The Red Mansion in its bustling glory

Chapter 37: Appeal to the Temple

In fact, there are many flaws in this statement:

Let's just talk about the simplest point—why didn't Madam ask Sister Liu's daughter, Liu Wu'er, to come directly to Jia Jue's room, instead of trying to separate Xiren and Baoyu, the master and servant?

The servants in the Jia household were all very shrewd. Even though Wang Xifeng had made such arrangements, some gossip still circulated. However, I won't go into any more detail.

Let's talk about Liu Wu'er. She is the daughter of Liu Saozi in the kitchen. She is also pretty and charming, but she is born with a weak constitution. Her temperament and appearance are no less than those of the top maids in the Jia family, such as Xiren, Qingwen, Yuanyang, and Ping'er.

But let's return to the point. The strange atmosphere in his courtyard now is because everyone knows that Xiren's visit must have a reason, far more complex than what Wang Xifeng said. However, the exact reason is a matter of much speculation.

Jia Jue nodded to Xiren and said, "Then I'll have to trouble you in the future, sister."

Xiren said, "I dare not accept the title of 'elder sister,' I have only done my best to serve the Second Master."

Jia Jue smiled and said, "Why do you seem so reserved, sister, after just a few days?"

Xi Ren didn't answer, but quietly pursed her lips.

Seeing this, Jia Jue could only say, "Since Sister Xiren has come to our courtyard, she is one of us. Don't let me find out that anyone is doing anything shady."

Musk Moon chuckled from the side, "Of course we know that."

Qingwen curled her lip, thinking to herself, "What do you mean 'we're one of us'? We don't even know why we're in this courtyard. Maybe we were kicked out by Jia Baoyu?"

However, these words were only in his mind; he never actually uttered them.

Looking at Qingwen's expression, Jia Jue had already guessed most of what was going on—this was actually within his expectations, knowing that Qingwen could not accept Xiren's existence so quickly.

However, this is not a problem. As long as Qingwen can feel that Xiren is wholeheartedly for Jia Jue's sake, they can naturally become friends.

Jia Jue then said, "You all go ahead and get busy. Sister Xiren, please stay for a moment."

Although everyone had doubts and guesses, they followed Jia Jue's advice and left Xiren behind.

But Qingwen pouted as she left.

That night, Jia Jue and Xi Ren talked a lot, and no one but the two of them knew what they said.

However, everyone clearly saw that after Xiren came out of Jia Jue's place, she was no longer so reserved.

In the blink of an eye, two more days have passed.

Tomorrow, the Ningguo Mansion will be welcoming the bride.

This morning, just as dawn was breaking, a large group of people set off from the Qin family and headed in a grand procession toward the Jia family mansion.

Among this group of people, there were more than a dozen large sedan chairs, each containing several women.

These ladies were not chosen randomly, but had to have living parents, a harmonious marriage, and children; therefore, they were also known as "women of perfect fortune".

They had a mission today—to decorate the bridal chamber in the Ningguo Mansion.

This symbolizes a harmonious and happy married life for the newlyweds.

Of course, it goes without saying that these women and the items used to decorate the new house were all produced by the Ningguo Mansion.

While they were busy decorating their new house, Jia Rong also had his own tasks.

He had just finished bathing and changing his clothes, and for three consecutive days he had abstained from alcohol, meat, and women. What he was doing was the temple ceremony at dusk.

As noon approached and the time was ripe, Jia Zhen waved his hand, and two servants quickly came up to unlock the ancestral hall door. Then, a large group of people rushed in, some sweeping the floor, some wiping the ancestral tablets, and some arranging the sacrificial vessels.

After cleaning was almost finished, Jia Zhen gave a word to the head servant and then returned to his room to prepare for a bath and change.

Before dusk, the hired band had already arrived, and the offerings had been set out.

Do you know what kinds of offerings are included?

It consisted of a sheep, a pig—this was called a "small sacrifice"—as well as dates, chestnuts, peaches, and other fruits, three cups of clear wine, countless incense sticks and candles, silk fabrics, a marriage certificate, an incense burner, a silver basin, and several handkerchiefs.

It can be said that everything is ready except for the east wind.

As dusk approached and the ceremony was about to begin, all the participants arrived early.

As the eldest grandson of the eldest son's family, Jia Rong's wedding was naturally no less grand.

Among them: the chief officiant was Jia Zhen; the second officiant was Jia Rong; the assistant officiants were Jia She, Jia Lian, Jia Qiang, and a member of the Yu generation from a maternal branch of the family; the master of ceremonies was Jia Zheng; the person who offered the blessing was Jia Jue; and the attendants were Jia Cong, Bao Yu, and Jia Huan.

The men who had nothing to do stood by and watched.

As for the female relatives, they were all required to wait outside the ancestral hall and were not allowed to enter the hall.

Then Jia Zheng loudly proclaimed, "Open the door—to calm the spirits—"

The half-open main gate of the ancestral hall was slowly opened, and then Jia Cong lit lamps, Jia Huan lit incense, and Bao Yu slowly walked forward to straighten the ancestral tablets, straighten the ancestral portraits, and tidy up the altar.

Jia Zheng then loudly echoed, "Arrange yourselves—take your positions—"

As soon as the words were spoken, Jia Zhen walked to the center of the incense table, Jia Rong walked to Jia Zhen's left, and several people who were to accompany the sacrifice stood on both sides according to their seniority, while Jia Jue, Bao Yu and others stood by waiting for orders.

Jia Zheng shouted three times, "Wash your hands—wash them!"

Jia Zhen and Jia Rong went to the silver basin one after the other to wash their hands and wipe their hands with a towel.

The two men moved with solemnity and looked dignified, which would make outsiders think they were upright and reliable members of the imperial family.

Jia Zheng called out again, "First incense offering—"

Jia Zhen took the incense, bowed, knelt, and kowtowed three times. Then he stood up and placed the burning incense in the burner.

"Ya Shang Xiang—"

Jia Rong held incense in both hands, bowed, knelt, and kowtowed three times. He then stood up and, like his father, placed the incense sticks into the burner.

"Offer incense three times—"

As soon as the words were spoken, Jia She, Jia Lian, and the others came forward, respectfully bowed and offered incense, just like the father and son, and finally placed the incense sticks in the burner.

Jia Zheng shouted, "Present the wine!"

Jia Huan handed the wine cup to Jia Zhen, who took it without hesitation. The clear wine inside poured onto the ground like a tiny waterfall.

"Another offering—"

Jia Cong handed the wine cup to Jia Rong, who, like his father, poured the wine from the cup. However, he poured it in front of the ancestral tablets and spirit tablets, as a way of paying homage to the ancestors.

Then, Jia Zheng sang again: "The prayer—"

Jia Jue slowly walked forward and knelt before the altar.

He then loudly recited:

"On the fifteenth day of the fourth month of the third year of the Jingde reign, Jia Zhen, a descendant of the Jia family, led his son Jia Rong..."

"With utmost care, we offer sacrificial animals, wine, incense, silk, and other necessities."

"Respectfully informing you"

Before the ancestral tablets, it is said:

"Zhen's son, Rong, has grown up."

"I will obey my parents' wishes and the matchmaker's words."

"The six betrothal gifts have been presented, and the Qin family daughter has been betrothed to him."

"We will choose tomorrow to personally welcome her home."

"Please pray"