Widows in the Song Dynasty were easy to marry

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

On the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, the Buddha's birthday, more than seventy temples of all sizes in Tokyo held bathing Buddha ceremonies, distributing incense, sugar, and medicinal water called "bathing Buddha water." Among these, the two most lively places were Zenrin-ji Temple at the northern foot of Mount Hachi outside the city and Shokoku-ji Temple in the bustling city center.

Wearing a flowing veil, Wen Danmei was helped down from the carriage by her mother, Madam Qin, by her attendants. Looking up through the semi-transparent veil, she was somewhat surprised to see the vast entrance of Xiangguo Temple already packed with carriages and people. But then she thought, Xiangguo Temple was revered by the imperial family and had been expanded several times. Today was the Buddha's Birthday, and she heard that a high-ranking monk was giving a sermon and distributing water. Bathing in the water would purify the body, dispel bad luck, and bring good fortune. Therefore, everyone in the capital, from high-ranking officials to humble families, flocked to the temple on this day, seeking good luck, especially women. This was the case every year, and this year was no exception.

This was the first time Wen Danmei had seen such a scene. Her steps faltered slightly, but Qin Shi, who was ahead, turned back and urged her to catch up. Her brother and sister-in-law, Liu Shi, behind her, also smiled and nudged her. Helpless, she followed. Servants cleared a path, leading into Xiangguo Temple. Passing through the main hall and the long, flowing corridor to the east, they arrived at Huilin Courtyard, the site of today's Buddhist ceremony. Inside the spacious courtyard, flowers and trees bloomed profusely, and the courtyard was already crowded with people waiting for the Buddhist assembly to begin. Only the front row, near the preaching platform, had been enclosed with soft silk, creating a long row of elegant seats resembling small private boxes. Seven or eight out of ten people were already seated; these were reserved specifically for the ladies of high-ranking families in the capital.

When the monk heard the servant announce the names, he knew that a group of female relatives from the residence of the Grand Secretary of the Jixian Hall had arrived. He dared not be negligent and hurriedly led them to the seats that had been reserved for them. After the group was seated, he respectfully put his palms together and left.

Once seated, Wen Danmei's head maid, Miaochun, deftly removed the veil from her head. With her view less obstructed, Wen Danmei felt much more comfortable. Leaning back in her armchair, she was about to let out a sigh of relief when she suddenly noticed her mother, Qin Shi, frowning at her. Qin Shi, displeased with her posture, sighed inwardly and quickly sat up straight. Qin Shi then leaned closer and whispered to her, "Sincerity is key. You must listen attentively to the lecture later. I will pray for you before the Buddha. After you return and bathe properly with the bathing water, Mei'er, your luck will surely change, and you will find a husband soon."

Danmei had heard these words countless times before, but she never found them annoying. She understood that Qin Shi, as a mother, had good intentions, and so she respectfully responded. Qin Shi was then satisfied and affectionately patted the back of her hand. Her sister-in-law, Liu Shi, who was sitting next to her, overheard these words, and her smile became somewhat strange.

Before the Buddhist ceremony even began, Madam Qin started exchanging pleasantries with the noblewomen seated on either side. On the left was the residence of the Xu family, headed by Hanlin scholar from the capital. Because Madam Xu had dealings with Madam Qin, Danmei had met the women of that family before. After bowing to the older Madam Xu and her three daughters-in-law, she noticed a woman with them who was unfamiliar. Hesitating for a moment, she was quickly introduced by Madam Qin as the newly promoted Madam Lu, a relative of Madam Xu. Danmei politely greeted her in return before returning to her seat, bowing slightly.

Danmei's sudden rise and fall had already attracted attention. Soon, she noticed whispers coming from both sides. A quick glance revealed the ladies in the private rooms casting looks of surprise, pity, and even disdain upon her. Madam Lu, standing nearby, stared intently at her, seemingly lost in thought. When their eyes met, Madam Lu smiled slightly at Danmei. Danmei nodded in return and then, unperturbed, sat there, indifferent to the stares. Qin, however, felt somewhat embarrassed and wished the Buddhist ceremony would begin immediately to divert attention.

Danmei was so eye-catching among the noble ladies of the capital not because of her talent or her appearance, but because, although she was only sixteen years old, she was already a young widow who had lost her husband three times.

Danmei had no recollection of her three previous husbands, only occasionally learning the general outline from the whispers of the servants in the mansion.

This woman, Wen Danmei, was betrothed to the son of a high-ranking official in the capital since childhood. When she turned thirteen and was to be married, the man tragically drowned while boating on a lake with friends in the spring. The following year, Qin arranged another marriage for her, but the groom died suddenly six months later. At this point, her reputation as a jinx spread. Finally, when she turned fifteen, a young man from a family of sixth-rank officials was willing to marry her. Although it was considered a lowly marriage for the daughter of a high-ranking official, Qin still feared he would break off the engagement and promised a generous dowry. On the wedding day, after the couple had paid their respects and entered the bridal chamber, the groom suddenly turned purple and blue, his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed, turning a joyous occasion into a tragic one. The fifteen-year-old beauty became a young widow. From then on, the reputation of the high-ranking official's daughter as a jinx was firmly established. Fearing her daughter would suffer in the Tongzhilang household, Qin Shi forwent even her dowry, taking her daughter back to her own home and raising her herself. After Wen Danmei returned, she naturally spent her days in tears, and no amount of Qin Shi's attempts to comfort her were of any use. One day, she even attempted suicide by hanging herself when her maid was not looking. Fortunately, she was discovered in time and recovered. However, upon waking, no one knew that Wen Danmei had been given a new soul.

Since arriving here, Danmei discovered that she had become a fifteen-year-old girl, and she had been very careful in her actions, never uttering a word more than necessary. Qin Shi had a son first, and then had no children until she was thirty-five or thirty-six years old when she gave birth to this youngest daughter. She had cherished her daughter dearly since she was a child, and when she saw that her daughter had come back to life, she prayed to all the gods and Buddhas, and was moved to tears. She no longer cared about her daughter's change in personality, and only wished she could raise her as her own heart and soul.

A year has passed in the blink of an eye, and Danmei has gradually gotten used to her place. Every day, she spends her days in her small courtyard learning embroidery and calligraphy, planting flowers and tending to the garden; her life is quite comfortable. The only things that trouble her are her mother, Qin, and her sister-in-law, Liu. Although one genuinely cares for her while the other feigns affection, they both share the common desire for her to marry as soon as possible. However, with her reputation as a "white tiger" (a derogatory term for a woman who is considered unlucky in marriage), who would dare risk their life to marry her? In the past two years, Qin has asked matchmakers everywhere to inquire, occasionally finding a few men who covet her family's status and dowry, but each time, when the time comes, they all back down. Seeing her daughter's marriage failing and being secretly ridiculed, Qin is furious, grinding her teeth in anger. The previous two years, they arrived too late and couldn't get a seat at Xiangguo Temple on Buddha's Birthday. This year, they put in all their effort, donating a generous sum of money well in advance to secure a seat closest to the lecture platform, hoping that their daughter could wash away her bad luck and get married soon. A few days ago, they noticed that Danmei seemed reluctant to come, scolding her for being inconsiderate and forcing her to come. Now, seeing the noble ladies from the capital pointing and whispering about their daughter, they realized that Danmei had anticipated this and was afraid of being gossiped about, which was why she didn't want to come. They felt both angry and regretful. Turning to their daughter, they saw her looking down and calm, as if nothing had happened, which brought them some comfort. They didn't even bother to greet the others and just sat there sullenly.

Soon, the bells and chimes rang out, incense smoke swirled, and the High Master emerged, sitting cross-legged behind an incense table adorned with a bronze incense burner with a needle-shaped tip. The vast main hall of Huilin Temple immediately fell silent. The High Master began his sermon, which consisted entirely of exhortations to do good. Danmei listened for a while, then grew bored, but seeing everyone else so attentive, she reluctantly remained seated. Finally, the sermon ended, and Qin Shi received a white jade porcelain bottle from the guest monk—said to be bath water personally blessed by the High Master—before happily pulling Danmei away. Liu Shi and her maids hurriedly followed. Passing by the nearby Puci Temple, they suddenly remembered a hall inside where one could draw divination sticks, said to be extremely effective, and urged Danmei to go there as well.

Danmei couldn't stand the smell of incense in the main hall and felt a bit nauseous. She finally came out and saw pomegranate flowers blooming, orioles singing, willows swaying, and swallows chirping – a bright spring scene at the turn of summer. She was in a good mood when she heard Qin say that she was going to draw divination sticks. Afraid of smelling incense again, she was initially unwilling, but she couldn't resist the combined efforts of Qin and Liu, and had no choice but to go in.

The place where people drew fortune sticks was also crowded. Danmei breathed a sigh of relief, thinking she could go back. However, Qin Shi was very determined and waited outside for more than half an hour before it was her turn.

Danmei went inside and, as instructed, knelt before the prayer mat, offered incense and prayed to the Buddha statue before drawing a fortune stick. Seeing that Qin Shi's eyes were fixed on the monk interpreting the fortune stick, and that she looked nervous, Danmei felt a little moved and reached out from her sleeve to hold Qin Shi's hand.

"The cool fragrance is so soothing, so pure it feels no chill. The news of spring is near, as night deepens and dusk approaches."

The monk who was interpreting the divination slip read it aloud, a slight smile appearing on his face. He glanced at Danmei before saying to Madam Qin, "Although this is not the best of divination slips, it is still a good one. As long as you do good deeds diligently, good things will naturally come your way."

Qin breathed a sigh of relief, knelt down in front of the prayer mat, clasped her hands in prayer, and donated incense money before happily leading Danmei away. As soon as they entered the Jixian Prime Minister's residence next to the Cao Gate, she repeatedly urged Miaochun to pour the water from the porcelain bottle into the fragrant bath for Danmei. Miaochun complied.

Danmei removed her thin spring dress from behind the screen and stepped barefoot into a large wooden tub filled with warm water.

A year has passed, but Danmei still feels a strange sensation about her current body. The sixteen-year-old girl's body appears not yet fully developed; she is somewhat thin, but her skin is exceptionally soft and tender, and her breasts are gradually developing, feeling like warm, smooth jade to the touch. In another year or two, once her body has become more proportionate, she will likely have a rather nice figure.

Danmei soaked in the bath for a while, then got up from the tub, grabbed a damp towel to dry herself, put on her undershirt, and then went out to unlock the door so that Miaochun and the others could come in to comb her hair and serve her.

Miao Chun was a year older than her and had served her since she was a child. She draped a crimson robe over her and, while combing her hair, said with a smile, "Young lady, you're becoming more and more plain. If you ask me, you don't need to dress so plainly anymore. A few days ago, even Madam couldn't stand it anymore and said that it had been so long, and told me to pick out some brighter colors for you to wear."

Danmei glanced at the spring dress she was wearing and knew that Qin Shi disliked that she was still dressed plainly even though more than a year had passed. So she specially made several bright new dresses for her, all in emerald green, light red, and cherry blossom colors.

She usually prefers to dress simply, not because she's wearing mourning clothes for her ex-husband, as Qin Shi and Miao Chun thought; it's simply due to her psychological age. Now, wearing this crimson dress, she merely smiled slightly when Miao Chun and Miao Xia complimented her on how beautiful she looked.

Wen Danmei was only of above-average looks, a fact she was well aware of. Her only advantage was her skin, smooth as jade. She finally understood what "flawless and delicate" truly meant.

Chapter Two

A few days later, Madam Qin received an invitation from Lady Lu of the Protectorate, inviting her to the residence to admire the flowers and drink wine. At this time, the peonies were in full bloom, and the people of the Song Dynasty loved flowers. Whether they were high-ranking officials or scholars, they all invited each other to enjoy themselves among the flowers. Even Emperor Renzong held a banquet in the Imperial Garden to invite his officials to wear flowers in their hair. Therefore, it was very common for noblewomen to send out such invitations.

Since the day her daughter was secretly laughed at by so many noblewomen at Xiangguo Temple, Madam Qin had been deeply unhappy and had stayed cooped up in the mansion for the past few days, not going anywhere. When she received the invitation, she initially intended to ignore it, but Madam Liu persuaded her. She thought about it and realized that although Madam Lu was the wife of a fourth-rank military officer, she had a close relationship with Madam Xu, the wife of Hanlin scholar. Since an invitation had been sent, it would be impolite to refuse. So, she forced herself to cheer up, tidied herself up, and, accompanied by her daughter-in-law Madam Liu, went as promised.

Danmei had always planted a patch of peonies in her own courtyard. Although they were all common varieties now, like Yao Huang and Xiang Yu, they were in full bloom at this time of year, and with her careful cultivation, they were now in full bloom, their beautiful forms attracting bees and butterflies to dance among them, truly deserving of their reputation as the most beautiful flowers in the country. After tending to them for a while, wearing a sun hat, she noticed that some flowers had withered and faded. She then took the pruning shears that she had specially commissioned from the blacksmith's shop and carefully trimmed away the withered flowers and some dead leaves. If too many withered flowers were left unattended and allowed to fall to the ground, they would rot when soaked by rainwater, not only burning the roots but also easily attracting pests. Seeing that she had almost finished pruning, she felt a little sweaty and went back inside to take off her hat. Miaochun fetched water for her to wash her face and hands, and she drank a cup of honey-infused citrus tea. Just as she was about to rest in the cool air by the flower window, she saw her mother, Qin, and her sister-in-law, Liu, approaching with beaming faces, and she hurriedly went to greet them.

Qin asked a few questions about her diet, and when she heard that she had just finished tending to the flowers and plants, she said somewhat displeasedly, "Why do you always insist on doing such rough work yourself instead of listening to me? If you don't have enough maids in your courtyard, I'll send you a few more tomorrow. Otherwise, you'll wear your hands out."

Danmei knew that Qin Shi had never liked her tending to flowers and plants, so she didn't argue and just smiled as she let Qin Shi chatter on.

Qin read a few lines, but was tugged at the sleeve by Liu, which reminded her of her purpose in coming. She quickly stopped, dismissed all the maids in the room, and then looked at Danmei with a smile, saying, "Daughter, I went to the Protectorate today. I had some doubts in my heart. I have never had much of a relationship with Madam Lu, so why did she suddenly send me an invitation? When I got there, I found out that it was actually a great thing..." She stopped mid-sentence, looking Danmei up and down, smiling without saying a word.

Qin hadn't shown such joy in front of her for a long time, and Danmei was momentarily puzzled upon seeing it. Suddenly, she noticed Liu covering her mouth with a handkerchief, looking extremely ambiguous, and her heart skipped a beat; she became somewhat alert.

For the past year, Qin had sighed and lamented whenever her marriage was mentioned. Now, she was all smiles. Could it be that Madam Lu had arranged another marriage for her?

During the reign of Emperor Renzong of the Tang Dynasty, a decree was issued that men could marry at fifteen and women at thirteen. Therefore, in the eyes of the people of that time, a sixteen-year-old girl like her was already past her prime, especially since she was a widow with a bad reputation. However, after arriving here and learning about her situation, she felt a little secretly pleased. Sixteen years old was far too young in her eyes. She was even willing to remain unmarried, even if she couldn't defy the world and was eventually married off by her parents. A few more years of waiting would be better than nothing. So when she guessed that Qin had already found her a marriage partner, how could she not be anxious? She just suppressed her anxiety and listened to what Qin had to say.

Madam Qin smiled for a while, then took Danmei's hand and sat down on the bench placed in front of the flower window. She stroked Danmei's hand and said, "Daughter, today Madam Lu said she met you at Xiangguo Temple a few days ago and felt an immediate connection. After hearing about you, she felt great pity for you and happened to know a very suitable person, willing to act as matchmaker. That's why she sent an invitation to my mother. I had noticed that person before and secretly inquired about him, but he said he had no intention of marrying, so I gave up. Now Madam Lu says she has a close relationship with his family, and as long as you agree, she can definitely persuade him to marry into our family. Isn't this a wonderful thing? That divination slip is truly effective. If you can get your wish this time, I will definitely go to the Bodhisattva to offer incense every year."

As she had guessed, Danmei felt a little uneasy.

She wasn't particularly concerned about who this seemingly perfect match for her was; all she was thinking about was finding an excuse to decline. As she pondered this, Madam Qin interrupted, continuing, "Daughter, that man's surname is Xu, his given name is Jinrong, courtesy name Ziqing. He's truly one in a hundred. Don't let his current position as a fifth-rank official in the Ministry of Works fool you; he's far removed from our family's status. I've heard rumors that he's handsome, incredibly wealthy, and extremely generous. The court has been fighting the Western Xia for over three years, hasn't it? The supply routes for provisions and supplies are blocked, hindering the war. This year, the newly opened supply route was requested by him before the officials, and he volunteered to oversee it, thus relieving the immediate crisis. If we defeat the Western Xia, a promotion is just around the corner!"

Danmei listened for a while and then sensed something was amiss. After a moment's thought, she realized what was wrong. She couldn't help but look up at Qin Shi and frown, saying, "Mother, how could such a fine man wait until now to marry me? There must be something wrong with him. Don't believe everything you hear."

As she spoke, she carefully observed Qin's expression and saw that Qin indeed seemed somewhat troubled. She understood immediately; she had indeed hit the nail on the head. She breathed a slight sigh of relief, thinking that as long as she held onto that flaw, Qin, out of love for her daughter, might give up. Unexpectedly, her sister-in-law, Liu, gave Qin a wink and quickly interjected, "What flaw? He's just a few years older than you and lost his wife a few years earlier. There are quite a few wealthy and powerful families in the capital who want to marry him, but he's a sentimental man, remembering his deceased wife, which is why he hasn't remarried. Others want to marry him but have no chance. Now, Madam Lu has offered herself up and agreed. Besides, I had your birth dates matched, and they said it's a match made in heaven. Sister-in-law, isn't this a stroke of luck?"

Danmei finally understood. He was just a widower who had lost his wife, and he must be quite old. He sounded like the eligible bachelor in the eyes of the women in the capital. Moreover, judging from Liu's tone, it seemed like a blessing from a past life that she, a widow, could be married to such a widower. Fearing that Qin Shi had really been instigated by her sister-in-law, she hurriedly looked at Qin Shi and stopped her, saying, "Mother, since he has lost his wife, he must have a son. I don't know anything. If I marry him like this, I will definitely be bullied."

Her silence was a relief; her words instantly dispelled Qin's earlier embarrassment, and she exclaimed joyfully, "Daughter, your sister-in-law is right. If you're worried about this, then I'm relieved. Although he has been married, his deceased wife only left behind a daughter. Although he has illegitimate sons, he has no legitimate son. If you marry him, I will pray to the Buddha, and in a year or two, you will give birth to a child. That child will be his legitimate son, and with your parents' support, who would dare to look down on you?"

Danmei was speechless with anger. In this world, marriages for children are always arranged by parents and matchmakers. Although she was unwilling to be married off to a strange man who already had children, seeing the joy on Qin's face, and even the wrinkles between her brows seemed to have smoothed out, she couldn't say anything too extreme for a moment. She hurriedly shook her head and said that she was unwilling and would rather stay at home to accompany her parents.

As soon as she finished speaking, Madam Liu was both surprised and displeased. Madam Qin also shook her head and sighed, "Silly daughter. A woman must eventually marry a man. You are already this age, and you have had many hardships in the past. Now that there is finally a chance, how can you miss it? I know you are filial, but your mother and father are already in their fifties. How can they take care of you for the rest of your life? Don't think too much about it. This time, you must get married smoothly."

Danmei was speechless when she heard Qin speak like that. Seeing that she was silent, Qin assumed that she had agreed and became somewhat happy. She was in a hurry to reply to Madam Lu's letter, so she left in a hurry without saying much.

Madam Lu acted with extraordinary speed. Within a few days, she drove to his door in a beaming smile, bringing good news: she had persuaded the man, who was not afraid of the reputation of Baihu, the daughter of the Prime Minister's mansion, and was willing to marry her.

"I told him that your daughter is one of the most beautiful and talented in the family, skilled in needlework, poetry and painting, and with a gentle and charming nature. If he didn't believe me, I would arrange a meeting. Madam, guess how he responded? He actually said that since she is a lady from a prominent family like the Jixian Prime Minister's Mansion, what's the point of a meeting? She must be one in a million. He agreed without even asking any further questions..."

Madam Lu was seated in the honored guest seat. While fanning herself with a round fan, she smiled and said this to Madam Qin.

Upon hearing this, Madam Qin was so overjoyed that she wanted to immediately prostrate herself on the ground and worship the Buddha, but she restrained herself because of her status as a first-rank imperial consort and feared being looked down upon. She, however, suddenly held Madam Lu in extremely high regard and secretly vowed that if there was an opportunity in the future, she would definitely ask her husband to help Madam Lu's husband, Protector General Lu.

After chatting with Madam Qin for a while, Madam Lu smiled as if she had remembered something and said, "Madam Wen, look how happy I am that I've forgotten the most important thing. Lord Xu said that the wedding date is entirely up to your household, and he will comply. Tell me, such a son-in-law is truly hard to find even with a lantern. I only regret that I don't have a daughter left at home. If I did, I would have already told him to go. How could it be your household's turn!"

Her words were quite amusing, making Madam Qin and Madam Liu laugh heartily. Madam Qin, in fact, had immediately thought about the wedding date when she first heard that Xu Jinrong had agreed to the marriage. In her mind, the sooner the better, fearing that delays might lead to gossip and the other party changing their minds. However, as the bride's family, she worried that if she acted too hastily, her daughter might be looked down upon by her husband's family after marriage. Hearing Madam Lu's words now was exactly what she wanted. She coughed lightly, pretended to think for a moment, and then replied, "He is quite a bit older than my daughter. Now that the two families have agreed to the marriage, I think it's best to have the wedding as soon as possible."

Madam Lu knew what she was thinking, but naturally didn't say much on the surface, and just smiled and agreed.

Her life's destiny had been decided in just a few days, and apart from the other party's name and family background, she knew nothing else. Danmei began to panic and went to Qin Shi several times to discuss it. Qin Shi, who had prayed to the gods and Buddhas for her daughter's marriage, was no longer listening to her. She only offered comfort, saying that although she had never met Xu Jinrong, she had heard noblewomen in the capital speak highly of him and that he would surely be a lifelong partner. When Danmei tried to say more, Qin Shi had Miaochun and Miaoxia escort her back to her courtyard, saying she was busy with the auspicious date selection, betrothal gifts, and preparing the dowry. She had actually prepared her daughter's dowry long ago; she was just checking for any omissions, and even that kept her incredibly busy.

Seeing Qin Shi leave in a hurry and ignore her, Danmei stood there speechless for a long time. Only then did she truly understand the misery of women in the old society. How should she face this upcoming marriage? Make a scene, threaten suicide? She felt she couldn't do that. Even if she really went all out, given Qin Shi's eagerness to marry off her daughter, and the fact that she had finally found a suitable son-in-law in Qin Shi's eyes, she would probably tie her up and send her to the bridal sedan chair. Run away from home? She was only a sixteen-year-old girl; that method was even more inappropriate. But besides that, she really couldn't think of any other way to deal with it. Frustrated and confused, she couldn't help but curse Xu Jinrong in her heart.

Chapter Three

Danmei cursed the man who didn't even know whether he was round or square, but her depression only intensified. Seeing that Madam Qin had already left, she had no choice but to lower her head and slowly walk towards her own courtyard.

At that time, land prices in Tokyo were high, and many high-ranking officials could not afford to buy a house on their salaries alone, so many had to rent. Danmei's father held the rank of First Rank Official, Chancellor of the Secretariat and Grand Secretary of the Jixian Hall. In short, he was the Vice Chancellor, with only Zhaowen ranked higher than him. Although he had served in the court for many years and was highly respected, and was greatly trusted by the young Emperor Renzong, he was somewhat stubborn and incorruptible, and thus neglected all family affairs, leaving everything to Qin Shi. Fortunately, Qin Shi was shrewd and capable, and secretly engaged in some business, which enabled them to maintain their appearance. Although the three-courtyard house was not large, it was their own property.

The place she lived in was called Huanxue Garden, the name given to her by her predecessor, Wen Danmei. It was a metaphor for the "plum blossom" in her own name. The three characters on the door plaque were also written by her herself, with elegant and refined calligraphy, suggesting she was a well-read and talented woman. The words Madam Lu used to praise her in front of Xu Jinrong when arranging the marriage would probably not have been an exaggeration for the original Wen Danmei, but when applied to her, they were quite inaccurate.

Huanxue Garden was located in the northeast corner of the inner courtyard, adjacent to the courtyard of Danmei's brother and sister-in-law. When Danmei returned, she was somewhat absent-minded and took the wrong path. Miaochun, who had been following her, assumed that she was looking for her sister-in-law to talk to, so she did not remind her. When Danmei realized this, she looked up and saw that she had arrived at the passageway in front of Liu's courtyard. She heard voices coming from inside, which sounded like Liu and her head maid, Lüdi.

Danmei had no intention of eavesdropping and was about to turn around when she hesitated. It turned out the two people were talking about none other than herself.

"The young lady's good fortune in securing this marriage must truly be due to the Buddha bathing water. Green Qin from the courtyard mentioned the Buddha bathing water to me a long time ago, but I didn't quite believe it. Now it seems it really has come true..."

"What do you know! What kind of person is Lord Xu? He's only willing to arrange the marriage because of my family's reputation. She already has a bad reputation, is plain-looking, and is dull-witted—she just can't hold a man's heart. I bet she'll end up not getting ahead after she marries him..."

As Liu Shi was talking to Lü Di beside her, she came out and suddenly bumped into Dan Mei. She immediately shut her mouth, looking extremely embarrassed.

Danmei acted as if she hadn't heard anything, casually called out "Sister-in-law" before turning and leaving, taking a detour back to her own courtyard.

Hearing Liu's comments behind her back, and seeing that she seemed completely unaffected, Miao Chun was furious. She couldn't help but mutter under her breath, "When we meet, she always calls me 'little sister-in-law,' and I thought she was such a considerate person. I never imagined she'd be so treacherous behind my back! You're too soft-hearted, young lady. No wonder you got bullied..."

In the past, Miaochun would never have dared to speak like that, but seeing that Danmei's temperament had become increasingly easygoing over the past year, and considering that she had grown up with her since childhood, she couldn't hold back her anger any longer. Seeing that Danmei merely waved her hand and didn't seem particularly interested, she had no choice but to shut up dejectedly and accompany her into the house.

Seeing that she sat down, her eyes were fixed on the pine, bamboo, and plum blossom patterned vase with several scrolls inserted in it on the rosewood display cabinet beside her, and she remained silent for a long time, Miao Chun assumed that she was troubled. She wanted to comfort her, but couldn't think of anything good to say for the moment, so she sighed inwardly and could only tell Miao Xia to stay by her side while she went out to prepare honey drinks.

Danmei was lost in thought, but not in silent lamentation as Miaochun had feared. She had been somewhat flustered and hadn't given it much thought when she learned of her arranged marriage a few days earlier. Just now, she had overheard her sister-in-law, Liu, saying something sharp but insightful, which had served as a wake-up call.

At this time, marriage, especially among high-ranking families like hers, was highly valued for its social standing. It was less a matter of love and more a union between two families. The man surnamed Xu, a complete stranger yet aware of her past, had agreed to the marriage without a single question. It seemed that, as Liu had said, he was marrying into her family's social standing. Since arriving here, knowing she was unlikely to return, she sometimes pondered her future. Initially, she thought she could remain unmarried under the guise of being a "White Tiger" and enjoy a few more years of comfortable life. Now, she slowly realized she had been too naive. Her parents were old, her sister-in-law Liu was formidable, and her brother Wen Ruibo was weak-willed and constantly suppressed. In her current situation, besides her monthly allowance, she had nothing of value. It was unrealistic to expect her to remain unmarried for life. If she lost Qin's protection, she feared she wouldn't even be able to find a marriage like this.

Qin Shi had always cherished herself. She had secretly inquired about this man surnamed Xu before, intending to marry him, but later learned he had no intention of marrying, so she reluctantly gave up. She figured he couldn't be so despicable. In this day and age, she no longer harbored any thoughts of a loving, lifelong marriage. Since she was destined to be married off anyway, she would comply with Qin Shi's arrangement. Although she would be a second wife, her status wouldn't be as high as her deceased first wife, but she would still be the legal wife. Since Xu had married her because of her family's social standing, as long as her family remained powerful, her future wouldn't be difficult. She only needed to be careful, treat Xu with respect, and safeguard her own little world. As for what would happen later, even if her family lost power, she had other plans.

In any dynasty, a woman's own wealth is the true path to success. Since arriving here, she has gradually discovered that gardening is also a lucrative way to make money. Last year on the Double Ninth Festival, she accompanied Madam Qin and Madam Liu to the flower market at Donghua Gate and heard that a pair of early-blooming dark chrysanthemums were worth thirty thousand coins, equivalent to a month's expenses for an ordinary family. As for rare varieties of peonies, they were even more priceless. At that time, she was greatly tempted and wanted to make money using her old trade. However, her current status was very inconvenient; Madam Qin would even question her every step she took, let alone gardening. As she was about to be married, the man surnamed Xu probably wouldn't be watching her all the time, and as the mistress of the house, things would be much easier for her. It wasn't impossible for her to secretly set up a flower garden and entrust it to a reliable person to manage. That way, no matter what happened in the future, she would always have a way out.

After much deliberation, Danmei slowly made up her mind, and her heart, which had been wavering for many days, finally calmed down. From then on, she continued to live as before, letting Qin Shi do whatever she wanted.

The son of the Tongzhilang family, who died suddenly on his wedding night, was Danmei's husband, though they had never been husband and wife. Following the laws of the former Tang Dynasty, a wife was required to observe three years of mourning for her deceased husband before remarrying. However, this law was merely a piece of paper; unless the original husband's family filed a complaint with the government, no one would care. Qin Shi, eager to marry off her daughter, naturally considered this and spoke to the Tongzhilang's wife early on. The Tongzhilang's wife, still saddened by her own short-lived son, felt compelled to comply, given the substantial dowry she had received and the additional money she had acquired. Furthermore, neither the Jixian Prime Minister's residence nor Xu Jinrong were people she could afford to offend. Qin Shi carefully kept the written agreement and left satisfied.

After the formal betrothal ceremony, the wedding day, May 20th, arrived in the blink of an eye. Yesterday, the groom's family sent over the wedding favors, including a crown, robes, and face powder. Danmei was dressed up by several wedding attendants, and when she looked in the bronze mirror, she saw that her face was so thickly covered with makeup that she almost couldn't recognize herself. She thought that no man would want to hold such a doll. Yet, the wedding attendants kept saying that she looked beautiful.

Danmei had no intention of trying to please the man surnamed Xu, so she didn't bother to say much. She simply let the wedding attendants do as they pleased, listening to them chant auspicious phrases like "Wearing a golden hairpin, joy fills the house; wearing a phoenix, long life and happiness" as they combed her hair. Once she was dressed and ready, when the auspicious hour arrived, she heard the mournful music outside and knew that the Xu family's wedding procession had arrived. Only then was she helped up by the wedding attendants and went out to bid farewell to her parents and family.

Although Madam Qin had previously been eager to marry off her daughter as soon as possible, now that the moment had truly arrived, she felt a pang of sadness. She held onto Danmei's hand tightly, repeatedly whispering that everything would be alright from now on. Danmei, grateful for her usual care and remembering her own mother's early death, considered her her true mother. Overwhelmed with sorrow, tears welled up in her eyes, prompting the wedding attendant to hastily wipe them away with a handkerchief. However, the more she wiped, the more tears flowed. Finally managing to stop the tears, her face was streaked with color. The wedding attendant quickly and efficiently touched up her makeup, covered her face with the veil, and then they reluctantly took their leave.

Led by the matchmaker, she went out the door and got into the sedan chair, clutching an old garment in her hand. It turned out that this was Qin's secret instruction: after the wedding procession departed, she should immediately throw the garment out of the sedan chair so she could pick it up and burn it, claiming it was a method she had obtained from a temple to ward off evil and bring good fortune. Although Danmei didn't believe in such things, after getting into the eight-bearer sedan chair, she did as Qin instructed, throwing the garment out from behind the curtain. She felt the sedan chair being lifted up, and the journey was smooth until they finally arrived at the Xu family mansion in Xinmen.

Danmei felt the sedan chair stop, and immediately a matchmaker came to help her out. The surroundings were bustling with activity; the gate seemed to be packed with people. Stepping on the red felt mats on the ground, and supported by the matchmakers on either side, she stepped over saddle mats and scales, winding her way through a maze of turns until she was finally led to a room, where she stopped. A matchmaker leaned closer and whispered, "Alright, time for the door-to-door ceremony."

There was a custom at the time that anyone who married later in life had to bow to the door before entering the bridal chamber to show respect for their first wife. Danmei had heard Qin Shi mention this to her before, and felt sorry for her for being wronged. She herself didn't have much of a resistance, so she bowed as the matchmaker led her, and was then led in and sat on the bed amidst the chant of "Sit in wealth and honor."

Danmei sat there, not knowing how long she had been waiting, when suddenly she heard a noise outside. The matchmaker immediately smiled and said, "The groom has come to ask the bride to hold the veil."

Danmei's heart began to race slightly. Looking down from under her veil, she saw only the toes of a pair of black boots on the ground in front of her, the back half hidden by her robe. Before she could even process what was happening, the matchmaker slipped a piece of satin into her hand. The satin was likely connected to the one the man was holding. She was led out of the house by him, first to the family temple to pay respects to her ancestors, then back to the bridal chamber. There, she listened to the master of ceremonies announce the proper order of the wedding vows, bowing to each other in turn, before being helped to sit on the bed. Suddenly, she felt a pressing pressure beside her. Peeking out from under her veil, she saw that the man was sitting next to her. Soon, the women and children, eager to make a ruckus, began throwing coins and colorful beans onto the bed. But the commotion subsided quickly, and then all was quiet.

Danmei had a feeling that ever since the groom entered the bridal chamber, even the wedding party organizers seemed a bit hesitant. She was wildly speculating whether it was because the groom beside her was frightening when a cup filled with wine was placed in her hand. The master of ceremonies told the two of them to drink it. Danmei drank it under her handkerchief, and the matchmaker threw the two cups under the bed, one upside down and the other face down. Those inside saw this and congratulated her in unison, saying it was auspicious.

After all the commotion, the master of ceremonies finally announced that the ceremony was complete. Danmei felt the man beside her get up and leave, and the matchmaker helped to drive away the people in the room and lower the bed curtains for her. Knowing that it was finally over, she couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief.

Chapter Four

Danmei sat there for an unknown amount of time, feeling increasingly suffocated and hungry. Hearing the silence outside, she couldn't resist pulling back her veil. She saw several plates of cakes on a round table outside the tent, so she lifted the curtain and went out, picking up some to eat. However, she swallowed too quickly and choked. Seeing a white-glazed double-dragon pot there, which must have contained wine, she quickly picked up a cup, poured herself a few sips, and then felt the lump in her chest slowly being pushed down.

Danmei shook the remaining wine in her cup, carefully turned it upside down and put it back in its original position. Just as she was about to sit back in the tent, she suddenly heard the wedding attendant outside the door greeting her. Knowing that it was the man surnamed Xu who had come, she panicked and hurriedly tried to crawl back into the tent, but unexpectedly, a small accident occurred.

It turned out that today was a grand wedding day, and according to the regulations of the time, daughters of officials could wear the attire of noblewomen that matched their mothers' rank. Madam Qin, a first-rank noblewoman, wanted to bring honor to her daughter, so Danmei was naturally dressed in noblewomen's attire today: an inner silk shirt, a layered undergarment, and an outer formal dress. The lower body also had three layers, and the skirt was narrower than her usual ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress). In her haste to slip back into the tent and sit down, she forgot that the skirt was different from usual, and taking too large a step, she tripped and fell to the ground.

Ignoring the pain, Danmei hurriedly tried to get up, but footsteps sounded behind her. Turning around, she was somewhat surprised and momentarily forgot to get up from the ground.

Behind her stood a man in a ceremonial robe, tall and imposing, with thick eyebrows and deep-set eyes. The flickering light from the dragon and phoenix candles in the room illuminated his piercing gaze. But at that moment, he was frowning slightly, staring at her on the ground. He showed none of the joy one would expect of a groom.