The Great Ye Dynasty revered Taoism, and the common people also valued feng shui. For the Wei family, who came from a merchant background, water gathering in front of the hall was an omen of abundant wealth.
Therefore, the front hall of the Wei family's reception hall was named Zhaoshui Hall. In front of the hall, there was a clear pond with shimmering water and an elegant pavilion and bridge. At noon, the sunlight poured down, as if the pond was filled with scattered gold.
Currently, people from the Wei and Song families are sitting in Zhaoshuitang.
Master Song was dignified and imposing. Even though the Song family was not as glorious as it had been in the past, its long history of nobility had cultivated such an air of authority.
Sitting across the table was Wei Shuwan's father, Wei Zheng. Although he currently held the nominal position of Chengshilang, he was not as dignified as Master Song and still acted like a merchant.
Wei Zheng crossed his right leg over his left, his fingers twirling the lid of the teacup, rhythmically skimming the foam from the surface, making a "scratching" sound. He appeared relaxed and composed, but the furrowed brow betrayed him—his heart was filled with unease and annoyance.
When visiting each other, it is common practice to send out invitations first. Today, before the Song family came to visit, they also sent a servant to deliver an invitation. Although the invitation did not explicitly state their purpose, the servant who was running the errand had previously received several rewards from the Wei family, so this time he offered a few words of advice out of a sense of gratitude.
Wei Zheng could tell that the Song family had come with ill intentions.
Therefore, the atmosphere in the hall was very tense. The Wei family had no intention of entertaining guests, and the Song family was also considering how to start a conversation without hurting the harmony.
Madam Song, seated to the left of her husband, had intended to exchange a few pleasantries with Madam Wei, Sun Lurong, upon entering. However, the moment she met those piercing, cold eyes, she knew that it would be difficult for the two families to part amicably today.
While waiting for her husband to get to the point, Madam Su subtly surveyed the spacious hall.
This was her first time visiting the Wei family. On her way here, she had already seen the grand pavilions and secluded valleys of the mansion. Now, looking at the Zhaoshui Hall, with its gold-threaded plaques and fragrant cypress pillars, even the walls peeking out from between the curtains and screens shimmered with a faint glow, it was both luxurious and elegant.
She had heard her master mention early on that the Wei family had used the finest pearls ground into powder to coat their walls. She had only known this to be the knowledge of merchants, but now that she had seen it with her own eyes, she found it truly remarkable!
Even the most honored empress in the Daye Palace had her bedchamber walls plastered with pepper mud.
Even so, it is said that Wei Zheng deliberately kept a low profile after being promoted, and it is rumored that the old house of the Wei family in Wu County, Jiangzuo, was even more impressive than that in the capital.
The walls were adorned with shimmering pearls, seemingly illuminating the deep reluctance in Su's heart...
When Wu County was struck by floods, the national treasury was depleted. The Wei family donated silver and grain to help the local government successfully provide disaster relief. After the merit was reported, although there was no precedent in the dynasty for appointing officials through recruitment, the emperor, mindful of Wei Zheng's generosity and chivalry, still bestowed upon him the title of Chengshilang.
A nominal official post without real power was enough to free the Wei family from the embarrassing situation of being relegated to the lowest ranks of society, from scholars to farmers to artisans to merchants.
Therefore, when the Wei family moved to Shengjing two years ago, they instantly became a highly sought-after household in the eyes of many.
The Wei family possessed immense wealth and a reputation for generous relief efforts. After being promoted to an official position, Master Wei shed his mercenary ways as a merchant. However, he had a blind son, and it seemed that the vast family fortune was about to fall into the hands of his future son-in-law.
Who wouldn't envy such a family? Moreover, the Wei family's influence in the capital isn't deep, making them easy to manipulate at crucial moments.
This condition was exactly what Su wanted.
Although the Song family was an old noble family in the Great Ye Dynasty, they hadn't produced a single promising son for several generations. They had long since squandered their inheritance, leaving only an empty shell. Now, even the monthly wages of their servants were becoming a headache; this month alone, she had sold off several of them under various pretexts.
Neither of her two sons were academically inclined, but fortunately they were handsome and dashing, so they could at least try to find them wives.
The eldest son was destined for good fortune. Four years ago, the old master passed away at a palace banquet. The emperor felt guilty and, as soon as the mourning period ended, bestowed a marriage upon him—the bride was Princess Yun'an, the legitimate daughter of Prince Jing. The Song family had truly climbed the social ladder.
This marriage became a source of pride for the entire family and a source of confidence for the Song family when they went out into the world.
Marrying a princess would involve a considerable sum of money in dowry and other expenses, undoubtedly adding insult to injury for the already struggling Song family. Therefore, when it came to her second son Song Zichen's marriage, Madam Su preferred to seek something more practical.
It would be perfect if one son gained face and the other gained substance.
Thus, the Wei family girl became the only choice in Su's eyes.
Unfortunately, this carefully chosen in-laws are now going to settle things themselves... Madam Su sighed silently, glancing sideways at Song Zichen on her right, her eyes filled with resentment at his lack of ambition.
After being glared at by his mother, Song Zichen immediately straightened his posture and dared not exchange glances with the servant behind him.
At this moment, someone finally spoke up in the otherwise silent hall:
"Lord Wei, Madam Wei, I, Song, have come with my family today. Firstly, to visit your daughter, as the roads were slippery yesterday due to the rain..."
"Knowing the road is slippery, why did your son invite Wanwan to meet by the pond?" Sun Lurong interrupted before Master Song could finish speaking.
Master Song had no choice but to apologize: "It's all my son's fault."
Normally, Master Song always spoke with great confidence, but now he couldn't help but feel a little weak. Madam Sun was formidable, while Wei Zheng remained silent, only making endless "scratching" noises, as if he wanted to scrape the cup of tea in his hand until the end of time.
Master Song couldn't bring himself to say "second time" that had been swirling in his mind for so long, so he gave Madam Su a look.
"There are some things that you, sir, cannot say, so let me, a woman, say them!"
Su was a decisive person. Although she was reluctant to give up the marriage, she would not hesitate or be reluctant to make a decision once she had made it.
"Shuwan is still ill, so this shouldn't be said at this time, but there are so many gossipy people in Shengjing! What happened yesterday has spread like wildfire through the streets and alleys this morning, with embellishments and vivid descriptions. In just one day, our Song family has become the laughing stock of the entire city of Shengjing!"
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