Madam Du had just learned from Du Congwen that the Minister of State had taken a fancy to her son. She was now very displeased with the Madam who had nearly ruined this good thing. She snorted and said, "I think Madam Du has had enough of the rich food in the capital. Why don't you try some wild vegetables?"
Seeing Aunt Du being so indifferent, the eldest lady was furious, but thinking of Yunman's marriage, she endured it and said, "I have something else to do in the house, so I won't have dinner. Call Congwen out, and we'll go back after we settle the matter."
Seeing the eldest lady still thinking about marriage despite being so angry, Aunt Du was even more certain that she was anxious to take over the position of mistress of her family. She changed her flattery and said with a forced smile, "My family has a scholar, and he will be a prime minister in the future. It's really not appropriate to get engaged so early. Let's wait another two years."
Hearing this, the eldest lady's face completely fell. She stood up and said, "Since my sister-in-law said so, then there is no need to eat this meal."
Aunt Du lowered her head to pick up the food without even raising her eyelids. "In that case, I won't keep you, Madam. I won't see you off."
On the way back, the lady was in a state of unrest.
She couldn't understand why Aunt Du suddenly started shaking like she was having a seizure.
The lady turned her gaze to Su Man and asked, "Did you say anything to Aunt Du? Otherwise, why would Aunt Du refuse to recognize this marriage for no reason?"
Su Man was surprised. "What do you mean, Madam? I have always been serving you. How can I have time to talk to Madam Du?"
The lady was furious when she saw Su Man's innocent eyes, but Su Man's words and actions today were indeed hard to find fault with, so she could only sulk alone.
...
The marriage proposal failed this time and things stayed quiet for a few days.
The main reason is that in two days it will be July 30th, the birthday of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, and the whole family will go to the temple to stay for two days to seek the Bodhisattva's protection.
Not only the Yun Mansion, but many officials and their families will go there, so it can be considered a large social event.
Mingyue Pavilion
Su Man was packing her luggage when Xiaochun came in with her hand covering her mouth and burst into laughter as soon as she entered the room.
"Haha, young lady, I just heard that Du Congwen and his mother went to the Shangshu's residence to propose marriage, but were kicked out."
Su Man put a dark dress into her bag and said, "He got beaten? I thought the Minister would just give him a mirror."
Xiaochun clutched her stomach and waved her hands, "Don't mention it. I heard from the doorman that they went in empty-handed, started talking nonsense, and were beaten out in a matter of moments."
Su Man was speechless. Du Congwen was truly amazing. If there were no mirrors at home, he would have peed, right? How could he not see himself clearly?
Xiaochun saw Su Man packing her things and asked, "Who are you planning to take with you this time?"
"No need for others, just go with Azhi."
Xiaochun nodded, "There were a lot of people there those days, even if the young lady didn't tell me, Ah Zhi would have definitely gone to watch the gate."
Su Man put the spices she had made with the Soul-Separating Grass into her bag and said, "Have you asked carefully? Will King Chai go there that day?"
"Yes, the second young lady came back yesterday and had a big argument with the eldest lady, saying that Prince Chai didn't bring any female relatives with him, and only brought Prince Yin Hong as his attendant."
Su Man understood.
The Chai King was not actually offering sacrifices to the gods or Buddha, but to mourn the former queen, Hong, whose birthday happened to be July 30th.
At this time of year every year, King Chai would stay in the temple for a few days. For King Chai, who was obsessed with women, this was a kind of deep affection.
July 29th
There were carriages coming and going at the foot of the temple, and the road up the mountain was even busier. Su Man followed the crowd to the meditation room where they lived.
Mr. Yun and the eldest lady were going out for a social event, so Su Man and Xiaochun were tidying up things in the Zen room.
After a while, Ah Zhi came with an unsigned letter in his hand. "Sister, a servant brought a letter, saying it's for you."
Su Man opened it and saw who it was, Yin Hong. This thief, still determined to steal, invited her to meet him at their old place.
Ah Zhi lowered his eyes to look at Su Man's hand holding the letter, a cold look flashed in his eyes. But when he raised his eyes again, he looked harmless again.
"The messenger is still waiting outside. Do you want to reply, sister?"
...
Yin Hong had been eagerly waiting since he sent the letter, and finally the servant returned.
"Where's the letter?"
The servant said, "There is no letter. The eldest lady asked me to take a message to the prince. She said that there are too many people in the mountains now, and she asked the prince to concentrate on meditation."
Yin Hong was a little disappointed, but he had to admit that she was right. Ever since he last saw Su Man, he had been itching to see her. He had even arranged their firewood sheds to be very close to each other. How could he not see her when they were so close?
He pressed on, "What else did she say?"
The servant thought for a moment and said, "The eldest lady also said that as long as the young master meditates in the meditation room, the Buddha will come to him."
Yin Hong repeated this several times before suddenly realizing something. He excitedly said, "Tonight, tell the servants to go away and tell them that father wants to meditate."
"Why."
The moon rises above the willows.
After finally making it through the day until night, Yin Hong dismissed the servants and sat alone in the room waiting.
Finally, he heard a knock on the door.
When the door opened, the person outside was seen wearing a loose robe, with his head and face buried in a hat, completely covered from head to toe.
Yin Hong hurriedly pulled someone in, but was pushed away just as he was about to lift her hat.
Yin Hong thought Yun Man was hesitant because of what happened before, so he softened his voice and said, "Okay, Man, let's put the past behind us. As long as you give it to me today, I will ask my father for marriage tomorrow."
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