Chapter 47: Pei Zisu Seeks Her Hand in Marriage, and the Entire City Celebrates

Lady Pei had arrived with a menacing air, but she left looking remarkably amiable. The servants of the Jiang household, unaware of the situation, found it quite strange, especially remembering how chaotic and unpleasant her last visit had been. Yet, they had little time to ponder this, as the master of the house immediately ordered the staff to scrub the premises from top to bottom, citing the fact that the eldest daughter of the house was to be betrothed the very next day.

Though the servants were rushed off their feet, they worked with great diligence, buoyed by the triple bonus they had been promised in advance, and soon, a festive mood took hold.

In the Tai'an Courtyard, where the Old Madam Jiang resided, the atmosphere was somber.

"Such a major event, yet you didn't tell us in advance! When the Marchioness came to inform us, she was so arrogant and high-handed that I was left without a shred of dignity!"

"Mother, do not blame my sister-in-law. It was indeed our Jiang family that was in the wrong first; they are like birds startled by the mere twang of a bowstring after being bitten by a snake. Since this matter has already been agreed upon, I had to swallow my pride to smooth things over. If handled well, the two families might reconcile, but if any more trouble arises, do not blame me for failing to honor family ties. If anyone needs to be kicked out of this estate, I will do it, and I mean what I say!"

Second Aunt Zhang knew her brother-in-law was addressing her. She wanted to lash out, but lacked the confidence to do so. Old Madam Jiang, however, was displeased.

"How can you speak like that? Zhang may have a thousand faults, but she and Jin'er have been the ones caring for me all these years. You, as a son, come and go early and late, never to be seen. After Chuan Niang died, you never remarried. Now, every other word out of your mouth is about disregarding family ties or kicking people out. You might as well drive me out too!"

Zhang felt guilty and dared not speak, but she forced out a few tears at the Old Madam’s protection. Jiang Huaishan remained silent, his gaze fixed on his sister-in-law, his expression stern and icy.

"Enough. That A-nian has found a match is also beneficial for our family. Let the past be the past; from now on, let us keep to our own affairs and maintain the appearance of a harmonious family."

Jiang Huaishan remained silent for a moment before giving a muffled grunt of agreement and leaving without a word of farewell. Watching her son's retreating figure, the Old Madam felt a pang of sadness. Zhang stepped forward to soothe her, and for a moment, the two women appeared quite close.

Because the Jiang family had suddenly begun purchasing goods on such a grand scale, those with their ears to the ground quickly realized there was a joyous occasion afoot. It stirred widespread curiosity: they had never heard of the eldest Miss Jiang being courted, so how could she be getting betrothed so suddenly? Many wondered if the groom’s family was perhaps not of a respectable stature, necessitating a hasty arrangement. Everyone waited for the spectacle to unfold the next day.

Meanwhile, at the Prince Chun Estate, Jiang Shijin, the Crown Princess Consort, stared at the red invitation in her hands with a grim expression.

"Your eldest sister truly has a knack for things, managing to climb into the Pei family of Hanzhou—and with Pei Zisu at that! He is the Emperor's favorite, a young man already holding the third-rank title of General Huaihua. If he inherits the headship of the Pei clan, he will be the undisputed master of Hanzhou. When you return for the ceremony, you must put on a good show. It will be useful for my official business in the capital. Once I finish my duties at the River Conservancy Office, I shall certainly go myself!"

She had calculated everything, yet she never expected that a sickly thing like her eldest sister could secure a husband even the Crown Prince envied. A wave of hatred surged within her. In her past life, she had suffered enough grievances; she thought that by taking her sister’s place, she would finally live the life of a superior, yet she found she still had to bow to her!

Prince Song did not notice the tears welling in his wife’s eyes, his mind occupied solely with the thought of having such a powerful brother-in-law. Suddenly remembering something, he left with a curt, "I will not return tonight." As soon as he was gone, Jiang Shijin’s tears began to flow. Her maid, Lingzhi, seeing her mistress so distressed, felt a matching ache in her heart and offered a handkerchief.

"Do not grieve, Your Highness. Even if she marries into the Pei family, she is but a subject. How can they compare to our Prince Chun Estate? When the Prince inherits the title, you will be the Princess Consort of Chun. Even the Old Madam of the Wen-yuan Marquis Estate will have to rise and bow to you. Why bother with such trifles? Your top priority is to conceive a child. Do not forget, those two vixens in the Zhao family are still watching you like hawks!"

Her words snapped Jiang Shijin back to reality. Indeed, the Pei family might be powerful, but they were mere subjects, and Hanzhou was far away. As long as she secured her position as the Princess Consort and gave birth to the eldest son, she would be the future Princess of Chun. Thinking this, the tightness in her chest eased.

Wiping her tears, she said, "You are right. Lingzhi, bring me that Dongting flute the Prince gave me. I shall send it as a wedding gift to my sister tomorrow. It originally belonged to her anyway. I want to see how the young General of the Pei family reacts when he sees it!"

"As you command, Your Highness."

The betrothal, yet to be finalized, was already the subject of intense gossip. Jiang Shiyuan, the person at the center of it all, managed to get a good night’s sleep with the help of some calming tea.

When she woke, the sun had already risen. It was a clear day in June, and perhaps by coincidence, the morning sun bathed Xijing City in a brilliant, shimmering light. As the commoners began setting up their stalls, a procession suddenly appeared on Danyang Road.

The procession consisted of over a hundred people, moving to the beat of drums and gongs. Dressed in red with black sashes, they carried heavy red sandalwood chests toward Luoying Lane with great energy. The commotion was so grand that many stopped their business to watch in curiosity.

"Who is that? Such a grand display!"

"Old Wang, are your eyes failing you? That is the Pei family! And isn't the one in the lead the young General Pei, who just won that great battle recently?"

"Oh, they have wedding decorations on the chests. Are they going to propose?"

"Indeed, it must be! But I've never heard of any young lady catching his eye."

The crowds gathered, and the servants from various noble estates, sent to investigate the Jiang family's sudden news, followed closely behind. Everyone wondered: could the two families truly be joining in marriage?

Pei Zisu was naturally a flamboyant soul. Had he been in Hanzhou, he would have celebrated for three days, and even here in the capital, having borrowed the ceremonial guard from Princess Qinghuan, he felt it still wasn't enough. He glanced at his sister, Pei Ziyao, who knew his temperament well, and she shouted loudly:

"What is this? Are you all too tired from waking up early? Strike the drums and gongs louder! If I hear the sound echoing three times, everyone gets a reward of a hundred taels after the day is done!"

A hundred taels! Even after years of service in the Princess's estate, they had never seen such generosity. They erupted with renewed vigor, their performance drawing even more onlookers who whispered and pointed.

Seeing this, Pei Zimiao laughed. "I must say, Big Brother's betrothal is too extravagant. If Mother finds out we're making such a scene, she'll lecture us again."

"Why fear? Aunt said she would take the blame if the sky fell. The livelier, the better. We must let all those noisy families in Xijing know that this future sister-in-law of ours is the one the Pei family treasures most! None can compare!"