Chapter 103: The Betrothal Banquet

Page 1/3

Both families entered the house and took their seats. Then, Gu Chengren and Jiang Binghao took turns introducing each family member to one another, and polite greetings were exchanged.

Next came the matter of the matchmaker. Holding the list of betrothal gifts from the Jiang family, she read each item aloud for the Gu family to hear. After confirming everything was correct, Jiang Binghao’s aunt handed the list to Mrs. Li, who carefully took it.

Then, naturally, they brought out the previously exchanged betrothal certificates. The matchmaker took up the pen to write the marriage contract. “There, the old lady has once again brought about a good marriage. With this, her duty is fulfilled,” the matchmaker said with a smile as she handed the marriage contract to both families.

“When the wedding day comes, we’ll surely need to trouble you, miss,” said Jiang Binghao’s mother with a smile as she accepted the contract, carefully tucking it away.

With this, the marriage was settled, only awaiting the auspicious day to bring the bride home. Only then did both families finally breathe a sigh of relief, and the atmosphere in the room relaxed noticeably.

“Dear in-laws, if either of you have any opinions about the children’s marriage, now’s the time to speak up so we can discuss everything clearly. It’ll save us trouble after returning home,” Jiang Binghao’s mother asked.

The Jiang family had brought a generous dowry today—Mrs. Li had no reason to be dissatisfied. Although Gu Chengren had previously described the Jiang family’s status as average, Mrs. Li had harbored some hesitation. But seeing the splendid dowry now, it was clear the Jiang family had substantial means. What was there to worry about?

“Dear mother-in-law, we have no objections whatsoever. As long as these two children live well together, nothing else matters,” Mrs. Li replied quickly with a smile.

Jiang Binghao’s mother nodded, appreciating the Gu family’s sensible attitude and not being difficult. “Even so, that puts my mind at ease.”

They then discussed the wedding details at length. Since the village was some distance from the county seat, it was better to arrange everything in advance to avoid any trouble on the day.

Together they set the wedding date and time, the procession route, the number of people accompanying the bride, and the reception banquet. Mrs. Li deferred to the Jiang family on all matters, which pleased Jiang Binghao’s mother and aunts greatly.

When the arrangements were complete, it was already noon. The kitchen had long prepared the food and wine, so Mrs. Li instructed the servants to begin setting the tables to entertain the guests.

The Gu patriarch, Zhang Yuanming, Gu’s second uncle, Guan Zhengshan, Gu Chengzhong and his brothers—five men in total—along with Wensheng and Wenjie, accompanied Jiang Binghao and the young men who had come with the betrothal gifts. They sat around two tables arranged on the kang (heated bed platform) and floor in the east room.

Mrs. Li, her elder sister-in-law, Mrs. Huang, as well as Gu Xiulan, Gu Xiuyun, and Gu Xiuli, accompanied Jiang Binghao’s mother Mrs. Yuan, his aunt Mrs. Jiang, his aunt-by-marriage Mrs. Yue, and the matchmaker. They sat together around a table on the kang in the west room. Since Xiuyun’s youngest daughter was only one year old, she held little Yonglian in her arms.

Page 2/3

The remaining Gu daughters-in-law and children, as well as the Guan and Lü family children, were seated at two tables in the outer room. There were many children, so everyone squeezed in but managed to sit adequately.

Wu’s daughters-in-law and Wenfang and Wenfei busied themselves carrying dishes in and out of the house. Today’s feast was prepared under the direction of Mrs. Feng, who insisted on the cooking style customary in the southern part of the house. Every dish was carefully and exquisitely made. Though all ingredients were local, Mrs. Feng’s skill gave them a unique flavor.

The banquet was lavish. There were several kinds of fish dishes: clear stewed fine-scaled fish, steamed crab, and vinegar carp, served on the tables in both east and west rooms. Not to mention various wild game dishes—venison, wild boar, bear meat—and hot dishes such as chicken stewed with mushrooms, braised rabbit in sauce, vinegar pork chunks, pork stewed with vermicelli, as well as several cold vegetable salads. Altogether, sixteen dishes were served. Plates were stacked atop one another to fill the tables completely.

“Oh, dear mother-in-law, you are far too kind! There’s no need for such a grand feast,” Mrs. Yuan said, delighted by the generous portions and the enticing aromas. The daughters-in-law’s clever garnishing made each dish look like a work of art. She felt the Gu family truly valued the Jiang family and this marriage.

“These are simple country dishes. I hope they suit your tastes, dear mother-in-law. Please don’t mind if they are not perfect,” Mrs. Li replied cheerfully.

Mrs. Huang listened quietly, inwardly praising Mrs. Li’s tact. She had expected Mrs. Li to use this occasion to pressure the Jiang family, but instead, Mrs. Li behaved like a different person today—no difficulties, everything settled smoothly. Not bad; she was no fool. If Mrs. Li had acted haughtily today, she would have been utterly foolish.

What Mrs. Huang did not know was that Mrs. Li’s demeanor was the result of a full night’s counsel from her two married daughters and Gu Chengren. They had patiently explained everything, breaking things down clearly. Only then did Mrs. Li soften and behave so amicably. Had Gu Chengren not anticipated this and united his elder sisters in persuasion, Mrs. Li might well have shown her mother’s pride and made things difficult for the Jiang family today.

At this moment, the worried Xiuli, Xiuyun, and Gu Chengren finally felt relieved.

The atmosphere at the banquet was lively and cheerful. Mrs. Li and Mrs. Yuan addressed each other as “dear mother-in-law,” exchanging warm, heartfelt words as if close sisters.

“Dear mother-in-law, my daughter Xiuli is our eldest. Honestly, I was already advanced in years when I had her, so I’ve been a bit indulgent. She has a bit of a temper, so please be sure to teach her well. If she makes mistakes, don’t hesitate to discipline her—that is for her own good,” Mrs. Li said.

Of course, she wasn’t truly asking Mrs. Yuan to discipline Xiuli, but was subtly conveying that their daughter, though a country girl, had been cherished and spoiled. Now that she was marrying into the Jiang family, they must not mistreat her. Even if she falters, please be patient and understanding.

Mrs. Yuan and the others understood perfectly and smiled warmly. “Dear mother-in-law, every daughter is cherished at home. We all went through that stage. I see Xiuli as a fine girl—graceful, composed, and polite. There’s no need for me to teach her anything; you have done well,” Mrs. Yuan replied with a smile.

The two mothers-in-law exchanged compliments, with the women from both families joining in, causing Xiuli to blush deeply and become too shy to eat. After hastily taking a few bites, she excused herself, saying she wanted to hold the baby, and withdrew to the side.

In such gatherings, no one truly feasted; it was all ceremonial. Soon, the Jiang family declared themselves full and left their seats to chat nearby.

Wu’s daughters-in-law could barely eat properly, always alert to movements in the rooms. When the banquet in the west room ended, they entered to clear away the dishes slowly. After finishing there, they hurried to tidy the east room’s tables as well.

Page 3/3

The Jiang family lingered a while longer at the Gu household. After a few words, they prepared to take their leave. The Gu patriarch and Mrs. Li insisted repeatedly that they stay a few more days, but Mrs. Yuan declined politely, citing the long journey and concern about returning after dark. Besides, with the wedding date so near, they had to hurry back to prepare.

After much polite back and forth, Mrs. Li packed half of the food gifts the Jiang family had brought for them to take home. This was customary: except for the pair of geese, half of the edible gifts brought by the groom’s family at the betrothal had to be returned to them.

The Jiang family boarded their carriage. Jiang Binghao glanced back at Xiuli, dressed in a crimson floral gown, his gaze lingering on her face and figure. “Wait for me. In just one month, I will come to take you home,” he said softly.

Xiuli blushed and nodded. “Yes, I’ll wait for you, for you to come for me.” Her neck flushed red as she spoke.

Jiang Binghao stared at Xiuli, reluctant to look away. Only when Mrs. Yuan tugged his sleeve did he come back to himself. “I must go now. Take good care of yourself.”

The young men who had accompanied them urged the horses on, and the Jiang family’s carriage, carrying about ten people, departed from Qingshan Village, heading toward the county seat.

The Gu family stood outside the gate, watching until the carriage was out of sight before turning back inside. “Eldest brothers, quickly bring all the things the Jiang family sent inside and put them in Xiuli’s room,” Mrs. Li ordered after everyone had left.

Gu Chengzhong and the others moved forward and carried all the items into the west room where Xiuli stayed. Mrs. Li, accompanied by Xiuli, Xiulan, and Xiuyun, sorted the gifts carefully one by one.

“These betrothal gifts are all yours. I’m only keeping the food; the rest is for you to take with you. You are our eldest daughter. If you live well, then I’m at peace,” Mrs. Li said tearfully as she tidied.

Mrs. Li’s tears made her three daughters uneasy, and they hurried to comfort her. After some time, Mrs. Li felt better. “Since your two elder sisters are here, help me gather your dowry as well. It will save us from being too busy. I can’t trust your sisters-in-law; if they see those things, they’d surely be jealous.”

So, the mother and her three daughters carefully organized Xiuli’s dowry. Over the years, Mrs. Li had indeed saved quite a lot for Gu Xiuli.