A group of servant women surged forward, blocking the path of the Ji mother and daughter.
Madam Ji was furious: “Madam Zhao, my family will repay your silver when the IOUs are due, no matter what. You forcibly detain my daughter—aren’t you afraid I’ll take this to court?”
Madam Zhao laughed: “The Zhao family fears the Ji family can’t repay the silver, so we’re holding Second Miss Ji as collateral. If you go to court, Madam Ji, do you dare let the court clerks examine the accounts of the Huanhua Dyehouse? Oh, I almost forgot—your eldest son is to marry next month. Ah, I’m even more worried the Ji family can’t repay. Want to take Second Miss Ji home? Fine—the Ji family’s secret formula can serve as a guarantee.”
Only a few hundred taels in the accounts. On the tenth of the next month, her eldest son would marry Fourth Miss Zhang. Madam Ji stared hard at Madam Zhao. The Zhao family had come prepared.
Using the secret formula as a guarantee—what a scheme. Ji Yingying burst out angrily: “So your Zhao family collected our IOUs to get our secret formula!”
“Who wants your secret formula? Fine, use the dyehouse as collateral then.” Madam Zhao watched with satisfaction as the mother and daughter’s expressions changed. The secret formula—the Ji family would never surrender it. If they dared use the dyehouse as collateral, she would send people to seal it today. The Ji family would have no chance of recovery.
Madam Ji took a deep breath: “Madam Zhao is determined to keep my daughter today?”
Madam Zhao stood up, smiling: “When the IOUs are due next spring, if the Ji family can’t repay, we can sign another year’s contract. Rest assured, Madam Ji, during this time our Zhao family won’t mistreat Second Miss Ji. We’ll feed and house her well until the Ji family brings silver to redeem her. See Madam Ji home.”
The servant women surged forward, instantly separating Madam Ji from Ji Yingying.
Ji Yingying was furious. She turned and pulled a feather duster from a plum vase, shouting: “We said we’d repay before the due date. I’d like to see who dares keep me here!”
Governess Gu sneered: “Second Miss Ji, this is the Zhao residence. You’d better behave, lest you get hurt!”
This was the Zhao residence—the path here had been quiet and empty. The Zhao compound was so large, that no one would notice the disturbance in the Vine Garden. Madam Ji’s face went pale. She shook off the servants’ hands and turned to shout: “Yingying, stop!”
“Mother! I don’t want to stay in Zhao’s house! What right do they have to detain me?” Ji Yingying was overwhelmed with grievance.
Madam Ji forced herself to stay calm: “Since the Zhao family dares let me return, they surely won’t mistreat you. Stay here without worry. Mother will bring money tomorrow.”
Watching Madam Ji being forcibly escorted away, Ji Yingying suddenly remembered Sang Shisi and Niu Qi Niang. She rushed forward with the feather duster: “Get out of my way! I need to tell my mother something!”
Several sturdy servant women moved to stop her, but she struck them fiercely, making them cry out in pain.
“Let her speak!” Madam Zhao commanded confidently.
Ji Yingying ran to Madam Ji’s side and quickly whispered in her ear: “Find Young Master Fourteen at the Chief Minister Sang’s mansion!”
Madam Ji was startled, remembering the young man who had approached Ji Yingying at the ceremonial gate. She nodded, gave Madam Zhao a long look, then turned and left the courtyard.
Madam Zhao walked slowly to Ji Yingying’s side, seeing her glare, and couldn’t help laughing: “Second Miss Ji, you and your mother are so naive. Even if she brings money tomorrow, you won’t leave our Zhao family.”
“What do you mean?!” Ji Yingying’s hand gripping the feather duster trembled slightly. What did the Zhao family intend?
Madam Zhao’s expression suddenly changed, turning cold: “Bind her!”
The servant women rushed forward.
Ji Yingying screamed, wildly swinging the feather duster. Outnumbered, she was soon overpowered, her arms twisted behind her and bound.
Governess Gu pulled out her handkerchief and forced it into Ji Yingying’s mouth: “Second Miss Ji, now it’s your turn!” Not daring to strike Ji Yingying’s face, she pinched her arms viciously before signaling the servants to drag Ji Yingying inside.
Leaving the Vine Garden, Madam Zhao rubbed her temples, truly tired after a busy day.
Governess Gu supported her fawningly: “Madam should rest. Tomorrow you must rise early for the bride’s tea ceremony.”
Madam Zhao murmured assent, walked a few steps, then stopped: “Nanny, who do you think sent me that message? How did they know the Ji family couldn’t produce the silver? They’re so mysterious—I feel like detaining Second Miss Ji today is like making a wedding dress for someone else.”
Eager for revenge, Governess Gu comforted her with a smile: “Perhaps someone with a grudge against the Ji family. Don’t think too much, Madam. Didn’t the letter say the Yang family planned to propose to Second Miss Ji? If we hadn’t acted first today, how would that Ji girl ever enter the Zhao family again? Wait two days—with the Yang family’s backing, we wouldn’t be able to control her.”
“Hmph, I’d rather kill Second Miss Ji than let the Yang family benefit!” Madam Zhao’s eyebrows lifted as she let Governess Gu support her back to the main courtyard.
……
The Zhao family had channeled living water from the Huanhua Stream into their compound. The Water Garden lay at the northern corner of the main building’s middle section. Adjacent to a lotus pond, it had originally been the Zhao family’s summer pavilion. Now it had been newly painted as Zhao Xiuyuan and Niu Wu Niang’s new residence.
The Water Garden was three times wider than the Vine Garden. Curved corridors surrounded it, shaded by green trees. Through the back courtyard gate lay the Zhao family’s rear garden.
They couldn’t expect the parents-in-law to vacate the Moon Brocade Hall for the bride. This largest courtyard in the Zhao family’s main building naturally became the best choice.
The bridal chamber was packed with Zhao family women. All knew the bride’s background from the third-rank Military Governor’s family made her untouchable. Only at this moment, when the bride couldn’t properly speak up, could the Zhao women tease a bit.
Niu Qi Niang had stayed by her sister’s side. Her feat of shattering the blue brick with one stomp had already spread. With her standing beside Niu Wu Niang, the Zhao women’s tongues softened somewhat.
The red silk-wrapped beam was placed in Zhao Xiuyuan’s hands as everyone waited for him to lift the bridal veil.
Zhao Xiuyuan’s palms were slightly sweaty. He thought self-mockingly, that he was marrying Niu Wu Niang for her family’s power—why should he have any expectations about her appearance? His gaze fell on Niu Wu Niang’s delicate jade hands resting quietly on her knees. The lovely Niu Qi Niang stood nearby—perhaps Niu Wu Niang wouldn’t be ugly enough to embarrass him?
He lifted the veil.
Niu Wu Niang calmly raised her face.
A powder-white face with cherry-painted lips—the most ordinary bridal makeup, nothing special. Most striking was Niu Wu Niang’s eyes, clear as flowing water.
Zhao Xiuyuan let out a long breath of relief.
The Zhao women were greatly disappointed. Their exchanged glances all carried a puzzled “Wasn’t she disfigured by smallpox? How is it not visible?”
A golden gourd was split in half, the halves connected at the stem by a red thread. Zhao Xiuyuan and Niu Wu Niang each held half to drink the ceremonial wine.
The wine was bitter, symbolizing the couple’s future sharing of life’s joys and sorrows.
Zhao Xiuyuan and Niu Wu Niang’s eyes met. He saw her clear gaze, showing not the slightest shyness in examining her husband. He recalled her words at the ceremonial gate, and the wine in his mouth grew increasingly bitter.
With the ceremonial wine drunk, the wedding rites were complete.
A Zhao family servant woman appeared at the right moment, smilingly inviting Zhao Xiuyuan to attend to guests at the banquet in the front hall.
Zhao Xiuyuan said gracefully to Niu Wu Niang: “Wife, rest first.”
Leaving the bridal chamber, Zhao Ping emerged from the corridor: “Young Master, Young Master Ji was made drunk as soon as he sat down. Madam Ji took him home.”
Zhao Xiuyuan smiled slightly. He looked back at the bridal chamber and said softly: “To the Vine Garden.”