Yao Mama come to Yun manor

Today, an old woman come to Yun manor. She is Xiao Junwang's caregiver since the prince was born. Her surename is Yao and her name is Shanyang. We called her Yao Mama)*.

(Mama is nickname for respected servants)

A week ago Bixia gave a marriage decree. Normally, when a boy's parents identified a possible bride-to-be, they would send a matchmaker to get the girl's parents' opinions about this marriage. If their opinion was positive, the matchmaker would obtain the date and hour of the girl's birth to offer to the boy's parents.

The groom's family would place the note containing the girl's birth detail on the ancestral altar for three days. If no bad things took place within that time, such as quarrels between families or loss of properties, the parents would take this marriage as been favored by their ancestors and give the boy's birth details to the matchmaker to present it to the girl's family for them to go through the same process. Only after both outcomes were favorable, would the two families arrange to meet.

However, my marriage was arranged by Bixia so there was no need to go through that stages. No matter we both want or not and our date of birth both match or not, we have to get married. Bixia as Heaven's representative has decided and what he decides must be considered good.

The next stage is the groom's family should present the betrothal or "Grand Gift" which is various proposal gifts representing fertility and prosperity to appreciate the girl's parents' efforts in raising the girl.

Because of that, Yao Mama came to my house. She want to ask my father about the betrothal gift. She also want to know my family needs. After Yao Mama discussed with my father, my mother mother invited her for a tea banquet before she left our manor. My mother took me to the tea banquet to meet Yao Mama.

"Yao Mama, please drink the tea I brewed for you," my mother said in a soft voice. Yao Mama who had been watching over me since then, nodded her head. She took the cup and drank the tea.

"Your daughter is very beautiful, I like seeing the goddess of the moon down to earth," Yao Mama said with an enthusiastic face.

"Thank you for Yao Mama praise for my daughter," my mother answered, then she glanced at me. I know my mother is coding me.

"Thank you Yao Mama," I said in a low voice. I was forced by my mother to answered her like that.

"What a fortune for Xiao Junwangye because Bixia proposed to the Palace's grand advisor's daughter for him," Yao Mama spoke to my mother and smiled. Then she sighed. Her face looks sad.

"If Xiao Junwangye's mother is still alive, she will feel very happy and will meet you directly, Furen (Madam). However, she died shortly after giving birth to Xiao Junwangye, "Yao Mama said in a trembling voice.

"I feel so sad, Furen. Because a servant like me come to Yun Mother to discuss about Xiao Junwangye wedding ceremony. Actually, Xiao Junwangye's maternal family should have come to here. But, as you know, we don't know about Xiao Junwangye's mother background," Yao Mama continue her words.

I shocked after hear that no information about Xiao Junwangye's mother background. So, why Bixia like her? Ah! Why that Waste Prince so pity like that. Not even about his intelligence and appearance, but also his background is bad.

"Don't be sad like that, Yao Mama. You are like a mother for Xiao Junwangye. After all, we've become friends for a long time. You are not servant in my eyes. You are my friend even my sister in my mind, "my mother said to Yao Mama politely.

I wrinkled my forehead after hearing my mother's words. I don't know if she have friends. Moreover, my mother rarely leaves the house.

"Because of our friendship, I hope you will look after my daughter," my mother said while holding Yao Mama's hand. Yao Mama smiled and nodded her head.

"Of course I will take care of her. Furen don't worry! "Yao Mama said.

"I actually feel bashful, Furen. When meeting with Mr. Yun, he did not ask anything for Xiao Junwang's betrothal gift and wedding banquet fees. He said that he would prepare the wedding banquet and asked me not to worry about the cost , "Yao Mama said slowly. She looks uncomfortable.

I looked at my mother after hearing Yao Mama's words. I wonder why my father didn't ask for anything. Even my father didn't ask for money for a banquet. It's strange.

"Please don't feel disappointed, Yao Mama. My husband has his own considerations before he take the decision, "my mother said earnestly.

"Then, Miss. What do you want? Xiao Junwang will give it for you, "Yao Mama asked me. Her face looks enthusiastic. I saw my mother before answering. She slightly her head as a sign for me to refuse Yao Mama's words.

"No need, Yao Mama," I said doubtfully. Seeing my mother nodded her head, I knew my answer was correct.

"Please don't feel disappointed. Xia He is a modest girl. She not want presents. Like me, she feel that their marriage is a big present for her ," my mother assured Yao Mama. Yao Mama look at me and I forced to nod my head.

"My mother word's is true, Yao Mama," I said to her. Yao Mama slowly nodded her head. She sighed. Looks satisfied.

"If Furen and Miss Yun said like that, I feel peaceful," Yao Mama said.

"The day is getting late, Furen. I have to go back to the Palace, "Yao Mama asked for permission.

"Please, I'll accompany you go to the front our manor," my mother said and Yao Mama nodded.

My mother and I accompany Yao Mama until she enter the horse-drawn carriage. After the horse-drawn carriage was not seen again, I followed my mother to her place.

"Mother, is it true that you are friends with Yao Mama? How can you two become friends? "I asked my mother. My question made her stop walking. My mother sighed before talking. Then she looked at me.

"Yes. We are friends. How did it happen? You will know the answer later, "my mother answered with a mysterious answered.

"Why did you reject Yao Mama's enticement? Why did Father say that he would prepare the wedding banquet and not need money for that, "I said my protest. My mother smiled.

"Later you will know the reason," my mother answered and her answer was more mysterious.

"Xia He, I really hope that you don't do anything stupid. I'm sure you will be happy if you marry Xiao Junwang. Everyone might talk bad about him. However, your father and mother knew Xiao Junwang well, "my mother persuaded me while holding my hand. I sighed.

"I won't do anything stupid. I don't want our family to be punished by Bixia if I do something stupid, "I answered my mother.

"Thank you, Xia He," she said and I nod.

I know that my mother is worried. She was worried that I would do something bad to avoid this marriage. However, what I experienced, -because my previous suicide attempt-, gave me a valuable lesson.

The lesson was that I had to think about my family before making a decision. The wrong decision will endanger my family. I don't want my father to be punished by Bixia because of my actions.

Even though I was doubtful about my mother's words. I feel that my mother lied to me that she know about Xiao Junwangye. As far as I know, Xiao Junwangye never appeared at a noble party. In fact, he was always sick when the banquet was held at the Palace. How can they know each other if the prince never appears.

I remember my childhood time. When I was little, my father took me to the Palace several times. I've met Xiao Junwangye once. His body was thin and his face was pale. At that time, he was asked to read a poem by Bixia. Xiao Junwangye can't read it well. His words disjointed.

Bixia was angry and hit Xiao Junwangye's palm with a small bamboo stick. I remember the prince crying hard after being beaten. I just glanced at him and didn't really care about him.

I didn't have intention to look a weak prince like Xiao Junwangye. I thought he is weak and his intelligence too low. And at that time I was busy getting Guo Wei Wangye's attention so I didn't care about the other princes.

With his weakness point like that, my mother said that I would be happy if I married him. I really doubt my mother's words.