TRBDM -Chapter 206 Coming to Propose

“Wanrou, reading this is like seeing me in person.”

The familiar opening, the familiar handwriting—after reading just the first two words, a smile immediately spread across Xie Wanrou’s face.

Jiang Yuelin’s letters brought only good news, never complaints. He seldom mentioned himself; every line showed his concern for Xie Wanrou.

Not a word about longing, yet every sentence was full of it.

Xiaodie covered her mouth nearby, stifling her laughter. Seeing her mistress happy made her happy too.

Xie Wanrou had heard that people with fractures, if they didn’t get enough rest, could suffer lingering effects—aches whenever the weather turned damp.

At this moment, she was studying medicinal texts, learning the art of applying treatments.

However, the texts were complex, and she had only grasped the basics.

Today, she planned to learn more from the mansion’s physician.

Jiang Yuelin’s letter interrupted her studies.

She read the letter carefully three times before finally putting it away.

“Miss, are you going to reply?” Xiaodie teased, watching her mistress blush.

Sure enough, Xie Wanrou’s face flushed slightly. “No need. Master Jiang said he’s been busy these past few days and probably won’t have time to read letters.”

Xiaodie leaned in, teasing: “Miss, you seem a little disappointed.”

Xie Wanrou gave her a gentle glare. “Don’t be foolish.”

“Hehe, okay, okay, I won’t. It was my poor eyes—I didn’t notice your little disappointment,” Xiaodie said.

“Xiaodie, who taught you that?” Xie Wanrou feigned anger.

“The servant follows the master… learned it from… Master Xie,” Xiaodie quickly passed the blame to Xie Chuan.

Among all the servants in the mansion, the one they feared least was Xie Chuan.

Xie Chuan had no airs like a master; sometimes he would joke and joke around with the servants, which made everyone like him.

“You, you…” Xie Wanrou pointed at Xiaodie.

“Hehe,” Xiaodie wasn’t afraid.

Xie Wanrou put Jiang Yuelin’s letter into the drawer. “I’m going to see the mansion physician.”

“Yes, Miss.”

At the same time, Wei Zhaorong at Anhe Courtyard also received a letter from Jiang Yuelin.

He wrote that the day after tomorrow, he would come to formally propose.

Wei Zhaorong immediately brushed away her earlier seriousness, smiling.

Nanny Qi, seeing this, asked, “Madam, what did the letter say to make you so happy?”

Wei Zhaorong folded the letter. “There will soon be a joyful event in the mansion. Go prepare—guests will arrive in five days.”

“All right!”

Xie Wanrou spent an hour with the mansion physician and thoroughly learned the treatment techniques.

Upon returning to the Moyun Courtyard, she was summoned by Wei Zhaorong to Anhe Courtyard.

Inside the room stood a tailor from a ready-made clothing shop.

Previously, all the robes commissioned by the mansion had come from this shop.

“Rou’er, come over and let me take your measurements.”

Because the mansion commissioned clothing regularly, and with the change of season approaching, Xie Wanrou didn’t think much of it.

“Mother, you’ve already made me quite a few clothes this year. I have enough.”

Wei Zhaorong suppressed a smile. “A daughter can never have too many clothes. While you’re young, you should wear beautiful clothes. When I reached my age, I could only choose dull, somber colors. You all should try all sorts of fresh, lively, and soft colors—don’t waste this beautiful face.”

Wei Zhaorong rarely praised anyone, and such continuous compliments were almost unheard of.

The praise made Xie Wanrou’s neck flush red.

Perhaps only a mother can always see her daughter as young and beautiful.

After the tailor finished taking her measurements, he left.

Xie Wanrou asked, “Mother, have you chosen the fabric?”

“Yes, it’s been chosen.”

It was Fuguang brocade, the most expensive fabric in the capital.

On such a joyful occasion, Xie Wanrou had to wear something truly exquisite, so her elegance would shine amidst the crowd.

With Wei Zhaorong making the decision, Xie Wanrou didn’t ask further.

The tailor worked efficiently, and by the fourth day, the dress was ready and delivered.

“Rou’er, try it on.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Xie Wanrou went inside to change.

When she emerged, her sleeves swirled as they brushed against the wind chimes at the eaves, shimmering with light and color, mesmerizing everyone.

“Beautiful… truly beautiful,” Wei Zhaorong couldn’t help but praise.

Xie Wanrou looked gentle and graceful, the pure-toned Fuguang brocade highlighting the fairness of her face even more.

“Mother, this is Fuguang brocade—it’s very expensive.”

“It is expensive, but only something exquisite suits you, Rou’er.”

Xie Wanrou didn’t understand why her mother had been praising her so much these past few days, and it made her feel shy.

“Nanny Qi, bring the jewelry.”

Nanny Qi entered carrying a tray with a white jade hairpin inlaid with emerald, pearl earrings, and a tourmaline butterfly floral hair ornament.

“This set of jewelry matches the Fuguang brocade. Wear them together from now on.”

Xie Wanrou fondled the jade hairpin, reluctant to put it down. “Thank you, Mother.”

Wei Zhaorong hadn’t told Xie Wanrou in advance—she wanted to save the surprise for tomorrow.

The next day,

Jiang Yuelin stood confidently in front of the vermilion gates of the Mingde Marquis’ residence.

He wore a moon-white brocade robe, a double-fish ornament at his waist, and his attendant carried a lacquered box decorated with gold, containing dragon-and-phoenix wedding cakes and silk measuring tapes—all part of the traditional “Three Letters and Six Rites” betrothal protocol.

“Please announce: Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Jiang Yuelin, has come to pay respects to the Marquis’ matriarch.”

“Master Jiang, please come in. The matriarch has been expecting you since early morning,” the steward said with a smile, leading Jiang Yuelin inside.

In the main hall, the scent of sandalwood drifted softly. Wei Zhaorong, dressed in her new attire, awaited Jiang Yuelin.

“Greetings, Madame Matriarch.”

“Master Jiang, there’s no need for formalities.”

Jiang Yuelin had his attendant present the lacquered box.

“I have come today to formally request the hand of Miss Xie Wanrou of the Marquis’ household.”

Wei Zhaorong’s expression remained calm. “Master Jiang, have you truly thought this through? Wanrou has been divorced before, and you have never married. Requesting her hand—surely the elders of the Jiang family may have doubts.”

Jiang Yuelin replied sincerely, “My parents never interfere in my marriage. As long as I am pleased, they will certainly agree.”

Jiang Yuelin’s parents were open-minded and never constrained him.

When he proposed marrying Xie Wanrou, his parents only asked about her character.

He said, “Gentle and proper, with a pure and refined heart.”

His parents nodded with approval and consent.

“The one I seek is only Wanrou,” Jiang Yuelin’s voice rang clear. “I ask only that we rise each morning to ink and brush, play games by evening, and share the simple days together.”

Wei Zhaorong was pleased, but did not immediately answer. “The Jiang family is open-minded, and naturally, so is our Marquis’ household. Matters of marriage require mutual consent—I must hear Wanrou’s wishes.”