SFS Chapter 236 Is this marriage settled?
Chapter 236 Is this marriage settled?
In the first month of the new year, the festive and lively atmosphere lasts until the Lantern Festival is over.
After the Lantern Festival, there is another big day, which is A Nao’s hundred-day banquet.
As the new governor of Yongzhou, this was Gu Yichuang's first public banquet. There were many things he needed to pay attention to, including who to invite and who not to invite.
Fortunately, Shen Nankui was in charge of the Marquis' Mansion in his previous life and had experience in organizing such banquets. Everything was arranged within two days.
However, since many people were to be invited, it would be inconvenient to hold the banquet at the house in Deshui Lane, so the venue was set at the prefectural mansion.
The day of the Hundred Days Banquet.
The prefectural government was full of guests. The banquet started at noon and lasted until the afternoon. Gu Yichuang and Shen Nankui were both outside the gate seeing off the guests. Most of the guests had left, except for Tongzhi Zhang and his wife, who had no intention of leaving.
Mrs. Zhang held Ah Nao in her arms, looking very fond of him. When she saw Shen Nankui coming back from seeing off the guests, she asked, "Nankui, the wine at the banquet wasn't produced in Yongzhou, was it?"
Shen Nankui smiled and said, "Aunt is right, this wine is the Golden Stem Dew that the eldest uncle of the Gu family specially sent from Cang County."
"It really is the wine from the north. No wonder it is so mellow. I drank a few more glasses and almost got drunk."
Mrs. Zhang teased Ah Nao in her arms, raised her head and asked with a smile, "Is it convenient for me to go to your house and ask for a cup of tea?"
Shen Nankui readily agreed, "Of course."
Zhang Tongzhi's face was flushed, he stroked his beard and shook his head and said: "Southern wine is fragrant, northern wine is mellow, this wine is indeed top-grade, it makes me want to compose a few poems."
Madam Zhang rolled her eyes at him and said, "If you've drunk too much yellow soup, why don't you just go home and sleep? Don't you want to embarrass yourself in public?"
Gu Yichuan smiled and said, "It just so happens that I just got a new collection of poems a few days ago. I wonder if Uncle Zhang would like to come with me so that we can continue to taste wine and discuss poetry?"
"Let's go!" Zhang Tongzhi looked excited.
The two families have a close relationship and often visit each other, so there is nothing to be shy about.
All the way back to Deshui Lane, Gu Yichuan and Zhang Tongzhi were tasting wine and discussing poetry in the study. Shen Nankui brought Mrs. Zhang to the Ming Hall, and the two sat and talked.
Madam Zhang shook her head helplessly, "Nan Kui, you are really making a fool of yourself. Your uncle has lost his name after drinking a few sips of wine, and he even came to you to act drunk and crazy."
Shen Nankui said with a smile: "What's the big deal? It's still the first month of the lunar year. If you count carefully, the new year hasn't even ended yet. It's time to have some fun."
Madam Zhang took a sip of tea and said, "I shamelessly followed you here today because I wanted to talk to you and I also wanted to give this amulet to Ah Nao."
She took out a talisman paper package from her sleeve. "I got this from Lingquan Temple outside the city. I asked a senior monk to bless it. Hanging it on the bedside can bring blessings and safety. It's also a small token of my love for the child."
"Aunt is so thoughtful. I would like to thank you on behalf of Ah Nao." Shen Nankui thanked sincerely.
Madam Zhang waved her hands. "It's nothing, but for good luck. If you don't mind, let me personally hang this talisman on the bedside for Ah Nao, how about that?"
"Aunt is an elder. If the blessing objects are placed by the elders, it will naturally be twice as effective with half the effort. Why would I be unwilling?"
After hanging up the amulets, the two sat back in the living room to talk.
Shen Nankui asked: "Aunt, why didn't I see Jones come with you today?"
Mrs. Zhang sighed, "I was just about to talk about her. I don't know what happened to this child. She caught a cold some time ago and became seriously ill. She took medicine intermittently until the New Year before she recovered. Although she is well now, she is lazy and doesn't like to go out."
"How could this happen?"
Shen Nankui looked surprised, but wondered in her heart, could it be because of Gu Yichuan?
"I'm not afraid of you laughing at me. This girl is getting old. I've been looking for a marriage partner for her last year. After much searching, I found a few good ones. One of them is the eldest grandson of the former vice minister of the Ministry of Revenue. He's only 20 years old, but he's already passed the imperial examination. Given time, he'll surely become a talented person. Qiong'er's father and I are both satisfied and want to finalize the marriage, but she refuses no matter what."
"Has this marriage been settled?" Shen Nankui asked.
Mrs. Zhang shook her head. "Although both families are willing and have verbally agreed to this, due to Qiong'er's attitude, the tokens have not been exchanged yet. But the other family is already urging them. Nankui, you are smart, so tell me, what should I do?"
Shen Nankui was silent for a moment before saying, "Marriage is a matter of parents' orders and matchmaker's words. Aunt and Uncle Zhang love our young daughter, so it's a good idea for you to personally choose a marriage for her. But if Qiong Si doesn't want to, forcing it will only backfire. Marriage is not about making enemies, so this is not a good idea."
"Yes!"
Mrs. Zhang was worried whenever she mentioned her youngest daughter. "It is precisely because of these two worries that I am afraid that I will miss this family and not be able to find a more suitable one. I am also afraid that I will force Qiong Er and make her sad. Alas, I really don't know what to do..."
"If Auntie really wants to listen to my advice, then I think we should delay this marriage."
Shen Nankui analyzed, "No matter how good the eldest grandson of the former Minister of Revenue is, with the prestige and status of the Zhang family and Qiong Si's appearance and talent, there is no need to worry about not having better people to marry her. Moreover, Qiong Si is currently resisting this marriage. Even if you and Uncle Zhang arrange a marriage, she cannot disobey. But if she is not happy after marrying, wouldn't it also make you feel distressed?"
Mrs. Zhang looked hesitant. After a moment's hesitation, she gritted her teeth and said, "Okay, I'll ask her father to postpone the marriage when I get home."
"Aunt is wise."
Madam Zhang smiled and sighed, "Well, I understand the reason, but I just can't make a decision. Nankui, you finally gave me a reassurance."
"No, aunt loves her daughter dearly. Even if she is hesitant now, she will always put her daughter first in the end."
Mrs. Zhang smiled a little embarrassedly, "Child, your words are always pleasant to the ears."
Shen Nankui thought for a moment and suddenly said, "Aunt, if sister Qiong Si is in a bad mood, I wonder if I can go to visit her and help you persuade her."
Madam Zhang was delighted. "You are so smart and insightful. If you can help Qiong Si with some words, it will definitely be more effective than what I and her father say. It will be great!"
"Auntie, if that's what you said, I'll go there seriously."
"Of course, the Zhang family welcomes you anytime."
……
Two days later.
When Shen Nankui arrived at Zhang's house, she was led directly to Zhang Qiongsi's courtyard, Qingshu Pavilion, by Madam Gui, who was beside Mrs. Zhang.