Traveling through ancient times: living a different life

Biyue has been here for nearly five years. Her fourth uncle passed the imperial examination last autumn and became famous in the surrounding villages. More and more people came to propose marriage. Matchmakers from several wealthy families in the town and the county town came to inquire about her.

When Principal Zhu saw such an outstanding student, he said to him, "You have passed the imperial examination and won the first prize. You are now past the age of twenty and can discuss marriage. I wonder if there is anyone you like."

“The students didn’t.”

"Then I will find a good marriage for you, are you willing?"

"The student would like to thank the teacher here and trouble the teacher for his concern."

"I have a niece, she's 17 years old this year, she's my eldest brother's granddaughter. My eldest brother passed away that year, and my nephew was only two years old. My eldest sister-in-law raised him alone, and I taught him personally since he was a child, just like my own son. Later, they got married and had two daughters and a son. The one I'm going to marry this time is my youngest daughter, but she had been engaged before, but when she was 14, her fiancé fell off a horse and died, so she has not married until now. Are you willing?"

"The student is willing, thank you teacher."

"Hahaha...! Okay, okay, my niece is well-educated, well-mannered, and beautiful. She's a good match for you. I'll write a letter to let you know about this later."

Ten days later, a letter came from the capital, approving the marriage.

Fourth uncle came back and told his parents and brothers about this. Everyone was happy and worried. They were happy because Qinghui had found a wife from a wealthy family, but they were worried that this wife would be difficult to get along with and would look down on country people.

It was only a few days until mid-March. Tingsong was going to take the examination for the scholar this year. His grandparents, father, Biyue and Tingsong went to the provincial capital with the escort agency.

After taking the exam in Tingsong, the capital, the family came to the house in the county town. The fourth uncle said, "Someone from the Zhu family in the capital has come to propose marriage."

Grandma, Grandpa and Father were all surprised. It seemed that the Zhu family also attached great importance to this marriage.

The next day, everyone put on new clothes, tidied their attire, took their gifts, and went to Zhu's house. As they walked to the door, several people got off the carriage, and a servant led the horse to the stable, and a man who looked like a butler led them inside.

Zhu's house is a large courtyard with three entrances. Walking in, you will see green trees, scattered scenery, pavilions and towers, which are like poems and pictures. The courtyard is surrounded by towering brick walls, and the walls are decorated with exquisite carvings. It is extraordinary and shows the noble status of the owner.

After entering the second gate, Director Zhu and a man in his forties welcomed them in.

After several people came to the hall and sat down, the servants immediately poured tea for the guests.

Zhu Shanchang was the first to introduce, "This is my eldest nephew Zhu Shunchang, the father of my daughter who is engaged to be married."

Zhu Shunchang immediately stood up, bowed to Chen Feng and his wife, and said, "Hello, two relatives."

"Okay, okay, you're very polite. Same courtesy."

Grandpa didn't know what to say and felt a little awkward, so they both sat down again.

Zhu Shanchang said: "It has been several years since Qinghui's apprenticeship banquet. I have only met you two again today. I never thought that we are now a family. It is really fate."

At this time, a beautiful middle-aged woman walked out. The woman looked very young, like she was in her early thirties, and was dressed very decently. Behind her followed a young and beautiful lady in a light blue dress. She was neither fat nor thin, about 1.68 meters tall, with pearl flowers in her hair and a gold hairpin on her right side. She looked simple yet gorgeous.

When Biyue saw her, she thought she was a good match for her fourth uncle. When the girl walked out, Qinghui glanced at the girl for a few times before looking away. Biyue saw that the girl also glanced at her fourth uncle a few times.

The young lady sat next to her mother, with a nanny about forty years old and a teenage maid standing behind her.

Zhu Shanchang said, "We will meet formally today and discuss the wedding. We will hold one wedding in the countryside. I think we can hold another one in the capital. Do you think that's a good idea?"

Everyone agreed, and after chatting for a while, the Chen family walked around the courtyard under the leadership of Zhu Shanchang and Zhu Shunchang. Bi Yue walked behind and quietly asked the fourth uncle how he felt about the girl. The fourth uncle nodded and said that it was good. It seemed that he liked her, but he didn't know what her personality and temper were like.

The young lady's mother was also asking, "Daughter, what do you think of Mr. Chen?"

"Not bad."

"If Zheng Bowen hadn't died, you wouldn't have ended up with this farmer's son. I heard that his eldest brother was a ninth-rank agricultural official. What kind of official is that? Your father was a fifth-rank Guanglu Temple Shaoqing. This was arranged by your third grandfather. It's not easy for you to find a good marriage now, alas!"

The nanny thought for a while before speaking: "Madam, I think this family is sensible. If they were of a lower class, they wouldn't bully our young lady. Mr. Chen is this year's champion. He is handsome and has a bright future."

"Mammy, what you said is right. Let's just leave it at that. I just hope my daughter can live a good life in the future. I will be relieved then."

Two tables were set up at noon, one for men and one for women. Zhu Xinhui took the initiative to pick up food for her grandparents. Biyue thought that this young lady was quite sensible.

Because Zhu Shanchang will take Qinghui back to the capital in early May, the wedding must be held in advance and completed in the countryside before the end of April. It is now March 23rd, and there is only more than a month. Although it is busy, it is okay to keep it simple? The girl's family also agreed.

After the family returned home, they were busy preparing to propose marriage. Bi Yue and Fourth Uncle’s birthdays were just a simple meal.

Bi Yue placed an order on the system for a set of glass cups, four large and one small, and a mirror, 40 cm long and 30 cm wide, as a wedding gift for her fourth uncle. When her fourth uncle saw these fairy-like things, he couldn't let them go. When he saw the mirror, he knew it was for his fiancée. Thank you for being so thoughtful. She is really a caring little girl.

April 26th was a good day. My fourth uncle got married on that day, and the family sent a wedding procession from the village the night before, with a total of more than ten ox carts, mule carts and horse carts.

The people who were going to pick up the bride stayed in a house in the county town and waited for the next morning. They went to Zhu’s house to pick her up early the next morning. Then the bride was brought back to the village at around ten o’clock. They worshipped heaven and earth and entered the bridal chamber.

All the young and old in the village came to the wedding banquet. The mayor and the county magistrate came. Some wealthy people who were not familiar with the family also came uninvited with gifts. The village chiefs of several nearby villages and people who had only met the couple once came.

It was very lively, and the fourth uncle's room was also reorganized. Because the room was not big, it would be full after putting a few boxes, so he had to find another empty room to store the bride's dowry. In the eyes of rural people, 58 dowries were already a lot. The villagers were envious.

On the second day after the wedding, the new bride served tea to her parents-in-law. Grandpa and grandma sat on top, two brothers and sisters-in-law stood on both sides, and the children either stood or sat.

The bride offered tea, called her parents, took out gifts and distributed them to the relatives present, and then called her eldest brother, second brother, eldest sister-in-law, and second sister-in-law.

The children also called her Fourth Aunt affectionately.

Grandpa and grandma gave the two of them big red envelopes, the eldest and second oldest also received red envelopes, and the two sisters-in-law gave the fourth brother’s wife some handmade clothes, shoes and other things.

The family was very happy. They had lunch together at noon, and the newlyweds were going back to the county tomorrow.