Chapter 92.1: Jing Wan’s Engagement, Hong Yuan’s Godly Assistance

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By the time Jing Wan returned to the Luo Manor, she for the most part had already regained her composure. She didn’t know what exactly Jin Qinwang wanted to do. What she could do was to just do what she should be doing. If anything happens, then just counter at every step. If she can’t, then perhaps she should just wait for defeat.

Jing Wan didn’t speak of her own accord, so Gong mama didn’t inquire either. Even if Jing Wan treated her as an elder, there was still a difference between master and servant after all. In addition, Jing Wan herself was already one with strong opinions to begin with. She worried in her heart, but she also adhered strictly to her place and won’t pry into everything, only repeatedly warning the two accompanying servant girls to tightly guard their mouths and to not mention to anyone, not even a single word. The two servant girls also knew this matter concerned their miss’s reputation, thus repeatedly ensured Gong mama. As for that carriage diver, Gong mama only perfunctorily said a few words. Towards this person, Gong mama simply wasn’t worried at all, because that was the living Enma’s person.

The Chen family’s third branch had reached the capital. This also signified that Jing Wan and Chen Zheng Min’s marriage engagement will be officially brought onto the surface.

The Chen family members came to the Luo Manor for a visit. When Chen Zheng Min’s elders met Jing Wan, they were completely satisfied. Such a young miss was practically outside of their expectations. Chen Zheng Min’s mother even slipped off a bracelet on the spot and slid it onto Jing Wan’s hand.

Afterwards, the entire Luo family, for the most part, all learned of this marriage.

Perhaps Luo Jing Ying had received a definite answer from her father, her father having listened to her proposal, and having gotten what she desired, she thus was in a very good mood. That’s why she was all smiles to everyone she saw. It was the kind of smile that came from the bottom of one’s heart, and not the ‘one in the front and a different one in the back’ kind, and nor was it an abnormal kind either.

Luo Jing Ying had Luo Rong Ping’s financial backing, so from head to toe, everything was all changed to brand new. The brightly colored clothes and accessories that she didn’t like in the past, right now, she loved very much. Those things she extremely loved in the past instantly were abandoned by her like an old shoe. To be this natural, unable to see any reluctance, have to say, certain powers really were unusually strong.

Luo Jing Ying took her servant girl and headed to Elegant Haitang Residence, “This younger sister is here to congratulate third sister.”

Jing Wan had her scanned head to toe. She didn’t have the bashfulness that Luo Jing Ying had imagined, but rather lightly smiled, “Same to you.”

Luo Jing Ying blanked, having a trace of panic. Could it be that their third branch’s plan got known? But thinking again, this simply wasn’t possible. “Third sister sure knows how to joke, what is there to congratulate this younger sister?”

“Third branch collectively harmonious, third uncle treats fourth sister far better than the past, third aunt is also increasingly virtuous and magnanimous, and fourth sister is about to have another younger brother or younger sister again. Are these still not joyous matters?” Jing Wan said slightly puzzled.

Even Luo Jing Ying, who was in a very good mood, had a crack appear on her face. For the third branch to be able to have temporary peace, she understood the reason more than anyone. This was clearly just stabbing where it hurts, such malicious thoughts. Originally, she was thinking, once she attains soaring glory in the future, to let Rui Qinwang lend a hand in promoting this third sister’s husband’s family, but looks like there was completely no need. Too lowly to be brought to the surface. Someone who can’t even seize the opportunity when given, what other use would they still have. Also that bitch, right now has her father shielding, so for the time being, let her run rampant. Once her matter with Rui Qinwang is settled, she can then slowly take care of her along with the demon spawn in her stomach! “Third sister is right, it is indeed a joyous matter.”

Jing Wan nodded with a smile.

Luo Jing Ying came happily and left angrily. Right now, she couldn’t say anything at all. Just wait, there will be a day, where you, Luo Jing Wan, will have to kneel before me and beg!

“Fourth miss is getting increasingly uncouth.” Qing Ju was straightforward and outspoken. After Luo Jing Ying left, she couldn’t help but pout.

“Quickly shut your mouth. Fourth miss’s conduct, is that something you can comment on?” The wet nurse lightly slap Qing Ju once.

Qing Ju wrinkled her nose, no longer opening her mouth. The others all shook their heads, laughing in spite of themselves.

Because the two sides both had the intentions, the following matters naturally progressed smoothly. The Chen family’s third branch had just entered the capital, so they naturally didn’t have enough time to purchase many things. However, the first branch’s side had long made preparations. They didn’t think the third branch would reject this marriage, and in reality, after Chen Zheng Min learned of this matter, he was unable to contain his joy. This was something he never thought of in a million years. The Luo family’s third younger cousin, that kind of young lady, was someone he previously didn’t dare to have delusions about. If in the preliminary rounds of the imperial exam this time, he was to obtain a good rank, then it was still reasonable, but right now………he was practically overjoyed silly!

When going through the gift ceremon[1], they just conformed with the norm. The wild goose used was also just the commonly used wooden craving of a wild goose. Chen Zheng Min rather wanted to go get a live wild goose, just unfortunately, he could only think about it. Luckily, regardless whether it was the Luo family or Jing Wan herself, all didn’t care too much about these. It was sufficient as long as the etiquettes were met. Afterwards was just the swapping of birthdate cards and going through the ‘engagement setting ceremony’[2]. In just a few days’ time, the matter was for the most part smoothly taken care of.

However, because Jing Wan’s coming of age ceremony still needed to wait until next year, and moreover, regardless whether it was Luo Old Madam or Luo Pei Shan, as well as Jing Wan’s parents, they all hoped to keep Jing Wan for two more years. As a result, this wedding date still had at least two years worth of time, perfect for also giving Chen Zheng Min some time to let him more or less attain some achievements, so as to let the Luo family elders be further at ease in handing Jing Wan over to him. He himself also thought this way. A girl like younger cousin needed to be pampered. For him to have nothing won’t do.

By the time these matters were all settled, Luo Old Madam also relaxed. Before, she’d kept feeling unsteady, but looks like she’d thought too much.

Don’t know whether it was intentional or otherwise, but Jing Wan’s engagement was very low-key. Of the three best friends she’s made after entering the capital, probably only Yuan Qiao Qiao learned a bit of something from her mother. After all, this kind of auspicious matter, for it to be known between relatives was something very normal, no? As for the other two, they were completely unaware, especially Sun Yi Jia. Perhaps because she faintly felt that Sun Yi Jia really wanted to let her become her sister-in-law, in these days, Jing Wan even went as far as to one-sidedly cut off relations with Sun Yi Jia. Fortunately, these days, because of the issue brought about by Kang Qinwang, Jin Qinwang, and Sun Yi Lin, the Ding Duke Manor once again found themselves out in the waves. In addition, Sun Yi Jia was about to get married next month, so there were many things they needed to be busy with. Jing Wan kept her in the dark, and she didn’t have a way to come to the Luo Manor either.

Since it was still early, embroidering the dowry and whatnot can come slowly. Thus, Jing Wan went out. It’s about time she went to go see Yuan Qiao Qiao and Zhou Ying Shuang. As for the Ding Duke Manor, afraid it’ll be inconvenient to visit for the time being. What kind of mess the ‘love triangle’ between three men has made in the front court and inner palace, Jing Wan had learned very clearly from her grandfather, Luo Pei Shan.

After Jing Wan heard this news, only one word could describe her feelings——-囧!

(T/N: Imagine the character is the face she made, that’s her mood.)

In her eyes, this matter, nine times out of ten, was all caused by Jin Qinwang. Even if he really lusted after men and women equally, he most likely still wouldn’t have his hands extended towards Sun Yi Lin. The things that he can do, and the things that would be unfavorable to him, there was no reason that someone like him would be unclear. Playing around was one thing, but to do it for real was a completely separate matter. However, Jing Wan kept feeling that he might not necessarily be doing it purely out of mischief. Making a mess out of nothing for amusement was probably just for the sake of covering up his true aim. But she didn’t hear grandfather mentioning any other matter worth paying attention to in court either.

If Jing Wan were to know that Li Hong Yuan’s aim was just to hinder a love rival’s footsteps, and let another love rival successfully get engaged to the girl at the tip of his heart, what kind of expression would she make?

Such a huge ruckus just to help out a love rival? Should say, Jin Qinwang’s thoughts really are unusually weird, not acting according to convention!

[1] The term used here is [纳采礼] which roughly means ‘to accept the selected gifts’. This is one of the procedures in marriage etiquette, and the entire process is specifically, choosing an auspicious date, informing the deceased ancestors, purchasing the ceremonial gifts, delivering it to the bride’s family, and draw up the marriage books.

[2] It’s called [文定] which means ‘setting the documents’ and is a series of procedures in the engagement ceremony. The process includes matching the two side’s eight birthday characters, marriage interview, exchange of goblets, offer the matchmaker wine of thanks, taste soup and offer flowers.

T/N: The amount of historical details in this novel is going to kill me aksjdfkj traditional marriage etiquette in ancient times were complicated as hell. On one hand I’m really happy at all the research and details put into this novel, but on the other hand as the translator I wanna cry. There’s a lot I don’t know so I have to spend time to do research as well so that I can better explain it.