Old Master Yan felt that he had not misjudged the person and was extremely happy. The two of them drank until midnight, and Old Master Yan stayed the night at the Xiong Family’s, not returning to Jingde Town until early the next morning with the big and small packages that Old Master Xiong had insisted on giving him.
He did not return to the Yan Family but went first to see Song Jiyun.
"Old Master Xiong said, his original intentions remain unchanged," Old Master Yan acted as a middleman, conveying the message to the Song Family, "They will let your family choose from their three children, but if you could establish a marital connection with their eldest son, that would be the best outcome."
At that time, whether in the court or among the common people, primogeniture was the system in place. When a family divided, the main branch would take charge of managing the sacrificial fields and Righteous Manor, among others, and would receive a large share of the assets.
Old Master Xiong’s proposal for his eldest son showed great sincerity.
Gentlemen judge by deeds, not intentions.
Song Jiyun and Madam Qian inevitably saw the Xiong Family in a new light, and within the Song Family, the only one who was of similar age to the Xiong Family’s eldest son was Song Jiyu.
"Then we would have to trouble Old Master Yan to make another trip to Wuyuan!" Madam Qian said with a smile, "If the marriage is successful, I will have the children make shoes for you to wear."
"Certainly, certainly!" Old Master Yan was also very satisfied with this outcome and set off again for Wuyuan in high spirits in his mule cart.
Song Jiyun and Madam Qian then invited the wife of Eleventh Grand Master Song to speak with them.
"There have been similar cases within the clan before, but we do not know the exact procedures," the three of them sat in the bright spring sun in the backyard pavilion, drinking tea, eating pastries, and watching the maids pick the newly-bloomed winter jasmine flowers, "We have not experienced this kind of event before and fear we must trouble you to take the lead."
The wife of Eleventh Grand Master Song was somewhat surprised.
The Xiong Family was one of the leading families in Wuyuan, with a majority of Jingde Town kilns buying pine firewood from them. The Xiong Family had both good assets and a good family reputation, which left nothing to be criticized. For Song Jiyu to marry into the Xiong Family, though it could not compare to Song Jiyun, was still an enviable and advantageous match.
This truly confirmed the old saying, "Life gets more prosperous as the days go by."
With these two sons-in-law, who would dare look down on Madam Qian in the future?
The wife of Eleventh Grand Master Song hurriedly said, "Madam and the Second Miss are too courteous. You thought to involve me in this matter, which is honoring to me; there is no trouble at all."
Then she described the usual customs, "It’s the same as ordinary marriages, first matching the eight characters [astrological signs], then offering the fortune-teller’s approved match to the ancestors’ tablets. If, within three days, there are no incidents of pain or calamity, then we invite the go-betweens to exchange the betrothal letters. However, formally discussing the marriage arrangements and bride price should wait until the mourning period is over."
"However, customs can vary ten miles apart. We need to discuss with the Xiong Family to see if they have specific traditions on their side."
Madam Qian nodded repeatedly.
Here, the matchmakers referred to are witnesses to the marriage, not the mediating matchmakers. Any sociable woman could act as a mediating matchmaker, but the witnesses must be venerable and respected individuals.
Madam Qian felt that this should be decided by Song Jiyun.
However, the wife of Eleventh Grand Master Song suggested, "Why not ask the Eldest Brother-in-law to help invite one? The Eldest Brother-in-law knows big officials like the Civil Administrative Commissioner, the Inspector General, and the Commander. When the Xiong Family comes to propose, it could also make them hold the Second Miss in higher regard. You know, the way a husband and wife get along is like the blowing wind—it’s either the east wind prevailing over the west wind, or the west wind over the east."
She added, "We’re all experienced; I don’t need to say things you already understand."
In the past, they used to call Yuan Yunzhong "Young Master Yuan," but now they all referred to him as "Eldest Brother-in-law."
Madam Qian was displeased.
Leaving aside that Yuan Yunzhong and Song Jiyun were only a fictitious betrothed couple, even if it were real, their family would definitely not have the son-in-law make up shortages for his wife’s family like this.
"When has a brother-in-law ever invited matchmakers for his wife’s sister? Are there no capable people in our Song Family?" she said with a frown, "What’s more, each couple has its own way of getting along. If we don’t show genuine intention and instead start with a confrontational stance, even the best marriage may not last long."
Eleventh Grand Master Song’s household laughed awkwardly.
Isn’t she doing this for the benefit of the Second Miss of the Song Family?
Logically, asking an elder brother-in-law to help solicit a matchmaker is indeed not too appropriate, but who let your eldest brother-in-law be the Inspector General?
Could an ordinary brother-in-law be compared with one who is an Inspector General?
However, now that Song Jiyun’s authority was increasing by the day, even as a senior member of the family, she did not want to incur Madam Qian’s displeasure.
She quickly glossed over the matter with a few words, "You make a good point. Calculating the ’eight characters’ is indeed a matter of great precision. Although the abbess of The Eight Immortals Nunnery has a certain minor reputation, I always feel that the Taoists at Gratitude Temple are more accurate in their calculations. It all depends on whether you have any acquaintances there."
Madam Qian naturally did not say much more either, and the two of them began to discuss whose family’s ’eight characters’ were calculated more accurately.
Song Jiyun couldn’t get a word in edgeways and began making flower crowns with the young maids using the tender yellow wintersweet blossoms.
*
In Yinyu Hall, Yuan Yunzhong was with Song Jixue, testing the kite he had bought from Lake Entrance.
He also told Song Jixue, "There’s always a chance for something unexpected. If you don’t want to be embarrassed, it’s best to check things over before getting started so you can ensure that everything goes smoothly."
Song Jixue nodded absentmindedly.
After pondering for a moment, Yuan Yunzhong handed the reel of string to Song Jixue and asked softly, "What are you thinking about?"
This was already the fifth kite they had flown, and Song Jixue had already mastered the control of the kite string.
She tugged on the kite string, loosening and tightening it, her voice tinged with a hint of melancholy, "My second sister is going to marry into Wuyuan. Once sister and you are gone, only Xiao Si and I will be left at home to accompany Mother. I’m... I’m a bit scared. If someone comes to bully us again, I can’t beat them, nor can I outshout them..."
Yuan Yunzhong chuckled, rubbed her nose gently, and said, "Who told you that your second sister is going to marry into Wuyuan?"
"No one told me," Song Jixue replied with her shoulders sagging, "I overheard it. It was Old Master Yan who arranged the marriage, and Mother and sister even invited the auntie from Eleventh Grand Master Song’s Family to discuss the engagement."
"You little clever clogs!" Yuan Yunzhong stroked her head and said, "If I were to take your sister, I would certainly bring you along. Have you forgotten? I said I would find you a master."
"Really!" Song Jiyun’s heart leapt with joy.
"Have I ever lied to you?" Yuan Yunzhong replied indifferently.
"Then let’s pinky swear on it," Song Jixue extended her little finger, "and you have to take my mother and Xiao Si with us too."
"Alright!" said Yuan Yunzhong, stretching out his own little finger.
Song Jixue and Yuan Yunzhong "sealed the promise" with a pinky swear, and she skipped away merrily to fly the kite.
Immediately after, Yuan Yunzhong’s expression became impassive. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚
He went over to where Song Jiyun was.
Song Jiyun was reviewing the list of accounts Zhou Zheng had brought to the office.
"The Owner really predicted it right," Zhou Zheng said with excitement standing in front of Song Jiyun’s desk, "Liangyu Kiln Factory hasn’t sold a single cup, bowl, dish, or plate in the past few days. I heard they are planning to reduce their prices. But we have our first batch of Dragon Kiln fired, just waiting to cool down before boxing it up. When we do, we’ll drop our prices below theirs, and even if they cut their prices, they won’t stand a chance at getting the orders."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
