Chapter 28 The Grand Wedding
In early spring, March, when the weather is still chilly, the Wen family mansion in Yinanqiao Lane was still brightly lit as night approached.
The maids and servants in the courtyard were divided into groups of several. Some were assigned to hang red silk ribbons, while others were ordered to prepare wedding cakes. They ran back and forth between the main kitchen and the inner courtyard.
Exhausted from the day, even Steward Feng's eyelids began to droop. However, remembering that the Marquis's mansion was coming to pick up the bride tomorrow, and that his second daughter-in-law had only gotten the job of head chef with Wen Lingzheng's help, he had no choice but to perk up.
With a strong voice, he directed the servants to carry jar after jar of wine into the courtyard for the guests the next day.
In Yiqiu Courtyard, Madam Xiang had just found a moment to rest after a busy day, but before she could even sit down properly, she ordered several of her trusted confidants to pick up her dowry chests and open them.
As soon as Madam Pang entered the room, she saw a row of open chests and a black lacquered official leather chest inlaid with jewels placed next to Madam Xiang. Inside were mostly the shops and land that Madam Xiang had given as part of her dowry.
"The dowry list for the Fourth Miss has already been sent to the Marquis's residence. Is Madam planning to give the Fourth Miss some more personal items?" Madam Pang walked around the trunks and chests to Madam Xiang's side.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of the complete set of kesi fans. She rubbed her eyes, almost doubting her own eyes. "My lady, this is a complete set of peacock kesi fans!"
The silk-embroidered fan set consisted of nine fans. Madam Xiang stood up, took one fan from the chest, and said, "This is part of my dowry. How could I not recognize it?"
The handle of the Hetian warm jade fan is cool to the touch. What is even more rare is the kesi (silk tapestry) on the fan surface. Not only is the weaving delicate and even, but the patterns are also specially designed by painters. Each fan features a peacock in a different posture, which is lifelike.
After hesitating for a long time, Madam Pang couldn't help but persuade her, "Madam, this is the most valuable item in your dowry..."
Xiang's mother, Wu Erniang, was always jealous, which led to the deaths of all the illegitimate children in the courtyard, and even implicated the lives of many concubines. In the end, only Fan Xiaoniang survived.
Even such a ruthless person doted on his two children and prepared a generous dowry for his daughter early on.
In families of civil officials and those of integrity, face is of utmost importance. Even lowly maids and servants cannot take lives at will, let alone concubines who have a clean background and have not committed any serious crimes.
Wu Erniang's actions went too far, and when they were exposed to the public, they enraged Emperor Taizong.
Even the patriarch of the Wu family had to choose to protect himself and sever ties with her, let alone her husband's family.
At the time of the incident, Xiang was not yet ten years old, and her brother had just turned fifteen.
Perhaps out of guilt towards Fan Xiaoniang, who could no longer bear children, or perhaps because of the shadow cast by Wu Erniang, Xiang Chang'an, the Minister of Rites, did not remarry, but instead handed over the power to manage the household to Fan Xiaoniang.
Xiang sighed as she put the silk fan back into the trunk.
"Back then, that wicked woman whispered in my father's ear every day to marry me off, and then she withheld half of the dowry my mother had prepared for me. My father felt guilty towards her, so he pretended not to know. But my brother was an honest man..."
"The Marquis of Dingbei's mansion, what a treasure trove of gold and jade! A top-tier family in Shengjing! If I don't bring out these fans, how can I possibly present anything less than this? Besides, have you forgotten how Fifth Sister's marriage was arranged?"
Speechless for a moment, and afraid of stirring up Xiang's sad memories, Madam Pang could only say, "Fortunately, the master is kind, and we now have our third son and eighth daughter. In the future, you will surely be surrounded by your children and grandchildren, and enjoy wealth and honor."
Speaking of this, Madam Xiang suddenly remembered that she had asked Granny Pang to look for Wen Tongwen. "By the way, where is my husband?"
Madam Pang realized she had spoken out of turn, but since Madam Xiang was already looking at her, she could only bite the bullet and say, "The steward Feng by the master's side said that the master... has already stayed at Jinxiu Hall today."
Xiang Shi paused in her picking through the items, remained silent for a long while, and then asked, "How are Third Brother's studies going lately?"
Madam Pang: "Our third son's studies are top-notch! How can that Zheng concubine's son compare?"
When Wen Shizhen is mentioned, her smile is impossible to hide.
"Although the private school at the Grand Princess's residence was closed last year, fortunately, with the help of Madam Wu, our young master was able to go to the Luo family's private school to study with the Fifth Young Master Luo. He has always been diligent and hardworking, so why worry that he won't pass the imperial examination in the future?"
Mrs. Pang's words made Mrs. Xiang feel very relieved.
She smiled, turned around, opened the official leather box on the kang table, picked out some items and put them into another box, and then chose a completely translucent bracelet and put it on her body.
"Later, you should personally deliver this box to Tu Nan Courtyard, and also bring this whole set of kesi fans. When the Marquis's mansion comes to pick up the bride tomorrow, give this bracelet to Fourth Sister."
After handing the items to Madam Pang, Madam Xiang slowly sat down. "Our third son will take the imperial examinations and become an official in the future. He can't be all alone and vulnerable, just letting others bully him, can he?"
Taking the box, Madam Pang nodded slightly, "What you say is quite right, madam."
The late-night visit by Aunt Pang was unexpected by everyone at Tu Nan Academy.
Upon seeing the box of contracts and the complete set of kesi fans, even the usually composed Yao Guang was dumbfounded.
When preparing Wen Lingzheng's dowry, in addition to the items left by the deceased Qi Shi, Wen Tongwen and Xiang Shi added a second set, doubling the amount according to the specifications when Wen Lingsheng got married.
There were also various rewards bestowed by the imperial court, not to mention the dowry added by Old Madam Wen and the wives of the second and third wives.
Even if it was the custom at the time to give generous dowries to daughters, such a dowry was definitely considered quite lavish.
But now, the Xiang family has secretly added some more for the girl...
After seeing Madam Pang off, Yao Guang placed the box in front of Wen Lingzheng and asked, "Miss, should we accept it or not?"
"Wouldn't it be beneath Madam's dignity to refuse?" Wen Lingzheng pondered for a moment. "I remember we seem to have a manor in the suburbs of Beijing, nestled against the mountains and beside the water, complete with a hot spring?"
Yao Guang was stunned for a moment before she remembered, "There seems to be such a building. It was originally a new one that the master added for you this time."
With her left hand on her right shoulder, Wen Lingzheng twisted it and said, "I'll have your mother take her somewhere to manage things another day. Eighth Sister is twelve years old now, and she should be getting married in three more years. This estate will be my dowry for her when it's finished."
The wedding was just a day away, but Wen Lingzheng tossed and turned, ultimately unable to sleep all night.
In the warm spring sunshine, with drifting clouds filling the sky, the Wen family mansion was already decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers and the sounds of drums and music began to rise as dawn broke.
Yao Guang and Yu Heng were busy from early morning, while Wen Lingzheng was still in a daze, changing into her wedding dress under the help of Granny Zhuang and Bai Yu.
As the sunlight grew stronger, it gently streamed into the inner room through the window, casting a golden glow on the girl's skirt, making the clusters of flowers on it seem to come alive in an instant.
Granny Zhuang's hair-combing skills were even more skillful than Yao Guang's. In no time, she had styled Wen Lingzheng's hair, put on her crown, and twisted her face.
"This crown is really heavy!" Wen Lingzheng felt a pain on her forehead from the pressure, so she reached out to adjust it and looked up at the crown in the mirror.
"Hey!—"
Granny Zhuang grabbed Wen Lingzheng's hand from behind as she tried to move it around. "Today is a joyous day, Miss. Please bear with it for a moment. Take your time to carefully loosen your hair. It will have to be recombed later."
After saying that, Granny Zhuang handed Wen Lingzheng a fan embroidered with orchids. Seeing that she was still sleepy, she couldn't help but chuckle, "Miss, remember to take good care of this fan later, and don't make a fool of yourself!"
Slightly clearing her mind, Wen Lingzheng smiled and replied, "I've got it, Granny."
While the master and servant were talking, Old Madam Wen also came to Tu Nan Courtyard in person.
"Grandmother?" Wen Lingzheng asked in surprise.
Bai Yu moved an embroidered stool and placed it next to Wen Lingzheng. After the old lady Wen sat down, she asked, "Have you packed everything?"
Pointing to Yao Guang and Yu Heng, who were busy outside, Wen Lingzheng said softly, "These two girls have been busy all morning. With them around, I feel very reassured."
Following the direction Wen Lingzheng pointed, she glanced at Yaoguang and Yuheng and saw that they were quite beautiful. Only then did Old Madam Wen nod in satisfaction.
"Fourth Sister, I know you always have your own plans, but after thinking it over, there is still something I must tell you."
Knowing that Old Madam Wen must have something to say, and having already guessed the gist of what she was going to say, Wen Lingzheng was not surprised. "Please give your instructions, Grandmother."
Upon hearing this, Granny Ren led Granny Zhuang and the others out of the inner room, leaving Old Madam Wen and Wen Lingzheng some space to talk alone.
Grandma Wen first sighed, "The Marquis of Dingbei's family is a founding noble family, and that young Marquis Pei is also exceptionally talented. Countless young ladies would flock to such a man..."
Then, changing the subject, she lowered her voice and instructed, "As the mistress of the house, you must have the magnanimity of a mistress!"
"Concubines and maids are nothing more than cats and dogs. Which young master doesn't keep a few? It's not worth fussing over, but if you ask me, if you're going to keep them, it's better to choose people close to you..."
Grandma Wen spoke in simple terms, and fearing that Wen Lingzheng was too young to understand, she gave an example: "Just look at the mess your father's wife's family has! They've all dragged down their children's reputations..."
Mrs. Wen was over fifty years old, and Wen Lingzheng did not expect to change her mind, so she just smiled and readily agreed.
The sounds from the front yard grew louder, with hearty laughter drowning out the voices. After giving some instructions, Old Madam Wen left with Granny Ren, completely satisfied.
Guests thronged the gates of the mansion, and the sounds from outside grew clearer. Wen Lingzheng picked up her fan and couldn't help but listen intently.
Wen Lingzheng did not have an elder brother from the same father, so it was Wen Shirui from the second wife's family, Wen Shizhuo from the third wife's family, and Wen Shizhen, who was only thirteen years old, who blocked the door.
Amidst the bustling noise, the three of them recited couplets one after another. Wen Lingzheng was still pondering the answer after listening to the previous couplet when the next one quickly followed.
She couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat for Pei Lin.
—Until the sound of that person walking slowly, like falling pearls and shattered jade, stood out clearly from the noise.
He barely paused, as if he hadn't even thought about it, and recited the entire poem off the cuff.
Yuheng, who was eavesdropping by the window, turned around in shock and couldn't help but guess: "Could it be that the Marquis has already bribed a few boys?"
After paying respects to her parents, Wen Lingzheng was carried onto the bridal sedan chair by Wen Shizhen.
The boy, who was just over ten years old, was very thin, but his steps were extremely steady.
Wen Lingzheng lay on his back and vaguely heard him say, "If you suffer any grievances in the future, please remember to come home and tell me. I dare not say that I can be very successful, but I can still support you."
With her mind in turmoil, Wen Lingzheng held onto the fan tightly until she boarded the bridal sedan chair.
Whether out of shame or fear, she kept staring at the flowers on the fan, so much so that she only caught a glimpse of Pei Lin's bright red wedding dress out of the corner of her eye.
I couldn't help but feel a little annoyed.
Hearing the sigh from inside the sedan chair, Yuheng assumed the young lady was still asleep. His gaze darted around and then he noticed the box of pastries that Baiyu was holding. "Would the young lady like some pastries?"
Wen Lingzheng shook her head, but before she could speak, Bai Yu spoke for her, "Good sister, what bride is thinking about food while she's in the bridal sedan chair!"
Upon hearing the voice, Yao Guang took a piece from the pastry box and stuffed it into Yu Heng's hand, saying, "Miss, you just regret looking at the fan too much!"
Wen Lingzheng: ...Yao Guang is so perceptive, he sees right through her.
The gongs and drums were banged all the way, and money was scattered along the way. When the sedan chair stopped, a "selection official" holding a flower basket chanted incomprehensible incantations and scattered the contents of the flower basket at the door.
—Mostly grains, beans, and a few copper coins.
As her thoughts flowed like water, Wen Lingzheng went through the entire process and felt dizzy and disoriented, as if in a dream.
It wasn't until she sat down in the tent and glanced at his figure that she felt a sense of reality.
The elegant music and drums began again. After the ceremony of tying the hairpins together and the nuptial cup ceremony, Luo Xu and the others took the lead in urging Pei Lin to go and drink.
He smiled, stood up, but didn't leave immediately. Instead, he leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Wait for me."
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