Betrothal (Part 1)

  In the 30th year of Yongli (1679), the Chinese New Year was even more dismal than the previous year. At that time, everyone still had hopes for the war situation on the mainland and believed that the Zheng army, which had been reorganized, might still be able to regain victory. However, among the civil and military officials in Dongning, no one continued to hold unrealistic illusions. The greatest hope was only to ensure the existence of Chime and Haicheng Bridgehead.

  Representing Zhu Jin, Zheng Kezang accepted the court's congratulations from the officials and changed into formal attire to attend the Zheng family gathering in the inner courtyard. The relatives were still waiting for him to start the banquet. However, unlike two years ago when they waited with discontent on their faces, this time most people wore flattering smiles.

  After three rounds of wine and five flavors of dishes, Dong Guotai still dragged 11-year-old Zheng Kesong away from the table as in previous years. With the departure of this "god needle", Zheng Ming and others who were sitting like pins and needles and eating like chewing wax also automatically dispersed. Zheng Kezang was about to follow suit and leave, when Zheng Cong sneaked over and dragged him to a secluded corner.

  "Sixth brother, eighth brother, hurry back and look, second brother is holding onto Qin's house, what are they going to do?" As Zhengkai turned his head to urge his wife who was walking behind him, he caught sight of Zhengcong's movements and couldn't help but call out to Zhengwen and Zhengkuan who were walking in front of him. "Could it be that he is secretly sharing some benefits with Qin again behind our backs?"

  "What's the benefit?" Zheng Kuan and Zheng Wen perked up at this, but by now they could no longer see the figures of Zheng Kezang and Zheng Cong. The three of them whispered among themselves for a moment, then decided to sneak after them to eavesdrop. And so, in the grand city of Anping, several members of the Zheng clan became like commoners who sneak around to listen in on others' conversations.

  "Qin Shu, it's not that Second Uncle is trying to take advantage of his age, but you're also getting on in years, it's time to settle down. At this moment, Zheng Cong was making a strong pitch to Zheng Kezang. "This young lady, Second Uncle has met her, and as for her looks, let's not even mention them, but her temperament is warm and gentle, she would absolutely make a great partner for you, what do you say, shall we arrange a meeting?"

  "Second Uncle, although Grandmother arranged for Yu Shou to wear mourning clothes for three months, which is considered the heaviest of the five mourning garments. According to 'Qing Shi Gao: Li Zhi Twelve', one should wear mourning clothes for three years when mourning a father or mother; a stepmother, adoptive mother, foster mother, birth mother, etc. However, as someone's child, if you accept betrothal gifts during the mourning period, wouldn't that be considered immoral and subject to criticism? If I didn't know Zheng Cong was incompetent and useless, Zheng Kezang would really think he was being framed. Let's drag this out a bit longer."

  "Since Mother has already arranged for the lightest of the five mourning garments to be worn, isn't this matter settled?" Zheng Cong was so enthusiastic because he had his own reasons. Who let Zheng Kezang be a diamond bachelor? "Besides, when Tang passed away, did you wear mourning clothes? No, right? This is a perfect opportunity."

  "Second Uncle, to be honest, Mother gave me two concubines before she passed away, and I haven't touched them until now," Zheng Kezang shook his head. Although he didn't wear mourning clothes for Tang Shi, his birth mother was still in the mourning period, which made it impossible for anyone to criticize him for not being filial. However, if he were to get married during this period, he wouldn't be able to explain himself to others. "If it can't be delayed, then let's just forget about it."

  "Can drag, of course can drag." Zheng Cong's eyes rolled around, and he suddenly agreed with Zheng Kezang's words. "Let's meet first, if you think it's good, we can set a date," as soon as he said this, Zheng Cong's intention was exposed. "As long as the engagement is settled, dragging on for a while is just dragging on for a while, and I suppose the girl's family will also accept it."

  Zheng Kezang was in a difficult situation, but Zheng Kuan and others who were eavesdropping squeezed their eyes and came out to disrupt the scene: "Good, Second Brother, you said you found Qīn Shè for what? How did this big matchmaker fall on you? No way! Qīn Shè, both Sixth Uncle and Eighth Uncle have people introducing them, so if we're going to meet, let's all meet together."

  "Exactly, exactly," Zheng Rou said with a pout. "When it comes to looks, we have to say that the young lady from the family that was introduced by my father's side is the best." Zheng Rou winked and made eyes at Zheng Cong, who was at a loss for what to do. "Don't be deceived by your second uncle, the daughter of the family he recommended is really ugly, it's still better to choose the young lady found by your ninth uncle."

  Zheng Cong was furious and shouted: "What are you people doing? Are you causing trouble? Why didn't Yu say anything, why didn't any of you speak up?"

  Zheng Cong said, pointing at Zheng Rou: "Dragged to your doorstep? Ninth brother, you're one year younger than Qinshe and not even married yourself, how dare you act as matchmaker for Qinshe?"

  "Who says that just because we're not married, we can't be matchmakers for our nephews?" Zheng Rou retorted bluntly. "Who made us elders? As elders, we can't just think of ourselves, we have to consider the younger generation." Then, Zheng Rou asked with a double meaning, "Second Brother, do you think this is the right gift?"

  Several people started arguing, with the noise getting louder and louder. Only Zheng Kezang stood there, extremely embarrassed. He wanted to slip away quietly, but before he could even get close to the wall, Zheng Cong rushed up to him, shouting loudly: "Qin She, can you give a straight answer? Have you seen this person or not?"

  "Qin Shai, if we're going to see him, let's go together," Zheng Wen also stepped forward, his spittle flying everywhere. "Absolutely cannot let the second child meet with him alone."

  Zheng Kezang looked at the eight eyes staring at him, hesitating and stuttering. Just as he was in a dilemma, the rescue finally arrived. Perhaps the palace servants heard and saw Zheng Cong and his three men surrounding Zheng Kezang making a ruckus, thinking something big had happened, so they reported it to Empress Dowager Dongguo. The empress dowager specially dispatched her personal lady-in-waiting to summon him.

  "Is that all?" When Dong Guo Tai finished listening to Zheng Cong's words, she couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time. "Qin She, among the three unfilial acts, having no descendants is the worst. Although you are a filial son, this matter cannot be decided by you. Since your uncles all have good intentions, let's do it like this: during the Lantern Festival, invite all the young ladies from the various families to come and accompany me in admiring the lanterns. You can also take some time off to take a look around and settle the matter."

  As soon as he really heard that he had to choose a beauty for Zheng Kezang, Zheng Cong's face changed slightly, but Dong Guotai couldn't manage Zhu Jin, and managing him and his several brothers was still not a problem, so although his face was like pig liver, he could only repeatedly nod and say yes.

  However, Zheng Kezang looked somewhat unwilling: "Grandmother, I have something to report."

  As he spoke, Zheng Kezang glanced at several of his uncles, and Dong Guotai understood and let them withdraw. Only then did Zheng Kezang speak up: "Mother said before she left that she wanted to arrange for the daughter of General Chen to be married to her grandson."

  ??”

  "Chen Yonghua's daughter?" Dong Guotai was taken aback. "Why didn't you say so earlier." Zheng Kecang was about to explain, but Dong Guotai waved his hand with the rosary beads. "Don't say anything else, I know you're filial and want to drag things out until after your mother's mourning period is over." Dong Guotai quickly turned the beads in his hand, muttering some Buddhist scripture to himself before making a decision. "Your mother's words can't be taken as proof without other evidence, so it's not reliable. How about this: I've already promised your uncles that we'll consider these girls, and when the time comes, we'll take a look at their appearances and decide." Seeing Zheng Kecang's disappointed face, Dong Guotai comforted him. "Chen Yonghua's daughter can also come; if you still like her after comparing them, I'll help you get married as soon as possible."

  Zheng Kezang knew that this was the best outcome, if he continued to insist, Dong Guotai, who had lost face and credibility in front of his children and grandchildren, would thoroughly hate him, and what would happen afterwards could not be predicted. It was precisely because of this realization that Zheng Kezang reluctantly agreed.

  Just as he was about to leave with his head hung low, Dong Guo suddenly called out to him: "Your mother once pointed out two concubines for you? You still haven't taken them in yet?"

  Zheng Kezang nodded in agreement. Dong Guotai thought for a moment: "I'm afraid you don't like these two, never mind, I won't ask you to send them off, after all, seeing things reminds one of people. In that case, Auntie will introduce another one to you, and in the future, it will be good to branch out and add more incense to the Zheng family."

  Zheng Kezang was thoroughly disappointed, but the elder bestowed upon him a gift he didn't dare refuse. He could only silently nod his head. What made it even more unbearable for him was that Dong Guotai had pointed out to him none other than Zi Ling, who was nearly ten years older than Zheng Kezang and always spoke with a straight face.

  "A woman at 30 is like a man at 60; she thinks she can manage your household."

  This is forcing a nail to come in, but Zheng Kezang has already promised, and it's too late to regret it. He can only drag Zheng Kesong down with him: "Grandma, Qin She is also getting older day by day, shouldn't we consider him for a moment?"

  "Qin She is not in a hurry," Dong Guotai thought Zheng Kecang was diverting the disaster to the east, so he clearly refused. "Your older brother's matter has not been settled yet, and he is still young, let's wait for now."

  "Didn't Eighth Uncle and Ninth Uncle also remain unmarried?" Zheng Kezang stubbornly resisted. "Shouldn't we focus on the two of them first."

  "It's none of your business." Dong Guotai's cultivation was clearly not up to par, and Zheng Kecang's single sentence ignited the flames of ignorance. "You are the grandson of this prefecture, with a significant relationship, you must take care of it first." Zheng Kecang had no choice but to knock his head and retreat, looking at Zheng Kecang's back, Dong Guotai's eyebrows furrowed, and then spoke up. "Someone, send a message to Siming, saying that I want to choose a marriage for the grandson, if there are any families with unmarried daughters, please ask them to come to Anping City on the 15th to watch the lanterns."

  The eunuch who had received the message bowed and withdrew, while Empress Dongguo narrowed her eyes and recited a passage from the Heart Sutra. However, her agitated emotions still did not subside, so she ordered: "Let Zilian come see me."

  At the age of 26, Zilian has been serving by Dong Guo's side and can be considered a confidant. Since she is a confidant, some things can be said openly: "You're not young anymore, following an old woman like me will only hold you back. You don't have to say anything about being reluctant to part with me, I don't want to hear such tearful words. No, it's not that I'm sending you out of Anping City, I've already spoken to Shisun about it, and today you can move over to serve him. However, remember, you must take charge of Shisun's daily life, before his legitimate wife enters the household, everything will be decided by you. It's not that I'm asking you to monitor Shisun, but rather because I was negligent in my supervision back then and let Jinshu go astray, so all these things cannot happen again with Qinshe."

  ???”