Once the Liu Estate had finalized the candidate for marriage, they sent word to the Hou Manor. It was inappropriate for the woman’s family to visit first, lest outsiders think the Liu Estate was overly eager to climb the social ladder.
A few days later, the Hou Furen paid an early visit to the Liu family. Zhang Shi greeted her at the front gate, and the two women walked arm-in-arm to the reception hall.
“Dear in-law, how have you been lately?”
On fine huanghuali wood chairs adorned with deep purple silk cushions, the two matriarchs sat facing each other across a square table.
The Hou Furen took a sip of tea—Lu’an Guapian, refreshing with a subtle lingering sweetness.
After exchanging pleasantries, the Hou Furen got straight to the point.
“Has the matter of Huaijin’s remarriage been decided in your household?”
The Hou Furen smiled wryly: “I won’t hide it from you—a few days ago, Hao Ge’er caught a chill, and I stayed up with him for two consecutive nights. Perhaps it’s due to my age, but after Hao Ge’er recovered, I fell slightly unwell. I’ve been resting for a few days and only felt better recently, hence my visit. I hope you don’t mind.”
Hearing this, Zhang Shi frowned slightly, her face full of concern: “How are you feeling now?”
“Thank you for your concern, I’ve been better these past two days.” The Hou Furen nodded with a smile. “To prevent such incidents from recurring, the Houye believes the matter of remarriage should be expedited.”
“I’m glad you’re well. My husband and I have discussed this matter. Our Third Sister, Wu Jie’er, lost her birth mother early and has been raised under my care since childhood. She is sixteen, gentle in temperament, and sincere in her dealings with others.”
Zhang Shi slowly revealed the decision, subtly hinting to the Hou Furen that Liu Qingwu had been fully informed of the arrangements and had consented.
The Hou Furen felt considerably reassured. Although she had previously agreed to Qingyu’s suggestion, she had been somewhat worried that the subsequent Liu family girl might not care for Hao Ge’er wholeheartedly, which would defeat the purpose.
“Wu Jie’er? I seem to have some impression of her—the girl who always sits in the corner eating snacks?” The Hou Furen strained to recall Wu Jie’er’s face but could only conjure the image of a dark-haired crown in her memory.
Zhang Shi’s mouth twitched involuntarily. This impression was truly… reduced to being gluttonous.
“That should be her,” Zhang Shi replied awkwardly, changing the subject. “Would you like to meet her?”
“Let’s meet her.” The Hou Furen chuckled inwardly, curious about the face beneath that crown of hair.
“Princess Chang, peace be with you. Mother, peace be with you.”” Liu Qingwu followed the maid from her mother’s courtyard to the reception hall. Upon entering, she saw the two madams seated in the positions of honor. She approached respectfully and performed a flawless, dignified bow.
Here we go again, Zhang Shi thought from her seat. Putting on an act in front of outsiders. Well, at least it proved she had learned her etiquette well.
“This is our Third Sister, her given name is Liu Qingwu.” Zhang Shi turned to introduce her to the Hou Furen.
“Come closer.” The Hou Furen smiled and beckoned, removing an emerald bracelet from her wrist and placing it on Liu Qingwu’s hand. “She is a good girl.”
The three conversed pleasantly in the reception hall. After Liu Qingwu departed, the two matriarchs discussed further and agreed that the Hou Furen would select an auspicious date for the formal marriage proposal.
That evening, the Zheng courtyard of the Hou Manor was brightly lit.
Dinner had been prepared early in the Zheng courtyard, and the Hou Furen had sent someone to wait at the front gate beforehand. As soon as the father and son entered the manor, they were invited to the Zheng courtyard. After the meal, the three moved to another location, each holding a cup of tea, occasionally taking sips to aid digestion.
“Thud!” The sound of a teacup being set down drew the attention of the other two.
The Hou Furen slowly gathered her sleeves, the brocade fabric of her floral-patterned gown shimmering under the candlelight. She interlaced her hands before her: “Huaijin, I visited the Liu Estate today and met their Third Young Lady. Raised in the main courtyard since childhood, her manners appear quite proper.”
Upon hearing this, the Houye turned to look at their son together.
He and the Chang Princess shared a loving marriage and had two sons. The eldest was Jiang Yueheng, courtesy name Huaijin, upon whom they had placed great expectations since his birth. He never failed these hopes, having carried himself with the demeanor of a principled gentleman since childhood.
Even now, while discussing his marriage prospects, his expression remained unchanged, as if listening to matters concerning another.
“Yes, I have noted this,” Jiang Yueheng set down his teacup, replying indifferently.
“Once the Imperial Observatory selects an auspicious date, I will go to propose the marriage,” the Hou Furen sighed and added helplessly. Her son was perfect in every way except for his reticence.
After the three finished speaking, they moved to the side chamber of the Zheng courtyard.
The Hou Furen, uneasy about Hao Ge’er living alone, had arranged for him to reside directly in the side chamber since he moved in, facilitating both care and frequent check-ins.
Visiting Hao Ge’er’s room after meals had become a daily routine at the Hou Manor—a day without seeing him felt incomplete.
Hao Ge’er, having just been fed, lay obediently in the wet nurse’s arms, his small hands tightly clutching her collar.
The wet nurse, facing away from the door, rhythmically patted his back to burp him.
As the door opened, Hao Ge’er immediately spotted the three figures at the entrance. His chubby face blossomed into a smile, and he kicked his legs excitedly while waving his arms forward.
“Ah—ah, ah ah!” His plump little cheeks were utterly adorable.
Unable to resist, the Hou Furen’s heart melted with tenderness. She hurried forward, took the child onto her left shoulder, and formed a hollow palm with her right hand to continue patting his back.
The Houye also approached, gently taking Hao Ge’er’s small hand to play with him.
Jiang Yueheng stood a few steps away, quietly watching the scene before him, his thoughts subtly stirring.
The next day, during his break from duties.
Having temporarily concluded his official business, Jiang Yueheng picked up the teacup placed nearby. Lifting the lid, the aroma of tea wafted over, instantly soothing his tense nerves.
Li Yong, who had been waiting nearby, stepped forward to organize the documents into a neat stack. He then opened the food box, arranging the dishes one by one on the Anji.
“Deliver an invitation to the Third Young Lady of the Liu Estate. Tomorrow at noon, I will host her in the Tian room at Baixiang Lou,” Jiang Yueheng instructed after the meal was set.
“Yes, Shizi,” Li Yong acknowledged before striding away.
In the main courtyard of the Liu Estate, Zhang Shi was handling household affairs.
Shaoyao accepted the invitation handed over by a maid outside: “Madam, the Shizi has sent an invitation for the Third Young Lady.”
Zhang Shi gazed ambiguously at the invitation presented by Shaoyao: “Deliver it directly to her.”
Without examining the contents, Zhang Shi had it sent directly to Qingzhu Courtyard.
“Young Lady, the main courtyard has sent an invitation over,” Cuiguo brought the note to the grapevine arbor, the scene feeling familiar.
The dog days of summer had not yet passed, and the weather remained sweltering. In the same spot as before, a young woman napped on a rocking chair, an exquisite handkerchief covering her face. Beams of sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting pillars of light that outshone even the summer scenery.
“Let me see,” a lazy arm extended, then gave a slight shake, revealing the contents of the invitation.
“Ah, it’s inviting me to meet at Baixiang Lou tomorrow at noon.”
Liu Qingwu handed the invitation to Lianxin beside her and once again picked up the embroidered handkerchief to cover her face. “Go write a reply stating I will attend punctually tomorrow, and deliver it to Zheng courtyard.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Only the chirping of cicadas remained in the air.