Chapter 80: Hunting Geese
With the emperor's permission, Yang Wenyuan successfully entered the royal garden to hunt geese.

In order to ensure the success rate of this goose hunting, Yang Wenyuan specially selected a suitable bow.

Bows are divided into two types: shooting bows and power bows.

The power bow is used to train arm strength and cannot be used for actual shooting.

As the name suggests, a shooting bow is a bow used in actual combat.

Normal archery bows are within three stones.

Since the materials needed for archery bows weighing more than three stones are very precious, there are not many of them, but military heroes' families generally have such strong bows.

The Yang family naturally has it too.

What Yang Wenyuan is holding in his hand at this moment is the Five-Stone Shooting Bow.

Yang Wenyuan's blood and energy have not yet reached their peak, so even after training his arm strength for such a long time, he still finds the five-stone bow more convenient to use.

The Yang family's top-grade bow belonged to the first Marquis of Pingyang.

When the first Marquis of Pingyang was granted the title of Marquis of Pingyang by Taizu, the seven-stone bow that had accompanied him in battles for many years was also given the title of "Pingyang Bow" by the first Marquis of Pingyang.

Seven Stones...

Even if Yang Wenyuan had the golden finger given by the system, he could not guarantee whether he could use the Pingyang bow as a shooting bow in actual combat in the future.

The subsequent successors of Pingyang Hou also carried the Pingyang bow with them as a spiritual symbol, but in fact most of them used the three-stone bow themselves.

Therefore, Yang Wenyuan sometimes had doubts about what kind of humanoid beast the first generation of Pingyang Marquis was, and the bow he used was actually a seven-stone bow...

Is it just for show?

Thinking of this, Yang Wenyuan secretly cursed himself in his heart. As the next Marquis of Pingyang of the Yang family, he actually had such a treasonous idea, which was really wrong.

My Yang family ancestors are awesome, no doubt about it!

We slept in the open air for several days.

Yang Wenyuan finally got the chance and encountered a group of geese flying in a V-shape.

When the wild geese were about to fly overhead, Yang Wenyuan immediately drew his bow and shot an arrow at the wild goose that was at the back.

With a "clang" sound, the taut bowstring vibrated violently.

Then, the arrow wrapped in an arrowhead that Yang Wenyuan specially selected shot out with a "whoosh" sound, and hit the target's wings in an instant with a huge sound of breaking through the air.

As the geese let out a mournful cry, their original formation immediately became disordered.

Many wild geese flapped their wings rapidly and scattered in all directions.

Yang Wenyuan was just about to draw his bow and continue shooting arrows, but he saw one of the geese make a "hoo" sound, then turn around and fly towards the goose that had been injured.

This made Yang Wenyuan pause.

After standing there in a daze for a while, Yang Wenyuan put away the bow and handed it to Changqing who was waiting beside him. Then he took out the prepared net and red lacquered birdcage and ran quickly towards the landing point of the geese.

After a while, Yang Wenyuan arrived at the place where the wild geese landed.

Looking up, I saw two wild geese, one landed on the ground and the other hovering in the low sky, calling to each other.

Yang Wenyuan hid in the grass, holding a net in his hand, and when the time was right, he threw it directly at the low-flying geese.

The geese in the sky were unable to dodge and successfully fell into the net.

Yang Wenyuan's face lit up with joy, and he quickly stepped forward to hold down the wild goose that was rolling on the ground to prevent it from moving too violently, causing it to get more and more entangled in the rope net and get injured.

Yang Wenyuan pulled the net over and grabbed the goose's neck, successfully calming it down.

Then Yang Wenyuan quickly put the two geese, one in each hand, into the cage he brought, and only then did he feel a little relieved.

But this does not stop there.

Yang Wenyuan then ran out quickly, and Changqing followed closely behind him.

"Sir, we've already caught a pair of geese. Why are you running so fast?"

"I did catch them, but didn't you see they were all injured? I have to go back quickly and find someone to check on them, otherwise all my efforts these days will be in vain!"

Yang Wenyuan's voice echoed in the mountains and forests.

Yang Wenyuan ran back to the Marquis' Mansion and immediately found someone to see the doctor. The result was that except for one of the goose's wings being injured, there was nothing serious.

Only then did Yang Wenyuan breathe a sigh of relief.

It is not a good omen if the hunted geese die.

There is a saying that goes, the more you pay, the greater the sunk cost, and the more you cherish it.

Therefore, Yang Wenyuan naturally took good care of the pair of wild geese that he had obtained with great effort.

In addition to curing their injuries, he also found two teams of people to watch over them day and night, and he also visited them from time to time.

I wanted to hold the pair of geese in my hands, for fear of the slightest mishap.

In Yang Ruijin's words: It's like worshipping our ancestors.

Yang Wenyuan naturally had to take it seriously.

This pair of wild geese can not only be used as the main betrothal gift, but also can be released at another auspicious time in the future to make a wish.

Another beautiful picture.

One goose has two uses, one fish has two meals, how can we not protect it carefully?
……

March 16th is a good day to pray for blessings, seek offspring, accept marriage proposals, make alliances, and bring in new members.

Early in the morning of that day, Qi Heng packed up and went to the Pingyang Marquis Mansion.

Today, he was one of the candidates selected by the Yang family for the betrothal ceremony, and he accompanied Yang Yuqing and his wife to the Sheng family to propose marriage.

Although Princess Pingning did not want the Duke of Qi's Mansion to return to the military, she saw that the emperor had been relying on and promoting the Yang family in recent days, so she did not object to Qi Heng's closeness to Yang Wenyuan.

So when Yang Wenyuan came to invite her, Princess Pingning readily agreed.

Jiying Lane.

Sheng family.

This day, the Sheng Mansion was different from usual, the gates were wide open.

With the connections that Old Madam Sheng had in the past, and the upcoming marriage between the Sheng family and the Pingyang Marquis's Mansion, the Sheng family today is packed with distinguished guests.

Sheng Wei, the eldest son of the Sheng family in his hometown of Youyang, had already arrived at the Sheng family a few days ago with his wife Li, and his children Sheng Changsong, Sheng Shulan, Sheng Changwu, and Sheng Pinlan.

Wang Ruofu also wrote a letter to her uncle who raised her since childhood, but just like when she was in Yangzhou, she only received a reply saying that he was "delayed by family affairs", which made Wang Ruofu's eyes tear up.

She understood that her uncle was worried that her coming here, a merchant relative several levels apart from her, would embarrass Wang Ruofu, so he kept refusing.

But Wang Ruofu actually didn’t care about so many things.

She just wanted her uncle to come to the scene today to celebrate and comfort her.

Let him know that the wild girl he raised at that time is living a good life now, and maybe a good marriage can be arranged for his daughter.

But after sending several letters, my uncle still declined the offer.

Wang Ruofu was too busy with her wedding to leave, so she had to give up. However, she had already made up her mind that Hualan's marriage would be arranged in the second half of the year at the earliest, so there was still a long time in between.

After the wedding date is set, I must go to my uncle's house in person in advance and invite the guests.

Today, the Sheng family mansion is filled with a festive atmosphere both inside and outside.

Guests came from all directions in an endless stream.

The gate of the mansion was decorated with lights and colorful lanterns.

The bright red festive fireworks were hung high up, swaying in the breeze like dancing elves.

Inside the mansion.

The red silk ribbons running between the columns complement the simple and elegant decorations in the house, showing the taste and style of the owner. The courtyard is wide, the bluestone floor has been cleaned, and the guests are seated at the round tables filled with fine wine and delicacies.

The air is filled with the faint aroma of incense and food, making people salivate.

The guests chatted in twos and threes, or raised their glasses to each other to celebrate this wonderful moment.

Some were whispering, sharing their joy and blessings with each other.

In the center of the hall, an extra-large red table is particularly eye-catching. It is piled with various exquisite gifts, and friends and relatives of the Sheng family are sitting around it.

Hualan was in Shou'an Hall at this moment, sitting on a chair in gorgeous new clothes, with a shy and expectant look on her face.

Sitting around him were women of the same generation, talking in soft voices, with happy smiles on their faces.

"Sister Hualan, how did you get to know the young marquis of Pingyang Marquis's Mansion?"

"That's... that's how we met!"

"Sister Hualan, I heard from sister Rulan that you guys went ice skating in winter? Was ice skating fun?"

"..."

The grandchildren below were chattering away, and seeing this scene, Old Lady Sheng couldn't help but reveal a look of comfort.

The Sheng family couldn't be better.

Main hall.

Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu sat on both sides of the square table, waiting anxiously, looking up from time to time.

Two bowls were placed on the square table, filled with clear water, and two goldfish were put on each side. Then a pair of chopsticks and two pieces of colorful silk were inserted. This is called "returning the fish", symbolizing that the couple's life is like fish in water.

Next to Hui Yuzhuo was a tray covered with red cloth, on which were placed two letters, which were gifts of friendship between the two families.

Everyone looked forward to it, as the Yang family's proposal team arrived.

At the head of the team was a pair of wild geese hunted by Yang Wenyuan, and following them was a man carrying "Xukou wine".

The wine bottle is decorated by wrapping a white fine net, on which are eight big red flowers. In addition, red flowers are also inserted on the red carrying pole, which is called "jiao dan hong" for good luck.

At this time, Yang Yuqing, Changbai, and Qi Heng were riding tall and handsome horses with vigor in the center of the team, and Madam Chen was sitting in a sedan chair behind them.

Next came the team carrying the betrothal gifts.

These dowries are dazzling, including gold, silver, jewelry, silk and satin, and each piece is carefully selected.

The boxes containing the dowry were all covered with red paper with the word "囍" inscribed on it, symbolizing double happiness and joy.

There are also musicians playing gongs and drums in the team.

They held musical instruments and played cheerful and festive melodies.

Following the rhythm of the music, the team marched slowly, like a winding red dragon.

He didn't stop until he reached the gate of Sheng's mansion.

"The Yang family of Pingyang Marquis Mansion in Bianjing has come to present a betrothal gift!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the messenger who had been waiting at the gate of Sheng Mansion for a long time took his opportunity and ran towards the main hall while shouting loudly.

"The Yang family of Pingyang Marquis Mansion in Bianjing has come to present a betrothal gift!"

"The main gift is a pair of live geese from the Great Wall! There are countless other gifts as well. I would like to invite the beautiful lady from the Sheng Mansion to marry my son Yang Wenyuan. Please accept my request!"

As the respectful messenger outside the door finished speaking, Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu, who were sitting upright on their chairs, looked at each other, both seeing joy in each other's eyes. They nodded, clasped their hands in front of their chests, and said loudly:

"allow!"

"allow!"

"allow!"

Loud calls of names were heard one after another in the Sheng Mansion and reached the front door of the Sheng Mansion.

"Congratulations to the Yang family, congratulations to the Yang family, great joy!"

"Yang Wenyuan, the legitimate son of your family, asks to marry Sheng Hualan, the legitimate eldest daughter of Sheng family. The in-laws reply: 'Yes!'"

Hearing this, Yang Yuqing took the lead in dismounting, followed closely by Changbai and Qi Heng, and Madam Chen also walked out of the sedan chair.

Changbai, Yang Yuqing and Mrs. Chen stood in a row and bowed towards the Sheng family's gate.

Afterwards, Yang Yuqing said loudly: "On behalf of Brother Yang, Mr. and Mrs. Yang Yuqing respectfully thank you for your approval!"

By the time he finished speaking, the auspicious time had arrived and the engagement was complete.

Red whips exploded, gongs and drums roared, and the music sounded melodious.

The Yang family sent the wedding gift to the Sheng family and placed it in the main hall, prepared incense, candles, wine and fruits, and prayed to the heaven, earth and ancestors. Then they asked the couple to pick up the towel and open it.

After a festive banquet, the guests gradually dispersed and the Sheng family also presented gifts in return.

Purple silk and colored satin, pearl and jade beard combs (i.e. beard combs, small combs for combing beards), soap silk scarves and satin, gold and jade handkerchief rings, seven-treasure handkerchief rings, handkerchiefs, shoes and socks, as well as tea cakes, fruits, sheep and wine.

In addition, the fish chopsticks prepared in advance on the square table must be sent to the Yang family.

Finally, attach the formal reply to the wedding invitation and the list of return gifts.

At the end of the day, the return gifts were presented at the gate of Pingyang Marquis' Mansion, and the betrothal ceremony between the Yang family and the Sheng family was officially completed.

into the night.

Shou'an Hall.

"Now that the betrothal ceremony has been completed, the matter I mentioned earlier about finding a palace maid for Hua'er has been finalized. She will be able to come home in a few days."

Wang Ruofu was delighted when she heard this and said hurriedly, "Thank you, mother, for your concern!"

"Hua'er is my granddaughter. I will take good care of her. No need to thank me."

Old Madam Sheng said to Hualan, "You don't have to go to the school. Just stay in my room these days and learn the skills that a lady should have. When the maid from the palace comes to our house, you can learn etiquette from her."

"Yes, grandma." Hua Lan nodded in agreement.

"Mother, since you are the nanny, why don't you let our daughter learn as well?" Sheng Hong said with anticipation.

"Yes, mother."

Wang Ruofu also echoed, "If Ruer and Ming girl follow the palace's foster nanny's example, their families will be able to move up in the future."

Old Mrs. Sheng pondered for a moment.

"When the nanny comes home, I'll talk to her about it. After all, I only told her about Hua'er before, so it's not easy for me to make a decision for her."

The adults were talking at the top, while the two little ones, Minglan and Rulan, were sitting at the back, whispering to each other.

"Sixth sister, did you see Sister Shulan today?"

Minglan glanced at her grandmother who was talking, quietly stuffed some sweets into her mouth, nodded slightly, and whispered:
"I know, what's wrong?"

"It seems that Sister Shulan is also going to get married,"

Rulan leaned close to Minglan's ear and whispered, "I heard my father and mother talking at home last night. They said they were going to marry Sister Shulan to a child prodigy who passed the imperial examination at the age of twelve."

"A twelve-year-old scholar?" Minglan was surprised when she heard that.

My brothers and the young marquis Yang Wenyuan will take part in the provincial examination next month. Only if they pass can they be called "Tongsheng".

Then one has to pass the academy examination again before being called a "scholar".

The man that Sister Shulan was marrying was actually a twelve-year-old scholar. How could Minglan not be surprised?

"right?"

Rulan propped up her little head with a look of longing on her face, "Sister Shulan and Big Sister both have such good marriages, I wonder what my future husband will be like?"

Minglan listened and nodded, with a hint of hope in her eyes.

(End of this chapter)