Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Normally, for a bride to get married, it would take most of the day just to bathe, change clothes, and put on makeup. But now, as the situation is very tight, it can be done in an hour.

The bride has been changed and the dowry has to be handed over.

When Xiangyun heard that the maidservant beside the eldest lady was coming to deliver the list, she hurried out to receive it. As soon as she arrived, she stuffed the list into her arms, raised her chin and said, "The gift list lists 128 loads, but Second Lady knows that the old lady only allowed 64 loads. I'll trouble Second Lady to make a new list. The eldest lady has sent people to carry the things to the front yard. I'll trouble Second Lady to send someone to count them, so as to avoid any misunderstandings later and put the blame on our eldest wife."

If it weren't for his wife getting the upper hand, Xiangyun really wanted to throw the bill in her face.

The lady lost her marriage just for the sake of carrying the dowry for sixty-four years. Who should she blame?

Everyone knew that the batch of boxes that the second master brought back after the New Year were dowries prepared for the eldest lady, but everyone treated the lady as an inexhaustible gold mountain.

On the old lady's birthday, the first lady, in order to show her filial piety, took the credit for herself in front of all the noble ladies in the inner house of Zhongzhou, saying that she would clear a yard for the old lady to escape the summer heat. Then she turned around and found my wife. It was easy for her to say, "The first lady has sent people to clean the house, and the second lady can just add some decorations."

The vacated yard is for the old lady to use, so it's only right to add to it if my lady is willing.

As soon as the eldest lady's people left, the maidservant serving the eldest young lady arrived.

She came into the house and brought a plate of shriveled pastries, saying that they were made by the eldest young lady herself, "Grandma is planning to go back to her parents' home tomorrow."

Since the Second Master and the Third Master were not at home all year round, the money naturally fell into the hands of the lady. She had seen this kind of situation many times, so she knew what it meant as soon as she heard it, "What does the eldest sister-in-law need?"

The maid bowed to her, looking aggrieved and pitiful. "The eldest son has been with the master in the Eastern Capital for half a year. The eldest lady has been silently enduring the loneliness. She only reported good news in her letters and never told him about the bad news. Today, the eldest lady said she wanted to go back to her parents' home to visit. When I was packing, I realized that the eldest lady didn't even buy a decent piece of jewelry."

They were just a few pieces of jewelry, and Wen Shuse was not a stingy person, so he let her pick a few at random.

She didn't hesitate and picked three boxes at once.

As soon as the things were moved back, my second sister-in-law's people rushed over.

Wen Shuse was sitting on the couch, holding the list that the Second Master had brought back, and was about to make up for the things that had been taken away. Hearing this, he slammed the list on the couch and got angry. "There are only so many things in total, and everyone wants them. Who should I give them to? Their eyes are quite sharp. They can only see gold and silver, and can't see anything else. The last time father came back, the skin on his face was peeling, but they didn't feel sorry at all. And my brother, if he continues to be so evil, how will he find a wife in the future?"

"Since they all want it, it will save them the trouble of making another trip. Xiangyun, divide the dowry into three boxes for each family, and change the rest into cash for us to spend."

If pushed to the limit, will my wife be someone you can easily mess with?

Wen Shuse personally checked all the food, clothing and other expenses in the old lady's room, and nothing was neglected.

The golden nanmu wood that the second master brought back was just right.

My wife had the things moved over that day, and reported to the Madam afterwards. Everything has been packed up. If the Madam had taken the time to take a look, would she not have noticed something wrong?

And regarding the jewelry taken away by the eldest grandmother and the second grandmother, did you ever have any doubts in your heart?

It’s just that they all think that my wife has plenty of money, so they can squeeze as much as they can out of her.

It was a big day, and also his wife's big day, but something bad had happened. Xiangyun held back his anger, snatched the list, turned around and called a few people to go to the front yard to take the inventory.

The eldest lady thought sixty-four carriages were not enough, but the lady did not. After getting married, with the second master's property in Zhongzhou, the lady herself would be a living dowry.

As soon as Xiangyun left, Aunt Cao came into the house, followed by a maid.

When they went in, Wen Shuse was already sitting on the wedding bed, listening to the nanny giving her some last-minute lessons.

"Gentle and docile, filial to elders, a good wife and mother of children..." Wen Shuse didn't hear a word of what was said. When she saw Aunt Cao coming, she seemed to have seen the old lady in person, and her eyes were staring at her eagerly.

Aunt Cao still remembers what the Second Lady looked like back then. She actually looks more like the Second Master.

She had an oval face and a cherry mouth, and the flower ornament between her brows outlined a pair of black eyes. All the agility of the world seemed to be contained in her, and the gorgeous wedding dress was like a ray of brilliance inlaid on a beautiful jade.

The brightness engraved on her body was visibly flowing.

She was originally a beauty, and had been pampered by the old lady for many years. She was blessed to the core, and her every move was delicate and graceful.

Looking over, even Aunt Cao felt as if she had committed a great sin, and hurried forward to comfort her softly, "The old lady has always been very accurate in judging people. Today, she would rather bear the infamy and fight for this marriage for the second lady. Madam, just wait for your marriage with peace of mind, and don't let the old lady down. The old lady can't give you anything else." She turned around and called the maid behind her forward, "From now on, Aunt Qing will follow the second lady."

Aunt Qing is also an elder by the old lady's side. She has watched Wen Shuse grow up, and the old lady feels at ease with her around.

The eldest son and the eldest lady had already met before, so there was still some risk in the Wen family suddenly changing people. But as long as they got married, the matter was settled and the people of the Xie family had no choice but to accept it.

I’m afraid something might go wrong along the way and it might end badly.

Knowing that it was impossible to expect his grandmother to change her mind, Wen Shuse resigned himself to his fate and began to explain, "There are still a few boxes of ambergris and thick plum fragrance pills in the pear wood cabinet in my room. You can give them to grandma. She likes to make her own incense, so I left them all to her."

Others...

Last time, I sold everything that shouldn’t have been sold. I don’t have any inventory, so there’s really nothing left.

After racking his brain for a while, he remembered, "There are a few boxes of fresh cherries I picked at the farm in the car. I haven't had time to give them to her yet. Mammy, remember them and don't let them go bad."

Aunt Cao felt a little sad, "Don't worry, ma'am."

Wen Shuse stopped talking.

Without any previous warning, the marriage suddenly fell upon me. I was told to get married and I was left with only confusion and panic.

Gradually I calmed down and realized that I was really going to get married. It seemed as if I had just come to my senses and began to feel the anxiety and reluctance that a bride should have before getting married.

Her mother passed away when she was old and needed her support the most. When her grandmother saw her crying for her mother, she hugged her and told her stories at night.

My grandmother always looked solemn in front of others, and everyone in the mansion was afraid of her. Only when they were facing her would they smile.

When I was a child, my aunt and several cousins ​​often borrowed things from my grandmother when they had something to do but didn't dare to ask her. Although my grandmother knew it, she always gave her face.

Afterwards, my grandmother told Aunt Cao, "I should be happy that she can use me as a source of bragging."

She grew up in such an indulgent environment, and unexpectedly did not grow up to be what her grandmother hoped for. Instead, she developed a stubborn character that refused to submit to anyone.

Every time she saw her grandmother so angry that she couldn't speak, she secretly vowed to change all her bad habits.

But it’s really too difficult to do.

Her grandmother had always loved her dearly, so how could she not know her grandmother's painstaking efforts? She would rather ruin her reputation as a loving mother that she had built up over decades just to let her marry a good husband.

This time, she must not make her angry again.

She married.

The traces of sorrow were like a string pulling at her heart, making her more and more confused. She didn't know what to think or what to do. She stared blankly at the time passing by. Finally, she couldn't sit still. She suddenly stood up, lifted up her skirt and rushed towards the old lady's yard.

Aunt Cao and the others behind him reacted at once and hurried to catch up, "Madam..."

Wen Shuse turned a deaf ear to them. The tiny tassel beads on the phoenix crown swayed in front of her eyes, making a "ding-ling-ling" sound. She held up the hem of her skirt with both hands and walked as fast as the wind.

A group of people followed behind him.

There was movement again in the quiet corridor outside the main courtyard. The lattice doors that were open before were tightly closed. There was no light in the room, only the gradually brightening blue skylight.

Wen Shuse’s footsteps stopped in front of the door.

Aunt Cao caught up and whispered, "Time is running out, you should go back. Before the old lady went to bed, she specifically told you not to come..."

As soon as she finished speaking, Wen Shuse took two steps back, knelt straight outside the door, and raised her voice, "Grandma, your granddaughter is here to kneel down and pay homage to you."

The old lady was sitting in an armchair in a trance. When she heard the sound, she immediately stood up from the chair.

"My granddaughter is disobedient and always makes my grandmother unhappy. Today I kowtow to my grandmother and apologize. I am an unfilial granddaughter." Wen Shuse bent down and kowtowed, and the phoenix crown on her head hit the bluestone slabs, making a crisp "crackling" sound.

The old lady's mouth twitched, and she took trembling steps towards the door.

The maid beside her supported her and said, "Old Madam, slow down."

"My granddaughter is going to get married soon. I can't bear to leave you, so I want to come and see you." The voice paused. "After I'm gone, grandma, please take good care of yourself. I have made a wish in front of the Bodhisattva, wishing grandma good health and a long life. The Buddha will not deceive me."

The midnight passed in the blink of an eye. At the hour of Mao, the sun rose in the east. A ray of light suddenly fell on our heads, spreading long across the steps at the door.

The light passed through the mullioned door, and a white beam of light shone into the room. The old lady's vision was blurred by the light, and she hurried forward, "Jiaoxian..."

Suddenly, a series of firecrackers sounded in the front yard, the sound was like thunder, shaking people's hearts.

"My uncle is here."

Everyone knew what the sound of the firecrackers meant, and they were all in a panic. Aunt Cao helped her up and said, "Madam, we can't delay any longer."

Wen Shuse was dragged up alive, and the maid behind her helped her tidy up her wedding dress.

Aunt Cao handed her a round fan to cover her face and said, "My lady, remember, don't look around. Hold the round fan firmly to cover your face. Keep your head down as much as possible so that no one can recognize you."

A group of people pulled her towards the door and went up the corridor opposite the hall. Wen Shuse turned her head again.

The door behind her was opened at some point, and the golden morning light was shining on the old lady's face through the door.

Wen Shuse's nose suddenly felt sore, and he called out, "Grandma..."

Aunt Cao also saw it, and fearing that the old lady couldn't bear it, she quickly pulled her away, "Madam, please go."

The sound of firecrackers from the front yard continued inside and didn't stop for a long time. Everyone's hearts were hanging in the air and couldn't calm down.

Wen Shuse was led forward in a daze. When he stepped out of the threshold of the main house, he asked Aunt Cao softly, "Can I come back in the future?"

Such a soft voice is simply life-threatening.

Aunt Cao finally understood why the old lady didn't want her to kneel down, and forced a smile, "Second Madam is getting married, not going to a mountain of swords. You can return home in two days."

Wen Shuse seemed to be relieved. He turned his head, covered his face with a round fan, and lowered his head and stopped looking around.

Just in case, the old lady specially transferred a personal maid from the eldest girl to follow her, and she and Aunt Qing stood on both sides to block the view from both sides.

Wen Shuse's maid Xiangyun was arranged to be in the team at the back that transported the dowry.

Wen Shuse and the lady were of the same age and of similar stature. Add to that the pearl tassels on the phoenix crown and the round fan in their hands, and to outsiders it was like looking at flowers in the fog. Unless one looked closely, one could not tell the difference at all.

The decorations in the yard were all prepared yesterday. After Wen Shuse left the yard, he did not go around the corridor but walked through the hall. The red silk was spread all the way from the inner courtyard to the door.

A group of guests who came to watch the fun crowded in the front yard. Aunt Cao led the way, while Aunt Qing and the maidservant tightly protected Wen Shuse, not giving anyone a chance to get close.

The Xie family's wedding procession had been there for a while, waiting quietly outside the door. The two doors of the mansion with auspicious symbols pasted on them were now wide open. After the sound of firecrackers, there was not as much noise outside as imagined.

Aunt Cao wanted to see how handsome her brother-in-law looked today, but when she looked up, she saw a strange face.

The face was overly handsome, with a golden crown and red clothes, tall and straight back, riding on horseback, not saying a word, with a look of laziness and weariness, even ostentation.

Isn’t he the eldest son of the Xie family?

Aunt Cao had seen Young Master Xie before, but this was not the first thing she saw. She was stunned for a moment, and looked back at Aunt Qing who was also stunned behind her. She was confused about what was going on.

At this time, the servant standing in front of the young man's horse came forward, and at this moment, the sounds of several suonas covered everyone's ears.

Only Aunt Cao, who was closest to him, heard the servant's explanation clearly, "The eldest master took on an urgent errand today, and was afraid of missing the auspicious time, so he asked the third master to come first to take his wife back home."

It turned out to be the third young master.

His reputation is well-deserved. He is elegant and witty, but his personality is not someone who is easily approachable.

Everyone has times when they are too busy to handle things, especially those working in the government office. It is understandable that they have to deal with an emergency.

There are also cases where brothers pick up the bride on behalf of their parents.

She was too guilty to suspect others. Instead, Aunt Cao was relieved because it was not the eldest son who came, so the chance of recognizing him was even smaller.

"Thank you, Third Young Master." Aunt Cao politely returned the greeting and winked at Aunt Qing behind her.

Seeing her like this, Aunt Qing probably guessed which young master of the Xie family came to pick her up. She leaned forward slightly, and together with the maid beside her, she helped Wen Shuse get into the sedan chair outside the door.

Xie Shao, who was on horseback, didn't even look over here.

As soon as the person got on the sedan chair, the horse turned its head and left immediately.

The sedan chair was almost out of the alley when Master Wen hurriedly chased after it, adjusting his clothes. Knowing that he was late, he quickly handed a scroll of paintings to Xiangyun who was about to get on the carriage and said, "This is a painting of the downtown area of ​​Dongdu. Give it to Shuse. I'm sorry that I couldn't see her off."