Ms. Yan was extrely satisfied, thinking this girl was truly wonderful in every way. If the marriage proposal could succeed, she would have nothing else to ask for in this life.
Mrs. Chen was speaking to the Xu Family when she saw Miss Shang San coming over. She pulled Xu Zhong over to watch the scene and, upon seeing Miss Shang San’s good looks, felt a bit uncomfortable. But when she considered that the Shang Family wasn’t as wealthy as the Xu Family, she felt content and asked Miss Shang San, "What’s your na, girl? Always calling you Third Miss feels too distant."
Each ti soone called her Third Miss, Mrs. Chen couldn’t help but think of Xu Ling, which annoyed her.
When Miss Shang San entered the room, she greeted everyone properly, recognizing Mrs. Chen as the most troubleso among the Qin, Gu, and Luo families. Miss Shang San imdiately stood up and bowed, saying, "In response to Aunt Gu’s question, everyone at ho calls Sister Dan."
The granddaughter of Village Chief Shang’s family is nad after colors. Miss Shang San’s na is Shang Xiudan.
"So you’re called Sister Dan. That’s a nice na. This is my nephew’s fiancée who hasn’t married in yet, a direct daughter from the Xu Family in the county! Her na is Linglong, and she’s a few months older than you. Call her Sister Linglong." Mrs. Chen really disliked the na Xu Zhong, believing it sounded neither beautiful nor gentle, so she decided to say she was nad Linglong.
"Hello, Sister Linglong." Shang Xiudan greeted Xu Zhong.
Seeing Shang Xiudan overly nervous, Gu Jinxiu pulled her hand, smiling and said, "Co, I’ll take you to see the bride. Miss Ouyang is also there; you all are similar in age and ranking, so you’ll surely have lots to talk about."
"Sister Xiu is right, Sister Dan should go chat with Miss Ouyang." Ms. Jiang looked at Gu Jinxiu with relief. The child had beco much more talkative over the years, not like in the beginning when she was always a bit shy.
Only then did Shang Xiudan nod and follow Gu Jinxiu and Xu Zhong into the inner room to visit Gu Jinli. Soon, laughter echoed from the inner room, which reassured both Ms. Yan and Ms. Jiang.
Mrs. Chen glanced at Ms. Yan and pulled her outside to whisper in the courtyard, "Sister-in-law, it’s not that I want to speak ill of anyone, but... don’t you find Miss Shang San a bit too good? Such a wonderful girl, if she has no hidden issues, why would she marry into a rural area? In high-class families, which girl’s family isn’t trying to push them into a high-class marriage? This is the first ti I’ve seen soone wanting to marry down; doesn’t that worry you?"
After speaking, Mrs. Chen gave Ms. Yan a aningful look. Her words completely wiped Ms. Yan’s joy away, leaving her wanting to strangle Mrs. Chen.
"Little Sister-in-law Da Gui, don’t say things carelessly. If these words spread, wouldn’t it ruin the girl’s reputation?" Ms. Yan said, "Besides, the girl is Scholar Shang’s niece, and the marriage was arranged by Scholar Shang and his wife in person. What kind of relationship does Scholar Shang’s Family have with our families? How could we not trust them?"
Mrs. Chen was displeased by Ms. Yan’s remarks and retorted, "Sister-in-law Damu, look, you’re getting angry. I’m just thinking of your family’s interests."
"What are the two sisters-in-law discussing?" Ms. Jiang, supported by maid Taozi, walked over, smiling at them and said, "It’s cold in the courtyard. Let’s chat under the veranda."
Being caught gossiping, Mrs. Chen hurriedly tried to slip away, but Ms. Yan pulled her back to apologize to Ms. Jiang, "Sister Shang, I’m truly sorry. Mrs. Chen is just like this, speaking without thinking. Don’t worry; after the wedding feast, I will certainly tell Third Aunt to give Mrs. Chen a good scolding."
Third Aunt refers to Third Grandma; Third Grandpa is younger than Old Mrs. Yan’s husband.
Ms. Jiang naturally knew Mrs. Chen’s nature and had no intention of reprimanding her. However, Ms. Jiang was quite impressed with Ms. Yan.
The temper of Gu Qingliang and Jin Niu seemingly followed Ms. Yan’s, appearing silent but having deep thoughts; it was comndable.
"No need to explain, Sister-in-law. I heard so of what you said and ca to clarify. Let’s talk over there under the veranda." Ms. Jiang went to stand under the verandah first.
Ms. Yan hurriedly pulled Mrs. Chen along, while Taozi stood at the entrance of the verandah as a guard.
Ms. Jiang said, "I understand you both surely have doubts. Why would a young lady raised in a prefecture want to marry into the countryside? Actually, there’s nothing that can’t be discussed."
"Sister Dan has an elder sister who was married to a wealthy family in the Linhe Prefecture, which has a better status than the Shang Family. But because of this, the master of the house kept several concubines and even took another as a favored concubine, making the household unstable. Sister Dan’s elder sister was hard and had two miscarriages within five years of marriage, and till now hasn’t even birthed a daughter."
"My sister-in-law deeply regrets this, and Sister Dan fears her own family background isn’t strong enough and that marrying in the prefecture might bring bullying from the in-laws. After discussing it, they decided Sister Dan should look for a marriage in her hotown."
This matter is considered a secret of the Shang Family and isn’t easy to share with outsiders. But Ms. Jiang also knew that if she didn’t explain, it would definitely affect Sister Dan, so she told Ms. Yan and Mrs. Chen the story, concluding, "Sister Dan is from the Shang Family, and the girls from the Shang Family are pure and honest, with absolutely nothing shaful."
Ms. Yan felt relieved after hearing this and quickly apologized to Ms. Jiang, finally saying, "Both my mother-in-law and I really like Sister Dan. She’s such a good girl; if she approves of my family, I’ll treat her like my own daughter and ensure she never suffers. The n from the Qin, Gu, and Luo families do not keep concubines."
Ms. Jiang nodded with a smile, "I’m relieved to hear this from you, Sister-in-law."
Then she looked at Mrs. Chen.
Mrs. Chen quickly defended herself, slapping her own mouth, saying, "This damned mouth, why does it love to gossip so much? I should just shut up forever..."
After hitting her mouth a few tis, Mrs. Chen promised, "Rest assured, Sister Shang, today’s incident is my fault. Everything you said, I won’t repeat a single word. If I do, may... my Silver be stolen!"
Since Mrs. Chen loved money, issuing such a curse showed she genuinely realized her mistake.
Ms. Jiang nodded, smiling, "Yuanyuan must be up to sothing with Xiao Yu again; I’ll go check."
With that, she left, taking Taozi to see Gu Jinli. After chatting with Gu Jinli for a while, the sound of joyful wedding music began to play.
"The Qin family is here to fetch the bride. Xiao Yu, quickly get ready; it’s ti to leave." Ms. Chu and Aunt Tian ca in together, urging Gu Jinli to prepare.
...
Outside the Gu Family Gates, Qin San and the procession of welcoming soldiers, dressed in red wedding robes, smiling like a breeze, proceeded to the Gu Family, bowing every ten steps according to the Zong matchmaker’s instructions.
Before reaching the Gu Family’s main gate, they were stopped for the door wine. Qin San Lang could drink, and so could the soldiers from the Military Office. The three rows of door wine were quickly drained by them, and so felt it wasn’t enough, asking the Gu Family People for more, which infuriated Brother Cheng.
Seeing they were all rough fellows, he let them guess riddles, which indeed stumped many.
Zhang Zhong scratched his head, "This black skin and black scales, master of both land and water... what in the world is it? A creature from the water that can rampage on land?"
The other soldiers didn’t know either.
Young Master Dou was anxious hearing this; how could this group be so clueless? Even he wanted to help, but he was there to drink the Gu Family’s wedding leaving wine, not the Qin family’s bridesmaids’ wine, so he couldn’t help even if he wanted to.
But this was no problem for Qin San Lang. He smiled and said, "It’s the Black River Dragon, master of the water, who can eat people on land."
The Black River Dragon is a crocodile by modern standards, but in ancient tis, few knew of this creature, but it truly existed in the rivers of Great Chu.
Brother Cheng, reluctant to let his Second Sister marry off, posed a few more riddles, but Qin San Lang managed to guess them all correctly. In the end, Brother Cheng had no choice but to have Gu Jin’an present welcoming poems to stump Qin San Lang.
Having followed Mr. Feng in his youth, Qin San Lang had a foundation in poems and lyrics. He composed six welcoming poems in a row.
Six is considered auspicious, and if not anxious to marry Xiao Yu back ho, he would have aid to compose nine.
Brother Cheng was frustrated, rolling up his sleeves to challenge Qin San Lang to a fight, but his clothes were too thick, and he couldn’t roll up his sleeves.
Gu Jin’an found it amusing and said, "Alright, we can’t afford to throw a tantrum and miss your sister’s lucky hour for marriage."
Finally, he casually posed two questions, and upon Qin San Lang answering them, he had them remove the barriers, letting Qin San Lang and his party through.
"Music play, welco the groom!" Mai Dong shouted with all his might. His voice was almost worn out by the end of the day.
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