Chapter 121: Chengren's Marriage

"Mother, you have no idea. Today, my aunt and uncle caused quite a stir in the county, demanding all sorts of things from the Jiang family. The person in charge of receiving guests for the Jiangs was put in a very difficult position by my uncle. In the end, it was an uncle of the Jiang family’s son-in-law who stepped in, saying that since they were legitimate relatives, they should be given whatever they asked for, and that there was no need to be stingy." Gu Chengren could no longer hold back and recounted the scene to Madam Li.

"Mother, it’s not that I want to complain, but my aunt’s family went way too far this time. I warned you long ago to keep your distance from them. They are just mere peddlers, yet they act as if they are some grand merchants, putting on airs as if they’re someone important. Look at the Zhang family—it’s not like they can’t make ends meet, so why do they have to act so lowly and desperate?"

"Tell me, how will the Jiang family view our Xiuli after this? Will she even be able to hold her head high in that house? Mother, it’s no wonder Father is furious; my aunt’s family behaved in a truly disgraceful manner." Gu Chengren, who placed great importance on decorum, felt deeply humiliated by the day's events. "I was in the middle of discussing my studies with my tutors, and the commotion—honestly, I felt so ashamed I could barely stand it."

Madam Li already felt the situation was embarrassing, and hearing her son's words left her at a loss. "How... how could your aunt’s family do such a thing?" She didn't know what to say.

Despite being a meddlesome woman at home, Madam Li always cared about appearances in front of her in-laws. She was particularly attentive to etiquette regarding her daughters' marital families. Whenever her two daughters returned home, they brought gifts, but Madam Li always sent them back with double the amount.

She understood that whether her daughters were treated well in their husbands' homes depended on whether their own family could save them face. Unlike daughters-in-law, her daughters were her own flesh and blood; they were the ones closest to her heart. To ensure they lived well, she had always been generous with gifts for her in-laws.

The Jiang family was Xiuli’s new home, and Xiuli was the daughter Madam Li loved most. To have such a scene unfold at the wedding, right in front of the new in-laws, was a humiliation she couldn't bear. "Tell me, what are we to do? Fifth son, your mother isn't very clever and has no ideas. Help me think of something—we cannot let Xiuli be slighted at the Jiangs’." Madam Li was growing anxious.

Gu Chenzhong and his two brothers, along with their wives and children, had remained silent since entering the room. Finally, Gu Chengyong spoke up: "Let’s stop dwelling on this. The Jiang family doesn't seem like the type to hold a grudge over such trifles. They might not even care. However, we must be careful in the future; for major occasions like this, it’s best to let the Zhang family stay away."

Gu Chengyong was a good judge of character. The Jiang family had handled everything properly today; they were clearly not petty people. As for the incident, they would likely see it as the bride’s family trying to test them rather than taking it to heart.

In the Northeast, there were strange customs where a bride’s family would intentionally make things difficult at the wedding feast, which was seen as a sign that they cared for their daughter and didn't want the groom’s family to look down on her. The Jiang family had likely interpreted it that way.

Of course, the Zhang family had still gone too far, and even some guests were scandalized. Gu Chengyong knew better than to say more while his father was still angry; he needed to soothe the old man first. "Father, don't worry. Time will reveal our true character; there will be plenty of chances to get along. The Jiang family will come to understand that we are not the kind of people who lack self-respect."

The old man trusted Gu Chengyong’s judgment and nodded. "If it’s as you say, then that’s good. Sigh, this was handled poorly; we must be careful in the future. Wife, do you see now? Keep them away from our home from now on." The old man had never liked his sister-in-law’s family, but he had kept quiet for his wife's sake. Now that things had reached this point, he decided to make his stance clear.

***

Madam Li had nothing more to say. Ever since the gift-giving ceremony yesterday, she had been dissatisfied with the Zhang family, and today’s incident left her feeling disheartened. "Sigh, that’s the only family I have left on my side," she muttered, not knowing what else to add.

Gu Chengyong and his brothers were eager to leave, especially Gu Chengyi, who was worried about his wife and had no patience for Madam Li’s sighing. The three brothers exchanged a look, bid the old man farewell, and headed home.

With Gu Xiuli married off, the Gu family finally had some respite. However, it was only for a day, as on the eighth day of the sixth lunar month, the newlyweds were to return for their formal visit.

A daughter’s return visit was a major event, especially since Xiulan and Xiuyun would also be coming. To Madam Li, this was paramount. Putting the unpleasantness with the Zhang family behind her, she kept her daughters-in-law busy from early morning, preparing for the occasion.

Since this was a big day for the Gu family, Madam Wu and the others didn't slack off, and even Madam Zhao, who had been resting for two days and looked much better, joined in the work with a smile on her face.

In Qingshan Village, it was customary to slaughter chickens for a daughter's return visit. Despite her usual frugality, Madam Li didn't hesitate, ordering Madam Wu to kill two of the less productive hens. Coupled with the fish and crawfish Gu Chengyong and Wensheng had caught, along with the game brought from the mountains and pork from the town, the meal was exceptionally lavish.

By late morning, Gu Xiulan and Gu Xiuyun arrived with their husbands and children. It seemed Xiuyun had waited in town to travel with her sister. They entered the room with bright, happy smiles.

Seeing her daughters, Madam Li’s smile was genuine. "Look at you both—you’ve come back, but why bring so many things? Quickly, sit on the kang. Come, Yonglian, let Grandma hold you."

Though Madam Li was often cold to her granddaughters, she adored her daughters' children. Little Yonglian, over a year old, wasn't shy and giggled as Madam Li kissed her.

Gu Xiulan placed her own little daughter, Lü Xueyan, on the kang as well. The two sons-in-law went to chat with the old man.

Gu Xiulan kept smiling, then looked around the room and said, "Xingde, take your younger brothers and sisters out to play—go find your cousins."

Lü Xingde nodded and led the others out. Only three children remained in the room: four-year-old Lü Xueyan, three-year-old Guan Junwei, and little Guan Yonglian.

Seeing her eldest daughter’s mysterious look, Madam Li felt curious. "Big girl, what is it you want to say?"

"Mother, I have good news. Someone has taken a liking to our fifth son." Gu Xiulan hugged Madam Li’s arm and shared the news.

"Mother, it’s no one else but your eldest son-in-law’s employer, Master Yang. The Jiang family held their wedding feast at his place, didn't they? Out of respect for your son-in-law, Master Yang provided many conveniences. He and the Jiangs are old acquaintances, so he was invited to the feast."

"At the banquet, Master Yang took a liking to our fifth son, saying he is handsome and well-learned, and surely has a bright future. Master Yang’s sister is married into the He family in the prefectural capital. Her husband is an official at the prefectural yamen—a man of some influence."

"The He family is a wealthy household, and it’s said they even have people serving in the capital. They have a daughter—Master Yang’s niece—who is seventeen and not yet betrothed. Master Yang has his eye on our fifth son and wants to suggest a match. Mother, what do you think?" Gu Xiulan spoke with great excitement, clearly in favor of the union.

Madam Li hesitated. "Big girl, they are a wealthy family from the prefectural capital—why would they marry into a small village like ours? Are they just teasing you?"

"Mother, how could you say that? Do you think I’m that unreliable? It’s like this: the He family is wealthy, and with wealth comes complications. The daughter wants to find a simple family without all that drama. Plus, she wants a husband who is handsome and exceptionally talented."

"Master Yang saw our fifth son’s appearance and talent and was instantly impressed. As it happens, the girl is currently staying at her grandmother’s house, and when she heard her uncle’s words, she was interested. She agreed to let her uncle act as a go-between. That’s why Master Yang’s wife called me to tell me to come back and talk to you and Father."

Gu Xiulan talked until her throat was dry. "Mother, why don’t you call the fifth son in and ask him what he thinks?"