[PART 2-END]
The confidence that was given was of such nature – “It might appear abrupt, but for the cheer in the air, and all of us being present here– what do you say, my lordship, could I have the grace to accept one of your daughter’s hands for this son of mine? Again, quite an abrupt preposition, with nothing proper about it! But hear my reasons for this daring!” Here he tried to hide his blush, he looked around to see if any ear were at hearing distance. “I have heard of their reputation spread as far as the capital, your eminent daughter’s. No doubt, such noble houses as of yours can guide but only such talented and capable youngsters! This is indeed abrupt, but a word from you will go a long way. Rather than a pompous show of elaborate rituals that will make all of it public, for both of our privacy’s sake and my deep hopes that you will agree and allow me to follow this proposal with all the legitimate ceremonies without the worry of dishonoring you; I finally decided over this crass method. I hope I haven’t offended you too deeply?"
The Master Huo said this, in a melodious trill and a single breath, quite characteristic of himself; swiftly replacing another wet handkerchief in his hand-pockets. The heat of the moment had started to touch up to him. What else could be hoped of with all the braziers burning, and young and boisterous energy wafting from all around in the air? He was just praying that his stout figure wouldn't swoon in the moments heat! That! That would be an embarrassing tale told for years in the Jinghai county! He swiftly clenched his hands and looked around while still continuing the conversation in almost a whisper. Deep inside he regretted his choice of place, as he began to feel the increasing need of fresh air! But…he did need this marriage!
All this wasn’t invisible to his companion. This strong show of emotion exasperated Master Wei as he looked bewildered. Never in his life had he seen such a…straightforward proposal. He really had to look afresh at the man who had uttered such madness.
Apart from his stout figure one wouldn't notice anything cordial about the man, or anything affable. His face, though round, didn't give the feeling of being agreeable to any extent, while his jumping brows always peered with strained tolerance. The calculation could be seen flickering, sparkling in his round eyes. Though such vulgar feeling seldom reigned as it did during this proposal, it was always a niggling presence, making any acquaintance a matter of distasteful tolerance. Accompanied by his almost breathless appearance, which made it not a very pretty picture altogether, Master Wei who was observing him with decided air, now felt completely speechless.
"I take your graces auspicious words on behalf of my children, yes. There will come a time, of course, when your son himself can find his names recounted among those well-known people of Dajin, he can truly ask for any hand in marriage around the world! It’s not commonplace to enter the Imperial Academy, and if his highness the Duke of Weizhou himself ascertained and vouched his potentialities; he must be a powerful figure indeed! But I might add, regretfully as I do that, the youngsters in my family are still too young to make any such judgements as heavy as matrimony, possible. Unfortunately, they are not ready to step into the world. Marriage? I have never thought of that, I confess. You haven’t spent much time in Jinghai I fear. I think you must have fallen in a misapprehension about their ages. The oldest after Wei Ziya, the one engaged to second prince is only a child of thirteen! She doesn’t enter society for two or three more years! I fear I cannot betroth her before she does do that, as Jinghai has never favored child marriages. My father was a great proponent himself against such practices at his time at court."
Master Wei's suspicious eyes silently looked down at his hands. ‘Marriage?’ He deliberated silently. By now the general hubbub in the hall had died down and the elders were busy recognizing new faces of the youngsters.
"Master Wei Houyu, there is no need to go so deep into THIS matter as thus, is there? I find it completely irrelevant as of what your father had previously thought regarding such noble and traditional practices of early engagement! You must realize, I come with the knowledge that one of your sisters DID actually HAD a prior engagement settled at birth! I am sorry to dampen your spirit with recollection of departed ones, but I have definitely heard, your sister Hua was just twelve when she was engaged to our emperor, wasn’t she? Although the most unfortunate things happened to the maiden but don’t tell me there is no precedent! A promise suffices, I demand but a word of you. A little freedom for the young man and maiden to know each other…yes, is it difficult to grant even that? But the look in your eyes tell me you don’t agree for even that somehow! I say, Master Wei. Let them be and decide who to love now. And such love as their age allows them, it results in a noble attachment of life, far from impure alloys added in adulthood. I have personal experience, having grown up together with my wife. You must agree to this. And they grow up in time, my lordship, as sturdy as bamboo shoots untended but vigorous. Am I right?" There was much beseeching in his voice as he looked into Master Wei’s eyes.
"I hear you, but what can be done? What with the death and disappearances of quite a few acquaintances of mine now, I can't but be meddlesome for their security. You deem it all well and fine, but you have to see my perspective as well! As a father of a daughter, what I send to you is a piece of flesh -cherished in flowers and kindred in mellow mead. Any amount of time spent in their company is less, and just suddenly sending them away – don’t tell me you don’t have plans of taking her away to the capital to inculcate this building relationship, you do have or your whole belief behind early marriage lies null and void – you want me to hasten my partings! You alluded right. My sister did eventually fall into a quagmire of her own making – which, in my opinion would have been completely averted had she been engaged in full consciousness and not by simple dictates at birth! I see it as an unfit folly! When she ran away from home, we only know the cause of it being a warm love she held from another gentlemen. What a fierce struggle must have reigned over her conscience – on one hand the dictates of morality, while on the other a deep human feeling that is never in our own control! It's been years but there is no news, no leads whatsoever. Though we know she was lost, we have taken her as dead, for all that matters! – but can you imagine the PAIN, it had caused us all? What of her parent, who witnessed their flower so fully bloomed being blown away in the winds?! And all this folly, just because of a prior engagement!” After this outburst he slowly added, “Have the Yamen any leads in the case? What with my youngest sister Hua'er…" Master Wei took a sharp breath and ceased to complete his sentence.
‘Tch, pretentious as ever.’ Master Huo's eyes flashed with sarcasm but he soon melted it into a sympathetic face looking as the most empathetic well-wisher.
"Yes, I see what you mean. My deepest condolences for such grave loss! From your protection and strength alone, undoubtedly, your children have gained such upright characters as have been famed all around– so much like his lordship old Master Wei’s. As for leads in the lost case, hope is all but futile alas! The previous six years have been but cruel to all the Victims. No sign, and no leads. But sometimes, such sadness is the affair of the world, isn’t it? Everyone must suffer something or other in their lives to some extent, albeit varying by degrees. Such misfortune as which fell over your sister is not common at all. But what with this much worry in your breast, one expects you will cease to let your sons out of the threshold for their safety altogether! I don’t see you doing that, do I?! Why not give these young people a chance? Wei Lina, your daughter of whom I speak of in-kind regard is of noble birthright, with your Weijia’s good nurturing. She will grow up to be a good matron, and I ask for her hands for my equally well-situated son! Is there any implausibility in this affair?"
"Only that they are young. A few more years, perhaps, then they will have their own fate! Their own fate to decide about what makes them happy without much interference of a parent. I promise you that, when such a time comes in three years, I will remember your request and, in all kindness, beseech my daughter to look all the more kindly at one of her suitors – your son."
"Yes, adulthood. Alas! Such is the sad affair of worldly life then, we cannot expect everything to go aligned with our own wishes, however legitimate they may be. I am quite saddened now, Master Huo. You disappoint me. With my only son already in academy, such happy relations escape my hands completely now. I tell myself, though, that I can live with this little disappointment and not over-exert on your sympathies, ha, ha.” Master Huo looked a little perturbed and soon shifted his embarrassment in looking out the hall. “But there must be something happening with such noise coming from the garden, what do you say my Lord? You must know, all the young blood of the four major clans and nine families have joined tonight! Let me a newly arrived guest entertain myself by taking a look at what they are up to. Or you might want to join me in my simple pursuit?"
Seeing no lead in the marriage talk, Master Huo ceased to be as enthusiastic as at the beginning. After hearing a certain denial, he stood up on his own. With few more ceremonious exchanges, he emphatically showed his intention to exit the closed hall. The stout figure skidded off towards the open garden, without looking back at the dark faced Master Wei, who seemed to be still lost in his ponderings.
“What a conniving man!” Master Su RuHui slowly found his previous seat while shaking his head. He had been nearby eavesdropping to all the conversation.
“Ha…”
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