Chapter 21: The Union of Qin and Jin Part 1

“Mother, you have no idea. Sister is so concerned about that Heir Wei. The moment she arrived, she was all fuss and worry, even asking if he had eaten breakfast. Hmph, she’s never that attentive to me, her own little sister!”

Before Chu Mingxi even stepped into her mother’s room, she could already hear her sister’s grating voice.

A second-rank maid was waiting at the door to announce her. Seeing no anger on the Eldest Miss’s face, the girl gave a slight curtsy and tactfully stepped forward to lift the door curtain for her.

Everyone in the room looked over. Chu Mingyu clapped her hands. “Oh, speak of Cao Cao and he arrives!”

This made the maids in the room all laugh along.

Afraid her elder daughter was thin-skinned, Qi Xiaolong gave her younger one a light smack. Smiling, she waved her hand, beckoning her elder daughter to come sit beside her. Yining refilled their tea. Chu Mingxi sat upright, lifted the lid of her tea cup, and slowly blew across the surface, creating soft ripples.

“He was just over a serious illness, riding over on horseback first thing in the morning. He must have swallowed a bellyful of cold wind. And then that iced melon—it’s chilled. If he had actually gotten sick eating it here in our house, do you think the Marquis Mansion is just for show?” Chu Mingxi said.

“He?” Chu Mingyu giggled, her tone brimming with open teasing. “I had no idea my sister could think of so many things in just a moment. And you still say you’re not biased.”

“Yu’er!” Qi Xiaolong scolded her with a sidelong glare, trying to frighten her. “Did you finish that needlework I told you to do yesterday? You’ll be a grown young lady soon, and you can’t even embroider a pouch! When the time comes, don’t blame others for laughing at you!”

Chu Mingyu stuck out her tongue, sat back down by the window, and picked up her brush. “I don’t want to do needlework. I’ll practice my big characters.” As she spoke, she made no attempt to hide her sneaky glances at her sister.

Chu Mingxi watched the tea leaves rise and fall in her cup, completely ignoring her sister’s words.

A short while later, a junior maid came to report that Uncle Kang had returned and was waiting for instructions in the outer study. Chu Mingxi immediately got up and left with Yining. Chu Mingyu was so angry she threw down her brush. Just moments ago, when her sister had first returned, she’d boasted to their mother that she could definitely get the truth out of her. Who would have known her sister’s lips were sealed so tight!

Not even Chu Mingyu could get a clear answer—and neither could Heir Wei herself.

After eating two pastries in the Chu Family’s front hall, Chu Mingxi had sent her on her way. She lingered, hesitant to leave, just blinking at Chu Mingxi with her big, expressive eyes.

Chu Mingxi, for some reason, felt a sudden urge to laugh and covered it up by turning to call for a maid.

“The weather is unpredictable; best to head back early, Heir,” Chu Mingxi said, gesturing towards the main gate. She took a slow step forward.

Wei Qingchen walked out under the eaves and glanced at the sky. Sure enough, it was overcast, the clouds pressing down nearly to the treetops.

“Why don’t I wait until the rain passes before I leave?”

Two junior maids came forward, both holding items in their hands. Chu Mingxi took one and shook it out. “This soft straw rain cape was purchased on a trip to Minzhou.” She paused for the briefest moment, lowering her head to avoid Wei Qingchen’s gaze. “I’ve worn it a couple of times. If you don’t mind, Heir, please put it on.”

“Huh?”

Wei Qingchen was still stunned. The maids had already approached and, flanking her, helped her into the rain cape and bamboo hat. Her page was also led over, holding rain gear in his hands. It wasn’t until she had mounted her horse and left the gate that Wei Qingchen touched the finely woven soft rain cape she was wearing and felt a subtle, indescribable emotion stir within her.

When the autumn winds began to rise, the Jingyuan Marquis Mansion grew bustling again. The servants were busy from front to back, the account room was disbursing large sums of silver daily, and everyone’s face was alight with joy mixed with a knowing, unspoken urgency.

“Is it really settled this time?” the Grand General Wei repeatedly confirmed with the Grand Princess. He couldn’t bear the thought of losing face a third time over the same matter. The whole Capital City would see his Jingyuan Marquis Mansion as a laughingstock.

—And indeed, it was the whole Capital City.

Over half a month ago, none knew from where, but the wind shifted and rumors swirled once more: the Jingyuan Marquis Mansion was going to propose marriage for the Little Heir again. The proposal was for whom?

Heh! The Chu Family again!

The Head Proprietor of the Imperial Medicine Hall, Chu Mingxi, the Eldest Miss Chu!

These few titles were now on everyone’s lips in the Capital City! It was said that for this third proposal, the Jingyuan Marquis Mansion’s betrothal gift list was a full six feet long. There were no fewer than a dozen property deeds alone, for shops within the city and estates outside it! When the time came for the gifts to be announced, the announcer would be as busy as a storyteller.

With a daughter of such standing, a hundred families ask for her hand, but the Marquis Mansion alone could outshine all others to dust.

On the day of the proposal, the teahouses opened early. The streets and alleys were more crowded than usual; eight or nine out of ten people were laughing and discussing the spectacle. Some gambling dens even secretly opened betting pools. Would the Chu family accept this time or refuse again?

Honestly, the odds were practically even!

Inside the Jingyuan Marquis Mansion, Prince Heng was once again invited to act as the matchmaker. He arrived at the break of dawn and was first escorted away to have tea and snacks. In the main hall, Grand General Wei paced back and forth, as imposing as a large tiger.

The Grand Princess smoothed the tiger’s fur: “Marquis, rest assured, it’s truly settled this time.”

“Last time you said it was settled!”

“This time is different.”

“How is it different? Did your son sprout three heads and six arms?”

“What nonsense are you talking!” The Grand Princess glanced at the sky outside the window and moved to push him out the door. “Go quickly, don’t miss the auspicious hour.”

“Hey, hey, hey!” Wei Huaishu was shoved to the doorframe, one hand bracing against it. “It’s still early, how could I miss the hour?”

“You’ll miss my time to enter the palace!” Mu Yunxian gave him a firm slap. “I’ve sent in my name tablet to enter the palace and see Mother Empress.”

“Why see Her Majesty the Empress Dowager at this hour?”

“To beg her old self to take charge of Qingchen’s affairs. I’ve already spoken with Mother Empress about it. Now go!”

“Oh. Oh, oh, oh! Good!” Grand General Wei chuckled, suddenly understanding. An auspicious decree from the Empress Dowager—while not quite an Imperial Edict from His Majesty, it was close enough.

Qingchen, that brat, really did have some good fortune. The Grand General held his head high and walked with a swaggering gait, his face fully saved and his honor upheld.

His attendants had already brought the horses. Grand General Wei, changed into fresh clothes, happily set out. He and Prince Heng rode their horses through almost half the Capital City. To give the Grand Princess more time to secure the Empress Dowager’s decree, the entourage deliberately set a slow pace. It took them well over an hour to finally arrive at the gates of Chu Manor.

A page took the formal visiting card and stepped up to knock. This was the third time in two years; the gatekeepers of Chu Manor were well acquainted with this Marquis now. But this time was different. Chu Zhong, the Chu family’s Head Steward, stood neatly at the gate, flanked by twenty young servants, all with their hands held down respectfully. They welcomed the Marquis and Prince Heng in and escorted them all the way to the guest hall.

The guest hall was spacious and bright. Madam Chu, Qi Xiaolong, accompanied by several stewardesses, was seated in the high-backed chairs, talking. Seeing them enter, Madam Chu rose to greet them, her smile even more pronounced.

Outside, the crowds that had gathered around were already packed layer upon layer, every neck craned to see. In a nearby teahouse, the storyteller smacked his gavel and launched straight in: “Heir Wei Thrice Seeks the Chu Maiden; Infatuated Soul Tastes Seven Lifetimes of Love!”

The shopkeeper called out to the clerks, urging them to quickly pour more wine and tea, and set out melon seeds and peanuts. Just as the listeners clapped and cheered, a sudden commotion erupted from the street opposite.

The Chu Manor’s vermillion gates swung open with a creak. Two young servants ran out, beaming with joy. Behind them came two older ones, each hoisting a tall bamboo pole bound with red firecrackers. Before the crowd could even react, the two boys had lit the firecrackers, which exploded in a cacophony of loud pops and bangs.

“It’s a yes! A yes! The Chu Family said yes!!!” In the midst of the firecracker din, a loud voice shouted out.

They actually said yes!

The gathered onlookers spread the news excitedly, as delighted as if they themselves were the ones getting married.

Inside the main gate, Grand General Wei and Prince Heng were grinning from ear to ear. Finally, a yes! Three times they had asked for this marriage!! When the wedding day comes for that rascal Qingchen, they’d see to it she was forced to drink a whole vat of wine!

The Chu household, inside and out, was buoyant with joy. The elders of both families exchanged courteous gestures, agreeing on dates to discuss the details. Suddenly, a troop of riders led by a eunuch attendant came galloping down the main street. The road was crowded, and people had to scramble out of the way. This group only halted their horses right at the Chu family’s gate. The eunuch dismounted, holding a bright yellow Imperial Edict aloft, and strode inside.

Qi Xiaolong had never witnessed such a scene and was utterly terrified. Still in shock, she knelt on the ground as the eunuch read aloud in his high, reedy voice: Chu family’s legitimate daughter, Chu Mingxi, possesses a heart of orchids and a nature of pure silk, her words virtuous and her deeds commendable, her heart like angelica, a truly worthy match…