My Lady Says She Wants to Marry Me - Chapter 4

Chapter 4

The news of Su Wanrou falling into the water at Apricot Blossom Grove spread quickly. Before the rumors could reach a boiling point, Lu Youming took the initiative to hire an official matchmaker to propose marriage.

As an ordinary commoner, she wouldn’t normally have been able to secure an official matchmaker, but Old Madam Shao had pulled strings behind the scenes. She was determined to ensure her granddaughter’s marriage was as dignified as possible. She wanted the world to see Lu Youming’s talent and appearance; even if her status was lower, her character and looks were those of a dashing, heroic young man.

Hearing others call her a “young man” made Lu Youming feel a bit sheepish. Although she looked young, she was twenty-two—well past the age of being called a “youth” in her mind.

Wearing a moon-blue robe, her hair meticulously styled under a jade crown, Lu Youming appeared spirited yet calm and steady. Her presence was quite striking. Among commoners, she stood out significantly, especially since her etiquette had been refined by her well-bred senior brothers at the temple. She didn’t falter or show fear when she went to propose.

Old Master Shao sat in the seat of honor, watching the junior before him who bowed with perfect form. Her expression was upright, her eyes bright, and she greeted everyone with grace. Old Master Shao was grudgingly satisfied, though he still sighed inwardly at her status. His granddaughter had had physical contact with a strange man; finding someone like this was a decent outcome, and he decided not to dwell on other expectations.

Moreover, his wife had met the girl herself and praised her excessively, constantly mentioning how their ages matched and their looks were compatible—all while making subtle jabs at Su Wanrou’s unreliable father.

Once Jiechuan (the uncle) returns, I can have him help this child change her status to the scholar class, and she will no longer be a rustic villager, the Old Master thought. In that short moment, he considered many future arrangements before finally stroking his beard and nodding in satisfaction at Lu Youming.

Lu Youming looked at the old man before her. He wasn’t exactly “kindly” in appearance—he was thin with a goatee, wearing a Dongpo hat and carrying an air of scholarly elegance.

“The engagement is set. I only hope you treat Wanrou well. The Shao and Su families will not mistreat you, but if you bully her, neither of our families are to be trifled with.” Shao Yun spoke to the young person before him with great seriousness. He had already misjudged one son-in-law; he couldn’t let it happen again.

“Grandfather is right. I will certainly treat her well,” Lu Youming promised with a nod.

“Good. Your birth charts (Bazi) have been compared, and they are a perfect match. This is your destiny.” The Old Master invited Lu Youming to sit, ready to arrange every detail of the wedding. “The 16th day of the sixth month is an auspicious day. If there is anything you don’t understand, just come and ask me.”

He was giving Lu Youming an opening to stay close to the Shao family. He knew that the better the relationship between the families, the better Lu Youming would treat Wanrou.

At the same time in the rear courtyard, Old Madam Shao was holding her granddaughter’s hand. “Marrying Youming early is the only way to silence the wagging tongues.”

Su Wanrou nodded. Once they were married, people would naturally stop gossiping. She understood her grandfather’s intent; the sooner the wedding, the less scandal there would be. Gossip could kill, and she knew they were acting for her own good.

She glanced at the rosewood carved window in the room, which featured exquisite auspicious cloud patterns and orchids at the corners—symbolizing nobility and a smooth life for the owner. Ultimately, she hadn’t been able to fulfill her mother’s wishes. Who could have known her mother would encounter a landslide while going to a temple to offer incense, leaving her body never to be found?

Three months later…

The 16th of June arrived on schedule. Lu Youming, dressed in groom’s attire, looked as handsome as jade. Her beautiful phoenix eyes held a slight smile, and her high nose bridge gave her a spirited look. Her ink-black hair was bound by a gilded jade crown. Though her tall frame looked a bit slender to the crowd, she was undeniably dashing, carrying a cool, heroic aura.

“Is the Shao family’s grandson-in-law really a hunter?” someone in the crowd whispered, confused by her appearance and temperament. “He doesn’t look like one at all.”

“It’s true. I asked a friend at the prefecture office; he really is a hunter. He’s just incredibly lucky to marry into the Shao family,” another replied with envy.

“I heard he’s a recluse practicing under Priest Puzhen.”

“Can a Taoist marry?”

“He’s just a lay disciple; of course he can marry.”

Many people echoed these sentiments in secret. After all, Lu Youming was marrying the only daughter of a fourth-rank official. Furthermore, the Shao family was a renowned scholarly clan in Jinling. This marriage elevated Lu Youming’s status overnight, and the dowry was sure to be immense.

Su Shaojun had rushed back for the wedding. He sat in the main hall waiting for the son-in-law he had never met to fetch the bride, his face devoid of any warmth.

The June sun was already quite hot. Lu Youming stood among the crowd, surrounded by several people the Old Master had sent to accompany her. She wiped the sweat from her brow under the pale sun. Amidst the noisy crowd, she suddenly felt that she and Su Wanrou were both pitiful souls—one forced by circumstances, the other lacking a sense of belonging. In the middle of the festivities, she felt only loneliness, yet she kept a happy smile on her face as if she were truly getting married.

Su Wanrou’s younger brother, Su Jingyu, was sobbing as he watched the sister who had only stepped out once now leaving to get married. He held her hand tightly, tears streaming down his face.

“I won’t let you marry! Waaaah—” Su Jingyu, who considered himself a “manly man,” howled.

“Don’t worry, I can live well anywhere. Stop crying, it’s ugly,” Su Wanrou teased, though she gently used a red handkerchief to wipe the “little cat’s” face.

Sensing his image was at stake, Su Jingyu sniffled and stopped. “I just don’t want you to leave.”

“Silly grandson, every girl in this world must marry. Quick, let your sister put on the veil or we’ll miss the auspicious hour,” Old Madam Shao and the aunts coaxed him into letting go. Finally, Su Wanrou donned the red bridal veil and prepared to leave.

She was carried out of the room by her cousin, where Lu Youming was waiting.

“Cousin-sister, if he bullies you, come back and tell me. I can protect you now,” Shao Mingan whispered. Su Wanrou chuckled and patted his head.

In the beautifully decorated garden, Lu Youming performed the formal kowtow to Su Shaojun, officially greeting her father-in-law. Su Shaojun sat regally and accepted the gesture, waiting for his daughter to perform the kowtow of gratitude for her upbringing.

Su Wanrou arrived amidst cheers, carried on the back of her teenage cousin. Shao Mingan set her down, looking at her with reluctance before glancing at Lu Youming. He hoped this man would be good to her; he would be keeping an eye on this “cousin-brother-in-law.”

“He’s actually quite good-looking,” Mingan muttered to himself.

Lu Youming wanted to step forward to help Su Wanrou, but the smiling matchmaker beat her to it, signaling Lu Youming to kneel again with the bride to thank the father of the bride. After the “three kowtows and three bows,” Lu Youming finally escorted the bride into the sedan chair to head home for the ceremony.

The new house Lu Youming had bought was only two streets away from the Shao family—about a half-hour walk. Lu Youming dismounted and performed the ritual “kick to the sedan door.” Su Wanrou emerged, and Lu Youming supported her. “Just follow me slowly.”

Su Wanrou nodded, and the two supported each other as they entered the gate. Here, it was less crowded; only people from the temple and some familiar faces from Apricot Blossom Village were there to celebrate. Compared to the bustling Shao household, this place made Su Wanrou feel more at ease. Since Lu Youming had no elders, Priest Puzhen sat in the seat of honor.

“First bow to Heaven and Earth!”

“Second bow to the Priest!”

“Husband and wife bow to each other! The ceremony is complete!”

Lu Youming and Su Wanrou bowed to one another. Two strangers were now joined in the most intimate bond of this world. Priest Puzhen, acting as an elder for the first time, felt a bit nervous. “You two… live a good life together. Go to the bridal chamber!”

Her command to “go to the bridal chamber” instantly broke the quiet atmosphere, sending the guests into roars of laughter.