According to logic, Afu, as the protagonist of the marriage proposal, should not have appeared. However, everyone understood that this proposal was different, so no one paid attention to this aspect. Instead, they had Ada bring Afu out.
As a few people were talking, they heard footsteps outside the door. Looking up, they saw Afu and Ada standing at the entrance.
Ada, fearing Afu would feel uncomfortable, stayed by his side and accompanied him into the room. Afu did not look at Gu Yitong on the seat, thinking of Shen Xuan and Lu Yu bowing slightly, and stood to the side with Ada.
The matchmaker, unaware of the details, saw the young master being proposed to actively come out. He assumed this young master had long agreed but dared not show it out of respect for the two people seated above.
Considering himself clever, he smiled and went to persuade Lu Yu and Shen Xuan.
"My lords, our matchmaker is simply willing to see lovers united. Today, arriving at your esteemed residence for the first time, I can see that your household is very polite. Our young lady had already invited me to come and propose."
"Our young lady has wanted to propose for a long time. If I hadn't insisted on finding an auspicious day, this young lady would have been impatient long ago."
The matchmaker spoke with increasing enthusiasm, but this didn't seem quite right either.
Everyone present knew what was actually happening. The matter of Gu Yitong inviting the matchmaker to propose long ago simply did not exist. Everyone present understood this but found it difficult to interrupt the matchmaker, so they could only keep agreeing.
For a time, the atmosphere became extremely awkward.
"I see that your young master is learned, gentle, and polite, and is extremely well-matched with this young lady."
"Don't be fooled by our young lady's quiet demeanor; she is very caring in daily life. If the young master marries her, he will certainly not be wronged."
No one stopped the matchmaker, but he became more and more animated, his praises flowing like an inexhaustible river.
Seeing the increasingly awkward atmosphere, Lu Yu had no choice but to intervene.
"Matchmaker, uh... we know all that you've said, and we are very pleased with Miss Gu."
"Yes, matchmaker, you don't need to say so much." Gu Yitong also coughed twice, flicked away the fan in her hand, leaned forward, tugged at the matchmaker, and whispered with the fan blocking her mouth.
Gu Yitong's original intention in calling the matchmaker was to make things more formal and to let Afu know that she truly valued this relationship. She never expected the matchmaker to push the atmosphere to such an awkward climax.
Even now, Afu had not looked up at Gu Yitong. He wasn't angry or unwilling to agree; he simply didn't know how to face Gu Yitong, as if he were forcing her to marry him because of this child.
"Isn't that settled! Since both esteemed guests agree to this matter, then we shall proceed with the inquiry of names."
The matchmaker, not expecting things to go so smoothly, continued, "May I know the young master's name? And his birth date and time."
"We will find someone to calculate it immediately. As long as the birth dates are compatible, we will come to present the betrothal gifts soon. However, looking at the young master and the young lady, they are truly a match made in heaven, and their birth dates must be very compatible!"
"Right, I see that both of you are very satisfied, and Miss Gu is also eager to propose. Why don't we complete the formalities today and directly test the young master's virginity."
"Although we trust the young master very much, this is indispensable. You two should understand. This way, we can come to present the betrothal gifts directly next time." The matchmaker did not feel that his two sentences were inappropriate.
After all, this was the job of every matchmaker in this era. Having received the money, they naturally had to give the bride's side a clear account.
However, Shen Xuan and Lu Yu did not understand this matter, and neither did anyone else present. Otherwise, Gu Yitong would not have called the matchmaker.
Lu Yu, having come from modern times, naturally wouldn't know about this.
When Shen Xuan and Lu Yu got married, there was no matchmaker at all; he was sent over directly in a small sedan chair in the morning, so he naturally didn't know about this either.
Afu, having followed Shen Xuan since he was young, naturally didn't know what Shen Xuan didn't know.
As for Gu Yitong, when Zheng Yu went to her home to propose, he did not bring a matchmaker. Instead, Zheng Yu and her father came in person, so the check for chastity was naturally skipped. Gu Yitong naturally did not know about it.
In fact, Zheng Yu's father knew about this, which was why he did not find a matchmaker and came in person. He had to read.
On one hand, he truly liked Gu Yi and believed in Gu Yi, genuinely wanting Gu Yi to be his daughter's husband. He cared little for such things.
On the other hand, he had experienced this before. At that time, he fell in love with a woman whose status and position were much higher than his. That woman's elders disdained to propose in person and only sent a matchmaker.
At that time, the village did not emphasize such formal proposal methods, while wealthy families attached great importance to them. The matchmaker took their money, understood their intentions, and came to make things difficult for him.
He did not want Gu Yi to suffer the humiliation he had endured, nor did he want Gu Yi to be examined by others. Therefore, he did not bring a matchmaker, and it was not surprising that Gu Yitong did not know about this.
Even with all the experience Ada had from his previous masters, he was still unmarried, and he certainly didn't know about such matters.
Therefore, everyone in the room learned about this matter for the first time from the matchmaker's mouth.
Upon hearing these two sentences, Afu's expression instantly turned grim, and even Shen Xuan's smile faded.
"This..." Lu Yu did not respond and turned to look at Gu Yitong, who was full of nervousness.
Gu Yitong, receiving Lu Yu's reproachful gaze, wiped the sweat that had beaded on her forehead, gave a forced laugh, and pulled the matchmaker aside.
"Thank you for today. I can handle the rest myself now. You can go back."
"That won't do. How can a matchmaker stop halfway through a proposal and run away? No, no!" The matchmaker repeatedly waved his hands and turned to return to his seat.
Gu Yitong, quick as lightning, pulled him back. "Don't worry, we won't tell anyone about this. You can go back with peace of mind."
"Then... the money?" The matchmaker looked up, smiling and rubbing his fingers, the meaning obvious.
Gu Yitong had intended to send the person away first before paying, but seeing the situation, she knew he wouldn't leave without payment. Gu Yitong took out a bag of silver from her怀, and without checking how much was inside, stuffed it into the matchmaker's hand.
Feeling the heavy money bag in his hand, the matchmaker's eyes widened instantly. Smiling, he quickly tucked the money bag into his clothes, as if Gu Yitong would snatch the money back if he was a second slower.
After the matchmaker was satisfied, he did not leave immediately. After all, having received so much money, he should still be diligent.
"My lords, I have some other matters to attend to, so I will be leaving now. But do not bully the young lady just because she is honest."
"Young master! Rest assured, you two will surely have a long and lasting relationship. After marriage, you will have a chubby daughter, who will surely resemble her mother!"
After speaking, the matchmaker, satisfied, pocketed the money bag and left contentedly.