The screeching at the front gate woke up Lin Rou. She limped slowly to the front room as Mu Chen was headed for the courtyard. "Ah-Chen, what's going on?"
He turned and helped her to her chair. He made sure she could reach the sewing basket and the breakfast he set out for her. "It's probably my birth mother and father. My father is happy with the marriage, but my mother has never liked me and wants to gain something from this."
"Will she come to the wedding? I am not up for exchanging insults with her. I'm happy with meeting your father." Mu Chen kissed her on her forehead. "That I don't know, but father will. I'll take care of this, you go ahead and eat." She nodded and picked up the bowl of brown sugar porridge.
Mu Chen sighed then opened the gate. His father was glaring at his shrew of a wife. "Some beggar orphan is not good enough for my son!"
"I don't care for your opinions. My son can marry whoever he wishes. The girl is gentle and has a good temperament. She is perfect for my son. You have no say in this."
She shrieked and then turned to glare at Mu Chen.
"Well, where is this orphan!"
He stared at her as ice formed in his veins. "You will never call her that again. She has a family, she just lost her memory after the accident. Insult my wife again and I will report you to the Chief." His voice was chilling. Mu Yuqin smiled warmly at his son. "Ah-Chen, my son. Good morning. I wanted to deliver the bride price to little Rou'er. Is she willing to see me?" Mu Chen clapped his father on the shoulder. "She is in the front room. Because of the accident her leg was broken, don't worry though, it is healing and she will be just fine. The doctor has already seen her yesterday." His father nodded and came into the yard to meet his daughter in law. The only one he would recognize.
His other sons weren't worth mentioning. Lin Rou looked up as Mu Chen came back inside. Yin was in her lap and Yan was laying by her feet. "Good morning father in law, I would get up to greet you properly, but my leg is currently healing." Mu Yuqin chuckled and waved away her greeting. "It's alright dear child. I'm just pleased you're going to be alright. Since we haven't found your family yet, I'm here to deliver the bride price." He sat beside her and handed her three mahogany boxes. She opened one and saw a white jade hairpin set. "This belonged to my grandmother, she gave it to me to give to my daughter in law. This is her gift to you." Lin Rou smiled and thanked him, then opened the next box. It held seeds of different kinds and a book. "This is from my father, your grandfather in law. He said this would help you pass the time. I noticed the garden Ah-Chen built for you, this should help." The last box held two jade pendants. One had a crane carved into it and the other one was in the shape of a cherry blossom in full bloom on it.
"This is from me. The pendants are for you and Ah-Chen, as betrothal gifts to each other. The crane represents Mu Chen, the cherry blossom represents you. I also have twenty taels of silver for you." He handed her the money. "Thank you, Father in law, I like the gifts. Will you be joining us for the banquet tomorrow?"
He smiled at her gently. "Of course. My son is marrying such a gentle girl, I wouldn't miss it. Grandfather in law is also attending with Grandmother in law."
"MY SON IS NOT MARRYING THAT WHORE!"
Mu Chen shot up and placed himself between his mother and his bride.
Lady Mu was a beautiful woman. Her cheongsam was a deep sapphire blue with silver accents. She glared openly at Lin Rou, who looked at her with a calm that shocked Mu Chen. He hadn't seen her when she dealt with Li Xue so this was new to him. Lin Rou calmly placed Yin on the floor and pointed to her room. Both animals knew she wanted them to go to the room. Mu Chen was glad she had them so well trained. Yan had wanted to stay and protect her, but he obeyed her command. Lin Rou then stood up from her chair. Mu Yuqin helped her up and stood nearby in case his wife did anything to hurt his new daughter in law. "Madam, I have been here for three days that I know of. I have met with Aunt and Uncle and their children and grandchildren. I have now met Lord Mu. In the time I have been in Ah-Chen's house, I have been told that you had nothing to do with him as he grew to the man he is today. I don't see how you have the right to decide who Ah-Chen marries." She spoke softly and eloquently, like a noble lady. Mu Chen immediately had the idea that she had a noble upbringing. He would speak to the Chief about this and see if any noble family was looking for their daughter.
Lady Mu stared at Lin Rou in shock. She didn't speak like a poor village girl. The girl had an education. Lin Rou turned and bowed to Lord Mu and Mu Chen. "My Lords, I am tired and wish to rest. If you can please excuse me." Her bow was both noble and filled with the education of a high born lady. She turned and slowly left the room. You couldn't tell she was limping.