It is said that Fu Chengyi returned to the old mansion in the prefectural city these days. However, he was extremely unsettled, unable to eat or sleep well. In the weather of October, blisters had even appeared on the corners of his mouth.
Right after he finished his business, he rushed back to the Shu Family in Lingle County without delay.
The beaded curtain at the outer room rustled. The eldest mistress, Mrs. Fu, had just woken up from her noon nap. Hearing the maid report that the seventh young master had arrived.
Mrs. Fu adjusted the phoenix hairpin beside her temple and said, "Hurry up and invite him in."
Fu Chengyi looked travel - worn with exhaustion on his face. It was obvious that he had ridden back day and night.
Without waiting for Mrs. Fu to speak, he called out "Elder sister" and asked impatiently, "Is she willing? Has the Pei Family given a reply?"
Mrs. Fu couldn't help but sigh. She never thought that this devil - may - care young master would reach this stage.
She said leisurely with a smile, "Look how impatient you are. Sit there and have a cup of tea first."
After all, he was her younger brother. Mrs. Fu couldn't bear to let him be so anxious. She told him in detail how the matchmaker had visited the Pei Family. In a gentle voice, she said, "The Pei Family has given a reply. They are willing to form an alliance between the two families."
Fu Chengyi finally felt relieved. His heart was filled with warmth. "Really? What did A Jin say?"
Mrs. Fu said with a smile, "How could she take the lead in marriage matters? Naturally, it's the elders in the family who make the decision. If you want to know her thoughts, go and ask her yourself."
These words made Fu Chengyi smile. He stood up, bowed deeply to Mrs. Fu, and said with a big smile, "Thank you, elder sister. I'll have to trouble you with the wedding arrangements later."
Mrs. Fu gave him a sidelong glance, raised her eyebrows and said, "Now you know my goodness? Who was the one who cried, made a scene and threatened to hang himself back then? And what else... If you couldn't marry the girl from the Pei Family, you would become a monk. I dare not let the foundation of the Fu Family be destroyed in my hands."
Fu Chengyi beamed with a smile. He stepped forward attentively and served tea to his elder sister. "I was just afraid that you wouldn't agree, so I had to resort to such measures. How could I do something to make elder sister sad?"
Mrs. Fu took the tea and took a sip. "Don't be too complacent too early. The Pei Family has agreed to marry their daughter to you, but they didn't say it would be right away. They have conditions."
Fu Chengyi quickly asked, "What conditions?"
Mrs. Fu looked at him and said, "You've been raised by your grandmother since childhood. Your personality is straightforward and a bit naughty, but your eyes are very bright."
Fu Chengyi tilted his chin slightly, giving her a look that seemed to say "Of course".
Mrs. Fu said with a soft smile, "At first, I really wanted to find a well - born and gentle lady for you. At least, her family shouldn't be much inferior to ours. But everyone has their own fate, and yours is here. Our parents have passed away, and as your elder sister, I can't bear to separate you two. Thinking further, with Qijiao, a capable woman, the Pei Family and even the Ye Family will only get better and better as long as they don't make any major mistakes. Just looking at Pei Jin alone, we can see the character of her whole family. When marrying a wife, one should marry a virtuous one. Having a virtuous and intelligent wife is better than any amount of gold and silver."
She continued, "Think about it. Pei Jin is such a wonderful young lady. It's understandable that the Pei Family wants to keep her for a few more years. Moreover, she is still doing business with Qijiao. The condition of the Pei Family is to first finalize your marriage, and then hold the wedding ceremony after a few years."
Fu Chengyi let out a sigh of relief. "You really scared me. I thought it was some difficult condition. As long as A Jin is willing to marry me, I can wait for one year, two years or three years."
Mrs. Fu smiled and said, "That's settled then. I'll find someone to choose a lucky day and send the betrothal gifts to her family first."
Fu Chengyi arched his hands towards her, and the smile on his face widened. "I'll follow whatever you say, elder sister."
Mrs. Fu was efficient in handling things. In less than ten days, she and Master Shu personally went to the Pei Family to hold the betrothal ceremony (the preliminary engagement).
The betrothal ceremony was equivalent to the modern engagement.
The two families had a very pleasant conversation. Besides pork, beef and mutton, there was also a considerable amount of betrothal money and gifts. Finally, the betrothal letter was presented.
The Pei Family accepted the betrothal letter. They would hold the wedding ceremony after Pei Jin came of age in one year.
On this day, Qi Jiao came back specially and personally prepared a sumptuous banquet.
Pei Jin came out shyly with a smile to toast everyone. Fu Chengyi was also in high spirits. Everyone laughed and joked until dusk before leaving contentedly.
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Although Pei Jin and Fu Chengyi had the preliminary engagement, they were both busy with their own affairs.
October passed in a blink of an eye. The weather was getting colder day by day. The facial creams and soaps in Zhuoxiang Hall were selling well.
Pei Jin shuttled back and forth between Yinwan and the county town, extremely busy.
Fu Chengyi rushed back to the prefectural city and focused on expanding the business of his family's shipyard.
It is said that Fang Yunxin had labor pains for a day and a night and finally gave birth to a full - term daughter on the Frost's Descent day. Both she and Lord Hui were overjoyed. They gave the baby a milk name, Shuangjiang (Frost's Descent).
Seeing that Shuangjiang was healthy and smart, Fang Yunxin was grateful for Qi Jiao's careful care of her and the baby. Before the baby's full - moon, she let the baby recognize Qi Jiao as her godmother.
Qi Jiao also liked Shuangjiang very much and happily agreed. The next day, she sent a congratulatory gift - she had asked Fu Chengyi to customize a solid - gold longevity lock and a necklace in the prefectural city early on. There were beautiful scroll - grass patterns and auspicious words engraved on them.
Fang Yunxin and Lord Hui came from noble families. The gifts from their relatives and friends were, of course, more precious and rare than Qi Jiao's. Shuangjiang had dozens if not hundreds of longevity locks, but it was enough that Qi Jiao had shown her kindness.
Unexpectedly, Qi Jiao became the godmother of the county magistrate's daughter. Some people were both surprised and envious, while others were jealous and hostile.
In fact, Fang Yunxin had come to Lingle County with Lord Hui for almost a year.
Since there were finally two noble figures coming from the capital, all the major families in Lingle County had sent their female relatives to make friends with them.
Those ladies had tried every means, but none of them had won Fang Yunxin's favor.
It was actually a cook who took the lead and coaxed Lady Fang so well that she couldn't do without her during pregnancy and child - birth. After the baby was born, she even recognized her as the godmother.
Some female relatives who thought they had a good relationship with Lady Fang were almost furious when they heard the news.
Among the group of female relatives, Mrs. Zhu, the second mistress of the Shu Family, half - complaining and half - blaming, said, "I don't know what kind of goblin that Qijiao is. She not only coaxed the county magistrate's wife submissively, but also... tut - tut... Do you know that my eldest sister - in - law actually hired Qijiao's younger sister - in - law as her younger brother's wife."
As soon as these words were said, they really aroused public indignation.
One said, "Isn't your eldest sister - in - law from the Fu Family? The Fu Family is extremely wealthy. How could she be willing to let her younger brother marry a poor girl?"
Another said, "This is really inappropriate. The two families are not well - matched. What was your eldest sister - in - law thinking?"
Mrs. Zhu shook her head. "Who knows? I don't know what kind of magic potion she gave my eldest sister - in - law. She doesn't even care about her younger brother's family business and future."
The others just let it go, but the third young mistress of the county magistrate's assistant's family took it to heart.
The third young mistress's surname was Pan. Since she was not favored by her in - laws, she was eager to make friends with Fang Yunxin so that her in - laws would look at her with new eyes.
She was about the same age as Fang Yunxin, and they had a good private relationship. Fang Yunxin would invite her to all kinds of banquets.
Before Fang Yunxin gave birth, Mrs. Pan had hinted to her several times that she wanted to be the godmother of the baby in her womb.
She still remembered that Fang Yunxin had thanked her for her kindness at that time, and then gently deflected the topic.
Mrs. Pan was extremely discouraged and had to find other ways to please Fang Yunxin.
She originally thought that since Fang Yunxin was a noble lady from the capital, although she was amiable, she might actually look down on the official and noble families in Lingle County, which was why she had rejected her.
But who would have thought that in the blink of an eye, the godmother of the county magistrate's daughter had emerged out of nowhere.
If she had been a well - born and virtuous lady, it would have been acceptable. But this woman's status was much lower than hers.
Mrs. Pan didn't dare to resent Fang Yunxin. She just directed all her jealousy and hatred at Qi Jiao.