Chapter 91:
Otherwise, Li Depei wouldn’t have the face to ask them both to come.
Zhao Xiaomei chatted idly with Matchmaker Wan, one sentence here and there!
Luo Zhi’er carried the bamboo basket to the backyard, washed her hands, and came out to greet them too. Old Li Tou introduced her as Third Child’s wife.
“Oh, so you’re Old Li Brother’s third daughter-in-law!”
Matchmaker Wan disdainfully looked her up and down. No matter how neatly she was dressed, the contempt in her eyes did not escape Luo Zhi’er’s notice!
Luo Zhi’er remained expressionless, as inconspicuous as air.
After greeting Second Uncle and Second Uncle’s wife, she went into the room, found some needlework, sat down on the side, and mended Miaomiao’s shoes…
Miaomiao also sat down nearby. Li Zhenzhu seemed afraid she would grab the sunflower seeds or candy, and protectively shifted them toward her side…
Luo Zhi’er snorted coldly. With your stuff, even if you gave it to her and Miaomiao, she wouldn’t eat it—it’s poisonous!
“I was wondering why two magpies were chattering on the big tree fork in front of Old Li Family’s door this morning. Turns out it was Matchmaker Wan from town gracing us with her presence!”
Zhao Xiaomei cracked another sunflower seed. It was bitter and spicy on the tongue, with a musty smell—it was clearly blackened and rotten, who knows how long it had been sitting!
She spat it out onto the ground with a “pah,” then took a sip of tea to rinse her mouth!
These words were beautifully said. Old Li Tou was extremely satisfied!
Matchmaker Wan arrogantly glanced at her.
“What are you talking about!”
Inner thoughts:
Heh, of course. In Taoyuan Town and the surrounding dozens of li, getting Matchmaker Wan to arrange a marriage costs some silver.
For a village like Zhao Li Village to have Matchmaker Wan come propose marriage is her honor.
If not for the fact that they have silver, she wouldn’t come.
She casually asked around about Old Li Family and knew they were overly thrifty to the point of being stingy, probably with hardly any reward money!
She might even end up running here for nothing and paying out of pocket. She wouldn’t be willing to come.
She had still spent silver to hire sedan chair carriers and come in a small sedan chair. At this moment, the two sedan chair carriers were sitting on a big stone nearby, looking around while drinking water and resting!
Seeing the moldy sunflower seeds in the saucer on the table, and the candy with discolored wrappers covered in dust, using such things to entertain her!
In town, those wealthy families serve her high-grade pastries, fresh fruit, premium tea leaves…
Looking again at Zhenzhu’s earlier unseemly actions, a trace of contempt flashed in Matchmaker Wan’s eyes…
Matchmaker Wan had been matchmaking for over twenty years—what kind of people hadn’t she seen? What kind of people hadn’t she dealt with?
This Old Li Tou family is honest and simple, real rural folk, facing the yellow earth with backs to the sky, no background…
This Li Zhenzhu, from her observation, is dressed up gaudily—clearly vain, arrogant, selfish, lazy and gluttonous, with improper thoughts…
This kind of person is perfect for Master Zeng, whom she’s proposing marriage for today.
Of course, she doesn’t care what Master Zeng specifically does or what his character is like. She only cares how much silver there is, and just needs to speak well of Master Zeng!
Besides, Master Zeng of Zeng Manor personally sent a servant to find her and gave her two taels of silver.
After success, there’s eight taels of reward silver for her. Naturally, she absolutely cannot fail!
Zhao Xiaomei finally got to the point after beating around the bush.
“I wonder, Matchmaker Wan, which family’s match are you proposing for Old Li Family today?”
Old Li Tou and Zhou Shi were busy the whole time. They had only returned less than half a shichen after grinding the wheat flour, and hadn’t had time to formally ask yet!
“Hehe! The family I’m proposing today is one you couldn’t find even with a lantern for Old Li Family! It’s the good fortune of several generations of Old Li Family!”
Matchmaker Wan had a slick tongue and lavishly praised Old Master Zeng!
“If this marriage succeeds, the betrothal gifts naturally won’t be few—at least this much!”
Matchmaker Wan grandly held up her fingers, all ten extended…
Zhou Shi went into the kitchen to put down the scallion greens, quickly wiped her hands, and rushed out, nearly tripping!
She scrambled to the doorway of the main hall, behind the door, stood there with her ear pressed to listen!
“Speaking of Master Zeng, he’s one in ten thousand in Taoyuan Town! Imposing appearance, extraordinarily talented, brilliantly intelligent…”
Zhou Shi’s eyes lit up at the mention of ten taels of betrothal gifts!
This is indeed quite a lot. Ordinary rural families give two taels, slightly better ones three to five taels. Willing to give ten taels shows he values Zhenzhu and proves his family has a solid foundation—truly a one-in-ten-thousand good family. She was overjoyed.
It wasn’t a waste of her boasting earlier while grinding wheat flour at the big grinding stone…
Li Zhenzhu perked up proudly at these words, neck raised high, sitting ramrod straight.
Didn’t they say no one dared propose marriage for Li Zhenzhu?
Wasn’t this one here now?
A master from town, betrothal gifts of ten taels. Among all the young women in Zhao Li Village, who has a marriage as glorious as hers? They even hired Matchmaker Wan to make it grand!
Zhao Xiaomei felt uncomfortable upon hearing this, somewhat displeased. “Oh? I wonder how good this good family is?”
“This master is surnamed Zeng. His ancestors were merchants. As for his wealth, several generations of business—go ahead and think about that!”
“As for your family, you might ascend to the skies in one step—who knows!”
“Master Zeng? How come I haven’t heard of him? Oldest Brother, have you heard of this person?”
Li Zheng Sen hesitated, puzzled, and turned to ask Old Li Tou. Old Li Tou thought for a moment and shook his head. “No!”
He had lived half his life and never heard of a wealthy Master Zeng in town!
Zhou Shi at the doorway couldn’t help cursing inwardly. This damned Li Zheng Sen was just jealous of her! None of his three daughters had married as well as her Zhenzhu!
They were all poor ghosts!
“Aiyo, I forgot to tell you. Master Zeng’s family settled in Taoyuan Town a little over a year ago, so it’s normal you haven’t heard of him!!”
“Oh, so that’s how it is!”
Old Li Tou’s slightly furrowed brows relaxed.
“If that’s the case, then it’s strange! With Master Zeng so wealthy, why would he seek Zhenzhu as a wife?”
Zhao Xiaomei questioned.
Zhou Shi couldn’t hold back anymore and rushed out, jumping at Zhao Xiaomei. “Zhao Xiaomei, what do you mean?”
“Where is our Zhenzhu not better than your daughter? Do you, you wicked woman with ulterior motives, have to come here to ruin her reputation? You wish her marriage would fall through, don’t you?”
Zhenzhu also pitifully wiped her tears, looking at Zhao Xiaomei: “Second Aunt…”
Even if it didn’t work out today, she would still hold her head high. Third Brother looked down on her—she wanted to make him regret it! Make him anxious!
After scolding, Zhou Shi turned to berate Old Li Tou. “I said our own family matters are for us to handle ourselves. Why did you go invite some scheming people to come ask questions left and right? Aren’t you causing trouble?”
“She Zhao Xiaomei is deliberately trying to sabotage our Zhenzhu’s marriage. She’s jealous, can’t stand Zhenzhu doing well, can’t stand you, Oldest Brother, doing well!”
“You woman, go into the room and cook!”
Speaking so badly of someone’s second brother’s wife—usually complaining to him a couple times was one thing, but how could she rant like that in front of others and outsiders!
Old Li Tou angrily stood up glaring, nonstop soothing Zhao Xiaomei: “Second sister-in-law, you know what kind of person Eldest Sister-in-law is. Don’t take it to heart!”
“Hmph! Oldest Brother, if not for your sake, I wouldn’t come to your house for this fuss, to help you put on a show! What does it have to do with us? Right, Li Zheng Sen? What are you still sitting for?”
“Come home with me!”
“Ah, Wei Wa’s mother, this, this is still…”
Li Zheng Sen’s eyes darted between his wife and oldest brother…
“Zhao Xiaomei, you woman, taking advantage and still acting smug!” Zhou Shi couldn’t help shrilly scolding.
“You, get inside for me!” Old Li Tou glowered fiercely at her.
“Hmph!”
Zhou Shi didn’t know exactly where things had gone wrong. She was gradually losing Old Li Tou’s trust!
Old Li Tou was frustrated. Couldn’t she reflect properly? If she could hold her own, why would he invite second sister-in-law to keep the matchmaker company chatting?
As a big man, what did he know to say? The young wives weren’t home and had just returned…
Zhou Shi felt aggrieved and unconvinced. Matchmaker Wan’s eyes flickered. “Hehe, aiyo, Old Li Brother, Zhenzhu’s mother is just worried about her daughter’s marriage, that’s normal. We all understand. Let her listen here!”
Old Li Tou was a bit embarrassed, cleared his throat. “Cough… alright then! Her brain isn’t quite right, so please bear with us, Matchmaker Wan!”
Zhou Shi smugly snorted. “Whose brain isn’t right? Yours isn’t!” And quickly found a seat to sit down…
Old Li Tou’s face turned purple with anger!
Zhao Xiaomei snorted disdainfully, continued sitting, and pressed on. “Matchmaker Wan, about this Master Zeng, I’ll ask one thing—is he a widower?”
“Zhao Xiaomei!!!”
Zhou Shi was furious!
Matchmaker Wan had prepared her response and spoke first: “Hehe! Look at you saying that. Widower he is not—he has a principal wife. Due to years of childlessness, her health is poor now, chronically bedridden and essentially nominal. You get my meaning?”
“That is, if Zhenzhu plays smart and marries over, giving Master Zeng a son, her status would be unimaginable. The entire Zeng Manor, and your Old Li Family… tsk tsk…”
“What? This Master Zeng already has a principal wife? Matchmaker Wan, why come propose this marriage to us? Our Zhenzhu won’t be a concubine!”
Old Li Tou’s brows furrowed tightly. This won’t do—Zhenzhu can’t be a concubine!
“After all this, it’s to be a concubine?”
Zhao Xiaomei was also a bit shocked, though she had somewhat expected it. At her age, with her reputation ruined…
“Second Aunt, you’re really short-sighted. Master Zeng has no son yet, that’s why he’s seeking Zhenzhu. Otherwise, with Old Li Family’s status, how could she enter Zeng Manor?”
“Think it over carefully. Master Zeng said the betrothal gifts are negotiable. I’m just kindly reminding you—plenty of virgin maidens are eager to throw themselves at him. Ugly words first: miss this village, no such shop.”
“You need to decide quickly. They’re waiting for my reply today!”
Matchmaker Wan used both soft and hard tactics, coldly putting on airs.
Zhou Shi anxiously jumped up and down like an ant on a hot pot. What was the old man still hesitating for?
Being a concubine was fine—with silver, what was there to fear? Just with Zhenzhu’s age, she could overshadow that principal wife.
