Madam Li also assumed the people in the carriage were looking for Zhan Feiyu. However, upon seeing the woman who alighted from the first carriage, Madam Li couldn't help but pause. It was the matchmaker Wang.
"Sister Li?" Matchmaker Wang seemed surprised as well.
When she last saw Madam Li the previous year, she appeared to be a dusty, downtrodden farm woman. Matchmaker Wang had almost not recognized her just now. The person was the same, but her complexion was much fairer.
More importantly, clothes made the person. Madam Li was wearing a dark blue, cross-collared short jacket and had two silver hairpins adorning her hair. With her eyes relaxed and her demeanor pleasant, she looked like a kind and respectable woman.
"Sister Li." Matchmaker Wang's face broke into a smile, and she enthusiastically stepped forward. "The magpies on the branches are chirping merrily; I've come to thank you."
"Oh, Wang Meihua, you're quite good at currying favor." A sarcastic voice suddenly cut in as another woman alighted from the second carriage.
Although also dressed as a matchmaker, unlike Matchmaker Wang's festive appearance, the matchmaker Ma, who disembarked later, had a long, thin face, high cheekbones, narrow, triangular eyes, and deep nasolabial folds. Her physiognomy made her seem sharp and solitary.
"Sister Li, you've truly given birth to a wonderful daughter. The marriage I, Matchmaker Ma, have arranged for you today is the best match in the entire Shangsi County!" Matchmaker Ma, being tall, pushed aside Matchmaker Wang.
Although her words were polite pleasantries, Matchmaker Ma's attitude was condescending, as if Madam Li and Zhan Feiyu were receiving an immense favor.
"Xiao Yu is young and not yet ready for marriage," Madam Li replied with a gentle expression but a firm tone.
No matter how good the suitor the matchmaker described, Madam Li would not allow Zhan Feiyu to be betrothed at such a young age.
Matchmaker Ma curled her lips in a sneer. If Madam Li said this now, she thought, once she presented the groom's conditions, Madam Li would likely be eager to marry off her daughter.
"Sister Li, the sun is already out. Shall we go inside to talk?" Matchmaker Ma glanced at the women under the banyan tree and then instructed the servants and carriage drivers, "Bring out the gifts for the betrothal. Be careful; if you damage anything, you'll never be able to afford to replace it in your lifetime!"
Madam Li frowned. Even for a marriage proposal, the six rites were performed only after the bride's side agreed. How could a matchmaker bring betrothal gifts on her first visit when the groom's identity was unknown?
"These items?" The women exclaimed in surprise upon seeing the exquisite gift boxes held by the servants and drivers. The appearance of the boxes indicated the value of their contents.
"Hmph!" Matchmaker Ma let out a smug snort and arrogantly addressed Madam Li, "Sister Li, please lead the way."
Although Madam Li did not wish to be entangled with Matchmaker Ma, she could not refuse in front of the entire village. She had no choice but to lead the way.
Matchmaker Wang also brought a servant carrying only six types of pastries. These were clearly just gifts for visiting, not related to the marriage proposal; at most, it was a gesture of politeness.
"Sister Li." Matchmaker Wang quickened her pace and, walking alongside Madam Li, whispered, "Matchmaker Ma is an official matchmaker."
Madam Li was taken aback. To be able to afford an official matchmaker, the groom's family must not be ordinary farmers. Would refusing this proposal bring trouble to Xiao Yu?
The village women, lagging behind, hesitated for a moment before following suit.
Matchmaker Ma's attitude was so forceful; Madam Li might be at a disadvantage alone at home. If anything happened, they could offer assistance.
The main hall was tidily kept, much like most homes in the village. A square table for eight was placed at the front, with a round-backed chair on each side.
On the right were two long benches, and on the left were two more round-backed chairs. In the center was a high table with a coarse pottery jar holding a few wildflowers, adding a touch of rustic charm to the simple hall.
As an official matchmaker, Matchmaker Ma, despite her poor reputation, held a higher status than Matchmaker Wang.
After instructing the servant to place the gift boxes on the table, Matchmaker Ma sat down in the round-backed chair on the left and stated directly, "Sister Li, I am here today to propose marriage on behalf of the son of Scholar Zhang."
"Young Master Zhang is fifteen years old. He began his studies at four and has been studying for eleven years. Next February, he will participate in the Tong Sheng examination and is sure to be successful," Matchmaker Ma praised Zhang Tianhao's scholarly abilities before continuing, "Young Master Zhang is handsome and elegant. He and your daughter are a perfect match, a union of talent and beauty, made in heaven!"
Zhan Feiyu had not disclosed everything to Madam Li, but she had revealed some details about the case of her adoptive mother, Madam Lin, being poisoned. Scholar Zhang was the mastermind behind it, though there was no concrete evidence.
Upon hearing that Matchmaker Ma was proposing marriage for Zhang Tianhao, Madam Li's expression turned grim. She coldly dismissed her, "There's no need to say more. My daughter will not be betrothed before she is sixteen! Even if she were, it would be to someone of similar age!"
Zhang Tianhao was fifteen, and Zhan Feiyu was only eight.
Shanwazi's mother chimed in, "A seven-year age difference is indeed unsuitable. Xiao Yu will be at least eight years from marriage, and Young Master Zhang cannot wait that long!"
Zhang Tianhao would be over twenty by then, old enough to have children in ordinary families.
Another woman, seeing Matchmaker Ma's darkening expression, tried to smooth things over with a smile, thinking it wouldn't do to offend the matchmaker. "Every family with a daughter seeks a good match, but Xiao Yu is indeed too young. We will have to trouble you, Sister Ma, to make another trip in the future."
"Do you think I'm your servant, to come and go at your beck and call?" Matchmaker Ma stood up abruptly, her face stern, and sneered, "Sister Li, outsiders say your daughter is a good student. Is Madam Li trying to hold out for a better offer, to sell her daughter at a higher price?"
Matchmaker Ma's words were harsh. Not only Madam Li but all the women present looked displeased. Xiao Yu was now the pride of the entire village. Without her, would the Taifu Restaurant still buy their chickens, ducks, and fish?
Completely unaware that she had incurred the wrath of the crowd, Matchmaker Ma continued with her chin held high, "It is only a matter of time before Young Master Zhang succeeds in the imperial examinations. Your daughter will be a future official's wife. Furthermore, Scholar Zhang holds a scholarly title, and the Zhang family's private school is renowned in Shangsi County. With such qualifications, he could marry a daughter from a wealthy family!"
"Sister Li, you mustn't be too picky. You might end up with too many choices and have your daughter left on your hands, becoming an old maid who can't get married!" Matchmaker Ma's disdain and contempt were unconcealed.
"That's not something for Matchmaker Ma to worry about; Xiao Yu is my daughter!" Madam Li firmly refused. She turned and picked up the gift boxes from the table. "Please take these back; we are not fortunate enough to accept them!"
However, before Madam Li could hand the two gift boxes back to Matchmaker Ma, she suddenly felt her right foot slip. She stumbled, and the gift boxes she held swayed.
Madam Li quickly clutched the gift boxes to her chest, and Shanwazi's mother immediately reached out to grab Madam Li's arm. But with a clatter, something fell.
Everyone in the hall looked. Madam Li had managed to hold onto the long, large gift box, but a square, carved wooden box atop it had fallen to the ground.
"This contains the Zhang family's ancestral jade pendant, meant as a token of betrothal!" Matchmaker Ma shrieked, quickly squatting down to pick up the carved wooden box.
Upon opening it, Matchmaker Ma's face turned pale, and she collapsed onto the ground, clearly terrified.
Madam Li also looked down. The bottom of the wooden box was lined with black satin, upon which lay a milky white, round jade pendant. Against the dark satin, the jade pendant appeared exceptionally lustrous, as if emitting a faint glow.
"Did it break?" Shanwazi's mother's heart skipped a beat. She had only seen such jade pendants at Zhenbao Pavilion. Compared to silver jewelry, these jade pendants were much more expensive. It was said that excellent jade ornaments could cost hundreds of taels of silver.
Madam Li frowned and looked down at her feet. The firm ground was clean, and she saw nothing. Yet, she had clearly felt something under her foot just now.
Matchmaker Ma stood up, holding the wooden box, and glared at Madam Li, shouting, "This is the Zhang family's heirloom! A pear blossom white, lingzhi pattern jade pendant, worth at least five thousand taels of silver! How will you compensate?"
There were about eight or nine people standing in the hall, but everyone was stunned by the figure of five thousand taels. Let alone selling themselves, even if they pooled the wealth of their ancestors for eighteen generations, it wouldn't be worth five thousand taels!
Madam Li's face was grim, and she remained silent, but her hands holding the gift boxes trembled incessantly. The family wasn't short of money now, but they only had a little over three hundred taels in total. Xiao Yu's education was indeed costly.
"Madam Li!" Matchmaker Ma's gaze was fierce, as if she wanted to devour Madam Li. "This jade pendant was broken by you. So many eyes have witnessed it. How will you compensate?"
Madam Li panicked. "I..."
Seeing this, Shanwazi's mother quickly took the gift boxes from Madam Li's arms and carefully placed them back on the table, fearful of them being dropped or damaged again.
"I'll go call the village chief and the elder patriarch," a young wife said and then dashed out of the door.
A moment later, the village chief and the elder patriarch, along with a few clan elders, arrived in a hurry.
Having heard the news, Zhan Laoda dropped his hoe and rushed over. His shoes were still covered in mud. He ignored everything else and grabbed Madam Li's cold hand. "Fengyu, are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Madam Li replied numbly from her chair, her gaze seeking help from the village chief and elder patriarch entering the room.
"Since the decision-makers are here, there's no need for me to report to the authorities," Matchmaker Ma said with a stern face, remaining in the main seat, maintaining a high posture and an even more forceful attitude.
At this moment, they could no longer afford to concern themselves with Matchmaker Ma's attitude. The village chief and elder patriarch pulled up chairs and benches to sit down. Shanwazi's mother then recounted the incident of the jade pendant being broken.
"Matchmaker Ma, you are an official matchmaker and understand the rules of marriage best. You bring betrothal gifts on your first visit? Could it be that this was all planned?" the village chief asked coldly. Judging by Matchmaker Ma's attitude, she was clearly not someone to be trifled with, so there was no need to greet her with warmth.
The elder patriarch and two clan elders narrowed their eyes. Having lived for so many years, they possessed keen insight. This was clearly a trap. If it were any other family, it would be one thing, but Scholar Zhang did not have a good attitude towards Xiao Yu. Why would he suddenly send an official matchmaker to propose?
Matchmaker Ma did not expect the village chief to immediately side with Madam Li, and she became furious, shouting, "Bah! You think you can get away with just opening your mouth? If this were only three or five taels of silver, I'd consider it charity to a beggar. This is five thousand taels! If you want to renege on the debt, see if Scholar Zhang agrees. The yamen is not a place for reason!"
Before the village chief could speak, Matchmaker Ma continued her tirade, spitting as she spoke, "Before coming, I inspected the jade pendant in front of Master Zhang and then put it into the box. The red seal was torn open just now. There were maids and servants present at the time, and outside the door, there were several students of Scholar Zhang. They can all testify!"
Matchmaker Ma argued, her neck stiff, her face flushed with anger. This five-thousand-tael jade pendant was broken in half. If Madam Li didn't compensate, would she have to pay herself?
The village chief's expression grew serious. While the testimony of Zhang family's servants and maids might be fabricated, if the students from the private school also saw it, the matter would become tricky.
The elder patriarch stood up and walked towards the table. The broken jade pendant lay in two halves within the wooden box. The box's clear lacquer was intact, with only a bit of dust on the lower right corner from when it fell.
It couldn't have been broken on the way here either, as the seal was only just torn. Even if Matchmaker Ma had accidentally dropped the wooden box, she wouldn't have known the jade pendant was broken and then framed Madam Li.
"I broke it, and I can't afford to compensate. If Scholar Zhang wants to report it to the authorities, then come and arrest me," Madam Li said, raising her head. Her face was still pale, but her eyes were exceptionally firm.
Looking at Madam Li, who was willing to bear the consequences alone, Matchmaker Ma slammed the table in anger. "Bah! What good is arresting you? What is a lowly person like you worth? This is five thousand taels! Chopping off your head won't help!"
The village chief and the elder patriarch exchanged glances but remained silent. It was best if Madam Li took responsibility alone. It wasn't that they were abandoning her, but they were powerless. If the amount were small, the village and clan could have pooled some money, but five thousand taels was simply too much.
Recalling that Scholar Zhang had insisted on finalizing the marriage before she came, Matchmaker Ma glanced at the broken jade pendant and said chillingly, "Alright, this jade pendant was originally a token of betrothal. Once the marriage is settled, it will belong to your daughter. So it's fine if it's broken."
"No!" Madam Li refused to accept her offer. Facing the enraged Matchmaker Ma, Madam Li said word by word, "Xiao Yu has already been adopted out. I am merely taking care of her. I cannot decide her marriage, nor will I!"
A child pays for the father's debts! However, Zhan Feiyu had been adopted into another branch of the Zhan clan, and Madam Li was no longer considered her mother. Therefore, even if Madam Li incurred debts and went to the yamen, Zhan Feiyu would not be obligated to repay them.
"Are you trying to be unreasonable?" Matchmaker Ma stood up again, placing one hand on her hip and pointing at Madam Li, then at the village chief and the elder patriarch. "They all say Zhan Feiyu is a good student. I think her studies have all gone to the dogs! She doesn't even care about her own mother's life or death, and she calls herself a scholar! And she wants to participate in the imperial examinations!"
"Matchmaker Ma, watch your words!" The elder patriarch said with a stern face, his calm voice carrying a sense of deterrence and authority. "Xiao Yu has been adopted. The clan registry has been changed, and there is a record in the yamen. If you dare to ruin Xiao Yu's reputation, do not blame our Zhan clan for taking you to court! Magistrate Chen will naturally make a fair judgment!"
Matchmaker Ma was an official matchmaker and naturally understood more than ordinary people. Zhan Feiyu, having been adopted, helping Madam Li was her duty, and not helping outsiders was not something to be criticized. Especially since the compensation was as high as five thousand taels, it was reasonable for Zhan Feiyu to be unable to help.
But what good would it do to arrest Madam Li for breaking a five-thousand-tael jade pendant? Matchmaker Ma hated Madam Li to the core at this moment but could only suppress her anger and force a smile. "Why go to such extremes? Even if she's adopted, Sister Li is still Xiao Yu's mother. If her own mother is imprisoned or beheaded, will Xiao Yu's reputation be good? It's better to agree to this marriage, turn enemies into friends, and let the two families become one, for a happy reunion."
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