Chapter 56: The Betrothal Ceremony is Formally Concluded

As the eldest son of the Sheng family, Sheng Changbai was strictly following ritual norms at that moment, representing the family to step forward and welcome the betrothal procession.

As the procession passed by the Fan Tower, Madame Wei was leaning against the carved lattice window on the second floor, gazing intently at the betrothal gifts that resembled a scarlet-scaled dragon, a trace of complex tenderness welling up in the depths of her eyes.

"My lady, the tea is getting cold," her maid Huichun whispered from the side, offering a gentle reminder.

Madame Wei acted as if she hadn't heard a thing, only withdrawing her gaze with a sense of lingering loss after the procession had gradually faded into the distance.

"Is the eldest young lady of the Sheng family the same one from Madam Wu's literary gathering who excelled in both flower arranging and tea whisking?"

Huichun answered carefully, "Indeed. I hear that the eldest Sheng young lady is not only exceptionally talented, but also remarkably proper in her manners and social interactions. Although she comes from a fifth-rank official's household, her overall poise and bearing are by no means inferior to the daughters of dukes and noble marquises."

"Naturally, otherwise how could she be a suitable match for Young Master Zhao?" Madame Wei said, breaking into a faint smile.

"Speaking of which, Young Master Zhao hasn't visited the Guangyun Terrace for quite some time now."

Madame Wei turned her head to cast a glance at her. "The Hanlin Academy is bustling with official duties, and with a fine beauty by his side, how could Young Master Zhao possibly remember the Guangyun Terrace?"

Madame Wei was keenly aware of her own origins in the demimonde. Even though she held the reputation of selling her artistry rather than her body, the word "chastity" was ultimately compromised.

While the young scions of noble houses showered her with flattery and spared no expense in throwing thousands of gold pieces about when coming to listen to her music, who among them would not avoid her like the plague when it came to matters of marriage?

To marry into a respectable family and become a legitimate first wife was simply something she dared not even dream of.

In her view, if she could spend this lifetime as a cherished confidante to Zhao Han, it would already be the utmost fortune; how could she ever dare to covet anything more?

The auspicious hour had arrived, and the betrothal procession halted punctually outside the Sheng estate, accompanied by the harmonious playing of reed pipes and flutes, and the resounding noise of drums.

Before the steps of the main hall, the Sheng family's maids and pageboys lined up in rows to greet them.

The matchmaker, holding a gilded gift list in both hands, spoke in a ringing voice, every word sonorous and clear: "A predestined union made in heaven, a perfect match formed by fate!"

"The Zhao family has specially sent betrothal gifts! We respectfully present a pair of live wild geese, halls filled with gold and jade, a hundred bolts of fine silk, eight varieties of rare delicacies, and humbly invite Master Sheng and the Madame to graciously accept them—"

This proclamation was passed layer by layer through the pageboys into the main hall, and at every section it reached, a pageboy would raise his voice to repeat it.

For a time, the entire Sheng estate echoed with this joyous announcement.

Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu exchanged a beaming, radiant smile, and then spoke in unison, "Granted!"

As soon as the word "granted" was uttered, the drums and music burst forth with renewed vigor.

The betrothal gifts were carried into the manor in a continuous stream, their pearl and jade luster illuminating the entire hall.

The guests clicked their tongues in amazement as they gazed upon the lavish array of betrothal gifts.

Several madames who were on friendly terms with Wang Ruofu gathered around her and smiled. "I heard from my husband that your esteemed son-in-law is deeply favored by Master Hai at the Hanlin Academy, and his future prospects are boundless."

"I caught a glimpse of your esteemed son-in-law during the palace examination roll call—with his clear-cut features and the noble bearing of a fresh breeze on a bright moon, what a dashing young master!"

"If my young daughter had not yet reached the age of hair-pinning, I would certainly be vying with you for this marriage match."

"Madame is truly blessed! Such generous betrothal gifts are proof enough of the Zhao family's utmost sincerity."

Listening to the praises and congratulatory remarks ringing in her ears, Wang Ruofu shook her round fan with great velocity, forcefully suppressing the corners of her mouth as she feigned modesty and said, "Oh my, these are merely matters handled according to propriety."

"Do hurry and partake of some tea and pastries, everyone. Today's refreshments were specially commissioned from the chefs of the Fan Tower."

With that, she personally led the company toward the back courtyard's floral hall.

Wang Ruoru followed closely behind her, watching the mountains and seas of betrothal gifts piled high in the back courtyard, her smile gradually freezing.

She thought to herself that her sister and brother-in-law truly possessed extraordinarily good fortune!

In her letters, she had gone to great lengths to blacken the Yuan family's reputation in order to prevent them from latching onto the marquis's estate, yet in a blink of an eye, Wang Ruofu had managed to find a top-ranking palace graduate as a son-in-law with boundless prospects and a wealthy foundation.

The Third Scholar of the palace examinations was, after all, an imperial protégé; it was quite conceivable that he might one day enter the Grand Secretariat and become a chancellor.

Even her own mother had praised this marriage as a match made in heaven, having long since prepared more than ten trunks of dowry for Hualian.

Thinking of this, and then reflecting on the feather-ruffled mess of the Kang household, Wang Ruoru felt a stifling tightness in her chest. She gripped her handkerchief so hard she nearly bit through her pearly teeth.

Sheng Hong, accompanied by Sheng Changbai, was equally busy in the main hall entertaining the congratulatory guests.

He was seen cupping his hands in return salute with a radiant face, stroking his beard and smiling from time to time.

When the banquet concluded and the guests gradually dispersed, the Sheng family specially prepared generous return gifts, instructing the head steward to lead a dozen pageboys to dutifully escort them back to the Zhao household.

With this entire day's proceedings completed, the formal betrothal rites were officially concluded, and everyone in the Sheng household finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Old Madam Sheng's chambers had long since prepared hot tea and pastries, and Wang Ruofu and Sheng Hong walked together toward Shou'an Hall, chatting and laughing—a rare sight indeed.

"Mother!"

Wang Ruofu's cry startled Old Madam Sheng so much that the teacup in her hand gave a violent jerk, spilling nearly half a cup of hot tea.

Taking two steps in three, she hurried to the old madam's side, unable to conceal the joy on her face.

"I never imagined the Zhao family's financial resources ran this deep! The items inside those chests are all solid, genuine goods!"

"Goodness gracious! There are twenty bolts of top-grade Shu brocade alone, and the patterns are all the latest styles, along with two full sets of pure gold head ornaments, crafted with absolute exquisite detail!"

Old Madam Sheng steadied her expression and said softly, "A generous betrothal gift is a good thing, but we, the Sheng family, are marrying off a daughter; we are not after these material things."

"Do not act so unaccustomed to the world; if word gets out, it will only invite mockery."

Upon hearing this, Wang Ruofu nodded like pounding garlic. "Yes, yes, yes, Mother is entirely right."

Sheng Hong held the tallied betrothal goose inventory list, narrowed his eyes, and said in a deep voice, "Seal all those gold and silver, fabrics, money, and jewelry into the storehouse."

"Especially the items bestowed by the imperial court; you must instruct the servants to keep strict watch over them."

"When Hua'er is married off, every single one of them shall be added to her dowry, and not a single piece may be missing."

A scholarly and refined family like the Sheng household, which held a modest official rank while placing immense value on its reputation and public face, was most fastidious about ritual propriety.

Aside from seasonal foods and living creatures that were inconvenient to store, all the betrothal gifts delivered today would be taken back to the groom's family as part of the daughter's dowry. This was to avoid any gossip accusing them of greedily eyeing the betrothal gifts and selling their daughter for wealth.

"Imperial bestowed items?" Upon hearing these words, a trace of an unreadable, peculiar expression flashed across Old Madam Sheng's face.

Sheng Hong, while handing the betrothal goose inventory list into Old Madam Sheng's hands, spoke up, "Indeed."

"Young Master Han specifically received these as a reward from His Majesty when he was lecturing on historical classics for the sovereign a few days ago."

Old Madam Sheng lowered her eyelids and slowly closed the inventory list. After a moment of deep thought, she said:

"There are still a few months left before the wedding date. Have Hua'er move over to Shou'an Hall, and I will personally instruct her in some proper etiquette."

Wang Ruofu's face filled with confusion, and in her heart, she felt a profound reluctance to part with her daughter.

After all, once Hualian was married, the days when mother and daughter could see each other would become few and far between.

She had originally intended to use these final few months to share more intimate, heart-to-heart conversations with Hua'er.

"Mother, is there still something amiss with Hua'er? I thought she was already dignified enough."

How could Old Madam Sheng not know what was on her mind?

It was simply that there were certain matters she could not be certain of at the moment, nor did she know how to broach the subject.

Therefore, she only spoke mildly: "Listen to me, and you won't go wrong. Am I someone who would harm Hua'er?"

Although Sheng Hong did not understand the old madam's thoughts, he chimed in to support her, "Just listen to Mother on this."

"If Hua'er learns a bit more by Mother's side, it will come in handy in the future, and it will also bring honor to our family and to Rulan."

Wang Ruofu looked at the two of them, let out a soft sigh, and had no choice but to nod.

Stepping out of Shou'an Hall, Wang Ruofu furrowed her brows, her heart filled with displeasure.

"The old madam is truly something else. Having Minglan by her side isn't enough; even at a time like this, she still has to call Hua'er over."

Nanny Liu offered a gentle word of solace, "I reckon the old madam surely wants to impart more instruction to the eldest young lady regarding household management and the proper decorum of being a daughter-in-law and a wife. Madame need not feel so reluctant."

"I am, after all, born of the legitimate line of the Wang family, and I have managed the entire household of the Sheng family all these years."

"Could I possibly be incapable of teaching these things to my own daughter?"

As she spoke, Wang Ruofu's face grew terribly long.

Nanny Liu was momentarily at a loss for words. "What Madame says... truly leaves me at a loss for how to respond."

From the very first day Wang Ruofu had entered the household, she had never once stood in respectful attendance before Old Madam Sheng.

There had never been any morning and evening greetings either; she merely paid her respects three or five times a month. All of this Nanny Liu had witnessed with her own eyes.

Had it been any other mother-in-law who was less magnanimous and benevolent, she likely would have long since been slapped with the labels of disrespect toward her mother-in-law and ignorance of ritual etiquette, dragging the reputation of the entire Wang family down with her.