Chapter 73 – Aftermath
The Yu family began to prepare the additional bridal gifts for Ma Xiuniang’s wedding, and Yu Tang also brought out the headdresses she had ordered.
When Old Aunty Chen looked at them, she exclaimed, “Wouldn’t it be too generous of you, as an unmarried lady, to give such expensive gifts?”
Yu Tang did not think that way at all, she was eager to repay the kindness Ma Xiuniang had showed her in her previous life.
Madam Chen doted on Yu Tang a lot. Even though she too felt that these gifts were a little excessive, she didn’t oppose and even explained with a smile, “It’s just a courtesy gift. Ah-tang is still unmarried, so when she does get married, Xiuniang will send her something similar, it’s nothing to be alarmed about.”
Old Aunty Chen muttered, “You’re spoiling Eldest miss too much!”
Madam Chen smiled and stroked Yutang’s head, saying, “She’s all grown up now and this family inheritance will be hers in the future. I’m happy that she found some good friends, so how can you say that I’m spoiling her!”
Old Aunty Chen still felt that Madam Chen was overindulging her, but she just shook her head with a smile and went to the storehouse to get good cloths for Ma Xiuniang’s bridal gifts, as per Madam Chen’s instructions.
Yu Tang felt she might have went overboard, but it was Madam Chen who reassured her, saying “It’s important to maintain your friendships. As long as you feel that it’s a suitable gift, that’s what matters.”
Ever since Madam Chen found out that it was Yu Tang’s efforts that Wei Xiaoshan’s incident was successfully resolved, she felt that her daughter had matured and she should start handing over some family responsibilities to her. This was the first step for Madam Chen in letting go.
Yu Tang went to Mrs. Ma’s house feeling a little apprehensive.
As the wedding was fast approaching, Ma Xiuniang stopped going out and stayed at home doing embroidery or attending to the ladies who came to add to her dowry. She was overjoyed upon seeing Yu Tang. After greeting Madam Chen, she excitedly pulled Yu Tang into her inner room, where she made Yu Tang a cup of flower tea and asked about her.
Yu Tang didn’t hide anything from Ma Xiuniang and told her about their feud with the Li family.
Ma Xiuniang was stunned by the chain of events and it took her a while to compose her thought before she finally spoke. However, instead of scolding the Li family for their shamelessness, she asked about Pei Yan. “Is he really as handsome as they say? Did he treat the people with great kindness? Did you manage to speak with him?”
What’s going on?
Yu Tang was greatly perplexed.
Ma Xiuniang covered her mouth as she giggled, whispering, “I heard from my father that both the Gu and Shen families in Hangzhou wanted to marry off their daughters to Third Master Pei. They were asking around and having people inquire about him!”
For Yu Tang, she had always viewed Pei Yan as an elder, except for the first time they met, when she briefly thought that Pei Yan looked strikingly handsome, the rest of the time she only felt that Pei Yan was cold, unapproachable and could not be offended at all costs. She was totally disinterested in all the gossips about his marriage. Upon hearing Ma Xiuniang’s words, she couldn’t help but think about Pei Yan’s marriage in her previous life.
However even after mulling over it several times, she couldn’t remember who Pei Yan married or if they had any children.
He was like a shadow, always in the dark, unnoticeable. His presence was only felt during big events in Lin’an.
Who exactly did he marry?
How many children did he have?
Was it a boy or a girl?
The more Yu Tang wondered, the more clueless she felt.
She couldn’t help but remark, “Third Master Pei is still in mourning, surely he wouldn’t have any upcoming marriage plans.”
“That’s certainly true.” Ma Xiuniang laughed, “But after Third Master Pei comes out of mourning, it would too late! Both Gu and Shen families want to marry their daughters to him, and there will be even more families like Gu and Shen after Third Master Pei, they’ll definitely have to stake their claim first!”
Yu Tang couldn’t help but laugh, “Your choice of words seem to imply that Third Master Pei is like a succulent piece of meat that everyone wants to take a bite out of!”
Ma Xiuniang said shamelessly, “Third Master Pei is not only a succulent piece of meat, he’s the prime first grade cut! It’s only about seeing who has the ability to snatch him up first. Speaking of which, what are your family’s plans for your marriage? You can’t just neglect it just because of your troubles with the Li family. That Mrs. Li is really sick in the head, creating this huge mess for the sake of acquiring you as her daughter in law! When I get married, I’ll spread the word and see who dares to marry into their family! Hmph!”
Yu Tang took Ma Xiuniang’s hand and squeezed it gratefully.
Whether in her previous life or in this one, Ma Xiuniang always had her back.
She replied, saying, “This is a very complicated matter, my father and mother have already intervened, so let’s see how the elders handle it. You don’t have to concern yourself with it. Just be your happy glowing and blushing bride!”
Yu Tang did not want to involve Ma Xiuniang in this.
She deserved to have a carefree married life and not worry about her affairs. Furthermore, she did not reveal the actual reason why the Li family wanted to marry her.
Ma Xiuniang thought about it and felt that what Yu Tang said made sense, but she still said to Yu Tang, “Let me know if there is anything you need help with. You don’t have to be polite.”
Yu Tang nodded repeatedly and said reassuringly, “I have always treated you like my very own sister, so naturally, I will ask you for help should there be something.”
“That’s more like it!” Ma Xiuniang smiled with satisfaction. She grabbed some fortune cookies for her to eat.
Yu Tang took out the jewelry she had prepared to add to her dowry.
Ma Xiuniang was taken aback with her generosity, and refused to accept it, but upon seeing how sincere Yu Tang was, she thought she would just return a generous gift to Yu Tang when she gets married later, so she acquiesced and accepted the things with a smile.
Some of Ma Xiuniang’s good friends came over with their mothers to add to Ma Xiuniang’s dowry as well.
Ma Xiuniang introduced Yu Tang to them.
In her previous life, Yu Tang was in mourning and did not send Ma Xiuniang off in person.
Those who were friends with Ma Xiuniang all had similar temperaments, therefore they also made friends with Yu Tang easily. Ma Xiuniang’s cousin even blamed Ma Xiuniang for not introducing Yu Tang to them earlier, so that they would have more people with them when they lit the lanterns in the river in the seventh month.
In her previous life, Yu Tang mostly stayed at home accompanying her ill mother and seldom left the house. Owing to her rebirth, somehow or rather, they managed to land in the Pei family’s good graces. Her mother’s condition improved, which changed the fate of her parents from her previous life. Owing to this, she was in a better mood and was more cheerful and obedient than in her previous life.
Ma Xiuniang, was fiercely protective of her friends. She didn’t say anything about the old Yu Tang, but only said that she hadn’t thought of it and apologized to her cousin and this matter was put aside.
Owing to this, Yu Tang view Ma Xiuniang even more favorably. In the next four to five days, she was busy helping out in the preparations for the wedding. When it was finally time for Ma Xiuniang to be sent off, Yu Tang cried so hard that it seemed as though she was sadder than Mrs. Ma. Mrs. Ma couldn’t help but stop crying and said helplessly to Madam Chen, “A stranger would think that she was my daughter instead! There’s no need for you to take her home, she should just stay with us and be my daughter.”
The surrounding people laughed loudly upon hearing this.
Yu Tang felt aggrieved and said amidst her tears, “Once she’s married, older Sister Ma will have to serve her in-laws and aunts, don’t you… don’t you worry about her at all?”
“What do I have to worry about?” Mrs. Ma pointed at Gentleman Zhang who was standing not too far away and said, “If your brother-in-law dares to lay a finger on your sister, I will immediately send someone to bring her back.”
The women in the room laughed again.
Madam Chen didn’t know if she should cry or laugh. She took her daughter in her arms, wiping her face with a handkerchief, she chided softly, “Dear child, today is a happy occasion! Your Aunt Ma’s tears were only just for show. Only you actually cried!”
Yu Tang hid herself in her mother’s arms in embarrassment, which caused women in the room to erupt with another burst of laughter.
However, because of this, Ma Xiuniang’s send off was filled with joy and she was one of the few girls in Lin’an that went off smiling.
After Ma Xiuniang’s marriage, the Li family’s matter also came to close.
First, the Li family’s chief steward and the two fugitives were sentenced to exile. Then, as promised by the Li family, the chief Steward’s wife, children and their in-laws who were serving in the Li household were all expelled from the Li family.
As to whether the Li family had bribed the magistrates who sent the chief steward into exile, and the exact number of servants the Li family had expelled who were actually the in-laws of the Li family, there was no way for the Yu family to verify even if they wanted to.
Master Wu consoled Yu Wen, saying “It’s good enough that the Li family was willing to go this far. It’s impossible to be completely thorough with it.”
Unless the Li family fell from power that is.
Yu Wen understood this as well. He thanked Master Wu and did not bother to fight with the Li family on this matter, and made arrangements with Master Wu to go to Zhaoming Temple to see Li Duan perform a funeral ceremony for Wei Xiaoshan.
It was only due to this that the people of Lin’an got to know that Wei Xiaoshan’s death was actually related to Madam Li.
There was much discussion, and many people thought that as a woman, Mrs Li was too cruel and hard hearted. Deep inside, many of them thought that it was a good thing that the Yu family didn’t agree to the marriage, otherwise even if Lady Yu married in, she would be in subjection to her mother-in-law, which would have made things very uncomfortable.
Someone spoke up about Li Duan’s marriage, “I wonder if she would also dare to make things difficult for the Gu family’s eldest young lady after she marries over?”
“That’s difficult to say!” Some thought that Mrs. Li just had things too easy in life and didn’t develop a sympathetic enough heart, “What’s the use of Lady Gu’s good upbringing? If she marries into the Li family, she is the daughter-in-law of the Li family, and it’s still the Li family who has the final verdict.”
“I’m afraid Lady Gu isn’t an easy person to handle either.” There were also people gloating, waiting at the sidelines to see the Li family make a fool of themselves.
As for Madam Lin, she had fallen ill ever since she found out that Li Duan had to do a funeral service for Wei Xiaoshan.
She laid against the bed with her head bandaged in a white cloth and her face was pale and sallow. She pushed the bowl of medicine in Li Jun’s hand aside, almost spilling it on him. Madam Lin screeched at Li Jun, “Are you dead? What did I tell you before? How dare you let your brother go to Zhaoming Temple? How could you let your brother go and wear mourning attire for that lowly bastard? Your father and I aren’t dead! How humilated do you want your brother to be?! Have you always looked forward to this day?”
Li Jun could not speak out his grievances at all.
He carefully brought the medicinal soup to his mother’s mouth and said in a low voice, as he cajoled her “Mother, brother has already written a letter to father, so he will have a plan. Your health is important, so drink this bowl of soup first.”
Chapter 73 – Aftermath
The Yu family began to prepare the additional bridal gifts for Ma Xiuniang’s wedding, and Yu Tang also brought out the headdresses she had ordered.
When Old Aunty Chen looked at them, she exclaimed, “Wouldn’t it be too generous of you, as an unmarried lady, to give such expensive gifts?”
Yu Tang did not think that way at all, she was eager to repay the kindness Ma Xiuniang had showed her in her previous life.
Madam Chen doted on Yu Tang a lot. Even though she too felt that these gifts were a little excessive, she didn’t oppose and even explained with a smile, “It’s just a courtesy gift. Ah-tang is still unmarried, so when she does get married, Xiuniang will send her something similar, it’s nothing to be alarmed about.”
Old Aunty Chen muttered, “You’re spoiling Eldest miss too much!”
Madam Chen smiled and stroked Yutang’s head, saying, “She’s all grown up now and this family inheritance will be hers in the future. I’m happy that she found some good friends, so how can you say that I’m spoiling her!”
Old Aunty Chen still felt that Madam Chen was overindulging her, but she just shook her head with a smile and went to the storehouse to get good cloths for Ma Xiuniang’s bridal gifts, as per Madam Chen’s instructions.
Yu Tang felt she might have went overboard, but it was Madam Chen who reassured her, saying “It’s important to maintain your friendships. As long as you feel that it’s a suitable gift, that’s what matters.”
Ever since Madam Chen found out that it was Yu Tang’s efforts that Wei Xiaoshan’s incident was successfully resolved, she felt that her daughter had matured and she should start handing over some family responsibilities to her. This was the first step for Madam Chen in letting go.
Yu Tang went to Mrs. Ma’s house feeling a little apprehensive.
As the wedding was fast approaching, Ma Xiuniang stopped going out and stayed at home doing embroidery or attending to the ladies who came to add to her dowry. She was overjoyed upon seeing Yu Tang. After greeting Madam Chen, she excitedly pulled Yu Tang into her inner room, where she made Yu Tang a cup of flower tea and asked about her.
Yu Tang didn’t hide anything from Ma Xiuniang and told her about their feud with the Li family.
Ma Xiuniang was stunned by the chain of events and it took her a while to compose her thought before she finally spoke. However, instead of scolding the Li family for their shamelessness, she asked about Pei Yan. “Is he really as handsome as they say? Did he treat the people with great kindness? Did you manage to speak with him?”
What’s going on?
Yu Tang was greatly perplexed.
Ma Xiuniang covered her mouth as she giggled, whispering, “I heard from my father that both the Gu and Shen families in Hangzhou wanted to marry off their daughters to Third Master Pei. They were asking around and having people inquire about him!”
For Yu Tang, she had always viewed Pei Yan as an elder, except for the first time they met, when she briefly thought that Pei Yan looked strikingly handsome, the rest of the time she only felt that Pei Yan was cold, unapproachable and could not be offended at all costs. She was totally disinterested in all the gossips about his marriage. Upon hearing Ma Xiuniang’s words, she couldn’t help but think about Pei Yan’s marriage in her previous life.
However even after mulling over it several times, she couldn’t remember who Pei Yan married or if they had any children.
He was like a shadow, always in the dark, unnoticeable. His presence was only felt during big events in Lin’an.
Who exactly did he marry?
How many children did he have?
Was it a boy or a girl?
The more Yu Tang wondered, the more clueless she felt.
She couldn’t help but remark, “Third Master Pei is still in mourning, surely he wouldn’t have any upcoming marriage plans.”
“That’s certainly true.” Ma Xiuniang laughed, “But after Third Master Pei comes out of mourning, it would too late! Both Gu and Shen families want to marry their daughters to him, and there will be even more families like Gu and Shen after Third Master Pei, they’ll definitely have to stake their claim first!”
Yu Tang couldn’t help but laugh, “Your choice of words seem to imply that Third Master Pei is like a succulent piece of meat that everyone wants to take a bite out of!”
Ma Xiuniang said shamelessly, “Third Master Pei is not only a succulent piece of meat, he’s the prime first grade cut! It’s only about seeing who has the ability to snatch him up first. Speaking of which, what are your family’s plans for your marriage? You can’t just neglect it just because of your troubles with the Li family. That Mrs. Li is really sick in the head, creating this huge mess for the sake of acquiring you as her daughter in law! When I get married, I’ll spread the word and see who dares to marry into their family! Hmph!”
Yu Tang took Ma Xiuniang’s hand and squeezed it gratefully.
Whether in her previous life or in this one, Ma Xiuniang always had her back.
She replied, saying, “This is a very complicated matter, my father and mother have already intervened, so let’s see how the elders handle it. You don’t have to concern yourself with it. Just be your happy glowing and blushing bride!”
Yu Tang did not want to involve Ma Xiuniang in this.
She deserved to have a carefree married life and not worry about her affairs. Furthermore, she did not reveal the actual reason why the Li family wanted to marry her.
Ma Xiuniang thought about it and felt that what Yu Tang said made sense, but she still said to Yu Tang, “Let me know if there is anything you need help with. You don’t have to be polite.”
Yu Tang nodded repeatedly and said reassuringly, “I have always treated you like my very own sister, so naturally, I will ask you for help should there be something.”
“That’s more like it!” Ma Xiuniang smiled with satisfaction. She grabbed some fortune cookies for her to eat.
Yu Tang took out the jewelry she had prepared to add to her dowry.
Ma Xiuniang was taken aback with her generosity, and refused to accept it, but upon seeing how sincere Yu Tang was, she thought she would just return a generous gift to Yu Tang when she gets married later, so she acquiesced and accepted the things with a smile.
Some of Ma Xiuniang’s good friends came over with their mothers to add to Ma Xiuniang’s dowry as well.
Ma Xiuniang introduced Yu Tang to them.
In her previous life, Yu Tang was in mourning and did not send Ma Xiuniang off in person.
Those who were friends with Ma Xiuniang all had similar temperaments, therefore they also made friends with Yu Tang easily. Ma Xiuniang’s cousin even blamed Ma Xiuniang for not introducing Yu Tang to them earlier, so that they would have more people with them when they lit the lanterns in the river in the seventh month.
In her previous life, Yu Tang mostly stayed at home accompanying her ill mother and seldom left the house. Owing to her rebirth, somehow or rather, they managed to land in the Pei family’s good graces. Her mother’s condition improved, which changed the fate of her parents from her previous life. Owing to this, she was in a better mood and was more cheerful and obedient than in her previous life.
Ma Xiuniang, was fiercely protective of her friends. She didn’t say anything about the old Yu Tang, but only said that she hadn’t thought of it and apologized to her cousin and this matter was put aside.
Owing to this, Yu Tang view Ma Xiuniang even more favorably. In the next four to five days, she was busy helping out in the preparations for the wedding. When it was finally time for Ma Xiuniang to be sent off, Yu Tang cried so hard that it seemed as though she was sadder than Mrs. Ma. Mrs. Ma couldn’t help but stop crying and said helplessly to Madam Chen, “A stranger would think that she was my daughter instead! There’s no need for you to take her home, she should just stay with us and be my daughter.”
The surrounding people laughed loudly upon hearing this.
Yu Tang felt aggrieved and said amidst her tears, “Once she’s married, older Sister Ma will have to serve her in-laws and aunts, don’t you… don’t you worry about her at all?”
“What do I have to worry about?” Mrs. Ma pointed at Gentleman Zhang who was standing not too far away and said, “If your brother-in-law dares to lay a finger on your sister, I will immediately send someone to bring her back.”
The women in the room laughed again.
Madam Chen didn’t know if she should cry or laugh. She took her daughter in her arms, wiping her face with a handkerchief, she chided softly, “Dear child, today is a happy occasion! Your Aunt Ma’s tears were only just for show. Only you actually cried!”
Yu Tang hid herself in her mother’s arms in embarrassment, which caused women in the room to erupt with another burst of laughter.
However, because of this, Ma Xiuniang’s send off was filled with joy and she was one of the few girls in Lin’an that went off smiling.
After Ma Xiuniang’s marriage, the Li family’s matter also came to close.
First, the Li family’s chief steward and the two fugitives were sentenced to exile. Then, as promised by the Li family, the chief Steward’s wife, children and their in-laws who were serving in the Li household were all expelled from the Li family.
As to whether the Li family had bribed the magistrates who sent the chief steward into exile, and the exact number of servants the Li family had expelled who were actually the in-laws of the Li family, there was no way for the Yu family to verify even if they wanted to.
Master Wu consoled Yu Wen, saying “It’s good enough that the Li family was willing to go this far. It’s impossible to be completely thorough with it.”
Unless the Li family fell from power that is.
Yu Wen understood this as well. He thanked Master Wu and did not bother to fight with the Li family on this matter, and made arrangements with Master Wu to go to Zhaoming Temple to see Li Duan perform a funeral ceremony for Wei Xiaoshan.
It was only due to this that the people of Lin’an got to know that Wei Xiaoshan’s death was actually related to Madam Li.
There was much discussion, and many people thought that as a woman, Mrs Li was too cruel and hard hearted. Deep inside, many of them thought that it was a good thing that the Yu family didn’t agree to the marriage, otherwise even if Lady Yu married in, she would be in subjection to her mother-in-law, which would have made things very uncomfortable.
Someone spoke up about Li Duan’s marriage, “I wonder if she would also dare to make things difficult for the Gu family’s eldest young lady after she marries over?”
“That’s difficult to say!” Some thought that Mrs. Li just had things too easy in life and didn’t develop a sympathetic enough heart, “What’s the use of Lady Gu’s good upbringing? If she marries into the Li family, she is the daughter-in-law of the Li family, and it’s still the Li family who has the final verdict.”
“I’m afraid Lady Gu isn’t an easy person to handle either.” There were also people gloating, waiting at the sidelines to see the Li family make a fool of themselves.
As for Madam Lin, she had fallen ill ever since she found out that Li Duan had to do a funeral service for Wei Xiaoshan.
She laid against the bed with her head bandaged in a white cloth and her face was pale and sallow. She pushed the bowl of medicine in Li Jun’s hand aside, almost spilling it on him. Madam Lin screeched at Li Jun, “Are you dead? What did I tell you before? How dare you let your brother go to Zhaoming Temple? How could you let your brother go and wear mourning attire for that lowly bastard? Your father and I aren’t dead! How humilated do you want your brother to be?! Have you always looked forward to this day?”
Li Jun could not speak out his grievances at all.
He carefully brought the medicinal soup to his mother’s mouth and said in a low voice, as he cajoled her “Mother, brother has already written a letter to father, so he will have a plan. Your health is important, so drink this bowl of soup first.”
