Master Chen, hearing their words tinged with envy, feigned modesty, but the smile and pride in his eyes were undeniable.
Wasn't their Chen family simply lucky? Finding such an excellent son-in-law was purely due to his keen eye! Associating with these people was because they spoke the truth!
While pleasantries were exchanged, Madam Chen’s personal attendant brought out the wedding money and gratuities for the wedding officiant.
A heavy tray, containing a pre-prepared bag with eighteen taels of wedding money, also had ten taels of silver bestowed by Master Chen, Madam Chen, and Miss Chen.
Although the total on this tray might not match the value of the gold ingot the son-in-law had given, the wedding officiant was beaming, finding the job extremely worthwhile!
The wedding officiant, having completed her task, happily retreated with her bountiful earnings. Before Madam Chen could even sit down, her group of close friends, esteemed ladies, swarmed in, playfully dragging her away…
Master Chen and the other gentlemen, seeing the women rush in and hastily carry Madam Chen out, expressed their confusion.
However, what could women possibly be doing when they got together? They were either doting on their husbands or children, or perhaps gossiping about trivial matters. The gentlemen couldn’t be bothered to participate.
Madam Chen felt a wave of dizziness. Before she knew what was happening, she was being escorted to the large pavilion in the back courtyard. When she finally broke free from their grasp and regained her senses, she found herself surrounded by a group of women.
“Sister Xiu Xiu, my Ke’er grew up under your watchful eye. You absolutely must help this time! She’ll be fifteen next year, and her marriage is still undecided. We parents are truly worried! Look at your son-in-law’s brothers…”
Before the first woman could finish speaking, another interrupted, her tone urgent.
“Sister Xiu, and me, and me! My Yi’er also grew up under your care, and she’s good friends with Sui Sui! She’s already fifteen this year, and it will be too late to find her a good match if we delay. You must keep my matter in mind!”
Once one person spoke, the others no longer felt shy or reserved. They had come to beg Madam Chen precisely for their daughters’ marriages. If they hesitated at this crucial moment, they would lose their chance to others!
“And my Yueyue…”
“And my Wenwen…”
“Cousin Xiu Xiu, my Ning’er is your grandniece. We are relatives, so I entrust Ning’er’s matter entirely to you.”
“Grandniece? My family is related to the Chen family within five degrees of kinship. Isn’t our relationship even closer than yours?”
Thus, Madam Chen listened to a string of names and claims of kinship. It seemed Chen Wenyi herself didn’t realize she had suddenly gained so many close friends!
The women chattered and buzzed around Madam Chen for a long time. After listening intently, she finally understood. It turned out these women had their eyes on her son-in-law’s brothers and had come specifically to ask for her to act as a matchmaker.
Madam Chen pondered for a moment. Several daughters from these esteemed families had indeed grown up playing with her Sui Sui. While their relationship wasn’t intimate, they maintained a decent outward appearance.
If the son-in-law’s brothers were interested, it would be a good match for several families. Moreover, the son-in-law was not originally from this place, and their daughter would surely accompany him if they ever returned to Hua Xia.
However, her and her husband’s roots were in Da Yu, and they couldn’t always be by Chen Wenyi’s side. Having childhood friends with her then would prevent her daughter from feeling so lonely.
Consequently, the ladies spent the next while discussing which of the brothers they favored and hoping Madam Chen would help arrange introductions.
Madam Chen had her own plans, so she didn’t immediately agree, nor did she explicitly refuse. After all, she had only known her son-in-law for two days and wasn’t familiar with him, let alone in a position to speak for his brothers.
However, Madam Chen did tell the ladies that after her daughter’s wedding, she would pass on the message. If the son-in-law’s brothers were also willing, she would help arrange for both parties to meet.
If both sides were agreeable, it would be a happy occasion. If one side was not interested, there should be no forced arrangements.
Especially since the male side only had four individuals, while several families’ daughters were interested in the same person. In such a situation, not everyone could marry, which would inevitably lead to friction.
Having known each other for decades, Madam Chen did not want them to ruin their camaraderie over a marriage. Otherwise, she, as the mediator, would be caught in an awkward position!
The ladies naturally understood that this matter couldn’t be rushed. They outwardly assured her that they wouldn’t complain or damage their friendship, regardless of the outcome.
However, even after several rounds of tea were served, everyone remained seated, making awkward small talk, none willing to leave first. Even several of them, needing to relieve themselves due to drinking too much tea, held it in, all for the sake of getting closer to Madam Chen later.
After all, finding a son-in-law with such excellent qualities was not easy. If they put in extra effort with Madam Chen, perhaps she would speak favorably for their daughters.
In the main courtyard pavilion, the atmosphere was one of perfect “harmony!”
Meanwhile
All the guests had left the bridal chamber, and the maids stood by the doorway. Only the newlyweds sat on the wedding bed, the atmosphere suddenly very quiet.
Chen Wenyi held her composure for a while, waiting for Leng Ren to speak first. But after waiting for a long time, apart from feeling his gaze on her, there was no other movement!
Unable to help herself, Chen Wenyi’s rigidly held shoulders slumped. She let out a long sigh. Maintaining the pretense of ladylike behavior was truly exhausting! She had maintained it all day, and now her entire body ached severely.
She frowned and lifted her small fists, gently patting her sore shoulders. Suddenly! Two large hands, like broad fans, fell onto Chen Wenyi’s shoulders, massaging them with just the right pressure. The sensation was surprisingly pleasant!
Chen Wenyi, swayed by the physical comfort of Leng Ren’s massage, found herself involuntarily asking him to continue elsewhere.
“Move a little to the left, then… yes, right here… a bit more force, yes, yes! That’s it, wow! So comfortable!”
Enveloped by the comfort in her body, Chen Wenyi leaned back involuntarily, naturally settling against Leng Ren’s chest.