Chapter 10 – Delaying

Madam Lu frowned and said, “But we had an agreement.”

“Yes, we did.” Lu Rui raised his eyebrows. “But I didn’t expect Mother to deceive me. You said Miss Wen was rough and tough, a tomboy, making me think she was like a wild woman, so I agreed to Mother’s proposal. That doesn’t count.”

Before leaving Jiangzhou, Lu Rui and his mother had agreed. Once in Qingzhou, they would look for Miss Wen’s faults, and Lu Rui could pretend to throw a tantrum. Madam Lu would say, “The two children didn’t get along, and a forced marriage won’t be sweet, so it’s better not to force it” to cancel the previous verbal agreement.

Madam Lu even planned to make Miss Wen her goddaughter, thus forming a family bond to silence Lord Lu.

Lu Rui agreed to all this.

But Lu Rui didn’t expect Miss Wen to be like this— not only was she born beautiful, but she also had a pair of lively and clear eyes.

As soon as he stepped into the Wen family’s gate, he saw her among the crowd.

She wore a peach-colored brocade dress, her big eyes curiously fixed on him. Among the crowd, she was the most delicate, fair, and lively. She was obviously a young lady, but there was still a hint of naivety between her eyebrows.

Those bright, watery eyes were full of spirit, making his heart skip a beat.

Madam Lu saw through him, “You just like her because of her good looks.”

Lu Rui smiled and said calmly, “Of course it’s because of her good looks. Does mother want me to marry an ugly woman?”

Madam Lu sighed, “But look at her family. Apart from that slightly beautiful daughter, can you stand the rest of them?”

“It’s enough that the daughter is beautiful.” Lu Rui said indifferently, “I’m not marrying the rest of the family.”

“Which ear did you hear me say that she’s beautiful? She’s just the best of a bad general.” Madam Lu massaged her temples, “A daughter of Baihu official … I really don’t know what your father is thinking about.”

“Father is also repaying a debt of gratitude…”

“Even so, he shouldn’t use your marriage to pay it!” Madam Lu said angrily, “What am I supposed to say when others find out about my daughter-in-law’s background?”

“‘repaying a debt of gratitude’ — these words will silence everyone.” Lu Rui said, “Mother, this is Father’s intention.”

Madam Lu said, “It’s frustrating that he uses your marriage to boost his reputation.”

Lu Rui said, “Father’s reputation is our family’s reputation.”

Though still a youth, Lu Rui already had some academic achievements. In the eyes of society, he was considered a grown man.

Even as his mother, Madam Lu had to respect his opinions.

Madam Lu sighed, “Don’t be hasty, let me have another look. This is about choosing a wife for you. Your father can’t scrutinize other people’s daughters like I can. Someone has to ensure she’s suitable,”

Lu Rui smiled, “Thank you, mother.”

While the Lu family discussed privately in their guest quarters, Madam Wen was scolding Wen Hui, “Where’s your usual cleverness? Why did you act foolish at the critical moment!”

Wen Hui fiddled with her sleeves and lowered her head without saying a word. She had never acted like this before, and she couldn’t explain what was going on.

Wen Baihu rubbed his knees, “Alright, alright, stop scolding her. Even I feel uncomfortable when I see Madam Lu, let alone her. “

“That’s true.” Madam Wen sighed, “Madam Lu is really elegant. Young Master Lu is quite handsome, though a bit thin.” Fat or thin, tall or short, everything is relative. Madam Wen compared the Young Master Lu to her robust sons and found him thin.

Wen Baihu asked his sons, “What do you think of Young Master Lu?”

Before the two older sons could speak, the third sob, Wen Shan, quickly said, “I don’t think he’s good.”

Everyone was taken aback, and Wen Hui looked up in surprise.

Wen Baihu’s face turned serious, “Why?”

Wen Shan said, “One look and I can tell he’s a weakling. I could knock him down with one punch.”

The room was silent for a moment.

Baihu Wen kicked him, “Shut up, idiot!”

The second brother, Wen Song, laughed at his silly brother, “He’s a scholar, not like us. Besides, he’s here to discuss marriage with Yue Ya’er, not to fight with you.”

The eldest son, Wen Bai, said, “He didn’t say much or do much. Other than his decent looks, I can’t tell anything.”

To think that he would say Young Master Lu’s looks were ‘decent’! Wen Hui felt her eldest brother’s words were really bold. Normally, she would have said something. But today, for some reason, she felt too shy to speak up for Young Master Lu and just fiddled with her sleeve.

Speaking of Young Master Lu’s looks, Madam Wen was full of praise, “It’s the first time I’ve seen such a refined and exquisite young man, even his manners are graceful. These southern children are very different from the fools in our family.”

Wen Hui thought, not only were his manners graceful, but his smile was even more beautiful.

The fools, “…”

The curtains lifted as Madam Yang walked in. Everyone looked at her.

Madam Yang replied swiftly, “I just went over to take a look. Madam Lu and Young Master Lu are more or less settled in. When I went over to deliver some snacks and fruits, they were already using their own. I also saw that their room has changed a lot, filled with many things they brought themselves…”

She briefly described what she saw, and the Wen family was speechless.

Wen Baihu was born poor, and even though he was doing rather well now, his family had never been so exquisite. Even Madam Wen and Madam Yang would occasionally cook themselves. Their three sons only had one servant each. Only Wen Hui was a little more ‘extravagant’ as she had two maids.

“Lord Lu is from the Lu Family of Yuhang, a wealthy household. Madam Lu is a match for him, a noble daughter from a prominent family. We can’t compare at all. “Baihu Wen lamented.

His lamentation was filled with envy, and joy at the prospect of forming such a prestigious alliance.

It seemed that this marriage would elevate their family status significantly.

The Lu family mother and son arrived in the afternoon. Due to the snow, Wen Baihu brought his eldest son over ten miles away to receive them personally. After a brief introduction and hot tea, they invited the mother and son to rest.

While they rested, the Wen family did not. Once Madam Yang returned with the news, Madam Wen sent Wen Hui back to her room, “Stay put and behave. Don’t cause trouble.”

Wen Hui mumbled something before returning to her room obediently.

Madam Wen, along with Madam Yang, busied themselves with dinner preparations. The two women were busy and did not dare to be sloppy. It was only when the sky turned dark that the banquet was ready.

The Wen family usually didn’t stand on ceremony, typically dining together at one large table. But today, they arranged separate tables for men and women, and there was even a screen in the middle.

That evening, the women of the Wen family tried their best to prepare the meal, fearing they would not be able to entertain the Lu family’s mother and son well.

The Wen family also thought the brief afternoon chat was just a short exchange of pleasantries, so they did not touch on the main topic. So they believed this dinner was the occasion for Madam Lu to discuss serious topics.

However, during the meal, Madam Lu adhered to the custom of not speaking while eating. Most of the time, it was Madam Wen who chattered. Madam Lu only spoke when she put down her chopsticks. Madam Yang, being more observant, quietly tugged at her mother-in-law’s sleeve under the table. Madam Wen realized her faux pas and awkwardly fell silent.

When the banquet ended, Young Master Lu and the men of the Wen family were left to continue eating and drinking. Madam Wen invited Madam Lu to the hall to drink tea and chat.

At this time, Madam Lu spoke more, but she talked about local customs and Yuhang’s characteristics. Then She asked the servant to present a gift list, saying, “There’s nothing much, these are just some local products from home to express our sincerity.”

She also recounted the story of Wen Baihu saving Lord Lu, expressing her deep gratitude repeatedly.

Madam Wen barely suppressed her smile and repeatedly said, “Not at all, you’re too polite. Please don’t mention it, please don’t.” She was waiting for Madam Lu to change the topic, from saving Lord Lu’s life to the marriage between the two families.

Unexpectedly, the entire evening passed without Madam Lu mentioning it.

Madam Lu was in high spirits and many questions about the daily life of the Wen family’s women. Although she did not specifically mention Wen Hui, everyone understood. They praised Wen Hui’s virtues, highlighting her as a model of feminine virtue.

Madam Lu only smiled and nodded, occasionally praising Wen Hui along with the Wen family’s mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.

And so, the night ended.

When the lights were turned off and she lay on the bed, Madam Wen was anxious, “Why didn’t she bring it up? Could they have changed their mind?”

Lord Wen replied, “That’s impossible. If they really did, Lord Lu could have just sent a letter to say it, or they simply wouldn’t have come. We would have understood. There was no need for Madam Lu and Young Master Lu to come all this way.”

Madam Wen said, “That’s true.”

“Maybe she just wanted to observe Yue Ya’er.” Lord Wen said, “Think about it, how many years did you see Qinniang before proposing to make her our eldest daughter-in-law? Young Master Lu is the only son and it’s clear he has great potential. His mother probably just wants to make sure our daughter is a good match”

“That makes sense.” Madam Wen pulled up the quilt and said, “I’ll remind the girl again tomorrow morning. Don’t let Madam Wen find fault with her.”

After a moment, she nudged her husband, “Hey, what do you guys think of that Young Master Lu? I say you didn’t force Young Master Lu to drink, did you?” Remembering she forgot to warn her husband and sons about this, Madam Wen sat up in alarm.

“Do you think I’m stupid?” Wen Baihu was speechless, “Of course not. Look at Young Master Lu, does he look like someone who would stand on a bench and play drinking games with us? “

Only then did Madam Wen feel relieved and lay back down. She nudged him again, “So, how is he?”

Wen Baihu sighed, “I feel Yue Ya’er might not be a good match for him.”

Madam Wen was furious, “How is my daughter not a good match?”

“Don’t you know it better how wild your daughter is?” Master Wen stared at the top of the tent, “Look at Young Master Lu, he’s such a refined and exquisite person. Even Ah Shan speaks to him softly. I’m afraid this lass will get into an argument with her husband in the future. What if she injures Young Master Lu with a punch? Young Master Lu isn’t like our family’s fools, he can’t take a hit.”

Madam Wen choked and was unable to refute. She lay down angrily and said, “Let’s settle the marriage first. It’s not like they’ll marry right away. There’s still time for me to tame her temper.”

“Oh, come on. You’ve said this thousands of times and I don’t see you turning her around. Ouch, don’t kick me so hard, you hit my old wound.” Wen Baihu pulled the blanket over his head, “I’m going to sleep, I promised to bring Young Master Lu around tomorrow.”

In the guest courtyard, Madam Lu asked a maid to heat some honey water on a small charcoal stove for Lu Rui.

“It’s not as convenient as home. Since there’s no hangover soup, to soothe your stomach; it’s better than nothing.” Madam Lu said with slight displeasure, “Eat when you eat. Your father isn’t even here, why did they make you drink?”

Lu Rui, who had passed the imperial examination at fourteen, was treated as an adult by everyone. Only his mother treated him like a child, much to his annoyance.

Lu Rui took the honey water and said indifferently, “In the past, I’ve always had to drink it during literary gatherings and assemblies. I only had a little today. Master Wen and his sons were very restrained.” He took a sip after he spoke.

Lu Rui’s words beautified the Wen father and son. Rather than saying they were restrained, it was more appropriate to say they were very reserved in front of Lu Rui.

Lu Rui was a typical scholar. He was born into a scholarly family and had been well-mannered since young, making others feel as if they were bathing in the spring breeze. He was graceful and youthful, exuding scholarly charm without any pretentiousness. The scholarly aura lingered between his eyes, clear and upright. His presence naturally made the normally loud Wen men speak more softly in front of him. Their usual camaraderie, filled with rowdy drinking games, was impossible around him.

Lu Rui sipped the honey water and glanced at his mother. She was instructing a maid, “Tell the people from the Wen family not to keep the heat too high. I touched it and it’s too hot, I’m afraid It might cause heartburn while sleeping.”

She was referring to the heated bed. As southern people, they weren’t accustomed to it.

Madam Lu increasingly felt that with so many refined girls in Jiangnan, they shouldn’t have to seek a northern girl as a daughter-in-law.

Seeing that his mother hadn’t mentioned the marriage, Lu Rui knew she must haven’t discussed it with the Wen family yet. Perhaps they had not discussed it at all.

Lu Rui frowned slightly.