In the Lu residence. Royal Eunuch Dai, brings the marriage decree at the Lu Residence.
Court historian Lu Ke welcomes, "Please come in Royal eunuch. Let me introduce you, this is my wife Lu Hua (as he points at his wife, she greets royal eunuch) and my daughter Lu Mei (also greets royal eunuch)."
Royal Eunuch greets both the ladies of the house, as he looks for the third lady and asks, "Where is your second daughter court historian Lu?"
Lu Ke immediately asks the maid to fetch the second lady of the Lu residence and directs another servant to serve royal eunuch the best tea. As the maid rushed to bring the Lu family's second lady, the wife of court historian Lu Ke, lady of the house, Madame Lu Hua remembered something and rushed behind the maid.
Lu Hua, at the side corridor away from the eyes of the royal eunuch, instructed the maid, "Listen carefully. Take one cloak (Beizi) of Lu Mei from last seasons's clothing from the store room and also take this..." As Lu Hua proceeds to remove her white jade hair pin that has a flower craved on it and her white jade bangle. "Make her wear this and present her in front of the Royal Eunuch."
At the outhouse of Lu residence, a corridor of servant quarters leads to store rooms and godown of the Lu residence. In one of the little worn-out quarters, inside of which, sat a young lady of warm complexion, skinny structure and average stature. She was busy painting with a grass blade on a stretcher of corse cotton sheet.
Maid barges in the quarters disrespectfully, without announcing her presence, "Didn't the lord tell you to not indulge in this useless hobby?"
The young lady speaks without being offended by the maid's undisciplined behaviour, "I'm sure you did not rush here to tell me that."
Maid speaks with praise and attitude towards the young lady, "That is my you can never be compared to our lady Mei, you in comparison to her, will only be just like this blade of grass... I was send to fetch you."
Young lady uninterested yet asked as if surprised, "Oh, why?"
"Royal Enunch has come from court with a decree, all family members are to be present," said the maid.
The young lady scoffed in her head 'family? what an unfamiliar word.' She was not sure when she became the part of this family. As she sets her painting equipment aside and notices, the folded piece of clothing and two pieces of jewellery in the maids hands and asks, "What is in your hand?"
"This is for you to wear. Mistress was kind enough to give you Lady Mei's cloak and her jewellery," replied the maid.
The young lady gets up and raises her arms in a stanch to be dressed by the maid.
"You must think your the lady!" Said the maid, with disbelief.
"Am I not?" The young lady sarcastically questioned in a soft tone. "Your speech in front of Royal Eunuch would reflect badly upon Lu residence. Your masters will be punished for your conduct." After a pause, she continues, "Best we hurry, we cannot have the Royal Eunuch waiting.
"Yes lady Wei," said the maid bitterly.
As young lady Lu Wei wears the cloak and adjusts the hair pin on a hair that lacked any other ornamentation. Her hair was tied half up in a braid twisted into a bun and the rest was left loose to its lengths. She didn't even have a full size mirror to see her reflection. She had to make do with the small facial mirror that she had. Here was the face of a young lady that did not own any jewellery or applied lavish makeup. Lu Wei had worn simple silver drop earrings. She asked the maid to began heading towards the central courtyard, Lu Wei will follow behind. As the maid left her quarters leaving the door only slightly open. As the maid left, Lu Wei opened a wooden compartment from the side of the table secretly and took out a box from within it she took a long pouch and placed it inside her sleeve before leaving the quarters for the central courtyard.
In the presence of all the members of Lu family, Royal Enunch Dai read the royal decree to the residents that bowed down in respect.
Enunch Dai announces :
"The daughters of the Lu family, Lu Mei and Lu Wei are virtuous, courtesy, generous and beautiful, unlike any other. They are to be wedded to the sons of the Xu family, Xu Guoqiang and Xu Da, who are brave, strong, intelligent, and valiant serving the empire. I hereby specially bestow this marriage, to be held on the Mid-Autumn festival.
By the order of the Emperor."
The Lu family uniformly bowed and thanked the Emperor. As the head of the family, court historian Lu Ke received the the decree with both hands and was assisted by the servant to rise up again. So was every other member. The mother Lu Hua and eldest daughter Lu Mei raised with the help of their respected maids, only the youngest daughter had no maid on her side to rise and stood up on her own. Royal Enunch took note of this, at the same time, he notices that the cloak the young lady was wearing did not match with the garment on the inside. The lady wore beige hemp material clothing, while the cloak was plum green silk. She also wore the same white jade hair pin and bangle that Madame Lu wore, on Royal Enunch's arrival. He understood immediately that the youngest daughter was not favoured as the eldest daughter who was bejewelled with accessories. Miss Wei was natural and simple as to miss Mei was loud and garish. But he was a good judge of character and could tell immediately that lady Wei, was a diamond in the rough.
Lu ke invites, "Royal enunch, please stay for lunch."
Royal enunch : "No I have other matters to attend, in the palace. Therefore, I shall take my leave."
Lu ke gave gratuity to the royal eunuch, thanking him once again. The father returned to become part of the chirpy discussion the eldest was having, of what she wants for the wedding. While Miss Lu Wei followed the Royal Enunch to the door post.
Royal Enunch to the lady, "You came to see me off?"
Lady Wei : "Yes, it is only appropriate etiquette. Also....."
Royal enunch : "What is it my lady?"
Lady Wei removes the elongated pouch from her left sleeve and places it in her two out-stretched hands. The royal enunch asks, "What this is? "
"Royal enunch, did the needful so this is a gesture of gratitude, " said Lu Wei.
The royal enunch was impressed for the gratuity given by court historian Lu was not gratitude but customary. And neither was the Royal enunch escorted out to the chariot. But this young lady practiced courtesy and her gift felt thoughtful. The Royal enunch receives the pouch and opens to find a silk hand fan, with a very intricate painting on it. The enunch asked "Where is this from?"
"I painted it myself, Sir." Said lady Wei.
"Exquisite! Really well-done!" While fanning the hand held silk fan, a sweet fragrance was in the air. Eunuch was surprised as he ask, "What is this? how did it...?
"I added fragrance in the pigment, the fragrance will last a while," said lady Wei.
Royal eunuch was very impressed with the lady's gift and behaviour; very pious and very knowledgeable. Royal eunuch spoke, "Your gift was very thoughtful and made me impressed. Therefore, I shall give you an advice."
Seeing the eunuch and Wei at the door post Lu Ke was curious and went towards them. But he suddenly stopped and hide himself to eavesdrop to know what advice eunuch was giving Wei.
Royal Eunuch :"For what causes destruction is the scorching sun, for what revives the thirst is the moon. One is disgrace, other is pride. How long will tide remain unchanged? For a weed will still stay a weed, even in an ornate vase."
After a pause Royal Eunuch takes his leave, "I shall take my leave young lady, if you can keep my words in mind it will reflect well." He bows with a smile.
Lu ke was quite perplexed as to why they had such an exchange of intellectual words. Lu Wei returned inside to the main hall. And started removing her cloak, folded it nicely and handed it over to the nearest maid. She also removed the hair pin and bangle and placed it on top of the folded cloak.
Lu Mei with malice and mockery spoke, "Aya! We didn't have to tell you anything. You already know your place. You are lucky to even have such a high level match making. If it wasn't for the royal decree, who would want to marry an orphan."
Lu Hua not paying any attention to her daughters conduct instructs,"Before the wedding, both of you will attend Madam Hei's etiquette class. And also both your measurements need to be taken. And among the maids who is willing to be her lady in waiting?"
Silence followed. No maids volunteered. "This is the matter of Lu family's reputation! Exclaimed Madame Lu. Again silence.
Lu Wei spoke,"Madam Lu, I will get a maid from the guild. If there is nothing else I shall take my leave." She bows gently and goes back to her quarters.
"Mother, why are you giving her anything..." Even before Lu Mei could finished speaking Madam interrupted "Listen do not treat her with malice when you enter the Xu residence. It will reflect badly on Lu family. Your father has got a chance to lift himself in higher ranks after forming this marriage to the influencial Xu family. It is your luck, so do not do anything that can reflect badly on us and yourself. That girl will not retaliate the way she is treated, she will suffer silently. But you! You will create trouble at the slightest discomfort. Please understand my words and be good in your-in-law's house. Do you understand?" Adamantly Madame Lu forced her opinion on her only daughter Lu Mei. She could only obey at the time, to ease her mother's concerns.