Chapter 009 Engagement

Zhen was originally planning to go to visit her grandson, as she claimed to be Yan Yingqi's principal wife and that she was the one who should be involved in these matters. However, she didn't expect that Yan Yingqi would take Jie with him this time, so she was a little dissatisfied. However, she was always prudent and would not express it.

But Mrs. Yu called her son over and asked, "Why did you take her with you this time?"

"Mother, there's nothing wrong with this. Everyone knows that I have two wives. Besides, Jingzhao and Yaoniang are grown up, and it's time for them to go out and explore. Everyone in the mansion knows Xie's character. She has never been competitive." Yan Yingqi was very frank.

Old Madam Yu was too old to care about her son's bedroom affairs. She just asked, "How will Zhen deal with it if you do this?"

Yan Yingqi smiled and said, "Before Zhen came into the family, she knew about my son's situation. When my father was involved in the Nanshan case, he would rather retire than protect the position of Zhen's grandfather. Her grandfather also guaranteed that he would be promoted in the officialdom in the future, and even wanted to marry Zhen to him. At that time, my son told the old prime minister that I would inherit both houses. They said they had told Zhen to get along well with Xie. Since she came into the family, I don't think I am partial to her. She has been with me in Beijing for several years, and Xie has been alone in Jinling, and Xie has never complained. You see, although Jing Zhao is the grandson of the third aunt, he is not your biological grandson after all."

When a man loves a woman, he wants to give her all the good things in the world and let everyone know how well they match each other.

If Xie was now fat, a yellow-faced woman with a horrible appearance, no man would still think about her.

Now it was like a newlywed couple, and Mrs. Yu was also an experienced person. Besides, Xie was very considerate to her. When Zhen and Yan Yingqi were in Beijing, Xie was the one who took care of her on weekdays. She often sent her needlework and sewing. Frankly speaking, she was even more considerate than Zhen.

However, because Zhen was her legitimate daughter-in-law, she couldn't say anything.

Now that she heard her son say this, she couldn't stop it.

Xie had fought for the opportunity to go out with her children. Today, they were going to a banquet, so the Yan family went there in a sedan chair. Jinling was a prosperous place with a large population. When Yao Niang came back from the northwest, she also abandoned the car and took a sedan chair, but she hardly went out since she came back.

"Mom, it sounds so lively outside!" Yao Niang said happily.

Xie took out a white jade lotus seed candy from her purse and put it in her mouth: "Yes, I came to Jinling once when I was a child with my brothers. That time I came to my aunt's house with your grandmother. The boat was rocking so hard that I almost fell asleep. After getting off the carriage, my legs were weak, but I couldn't help looking out from the sedan chair."

Yao Niang looked at Xie, very curious: "Mom, were you the same age as me back then?"

"Yes, almost. Your cousin's mother and I went to the temple together. Because of her good looks, mother was chosen to be the little maiden beside Guanyin. They also gave me a small wooden sign, saying that I could eat for free at the temple in the future." Xie felt a little embarrassed and a little proud when she mentioned this.

Yao Niang clapped her hands and said, "Wow, mother is awesome. It would be so great if I could just fly and see the little girl that mother was at that time."

Xie's heart used to be gloomy and she couldn't see the sky, but her daughter was like her little sun. No matter what she said, she would always support her. Her daughter would always remember all the insignificant little things she did.

After her daughter said this, she kept smiling until she got off the sedan chair. Yan Yingqi looked at the smile on Xie's face and thought that he was right to bring her out.

Mrs. Xunfu had already heard the names being called out. For example, those who are successful in the officialdom are rarely fools. The affairs of Yan Yingqi's family are still well-known. Although she had met Zhen, it was Xie who was here, so she couldn't mention Zhen in front of others.

After Xie entered the house, she was like a pearl shining in a dark room. She was indeed very beautiful, and her temperament was like that of a fairy. Even the lady in charge of the inspection praised her: "Madam Yan is really beautiful."

Xie smiled and said, "You're honored." She then asked Yao Niang to come out and pay her respects, and Yao Niang came out to pay her respects in a graceful manner.

Probably because Yao Niang's father was the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites in Nanjing, and the Yan family was a local aristocratic family, she was treated like a star by everyone present and received a lot of expensive jewelry as gifts.

This kind of occasion was also a chance for everyone to get to know each other. Xie even met her cousin, her aunt's daughter, Mrs. Ping, the wife of the current Xuzhou Tongpan. Originally, there was no place for her to stand in such an occasion, but Mrs. Ping's family was a local big family, and her father was also the Shandong Provincial Surveillance Commissioner, so she could have a seat.

When the two cousins ​​met again, they had a lot to talk about, so Yao Niang listened to them talking.

"How have you been these years, sister? We haven't seen each other for a long time. It's a pity that I have to leave for Beijing tomorrow." Mrs. Ping sounded regretful.

Xie smiled and said, "Who said no? Our eldest brother will be getting engaged in a few days. I originally thought that if cousin could stay a few more days, she could at least see her eldest brother's engagement."

"There's nothing we can do about it." Mrs. Ping said, and then asked which family the appointment was for.

Xie said, "The engagement is with the Guan family in Jinling. The girl's father is a Hanlin scholar. The engagement will be held this year, and we will wait two years to prepare for the wedding. If you come then, you must have a glass of wine..."

Mrs. Ping, who was standing by, also spoke from the bottom of her heart after hearing the last part: "Cousin Jie, you are more blessed than me. I only gave birth to a pair of daughters."

"My cousin's husband listens to you so much. Who wouldn't envy him for being so devoted to you?" Xie knew that Madam Ping had married down from her parents' family and her brother-in-law was chosen as a son-in-law from the imperial examination. Although their family was poor, they were able to be the head of the household. Even though her cousin did not give birth to a boy, the Ping family did not dare to blame her too much, as the concubine who gave birth to a child had already been sent away.

Mrs. Ping was very bitter when she heard this. Her parents-in-law were very calculating, and she had to use her own dowry. Her husband was just like that. Although he had no concubines, he also had a lot of maids. She was not as good as Xie. Xie was still socializing as the wife of the Minister of Rites. Her son married the daughter of a Hanlin scholar. Even though her daughter was so young, she could still be flattered by people around her.

…

Mrs. Heping said a few words, and people came to flatter Mrs. Xie. She also took Yao Niang to socialize with them. Mrs. Guan came very late today, but when she saw Mrs. Xie, she hurried over to talk to her.

Xie did not mention how Madam Guan and Zhen flirted with each other. The fact that she was able to come out today on behalf of Yan Yingqi's wife showed that she had the ability to make Yan Yingqi recognize her. She also wanted to tell Madam Guan that your daughter is not Zhen's daughter-in-law, but my daughter-in-law.

Mrs. Guan dared not look down on Xie any more. Although Xie felt sad, it was just like what Yao Niang said. No matter how good she was, it was useless. In the end, she still had to rely on men to have a place in the world!

…

The process of Yan Jingzhao's engagement has reached the stage of paying the betrothal gift. The Yan family first sent a matchmaker to the house, compared the horoscopes of both parties, and exchanged the marriage certificate. Now it is the last step.

The laws of this dynasty stipulate that the marriage is sealed by the betrothal money... Although there is no marriage agreement, the betrothal money is also sealed.

The third old lady had obviously prepared the betrothal gifts long ago, including sheep, wine, silk, gold, silver and jewelry, all of which were precious. The third branch of the Yan family also set up several tables for a banquet and had a lively time at home. Zhen and the second wife Ming and the third wife Jun from the second branch also came.

"Sister-in-law, today is a good day for you." Zhen looked genuinely happy for Xie.

Xie said happily, "Yes, sister-in-law, my heart is at peace now that my eldest brother's marriage is settled."

Although the two had already fought secretly, they still looked very friendly on the surface. It was the first time that Zhen realized that her opponent was not as weak as she had imagined. She had shown weakness before just because she didn't care. If you really pushed her too hard, she would raise her hand and slap you in the face.

The adults all had their own thoughts, but the children were much simpler. Xie asked Yao Niang to entertain the sisters. Yao Niang took them to visit her yard and played on the swings in the backyard. Everyone had a great time.

At this time, Yan Jingzhao's eldest maid Mingyue came over. She came to give a Mohelo. Originally, Mohelo was one of the eight Buddhist gods. A clay puppet was made based on its name. People offered sacrifices to pray for the birth of a boy or gave them as gifts to the in-laws. Later, it became a toy for children and was given as a gift during the Chinese Valentine's Day.

Yan Jingzhao was quite generous this time and gave several sets of Mohelo, including those with red gauze and green lanterns, gold, silver, pearls, and even ivory and jade.

"Grandpa said these are for you and your sisters to play with."

I don’t know what’s going on, but it seems like my brother treats her much better than before. Yesterday he sent her some fried cherries, and today he sent her some Moheluo.

This set is worth thousands of dollars, and three sets are worth a lot of money, especially since he is getting engaged today and still thinking about me.

Suppressing her surprise, Yao Niang had it placed on the table so that she and her sisters could enjoy it together.

Xin Wan was very jealous. It was said that Yan Jingzhao and Yao Niang had an average relationship as siblings, but now it seemed that they were still connected despite having the same father and mother. Although she had her grandmother, cousin, and aunt who treated her well, they were still not as close as her parents and brothers.

At noon, everyone had a feast and watched a play. Because they were all family members, the eldest lady and the others took down the screens. Of all the actors, Yan Jingzhao was the protagonist today, but Zhou Lingguang caused a huge sensation.

He was dressed in jade-colored clothes, not wanting to steal the limelight from his host. His hair was tied up with white jade, making his face look even more handsome and his character more elegant.

Yan Rubei had never seen Zhou Lingguang in person, but she didn't expect to see him today. Her face flushed and her heart beat fast. Even a girl as unrestrained as Zhao Fang kept looking at Zhou Lingguang, not to mention others.

"Third sister, is this a golden peach?" Xin Wan asked.

Yao Niang came back to her senses and glanced at the fruit plate. "Yes, but my sister has a weak spleen and stomach, so she can't eat too many peaches. I'll have fried cherries later, so I'll just eat that."

Xin Wan smiled and said, "Third sister, look, there are only two peaches in this fruit plate. This is really appropriate for the occasion."

Two peaches? Two peaches kill three warriors. Yao Niang glanced at Xin Wan and somewhat understood what she meant, but she smiled and said, "Cousin Xin, I think one peach is more appropriate."

The two cousins ​​looked at each other and laughed.