Eight Treasures Trousseau

Chapter 2 "Familial Love"

Glossary

氏 shi: clan/maiden name; used to refer to a woman's original surname after marrying into another family

太太 taitai: married woman, madam

郡王 junwang: prince (of the second rank)

府 fu: compound or estate

[1] 亲王 qinwang: prince of the first rank; also referred to as wang ye (王爷). Title usually accorded to sons of the Emperor.

夫人 furen: mistress or madam/lady; usually refers to the legitimate wife

嫡 di: refers to the legitimate/first wife

[2] 妹妹 meimei: younger sister

[3] 嫂嫂 saosao: older brother's wife

[4] 儿 'er: literally child; added to the end of names to show affection or closeness

Chapter Two: Familial Love

When the matter of Hua Xi Wan's marriage was mentioned, the thoughts of the females in the room were all different, but they all had smiles on their faces. Yao shi did not feel good inside but she smiled prettier than anyone else. "Old Taitai, it is normal to not bear to part with Third Miss as she marries. However, marriage to Xian Junwang is our third miss' good fortune. There are so many people in Jing City admiring our Hua Family."

These recent days, she had people go and listen to the outside. She knew that what the public was discussing was not pleasing to hear. Thinking about those discussions, such as calling this marriage a fresh flower inserted in manure, Yao shi felt great. So what if Hua Xi Wan was beautiful, so what if she was a miss of the marquis fu. In the eyes of other people, she was just a female without any beauty that could not be seen in public and ruined the handsome Xian Junwang.

The old taitai was not very happy when she heard this. In the past, it was due to her family's lack of high status that she had been married to the old marquis as his second wife. Everyone had said that she was fortunate to marry up, but only she knew what the reality was like. However, even if she did not feel good inside, Yao shi was her son's wife, so the old taitai did not let her lose face in public. She smiled faintly and said, "In the future, a harmonious coupling between husband and wife is the greatest good fortune."

Yao shi gave her agreement. She knew that what she had just said was not appropriate, so she closed her mouth and did not speak anymore.

As the subject of discussion, Hua Xi Wan had been holding almond milk tea and eating refreshments in complete silence. Even though, in other people's eyes, this was because she was not talkative and was embarrassed, Lu shi knew that it was due to being lazy. Looking at the rate at which she was eating, it was possibly because she had wanted to sleep in later and had not eaten breakfast.

She pretended to naturally push the pastries near her hand towards Hua Xi Wan. Lu shi said to the old taitai, "Old Taitai, you are right. As an elder, don't we all hope that our juniors will live well?" What junwang, qinwang[1], these titles were useless. They were not as useful as a man that would treat her daughter with his entire heart. Their marquis fu was not a top-tier family in Jing City, but they were not at the point that they needed to rely on the happiness of their daughter in order to maintain the glory of their family.

The old taitai nodded and conversed some more with her juniors. She indicated for Lu shi and her daughter to use the noon meal together, but she did not persist after Lu shi gently rejected it. They exchanged a few more courtesies before Lu shi took Hua Xi Wan and left the home of the third Hua Master.