Chapter 24 – A Beautiful Name
Madam Chen was waiting anxiously at home for Yu Tang. Before Yu Tang could get down from the carriage and stand properly, she already took her daughter’s hand and hurried to the main hall.
While walking, she instructed Shuang Tao. “Take the melon that was cooled in the well, cut it and bring it over. Bring some water along and serve the young lady to freshen up and change her clothes.”
Shuang Tao obeyed and went away.
Yu Tang was led by her mother to the hall and made to sit down on a chair.
Madam Chen saw that strands of hair were sticking to her daughter’s forehead due to her perspiration, so she became distressed and quickly turned around and took out a fan from somewhere. She sat beside her and helped to fan her to cool off. “Tell me what happened today? Why did you ask Ah Cam to send such a message in the middle of the day? You almost scared the living daylights out of me! I was so worried that something might have happened to you.”
Yu Tang did not think of that.
She apologized to her mother quickly and said, “I thought that Madam Tang would be too persuasive, and fool you and father with her words.”
Madam Chen retorted sharply, “Will your father and I be so easily fooled?”
Yu Tang smiled sheepishly.
Madam Chen asked sternly, “Was there a problem with the second young master of the Li family?”
Although her daughter’s reason for going out today was a little ambiguous, but after all, she had more experience than her daughter. So she guessed that it was because Yutang was worried about her marriage to the Li family and wanted to see for herself what the second young master of the Li family looked like. Their family wasn’t like those large families with a lot of rules, nor was it a family with many children. Both of them only wanted their daughter to enjoy a happy life in the future, where the couple could spend their lives together harmoniously – that would already be a wonderful marriage. That’s why they turned a blind eye and let Ah Cam accompany Yu Tang to go out.
When she saw that her daughter couldn’t wait until she returned home to speak with her, but instead sent Ah Cam to bring her a letter quickly, how could she not be worried?
Yu Tang told Madam Chen exactly what happened today when she met Li Jun.
Only when Shuang Tao brought in the melon and served Yu Tang to freshen up and change, did she manage to find her voice and asked Yu Tang, who was eating a slice of melon, cautiously, “In other words, the second young master of the Li family didn’t know you at all, and Mrs. Li’s marriage proposal was all a façade?”
Yu Tang nodded, thinking that today’s melon was extra sweet, and gave a slice to her mother, telling her of her suspicions, “I just think that their family is definitely plotting something about our family. Unfortunately, I can’t think of anything that is valuable to them.”
Madam Chen looked at her daughter’s face, which still looked beautiful even in the dimly lit room, and couldn’t help but feel a little proud.
A beautiful girl like their Ah-tang, not to mention Lin’an City, even in the whole Hangzhou Province, there weren’t many.
Could it really be that they wanted this marriage because Ah-Tang was pretty?
Although Madam Chen thought of it, but she immediately crossed it out as it was unrealistic.
She said. “I’ve asked someone to bring a message to your father asking him to come back early today. Your father, after all, is a scholar and has more knowledge than us, so he should make the final decision.”
Two heads are better than one.
Yu Tang likes to share her concerns with her family and then they can all discuss together.
She asked, “Father went to the harbor today?”
The Pei family’s newly-appointed head steward, Pei Man, was very efficient, and the reconstruction of Changxing Street had already begun even before the Pei family’s grand elder had even passed his seventy seventh birthday. She previously heard from Ah Cam, the Pei Family bought a few boats from Hangzhou, and will reach TiaoXi Harbor within the next two days, and Yu Wen has been with Yu Bo for the past few days.
Madam Chen murmured in assent and felt that the melon was indeed sweeter than the usual ones, so she said to Yu Tang, “Save some for your father! This is all that’s left of this melon.”
As Yu Tang winked at her mother playfully, Yu Wen came back.
Madam Chen hurriedly welcomed him and helped him to wash his face and clean his hands.
Yu Tang got up and called “Father”, and when Yu Wen was done, she brought the melon out for him to eat.
Yu Wen praised his daughter for being obedient and asked Madam Chen, “What’s so urgent that you had to rush me back? I originally wanted to invite Supervisor Tong to the Zhang Er fish restaurant for a drink today! It’s currently the best time of year to eat fish.”
Madam Chen laughed, “No wonder it took you so long. Did the construction work go smoothly?”
“Yes.” Yu Wen replied, “So what happened?”
Madam Chen told him about Yu Tang’s trip to Zhaoming Temple.
Yu Wen didn’t think much of it and said unconcernedly, “Whatever they want to do, as long as we don’t agree, they can’t do anything about it either.”
Madam Chen frowned and said, “But from this, we know that they have bad intentions. So if this fails, they can think of something else. We still need to be wary.”
Yu Wen laughed. “Apart from Ah-tang’s marriage, what else is there to worry about? If we lose silver we can always gain it back.”
“That’s easy for you to say.” Madam Chen said discontentedly, “I’m just afraid that they will interfere with our Ah-tang’s marriage.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Yu Wen said, “Leave it to me.”
Yu Tang’s scalp tingled as she listened.
Since the incident of Lu Xin’s painting, she had a different understanding of her father.
She was not at all comfortable with his plans.
Yu Tang shook her mother’s arm and pouted. “Mother, look at father, he doesn’t care about me at all! It’s one of the most important events in my life and he wants to settle it by himself, how can he do that! Even if it’s a table, we still have to look at it several times before buying!”
“Child, what are you saying?” Yu Wen glared at his daughter and scolded, “Is choosing a husband like buying a table? You think I’m not worried? It’s just that there isn’t anyone suitable right now. I know that you are afraid that I will arrange for you to marry into the Li family. Don’t worry! Without your consent, I won’t agree to anyone’s proposal.”
Yu Tang exclaimed with joy and held the plate with melon slices to Yu Wen and tried to butter up to him, saying “Father, in this world, you treat me the best! You are also the best father in the world!”
“That’s right!” Although Yu Wen thought his daughter’s words were a bit exaggerated, but he couldn’t stop the corners of his mouth from turning up and felt good.
Madam Chen shook her head helplessly.
Early the next morning, she sent someone to reply Madam Tang, saying that their family has decided to get a son-in-law that will marry into their family for Yu Tang and that they could not accept the Li family’s proposal.
Madam Tang rushed over as soon as she got the letter. While gasping for breath, she smiled bitterly as she tried to persuade Madam Chen. “We also knew your family’s intentions, and second young master of the Li family was also aware. Unexpectedly, the second young master was willing to marry into your family in order to have your daughter. Because of all the fuss about this, once the Eldest Young Master got to know of this, he shut the second young master in his room and even wrote a letter to his father. The second young master continued to be stubborn and begun a hunger strike.
“Mrs. Li felt heartache over her son, worrying that he will fall ill, but she was also afraid of Eldest Master Li’s temper. Once she got your reply, she immediately sent me over to speak with you, saying that her child is sincerely fond of your family’s young lady, and to please give their second young master a chance and not to rush to arrange your young lady’s marriage first. Whether or not Eldest Master Li will agree to his second son marrying into your family or not, they will know his decision in three months’ time.”
After saying that, she sighed long and hard and took hold of Madam Chen’s hand, saying, “This city is full of talented and virtuous young ladies but I’m really envious of your good fortune. Your son-in-law is so devoted to you, even if you only had a daughter, but your son-in-law treats you so well as if he’s your biological son. You say, what kind of family is the Li family, he rejected his status as the second young master to marry into your family as your son-in-law, whether this marriage is successful or not, it’s already worth it.”
Madam Chen and Yu Tang were both stunned by this turn of events.
She didn’t expect that the Li family would even consider such harsh conditions proposed by their family.
This made Yu Tang even more afraid of this marriage and suspicious of the Li family’s motives. She also felt that all of these things could have arose because she went to find Li Jun privately……
Yu Tang feel complicated.
And when afternoon came, she just wanted to smack herself a few times in the head and turn back time.
Chen Yao invited a matchmaker to come to their house to propose marriage.
Madam Chen was dumbfounded and said to Old Aunty Chen, “Why is there another one?”
Old Aunty head was also having a headache from all the recent events in their family and said wearily, “I heard he is a student who is studying to pass the scholar exam. Yesterday when he visited Zhaoming Temple, he met our young lady by chance, and couldn’t forget about her. After informing his parents, he invited someone to come and arrange marriage.”
Madam Chen said, “Does he know that we are looking for a son-in-law to marry into our family?”
Old Aunty Chen replied, “He said he knows. He also said that he was the third of five sons in their family, and that his family agreed to have him join the family.”
Yu Tang rubbed at her temples and had to come out to clear up the mess, telling her mother how she met Chen Yao at Zhaoming Temple, and saying, “This Chen Yao is not suitable, his character isn’t good.”
Madam Chen didn’t expect such a thing to have happened, and she curiously asked Yu Tang, “Did Chen Yao really meet you only once?”
“Really! Just once!” Yu Tang felt a headache coming on. “How many more times do you want him to see me?!”
“Now, now. Don’t be upset.” Madam Chen placated her daughter, saying, “I just didn’t expect someone to come to our house to propose marriage just after meeting you once.”
Somehow Yu Tang felt that her mother’s tone was a little proud?
She said helplessly, “Can you send that matchmaker away first? She’s blocking our door with a bunch of things, I’m afraid everyone will think I’m in a hurry to get married!”
Yu Tang’s words reminded Madam Chen, who said to Old Aunty Chen, “Quickly, go and tell the matchmaker to leave. Tell her that her father had already made up his mind about Ah Tang’s marriage, so we won’t discuss it for now.”
Old Aunty Chen obediently followed her instructions and went away.
But her face was full of happiness.
Obviously, she was delighted that someone could come to the house to propose marriage over this.
Yu Tang thought that that was the end of the matter.
However, two days later, Fu Xiaowan also invited a matchmaker to come to their door to propose marriage.
When the Fu family found out that the Yu family was looking for a son-in-law that will marry into the family, they left disappointed.
At least there was one normal person!
Yu Tang felt relieved.
However, because of this, her fame for being a great beauty got out.
By the time the Yu family knew about it, it was about the time for gifts-sending for the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Eldest aunt Wang laughed and teased Madam Chen: “Our Ah tang is really lucky. Our family has a daughter who is sought after by a hundred families, such a thing is only found in books. This is the first time I’m seeing it with my own eyes.”
Madam Chen was worried and talked to Eldest Aunt Wang. “Am I making much ado about nothing? There’s no smoke without a fire. I don’t think it’s good for Ah-tang to have this kind reputation, my heart is pounding whenever I think about it!”
Madam Wang thought about it for a while and said, “Our Ah-tang has her eldest uncle and cousin to defend her, and a father who is a scholar, so she is not a helpless young lady with no one to rely on. However, a girl’s virtuous name is more important than being known for one’s beauty. It’s better for Ah-tang’s marriage to be arranged quickly.”
Chapter 24 – A Beautiful Name
Madam Chen was waiting anxiously at home for Yu Tang. Before Yu Tang could get down from the carriage and stand properly, she already took her daughter’s hand and hurried to the main hall.
While walking, she instructed Shuang Tao. “Take the melon that was cooled in the well, cut it and bring it over. Bring some water along and serve the young lady to freshen up and change her clothes.”
Shuang Tao obeyed and went away.
Yu Tang was led by her mother to the hall and made to sit down on a chair.
Madam Chen saw that strands of hair were sticking to her daughter’s forehead due to her perspiration, so she became distressed and quickly turned around and took out a fan from somewhere. She sat beside her and helped to fan her to cool off. “Tell me what happened today? Why did you ask Ah Cam to send such a message in the middle of the day? You almost scared the living daylights out of me! I was so worried that something might have happened to you.”
Yu Tang did not think of that.
She apologized to her mother quickly and said, “I thought that Madam Tang would be too persuasive, and fool you and father with her words.”
Madam Chen retorted sharply, “Will your father and I be so easily fooled?”
Yu Tang smiled sheepishly.
Madam Chen asked sternly, “Was there a problem with the second young master of the Li family?”
Although her daughter’s reason for going out today was a little ambiguous, but after all, she had more experience than her daughter. So she guessed that it was because Yutang was worried about her marriage to the Li family and wanted to see for herself what the second young master of the Li family looked like. Their family wasn’t like those large families with a lot of rules, nor was it a family with many children. Both of them only wanted their daughter to enjoy a happy life in the future, where the couple could spend their lives together harmoniously – that would already be a wonderful marriage. That’s why they turned a blind eye and let Ah Cam accompany Yu Tang to go out.
When she saw that her daughter couldn’t wait until she returned home to speak with her, but instead sent Ah Cam to bring her a letter quickly, how could she not be worried?
Yu Tang told Madam Chen exactly what happened today when she met Li Jun.
Only when Shuang Tao brought in the melon and served Yu Tang to freshen up and change, did she manage to find her voice and asked Yu Tang, who was eating a slice of melon, cautiously, “In other words, the second young master of the Li family didn’t know you at all, and Mrs. Li’s marriage proposal was all a façade?”
Yu Tang nodded, thinking that today’s melon was extra sweet, and gave a slice to her mother, telling her of her suspicions, “I just think that their family is definitely plotting something about our family. Unfortunately, I can’t think of anything that is valuable to them.”
Madam Chen looked at her daughter’s face, which still looked beautiful even in the dimly lit room, and couldn’t help but feel a little proud.
A beautiful girl like their Ah-tang, not to mention Lin’an City, even in the whole Hangzhou Province, there weren’t many.
Could it really be that they wanted this marriage because Ah-Tang was pretty?
Although Madam Chen thought of it, but she immediately crossed it out as it was unrealistic.
She said. “I’ve asked someone to bring a message to your father asking him to come back early today. Your father, after all, is a scholar and has more knowledge than us, so he should make the final decision.”
Two heads are better than one.
Yu Tang likes to share her concerns with her family and then they can all discuss together.
She asked, “Father went to the harbor today?”
The Pei family’s newly-appointed head steward, Pei Man, was very efficient, and the reconstruction of Changxing Street had already begun even before the Pei family’s grand elder had even passed his seventy seventh birthday. She previously heard from Ah Cam, the Pei Family bought a few boats from Hangzhou, and will reach TiaoXi Harbor within the next two days, and Yu Wen has been with Yu Bo for the past few days.
Madam Chen murmured in assent and felt that the melon was indeed sweeter than the usual ones, so she said to Yu Tang, “Save some for your father! This is all that’s left of this melon.”
As Yu Tang winked at her mother playfully, Yu Wen came back.
Madam Chen hurriedly welcomed him and helped him to wash his face and clean his hands.
Yu Tang got up and called “Father”, and when Yu Wen was done, she brought the melon out for him to eat.
Yu Wen praised his daughter for being obedient and asked Madam Chen, “What’s so urgent that you had to rush me back? I originally wanted to invite Supervisor Tong to the Zhang Er fish restaurant for a drink today! It’s currently the best time of year to eat fish.”
Madam Chen laughed, “No wonder it took you so long. Did the construction work go smoothly?”
“Yes.” Yu Wen replied, “So what happened?”
Madam Chen told him about Yu Tang’s trip to Zhaoming Temple.
Yu Wen didn’t think much of it and said unconcernedly, “Whatever they want to do, as long as we don’t agree, they can’t do anything about it either.”
Madam Chen frowned and said, “But from this, we know that they have bad intentions. So if this fails, they can think of something else. We still need to be wary.”
Yu Wen laughed. “Apart from Ah-tang’s marriage, what else is there to worry about? If we lose silver we can always gain it back.”
“That’s easy for you to say.” Madam Chen said discontentedly, “I’m just afraid that they will interfere with our Ah-tang’s marriage.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Yu Wen said, “Leave it to me.”
Yu Tang’s scalp tingled as she listened.
Since the incident of Lu Xin’s painting, she had a different understanding of her father.
She was not at all comfortable with his plans.
Yu Tang shook her mother’s arm and pouted. “Mother, look at father, he doesn’t care about me at all! It’s one of the most important events in my life and he wants to settle it by himself, how can he do that! Even if it’s a table, we still have to look at it several times before buying!”
“Child, what are you saying?” Yu Wen glared at his daughter and scolded, “Is choosing a husband like buying a table? You think I’m not worried? It’s just that there isn’t anyone suitable right now. I know that you are afraid that I will arrange for you to marry into the Li family. Don’t worry! Without your consent, I won’t agree to anyone’s proposal.”
Yu Tang exclaimed with joy and held the plate with melon slices to Yu Wen and tried to butter up to him, saying “Father, in this world, you treat me the best! You are also the best father in the world!”
“That’s right!” Although Yu Wen thought his daughter’s words were a bit exaggerated, but he couldn’t stop the corners of his mouth from turning up and felt good.
Madam Chen shook her head helplessly.
Early the next morning, she sent someone to reply Madam Tang, saying that their family has decided to get a son-in-law that will marry into their family for Yu Tang and that they could not accept the Li family’s proposal.
Madam Tang rushed over as soon as she got the letter. While gasping for breath, she smiled bitterly as she tried to persuade Madam Chen. “We also knew your family’s intentions, and second young master of the Li family was also aware. Unexpectedly, the second young master was willing to marry into your family in order to have your daughter. Because of all the fuss about this, once the Eldest Young Master got to know of this, he shut the second young master in his room and even wrote a letter to his father. The second young master continued to be stubborn and begun a hunger strike.
“Mrs. Li felt heartache over her son, worrying that he will fall ill, but she was also afraid of Eldest Master Li’s temper. Once she got your reply, she immediately sent me over to speak with you, saying that her child is sincerely fond of your family’s young lady, and to please give their second young master a chance and not to rush to arrange your young lady’s marriage first. Whether or not Eldest Master Li will agree to his second son marrying into your family or not, they will know his decision in three months’ time.”
After saying that, she sighed long and hard and took hold of Madam Chen’s hand, saying, “This city is full of talented and virtuous young ladies but I’m really envious of your good fortune. Your son-in-law is so devoted to you, even if you only had a daughter, but your son-in-law treats you so well as if he’s your biological son. You say, what kind of family is the Li family, he rejected his status as the second young master to marry into your family as your son-in-law, whether this marriage is successful or not, it’s already worth it.”
Madam Chen and Yu Tang were both stunned by this turn of events.
She didn’t expect that the Li family would even consider such harsh conditions proposed by their family.
This made Yu Tang even more afraid of this marriage and suspicious of the Li family’s motives. She also felt that all of these things could have arose because she went to find Li Jun privately……
Yu Tang feel complicated.
And when afternoon came, she just wanted to smack herself a few times in the head and turn back time.
Chen Yao invited a matchmaker to come to their house to propose marriage.
Madam Chen was dumbfounded and said to Old Aunty Chen, “Why is there another one?”
Old Aunty head was also having a headache from all the recent events in their family and said wearily, “I heard he is a student who is studying to pass the scholar exam. Yesterday when he visited Zhaoming Temple, he met our young lady by chance, and couldn’t forget about her. After informing his parents, he invited someone to come and arrange marriage.”
Madam Chen said, “Does he know that we are looking for a son-in-law to marry into our family?”
Old Aunty Chen replied, “He said he knows. He also said that he was the third of five sons in their family, and that his family agreed to have him join the family.”
Yu Tang rubbed at her temples and had to come out to clear up the mess, telling her mother how she met Chen Yao at Zhaoming Temple, and saying, “This Chen Yao is not suitable, his character isn’t good.”
Madam Chen didn’t expect such a thing to have happened, and she curiously asked Yu Tang, “Did Chen Yao really meet you only once?”
“Really! Just once!” Yu Tang felt a headache coming on. “How many more times do you want him to see me?!”
“Now, now. Don’t be upset.” Madam Chen placated her daughter, saying, “I just didn’t expect someone to come to our house to propose marriage just after meeting you once.”
Somehow Yu Tang felt that her mother’s tone was a little proud?
She said helplessly, “Can you send that matchmaker away first? She’s blocking our door with a bunch of things, I’m afraid everyone will think I’m in a hurry to get married!”
Yu Tang’s words reminded Madam Chen, who said to Old Aunty Chen, “Quickly, go and tell the matchmaker to leave. Tell her that her father had already made up his mind about Ah Tang’s marriage, so we won’t discuss it for now.”
Old Aunty Chen obediently followed her instructions and went away.
But her face was full of happiness.
Obviously, she was delighted that someone could come to the house to propose marriage over this.
Yu Tang thought that that was the end of the matter.
However, two days later, Fu Xiaowan also invited a matchmaker to come to their door to propose marriage.
When the Fu family found out that the Yu family was looking for a son-in-law that will marry into the family, they left disappointed.
At least there was one normal person!
Yu Tang felt relieved.
However, because of this, her fame for being a great beauty got out.
By the time the Yu family knew about it, it was about the time for gifts-sending for the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Eldest aunt Wang laughed and teased Madam Chen: “Our Ah tang is really lucky. Our family has a daughter who is sought after by a hundred families, such a thing is only found in books. This is the first time I’m seeing it with my own eyes.”
Madam Chen was worried and talked to Eldest Aunt Wang. “Am I making much ado about nothing? There’s no smoke without a fire. I don’t think it’s good for Ah-tang to have this kind reputation, my heart is pounding whenever I think about it!”
Madam Wang thought about it for a while and said, “Our Ah-tang has her eldest uncle and cousin to defend her, and a father who is a scholar, so she is not a helpless young lady with no one to rely on. However, a girl’s virtuous name is more important than being known for one’s beauty. It’s better for Ah-tang’s marriage to be arranged quickly.”
