On the day of Chen Yu's coming-of-age ceremony, the Xiang Palace came to deliver the betrothal gifts in a lively manner.
The reason that it was lively was not because of how many gifts the Xiang Palace had delivered, nor was it because of how loud the music had been. Instead, it was because of the things that had come in their hands- live chickens, live ducks and live fish!
Feng Yu Heng was the first to collapse!
In this life and the previous, she was not afraid of guns or cannons. She was not afraid of natural disasters, nor was she afraid of poisonous insects or snakes, but she had a fatal weakness. She was afraid of anything with wings, especially chickens.
Before the end of the year, she had been attacked by a goshawk. On the surface, she appeared calm, but on the inside, she had been scared half to death. In any case, that was a goshawk and not a chicken. Now, eight live chickens were being carried in by people. She was unable to control herself and let out a yelp before hiding behind An shi.
An shi was also given a fright by her. She then managed to react and asked in surprise: "Second young miss is afraid of chickens?"
Feng Yu Heng's face turned pale, "Ducks, even ducks are afraid."
An shi was still puzzled. When she was young, she had never seen the second young miss afraid of such things. But when she looked at the large roosters, each of them had their eyes bulging and their combs standing up. They did indeed look very fierce. Even Xiang Rong did not dare look at them, thus she could understand. Thus she quickly adjusted her position and protected Feng Yu Heng.
Wang Chuan and Huang Quan were both speechless. This was too shameful. Their young miss was actually afraid of chickens! They wanted to use their eyes to express their disdain; however, they saw that Feng Yu Heng's face was deathly pale, as she hid behind An shi with her eyes tightly shut. Even her ears were covered. There was nothing they could do. They could only stand on either side of An shi and cover her even more tightly.
In ancient times, the betrothal gifts were known as the "Six Rites." They were receiving gifts, asking for names, receiving gifts, receiving gifts and receiving gifts. These six rites, when Feng Yu Heng was engaged to Xuan Tianming when she was young, she was very serious. After they returned to the capital, Lady Zhou came to deliver the betrothal gifts, and everything was done according to the rites.
However, when it was Chen Yu's turn today, nothing was done so carefully. The two families had only exchanged genders before, and the rest of the procedures had been simplified.
But even though everything was said to be simple, the Feng family never thought that the Xiang Palace would be able to simplify things like this.
The betrothal gifts were sent by the steward of the Wang Mansion. Although the Lady Zhou who sent the betrothal gifts from the Imperial Palace Yu was also a steward, this steward was different from other stewards. Lady Zhou was a first-rank noble lady and could enter and leave the Imperial Palace. What was this person from the Prince Xiang's Mansion? At best, he was on the same level as He Zhong.
Feng Jin Yuan's face was a little hard to maintain. He then listened to He Zhong read the list of gifts for them: "The Xiang Palace has sent a betrothal gift to the eldest young miss. Eight live ducks, eight live fish, 100 eggs, 20 jin of brown sugar, 20 jin of starch noodles, four sets of clothes for the four seasons, 120 steamed buns and 50 jars of red daughter!"
That's it!
Feng Chen Yu's face also became a little distorted, but this time, she was a little more rational. She took the initiative to walk between the matriarch and Feng Jin Yuan then gently comforted the two. She then took the initiative to ask the Xiang Palace's steward: "Uncle steward, were these betrothal gifts personally sent by his Highness Prince Xiang?"
Feng Chen Yu was born extremely beautiful, especially when she had a faint smile on her face. She was the most beautiful. In truth, the Xiang Palace's steward also knew that this sort of betrothal gift was truly too shabby. Not only was eldest young miss Feng the eldest daughter of the prime minister, she was also born with a beauty that could cause the downfall of a country. She was worthy of the most generous betrothal gift. However …
He smiled bitterly and shook his head, "His Highness is heavily injured. The betrothal gift was prepared by the princess."
Just these words told the Feng family that this was Princess Xiang's idea. Women, after all, helping their own man send betrothal gifts to another girl was something that could be understood. That's why with the betrothal gift being prepared like this, the Feng family should not feel too wronged.
Chen Yu truly did let out a sigh of relief. Even Feng Jin Yuan and the matriarch's expressions were no longer as ugly. No matter what was said, this was jealousy between women, and it was inevitable. After Chen Yu married over, whether or not she could reverse this situation would depend on her own abilities.
With the betrothal gift in hand, the Cheng shi sisters took care of the rest. Although this gift was shabby, it was the most common gift in a normal family. Chen Yu was the daughter of a concubine, so she naturally could not be treated as the daughter of the first wife. No matter what was said, the marriage was most important.
The Cheng shi sisters received the betrothal gift then asked the steward to stay for tea, but the steward said that he needed to return and report, thus he did not stay for long and quickly left.
Cheng Jun Man smiled and said to Feng Jin Yuan: "Husband, do you think eldest young miss' dowry should be increased a little?"
Feng Jin Yuan did not speak, but the matriarch angrily snorted and said: "What is there to increase? I feel that we gave too much. No matter what is said, there is still a set of gold head ornaments. Just that one thing is worth more than everything that the Xiang Palace sent! "
Chen Yu's expression changed slightly. She truly feared that the matriarch would want to take back that thing, thus she quickly interjected: "That can't be considered a dowry. Grandmother, just treat it as giving granddaughter something to remember. After all, mother … after all, the Shen Clan did not leave behind much. Just treat it as granddaughter begging grandmother. In the future, no matter how great granddaughter's prospects are, I will remember grandmother's grace."
She had already said this much, so what could the matriarch say? She just sighed and did not say anything else.
At this time, Feng Yu Heng finally came out from behind An shi. Her expression was still not too good. An shi quickly called for someone to bring her another cup of tea then quietly comforted her from the side.
She originally thought that the betrothal gift had been received and the coming of age ceremony had been completed. It was about time to disperse. There was not much in the front yard that could provide shelter. The sun was blazing, and the air was stuffy. Han shi felt that it was truly too hot, as she called for a servant to fan herself.
But it was at this time that Feng Jin Yuan suddenly flicked his sleeve and helped the matriarch back to the main seat. Everyone frowned, as they understood that there was definitely more to be said. Thus they all stopped speaking and turned their gazes towards the main seat.
The one that spoke was Feng Jin Yuan. Before he could speak, his gaze turned towards Xiang Rong. Just this glance caused Xiang Rong to suddenly tremble. She subconsciously leaned closer to Feng Yu Heng, as a look of horror appeared on her face.
Feng Jin Yuan was extremely annoyed with his third daughter being so close to Feng Yu Heng, but now that the two were standing together, no matter how he looked at them, he could see a 50 to 60% resemblance.
He calmed himself down and softly said: "Chen Yu is becoming of marriageable age today, and her marriage has been decided. The Xiang Palace and our Feng family have already agreed that the wedding will be held five days after the coming of age ceremony." While he spoke, he looked at Chen Yu, "But I fear that the wedding ceremony will be kept simple."
Chen Yu faintly sighed to herself. Although she had prepared herself mentally, hearing her father say it personally still caused her to feel a little unhappy.
But for the sake of successfully marrying into the Xiang Palace, she had already told herself that no matter how harsh the treatment was, she had to endure it. That was why whether or not the wedding was held was no longer important to the current Chen Yu. What she wanted to accomplish was something. It was no longer about face.
Chen Yu took a step forward and saluted to Feng Jin Yuan. Very understandingly, she said: "Daughter understands. Presently, the situation in court is unclear. The Feng family should have kept a low profile and must not cause any more problems because of daughter's marriage. Moreover, Chen Yu is the daughter of a concubine, and his Highness Prince Xiang is only taking in a secondary princess. Daughter only needs a sedan to be carried into the Xiang Palace. That is enough. "
Feng Jin Yuan looked at Chen Yu's country-toppling beauty and felt unreconciled. He truly felt that he owed this daughter. But the matter that he was about to speak about was not about Chen Yu, thus he only nodded and continued: "The manor's daughter to the first wife … Heng Heng's marriage was also set long ago. Speaking of, it's just that Xiang Rong and Fen Dai have not yet been engaged."
Once these words were said, the horror on Xiang Rong's face became even more apparent. Fen Dai also felt a little unreconciled. She originally had an engagement, but it was rejected by the Feng family. Now that her two elder sisters had been engaged to princes, what would she do?
This girl was hoping that Feng Jin Yuan would change his mind and reconsider her marriage to the fifth prince. She eagerly looked over; however, she found that Feng Jin Yuan did not even look at her. His gaze remained fixed on Xiang Rong.
Xiang Rong's body was tense, as though she was waiting for a verdict. Even An shi became nervous. She understood that the Feng family could only rely on the third prince. In the current situation, a single prince was no longer enough to protect the Feng family. They needed to make more preparations. Then … … Xiangrong's marriage, who would she marry?
Daughters were pampered. They were raised for the sake of marrying into a good family and helping their mother's family. Moreover, she was the daughter of a concubine. At this sort of time, the daughter of a concubine should be the one to charge forward. She was said to be a daughter, but what difference was there between her and a tool.
"Today …" Feng Jin Yuan spoke once more, saying one word at a time: "Today, aside from Chen Yu's coming-of-age ceremony, the family has also made arrangements for Xiang Rong's marriage."
"I don't want it!" Suddenly, a voice of refusal came from Xiang Rong. It was as though she had gone crazy, as she repeatedly shouted: "I don't want it! I don't want to get engaged! "
"Nonsense!" The matriarch became furious, "Which family's daughter does not get engaged? Which family's daughter does not get married? The orders of the parents and the words of the matchmaker, how could you say yes or no! Could it be that you think the Feng family will support you for the rest of your life? "
An shi saw that the matriarch was truly angry, and the words that came out were neither light nor heavy. Although she was unhappy, she also understood that Xiang Rong had lost her composure first. She quickly stood up and pulled Xiang Rong while saying good things for the matriarch and Feng Jin Yuan: "Elder madam, please calm your anger. Husband, please calm your anger. Third young miss is still young and is unable to accept this for a while. She lost her composure a little." She then tugged at Xiang Rong, indicating for her to quickly apologize.
But Xiang Rong was dazed. Her mind was filled with thoughts of the Feng family arranging a marriage for her, but she did not want to get married. Or it could be said that the marriage arranged by the Feng family was definitely not the person she wanted to marry. What should she do? What should she do?
She subconsciously turned her gaze towards Feng Yu Heng, her eyes filled with tears.
Feng Yu Heng looked at this girl, and memories of the body's original owner's childhood surged forth. At that time, she was practicing writing in the pavilion. This girl had two buns on her head and hid far away behind a rock to watch. Her small face was chubby, like a porcelain doll. Also, her maternal grandfather, Yao Xian, came to the manor to see her and brought many nice things. At that time, her personality was indifferent. She clearly knew that there was a pair of small eyes looking at her, but she never thought of giving Xiang Rong some of the snacks that she could not finish. Also, the Yao family was in trouble. The mother and children were chased out of the manor. Right before leaving, An shi grabbed Zirui's collar and hid from others. She stuffed a handful of silver into the child's clothes.
These memories surged forth, and Feng Yu Heng immediately understood. This body had the body's original owner's instincts. This thought wanted her to help Xiang Rong. The body's original owner liked this younger sister.
But … Feng Yu Heng frowned and looked at her for a long time. Just as Xiang Rong felt that there was hope to turn the situation around, she saw Feng Yu Heng slightly shake her head …
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