Huzhou was exceptionally lively that day, with gongs, drums, and firecrackers resounding throughout the city. The grand wedding procession stretched far and wide. Leading the way were rows of guards clad in armor, followed by an eight-person sedan chair, and behind it, the bridal escort and dowry, winding along like a ten-mile red tapestry.
Xia Shiyan was unusually sentimental. His daughter, raised with care and education, was now marrying far away, and he wondered when they would meet again. Lady Zhen, on the other hand, had tears in her eyes mixed with a glimmer of hope.
She hoped her daughter would not suffer abandonment as she had, but instead become the rightful principal wife of a distinguished husband from a prominent family, living a life of increasing harmony and happiness.
“Qi Ge, you must study hard and pass the imperial examinations early. That way, your two elder sisters will have something to rely on.”
Qi Ge was already twelve years old and understood why his mother spoke these words. Grandmother Xia, the honorable lady, had said that his mother arranged better marriages for his two sisters to pave the way for him. With the support of his sisters in the future, his prospects would surely be bright.
Yet, as the only son of the Xia family, he also had to consider the well-being of the entire household.
Grandmother Xia did not look after Yuanniang, who had lost her mother, but instead focused solely on her grandson, keeping him by her side at all times. Lady Zhen and his two sisters rarely saw him except during meals, never daring to speak harshly to him, always coaxing him gently. Now, seeing him, Lady Zhen spoke to him as if he were an adult, a rare occurrence.
“I understand, Niang.” Though raised with indulgence by Grandmother Xia, he was naturally gentle and not accustomed to hardship. Yet, with the marriages of his two elder sisters, he felt the weight on his shoulders grow heavier.
Seeing her son so sensible, Lady Zhen felt comforted.
**
The journey from Huzhou to the capital was entirely by waterway. At first, boarding the ship was quite exciting. Yun Niang had only vague memories of traveling with her parents to other postings when she was young. Since becoming sensible, she had remained in Huzhou and never ventured far from home, so being outside was a great joy.
As long as she didn’t leave the cabin, it was fine. Inside, she had already removed the red bridal veil and wedding gown. Given the long journey, wearing them for so long would likely leave them stale and unpleasant by the time they reached the capital.
Yun Niang was a woman of strong opinions, with her own way of doing things in life.
It was said that a bride should keep her red wedding gown on without removing it to ensure a smooth marriage. But Yun Niang knew that if she wore the gown for two months, it would become as stiff and unappealing as dried pickled vegetables. If the groom fainted from the smell during the wedding ceremony, it would be far too embarrassing.
Thus, she decided to wear the gown only in front of others. In private, she would change into a similar-looking dress. As long as she stayed inside the cabin, no one would know.
Breakfast turned out to be porridge made from imperial red rice, a tribute item Yun Niang had only heard of. After all, she had spent most of her time confined at home, and her only indulgence was food and drink.
The red rice porridge was soft, glutinous, and pleasantly chewy, served with a few plates of delicate pickles and assorted pastries. Yun Niang placed several plates in front of Feixu and Shuangyan. “You two should have something to eat too. The journey to the capital is still long, but thankfully the weather is gradually cooling down. We can bear it inside here.”
Feixu and Shuangyan thanked her repeatedly.
Shortly after, Nanny Hu arrived. She was Yun Niang’s wet nurse, stern in appearance but most affectionate toward her.
Yun Niang trusted her implicitly. Seeing her enter, she hurriedly said, “Nanny Hu, I saved some porridge especially for you. Please have some too.”
Mama Hu smiled and said, “Thank you for your kindness, Miss.” After speaking, she sat back down and whispered, “Please rest assured, Miss. I have already spoken to our people and told them to restrain themselves properly, so as not to stir up any trouble. Otherwise, they shouldn’t blame you for sending them back.”
Sending them back meant leaving them to Lady Zhen for punishment. Though Lady Zhen appeared delicate and frail, her methods were thunderous and severe. The servants trembled in fear, none daring to cause any trouble.
“With Mama here, I feel at ease,” Yun Niang replied. She had no knowledge of what the future held, and for now, she could only be cautious and prudent in her words and actions.
Lady Bian, seeing that the bride never made any demands and that the Xià Jiā servants were well-behaved and disciplined, felt reassured and somewhat relieved.
The official ship sailed smoothly, undisturbed by anyone along the way. Yun Niang spent her time reading books, while during her leisure hours, Nanny Hu and the others would inquire a bit with the people from the Houfu. They managed to gather quite a bit of information—slightly more than what her sister had learned in the capital.
Most of it was about Mu Shi.
But in Yun Niang’s view, this was all too extraordinary.
Lady Bian spoke incessantly of the Old Madam and Lady Hou, clearly indicating she was sent by Lady Hou. In fact, from the people Lady Hou had sent, one could glean a thing or two—they were all meticulous in their work, careful not to make mistakes, preferring to do nothing rather than stand out.
“It is said that this Third Master actively sought to take over Second Master’s position in the Five City Military and Police Command. Later, he won the Marquis’s favor and was transferred to the Court of Judicial Review. This time, he led troops on behalf of the Marquis to suppress bandits. I heard the Heir Apparent happened to be unwell, so Third Master volunteered to go.”
No wonder Yun Niang found it strange. The marriage proposal sent by the Mu Family stated that Mu Shi was the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, yet Lady Bian said he had gone to suppress bandits? Suppressing bandits was not at all the responsibility of the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. Why would he go? Now it became clear—he was capable of doing everything.
It’s just…
Yun Niang hesitated, “In that case, shouldn’t he have sought an extremely advantageous marriage?” Someone with such high ambitions—how could he agree to such a marriage? Moreover, the deceased Madam Pang’s family was only a sixth-rank official, even lower in rank than her own father.
Nanny Hu was indeed resourceful. She had built a good relationship with Yun Huan, who served Lady Bian. Of course, this relationship was bought with her generosity. Although Yun Huan was tight-lipped, she did reveal a little.
Lady Bian did not want to make this trip in vain. If her husband were to be promoted and ennobled in the future, Lady Hou would surely consider him first. But for the servants, after such a long and tiring journey, they naturally hoped for rewards.
Moreover, Nanny Hu was inquiring about Mu Shi, not about the people of the General’s Mansion, so it was only natural for Yun Huan to share some information with her.
Thus, upon hearing this, Nanny Hu said, “I found it strange too, but Yun Huan said that Lady Hou is the most kind-hearted person. Knowing that Third Master was no ordinary man, she wanted our Son-in-law to marry Princess Chengyang. However, the Son-in-law refused. He said he had taken a liking to the talented Miss Pang, the eldest daughter of the Pang family in the capital at the time. Although Miss Pang’s background was ordinary, her literary talent was exceptional. Third Master’s birth mother also particularly liked her, so he went to plead with the Marquis. That was why he went against Lady Hou’s wishes and became engaged to Miss Pang.”
After saying this, Nanny Hu, fearing Yun Niang might feel hurt, added proactively, “Miss, the departed is gone. No matter how much the Son-in-law liked Madam Pang, once you enter the household, you will be the rightful wife.”
Who would have thought that Yun Niang suddenly smiled? She was already born with heavenly beauty, and such a smile was simply dazzling.
She gently shook her head, “Mama, you are mistaken. This Third Master is so ambitious and unwilling to marry a princess not because he truly fancies Madam Pang, but because our dynasty has a rule: a Fuma who marries a princess can only hold nominal positions. This is different from the imperial consorts who enter the palace. Consorts can still bring favor to their families, but a Fuma? Not only must he live separately from the princess, surviving under her watchful eye, but he is also barred from holding office for life. If he were a leisurely man of wealth and status, he might accept it calmly, but how could someone as driven as Third Master become a kept man living at others’ mercy?”
That made sense. Nanny Hu brightened again, “Miss, now you can rest assured. With such an ambitious son-in-law, you will have good days ahead.”
Yun Niang raised an eyebrow, not as simple-minded as Nanny Hu believed. Which family’s principal wife would allow her own son to achieve such success? Unless he were a sage.
As a man, Third Master could move about freely outside, unconcerned with the inner household, but she would suffer.
Yet these words were unnecessary to share with Nanny Hu. It would not be wise to disrupt morale at this time.
Previously, all household matters were decided by Lady Zhen, but now she was in charge. If she herself grew fearful and showed weakness, those beneath her would become even more timid and hesitant.
Seeing the young lady so composed, Nanny Hu felt somewhat reassured and thought to herself, after all, she is the principal wife’s own daughter—except for her appearance, she excels in every way. The eldest sister learned to manage household affairs, while the second sister, in addition to household matters, had a clear understanding of official matters.