Actually, considering the status of Pingyang Prince Mansion, this marriage could have been arranged by sending a steward or a trusted maid on behalf of Ji Xinhe, or the Song family could have personally visited the mansion to confirm the arrangement.
Furthermore, the Song family is marrying off a minor concubine’s daughter, which is essentially marrying above their social status.
However, Ji Xinhe didn’t mind these details and insisted on handling the matter personally, which took the Song family by surprise.
Master Song hurriedly said in awe, "Please have a seat, princess. Everyone in Yu State must be envious of your kindness to Young Master Xiaobei."
Xin He casually took a seat with Xiaobei and Xiao Chaihuo standing on either side of her.
Xiao Chaihuo remained composed, with his usual expressionless face, but Xiaobei couldn’t help but be restless. As soon as he entered the room, he was discreetly looking around for hidden doors or curtains. His eyes were restless and his heart was filled with nervousness.
"Today is a good day, hence it is the best day for a betrothal ceremony. I thought you might want to meet Xiaobei, so I brought him too. Xiaobei, pay your respects to Master and Madam Song," Xin He said.
Xiaobei was taken aback, but he managed to keep a calm face. He copied Xiao Chaihuo’s demeanor, acting indifferent. He then formally saluted Master and Madam Song saying, "Ji Bei pays his respects to Master and Madam Song."
Master Song was somewhat taken aback and quickly assisted Xiaobei in a ceremonious manner: "Young Master Ji Bei, you are too courteous."
Xin He smiled, "In the future, you will be his elders and it’s only right to accept his respect."
Master Song grinned from ear to ear and said repeatedly, "The princess is too kind. Bring out the ink and paper. Let’s finalize this marriage."
Xiaobei was delighted at this. He once again paid his respects and then retreated to stand behind Xin He. He watched his sister arrange his marriage and sign the marriage contract on his behalf.
The marriage negotiation was a forgone conclusion with the betrothal gifts exchanging hands ahead of time. Today’s ceremony was just a formality.
Master Song personally wrote the marriage contract. After checking it and seeing no issues, Xin He stamped it with her seal. They then exchanged tokens of betrothal which finalized the marriage agreement.
Master Song was ecstatic with the signed marriage contract. After all, everyone in Yu State was closely watching Ji Bei’s marriage. Initially, he was worried that his legitimate daughter was too old and his concubine daughter was not of a high enough status to be considered. Who would have thought that Ji Bei was actually willing to marry his concubine daughter? This marriage has greatly increased the prestige of the Song family!
Not to mention anything else, at least in the future in Yu State, the Song family’s social status will be secure!
Xin He didn’t display any special joy. She might have been preoccupied with other matters. She just asked Xiaoyu to store the marriage contract.
Madam Song smiled, "Since it is such a rare occasion for you to come to the prefecture city, why don’t you stay for a meal before you leave? I’m sure the journey must have been tiring for the princess."
Xin He gave a slight smile, "That sounds nice."
Master Song was surprised by her acceptance. He was overjoyed and quickly said, "Excellent, I will order the preparations immediately."
Xin He nodded with a smile.
Master Song, understanding that Madam Song and Ji Xinhe were good friends and that it wouldn’t be appropriate for him to stay, excused himself to Madam Song, "Please entertain the princess well. Why don’t you show her around the garden? I will go to the front yard."
"Alright."
Master Song left. Xin He also sent Xiaobei and Xiao Chaihuo outside, "You two should walk around. Besides, there’s nothing to do here. I’ll talk to Madam Song."
Xiaobei was delighted to agree, "Okay."
Xin He understood Xiaobei’s intention from his excitement. She just shook her head in amusement and then casually glanced towards a curtain on the right side of the room. She then told Xiaobei, "Alright, go now."
As expected from the younger brother she had personally raised, even though they weren’t exactly on the same wavelength, they still had some tacit understanding. How could Xiaobei not understand what Ji Xinhe meant?
She was indicating that Miss Song, the sixth daughter of the Song family, was hiding behind the curtain!
Xiaobei was thrilled, but didn’t let it show. He politely said, "Alright."
Then, he and Xiao Chaihuo stepped outside.
As soon as they stepped out, Xiaobei almost jumped in excitement. He quietly pulled Xiao Chaihuo aside and whispered, "Hey, did you see the signal that my sister just gave me? There is definitely someone hiding behind that curtain! It’s probably Miss Song!"
Xiao Chaihuo expressionlessly responded, "Oh".
"Can’t you show some reaction? I bet Miss Song is also interested in me. Why else would she be hiding behind the curtain, peeping at me? Don’t you agree?" Xiaobei asked excitedly.
After looking around, he lowered his voice and whispered in Xiao Chaihuo’s ear, "Here’s what I’m thinking: I want to see her right now. Can you cover for me? She must be planning to leave through the back door. I am going to block her way there!"
He hadn’t dared before, but now with the marriage contract signed, Xiaobei was no longer apprehensive. The journey from Lian’an Town to the prefecture city is not short, and she usually stays at home. He rarely got an opportunity to visit, so he had to see her face to face to feel satisfied.
If it was any other day, Xiao Chaihuo, although reluctant to get involved in trivial matters, wouldn’t refuse Xiaobei, especially when it came to a girl he was so interested in.
However, the circumstances were different this time. Xiao Chaihuo knew that Ji Xinhe had other motives for visiting the Song family. Even though he didn’t know the details, he couldn’t let his guard down. He had to stay and keep an eye on her.
"You go, I’ll wait here for the princess."
Xiaobei asked, "My sister inside is talking to Madam Song, what’s there for us to do? What are you guarding against?"
Xiao Chaihuo knew Xiaobei was unaware, so he simply said, "I’m not going."
Xiaobei hung his head in defeat. Xiao Chaihuo was rarely ever adamant in refusing him. Once he had made up his mind, even if it was just two words "not going", there was no way to change his decision. Xiaobei was powerless and had to go alone.
Xiao Chaihuo glanced inside the house. The room was hidden behind a curtain making it difficult to see inside. Therefore, he silently stood outside and waited.
Now, only Madam Song and Xin He were left inside the house. The atmosphere subtly shifted. Xin He sipped her tea quietly before she casually asked, "I wonder how Miss Song Yalin is doing these days?"
Madam Song had anticipated that she would ask about her sixth daughter considering they came for Xiaobei’s marriage proposal. She had been prepared for that. However, to her surprise, the first thing Xin He asked about was Song Yalin.
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