Xia Ning looked somewhat suspicious, anger gathering between her brows. “Don’t tell me you’re still thinking about that Lu fellow?”
Lin Shuyi glanced at Lin Jingchu and explained, “Mother, when Second Sister and I went out today, that Lu man stopped our carriage in the street. Second Sister strictly observed propriety and didn’t say a single extra word to him. It’s obvious she’s already given up on him. She was young before, and her past mistakes were due to being deceived. Please don’t bring it up again.”
Xia Ning’s expression softened slightly, though she still shot Lin Jingchu at a cool glance. “If you listen to me and marry a good husband, I’ll send you off in a grand wedding procession stretching ten li. But if you disregard propriety and decide your marriage on your own, then when you suffer after marriage without your natal family supporting you, don’t come crying about it.”
Lin Jingchu: A dowry procession stretching ten li.
Ten li of red bridal trousseau.
Red Trousseau.
Trousseau…
Those four words were worth more than a basketful of marriage-pushing speeches.
“I shall follow Mother’s teachings in all things.” Lin Jingchu obediently bowed, then suddenly remembered something. “The Zhang family won’t get their property confiscated, right?”
She still had lingering fears from the last time that cousin’s entire family had been ruined.
Xia Ning rolled her eyes at her. “Don’t worry. Even if the Lin family were confiscated first, it still wouldn’t be the Zhang family’s turn.”
Lin Shuyi covered her mouth and laughed. Seeing such harmony within the family made her genuinely happy. With slender fingers, she lifted a porcelain wine pot and poured drinks. “Mother, it seems our family is gaining another joyous occasion. Daughter offers you a toast.”
With this marriage alliance with the Zhang family, she would no longer have to remain entangled with Zhao Jin. That was the best.
This younger sister of hers, though only a sister in name, was not bad-hearted. She had even saved her today. If the sisters worked together in the future, they could surely make the family prosper further.
The three women raised their cups and drank them dry.
After several rounds of wine, Lin Jingchu’s cheeks turned slightly red. Supporting her chin with one hand, she let out a delicate hiccup. “How nice. In this era, getting married doesn’t even require worrying about future livelihood. Feels like you could get married several times.”
“What nonsense are you saying?” Xia Ning scolded with a laugh, though her heart ached indescribably.
Ever since birth, this daughter of hers had used and eaten only the best things in the world. If she had truly been well cared for in the Lu household, why would the very first thing she worried about upon hearing of marriage be livelihood?
That pack of beasts in the Lu family!
Lin Shuyi also looked concerned. She reached out to tuck the loose strands of hair at Lin Jingchu’s forehead behind her ear. “Second Sister must have suffered quite a bit. On the carriage ride back, whenever money was mentioned, she kept sighing endlessly.”
As the legitimate daughter of the Marquis Manor, with a birth mother from a prestigious clan who had left her a considerable dowry before dying, Lin Shuyi had never known what it felt like to lack money. After Xia Ning entered the household, she had treated Lin Shuyi as her own daughter and never deprived her in food, clothing, or expenses.
Lin Shuyi’s words were practically saying outright that the Lu family had mistreated Lin Jingchu.
That night, Lin Shuyi voluntarily suggested that Lin Jingchu stay overnight in her courtyard.
The Pingyang Marquis Manor had few children. In the past, Lin Shuyi had always envied families with many sisters—young ladies of the inner chambers laughing and chatting together. Now, she finally had a younger sister too.
Seeing the sisters getting along so well, naturally delighted Xia Ning. On the way back, she began planning Lin Jingchu’s marriage in earnest.
Today had merely been a test of her attitude. Since Lin Jingchu wasn’t opposed, Xia Ning now felt confident enough to approach the Zhang family about the marriage.
Nanny Fei left together with Xia Ning. Once they reached the main courtyard, they discussed the day’s events.
“The eldest young lady is very thoughtful. After Madam explained the pros and cons of marrying the imperial family, she gave up the idea entirely. As for today’s incident, it was simply that the First Prince behaved far too improperly.”
“You’re saying Jing’er smashed through a wall to save Shuyi?”
“Second Young Lady is both courageous and resourceful, and she remains calm under pressure. In the future, she may very well become an excellent mistress of a household. Madam, are you sure marrying her to Third Young Master Zhang isn’t lowering her station too much?” Nanny Fei had her own private motives. In the future, she will accompany Lin Jingchu as part of her dowry attendants. If Lin Jingchu married better, she herself would live better too.
Xia Ning rubbed her forehead. The maid attending behind her immediately stepped forward to massage her temples.
“You know Jing’er’s reputation in the capital. That venomous woman from the Lu family let her sleep until midday every day and never hired female tutors for her. Everyone in Bianjing knows the Lu family has a lazy, gluttonous young lady who disrespects her elders. Even within the Marquis Manor’s status, the great aristocratic clans would never fancy a daughter with such a bad reputation.”
Mama Fang, the household steward who was tidying the bed nearby, chimed in:
“Third Young Master Zhang’s mother died early, and his father has always traveled outside managing business. He’s an only son and was raised in the eldest branch of the family. He’s still young and likes to have fun, but he knows his limits. Years ago, the old master already divided the eldest and second branches of the family, so there’ll be no mother-in-law controlling her. The Zhang family’s eldest young master is upright and principled, and he disciplines his younger brothers strictly. The Zhang family has excellent family values. If our Second Young Lady marries there, she’ll live a carefree life forever. It’s truly an excellent match.”
Only then did Nanny Fei look toward Xia Ning. After a long pause, she sighed. “Madam truly has considered everything thoroughly.”
“It’s not only for that reason. I’ve noticed recently that Shuyi and Jing’er are becoming increasingly close. If the sisters marry into the same family, then even if Jing’er makes mistakes, Shuyi can help support her.”
Without makeup, dark shadows lay beneath Xia Ning’s eyes; exhaustion thick upon her face.
She took out a pair of white jade bracelets from her jewelry box and personally slipped them onto Nanny Fei’s wrists. “You are dependable. In the future, take good care of Jing’er. Once she secures her footing in her husband’s household, you’ll have a fine future ahead of you too.”
The pair of white jade bracelets were part of Xia Ning’s dowry. They were not only valuable, but also tremendous honors.
Nanny Fei’s eyes filled with tears as she thanked her.
The next day—
When Lin Jingchu awoke, her nose was filled with the pleasant fragrance of roses.
Beyond the pale green gauze bed curtains, Lin Shuyi sat in front of a mirror doing her makeup. Hearing movement, Chenshuang instructed the maids to bring in washing supplies and help Lin Jingchu freshen up.
“You’re awake, little sister.”
Lin Shuyi’s black hair hung half-loose; her face untouched by cosmetics, looking like a lotus fairy. Lin Jingchu had only just finished washing when she saw this sight.
The bedroom was elegantly furnished. Lin Shuyi possessed an enormous shelf filled with all kinds of cosmetic tools and powders, every piece crafted from expensive materials.
An entire row of jeweled hairpins and jade ornaments glittered atop the table.
Even someone as unknowledgeable as Lin Jingchu could tell they were all valuable treasures.
“I dug these out from the storeroom. Pick whichever ones you like, little sister. Consider them my thank-you gift.” Smiling brightly, Lin Shuyi pulled Lin Jingchu over to sit beside the dressing table.
Lin Jingchu swallowed hard. Just as she was about to refuse, Lin Shuyi had already picked up two dangling hairpins and started comparing them against her hair.
“Mother sent the word that the day after tomorrow is the old madam of the Zhang family’s birthday banquet. We’ll all be attending. Morning greetings have been suspended these next two days so we can prepare properly.”
Now that the two families were arranging a marriage alliance, they naturally had to attend such an important occasion.
Lin Shuyi was enthusiastic to an almost excessive degree. Seeing how excited she was, Lin Jingchu simply allowed herself to dress up.
Even Madam Xu’s lessons shifted toward etiquette for banquets and formal greetings.
Before class, Madam Xu looked at Lin Jingchu with obvious amazement. “Second Young Lady usually dresses plainly, but today, adorned in these fine clothes and jeweled ornaments, she truly resembles Madam Xia.”
Lin Shuyi looked immensely proud and very satisfied with her masterpiece for the day.