Chapter 607: Aching Heart of An Mei [Many Thanks! Bowing Again! 43k Chapters Owed]

As she spoke,

Wang Wang Ruofu placed the soft bow on the table,

and glancing at the feathered arrows that Nurse Liu had taken out of their silk case, Wang Wang Ruofu's gaze tightened: "Hiss!"

"Da Da Niangzi, what is wrong?" Nurse Liu hurriedly asked.

Wang Wang Ruofu reached out to take a feathered arrow, staring at the arrowhead atop it, and said, "This is far too sharp! Is it not somewhat inappropriate for young girls to play with this?"

Nurse Liu nodded in agreement, saying, "What Da Da Niangzi says is true! However, this has recently become popular in the capital; even if the Fifth Miss does not play with it, she cannot remain ignorant of it!"

Wang Wang Ruofu frowned slightly and said, "That is also true! Then when Ru'er returns, instruct her and Magpie to be careful when playing with this; they must absolutely look after themselves!"

"Yes, Da Da Niangzi!"

"Should we then hire a female instructor for the young ladies?" Nurse Liu asked.

Wang Wang Ruofu nodded and said, "Hire one! The Xu family consists of noble military generals; send word to Hua'er and have her help find someone!"

Jin An Studio,

inside the room,

by the window where the light was best,

stood an embroidery frame placed upon the floor,

and Wei Wei Shuyi, seated before the embroidery frame, withdrew her gaze from the distant rooftops, swept her eyes over the green plants nearby, then turned to look at the embroidery frame, preparing to continue her embroidery.

"Wei Xiaoniang! Something has been delivered through the second gate!"

The voice of the young maid Seeing Qiujiang came.

Wei Wei Shuyi turned her head: "Place it on the table!"

As she spoke, she rose to her feet and walked toward the table.

A moment later,

the soft bow and slender arrows were placed upon the table.

The young maid Seeing Qiujiang looked at the items with a face full of confusion, saying, "Wei Xiaoniang, why has the household bought these things?"

Looking at the bow and arrows, Wei Wei Shuyi smiled lightly and said, "When I previously visited the Ni family, my younger sister from my natal home mentioned it; it seems this item is quite popular among the noble young ladies of the capital."

"Oh!" Seeing Qiujiang nodded and said, "The Lord intends for the Sixth Miss to play with it as well!"

"Mm!"

Wei Wei Shuyi nodded while stretching her arms a few times.

Seeing Qiujiang said in surprise, "Wei Xiaoniang, surely you do not intend to try it yourself?"

Wei Wei Shuyi smiled, shifted the thimble on her finger to the position of her knuckle, picked up the soft bow, took a deep breath, and then drew the soft bow in her hands with standard form!

Watching Wei Wei Shuyi's movements, Seeing Qiujiang could not help but let out an exclamation: "Wow~ Wei Xiaoniang, you truly know how to do this!"

Wei Wei Shuyi gently loosened the bowstring, and before she could speak, Seeing Qiujiang clapped her hands and continued, "Wei Xiaoniang, I heard that the hanging painting in the Old Lady's quarters depicting a female general guarding the border was embroidered by you~ No wonder then!"

Seeing Seeing Qiujiang's expression, Wei Wei Shuyi smiled, placed the soft bow on the table, and said, "This bow does not require much strength; it is very suitable for the several young ladies!"

Cheng Qiuniang nodded and said, "Wei Xiaoniang, regarding how to draw the bow, did you learn this from your family?"

Wei Wei Shuyi shook her head and said, "No. My father from my natal home was a literary instructor; he was on good terms with a martial instructor named Ma from the county, and when I was young, I learned how to draw the bow and loose arrows from Elder Sister Ma's family for over ten days."

Seeing Qiujiang laughed and said, "Wei Xiaoniang, speaking of it this way, you are actually proficient in both civil and martial arts!"

Wei Wei Shuyi smiled and shook her head.

Lin Qi Pavilion,

within the courtyard,

Lin Lin Qinshuang, who was admiring the flowers outside the house, saw Zhou Zhou Xueniang holding the bow and arrows in her hands and waved her hand in disgust, saying, "Put it aside!"

"Wei Xiaoniang, this was specially purchased by the Lord; the other two courtyards have received them as well! Putting it aside might not be very appropriate!"

Lin Lin Qinshuang turned her head to glance at Zhou Zhou Xueniang, pursed her lips in disdain, and said, "What sort of image is it for young ladies to brandish swords and wield spears?"

"But, Wei Xiaoniang, this servant has heard outside that this is currently popular in the capital! If the Fourth Miss does not know this, would she not be out of step with everyone else?"

After Zhou Zhou Xueniang finished speaking, Lin Lin Qinshuang halted her motion of stroking the flowers in the pot and said, "It is better that Mo'er does not know this! In the future, will not the young masters from these noble families have the opportunity to teach Mo'er the art of archery?"

"If she truly learns it in advance, would that not eliminate many reasons for her to seek their instruction?"

Zhou Zhou Xueniang nodded repeatedly with full admiration, saying, "What Wei Xiaoniang says is true!"

After speaking, Lin Lin Qinshuang said with some worry on her face, "By my calculation, Mo'er's monthly cycle should arrive within these day or two; I wonder if the servants are taking care of her diligently while she is in the suburbs!"

Zhou Zhou Xueniang said, "With the nurses from the Old Lady's side present, the Fourth Miss should be fine."

Lin Lin Qinshuang looked at the bees flying across the courtyard not far away and said, "Let us hope so!"

The next day,

in the morning,

on Quyuanjie,

near Marquis Marquis Yongyi's Hou Fu,

in the residence next door to the Brother Qingyun Small Courtyard,

the characters for 'double happiness' pasted on both sides of the main gate had not yet faded.

Several well-dressed Ladies stood in the courtyard; among them was an elderly nurse from the Du family of Xiao Xiao Gongye Yan, whose natal surname was Shi, and who had married a steward of the Xiao Xiao Gongye Yan's household.

It was this Nurse Shi who had previously gone to the Xu family's tent to 'borrow fire' during Wu Da Da Niangzi's polo match, and who had selected Xun Shu, one of Xu Xu Zaijing's two horse attendants, as her son-in-law.

Although her daughter had gotten married some time ago and had returned to her natal home a few days later, Nurse Shi had never had the opportunity to come to Quyuanjie until today, which was her first visit.

"Good, good! Truly excellent! One can tell that great care was taken in renovating this courtyard!" Nurse Shi said after inspecting the corners of the house.

Xun Shu's wife laughed and said, "Mother, the Hou Fu hired the Li family's team of craftsmen to repair this; how could they not have taken care?"

Nurse Shi and her daughter-in-law exchanged a smiling glance, and looking at their daughter's happy face, she said, "Only you have such a glib tongue!"

"Mother, Sister-in-law, let us go inside!"

The book-searching woman smiled and said.

"Good!"

After Shi Mama spoke, she looked at the young female servant in the courtyard and said, "This girl, is she obedient here?"

"Obedient! Mother, how could any female servant you pick not be clever and obedient?"

"If she isn't good, just tell me, and I'll find another one for you!"

"Ai!"

Speaking thus, the three entered the room.

Glancing around the interior and seeing the portrait hanging on one side of the main hall, Shi Mama squinted at it and said, "Hiss, is this your husband? Why hang his portrait on the wall? It's somewhat unlucky!"

"Mother, this was painted personally by the Fifth Young Master of Hou Fu! My husband treasures it above all else."

"Oh! The handiwork of a young master from Hou Fu! Then it must be hung, to share in the good fortune of a high-born young master."

While speaking, Shi Mama and her daughter-in-law sat down on the chairs.

"Where is your husband?" Shi Mama asked.

"He went to the main kitchen of the mansion to fetch wine and dishes! He said the Lady of Xu Hou specifically instructed it."

"It seems your husband truly is someone close to the Fifth Young Master of Hou Fu!"

"Wife? Have my mother-in-law and sister-in-law arrived?" Xun Shu's voice came from outside.

Shi Mama rose and walked outward, just in time to see her son-in-law arriving in the courtyard with several young attendants carrying food boxes.

After Xun Shu arranged the wine and dishes,

he also took out two wooden boxes from the side.

"Husband, what are these?" Xun Shu's wife asked.

Xun Shu scratched his head with a smile and said, "These are cups the Fifth Young Master gave to me and Ah Lan. He said they were brought along when Young Master Lu arrived today."

Seeing the puzzled expressions of his mother-in-law and the others, Xun Shu continued, "The Fifth Young Master designed the style himself! I found them beautiful and thought to have my mother-in-law take them back for my father-in-law and elder brother."

Shi Mama nodded with a smile and said:

"I know the Young Master of the Lu family is Han Wulang's sworn brother! Previously, when Han Wulang saved people at the Daoist Academy, your father-in-law and elder brother were present at the scene."

"But since it isn't a festival or holiday, why has Young Master Lu come?"

Before Xun Shu could speak, Shi Mama's daughter-in-law said, "Mother, the Lu family has a happy event tomorrow."

"Right, right~ look at my memory."

While speaking, Xun Shu had already taken the items out of the wooden boxes.

Shi Mama nodded and said, "Mm, the porcelain rim of these cups is truly fine! The style is also novel! Son-in-law, you keep them yourself!"

Just as Xun Shu was about to speak, his wife laughed and said, "Ai, Mother, then your daughter will accept them first."

In Huihe Ward,

at the Xiao Xiao Gongye of You Lian's Mansion,

the third branch of the Lu family, being the Imperial Son-in-Law, usually resided in their residence within Yulin Lane.

But today, as the young lady of the Lu family's third branch married, she was departing from the Xiao Xiao Gongye's Mansion.

Before the main gate of the Xiao Xiao Gongye's Mansion,

not only on the lintel, but even the two stone lions at the entrance were now draped with red silk.

"Whoa~"

"Neigh~"

Several horses snorted loudly and came to a steady stop at the entrance.

Several carriages followed behind.

Seeing Xu Xu Zaijing and Lu Zezong, the Lu family gatekeeper hurriedly approached with a smile and said, "Young Master, Brother Jing, you have returned!"

Xu Xu Zaijing dismounted to the side, nodded with a smile, then glanced at Lu Zezong who was also dismounting, and directly tossed the reins in his hand to the gatekeeper, saying, "Has the Chai family's wedding gift procession arrived?"

"Replying to Han Wulang, not yet!"

"Good!"

Xu Xu Zaijing nodded and said.

"Elder Brother, wait for me!"

Having dismounted, Lu Zezong smiled and quickly hurried after Xu Xu Zaijing, who was entering the gate.

Passing through corridors and gates,

Xu Xu Zaijing arrived at the Lu family's rear courtyard.

Amidst the announcements of the female servants,

Xu Xu Zaijing and Lu Zezong entered the main hall,

and looking at the crowd within the hall,

Xu Xu Zaijing hastily bowed with clasped hands to greet everyone.

Seeing Xu Xu Zaijing enter, the old Xiao Xiao Gongye Lu and the old Duchess Lu wore faces full of smiles, and the old Xiao Xiao Gongye said, "Brother Jing, sit quickly!"

Li Wu Da Da Niangzi and the Imperial Son-in-Law Lu with his wife, sitting nearby, also looked at Xu Xu Zaijing with eyes full of kindness and affection.

After looking at Xu Xu Zaijing, the Imperial Son-in-Law Lu even turned back to glance at the son held in his nurse's arms.

The several golden flowers of the Lu family's third branch returned Xu Xu Zaijing's salute, then exchanged smiling glances, their eyes holding ambiguous meaning.

After all, whenever they attended gatherings or literary assemblies and mentioned Xu Xu Zaijing's situation, they always received considerable attention and concern from noble ladies of other families.

"How does Brother Jing find the cups that Brother Zong sent?" the old Xiao Xiao Gongye asked with a smile.

Xu Xu Zaijing nodded repeatedly and said, "Good! The porcelain craftsmanship is excellent!"

The old Xiao Xiao Gongye chuckled: "Brother Jing, your idea is also clever; these cups are much larger, and with this curved handle, one won't get burned."

Xu Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded, saying, "Old Master Lu, I merely borrowed the wisdom of those who came before! When I read books in my usual days, I felt the cup was too small and there wasn't enough water to drink! Although the saucer holding the tea bowl prevents burning one's hands, sometimes one still needs to use both hands."

Old Master Lu smiled and nodded, saying, "Mm! Sometimes that is indeed a trouble."

The porcelain Xu Xu Zaijing requested the Lu family to fire was nothing more than the very common mugs of later generations.

Although Xu Xu Zaijing had said that simply firing a few cups of this style would suffice, Lu Zezong attached great importance to the matter, and the porcelain artisans of both the Lu and Li families attached even greater importance to it.

Later, this cup became exactly what it was after striving for perfection.

The inside of the cup was snow-white,

while the outside bore five-colored glazes.

If placed in a porcelain shop in Bianjing, the starting price would be at least eight or nine strings of cash.

When they were discussing the situation of that Wu Da Da Niangzi, whom Xu Xu Zaijing had previously recommended and who excelled at creating lifelike flower arrangements,

A Lu family nurse entered the room, bowed deeply, and smiled, saying, "Your Highness, Ling Guo Gong, Imperial Son-in-Law, Chai Yuan Erlang and Young Master Qi have arrived to deliver the wedding betrothal gifts!"

After the Princess and Old Master Lu smiled and nodded,

Old Master Lu laughed:

"Haha~ Please invite them in quickly!"

In the main hall of the front courtyard,

Xu Xu Zaijing and Lu Zezong sat at the table, accompanying Chai Bo and Hearing Qi Heng, who had come to deliver the wedding betrothal gifts, as they ate and drank wine.

Hearing Qi Heng raised his wine cup and said, "Brother Jing, the Lady of the Xiao Xiao Gongye of Britain and the Old Lady have always been on good terms; didn't Young Master Zhang say he was coming? Why haven't we seen him?"

Xu Xu Zaijing looked at Lu Zezong, who hurriedly said, "Early tomorrow morning, several juniors from the Zhang family will arrive!"

Hearing Qi Heng nodded: "Oh! So that is how it is!"

After Hearing Qi Heng finished speaking, Chai Bo raised his cup and said, "Han Wulang, tomorrow when you block the door, please show some mercy!"

Xu Xu Zaijing raised his cup with a smile: "Well said! Well said!"

After the meal,

while Xu Xu Zaijing and Lu Zezong were accompanying the Chai family in drinking tea,

a Lu family nurse entered the room and said, "Young Master, Fifth Young Master, our family's carriage for the dowry shops is ready."

Lu Zezong stood up, looked at Xu Xu Zaijing, and hesitated, saying, "Elder Brother... I..."

Xu Xu Zaijing looked at Lu Zezong with a smile and said, "What? Do you want me to accompany you?"

"Mm!" Lu Zezong nodded heavily.

Xu Xu Zaijing thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "Very well! I will go ask Old Master; if he nods, I will accompany you on this trip!"

After receiving permission,

Xu Xu Zaijing and Lu Zezong rode horses together toward the Chai residence.

Following behind them were several carriages loaded with a small portion of the Lu family young lady's dowry, as well as items needed for the dowry shops.

The third branch of the Lu family had given birth to six golden flowers in succession,

so,

whether due to taboo or some other reason,

among those going to the Chai family's dowry shops today, only Lu Zezong, whose status was that of a cousin, was present; there were no young ladies who were biological sisters from the Lu family's third branch.

East of the Imperial City,

at the Chai residence,

the Chai family was already not far from Huihe Ward,

so walking from the Xiao Xiao Gongye of You Lian's residence to the Chai family took very little time.

In the Chai family courtyard, hung with red silk and pasted with characters for 'happiness', brimming with joy,

Chai Chai Zhengzheng followed beside Lady Chai,

and although stewardesses frequently came nearby to consult Lady Chai on various matters,

Lady Chai mostly remained silent, letting Chai Chai Zhengzheng beside her make the decisions.

At this moment,

Ziteng, who stood beside Chai Chai Zhengzheng with red silk tied around her waist, walked over quickly with a smile, performed a curtsy, and said, "Lady, Young Lady, the carriages and horses from the Lu family's dowry shops have arrived."

Lady Chai smiled and nodded: "Did Zong-ge'er come together with the young ladies of the Lu family's third branch? Are there others?"

"Replying to the Lady! We did not see the young ladies of the Lu family's third branch, but Jing-ge'er from the Xu family has also come along," Ziteng said, glancing at Chai Chai Zhengzheng.

"Good! Let us go out to welcome them," Lady Chai said with a smile.

On the way,

Lady Chai smiled and shook her head, prompting Chai Chai Zhengzheng to ask in confusion, "Mother, what is wrong?"

Lady Chai said, "It is evident that the Lu family still cares greatly about our family's feelings."

Chai Chai Zhengzheng paused for a moment, pondered briefly, then nodded.

Very soon,

Lady Chai and Chai Chai Zhengzheng, accompanied by nurses and maids, arrived at the main hall of the front courtyard.

Xu Xu Zaijing and Lu Zezong, who had been speaking with the master of the Chai house and others, hurriedly stood up to bow and offer greetings upon seeing Lady Chai and Chai Chai Zhengzheng coming around the screen.

After the exchange of pleasantries,

Chai Chai Zhengzheng accompanied Lu Zezong along with the Lu family's nurses and maids to the rear courtyard of the Chai residence to busy themselves with making the bed, hanging bed curtains, placing vanity cases, and rolling the bed.

Xu Xu Zaijing, however, was kept by Lady Chai in the main hall.

Lady Chai looked at Xu Xu Zaijing with a smile and said:

"Jing-ge'er, I naturally know your mother cannot come! But your two sisters-in-law and two elder sisters cannot all fail to visit my home!"

"I have sent invitations to the Gu family and the Hu Yan family! You must mention this to your mother again!"

Xu Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded, saying, "Rest assured, Mother has discussed it with the aunts from the Bai and Pan families; Second Sister and Sister-in-law Sheng Hualan will come here."

"Xu Pingmei and Sheng Hualan?" Lady Chai and Lord Chai exchanged a glance, then nodded repeatedly, saying, "Good! That is excellent!"

Chunming Ward,

the Hu Yan family residence,

where Xu Xu Anmei sat in a room with her mother-in-law, Pan Da Da Niangzi.

Xu Xu Anmei looked at the gift list with a pained expression, saying, "Mother, I am going to the Lu family; must we also send such expensive items to the Chai family?"

Pan Da Da Niangzi sighed and said, "An'er, previously when our family had troubles, the gifts the Chai and Rong families sent us were far from light; today, for the eldest son of the Chai family's wedding, we naturally must return gifts of equal value."

Xu Xu Anmei sighed and said, "Very well! The joy felt when receiving gifts is matched only by the pain of returning them!"

(End of Chapter)