CH 53

Chapter 53 – Continuation

Yes, definitely.” Yu Bo speedily replied, as he felt it was better to settle their family matters first.

Shen Fang looked at Li Jun who was filled with righteous indignation and shook his head.

He was concerned that that Li Jun would say something unretractable.

He tugged at Li Jun’s arm and said firmly to Yu Wen. “Master Yu, this is a serious matter and furthermore it came so abruptly. I think Ah Jun still needs some time to think it over. We will take our leave now. Let’s reconvene where there’s more information.”

Yu Wen felt it was too awkward to keep Li Jun any further, so he personally sent both of them out.

Yu Yuan immediately pulled Yu Tang aside to talk. “Could this have something to do with the painting?”

Yu Tang was startled by Yu Yuan’s keen perception, but as he still had to go to the marriage meeting in the afternoon, she couldn’t delay Yu Yuan.

“I have no idea!” She replied, “Things have already happened, so there’s no point in speculating further. All we can do is wait patiently.”

More importantly, the whereabouts of seventh uncle was still unknown.

Yu Yuan nodded somewhat distractedly.

Yu Tang tried to cheer him up, saying, “Anyway, they were not successful, and even those people who tried to take me were sent to prison. Those people that were behind this, after hearing about this, they must have been really frustrated! Their misery is our joy. We should be happy!”

Yu Yuan laughed at Yu Tang’s twisted logic.

After hearing his laughter, Yu Tang let out a small sign of relief and continued, “Brother, the heavens favor those who do good. You see, although I encountered this, but I had help from third master Pei, Li Jun and Shen Fang. You, Eldest Uncle and father all came to the rescue, so I’m already pretty fortunate.”

“I hope so.” Yu Yuan replied. After thinking about it carefully, he felt that Yu Tang’s words had some truth to them. He grinned and feel a lot more relaxed, saying, “However, it’s better for you to stay at home in the future, it’s too unsafe outside.”

Yu Tang giggled. “Then you should hurry up and bring my sister-in-law home. If I have someone to keep me company, naturally I won’t go outside that often anymore.”

Yu Yuan laughed embarrassedly.

Although they encountered such an unfortunate incident, but as it was difficult to reschedule the marriage meeting with the Wei Family, they had to leave despite not having found seventh uncle.

Yu Wen got worried that Yu Tang would be traumatized by the ordeal and asked her if she wanted to head back to the city first.

Yu Tang answered, “The Wei family already knows that I’m coming, so if I don’t show up and the Wei family asks, what would you say?”

Yu Wen still wanted to object, but Yu Tang brushed pass him and headed for the door, saying, “Father, I’m fine, don’t I still have you all to protect me? I’m not someone who can’t handle such things.” After saying that, she called out to Madam Chen: “Mother, when are we leaving? It’s getting late.”

Madam Chen and Madam Wang were chatting. Once they heard Yu Tang’s voice, they came out happily but were horrified to see Yu Tang in such a mess.

Yu Tang explained that she and her seventh uncle had gone to pick flowers and fell, and that her seventh uncle was injured and had gone to the city to see a physician.

Madam Chen felt it was a little strange, but Yu Wen who was beside her helped to say a few words for Yu Tang. She assumed that Yu Tang was just being naughty and had gotten into trouble like she did when she was a child, and Yu Wen was helping her cover it up. After pulling her close and examining her from head to toe and confirming she wasn’t hurt, she let the matter pass.

Yu Tang went to freshen up a bit, and they made their way to the Wei family’s residence.

They were greeted by Mr. and Mrs. Wei and their eldest son. They were told that the other children had gone to Mrs. Wei’s maternal house to send gifts for the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Yu Tang guessed that Mrs. Wei was afraid that there would be too many people in the house and that it would be too noisy and not dignified enough.

The Yu family, except for Madam Wang, had all met the Wei family before and already had a good impression of each other, so after the introductions, they naturally warmed up and the atmosphere turned lively. However, Yu Yuan, perhaps because of a change in his role, his face turned beet red as he lowered his head and hid behind Yu Bo’s back. He was completely devoid of his usual calmness and confidence, as if he had became a different person.

Madam Wang got anxious, so when the Wei family was not paying attention, she slapped her son’s back and said in a low voice, “Stand up straight, don’t ruin this.”

Yu Yuan straightened his back, but his face turned even redder.

Fortunately, Mrs. Wei thought that it was normal and even regarded Yu Yuan more favorably because of it. After everyone had sat down, she instructed her maid, “Lady Yu is here as well, so have our family’s young lady come over to meet her.”

This was why Yu Tang had to tag along.

Yu Tang couldn’t contain her curiosity as she looked on.

Not long after, the maid led a young lady who looked to be 17 or 18 years old in. She was tall, with her hair in a bun, honey-colored skin, thick eyebrows and big eyes. She wore a short silk jacket and a pair of pearl earrings the size of lotus seeds. Her gaze was bright and sincere, and her smile was warm and friendly.

Although she wasn’t a great beauty, but Yu Tang immediately formed a good impression of her.

Lady Xiang smiled as she came forward and paid her respects to the Yu family.

Yu Tang saw Yu Yuan dart a glance at Lady Xiang before hurriedly looking down once more. She looked at Lady Xiang again, who held herself with confidence and suddenly felt their dynamics was interesting.

In Eldest uncle’s family, eldest uncle respects eldest aunt, and would inform eldest aunt about anything, and liked to listen to her opinions. On the surface, it seemed to be eldest uncle who was in charge, but in actuality it was eldest aunt who had the final say.

If eldest cousin and Lady Xiang got married, perhaps the two of them would follow the same pattern as eldest uncle and aunt?

This really attests to the saying “To be a family, you would share the same traits”.

When Yutang returned Lady Xiang’s bow, she found that Lady Xiang was half a head taller than her.

In other words, Lady Xiang and Yu Yuan were about the same height.

The two of them chatted politely and made some small talk. Soon after, Lady Xiang left.

Today’s marriage meeting was officially over.

The next step was for the matchmaker to take over and liase between both families.

Yu Tang got a little worried that Yu Yuan would dislike Lady Xiang’s height, so on the way back, Yu Tang quietly asked Yu Yuan. “Did you manage to see clearly how Lady Xiang looks like? What do you think?”

Yu Yuan awkwardly replied, “You are younger than me and also my sister, so why do you care so much?”

Seeing that Yu Yuan did not seem to be disappointed or sad, Yu Tang remarked, “I was just afraid that my eldest uncle and aunt may have done all this work in vain.” She quickly added, “If you don’t want to tell me, forget it. Anyway, later on, Eldest Aunt and Uncle will ask you about it. I’ll ask Eldest Aunt or Eldest Uncle then.”

“Why are you so talkative?” Yu Yuan said with a little annoyance. He paused for a long while before continuing, “Whose children’s marriage is not decided by their parents? I’ll just listen and follow their arrangements.”

Listening and following their arrangements? Doesn’t that mean he’s willing?

And yet he still spoke in such a roundabout way.

Yu Tang hid her smile.

After returning home, she followed Madam Chen everywhere she went, just like a little tail.

Madam Chen laughed and asked, “What are you up to?”

Yu Tang giggled and said, “Later when you’re discussing brother’s marriage later, please let me go over to listen!”

Madam Chen didn’t know if she should laugh or cry, saying, “Being a young, unmarried lady, why are you so interested in hearing about such things?”

Yu Tang said defensively, “This isn’t someone else’s business – it’s my elder brother! So what’s wrong with me showing concern?”

Madam Chen chuckled as she replied, “Okay, okay. I will take you there. Even if I don’t want to take you, you will also find some way to eavesdrop or to inquire about it.”

Yu Tang pursed her lips and smiled playfully.

Yu Wen came over. After giving Yu Tang a look, he said to Madam Chen “I have to go out for a bit. Regarding Ah Yuan, as long as the Wei Family agrees, it will be settled. I may return home a little late in the evening, so don’t wait for me.”

Madam Chen got worried, saying “Today’s marriage meeting involves Ah Yuan’s life-long happiness… it’s not good if you aren’t present. What should I say when Eldest Uncle asks?”

Yu Wen replied, “I have already spoken to my brother about this and he is also aware, so all you have to do is show up. Brother won’t ask any questions regarding my absence.”

Yu Tang suspected that Yu Wen was going to the magistrate to obtain further information.

She quickly added, “Father, I’ll see you out.”

The magistrate’s office was in the middle of the city, so after Qingzhu Lane, they only need to head east.

It was already so late at night, so she was curious to see what Yu Wen wanted to do.

Yu Wen didn’t intend to hide it from her, so when he left the house, he said to her, “Wait patiently at home for my return.” After speaking he headed east.

Yu Tang and Madam Chen went over to Eldest Uncle’s house.

Eldest uncle wasn’t at home either, as he was said to have gone off to the store to settle some matters. Eldest aunt complained. “Of all the times, why does he have to rush off so late? It’s already night, can’t the matter wait a night? He’s really too nonchalant about Ah Yuan. I asked him if he was dissatisfied with Lady Xiang, and he said he was satisfied. He even added that as Lady Xiang was tall, so perhaps the grandson born in the future will follow Lady Xiang’s height.”

Yu Tong estimated that her eldest uncle went to the magistrate’s office together with her father. As her father was a scholar, Yu Wen often carried a little pride when speaking with others. However, her Eldest Uncle was different. As he was a businessman, he often greeted others with a smile, willing to lower himself before others. A place like the Magistrate’s office, it was a difficult place to obtain information. But with Eldest Uncle’s help, things would likely be much better.

Madam Chen did not think much about it, as she held Madam Wang’s hand and said. “When I first saw Lady Xiang, I found her to be a nice young lady. After today, it only strengthened my good impression of her. However, I don’t know about Ah Yuan’s feelings or even if Lady Xiang would look favorably upon Ah Yuan, who looks to be about the same height as her.”

Madam Wang let out a chuckle. “You do not have to worry about this, I asked Ah Yuan as soon as we got back and he said it all depends on us parents. Eldest uncle was pretty happy with Lady Xiang’s height so now it all depends on the Wei family’s decision.”

Madam Chen said: “As the saying goes, lift your head to marry a lady, lower your head to get a bride. Since everyone is in agreement, our family should be proactive. Let’s quickly ask the matchmaker to decide the marriage, and also try to settle this to the best of our ability. Whatever that Mrs. Wei is not satisfied with, let’s try to make it work.”

Madam Wang smiled “You and I both thought of the same thing. Once this marriage arrangement is agreed upon, since Lady Xiang isn’t young, and our Ah Yuan has also reached a good age, they should get married sooner rather than later. I think the place where Ah Yuan is staying isn’t good enough, it needs to be repaired and fixed, and the betrothal gifts, clothing, jewelry and others… but we still need to care for the store’s expenses …… this is really not a good time.”

Madam Chen laughed as she reassured her “What are you worried about, combining both our families’ resources, should we still be afraid of not securing a bride for Ah Yuan? Although Ah Tang has also reached marriageable age, but we have to follow the order of seniority. Ah Yuan’s matter has already been decided, so naturally we will take care of Ah Yuan first. We’ll talk about Ah-tang’s matter when the time comes.”

Madam Wang became embarrassed and repeatedly voiced out, “How can we do that?”

Madam Chen said resolutely, “This matter is settled. Even if Yu Wen comes back, he will definitely agree with me on this.”

Madam Wang was going to say more, but Yu Tang knew that her aunt was just worried about her. Therefore, she intentionally sighed beside her and said, “Who have I provoked? The dowry that my family prepared for me has now became my brother’s betrothal gift for his bride!”

After hearing, Madam Chen chuckled at this and remarked, “What, you actually have an opinion about this?”

“No, no.” Yu Tang shook her head, “I just have a small request – after brother gets married, just because he has a wife, he may forget all about me, his younger sister. No matter what, he still has to treat me as well as he does now.”

Madam Chen and Madam Wang laughed aloud, and Madam Wang put her arms around her and said, “Don’t worry, if your brother treats you badly, see how I settle him.”

Yu Tang laughed along with her.