Chapter 7: Trouble Over the Betrothal Gifts

After breakfast on the twenty-seventh day of the third month, Su Wan sat beneath the west-room window, sewing the edge of a wedding quilt. Red cloth lay across her knees, its stitches close and even. She worked steadily, neither rushing nor fumbling, as Su Xue quietly opened the door outside once again.

Su Wan did not look up. For days, her sister had gone out every morning and returned before noon. Sometimes she came back smiling and ate half a bowl more at meals. There was no need to ask where she had been.

A little later, Matchmaker Wang’s brisk voice rang out at the gate. “Sister Wang, are you home?”

Madam Wang was sweeping the kitchen. At the sound, she nearly dropped a bowl in her haste to wipe her hands and go out. “I’m here! Come in!”

The matchmaker entered, smiling until the creases in her face deepened. “Their birth dates and hours have been compared.”

Madam Wang hurried to ask, “What did the reader say?”

Matchmaker Wang laid a sheet of red paper on the table. “Excellent news! He says they’re a match made in heaven, well suited to marriage and a household together. The twenty-sixth of the fourth month is an especially auspicious day.”

Madam Wang slapped her thigh in delight. “Good, good, good!”

The matchmaker took a sip of water. “The Huos have prepared the betrothal gifts. They’ll bring them tomorrow, so get ready and don’t leave everything to the last minute.”

“We’ll start preparing right away.” Madam Wang’s eyes crinkled with pleasure. She fetched five copper coins from the cupboard and pressed them into the matchmaker’s hand. “Thank you for all your trips back and forth.”

Matchmaker Wang accepted them with a smile. “It’s my work. Your eldest is a fine girl, and the Huos value her. It reflects well on me to have arranged the match.”

Madam Wang liked hearing that. She asked several more questions about the Huos: when the gifts would arrive, whether she should serve tea, and whether to invite village elders to sit with them. The matchmaker answered each one before leaving.

Still smiling after seeing her off, Madam Wang hurried into the west room. She was even more pleased to find Su Wan embroidering the wedding quilt.

“Wan, have you finished the socks and handkerchiefs I asked you to make a few days ago?”

Su Wan stuck the needle into the cloth, rose, and opened a chest. “I have.”

Everything inside was neatly arranged: the wedding garment on top, with two pairs of new socks, square handkerchiefs, and a small packet of needles and thread beneath. The socks were made of sturdy fine cloth, and simple patterns embroidered along the handkerchiefs’ edges made them modest and practical.

Su Wan handed them over. “Here they are.”

Madam Wang unfolded them and grew more satisfied as she looked. “Very good. When the Huos bring the betrothal gifts tomorrow, we’ll give these in return. We may not be as well-off as they are, but we must observe the proper courtesies.”

“Whatever you think best, Mother.”

Madam Wang put the items away and glanced around the room. “Where’s your sister?”

“I don’t know.”

Her mother’s pleasure faded a little. “She’s out every day lately, and I don’t know where she goes. When there’s work to do, she’s nowhere to be found.”

Su Wan lowered her eyes and spread the quilt over her knees again. Where else would Su Xue go? Xu Family Village, of course. From the way she had been behaving, she had probably already made contact with Xu Xiuzhi.

Did Su Xue know how hard life in the Xu household would be? Xu Xiuzhi’s widowed mother, Madam Qian, was no easy woman to deal with.

…

The next morning, shortly after breakfast, Su Xue changed into a light-colored garment and headed for the gate with a handkerchief. Madam Wang spotted her at once. “Xue, where are you going now?”

Su Xue stopped and glanced about. “Out for a walk.”

“What walk?” Madam Wang thrust a broom into her hands. “The Huos are coming with the betrothal gifts. You’re going nowhere today. Stay and help me clean.”

Su Xue’s face fell. “What does their visit have to do with me?”

“Your sister is getting married. How does that have nothing to do with you? Don’t you live in this house and walk through this courtyard? Sweep, and don’t make me tell you again.”

Su Xue swallowed her anger and muttered an assent. She dragged the broom carelessly across the courtyard, raising enough dust to make Madam Li cough twice.

Madam Li frowned. “Xue, you’re sweeping, not chasing chickens. Slow down.”

Su Xue threw the broom down. “However I do it, it’s wrong. Why don’t you do it yourself?”

Madam Wang leaned out of the kitchen, her face darkening. “Talk back one more time and see what happens!”

Su Xue closed her mouth, but silently added this grievance to Su Wan’s account.

Near the end of the morning watch, a commotion arose outside. Matchmaker Wang led the Huo party through the village. Behind her, people carried two bolts of cloth, pastries wrapped in red paper, and meat and chickens tied with red cord. Most eye-catching of all was the silver wrapped in red paper.

Villagers gathered outside the Su gate. “My, what generous gifts!”

“I hear it’s eight taels!”

“The Su family’s eldest girl is lucky.”

“She deserves it too. She’s hardworking and capable; any family would be fortunate to have her.”

Su Dashan had put on clean clothes for the occasion, and a rare smile lit his face. He opened the courtyard gate wide and welcomed the visitors, scattering a handful of wedding sweets to the children. They swarmed forward amid laughter and cheerful noise.

The Huo party consisted of Huo Chuan and his wife, Madam Guo, accompanied by an uncle from the Huo family. Madam Guo was neatly dressed and took Madam Wang’s hand as soon as she entered. “Sister, our families will be one from now on.”

“Yes, one family,” Madam Wang said, beaming.

Su Wan stayed in the west room rather than joining the gathering. By custom, the bride-to-be should not show herself when betrothal gifts were delivered. But her hearing was keen, and she could make out every word outside. Madam Guo’s voice was cheerful and direct, full of celebration. Su Wan felt reassured. At least for now, the Huos seemed sincere in wanting her as their daughter-in-law.

In the main room, Matchmaker Wang called out the gifts. “Eight taels of betrothal silver, two bolts of cloth, one silver hairpin, six packets of pastries, two chickens, and ten jin of meat.”

With each item, someone outside gave a quiet gasp. Su Xue stood by the door, her face growing darker. The gifts had not been this generous when she married into the Huo family in her previous life. Why were they giving more for Su Wan? Was she herself somehow inferior?

Madam Wang brought out the socks and handkerchiefs she had prepared and handed them to Madam Guo. “Wan made these herself. They aren’t expensive, just a token of her thoughtfulness.”

Madam Guo unfolded them, her eyes lighting up. “Such fine stitches! Wan has skillful hands.” She liked them so much that she tucked them into her clothes at once. “Sister, rest assured: once Wan joins our family, I won’t treat her poorly.”

Madam Wang’s eyes grew warm. “I’m relieved to hear you say that.”

Once the gifts had been presented and tea served, the Huos did not stay long. The visit was only one part of the ceremony, and both families had much to do afterward. Su Dashan personally escorted them outside.

The onlookers lingered, still praising Su Wan. Listening, Su Xue felt a tightness in her chest.

When the Huos had gone some distance, Madam Wang closed the gate and turned to Su Wan. “Take all the gifts into your room and put them away safely.”

Su Wan paused in surprise.

“Your father says you’re to take everything the Huos gave you. We’ll add two taels to make ten. Once you’re married, having money in your hands will give you peace of mind.”

Madam Li smiled. “Your parents want you to have it, Wan. Accept it.”

Su Wan looked at her father. Su Dashan was not good with tender words; he simply nodded. “Keep it.”

Warmth rose in her heart. She did not refuse. “Thank you, Father, Mother.”

At the words “ten taels,” Su Xue’s expression changed. Why should Su Wan, who was already marrying into the Huo family, take so much silver with her?

An idea occurred to her. “Father, Mother, I have happy news too.”

Everyone looked at her. Madam Wang frowned. “What is it now?”

Su Xue straightened, unable to hide her pride. “The Xu family will send a matchmaker to propose in a couple of days.”

The room fell silent. Su Qing stared. “Which Xu family?”

Su Xue lifted her chin. “Scholar Xu Xiuzhi’s family, in Xu Family Village.”

Madam Wang’s happiness vanished. “Xu Xiuzhi?”

Su Dashan frowned too. They had all heard of him. He was gifted at study, but the Xus lived in poverty. His father had died young, leaving his widowed mother to raise him. Madam Qian’s sharp tongue was notorious throughout the neighboring villages. Xiuzhi’s studies cost money, and he was proud and did no productive work; the family’s resources had long since been drained.

“No,” Madam Wang said at once.

Su Xue’s face changed. “Why not? Xiuzhi is a scholar. Even his teacher says he has the talent to come first in the highest examination. He’s certain to succeed.”

Madam Wang gave an angry laugh. “Does he become the top scholar just because you say so? There are plenty of scholars. How many ever pass? The Xus are so poor—what would you eat and drink if you married him?”

“You can’t look only at the present, Mother! Xiuzhi will become a high official. If I marry him now and share his hardships, he’ll remember my kindness when he succeeds.”

Sitting nearby, Su Wan nearly laughed. Remember kindness? Xu Xiuzhi was far better at remembering grudges. Su Xue still thought she had found a treasure.

Madam Wang was about to scold her again when Su Xue turned to Su Wan. “Sister.”

Su Wan raised her eyes.

Biting her lip, Su Xue softened her voice. “You’re going to marry into the Huo family. They have money, so you’ll never lack spending money. Lend me those ten taels.”

Madam Wang stared. Su Dashan’s face darkened, but Su Xue grew more confident as she spoke. “The Xus are struggling now, but we can’t look only at the present. When my Xiuzhi passes his exams, he’ll remember your kindness and repay you.”

Su Wan was so angry she laughed. “You have some nerve.”

Su Xue stiffened. Su Wan’s voice was quiet but unmistakably clear. “The Huos gave those betrothal gifts to me. Father and Mother added their silver out of love for their daughter. What gives you the right to ask to borrow all of it?”

“I’m your own sister!”

“Does being my sister entitle you to eye my betrothal gifts and take my money to support a man? You aren’t even engaged, and already you’re putting his family before ours. If you do marry him, will you empty our house for him too?”

Su Xue went white. Su Wan looked at her and spoke each word distinctly. “If you want to marry Xu Xiuzhi, you may. If you want to share his hardships, you may. But keep your hands off what’s mine.”

Su Xue’s eyes filled at once. She turned to Madam Wang. “Mother, look at her! She can’t bear to see me happy. It’s not as though we won’t pay her back.”

This time Madam Wang slapped the table. “Listen to me, Su Xue. Your sister’s betrothal gifts belong to her. Don’t even think about them.”

Su Xue stared at her, unable to believe that the mother who had always favored her could say such a thing.

Madam Wang met her gaze grimly. “And I don’t agree to the match with the Xus.”

Tears spilled down Su Xue’s face, but she held her head high. “I’m marrying him anyway.”