RMCF: Chapter 29

 

Chapter 29

The rite for a scholar taking a wife is scheduled for dusk.

Although they were farming folk from the countryside, they still understood and observed etiquette. Since he was taking a proper wife, the time was set for the afternoon.

However, Zhang Fangyuan got up before dawn. It wasn't that he usually had the good habit of rising early; he simply couldn't lie in bed, tossing and turning, thinking of Xu He.

Thinking that today was the major event of his life, thinking that from now on there would be one more person in the household to share life with… He tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep, sometimes planning how to live in the future, sometimes laughing out loud. Before the sky outside had lightened, he could no longer lie still in bed.

After daybreak, people started arriving at his house. The first to come were the Zhang family uncles, followed by villagers coming to help with the cooking. After lunch in the afternoon, the villagers coming for the banquet slowly began to arrive.

Zhang Fangyuan and his fourth uncle welcomed guests at the wide-open courtyard gate. The villagers didn't come to eat for free; each household would have a representative bring a gift, usually the woman or husband who managed the household affairs.

Under the eaves was a square table where the village elder who could read and write would dip his brush in ink and record in the book of social obligations which families attended this celebratory banquet and what gifts they brought.

This wasn't for comparison, but mainly because there were too many guests, and the host family couldn't possibly remember every single gift brought by each household in the flurry. Moreover, next time when another family hosted a celebration, they could take out the register to see if that family had attended their event, and then send a gift based on what that household had given last time, adding a bit more.

In earlier years, amidst the turmoil and chaos of war, when hosting events, people preferred to give very practical things like meat, pastries and fruits, fabric, rice or grain. With the world peaceful and more prosperous and after the days got better, gifts gradually turned into silver money and sending items became less common.

For a joyous banquet like a wedding, how much everyone gave as a gift depended entirely on the closeness of the relationship with the host family. Of course, there were also those from well-off families who were generous regardless of closeness. Another factor was the wealth level of the area. Jijiu Village wasn't a very poor village, nor was it particularly wealthy. Usually, villagers gave a base amount of sixty wen and adjusted it according to the earlier mentioned factors.

But generally, the amount was increased to make an auspicious number. Decreasing it was rare because it was recorded in the book, and giving too little would look bad.

Actually, social obligations within the village were also a major expense: happy and sad occasions, weddings and funerals, children's full-month celebrations, elderly birthday banquets... If dates coincided, one might have to attend two or three households in a single month. Even at the minimum contribution, that would cost a hundred and eighty wen—thinking about it made one click their tongue.

Even so, villagers still liked to attend. It was lively after all, and after giving a gift, the whole family could go eat a meal, so it wasn't a total loss.

The women who came to help at the Zhang household all said Zhang Fangyuan was generous. For this banquet, he had prepared a lot of meat and many dishes. The news had spread early, so naturally many villagers came, all thinking to enjoy a good meal.

Having many guests attend would be talked about outside as the family having good relationships, and the host family would also be happy.

“The meat is definitely plentiful. I could smell the Zhang family's food from far away.”

“Of course! They used half a pig, slaughtered over ten chickens and ducks, more than ten fish…”

“It's good to be a butcher; getting these things is convenient.”

The villagers who arrived early gave their gifts, some idly gambling small sums at a table, others chatting, all talking about the Zhang family's virtues as if they had completely forgotten past grievances. The atmosphere was lively and bustling.

“Your Second Aunt probably won't make it. If she were coming, she should have arrived yesterday.”

“It's really not that big of a deal anyway. It's not easy for Second Aunt to make the trip back.”

Zhang Shicheng nodded. “What about your SixthUncle? Did you notify him?”

Thinking of his sixth uncle, Zhang Fangyuan's expression wasn't very good. When he went to notify him earlier, sixth uncle didn't seem to be home. His sixth aunt was sitting with her legs crossed, cracking melon seeds, and said she would pass the message to him. Since he hadn't arrived by this time, it was likely he wouldn't come.

He didn't mind much; these things couldn't be forced.

“Forget it. If he wants to come, he'll come. If not, so be it.” Zhang Shicheng clasped his hands behind his back, looked up at the sun, and turned to Zhang Fangyuan. “It's getting late. You should hurry and get ready to fetch the bride. Don't miss the auspicious time.”

Zhang Fangyuan hadn't changed into his wedding clothes yet. He had been helping with preparations in the morning, afraid of dirtying the wedding attire. Now that lunch was over, it was time to tidy up and go to the Xu family to bring the bride.

He didn't say it out loud, but he was very excited inside. He acknowledged and went back to his room to get ready.

“Very handsome!”

Zhang Fangyuan changed into his wedding clothes. Perhaps it was the joy of the occasion boosting his spirits; he looked exceptionally good. His fourth aunt helped him comb his hair neatly and couldn't help but praise.

“Not ugly is already fine.”

Zhang Fangyuan stood up. The well-fitted wedding attire showed off his broad shoulders and narrow waist very well. When he walked out the door, the villagers couldn't help but take a few extra looks.

“I never noticed before, but this Zhang Fangyuan is quite good-looking.”

“That tall stature—probably can't find a second person in the village taller than him.”

“Who would have thought that the Xu family's youngest, with his looks, would end up with such fortune. Truly unexpected.”

“Who can say clearly about the affairs of this world?”

“Time to fetch the bride!” someone from the Zhang family shouted while Zhang Fangyuan mounted his horse. Behind him were Zhang family relatives and friends, and some people who had a good relationship with Zhang Fangyuan. Scattered around the Zhang house, they didn't seem many, but when everyone walked out together, it was still a large crowd.

A ger getting married wasn't as complicated as a girl; they didn't even need a veil. On this side, Xu He had finished getting ready around noon and had been waiting at home. Although he was the one marrying out, some relatives and friends still came to the Xu family, and also to check on Xu Changren. The household was quite lively too.

Xu He waited quietly in his own room, looking around. The small room allowed him to see all its furnishings with a glance. Although life in the Xu family hadn't been easy, he had still lived here for over a decade. Now that he was leaving for another household, he sighted with emotion.

However, he didn't have many belongings, filling only one chest. Liu Xianglan didn't seem worried that it would look too meager when carried out, making the husband's family look down on him.

“You know your father is injured, can't work the fields, and the family needs money everywhere. Anyway, the butcher's household has no parents-in-law. Even if you have fewer things, no one will gossip.”

Meaning she wouldn't give any dowry.

Xu He was used to such words. In the past, living under someone else's roof, he kept his head lowered when necessary. But now that he was about to marry, whether life would be good or bad later, he didn't expect the Xu family to back him up or be his support. So he said whatever was on his mind. “Then what about my bride price?”

In ordinary families, when a ger or daughter marries out, some of the bride price given by the husband's family is usually given to the marrying ger or daughter. Families who dote on their child might give it all to the child for security. Families with poorer or difficult circumstances would also give at least a little as a gesture.

Liu Xianglan hadn't mentioned his bride price at all, so Xu He shamelessly asked.

“Your father and I raised you. Although our family conditions weren't good and we couldn't give you delicacies, we still raised you to adulthood. Now you're marrying out to work for another family, showing no gratitude for your parents' upbringing, and still thinking about the bride price.”

Yes, family conditions weren't good… So Xu Shaochun had an egg every morning since childhood, chicken legs every few days, while he would get scolded for having an extra bowl of porridge.

“Then what about when Second Sister marries out? Will Mother also not give any dowry?”

Xu He hadn't compared his treatment to his second sister's for a long time. When he was little, he would ask why his sister had things he didn't. Liu Xianglan would always say, “You're a ger, different from a girl.” Later, when he understood things, he naturally knew the reason.

Liu Xianglan's eyes widened, feeling Xu He was deliberately challenging her today. “How can you compare to your sister?!”

“Yes, of course we're different.” Xu He met Liu Xianglan's gaze directly. “I know Father picked me up. How could I compare to Sister? Since you wanted to raise a servant to serve the family like wealthy families do, why hide it and let people think I was your own?”

“You've become utterly defiant! If your father hadn't picked you up from the snow back then, you would have frozen to death! If someone else had picked you up, who knows if you'd be raised in a brothel or be a servant with your deed held in someone else's hand!”

Liu Xianglan was so angry her chest heaved. Actually, this matter wasn't exactly a secret in the family, but no one ever talked about it openly.

Now that Xu He suddenly brought it up, Liu Xianglan also felt uncomfortable.

“All these years, what difference was there between me and a servant whose deed is held by someone else? Wasn't I also serving the whole family, young and old, willingly doing all the work, then being sold off when of age?”

Liu Xianglan's eyes blazed with anger. “For the sake of a few coins, how can you say such things and be worthy of your father raising you?!”

Xu He gave a cold laugh. Before the two could determine a winner, the sound of gongs came from outside. The welcoming procession had arrived.

Hearing the gongs, Liu Xianglan simply tucked the old booklet she had prepared for Xu He back into her bosom. Fine, won't give it to this ger—let him suffer under that Zhang fellow's mistreatment, she thought to herslef.

“This ungrateful wretch knows I don't dare make a scene today! You just pray that butcher keeps treating you well like this! When you can't make ends meet in the future, don't think about coming back here crying.”

Liu Xianglan cursed quietly a few more times, then yelled, “Get going, quick!”

Xu He didn't speak. He stood up and left the room.

Outside was a scene of bustle and liveliness. A ger didn't wear a veil, but he also couldn't look around freely. Keeping his head slightly lowered, he walked up to Zhang Fangyuan.

Seeing the person dressed in red like himself, Zhang Fangyuan's heart pounded wildly, yet he also felt Xu He's mood didn't seem very high. He frowned. Didn't they agree yesterday that he wouldn't be reluctant to leave home? He grasped Xu He's hand, using his body to block relatives and friends who were joking about taking a good look at the bride, protecting Xu He as he helped him into the bridal sedan.

The Xu family feigned reluctance. Once the wedding procession turned away, Xu Shaochun's face fell completely. Although He Ger was marrying before her, the villagers didn't say much, probably still thinking Zhang Fangyuan was overbearing, had a bad temper, and got whatever he wanted, and that the Xu family had no choice but to marry He Ger off first.

Today, seeing so many people from the Zhang family come, so lively and festive, and hearing that dozens of tables were set up for the banquet, while the Fei family still showed no movement, she felt even worse.

Xu He swayed gently in the sedan chair. The agitation from his argument with Liu Xianglan eased somewhat, but he hadn't slept well last night and felt dizzy and disoriented.

Through a corner of the curtain lifted by the wind, he noticed the sun had already begun to set. Outside was noisy and clamorous. He hadn't been in the sedan for long before they arrived at the Zhang house.

By now, most of the villagers had gathered here, making it even more lively. When he got out of the sedan, even without looking, he knew many eyes were on him. He felt unusually awkward, and the feeling of having no support became very strong.

“Don't look! No one is allowed to look! Anyone who teases, I'm holding a grudge!  Next time someone gets married, I'll go disrupt their bridal chamber!”

Zhang Fangyuan ignored propriety, directly holding Xu He's hand and shouting at the onlookers.

Although wedding banquets allowed for informality, the young men were still afraid of Zhang Fangyuan and didn't dare tease recklessly, only laughing from the sidelines.

Xu He's small boat had reached ashore; his heart felt much steadier. With his head lowered, he entered the central hall of the Zhang house. After the two bowed to heaven and earth, he was escorted to the bridal chamber.

 

***

 

T/N

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