Chapter 102: Xiuli’s Engagement Arrangement

During the festival, the visiting aunt, accompanied by her husband and children, came home, filling the Gu household with a warm and harmonious atmosphere. Naturally, Gu Chengyong and the others would not provoke Mrs. Li at such a time, and Mrs. Li, for the sake of her daughter's dignity, would not cause trouble either. Thus, the day passed in peaceful tranquility at the Gu residence.

The Dragon Boat Festival came and went quietly, and early the next morning, the Gu family began to bustle with activity. Today was the day of Xiuli’s engagement, and soon the Jiang family would arrive. The entire household, both inside and out, had to be meticulously prepared.

At dawn, Mrs. Li ordered the grandsons to tidy every corner of the courtyard. After breakfast, she directed the daughters-in-law to prepare everything needed for the betrothal feast. Anything that required slow cooking was put on the stove; everything that needed soaking was carefully soaked.

Madam Feng also came over to help today. Her culinary skills far surpassed those of the Gu daughters-in-law. Whenever the family had a special dish, they would send some to the elders to taste. Knowing her second daughter-in-law’s talent in cooking, Mrs. Li had specifically discussed with Feng that she would take charge of the kitchen today, with the others assisting her.

Feng had no objections. After all, today was Xiuli’s special day and a significant event for the Gu family. A perfectly arranged feast would bring honor to the family. “Very well, since you insist, let us trouble the sisters-in-law and younger sisters today to lend a hand.”

Mrs. Li nodded approvingly. This second daughter-in-law was excellent in both needlework and cooking. It was just unfortunate she had married the second son; if only the fifth son could find such a virtuous wife, Mrs. Li, as a mother, would have no worries at all. Thinking of this, she felt a pang of discomfort—how frustrating that the stubborn second son had such good fortune.

Still, Mrs. Li knew the importance of the day and didn’t waste much effort on trivial matters. “First daughter-in-law, listen carefully. Whatever the second daughter-in-law asks you to do, you must do it. The dishes she makes are exquisite. The Jiang family lives near the county town and has seen the world; we mustn’t appear too rustic.”

Mrs. Li was genuinely pleased with this match and thus took it very seriously. Everything today had to be perfect—no mistakes were allowed.

After giving detailed instructions to the daughters-in-law, Mrs. Li left the kitchen to accompany her daughter indoors. Both Gu Xiulan and Gu Xiuyun were married daughters who had returned home as guests, so naturally, they were not expected to lift a finger.

Such occasions were managed solely by the women. The old master of the Gu family, concerned about the crops in the fields, had already taken an early morning stroll through the farmland. Seeing the neatly lined seedlings thriving, he returned home contented.

Yesterday evening, Gu Chengyong had taken his son and nephews to the river to cast a net. After breakfast, he brought the boys back to the riverside again. At this moment, several boys carried wooden buckets, faces beaming with joy as they walked back. Upon entering the Gu courtyard, Wensheng called out, “Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle and I caught lots of fish! There are even a few fine-scaled fish and crab-clawed ones—perfect for the midday feast.”

Mrs. Li, sitting inside, heard the commotion and hurried out. She saw several wooden buckets on the ground, all filled with lively fish. The fish were quite large, and with limited space in the buckets, they flailed about, trying to jump out.

“Quick, isn’t there a big jar in the yard? Fill it with water and transfer the fish in there. We can’t eat all these fish today; let’s keep some alive for a few days. When your eldest aunt returns, she can take a couple with her,” Mrs. Li said happily, giving instructions.

Wensheng, Wenjie, and the others followed Mrs. Li’s advice. They moved the large jar from the corner of the yard, cleaned it thoroughly twice, filled it with fresh water, and then transferred all the fish inside. About a dozen fish crowded into the jar—it wasn’t spacious, but still much better than the buckets. The fish stopped flailing wildly.

After putting the fish in the jar, the boys went inside to change clothes. Having just been in the river catching fish, they were soaked through. For such an occasion, they needed to be neat and tidy.

Wen Tao had also accompanied them to the river early that morning. Now, he and Wen Xiu hurried back to the west wing. Upon entering, Wen Tao happily told Jiaoyan, “My dear, do you want to see the fish we caught? There are plenty—more than a dozen, each over a foot long—right in the big jar in the east courtyard.”

Jiaoyan was feeling much better today, but everyone was still cautious and insisted she rest on the kang platform without moving around. With the household bustling, only Wen Ying and Wen Qian had no pressing tasks and came over to chat with her. Hearing Wen Tao mention the fish, Jiaoyan wished to see them.

“Big brother, may I walk around outside? Staying on the kang all the time isn’t good. I’m fine now—no more dizziness,” Jiaoyan pleaded earnestly, looking at Wen Xiu.

Wen Xiu shot Wen Tao a glare. “You’re too quick with your words. You know Jiaoyan’s temperament but still teased her like that. Now look—she doesn’t want to stay on the kang. What are you going to do?”

Wen Tao paused, scratched his head, then laughed. “Brother, since Jiaoyan seems fine, we can’t keep her cooped up. I’ll help her walk around a bit; lying down all the time will sap her strength.”

“Second brother is sensible. Please help me walk, I’m no longer dizzy. If I lie down any longer, I’ll really suffer,” Jiaoyan said. She wasn’t one to sit still, especially with the house so lively today; there was no way she’d stay lying down.

Wen Xiu had no choice but to step forward and help her down from the kang. She put on shoes and slowly paced back and forth. After two rounds, Jiaoyan no longer needed support. “See? I told you I’m fine,” she said proudly.

“Don’t be so smug. You still need to be careful. Auntie said you must keep taking your medicine and recover fully—no lingering illnesses,” Wen Xiu warned, pinching her nose playfully. “Only slow walking, no running around. There are many people at home today—don’t let anyone bump into you. Wen Tao, you’re with her today; take good care of her.”

Wen Tao nodded and stayed close by Jiaoyan’s side, accompanying her as she strolled through the yard.

By late morning, Zhang Yuanming and his wife arrived, followed shortly by Gu’s second uncle and his wife. Today was Xiuli’s engagement day, and as relatives and elders, their presence was expected. The younger generation stayed home, avoiding overcrowding, which could lead to noise or squabbles among the children.

Mrs. Li was overjoyed to see her sister and brother-in-law and pulled the elder Mrs. Li inside to chat. When Gu’s second uncle and aunt arrived, Mrs. Li forced a smile and went to greet them. The couple, unconcerned by her reaction, entered directly and went to converse with the old master.

Gu Xiulan and Gu Xiuyun were clever girls and knew well the tension between their mother and second aunt. They quickly flanked their second aunt, chatting with warm smiles.

Second Aunt was not one to make trouble; today was Xiuli’s joyful day and a big event for the Gu family. She naturally would not pick a fight with Mrs. Li at this time. Likewise, Mrs. Li would not stir trouble for her daughter. Thus, the two sisters-in-law maintained an unusually peaceful demeanor, avoiding their usual quarrels.

At the start of midday, Wen Qing, Wen Jing, and the others, waiting at the gate, saw two horse-drawn carriages approaching the Gu residence. It was clear they came from the Jiang family. “Grandpa, Grandma, the Jiang family has arrived!”

As they spoke, the carriages pulled up to the main gate. Out stepped Jiang Binghao, his mother, aunt, and other relatives such as his wife’s maternal aunt and uncle. Several young men followed, unloading many items from the carriages.

The Gu family waited at the gate and hurried to greet the Jiang family. “Auntie, Brother Jiang, please come inside and have a seat,” Gu Chengren, standing in for his parents, warmly invited them in.

The young men accompanying the Jiang family were Jiang Binghao’s cousins and relatives, here to deliver the betrothal gifts.

According to local custom, an engagement typically involved four or six types of gifts, while the bride price was sent closer to the wedding date. But since Xiuli and Jiang Binghao’s wedding was scheduled soon, there was no separate occasion to deliver the bride price. Hence, the Jiang family informed the Gus in advance and brought the bride price along with the engagement gifts.

The Jiang family’s bride price was quite substantial. Besides cakes, wine, tea, and meats, they prepared two bolts of fine brocade, two of heavy cloth, two of light cloth, two sets of clothing for Xiuli, a pair of large jars decorated with pine and deer motifs, sets of gold and silver hair ornaments, a pair of jade bracelets, a pair of jade pendants, and fifty taels of silver.

Altogether, the gifts represented a considerable sum. The Gu family was somewhat surprised by the generosity.

The elderly couple of the Gu family were overjoyed upon seeing these gifts. Such abundance clearly showed the Jiang family’s high regard for Xiuli. If they had been dissatisfied with her, they would not have prepared so many fine items. Mrs. Li’s smile never faded; this match was truly a wise choice.

The bride price was placed in the courtyard for all to see. The more lavish the bride price, the greater the Gu family’s face. Mrs. Li instructed Wensheng, Wenjie, and the others to carefully watch over the gifts in the yard and prevent any mishaps.