TPMCS(rebirth) 24 - Engagement

Yang Hui Niang left with an unusually grave expression, leaving Jiang Li unsettled all morning.  

She didn’t know where her mother had gone, but it must have been about her.  

Jiang Li held the account book, her mind suddenly recalling Bi Hong’s words. Her heart gave a sharp thud.  

No… that couldn’t be. She had only exchanged a few words with that Young Master Zhang. Even if he were taking a concubine, why would he choose *her*? Besides, hadn’t Bi Hong said the old madam wouldn’t arrange anything until *after* the provincial exams? And it was obvious the old madam favored Bi Hong.  

She must be overthinking things.  

Jiang Li bit her lip, the ink-dipped brush hovering midair, unable to settle.  

Just as her thoughts churned, a tavern worker suddenly called out, "Proprietress!"  

Jiang Li looked up to find Yang Hui Niang had returned at some point. She dropped the brush and hurried over. "Mother."  

Yang Hui Niang’s expression was much lighter than when she had left. Though naturally delicate in appearance, years of widowhood and raising two children alone had tempered her with a sharp, no-nonsense edge.  

But now, as she looked at Jiang Li, that edge softened into something gentle.  

"Come to the back room. I have something to tell you."  

Jiang Li followed closely behind. Once inside, she couldn’t help but ask, "Mother, where did you go earlier?"  

Yang Hui Niang sat on the heated kang and took Jiang Li’s hand. "I went to Ruyi Garden to see Madam Wei."  

Jiang Li blinked. "Sister Wei?"  

Yang Hui Niang smiled and nodded. "A Li, Madam Wei and I have already exchanged betrothal documents for you and Huo Jue. In a few days, she will send someone to deliver the betrothal gifts."  

Jiang Li stood frozen for a long moment before the words registered. "B-betrothal gifts?"  

Seeing her daughter’s stunned expression, Yang Hui Niang chuckled. "Didn’t you say you wanted to marry Huo Jue? I went to discuss your marriage with Madam Wei."  

The weight in Jiang Li’s chest finally lifted, replaced by a rush of joy. Her willow-leaf brows arched high.  

"Mother, just a few days ago, you… you didn’t approve of Huo Jue marrying me. What changed your mind?" She quickly sat on the stool beside the kang, gripping her mother’s hand, her voice sweet and pleading. "You’re the unyielding Proprietress Yang of Zhu Fu Street! Since you’ve already agreed with Sister Wei, you can’t go back on your word now!"  

Yang Hui Niang rolled her eyes. "Don’t worry, I won’t. Starting tomorrow, you’ll stay home and focus on embroidering your wedding dress. Huo Jue will leave for the capital exams next spring. Madam Wei and I agreed—your wedding will be in October. Afterward, you’ll accompany him to the capital."  

A wedding in October! It was only mid-June now—three and a half months away. Just one wedding dress? She could manage that!  

Jiang Li scrambled to her feet. "I’ll go to the fabric shop to see Aunt Yang right now!"  

Yang Hui Niang laughed at her eagerness. "What’s the rush? Don’t you want to know why I changed my mind?"  

Jiang Li scratched her cheek sheepishly and sat back down. "Was it because of the Zhang family?"  

Yang Hui Niang nodded. "Partly. Old Madam Chen wanted you as a concubine for her grandson. I refused."  

Jiang Li paled. "I’ve only met Young Master Zhang a handful of times. We barely spoke. Why would she set her sights on *me*?"  

Yang Hui Niang’s expression darkened. "Whatever their reasons, I would *never* let you become a concubine! Even if I had to give up this tavern and leave Tong’an, I wouldn’t let my daughter bow her head and live at someone else’s mercy!"  

Jiang Li lowered her gaze.  

She had interacted with Old Madam Chen for some time. The woman was known for her kindness and charity. Surely she wouldn’t hold a grudge over a refusal… or take it out on them—or worse, Huo Jue?  

If she didn’t, all would be well. But if she *did*… Huo Jue was about to take the provincial exams. Nothing could go wrong.  

Jiang Li asked softly, "Mother, does Huo Jue know about this? The Zhang family is the wealthiest in Tong’an. If they interfere, it could affect his exams."  

"I told Madam Wei. She wasn’t worried." Yang Hui Niang patted her hand. "Madam Wei and Huo Jue are clearly from extraordinary backgrounds. I hesitated before because I feared you’d be dragged into noble families’ intrigues. But today, Huo Jue made a vow—"  

She paused, recalling the solemnity in his expression.  

Jiang Li waited eagerly until her mother continued, "He swore he would protect you for the rest of your life. And that he would *never* take a concubine. He will be yours alone."  

---  

How much weight did a person’s vow carry?  

Jiang Li didn’t know about others, but she believed every word of Huo Jue’s oath. If he said he wouldn’t take a concubine, he wouldn’t. If he promised to protect her, he would.  

She smiled down at her hands, then asked, "Mother, can I go talk to Huo Jue these next few days?"  

"Huo Jue needs to focus on preparing for the exams. Don’t disturb him."  

Yang Hui Niang exhaled slowly.  

Earlier, Matron Qian had been polite at first, but after the refusal, her tone turned sharp. She’d insinuated that becoming Young Master Zhang’s concubine was a *privilege*, that Jiang Li would be a nobleman’s favored concubine, and even Jiang Ling would benefit.  

Yang Hui Niang nearly spat. Her future son-in-law was destined to be a *jinshi*! Her A Li wouldn’t just be a provincial graduate’s wife—she’d be a *metropolitan graduate’s* wife! Who cared about some concubine’s title?  

The injustice burned in her chest. She wished the exam results could be announced *tomorrow*, just to wipe that smugness off Matron Qian’s face!  

Jiang Li knew how crucial the exams were, so she reluctantly gave up on visiting Huo Jue.  

But that afternoon, Jiang Ling returned from the academy with a letter from Huo Jue.  

Just four words:  

**"Wait for me to marry you."**  

Jiang Li held the letter, reading it over a dozen times, her smile unwavering.  

Jiang Ling, unaware of the contents, cleared his throat when she seemed ready to bore holes into the paper. "A Li, if there’s a character you don’t recognize, just ask. I won’t laugh."  

"I *can* read it," Jiang Li said airily, too pleased to mind his teasing. She folded the letter neatly and retreated to her room.  

---  

News of Jiang Li and Huo Jue’s engagement soon spread through Zhu Fu Street.  

The Zhang family, of course, heard of it.  

Old Madam Chen set down her teacup and summoned Steward Lin. "Find out which family A Li is engaged to."  

Steward Lin returned two days later with his findings. "It’s the adopted son of Apothecary Su, next to Yang’s Tavern. This Young Master Huo is Principal Xue’s prized student. This year, he topped three preliminary exams. The academy says he’s sure to be the provincial champion."  

He hesitated before adding, "Also, Young Master Huo has an elder half-sister living at Ruyi Garden on East Willow Street. Rumor has it this Madam Wei has powerful connections—she shares a past with the Duke of Dingguo’s heir, Xue Wu."  

"The Duke of Dingguo…" Old Madam Chen’s eyes flickered.  

The Duke guarded Suzhou and, alongside the late General of Qingzhou, was hailed as one of the Great Zhou’s divine generals.  

Once, the northern Xue and southern Huo families were legendary.  

Now, the Huo family was gone, and the Xue family’s influence had only grown—flourishing like fire fed by oil, their power nearly unmatched.  

The Duke’s sole heir, Xue Wu, had taken command of the Imperial Guards at a young age. Even the Emperor favored him.  

Regardless of Madam Wei’s exact ties to Xue Wu, the fact that Huo Jue—not yet twenty—had already achieved the "Little Triple Crown" spoke volumes.  

"A wise man never belittles a rising star," Old Madam Chen murmured. She would never provoke such a man.  

She sighed and instructed Steward Lin, "Keep the servants’ tongues in check. Don’t let the young master hear of A Li’s engagement. Once her wedding date is set, prepare a gift for Zhu Fu Street—a dowry addition from me."  

Steward Lin bowed in assent.  

The dowry gift arrived at the tavern in late July—a chest glittering with gold and jade.  

Yang Hui Niang hesitated. "This is too generous. We can’t accept."  

But Steward Lin was insistent. "Proprietress Yang, the old madam has always treated A Li like a granddaughter. This is nothing. If you refuse, I’ll be punished upon returning."  

Unlike Matron Qian, Steward Lin was courteous and sincere.  

Reluctantly, Yang Hui Niang selected the most modest hairpin from the chest.  

After he left, she brought it to Jiang Li.  

Madam Wei had sent the betrothal gifts weeks earlier—*eighteen* crates in total. No bride in Zhu Fu Street had ever received so many.  

Most families considered *one* or two crates a luxury.  

Yet when Nanny Tong delivered them, she’d apologized—saying Jiang Li deserved *forty-nine*, and they’d make up the difference later.  

Yang Hui Niang had nearly fainted. "No need!"  

---  

Jiang Li spent the next month confined at home, embroidering her wedding dress.  

It wasn’t until the eve of the exams, on the eighth day of the eighth month, that Yang Hui Niang finally allowed her to see Huo Jue.  

Besides the dress, Jiang Li had braided him a "Double Rings of Auspiciousness" cord with gold and blue threads.  

Huo Jue wore a black silk robe trimmed with golden cloud patterns, his fair skin and striking features lending him an air of noble elegance.  

Though they lived next door, the engagement and weeks apart made Jiang Li inexplicably shy. Her gaze stayed lowered, avoiding his.  

"I made you a cord and packed some food for the journey. Mother said A Ling will go with you. If you need anything in the exam hall, just tell him."  

Huo Jue studied her—flustered yet feigning composure—and smiled. "I know. A Ling is my brother now too. I won’t stand on ceremony."  

Jiang Li’s ears burned. She didn’t reply, just handed him the cord and food box.  

A few breaths later, Huo Jue sighed softly.  

"A Li, tell me… why is October so far away?"  

---

Author's Note: Next chapter—the wedding!  

To the little angel who sent me nutrient solutions—thank you! Mwah! ❤️

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