A heaven-ordained golden and jade match?
Leaving Sujing, it took only three days by waterway to reach the imperial capital of Great Zhao—Xuanjing.
Duke Xiangguo's Mansion had long since arranged carriages and horses to receive them.
Jiang Xuesui had woken up just a quarter of an hour before the big ship docked. Hailan helped her dress and comb her hair, and gave her some sweet-and-sour yellow plum soup to drink, which refreshed her instantly.
After disembarking and transferring to a carriage, Jiang Xuesui placed her two little hands under the window and peeked through the gap in the curtain at the bustling streets outside.
Sujing was no worse than Xuanjing.
Besides, Jiang Xuesui had seen the world since she was young. So after a short while, she found it rather boring.
When the carriage and horses entered Chang'an Street, Jiang Xuesui was carried off the carriage by Hailan.
The gate of Duke Xiangguo's Mansion was grand, but in Jiang Xuesui's eyes, it was just a courtyard a bit larger than her own home.
Duke Xiangguo came over to take Jiang Xuesui's little hand and led his niece through the main gate, then carried her into a sedan chair together. He was even more patient with her than with his own three daughters, speaking softly and gently, afraid that his niece would feel distant from him.
Second Master Wen and Third Master Wen ordered the steward to divide the servants into two groups: one group to settle the maids and servants brought from the Jiang family, and the other group to go to the ferry to unload the two large ships of valuable luggage and transport it to the mansion.
Speaking of the Jiang family's servants: the five dowry families that Wen Xincheng had taken with her when she married into the Jiang family had all returned this time. In addition, there were over fifty maids, nannies, manservants, and guards. This meant over a hundred servants that Duke Xiangguo's Mansion had to accommodate.
As for the two ships of valuable luggage, one ship contained gifts from the Jiang family for everyone in Duke Xiangguo's Mansion, and the other ship contained Jiang Xuesui's personal belongings. Their total value exceeded two million silver taels, and some priceless treasures were not even found in the imperial palace.
Thus, from the very first day, everyone in Duke Xiangguo's Mansion knew that this newly arrived young lady from the maternal side was extremely noble. She was no ordinary relative seeking refuge, and they dared not look down on her, especially since her father was a high-ranking third-rank official.
*
In the main courtyard of the Penglai Study, several maids in silk and satin bowed to Duke Xiangguo and Jiang Xuesui, then curiously sized up the maids and nannies accompanying the new young lady.
Seeing that these maids and nannies from the Jiang family were all dressed in fine clothes and looked even more respectable than the wives and daughters of low-ranking officials, it was clear that the wealth of the Jiang family was no rumor.
Moreover, the maids and nannies of the Jiang family were adorned with the latest fashionable fabrics and jewelry, showing that the Jiang family's riches were not inferior to those of Duke Xiangguo's Mansion.
Jiang Xuesui followed her eldest uncle into the room.
Lady Zhu and Lady Yu supported Old Madam Wen as she came over.
Before Jiang Xuesui could even call out 'Grandmother,' Old Madam Wen had already pulled her little granddaughter into her arms, choking with emotion and saying: 'Grandmother has finally brought our treasure Yuanyuan home. My precious little darling, were you tired from the boat ride? Are you hungry now? Thirsty?'
Jiang Xuesui answered each question with a smile, speaking clearly and distinctly. She then generously went to greet her three aunts. Though she was small, she performed the formal bows with proper etiquette, and the three aunts were delighted with her.
First Aunt, Lady Sang, was someone Jiang Xuesui had already met. She was pretty, gentle, and treated others sincerely and kindly.
Second Aunt, Lady Zhu, had a high chignon and thick locks, strikingly beautiful, with shrewdness in her eyes. She was in charge of managing the inner household.
Third Aunt, Lady Yu, had heroic features and spoke forthrightly. As soon as they met, she gave Jiang Xuesui a small jade bow to play with.
The young masters and young ladies of the mansion had not yet finished their lessons. The Wen family had always valued etiquette and learning, so there was no reason to interrupt the children's studies just to receive guests.
Thus, Jiang Xuesui accompanied Old Madam Wen on the warm couch. Everyone spoke one after another, praising Jiang Xuesui so much that she felt embarrassed.
Even when Jiang Xuesui drank tea or ate snacks, they still praised her.
Old Madam Wen doted on this little granddaughter beyond measure. She constantly touched Jiang Xuesui's soft cheeks or kissed her fragrant forehead. She noticed a gleaming Golden Qilin hanging from Jiang Xuesui's neck, the size of a palm.
'This Golden Qilin that Yuanyuan wears is a fine object. Is there a story behind it?'
Hailan said: 'Old Madam, there is indeed a story. When our Suijie'er was one year old, she fell gravely ill. My master and mistress went to the Baiyun Temple on Qingcheng Mountain and obtained this Golden Qilin to suppress evil spirits for our Suijie'er. Moreover, the Celestial Master Zhang who consecrated the qilin said that this Golden Qilin and another Jade Qilin were originally a pair of auspicious treasures, once used as wedding gifts for the Lord of the Gui Kingdom and Lady Butterfly. If our Suijie'er ever meets a boy wearing that Jade Qilin, it is a heaven-ordained golden and jade match.'
Lady Sang wanted to say something, but in front of her two noble sisters-in-law, she always felt inferior and dared not say a word, for fear of being ridiculed.
Lady Zhu thought for a moment and said: 'How strange! That little prince of Prince Duan's Mansion is wearing such a Jade Qilin. Imperial Consort Dowager Sang has also said the same thing to us in private. This is indeed a ready-made golden and jade match.'
Lady Yu smiled and looked at Lady Sang: 'One day, Big Sister-in-law, go to Prince Duan's Mansion and ask that little prince, does he want a little bride?'
Lady Sang and Imperial Consort Dowager Sang of Prince Duan's Mansion were biological sisters. Back then, the Sang family had the two sisters draw lots. Whoever drew the short bamboo stick would marry the ailing Prince Duan to bring him luck. The elder sister, Imperial Consort Dowager Sang, intentionally broke the long stick she had drawn and married into Prince Duan's Mansion. She then arranged for her younger sister to marry into Duke Xiangguo's Mansion, a better match.
However, the two Sang sisters were vastly different in personality. The elder sister was too domineering, while the younger sister, Lady Sang, was too timid.
At that moment, Lady Sang didn't know how to respond to Lady Yu's words. She lowered her head, blushed, and stayed silent.
Old Madam Wen, understanding her eldest daughter-in-law's honest nature, often protected her.
'Jokes aside, the little prince holds a royal title. There is a hierarchy between ruler and subject. Let's not let any malicious person overhear; out of the mouth comes evil.'
The three ladies quickly said: 'Your daughter-in-law humbly obeys Mother's instruction.'
But the words 'golden and jade match' were etched into Old Madam Wen's heart.
When it was time for the evening meal, everyone went to the flower hall.
Jiang Xuesui's three uncles sat at the same table.
Old Madam Wen sat with three of her granddaughters and Jiang Xuesui, her only granddaughter, at the same table.
The young masters sat at another table.
Following etiquette, the three ladies each offered Old Madam Wen chopsticks, served dishes, and presented soup. Only when Old Madam Wen told them to sit did they settle down.
Old Madam Wen noticed that two granddaughters and one grandson were missing. She knew the youngest granddaughter had a fever due to a cold, so she only asked Lady Sang: 'Why haven't Aijie'er and Dalang come?'
Lady Sang glanced quickly at Jiang Xuesui and replied: 'Your daughter-in-law was afraid that Aijie'er might have an episode during the meal and frighten Yuanyuan. So I had Dalang accompany Aijie'er to eat dinner in her own courtyard.'
Old Madam Wen's expression was gentle.
'You worry too much. Aijie'er is Yuanyuan's own cousin. Although she has some episodes, we are all family—cut the flesh and the sinews connect. We can't keep Aijie'er, that good child, hidden away just because Yuanyuan has come.'