Mrs. Wu said, "I just don't know when Hua-ge'er will be engaged to a good match."
Hua Ge'er is the eldest son of Prince Xu Wei. He is preparing to take the imperial examination. Both Xu Wei and the Marquis want to arrange a marriage for Xu Hua after he passes the examination. Therefore, Ning Shi is currently only secretly inquiring about the character and talent of girls of similar age and social standing, hoping to find a suitable match for Xu Hua with a noble girl who can respect him and live in harmony with him.
The Marquis said, "Good things come to those who wait. Once Hua-ge'er passes the imperial examination, the marriage will be easier to arrange. This can't be rushed, so don't be too anxious. Just wait patiently."
Madam Wu sighed and said, "Perhaps it's because I'm getting old. When I can't sleep, I think about the past. My lord, I really feel that I haven't done my duty well. I only hope that my mother can recover soon. I will definitely visit her morning and evening and inquire about her well-being every day."
The Marquis truly felt that it was a good thing that his wife had come to her senses. However, whether she could visit him morning and evening and inquire about his well-being every day depended on the old lady's permission. The Marquis had always held his mother in high esteem. He had always obeyed his mother in everything since childhood. Even when his mother decided to let him leave the court and return home under the pretext of recuperating from illness, and then secretly develop the family's land and shops, the Marquis of Yongning thought it over carefully and, after discussing it with several advisors, followed her advice.
Marquis Yongning knew that his mother was exceptionally insightful. Having grown up with her father and brothers, she had experienced many things. At that time, because the late emperor was senile in his later years and loyal officials were framed, the old lady really did not want to get involved, which is why she made such a decision. As it turned out, her decision was correct.
The Marquis of Yongning went against his mother's wishes regarding his marriage. However, the old lady respected the Marquis's choice and helped arrange the marriage. Unfortunately, the Marquis did not have the foresight of his mother. The lady he married was not capable of shouldering the responsibilities of a head mistress. Fortunately, his mother later helped him choose a shrewd and capable daughter-in-law who took over the affairs of the inner courtyard, and the situation in the mansion gradually improved.
Marquis Yongning smiled and said, "Your mother will be very happy that you have this thought. Well, it's getting late. I'll arrange for the kitchen to send the meal to your courtyard. I'll have dinner with you tonight."
Ms. Wu said, "Does Mother really not need me to serve her soup and water?"
The Marquis said, "Since she sent Granny Shen out to tell us, then it really is not necessary. You can go back and rest well. You've been working hard these past two days."
Although the old lady of the Marquis's mansion fell ill, all affairs continued in an orderly manner. The group of people heading to Ganzhou, driving dozens of carriages, endured wind and rain and slept in the open along the way. They also encountered a heavy snowfall and finally arrived in Ganzhou on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month.
The person sent by the Marquis to explain the matter was the second steward of the outer courtyard of the mansion. He was fully aware of what had happened. After meeting Xu Rao, he told him everything that had happened in the capital, focusing on the events at the Pingxi Marquis's mansion. After listening, Xu Rao sent someone to hand over the items to the steward and ordered the second steward to take his men to rest in Ganzhou for two days before sending them back to the capital.
Xu Rao and Zhang Zhaoci were finally relieved. Now that the matter was settled, regardless of whether others believed it or not, they had to get on with the marriage arrangements for the two children. Xu Rao wrote a letter to Xu Di, explaining the whole story, and arranged for a trusted confidant to deliver it to Tai'an. Zhang Zhaoci and Granny Lu sorted out the things sent by the Xu family from the capital, while the Zheng family's things were sent untouched to the small courtyard that Zheng Boyuan had acquired in Hexi.
Zheng Boyuan stayed at Yanmen Pass all day long. He only had a younger sister who was about ten years old at home. Fortunately, the nannies that Zheng Boyuan invited back from the capital were very capable. One of them had a past relationship with Granny Lu. After personally visiting Granny Lu in Ganzhou, she returned and took charge of the household affairs with her people.
Whether it's an ordinary family or a noble or merchant family, the twelfth lunar month is the busiest time of the year. There are many things to handle at home, and people need to express their gratitude for the goodwill accumulated over the years before the end of the year, not to mention the visits between relatives and friends.
Xu Rao has implemented many beneficial measures in Ganzhou, and these measures have yielded considerable results in recent years. As the year draws to a close, Xu Rao is so busy that he is rarely seen. Granny Lu had no choice but to ask the steward of the outer courtyard to bring the register of all the guests and visitors throughout the year to discuss with Zhang Zhaoci what kind of return gifts to give.
Zheng Boyuan returned before the Lunar New Year. Although his family had sent a letter and he knew that they had sent some things for him to prepare for his wedding, he was still somewhat surprised when he saw them.
He hadn't expected that his grandmother, who rarely left the house, would go to such lengths to arrange his marriage and prepare so many things for him. Noble families valued tradition, and if they couldn't use some old items passed down in the family at the wedding, they would be considered to lack cultural heritage. It was rare for his family to send him so many things from so far away.
The head maid in the household was surnamed Wang. She was in her fifties. After being released from the palace, she got married, but unfortunately, her husband died young without leaving any children. Her husband's family took advantage of her being alone and forcibly kicked her out of their home, seizing their property. With no other option, Wang went to teach etiquette to women in the homes of powerful and wealthy families. As she grew older, she wanted to find someone she could rely on for the rest of her life.
Granny Wang and Granny Lu had known each other for many years. Following Granny Lu's advice, she came to this small town with the Zheng siblings, who would take care of Granny Wang in her old age.
Granny Wang said to Zheng Boyuan, "I have already been to Ganzhou, and Granny Lu told me the whole story. Since that's the case, no matter how hasty the marriage is, it must be handled carefully. Marriage is a union between two families. I have met the ninth daughter of the Xu family. She is a kind and honest person. If she marries you, you will definitely have a harmonious marriage."
Thinking of the Xu family's ninth daughter, who had a rather chivalrous spirit, Zheng Boyuan said, "Thank you for your help, Granny. I am not usually at home, so this marriage still needs Granny and others to handle it. The Xu family's ninth daughter is certainly a good one, but in this cold and harsh place, the conditions are always limited. Since my grandmother in the capital has sent such things over, we should make use of them if we can."
Granny Wang nodded and said, "Don't worry, young master, I'm awake."
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