The day after the Qionglin Banquet, the Jiang Family held a banquet to express thanks. This was also the first time in so many years that the Jiang Family had held a banquet in the capital.
Among the guests who came were not only the wives of various mansions, but also more than a dozen unmarried young ladies over the age of thirteen.
Each and every one of them was exquisitely and extraordinarily dressed, with tinkling ornaments, and everyone understood their intentions very well.
The Jiang Family was from the mansion of a first-rank Duke. Duke Jiang Wenyuan still held real power as the minister of the Ministry of Revenue. His family also had a princess with her own fief, and could be said to be of high status and power.
However, this family, which was usually brilliant and splendid, had an unusually upright family tradition that forbade taking concubines.
As a result, families in the capital who had daughters had kept an eye on Duke Jiang's Residence for many years.
It was said that this generation of the Jiang Family had seven sons in total, each outstanding. Except for the eldest son and seventh son, the other five sons had never been seen before.
Currently, among these seven sons, apart from the one who was already married, the other six were still unmarried.
Especially the seventh son, Jiang Yuchuan. He was the heir apparent of Duke Jiang's Residence to begin with. His status was noble, and he had even placed first in the imperial examinations three times in a row, truly a talented youth.
On the day he went out riding on horseback, he had already captured the hearts of many young ladies.
Therefore, although the Jiang Family held the banquet today, all the families who were eying that spot came as long as they were able.
As each family weighed the two sons of the Jiang Family, Madam Lu was also quietly appraising the noble ladies who came to attend the banquet. She discovered that there were indeed a few outstanding ones among them.
It was just that for her to approve, her children would also need to approve, after all the bride brought back would be spending her whole life with the children, not with Madam Lu.
However, on the second day after the banquet, Jiang Yujiang came to Madam Lu, slightly awkwardly asking for her help. He said that he had taken a liking to the granddaughter of the Imperial Tutor Yan, the young daughter of Ritual Master Yan of the Imperial Academy, Yan Deyin.
Madam Lu was both shocked and delighted as she asked when he had set his eyes on her.
Jiang Yujiang said that he had accidentally met her when he first arrived in the capital city, and it was love at first sight.
But as the lady's family was prestigious, he was ashamed to confess as he did not have anything worthwhile of his own. He could only suppress his feelings back then.
Now that he had some achievements to his name, he plucked up his courage to ask Auntie Lu to help propose the marriage.
Madam Lu knew her daughter had been to the Yan Family before so she asked Jiang Yuqing if she knew Miss Deyin.
Although Jiang Yuqing had been to the Yan Residence with her master several years ago to perform surgery on Ritual Master Yan, she did not have much impression of Miss Yan.
As for Dr. Qiu, even though he stayed there longer, being an outsider man, he naturally would not inquire about such matters.
As Madam Lu had been in the capital for only a short period of time and knew few people, she knew even less about the girls from prestigious households. She then went to Duke of Protector's Mansion to inquire with Madam Qu.
When Madam Qu heard the name Yan Deyin she laughed. "Your eldest young master surely has a good eye. Deyin is truly a good girl, so outstanding in every way.
There's only one thing, she broke off a previous engagement. Otherwise such an exemplary young lady would not still be unmarried at eighteen."
Before Madam Lu could ask, Madam Qu quickly continued, "The family that Deyin was previously engaged to was unworthy. The marriage still had not been completed when Deyin discovered that man already had a number of illegitimate children. Of course the Yan Family would not tolerate being humiliated like that, so they directly called off the engagement.
But it still did damage the girl's reputation. So Deyin wasn't able to marry until she turned eighteen. The Yan Family did say at one point that if she could not find a husband who truly and wholeheartedly treasured her, then they would keep her single for her entire life."
When Madam Lu heard this she was indignant. "It was the fault of the man's family, what does it have to do with the girl? No matter what, I will have this Yan girl as my Jiang Family's daughter-in-law. I wonder if Madam Qu would be willing to help me probe their position on this? My Jiang Family would be eternally grateful."
Madam Qu laughed loudly. "To have a part in such a wonderful match, how could I possibly refuse? It's just that your family's eldest young master's parents are not present. Do you have the authority?"
Madam Lu smiled. "I do! My elder brother and sister-in-law nearly worried themselves white-headed over his marriage.
Whenever they brought it up with him, he would always find some excuse to evade it. At one point my sister-in-law even believed that he would spend his whole life a lonely bachelor.
After my husband and I returned to the capital, my brother and sister-in-law entrusted the duty of arranging his marriage entirely to us.
His mother even joked that as long as he was willing to marry, they didn't care about background or status, just any girl would do!"
Madam Qu laughed until tears came out. "Your esteemed residence's lady really is a formidable woman!"
Madam Lu continued, "That she is! The elders in our household are all easy to get along with. Any bride who marries into our family will be well taken care of.
There's only one thing, our Duke Jiang's Residence comes from humble origins. We do not have a lavish lifestyle to offer, only simple and ordinary days."
Madam Qu exclaimed, "Please stop, if you boast anymore I might actually believe you!
Who wouldn't envy the days in your family! It's unfortunate I don't have a daughter, otherwise I would definitely seek a connection with you!"
Madam Qu only had three lawful sons and no daughters. She did have two illegitimate daughters but since all the boys in Duke Jiang's Residence were lawful children, using an illegitimate daughter to form ties was absolutely out of the question.
The next day, Madam Qu of Duke of Protector's Mansion went to the Yan Family's residence. When the Yan Family heard that she had come to probe for Duke Jiang Residence's eldest young master, they were overjoyed on the spot.
The two young masters of the Jiang Family were both students of the Imperial Academy, so of course no one could fault their character, talent and family tradition. The great young master Jiang Yujiang's talent might be slightly inferior to the heir apparent Jiang Yuchuan's, but he was still extremely outstanding. Their ages were also suitable.
In the past, he actually looked upon Jiang Yujiang favorably for his daughter. But after much deliberation he didn't dare make a move. He never expected that they would take the initiative to propose marriage, and Ritual Master Yan was elated and immediately gave his approval.
When Madam Qu brought this wonderful news back to Duke Jiang's Residence, the Jiang Family was utterly delighted.
Madam Lu promptly asked for a matchmaker and invited Qu as the go-between. She prepared all the betrothal gifts and went with Jiang Yujiang on the auspicious date of April 26 to formally propose the marriage to the Yan Family.
The Jiang Family was sincere in proposing marriage and the Yan Family had no objections either. They quickly agreed to the marriage.
Because official appointments would soon be awarded by the imperial court, Jiang Yujiang would definitely be assigned to a place outside the capital. Before that, the Jiang Family wanted to complete his marriage, so that the newlywed couple could set off together for his post.
Secondly, the children were already of age, and at that point ordinary men would already have a couple children.
Regarding the Jiang Family's arrangement, the Yan Family also expressed their understanding. Actually it was better to wed early, especially since their daughter had previously broke off an engagement, and they were also worried that more complications could arise the longer they delayed.
Therefore after discussion, the two families set the wedding date for just one month later on May 28. The schedule could be said to be rather rushed.
During dinner, Madam Lu worriedly said to her husband, "It has already been over a month since Mother and Eldest Brother and Sister-in-law set off. Logically they should've arrived long ago. Why is there still no news until now?"
Duke Jiang Wenyuan also frowned, but he was slightly more even-tempered than Madam Lu. "Perhaps something happened on the road that delayed them. Let's wait another two days. If they still haven't arrived, I'll send someone to search for them."
Madam Lu sighed. "There's no other option."
Duke Jiang Wenyuan added, "Yujiang's wedding date is drawing near and it will still be lacking etiquette on the bride's side in the end.
Since the young lady from the Yan Family will be marrying in as an elder daughter-in-law, even more weight should be placed on the six etiquettes. Do not worry about spending money on this. We also need to arrange their residence in a timely manner."
He paused then continued, "This is the first time our residence will host a wedding banquet in the capital so we lack experience on many courtesies and proprieties. You should ask Madam Yuan Yun or the Madam of Pingyang Marquis to serve as advisers in regard to details."
Madam Lu nodded. "I understand, don't worry about it!"
That night, neither of them slept well.
The next morning while Madam Lu was listing details for the engagement gifts, a servant came to report that people from their old hometown in Qingzhou had arrived and their carriages were nearing the city gates. They had sent someone ahead to notify them first.
Madam Lu was overjoyed. She sent people to inform Jiang Yuqing at He An Hospital while she led her nephew and son to meet them at the city gates.
They had just arrived at the city gates when the carriages from their hometown appeared as well. At first everyone was busy congratulating the two newest top examination graduates. Then they looked everywhere for Jiang Yuqing. "Where's my darling?"
Madam Lu said, "She went up to He An Hospital early in the morning. Someone has already gone to find her."
Right as she finished speaking, a beautiful baby deer suddenly burst out of the tunnel below the city gates. Atop the deer sat a captivatingly lovely and dazzling young maiden, none other than Jiang Yuqing. From a distance away she had already jumped off the deer's back and threw herself towards them joyfully and hugged Elder Jiang and Old Madam Hu, rubbing her head against them again and again ecstatically.
Jiang Yuqing's deferential manner melted the hearts of the two elderly people, who hugged their precious granddaughter and refused to let go. After kissing the baby for a good while, Jiang Yuqing finally stepped forward to pay his respects to his uncle and aunt, but did not see anyone else.
Lin was delighted with her little niece and said to Lu, "The children are busy with their studies, so their father was afraid that coming here would interfere with their schoolwork and didn't allow them to come.
As for Second Brother and Sister-In-Law's family, they had originally intended to come together. But before leaving, they discovered Little Sister-In-Law was with child, so the couple were worried about leaving the young pair on their own and stayed at home."
Upon hearing that there would be a fourth generation in the family, Lu happily exclaimed, "Why, that is wonderful news! The first three months are most critical, they mustn't be jostled about. Once the child is born, they can come to the capital just the same!"
"That's what Second Brother and his wife thought too!"
The city gates were no place for conversation, so everyone boarded the carriages again and headed home.
This was Jiang Wenkang and Lin's first visit to the capital city, and everything they saw out the window was fresh and exciting.
Gazing at the bustling crowds and tall buildings lining both sides of the street, Lin marveled, "This capital really is the emperor's seat! And so very prosperous!"
Lu said, "Then Eldest Sister-In-Law should stay in the capital for a good long visit this time. I'll take you out to tour all over later."
Lin readily agreed, "That would be wonderful! I must tell you, I've been looking forward to this for ages."
Especially upon hearing that her eldest son, whom she'd assumed would remain a lifelong bachelor, was not only engaged to be married but the wedding was imminent, Lin had been so overjoyed she nearly smashed the carriage wall with a slap.
Afterwards, she asked about the other party - who was she and what family? Upon learning it was the Imperial Physician's granddaughter, she began worrying that with such a distinguished background, what if the girl looked down on her, an uncouth mother-in-law from the countryside!
Lu resentfully admonished her, "While Lady Yan may be of noble status, aren't you the prestigious mistress of the Duke's estate? Besides, you're the elder generation and she's the junior; it's only proper for her to show deference to you!"
When Lin heard this perspective, she realized Lu was right and her fears instantly vanished. She began eagerly asking about Lady Yan's circumstances, and Lu started telling her all about Yan Deyin.
The two sisters-in-law, close despite having not seen each other for years, chatted merrily all the way without the slightest reserve between them.
