Chapter 721: Silks and Pearls: A Heartfelt Thank You! Another Bow! 41K Chapters Owed

"Look at the fabric—it's not even luxurious; truly petty and narrow-minded."

Thinking of Mo Lan's words on the road, Chang Feng wanted to speak.

But seeing his father Sheng Hong smiling broadly at Mo Lan, looking deeply satisfied, Chang Feng ultimately said nothing.

"Feng'er, come here, let your father take a look."

Sheng Hong waved Chang Feng over with a smile.

When Chang Feng approached, Sheng Hong said: "Today in school, what did the tutor teach you and your classmates?"

Chang Feng bowed slightly and replied: "Father, these past days the tutor has been discussing the situation in the north, often having us and our classmates simulate possible shifts among the Northern Liao, Mongols, and Jin."

"And how our dynasty should respond if such changes occur."

Hearing this, Sheng Hong nodded repeatedly: "The tutor thinks deeply. And how did you answer?"

The father and son exchanged a few more words, mostly Sheng Hong offering guidance to Chang Feng.

When the maid from Lin Qige had arranged the meal, Sheng Hong continued before eating: "In a few days, your sister Shu Lan will marry; you and Chang Bai will go to the Yu family to escort the bride."

Chang Feng was about to rise and respond, but Sheng Hong waved him back to sit: "Before I came, your grandmother instructed me that the guests arriving at the Yu family that day are of high status; you brothers must be extra careful and not let the Sheng family lose face."

Chang Feng rose and smiled: "Father, I understand! On that day, Xu Wu will also be at the Yu family—he'll look after me and Brother Er."

Sheng Hong nodded with a smile, signaling Chang Feng to sit.

Then, the "family of four" enjoyed lunch in harmonious cheer.

Time passed,

and it was now June,

the sun higher in the sky,

the sunlight fiercer,

the number of summer cicadas clinging to the branches seemed to have increased, their cries louder and noisier than before.

Late Si Hour (11 a. m.)

The sunlight began to grow scorching.

In the courtyard of the Sheng family schoolhouse,

inside the room,

the dark brown floor and furniture were being carefully wiped by the maids.

Fine gauze curtains hung along the walls to keep out mosquitoes, swaying gently in the crosswind.

Unlike previous days, besides the cleaning maids, the schoolhouse was empty today.

After finishing, the Sheng family maid wrung out her cloth, draped it over the bucket handle, and carried the bucket out of the courtyard.

Outside the courtyard,

the Sheng household was far quieter than usual; the stable where carriages and horses were kept stood empty.

Not far from the stable,

near the Sheng family's main gate,

the gate attendants no longer stood on duty; instead, they sat together on a long bench, idly fanning themselves with palm-leaf fans while eating seasonal fruit.

Meanwhile,

in the Dunjiao neighborhood, southeast of Bianjing's outer city,

near the Sheng family's main residence,

on the street,

Xu Zaijing rode a small black steed, resting his elegant folding fan atop his head to shield himself from the sun that scorched his scalp.

On one side of Xu Zaijing rode Qi Heng; on the other, the newly ennobled imperial clansman Zhao Wei; behind them followed Qingyun and Buwei.

The two accompanied Xu Zaijing to deliver the betrothal gifts.

Qi Heng came because his maternal grandfather, the Marquis of Xiangyang, had long been under the careful care of Elder Physician Yu, sparing him much suffering.

Zhao Wei came because his mother and niece—a group of women and children, old and young—had fled a thousand li from Lulong in Northern Liao to Bianjing; after Zhao Wei received his title and finally relaxed, he fell ill.

Those days coincided with Yu Huguang's duty at court; to show favor to the Zhao family, the palace dispatched the imperial physician Yu Huguang.

After diagnosis and treatment, the illness vanished.

To express gratitude and to cultivate ties with the capital's noble families, Zhao Wei came along to help.

But Bianjing's climate differed slightly from Lulong, and the heat made Zhao Wei fan himself incessantly.

"Ugh!"

Beside him, Qi Heng reached out, smiling, and patted the small black steed beneath Xu Zaijing, then pulled his hand back.

The steed's coat was glossy and black, now warm to the touch from the sun.

Xu Zaijing smiled at Qi Heng's antics: "Yuanruo, judging by you, you've been in good spirits all along."

Qi Heng grinned and looked puzzled: "Jing-ge, have I?"

Behind them, Buwei glanced shyly at Qingyun, who smiled quietly.

Their master had practically written "I'm delighted" on his face, yet he still asked.

Xu Zaijing nodded with a smile.

Qi Heng glanced around at the streets and houses, then at the blazing sun, and chuckled: "I've never delivered betrothal gifts before—it's novel."

"Mm." Xu Zaijing replied.

On the other side, Zhao Wei wiped sweat and said: "Wu Lang, I've heard you've recommended several brave generals to the military lately—what about me?"

Xu Zaijing shook his head with a smile: "Gan-ge, you've only been in Da Zhou a short while; the court won't send you to the front."

"I know that—people still don't trust me," Zhao Wei said, sounding disappointed.

Seeing Zhao Wei's expression, Xu Zaijing nodded: "Gan-ge, that's one reason—but it's to protect you, and others too."

"There will be opportunities later," Xu Zaijing added.

"Mm."

As the three spoke,

not far ahead,

beneath a tree adorned with red silk, someone rose and ran toward the main Sheng residence.

Soon,

Sheng Wei and Sheng Hong appeared at the gate, followed by younger generations including Chang Bai.

After greetings and pleasantries, Xu Zaijing and the others were ushered into the courtyard to deliver the betrothal gifts.

On the way to the men's seating area, Qi Heng's eyes swept the courtyard.

When he spotted Ming Lan peering out from behind the bamboo curtain where Mo Lan and Ru Lan stood, Qi Heng's face lit up with a brilliant smile.

Coincidentally, Mo Lan appeared behind Ming Lan, holding a round fan, glancing this way—and saw Qi Heng's radiant smile.

In high spirits, Qi Heng cheerfully nodded to all three Lan girls.

The three Lan girls quickly ducked back behind the curtain; Mo Lan blushed and bowed slightly toward Qi Heng.

When she looked up, Qi Heng had already walked away with the crowd.

Behind the bamboo curtain,

Pin Lan looked puzzled at Ru Lan and Ming Lan: "That man is the Young Marquis Qi, isn't he? Why did he smile at us so strangely?"

Ming Lan and Ru Lan both shook their heads, lips pressed together.

Mo Lan, shyly fanning herself, lifted her chin slightly and cast a sidelong glance at the three.

"Sister Mo Lan, why is your face so red?" Pin Lan asked, turning.

Mo Lan's fan moved faster; her eyes darted: "It's just the weather—too hot."

Ru Lan snorted, secretly rolling her eyes at Mo Lan.

"Oh! Come on, let's go tell Auntie and the others in the inner courtyard." Pin Lan pulled the two girls toward the inner quarters.

Arriving beneath the corridor near the main hall of the inner courtyard,

the three Lan girls slowed their steps, straightened their postures, exchanged glances, then stepped into the room together.

As they looked inside,

the room was filled with fragrant silks and jeweled hairpins; chairs and embroidered stools held many noblewomen adorned in brocade and pearls.

At the head sat the two elder ladies of the Sheng family; flanking them were Wang Ruofu and Li Dainiang, who sat restlessly.

Near them,

besides the wives of the Feng family from the State of Cheng and the relatives of Liu, Sheng Hong's contemporary,

were the daughters-in-law of the Yongyi Marquis: Xie Shi and Hua Lan,

the daughter-in-law of the Ningyuan Marquis: Ping Mei, along with Pan Dainiang of the Hu Yan family and An Mei.

Xie Rui, married into the Xiong family of Kang'an Bo, sat behind Xie Shi; beside her sat Ni Qiu, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Viscount Zhu family; beside Ni Qiu sat the beautiful younger sister-in-law, Xiao Die.

Near these noble and kinship women, Wang Ruofu's elder sister, Lady Kang, had shed her usual sharp and bitter demeanor; she sat with her daughter Kang Yun'er, smiling politely at the farthest seat from the Feng family.

After the three Lan girls entered and paid their respects, Ru Lan smiled: "The Yu family sent their second round of betrothal gifts—delivered by Wu Lang Xu, Yuanruo, and another brother we don't know."

Watching Ru Lan's composure, Wang Ruofu and Liu Mama both smiled.

The eldest grandmother waved her hand with a smile: "It's so hot, you're all sweating—quick, wipe the children's brows."

After a flurry of activity,

the women in the room resumed their chatter.

The three Lan girls and the newly arrived Mo Lan walked to the back, found embroidered stools, and sat down.

Xiao Tao whispered a few words to Ming Lan, then walked over to Qingcao and Qingzhi, who still had a faint blush on her face.

Minglan sat on the embroidered stool for a while, then saw Xiao Die, Ni Qiu's maid, waving at her.

Minglan walked over with a smile, and Xiao Die took her hand, whispering: "Miss, how has Xiao Niang been lately?"

"Don't worry, Xiao Die, Xiao Niang has been well lately—ice is always ready to cool her down," Minglan said, then added: "And how is the little nephew? Is he well-behaved at home?"

Xiao Die shook her head with a smile: "He's a little rascal. By the way, did you like the things we sent to the household to make the veiled hats?"

Minglan nodded eagerly: "Yes! Grandma said I looked lovely wearing that veiled hat."

As the two spoke,

Pingmei, seated ahead, turned around and glanced twice, then leaned over to Hualan and smiled: "Sister-in-law, isn't your fifth sister coming of age next year?"

Hualan, addressed as sister-in-law, smiled and pressed her lips, then turned to look at Rulan and nodded at Pingmei: "You're right."

Pingmei nodded and sighed: "I haven't seen the three sisters in a while—they've all grown even more beautiful, but—"

Hualan looked at Pingmei with clear confusion.

Pingmei smiled and exchanged a glance with her sister-in-law Xie Shi: "But none of them can match the beauty of my brother's wife."

Hearing this, Hualan instantly felt embarrassed and didn't know what to say, then gave Pingmei a playful scowl.

"Sister-in-law, I'm telling the truth, aren't I? Look, Hualan's glaring at me like that," Pingmei laughed to Xie Shi.

Xie Shi shook her head, smiling but saying nothing.

After composing herself, Hualan said: "Sister, my sixth sister hasn't fully come into her looks yet—this remark might not hold true later."

Pingmei's eyes flickered, she turned to look at Minglan, and nodded: "True. Given Xiao Niang's looks, Minglan's future beauty is uncertain."

At the men's banquet,

Xu Zaijing and Qi Heng had long been familiar with the Sheng family.

There was no restraint among them at the table.

After eating a few fruits chilled in well water, Xu Zaijing smiled at Sheng Hong: "Uncle, yesterday our household went to the Yu family to lay the bridal bed, and Elder Yu and the Yu clan elders were very pleased."

Sheng Hong smiled, revealing two dimples: "Oh? Qi Lang is still young—he went to help his cousin lay the bridal bed, and they were pleased?"

Xu Zaijing and Qi Heng exchanged a glance and smiled: "Yes. They said little Zhen Ge, though so young, behaved properly at the Yu household, recited all the auspicious phrases without missing a word, his tone rhythmic and cadenced, making the Yu family laugh until they couldn't stop."

"Hahaha! There's more to it! I suppose Mother taught him well," Sheng Hong laughed.

After speaking for a while longer,

Xu Zaijing and Qi Heng, having finished lunch, returned to the Yu family under the blazing sun.

After the hottest part of the afternoon—Wushi (1 to 3 p. m.)—

In the afternoon,

the Yu family's wedding procession, with music and drums, arrived at the front gate of the Sheng family's main residence.

After a lively commotion,

Sheng Shulan stepped into the bridal sedan.

The wedding procession returned to the Yu household; after the bride and groom paid their respects, there was further merriment.

Xu Zaijing and the others were fine—they were still unmarried, so they left room for future encounters.

But Zhu Qinghu's comrades-in-arms caused quite a ruckus, for years ago they had been badly injured by powerful figures from former Baigaohebei, and Yu Huaguang had given them "special attention."

One might say it was repayment for kindness with malice.

The sun sank westward,

Dunjiao Lane

Sheng family's main residence,

relatives who had come to celebrate sat in the cool hall, enjoying the banquet.

Teams of maids carried dishes and fruit trays, moving in orderly fashion between rooms.

In one side chamber,

after toasting and bustling all day, Li Dainiang finally had a chance to sit down and catch her breath.

Taking the chilled drink from her personal maid, Li Dainiang drank deeply and said: "What do you think of the Kang girl?"

Li Dainiang came from a merchant family; though her personal maid wasn't especially sharp, she could judge character.

"Dainiang, since the girl arrived, I've been watching her. Her gaze and conduct match what Wang Dainiang said—she's truly not like her mother, Kang Wangshi; she seems honest."

Li Dainiang set down her teacup, hesitating: "Could this girl be pretending?"

"Dainiang, conduct can be faked, but not the eyes. Just now, the maid assigned to the Kang girl's table said the girl was kind to the servants too."

After the maid spoke, Li Dainiang murmured: "I still can't be sure in my heart."

The maid said: "Dainiang, we paid to ask the Kang family's servants and maids—they all said the same."

"As the saying goes, even a broken boat has three thousand nails. Though the Kang family has declined, and Kang Yuan'er caused such a scandal, they're still a scholarly family with generations of officials—Kang Jin'er will surely inherit an official post."

"And that Yun'er girl is the biological granddaughter of Old Lady Wang; her maternal uncle is a high official of a prefecture. With this connection, our Wu'er will surely gain some protection and benefit."

Li Dainiang: "You're right—shall we settle on it then?"

In the afternoon,

Jiyin Alley,

Sheng family, Shou'an Hall.

After drinking some wedding wine, Old Lady Sheng sat on the Luohan chair and took the sobering drink from Fang Mama.

"Dainiang has come."

"Mother, good news!" Wang Ruofu entered smiling, accompanied by Liu Mama.

"Is it settled—Wu and Yun'er's marriage?" the old lady smiled.

"Mother, you—"

"When Dainiang got into the carriage, she smiled so broadly—I guessed already."

Wang Ruofu smiled: "Just as Mother guessed."

"Has the date been set?" the old lady asked.

Wang Ruofu smiled: "Sister-in-law says Wu and Yun'er are still young, no rush—this year we'll just exchange preliminary betrothal papers, and set the wedding date next year."

The old lady nodded: "So… she's waiting to see."

Wang Ruofu frowned: "Mother, waiting to see what?"

The old lady smiled: "Suqin, bring Dainiang a cup of sobering drink too."

After bidding farewell at Shou'an Hall, Wang Ruofu glanced at Liu Mama: "What did Mother mean just now?"

Liu Mama whispered: "Dainiang, your sister-in-law in the main residence is watching to see whether Kang Yuan'er will cause more trouble."

(End of Chapter)