Miao Ansu was secretly surprised upon hearing this.
Lady? Which lady?
From the tone, it seemed she was accompanying guests.
It must be someone from Duke Ying’s mansion.
That hateful Third Madam of the Song family!
Whose children’s marriage doesn’t involve haggling over dowry and betrothal gifts? Yet she took it to heart, as if the Miao family owed her something, treating her with disdain. Miao Ansu had been sitting here for ages, yet the Third Madam hadn’t even introduced her.
Miao Ansu smiled coldly.
The first, third, and fourth branches of the Song family were merely side branches of Duke Ying’s mansion. For now, she would let it go. Once she established herself, there would be time to deal with her.
Thinking of this, she finally felt somewhat better.
Meanwhile, Dou Zhao was seeing off the eldest daughter-in-law of the Lu family and the Third Madam of Duke Jing’s mansion.
As a relative of Song Yichun’s maternal family, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Lu family couldn’t leave first while others could. So after the bride entered, she sat coldly in the hall drinking tea.
Naturally, Dou Zhao had to keep her company.
Madam Zhang had stayed only out of respect for Dou Zhao, so she also joined the conversation while Dou Zhao chatted with the Lu family’s eldest daughter-in-law in the hall.
Jiang Yan stuck close to Dou Zhao, not leaving her side for a moment.
Seeing that she had fulfilled her duties, the Lu family’s eldest daughter-in-law rose to bid farewell.
Dou Zhao and Jiang Yan escorted the two to the outer gate.
Seeing people leaving, those in the bridal chamber also began to disperse.
Dou Zhao and Jiang Yan stood at the gate to see off the guests.
The bridal chamber quieted down.
Miao Ansu immediately lashed out.
“Ji Hong, I told you to give rewards to the little maids, why aren’t you moving?” Her face was as cold as frost, in stark contrast to the festive atmosphere in the room. “Have you forgotten the rules?”
Ji Hong’s eyes reddened as she said softly, “The master only gave me a dozen or so red envelopes. I was afraid the young ladies and gentlemen of the Song family and their relatives’ children might come in to serve you tea…”
Not giving rewards to maids could be excused, but if there were no red envelopes for Song Han’s siblings and the Song family’s relatives who came to offer congratulations, it would be embarrassing.
As it happened, the two brothers from the Song family’s first branch were acting as elder uncles, helping to entertain guests in the front and couldn’t come to make merry in the bridal chamber. Song Jun from the third branch and Song Yao from the fourth branch, though they were younger brothers-in-law, were held back by the Third Madam who disliked the Miao family and wouldn’t let Song Jun come to the back courtyard.
The Fourth Madam, not wanting to stand out, followed the lead of the First and Third Madams, tightly holding Song Yao’s hand. Song Jin, always pampered at home, had been taught a lesson at Duke Ying’s mansion last time and now viewed it as a place to be avoided. She cried and made a fuss, refusing to attend Song Han’s wedding, so the Third Madam had to say she was ill.
Those relatives were even more clear-eyed, none willing to get involved in the Song family’s affairs. Only adults came to attend the wedding feast, not a single child, resulting in none of the Song family’s aunts coming to make merry in the bridal chamber.
Miao Ansu immediately gritted her teeth, saying, “He took sixteen thousand taels of silver as betrothal gifts from the Song family, yet won’t even give me the face of a few taels of silver. Is he trying to force me to my death?”
Miao Ansu’s wet nurse, Shi, was startled upon hearing this and quickly said, “My good young miss, today is your big day of joy. You must not speak such inauspicious words!” As she spoke, she made several bows towards the west and recited a few lines of scripture.
Miao Ansu held back again and again, barely managing not to say even more unpleasant words.
She asked Ji Hong, “Was the one wearing the silver-red jacket in my room earlier the heir’s wife, Lady Dou?”
Being new to the place, anyone would naturally survey their surroundings first.
Miao Ansu couldn’t move, but Ji Hong had been smilingly building relationships with the maids and servants arranged by the Song family in the bridal chamber, calling them “sister” and “auntie,” curiously inquiring about who was who, and had indeed recognized a few faces.
“That was the First Madam of the Song family, Lady Tan,” Ji Hong shook her head. “The heir’s wife has been accompanying the eldest daughter-in-law of the Lu family and the Third Madam of Duke Jing’s mansion, drinking tea in the hall.”
Before marrying into the Song family, the Miao family had already thoroughly investigated the Song family’s relatives. Though she hadn’t met them in person, Miao Ansu had memorized these relationships and knew who was who as soon as she heard.
She was stunned and asked, “The heir’s wife didn’t come to the bridal chamber?”
Ji Hong knew her young miss was extremely proud and couldn’t bring herself to say that Dou Zhao hadn’t entered the bridal chamber.
She tactfully said, “There were too many people in the bridal chamber. The heir’s wife stood at the door for a while but had to retreat with the eldest daughter-in-law of the Lu family and the Third Madam of Duke Jing’s mansion.”
Tired from a long day, Miao Ansu’s spirits were low, and she didn’t carefully ponder Ji Hong’s words. Instead, she asked, “What does the heir’s wife look like? Does she seem easy to get along with?”
Remembering how stunned she was when she saw Dou Zhao, Ji Hong said softly, “The heir’s wife is quite beautiful, with a graceful demeanor. She speaks calmly and slowly; her temperament should be good.” Then she smiled and said, “Anyway, you’ll be formally meeting the family early tomorrow morning. The young miss will see for herself then whether she’s easy to get along with.”
Miao Ansu nodded.
Song Han didn’t return to the room until after the third watch of the night.
He was drunk and had to be supported into the bridal chamber by his servant, Zeng Quan.
Miao Ansu quickly ordered someone to bring hangover soup for Song Han.
However, Song Han fell asleep as soon as he hit the wedding bed.
Song Mo returned to his room around the same time as Song Han.
When he returned, Dou Zhao was still leaning against the large pillow reading a book, waiting for him.
Seeing him return, Dou Zhao immediately put down her book and asked, “How was the wedding banquet in the outer courtyard?”
“It was fine,” Song Mo said, not wanting to elaborate. “At least we’ve gotten through this.”
A young maid brought in water for Song Mo to wash up. Dou Zhao personally helped him with his change of clothes and said, “I’ve prepared a welcoming gift for Lady Miao, following what mother gave to the eldest sister-in-law when she first came. Do you want to add or remove anything?”
Given what Song Han had done, Dou Zhao didn’t even want to look at him. But Lady Miao was innocent, and she was doing this entirely for Lady Miao’s sake.
Song Mo thought this arrangement was good and said, “After they return from their month-long stay at her maiden home, I’ll ask Uncle Lu to mediate and have Song Han and his wife set up their household.” His tone suggested he couldn’t wait for Song Han to disappear.
Understanding his feelings, Dou Zhao gently stroked his hand and told him about Madam Hu coming to propose a marriage to Jiang Yan. She added, “See, just by appearing with me a few times, someone has come to propose marriage for Sister Yan. In a while, when I’m feeling better, I’ll take her out more often. A good marriage will come soon.”
Song Mo nodded and said, “Choose a good family for Ayan carefully. We don’t need them to be extremely wealthy or noble, just someone who will be devoted to Ayan and live a good life with her.”
“Yes!” Dou Zhao smiled and said, “So I plan to spread the news about Madam Hu coming to propose marriage. After Ayan and I climb Fragrant Hill on the ninth day of the ninth month, there should be more people coming to propose.”
Song Mo chuckled and said, “I’ll accompany you both to climb Fragrant Hill then.”
“You have to go!” Dou Zhao chided playfully. “If you don’t go, who will help me carry Young Master Yuan?”
“So I’m only worth five taels of silver?” Song Mo teased.
Young Master Yuan’s wet nurse received a monthly allowance of five taels of silver.
Dou Zhao giggled.
Song Mo pulled Dou Zhao into his arms.
His hot breath fell on her neck…
Early the next morning, a radiant Dou Zhao and Song Mo, carrying Young Master Yuan, went to the small hall in the upper courtyard.
Song Yichun hadn’t arrived yet.
Song Mo and Dou Zhao were playing with the child.
Song Maochun’s family arrived first.
Song Mo and Dou Zhao stood up smiling to welcome the guests.
The assertiveness of Song Mo and his wife had long made Song Maochun and his wife regret their past actions. Every time they saw Song Mo and Dou Zhao, they felt very guilty. Now, seeing the couple smiling, they felt a sense of unexpected favor and hurried forward, their expressions barely concealing their fawning as they greeted them: “The heir is here so early? We thought we were the earliest! No wonder people outside praise the young master for being diligent. You’ve put us all to shame!”
Young Master Yuan’s smiling face put Song Mo in a good mood, and he rarely joked with Song Maochun: “Diligent? Uncle, you’re too kind!”
Song Maochun laughed awkwardly.
The First Madam of the Song family smoothed things over, holding Young Master Yuan’s little hand and smiling at Dou Zhao: “It’s only been half a month since we last met, but look how Young Master Yuan’s little face has filled out. He’s becoming more and more handsome.”
Dou Zhao smiled gracefully.
Song Fengchun and Song Tongchun’s families escorted Song Yichun in.
Song Yichun’s face was gloomy, and his expression became complicated when he saw Young Master Yuan.
Song Fengchun and Song Tongchun exchanged a glance, while Song Jun and Song Yao, oblivious to the undercurrents among the adults, rushed forward to hold Young Master Yuan’s hand. One said, “I’m your Fifth Uncle,” while the other said, “His hand is so small, even smaller than my cousin’s.”
Dou Zhao smiled as she allowed the two children to curiously examine Young Master Yuan.
The Third Madam of the Song family hurriedly pulled Song Jun aside, her face full of embarrassment as she explained to Dou Zhao: “Children don’t know any better. Please don’t take offense.”
Young children are often prone to accidents, and she was afraid that if Song Jun got too close to Young Master Yuan and something happened, it would be blamed on Song Jun.
Dou Zhao didn’t force Song Jun and Song Yao to be close to Young Master Yuan. She just smiled without saying anything.
Seeing this, the Fourth Madam of the Song family hesitated briefly but didn’t move.
Song Yichun found this scene quite irritating.
He said impatiently, “Alright, alright, everyone sit down and talk!”
Everyone then sat down, men to the east and women to the west.
All three brothers from the Lu family had brought their wives, while Duke Jing’s mansion sent Zhang Xuming and the couple Feng Shao.
The eldest daughter-in-law of the Lu family smiled and said, “The Princess and our old master and old madam are too advanced in years to join this lively gathering. They’ve sent us to bring their welcoming gifts.”
The Third Madam Zhang smiled and said, “My father and mother have gone to visit the Princess, so they’ve sent us siblings to congratulate cousin Tian’en.”
Song Yichun knew his eldest son couldn’t compare to his second son, but these people were going too far, not leaving any face at all. Did they think so little of Song Han’s abilities?
He was bitter inside but helpless – he couldn’t force others to give him face if they didn’t want to.
Song Yichun frowned and nodded, inviting them to sit down. He then drank his tea without saying a word, making the atmosphere in the small hall somewhat oppressive.
The eldest daughter-in-law of the Lu family played with Young Master Yuan while chatting with Dou Zhao: “How many meals of milk does he have a day? Does he cry at night? In another month, it will be his hundredth day. Have you set a date for the celebration?”
The Third Madam Zhang stood behind the Lu family’s eldest daughter-in-law, clapping her hands to attract Young Master Yuan’s attention.
Song Jun and Song Yao found it interesting and ran around Young Master Yuan.
The small hall suddenly became lively.
Song Yichun’s face turned ashen. He called out loudly for Zeng Wu, saying, “It’s already high noon. Why haven’t Tian’en and Lady Miao come yet?”