Chapter 1083: Chapter 1073: The Marriage (1)
Unexpectedly, a few days later, Madam Jiang visited, saying to Xiqiu: "The news has spread out, and there was no reaction at first, but these two days, people have started visiting." She spoke with a bright smile: "I looked carefully, several young ladies have good birth and appearance."
Then she detailed a few families to Xiqiu, who felt that the daughter from Lord Zhou’s family, in charge of the Imperial Treasury, seemed the best candidate. Lord Zhou had been chosen as a scholar in the fifteenth year of the late Emperor’s reign, aged just over forty, whom Xiqiu had heard the First Master mention. His demeanor was upright and his career clean; while his family wasn’t considered noble, they were quite prosperous.
There were two older brothers who held official positions in the court, one as the Magistrate in Shanxi and the other as an Assistant Minister in the Six Ministries, with promising futures.
Xiqiu smiled and said, "I’ll accompany you to see the Grand Dowager." As she spoke, she called Chunliu in to help her change clothes, with Madam Jiang laughingly interjecting, "I’ll go instead; you haven’t fully recovered yet, it might raise suspicions if you go out."
"Never mind." Xiqiu still stood up, "I haven’t been out for a while, it’s a good chance to get some fresh air." It was also an opportunity to let others know that her health had gradually improved.
Madam Jiang smiled and nodded, "It’s better with you there."
Once Xiqiu had changed clothes, she and Madam Jiang went to the Marquis Mansion. The Grand Dowager listened to Madam Jiang’s words and indeed favored the daughter of Lord Zhou’s family, smiling as she said, "It would be best to find a chance to meet Madam Zhou and Miss Zhou." Their family was excellent and not too lofty a match for Sheng; but she wondered about their personalities.
Xiqiu looked at Madam Jiang, who smiled and said, "That’s easy to handle." She had thought it through on her way there: "Your birthday is coming up, maybe make it lively and invite Madam Zhou and Miss Zhou over, so you can take a look."
The Grand Dowager seemed hesitant, aware of the concerns about being too ostentatious while Fourth Master Xiao was stepping down and Yanyi hadn’t returned yet. Xiqiu smiled and said, "Then just invite a few friendly families for a gathering." Turning to Madam Jiang, she added, "At that time, have the sister-in-law accompany Madam Zhou, simply saying that Madam Zhou is on friendly terms with her and stopped by for a sit."
The Grand Dowager nodded, saying, "Then it will be a trouble for you, Auntie." Madam Jiang smiled and shook her head, "If it works out, it would be a huge joy for me, I’m happy too, there’s no trouble."
On the day of the Grand Dowager’s birthday, Madam Jiang indeed led Madam Zhou and Miss Zhou to the gathering. Madam Zhou was around forty, speaking softly and elegantly, not like she came from a modest family. Xiqiu later learned that Madam Zhou hailed from a renowned family in Jiangnan, akin to the First Master and Lady in the past, and she was engaged to Lord Zhou when he first became a scholar, from a prominent Jiangnan family.
With such a mother, Xiqiu turned her attention to Miss Zhou, a girl of tender age, petite with vivid eyes that moved playfully without seeming restless or unruly, instead giving a sense of innocent charm, with deep dimples appearing when she smiled, very endearing.
The Grand Dowager nodded and said to Xiqiu, "This Miss Zhou has bright eyes, seems lively but not timid, clearly Madam Zhou shows excellent family upbringing, her daughter is well-taught too."
Ladies nodded in agreement, "A childlike heart is a rare treasure." Xiqiu peeked at Xiao Yanting sitting quietly aside, with his head bowed, appearing to leave decisions to the Grand Dowager.
A few days later, the Grand Dowager asked Madam Qian to be the matchmaker, exchanged marriage tokens with the Zhou family, securing Sheng’s engagement.
The Grand Dowager breathed a sigh of relief, her gaze falling on Xing, who was chattering with Zhi enthusiastically.
Upon returning to the Governor Mansion, Bihuai came back, and after bowing to Xiqiu with Su Quansheng, Su Quansheng moved to the outer courtyard, while Bihuai shyly kept her head down, prompting Xiqiu to smile and ask, "Is your father-in-law’s family doing well?"
"Yes, they’re fine," Bihuai said, bringing in several bundles, "In here are two pairs of shoes, one pair made by my mother-in-law and the other by my little sister-in-law." Feeling somewhat embarrassed, she added, "I looked over them; the stitchwork is a bit rough. If you don’t like them, I can put them away for you."
"Why put them away?" Xiqiu’s eyes fell on the bundles, "Let me try them on."
Bihuai secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Despite the coarse stitchwork, refusing their goodwill would be wrong... Luckily, Xiqiu didn’t mind.
Nanny Cen noticed and cheerfully teased, "Indeed, a married daughter is like spilled water, Su Quansheng is already supporting his wife’s family."
Xiqiu walked around in the shoes, finding them a perfect fit, smiling warmly at Bihuai, whose face turned as red as a tomato.
Chunliu and others couldn’t help but chuckle.
Speaking of Sheng’s engagement, Bihuai nostalgically commented, "I remember the young master clinging to you tearfully, you soothing him with horse-hoof cake, wiping away tears." She laughed, "In no time, he’s engaged."
"Who would have thought?" Chunliu laughed, packing away Bihuai’s bundles, while Xiqiu said, "Now that you’re back, return to handling your previous duties, as for living arrangements..." She pondered and looked at Chunliu, "I’ll ask Tiancheng to allocate a small courtyard for you in the outer grounds, no need to run about like Chunliu does."
Bihuai didn’t decline, gratefully smiling in thanks.
By mid-April, news emerged from the palace that Marchioness Taiping’s health was failing, she wrote a family letter to Beijing. Marquis Taiping, restless, entered the palace to resign to the Emperor, receiving a nod of approval. Early the next morning in court, the Imperial Decree was announced.
Fourth Master Xiao strolled leisurely into the inner courtyard, finding Xiqiu holding Gong while walking in the courtyard, he joined her, taking their son in his arms, and they walked side by side.
Chunliu led young maidservants, quietly following behind.
Xiqiu turned and asked with a smile, "Weren’t you discussing with Tiancheng about building a pavilion in the back garden? Any outcome yet?" Fourth Master Xiao planned to build a pavilion in front of the tea garden so that during spring and fall, there would be a stopover place for flower viewing.
Xiqiu thought this idea was excellent, agreeing, "Let’s find some golden pheasants and deer to raise here, when Ying and Gong grow up, they can run around here and play."
Fourth Master Xiao’s eyes brightened, immediately instructing Tiancheng to proceed with this.
He had spent the entire morning with Tiancheng outside, drawing plans and selecting materials.
"Marchioness Taiping is unwell, yesterday night he went into the palace and resigned from the Emperor," Fourth Master Xiao said lightly, holding Gong. Xiqiu paused, asking, "The Emperor granted this?"
The reason for Marquis Taiping’s visit to Beijing was apparent to everyone, originally thought the Emperor would decide quickly, but with the Chen family’s issues, Marquis Taiping stayed in the capital for over half a year, now possibly feeling uncertain, using his wife’s illness as a test for the Emperor.
"He approved," Fourth Master Xiao spoke with a smile and stopped, gazing intensely at Xiqiu. Xiqiu, slightly surprised, thought something had changed, so asked, "What happened?"
Comments