The bamboo tube Shen Yunshu had lost ultimately remained unfound.
It wasn’t on the carriage Tinglan had hired, and when they rushed to Fengle Pavilion, the Pei family’s carriage was already gone. Unable to pursue the matter to the Pei residence, they had no choice but to let it go.
The wine in that bamboo tube had been tampered with. If someone had mistakenly drunk it…
Shen Yunshu didn’t dare dwell on the thought. After several days of anxious unease, the Pei family’s representatives came again to propose marriage. Her worries were diluted by the joyous occasion, and she assumed the bamboo tube hadn’t caused any major trouble, so she put the matter aside.
Regarding Pei Huaian’s marriage proposal for Third Sister, Shen Yunshu waited until her father returned from his official duties that day and broached the subject with him, wanting him to be prepared.
She had expected her father to approve of this match, but to her surprise, he shook his head in refusal after listening: “Shu’er, your Third Sister… isn’t worthy of him.”
“Why isn’t she worthy?”
Shen Yunshu found this strange. Her father had always doted on Third Sister, so why would he belittle his own daughter at such a time?
Moreover, Liang Liulang from the General’s Manor wasn’t inferior to Pei Huaian. If Third Sister was considered suitable for him, then she should naturally be suitable for the Seventh Young Master Pei as well.
“Third Sister is pure-hearted and kind, optimistic and open-minded. Though she lacks extensive knowledge and scholarly learning, the Seventh Young Master Pei is also someone who shows no ambition and indulges in pleasure-seeking. Their temperaments are similar, their appearances match well, and our families are of comparable status. Why does Father think Third Sister isn’t worthy of the Seventh Young Master Pei?”
Her father sighed and added, “Two immature children brought together – how could they manage a good life?”
“Father needn’t worry about this matter either. Since Third Sister and I will both marry into the Pei family, we’ll be both sisters and sisters-in-law. I’ll definitely support Third Sister properly in the future. Besides, the Seventh Young Master Pei lost his mother early, and his father is often away on business trips. Third Sister wouldn’t need to serve parents-in-law if she married him…”
But her father still disagreed: “Even so, I’m not reassured. Before the Pei family sends anyone to propose, you should visit the Seventh Young Master Pei tomorrow and tell him today’s discussion was just a joke, that he shouldn’t take it seriously.”
“I won’t go. If Father can’t provide a genuine reason today, I’ll go seek Mother’s judgment…”
When Shen Yunshu became stubborn, even her father Shen Tingyu was helpless. After remaining silent for a while, he finally said: “Your father and the Seventh Young Master Pei’s father were once classmates, but we later severed ties over certain matters. If we let Youran marry his son, wouldn’t it make things awkward for both of us?”
So this was the connection between her father and Pei Huaian’s father.
Shen Yunshu wavered somewhat, but upon careful consideration, she felt this wasn’t right.
“If Father and Uncle Pei had deep-seated grievances, Old Madam Pei should know about them. Yet since she chose me as her granddaughter-in-law, it shows she doesn’t mind the enmity between you…”
Before her father could refute again, Shen Yunshu continued, “If the Pei family does come to propose, I beg Father not to refuse immediately. I hate to inform Father that there’s currently a scoundrel coveting Third Sister. My urgency in arranging a marriage for Third Sister is precisely to protect her from that villain. Father could first discuss the marriage with the Pei family without finalizing it immediately, using the Pei family as a shield to protect Third Sister…”
“Which wretched boy is coveting Youran?”
“Father needn’t know who that person is. Please trust your daughter this once…”
“Very well, let’s leave it at that for now.”
While Shen Yunshu was exhausting all her persuasive skills to convince her father, unbeknownst to her, Old Madam Pei had also expended considerable mental effort deliberating the matter upon learning that her youngest grandson wished to marry the Third Maiden of the Shen family.
Two years earlier, when arranging a marriage for her eldest grandson Pei Huaijin, the old madam had thoroughly surveyed all eligible young maidens in the capital. She had some understanding of this Third Maiden from the Shen family, knowing that while the girl possessed exceptional beauty, she was utterly uneducated and empty-headed—a world apart from the elegant, virtuous, and well-mannered Eldest Young Lady of the Shen family.
However, the old madam also recognized that her own youngest grandson was merely gilded jade—hardly better than the Shen family’s Third Maiden, making them seemingly well-matched. Still, the old madam had hoped to select a virtuous, intelligent, and diligent young lady for her youngest grandson—one who could assist her husband and educate their children after marriage, helping her spouse advance in life.
Take, for example, Miss Meng who had previously served under the eldest branch’s daughter-in-law. Though her character was somewhat timid, she had barely met the old madam’s standards. Unfortunately, Little Seven had taken no interest in her, firmly refusing the match. Later, the girl was sought by Changxing Marquis Manor’s Lin Wulang, and would be married soon.
Now that Little Seven had taken a fancy to someone even less suitable than Meng Yatou, the old madam regretted not having forced him to marry Miss Meng back then.
The old madam had earnestly advised her grandson: “One should marry for virtue. If the Shen family’s Third Young Lady possessed even half her elder sister’s goodness, your grandmother would have agreed. But truly…”
Not only did Little Seven refuse to listen, he even retorted stubbornly: “Grandmother, I don’t like virtuous girls. I prefer those who stay idle at home without any accomplishments…”
Just listen to such nonsense!
The old madam sternly refused to consent, whereupon Little Seven’s stubborn temper flared: “I’ll marry none but Shen Third. If Grandmother doesn’t agree, then I’ll remain unmarried my whole life.”
The exasperated old madam poked his forehead: “You’re truly bewitched…”
What ultimately made the old madam relent was Madam Tang from Ciyou Courtyard.
Madam Tang whispered to her: “Old Madam, today the maid responsible for tidying the Seventh Young Master’s bedroom retrieved several garments and handkerchiefs from under his bed. Particularly noticeable were those undergarments with still-damp stains. While the young maid didn’t understand, this old servant recognizes the signs—clearly the Seventh Young Master has… become aware of worldly matters…”
The old madam didn’t know whether to laugh or cry: Had this little rascal become so infatuated with Shen Third that he’d reached this state?
Ultimately, the old madam’s heart softened toward her youngest grandson. Since he loved the Shen family’s Third Maiden so deeply, perhaps she should grant his wish.
However, this matter wasn’t hers to decide alone. She recalled that Little Seven’s father held old grudges against Shen Third’s father—the two had severed ties years ago. Now that Little Seven insisted on marrying a Shen family daughter, his father’s approval was necessary.
Ignoring her grandson’s impatience, the old madam ordered a letter to be written to Quanzhou to seek Pei Yuanzhou’s opinion.
But before the letter could be dispatched, Little Seven’s father unexpectedly returned.
Having just returned from leading a maritime expedition, he planned to rest for a month. Seizing this opportunity, he returned to the capital to visit his parents while helping the eldest branch prepare for Pei Huaijin’s wedding.
When Old Madam Pei informed him about Little Seven’s situation, contrary to expectations, he not only voiced no opposition but actually thought it quite suitable.
“But haven’t you severed ties with Minister Shen?”
“Indeed, we haven’t interacted for years,” Pei Yuanzhou smiled meaningfully. “Now we can use our children’s marriage as an opportunity to restore our former friendship…”
When the Pei family sent an official matchmaker to propose marriage, Pei Yuanzhou accompanied them.
Shen Tingyu had originally intended to dismiss the marriage proposal perfunctorily, but upon seeing his old friend visit, the two shared drinks and not only reconciled but also directly settled the marriage between their children.
After the Pei family departed, Shen Yunshu went to the front courtyard to find her father, wanting to ask how their discussion had gone.
Her father was drunk, having lost his usual dignified demeanor. He sat on the steps with his legs crossed, reciting poetry, looking quite pleased.
Seeing her approach, he patted the empty space beside him, signaling her to sit. With bleary eyes, he said, “Yuanzhou and I have agreed that while he is in the capital this month, we will arrange Youran’s wedding as well. Then you sisters can marry together, bringing double happiness to the Pei family…”
Shen Yunshu was greatly surprised.
Just a few days earlier, her father had been ambiguous about this marriage, mentioning some unresolved issues with Pei Huaian’s father. How did it come to this—not only addressing him affectionately as “Brother Yuanzhou” but even setting the wedding date for Third Sister?
“Father, isn’t this too rushed?”
“Don’t worry. If anyone should be anxious, it’s them. Their family is taking in two brides at once—they’ll have their hands full. You and Youran can just focus on preparing for the wedding. I’ve already prepared Youran’s dowry…”
Three days later, the Pei family arrived for the Betrothal Gift Delivery. The courtyard was filled with silks and satins, pearls and jade hairpins, tea, fruits, lamb, and wine. There was also a large redwood chest packed full of gold and silver ingots, carried with great effort by two burly men…
Pei Yuanzhou, having been in business for many years, was indeed wealthy and generous.
Shen Youran only glanced briefly at the gifts, without even having time to check the gift list, because her wedding dress was still not finished. It was customary for brides to embroider their own wedding dresses. Her elder sister had previously helped her with the embroidery, but after her sister went to stay at the Pei family’s estate, Shen Youran, uncertain when she would marry, had set it aside in a cabinet…
She never expected her marriage to come so suddenly.
These past few days, she had pulled out the half-embroidered wedding dress from the cabinet, working the embroidery needle frantically until she was nearly in tears.
Fortunately, her elder sister helped with the embroidery. Working together, the two sisters still had hope of finishing it before the wedding.
However, Shen Youran’s eyes had never been strong, and in her anxious state, internal heat flared up, affecting her eyes. They became red and teary, and even after several days of drinking heat-reducing medicine, the condition wouldn’t subside.
Seeing her in such a state, Shen Yunshu took the needle from her hand and told her to rest her eyes first. As for the remaining embroidery, Shen Yunshu enlisted the help of Tinglan and Qinghe, who were skilled at needlework. As long as they didn’t mention it, no one would know the wedding dress wasn’t entirely Shen Youran’s work.
Shen Youran lay on the reclining couch, applying an ice pack wrapped in a handkerchief to her eyes, and chatted with her sister: “Sister, what does Pei Huaian look like?”
A few days earlier, her elder sister had brought her a Mohe Le—the very clay figurine she had picked out at the temple fair but couldn’t afford. She explained that the masked gentleman who paid for it that day was none other than Pei Huaian, the seventh son of the Pei family.
At the time, her elder sister had only mentioned that Pei Huaian intended to marry her. Little did she know she would wed him without even having seen his face.
“As for him, he possesses a jade-like quality and golden demeanor—one might say even the elegance of pine trees and moonlight cannot compare to his purity, and the brilliance of immortal dew and pearls falls short of his radiance…”
Shen Youran hadn’t heard these terms before but could grasp their meaning: “Elder Sister means he’s exceptionally handsome, right?”
Shen Yunshu nodded: “Indeed. In any case, you needn’t worry about appearances – he’s perfectly suited to you. Though he bears a reputation for being a dissolute youth with frivolous behavior, he hasn’t acquired any truly vicious habits. He’s forthright and unrestrained, yet understands propriety. Filial piety guides him – a person with genuinely pure intentions…”
Shen Youran swung her legs cheerfully, delight evident in her voice: “The husband Elder Sister chose for me could never be wrong.”
As the wedding gown neared completion, the Lu family sent additional dowries for both sisters.
Having previously discussed with their mother about marrying from the Shen family residence, Shen Yunshu had been using the wedding gown embroidery as pretext to remain away from the Lu household these days.
The dowry bearer was Steward Xu from the Lu residence. Shen Yunshu took the opportunity to inquire about Lu Yi’s situation.
After Lu Yi had been dragged to the magistrate’s office that day, someone had promptly notified the Lu family. Though they attempted to pull strings for his release, numerous witnesses and the courtesan’s unwavering testimony resulted in his sentencing: thirty cane strikes and fifteen days’ detention.
The detention period had now ended. The Lu family had retrieved him and placed him under house confinement, requiring him to recuperate from his injuries while reflecting on his misconduct.
Shen Yunshu found this outcome most satisfactory – at least until the wedding, he wouldn’t be able to bother her or Youran.
Author’s Note:
① From Emperor Taizong of Tang’s “Preface to the Sacred Teachings of Monk Tripitaka of the Great Tang”