The old lady changed into proper attire, and leaning on her cane, led the maids toward the front hall, seeing her daughter-in-law waiting at the covered walkway in the distance.
Madam Meng, seeing her mother-in-law approach, hurriedly went forward to assist her.
“We’ve never had any dealings with them, and for no reason, why would the eldest son suddenly come to our home?” the old lady asked in a low voice as they proceeded inside.
Madam Meng also wore a puzzled expression: “I don’t know either. Just now when Zhang Da said the eldest son had come with gifts, I thought there was a mistake. Last year when I took Yaoting and Ah Fu to visit, he happened to have returned to Beijing for the old lady’s birthday there, and we met once or twice. The eldest son was quite polite, but it was limited to just a greeting or two. I never expected him to visit like this today.”
The old lady then asked about the guest. Madam Meng said, “He was already welcomed into the guest hall. Zhang Da and Yaoting are keeping him company.”
As the mother and daughter-in-law spoke, they stepped over the threshold and entered. The old lady looked up to see a man dressed in a plain-colored robe, his waist bound with a jade-inlaid belt. His bearing was elegant, his demeanor refined. He wasn’t very old, only in his twenties or so, but his gaze was extremely steady. He sat properly in his seat, listening to Zhen Yaoting describe the local customs and people of Quanzhou, occasionally asking a question or two. She approached with a smile and said, “What wind has blown such an honorable guest to our home today? The eldest son’s visit brightens our humble abode. This old woman has been remiss, I hope the eldest son will forgive me.”
Pei You’an saw Madam Meng enter, supporting an elderly woman wearing a luxurious embroidered jacket. The old woman had thick eyebrows and a broad forehead, with shrewd eyes, and appeared to be the kind of family head accustomed to giving orders. Knowing she must be Jia Fu’s grandmother, he rose to greet her, performing the appropriate courtesy for a junior meeting an elder.
Although Old Lady Hu was a merchant’s wife, having managed the household for most of her life, she had developed a discerning eye for people. Having previously heard some things about the Pei family’s eldest son, that his health had been poor since childhood, she had imagined him to be sickly in appearance. Unexpectedly, he was so elegant, with an unpretentious yet inherently noble air about him. She thought that even though he might no longer hold the title of heir, and might even be estranged from his family, he must certainly not be an ordinary person. How could she dare to slight him? After exchanging a few pleasantries, seeing that this former imperial courtier showed great respect for her, with impeccable etiquette and not the slightest trace of arrogance, she was delighted. She invited him to sit again and glanced at her grandson standing nearby, modestly saying, “My grandson lacks knowledge and is dull-witted. If he has said anything wrong, I hope the eldest son won’t laugh at him.”
Pei You’an looked at Zhen Yaoting and smiled, “Your son possesses genuine qualities that our generation often lacks a rare and valuable character. How can the old lady be so modest?”
Old Lady Hu, hearing him praise her grandson so, was even more pleased, and again spoke modestly for a few more sentences. Although curious about the purpose of his visit, as the host, she naturally could not inquire first if the guest didn’t speak of it. So she made a few more casual remarks. Pei You’an said, “My visit today is indeed presumptuous, yet I’ve been received with such warm hospitality, for which I am very grateful. To be honest, I have a matter about which I hope the two kind elders will allow me to speak. May I have your permission?”
Old Lady Hu and Madam Meng exchanged a glance, then smiled, “How can the eldest son be so formal? Please feel free to speak. If it’s within our power, we certainly won’t refuse.”
Pei You’an looked around, and Madam Meng understood. She immediately dismissed the servants and asked Zhen Yaoting to leave as well. When only she and the old lady remained in the hall, they heard him say, “Old madam, madam, to be honest, Yang Yun, the commander who previously escorted my cousin home, was acting on my orders. My cousin was rescued by me earlier. Although she suffered some shock at the time, fortunately, the danger was turned to safety, and now I believe she has returned home smoothly.”
Old Lady Hu and Madam Meng were extremely surprised to hear this.
Previously, after Jia Fu was sent back, Madam Meng knew that Yang Yun was acting on his master’s orders, so she asked about the benefactor’s identity, but Yang Yun didn’t reveal it. Madam Meng had no choice but to let it go. How could she have imagined that, by such a coincidence, the benefactor who had saved her daughter would turn out to be Pei You’an?
Madam Meng was now extremely grateful. Recalling the agony she had endured during the time her daughter was missing, she couldn’t help but once again harshly condemn the unscrupulous traffickers who had captured her daughter, while repeatedly expressing her gratitude to Pei You’an.
Old Lady Hu, however, was much more astute, sensing something different. She knew that the eldest son’s words were likely just an introduction. She smiled and also expressed her thanks a few times, then said, “What matter did the eldest son mention earlier?”
Pei You’an stood up, facing the old lady and Madam Meng, and again performed a formal bow to each of them.
Both the old lady and Madam Meng were puzzled and hurriedly declined the courtesy.
Pei You’an said, “My visit today is for no other reason than for my cousin.”
He paused: “I have admired my cousin for a long time.” Each word was spoken with perfect clarity.
These eight short words, once uttered, stunned not only Madam Meng but also Old Lady Hu, who stared at Pei You’an and fell silent.
Pei You’an’s expression, however, didn’t change in the slightest, and his tone was even more sincere: “I have known my cousin since childhood. Last year, at my grandmother’s birthday, I was fortunate to meet my cousin again, and then, by this kind of encounter, I was able to meet her once more. My cousin’s virtue, speech, appearance, and skills are most precious, making me deeply smitten. Thus, I have decided to marry no one but her. So, although I know this is improper, I still presumptuously call on you today to express my intentions to the old madam and madam. If you could grant this wish, it would be my, Pei You’an’s, good fortune, and I would be extremely grateful!”
Madam Meng was greatly surprised, looking at Pei You’an, momentarily not knowing how to respond.
That Pei You’an had fallen in love with her daughter at first sight, to the extent of vowing to marry her, was not at all strange in Madam Meng’s view. Although her daughter’s beauty came from herself, it far surpassed her own. It would not be an exaggeration to say she could make the moon hide and flowers blush, cause fish to sink and wild geese to fall. Over the years, the family had fended off countless admirers coveting her. Now, this eldest son from the Duke’s mansion had also fallen in love with her at first sight and had specifically come to visit for her sake, showing his sincerity.
But the problem lay in this very matter.
Setting aside other considerations, when had anyone ever seen someone personally coming to propose marriage for themselves?
Madam Meng glanced at the old lady, and seeing that she didn’t speak, said herself, “The eldest son has the bearing of a dragon and the countenance of a phoenix, and does not disdain my daughter’s coarseness, willing to take her as a wife. This is naturally her blessing, but… how should I put this?”
She hesitated for a moment.
Pei You’an smiled slightly, and after his smile, his expression became even more solemn: “I know that marriage requires the proper matchmakers and the six betrothal gifts, as this conforms to propriety and also shows sincerity. I hold the utmost sincerity in seeking to marry my cousin, and the traditional rites are indeed indispensable. But today, the reason I have come alone to rashly meet with the kind elders is, firstly, to express my intentions and show my sincerity, and secondly…”
He paused, looking at the old lady and Madam Meng.
“Both kind elders must have heard some news about His Majesty and the Prince of Yunzhong. In the coming days, I fear I will have no time to attend to marriage matters. Therefore, this visit is also to ask both kind elders to grant me some time. When the time is appropriate, I will ask my grandmother to arrange the matchmaking and betrothal gifts. But please be assured, as long as you agree to give me your daughter, I will do my utmost to protect her for her entire life.”
Madam Meng finally fully understood the purpose of Pei You’an’s visit today.
He wanted the Zhen family to keep Jia Fu unmarried before he came to propose, not to betroth her to someone else.
Quanzhou was well-connected, with countless merchants and travelers coming and going every day, so the news spread quickly. A few days earlier, there were already rumors everywhere about His Majesty going to war with the Prince of Yunzhong. But because of the distance, the common people just viewed it as a royal family drama. Some said His Majesty, with his numerous troops and generals, would surely win; others said the Prince of Yunzhong had the protection of the young Emperor and might unexpectedly turn the tables. In short, there were all kinds of opinions.
Madam Meng had a good impression of Pei You’an, especially since he had saved her daughter. After listening to Pei You’an’s speech, she had already accepted him seven or eight-tenths as her future son-in-law in her heart. The remaining portions were, first, concerns about Pei You’an’s past affairs, and second, fear that her daughter might not agree. She hesitated and looked again at the old lady, who still hadn’t spoken, which seemed a bit unusual.
“Mother? What do you think…”
“Go see Ah Fu, tell her that her benefactor, her elder cousin, has come to our home.”
The old lady suddenly said.
Madam Meng could see that the old lady probably wanted to speak privately with Pei You’an, which was why she was sending her away. She was also eager to see her daughter. She smiled and nodded to Pei You’an, then left, hurrying to her daughter’s room.
After being sent back to Quanzhou in that manner, feeling utterly disappointed and completely despairing would not be an exaggeration. Jia Fu never imagined that Pei You’an would unexpectedly appear at such a time, coming to her home.
What had he come for?
Jia Fu was filled with anxiety and also felt shame, sitting restlessly, completely at a loss. When she saw her mother arrive, afraid that she might detect something amiss, she forced herself to remain calm. When Madam Meng spoke, saying that Pei You’an had come to discuss marriage, she was stunned, her heart pounding rapidly, unable to calm down for a long while.
“…The eldest son said he is very fond of you and wants to marry you…”
Madam Meng whispered to her daughter.
“I feel that the eldest son seems very reliable, and if you marry him, he probably won’t mistreat you in the future. It’s just that when I think of those past events of his, I’m a bit worried again…”
Jia Fu’s face turned bright red as she grabbed Madam Meng’s hand, shaking her head desperately: “Mother! How could he possibly be that kind of person? Those past events must have been misunderstandings! You must not believe those things!”
Madam Meng, seeing her daughter so anxious, was stunned, then smiled, extending a finger to gently tap her forehead: “Look how anxious you are! I haven’t even said anything yet. Could it be that you are also willing to marry him?”
Jia Fu slowly lowered her head, saying nothing.
Madam Meng looked at her daughter, thinking again of her abduction. Although she was eventually rescued, her chastity had likely been lost, which was probably why she had been depressed since returning home. She felt both joy and sorrow, drawing her daughter into her embrace, sighing: “I was worried that you wouldn’t want to marry him. This is for the best. He is also your lifesaving benefactor, so this marriage can be considered heaven’s will. When he formally comes to propose, Mother will send you off in grand style.”