The Main Hall of the Fu Gui Courtyard.
This room wasn’t particularly large, yet every corner exuded an air of opulence and grandeur.
The rosewood furniture was intricately carved with elaborate patterns of flowers and birds. Arranged atop were various precious items—a Ru kiln porcelain vase, Hetian jade ornaments, and several bronze artifacts that were clearly antiques from a previous dynasty. They were displayed with careful balance, never cluttered.
On the walls hung several paintings and calligraphy pieces. Though not masterpieces by famous artists, they were the works of well-known literati of the time, depicting the misty, rain-soaked scenery of the Jiangnan water towns—small bridges arching over flowing streams. The soft, ethereal atmosphere of the paintings complemented the rich elegance filling the room.
But the most eye-catching was the Eight Immortals table.
Its surface was crafted from a single slab of huanghuali wood, the grain flowing like drifting clouds and running water. The four legs were carved into vivid beast heads, lifelike and full of character.
On the table sat a set of celadon tea ware.
The fragrance of tea curled gently in the air.
Mixed with the warmth from the high-quality silver silk charcoal burning in the brazier at the center of the room, the atmosphere was cozy and inviting—without a wisp of smoke to spoil the air. Beside the brazier, a small copper kettle simmered quietly, its spout releasing faint wisps of steam accompanied by a soft, delicate sound.
At this moment, in the seat of honor in the main hall, sat a portly elderly man.
He wore a seemingly plain, stone-blue robe, but the fabric was the finest Hangluo silk, tightly woven with exquisite stitching. The collar and cuffs were embroidered with subtle patterns, invisible unless closely examined.
His face was round and full, with a healthy rosy complexion. His eyes were small but sparkling, and when he smiled, they narrowed into two crescent moons.
This man was none other than Zhou Youfu, Pei Cijing’s maternal grandfather.
Flanking Zhou Youfu were Pei Fugui and the Zhou couple.
Today, Pei Fugui was dressed in a brand-new sapphire blue brocade robe. His belly looked even rounder than usual, and he listened to his father-in-law with a beaming smile, nodding and chiming in every now and then, the flesh on his face quivering with each laugh.
Mrs. Zhou sat beside her mother, wearing a lotus-colored jacket. Her hair was adorned with several hairpins and rings of red gold set with jewels, adding a layer of solemnity to her already dignified presence.
Her eyes were full of warmth and laughter today. She looked at her father with a mixture of respect and affection, occasionally reaching out to refill his tea with gentle, natural movements.
Seated at the lower end was a middle-aged man.
He was around forty, his skin tanned and weathered from years of outdoor toil. Dressed in a sleek black outfit, the style was sharp and neat without a trace of slackness. His sturdy physique stood out amid the rounder figures around him, creating a striking contrast.
The people in the hall were sharing some amusing story, and laughter rang out in hearty bursts.
The atmosphere was harmonious and warm.
Zhou Youfu set down his teacup, looking at his daughter and son-in-law’s loving demeanor with a deep sense of satisfaction.
This trip to the capital was not a spur-of-the-moment decision.
In fact, long before Pei Cijing’s wedding day, he had planned to bring generous gifts to celebrate.
He had been so delighted that he spent several sleepless nights tossing and turning, pondering over what to present—after all, Pei Cijing had always been a beloved child, and now that he was married, Zhou Youfu, as the grandfather, naturally could not be careless.
The silverware and gold vessels had to be prepared, the estate’s shops needed stocking, and some long-stashed heirlooms had to be dug out from the bottom of the trunks...
The wedding gift list was revised again and again, additions made repeatedly—he still felt it wasn’t enough.
That list alone was rewritten seven or eight times in total, driving the family accountant nearly to his wit’s end.
Yet—
The marriage plans took an unexpected turn.
When he received a letter from his daughter, he was just having his luggage packed.
Preparing to set off.
The courier galloped swiftly to the manor. He had thought the letter was a reminder from his daughter not to miss the date—after all, if he left too late, he’d miss the wedding feast. Smiling, he even rewarded the messenger with some silver.
He opened the letter.
The message was vague, only saying that there had been some complications with the marriage. In short, the final outcome was that his grandson’s engagement to the second Miss Shen was called off. The second Miss Shen had become a concubine to the Crown Prince, Pei Ciling, while the elder Miss Shen had voluntarily proposed a swap of engagements and was to marry Ci Jing.
Zhou Youfu read the letter.
He fell silent for a long moment.
Clutching those few sheets of paper, he read them over and over three times, making sure he hadn’t misread a single word and confirming the truth of what was written.
Though the letter didn’t say it outright,
he could still taste the subtle nuances.
Having lived most of his life, he could guess some of the twists and turns hidden beneath the surface.
He put down the letter and paced back and forth in the room before letting out a long sigh.
What on earth was going on!
He didn’t know whether to feel sorry for his grandson—such a promising match, now so unsettled—or to say his grandson was lucky after all. After all, the original fiancée, the second Miss Shen, was only a concubine’s daughter, while the elder Miss Shen was the legitimate daughter.
He’d also heard of her reputation—well-educated, gentle, virtuous, a renowned talent in the capital.
Thinking it over,
it ought to be a good thing.
He immediately changed his plans and decided not to rush to the capital.
Firstly, both families had hurried the wedding date to cover up the scandal, and by the time the letter arrived, the wedding banquet had been over for three days.
Secondly, he thought, since it was too late to catch the celebrations anyway, he might as well wait until the end of the year and go to the capital then—to spend a reunion New Year with his daughter and son-in-law, whom he hadn’t seen for many years, in a warm, lively gathering.
Most importantly!
The wedding gifts needed to be prepared anew.
The gifts he had originally prepared were for the second Miss Shen. Now that the bride had changed to the elder Miss Shen, who was the legitimate daughter, the gifts on his side had to be upgraded accordingly.
He couldn’t let his grandson lose face in front of his new bride!
Zhou Youfu lifted his teacup and took a sip, his gaze falling on the dozen or so trunks neatly stacked in the courtyard.
The lids were half-open,
revealing their contents.
Boxes made of golden-threaded nanmu wood held sets of pure gold bridal headpieces; rosewood cases contained exquisite Hetian jade bracelets and jadeite thumb rings; and several large trunks were filled with various silks—Shu brocade, cloud brocade, floral-patterned satin—arranged neatly in vibrant colors.
These gifts alone were already quite substantial.
But Zhou Youfu’s eyes left the trunks, his mind still quietly pondering.
These things,
to the refined families of the capital,
might seem a bit tacky.
But the Zhou family were merchants, and their family heritage was still somewhat lacking. The only things they could proudly offer were these yellow and white jade pieces.
He just hoped his granddaughter-in-law wouldn’t mind.
As he was lost in thought, he heard his daughter mention that some time ago, there had been a major incident at the palace banquet. Shen Ninghuan, his granddaughter-in-law, was honored with a sixth-rank official’s decree by the emperor for her meritorious warning.
Upon hearing this,
Zhou Youfu’s eyes brightened noticeably.
A sixth-rank decree!
This was a legitimate imperial appointment!
He had long heard that Pei Cijing was preparing for the imperial examination, yet his grandson hadn’t achieved any official rank yet, while his granddaughter-in-law had already been granted a decree.
This young lady was truly extraordinary!
Zhou Youfu’s heart was filled with both joy and worry—joy that his grandson had married such a capable woman, but worry that the matter had arisen so suddenly and that the gift he had prepared might not be sufficient.
He should prepare an extra gift!
He silently calculated that when he met his granddaughter-in-law later, he must carefully observe her demeanor. If she truly was an exceptional person, he would send another batch of goods from Jiangnan as an additional congratulatory gift in the future.
Just as he was thinking—
“They’re here! The Second Young Master and Second Young Mistress have arrived!”
Outside the door came the clear voice of a young maid, tinged with excitement and joy.
Zhou Youfu lifted his eyes.
He saw a perfect couple hand in hand, hurrying across the courtyard scattered with chests and crates, heading toward the main hall. The afternoon sunlight bathed them, casting a soft golden edge around their figures.
Leading the way was his grandson, Pei Cijing.
He wore a robe of deep stone-blue brocade.
A jade belt cinched his waist, his hair neatly tied up with a white jade hairpin. His figure was tall and upright, his face handsome and refined. His brows and eyes held a hint of laziness but also the unique vitality of youth.
Zhou Youfu watched with a heart full of joy.
The boy had grown taller and more mature since the last time they met. The traces of childishness around his brows had faded, replaced by the heroic air of a young man.
Half a step behind him followed a young woman.
She wore a lotus-colored jacket over a pale moon-white skirt, her hair elegantly pinned up with a delicate gold and phoenix hairpin. The craftsmanship was exquisite, clearly no ordinary piece, yet worn so modestly that it only enhanced her graceful and refined aura.
Her walk was graceful, neither hurried nor slow. The hem of her skirt swayed gently without making a sound, like a cloud drifting softly by.
As she drew closer,
Zhou Youfu clearly saw her face.
Her eyebrows were willow-shaped, her eyes almond-like, her nose slender and elegant, and her lips naturally tinted with a faint blush. Her skin was fairer than snow, glowing with a radiant luster in the sunlight. Her entire presence was gentle and composed, neither humble nor arrogant—a demeanor befitting a lady from a prestigious family.
Zhou Youfu nodded silently to himself.
No wonder she was the legitimate daughter of the Shen family; her bearing was truly incomparable to ordinary households.
Having traveled far and wide over the years and met countless people, he could count on one hand those who matched the presence of the woman before him.
As he thought this, his gaze fell upon their clasped hands—his grandson holding his granddaughter-in-law’s hand, walking boldly forward without a hint of hesitation.
The way they held hands—
So natural.
As if they had done it a thousand times before.
Two people walking side by side—one carefree and unrestrained, the other gentle and composed—yet somehow, they looked perfectly matched.
A wider smile curved at the corners of Zhou Youfu’s mouth.
This child.
Truly blessed with good fortune.
When he was a baby, during the traditional “Zhua Zhou” ceremony, there were all sorts of items on the table, but he refused to reach for anything except the large golden ingot the elder had placed there. He grasped it tightly, refusing to let go no matter how much they tried to pull it away.
Zhou Youfu had laughed heartily at the time, saying, “This child has an eye for value and is destined for great fortune.”
Now, looking back, it was indeed true.
Pei Cijing held Shen Ninghuan’s hand as they stepped into the main hall, and his eyes immediately found his grandfather sitting in the place of honor.
That round figure, those smiling eyes, that kindly face—just as he remembered. Not much had changed over the years, except that the white hairs at his temples had grown more abundant, and the wrinkles on his face had deepened.
He hurried forward with quick steps, bowing respectfully, “Grandfather, you’re here!”
His voice carried a hint of joy.
A touch of closeness.
Zhou Youfu smiled warmly, nodding as his gaze swept over Pei Cijing, then settled on Shen Ninghuan. His look was scrutinizing, but more than anything, it was full of affection and hope.
Pei Cijing understood immediately. He stepped aside, letting Shen Ninghuan come forward, and spoke clearly, “Grandfather, this is your grandson’s wife, Shen Ninghuan.”
He paused for a moment, then turned his head to look at Shen Ninghuan. His eyes held a mixture of pride, tenderness, and a bit of showmanship.
It was as if he was saying, “Grandfather, look, isn’t my wife beautiful?”
Shen Ninghuan stepped forward gracefully, bowing slightly with poise and calm.
“Grandfather, my deepest respects.”
Her voice was clear and gentle, each word distinct and confident—neither humble nor overbearing, just perfectly measured.
Zhou Youfu looked at her and quickly reached out to steady her, saying, “Please, no need for formalities among family.”
At the same time, he took the opportunity to appraise Shen Ninghuan from head to toe.
The more he looked, the more satisfied he became.
This young lady was truly flawless—her appearance, her bearing, her manners—all top-notch. What was rare was her composure: neither looking down on them because they were merchants, nor flattering him just because he was an elder.
Such a young lady was an absolute perfect match for his grandson.
Zhou Youfu’s eyes twinkled as he looked at the two of them. From inside his sleeve, he pulled out a thick red booklet with a cover embossed in gold.
He handed it over with both hands.
The cover bore four bold characters, “A Match Made in Heaven,” written in gold dust with powerful strokes—clearly the work of a renowned calligrapher.
“Cijing, Ninghuan,” he said solemnly, his voice gentle with the warmth of a loving elder, “Though this gift comes late, your grandfather is still here to bless you both—wishing you a happy marriage and a lifetime of togetherness.”
The booklet shimmered faintly in the sunlight.
Just looking at it, one could tell it carried great significance.
Shen Ninghuan was momentarily taken aback and hurried to decline, “Grandfather, how can this be? You’ve come such a long way already—”
Before she could finish, Pei Cijing interrupted with a cheerful grin and took over, “My dear wife! When a senior bestows a gift, it cannot be refused.”
He looked at Shen Ninghuan, blinking his eyes with a mix of mischief and sincerity in his tone. “Wife, we’re family after all, no need to be so formal. Just accept it, or else your grandfather will be upset.”
With that, he turned around, grinning as he took the gift list from Zhou Youfu’s hands. Holding it respectfully with both hands, he presented it to Shen Ninghuan. “Wife, please accept it.”
His eager demeanor was so earnest that Madam Zhou couldn’t help but roll her eyes beside them, though she said nothing.
Shen Ninghuan watched him like this and couldn’t help but curve her lips into a faint smile.
This guy, really!
She shot Pei Cijing a glance, her eyes laced with a hint of playful reproach.
Then, she turned around and solemnly bowed to Zhou Youfu. “Thank you, Grandfather, for your generous gift. Your granddaughter-in-law feels deeply honored to accept it.”
Pei Cijing also bowed and said, “Grandfather, I won’t be polite with you!”
Zhou Youfu smiled as he watched Shen Ninghuan accept the gift list, stroking his beard. His gaze then shifted to Pei Cijing, teasing in his tone, “When have you ever been polite to me?”
Pei Cijing scratched his head.
He chuckled awkwardly twice.
Though his expression seemed a little embarrassed, there was nothing polite about it at all. They were all close family, sincere with one another—there was no need for excessive formality.
He didn’t reply.
Instead, his gaze shifted downward to a dark-skinned middle-aged man who was sipping tea. Catching Pei Cijing’s eyes, the man looked up.
Their eyes met in the air.
Pei Cijing frowned slightly as he studied the man’s face.
That face…
Why did it look so familiar?
Thick eyebrows, big eyes, a straight nose, and well-defined features—there was a vague but unmistakable resemblance. Yet the strong build and dark skin didn’t match the image in his memory at all.
Pei Cijing opened his mouth, wanting to greet him, but the words caught in his throat.
What should he call him?
Brother Zhou?
Uncle Zhou?
Or… if he called him the wrong thing, it would be awkward!
His gaze circled the man’s face several times, growing more familiar with every look, yet he just couldn’t place where he’d seen him before. The facial features, the expression between the brows and eyes—it was clearly someone he knew, but he couldn’t quite connect the dots.
Lost in thought, he suddenly felt a sharp slap on his back.
“Smack!”
Not hard, but crisp and clear.
Pei Cijing jolted and instinctively turned around—Madam Zhou was standing behind him, her hand withdrawn, wearing a look of mild annoyance.
The slap didn’t hurt.
But it hit just right, snapping him back to attention.
“What are you standing there dazed for?” Madam Zhou said impatiently, half amused. “Hurry up and call him! You don’t even recognize your third uncle?”
Third uncle?
Pei Cijing’s eyes widened in disbelief as he turned back to look at the dark-skinned middle-aged man again.
Third Uncle Zhou Dahe?
That chubby, always-smiling third uncle?
“Th-Third uncle?” Pei Cijing’s voice carried a mix of uncertainty and shock. “W-Why do you look like this now?”
Zhou Dahe set down his teacup, wearing a look of helplessness.
What’s the matter?
It had only been a few years, yet none of them recognized him anymore...
He lifted his eyes to Pei Cijing, the corner of his mouth twitching into a half-smile, half-smirk. His darkened face was etched with helplessness.
