Chapter 18 — Marry Into a Good Family

“Go prepare a warming brazier for her, and send some nourishing herbs so she can recover well.”

“Yes, sir.”

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The next day, Master Jiang and Madam Jiang personally visited the Xie household to formally arrange the marriage.

By parental decree and matchmaker’s words, the wedding date was set for September.

With the Eldest Young Master’s marriage fixed, it was considered a joyous event. Madam Xie rewarded all the servants, and the whole household was filled with cheer.

Wanru spent another two days recuperating. With the brazier warming her room and her medicine taken regularly, her body recovered quickly.

Early one morning, she set out.

“Miss, it’s rare for you to go out, yet you’re still dressed so plainly,” Suyue muttered.

“I’m not going out alone. If I dress too eye-catching, it will only invite trouble.”

“Miss, you’re far too cautious.”

“At times like these, it’s better to be cautious.”

At the estate gates, the carriages were already prepared.

Just as she was about to board, Xie Xiuyun turned to sneer at her. “You’re going too? Truly know how to take advantage of others’ light.”

Wanru blinked. “Aren’t you going too? With Aunt still under house arrest, you still have the mood to go play?”

“You—!” Xiuyun’s face twisted with fury. She could hardly stop herself from clawing at her.

“Xu Wanru, don’t get smug! One day I’ll make sure you die a wretched death!” she hissed under her breath.

Wanru only curved her lips in a faint smile and stepped into another carriage behind her.

Xie Xiulin trailed nervously after Xiuyun, not daring to breathe too loudly. Xiuyun climbed into her carriage but then turned to snap at her, “Don’t ride with me!”

Xiulin quickly obeyed and slipped into another, ending up in the same carriage as Wanru.

Xiuzhu and Xiuyun each had their own carriages. By rights, Xiulin should too—but her mother was a concubine mistreated by the Third Madam, and she herself was oppressed in every way. Her food, clothing, and daily use were always inferior to others.

The carriage she now shared with Wanru was just a plain communal one, quite shabby.

Still, Xiulin was delighted. She grabbed Wanru’s arm. “Thankfully, I don’t have to share with Sixth Sister!”

If Wanru hadn’t come, Xiulin would’ve been scolded and thrown off, maybe even forbidden to go.

“But how were you so bold just now? Daring to talk back to Sixth Sister?”

“Maybe falling ill once made me less afraid of dying.”

Xiulin burst out laughing.

She soon changed the topic. “The Jiang and Xie families have already set the engagement, but Big Brother still won’t come today.”

Wanru said calmly, “The Eldest Young Master has never liked these kinds of gatherings. And besides, now that he’s formally engaged, it wouldn’t be proper for them to meet openly.”

“That’s true. And Big Brother really is busy. He hasn’t even returned home these past few days. Even the engagement was decided by Great Master, Madam, and the Jiang elders.”

Xiulin leaned closer, lowering her voice. “They said he was in court discussing matters. I heard the salt-tax case he’s handling in Jiangnan implicates a wide network, even many officials here in the capital. Lots of people have come to our gates these days, sending gifts and begging for mercy.”

Wanru wasn’t much interested in politics, but she had seen some memorials while tidying his study. With no crown prince established yet, factions in court ran rampant. The salt-tax case surely touched many interests—yet he had managed it with such decisiveness.

And they call him gentle, courteous, a model gentleman? Without thunderous methods, how could he have handled such a case?

He only had that outwardly refined appearance to deceive people.

“Seems many powerful families in the capital are in for trouble,” Wanru murmured, lifting the curtain to gaze at the bustling streets outside, thoughtful.

“Doesn’t matter to us,” Xiulin said dreamily. “I only hope to marry into a good family!”

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At last, they arrived at Lake Taiming.

Wanru and Xiulin alighted. The willows brushed lightly by the water, the lake shimmered like satin, the spring breeze was soft and refreshing.

Wanru breathed in the fresh air, her mood lifting.

“Wanru-jie, let’s hurry over!” Xiulin quickened her steps eagerly.

The lakeside pavilion was already lively. Today’s banquet was hosted by the Jiang family. It was meant to be a small affair, but unexpectedly, nearly every young nobleman and lady of Yanjing had come.

The Jiang–Xie engagement had already spread through the capital. With the Xie family at its peak, the Jiang family naturally rose with them. Many came to curry favor.

As Wanru stepped into the pavilion, she saw Jiang Xuejun surrounded by admirers.

Xiulin whispered, “Before, the Jiang family wasn’t very prominent among the capital’s great clans. Even with her talent, Jiang Xuejun could only trail behind Princess Duanmin. Now, with this marriage, she’s risen in one leap.”

Her eyes brimmed with envy.

Wanru paid no mind. Everyone had their fate. She wasn’t noble, but only wished to live her own days well.

Seeing the Xie girls arrive, Jiang Xuejun immediately left her circle to greet them with a bright smile. “Xiuzhu, you’ve come!”

She took Xiuzhu’s arm warmly. “I’ve been waiting! Come sit with me.”

She placed Xiuzhu at a prominent front seat. Xiuyun, ignored, seethed with resentment but could only follow along.

Then Jiang Xuejun turned and looked at Wanru. “Miss Xu, please come too.”

Xiuyun’s face darkened. Being seated behind Xiuzhu was tolerable—but Xu Wanru? What was she, to deserve such honor?!

Wanru shook her head. “I’ll sit in the back. By the window, the air is fresher.”

Jiang Xuejun smiled. “Very well. Is your health better now?”

“I’ve recovered, thank you for your concern.”

“If there’s anything you need, just tell me.” Jiang Xuejun even patted her hand.

The onlookers immediately began whispering.

“Who is this Miss Xu? I’ve never heard of any Xu family in the capital.”

“Didn’t you see her come with the Xie girls? Must be a relative. From her dress, clearly just a small household, hardly presentable.”

“Then why does Miss Jiang treat her so kindly?”

“She’s always been compassionate, unlike those who look down on others. Why else do you think the Xie young master chose her as his fiancée?”

After a few polite exchanges, Jiang Xuejun went back to entertain others.

Xiulin tugged Wanru’s sleeve. “She really values you! She didn’t even talk to Sixth Sister.”

Wanru only smiled faintly. “Perhaps.”

Though called a spring outing, the guests had really come to celebrate the Jiang–Xie betrothal. Families presented lavish gifts.

Among the treasures, the most eye-catching was a box of six East Sea pearls from the heir of Duke Zheng’s household. They weren’t large, but each was lustrous and flawless, a rare delicacy from the southern seas.

Xiulin sighed with envy. “Miss Jiang is truly fortunate. The Duke Zheng household is so grand.”

But Wanru frowned slightly. She had once seen memorials in Xie Xianyu’s study—Duke Zheng’s household was implicated in the salt-tax case. Were they trying to bribe the Jiang family after failing to sway the Xies?

After the gifts were presented, attendants packed them away. The guests began to drift out of the pavilion—some strolled along the lake, some boarded boats.

“Wanru-jie, shall we walk too?”

Wanru nodded, following Xiulin out.

Meanwhile, Jiang Xuejun took Xiuzhu toward a boat, surrounded by admirers.

Xiuyun sat sulking, bitter and furious. Now even lowborn nobodies dare step over me! Jiang Xuejun doesn’t even acknowledge me—all because of that wretch Xu Wanru!

It was Wanru who had accused her mother of illicit affairs, leading to her mother’s punishment and house arrest, dragging Xiuyun’s own status down as well.

Xiuyun ground her teeth, glaring at Wanru’s retreating figure. I’ll never let her live peacefully!

Soon, the pavilion was nearly empty, save for two Jiang maids tidying the pile of costly gifts.

Xiuyun’s gaze lingered on them, a glint flashing in her eyes.

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Wanru preferred not to boat, only strolling the lakeside with Xiulin, chatting idly as they walked.

They had barely gone a few steps when suddenly, someone blocked their way.