The Humble Family's Daughter Has A Spatial Pocket!-Chapter 861 - 750, and the Coming of Age Ceremony

The elderly Mrs. Yan had no objections to her third grandson wanting to marry Zhou Jingwan, liking the girl’s straightforward and cheerful nature, finding her just right for her increasingly gloomy grandson.

Once the old lady agreed, Madam Li contacted the go-between to approach the Zhou Family.

Zhou Residence.

When the leading lady of the Zhou Family heard that the Yan Family had come to propose, her heart filled with both excitement and shame.

Seeing Zhou’s aged grandfather welcoming her personally, along with the grateful looks from the other members of the Zhou Family, Madam Li’s previous displeasure from being rejected dissipated.

She had also thought it through carefully; indeed, joining families with the well-acquainted Zhou Family could be a good choice for the current situation of the Yan Family.

The familial relations among the slightly better Beijing families were intricate and complex, and since the Yan Family had recently arrived in Beijing, their understanding of other families was not deep enough. If they chose the wrong family ties, they might get dragged into factional struggles.

Thinking about how both the Dong and Zhou Families had fallen due to their involvement in the Eight Princes Party case, she made up her mind that she’d rather have her children marry late than hastily decide on an inappropriate family.

In gratitude for the Yan Family’s initiative in proposing, the Zhou Family, knowing that Yan Wenkai’s wedding was set for October and that Yan Wentao, as the elder brother, should not marry after his younger brother, took the initiative to simplify the engagement process.

Madam Li thought about her nephew who was no longer young and agreed with a smile, seeing it indeed wasn’t fitting for Wentao to marry after Wenkai.

Though the rituals were simplified, they still needed to complete the six traditional matrimonial procedures; however, the two families agreed to shorten the timeframes.

Madam Li was very efficient, bringing the monks’ calculated auspicious dates from Daci Temple to the Zhou Family on the third day to discuss the betrothal date.

Finally, the day before the second master Zhou had to leave for his official post, Yan Wentao brought the engagement gifts to the Zhou Residence.

Most of the betrothal gifts were prepared by Wentao himself, some were rewards from his official duties, and others purchased with silver shared from the Glass Factory over the years; only a small part was prepared by Madam Li, Yan Zhiyuan, and the Wu Family.

Although the Zhou Family had lost power, Jingwan remained unchanged in his heart, and he was determined to give her the best he could manage!

After inspecting the betrothal gifts, the Zhou Family was very satisfied; they were no inferior to those previously offered by the Peng Family.

Zhou Jingwan personally oversaw the servants storing the betrothal gifts, knowing well that most of them were earned through Wentao’s hard work and could not afford any damage.

After sending off Madam Li, the leading lady of the Zhou Family came to the storeroom and, seeing her daughter carefully comparing the items against a list, did not disturb her. Only after all the betrothal gifts were properly stored did she smile and wave her daughter over.

"Mother!"

As Zhou Jingwan approached, the leading lady took her hand: "The wedding date is set for September. It’s a bit rushed, but fortunately, your dowry has already been well-prepared by the family."

Zhou Jingwan, blushing, looked down without saying a word.

The leading lady patted her daughter’s hand: "They say true feelings are seen in hard times. With Wentao’s care for you, once you marry into the Yan Family, you must dutifully honor your elders."

Zhou Jingwan looked down and murmured, "Mother, I understand."

Seeing the joy between her daughter’s brows, the leading lady thought about the indifferent demeanor Jingwan had maintained throughout the previous engagement to the Peng Family, suddenly feeling a surge of relief.

...

With Yan Wentao’s betrothal, the entire Yan Residence buzzed with activity for several days. Just as they settled down to rest, Daohua realized that in two more days, it would be June.

"What gift should I give Xiao Yeyang for his birthday?"

As Daohua pondered this question, Ping Tong suddenly arrived at Daohua Pavilion: "Miss, the Prince Residence has sent us an invitation, asking us to attend the Little Prince’s coming-of-age ceremony on the first day of June. The Madam asks that you visit the main courtyard."

Hearing this, Daohua, who was lounging on a rattan chair enjoying the cool breeze, sat bolt upright: "An invitation from Prince Ping’s estate?"

Seeing the shock on the face of the eldest young lady, Ping Tong quickly nodded her head; not just the eldest young lady, but even Madam was astounded when she received the invitation.

Daohua fanned herself vigorously with her round fan, and started to theorize about conspiracies when she thought of Xiao Yeyang having almost never returned to Prince Ping’s estate since he came back to Beijing.

Could it be the doing of the Ma Family mother and son?

While contemplating, Daohua made her way toward the main courtyard.

The main courtyard.

Madam Li and Han Xinran were there, with the invitation from Prince Ping’s estate laid out on the table in front of the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.

Upon seeing Daohua’s arrival, Madam Li gestured for her to take a look at the invitation.

After reading the invitation, Daohua frowned slightly.

How could Xiao Yeyang possibly agree to let Madam Ma make arrangements for his coming-of-age ceremony?

But she soon came to terms with it.

Xiao Yeyang was Prince Ping’s legitimate son, and it was both reasonable and appropriate for his coming-of-age ceremony to be held at the Prince Residence. Even if he was reluctant, the Emperor would surely intervene.

Madam Li was somewhat worried. At the previous Dragon Boat Festival banquet, her daughter was unwilling to toast the Princess Consort Ma, who would definitely hold a grudge. Going to the Prince Residence for a banquet, who knows how she might deal with her daughter?

And there was also Prince Ping; it was said that he was against Yeyang marrying her daughter too.

Han Xinran was also concerned. The Little Prince had been coming to their residence every now and then to see the eldest sister, and she could tell that the Little Prince greatly valued her.

But that wasn’t enough!

The backyard was the domain of women, and the Little Prince couldn’t protect the eldest sister all the time.

Princess Consort Ma was by no means a harmless person; her having driven the former Princess Consort away, prompted the Little Prince to leave the Prince Residence to stay at the Imperial Palace, and ultimately being officially instated herself, showed that she was a mastermind with machinations.

If she really wanted to do something in the back yard of the Prince Residence, she could do it without anyone noticing.

Seeing the two women’s brows deeply furrowed, Daohua immediately said with a smile, "Mother, elder sister-in-law, it’s just a birthday banquet. There’s nothing to worry about. Sooner or later a daughter must enter Prince Ping’s estate. As for Princess Consort Ma... On Dragon Boat Festival, the Emperor acknowledged in front of so many people that I do not need to offer her tea, and I’m not afraid if she tries to make things difficult for me."

Madam Li pondered for a moment: "It’s still best to avoid conflict with Princess Consort Ma."

Daohua smiled lightly: "If she doesn’t provoke trouble, I naturally won’t make myself uncomfortable."

In the evening, Xiao Yeyang, accompanied by Yan Wentao and Yan Wenkai, arrived at the Yan Residence. Seeing Daohua, before she even asked, he took the initiative to bring up the matter of his coming-of-age ceremony.

"This is the command of the Emperor Uncle; my coming-of-age ceremony must be held in the Prince Residence no matter what. Don’t worry, the Emperor Uncle knows about my discord with Madam Ma and her son, and he specially assigned the Prince Residence’s chief historian to handle the arrangements. Madam Ma... is only responsible for receiving female guests in the backyard, and if she looks for trouble, you don’t need to be nice to her."

Hearing this, Han Xinran quickly glanced at Xiao Yeyang; she could tell how the bold nature of the eldest sister had come about—it was indulged by this man.

Daohua hummed in response and hesitated for a moment before speaking, "I’m not afraid of Princess Consort Ma, but your father..." Last Dragon Boat Festival, because she was called away by the Emperor, she hadn’t gotten the chance to see Prince Ping, but this time at the Prince Residence, she definitely couldn’t avoid him.

Xiao Yeyang fell silent for a moment: "Don’t worry, if my father wishes to see you, I will accompany you."

Daohua nodded. She wasn’t particularly afraid; even if Prince Ping opposed her marrying Xiao Yeyang, now that the Emperor had already decreed their marriage, he would probably not go too far, out of respect for the Emperor.