Not long after, the main room of the fifth branch buzzed with hushed anticipation as its members gathered. At the head seat sat the Fifth Old Man and Fifth Old Lady, the latter’s arm still wrapped in the gauze —a testament to her recent, significant contribution to acquiring the hundred taels for the branch . This time, instead of her husband’s usual scolding, she received a rare nod of approval.
To their right sat the impatient Shang Yuding, his habitually submissive wife, Lady Guo, and the as-yet-unmarried Shang Qiniang, who kept her head bowed, avoiding all gazes. On the left, Shang Yu’an and his wife, Lady Ni, showed no particular expression, though Wulang’s wife deliberately cradled her not-yet-visibly-pregnant belly, a subtle display of pride for all to see.
Once everyone was settled, the Fifth Old Lady broke the silence. “Wulang, speak your mind quickly. The whole family is waiting for you here .”
At her prompting, Shang Wulang turned an excited gaze upon Shang Qiniang before declaring, “Seventh Sister is truly blessed! Your marriage is soon to be settled!”
A ripple of shock passed through the room hearing this . Shang Yuding and Lady Guo, Qiniang’s parents, stared at their nephew in disbelief. Shang Yuding silently wondered if his nephew could truly be so benevolent as to concern himself with his daughter’s fate, while Lady Guo’s heart stirred with a fragile hope—could it be that Heaven had finally taken pity on them, offering a lifeline for her ?
Wulang’s wife, however, subtly frowned, a flicker of displeasure crossing her face at her husband’s apparent favoritism towards his cousin. Yet, surrounded by elders, she merely hid her disdain behind a handkerchief, fanning herself with agitated movements.
Shang Qiniang, the quiet recipient of this unexpected announcement, bore the name Qingwu—”Clear Mist”—a name as delicate and transient as the morning haze, hinting at her humble origins. The struggling fifth branch could offer her neither fine silks nor dazzling ornaments, and her maternal family, the Guos, were even more impoverished. Yet despite her faded garments and simple hairpin, Qiniang’s beauty was nothing short of stunning. Her elegant figure and natural grace made her a vision—one that no wealth or adornment could improve upon.
Upon hearing Shang Wulang’s words, she lowered her head shyly, though her eyes betrayed a tumultuous mix of excitement and apprehension. A chance to escape this stifling household at last! But where would she end up? Her emotions swirled in a complex eddy.
Amidst the stunned silence, the Fifth Old Man was the first to speak, his voice laced with eagerness. “Wulang, who are you talking about?” The specifics of the family hardly mattered; what truly concerned him was the size of the dowry they would give . That crimsion dew was a fine luxury, and he desperately needed funds for another box. A substantial betrothal gift at this time would be a joyous occasion indeed.
With a touch of pride, Shang Wulang announced, “King Min’s Mansion!”
“What? Min’s Mannison?” A collective gasp filled the room, and every eye gleamed with avarice. The daughters of the third and fifth branches had always married into ordinary families—merchants, minor gentry, or those from distant towns. Apart from Eldest Lady Shang, who had married into Prince Fu’s Mansion, their cousins were like mere specks of dust compared to her celestial glow. Could such a profound reversal of fortune truly befall on their fifth branch?
A flurry of questions erupted. “Is it for the heir ? Or one of the King’s other sons? Will she be a concubine? Or what? How much is the betrothal gift? When will the decision be made?”
Even Shang Qiniang’s eyes widened with surprise. She truly hadn’t dared to dream of such luck. A few years ago, she had accompanied Madam Wei to Prince Fu’s Mansion and had witnessed the opulent life her eldest cousin now enjoyed. The thought of living such a life brought a surge of desperate hope with in her . For which she would pay any price.
“Alright, alright, let me speak first, won’t you? How can I answer when you all speak at once?” Shang Wulang, though brimming with pride, managed to suppress his bubbling ecstasy. He continued, “He is not the di son , nor is he a shu son . If Seventh Sister can seize this opportunity, she will marry the true King Min himself! She will be the prince’s official tongfang. Isn’t that far better than those insignificant matches?”
“His Highness ?” Shang Yuding finally spoke, his voice slurred but his concern for his daughter evident. “But didn’t King Min just assume his title recently? He’s several years older than even me!”
At his words, Lady Guo burst into tears. Fearful of her husband’s volatile temper, she rarely dared to speak freely. But now, the thought of her daughter marrying a man old enough to be her grandfather was unbearable for any mother. Moreover, though she knew little of the inner workings of King Min’s palace, she had never heard of Wangfei Min’s death. This meant her daughter would still be a concubine, a fact Lady Guo found even more intolerable than marrying an old man.
Shang Qiniang herself seemed paralyzed by fright hearing this news , not uttering a sound. It seemed Heaven still refused to favor their household. Tears silently streamed down her cheeks, her hopes dashed.
Wulang’s wife, seeing the mother and daughter in tears and sensing an opportunity to align herself with her husband, rushed forward to offer comfort. “Second Aunt, Seventh Sister, please don’t cry. Since Wulang says it’s a good match, let’s hear him out.”
A cold glint flashed in Shang Yuding’s perpetually wine- and money-filled eyes. He snapped at Wulang’s wife, “I’d advise you to worry about your own husband’s prospects, rather than meddling in our fifth branch’s affairs!”
Wulang’s wife, publicly rebuked by her elder, flushed crimson. Despite her indignation, he was an elder, and she could only retreat to her seat, furiously twisting her handkerchief to vent her anger. Shang Wulang, seeing his wife’s humiliation, felt a surge of protectiveness and addressed Shang Yuding. “Second Uncle, please don’t worry. The best part is yet to come. My wife means well; don’t be offended.” He glanced at his wife, and her eyes, in turn, `
were filled with affection for him. Alas, their tender exchange was utterly overshadowed by the gravity of Qiniang’s potential marriage.
The Fifth Old Lady was the first to break the tense silence, a flicker of concern for her granddaughter evident in her eyes. Frowning, she asked, “Wulang, don’t be so secretive. Tell us quickly. How can this still be a good marriage?”
“Grandma,” Shang Wulang began, a theatrical pause for effect, “do you know what the bride price will be for this noble concubine from the Min Palace?”
The Fifth Old Lady shook her head, and the others, too, looked on in bewilderment.
“Ten thousand taels,” Shang Wulang declared, his voice ringing with triumph. “Exactly ten thousand taels.”
A collective gasp echoed through the room.