Chapter 196: In Debt
Zhong Lanhua lunged at Xiao Yanci like a madwoman, but he just stood there without moving or resisting.
Many people were crowding at the doorway. Seeing this scene, they pointed at Zhong Lanhua and gossiped.
“Is this crazy woman okay? Her son died, why blame the son-in-law?”
“Exactly. She doesn’t even think about it—now that her son is gone, she can only rely on her daughter. But the daughter is married to someone else, so in the end, doesn’t she still have to look at her son-in-law’s face?”
Jiang Yihuan pulled Zhong Lanhua back, stopping her from doing anything more impulsive.
She said to Xiao Yanci, “Xiao Gege, sorry, my mother was stimulated and has lost her reason a bit.”
Xiao Yanci steadied Zhong Lanhua’s shoulders and said to Jiang Yihuan, “I understand. Mother is not thinking clearly right now. Once she calms down, she’ll be fine. I don’t blame her.”
“Look at that, such a good son-in-law, and this crazy woman doesn’t know to cherish him. I heard her son owed a ton of gambling debts and whoring debts. He must not have been able to bear those debts and killed himself.”
Zhong Lanhua clutched her collar, crying her heart out.
Jiang Yihuan supported her and said to the constable nearby, “My mother is like this and can’t sign. Can my husband do it instead?”
The constable nodded. “Sure.”
Jiang Yihuan turned back to look at Xiao Yanci. He had been staring at the corpse the whole time, lost in thought. Jiang Yihuan could only speak up again to remind him, signaling him to sign and take the corpse away for burial.
Peach Blossom Workshop. Zhang Zhaodi heard from an old customer about the Jiang family matter and learned that Zhong Lanhua had just lost her son and gone completely mad. She let out a soft sigh.
Zhang Pandi saw her dejected expression from the side and said, “What’s wrong? You’ve been rivals with her for over twenty years. Shouldn’t you be happy to hear she’s down on her luck?”
“If she went bankrupt, got disfigured, or was abandoned by a man, I’d definitely clap and cheer. But she lost her son, and I just can’t laugh. We women would rather something happen to ourselves than to our children—children are our heart’s flesh! Now she’s a mother who has lost her heart’s flesh, so I’ll keep some virtue on my lips and not curse her.”
A woman dressed all flashy walked in, looked around the shop, and fixed her gaze on Zhang Zhaodi and Zhang Pandi.
“You two are here. I have something to discuss with you both. Can we find a convenient place to talk?”
“Matchmaker Li.” Zhang Zhaodi and Zhang Pandi exchanged a glance.
A matchmaker at the door—could she be here to arrange a marriage for Chunni or Jiang Jing?
Though these two young ladies were a bit young, they could still have an arranged meeting first. If there was a satisfactory match, they could get engaged and marry a few years later. That was perfectly fine.
Su Yaoguang was already married, and everyone knew the little couple had good feelings and wouldn’t do something so tactless. Now, the only unmarried ones at home were Chunni and Jiang Jing.
Zhang Zhaodi, as Jiang Jing’s godmother, had no other relatives, so she should handle her marriage matters.
“Matchmaker Li, have some tea.” Zhang Pandi poured tea.
At this time, Zhang Zhaodi led Matchmaker Li to the inner dormitory room. No outsiders here, so whatever was said wouldn’t leak out.
“I’m here to talk marriage.” Matchmaker Li said with a cheerful smile. “Wang Laoye from east of the city—you know him, the one who sells soy sauce. And Steward Zhang from Zhang Family Village—you’ve heard of him too. He has a hundred acres of land; just the rent brings in a big sum every year. Plus, he runs an Escort Agency and makes a good amount each year.”
“I know Wang Laoye. His eldest son studies well. This time he took the exam in the same cohort as Wangshu and got around fiftieth place,” Zhang Zhaodi said.
She hadn’t gone inquiring herself, but the customers at Peach Blossom Workshop loved to huddle and gossip about this family and that, so all that news naturally entered her ears.
“Yes, yes, that’s their family.”
Zhang Pandi leaned in and whispered in Zhang Zhaodi’s ear, “This is good. Whether for Chunni or Jing’er, it’s worth considering.”
Zhang Zhaodi nodded.
“What’s the deal with Steward Zhang from Zhang Family Village? I remember he lost three wives, and none left him with a son or even a daughter. Their family shouldn’t have any suitable candidates,” Zhang Zhaodi continued. “Are you trying to introduce one of their relatives to us?”
“No, it’s Steward Zhang himself.” Matchmaker Li said, “Steward Zhang has property. Marry over and be the proper wife, with servants all around—you’d live in bliss!”
Zhang Zhaodi frowned. “Neither Chunni nor Jing’er has reached marriageable age yet. You want an underage young girl to marry a filthy old man like that?”
Zhang Pandi angrily said, “This filthy old man has also killed several wives.”
Matchmaker Li hurriedly explained, “No, no, you misunderstood. Steward Zhang has his eye on you, Second Lady Zhang!”
Zhang Pandi was stunned. “Second Lady Zhang…”
Could this Second Lady Zhang be her?
She had never heard anyone call her that before, so this unfamiliar title felt strange. But surnamed Zhang and second in seniority—who else but her?
Instantly, her face flushed red. She glared with wide eyes, shocked, and said, “You’re not here to matchmake for my daughter—you’re here to matchmake for me?!”
“Yes, I’m here to matchmake for you two.” Matchmaker Li finally realized they had misunderstood and quickly clarified. “I mean Wang Laoye and Zhang Laoye. Wang Laoye has his eye on you, Auntie Zhang, and Zhang Laoye has his eye on you, Second Lady Zhang. Oh dear, what a misunderstanding, sorry about that. Wang Laoye’s son is already engaged and getting married next month.”
Zhang Zhaodi immediately turned cold. “Then you can leave. My daughter is this old already; I have no thought of remarrying.”
“Neither do I,” Zhang Pandi said annoyed. “I’m doing just fine now. Why find a man to make trouble for myself? I don’t want to go back to those old days.”
“Think it over. These two masters’ families are rich.”
“No interest.” Zhang Zhaodi stood up. “Alright, we’re busy with business, so we won’t keep you.”
“Yes, yes, off you go.”
Zhang Pandi pushed Matchmaker Li out the door and happened to see Su Yaoguang and Zhou Wangshu returning from outside.
As soon as Matchmaker Li saw Su Yaoguang, she stopped pestering the Zhang sisters and ran toward Su Yaoguang instead.
“Boss Su, a word in private.”
“Will you never stop?” Zhang Zhaodi saw this, grabbed a feather duster, and rushed out. “If you dare say any nonsense to my daughter, I’ll rip your mouth off.”
Matchmaker Li hurriedly dodged, running outside while evading.
“Ouch, Auntie Zhang, your temper is too fiery. Fine, I won’t say it. With such a nasty temper, no man could put up with you. No wonder you killed your own man.”
“What did you say?!”
Zhang Zhaodi was just about to chase after her when she saw Matchmaker Li, who had reached the doorway, stumble underfoot and pitch forward, falling flat on her face.
“Ouch…”
