Chapter 190: Chapter 189: Proposing Marriage in Person
The main household of Xiao Mansion indeed held a grape banquet upon receiving grapes, widely issuing invitations, while the second branch, meanwhile, indulged Lu Family at the county government, with Xiao Jingkun offering grapes. This resulted in the main household earning ample social cred, feeling psychologically satisfied, and the second branch receiving gratitude and a reciprocal gift from Lu Family, thus gaining psychological satisfaction as well. Each benefited in its own way.
Those attending the grape banquet traditionally brought small gifts like snacks and fruits. It’s natural that Lu Family, having received half a bunch of grapes, couldn’t accept such an esteemed gift without reciprocating. In return, they offered five zither instruments crafted by the Lei family from Shu, which were equally valuable.
In Shu, due to the initial fondness for zithers by King of Shu Yang Xiu, this led to a flourishing of master zither craftsmen, among whom the Lei family was the most renowned. Among legendary zithers left to posterity are "Nine Heavens Ring" and "Great Saint’s Legacy" from the Lei family.
Of course, this is Early Tang; the renown of the Lei family is yet to peak. However, within noble families, they already enjoy a degree of acclaim, and those with a passion for zithers acknowledge their skill.
Rumor has it that the Lei family’s meticulous craftsmanship starts with selecting materials, intentionally venturing into deep mountains during windy days to choose wood based on the sound trees produce, coupled with their exceptional skills, resulting in remarkably exquisite zithers, with many admirers.
Lin Wanwan did not join the grape banquet because she had to study medicine under the tutelage of Elder Sun during the day. However, she did receive one of the ancient zithers delivered by the Lu and Xiao families, as she was the one who gifted the grapes.
The ancient zither Lin Wanwan received was the most splendid among the five zithers sent by Lu Family. Not only was its tone clear and rich in ancient resonance, but its design was simple, heavy, and elegant, enhanced with gold frets and jade tuning pegs. Above the dragon pond was the zither name "Moonlight Resonance," and within the dragon pond was an inscription in clerical script: "Created in the Second Year of Wude of Great Tang."
For young ladies of Xiao Mansion, such a zither could serve as part of their dowry. But for Lin Wanwan, it could fulfill her promise to Lu Shouyue.
Publicly known Tang zithers surviving into modern times are fewer than twenty, and whether there are more privately held is uncertain. It can be assumed Lu Shouyue would be delighted receiving this zither.
The auction for the ancient zither score will commence in a week, and Lin Wanwan, not wishing to be involved personally, has entrusted Lu Shouyue fully to handle it.
Though their collaboration on this matter is merely a business transaction, mutually beneficial, Lu Shouyue has assisted Lin Wanwan in many other affairs, and she now regards him as a friend. After obtaining this zither, she plans to sell it to Lu Shouyue in modern times.
Adult friendships are intertwined with benefits and emotions.
Yesterday, Elder Sun departed for Chang’an by boat. To avoid the sorrowful scene of bidding farewell, he left suddenly early in the morning. When Lin Wanwan received the news, he had already been gone for over an hour.
Although over the past month, she was often forced to taste herbs and recite pulse cases, Lin Wanwan was unwilling to see Elder Sun leave like this. Elder Sun gave Lin Wanwan a grandfatherly feeling, more natural than even her own mother Xiao.
However, all banquets must come to an end. Since Lin Wanwan does not intend to wholeheartedly follow Elder Sun to Chang’an to study medicine, their separation was inevitable, and she had long prepared herself mentally. Nonetheless, the real farewell was still saddening when it arrived.
With Elder Sun gone and nothing left to keep her in Qiantang, Lin Wanwan placed her return to Mao County on the agenda. Counting the days, it wouldn’t be long until her agreed return with Lin Mengbo and others.
In her final days there, Lin Wanwan let herself indulge freely, roaming around and touring West Lake. On a whim, she even disguised herself as a man to visit famous prostitutes with Kun Lun.
Given Lin Wanwan’s appearance, no matter how she dressed as a man, it was unlikely to truly deceive anyone. Naturally, she was recognized as a woman upon appearing at the door by the doorkeeper. However, her generosity in tips ensured the accommodating doorkeeper simply nodded and led the way, without uttering any unpleasant comments.
As she immersed herself in music and dance, unbeknownst to her, the Xiao Mansion was abuzz with a "double happiness" celebration today.
The first joy was brought by He Wenqi’s family, bringing a matchmaker to initiate betrothal and name enquiry. The second "joy" came unexpectedly along with He Wenyu’s family, also inviting a matchmaker directly with a marriage proposal.
Note that a matchmaker arriving with a marriage proposal would never come empty-handed, since since Han times, marriages in Huaxia required following the Six Rites, with the first being "betrothal," and the second being "name enquiry," both conducted on the same day. Top-tier gifts include a great wild goose, then a white swan, or at worst, a white duck in its place.
Such marriage proposals are mainly formalities, since the wedding is pre-arranged and mutually understood. Hence, on this day, the matchmaker invited by the man’s side would don formal attire, and so must the woman’s father.
He Wenqi’s matchmaker brought joy, but the arrival of He Wenyu’s matchmaker with numerous wedding chests without prior notice was inexplicably bewildering.
What’s going on here; He Family didn’t coordinate properly, staging a case where two men compete for one woman? It’s one thing to tussle privately within their own family, but pulling such a stunt at the woman’s door, are they disregarding the He family’s reputation?
While everyone was confused, He Wenyu’s matchmaker forced a smile and spoke, "Today is indeed auspicious, with double happiness arriving at your mansion! I come under the order of the He Mansion’s young master, proposing for your esteemed Lin Wanwan to become a noble concubine, requesting betrothal."
Having just welcomed the matchmaker inside, Lin Wanwan’s eldest uncle Xiao Yan listened with growing shock. This one turned out to propose for Lin Wanwan as a concubine! How outrageous, bringing wedding chests without even consulting their opinion first?!
Xiao Yan was about to voice his objection when the sturdy men bearing wedding chests swiftly proceeded inside, placing ten bright red chests in the courtyard.
"Hey, hold on - everything has its order, please wait."
Having said that, Xiao Yan promptly left them on their own, sensing he couldn’t handle it alone, he immediately sent someone to fetch his cousin Xiao Zhen. Meanwhile, he ushered in He Wenqi’s matchmaker into the main hall to proceed with the rites for his own daughter first.
Seeing this, He Wenyu’s matchmaker frowned, thinking, "It’s just an offshoot of the Xiao family, yet she, as part of the He direct lineage, is still made to wait here."
Xiao Zhen, bewildered, dressed casually and was pulled to the front courtyard by a servant, puzzled, "Isn’t today the day Aunt undergoes betrothal and name enquiry? Why summon me? This should be brother’s affair to handle."
The servant replied resignedly, "Second Sir, things are complicated, you’ll understand when you get to the front."
Upon seeing the wedding chests in the courtyard and hearing the matchmaker’s words, Xiao Zhen was stunned – this proposal was for his niece! True, Lin Wanwan had lost her parents and was now residing temporarily with her maternal uncle, so being proposed to wasn’t completely strange, yet his niece wasn’t some ordinary rural lass.
Had it been before Lin Wanwan delivered the grapes and activated charcoal, Xiao Zhen might have directly accepted the marriage proposal on behalf of Lin Wanwan’s parents. But now, how could he dare act impulsively? His niece quietly managed to procure so many grapes alone, suggesting she wasn’t an average person. How could he assume control over her affairs lightly!