Chapter 10: Become a Concubine
Before dinner, Yun Qiao was called into the study by her uncle.
She stood quietly in front of the desk. Chen Ruhai sat upright on the chair. Seeing his niece, he felt helpless.
"Mother Qiao, please sit down. Uncle wants to talk to you..."
"Uncle, just tell me directly. I think it has already been decided."
Chen Ruhai said, "I'm sorry for not being able to take good care of you. Now that you've grown up and reached marriageable age, it's time for you to get married."
It’s time to get married…
Yun Qiao clenched her palms tightly under her sleeves.
"I can enter the Marquis's mansion as a concubine. I'll take half of the betrothal gift, and the remaining half will be used to repay the Chen family for raising and educating me."
"Also, I'll take Xiao Tao away. Apart from these, I don't want anything else."
Chen Ruhai was still thinking that his niece didn't want to get married and would definitely try to make trouble with him. After all, he heard from his wife Zhou that Yun Qiao refused to agree to enter the Marquis' Mansion.
Unexpectedly, she agreed so readily.
"There's nothing wrong with what you mentioned."
"Mother Qiao, I'm sorry for making you feel wronged."
Yun Qiao smiled miserably. "What's wrong with that? If I can't control my own destiny, I can only let others manipulate me. Isn't that what's right?"
After saying that, Yun Qiao left.
Her uncle was her uncle, but he was also Zhou's husband, the father of Chen Xiniang and Chen Pingshun, and he was also an official who wanted to climb the social ladder.
Her niece Yun Qiao can only be ranked behind, and can even be sacrificed.
After Yun Qiao agreed, Zhou immediately sent someone to the Marquis' Mansion to deliver a letter, saying that her daughter was willing.
Soon, people from the Marquis' Mansion came and delivered some clothes, materials and other items.
The betrothal gift was one hundred taels, along with three pieces of cloth, three sets of ready-made clothes, and the only jewelry he gave were three simple hairpins. Since he was not getting married, the things he gave were all odd numbers, so Zhou was supposed to add some to make it a good number.
According to Yunqiao's request, the betrothal gift was fifty taels, and she would not give any more.
Yun Qiao was given two sets of fabric and clothes, and a pair of earrings were added to the jewelry. They were not very small, but they made it an even number.
As for other things, there is nothing.
Two other girls were carried into the Marquis' Mansion together with Yun Qiao, but they were all wearing veils and could not recognize each other.
He was carried directly into the Zhenbei Marquis Mansion through the side door.
Yun Qiao followed the wedding procession inside and felt that the mansion was incredibly huge, with one door after another, winding and twisting. It really lived up to the saying that once you enter the mansion, it's like entering a deep sea.
I'm afraid I won't have many chances to get out in this lifetime.
In the central courtyard, Mama Chang, the old lady's personal nanny, spoke a lot to the Marquis of Zhenbei.
"This is what the old lady wants. You have to go to the backyard tonight. The old lady has just taken in three concubines for you today. One of them is particularly outstanding in appearance. I think you will like her."
Chen Jingyan nodded.
"I'll go later..."
Mother Chang still stood there and didn't say anything about leaving.
Chen Jingyan glanced at her. He knew that if he didn't go to the backyard tonight, Mother Chang would not be able to go back to report and would definitely keep an eye on him.
Chen Jingyan returned to Beijing for the New Year this time, which was also a vacation he had accumulated over the years, and there was actually not much to do.
The emperor specially appointed Chen Jingyan to take charge of the combat training of the military camps outside the city.
Seeing that Mother Chang was not leaving, Chen Jingyan stood up and walked straight to the backyard.
Mother Chang wanted to follow.
Chen Jingyan stood still and asked coldly, "Does Mother Chang want to watch my wedding night with her own eyes?"
Mother Chang's old face turned red with embarrassment. She said a few festive words and turned around before leaving.
Chen Jingyan walked to the backyard. He was very troubled when facing women, but three of them came at once tonight, and it was not appropriate for him to go to any of them. It was also not feasible for him to go back to the main courtyard at this time.
Since he was eighteen, his grandmother has been looking for women for him.
It's really worrying.
***
The next morning, Yunqiao got up very early.
She was an insecure person. She would suffer from insomnia for half the night every time she changed her environment. She only fell into a deep sleep when it was almost dawn in the morning. She also thought about the strict rules of the Marquis' Mansion. She was raised to be a concubine, which was not like marrying a legitimate wife and having to get up to serve tea to the elders.
But no matter what she was going to do this morning, she had to get up and wait, and she couldn't let anyone take advantage of her and break her rules.
Seeing Yunqiao yawning, Xiaotao hurriedly brought her a cup of strong tea.
"Tell the girl to lie down and I'll call you later. If the girl doesn't allow it, then drink a cup of strong tea to wake you up first."
"Looks like there's no movement next door. I wonder if they'll call the girl to set the rules this morning..."
As he was speaking, a voice came from outside the door.
"Miss Qiao is awake now. The old lady called a few girls over."
This person was none other than Mother He, who had previously delivered the gift of betrothal to Yun Qiao's uncle Chen Ruhai's family.
Yun Qiao and her maid Xiao Tao got up immediately. Fortunately, she got up early today. She adjusted her skirt a little and walked straight out.
When Mother He saw Yunqiao coming out first, she didn't say anything, but her eyes were filled with admiration.
"This must be Miss Qiao."
"Hello, Mama He. I'm Yun Qiao."
Yun Qiao whispered, lowering her head away, her small hands tightly clutching the clothes at her sides. She looked very reserved and petty.
Mother He thought Yunqiao was a well-mannered person just now, but after taking a closer look, she realized that this person from a small place in northern Shaanxi was petty.
However, it is just to find a noble concubine for the Marquis, so it doesn't matter if she is from a small family.
"Miss Qiao, please wait a moment. When all the other girls are here, we can go to the main courtyard together."
Yun Qiao stood outside the door and waited. When the other two girls came out, Yun Qiao recognized them.
Along with her, the round-faced girl and the woman in the bright red clothes were also brought into the marquis's mansion as concubines.
However, as a concubine now, she naturally cannot wear bright red. Today she wore a pink dress, which made her look charming and seductive.
Yun Qiao, the round-faced girl Fang Jia, and Zhang Yuqing in pink clothes, the three of them had just entered the Marquis' Mansion.
However, the three concubines that the Marquis had previously selected to enter the rear palace were nowhere to be seen.
Yun Qiao didn't dare to ask more questions. She lowered her eyes and stood in obedience.
Waiting for Mother He to say let’s go.
Yun Qiao, Fang Jia, and Zhang Yuqing followed Mother He's steps toward the main courtyard.
The old lady was just about to wake up and had just finished dressing. She was sitting on a chair surrounded by five or six maids. There were not many old women serving her, and even if there were, they were working outside.
"Madam, these are the three girls who were brought in yesterday."
"Come forward, let me take a look..."
As the old lady finished speaking, Yun Qiao and the other two girls came forward.
They all said in unison: "The old lady is well."
"I heard from Madam He that the Marquis stayed at Miss Fang's room last night? Give Miss Fang five taels of silver, two pieces of silk, and a pair of jade bracelets. That's all."
After the old lady finished speaking, she looked at Yun Qiao and the other three.
"You all know the purpose of letting you into the Marquis's mansion, to teach him the ways of life. However, who dares to give birth to a child in secret before he marries his mistress? I will definitely not allow such a thing to happen."
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