CHAPTER 311: CHAPTER 311: SISTER-IN-LAW (6)

Xiqiu seemed to understand something, and turned to look at the Lady. Sure enough, she was glaring at her with an angry face. Although she didn’t speak, her hand outside the quilt was clenched into a fist, obviously quite angry!

Xiqiu was naturally not happy to come again, so she knelt down and saluted the Lady before withdrawing. Her curiosity about the contents of Fourth Master Xiao’s letter grew more intense. It was not until near the New Year that she heard Tong Xiyan mention that Fourth Master Xiao’s letter to the Lady was earnest, with tactful wording, thanking the Lady for taking care of Xiqiu. He promised to visit and give his proper thanks upon returning to Beijing from Liaodong.

He also mentioned that the Emperor held Tong Shenzhi in high esteem and asked the Lady whether Tong Shenzhi wished to stay in the Hanlin Academy, be posted elsewhere for training, or join the Six Ministries!

Xiqiu laughed for several days after hearing this. Writing such a letter to a future mother-in-law, ostensibly earnest yet threatening at every turn, was something only Fourth Master Xiao could do. No wonder the Lady said nothing and told her not to serve anymore!

When Fourth Master Xiao’s servant came to the Tong Mansion to fetch clothes, Xiqiu made two pairs of cotton boots in addition!

"Miss, are these things meant for the Grand Commander?" Chunyan asked with eyes full of laughter, holding the package. "Last time, the clothes you sent to the Marquis Mansion were also for the Grand Commander?"

Xiqiu smiled faintly without replying, which only made Chunyan more certain. If the Sixth Miss and her future husband got along well, life at the Marquis Mansion wouldn’t be too difficult as long as he protected her. As long as the Miss was happy, they had no other wishes!

"Miss, when will the Grand Commander come back?" There was no news from Liaodong, only that at the end of the year, the Emperor sent the Princely Heir Shen. Now everyone is hoping that Grand Commander Xiao can drive the Mongolian soldiers back to the grasslands, or better yet, capture some Khan alive...

By then, when the Grand Commander returns to Beijing gloriously and marries the Miss with a ten-mile red wedding procession, it will surely make many prominent young ladies envious!

Seeing her bright eyes and smiling face, Xiqiu guessed what she was thinking and tapped her forehead, saying, "Didn’t you say you were going to the market with Nanny Lai to buy New Year’s goods? Go and prepare!" Chunyan was taken aback, and her attention was diverted by Xiqiu. She laughed and said, "I’ll prepare right away, Miss."

Once she left, Xiqiu tightly furrowed her brow. What did the Emperor mean by sending the Princely Heir Shen?

Was it because he didn’t trust Fourth Master Xiao’s ability, or was it to let the Princely Heir Shen take military credit?

The Wuchang Bo Mansion had always acted low-key and remained neutral at court when the Third Prince was around, at least on the surface. Why was the Princely Heir Shen making such a high-profile solo trip to Liaodong this time?!

She couldn’t fathom it!

When the Nine-nine Cold Relief Map’s three plum branches were filled, the Tong Mansion welcomed the New Year. As it was still a period of national mourning, this year’s New Year was particularly quiet. Everyone gathered in the main house for the New Year’s Eve dinner, after which Xiqiu and Tong Xiyan played some leaf cards in the Lady’s room, then parted ways!

After Tong Xiyan’s birthday in early April, First Master sent a letter saying he’d return in mid-April. By March, after the Tong Mansion held a Water and Land Dharma Assembly at Puji Temple for Tong Xihua, the national mourning ended. It seemed as if everyone released their pent-up energy all at once, and nearly every family in town had packed restaurants every day. Marriages and weddings became busy in every mansion, with constant sounds of firecrackers!

The dowry from the Jiang Family was gradually moved into the Tong Mansion, in such quantities that it opened Xiqiu’s eyes. She had assumed that the dowry of Jiang’s fallen daughter’s family wouldn’t be much, so the initial betrothal gifts sent by the Lady were only forty-eight trays, totaling just four or five thousand taels. But looking at these things, combined with those yet to come, it was probably worth far more.

One wonders what the Lady feels about this.

In mid-April, First Master and Second Lady returned to the mansion. The Tong Mansion invited Scholar Liu from the Hanlin Academy as the wedding witness, with the wife of Lord Xu, the Assistant Minister of the Six Ministries, as the matchmaker, and the elder sister-in-law of the Second Lady as the Quan Furen. They delivered the gifts to the Jiang Family. On May 16, since Xiqiu wasn’t part of the ceremony, she remained in her room and heard the sound of firecrackers outside the courtyard. Tong Shen Zhi sat high on horseback as the wedding procession grandly went to the Jiang Mansion.

Many came to offer congratulations. The outer and inner courtyards were lively all day, and after sending off the guests, Tong Xiyan quietly came over: "Let’s go see the new sister-in-law. Most of the people in the bridal chamber have left, and big brother is still sending off guests in the outer courtyard. If we go now, no one will notice."

Xiqiu was curious about what Miss Jiang was like, but going now seemed somewhat inappropriate. She tugged on Tong Xiyan, saying, "Let’s wait a little longer. Tomorrow morning, during the recognition ceremony, we can see her!" She wondered what Tong Shen Zhi looked like in a big red wedding robe. Unfortunately, she hadn’t gone out today and missed the chance to see him.

Tong Xiyan pouted, clearly displeased, and Xiqiu laughed, saying, "I think you’re not interested in seeing the new sister-in-law. You want to see if your fourth brother-in-law is still there, right?!"

"Nonsense!" Tong Xiyan blushed and said angrily, "What’s it to me if he’s gone?" With that, she stomped out.

Early the next day, Nanny Fang went to Tong Shen Zhi’s new room to fetch the original handkerchief, smiling broadly as she emerged. The Lady’s expression also improved considerably.

The recognition ceremony was arranged in the Lady’s room. When Xiqiu and Tong Xiyan arrived, First Master was seated in the main hall. Madam Jiang knelt with her head lowered beside Tong Shen Zhi, and the two offered tea together. First Master accepted the cups with a smile and said, "Respect and love each other, branch out and flourish, may the joy of harmony endure," and handed them a thick red envelope.

Madam Jiang accepted it gracefully with her head bowed, her cheeks blushing, and then respectfully offered shoes and socks to First Master.

Xiqiu watched as the gold filigree with red gemstone double phoenix hairpin on her head slightly swayed before she stood up, supported by the maid beside her. The red satin coat was embroidered with an intricate pattern, and the gauze skirt cascaded like flowing water. Though not tall, her figure was exquisite and her movements were graceful, dignified compared to the daughters of elite families. Madam Jiang’s sophistication did not pale in comparison at all.

After paying respects to First Master, the couple entered the bedroom. Xiqiu waited outside because only after tea was served to the Lady would it be the younger generation’s turn for recognition.

Through the wall, Xiqiu couldn’t hear what the Lady said, but the atmosphere seemed good. When Madam Jiang emerged, her maid’s tray held an extra red envelope, a Mutton Fat Jade bracelet, and a hairpiece weighing about eight or nine ounces of red gold.

The Lady was gracious, seeming satisfied with the daughter-in-law she was initially discontent with.

When Madam Jiang came out, Xiqiu finally saw her face: a small, delicate nose, a small mouth, and eyes that weren’t large. She wasn’t considered beautiful, but she was charming with an intellectual grace. Xiqiu suddenly understood why First Master was determined to marry Madam Jiang, for she possessed a scholarly air similar to the daughters of the Tong Family.

As she thought, her gaze fell on Tong Shen Zhi. In his red wedding robe, he looked as handsome as jade, beautifully poised. Although his face appeared expressionless, his eyes occasionally drifted towards Madam Jiang, and the corners of his mouth softened slightly. It seemed that Tong Shen Zhi was quite satisfied!