Chapter 21: The Union of Qin and Jin Part 3

The Eldest Miss turned another page of the account book. This time, however, it was simply flipping back to the previous page.

Heaven only knew if she had actually read a single thing.

The Heir’s marriage was finally settled, and everyone in the Marquis Mansion, top to bottom, beamed with joy. Considering how full of twists and turns this affair had been, the Old Titled Lady wanted to pick a supremely auspicious date. She hoped everything would be smooth and all things favorable for her darling grandchild’s wedding.

Three auspicious dates were found in the almanac. One was in two months, one was at year’s end, and the last was next spring.

Mu Yunxian asked Wei Qingchen. Wei Qingchen, of course, said two months—the sooner, the better!

It was fortunate there was no one else in the room when she said that, or it would have been another laughing matter. Proposing three times, and now so eager to bring his wife home quickly.

Mu Yunxian knew her intention. After the new year, the Eldest Miss Chu would be twenty years old. A new bride married at twenty was, after all, not the most flattering thing to say. But the Old Titled Lady had indicated that the early spring date next year was the top, most supreme auspicious day, free of all taboos and auspicious in every way. The Old Titled Lady favored that last date. Mu Yunxian had no choice but to wait until everyone was gone to go and discuss it with the Marquis.

With peace on the borders, happy events abounded in the mansion. Wei Huaishu had had a little wine with some colleagues and had just returned, intending to doze off. Hearing this, he waved his hand dismissively. “You’re asking me about almanac dates? My getting this marriage settled for that brat is already a great achievement! My opinion is, this isn’t up to the Old Titled Lady, nor up to Qingchen himself. Shouldn’t you enter the palace and ask Her Majesty the Empress Dowager for her thoughts?”

Mu Yunxian realized he was absolutely right. Early the next morning, she submitted her name tablet and took her carriage to the Longevity Palace to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.

It was just past midday—the Grand Princess hadn’t even returned to the mansion yet—when the palace suddenly sent people out. They said the Empress Dowager herself had personally set the date and had also sent gifts to bestow upon Heir Wei as a betrothal gift.

As they spoke, junior eunuchs carried the ceremonial gifts in. There was a Red Coral Tree over a foot tall, an auspicious Gold and Jade Treasure Vase, and, most rarely, an exquisitely matched pair of Mutton-fat Jade Ruyis.

That pair of Mutton-fat Jade Ruyis—Wei Huaishu had seen them before. White as congealed fat, they were one of Empress Dowager Liu’s treasured collectibles. Saying they were priceless wouldn’t be an exaggeration. How remarkable that they were bestowed upon Wei Qingchen, her only biological grandson.

Those who came to deliver the gifts all received hefty reward pouches from the Grand General’s Mansion, all smiling as they offered congratulations. Wei Huaishu additionally tucked a banknote into his sleeve and slipped it to the head eunuch attendant. The two stepped aside from the crowd and exchanged a few words. Thinking of the sum on the banknote, the eunuch’s eyes almost narrowed into slits. Clutching his sleeve, he whispered, “If you ask whom Her Majesty the Empress Dowager favors most, it is undoubtedly our Heir. Today, while the Grand Princess was at the Longevity Palace discussing the Heir’s auspicious date, Her Majesty said that the Sixth Princess’s date is also set for two months hence. Being the elder sister, she should marry first. Our Heir will add joy at the year’s end, a little later than the Sixth Princess…” He then leaned in even closer and murmured into Wei Huaishu’s ear, “These treasures—we feared the princesses would set their eyes on them. So early on, they were sent to bestow upon the Heir first!”

Wei Huaishu laughed heartily and cupped his hands in thanks.

Near nightfall, Wei Qingchen came to see her parents. Hearing the wedding was set for year’s end, she was still somewhat sulky. Mu Yunxian patted her hand. “Year’s end is very good.”

“What’s good about it! It’ll be so cold then! The formal robes will need layers upon layers…”

“You’re worried about them being hard to take off?” the Grand General interjected from the side, silencing both mother and daughter.

The Grand Princess glared at him in disgust and then took her daughter’s hand. “Two months is too tight. Your imperial sister’s wedding in the palace has been in preparation all along. You and the Chu family—that was settled suddenly. A year’s-end wedding allows for some extra time, so things won’t be too rushed and we won’t mistreat the new bride.”

“Oh…” Wei Qingchen blinked. That logic seemed sound. “Alright then. Year’s end is also fine.”

Wei Huaishu let out a cackling laugh, his mouth opening to say something else, but one glare from the Grand Princess silenced him.

Two days passed, with pleasant weather and sunshine. The Grand Princess personally visited Chu Manor. She and Madam Chu exchanged the children’s birth charts and set the date for the two families’ union. Both matriarchs were overjoyed, each having laid down a significant burden.

A little over half a month later, the Jingyuan Marquis Mansion sent the betrothal gifts ahead of schedule. As if afraid it wasn’t sensational enough for the capital, the stewards led the young servants of the Marquis Mansion, all wearing identical new clothes and wide red sashes around their waists. One hundred and eight pairs of bearers, carrying one hundred and eight joyously decorated gift sedan chairs draped in red silk, set out with horns blaring, drums beating, a cacophony of merry noise. Not just ten miles of red bridal splendor—at this rate, it was more like twenty miles!

Before long, the route was once again thronged with spectators, following along with excitement as if they too were about to get married.

The betrothal gifts were delivered to Chu Manor and initially piled up in the ceremonial entrance. The gift announcer, indeed just like a storyteller, read from the lengthy list for ages. The servants gathered in a large circle, faces beaming. Outside the gate, the firecrackers had been going off since early morning without pause.

Naturally, Chu Mingxi couldn’t very well go out front to watch the betrothal gifts. But how could she stop her little sister, who seemed to possess clairvoyant eyes and wind-following ears? She kept running back, one moment talking about this item, the next about that. Chu Mingxi stared at her copy of the ‘Golden Prescriptions’ for an incense stick’s worth of time without getting past three lines.

“The steward of the Marquis Mansion presented a treasure chest to Mother. I secretly peeked inside—it was full of property deeds!”

“Heavens above! Auspicious gold and silver ingots filled two entire huge palanquins!”

“And so many pearls and jewels! Sister, have you fallen into a money pit?”

Chu Mingxi held her book but truly couldn’t read another word. Giving up, she propped her chin on her hand and stared sidelong at her younger sister. “Looks to me like you’re the one who’s fallen into the money pit. After the wedding, won’t all this gold and silver be yours?”

Chu Mingyu paused, then clapped her hands and laughed. “Hahaha! Right, of course! Sister, your natal family is so rich, you won’t have to worry about that Heir bullying you after you’re married.”

Chu Mingxi smiled faintly, her gaze drifting back to her book.

Chu Mingyu snuggled up to her, musing to herself, “I just hope I don’t squander it all in one go.”

“If you squander it, I’m not afraid. I still have the Imperial Medicine Hall.”

“Hey, you don’t think my future brother-in-law might be marrying you because of our Imperial Medicine Hall, do you?”

Future brother-in-law… that form of address still made Chu Mingxi blush.

Before she could answer, Chu Mingyu continued for her, “Probably not. After all, that person proposed three times. His heart and mind are set on you~~~”

“Such a foul-mouthed, unruly girl!” So provoked, Chu Mingxi’s face went completely red. She set down her book to pinch her. Giggling, Chu Mingyu dodged her for a long while, then, like a rabbit, fled back to the ceremonial entrance to count the betrothal gifts.

After the Grand General’s Mansion sent the betrothal gifts, Chu Mingxi curtailed her outings. She delegated most of the Imperial Medicine Hall’s operations to the managers of the various branches. Important matters were either brought back to the manor by Uncle Kang for her to handle or were assigned to Chu Mingyu to deal with as practical experience.

Regarding the proprietor’s marriage, the shopkeepers of the Imperial Medicine Hall’s branches across the region were all pleased to see it happen. After all, the Eldest Miss’s union with Heir Wei could only benefit the Imperial Medicine Hall, not harm it. As for the Chu clan, although the second branch couple had thieving hearts that wouldn’t die, they had at least some self-awareness and hadn’t come looking for trouble for the time being. Plus, with the Clan Chief, the Grand Uncle, keeping everything suppressed, at least outwardly, all was harmonious.

The Grand Uncle had been visiting Chu Manor frequently of late, always beaming when they met. He would tell everyone he saw how wonderful the Grand General’s Mansion’s Heir was, never once mentioning his earlier push for Chu Mingxi to bring in a live-in son-in-law, as if this current marriage was all his arranging.

Chu Mingyu rather looked down on this. Qi Xiaolong stern-facedly scolded her a few times, and she could only pout and bury herself in her account books.

Chu Mingyu had just celebrated her coming-of-age ceremony that year. Having resolved this major concern for her elder daughter, Qi Xiaolong gradually turned her attention to her younger daughter’s marriage, wanting her to learn more about wifely virtues, speech, bearing, and work. Unfortunately, Chu Mingyu’s temper was far more explosive than her elder sister’s. One wrong word and she’d be out the door and on her horse, grandly claiming she was going to “inspect the branches, so the monkeys don’t become kings when the tiger is away from the mountain.”

“I think you’re that monkey Sun Wukong who wants to be king!” Qi Xiaolong was so angry she wanted to throw her teacup at her, frightening the maids into hastily blocking her from all sides.

The autumn wind had already begun to stir. On this rare day when both sisters were present, Qi Xiaolong spoke with her elder daughter about the prepared dowry and matters of assisting her husband and educating children after marrying. Chu Mingyu was forced to stay in the room and listen.

“Seeing you two sisters blossom into such fine young women fills me with both comfort and worry. I’ve raised you both to be somewhat pampered. That’s fine when you’re at home, but after you’re married, you must know how to be filial to your father-in-law and mother-in-law. The Grand General’s Mansion still has an Old Madam; Mingxi must show her extra respect, and not break the rules, lest you be laughed at.”