Chapter 544: Chapter 533: The Marchioness’s Maid
The Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion has a legacy of loyalty and valor, and the current Marquis Weiyuan is just over twenty. Despite his youth, he has been on the battlefield since he was fifteen and has fought for six years, commanding an army of two hundred thousand as a First-rank Marquis.
But as distinguished as his family background is, his personal history is rather tragic. His grandfather died in battle the year he was born, and his father passed away on the battlefield when he was fifteen. After his father’s death, his mother couldn’t bear the grief and followed a year later. Now, the only family members remaining are his elderly grandmother and an uncle who has started his own branch of the family.
Since too many of their family members have died in battle, despite Marquis Weiyuan’s high status and handsome appearance, no major household is willing to marry their legitimate daughter to him. Moreover, Marquis Weiyuan himself is not particularly interested in marriage, and he spends most of his time at the border. Therefore, at the age of twenty-one and about to go to the border again, his grandmother finally pleaded with the Emperor to decree a marriage for him.
Any discerning person could see what this imperial decree for marriage meant. Wasn’t it just the fear that Marquis Weiyuan might never return from this departure, leaving no heir for the main line of the family?
Out of so many young ladies in the capital, even the Emperor found it difficult to decide which family to decree a marriage to, and in the end, it was Marquis Weiyuan’s grandmother herself who made the suggestion.
Zhong Lan, though she hadn’t appeared in public for three years due to mourning, left an impression on some people because of her outstanding beauty. Moreover, the late Mrs. Ying had given such a good impression to others.
Mrs. Ying came from a family of scholars, was elegant and well-mannered, and though her family status was slightly inferior to the top-tier families, she was outstanding in her own right. In her time, countless families with sons sought her hand in marriage, and when she chose Mr. Zhong, many sighed in sympathy.
It’s not that Mr. Zhong was not good; on the contrary, he was one of the more handsome among all the suitors. But when it came to family background, he was a bit lacking, even compared to the Ying Family.
Mrs. Ying was graceful and well-connected. Even after marrying Mr. Zhong, she did not fall out of her social circles. Because of her, Mr. Zhong not only had no worries at home but gradually made a name for himself among the literati, and his official career flourished.
Unfortunately, the good times did not last. After giving birth to Zhong Lan, Mrs. Ying’s health was never the same. She had to take care of her children and face plots and schemes from the mother-in-law and concubine daughters, as well as maintain Mr. Zhong’s external relations. She did not survive to see her daughter come of age.
Mrs. Ying had a good friend, surnamed Shen, who had married into the Marquis Mansion as the Second Old Master’s wife. It was because of her that the Old Madam of the Marquis’s family knew about Mrs. Ying and about Zhong Lan.
After learning that Zhong Lan had just ended her mourning period, Dowager Hou sent someone to inquire with Mr. Zhong about Zhong Lan’s marital situation.
Although knowing that Marquis Weiyuan was headed for danger, Mr. Zhong acted as if he had been hit by a pie from heaven, and agreed to the marriage without asking for the opinions of Zhong Jue or Zhong Lan.
Upon learning that the imperial decree for marriage had been issued, Zhong Jue and Zhong Lan knew there was no turning back and resigned themselves to fate.
Zhong Jue was extremely reluctant to have his sister marry and potentially live as a widow, perhaps for life, but Zhong Lan saw things clearly. She felt that this was the only good thing her father had ever done for her since she was born.
If she wasn’t decreed to marry Marquis Weiyuan, her future marriage could, under the manipulation of Old Madam Wei and Aunt Wei, end up being to someone unbearable. But once married to Marquis Weiyuan, she would be the Marchioness. Not to mention Old Madam Wei and Aunt Wei, even her father would have to pay respects to her.
Now that the Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion has divided, there is only the elderly grandmother besides Marquis Weiyuan himself. Once she marries in, she will be one of the three main masters of the mansion. Even if she does not win the affections of Marquis Weiyuan and the Old Marquis, she could endure it.
Besides, after Marquis Weiyuan’s marriage, he will soon leave for the border, and the Old Marquis, due to her age, spends most of her time recuperating at their country estate. So, when it comes to difficulties, it’s unlikely to be too much.
Moreover, once she marries into Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion, Old Madam Wei and Aunt Wei will have to think thrice before scheming against her brother’s marriage prospects.
So no matter what, marrying into that household is only beneficial to her, there are no downsides, and this is still considering the worst-case scenario.
When the imperial decree for the arranged marriage came, Zhong Yin looked on with schadenfreude, while Zhong Lan was very pleased.
"They’re here, they’re here, Marquis Weiyuan has arrived, there are so many betrothal gifts that they can’t even fit in the yard, the master and Eldest Young Master are personally receiving them." Zhong Lan was waiting in the partition, and a maid entered gleefully to report.
Hearing about the abundant betrothal gifts, Zhong Yin’s face turned sour, for she had always compared herself to Zhong Lan since childhood. As the favorite of Old Madam Wei, what the legitimate daughter Zhong Lan had, Zhong Yin had too.
However, unlike the usual clothing and accessories, when it comes to marriage, there’s a world of difference between the legitimate daughter and concubine daughter. Even if the family generously gives a concubine daughter more personal items, the dowry will never surpass that of the legitimate daughter. The dowry is openly displayed, and by looking at the previous daughter’s marriage, big households can roughly estimate what to expect, so when it comes to her own marriage, Zhong Yin presumes that she won’t receive much in betrothal gifts.
How could Zhong Yin, who has always compared herself to Zhong Lan, be content with this? The only thing that cheers her up now is that once Zhong Lan marries off, she might end up living like a widow, and might not even have any descendants. Without a husband and offspring, no matter how high her status, what’s the use? She can’t wear bright clothes or beautiful jewelry, and going out would attract criticism from others. Zhong Yin is not envious at all!
At this moment, Yang Chun is still diligently preparing Zhong Lan’s appearance. The two have been engaged for a while, yet they haven’t met until now. Today, as Marquis Weiyuan comes to formalize the engagement, they are definitely going to meet, so it’s why Yang Chun insisted on having the step shake worn this morning.
However, Zhong Lan found it too ostentatious and heavy to wear, and naturally, she also didn’t want to give Marquis Weiyuan the impression that she was frivolous and trying to captivate with her beauty.
But even with plain dressing, Zhong Lan was still very beautiful, which made Zhong Yin, who dressed meticulously, somewhat jealous.
Zhong Yin is a concubine daughter and an unmarried woman, so she definitely will not meet Marquis Weiyuan today. She dressed up meticulously because she was long accustomed to competing with Zhong Lan.
Both sisters are very beautiful, but Zhong Lan has a gentle and elegant appearance, while Zhong Yin, although pretty, seemed somewhat petty due to her constant pretense of frailty.
"Eldest Lady, the elders are also asking for you to come to the front hall," another maid walked in and reported.
Ignoring Zhong Yin’s expressions of taking joy in misfortune and jealousy, Zhong Lan gracefully stood up: "Hmm, I know."
"What are you so proud of, you’ll still be a widow after you marry." Once Zhong Lan was far away, Zhong Yin sneered.
"Keep your voice down." Aunt Wei gave her daughter a sidelong glance, "If someone hears you bad-mouthing Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion, you don’t want to live, do you?"
"Mother, you’re just too cautious, there’s no outsider here." Zhong Yin coaxed.
On this matter, both mother and daughter felt very proud; what if Zhong Lan is the legitimate daughter? Isn’t everything in the house still managed by her mother? They’ve saved quite a sum for their private funds over these three years.