Jian Yuehua has been married to the Zhang family for half a month. Zhang Ao is the top scholar in the imperial examination, and his father is also a top scholar. Jian Yuehua has a rich dowry, a good family background, and a capable nanny to help her. Her life is going smoothly.
Especially when he knew that Mi Niang's dowry was only 76 kg, he laughed out loud: "I heard that the old lady of the Marquis of Dong'an said that Fang Weiyan's mother specially built a house for them to live in. In order to suppress their third son, she specially named it Fengwu Courtyard. With such a small dowry, can she fill up the Fengwu Courtyard?"
Madam Gong cleared her throat and said, "Second Master is coming back."
Only then did Jian Yuehua stop laughing.
Zhang Ao was 25 years old this year, in the prime of his life. When he came back and saw Jian Yuehua waiting for him, he was very happy: "Why are you waiting for me here? Have you had your meal?"
"Not yet. I was going to my wife's place. Someone outside said you were back, so I was waiting." Jian Yuehua smiled.
Zhang Ao was very pleased with this. With Jian Yuehua's help, he took off his coat and changed into casual clothes. The couple had dinner together. Zhang Ao was from Huguang, and most of the chefs in his family were hired from Huguang. However, Jian Yuehua grew up in Yangzhou and ate Huaiyang cuisine. Later, she followed Mrs. Jian, who never touched Huguang cuisine and always hired chefs from Wuxi.
Therefore, Jian Yuehua was a little uncomfortable with the food, but she did not dare to say much. She just drank a little soup and concentrated on serving Zhang Ao.
After the meal, Zhang Ao said, "In a few days, our colleague Fang Weiyan from the Hanlin Academy will be getting married. You are also related to the Dong'an Marquis Mansion, so you want to go too?"
Jian Yuehua nodded: "Of course I will go. My grandmother and mother both went."
"Well, then go earlier." Zhang Ao thought of what he had heard about Madam Jian and Madam Ruan, and asked, "What is the relationship between your grandmother and the Ruan family like now?"
Jian Yuehua was a little embarrassed when she mentioned this. According to her usual temper, she would have scolded Madam Ruan for being unworthy of a high-ranking official and being a shabby woman. However, she still had to maintain her image in front of Zhang Ao, so she just forced a smile and said, "We don't interact much on weekdays. My grandmother is busy with various matters, and Madam Ruan is probably busy too."
Zhang Ao nodded: "Yes, we Huguang women are all strong-willed and never admit defeat."
Jian Yuehua was speechless.
This is not a strong character, it's just being unfilial.
But she knew that her grandmother had told her, just after she got married, that she must be obedient, stand firm on her feet and then slowly show her skills, so she just agreed with a few words.
After the meal, Zhang Ao was called out. Of course, he had some female confidantes outside, but in Jian Yuehua's view, those female friends did not pose any threat, so she just sat back and did not mind.
Madam Gong also praised: "Second Madam, this is the best way. When you grow up a little, and then give birth to a big fat boy, and gradually stand firm on your feet, the man's heart will slowly come back home from the outside world. Now just let them make trouble, anyway, the outside world is not presentable."
"I know what Madam said." As far as Jian Yuehua was concerned, she couldn't be more satisfied with her fiancé Zhang Ao. His status was high enough, and she could have face when she went out. Moreover, Zhang Ao respected her at home, which was good enough.
She was so sensible that Nanny Gong and the maids around her all breathed a sigh of relief.
Jian Yuehua found it ridiculous to see them like this. Did they really think she was a fool?
However, when it comes to the fact that Mi Niang is getting married, Fan Yuzhen from the palace gave her a wedding gift. Fan Yuzhen was initially named a beauty in the palace, but she was also quite favored and had been promoted from a beauty to a third-rank imperial concubine.
Although she was not pregnant yet, Mi Niang thought Fan Yu was really smart. If she got pregnant now, she might not be able to keep the fetus. Even if she gave birth, she might not be able to keep the baby alive. Besides, she had the empress and concubines above her, and the child might just be used as a gift to others. It was better not to give birth.
Although Concubine Cui was arrogant, she would not be as cruel as she was to Li Shuyuan, and Fan Yuzhen was much smarter than Li Shuyuan.
"Concubine Fan presented colored silk and a pair of white jade ruyi."
Mi Niang and Ding Er Niang looked at each other and said, "I didn't expect that she still cares about the old relationship."
In the past few years, the third son of Duke Cheng'en's mansion has already married someone else, and the fifth daughter has also gotten married. However, because Zhang Jingzhi did not pass this exam, Wu Niang has had less contact with her.
Maybe I feel embarrassed, so I don't want to associate with him.
Soon it was the day before her wedding. It was Mi Niang's last day at home and she had dinner with her family. On the table were Mi Niang's favorite dishes. No one spoke, for fear that someone would burst into tears if they couldn't hold back.
The person who was most reluctant to leave was probably Second Grandma Ding. The reason why she became more like a human being instead of a cold-blooded animal was all because of her daughter. They used to depend on each other, and her daughter helped her countless times. Now that she was leaving the house, it was like someone was taking a knife to cut out the flesh of her heart.
"Eat it. These are glutinous rice balls with meat. You always ask for them everyday. Mom made them specially for you today."
In the end, it was Second Mistress Ding who spoke first.
Mi Niang took a bite, but couldn't swallow it, and tears came out.
Ruan Jiading acted as if he didn't see his daughter's tears. He said dryly, "I'm afraid you won't be able to eat our Huguang cuisine in the mansion in the future. Come back and eat if you want."
"Um..."
Suddenly, the women all wiped their tears. Zhou remembered that when she was unhappy at home, it was Mi Niang who comforted her. They did needlework together, talked together, and occasionally Mi Niang told a few jokes and played the pipa for them. Before, everyone thought that Mi Niang should have married earlier, but now they feel that the day for her to get married is too soon.
It was almost as if they still had a lot to say and a lot to do, but the day had already passed.
Mi Niang took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears, but the more she wiped, the more she cried.
"Dad, Mom, if I want to go home, can you pick me up?" She still missed her parents very much.
Dad would never give up eating anything delicious and would bring it back for her and her brother. He only had his official uniform and a few casual clothes, but he gave all his money to her for her dowry, fearing that others would look down on his daughter. Needless to say, mother always stood by her side and loved her wholeheartedly and without reservation.
She also has two younger brothers. Although they are young and often quarrel loudly and are scolded by her, they are still the most attached to their elder sister. Every time she sends them snacks or purses, the two of them are very happy.
There is also Zhou and the eleventh brother. Although they are not biological brother and sister-in-law, they get along very well. Then there is the second uncle Long, who takes care of everything, and even Ruan Yuxin has run errands for her.
She was very reluctant to leave this home.
After her parents passed away in her previous life, it was like she had been immersed in an ice cellar. She had finally managed to stay in a warm place all her life, but now she had to go out again.
But she also knew that people are like birds. When they grow up, they have to learn to fly on their own and cannot always grow up under the wings of their parents. She will eventually start a family and live her own life with another person.
Just like what my mother said, if she doesn't get married, how can she stay at home all her life? Her two younger brothers will grow up sooner or later. They love their sister, so won't their sister-in-law dislike her? My parents are old, and they are all my flesh and blood. If they favor one side, the other side will not accept it.
Does she have to live her life under the whims of her younger brother and sister-in-law?
That would be even more frustrating.
So, after being sad for a while, Mi Niang started to think about what would happen after she got married tomorrow.
Just before dinner, Guo Yaoyu arrived. It had only been a few months since she finished her confinement, but she was doing well. When she saw Mi Niang's red eyes, she immediately understood: "I was also like this when I got married. I was looking forward to it, but also hesitant and uneasy."
"Yes." Mi Niang had actually calmed down. Sometimes she felt that her blood ran cold too quickly.
Because she herself knew that she would live a better life in her husband's family than crying in vain, and that would make her parents feel at ease.
Guo Yaoyu smiled bitterly: "If Yaoxian had as many ideas as you, life would definitely be much better."
"How is Yaoxian?" Mi Niang has been busy recently because of her marriage, and she doesn't know how Guo Yaoxian is doing.
Guo Yaoyu shook her head: "My father wants to marry her to my former cousin's husband. My cousin left behind a six-year-old child and passed away. She lived a very hard life. But my father admired my cousin's husband's talent and always said that he was a rare talent. Although he is now poor, my father likes his character. Therefore, my father wants to marry Yaoxian to him."
"Does Yaoxian agree with herself?" Although Mi Niang thought that Uncle Guo was a righteous man, she even envied Wang Sumin.
Because Wang Sumin was arranged to marry into the Guo family, her mother later passed away. The Guo family was afraid that she would be bullied by her stepmother, so they even brought her home early. At that time, the sisters Guo Yaoyu and Guo Yaoxian were still unhappy with Wang Sumin.
The Guo family is a kind-hearted family, but Guo Yaoxian's marriage was too inconsiderate of her daughter.
Which woman would want to be someone's concubine?
Guo Yaoyu shook her head: "Even if she disagrees, so what? It would be better if she said it out loud, but she is also a person with no temper. It's useless for me to say it, one is my cousin's husband, and the other is my father, how can I persuade him?"
After all, Guo Yaoyu has no control over her sister's marriage, but Uncle Guo is determined to do so, and outsiders can't say anything.
Mi Niang said, "If I had not agreed, there would have been so many people in this world who would have felt sorry for me and been angry at me for not fighting. I can't even count them all."
"Forget it. Tomorrow is your day and I shouldn't say these things."
"I know your heart."
After a woman gets married, she no longer has to take care of herself. Guo Yaoyu's life is relatively good as she lives alone. But for a family like Ji Chunfang's, with six or seven brothers and many sisters-in-law, there are constant conflicts among them. It is very difficult for Ji Chunfang to go out.
Guo Yaoyu was also moved at the moment. She felt very sorry when she saw Mi Niang rejected the Li family. But the man she married, Fang Weiyan, was ranked second in the imperial examination at the age of 20. It was said that if Zhang Ao had not secretly passed the imperial examination, Fang Weiyan would have been the top scorer. In their subject, people still recognized Fang Weiyan's real talent and knowledge.
It was when Mi Niang sent her dowry to the Fang family last time that Aunt Ruan asked her to go to the Fang family with Zhou. After meeting Fang Weiyan in person, she realized how outstanding he was. His whole demeanor, his appearance that was like Song Yuweijie, and the rich aura of a marquis's mansion made him look even more outstanding than Li Guan.
It would be great if my sister could marry such a man. If my sister had more ideas, dad would not force her to marry. His dad is now a doctor in the Ministry of Rites, so it is possible for him to find a good marriage.
Women learn so much about the Three Obediences and Four Virtues, but in the end they hurt themselves.
Guo Yaoyu was very sad that someone like Mi Niang, who could fight for herself and dared to say no, actually got a good marriage.
After Guo Yaoyu left, Mi Niang finished washing and combing her hair. Chun Tao combed her hair for her and said as she combed it, "Sister, your hair is so nice, black, shiny and thick. I have never seen a girl with such nice hair."
Mi Niang smiled and said, "That was also raised."
In order to maintain her slim figure in her previous life, she didn't eat for many years. She was so hungry at night that her hair turned a lot white. She had to dye her hair every time. She wanted to vomit when she thought of that black juice now.
The dowry included these four maids and Chen Kang's family.
Xia Lianchuntao was going to go to the Marquis' Mansion to pick out more people, and then decide whether to release them or keep them in the Mansion to serve. As for Perilla and Angelica dahurica, they were still young, so there was no need to worry too much.
At this moment, a clear cough was heard at the door. Mi Niang looked up and saw that it was Second Madam Ding who came over. She was holding a bowl of soup in her hand.
Mi Niang said, "Mother, I ate so much tonight, I don't want to drink anymore."
"This is a calming soup. Go to bed early tonight because you have to get up early tomorrow." After saying this, he asked the maids to leave, as if he had something else to say.
Mi Niang took the calming soup and drank a few sips. Then she saw Second Mistress Ding hesitantly saying, "What is this... you should take a closer look. I will sleep with you today. If you don't understand anything, just ask me."
This turned out to be a fire avoidance map. No wonder Second Mistress Ding felt embarrassed. Mi Niang yawned and threw it aside: "I don't need to look at it."
"Silly child, how can you not watch it?" Mrs. Ding had always been obedient to her daughter. Now that she saw that she was giving up on the most important thing, she hurriedly said, "Come, I'll teach you."
After hearing what her mother said, Mi Niang felt drowsy and fell asleep after a while.
Aunt Ding was so angry that she couldn't stand it, but she was afraid of waking up her daughter. At such a critical moment, her daughter actually lost control. You know, the most important thing between husband and wife is sexual pleasure. If the sex life is not harmonious, it will be very painful in the future.
Just as she was complaining, she saw her daughter holding her. Her little face was red and puffy because she was fast asleep. It was obvious that she was sleeping soundly.
Her heart softened again. Go to sleep, sleep well.
When she came back, she saw that Ruan Jiading, who usually slept well, was still awake. She asked curiously, "Why aren't you asleep yet?"
Ruan Jiading scratched his head and said, "I can't sleep either. Maybe it's too hot."
Of course what the husband said was a cover-up. It was even hotter yesterday and he fell asleep immediately. But today he couldn't sleep at all. It was obvious that he was thinking about his daughter.
Mrs. Ding did not expose her husband's lies because she couldn't sleep either.
Probably the only person who could sleep in the house was Mi Niang.
As for the Dong'an Marquis's Mansion, it was already decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations. Mi Niang's dowry had been delivered. In fact, 76 loads was not too little. Xu was still unhappy and said, "The second son's wife, Yu, only had 66 loads of dowry when she got married, and no one said anything. The third son was still a county lady, and her dowry was no more than 82 loads when she got married. Many of them were old, and the boxes were very light. Mi Niang's dowry was obviously considered rich in the capital, so why did your aunt catch her eye?"
Fang Weiyan took off his groom's clothes and came out to hear his mother say this. He couldn't help but say, "What's the big deal? She can say whatever she wants. Tomorrow, Mi Niang will marry into the family. Even if she doesn't have dowry, she is still much better than those people with so-called rich dowry. A good man doesn't eat the meal of a divided family, and a good woman doesn't wear her wedding dress. People with no ability only focus on these trivial things and talk about them every day."
"Yeah, why bother to pick between the side branch and the direct branch? I think people in this world are too picky." Xu spread her hands to express her confusion.
Fang Weiyan laughed and said, "This is probably made up by those ignorant people. Is it possible that the eldest daughter of the Ruan family, who got an official position through donations and favors, is better than Mi Niang's father, who was a scholar who passed the imperial examinations twice?"
Mrs. Xu nodded, "That's right. There's still people who pick on the legitimate and illegitimate daughters. The daughter of the illegitimate wife of the Ruan family is the empress, who dares to find fault with her? Madam Jian was born as a concubine, who is looking down on her? Your classmate Zhang Ao is also the illegitimate son of the prime minister, and he is much more favored than his elder brother."
"That's exactly what you said. My aunt attaches great importance to her dowry. If it weren't for the support of the Marquis's Mansion, she wouldn't have been able to bring back all that dowry." No one cares about the legitimate, illegitimate, side branch, or main branch. In fact, it's all about power.
Some people just can't think clearly.
Among all the officials in the world, the closer they are to the emperor, the more people will flatter them, even if their official positions are low, because they are closer to the center of power.
"Well, you should rest early, because you have to pick up the bride tomorrow."
It was rare for someone like Fang Weiyan, who was usually indifferent, to actually smile. He nodded vigorously and said, "Son, I will go to rest now. Mother should send me off soon. Son, send me off now."
Xu asked him to stop: "No need."
After walking a few steps, seeing her son still smiling, Xu said to the waiter beside her, "I haven't seen Wei Yan so happy in a long time. This child has never shown his emotions since he was young."
"You've chosen the right person. You chose Miss Ruan right away. You'll have a helper when you get married in the future."
Seeing Xu and his group walking away, Fang Weiyan returned to his room and lay down, feeling very happy.
She...she's coming tomorrow.
As soon as the sky was getting light, Mi Niang yawned and asked someone to help her get up from the bed and take a bath with flower petals and milk. This was probably the most luxurious experience she had since her rebirth.
After changing into casual clothes, the bridesmaid brought Mrs. Quanfu to have her face painted. Mrs. Quanfu was the wife of Ruan Jiading's colleague. When she saw her, Mi Niang said, "You are really a beauty. Your face is so tender. I am afraid it will turn red."
Mrs. Ding Er smiled and said, "We still believe in your craftsmanship."
I saw her applying a layer of powder on her face, then using two red threads to cross them into a cross shape. She held one end of one thread with her hand and put the other end of the thread against her face. Mi Niang grimaced in pain and dared not speak, but the effect was still very good. The fine hairs on her forehead and temples were trimmed neatly, and her skin seemed to be brighter.
She can ask the bride-tie to comb her hair, but Mi Niang insists on doing her own make-up.
The reason was simple. She didn't like the techniques used by those piercers. No one knew how to be more beautiful better than she did. No one knew how to draw eyebrows, what color lipstick to use, or even how to apply powder and rouge better than she did.
Mrs. Cha looked at Mrs. Ding Er hesitantly, but Mrs. Ding Er said, "Then let her paint it herself. You don't know that she is good at painting beauties and can also put on makeup."
Mrs. Cha was still a little unconvinced, although she didn't dare to show it directly. She thought to herself, "I was the one who did the makeup and dressing for the Minister of Revenue's daughter's wedding. Am I not as good as a little girl?"
Unexpectedly, after the girl's hair was combed, she saw that the little girl had skillful techniques and finished the painting quickly. After she changed into the wedding dress, even the bridesmaid was stunned.
"I never thought that the girl's skills were so exquisite."
Mi Niang was indifferent, but that was necessary in order to win favor in her previous life, otherwise she would not like to put on powder and make-up.
Today she was wearing peony makeup, and she looked radiant and bright, yet with a bit of girlish tenderness. No one in the room was not stunned by her beauty.
Normally, even without makeup, her skin is already radiant and her eyes are bright. Now that she has put on makeup, she looks even more stunning. When it comes to her looks, no one dares to challenge her.
I put a lot of ice in the house today because I was afraid that Mi Niang would get too hot, so it’s very cool.
There were quite a few people gathered here just now, but after they finished dressing up, they all left, leaving only Mi Niang and the maidservants who served her.
The Ruan family was also crowded with distinguished guests today, especially after the sun came out, Guo Yaoyu and Ji Chunfang, good friends, came together and taught them many tricks of riding in a sedan chair.
"Don't eat leeks and garlic with strong odors, otherwise your mouth will smell when you speak. Don't drink too much water, or it will be inconvenient to go to the toilet..."
Mi Niang felt that all of this was very new, but at the same time it was something she had never experienced in her previous life.
"Chun Tao, ask the kitchen staff to make some white rice cakes for me."
Seeing Mi Niang's indifferent look, Ji Chunfang couldn't help but ask, "Mi Niang, today is your wedding day, why don't you look happy?"
Mi Niang said with a smile: "I'm afraid my face will be stiff from laughing when I go to my husband's house."
Although Fang Weiyan is a really nice person, he is different from the people in her family. She is afraid, not because she is afraid that her future in-laws will be bad, but because she is afraid that her time in this family will be too short. In the past, she complained that the days were too long and she couldn't wait to grow up, but now she feels how good it is to be with her parents.
Fang Weiyan was very happy, playing gongs and drums all the way, and was even very generous when giving red envelopes to Yu Han and Yu Heng, the two brothers-in-law. Mi Niang had already been covered with a red veil and was carried on the sedan chair by Ruan Shiyi.
The Fang family's wedding procession was very lively. Guan Huiqing could hear the sound of suona in the inner house and asked hurriedly, "Who is getting married today?"
The little girl went out to ask around, then came back and said, "It's the Fang family's wedding procession, winding for dozens of miles."
Guan Huiqing thought to herself, she actually had such a grand ceremony. Although she knew that Ruan Mi Niang was getting married today, she didn't expect her wedding to be so grand. She didn't need to go out to see it, she could hear it just by listening to the sound.
At the same time, a girl in a blue carriage also saw this scene. She asked, "Whose family is getting married? Why is there such a grand ceremony?"
The man laughed and said, "Miss Dehui grew up in the Ruan family, how come you don't know this? This is the girl named Mi Jie'er from our Ruan family. She is going to marry the son of the Marquis of Dong'an. This young man is amazing. He passed the imperial examination at the age of 20 and is also a handsome young man."
Zhou Furou murmured, "I never thought she would be so lucky."
At the same time, she couldn't help but ask, "They say I'm also very lucky, but why was I sent to the palace to be a female official? Am I going to die in the deep palace and never come out for the rest of my life?"
Mi Niang didn't know about these things because she was so hungry that she wanted to eat the apple in her hand, but she hadn't arrived at the Dong'an Marquis Mansion yet.
Chuntao said happily: "Our aunt asked people to go around to the west again, so it will be more lively."
Mi Niang was desperate. She thought to herself that Fang Wei Yan was not the kind of person who liked to show off normally. He was quite low-key. Why was he showing off like this now? She couldn't take it anymore. She was really hungry.
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