepared her dowry, how would time now be insufficient?”
Xie shi protested, aggrieved: “Since returning to the capital, one matter has followed another. I had to prepare dowry things for Yue’er as well. Where would I find the time to prepare Zhen yatou’s too?”
Gu daren snorted coldly, displeased. “If you had the heart for it, no matter how busy, you would have readied Zhen yatou’s dowry. Instead, to this day, not even a trace exists.”
Xie shi’s lips trembled. “Laoye blames me, then?”
Gu daren said with a dark face: “Benguan is reminding you to be more thorough in future.”
Xie shi grew angry. “It is clearly the Xu family being unreasonable! Why must the wedding be in the seventh month? Why not at year’s end?”
Gu daren said: “Because after the New Year, Xu sanlang must go north to change garrisons. For at least two years. If they don’t marry quickly, do you want Zhen yatou to wed only to live as a widow-in-waiting?”
Xie shi froze. “Reassignment? Isn’t that dangerous? How can we agree to such a marriage? My lord, quickly withdraw from it!”
“Nonsense.” Gu daren was very displeased. “To break this engagement, do you want Zhen yatou to become a spinster? Have you forgotten the disaster with san yatou? Benguan remembers all too clearly.”
Xie shi’s face went pale, her eyes guilty. “I was muddle-headed. Laoye is right, this marriage cannot be refused. Two months’ time is short, but if we work diligently, we can still put together a decent dowry. Most items can be bought ready-made; the furniture is the troublesome part. But I have thought of a way: we can have the furniture from Zhen yatou’s room repainted and send it with her to the Xu family.”
Gu daren frowned, a rising fire in his chest. “You intend to fob it off like that?”
“This is only because time is tight. There is no other way. Laoye, be assured, the furniture in Zhen yatou’s room is made of the finest wood. Once repainted, it will not shame the Gu family.”
Gu daren gave a cold laugh. “Remarkable. So you do know that face and reputation matter.”
Xie shi froze. Why was laoye angry? What had she done wrong?
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