Other suggestions were all fine, but Wushuang absolutely refused this one. She sat up with a serious expression: "Even if there are no elders to serve, there are still household chores to manage. As a princess, Shuangshuang cannot be lazy. Today, we should first meet with the stewards of the inner courtyard, and then we can arrange all the affairs one by one."
Seeing her high spirits, Chu Yao didn't want to spoil the mood, so he said, "Since my queen is so diligent, then so be it."
After saying this, the two got up, washed, and ate.
Afterwards, Chu Yao ordered the stewards of the inner and outer courtyards to pay their respects to Wushuang one by one, including Qiao Mama, who had been managing the Prince's mansion for many years and was a great contributor.
Mrs. Qiao has a head of silver hair and a slightly plump figure, so her face doesn't have many wrinkles. Although she looks old, she is full of energy and looks more agile than many young people.
"I heard from the Prince that thanks to you, Madam Qiao, everything in the Prince's mansion has been able to run smoothly all these years. I still have many things to ask you for advice in the future," Wushuang said as Madam Qiao stepped forward to greet her.
"Your Highness is too kind. This is merely the duty of this old servant." Despite the praise, Madam Qiao did not seem particularly pleased and replied with neither humility nor arrogance.
Chu Yao then said, "Mother has worked hard for many years. Now that the Princess Consort has entered the family, she will take over the management of the inner courtyard. Mother should be able to enjoy her retirement."
Madam Qiao was clearly surprised by this. She looked up at Wushuang and after a long while, she replied, "It is all up to Your Highness to decide."
"Then it's settled. Mother, go back and make preparations. You'll be handing over to the Princess in a few days," Chu Yao said.
Wu Shuang was somewhat puzzled by the look that Qiao's mother gave her. There was no malice in her eyes, but she couldn't sense any kindness either. As for what Qiao's mother was thinking, she couldn't guess for the time being.
Besides, she didn't have time to think too much, since she had a clingy new husband by her side.
Chu Yao was newly married, and Emperor Deqing specially granted him a three-day wedding leave, exempting him from going to the government office. Since there were no elders in the Prince of Ying's mansion, the young couple made all the decisions, so they were like conjoined twins, sticking together affectionately for two days, only barely separating on the day of Wushuang's third-day homecoming.
Chapter List 124 | 8.122.123
Chapter 124:
Chu Yao had prepared the return-to-the-bride gifts well in advance, filling three large carts with a rich variety of items, from fine silks and satins to palace-style pastries.
Wushuang didn't worry about it at all.
However, before setting off on the day of the return visit, Chu Yao still held Wu Shuang's hand and drove around the three carriages, telling her everything he had prepared: "I've remembered everything, so that my parents-in-law can rest assured later."
"What are you relieved about?" After two days of indulging in nothing but eating, drinking, having fun, and being intimate with her husband, Wushuang's mind inevitably became a little dull.
Chu Yao pinched her round little face: "Don't worry, you'll take on the responsibilities of a princess as soon as you marry into the family and manage all the internal affairs of the palace."
Wushuang said "Oh," and urged, "Then let's hurry up and go."
Although they had only been apart for two days, she missed her parents terribly and couldn't wait to see them.
The two boarded the carriage and had just sat down when they heard a commotion outside.
Wushuang curiously lifted the curtain to look outside, only to see Chu Wan running out of the front door carrying a small cloth bag.
"Wait! Wait for me!" she called out, then smiled when she saw the carriage was still there. "Shuangshuang!" she greeted Wushuang. "It's good you didn't leave."
Wushuang thought the small cloth bag in Chu Wan's hand was something for her, which is why she hurriedly chased after her.
Unexpectedly, Chu Wan said, "Luckily we made it in time, so I can go with you."
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Chu Yao's face appeared from behind Wu Shuang, slightly displeased. "I've never heard of someone bringing their sister-in-law back for the third-day homecoming."
Chu Wan protested indignantly, waving her small cloth bag, "Brother, how could you do this? You've been hogging Shuangshuang these past two days, and nobody's paid any attention to me. Now that Wushuang has gone back to her parents' home, I can't even go with her. You insist on leaving her alone at home, feeling lonely and lost."
Wushuang is now not only Chu Wan's good friend, but also her sister-in-law in a proper sense, so she naturally has to take care of her sister-in-law. Therefore, she helped to smooth things over by saying, "Let Wanwan go with us. There are many sisters in the family, so it's good for everyone to have fun together."
When she returned to her parents' home, even her married daughters, Wuxia and Wuyou, brought their families back with them. What did it matter if Chu Wan came back? It was just one more pair of chopsticks. The Marquis of Runan's mansion wouldn't be short of food.
Chu Yao kept a straight face and didn't say anything, but Wu Shuang took his arm with her small hand and shook it coquettishly: "Chu Yao, just say yes. Anyway, you'll be chatting with Dad and the others in the study when we get home, and you won't be able to keep me company. Wouldn't it be nice to have Wanwan help you look after me?"
"She can be a spy?" Chu Yao scoffed. "You should ask her if she really insists on going because she's afraid of being lonely. Don't blame me for not warning you then."
His tone was somewhat sarcastic, and Wushuang didn't quite understand the meaning behind his words, but anyway, it was considered an agreement.
Wushuang smiled and lifted the curtain again: "Wanwan, come up quickly, your brother has agreed to let you go."
Chu Wan cheered, "Shuangshuang treats me the best."
She climbed onto the carriage with her small cloth bag in her arms and squeezed next to Wushuang: "I knew that choosing Shuangshuang as my sister-in-law was the wisest choice!"
With a younger sister riding in the same car, getting in the way and making it impossible for Chu Yao to get close to Wu Shuang, he was unhappy and his face turned as black as the bottom of a pot.
As for Wushuang and Chuwan, one was relieved to finally escape Chuyao's clutches for the time being, while the other was completely oblivious to his silent protests and no one took them seriously.
The carriage swayed and rattled until it arrived at the Marquis of Runan's residence. After paying his respects to the elders, Chu Yao was pulled into the study by Jun Shu, Jun Heng, and others to chat about topics exclusively for men. Meanwhile, Wu Shuang took Chu Wan and her sisters to Baifang Garden to enjoy the flowers, tea, and snacks.
With three of the four sisters already married, Wu Hui's future marriage naturally became the focus of everyone's attention.
The eldest sister, Wuxia, asked first: "I heard from Mother that Grandmother arranged another match for you a while ago, but you refused to express your opinion. If you don't like any of the previous ones, you should tell your sisters what kind of person you want to marry, so that we can help you find someone."
As usual, Wu Hui said shyly, "Marriage is a major life event, decided by parents and arranged by matchmakers. How can it be my turn to say what kind of husband I want?"
"We're sisters, why are you being shy in front of us?" Having been unmarried for many years, she had long since forgotten the coquettishness of her youth and had become a gentle, considerate, and cheerful woman. Naturally, she spoke without much restraint. "You're the one who will spend your life with your husband. How can you not choose someone who suits your taste? Although your second aunt can help you find someone when she goes out for social events, she's only one person. If we add the three of us, that makes four people, which will greatly increase your chances of finding a suitable candidate."
Needless to say, Wuxia and Wushuang were both mistresses of the royal palaces, and they had to represent their respective palaces during festivals and ordinary visits. As for Wuyou, although she still had a grandmother and mother-in-law in the Pingyang Marquis's residence, she was still the heir apparent's wife. Since her marriage, she had been gentle and obedient, and did things in an orderly manner, which made her very popular with her elders. They not only entrusted her with most of the household management, but also took her with them wherever they went. With more experience, she changed. In just a few months, Wuyou transformed from a timid little girl into a poised and elegant young woman, and she also gained many close friends.
Therefore, it's not difficult at all to have these older sisters help them select the most suitable and desirable men from the vast number of outstanding men in the capital for a preliminary match.
“Big sister is right,” Wuyou said. “We are sisters, and we should help each other. Even if we get married, our bond cannot be broken. So just say what you want. Unless you want Wu Gang from heaven, your sisters can help you with anything.”
Wushuang and Wuhui are only a few months apart. Wushuang has never acted like an older cousin since childhood. At this moment, she just tugged at Wuhui's arm and shook it, urging her as if she were being coquettish: "Hurry up and tell us, everyone is waiting to hear it."
One against three, Wu Hui was no match. Her face flushed, she said, "Looks don't need to be too handsome, just neat and tidy. Temperament... should be gentle, but not lacking in manliness. Official position doesn't need to be too high, but the person must be ambitious, lazy and dissolute are not acceptable."
“It’s not difficult at all,” Chu Wan said, holding her little cloth bag. “It seems like we’ll be able to drink Wu Hui’s wedding wine soon. I’d better start preparing your dowry first.”