Chapter 238 — The Bridal Gifts

The Song family's great red-lacquered, gold-traced betrothal boxes, bearing whole pigs and whole sheep, were carried through the main gate of Dou Juan amid the crowd's curious gazes, the deafening roar of firecrackers, and a sky full of flying red paper scraps.

The Dou Juan ceremonial office called out the rites, while Gao Sheng directed the young servants in sorting out the betrothal boxes the Song family had sent.

Wang Yu and the others, meanwhile, were led by members of the Dou family's master of ceremonies to pay their respects to Dou Huaiying, who stood on the steps of the main hall.

Gazing at these young men of such eminent station—some wearing the imperially bestowed python robes of super-first rank, others the attire of third-rank military officers—who had come to deliver the betrothal gifts, Dou Huaiying nodded in satisfaction.

Wei Fan, standing on the steps beside Dou Huaiying in his capacity as son-in-law, looked at those familiar faces and seemed somewhat dazed.

How had all these people come together?

It was only when Wang Yu and the others approached to pay their respects to Dou Huaiying that Wei Fan came back to himself, called out "Brother Wang" to Wang Yu, and asked in surprise, "Why is it you who have come to deliver the betrothal gifts?"

"Song Da gave the order—how could we not come?" Shen Qing, chest thrust out and head held high, answered before Wang Yu could, basking in the Dou household maids' looks of respect, awe, and envy. Then a look of astonishment crossed his face. "You—what are you doing here?" He cast a puzzled glance at Dou Huaiying beside Wei Fan.

Wang Yu, however, knew of the connection between Wei Fan and the Dou family, and said with a smile, "The Marquis of Jining is Dou Juan's second son-in-law."

"Oh ho," Shen Qing's eyes nearly popped out of his head, "then he and Song Da are co-brothers-in-law!" At this he seemed to discover something, and cried out excitedly, "Peijin, you will have to call Song Da your elder brother!"

The guests and maids of the Dou household all turned to look, and some who did not understand even began whispering inquiries on the spot.

Wei Fan's face flushed, and a flicker of shame passed across his brow.

Everyone simply assumed he was embarrassed at having to address Song Yan as his elder brother despite being the older man, and thought nothing of it. Only Shen Qing found the whole affair delightful, and said with a laugh, "It just so happens that Song Da outranks you as well. Otherwise, with your title, if the Dou family's fourth young lady had married an ordinary man, the two of you could have gone by your own ranks and each called the other what you pleased—but who would have thought you would run into Song Da. Peijin, you are truly out of luck!"

Mindful of Dou Huaiying's presence, Wang Yu hurriedly tugged at Shen Qing and bowed apologetically to Dou Huaiying. "We are all close acquaintances of the Marquis of Jining and are used to speaking without restraint. I beg Uncle not to take it to heart!"

Today was an auspicious day for delivering the betrothal gifts, so of course Dou Huaiying would not hold a grudge against these young men.

Besides, there was sense in what this Shen Qing said.

Everyone now knew, did they not, that he had found a fine match for Dou Yan?

Smiling, he instructed Gao Sheng to invite Wang Yu and the others to take seats in the flower hall as a gesture of thanks.

Wang Yu, afraid that Shen Qing would stir up further trouble, pulled him along and left at once.

The little maid sent out by Wang Shuying to gather news, seeing this, darted back to the rear quarters like a wisp of smoke.

Dou Ming, who had returned to her natal home for Dou Yan's wedding, was not seated with the Fifth Madam and the others but had stayed in her mother Wang Shuying's rear quarters.

Seeing her mother waiting anxiously for the little maid to report back, she could not help saying, "Mother, what does it matter to us whom the Yingzhengguo Estate sends to deliver the betrothal gifts? Stop always comparing sister and me! From now on she and I will live our own lives; no matter how well she does, it has nothing to do with me. Please stop pacing—you are making my eyes swim!"

Wang Shuying thought that her daughter, so concerned with face yet unable to let go, was the very sort to come off worst.

She said bluntly, "If that is how it is, then why are you sitting here listening? Why did you not stop me when I gave the maid her orders?"

"You..." Dou Ming was both angry and mortified, and bit her lip in silence.

Wang Shuying said, "Do not bring that book-learned nonsense in here. In my day I took your father far too seriously, worried about reputation in everything, feared your father would disdain me, and so was soft-hearted. Otherwise, would your sister have had the chance to throw her weight around at home? And even so, have I not married you off smoothly into the household of the Marquis of Jining?!"

Dou Ming said nothing.

But in her heart she thought: and yet the rest of your life is ruined too! You have lost even basic dignity! If everyone in the world treats you as nothing, what meaning is there in living?

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Sisters, brothers, the second update is here.

Begging for pink tickets!

o(n_n)o~

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