Chapter 450: Wedding Date_1
Wei Qingwan ultimately disregarded the advice of Yun and borrowed money from the Bai family.
Upon hearing this, Yun was furious and was about to punish Wei Qingwan by making her kneel, but Bai, who had heard the news, rushed to Shou’an Hall to report to the old master and madam. They hurried over to prevent Wei Qingwan from being punished.
Given that Wei Qingwan was engaged to be married into King Yu Residence, any mishap at this stage would bring disrepute to the Wei family that they couldn’t bear.
Even though the old master Wei found Qingwan’s actions to be a bit inappropriate, he was supportive, hoping that his granddaughter would be favored within King Yu Residence.
Eventually, Yun could only let the matter slide.
Before long, the silver note worth two thousand taels had made its way into Wei Ruo’s hands.
Wei Ruo looked at the silver note in her hand and found the situation rather amusing.
When she set an exorbitant price for the ointment, she had merely wanted to make Wei Qingwan envious and miserable. Never had she anticipated actually making this much money, and causing disputes between Yun and Wei Qingwan.
Wei Ruo was unsure how to assess the situation. Wei Qingwan seemed to be growing increasingly obstinate, a stark contrast to her portrayal in the original book as weak yet kindhearted, even saintly, character.
While Wei Ruo was deep in thought, someone from outside came to invite her to the front yard.
Today was the day Prince Nine sent his betrothal gifts. Wei Ruo had to go and review them.
Upon arrival in the front yard, Wei Ruo saw it filled with boxes large and small, many times more than what had been sent by Marquis Xuanping.
A palace attendant presented a list to Wei Ruo.
Two hundred taels of gold, ten thousand taels of silver, sixty horses, one gold tea caddy, two silver tea caddies, two silver basins, a thousand bolts of silk, twenty sets of horse armor, twenty jade articles, four jade Ruyi scepters, a precious enamel basin set with dragon and phoenix patterns, as well as multiple renowned calligraphies and paintings.
Betrothal gifts for a prince’s consort from the royal family had always followed a certain standard, thus the main consort of Prince Yu, and Prince Jing must have received the same betrothal gifts.
However, for the declining Loyal and Righteous Duke Residence, this was an unprecedented sight.
The spectacle had left everyone — from old master Wei to the lowly servants — in awe.
Wei Ruo watched the pile of betrothal gifts filled up the room, unfazed.
The wedding was set for the eighth day of May, coinciding with the previously agreed upon date with Marquis Xuanping.
The date didn’t change, only the groom did.
This wedding date seemed a bit early, even earlier than the weddings of the Sixth Prince and the Seventh Prince. However, considering the special physical condition of the Ninth Prince, it might not last long. According to the news from the palace, the Emperor arranged this marriage to bring good luck, so it was reasonable to put his wedding before the other princes’.
The only unreasonable part was choosing her, a woman who was supposedly bad luck for husbands, for the purpose of “bringing good luck”.
If Prince Nine really had a short life, he would be a decent husband.
First, marrying into the royal family means she wouldn’t have the hassle of serving her in-laws;
Second, after his death, he would not be involved in the power struggle for succession, and no one would target his widow specifically;
Third, as the main queen, her status would not be low, and she could enjoy the salary from the court. She could comfortably provide for herself and openly run various industries outside, without harm from anyone.
But so far, Wei Ruo still had no idea what kind of person Prince Nine was. Why would someone who never appeared in the original book appear in her life?
She always felt that there was more to this. So, she could not easily assume that marrying Prince Nine meant marrying a dying man.
But this was the Emperor’s decree, how could she escape it? How could she confront the court?
Not long after Wei Ruo arrived at the front yard, Bai also came. Looking at the room full of good things, Bai’s eyes lit up.
“So many good things! These silks are probably not available to ordinary people, are they? Are these jade Ruyi made of blood jade?”
Bai’s family was wealthy, but she had never seen the things bestowed by the royal family. Now that she saw the betrothal gifts sent to Wei Ruo from the palace, she was a little dazzled.
Bai came to Wei Ruo and grinned as eye slits appeared on her face: “Our Ruo Ruo is really lucky.”
Wei Ruo gave Bai a bland look and said nothing.
Bai’s expression became awkward immediately, her smile frozen. She muttered curses about Wei Ruo in her heart.
You cheap devil, Wei Qing Ruo! You haven’t become queen yet! But you’re already looking down on me!
Not long after, Mo too arrived and looked at the room full of betrothal gifts, her expression changed as well. But unlike Bai, she did not reveal her feelings so blatantly.
She walked up to Wei Ruo and congratulated her warmly, “Congratulations, Ruo.”
“Thank you, Aunt Mo,” Wei Ruo replied courteously.
Bai’s face darkened even more. That cheap devil treated her so coldly but was so courteous to her sister-in-law. It was plain that she was mocking her!
Wei Qingwan arrived only a little after Mo.
Looking at the room full of dazzling betrothal gifts, Wei Qingwan’s eyes darkened, but she quickly concealed her feelings. Unlike others, she didn’t show any obvious signs of envy.
At this moment, Bai noticed Wei Qingwan, she quickly walked towards Wei Qingwan with a welcoming hand, “Wanwan, you’re here. Come and look at your sister’s betrothal gifts! The royal family has a standard for the betrothal gifts for the prince’s consort. Generally, if we know the number of gifts for the main consort, we can guess the number of gifts for the concubine, you should expect about half of these.”
Bai’s words caused Wei Qingwan’s face, which had just softened, to frost over again.
But Bai’s smile didn’t fade: “According to tradition, since the Sixth Prince is older than the Ninth Prince, the Sixth Prince’s wedding should be first. But the palace scheduled the Ninth Prince’s wedding first, presumably due to concerns about the Ninth Prince’s health condition, right?”
“However, no matter what, May 8th seems a bit rushed, and now everyone in the residence has to prepare for your sister’s wedding. I guess they won’t be able to take care of yours until your sister’s wedding is over.”
Wei Qingwan cast a cold glance at Wei Ruo.
Wei Ruo chose to ignore Wei Qingwan’s icy gaze.
Whether she was dissatisfied or angry, she had to bear it. She had to tolerate it. If she had the ability, she could take it up with whoever set the date.
###
March 9th, the first day of the imperial examination.
The Loyal and Righteous Duke Residence was ready. Early in the morning, the old lady went to the ancestral hall to burn incense and pray for Wei Yichen’s success in the examination.
The entire Wei family, including Wei Ruo, went to the gate to see off Wei Yichen.
Before parting, Yun had a thousand things to say to Wei Yichen. But when the words reached her lips, they were reduced to “Just do your best.”
Wei Yichen nodded, then glanced at Wei Ruo, Wei Qingwan, and Wei Yilin, who were standing behind Yun.
Wei Ruo didn’t show any obvious emotion on her face. Regarding Wei Yichen’s participation in the imperial examination, she seemed very calm, as if this was a very common thing and not worth her worry.