Chapter 601: I Feel It Will Be a Young Miss

On the tenth day of the third month,

Since morning, the sky had been somewhat overcast.

Around the exact hour of Si (ten in the morning), after a cool breeze blew, spring rain fine as silk began to fall with a soft pattering sound.

It rained for one double-hour before gradually stopping.

In the afternoon,

in Jiying Lane,

at the Sheng family residence,

within the Jin'an Studio,

the overcast, rainy weather made the light inside the hall somewhat dim.

Wei Wei Shuyi sat behind the desk with furrowed brows, staring blankly at the account book on the table; the writing brush in her hand remained motionless, clearly indicating she was somewhat distracted.

"Hu."

After taking a deep breath, Wei Wei Shuyi placed the brush properly, rose, walked around the desk, and moved to the window nearby.

In the courtyard of Jin'an Studio, there was a pear tree in bloom, now thoroughly soaked by the spring rain.

Wei Wei Shuyi looked at the white-jade-colored pear blossoms in the courtyard,

"Shu'er, look at those pear blossoms; do you now understand why there is this line of poetry: 'Suddenly, like a night of spring wind coming, ten thousand trees and a myriad of pear trees burst into bloom'?"

The sound of her father teaching her poetry from her childhood rang in her heart.

"Father, it is because pear blossoms are white, and snowflakes falling on tree branches are also white, so it looks as though the pear trees have bloomed!"

"Haha! My Shu'er is indeed clever."

Thinking of these things, Wei Wei Shuyi smiled gently.

After inhaling deeply of the fresh air following the rain, Wei Wei Shuyi raised her head, gazing absentmindedly at the dark clouds above the courtyard, and her brows furrowed once more.

At this moment,

the young maid Seeing Seeing Qiujiang entered carrying a bundle of peonies; after glancing at Wei Wei Shuyi by the window, Seeing Seeing Qiujiang walked to the wall on one side, removed a bouquet of slightly wilting flowers from the narrow table, and replaced them with the peonies she held in her arms.

After making the change,

"Wei Xiaoniang, do you think this arrangement looks acceptable?"

Seeing Seeing Qiujiang asked with a smile, turning toward Wei Wei Shuyi.

Wei Wei Shuyi turned her head, looked at the fresh flowers in the slender porcelain vase, and smiled: "They look quite lovely!"

Another gust of wind blew in,

and although it slightly rustled the pages of the account book on the desk and caused the writing brushes hanging on the brush rack to sway,

Wei Wei Shuyi's hair bun by the window was combed so neatly that not a single stray hair escaped, so no locks of hair were stirred by the wind.

Seeing Wei Wei Shuyi turn back to continue gazing out the window,

Seeing Seeing Qiujiang approached, stood beside Wei Wei Shuyi, and said softly: "Wei Xiaoniang, what is troubling you?"

Wei Wei Shuyi turned her head slightly and smiled at Seeing Seeing Qiujiang, saying: "Nothing much; I was just calculating that Sister Sister Xiaodie's delivery date is approaching, and I feel somewhat uneasy in my heart."

Seeing Seeing Qiujiang nodded beside her and said: "Wei Xiaoniang, rest assured! Miss Ni, being the Da Da Niangzi of the Xie Xie Zijue household, will naturally engage a skilled Physician."

"Mm, you are right!" Wei Wei Shuyi said with a smile.

Having said this,

Wei Wei Shuyi walked back behind the desk, picked up the writing brush, dabbed it in the inkstone, and continued writing in the account book.

After being busy for a while, Seeing Seeing Qiujiang placed a cup of hot tea beside the desk and said: "Wei Xiaoniang, have some tea."

"Mm."

While Wei Wei Shuyi drank her tea, Seeing Seeing Qiujiang walked to one side, picked up a duster, and said: "Wei Xiaoniang, although it is raining today, I heard from the Guan Guan Pozi at the second gate that many households are holding wedding celebrations today."

"Is that so? Then it seems today is an auspicious day."

"Indeed!"

Saying this, Seeing Seeing Qiujiang stood before the embroidery frame with the duster in hand, lightly brushing the embroidery work upon it while speaking:

"Nanny Liu said that the Xie family, who hold the title of Xie Zijue and reside at the small paper mill, are also fetching their bride today! The two young masters from the Xu family's private school most likely have gone to the Xie residence."

Wei Wei Shuyi sipped some tea and said: "Now that Xu Hou and the Xu family's Gu Dalang are both absent from Bianjing, the two young masters of the Xu family naturally must attend."

Seeing Seeing Qiujiang nodded and lowered her voice: "Wei Xiaoniang, I heard from Luzhong of Linqi Pavilion that the third miss of the Xie family is already quite advanced in age!"

"And regarding the Xiong family, holders of the Earl of Kang'an title, the three brothers are fighting over the family estate; it does not appear to be a peaceful household!"

Wei Wei Shuyi set down her teacup, thought for a moment, and said: "When Aunt Ming came tomorrow—rather, when she came previously—she told me that the young master of the Xiong family delayed his marriage until this year because he had to travel south to take up an official post."

"Furthermore, the elder sister of the Xie family's third miss is the eldest daughter-in-law of the Xu family! With such capable relatives backing her, even if she marries into the Xiong family, the Xie family's third miss will not suffer any grievance."

Seeing Seeing Qiujiang nodded repeatedly; looking at the embroidery on the frame, she asked puzzledly: "Wei Xiaoniang, judging by the pattern on this embroidery piece, it seems more suitable for a young master! Everyone outside is saying that this child carried by the Lady of Xu Hou will be a Young Master!"

Wei Wei Shuyi smiled and said: "I do not know why, but I always feel that the child will be a young miss. Besides, if the child is young, auspicious patterns and the like can easily be discussed later."

"Wei Xiaoniang, do you think that for a wealthy family like Marquis Marquis Yongyi's Hou Fu, they would care about the embroidery you have made?"

"As long as the sentiment is conveyed, why should one care whether they value it or not."

Having said this, Wei Wei Shuyi glanced once more at the sky outside the window.

Under the same sky,

at the small paper mill,

where red silk hung and characters for 'happiness' were pasted, filling the main gate of the Xie family with joyous atmosphere, a wedding procession stood parked.

Surrounding them were neighbors and passersby gathering to watch.

Liang Han stood before the groom, Xiong Yan, his face full of ingratiating smiles; facing Xu Zaizhang on the steps at the entrance of the Xie family gate, he repeatedly bowed with clasped hands and said in a low voice: "Third Brother Xu, when you set the challenges, please show some mercy!"

Xu Zaizhang laughed and said: "Liu Lang! I am here on behalf of my elder brother; for you to beg for leniency before we have even begun is hardly acceptable!"

Liang Han looked at the crowd standing behind Xu Zaizhang at the main gate, continued bowing with clasped hands, and said: "Third Brother Xu, we never intended to win the martial challenge; for the literary challenge, I hope you will show some consideration for your younger brother."

Xu Zaizhang glanced at Xiong Yan, then looked at the young men of the Xiong family standing behind him, who neither spoke nor exerted themselves but merely made up the numbers, smiled, and said, "Then I will pose the first question."

"."

"Good!"

The thunderous cheers of approval from the front courtyard drifted into the Xie family's rear garden.

In the main hall of the rear courtyard, the Ladies and titled Wu Da Da Niangzi seated there all turned their heads to look in the direction of the sound.

Soon,

a young maid from the Xie family hurried over, bowed deeply to the assembly in the hall.

Xie Shi smiled and asked, "What is happening in the front courtyard?"

"Replying to Wu Da Da Niangzi, Liang Liu, the groomsman from the Xiong family, failed to answer the second question and is now heartily drinking wine!"

Xie Shi's mother hastily waved her hand and said,

"Go quickly and instruct them not to let the child drink himself to injury."

"Yes."

Watching the departing young maid, Sheng Hualan, seated beside her elder sister-in-law Xie Shi, smiled and shook her head before turning her gaze toward the several titled Ladies seated at the head of the hall.

Among them was Bai Wu Daniang of the Gu family,

and since Bai Wu Daniang now held an imperial title, she was to be addressed respectfully as Lady Bai.

Not far above Lady Bai sat Lady Zheng, renowned for her virtue and integrity, possessing both talent and moral character.

Lady Zheng's attendance at various gatherings and banquets was famous for her stern demeanor and lack of frivolous speech.

But today, Lady Zheng wore a smile as she looked at Lady Bai; whenever Lady Bai spoke, Lady Zheng would always listen with a gentle smile.

Lady Zheng's conduct naturally prompted the other titled official kin in the hall to follow suit.

Below Lady Bai sat her daughter-in-law Xu Xu Pingmei, with Xu Xu Pingmei seated next to Xu Xu Anmei.

Behind Xu Xu Pingmei and Xu Xu Anmei,

sat Zheng Ni, wearing a married woman's hair bun, whispering secretly with Gu Gu Tingyi.

"Gu Tingyi, you wouldn't believe it! As soon as I returned to my maiden home, Mother started using Lady Bai as an example, telling me to grow closer to Lady Bai."

Seeing Gu Gu Tingyi's puzzled expression, Zheng Ni continued, "Your elder brother and Pei Pei Erge have achieved success in their studies, and their filial piety is famous! Mother told me to learn from them."

Gu Gu Tingyi nodded with a smile and said, "Sister, just go when you have time; Mother and Sister-in-law are always at home."

"Mm! When the time comes, I'll invite Han Wu Niang along!" Zheng Ni said with a laugh.

"By the way, Gu Tingyi! I heard that a few days ago, when the Captain serving beside the fifth young master of the Xu family got married, he rode the fifth young master Xu Wu's dragon steed to the home of the stewardess of Duke Yan's estate to fetch his bride?"

Gu Gu Tingyi hurriedly nodded and said, "Correct! My sister-in-law even sent some congratulatory gifts!"

Zheng Ni exclaimed in surprise, "Ah? Even though he is a personal attendant of Hou Fu with military merits to his name, how could he ride a dragon steed? And did Sister Xu Pingmei really send congratulatory gifts?"

Gu Gu Tingyi nodded and said, "I heard Sister-in-law mention it; it seems those two personal attendants beside Brother Jing have an unusual relationship with Brother Jing!"

Zheng Ni: "Ah? Unusual?"

Xu Xu Anmei, who had been holding a handkerchief in the front, turned her head to look back.

Zheng Ni quickly looked over and asked, "Sister Xu Anmei, what is so unusual about the two personal attendants of the fifth young master Xu?"

(End of Chapter)