Before her marriage, Wen Yuwan had a tepid relationship with her younger half-sisters. Being four or five years older than them, they didn't have much in common.
Of them all, her impressions of Wen Ye were vague. She remembered her as a proper, ordinary girl - quite unlike Second Wen who loved to nitpick, or Third Wen, who was timid and cowardly. Wen Ye seemed to lack any distinctive traits.
How utterly ordinary she was, just like any other.
It was only recently, when she returned for her younger brother's wedding, that her mother mentioned something about this fourth sister. Only then did Wen Yuwan start paying some attention to Wen Ye.
As Wen Yuwan snapped out of her thoughts, she complimented Wen Ye, and told the maidens to remove the gifts.
However, she noticed her daughter, Lin Shuer, looking longingly at the departing gift box. Wen Yuwan chuckled: "Alright, you can play with it tomorrow."
Upon hearing this, Lin Shuer's eyes sparkled, and, a little bashful, she buried herself in Wen Yuwan's arms: "Mother~"
Everyone present smiled in response.
"Also, Aunt Shen is coming over today.” After sending Lin Shuer back to her room with her maids, Wen Yuwan shifted the conversation to serious matters. "Mother, my cousin Shen Cheng, who got a similar rank as my older brother in the exams, is of lower standing, but he is still a valid candidate."
Worried for their fourth sister's marriage, Wen Yuwan naturally shared her mother's concerns.
"Do you mean Shen Cheng?" After thinking for a while, Madam Shen finally remembered among her numerous nephews.
It wasn't her fault. Her brother had so many children, a whole armada of sons and a handful of daughters, that she needed some real effort to remember them all.
“Yes, him.” Wen Yuwan glanced at Wen Ye, who sat at the end of the table, saying, "Cousin Cheng is twenty-four this year. Jurisdiction-fitting, wouldn't you say?"
Madam Shen considered the idea: "I will think about it."
Considering the complexity of Shen family's enormous clan, Madam Shen was hesitant to send Wen Ye there.
Of course, if Wen Ye herself was willing, she wouldn't stand in her way.
Wen Yuwan wasn't looking for an immediate answer. While she didn't harbor strong affections for her half-sisters, she wasn't out to undermine them either.
Of all her cousins, besides the two legitimate cousins on her aunt's side, Shen Cheng seemed decent despite his humble status, and he was of suitable age.
Noticing Madam Shen's hesitations, Wen Yuwan shifted her gaze back to Wen Ye.
Wen Ye lowered her head modestly, a hint of embarrassment on her face.
She wondered, Shen Cheng, a nephew from Madam Shen's hometown?
Wen Ye didn't know much about Madam Shen's family, only remembering that she had a new niece born the previous month.
Wen Yuwan swallowed the words she was about to speak.
It was best not to ask directly about unfinished business.
And no matter how progressive she was, Wen Ye was still an unspoken maiden.
With this in mind, Wen Yuwan said, "A thorough consideration is warranted, especially with so many distinguished ladies present today."
Madam Shen had the same thought.
At the extravagant feast hosted by Madam Yongcheng Earl at the Yongcheng Earl's Mansion, most of the noblewomen surrounding her were there to scope out potential matches for their sons.
Of course, a few of them were just there to flatter Madam Yongcheng Earl, with her influential husband and son in the imperial court.
Madam Shen didn't wish to partake in this bustling activity, as she already had a few options in mind.
Before the past had set in, Madam Shen glanced at the person next to her saying, "I'm going to introduce you to a few women soon, do you understand?"
If there's anything Wen Ye had perfected in two lifetimes, it was awareness of her situation. No one could outdo her in this regard.
Madam Shen was so involved in Wen Ye's affairs that she had left her daughter-in-law to her daughter; if Wen Ye didn't understand this, she didn't want to live.
Thus, Wen Ye complied respectfully and lowered her eyes, "I understand, mother."
Madam Shen scrutinized her for a long time. It seemed that only after she was certain that Wen Ye wouldn't cause any trouble, did she finally reveal a slight hint of reluctant satisfaction and led her towards the women.
The majority of those who were at this flower-viewing banquet were well-acquainted individuals. Even if some were not close, they could recognize each other.
Madam Shen quickly started chatting with Lady Wu, a wife from the Wu family.
Whereas Wen Ye had always stayed by Madam Shen's side. When the curious gazes of the other women fell on her, she maintained proper etiquette and donned an obedient expression.
Gradually, people became curious about Wen Ye's identity and turned to ask Madam Shen, "Who is she?"
The question came from a woman who was not very familiar with Madam Shen.
In an ordinary tone, Madam Shen replied, "She is my legitimate daughter."
As her words fell, everyone understood that she was the unmarried legitimate daughter of the Wen family, Fourth Miss Wen.
The purpose that Madam Shen brought her to this banquet was very clear.
A few women who had originally thought well of Wen Ye subsequently dismissed the thoughts in their hearts. They might be anxious about their sons’ marriages, but Fourth Miss Wen's age was quite large.
Some of their eldest sons were barely eighteen.
However, one lady Shen did not know, showed interest, and inquired about Wen Ye from Madam Shen, "With Madam Wen’s daughter grown so beautifully, there must be marriage proposals?"
Sometimes, unknowing people really hit the mark.
Wen Ye sighed in her heart.
Madam Shen had a sudden jolt in her heart, but her face remained placid and she said, "Her father has always doted on her and cannot bear the thought of her marrying early, so he held it off until today."
Her words seemed to refute the long-standing rumor of the 'curse'.
As for labelling Father Wen as an unjustly biased father, Madam Shen was certain that Father Wen wouldn't be annoyed. After all, the person that had to get married was Wen Ye, not him.
Besides, a legitimate daughter favored by her father was beneficial news. Everybody knew whose interests would be served if this news got out.
At the right moment, Wen Ye revealed a shy smile.
Some things are better left unsaid. Every person present was shrewd and knew better than to pierce the thin veil hiding the truth.
However, seeing is believing. A few ladies subtly examined the sweet, obedient figure standing next to Madam Shen. She had a cute, delicate face, a good figure, and pure eyes. There were no traces of arrogant indulgence from being pampered nor conniving plans that the illegitimate daughter would generally harbor.
She was neither outstanding nor timid.
Although she was already twenty, a closer look would fool anyone into thinking she was just sixteen or seventeen.
Noticing their gaze, Wen Ye flashed them another shy smile.
She had been idling for twenty years but hadn't forgotten where she was. Since she couldn't evade marriage, of course, she had to pick a family that would provide her with the most comfortable life in the future.
At this moment, the hard work is for a better second half of her life, living like a 'salted fish'.
Of course, this isn't the main reason.
Wen Ye knew that if she didn't pick herself up at this point, her birth mother, Madam Shen, would never allow it.
If that were to happen upon her return home, her life would simply become unbearable.
After hearing what Madam Shen said, a certain Lady Cai who Madam Shen couldn't recognize, appeared to have a smirk on her lips. She didn't care whether Madam Shen was telling the truth or not, and responded, "What a coincidence, I also have one at home; she is so spoilt by her father that she’s become unruly. Maybe we can let our young ladies meet each other one day, see if they can become playmates."
This was clearly a coded language. Talking about daughters on the surface but actually suggesting sons, and making a roundabout statement about events that haven't happened yet.
With a hint of a smile, Madam Shen replied, "That sounds lovely. In a couple of days, I plan to take Wen Ye to the Puqing Temple in the suburbs of the capital to fulfill some vows. The cherry blossoms there are wonderful. Lady Cai, perhaps you might want to enjoy them as well if you have time."
Madam Shen didn't reveal everything, this Lady Cai seemed familiar but she couldn't recall where they had met before.
Unaware of Madam Shen's thoughts, Lady Cai kept a gentle smile on her face, occasionally glancing at Wen Ye with satisfaction.
On the other side, Madam Yongcheng Earl, accompanied by her daughter Lin Xiyun, was deeply engaged in conversation with a young lady. Even though she was nearly two decades older than the woman she was talking to, she didn't dare show any airs of seniority.
The young lady was wearing a light purple dress, radiating elegance and composure with her stunning beauty. She had a warm smile, and her clothing fluttered gracefully with the wind.
"Who is the young lady over there?” The young woman asked as she noticed a new face in the midst of the ladies.
Madam Yongcheng Earl followed the young lady's gaze and simply answered, "She is my maternal family's step-daughter."
“A step-daughter?" The young lady remarked in her usual tone.
But inwardly, she suspected that the match might not be suitable...
Madam Yongcheng Earl nodded. She noticed this young lady has some interest in Madam Shen's step-daughter. She contemplated a bit before saying, "Speaking of which, Madam Shen treats the step-daughter fairly well. It's a pity her luck isn't so good. She was engaged before, but due to some unavoidable circumstances, it had to be called off. The delay has now made her reach this age. Her mother is worried that she might develop a heartache due to this. So, she borrows my flower appreciation banquet to let her come out and relax."
Madam Yongcheng Earl did not speak plainly and left some room for interpretation.
"Delayed to this age?" The young lady looked at the girl in the distance attentively, and asked, "How old is this young lady this year?"
"She just passed her twentieth birthday not long ago," replied Madam Yongcheng Earl truthfully.
The young lady frowned slightly upon hearing this.
Madam Yongcheng Earl couldn't interpret the young lady's attitude. She hadn't expected the Lady of Duke Xu's Mansion to attend her event in response to her invitation.
But soon, she understood. The son, the legitimate heir of Duke Xu's Mansion, has been without a wife for nearly two years. It seems they're prepared to remarry.
Madam Yongcheng Earl wished that the youngest Duchess Xu in the history of the Great Jin Dynasty would take extra notice of her own daughter.
As for other people's future wives, she would never consider such things. However, the Duke Xu's mansion was a different story. Little did they know, since the inception of the Great Jin Dynasty...
Only two dukes have ever been sealed in our realm, one of them was the present emperor's great-grandfather, the other one was the Xu family.
The Xu family’s title was earned step by step through their impressive military merits. Before inheriting the dukedom, Xu's eldest was already the General of Dingyuan, a third-grade position. Currently, he is not needed on the border of the Great Jin Dynasty due to the absence of war, so he is idly staying at home.
Although the second son of the Xu family did not inherit the dukedom, he held the first place scholarship in the 31st Year of the Qingde Era. He was only fifteen at that time.
To date, he is the youngest bureaucrat in the Ministry of Justice, a beloved close official of the emperor.
Had it not been for the demise of the late emperor... perhaps this second son of the Xu family would have advanced even quicker.
This was the lament that lingered in the heart of Madam Yongcheng Earl. Regrettably, the duchess seemed uninterested in her daughter. Although she yearned to secure this marriage alliance, she was not without shame to insist on it.
The young duchess seemed to take a liking to the base-born daughter of her mother-in-law. This sparked a notion in her that the Xu family does not set much store by one's family background, leading her to speak more than necessary.
On second thought, even if the Xu family did not value family background that much, they wouldn't choose a base-born girl that was unremarkable in every aspect, ignoring all the legitimate daughters from renowned families in Sheng Jing.
*
The flower appreciation banquet ended, and Madam Shen took the three people home.
In the evening, in the main house.
Madam Shen talked about the day's events at the Yongcheng Earl's Mansion to Father Wen, "I can't recall where I’ve met Lady Cai before, but she seems familiar."
Father Wen had a scholarly demeanor, but his brow furrowed at the statement, "Her family's surname is Cai? Could it be Magistrate Cai that was promoted from a local official to the Imperial Court a few months ago?"
Seeing Father Wen's odd expression, Madam Shen couldn't help but press for more, "Does my husband know her?"
Not only did Father Wen nod, he added, "And so do you."
He looked at Madam Shen and solemnly advised, "It would be wise for the Wen family to keep our distance from the Cai family."
Madam Shen was clueless, "Why?"
She was considering taking a look at Lady Cai's son, since Wen Ye's marriage shouldn't be further delayed.
Father Wen sighed and explained, "Do you remember the immensely influential Cai family during the tenure of the previous emperor?"
Madam Shen gasped lightly, "Are you saying..."
Father Wen nodded, "The Lady you met today belongs to the same clan as that Cai family. The current benevolent and wise emperor is magnanimous enough to forget and forgive the past transgressions of certain officials, but who can guarantee the future? Our family, the Wen family, should remain as pure officials and not get tangled in such scandalous affairs."
Madam Shen concurred, "I understand now."
The Cai family of the previous emperor's tenure used to be the staunch supporter of the Ninth Prince, while the current emperor, though legitimate, wasn't favored or even acknowledged for many years. Owing to the prince's power, the Cai family gave the emperor many covert setbacks.
For the emperor to sidestep old grudges and reappoint the side branch members of the Cai family now speaks volumes about his graciousness.
After a sigh of admiration, Madam Shen immediately thought of Wen Ye's marriage that needed attention, which left her quite annoyed. "I'm afraid Lady Cai is well aware that her family's direct lineage might impede her son's marriage prospects. That’s why she’s focusing her attention on base-born daughters from renowned families."
When hearing this, Father Wen asked, "Is she interested in our Wen Ye?"
Madam Shen nodded, "Seems so."
Father Wen immediately shook his head, "Let’s look for another family. The Cai family won't do."
Madam Shen sighed, "I understand. But with this approach, we have to start searching all over again. Wanner did mention her cousin from her uncle's family."
Father Wen, too, was at a loss for a suitable solution for his illegitimate daughter's marriage. After pondering for a moment, he suggested, "If all else fails, perhaps we could choose from the newly appointed officials."
She can't remain unmarried forever. As time passes, what would the outsiders think of the Wen family?
The scholar selection had just recently ended. It would be easy to find a commendable newly selected scholar.
Madam Shen, after considering it, felt this suggestion could work. She stated, "Then you should observe more carefully next time. If you find a good one, let me know his name."
