Shen Yunshu never found that lost bamboo tube in the end.
The carriage hired by Tinglan didn’t have it, and by the time she rushed to Fengle Restaurant, the Pei Family’s carriage was already gone.
It was too awkward to chase after them to the Pei Residence for inquiries, so she gave up.
There was something wrong with the wine in that bamboo tube.
If someone drank it by mistake…
Shen Yunshu didn’t dare to think any further.
She stayed anxious and uneasy for several days, until the Pei Family came knocking again with a marriage proposal.
Her worries were soon drowned out by the joy of the occasion, and she guessed that the bamboo tube hadn’t caused any serious trouble.
So she stopped thinking about it.
Regarding the marriage between Pei Huaian and her third younger sister, Shen Yunshu brought up the matter to her father the day he returned from court, so he could be prepared.
She had expected her father to approve of the match, but unexpectedly, after hearing her out, he shook his head and said, “My daughter, your third younger sister…is not suitable for that family.”
“How is she not suitable?”
Shen Yunshu couldn’t help but feel puzzled.
Her father had always doted on her third younger sister, so why did he belittle her at such a moment?
Besides, Liang Wulang from General Zhenhu’s Manor was no worse than Pei Huaian.
If her third sister could be matched to him, she should naturally be a fit match for Pei Qi Lang as well.
“My third younger sister is pure and kind-hearted, optimistic and carefree. Though she lacks intellect and knowledge, Pei Qi Lang himself is not ambitious and indulges in pleasure. They have similar temperaments, and their appearances suit each other. Besides, our two families are of comparable status. Why does your father think she’s not good enough for Pei Qi Lang?”
Her father sighed and added, “Two children still immature, how could they live well together?”
“You don’t have to worry about that. My third sister and I will both marry into the Pei Family. Being sisters and also sisters-in-law, I will definitely support her well. Besides, Pei Qi Lang’s mother passed away early, and his father is often away on business, so my third sister won’t have to serve in-laws…”
But her father still refused, “Even so, I’m not at ease. Before the Pei Family officially sends someone to propose, you should go see Pei Qi Lang tomorrow and tell him it was just a joke today. Tell him not to take it seriously.”
“I won’t go. If you can’t give me a proper reason today, then I will go find Mother to reason with her…”
Stubborn as always, Shen Yunshu left her father, Shen Tingyu, helpless.
After a moment of silence, he said, “Your father and Pei Qi Lang’s father were classmates once, but they fell out badly. If You Ran marries his son, it would be awkward for both your father and him.”
So there was such a grudge between her father and Pei Huaian’s father.
Shen Yunshu felt a bit shaken but thought it over carefully and found it odd.
“If your father and Pei uncle have a deep grudge, the Old Madam Pei would surely know about it. But since she chose me to be her grandson’s wife, it means she doesn’t mind your old feud…”
Before her father could object again, she continued, “If the Pei Family really comes to propose, please don’t reject them immediately. I don’t want Father to know that there is a scoundrel eyeing my third younger sister right now. The reason I’m so eager to arrange a marriage for her is to protect her from that scoundrel. Please negotiate with the Pei Family first, don’t finalize anything, just use them as a shield to protect my third sister.”
“Who is that scoundrel eyeing You Ran?”
“Father doesn’t need to know who it is. Please trust me this once.”
“Very well, let it be so for now.”
Shen Yunshu had worked hard to convince her father, unaware that Old Madam Pei had also pondered over the matter when she learned her grandson was to marry Shen’s third daughter.
Two years ago, when arranging a marriage for her eldest grandson Pei Huaijin, the Old Madam had looked through eligible girls in Jingcheng and had some understanding of Shen’s third daughter.
She knew the girl was beautiful but empty-headed and ignorant, very different from the virtuous and genteel Shen Family Eldest Daughter.
But the Old Madam also knew her youngest grandson was a man all show and no substance, so the third daughter was at least a match for him.
However, she still hoped to find a clever, diligent, and gentle wife for her grandson, someone who could manage the household, support her husband’s progress after marriage.
For example, the Meng Family Maid who once served in the main wife’s household was somewhat weak in character but barely met the Old Madam’s standards.
Unfortunately, Little Seven didn’t like her and wasn’t willing to marry her.
That maid ended up going to Liang Wulang’s household in the Marquis of Changxing Manor and would be married soon.
Now Little Seven fancied someone even less suitable than that Meng maid.
The Old Madam wished he had just married the Meng maid in the first place.
She had earnestly advised her grandson, “A wife should be a wise and virtuous one. If Shen’s third daughter were half as virtuous as her eldest sister, I would agree, but really…”
But Little Seven stubbornly shot back, “Grandmother, I don’t like virtuous girls. I like girls who just stay at home and don’t know how to do anything…”
What nonsense was that?
The Old Madam frowned and refused to agree.
Little Seven’s stubbornness rose, “If I can’t marry Shen’s third daughter, then I won’t marry anyone my whole life.”
The Old Madam was so annoyed she poked his head, “You’re crazy…”
In the end, it was Tang Mama from the Retirement Courtyard who persuaded the Old Madam.
Tang Mama whispered, “Old Madam, today the maid responsible for cleaning Seventh Young Master’s room found several clothes and handkerchiefs under the bed. Especially those underpants still had fresh stains. The little maid didn’t understand, but I do. It’s obvious Seventh Young Master is…”
The Old Madam couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the thought: this little monkey really fancies Shen’s third daughter, all the way to this extent?
In the end, the Old Madam’s heart was soft for her grandson.
Since he liked Shen’s third daughter so much, she might as well let him have his way.
But she couldn’t decide alone.
She remembered the old grudge between Little Seven’s father and Shen’s father, who had cut ties years ago.
Now that Little Seven insisted on marrying a Shen daughter, her son’s approval was necessary.
So ignoring her grandson’s urging, the Old Madam had someone write a letter to Quanzhou to ask Pei Yuanzhou’s opinion.
Before the letter was sent, Little Seven’s father returned.
He came back after leading a team at sea, planning to rest for a month, and took this chance to visit his elders in the capital and help arrange Pei Huaijin’s marriage.
When Old Madam Pei told him about Little Seven’s matter, he not only didn’t object but thought it was a good idea.
“But didn’t you sever ties with Shen Shangshu?”
“Yes, we haven’t been in contact for years,” Pei Yuanzhou smiled meaningfully, “Now’s a good chance to use our children’s marriage to mend the relationship.”
When the Pei Family sent officials to formally propose, Pei Yuanzhou went along.
Shen Tingyu originally wanted to brush off the proposal, but seeing his old friend arrive, the two drank together.
While renewing their friendship, they directly settled the marriage between their children.
After the Pei Family left, Shen Yunshu came to the front courtyard to ask her father how their discussion went.
Her father was drunk and sitting on the steps with legs crossed, reciting poetry.
He seemed quite in good spirits.
Seeing her, he patted the empty spot beside him and called her over.
With bleary eyes, he said, “I’ve agreed with Brother Yuanzhou that during his month in the capital, we’ll arrange You Ran’s marriage at the same time. Both you and You Ran will marry simultaneously. The Pei Family will have double happiness.”
Shen Yunshu was greatly surprised.
Just a few days ago, her father’s attitude toward this match had been vague, citing a grudge with Pei Huaian’s father.
How come today he called him “Brother Yuanzhou” and even fixed the wedding date for her third sister?
“Father, isn’t this rushing things?”
“It’s fine. They’re the ones rushing. The Pei Family will have their hands full marrying off two daughters-in-law at once. You and You Ran just need to wait quietly. I’ve already prepared You Ran’s dowry.”
Three days later, the Pei Family came with betrothal gifts — brocades and silks, pearl and jade coronets, tea, fruits, lamb, and wine piled high in the courtyard.
There was also a large redwood chest full of gold and silver ingots, carried in by two burly men who were panting from the effort.
Pei Yuanzhou had been in business for years; indeed, his wealth was impressive.
Shen You Ran only glanced at the gifts without even checking the gift list because her wedding dress was still unfinished.
Nowadays, young ladies often embroidered their own wedding dresses.
Earlier, her sister had helped her stitch it, but when her sister went to stay at the Pei Family Villa, You Ran thought she didn’t know when she’d get married and didn’t feel the need to hurry, so she left the dress half done in the cabinet.
She never expected her wedding to come so suddenly.
In the following days, she pulled out the half-embroidered wedding dress and embroidered frantically, her eyes swimming from the strain and tears welling up.
Fortunately, with her eldest sister’s help, the two sisters working together still had a chance to finish before the wedding.
But You Ran’s eyes were originally weak, and the urgency made the inflammation worse, turning her eyes red and watery.
Even after drinking medicine to reduce the heat for several days, the redness wouldn’t subside.
Seeing this, Shen Yunshu took the needle away and told her to rest her eyes first.
As for the rest of the embroidery, Shen Yunshu called on Tinglan and Qinghe, skilled female workers, to help.
As long as they kept quiet, no one would know You Ran hadn’t embroidered the dress alone.
You Ran wrapped ice in a handkerchief to soothe her eyes, lying on the beauty couch chatting with her sister.
“Sis, what does Pei Huaian look like?”
A few days ago, her eldest sister had brought a mochi treat from Fengle Restaurant, the same one You Ran had picked out at the temple fair but couldn’t afford.
Her sister said the masked young man who paid for it was Pei Huaian, the Pei Family’s Seventh Young Master.
At that time, her sister only told her that Pei Huaian wanted to marry her, but You Ran hadn’t even seen his face.
“He’s said to have a flawless jade-like complexion, like pine winds and flowing water — even purer than the bright moon, like celestial dew and bright pearls. How could anyone compare to his bright and clear appearance?”
You Ran hadn’t heard these poetic phrases before but understood the meaning.
“You mean he’s very handsome, right?”
Shen Yunshu nodded, “Yes, you don’t have to worry about his looks. He’s very suitable for you. Although he has a reputation for being a rake and acts frivolously, he hasn’t picked up any bad habits. He’s free-spirited but understands propriety and is filial — a genuinely kind-hearted person.”
You Ran lifted her little legs, happily saying, “The husband big sister picked for me can’t be wrong.”
Just as the wedding dress was about to be finished, the Lu Family sent a dowry for the two sisters.
Shen Yunshu had previously discussed with their mother that since they were marrying out of the Shen Family and she was busy helping her sister embroider the wedding dress, she hadn’t returned to the Lu Family recently.
The Lu Family steward, Steward Xu, came today to deliver the dowry, and Shen Yunshu asked him a few questions about Lu Yi.
After Lu Yi was sent to the magistrate’s office the other day, the Lu Family tried to intervene, but there was too much evidence, and the courtesan refused to recant her accusations.
Lu Yi was sentenced to thirty strokes of the cane and fifteen days of detention.
The fifteen days had passed, and the Lu Family had brought him back, putting him under house arrest to recover and reflect on his mistakes.
Shen Yunshu was pleased.
At least before the wedding, he couldn’t come bother her or You Ran.