Chapter 42: Chapter 41: The Betrothal Ceremony
On the seventh day of the sixth month, it was a rainy day.
Shui Yue woke to the tinkling sound of rain, with Jin Ling and Jin Rui attending to her dressing and breakfast.
From Lianfu Garden, word came last night, saying today’s busy, so she didn’t need to go over for morning greetings.
Shui Yue simply gathered her thoughts, sat at the pear wood desk engraved with the Five Blessings holding Longevity in the West Attic, and began practicing her calligraphy.
Though she claimed to be practicing, she couldn’t settle her mind, haphazardly wrote two sheets of paper, crumpled them up, and threw them into the basket, then turned and sat on the couch under the north window, neither reading nor closing the window, but quietly gazing outside.
Jin Rui followed Jin Ling inside, raised her voice to speak, then saw Jin Ling turned around and gestured for silence, pointing toward the window.
Jin Rui looked over, outside the window banana trees were planted, appearing particularly elegant and delicate in the rain, while inside, Shui Yue, in a crimson Sichuan brocade robe embroidered with golden phoenixes among peonies, stood in stark contrast to the lush green of the banana trees. The vivid colors made her oval face appear all the more delicate, fair, and charming.
Shui Yue didn’t know what she was thinking about, her gaze fell on the banana leaves, watching the raindrops fall, her sight followed them down.
Jin Rui bit her lower lip, took a few steps with Jin Ling into the outer room, then whispered, "They say ’the sound of rain on banana leaves weeps’—is the young lady unhappy with this look?"
Jin Ling’s eyes sharpened suddenly, and she said sternly, "How could that be! Being at her side every day, would we not know the young lady’s mind? Remember how she joked with the eldest lady a few days ago? Didn’t you later see the paper with the ’water’ radical? Don’t let your imagination run wild. What if it spreads out, what then?"
Jin Rui widened her eyes, "Don’t worry, I was just speaking casually, I know how the young lady has been looking forward to this day."
After speaking, Jin Rui no longer cared about Jin Ling, cleared her throat, and turned back into the West Attic.
Shui Yue heard the coughing sound and finally shifted her gaze from the scenery outside, watching Jin Rui enter with a smile, and said, "Bring me a cup of tea."
"Yes!" Jin Rui responded, brought a cup of tea over to Shui Yue, and said with a smile, "Miss, I’ve just returned from Lianfu Garden, where Ninth Madam Miao was chatting with Old Madam Xia, and now she’s heading to Xia Mansion."
Ninth Madam Miao was a lady of good fortune invited from the Miao Family.
It seemed that she was going to Lianfu Garden today, so Old Mrs. Xia excused Shui Yue from morning greetings, avoiding the time-consuming courtesy calls.
"Nannan."
As they spoke, Du Yunru came supporting Mrs. Zhen.
Mrs. Zhen carefully examined Shui Yue up and down, nodding in satisfaction, "Mother will go to Lianfu Garden first; by the hour, Mrs. Wu should arrive, too. All the formalities were explained to you yesterday. During the engagement you don’t need to say anything, just sit and wait for the hairpin."
Mrs. Zhen chattered a few words, filled with care and concern.
Shui Yue smiled cheerfully and took her hand, listening earnestly without interrupting, even as she heard it all over again.
Jin Ling escorted Mrs. Zhen out and called a junior maid, "Go and watch at the second door, and report once Mrs. Wu arrives at the mansion."
At first, Shui Yue was just a bit restless, unable to calm her mind, but when she heard Mrs. Wu had arrived, tension gripped her. This unsteady feeling lasted until Mrs. Wu came to Anhua Courtyard, and only when hearing the greetings of the maids and older women did Shui Yue feel a sudden calmness.
It was as if the previous unease was merely an illusion; she now felt so tranquil that it was hard to believe even for Shui Yue herself.
The maid at the door lifted the curtain, and both Mrs. Miao and Mrs. Zhen invited Mrs. Wu inside.
Shui Yue looked at Mrs. Wu, filled with emotion for a moment.
Mrs. Wu appeared much younger than Shui Yue remembered, her spirit lively, her smile gentle, instantly winning favor.
Mrs. Wu also looked at Shui Yue with pursed lips and said, "What a lovely young lady we have here, our young master surely got lucky this time."
As she finished speaking, Mrs. Wu burst out laughing.
Her voice was naturally clear, and her complimenting smile seemed effortless, making it all the more authentic — a delightful sound to Mrs. Zhen’s ears.
The Dingyuan Marquis Mansion sent a set of rings, bracelets, and earrings, each in pairs and a necklace, all made of pure gold.
"Looking at the craftsmanship, it’s truly extraordinary," Miao Family, known for her sharp eyes, only needed a glance to recognize the items’ exceptional quality.
Mrs. Wu smiled and said, "It was crafted by the Imperial Household, bestowed by the Empress."
Miao Family, upon hearing this, couldn’t help but gaze at the jewelry several more times, her heart full of desire, but unfortunately, it wasn’t meant for the second branch; all she could do was covet them.
Listening to this, Shui Yue was momentarily taken aback.
In her past life, the palace had only arranged the marriage, without giving any presents, yet this time...
However, these things were her face. The more glory she received, the more difficult the days would become for the second branch of Dingyuan Marquis Mansion later.
Mrs. Wu then had someone present a large set of eight pastries, contained in a red lacquered box with gold designs.
Even before opening it, just by the look of the box, Miao Family knew this was probably also bestowed by the palace.
Indeed, since even jewelry was granted, how would they lack this handful of pastries?
Miao Family glanced at Shui Yue, thinking of those words outside, her mind slightly stirred.
With Shui Yue marrying into the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, it wasn’t only about her own future but also a significant step up for the Du Family.
Just look at Mu Lianxiao’s mother, Mrs. Zhou, whose maternal family was flourishing infinitely now.
So, the Du Family...
With the palace giving Shui Yue this kind of face, henceforth...
Thinking this way, Miao Family felt as though she had eaten a reassuring pill, and her smile grew even more genuine.
Mrs. Wu placed a hairpin for Shui Yue and then proceeded to give some customary instructions.
The engagement procedure wasn’t complicated, once the ceremony was complete, Mrs. Wu then proceeded to Lianfu Garden.
Shui Yue sat cross-legged, raising her hand to touch the hairpin.
Recalling how she cried and threw the hairpin on the bed after Mrs. Quanfu’s visit in the past, Shui Yue suddenly felt some uncertainty and a faint sense of unreality, but seeing the smiles on the maids’ faces nearby, it seemed somewhat real again.
With conflicting feelings entangled, Shui Yue slowly leaned back, covering her face with her hand and slowly exhaling.
It’s only an engagement, she thought, but what would she feel when she actually met Mu Lianxiao?
She feared she might be confused and hesitant, thinking it all was an illusion like a moon reflected in water.
When Du Yunru came in, Shui Yue was still lying there stiffly.
Not having the maids wake Shui Yue, Du Yunru took off her shoes and lay sideways beside her sister.
Shui Yue opened her eyes and looked at her, pondering slightly before saying, "Big sister, what were you thinking when you were engaged?"
Surprise flashed across Du Yunru’s eyes briefly, then she smiled softly and sighed, "I, ah, thought a lot. Thinking I was a Shao Family person now, thinking I had to leave my parents, thinking I couldn’t play with you anymore... I thought all day. But after a night’s sleep, opening my eyes, I stopped thinking about those things. I’m still in this home, I can still see my parents, I can still play with you. I haven’t even boarded the bridal sedan, thinking those things, really, was too early."
Shui Yue blinked her eyes, and after a while, smiled with her eyes bent.
