Chapter 26 – Meeting
While Yu Wen and Madam Chen were happily discussing the details, eldest aunt Madam Wang brought over freshly-bought pears from the market, saying it was for Yu Tang to try. Both sisters inevitably discussed Yu Tang’s marriage and Eldest Aunt got to know that it was Supervisor Tong who arranged this match for Yu Tang. Madam Wang eagerly said, “Once you have set a date for the first meeting, let me know! I also want to take a look.”
Madam Chen chuckled and replied, “We don’t even know if it’s going to work out. I’m just going to test the waters first.”
Madam Wang laughed unconcernedly, “Our Ah-tang, she will be the one that chooses; there wouldn’t be anyone that will reject her.”
Madam Chen clearly had high hopes for this marriage, as she replied with a smile, “I hope your auspicious words come true.”
Perhaps it was really fated as Supervisor Tong sent over a letter saying that as the Wei family’s second and third sons were close in age to Yu Tang, the Yu family could choose between them.
Madam Wang smiled from ear to ear and said to Yu Bo, “I think that this Wei family can be trusted, perhaps this will really be a good match!”
Yu Tang was the family’s precious pearl, not to mention this concerned her life long’s happiness, so although Yu Bo didn’t personally oversee this matter, but he also paid close attention to this. After hearing these words, he carefully instructed Madam Wang. “As you are older than my brother and his wife, and being calm and capable, Ah Tang’s matter, you have to care for it properly. Everything else is secondary; this matter is of highest importance. If a family has peace, they will prosper in life. However, if the marriage partner isn’t suitable, even if the person is talented, decent and honest, they will not share a comfortable life.”
“I understand!” As Madam Wang spoke of this, she remembered her son. She sat in front of the mirror combing hair and said to Yu Bo, “Yuan Er’s marriage, you will also have to make a decision soon.”
Madam Wang initially wanted her son to marry a daughter from her mother’s brother, but who knew that the child died when she was eight years old. Madam Wang was greatly dismayed. She even went to the temple to check Yu Yuan’s fortune, and was advised that Yu Yuan should not marry early, therefore, his marriage was delayed until now.
The Yu family’s heirs were few, and they have always greatly valued their children. Yu Bo did not dare to make this decision lightly, saying, “I will discuss it with Yu Wen.” He changed the subject as he asked Madam Wang, “Are you going to looking at both prospective sons-in law? Or have you already decided which one?”
Madam Wang smiled brightly as she replied, “Sister-in-law’s idea is that as the second son is two years older than Ah-tang, he is older and should be more matured, so she will take a look at their second son.”
Yu Bo nodded and didn’t continue their discussion.
On Yu Tang’s side, the marriage was almost finalized, but her heart still felt uneasy.
Would her marriage be settled just like this?
What would that Wei Xiaoshan person look like? What was his personality? How did he view this marriage? She had many questions about it.
She let out a long sigh and told herself that as long as the Wei family was sincere and since the eldest son of the Wei family had already qualified to be a scholar candidate, so she should be satisfied with such a marriage, as it was a good match for both their families. However thinking is one thing, but controlling the feelings in her heart is another. No matter how hard she tried to convince herself, she couldn’t garner up much interest or anticipation over this marriage.
When the day came to have the first meeting with the other party, Madam Chen invited Ma Xiuniang to accompany Yu Tang.
Because the venue for the first meeting was set at Zhaoming Temple, the Yu family had to hire a carriage and horses, prepare some food provisions, set a banquet, and invite the marriage middleman…… Madam Chen was extremely busy and didn’t notice Yu Tang’s difference in mood – especially since Yutang made efforts to hide it. However Ma Xiuniang noticed.
She made an excuse and sent Shuang Tao away, who was serving them, and took Yu Tang’s hand in hers and whispered concernedly. “What’s wrong? Not satisfied? Or do you have other….. expectations? We’re almost ready to start this first meeting. After this is over, if there isn’t anything that’s clearly bad, this matter will be pretty much settled. If you have any reservations about this marriage, you should take this opportunity to voice them out before it’s too late. Once this is settled, even if you just have a thousand or ten thousand grievances, you can only bury it in your heart for a lifetime. This is definitely not a laughing matter. It could harm others and yourself as well.”
In the end, Ma Xiuniang was still unconvinced that Yu Tang wasn’t moved at all by someone like Li Jun, who was outstanding in both appearance and sincerity.
Yu Tang smiled towards Ma Xiuniang, but she didn’t know how forced her smile looked.
“I know.” She replied dispiritedly. “My parents are not unreasonable people. I just feel that marrying just like this……”
She was a little scared.
Yutang thought of the past. Li Duan and Gu Xi – she didn’t know how many people envied their marriage. Even she herself, before she discovered Li Duan’s lecherous thoughts, she too felt that they were a match made in heaven, a beautiful work of art and a perfect pair of lovebirds.
Ma Xiuniang wasn’t convinced by her words, but she was afraid that if she continued speaking, Yutang would get annoyed and refuse to speak with her. For example, the previous time, Yutang impetuously visited Zhao Ming Temple to see Li Jun, and chaos ensued. It would be better for her to just be more cautious and prevent anything from happening to Yutang.
“Everyone feels the same way before marriage!” She went along with Yu Tang’s words, trying to alleviate her worries, “You see, I’ve known Gentleman Zhang since young, but even after everything was said and done, I too felt my heart beating like a drum, afraid that I would do something wrong somewhere. Give it some time and everything will be fine eventually.”
Yu Tang smiled and thanked Ma Xiuniang, acting as if she was comforted by her words, but in fact, she only felt more distressed.
Her fears weren’t the same as Ma Xiuniang’s.
She wasn’t afraid of circumstances changing, nor was she fearful that she would suffer misfortune after marriage. What she was afraid that she just didn’t want to marry him at all……
The thought flashed across her mind and Yu Tang froze.
Was this the reason? That she did not want to marry him?
But what’s so bad about him?
Weren’t most marriages like this? Following their parent’s arrangements and the matchmaker’s words? As long as the marriage is suitable for both families, they can tie the knot.
The Wei family went even further, giving her a choice of two sons for their family to choose, what else could she be unsatisfied with?
What kind of person did she want?
Yu Tang was perplexed by her own thoughts. She wanted to discuss further with Ma Xiuniang, but she didn’t how to begin.
Madam Chen was already outside hurrying them. “Have you finished packing? The carriage is here and we still have to rush to Zhaoming Temple to have our lunch!”
Ma Xiuniang hurriedly responded and helped Yu Tang to tidy her things before both of them quickly left.
No matter what Yu Tang wanted to say, she could only hold it in.
Zhaoming Temple was still as large and grand as before, but in the eyes of Yu Tang now, she felt that it was loud, garish and tacky, and didn’t have the majesty and solemnity of a revered temple.
Perhaps because her state of mind has changed, so her feelings have also changed.
She pondered in her heart silently as she was led by Madam Chen to the Heavenly Kings Hall.
There were quite a few people who came to accompany Yu Tang to see the other party. Besides Yu Wen and his family, they also had Ma Xiuniang, Eldest Aunt Wang, Supervisor Tong, Yu Bo and Yu Yuan.
According to their arrangement with the Wei family, after the two families have had their lunch, everyone will go to have a walk at the back of the mountain, where they would then pretend to meet by ‘accident’ at the Brush Cleaning Spring, and the two families will have the opportunity to observe and examine each other.
Yu Tang didn’t have much appetite during lunch. After their meal, she linked arms with Ma Xiuniang and followed behind Madam Chen and Madam Wang, as they all headed towards Brush Cleaning Spring.
As Ma Xiuniang didn’t want to draw attention away from Yutang, she wore a plain cloth robe, with a gilded silver hairpin and a pair of lilac earrings – very simple. Yutang wore a coral-red silk gown with pale green trimmings. Her hair was combed in a double-bun style and decorated with a lapis lazuli gem-studded hairpin. Her attire enhanced her beauty and splendor, but also showed a hint of playfulness.
The Wei family immediately spotted Yu Tang in the crowd.
Even without looking at her son’s reaction, Mrs. Wei was already very satisfied.
When she turned to look at her son, his face was already red as he lowered his head.
Mrs. Wei couldn’t help but purse her lips and laugh.
The people belonging to Yu family’s side also saw Wei Xiaoshan at a glance.
He wore a new pleated robe. He was tall, muscular and a little tanned. He had thick eyebrows, big eyes and had a hero-like athleticism. He seemed like a lively, hardworking young man. When he looked at Yutang, his eyes seemed to shine brightly, and from a glance, anyone could see his fondness for her. Not mentioning Yu family, even Yu Tang, who was a little unhappy at first, started to soften up under his gaze and her uneasiness melted away.
If this person was to be her husband, it should be okay.
She thought silently in her heart as she took another closer look at the Wei family.
Mr. Wei seems to be reserved and a man of few words, Mrs. Wei looked intelligent and perceptive. The eldest son of the Wei family greatly resembled Wei Xiaoshan, but his eyebrows were more refined than his brother’s, the eldest sister-in-law of the Wei family was also good, refined and gentle, speaking slowly and gently – indicative of an educated person. Mrs. Wei’s maternal sister-in-law also came along, and she also looks to be decisive and capable. The youngest son of the Wei family, Wei Xiaochuan, who just turned ten years old seemed to be a little upset with Yu Tang. While the two families while talking, he fell behind them, and constantly made noise to disrupt their conversations, such as breaking a tree branch, kicking the roadside overgrown weeds or hitting the nearby branches.
Mrs. Wei frowned and called her eldest son over and whispered a few words to him. The eldest son, Wei Xiaoyuan pulled Wei Xiaochuan aside and reprimanded him sternly. Unexpectedly, Wei Xiaochuan threw a tantrum and ran away angrily.
The people of the Yu family watched awkwardly at the side.
Mrs. Wei observed their faces and quickly explained to Madam Chen. “This child is the youngest, so he’s spoiled by the family. I didn’t intend to bring him today, but he secretly followed us. Only after we had already arrived at Zhaoming Temple did we find out about his presence, so I had no choice but to bring him along. The Yu family…., Mrs. Yu please don’t take it to heart. I’ll teach him a lesson when I get home.”
Madam Chen was a person that repaid kindness with tenfold more kindness. So seeing how Mrs. Wei was already so polite, she also comforted her, saying, “Children are always naughty. Mrs. Wei need not to be too concerned over this.”
After listening, Mrs. Wei immediately continued her conversation with Madam Chen. Although all the things she mentioned were normal, day-to-day trivialities, but from this, anyone could see that she was paying close attention to Madam Chen and sincerely wanted to be tied by marriage to the Yu family.
Madam Chen was also satisfied with Mrs. Wei’s family, and when they left, she expressed it very openly to Mrs. Wei, inviting her to come visit again when she was free.
The Wei family, including Mr. Wei, all looked happy.
When they returned, Ma Xiuniang also kept complimenting Wei Xiaoshan.
Yu Tang breathed a sigh of relief, as she entered the carriage and lifted the curtain to look back at the fading Zhaoming Temple, as her rapidly beating heart slowly calmed down.
The next morning, the Wei family invited a matchmaker to their door, heaping praises on Yutang. Madam Chen had a smile the entire day, but she still followed the customary procedure saying that they still needed to have some time to consider.
The matchmaker pretty much knew that the marriage was a definite thing, so she happily took Madam Chen’s token of appreciation and left.
Eldest aunt thought about those rumors that Yu Tang was arrogant and wanted to have a scholar as her husband, so she deliberately made efforts to spread the word around about this marriage.
Chapter 26 – Meeting
While Yu Wen and Madam Chen were happily discussing the details, eldest aunt Madam Wang brought over freshly-bought pears from the market, saying it was for Yu Tang to try. Both sisters inevitably discussed Yu Tang’s marriage and Eldest Aunt got to know that it was Supervisor Tong who arranged this match for Yu Tang. Madam Wang eagerly said, “Once you have set a date for the first meeting, let me know! I also want to take a look.”
Madam Chen chuckled and replied, “We don’t even know if it’s going to work out. I’m just going to test the waters first.”
Madam Wang laughed unconcernedly, “Our Ah-tang, she will be the one that chooses; there wouldn’t be anyone that will reject her.”
Madam Chen clearly had high hopes for this marriage, as she replied with a smile, “I hope your auspicious words come true.”
Perhaps it was really fated as Supervisor Tong sent over a letter saying that as the Wei family’s second and third sons were close in age to Yu Tang, the Yu family could choose between them.
Madam Wang smiled from ear to ear and said to Yu Bo, “I think that this Wei family can be trusted, perhaps this will really be a good match!”
Yu Tang was the family’s precious pearl, not to mention this concerned her life long’s happiness, so although Yu Bo didn’t personally oversee this matter, but he also paid close attention to this. After hearing these words, he carefully instructed Madam Wang. “As you are older than my brother and his wife, and being calm and capable, Ah Tang’s matter, you have to care for it properly. Everything else is secondary; this matter is of highest importance. If a family has peace, they will prosper in life. However, if the marriage partner isn’t suitable, even if the person is talented, decent and honest, they will not share a comfortable life.”
“I understand!” As Madam Wang spoke of this, she remembered her son. She sat in front of the mirror combing hair and said to Yu Bo, “Yuan Er’s marriage, you will also have to make a decision soon.”
Madam Wang initially wanted her son to marry a daughter from her mother’s brother, but who knew that the child died when she was eight years old. Madam Wang was greatly dismayed. She even went to the temple to check Yu Yuan’s fortune, and was advised that Yu Yuan should not marry early, therefore, his marriage was delayed until now.
The Yu family’s heirs were few, and they have always greatly valued their children. Yu Bo did not dare to make this decision lightly, saying, “I will discuss it with Yu Wen.” He changed the subject as he asked Madam Wang, “Are you going to looking at both prospective sons-in law? Or have you already decided which one?”
Madam Wang smiled brightly as she replied, “Sister-in-law’s idea is that as the second son is two years older than Ah-tang, he is older and should be more matured, so she will take a look at their second son.”
Yu Bo nodded and didn’t continue their discussion.
On Yu Tang’s side, the marriage was almost finalized, but her heart still felt uneasy.
Would her marriage be settled just like this?
What would that Wei Xiaoshan person look like? What was his personality? How did he view this marriage? She had many questions about it.
She let out a long sigh and told herself that as long as the Wei family was sincere and since the eldest son of the Wei family had already qualified to be a scholar candidate, so she should be satisfied with such a marriage, as it was a good match for both their families. However thinking is one thing, but controlling the feelings in her heart is another. No matter how hard she tried to convince herself, she couldn’t garner up much interest or anticipation over this marriage.
When the day came to have the first meeting with the other party, Madam Chen invited Ma Xiuniang to accompany Yu Tang.
Because the venue for the first meeting was set at Zhaoming Temple, the Yu family had to hire a carriage and horses, prepare some food provisions, set a banquet, and invite the marriage middleman…… Madam Chen was extremely busy and didn’t notice Yu Tang’s difference in mood – especially since Yutang made efforts to hide it. However Ma Xiuniang noticed.
She made an excuse and sent Shuang Tao away, who was serving them, and took Yu Tang’s hand in hers and whispered concernedly. “What’s wrong? Not satisfied? Or do you have other….. expectations? We’re almost ready to start this first meeting. After this is over, if there isn’t anything that’s clearly bad, this matter will be pretty much settled. If you have any reservations about this marriage, you should take this opportunity to voice them out before it’s too late. Once this is settled, even if you just have a thousand or ten thousand grievances, you can only bury it in your heart for a lifetime. This is definitely not a laughing matter. It could harm others and yourself as well.”
In the end, Ma Xiuniang was still unconvinced that Yu Tang wasn’t moved at all by someone like Li Jun, who was outstanding in both appearance and sincerity.
Yu Tang smiled towards Ma Xiuniang, but she didn’t know how forced her smile looked.
“I know.” She replied dispiritedly. “My parents are not unreasonable people. I just feel that marrying just like this……”
She was a little scared.
Yutang thought of the past. Li Duan and Gu Xi – she didn’t know how many people envied their marriage. Even she herself, before she discovered Li Duan’s lecherous thoughts, she too felt that they were a match made in heaven, a beautiful work of art and a perfect pair of lovebirds.
Ma Xiuniang wasn’t convinced by her words, but she was afraid that if she continued speaking, Yutang would get annoyed and refuse to speak with her. For example, the previous time, Yutang impetuously visited Zhao Ming Temple to see Li Jun, and chaos ensued. It would be better for her to just be more cautious and prevent anything from happening to Yutang.
“Everyone feels the same way before marriage!” She went along with Yu Tang’s words, trying to alleviate her worries, “You see, I’ve known Gentleman Zhang since young, but even after everything was said and done, I too felt my heart beating like a drum, afraid that I would do something wrong somewhere. Give it some time and everything will be fine eventually.”
Yu Tang smiled and thanked Ma Xiuniang, acting as if she was comforted by her words, but in fact, she only felt more distressed.
Her fears weren’t the same as Ma Xiuniang’s.
She wasn’t afraid of circumstances changing, nor was she fearful that she would suffer misfortune after marriage. What she was afraid that she just didn’t want to marry him at all……
The thought flashed across her mind and Yu Tang froze.
Was this the reason? That she did not want to marry him?
But what’s so bad about him?
Weren’t most marriages like this? Following their parent’s arrangements and the matchmaker’s words? As long as the marriage is suitable for both families, they can tie the knot.
The Wei family went even further, giving her a choice of two sons for their family to choose, what else could she be unsatisfied with?
What kind of person did she want?
Yu Tang was perplexed by her own thoughts. She wanted to discuss further with Ma Xiuniang, but she didn’t how to begin.
Madam Chen was already outside hurrying them. “Have you finished packing? The carriage is here and we still have to rush to Zhaoming Temple to have our lunch!”
Ma Xiuniang hurriedly responded and helped Yu Tang to tidy her things before both of them quickly left.
No matter what Yu Tang wanted to say, she could only hold it in.
Zhaoming Temple was still as large and grand as before, but in the eyes of Yu Tang now, she felt that it was loud, garish and tacky, and didn’t have the majesty and solemnity of a revered temple.
Perhaps because her state of mind has changed, so her feelings have also changed.
She pondered in her heart silently as she was led by Madam Chen to the Heavenly Kings Hall.
There were quite a few people who came to accompany Yu Tang to see the other party. Besides Yu Wen and his family, they also had Ma Xiuniang, Eldest Aunt Wang, Supervisor Tong, Yu Bo and Yu Yuan.
According to their arrangement with the Wei family, after the two families have had their lunch, everyone will go to have a walk at the back of the mountain, where they would then pretend to meet by ‘accident’ at the Brush Cleaning Spring, and the two families will have the opportunity to observe and examine each other.
Yu Tang didn’t have much appetite during lunch. After their meal, she linked arms with Ma Xiuniang and followed behind Madam Chen and Madam Wang, as they all headed towards Brush Cleaning Spring.
As Ma Xiuniang didn’t want to draw attention away from Yutang, she wore a plain cloth robe, with a gilded silver hairpin and a pair of lilac earrings – very simple. Yutang wore a coral-red silk gown with pale green trimmings. Her hair was combed in a double-bun style and decorated with a lapis lazuli gem-studded hairpin. Her attire enhanced her beauty and splendor, but also showed a hint of playfulness.
The Wei family immediately spotted Yu Tang in the crowd.
Even without looking at her son’s reaction, Mrs. Wei was already very satisfied.
When she turned to look at her son, his face was already red as he lowered his head.
Mrs. Wei couldn’t help but purse her lips and laugh.
The people belonging to Yu family’s side also saw Wei Xiaoshan at a glance.
He wore a new pleated robe. He was tall, muscular and a little tanned. He had thick eyebrows, big eyes and had a hero-like athleticism. He seemed like a lively, hardworking young man. When he looked at Yutang, his eyes seemed to shine brightly, and from a glance, anyone could see his fondness for her. Not mentioning Yu family, even Yu Tang, who was a little unhappy at first, started to soften up under his gaze and her uneasiness melted away.
If this person was to be her husband, it should be okay.
She thought silently in her heart as she took another closer look at the Wei family.
Mr. Wei seems to be reserved and a man of few words, Mrs. Wei looked intelligent and perceptive. The eldest son of the Wei family greatly resembled Wei Xiaoshan, but his eyebrows were more refined than his brother’s, the eldest sister-in-law of the Wei family was also good, refined and gentle, speaking slowly and gently – indicative of an educated person. Mrs. Wei’s maternal sister-in-law also came along, and she also looks to be decisive and capable. The youngest son of the Wei family, Wei Xiaochuan, who just turned ten years old seemed to be a little upset with Yu Tang. While the two families while talking, he fell behind them, and constantly made noise to disrupt their conversations, such as breaking a tree branch, kicking the roadside overgrown weeds or hitting the nearby branches.
Mrs. Wei frowned and called her eldest son over and whispered a few words to him. The eldest son, Wei Xiaoyuan pulled Wei Xiaochuan aside and reprimanded him sternly. Unexpectedly, Wei Xiaochuan threw a tantrum and ran away angrily.
The people of the Yu family watched awkwardly at the side.
Mrs. Wei observed their faces and quickly explained to Madam Chen. “This child is the youngest, so he’s spoiled by the family. I didn’t intend to bring him today, but he secretly followed us. Only after we had already arrived at Zhaoming Temple did we find out about his presence, so I had no choice but to bring him along. The Yu family…., Mrs. Yu please don’t take it to heart. I’ll teach him a lesson when I get home.”
Madam Chen was a person that repaid kindness with tenfold more kindness. So seeing how Mrs. Wei was already so polite, she also comforted her, saying, “Children are always naughty. Mrs. Wei need not to be too concerned over this.”
After listening, Mrs. Wei immediately continued her conversation with Madam Chen. Although all the things she mentioned were normal, day-to-day trivialities, but from this, anyone could see that she was paying close attention to Madam Chen and sincerely wanted to be tied by marriage to the Yu family.
Madam Chen was also satisfied with Mrs. Wei’s family, and when they left, she expressed it very openly to Mrs. Wei, inviting her to come visit again when she was free.
The Wei family, including Mr. Wei, all looked happy.
When they returned, Ma Xiuniang also kept complimenting Wei Xiaoshan.
Yu Tang breathed a sigh of relief, as she entered the carriage and lifted the curtain to look back at the fading Zhaoming Temple, as her rapidly beating heart slowly calmed down.
The next morning, the Wei family invited a matchmaker to their door, heaping praises on Yutang. Madam Chen had a smile the entire day, but she still followed the customary procedure saying that they still needed to have some time to consider.
The matchmaker pretty much knew that the marriage was a definite thing, so she happily took Madam Chen’s token of appreciation and left.
Eldest aunt thought about those rumors that Yu Tang was arrogant and wanted to have a scholar as her husband, so she deliberately made efforts to spread the word around about this marriage.
