The housekeeper thought that betrothing a daughter was a major life event, and it shouldn’t be so hasty.
But Ye Er shook her head resolutely this time. “There’s no need to count the days, today is a good day. The betrothal ceremony can be finished within an hour, and you must be back in an hour. After that, there are more important things than betrothal for you to attend to. Go now.”
“!?”
How could today possibly be a good day?
Strangely enough, today is the fifth of May, which is a ‘bad day’ in the ‘evil month’.
It is most taboo to hold celebrations on this day. How can the adults get away with saying such blatant lies?
The steward wanted to say something more, but seeing the firmness in their elders’ expressions, he knew that no matter how much he tried to persuade them today, they would not change their minds.
Then he asked, “Sir, is the letter of appointment to be written by your own hand?”
The house manager had a deep suspicion that their masters might have forgotten about the betrothal contract. Could it be that they truly didn’t know that, besides the matchmaker and dowry, a betrothal contract was also necessary when going to propose?
As expected, the butler’s guess was mostly right. After the butler finished speaking, Ye Er frowned. He really hadn’t thought of this step about the letter of appointment.
He also wanted a traditional wedding with three books and six rituals, ten miles of red decorations, a phoenix crown, an eight-palanquin procession, a proper introduction by matchmakers, and to marry his beloved daughter home in a grand ceremony. However, after the ruckus caused by that couple from the Anle Hou Mansion, many things had to be simplified, or even skipped entirely.
After a moment of contemplation, Ye Er said to the steward, “Prepare ink and paper.”
This kind of employment contract should have been completed by the elders of the Ye family, but now that their Ye family has no elders, he can only do it himself.
The housekeeper turned and went to prepare ink and brushes, while Xiao Liang went to help Ye Er up.
Ye Er’s wound couldn’t be bumped or touched, so whenever he moved, Xiao Liang would be on edge, fearing something might go wrong.
Fortunately, Ye Er remained calm throughout the drafting of the employment contract and there were no unexpected issues.
Deliver the prepared employment contract to the steward and tell him to return as quickly as possible.
Butler: “…”
This is the first time he has ever seen someone who comes to a job interview like they’re on a run.
However, since this was their boss’s request, he could only quickly go about it.
After the steward left with the marriage certificate, Xiaoliang wanted to help Ye Er back to bed. But before his hand could touch his master’s arm, he saw his master lay down another piece of paper and continue writing.
What are the adults writing about again?
Curiosity drove him to steal a few glances.
Seeing the characters written by their elders, a smile resembling that of a doting aunt couldn’t help but creep onto his lips.
It turns out they’re writing the marriage certificate!
Well, the employment contract is done now, so it’s time to write the marriage certificate.
It’s just a bit strange, three books and six rituals, the letter of betrothal is written, logically speaking even if it has to be written it should write the letter of courtesy and welcoming letter first.
Why are they writing the marriage contract first?
However, he didn’t say anything. He just kept stealing glances at her silently.
I have to admit, their handwriting is pretty nice.
A union of two families, a single hall for the covenant.
A match made in heaven, destined to be together.
Look at the peach blossoms today, blooming brilliantly. It’s a day suitable for both love and home.
With the solemn vow of our white hair, I write this letter on auspicious paper.
To gather the red leaves of the alliance, and record the love poem.
This certificate.
Xiaoliang watched his own father finally put pen to paper, a slight ache in his heart. Writing his own marriage certificate wasn’t actually a good thing.
When there are elders in a family, it’s unlikely that one would have to write their own wedding and engagement letters.
Ye Er put down her pen and picked up the marriage certificate. From the corner of her eye, she saw Xiao Liang’s complicated expression, and she narrowed her eyes slightly, “What’s this?”
His voice brought Xiao Liang back to his senses. He shook his head hastily, “It’s nothing, it’s nothing. Sir, do you still need to continue writing the letter of greetings and welcoming letter?”
“It’s not necessary.”
“???”
Is it necessary? <<<
Xiaoliang looked puzzled, “How could it be unnecessary?”
With the way they treat the county princess, they shouldn’t fall short of what is due.
But what do they mean by “it’s not necessary”?
After Ye Er finished speaking, he placed the marriage certificate on the table and gestured for Xiao Liang to help him back to bed.
He naturally saw the confusion on Xiao Liang’s face, but he would wait until the steward came back to propose marriage before explaining anything. He wasn’t going to waste his breath explaining now.
……
On the other side, Shou’er returned to Bei Jiang Wangfu and reported everything that happened to Xiao Qin at An Le Houfu, including her final decision to go to Ye Fu, to An Xue Tang.
As for the way Lady Anle and Lord Anle behaved, An Xuetang certainly disapproved, but when it came down to it, it was their own family affair.
> Just that Xiao Qin didn’t ask her to help. Even if she disapproved and didn’t want to see Xiao Qin being so wronged, she wouldn’t do anything about it.
After some thought, An Xue Tang merely sighed, “Since she doesn’t want us to interfere too much, then let her be. In the Ye residence, she is the future mistress. No one would dare to gossip behind her back, and her situation might even be better than in the Hou residence.”
“Just from Ye Er’s side, let the people from Qingyun Pavilion put in more effort to protect them at least.”
Shouren bowed, “Yes, I’ll personally run to Qingyun Pavilion.”
“Hmm.”
……
Shou’er hurried to Qingyun Pavilion, conveying her mistress’s wishes to the people there. Then she walked down some secluded alleys, preparing to return to the mansion as quickly as possible.
But she only got halfway there when she saw Daliang hurrying by.
The two had only recently crossed paths. Liang, who was nearby, realized someone was looking at him and he looked back. When he saw it was Shou’er, he was also taken aback for a moment.
They looked at each other and walked towards one another. Shou’er saw that he seemed very anxious, so she couldn’t help but ask, “Is something wrong with the Ye Residence?”
“Yes, it’s a big deal.”
“……”
Shour’s hands tightened. She thought that Master Ye had encountered another danger and immediately asked, “Do you need help?”
” Daliang knew she had misunderstood, chuckled lightly, “It’s not a bad thing. With the brothers of Qingyun Pavilion here, Ye Mansion is now very safe.”
“…… Shou’er really wanted to roll her eyes. If there was no danger, why say something so scary?”
“Indeed, we’re in a rush. I’ll explain quickly,” Daliang hurried to say. “Today is a joyous occasion for our lord. It is a great event for our Ye family. Earlier today, our Ye family successfully sent a marriage proposal to the Anle Marquis’s mansion.”
Shour immediately understood, “So today is the day your adults successfully made a betrothal?”
Daliang smiled and nodded, but then added with a twinkle in his eye, “Or perhaps the day when our lord and the County Princess get married.”
“!!!”
At that moment, Shou’er first suspected her own ears, rather than what Daliang had said.
Daliang saw Shou’er was also looking incredibly surprised. He felt a sense of balance instantly, as if he wasn’t the only one shocked. He couldn’t even hide the astonishment on his face when he heard his master say this.
After a moment of silence, Shou’er couldn’t help but ask, “What did you just say?”
It must have been her momentary daze that made her mishear.