Chapter 549: Chapter 538: The Marchioness’s Maid
"Bow to heaven and earth!"
"Bow to the high hall!"
"The couple bows to each other!"
Today, many important officials have gathered at Marquis Wei Yuan Mansion, and although Miss Zhong Lan is under a bridal veil and cannot see, Ye Qiu, the casual maid, sees everything clearly.
Perhaps because of the red dress she wore for the wedding, Marquis Wei Yuan doesn’t seem as stern today as he was when they first met. Instead, the Old Marquis’s face is beaming with joy and looks very kind, not at all like the female general who used to make scholars tremble in fear.
After the complex rituals, Ye Qiu followed Zhong Lan into the bridal room.
The bridal room is in Qingfeng Courtyard, which is the largest courtyard in the mansion and nearest to the front yard. It is said that it was personally arranged by the Old Marquis.
"Miss, why don’t we have some snacks to calm down? The Marquis probably won’t come over yet," Yang Chun carefully scanned the surroundings before coming over to speak.
"No, let’s wait," Zhong Lan declined.
"Yang Chun, from now on you must call her ’Lady’; don’t make a mistake. This is Marquis Mansion, not our Qingzhu Garden," Ye Qiu softly reminded her.
"I know, I know, I only said it because it’s just us here, Sister Ye Qiu, you are too serious," Yang Chun stuck out her tongue and said.
Ye Qiu, anxious, furrowed her brows and glanced around; she was not as naive as Yang Chun to think everyone was on their side.
"Caution is always faultless," Ye Qiu said again.
"Yang Chun, listen to Ye Qiu, go to the front yard and ask around about when the Marquis is likely to come," Zhong Lan suddenly instructed.
Yang Chun, unaware that her mistress was giving her a task to keep her busy, happily went off.
"Ah, Yang Chun is still too careless," Zhong Lan suddenly sighed.
Ye Qiu spoke in a low voice, "Lady, don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on her. Although Yang Chun is not very thoughtful, she is good at interacting with others, which can help you gather information. Just remind her to be careful not to misspeak, and it should be fine."
"Indeed, this place is different from the Zhong Residence. I don’t want any of you four who came with me to get into trouble. Being newly married, I must be cautious about everything."
"Lady, do not worry too much, we will all be careful. Moreover, even if something goes wrong, as the new bride, others will be considerate."
"I hope so! Where are Shen Dong and Liu Xia? Why haven’t they come yet?"
"The two of them are still tidying up the dowry. Sister Shen Dong said that as you will meet the family for the first time tomorrow, the gifts must be correct, so she is personally supervising it,"
As Zhong Lan’s heart was feeling uneasy, hearing Ye Qiu say this brought her some comfort.
"Oh, has the bride been waiting anxiously?" As the two paused their conversation, a middle-aged woman, a young lady, and several maid servants entered the room.
Ye Qiu had seen her earlier in the hall; there is no housekeeper in the Marquis Mansion, and she manages everything. Heard others address her as Second Madam, presumably she is Marquis Wei Yuan’s aunt, Madam Shen.
"Greetings, Second Madam," Ye Qiu respectfully greeted.
Listening to Zhong Lan, Second Mrs. Shen also stood up quickly to support her: "Sit down, sit down, you are the bride today, no need to be so formal with me. Besides, even after today, you will be the Marchioness. There is no need for such formalities towards me."
Zhong Lan replied disapprovingly, "How can that be? You are elder and I am younger, it is only right to show respect."
Hearing this, the smile on Second Mrs. Shen’s face deepened.
"I have been really looking forward to your marriage here; from now on, the troublesome task of managing Marquis Mansion will be handed over to you," said Second Mrs. Shen, holding Zhong Lan’s hand.
Zhong Lan’s veil was not yet lifted, but her cheeks were already blushing: "Second aunt is being too polite. Lan’er knows so little, please don’t find me bothersome later on."
"Not bothersome at all, not at all. I like delicate and petite girls like you the most," laughed Second Mrs. Shen cheerfully.
The young lady by her side joined the conversation: "Mother, sister-in-law is married to Big Cousin now. You can’t call her a ’little girl’ anymore. And look at me, I am so tall, neither delicate nor petite."
"Ah, I forgot to introduce her to you, this is your cousin Duan Wen. Come and hang out with us in the second room whenever you’re free."
"Hello, sister-in-law," said Duan Wen with a chirpy smile as she greeted Zhong Lan.
Zhong Lan subconsciously lowered her head, but her veil was not yet lifted, and naturally, she couldn’t see anything, so she responded warmly, "Hello, Wen, don’t hesitate to call upon me in the future."
"Not at all bothersome. I like big sisters like you," replied Duan Wen, her gaze at Zhong Lan filled with curiosity and envy. ’How sweet sister-in-law’s voice is, so gentle and soft. Why can’t I be like that?’
Zhong Lan was somewhat confused by Duan Wen’s words, finding herself unable to respond.
"Lanlan, don’t mind her. Wenwen is just like that; she really likes genteel and beautiful ladies like you. Unfortunately, she herself is quite carefree and can’t seem to learn such manners," teased Second Madam Shen.
Being teased by her own mother, Duan Wen wasn’t angry at all; rather, she retorted playfully, "People say sons take after their fathers and daughters their mothers. Isn’t this just me learning from you?"
"So much talk, be careful not to scare your sister-in-law."
Zhong Lan chuckled, "No scare at all. A sister with such a character is really adorable and lovable. I envy that you can talk so skillfully. That shows uncle and auntie have the means to dote on you, what’s not good about that?"
"Ah, also it’s because you lost your mother too early that you have become so sensible," Second Madam Shen couldn’t help thinking of her friend, but realizing she spoke too much, she quickly added, "Today is your big day of joy. You’ve just married into the family, let me briefly introduce you to the family members."
Seeing that Second Mrs. Shen was good to her, Zhong Lan was eager: "Thank you, Second Aunt."
"Our Duan family isn’t large, nor are we strict with rules; you may not believe it now, but you’ll understand after a while. The Old Marquis is kind-hearted, don’t listen to rumors about her being cold-hearted and cruel, she is actually very affable towards the family..."
Though Second Mrs. Shen was speaking to Zhong Lan, the newly married maid, Ye Qiu, should also listen carefully, even more attentively than Zhong Lan.
As they talked, time slowly passed, and the noise outside had settled. Marquis Weiyuan came in at the urging of the matchmaker to lift the veil.
"Big brother, hurry up and lift it, I want to see the new bride," urged Duan Wen impetuously.
"Don’t be naughty," Second Mrs. Shen chided lightly, but she didn’t leave, clearly also wanting to join in the excitement.
"Big brother, look, I’ve brought Brother Jie to roll the new bed," chatted a young man who walked in, carrying a one-year-old chubby toddler in his arms."
"It’s good you came in time, knowing to bring Brother Jie along," Second Mrs. Shen took the child and personally placed him on the ornately carved bed.