Chapter 209: Liu Xu’er Gets Married

Disclaimer: 

1. This is an unofficial translation and no permission has been obtained from the author/ official publisher. It may be taken down if the author/official publisher requests. 

2. This is a fan work and the interpretation represents only the translator’s personal views without any input from the author. 

3. No permission has been granted to use, publish, upload and/or copy this translation to any other site except for Second Life Translations.

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Liu Lin was seated in the teahouse opposite the textile store. He was slowly sipping his tea when Liu Tao, along with the bolt of red silk and Xiuxiu, came in and sat across from him. 

“How was it?” Liu Lin asked. 

Liu Tao replied, “Most of the stock looks to be intact. Nothing seems to have shifted. The stock that was on display should have been at least double the price they are currently charging. I don’t even know when they started to lower prices. When I saw that this bolt of cloth wouldn’t be able to make back its cost price, I decided to buy it. Anyway, I thought it would make it easier for me to check the prices of everything else.” Liu Tao said. 

Liu Lin became grave, “They’ve dropped the prices?””

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Two months ago, Song Yao’s father passed on. 

Liu Lin shook his head. After a brief pause, he said, “They are just driving themselves to the brink of disaster. Even if I wanted to show them mercy, I can’t…. Tao, watch them closely these next few days. I suspect that they are feeling extremely pressured now. They might try to pull some foolish stunt.”

Liu Tao smiled and nodded his head, “Alright erge, I know what to do. I will watch them.”

Liu Lin picked his teacup up for another sip. Then he suddenly laughed, “And to think Shi Cheng and I prepared over a dozen strategies to torture them with. It turns out that only two or three were enough to drive them to despair. A few days ago, all that Shi Cheng’s hired help did was say a few threatening words, but the store assistant was frightened enough to close the shop for several days. It was only after a few days had passed that the two women at home found out about it. When they found out, they were so angry they were cursing at the store assistant!”

Liu Tao grinned, “Even so, they can’t change their assistant any longer. He’s already their fifth in two months. With the amount of time the First Young Madam had to go around in public to look for shop assistants, she might as well have spent it managing the store herself!” He smiled and shook his head. Then he suddenly thought of something “That’s right, where’s Shi Cheng? How is it that we haven’t seen him these past few days? Has he gone to Hanzhong city again?”

Liu Lin nodded his head, “That’s right.”

The eighth day of the sixth month was Liu Xu’er and Shi Cheng’s wedding date. 

During this period, Liu Xu’er wasn’t allowed to leave the house. Her dowry had already been all prepared, so every day, she just wandered the different courtyards. She would sit with her dasao for half the day, then move over to chat with her ersao for a while.

Shi Cheng himself had refrained from coming over frequently. It was mainly because he was very self aware. He knew that he needed to be especially careful during this period to minimise his presence. Otherwise, if his mother-in-law had to say something to him, it would be embarrassing. Furthermore, he had himself been very busy these past few months. He had made at least three to four trips to Hanzhong city to discuss the matter of where his wedding would be held.

When Shi Qian had first allowed him to continue to stay in Feng Town, it was because Feng town still had a store and restaurant. They had originally planned to find a good buyer, and slowly let go of the businesses. Then the whole family would move to Hanzhong city together. After all, it was expected for a family to stay together.

But Shi Cheng had managed the jewellery store and restaurant so well, that it sometimes even did better than the restaurant in Hanzhong city. When Shi Qian saw that, he felt a bit reluctant to sell the businesses. 

That was exactly what Shi Cheng had been aiming for. He knew that Liu Xu’er still wanted to stay in Feng town – it was closer to her family. Furthermore, he had no intention of having Xu’er stay under the same roof as his mother. Although his mother really did like Xu’er, who could guarantee that mother and daughter-in-law would never have any conflicts? He definitely didn’t want to be stuck between them if it happened.

So, staying in Feng town was their best option. It wasn’t too far from Hanzhong city anyway, so it was still convenient to stay in contact. 

And since he had the stores as an excuse, after running to Hanzhong city those few times, and having exhausted all of his persuasive ability, Shi Qian finally agreed. He would get married and continue to stay in Feng town. As for what might happen in future, they would continue to monitor the situation. 

Shi Cheng’s mother was a little unhappy, but she couldn’t fight against both her husband and son. She could only agree to it. She grumbled mildly that wouldn’t that mean she wouldn’t have the good fortune of having her daughter-in-law stay with her?

Shi Cheng knew what his mother was thinking, but could only pretend not to have heard. 

So in the sixth month, Shi Cheng’s parents returned to Feng town to start preparing for their son’s wedding. 

On the sixth day of the sixth month, Liu Xu’er’s dowry was brought to the Shi residence. 

Liu Xu’er’s dowry caused a minor sensation in Feng town. All of her brothers wanted Liu Xu’er to have the best dowry, so each of them had started to accrue items for her bit by bit. Added to what Liu Changgeng and He shi had insisted go with her, Liu Xu’er’s own embroidery, as well as a few larger pieces – when everything was added together, the amount was shocking!

That morning, when all the people hired to carry her dowry showed up, the family realised that no matter how they counted, they were short of at least a dozen people. Liu Lin flew out – he went to the workshop and got all the males to stop work for the day. They needed to hurry over and help carry her dowry!

Originally, they had pasted an announcement at all of their stores “The owner’s family is celebrating a joyous occasion. The store will be closed for five days”, so He Zhongzhou and the rest of his brothers were around to help out. Added to the workshop employees, the courtyard was filled to overflowing. They had to bring out some of the larger chests and cupboards to the doorway first.

Liu Changgeng was worried they would miss the auspicious hour, so he kept reminding the people in front to move off first. Those who had already gotten into the line should just move! Liu Shu ran out to lead them off. 

Finally everyone had picked up their designated chest and had started to walk off. But before even half of them had left the courtyard, the line came to an abrupt stop. Liu Changgeng was hopping about in his anxiety, “What happened?! Why did the line stop?!”

Like a little agile monkey, Liu Sen darted out. In a flash, he came back in hollering, “Dad! The start of the line has already reached Shi Cheng’s house!”

“What?!” Liu Changgeng was dumbfounded as he stared at his courtyard still filled with people bearing Liu Xu’er’s dowry.

Thankfully, Liu Lin reacted quickly. He told Liu Sen, “Quickly inform dage. Tell him to lead the line around the city! The rest of the gifts have to leave our house, right?!”

Liu Sen blinked at him and asked, “Didn’t we agree not to be too ostentatious?”

Liu Lin was exasperated and amused, “Go quickly! Is this the time to be worried about being ostentatious…. We need to send her dowry over!”

Liu Sen giggled and ran off. After a while, the line of people started to move again. Liu Changgeng kept an anxious eye on the last person, terrified that the head of the line would have reached before this last person had left!

Thankfully, Liu Shu had thought of that, and so took the line on a convoluted route through the large streets and tiny alleys. With the gongs clanging, half of town had been alerted to the procession. They had drawn a large group of people behind them, watching the merriment. It was only then that they finally brought everything over to Shi Cheng’s home. 

The gates to Shi Cheng’s home were wide open. The path had laid with a red carpet, waiting for this moment. Then from 9am all the way till 1pm, the dowry chests were carried in one by one. It took a full four hours!

Those playing the suona had played the two celebratory songs well over a dozen times. In the middle, they had even had to take a break to eat some snacks and have some tea, they were so tired! 

When Shi Cheng’s mother saw Liu Xu’er’s dowry, she was secretly rejoicing. Thank goodness the betrothal gifts had been decent. Otherwise…. Wouldn’t her son be held up short by his wife when they got married! 

The eighth day of the sixth month was their wedding. 

At three am in the morning, Liu Xu’er was woken up. Shao Rong and Song Yao came over to help her wash up. He shi took out Liu Xu’er’s wedding attire and laid it at the side of the bed. Then she looked at it and stroked it repeatedly.

Shao Rong could see that she was being emotional, so when Song Yao was helping Liu Xu’er wash her face, she went over to console her softly. He shi nodded her head – she would definitely make sure that none of her sadness showed on her face.

Song Yao was helping Liu Xu’er wash her hair and face. Quietly she said to Liu Xu’er, “there’s no need to be sad. You won’t be moving far from us. Whenever you wish, you should just come visit. It’s a happy day, don’t let your tears smear your makeup.”

Liu Xu’er gave a soft “en”.

After washing her hair and face, the matron of honor and quanfuniangniang had arrived and immediately got to work. They first wiped her face before arranging her hair. Then they drew in her brows and applied rouge on her face. The room was extremely chaotic, He shi couldn’t even squeeze in to look. She paced around the room for a while, before finally leaving. After a while, Liu Sen came in. He too paced around behind everyone, but when he saw that he wouldn’t be able to squeeze forward, he too left. 

Liu Xu’er saw everything that happened in the mirror. She was feeling very sad – her parents, her brothers. Everything that had happened before seemed to pass in front of her eyes. Just as the matron of honor was about to put powder on her, she noticed the new bride silently crying.

The matron of honor quickly let out a “Oh”. At first she was amused, but then, she let out a little sigh. She pulled the quanfuniangniang to the side. Shao Rong turned her head and saw what was happening. She quickly came over and smiled,“Look at you, I was just worrying that you would cry, and now look, hasn’t it started?” She said as she quickly handed her a handkerchief. 

Song Yao took the matron of honor and quanfuniangniang to the side. Smiling apologetically, she asked for a moment before quickly calling He shi over. 

When He shi entered, she saw that Liu Xu’er was crying. How could she continue to hold her own tears back? Before she even managed to walk to her, her tears had started to fall. But her mouth still said, “Why are you still so silly? Why are you crying… this is really….” Then her voice got choked off. 

Liu Xu’er turned and called out, “Mum….”

He shi went over and sat at her side. She held onto her hand and said in a voice choked with sobs, “It’s alright, don’t cry. It won’t be good if your eyes become red….”

Shao Rong and Song Yao went forward to gently soothe her and finally managed to get her to stop crying. Then together with the matron of honor and the quanfuniangniang, they continued to make her up. 

When Liu Xu’er was all made up and had put on her bridal dress, He shi sat at her side and softly said, “Shi Cheng is a good child…. Your father and I know that you are in good hands after you get married… You are also a very sensible child, so mum doesn’t have any words of instruction except to remember to treat your parents-in-law with all the respect they deserve. Don’t just live here and do as you please. When you’ve nothing to do, you should frequently go to Hanzhong city to visit them…”

“I know, mum.” Liu Xu’er was feeling a bit better now. Everything that needed to be said between the two of them, had already been said last night. And since her two sisters-in-law were good people, she knew that her mother would be able to relax. 

Liu Sen was at the door, poking his head in. When he saw that they would be out shortly, he came in to sit down on Liu Xu’er’s other side. But he didn’t say anything, just kept his head low. 

Liu Xu’er turned to look at him. “Senzi, you must be good. Ok?”

Liu Sen nodded his head.

“Senzi, it wasn’t easy for our family to reach today. Before, we weathered through some really hard times, it was just that you were quite small at the time, and don’t really remember. Now, we are prosperous, and are able to enjoy life. No matter whether in academics or in business, no one in the family would force you to do something, so your life is quite smooth sailing. But you must have good measure – how to handle matters, what is right, what is wrong, you must be very clear about all of them. No one needs you to become rich or famous, we just want you to have your own goals. Being able to do what you enjoy, being able to live your life happily.”

Liu Sen kept his head low, but nodded. 

Liu Xu’er was about to say some more, but Liu Sen suddenly choked out, “Jie…. If only you and Shi Cheng ge could always stay with us, if only our family didn’t have to separate, I would be happy my whole life….” Then he lowered his head again and wiped his tears. 

Liu Xu’er was stunned. Then she smiled, but her nose was sour. She took him into her arms and rubbed his head. She didn’t know what to say. 

He shi was at the side, feeling similarly sad. She too was rubbing at the corners of her eyes. 

Shao Rong and Song Yao had no choice but to come forward to try and console all of them. 

The matron of honor was standing at the doorway smiling, “Oh my, this entire family…. How far are you moving away? You are only going to be less than 100 steps away! Senzi, stop crying! If you really can’t bear to let your jie go, you can head over with her today. You can stay with her and move back home when you get married!”

Liu Xu’er gave a little giggle at that, She rubbed his head and said, “Jie won’t go. Stop crying. Jie is still going to be staying in Feng town…”

He shi wiped her eyes, “Alright, that’s enough of this. Others are laughing at us. Stop making your sister cry – it will smear her makeup.”

Shao Rong and Song Yao came up quickly to console them. Liu Sen too wiped his eyes and looked up. He watched as Liu Xu’er smiled. 

Song Yao took out all the powders again to touch up her makeup, while the matron of honor had managed to push He shi out of the room. She should wait in her room – in a while, the new groom will be coming to bring his bride home. He still needs to offer his bows to his new parents-in-law!

Senzi left the room and started to seriously consider – in a few days, when Shi Cheng ge’s parents leave, he really should go over and stay for a few days….
Just as he was thinking that, firecrackers started to go off outside. He shook his head to clear his thoughts and rushed outside. He would guard the inner courtyard door and wait for his jiefu Shi Cheng to meet their challenges….

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Translator’s Note: Liu Xu’er is finally getting married! This chapter is quite a lot longer than usual; was quite dismayed when I found out, but now that it’s done, hope you guys enjoy it!