Chapter 234 — Back-to-Back

No wonder people said that one grows wise from books. The Fourth Miss never set foot outside, yet she knew these tricks inside out—if you failed to carry out what the master handed down, you could forget about keeping your footing in this household. They would go to the Grand Steward of the Huai Tree Alley, state their purpose, and hand over the silver. The Grand Steward, thinking he was cleaning up the mess for the Seventh Master, might well see it as a chance to curry favor with him; and since they knew the rules and were willing to pay, he would be more than happy to borrow the Fifth Master's authority to make a show of force, and threaten and lure that fellow surnamed Zhang every which way.

Dou Fan reasoned that since Zhang Zhiqi could already claim a connection to the Elm Tree Alley, he would naturally be glad to cast off his father.

As for whether he could persuade the Fifth Uncle to subscribe—judging by how well she knew the Fifth Uncle, so long as the position of Chief Grand Secretary had not yet fallen into his hands, he would certainly not stir up trouble at a time like this and leave himself open to gossip.

"Get this matter settled quickly," she instructed Cui Min and Zhang Fugui, "lest the night bring more dreams. The moment you have the deed in hand, bring it straight to me. To keep them from forging my father's handwriting and seal, I must also persuade Father to stop using the seal that appears on the deed."

The two bowed and assented. Then her cousin Zhangru came running in.

"Shouyuan, Shouyuan," she said excitedly, not even noticing Cui Min and Zhang Fugui in the study—the two, unable to dodge in time, hurriedly lowered their heads and stepped to one side—"Someone from the Song family has come, bringing the betrothal schedule for your wedding to confirm. I stole a peek for you: they'll come at the mao hour tomorrow to press for the bride. They're bringing thirty-six carrying-poles of betrothal boxes. Mother is discussing with the Sixth Madam right now whom to send to deliver the trousseau!" As she spoke, her eyes darting about, she sat down beside Dou Zhiwei and whispered, "Whom do you plan to send to arrange the trousseau? Have her secretly take me along to watch the fun!"

By custom, the bride's family would send someone to hand over the trousseau to the groom's family and arrange the bridal chamber.

The one who handed over the trousseau was usually an elder of the bride's family; the one who arranged the bridal chamber was usually someone familiar with the bride's habits—perhaps a sister-in-law, perhaps a wet nurse, or even a close maidservant.

When Dou Ming had married, it was Suxin who went to arrange the bridal chamber.

She wondered whether Dou Ming had grown used to it or not.

Dou Chi thought mockingly, motioned for Cui Min and Zhang Fugui to withdraw, and said with a smile, "Aren't you going to the recognition of kin?"

At the double morning congratulations, the bride's brothers and sisters-in-law, along with her unmarried sisters, would go to the groom's house to drink the kin-recognition wine.

"That's true!" Zhao Zhangru said, stroking her chin. "If I go drink the kin-recognition wine at the double morning congratulations and the Song family recognizes me, that would be terrible—rather than dressing up as a maidservant and sneaking into the Yingguo Estate, it would be better if, at the double morning congratulations, you took me along to have a proper look around the Yingguo Estate." Growing excited again, she went on, "Shouyuan, I hear people say the Yingguo Estate occupies an entire alley—to walk from the main gate to the main hall takes the time of two quarter-hours, and to reach the hanging-flower gate you have to take an oiled cart. But there are only three people in their household. Once you marry in, won't you be afraid?"

Dou Yan was caught between laughter and tears. After much coaxing she finally got Zhao Zhangru to leave; then, hesitating for a long while, she instructed Suxin, "I want to see the Heir. Have Old Chen arrange it."

Suxin pursed her lips, answered, and went out of the Heming Temple Alley.

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Song Yan was just taking his leave of Empress Wan: "...I have asked for four days' leave. After four days I will return to duty at the Jinwu Guard. If Your Majesty has any instructions, I will enter the palace at any time to await them."

Despite her careful upkeep, days of fear and worry had left Empress Wan utterly exhausted, and she looked more haggard and aged than her years warranted.

She said gently, "You're about to be married, and here I am dragging you along in the palace..." A hint of apology showed between her brows. "The Emperor's condition has stabilized; nothing will happen these next few days. Hurry back now! Go be a proper bridegroom!" At the last, her face broke into a smile, and a touch of animation came over her dignified features, making her look much more spirited.

Song Yan assented respectfully and withdrew.

Gu Yu was boredly teasing the palace maids. Seeing Song Yan come out, he dropped the maids and ran over hurriedly. "How was it? What did my aunt say? Did she say she'd reward you?"

Song Yan patted him lightly on the head. "All day long it's nothing but rewards with you! Couldn't you spare a proper word of comfort for the Empress?"

Gu Yu pouted. "With the Crown Prince keeping my aunt company, I won't go hovering about there." These past few days Song Chu had been very busy, and he too was constantly being sent hither and thither by the Empress; the two had never had a chance to speak privately. The matter of Dou Zhiwei had become a knot in his heart, and seeing that Song Yan could leave the palace, he said hurriedly, "Wait for me a moment—I'll go tell my aunt, and we'll leave the palace together. You're getting married; how could I not come drink to your happiness?" As he spoke he ran toward the rear hall, calling back again and again, "You must wait for me! I have something important to tell you!"

Song Yan smiled faintly.

That the apple was not crisp and the plums were sour—to Gu Yu, these were matters of the gravest importance.

This was the Kunning Palace, after all!

And he had not a drop of blood relation to the Empress!

Song Yan pressed a piece of broken silver into the hand of a palace maid nearby and said courteously, "Might I trouble you, sister, to tell young Master Gu later that I will be waiting for him at the Xizhi Gate."

The maid's face flushed crimson at once, and she stammered, "The Heir need not be so courteous; this servant will certainly deliver the message for you."

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Sisters and brothers, work resumes as normal tomorrow; the break runs Monday through Wednesday. There will be single updates tomorrow and the day after, and double updates from Monday through Wednesday.

o(n_n)o~

ps: Begging for pink votes...

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