Chapter 48: That's mine. What if I beat her a thousand times? She just wants...
After nightfall, the banquet hall in the front yard was brightly lit, bustling with people and filled with joy.
Even the usually reclusive old lady and the usually low-key Bai Yi Niang sat at the banquet with smiles on their faces. If outsiders saw this, they would think that Master Chu's future son-in-law had made it big, while those who didn't would probably think that Master Chu's own son had received a reward.
But I can't blame him for being happy.
The eldest prince fought brilliantly in this battle, and the emperor expressed his praise clearly. The eldest prince, who already had the upper hand in the battle for the crown prince, now had a rock-solid position.
Today in the Golden Palace, the Emperor praised Pei Yue for his meritorious service in protecting him, and the eldest prince strongly recommended him as a talented general. The meaning of this is worth pondering. Does this mean that the Emperor is establishing connections for the eldest prince's future succession to the throne?
If so, once the eldest prince ascended the throne, Pei Yue would be a former retainer in the imperial court, a trusted confidant he had personally promoted, a rising star in the new dynasty. Marrying Pei Yue would truly be the best move he had made in years. Man proposes, but God disposes. How could he not be overjoyed?
Thinking of this, Master Chu happily lifted his wine glass and took a sip. He leaned over and picked up a piece of fish belly with his chopsticks and added it to his second daughter's plate. He smiled kindly, "Fu'er, try this. The sea bass is really well cooked today."
It can be said that a blessing in disguise. Compared with the current Pei Yue, what is the Li family? That marriage was really a very good retreat. Counting all the things that happened in the past six months, the second girl really has some good fortune on her body.
Chu Yufu smiled and thanked him softly, "Thank you, Dad."
What Master Chu could imagine, Wu naturally knew as well. Seeing the heartwarming scene of loving father and filial daughter before her, she felt as if a stone had been pressed against her chest, pressing down uncomfortably. Even the best dishes tasted like chewing wax. She barely made it to halftime, but couldn't sit still any longer and found an excuse to leave early.
As she walked out of the banquet hall, the smile she had been forcing all night disappeared, and she put on a stern face and walked quickly towards Hefeng Courtyard.
Stepping into her daughter's courtyard, she saw the maids standing guard outside the door and asked coldly, "Isn't the young lady feeling unwell? Why are you still standing outside instead of coming in to serve her?"
"Madam," Qingxian, who was standing at the front behind the maids, replied, "The young lady asked us to come out. She said...she wanted to be alone and didn't want us to disturb her."
Mrs. Wu took a deep breath, closed her eyes, turned around and told Mother Meng, who had come with her, to wait at the door, and then she pushed the door open and walked into the main house.
There were only two lamps on in the huge room, barely illuminating the small area, and a dead silence was overwhelming.
Wu walked around the screen and went to the bed.
Under the dim candlelight, Chu Jinhe was wearing only a snow-white inner garment, lying straight on her back, her black hair spread messily on the pillow, staring blankly at the embroidery on the ceiling of the tent. Hearing someone coming in, Mumu rolled his eyes and glanced at his mother's figure.
The face that was usually carefully painted and carried a hint of pride now looked pale and decadent.
Mrs. Wu stopped by the bed, looking down at her condescendingly, her eyebrows raised slightly: "If you are not sick, get up and ask the servants to get you something to eat."
Hearing this, Chu Jinhe's eyes finally regained focus. Looking at her mother's face, tears welled up in her eyes, silently sliding down the corners of her eyes. She bit her lip tightly, her voice forced from her throat: "That should have been mine... That should have been mine..."
From childhood to adulthood, she had excelled in poetry, literature, etiquette, music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and even household management. In what ways had she ever lost to that clueless second sister? Because of a single misstep, a single moment of misjudgment, she had handed over to someone else the perfect marriage that should have been hers, the chance to make her mother proud! And that someone wasn't someone else, but her second sister, whom she had always looked down upon!
Why? Is this fate? Deep despair turned into vines, tightly wrapped around her heart, tightening more and more, and the pain became more and more severe.
I guess my second sister is smiling happily in the front yard?
Her tears quickly soaked the soft pillow with flowers. She seemed to be crying and laughing, sobbing and shaking her head. Her originally pale face turned red, and her hair at the temples stuck to the sides of her face.
"It's useless... Mother, it's useless. From childhood to adulthood, I have beaten her a thousand times, so what? She only needs to win this time, this time, and that's enough! From now on, no matter who mentions the girl from the Chu family, they will think of her, right? Dad will also be more partial to her! Mother, I disappoint you... I don't have your ability, I can't marry into a wealthy family, and I can't bring honor to you."
Wu stood against the light, half of her face shrouded in shadow, only her eyes flashed with a fierce look. She raised her hand -
“Pah.”
There was a crisp sound, and Chu Jinhe was stunned, raising her hands to cover her face.
Wu bent down slightly, clasping her shoulders tightly with both hands. She lowered her voice to a very low level, emphasizing each word coldly, "Who said you lost?"
"You won't lose! You can't lose!"
"Mother——" Chu Jinhe said.
"Cheer up, General Xuanwei's wife must be you... and it can only be you!" After saying this, she let go of her hand, straightened up and stopped looking at her daughter, turned around and left. The wooden door creaked open and was slammed shut again.
After Wu left, the room fell into silence again. After a long time, Chu Jinhe slowly crawled up and sat up, wiped her tears bit by bit with her sleeve, sat in front of the brass mirror, picked up the wooden comb and combed her hair neatly again.
He raised his head and called out, "Qingxian, bring me some food."
-
The entire Pei family was overjoyed to learn that Pei Yue was safe and sound and had made great contributions. That afternoon, Mrs. Huang went to the Taoist temple to fulfill her vow and respectfully donated 100 taels of incense money.
After returning home, he set about arranging his nephew's marriage. He asked his maid to grind ink, and wrote down in his own hand the names of Pei's ancestors, relatives, land and property, and official titles in a detailed note. He also asked the matchmaker to carry the prepared wine, eight large flowers, eight silver headdresses, and a piece of bright silk to the Chu family.
As long as the Chu family sends back the detailed invitation and gifts, the marriage will be finalized.
The next day after receiving the detailed note, Mr. Chu happened to be on leave, and the whole family gathered in Yunxi Hall for breakfast. When they were almost done, Mrs. Wu picked up a white handkerchief, gently wiped the corners of her mouth, and mentioned the matter in front of Mr. Chu.
"I received a detailed note from the Pei family yesterday. When I have time in a few days, I will go to the Taoist priest in the temple to compare the two children's horoscopes."
This was also an indispensable formality. Master Chu nodded and said, "Thank you, Madam."
Chu Yufu, who was sitting below, heard the words "matched horoscopes" and her eyelashes trembled slightly as she looked up at her.
Then, Wu continued, "Girl Fu, you are blessed. The Pei family was already a good one, and now Pei Yue has been promoted. Naturally, we can't be too embarrassed. In addition to the usual daily necessities, I'm thinking of bringing out the teahouse on the south side of Jinma Street, as well as the rosewood chest of drawers and the rosewood screen inlaid with mother-of-pearl from the warehouse, to complement your appearance."
When these words were spoken, not only Chu Yufu was stunned, but even Master Chu was shocked and asked in surprise: "How could Madam be so willing to do this?" Among the shops owned by Wu, the teahouse had the best location. How could she be willing to use it to buy makeup for the second girl?
Wu reached out and gently pushed him, grinning, "Master, what are you talking about? Giving Fu girl face is giving our Chu family face! Since she calls me mother, I must plan well for her. How can a mother not love her child?"
She raised her eyes and smiled as she glanced at the girls at the table. Her smile was warm and gentle. "I don't favor anyone over anyone. Of course, He'er is a big deal. If Lan can find such a good family in the future, I won't let her go short of the dowry she deserves."
Chu Linglan, who was sipping her porridge with her head down, was so surprised when she heard her stepmother mention her that she almost choked. She hurriedly put down her bowl and chopsticks and stood up, bowing flatteredly: "Thank you, mother."
Chu Yufu's gaze paused for a moment on her father's face, then she quickly glanced at her elder sister, who was hanging her head and was a little too quiet. She stood up, smiled meekly, and bowed to Wu, "Thank you, mother, for your kindness."
Master Chu waved his hand for them to sit down. After a moment's deliberation, he stroked his beard and said, "When Fu'er gets married, I'll give you two thousand taels of silver as a dowry. In addition, I'll also give you the Ruichang Pawnshop in the north of the city. You must take good care of it and use it to support yourself in the future."
Chu Yufu stood up again and bowed: "Thank you, Daddy."
After breakfast, she did not rush back to Zhuyuyuan, but turned and walked towards Cishoutang.
Grandmother Wei was feeding the fish by the pond in the courtyard. Seeing her approach, she smiled and waved at her, saying, "Fu'er is here? Yesterday, I heard that the Pei family had sent a matchmaker with a detailed invitation, so I guessed you would come today."
Grandmother tossed the last bit of fish food into the pond and slowly led her back to the house. "Little girl, you've grown up now and are getting married. You won't be able to spend much time with me anymore."
Chu Yufu held her arm, her nose slightly sour. The only person in the entire Chu family that she felt a little attached to was Grandma Wei.
When she was ill in the winter, Grandmother often sent Mother Yang to visit her in the courtyard, asking if she was in need. In the spring, she would force one of the two jars of acacia honey sent by the farmers in the countryside. Ever since Cousin Lu left, Grandmother had always shown more care for her than for the other sisters in the family.
"Grandma, please stop saying that. Even if I'm married, I'm still your granddaughter. We're both in the capital. If you miss me or I miss you, just hitch up the carriage and we'll be there in less than half an hour!"
Grandmother chuckled and helped her sit down at the table. She asked, "After the detailed invitations, the next steps are the small and large engagement ceremonies. At breakfast this morning, did your mother and father mention how your dowry preparations are going?"
Chu Yufu nodded and recounted the morning's events to her grandmother: "Dad said he would give me two thousand taels of silver as a dowry, as well as a pawnshop in the north of the city. Mother... Mother said she would give me a teahouse, a rosewood chest of drawers, and a rosewood screen inlaid with mother-of-pearl."
"Oh?" Grandma Wei raised her eyebrows slightly.
It is common for a daughter from a wealthy family to receive a generous dowry, but many valuable items cannot be purchased in a day. They are often accumulated slowly from the time the girl is young, especially furniture, jewelry, clothes, and embroidery.
But usually, apart from daily necessities, everything else is prepared by their biological mothers, so the dowry of a concubine's daughter is always much less than that of a legitimate daughter.
The two things that Er Yatou mentioned were obviously prepared by Wu for her own daughter a long time ago, but now she has transferred them to Fu Yatou so generously. This move is really surprising.
However, since Wu had promised it herself in front of the master, she naturally did not want to say anything more. She turned around and took out a wooden box from the bedside cabinet, pushed it to Chu Yufu's hand, and said with a smile: "This is the dowry that grandma prepared for you. Take it, and don't tell anyone."
Chu Yufu reached out to take the box, opened it and saw two pieces of paper inside. One was a silver note for one thousand taels, and the other was a deed to a house with a small courtyard in the north of the city.
The sour feeling that had just subsided suddenly surged to the tip of her nose again: "Thank you, Grandma—"
Grandmother Wei simply smiled lovingly and said, "Making a living in the inner court is not easy. You need to have some money and some assets that you can manage yourself. Only then can you live a stable and comfortable life in the future."
It was already noon when they left Cishoutang. The sky was clear blue and the spring breeze was blowing gently. Chu Yufu stopped at the gate of the courtyard, staring down at the wooden box in her hand and standing there in a daze.
Lan Zhu asked, "What's wrong, girl? Is the box too heavy? Let me hold it."
Chu Yufu shook her head.
She just felt like something was wrong. What was wrong?
It was going so smoothly... It all went so smoothly that it didn't seem real, so smooth that it made me a little nervous.
-
The capital city in April was shrouded in continuous rain and fog, and the air was filled with damp vapor.
On the sixth day of the first lunar month, Master Chu was ordered to leave the capital and brave the rain to go to Linzhou to inspect the Grand Canal.
The eighth day of the first lunar month two days later was Buddha's birthday. According to custom, Old Mrs. Wei would leave Beijing and go to Wanshou Temple in the suburbs to burn incense and pray for blessings. She planned to practice meditation in the temple for two or three days and return home after Buddha's birthday.
The mother and son set out on the same day, one for official business and the other for worshiping Buddha.
Mrs. Wu stood in front of the mansion, watching the two carriages disappear at the end of the long street, one after the other, splashing water. Her smile faded, and she turned to Madam Meng and said, "Prepare the carriages."
Mother Meng understood and immediately turned around and ordered, "Prepare the car, Madam wants to go to Xuanmiao Temple."
Half an hour later, a carriage with green curtains stopped in front of the gate of Xuanmiao Temple in the suburbs.
Xuanmiao Temple is a popular Taoist temple in Beijing. It is the most effective Taoist temple in Beijing. Today, there is a drizzle, and the temple seems more secluded without the fireworks. Mrs. Wu helped Mrs. Meng get out of the car. The master and servant held up oil-paper umbrellas and walked into the temple on the stone steps.
Mrs. Wu entered the Sanqing Hall and stood before the statue, respectfully performing the three bows and nine kowtows. Madam Meng, with quiet steps, turned toward the Taoist child guarding the hall and whispered, "Please inform Taoist Master Yuquan that my wife has something to ask and would like you to tell her fortune."
The Taoist boy bowed and said, "Master is in the backyard, please follow me."
Mother Meng stepped forward and helped Wu up. The two of them followed the Taoist boy through the bamboo forest path and came to the backyard.
I saw an old Taoist priest with half white hair and beard, wearing a green Taoist robe, sitting alone in front of a chessboard in the corridor, playing chess. Hearing footsteps, Taoist Master Yuquan looked up and smiled slightly: "Madam, it's been a long time since we last met. Please take a seat."
Then he waved his hand and the Taoist boy bowed and retreated.
Mrs. Wu sat across from the chessboard. Without any extra greetings, she simply took out two pieces of red paper with her birth date written on them from her sleeve, placed them on the chessboard, gently pushed them over, and said lightly.
"Master, please take a look and see if the horoscopes of these two people are compatible." As soon as she finished speaking, Mother Meng took out two gold ingots from her purse and silently pressed them on the corner of the chessboard.
The Taoist priest smiled, carefully examined the eight characters on the paper, stood up, walked to the bamboo on the porch, plucked off three leaves, and returned to the chessboard. With a flick of his finger, the leaves floated down onto the chessboard. He asked, "Madam, do you think they are suitable?"
Wu's lips curved slightly, the smile not reaching her eyes: "Not bad."
The Taoist lowered his head, his gaze resting on the chessboard. He said, "Considering the fate of these two people, and considering the hexagram's signs, it seems the official killer is a threat to the self, and the rival is a threat. Punishment and conflict lurk, and disaster is hidden. If they force a relationship, not only will it be difficult for them to achieve harmony, but it could lead to a situation of 'robbing wealth and shortening lifespan,' punishing their relatives and bringing unrest to their family."
Wu nodded, raised her hand to retrieve one of the papers, and then took out another piece of red paper from her sleeve. "Then, Taoist priest, please take another look and see if this eight characters match the one left behind."
The Taoist priest tossed up the leaf again, stroked his beard, and nodded slightly. "This is the auspicious match between the official seal and the evil spirit, and the earth and gold bring prosperity to the home. If they are to be happily married, the man will have a virtuous wife who can dispel the dangers of the official seal and ensure a safe and smooth life. The woman will have a noble husband who will bring honor to the family and bring long-lasting blessings."
Wu smiled with satisfaction and raised her chin slightly: "Then please ask the Taoist priest to write down the comments of both parties in detail."
Half an incense stick later, the master and servant got into the car and left Xuanmiao Temple.
In the carriage, Madam Meng took out a clean handkerchief and wiped the rain off Wu's sleeves. She asked with a hint of worry, "Madam, will this really work? Let's not talk about the master, would the Pei family agree?"
"Why wouldn't the Pei family be willing? In terms of looks and talent, isn't He'er a hundred times better than the second girl? The Pei family isn't stupid, so why wouldn't they be willing to trade a fish eye for a pearl?"
After Wu finished speaking, she smiled and pointed at the six words "Guaranteed Peace and Smoothness" on the inscription in her hand. "Do you know that this is what the Pei family values most?"
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