Because the second branch of the Xu family made a fortune, Xu Lanyin's market value improved again, and the matchmaker visited her three times in two consecutive days.

Of the three families seeking marriage, one was from Xiaozao Village, and two were from neighboring villages. All three were widowers with sons, all in their late thirties. One was very poor, while the other two were able to get by.

Not to mention Xu Lanyin and Qin looked down on her, even Xu Lanting was so angry that her mouth turned up high.

When Zhao Wu came back from the yamen in the evening, Xu Lanting's pouting little mouth had not yet retracted.

Zhao Wu teased, "Why, you wet the bed and got spanked?"

Xu Lanting's lips curled up even higher, and she talked about the bad men that the matchmaker had introduced to her sister.

Zhao Wu was also very angry after hearing this. He didn't even eat and got up and walked out.

Xu Lanyin had just put the food on the table when she chased him out and asked, "Where are you going?"

Zhao Wudao said, "I'm going to matchmaker Liu's house."

Before Xu Lanyin could ask more, he had already walked out of the yard like a gust of wind.

Matchmaker Liu lives at the north end of the village, and the family is having dinner.

Seeing Zhao Wu coming, Liu the matchmaker's son Liu Lao Da came out to greet him and said with a smile, "Oh, Mr. Zhao is here, a distinguished guest." He then asked his wife to quickly bring out the wine and prepare two side dishes.

Zhao Wu waved his hand and said, "Don't bother. I'll just say a few words to Aunt Liu and then leave."

Matchmaker Liu didn't dare to offend these evil men, so she quickly said with a smile, "Which girl has Mr. Zhao set his sights on? I won't take a penny, and I will definitely help Mr. Zhao find a marriage."

Zhao Wu said, "It's not me who wants to marry, it's my sister."

Everyone in Xiaozao Village knew that the sister he was talking about was Xu Lanyin.

Matchmaker Liu asked again, "Which young man has your daughter taken a fancy to?"

Zhao Wudao, "Not yet. Let me first tell you about someone my sister would like." He thought for a moment and said, "The young man must be unmarried."

Matchmaker Liu said knowingly, "Oh, I'm looking for a young boy."

Zhao Wu choked and said, "I guess so. Also, she has to be about the same height as me and not look ugly..."

Matchmaker Liu said in embarrassment, "I don't have the ability to find someone who looks like Mr. Zhao."

Zhao Wudao, "I haven't finished yet. You have to be better than me." He counted on his fingers and said, "You have to have a tiled house, some land, a gentle temper, oh, and be educated... That's all for now. I'll tell you later when I think of it."

Matchmaker Liu's mouth was wide open, and after a long while she spoke, "Master Zhao, because the girl has that disease, marrying her to a young man without descendants is a good thing. It would be a good thing if the old woman didn't get kicked out. Add to that the other conditions, it's difficult..."

Zhao Wu's eyes bulged, and he shouted, "My sister is not sick. She said that on purpose to break off the engagement. My sister is beautiful, has a good figure, is intelligent and virtuous, and has a family business. She is not someone that those old men with a bunch of children can care about."

After saying that, he threw a silver coin to her.

Matchmaker Liu liked the silver coins, but she didn't dare to fool Zhao Wu. She said in embarrassment, "Master Zhao, even if the girl is really not sick, her reputation has spread. Add to that the reputation of being a loser, and I don't have the ability to talk to such a good young man."

Zhao Wu pondered for a moment and then said, "It doesn't matter if we can't tell you for now, but we must spread the news about the conditions and the fact that my sister is not sick. Those who don't meet the requirements can save their energy. If they dare to ask a matchmaker to propose marriage to the Xu family again and cause trouble for my sister and my aunt, I will not only beat up that family, but also the matchmaker."

After saying that, he raised his fist.

Matchmaker Liu shuddered with fear. She snorted inwardly, "That girl Yin will just have to wait until she's an old maid, unable to get married." She didn't have the skills to help her arrange a marriage, but earning so much money just by passing on a message was a good deal.

She smiled as she pinched the silver and said, "Okay, okay, I'll definitely spread the word and help Yin find a good, handsome young man who has a house, land, and is well-educated."

Zhao Wucai returned to the Xu family with satisfaction.

After hearing his words, Xu Lanyin felt that he was reckless, but she also said that her original intention was to marry a good woman if she could find one, and if she couldn't find a good woman, she would rather not marry at all. It would be best if those unreliable people didn't come around and get in the way.

Qin's face turned red with anger. Although she felt that her daughter deserved someone better, Zhao Wu's reckless behavior of running to the matchmaker and talking nonsense was even worse for her daughter's reputation.

She raised her voice and said, "Matchmakers are liars. They can make things that don't even exist sound like something out of nothing. You said those things without caring about the consequences. I don't know what kind of news will be spread about my family in the future." She couldn't eat anymore and put down her chopsticks in the bedroom angrily.

Zhao Wu was a little confused and said, "Aunt is angry? I just said those words because I didn't want those stinky bastards to think about me and wanted me to find a good family."

Xu Lanyin said, "Some things may not go according to your wishes. Inappropriate methods will only cause more trouble... It's okay, you and my younger brother eat first, I'll go and persuade my mother."

Xu Lanting also felt that Brother Zhao was right and didn't know why his mother was so angry.

Xu Lanyin entered the bedroom. There was no light in the bedroom. With the candlelight shining through the crack in the door, she could only see vague shadows in the room. Qin was leaning on the kang, wiping her tears with a handkerchief.

She sat down on the edge of the kang and tried to persuade Qin Shi. She said her reputation was bad to begin with, otherwise those people wouldn't have come to propose marriage. Even if those rumors got out, at least there wouldn't be any troublesome people around to bother her. Regardless of whether Zhao Wu said it or not, she wouldn't talk about a good marriage in her neighborhood. When her family's financial situation improved, she might be able to find a husband in the county town or even the provincial capital...

Qin suddenly realized, yes, my daughter doesn't want to find a marriage here, and there is no one here who is worthy of her. She should look for one in a better place in the future.

Zhao Wu's original intention was for his daughter's good, so she couldn't blame him. She followed Xu Lanyin out to eat again. She still said a few words to Zhao Wu, asking him to think twice before doing anything.

The next day, Old Lady Xu came to the second house angrily. She first told the rumors in the village, and then scolded Qin, saying that she allowed Zhao Wu to go to the matchmaker's house and speak nonsense. Now Xu Lanyin was a joke and she would never get married in this life.

The old lady was in tears.

Xu Lanyin hugged her arm and said, "Grandma, those people want me to raise a son for them, and they're also eyeing my dowry. I'd rather not get married than be someone else's stepmother."

Old Lady Xu said, "I don't want you to be someone else's stepmother either. But listen to the conditions Zhao Xiaozi mentioned: he wants a virgin, he needs to have a house, land, and education, and he needs to be strong, beautiful, and have a good temper. My dear, do you think you are a rich lady? People are laughing at you now, saying that you are not only physically ill, but also mentally ill, and you are shameless."

The three words "virgin boy" made Xu Lanyin twitch her lips. She believed that Zhao Wu would never say that, but the meaning changed when it came into the matchmaker's mouth.