Chapter 83 — A Marriage

She called out "Old Mrs. Wu" and smiled. "Our madam has just finished her business. Shall I announce you?"

Old Mrs. Wu thanked her.

Caisu went inside to report, and Ji Shi came out to welcome Old Mrs. Wu. The maids and serving women filling the courtyard dispersed.

Old Mrs. Wu, of course, did not ask what the matter had been. Once the maids had served tea and refreshments and the two had exchanged a few pleasantries, Old Mrs. Wu came around to the purpose of her visit. "...Only yesterday, when I happened to speak with Third Sister-in-law Xiu, did I learn that Sister Yi is already betrothed. The Fourth Miss must be only a few months younger than Sister Yi, is she not? Now that your niece is promised, when may we hope to drink to the Fourth Miss's happiness?"

Ji Shi was not one to miss a meaning, and at once she caught the drift of Old Mrs. Wu's words.

Gazing into those eyes that held a faint, unmistakable hope, she felt a swell of pride—and of tender feeling—at the thought that the daughter of the house had grown to marriageable age.

The Wu family was one they knew through and through—far better than a distant marriage into the Jining Marquis's household!

Only Dou Zhiwei's circumstances were peculiar. Whatever Old Mrs. Wu might have heard, there were things that ought not to come from her own lips.

Ji Shi at once had her answer.

She smiled and took a sip of tea, then said vaguely, "As you know, Shouyuan's mother is no longer with us, and her marriage will likely have to await her uncle's wishes as well. That is why it has been put off until now."

Old Mrs. Wu had her confirmation, and her heart settled. She raised her teacup, praised the "excellent tea" again and again, exchanged a few idle words with Ji Shi, then rose to take her leave and went to the quarters of her second cousin by marriage, Second Young Mrs. Yu.

"You wish to take Shouyuan as your daughter-in-law?" Second Young Mrs. Yu's eyes went wide with astonishment when she heard that Old Mrs. Wu wished her to act as matchmaker for Wu Shan.

Old Mrs. Wu was faintly displeased.

Dou Yan might have his faults, but since she had already spoken up to seek Dou Yan's hand for Wu Shan, then as a daughter of the Wu family married out, Second Young Mrs. Yu ought not to take such an attitude.

And when Second Young Mrs. Yu saw Old Mrs. Wu give a firm nod, she was thrown into confusion.

How had her aunt suddenly set her heart on Dou Yan?

Could it be that during these days as a guest in the Dou household, her aunt had caught wind of something?

True, the Second Dowager had imposed a gag order back then, saying it was for Dou Zhiwei's safety and that no one was to speak of the matter. Should anything happen to Dou Yan, whoever had leaked the word would bear the blame, and whether that person lived or died, the Dou family would not concern itself. But the Dou household had many mouths, and Dou Yan had reached the age for marriage; it was possible that someone had let something slip...

The thought had no sooner crossed her mind than she dismissed it.

Her aunt had always been proud and aloof. If she had not encountered such a thing, well and good; but had she encountered it, she would surely have kept far away—much less entrusted her with seeking a match for her son.

At this, she could not help feeling a surge of excitement.

If Dou Yan were to marry into the Wu family, the Wu family's wealth would double. The Wus might not scheme after Dou Zhiwei, but it was always good to have wealthy kin, and the girls married out into other households would hold their heads higher before their in-laws!

Second Young Mrs. Yu could not help smiling. "To think that Aunt has set her heart on Shouyuan!"

If Dou Yan married into the Wu family, she would be the Wu family's daughter-in-law. The tale of Wu Shan's admiration for Dou Zhiwei must never be mentioned. Those in the know might call it mutual affection, but those who did not would think them guilty of an improper liaison!

If Dou Zhiwei's reputation were ruined, the Wu family's face would be lost as well!

Old Mrs. Wu smiled. "It was during these days as your family's guest that I saw how, young as she is, Shouyuan conducts herself with such steadiness. You know as well as I that Shan'er has a gentle nature, and I wished to find him a wife who can keep him in hand."

This matter, she feared, would still need the Second Dowager's assent.

Second Young Mrs. Yu smiled. "Then let me first sound out the Dowager's wishes?"

Old Mrs. Wu was delighted. "Need we not speak to Wang Shi?"

Second Young Mrs. Yu smiled. "After all, Shouyuan belongs to the west branch. It would be better for the Dowager to inquire of Uncle Seven's wishes."

"True enough!" Old Mrs. Wu smiled. "Then I leave the matter in your hands."

"That kin should be joined to kin—that gladdens my heart as well!" Second Young Mrs. Yu said with a smile.

After seeing Wu the elder woman off, she went to the Second Old Madam's quarters.

Ji, for her part, went to the West Mansion.

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As for the question of the male lead, I will not say another word about it!

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I merely saw a comment from someone who did not care for Wu Shan, and assuming everyone felt the character was poorly drawn, I asked a question about it. I never expected it to turn into speculation over who the male lead is...

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