Chapter Thirty-Five: Signing the Marriage Contract

The two of them went to a restaurant on the street for a meal. The dishes had barely been served when Xiuzhu came in to report that the shelter hastily erected for the refugees had collapsed and that several people had been injured.

Lu Xuanheng frowned. “The temporary shelter was not sturdy to begin with, and the winds have been unusually strong these past two days... Never mind. I will not return to the residence tonight. After dinner, I will go straight back to the military camp and take men with me to reinforce the shelter through the night. Xiuzhu, return to the residence and pack a few changes of clothes.”

Hearing how busy he was, Jiang You’an felt strangely reassured. She took the initiative to serve him some food. “Then eat quickly. You have to set off as soon as you’re done.”

By the time they finished eating, Xiuzhu had also returned from the Lu residence.

After leaving the restaurant, Lu Xuanheng said to Jiang You’an, “I’m going directly to the military camp west of the city. You should return to the residence.”

Jiang You’an agreed and was just about to get into the carriage when she heard Xiuzhu say to Lu Xuanheng, “Young Master, First Madam says that tomorrow is your birthday. She wants you to find time to come home so the family can celebrate it with you.”

Jiang You’an’s heart gave a jolt. Why did it have to be tomorrow?

She nervously glanced at Lu Xuanheng. He waved a hand. “What is there to celebrate? Forget it.”

“But Madam said that you were on the battlefield last year and did not properly celebrate your birthday. This year, you must celebrate it. At the very least, you should have a bowl of longevity noodles.”

Lu Xuanheng fell silent, as though he were hesitating.

Seeing this, Jiang You’an spoke up. “If you find it troublesome and don’t want to come back, I could cook some dishes tomorrow and take them to you.”

Lu Xuanheng looked at her, the corners of his lips barely managing to stay still. “You?”

Jiang You’an pressed her lips together. “If you don’t want me to take them, I can send someone else.”

Lu Xuanheng gave a soft laugh. “I mean, can you cook?”

“I can make simple dishes. I could cook you a bowl of birthday porridge. Whenever I celebrated my birthday, my mother would prepare it for me. If that won’t do...”

“Fine. Just don’t poison it.” Lu Xuanheng was clearly pleased as he mounted his horse. “Then I’ll wait for you tomorrow.”

Jiang You’an nodded vigorously. She watched him ride away, her heart finally easing a little, then climbed into the carriage and returned to the Lu residence.

That night, Jiang You’an tossed and turned restlessly. She did not fall into a fitful sleep until the fifth watch. At dawn, she woke again and eagerly got up to dress and make herself presentable.

As soon as she had eaten breakfast, she sent Qiulan to wait in the front courtyard and see whether Madam Su had arrived.

All morning, Jiang You’an stood beneath the eaves, craning her neck in anticipation. Yet even after noon passed, Madam Su still had not come.

Jiang You’an’s heart was in turmoil. When Qiulan brought her lunch, she had no appetite at all.

“Could the Su family have changed their minds?”

“That can’t be.” Qiulan sat beside her and comforted her. “Young Master Su said yesterday that Madam Su would come today. Don’t be anxious, Miss. There’s still half a day left. Let’s wait a little longer.”

Jiang You’an did not even close her eyes once. She endured until the afternoon, but still no one came. So anxious that she was nearly ready to go to the Su residence herself, she was at her wit’s end when Qiulan suddenly ran into the room, overjoyed.

“Miss, they’re here! Madam Su has brought the betrothal gifts!”

Jiang You’an was instantly delighted. She hurried to the dressing table to tidy her appearance. Sure enough, it was not long before Nanny Wang, who served beside Madam Zhao, arrived.

“Cousin Miss, congratulations on your great good fortune! The Marchioness of Yong’an has come to present the betrothal gifts. Hurry over and sign the marriage contract so that we can all set our minds at ease.”

Ignoring the sarcasm in her words, Jiang You’an went to the front hall with a radiant smile.

The Elder Madam Lu and Madam Zhao were both there, while Madam Su sat in the guest seat with a smile on her face.

Jiang You’an stepped forward and offered her greetings.

After exchanging a few polite words, the Elder Madam Lu said, “They say that marriages are arranged by one’s parents and the matchmaker. This child lost her parents at a young age and has been raised here at the Lu residence. She is no different from my own granddaughter, so I may as well make the decision for her in this marriage.”

She turned to Jiang You’an. “You’an, the Yong’an Marquis’s household has come today with sincere intentions of taking you as their bride. If you are willing, sign the marriage contract.”

Jiang You’an smiled faintly. “Young Master Su is handsome and accomplished, and can certainly be called an excellent match. You’an is willing.”

Under Madam Su’s watchful gaze, she stepped forward, signed the marriage contract, and pressed her fingerprint onto it.

With that, the marriage was finally settled.

Jiang You’an’s heart at last came to rest.

Madam Su beamed. “Now that this marriage has been arranged, it is truly cause for celebration. You’an is gentle, virtuous, and lovely, and I took a liking to her long ago. Once she joins our household, I will certainly treat her as my own daughter.”

The elders continued chatting and laughing for a while before Madam Su took her leave.

Perfectly content, Jiang You’an returned to her room in high spirits.

Meanwhile, Madam Zhao looked at the marriage contract and sneered. “She really did manage to climb onto such a lofty branch.”

Nanny Wang curled her lips. “The Su family is certainly generous. They have sent quite a substantial betrothal gift. And weren’t they saying before that Jiang You’an was being married over there to bring Young Master Su Mingxiu good fortune and drive away his bad luck? They are not mentioning that anymore. Everything is arranged according to the highest standards.”

“The Su family values her so highly that they are willing to grant her such honor. Hah, she truly has a blessed fate.”

“The Eldest Young Master is still at the military camp. He does not know about this yet.”

“It will be too late even when he finds out. The marriage has already been settled.” Madam Zhao sighed. “Fortunately, he is not at the residence today. Otherwise, who knows what sort of trouble he might have caused?”

...

At the same time, in the military camp outside the western city gate, Lu Xuanheng had just finished setting up a porridge shelter for the refugees. Covered in dust, he returned to his tent.

“Has she still not come?”

Xiuzhu shook his head. “No. It is already dark, and the city gates will be closed soon. It seems the Cousin Miss will not be coming today.”

Lu Xuanheng frowned and instructed him, “Go and tell the guards at the city gate that if she comes out of the city, they are to let her through.”

Xiuzhu acknowledged the order.

After Lu Xuanheng finished his meal and washed up, the tenth hour of the night had already passed, yet Jiang You’an still had not arrived.

“Young Master, it is already so late. The Cousin Miss certainly will not be coming. You should return and rest early.”

Lu Xuanheng raised his head and glanced at the pitch-black sky. His expression was dark as he said, “Wait a little longer.”

Only after the night watchman called out that the third watch had passed, with Xiuzhu yawning repeatedly beside him, did Lu Xuanheng finally say with a grim expression, “I truly thought she cared.”

He gave a cold snort and returned to his tent.

For the next two days, Lu Xuanheng remained occupied with settling the refugees, distributing porridge, and handing out medicine. He was so busy that he could not leave the camp and had no idea what had happened at home.

That day, an official was leaving through the western city gate. Passing by the military camp, he came over to greet Lu Xuanheng and offer his congratulations.

Lu Xuanheng looked puzzled. “What is there to congratulate me for?”

The official said, “It seems General Lu is devoted entirely to serving the people and is so occupied with official business that he has not yet heard the good news from home. Your family has become related by marriage to the Yong’an Marquis’s household!”

Lu Xuanheng stared blankly. “I truly had no idea. Is it the marriage of my third younger sister?”

“That... I am not certain either. I only overheard Madam mention that it was one of the young ladies in your household.” Seeing that he genuinely knew nothing, the official found it rather strange and teased him with a laugh. “Did you not hear even the slightest hint beforehand, General? Then you have certainly been a most negligent elder brother.”

“I have indeed been too busy and have neglected household affairs.”

After seeing the official off, Lu Xuanheng turned to Xiuzhu and asked, “Has Yun Yao’s marriage been settled?”

Xiuzhu scratched his head. “It should have been.”

An indescribable feeling arose in Lu Xuanheng’s heart, but he paid it no mind. He went first to the porridge shelter to arrange food for the refugees.

While he was busy there, the Nanhua Commandery Princess arrived.