Chapter 248: All Calculations
Matchmaker Miao had her sights set on the marriage proposal from Steward Huang’s family in the Pingjiang Weaving Bureau. She wracked her brain, going over it again and again, but by the time the fifteenth of the first lunar month passed, she still had no ideas. Matchmaker Miao was so anxious that a blister formed on the corner of her mouth.
If she didn’t quickly come up with a plan, once the New Year passed, the Huang family would approach the Li family. Such a good marriage prospect would surely be settled on the spot!
Hmm, she had to get her hands on this matter first. She’d secure it and then think of a plan.
Matchmaker Miao made up her mind, bought two catties of fruit, and headed straight for Matchmaker Zhang’s house.
The area around the Pingjiang Weaving Bureau was under Matchmaker Zhang’s jurisdiction.
Matchmaker Zhang invited Matchmaker Miao in and said with a smile, “Has the Cao family made up their minds?”
“This marriage with the Cao family is on me. I’ll listen to whatever you say. Whatever you decide, you can rest assured, I’ll twist the Cao family into whatever shape you want.” Matchmaker Miao stuffed two packets of pastries into Matchmaker Zhang’s arms and smiled.
“Oh!” Matchmaker Zhang picked up the two packets of fruit, looked at them, and then pouted at Matchmaker Miao. “You’re asking me for a favor, aren’t you?”
“My sister’s mind is so sharp!” Matchmaker Miao said with a smile. “We’ve been friends for decades. I’ll be direct. Can the marriage of Steward Huang’s eldest son be entrusted to me? The bride’s family can propose first; that’s quite common.”
“That’s not easy to handle,” Matchmaker Zhang said, looking at Matchmaker Miao with a half-smile. “First, the Huang family is a proper official family, not someone we can just do as we please with. Second, the Huang family fancies the Li Xiucai’s family north of the Prefectural School, and that area isn’t under your purview.”
“With our sisterly friendship, you’re speaking such polite words to me, it’s meaningless,” Matchmaker Miao retorted, leaning towards Matchmaker Zhang. “Besides, the Huang family is from out of town, with no relatives or connections in our Pingjiang City. And furthermore, he’s only a minor official!”
Matchmaker Miao snorted. “As for the Li family, although they live north of the Prefectural School, their household registration isn’t in Pingjiang City. Li Xiucai is considered under the Prefectural School, and doesn’t the Prefectural School fall under my jurisdiction?”
“That’s true,” Matchmaker Zhang pouted, but she could only agree.
All the official matchmakers around the Prefectural School were considered to have jurisdiction over matters related to the Prefectural School. If one were to insist, even she could claim jurisdiction over marriage proposals and certificates from the Prefectural School.
“If this matter is successful, you’ll still be the matchmaker for the groom’s side. Rest assured, I’ll definitely have the Huang family give you several bolts of the finest silk as a thank you,” Matchmaker Miao said, leaning closer to Matchmaker Zhang with a smile.
“Is it the Wu family sister again?” Matchmaker Zhang asked, understanding.
“Our fourth sister, what a wonderful young lady! You wouldn’t find one like her even with a lantern,” Matchmaker Miao said, her heart filled with joy when she spoke of the Wu family sister.
“What’s your connection to this Wu family? You’ve been so devoted to them for so many years,” Matchmaker Zhang asked, puzzled.
“I just find those sisters so lovely! Back then, the first time I saw our eldest sister, ah!”
Matchmaker Miao sighed with satisfaction. “My eldest sister’s looks, her temperament, her words and actions, every bit of it touches my heart. I truly consider our eldest sister as my own child. I always say, my daughters have two mothers. I couldn’t give birth to them, so I have to raise my daughters, and send them out into the world!”
“To be honest, it’s not just in my eyes. Let’s be frank, one hundred percent honest. My daughters are more than good enough to enter the palace and become empresses! There are no better daughters in the world than my daughters!”
Matchmaker Zhang glanced sideways at Matchmaker Miao, her lips turning downwards into an inverted V.
“For my daughters, I’d give my life. You absolutely cannot refuse to help me with this,” Matchmaker Miao said, looking at Matchmaker Zhang. “We still have a long way to go in our interactions. There’s no need to offend someone and build a wall, don’t you think?”
“Oh, listen to what you’re saying,” Matchmaker Zhang snorted. “You’ve resorted to threats, and I’m not afraid of you. If this wall blocks me, doesn’t it block you too? However, whether this marriage with the Huang family is in my hands or not, I don’t care. If you want it, go ahead and handle it. Just one thing: you cannot offend anyone on my behalf. No matter how much of an outsider they are, they are still an official.”
“Sister, relax! You know how reliably I handle things after decades of friendship, don’t you? Just wait to be happy with a pile of silk! I’m leaving. We’ll have a good chat when we’re both free later,” Matchmaker Miao said, talking and laughing as she left.
………………………………
Li Xiaonan and A Wu, each on a horse, rode leisurely from Guo Lane Town to Kunshan County, from the Weaving School in the south of the city to the north. As soon as they dismounted at the school entrance, they saw the young Foreman Liu, wearing a plain indigo silk-lined padded cloak, laughing and talking with a middle-aged man as they emerged from the school.
Li Xiaonan looked at Foreman Liu in surprise. What was he doing here?
Li Xiaonan saw Foreman Liu, and Foreman Liu also saw Li Xiaonan. He quickly strode forward, cupped his hands in greeting, “Miss Li.”
“Foreman Liu,” Li Xiaonan curtsied slightly in return. “What are you doing here? Is there something you need?”
“Hmm?” Foreman Liu looked bewildered. “What do you mean, Miss? Does this place that teaches weaving have something to do with you~”
Foreman Liu trailed off, pointing a finger towards the school.
“I opened it,” Li Xiaonan said, looking Foreman Liu up and down.
His demeanor was too theatrical.
“So you are the one who established it! Truly admirable!” Foreman Liu bowed deeply.
“It’s not free teaching; I charge money,” Li Xiaonan stepped aside, avoiding Foreman Liu’s bow. “Is there something you need, Foreman Liu?”
“What could I need? I’m a man of leisure. Old Shopkeeper He said the scenery in Jiufeng, Song County, is excellent, so I came to see it. I happened to be passing by and heard it was a school teaching weaving, which I found very curious, so I went in to take a look.”
As Foreman Liu spoke, he turned and stood beside Li Xiaonan, gesturing. “Are you here for an inspection, Miss?”
“The silk business is being discussed in Linhai Town. How do you have time, Foreman Liu?” Li Xiaonan took a step back to her side.
“The shopkeepers are there; those are minor matters, just earning a bit more or less silver. Do you want to go inside, Miss?” Foreman Liu said with a smile.
“No need. They’re in class. I can just take a look from here,” Li Xiaonan stood at the courtyard gate, took one look, and then turned away.
If this handsome Foreman Liu followed her inside, even if he just stood there, no one would be able to concentrate on their lessons. After he left, they would still be chattering about it for a long time.
Better not.
“I didn’t expect to meet you here, Miss. What great fortune,” Foreman Liu followed Li Xiaonan without missing a step.
“Foreman Liu, you’ve traveled a long distance. Isn’t it for matters concerning the silk business?” Li Xiaonan looked at Foreman Liu again.
“It’s partly for the silk business, to see that Young Lord. As for the details, the shopkeepers will handle them,” Foreman Liu also looked at Li Xiaonan.
“How does the Young Lord seem?”
“He’s alright, quite good-looking,” Foreman Liu said with a deep smile.
“It’s getting late, and we need to rush back to Pingjiang City. Goodbye,” Li Xiaonan stepped back and curtsied slightly.
“As I said last time, I wanted to invite you to taste the delicacies of our Nanyang. Are you free tomorrow, Miss?” Foreman Liu stepped forward and asked with a smile.
“That was just a polite remark. Please don’t be so formal, Foreman Liu.”
“How could I make a casual remark to you, Miss? Especially since you agreed. When will you be free, Miss?” Foreman Liu asked with a smile again.
“Then, when I’m free, I’ll first invite Foreman Liu to have a cup of our Pingjiang Prefecture’s clear tea. After all, Foreman Liu is visiting our Pingjiang Prefecture, so I must first fulfill my duties as a host,” Li Xiaonan stopped and looked at Foreman Liu.
“When?” Foreman Liu asked very seriously.
“When I’m free, I’ll send you an invitation,” Li Xiaonan said with a smile, taking a few steps back. A Wu helped her onto her horse, and she waved to Foreman Liu before riding off with A Wu at a trot.
The middle-aged man who had been standing by the side stepped forward and said to Foreman Liu with a smile, “This Miss Li is very charming.”
“Old Shopkeeper He repeatedly instructed me, saying she has a pure heart and to be mindful of my boundaries. He’s very good to me,” Foreman Liu clicked his tongue.
