On the third day after the wedding, it was time for the couple to pay a formal visit to the bride's family. Han Zhi and Banniang both got up early and washed up.
At this moment, Banniang sat before the dressing table, with Yueping and another maidservant helping her arrange her hair and makeup. As for Han Zhi, he sat leisurely to one side, watching her.
"Banniang?" Han Zhi suddenly called out.
"Husband," Banniang replied.
"When shall we head over to your family later?" Han Zhi asked.
"Probably after Sir sends over the Three-Morning Return Gift," Banniang said. "We'll need to prepare some gifts ourselves a bit later to take as our greeting offerings."
"It will be a lively scene by then. The Su Family will throw a grand banquet to host you as their son-in-law. When it's time to leave, they'll even have musicians with drums and flutes to send you back."
As she spoke, Banniang smiled faintly. Han Zhi scratched the back of his head and said, "Then I must prepare some fine gifts, so I don't cause you to lose face, Banniang."
"What does this have to do with my face?" Banniang found it somewhat amusing and retorted.
Han Zhi stood up, walked over to the dressing table, and said, "I am Banniang's husband. If the gifts I choose this time are poor, I'm afraid the neighbors around here will think I've mistreated you."
"Tell me, wouldn't that be losing Banniang's face?"
Amused, Banniang gave him a reproachful look and scolded, "You vexing husband, you have no shame saying such things. The fanfare during the wedding procession already gave us plenty of face. You only need to go there, so how could anyone say you're bringing shame?"
"Tsk, the appearance still has to be kept up," Han Zhi said.
"We'll go pick some things out in a moment. Otherwise, once we arrive at the house, some people with ulterior motives might say I've mistreated Banniang, and wouldn't that cause trouble?"
Banniang began to think seriously about this, and immediately two names popped into her head—
Cheng Jun.
Cheng Xu.
Those two cared most about saving face. From the very beginning, they had wanted to arrange this marriage, only to have it "snatched away" by Han Zhi... though it couldn't really be called snatching, since they had already been rejected.
Even so, they felt they had lost face and status because of it. When Han Zhi went to visit today, the Cheng family was bound to attend the banquet as in-laws, and there was a good chance they would make an issue of this to sneer at her father.
After pondering for a moment, Banniang nodded slightly and said, "What my husband thinks makes sense. Since that's the case, we'll do as you say and look for some fine goods."
***
By the Si hour, the Three-Morning Return Gift from the Su Family had already arrived at the Fuping Earl Mansion. It consisted of standard, proper items: hair ornaments, silks and satins, as well as geese and sheep.
Banniang stood beside Madam Han Zhou, helping to tally the gifts. Seeing that Han Zhi was nowhere in sight, Madam Han Zhou looked up with a puzzled expression and asked:
"Banniang, where is Zhi'er?"
"Answering Mother, my husband said he wanted to prepare some fine gifts, so I suppose he's still selecting them now," Banniang said.
Just then, Han Zhi walked over, and Banniang smiled and said, "Mother, my husband is here."
Smiling, Han Zhi planted a kiss on Banniang's lips, then waved to the people behind him and said, "Bring the things up! We should get ready to leave."
Immediately after, Banniang saw Yueping leading a group of male servants carrying several chests. They placed everything right in front of Banniang's feet and opened them one by one. The contents took her completely by surprise:
A golden beast ornament, made predominantly of pure gold foil leaves; then various colorful brocades and damasks, trimmed with tassels; plus quite a few gold and silver ornaments and the Four Treasures of the Study.
The rest consisted of live wild geese, ducks, and sheep.
"Husband, this..." Looking at these items, Banniang felt a sudden pang in her heart.
"Isn't this a bit too much? While we do need to bring enough face, this is also a bit extravagant."
Han Zhi took her hand and said, "It's nothing."
"Where did all these things come from? They look terribly expensive," Banniang asked again. If Han Zhi said he had saved up for them himself, she would definitely make him return every last piece.
Han Zhi scratched his head, looking quite embarrassed as he said, "I don't really know if these count as expensive..."
"This golden beast was a thank-you gift from a classmate who asked me to tutor him in his studies and essays. These colored brocades came from the family business of a classmate whose life I once saved, so they sent them over. As for these ornaments, they are rather precious, I suppose—I saw them and bought them when I had some idle time."
Banniang stared blankly for a moment, then gave him a pinch and said, "Even if the household is well-off, we cannot squander like this."
"How can this be considered squandering?" Han Zhi replied. "These things are here to prove that when Banniang married me, she wasn't the one being wronged. In my heart, Banniang is worth much more than all these things."
Her face flushing red, Banniang simply jerked her hand away, turned her back to him, and scolded, "Mother is still right here. You really are a shameless wretch."
With that, she glanced sideways at Madam Han Zhou, but Madam Han Zhou simply pretended not to hear and was letting her maidservant whisper in her ear.
Han Zhi hurriedly pulled her close and whispered, "I'm not lying at all. Every word is true, truly."
"If my husband has the energy to joke around like this, you'd better think about what flattering words to say when you meet my father."
Holding her hand, Han Zhi gently shook it and said, "Alright, alright, let's get ready to leave."
With that, the two finally ended their clinging behavior. Madam Zhou Han then stepped forward and asked, "The family carriages are all prepared. The two of you can set off now."
Han Zhi and Banniang offered a bow. Watching the servants load the gifts onto the carriages, they boarded together and headed toward the Su Family.
***
Meanwhile, the Su Family was busy preparing for the Huilang Ceremony. The tables and chairs had been arranged in the house, and even the musicians were all ready.
Su Xun sat in the main hall, while Madam Cheng was giving instructions regarding the tea preparations. At that moment, eleven-year-old Little Su Zhe came running in, exclaiming joyfully:
"Sir! Mother! Older Sister and Brother-in-law have arrived!"
Hearing this, Su Xun immediately perked up and stood to his feet. He intended to go out to welcome them, but his son-in-law and daughter were already walking in.
"Sir, Mother."
"Father-in-law, Mother-in-law."
The couple bowed together to pay their respects to the two elders. Madam Cheng stepped forward at that moment, taking Banniang's hand with a look of gratification in her eyes as she said, "Our Banniang is a wife now, too."
"Mother."
Han Zhi began directing the servants to move the brought gifts inside. Just as they had done at the Fuping Earl Mansion, Yueping had the servants display the items on the floor and open them up.
"Good son-in-law, this is..." Shocked by the lavish gifts, Su Xun pointed and asked.
"Sir, these are gifts personally chosen by my husband."
Madam Cheng also smiled and said, "Coming is enough, the thought is what matters—why bring so many gifts?"
Banniang smiled and explained, "My husband was afraid someone might come and wrong Mother and Sir, which is why he prepared these. Sir and Mother, please accept them. After all, it's also a token of my husband's sincerity."