“He asked me to call him cousin yesterday. Since he already requested the change, I shouldn’t go against his wishes.”
The words carried a hint of temper, making Ming Zhouhe laugh.
…
The next day, Yuan Yuhe sat chatting with Madam Yuan in the courtyard.
Yuan Yuhe gently stirred the bird’s nest soup in her bowl with a spoon while looking at her sister-in-law. “Zhouqing told me last night that he’ll be going for military training in a couple of days. These two days should let them spend more time together, so we can see if they’re interested in each other.”
“I’ve noticed Zhouqing always listens to you. As long as Wan’er agrees, it should work out,” Madam Yuan replied with a smile.
Yuan Yuhe looked pleased. “Zhouqing has always been filial. I’ll ask him the night before he leaves for the military.”
“I’ll speak with Wan’er too.”
After taking a sip of the bird’s nest soup, Yuan Yuhe sighed softly. “It feels like just yesterday I was pestering you to study, play drinking games, and chess with me at home. Now here we are discussing our children’s marriages.”
“Time does fly. If you want to play chess, it’s simple – have someone bring a set. I’ll play with you. Would you prefer Go, Chinese chess, or Liubo chess?”
“Let’s play Go.”
As a maid brought the chess set, Madam Yuan asked while setting up the board, “Setting Zhouqing aside for now, what are your plans for Zhaohuan?”
“Let’s wait and see. The Left Censor-in-chief Xie family has a daughter of marriageable age, and their social status is acceptable. After all, people say women should marry up while men marry down.”
“But I heard they called off an engagement with the Minister of Rites’ family six months ago. The Xie family initiated it, claiming incompatible birth characters. But shouldn’t that have been determined when exchanging the Betrothal Agreement? Why wait until nearly the wedding ceremony to declare incompatibility? I wonder if there’s something wrong with the girl.”
“Even if there’s nothing wrong, I’m not particularly fond of the Xie family. Just the fact that the Left Censor-in-chief already has two illegitimate sons before marriage makes me question their family values,” Yuan Yuhe shook her head.
“Keep looking then. Zhaohuan isn’t that old yet.”
Madam Yuan nodded. “Choosing sons-in-law and daughters-in-law should be done with extreme caution. Since Zhaohuan is so outstanding, we shouldn’t arrange a marriage that would trouble him.”
“Exactly. Lin’er will be married in just over a year. Thinking about it makes me both reluctant and worried. Being someone else’s daughter-in-law can’t be as carefree as being an unmarried girl in her own home.”
“I actually find being a Yuan family daughter-in-law quite pleasant,” Madam Yuan said sincerely. “The Ji family has upright values, so don’t worry too much. The two residences are close, so you’ll still see her often.”
“Most families marry off their daughters right after the hair-pinning ceremony at fifteen. You’ve kept her until eighteen out of motherly love – you’ve already done wonderfully as a mother. With her outstanding father and brothers, plus a good marriage, she’ll naturally have a good life.”
“Children will find their own happiness – you should set your heart at ease.”
“Sister-in-law, your words are truly comforting.” Yuan Yuhe beamed, then returned to her second son’s matter. “Since we want the two children to get acquainted, they need to spend time together. Let’s have the residence host a small gathering for the young people this afternoon so they can enjoy themselves.”
“That’s a good arrangement. We’ll bring your sister-in-law along to keep the old madam company and relieve her boredom.”
Tangli Courtyard.
Shi Jianli sat on a swing reading, bathed in the warm but not hot afternoon spring sunlight.
Xianyue returned from outside and approached her, accompanied by a senior maid. “Miss, Sister Jinzhi from the main courtyard of Dongfu is here.”
Shi Jianli looked at Jinzhi and asked, “Did Guogong Furen have any instructions?”
Jinzhi bowed to Shi Jianli and smiled, “Madam didn’t have any specific instructions. There’s a small banquet set up in the garden. Madam said if Miss Pear feels well enough, you’re welcome to join the festivities.”
“Very well, please convey my thanks to Guogong Furen for the invitation.”
“I’ll definitely deliver your message, Miss Pear. I have other matters to attend to, so I won’t disturb you further.”
Shi Jianli nodded, “Alright.”
Shi Jianli recalled what her aunt had told her some time ago.
This small banquet was likely to welcome the young master and miss of the Yuan family, and also served as an opportunity for Ming Zhouqing and Yuan Wan to spend time together.
Xianyue asked, “Will you be going, miss?”
“I’ll go. It would be nice to have some tea and fruits.” She intended to just blend into the background.
After changing into a lilac short jacket with parallel collars, redoing her hair bun, and securing it with a small redbud hairpin, Shi Jianli went out with Xianyue.
In the garden, small tables were arranged together, laden with an assortment of fruits, snacks, and numerous pastries.
When Shi Jianli arrived, Ming Zhouhe and Ming Yuesi were already there.
She went over to greet them and sat between Ming Zhouhe and Ming Yuesi. “Cousin, Fourth Sister.”
Ming Zhouhe’s gaze followed her movements as he smiled, “I see the bruise on your forehead has faded. It seems you’ve recovered well. You shouldn’t be experiencing occasional dizziness anymore, right?”
“No more. Physician Chu always gives conservative estimates, but his medical skills are excellent. Besides, my injury wasn’t that serious anyway.” Shi Jianli handed him a scented sachet. “Xianyue recently developed this new scented sachet. With many mosquitoes around in late spring, carrying this can help repel them.”
She turned and gave one to Ming Yuesi. “Fourth Sister, this is for you.”
“Thank you, Pear Sister.” Ming Yuesi accepted it with a smile.
Ming Yuelin arrived arm-in-arm with Yuan Wan and sat opposite Shi Jianli and Ming Yuesi. “I thought we came early, but you all arrived even earlier.”
Shi Jianli similarly handed her a scented sachet, then looked at Yuan Wan. “It’s a mosquito-repelling sachet, nothing precious. I hope Sister Wan won’t find it unworthy.”
“How could I?” Yuan Wan brought the sachet to her nose for a gentle sniff and smiled. “What a lovely fragrance, much better than the one I use. Mine tends to be rather pungent.”
“I’m glad Sister Wan likes it.”
“Likes what?” Ming Zhouqing’s voice came through as he strode into the garden and sat opposite Ming Zhouhe.
Behind him, Ming Zhaohuan arrived with Yuan Qingchen, Fourth Young Master Ming Zhouzhi, Fifth Young Master Ming Zhouwu, Sixth Young Master Ming Zhoulu, and Seventh Young Master Ming Zhouqi. They were all dressed in riding attire.
The younger ones gathered around Ming Zhaohuan, asking him about military matters.
Ming Zhaohuan sat beside Ming Zhouqing and looked over, smiling as he asked, “Let me hear what you’re all discussing too.”
Yuan Wan turned at the sound of his voice and called out cheerfully, “Eldest Cousin!”
Ming Zhaohuan nodded slightly in her direction.
Shi Jianli lifted her eyes and met Ming Zhaohuan’s gaze. “As spring turns to summer, mosquitoes are becoming more numerous. My maid made some mosquito-repelling sachets, which I’ve distributed to our cousins and sisters.”
“If any of our male cousins would like one too, I can have my maid make more.”
Ming Zhouqing showed little interest and teased, “No need to trouble your people. You were injured recently, and they’ve been busy taking care of you. They probably don’t have much spare time. With so many of us, it would only burden them unnecessarily.”
The other young masters expressed similar sentiments in turn.
Shi Jianli glanced at them and raised a faint smile. “Thank you, cousins, for being so considerate of my maid.”
Ming Zhaohuan’s gaze lingered briefly on her smile before he lowered his eyes and picked up a cup of hot tea to drink.
Ming Zhouhe turned his head and beckoned to Xuan Yuan, who handed him a small bag along with a tiny hammer.