20demayo Chapter 235 Looking at each other
Chapter 235 Looking at each other
Spurred by the promise of money, Wang agreed to the marriage on the spot without much consideration. Regardless of whether the family was as good as the matchmaker Jia had described, the dowry of fifty taels of silver was real; if it wasn't good, she could always come back later.
Having received Wang's agreement, Matchmaker Jia left happily. She needed to find someone to go to Fushunlou in the county town to deliver the message quickly, lest someone else intercept it.
After the matchmaker Jia left, Wang took out a bronze mirror, looked at her reflection, and was very satisfied.
That evening, Wang called her two sons together and told them about what the matchmaker, Jia, had said that day.
"Mother, is this a reliable thing? Spending so much money to find a stepmother for myself, I feel a bit suspicious." The eldest daughter felt that something was wrong. Her mother was just thinking about remarrying, and then such a good marriage was offered to her? This is too much of a coincidence.
“Hey, brother, what are you saying? The old man may have some money, but his health isn’t good. I bet he’s married younger women before, but they were restless and wouldn’t be willing to obediently serve an old man. That’s why he specifically asked for an older woman this time. Besides, what do we have that can be fooled? What can our mother be fooled about?” The second brother was quite pleased with the whole thing.
Moreover, he had some other thoughts in mind. If what Matchmaker Jia said was true, and his mother was to become the housekeeper, then it wouldn't be impossible for him to have one of the maids in the house as a concubine.
Regardless of whether the two brothers agreed or not, Wang was determined to marry him. For someone her age, as long as she had money, that was enough. Taking care of an old man with limited mobility was nothing difficult, and she had a maidservant to help her.
In the county town's Fushunlou restaurant, Zhao Wu was drinking with a fifty-year-old man when the innkeeper suddenly came over, bent down, and said to Zhao Wu...
“Uncle Zhao, a young boy just came by with a message. He said that Matchmaker Jia sent him with the message, ‘The person has been found, and you are asked to come and meet him at some time.’”
"Heh, Master, you handled this matter very efficiently. Do you think the person that Matchmaker Jia found is the one you mentioned?"
"Is something urgent? If not, let her keep looking. When you go tomorrow, have Nineteen go with you. She's met that person." After saying that, he drank the wine in his glass in one gulp.
"Let's go back. If you drink any more, your master's wife will get angry." He turned and walked upstairs to his room, though he limped a little as he moved.
The next morning, Zhao Wu took a fair-skinned boy to Jia the matchmaker's house.
"And who is this young master?" Matchmaker Jia asked, noticing the well-dressed boy accompanying Zhao Wu.
"This is my son; he insisted on coming along today," Zhao Wu said to Matchmaker Jia.
"Okay, okay. Let's do it now. I've already sent the message, and the person is waiting at home now."
"That's great, Auntie, get in the cart." Zhao Wu was very happy to hear what Jia the matchmaker said, and immediately offered her a seat on the big blue mule cart.
Matchmaker Jia was naturally not polite; this carriage was much more impressive than her little donkey.
As soon as she entered the carriage, she was stunned by the gifts inside: silk, pastries, meat, and wine.
"Uncle Zhao, you brought so many gifts just for a blind date? What if...?" Matchmaker Jia asked Uncle Zhao, who was sitting outside, worried that he might be angry if the gifts were given out but the person didn't like him.
"Oh, that? Auntie, I'm only bringing this gift after I've set my sights on someone, so please don't let me know beforehand, otherwise it won't look good."
“That’s how it should be, and this is more appropriate.” When Jia the matchmaker heard his explanation, she breathed a sigh of relief and agreed wholeheartedly.
The mule cart quickly arrived at the Wang family's house, and the matchmaker, Jia, got off and knocked on the door. It was Wang's second daughter-in-law who opened it. Seeing the tall man standing beside the mule cart, the woman blushed slightly, knowing that this was someone who had come to meet her future mother-in-law. She felt a little embarrassed. But she wasn't in a position to make decisions at home, and although she felt her face burning, she still politely welcomed him into the courtyard.
Disguised as a young master, Nineteen squeezed Zhao Wu's hand, and when he looked down at her, she nodded gently.
Once he was sure it was the right one, Zhao Wu quickly gave instructions to the driver.
"Uncle Ma, quickly unload the gifts from the car."
"Yes, sir."
Matchmaker Jia was a little puzzled. They had agreed on the way here, so why did they suddenly change their minds? But she couldn't stop them in front of others. She could only warmly usher them inside.
Hearing the noise outside, Wang Shi gracefully emerged from the house, dressed in a slightly worn jacket and cotton skirt. Her hair was neatly combed and tied into a bun at the back of her head, adorned with a silver comb. She wore a pair of plain silver earrings. Her skin was fair, and although a patch of skin on her forehead appeared different from the rest, she looked clean and efficient overall.
"You've arrived? Come in and sit down, it's warm inside." Madam Wang's voice was kind and gentle. Judging by her appearance alone, she could definitely be described as a woman past her prime, still retaining her charm.
Wang's two sons also stood under the eaves. The eldest son's expression was somewhat stiff; he didn't know how to greet the person who had come today. The second son, on the other hand, had a bright smile on his face. As soon as Zhao Wu approached, he went up to greet him and exchange pleasantries, his attitude very familiar. Anyone who didn't know the situation would think that he had found his long-lost brother.
Zhao Wu led Shijiu to sit on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed). Wang Shi personally brought up tea and offered Shijiu fruit. Her attitude was very friendly, which made people feel good about her.
Uncle Ma followed behind, carrying the gifts he brought back in three trips before finally bringing all the gifts from the car into the house.
The second son looked at the many beautifully packaged gifts and was about to reach for them when Wang Shi stopped him with a glare.