The carved window lattices of Xiefang Courtyard were covered with brand-new mulberry paper, but it couldn't block out the stench of cosmetics wafting from within. Liu adjusted her red-gold headband in front of a bronze mirror, her jade armor scraping against the surface with a harsh sound. Suddenly, with a snap, she shattered her powder box. "That little bitch, Chen Weiwan, has been stealing the show lately. Do you really think no one can control her?"

Shen Ruorou came in with a medicine bowl, and the scratches on the back of her neck were still covered with black anti-itch mud: "Mother, she now has the support of the Taifu Madam and the Seventh Prince. What can we do?"

"Any ideas?" As Liu turned around, the pearl pendant on her headband dazzled. "Mother has plenty of ideas!" She fished out a gilded invitation from the depths of her dressing box. Emblazoned with the words "Richest in the World," she said. "Have you heard about Wang Baiwan from the west of the city? His wife died when he was over fifty, and he's looking to marry a young and beautiful woman."

Shen Ruorou took a closer look. The edge of the visiting card was embossed with gold foil, emitting the smell of copper coins: "Wang Baiwan? Is he the wealthy businessman with pockmarks all over his face and a limp?"

"What's wrong with being lame?" Liu pinched her daughter's face. "He's rich! I've already asked matchmaker Liu to tell Wang Baiwan that as long as Chen Weiwan marries him, he will give us a betrothal gift of 10,000 taels!" She smiled so hard that her wrinkles were squeezed together. "If she marries an old and ugly man, what good will it be even if she has the Seventh Prince's support? She'll still have to face that pockmarked face every day!"

Shen Ruorou also laughed, and the medicine in the medicine bowl swayed over the edge: "Mother, you are so amazing! When Shen Weiwan gets married, I wonder how proud she will be!"

"Of course." Liu smoothed her hair in front of the mirror. "Matchmaker Liu said to bring Wang Baiwan's birthdate tomorrow. Then I'll go find the old housekeeper and tell him... that this was the marriage arranged by the general before he died!"

The next morning, Shen Weiwan was playing with the rabbit given by the Seventh Prince in the courtyard when Chuntao ran in in a panic: "Miss! Liu is here with Liu the matchmaker, saying...she wants to propose marriage to you!"

Chen Weiwan paused, her hand gripping the vegetable leaf in her hand. The rabbit took the opportunity to snatch the leaf away. She remembered how Liu had done the same thing in her previous life, tricking her into marrying a lame, scumbag man under the pretext of a "child marriage." A cold glint flashed in her eyes: "Propose a marriage? What kind of marriage are you proposing?"

"It's Wang Baiwan from the west side of the city!" Chuntao stamped her feet anxiously. "I heard that Mr. Wang is fifty years old, has pockmarks all over his face, and has had three wives die!"

Shen Weiwan stuffed the rabbit into Chuntao's arms and patted the vegetable leaf crumbs on her hands: "Oh? Such a good marriage, why didn't Liu leave it to her precious daughter?"

As she was speaking, Liu's shrill voice had already floated to the gate of the courtyard: "Chen Weiwan! Your mother passed away early, so it is only right for your aunt to make the decision for you! Wang Baiwan's family is wealthy and powerful, and you will enjoy a life of happiness if you marry into their family!"

When Shen Weiwan went out to greet him, she deliberately opened her eyes wide with an innocent look on her face: "Aunt is proposing marriage for me? Are you going to find me a husband as handsome as the Seventh Prince?"

Liu was choked, and matchmaker Liu quickly tried to smooth things over: "Oh, Miss, although Mr. Wang is older, he is very kind! Look at his birth date and time, he is a perfect match for you!" As she spoke, she handed over a piece of red paper with the words "Wang Fugui, fifty years old, born in the year of Gengxu" written on it.

Chen Weiwan took the horoscope and suddenly cried out, "This Gengxu year...isn't it the year of the dog? I'm a rooster! There's no peace between the rooster and the dog. How can this be?" She turned to Chuntao and said, "Quickly bring me my mother's horoscope and let the matchmaker calculate whether it's incompatible!"

Chun Tao had already prepared a fake horoscope. Shen Weiwan took it and handed it to Liu the matchmaker: "Matchmaker, look, my mother said that I want to find a husband who is born in the Year of the Dragon. That way, 'dragon and phoenix bring good luck'!"

Matchmaker Liu looked at the four big characters "Born in Bingchen Year" on the invitation and her face turned green: "It's...it's not easy to find someone who is born in the Year of the Dragon..."

"Why is it so hard to find one?" Shen Weiwan tilted her head and smiled, the jade hairpin on her temples swaying gently, "The Seventh Prince is born in the Year of the Dragon! Matchmaker, if you can find the Seventh Prince for me, I will burn incense for you every day!"

Liu was so angry that she trembled all over: "Chen Weiwan! Don't be ridiculous! Mr. Wang's betrothal gift is 10,000 taels!"

"Ten thousand taels?" Shen Weiwan pretended to be surprised. "How many kilograms of osmanthus cake can you buy with that? But I heard that Mr. Wang's previous wives all died not long after they got married... Oh, I'm too timid to become a concubine."

Matchmaker Liu understood the meaning behind the words and wiped her sweat. "Miss, you're joking. Mr. Wang is just... just unlucky..."

"Really?" Shen Weiwan suddenly leaned closer and lowered her voice, "But I heard that Master Wang likes to beat his wife! He even broke his concubine's leg a few days ago. Is that true?"

When these words came out, Liu Matchmaker's face turned pale, and even Liu was stunned. But Shen Weiwan was like nothing happened, holding Liu Matchmaker's hand: "Matchmaker, you can't lie to me, I am so delicate, if my legs are broken, how can I walk in the future?"

Matchmaker Liu was so scared that she stepped back repeatedly: "No... No! They are all rumors!" She glanced at Liu, then at Shen Weiwan, and suddenly bowed, "Madam, Miss, I suddenly remembered that I have something to do at home. Let's talk about this... marriage next time!" After that, she turned around and ran away without even getting in the sedan chair.

Liu looked at her back and jumped up in anger: "Matchmaker Liu! Why did you leave?"

Shen Weiwan looked at Liu's frustrated look, secretly laughing in her heart, but said aggrievedly: "Aunt, look at what kind of husband you found for me? Not only is he old and ugly, but he also hits people! If I marry him, I'm afraid I won't live for more than three days!"

Liu was choked by her and couldn't speak. Suddenly, she saw the Seventh Prince's carriage parked at the door. Her eyes rolled and she pointed at Shen Weiwan and screamed, "Have you been having an affair with the Seventh Prince for a long time? Otherwise, why do you blush when you mention him!"

Shen Weiwan's heart skipped a beat, but her face looked even more aggrieved: "Aunt, what are you talking about! The Seventh Prince is a golden branch and jade leaf, how could he fall in love with me? If you keep talking nonsense, I will tell Madam Taifu!"

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