Lian’s dowry had basically been settled, but Lin still remembered what her eldest brother had advised her that day when she returned home:
At the right moment, make it known that you added to your stepdaughter’s dowry—perhaps the Anyuan Count’s estate would send a “pleasant surprise.”
Lin decided to give it a try.
The opportunity came sooner than expected. Lin learned that the Anyuan Count’s estate was planning to arrange a marriage with the Jingying Marquis’s family, having their eldest grandson marry the marquis’s youngest daughter. This was precisely the critical moment for the proposal.
Coincidentally, the Yongshun Count’s estate sent an invitation for Lin to visit for tea and conversation.
When Lin arrived, she saw that the Jingying Marquis’s eldest daughter-in-law, Madam Zhao, was also there. At that moment, Lin realized she had to seize the opportunity today—there might not be another chance.
Silently, she prepared her words and waited for the right moment to speak.
Everyone knew of Pei Ruolian’s impending marriage to Xu’s second son. During the conversation, someone would naturally ask,
“Your Lian is about to marry—what dowry will you be adding? Tell us.”
Lin had been waiting for this and replied smoothly,
“Lian’s birth mother was the legitimate eldest daughter of the Ning family. She is already cherished by her grandparents and looked after by her maternal uncle, the Anyuan Count. As for the dowry, there’s little room for me, her stepmother, to interfere—this is only a token of my care.”
It sounded as if she wasn’t planning to add much—a seemingly indifferent personality.
Another lady commented,
“Still, you should add a few things, so no one speaks ill of you behind your back.”
“Naturally,” said Lin, taking a small sip of tea, her tone calm and light. “Just a cloth shop and a medicine shop in the southern part of the city, plus two thousand taels of silver. That’s my small gesture as stepmother.”
She added,
“The main part, of course, must be left to Lian’s grandparents and her maternal uncle.”
Someone remarked,
“Then Lian’s dowry really is generous.”
All the ladies outwardly remained composed, but in their hearts, they were impressed—this stepmother was indeed generous.
Lin, while sipping her tea, sneaked a glance at Madam Zhao of the Jingying Marquis’s estate, noticing that she was listening very attentively. Satisfied, Lin switched to other topics.
Previously, at the coming-of-age ceremony, Madam Ning had substituted yellow thread for gold, causing a minor embarrassment for the Anyuan Count’s estate. If they dared to be careless again now, no one could fault others for saying that the stepmother was more attentive than Lian’s maternal uncle. After all, though the Anyuan Count was not a blood relative, he had raised Lian’s maternal grandmother’s child himself.
Additionally, the Jingying Marquis would likely reconsider whether he wanted to marry his youngest daughter into the Anshun Count’s family.
Just as Lin predicted, in noble households, face matters more than money. A few days later, the Anyuan Count’s estate sent people over.
It was quite a display—they clearly didn’t want anyone to miss it.
The Anyuan Count personally delivered house deeds and silver, claiming it was to supplement his niece’s dowry. He also explained that the previous mishap with the gold thread was due to one of Madam Ning’s maids taking it out of greed.
Grandfather and Grandmother took it in stride, and Pei Pu said,
“We are all relatives. We naturally understand your intentions.”
Both families departed with smiles, though no one could say what each secretly thought.
Time flew, and soon it was the following autumn, the scent of osmanthus drifting through the air.
After the imperial autumn examination, the results were announced. Xu’s family sent word that Xu Zhan had not made the main list but had ranked ninth on the secondary list.
The secondary list did not grant a formal degree—it was merely a “consolation prize,” along with an admission to the Imperial Academy.
The Pei family felt it a pity. If Xu Zhan had passed the main exam, the marriage would have been double joy.
However, Xu Zhan did not lose heart. He told his father,
“This is my first attempt. My studies are not yet sufficient, and my writing lacks strength. I will continue studying and try again in three years.”
Such a mindset was admirable.
Pei Shaohuai, remembering the boy’s future, held a favorable opinion. He recalled that Xu Zhan, on his second attempt at the autumn examination, had ranked fifth in the second tier at the palace exam, excelled in the court exams, remained in the capital, entered the Hanlin Academy, and became a Scholar of Merit.
Months of preparation later, the wedding day had arrived.
Pei Shaohuai, now three and a half, had grown taller. He wore a small blue-green robe with a cloud-patterned silver-edged belt. His black hair was neatly arranged with a jade-colored miniature crown. When still, he looked like a cute little gentleman; when moving, his smiling eyes and playful demeanor made him lively and spirited.
The adults were busy with preparations, and Pei Shaohuai, tired of reading alone, went to find his younger brother, Pei Shao Jin, for some fun.
Shao Jin was a well-behaved boy. With no lessons from grandfather or father these past few days, he practiced writing alone, sorting the characters he knew and didn’t know.
“Brother Jin, I need to discuss something with you,” Shaohuai called outside the room.
“What is it, elder brother?” Shao Jin replied.
Shaohuai explained,
“Tomorrow is our elder sister’s wedding. Grandmother asked us to block the groom—let’s think of a plan together.”
Shao Jin, used to his brother’s clever schemes, said,
“I’ll follow your lead.”
Shaohuai whispered his plan. Shao Jin nodded obediently,
“I’ll follow your lead.”
Thus, the two half-grown boys reached an agreement.
The next day, the wedding day, the Jingchuan Count’s mansion was festooned with red silk and celebratory decorations. The bride and groom were dressed, guests welcomed—the usual details need not be repeated.
At the appointed hour, the wedding procession’s music drew near. Pei Shaohuai spotted the approaching team.
Xu Zhan rode a fine horse, dressed in his wedding attire, confident and handsome.
Arriving at the mansion, he dismounted, ready to enter, triggering the “blocking the groom” ritual.
In the Da Qing dynasty, scholarship and literary talent were highly valued. The blocking of the groom involved testing him with poems and riddles.
The Pei household’s young scholars had prepared questions. Xu Zhan, confident and clever, solved them all with ease. Within fifteen minutes, he reached the main door.
Unexpectedly, two little boys in festive clothes darted out, blocking him side by side—it was Shaohuai and Shao Jin.
Shaohuai looked up and said,
“Brother-in-law, to marry our elder sister, you must first pass our test.”
Shao Jin mimicked his brother,
“We heard you are a scholar and have entered the Imperial Academy. We must examine you.”
The innocent voices, coupled with their cute appearance, made the guests laugh heartily—the two little boys were testing their brother-in-law’s knowledge.
Curious, everyone wondered what riddles these two grandsons of the Jingchuan Count would pose.
Xu Zhan found it amusing, bowed to the boys, and said,
“Please present your questions.”
Shaohuai said the first line:
“Twin lotuses on the pond.”
Shao Jin said the second line:
“Blooming each year with joy.”
Together they said:
“Guess the congratulatory phrase.”
It was like a lantern riddle. The guests pondered along and found it cleverly festive, with the bride’s name subtly incorporated.
Guests assumed the children’s father or grandfather had helped them.
Xu Zhan thought,
“The first line, twin lotuses, obviously means ‘united in heart.’ And the second line…”
He struggled to recall the reference. Luckily, his elder brother Xu Wang whispered,
“‘Year after year’ means eternal.”
Xu Zhan realized and exclaimed,
“Yes! Eternal happiness—United in heart, eternal happiness.”
But the children would not yield.
“Did I answer incorrectly, little brothers?” Xu Zhan asked.
Shaohuai replied,
“The answer is ‘United in heart, eternal happiness.’ Brother-in-law is very learned.”
“Then why?”
Shaohuai laughed and, with Shao Jin, held out their little hands:
“Brother-in-law, now that you’ve received our congratulatory phrase, you should give us a gift.”
The audience laughed heartily. They thought Pei Bingyuan’s normally calm temperament had produced two clever little treasures—how fortunate!
Xu Zhan chuckled, accepted two gold ingots from his brother Xu Wang, and handed them to the boys.
The brothers bowed on either side of the door,
“Brother-in-law, please proceed, and may you and our sister be united in heart and eternal happiness.”
With the formalities complete, it was time for Pei Ruolian to leave in the bridal sedan.
Shaohuai, following grandmother’s instructions, went to the bride’s room,
“Elder sister, I’m here.”
Since Ruolian had no younger brother, Shaohuai was to escort her. She reached out her hand,
“Thank you for seeing me off.”
Shaohuai held her hand tightly, walking ahead despite being shorter. His small hand even perspired—he wanted to fulfill his duty properly.
Ruolian took small steps so her little brother could keep up.
Once in the sedan, Xu’s family arrived.
Before parting, Shaohuai said seriously,
“Elder sister, once you enter your new home, remember that Shao Jin and I will always be your support. I recognize you as my sister, and I hope you recognize me.”
Ruolian did not speak. A tear rolled down her cheek. She nodded to Shaohuai, then, led by Xu Zhan, entered Xu’s mansion.
Back at the Count’s estate, the courtyard was in chaos.
Lan, seeing her elder sister married, was inconsolable. The tears she had held back flowed freely.
She locked herself in her room, refusing to answer anyone, burying her head in sorrow:
“My sister is married. From now on, I don’t know who I’ll have to talk to…”