The bamboo tube that Shen Yunshu lost was never found in the end.
There was nothing on the carriage Tinglan hired, and by the time she rushed to Fenglou Pavilion, the Pei Family’s carriage was already gone. It wouldn’t be appropriate to chase after them to the Pei residence to inquire, so she could only let it go.
The wine in that bamboo tube was problematic; if someone drank it by mistake…
Shen Yunshu dared not imagine further. She felt uneasy for several days, but when the Pei Family sent people to propose marriage again, her worries were swept away by the joyful event. She guessed that the bamboo tube had not caused any great trouble and decided not to dwell on it.
Regarding Pei Huaian’s betrothal to Third Sister, Shen Yunshu waited for her father to return home after court that day before bringing it up, hoping he would be prepared.
She originally thought her father would agree to the match. Unexpectedly, after hearing her, he shook his head. “Shu’er, your third sister… she’s not worthy of them.”
“How is she not worthy?” Shen Yunshu couldn’t help but feel puzzled. Her father had always doted on Third Sister, so why was he belittling his own daughter at such a time?
Moreover, back when the Liang Sixth Young Master from the Protector General’s residence proposed, he was no less than Pei Huaian. Since Third Sister could be matched with him, she could certainly be matched with Pei Qilang as well.
“Third Sister is kind and pure, cheerful and optimistic. Although she lacks intelligence and is not well-educated, Pei Qilang is also someone without great ambition, who prefers to indulge in play. Their temperaments are similar, their looks are well-matched, and our families are of equal status. Why does Father think Third Sister is not suited for Pei Qilang?”
Father sighed and said, “Two children who have not yet shed their childishness—how can they make a good life together?”
“Father, you need not worry about this. I will marry into the Pei Family alongside Third Sister. As both sisters and sisters-in-law, I will surely look after her. Besides, Pei Qilang’s mother passed away early, and his father is often away on business. Third Sister won’t need to serve her parents-in-law after marrying him…”
But Father still refused. “Even so, I am not at ease. Since the Pei Family hasn’t yet officially proposed, you should go see Pei Qilang tomorrow and tell him that what you said the other day was just a joke, and he shouldn’t take it seriously.”
“I won’t go. If Father can’t give me a real reason today, I’ll go to Mother to reason it out…”
Shen Yunshu grew stubborn. Even Shen Tingyu, her father, had no way to deal with her. After a moment’s silence, he said, “I was once schoolmates with Pei Qilang’s father, but we broke off ties over certain matters. If Yurou marries his son, wouldn’t it be awkward for both him and me?”
So Father and Pei Huaian’s father had such a history.
Shen Yunshu wavered for a moment, but after thinking carefully, she still felt something was off.
“If there was a deep grudge between you and Uncle Pei, the Old Madam of the Pei Family would know. Yet, she chose me as her granddaughter-in-law, which means she doesn’t mind the past between you…”
Before Father could argue further, Shen Yunshu continued, “If the Pei Family truly comes to propose, I hope you won’t refuse right away. I really don’t want you to know this, but there’s a scoundrel currently eyeing Third Sister. I’m in a hurry to arrange her marriage to guard against him. Please discuss the match with the Pei Family for now without making it official. Use the Pei Family as a shield to protect Third Sister…”
“Who is the rascal eyeing Yurou?”
“Father, you don’t need to know who it is. Please trust your daughter this once…”
“Fine, let’s leave it at that for now.”
Shen Yunshu spent much effort convincing her father, unaware that the Old Madam of the Pei Family was also deliberating over her youngest grandson’s intention to marry the third Miss of the Shen family.
Two years ago, when arranging a match for her eldest grandson Pei Huaijin, the Old Madam had considered all the eligible young ladies in the capital. She was somewhat familiar with the third Miss of the Shen family—beautiful, yes, but lacking in education and refinement, a world apart from the accomplished, dignified eldest Miss Shen.
Yet, the Old Madam knew her youngest grandson was all show and little substance—about the same as the third Miss Shen. In appearance, they were well matched. Still, she hoped to find him a quiet, intelligent, and diligent girl who could manage the household and support her husband.
For example, the Meng family maid who had served the eldest daughter-in-law—gentle though a bit weak—could barely pass the Old Madam’s standards. Unfortunately, Qilang didn’t fancy her. In the end, that girl was proposed to by Lin Fifth Young Master from the Marquis Changxing’s household and would be married off soon.
Now Qilang was interested in someone even less desirable than the Meng girl. It would have been better to force him to marry Meng’s maid back then.
The Old Madam had earnestly tried to persuade her grandson. “A wise wife is best. If the third Miss Shen had half her elder sister’s virtues, I’d agree, but as it is…”
But Qilang refused to listen and stubbornly argued, “Grandmother, I don’t like virtuous girls. I like the idle kind who knows nothing…”
What kind of talk was that?
The Old Madam scowled and refused to give in, but Qilang grew even more stubborn: “If I can’t marry Third Miss Shen, I won’t marry anyone for the rest of my life.”
Infuriated, the Old Madam poked his forehead. “You’ve really lost your mind…”
In the end, it was Granny Tang from Ciyou Courtyard who persuaded the Old Madam to give in.
Granny Tang quietly told her, “Old Madam, today the maid tidying up the seventh young master’s room found several clothes and handkerchiefs under his bed, and especially some undergarments with still-wet stains. The young maid didn’t understand, but this old servant does—it’s obvious the seventh young master… is already aware of certain matters…”
The Old Madam didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. This little rascal is that hungry for Third Miss Shen?
In the end, her heart softened for her youngest grandson. Since he liked the third Miss Shen so much, she might as well grant his wish.
But this matter was not hers to decide alone. She remembered that Qilang’s father and Shen Third’s father had a falling out years ago and hadn’t spoken since. Now that Qilang insisted on marrying a Shen daughter, her father’s consent was necessary.
Ignoring her grandson’s impatience, the Old Madam asked someone to write to Quanzhou to consult Pei Yuanzhou’s opinion.
But before the letter could be sent, Qilang’s father returned.
He’d just come back from leading a sea voyage, planning to rest for a month, visit his elders in the capital, and help with Huaijin’s wedding.
The Old Madam told him about Qilang’s situation. Unexpectedly, he not only did not object, but thought it was an excellent idea.
“But didn’t you break off with Minister Shen?”
“Yes, we haven’t been in touch for years,” Pei Yuanzhou replied with a meaningful smile. “Now is the perfect opportunity to mend ties through our children’s marriage…”
When the Pei Family sent an official matchmaker, Pei Yuanzhou accompanied them.
Shen Tingyu had intended to brush off the proposal, but seeing his old friend, the two shared a drink and rekindled their friendship, settling the marriage between the two children then and there.
After the Pei Family’s delegation left, Shen Yunshu went to the front courtyard to find her father, curious about what they’d discussed.
Father was drunk, having lost his usual dignified bearing. He sat on the steps, legs crossed, reciting poetry, looking rather pleased.
Seeing her, Father patted the empty space beside him, signaling her to sit, and said drunkenly, “I’ve settled everything with Yuanzhou. While he’s in the capital this month, we’ll arrange Yurou’s wedding as well. You two sisters will marry at the same time—Pei Family, double happiness…”
Shen Yunshu was surprised.
Just days ago, Father’s attitude towards this match had been ambiguous, citing old grievances with Pei Huaian’s father. Now he was calling him “Yuanzhou” and had even set the wedding date for Third Sister?
“Father, isn’t this too rushed?”
“It’s fine, they’re the ones in a hurry. Their family is marrying in two brides at once—plenty of busywork. You and Yurou just prepare for your weddings. Yurou’s dowry is already prepared…”
Three days later, the Pei Family sent over the betrothal gifts: fine silks and satins, pearl and jade ornaments, tea, fruit, sheep, and wine, filling the entire courtyard. There was also a large redwood chest stuffed full of gold and silver ingots, carried in by two panting strongmen…
Pei Yuanzhou’s years in business had truly made him wealthy and generous.
Shen Yurou just glanced over and didn’t even have time to check the gift list, since her wedding robe was still unfinished. It was popular for girls to embroider their own wedding dresses. Her elder sister had helped her for a while, but after moving to the Pei Family estate, she’d put it aside, thinking she wouldn’t be marrying soon anyway…
Who could have expected her wedding would come so suddenly?
For several days, she pulled out the half-finished robe and stitched until she was dizzy, nearly crying from the effort.
Fortunately, her eldest sister helped. The two of them working together made it possible to finish before the wedding.
But Shen Yurou’s eyes were weak to begin with, and in her haste, her inner fire rose, irritating her eyes until they were red and streaming with tears. Even after several days of taking medicine to lower the heat, the symptoms wouldn’t subside.
Seeing her like this, Shen Yunshu took the needle from her hand, telling her to rest her eyes. As for the remaining embroidery, Shen Yunshu called on Tinglan and Qinghe, both skilled in needlework, to help. As long as they didn’t mention it, no one would know the wedding robe wasn’t stitched by Shen Yurou alone.
Shen Yurou, wrapping ice in a handkerchief to cool her eyes, lay on the beauty couch chatting with her sister. “Sister, what does Pei Huaian look like?”
A few days earlier, Elder Sister had brought her a Mohéle—the very one she’d wanted at the temple fair but hadn’t been able to afford. She said the masked gentleman who paid for it that day was Pei Family’s Seventh Young Master, Pei Huaian.
At that time, Elder Sister only told her Pei Huaian wanted to marry her. Who would have thought she’d marry him before even seeing his face?
“He is as handsome as jade, his features elegant and refined—like the pine in the wind, the moon on the water. Nothing can compare to his grace; fairy dew and bright pearls cannot match his radiance①…”
Shen Yurou hadn’t heard such phrases before, but she understood. “So, what Sister means is, he’s very good-looking?”
Shen Yunshu nodded. “Mm, in short, you needn’t worry about his looks. He’s a perfect match for you. And though he has a reputation for frivolity and a playful nature, he’s never picked up any real bad habits. He’s straightforward, easy-going, filial, and has a kind heart…”
Shen Yurou, listening, happily kicked her legs. “A husband chosen by Elder Sister can’t be wrong.”
Just as the wedding dress was nearly done, the Lu family sent additional dowries for both sisters.
Shen Yunshu had already discussed with her mother that she would marry from the Shen house. These days, she had been busy helping her sister embroider the wedding robe and hadn’t returned to the Lu residence.
The person delivering the dowries today was Steward Xu from the Lu residence. Shen Yunshu asked him about Lu Yi.
After Lu Yi was taken to the magistrate, someone sent a message to the Lu family. They’d tried to pull some strings to get him out, but there were too many witnesses, and the courtesan was unyielding. In the end, he was sentenced to thirty strokes and fifteen days’ detention.
Now that the fifteen days were up, the Lu family had brought him back, put him under house arrest to recover and reflect on his actions.
Shen Yunshu was quite pleased. At least until her wedding, he wouldn’t be able to cause trouble for her or Yurou.
① Quotation alludes to classic poetic expressions describing a person’s incomparable appearance.
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