Marriage Arrangement

"Miss Wu, we've only just met. Isn't this a little..."

Xu Mingyuan faltered.

"A little what?"

"The Xu Household and the Wu Household are well matched. Now that we've met, I find you pleasing to look at, and you're stronger than I am. The atmosphere in your household is one I've always longed for. I'm willing to marry you. Are you saying you don't want to marry me?"

"Or am I not good enough for Second Young Master Xu? Do you find me distasteful?"

"Of course not." Xu Mingyuan waved his hands, plainly at a loss. "Miss Wu, you're forthright, unlike any woman I've met. I admire that."

"Then what's the problem?"

"But we have no feelings for each other."

"Feelings?"

Miss Wu covered her mouth and laughed. "So Second Young Master Xu longs for the kind of mutual love and perfect match found in storybooks."

"More or less. That's how it was for my elder brother and sister-in-law."

"That does happen, but it's rare. When Aristocratic Clans marry, they usually consider family standing and character, and whether the marriage will benefit both Lineages.

"If it will, they marry. As for feelings, those can grow with time. If we truly can't get along, we needn't interfere with each other. I certainly won't stand in the way if Second Young Master Xu wishes to take concubines."

Miss Wu smiled, then added, "You're a business prodigy praised by the heads of every Aristocratic Clan. Surely you can calculate the benefits an alliance between our households would bring?"

Xu Mingyuan thought it over. Something felt wrong, yet he could find no fault in her reasoning.

The Xu Household certainly did not fear the Wu Household. But as Qingjiang County's foremost Aristocratic Clan, with one of its members serving as county magistrate, the Wu Household still had considerably deeper roots.

If its patriarch took the lead and truly united the other four Aristocratic Clans against the Xu Household,

the road ahead for the Xus would be difficult.

A marriage alliance could ease the tension between them. With a few concessions, the Xu Household could buy several years, perhaps even more than a decade, to develop.

He believed that by then, the Xu Household could take the Wu Household's place as the foremost Aristocratic Clan.

After some hesitation, Xu Mingyuan sighed. "Miss Wu, you've convinced me."

"I'll tell my mother I'm willing to marry you."

"As for feelings, I suppose we really will have to develop those slowly."

Xu Mingyuan and Xu Mingwei both put the Xu Household first. But in matters of the heart, Xu Mingwei was steadfast and devoted, while Xu Mingyuan had spent years dealing with Aristocratic Clans and wealthy merchants. Weighing advantages against disadvantages and calculating gains and losses had become second nature to him.

Even though he, too, hoped for a love like his elder brother Xu Mingwei's, he could not help weighing the matter.

"Then I look forward to working together."

"Yes. Likewise."

Xu Mingyuan did not know whether to laugh or cry, but he admired her. Perhaps only someone with her temperament would dare be so bold.

What ordinary sheltered young lady of an Aristocratic Clan would speak so freely?

Afterward,

Xu Mingyuan told Xu Chuan about it.

Xu Chuan was briefly taken aback, then smiled. "A woman like that is rare, A Yuan. You're a lucky lad."

"This marriage your mother chose for you is a good one. She'll fit right into our household."

"She wants to pursue the Martial Way. The Xu Household can support her with all its strength."

"And as for feelings, affection grows with time!"

"That's how it was for your mother and me. If I'd been picky back then, you lads might never have been born."

"You needn't worry about the wedding. Your mother will arrange it. Just remember to treat her well once she marries into our household."

"Yes, Father."

Late that night,

Xu Chuan praised Bai Jing for finding such a good match.

"After spending so long with you, husband, I naturally know a little about the sort of woman you admire."

"I'm not the one marrying her. Why choose someone I'd like?" Xu Chuan shook his head and laughed.

"Because you're the head of the household. The children value your opinion far more than mine. If you disapproved, they'd give up even someone they liked."

Xu Chuan thought about it. She was right.

"You understand me, my dear. Thanks for all your effort hosting the Wu Household today. Let your husband reward you properly."

"You scoundrel!"

When Xu Mingxuan and the others heard the news, they all congratulated Xu Mingyuan.

The Wu Household discussed the marriage at length. Trading a concubine-born daughter they did not particularly value for certain benefits from the Xu Household was a worthwhile bargain, so they agreed.

As for whether they would move against the Xu Household later, they could decide when the time came.

To a century-old Aristocratic Clan, a mere tie by marriage carried little weight. It could be severed at any time.

At the Wu Household,

in Orchid Court,

the courtyard belonged to the Wu Household Head's second wife.

Wu Rushan had grown up there.

A richly dressed woman entered the courtyard and found Wu Rushan practicing her punches.

"Shan'er, good news."

"Mother."

Wu Rushan stopped, wiped the sweat from her brow, and cupped her hands in greeting.

"Shan'er, your father has agreed to the marriage alliance with the Xu Household. Second Young Master Xu is among the finest young men in Qingjiang County, both in looks and character, and you'll marry him as his principal wife."

"You'll finally have a good life."

As she spoke, the richly dressed woman took out a handkerchief and dabbed at the tears in the corners of her eyes.

Wu Rushan was her daughter, born of a concubine. She had always gone against convention and loved practicing martial arts, so her father did not favor her.

That she had found such a good husband was a blessing from heaven.

"No, I must go to Yun'an Temple tomorrow to give thanks for my answered prayers. Come with me."

"I will, Mother." Wu Rushan was delighted, but then curiosity stirred. "By the way, Mother, do you know why Father agreed?"

"Did the Xu Household promise him something?"

"I don't know, but that's between the Xu Household and your father. What does it have to do with you? Don't ask. Stay home and prepare for your wedding."

"Has a date been set?"

"Not for a long while. The Three Letters and Six Rites haven't even been completed. What, are you eager to marry him already?"

The richly dressed woman smiled. "You met Second Young Master Xu when you went to the Xu Household with the first wife, didn't you? What did you think? Is he as they say?"

"He isn't particularly handsome, but he has pleasant, refined features and is modest and courteous. Though he's called a business prodigy and keeps busy with commerce, he still makes time to practice the Martial Way. He's stronger than I am."

"You girl. It seems you really have fallen for that Xu lad."

"That's good. It puts your mother's mind at ease. Oh, I remember his family has a girl of about ten, just right for your younger brother Feng'er. Once you've married into the household, you could try bringing them together."

"If Feng'er could marry the Xu Household's legitimate daughter, he'd surely gain favor in your father's eyes."

Wu Rushan gave a faint smile and answered casually.

A month passed in the blink of an eye.

It was the Xu Household's eldest legitimate grandson's one-month celebration.

Naturally, guests were invited from far and wide.

Of the Wu, Fang, Wang, He, and Cao Households, only the Wu Household came.

Many Lineages and wealthy merchants were astonished to see the Wu Household Head's wife and several others arrive.

"How strange. Not long ago, the Wu Household and Xu Household were at each other's throats. Now they've come to celebrate the Xu Household's eldest legitimate grandson?"

The many Lineages were puzzled.

When the guests had nearly finished eating and drinking, Xu Chuan suddenly announced, "Everyone, thank you for honoring my grandson's one-month celebration with your presence today."

"I also have another happy event to announce."

"My son Mingyuan will be betrothed to the Wu patriarch's daughter in six months. As for the wedding, Patriarch Wu and I have discussed it. Since they're both still young, we've decided they'll marry next October."

"Haha! Congratulations, Patriarch Xu. Your household has one happy occasion after another!"

"Indeed! Who would have thought you'd quietly become kin to the Wu Household?"

The patriarchs raised their cups in congratulations.

Xu Chuan said, "It's only thanks to Patriarch Wu's kindness. Otherwise, how could my son hope to marry his beloved daughter?"

His words were impeccable and gave the Wu Household plenty of face.

"You're too modest, Patriarch Xu. It's my daughter who's marrying above her station."

"Come, Brother Wu. Today, you and I must drink to our hearts' content."

By the next day, the news had spread throughout Qingjiang County.

The Fang, Wang, He, and Cao Households all paid visits to the Wu Household. They left an hour later.

No one knew what they had discussed.

Yet Qingjiang County remained calm and undisturbed.