Chapter 239: sheep-fat white jade ring pendant
Chapter 239- sheep-fat white jade ring pendant
Su Wang Fei got a request from Duan Wang Fei and knowing that Duan Wang Fei was serious about this marriage she also accepted the task with earnestness and went to greet the Qin family in advance.
However, as soon as she arrived outside the Qin Marquis's Residence in the morning, their vermilion paint wheel carriage* and horses were blocked, and faint voices of people arguing could be heard up ahead.
(*-carriage used by princesses and dignitaries in ancient times)
An old momo got off the carriage to check the situation and saw outside the Marquis gate an old lady in green clothes with grizzled hair and a woman with a matchmaker's mole* quarreling with the gatekeeper.
(*In ancient times most of the matchmakers has a mole on their face as it was an important sign of a matchmaker)
"How dare a slave not let me in?!"
Mother Cheng scolded the gatekeeper righteously.
"The marriage between my humble son and the fourth young miss from your manor was a gift from the emperor. Today I brought the matchmaker to get the geng tie from the fourth young miss."
The matchmaker who was holding her handkerchief twisted her hips as she screamed in the side.
"Ai, I've been a matchmaker for decades, and the number of lines I've drawn is less than a thousand, but this is the first time I've seen two families say they've decided to get married and still turn their in-laws away! What kind of principles is this!"
It created a huge commotion so it was inevitable that many onlookers would whisper to the side as they gossip and point in the direction of Marquis Qin.
Mother Cheng was eager, seeing that there were more people, and raised her voice.
"I want to see Old Madam Qin!"
"You stubborn slave dog. Obviously, it was your Madam Su who took the initiative to ask our Cheng family about marriage and wanted my son to marry her daughter..."
"My son is a successful candidate in the imperial provincial examination and the top of his class....."
"...."
The old momo watched for a while before returning to the vermilion paint wheel carriage. Su Wang Fei asked suspiciously.
"Why did you come back?"
The old momo showed a strange look and said: "Wang Fei, there was an old woman who has brought a matchmaker to propose marriage to the fourth young miss of the Marquis manor, but the gatekeeper won't let her in so there is a commotion right now."
Su Wang Fei raised her eyebrows with a baffled look.
"That old woman deliberately raised her voice for the people to hear."
The old momo emulates what she heard and told Su Wang Fei as if she were telling a joke.
Su Wang Fei's expression became even more confused. She raised her hand to open the curtain on the side of the carriage, looked toward the door of the Qin manor, and heard a sharp female voice in front.
"This is a marriage gifted by the emperor. Do you Qin Family want to recede?!"
"If you do not give me an explanation, I will now go to the capital to beat the drum ......"
Mother Cheng's voice became more and more shrill, which attracted more passers-by to watch the show.
And this made several gatekeepers panic and anxious as their foreheads were sweating cold.
They all know that today Duan Wangfu had invited Su Wang Fei to come to the Qin manor to propose marriage as a matchmaker, which was a big deal.
When one of the gatekeepers was wondering whether to inform the Old Madam or Madam Su she saw the vermilion paint wheel carriage at the corner of her eye not far away.
"Is that... the carriage of Su Wang Fei?" Another gatekeeper also saw the vermilion paint wheel carriage and stammered.
The gatekeeper went to Ronghe Hall in a hurry, fearing that she might have been slowing down Su Wang Fei.
Old Madam Qin has made preparations early and was already dressed very ceremoniously.
"It's about time..." Old Madam Qin looked at the hulou* and before she could finish her words, a gatekeeper who was sweating profusely was following a servant girl into the eastern room.
(hulou or a pot leak used as an ancient timer aka hourglass)
"Old Madam, Su Wang Fei's carriage has arrived."
After a pause, the gatekeeper said in embarrassment.
"Mother Cheng is also here and brought a matchmaker, saying she's here to get the Geng Tie from the fourth young miss."
Old Madam Qin: "..."
Old Madam Qin's expression became a little subtle.
She later came back to her senses and after carefully thinking about it she understood everything that had happened the day the emperor gave his imperial edict.
Madam Su wasn't really sincere in finding a marriage for the third young miss, she just wanted a shrew who looked bright but a scum inside and coaxed her to marry the fourth young miss and let her suffer in that marriage.
Therefore, when Madam Su heard that the emperor wanted that scholar to marry her daughter, the fourth young miss she became anxious.
Old madam Qin's brow furrowed deeply as she let out a long sigh.
I was really stupid to believe whatever Su said, and here I thought she was sincere about finding a good marriage for Xiao Jiu'er.
Cui momo looked at Old Madam Qin's face and took half a step forward, she then said in a timely manner.
"Old Madam, Mother Cheng came here two days ago, and was beaten away by Madam Su with a stick. This servant thought that she might have asked about the wedding proposal coming from the Duan wangfu today, so she deliberately brought the matchmaker to make a scene."
"The Cheng family is still preaching, saying that our marquis house will marry off our fourth young miss to them."
"If we let Mother Cheng's family continue to make trouble like this, the face of Duan Wangfu will not look good either."
Old Madam Qin slowly twirled the string of Buddhist beads in her hand and her expression deepened.
Almost, only a little bit she believed Madam Su's words credulously and pushed Xiao Jiu'er to the pit of fire. Fortunately, the emperor's decree for marriage came just in time.
It was a good thing that Xiao Jiu'er got this marriage from the royal family. If the Cheng Family continues to make trouble and spread malicious rumors to Duan Wangfu, Duan Wang Ye and Wang Fei would probably think that the Qin family has no rules and regulations, and thus look down on Jiu'er.
Because of those slaves, Xiao Jiu'er was replaced not to mention she had suffered so much outside since she was a child and was almost plotted on by Madam Su. She was already pitiful enough even before entering the gate* and now her soon-to-be mother-in-law would dislike her, later she would have a hard time.
(*marriage)
Old Madam Qin stopped twisting the string of Buddhist beads in her hand, and there was a touch of resolute in her usually gentle eyes as she said.
"Scholar Cheng is Madam Su's son-in-law so let the madam take care of the Cheng family and take them to the madam's yard. Watch the Madam's yard, only allow entry and not exit also make sure no one will come near Su Wang Fei."
"Today is the third young miss big day, don't neglect the honored guest. You hurry up and welcome Su Wang Fei in!"
As soon as Old Madam Qin gave an order, the servants hurried to do their work.
Hence, Mother Cheng and the matchmaker were first led to Madam Su's courtyard by several servant girls, and then Cui momo personally led someone to solemnly welcome Su Wang Fei into the manor.
Su Wang Fei originally thought that the Qin family has no order and seeing that since Mother Cheng was blocking the road for a while now, she made psychological preparations for returning home today. So, she did not expect that the Qin family would resolve the matter quickly.
Looking at it like this, the Qin family seems to be okay.
Su Wang Fei thought to herself.
Old Madam Qin personally entertained Su Wang Fei with great courtesy.
After Su Wang Fei said a few words about the occasion, she formally proposed marriage to Qin Jiu on behalf of Duan Wangfu according to the ancient rites.
Old Madam Qin smiled and accepted Gu Zezhi's Geng Tie* and handed Qin Jiu's Geng Tie that had already been prepared.
(* card with the horoscope of a boy and girl sent as a proposal for betrothal)
Both sides were very satisfied, especially Old Madam Qin's eyes narrowed with laughter, her face flushed, and she had already forgotten the discomfort caused by Mother Cheng.
Old Madam Qin also personally escorted Su Wang Fei to the ceremonial gate.
After coming back, Old Madam Qin's smile disappeared as she asked Cui momo: "What's going on with Madam Su?"
Cui momo's eyes slightly flickered and said truthfully.
"Just now the gatekeeper led Mother Cheng to Qiongzhi hall to see the Madam but the madam didn't want to meet them, her maids stop mother Cheng and the matchmaker outside the courtyard."
"Later, the fourth young miss also ran to Qiongzhi hall to make trouble after hearing the news and ordered the maids to chase the people away. Fortunately, this servant sent more strong maidservants over in advance, and did not let the fourth young miss chase those people away."
The corner of Cui momo's twitched, thinking: Anyway, mother Cheng can make trouble all they want as long they don't disturb the important affairs of the third young miss.
Old Madam Qin rubbed her eyebrows wearily, feeling her body was tired all over and she looked several years older all at once.
***