Everyone was stunned. Who would come so late at night?

Jiang Jiuniang stood up and said, "I guess it's Yuanyuan and the others coming to play. I'll go check on them. You guys continue."

"Mother, I want to go too!"

Xiangxiang got up from Ruozheng's arms and skipped along, wanting to follow Jiang Jiuniang.

Jiang Jiuniang didn't refuse, took her little hand, and went out with a lantern.

When she opened the door, she didn't see Peng Yuan; instead, Zhang the matchmaker was standing at the door, smiling at her.

Jiang Jiuniang frowned and said, "Matchmaker Zhang, I made it very clear before that if Ruozheng does not marry into the Marquis's family, you can go back."

Matchmaker Zhang still had that same smiling face, and said, "Madam Lu, don't worry, I'm not here to arrange a marriage for the Cheng family, but just to inform you of a few things."

Jiang Jiuniang was curious about what she was going to say, and looked very serious.

Matchmaker Zhang didn't keep her in suspense and went straight to the point: "I've fallen out with the Cheng family, so I've come to kindly remind you, Madam, that the Cheng family is determined to have Miss Ruozheng. The second young master of the Cheng family has a mistress who is pregnant and wants to bring her back to have the baby, so he's in a hurry to get married. This is no secret in high society circles, but you're probably too busy to know this. Secondly, they've taken a liking to Miss Ruozheng's medical skills and want to use them to make money, while also treating their old Marquis's illness. Finally, Miss Ruozheng has a very good relationship with the Lu family, and they want to use her to gain their support. They'll definitely have other methods later, so please be careful and don't let Miss Ruozheng go out alone."

Having spent so many years in the capital, Zhang the matchmaker knew all the dirty secrets of every household, and was especially familiar with the underhanded tactics commonly used by wealthy and powerful families. That's why she came specifically to remind Jiang Jiuniang.

Jiang Jiuniang was quite surprised and asked gossipily, "Why did you, Zhang Matchmaker, have a falling out with the Cheng family all of a sudden?"

"Ugh! Don't even mention it, it's all because of this!"

Matchmaker Zhang had a lot to complain about and was just looking for someone to talk to. Now that Jiang Jiuniang had asked, she didn't hide anything and said directly, "After I went back, I told them about your attitude. They said that your Lu family is stingy and insisted on that little gift. They also said that I took their money and that they wouldn't let me off the hook if I didn't do a good job!"

“Madam Lu, I’m not afraid to admit it, but in our line of work, as long as the money is right, we can praise even a dead man to the skies. If the Cheng family had actually given us a lot, that would have been fine, but they only gave us five taels of silver, yet they act like I got a good deal. Their weird and sarcastic manner is really disgusting. I’m returning the money to them and I’m not taking this job anymore!”

"That second young master of the Cheng family is a good-for-nothing. He's neither good at literature nor martial arts, and he likes to indulge in debauchery outside. He has countless maids at home and mistresses outside. He's just waiting for his wife to come in so he can make those women his wives. Any girl who marries into that family will suffer."

Jiang Jiuniang stumbled upon some juicy gossip. She had been busy with important matters lately and hadn't paid attention to such rumors, but she was surprised by how lively it was.

"Alright, alright, I'll take this favor from you and repay you when I have the chance."

Jiang Jiuniang closed the door with a smile, then carried her daughter back to continue warming herself by the fire.

Zhang the matchmaker originally only wanted to get revenge on the Cheng family, but she didn't expect to gain a favor from Jiang Jiuniang. She was overjoyed, as this was much more valuable than the paltry sum the Cheng family had given her.

Five taels of silver—wealthy families wouldn't even give a beggar more than that. Zhang, the matchmaker, regretted her actions, thinking that she had almost offended the Lu family by going to their door to inquire today.

But now things are different. Jiang Jiuniang is a reasonable person. Not only did she not blame her, but she also did her a favor. She must cherish this opportunity and not waste it.

When Jiang Jiuniang returned, everyone asked who had come looking for her. Jiang Jiuniang casually made up a story: "A child stole some charcoal from somewhere and came to sell it, but I refused him."

No one suspected anything, and they continued to joke and laugh.

Xiangxiang stared wide-eyed at her mother, not understanding why she was lying.

Jiang Jiuniang winked at her, signaling her not to say anything.

Although Xiangxiang was young, she was sensible and immediately fell silent. She wanted to hide and secretly go back to ask her mother.

Jiang Jiuniang thought she had appeased her daughter, but when she got back to rest that night, the little girl hooked her arms around her neck and pleaded, "Mommy, I'll keep this a secret, can you let me eat a couple more pieces of candy before I go to sleep?"

Jiang Jiuniang didn't expect this child to be so clever, actually knowing how to use this to threaten her.

However, she wasn't buying it. She simply said, "Then go ahead and eat. Eat as much as you want, but don't come to me if you have a toothache later. I don't treat children who don't listen to doctors."

Xiangxiang pouted and said aggrievedly, "But you're not only a doctor, you're also my mother!"

“Precisely because I am still your mother, I cannot indulge you in eating sweets. What if our Xiangxiang, such a pretty little girl, had a mouthful of black teeth?”

Jiang Jiuniang held her daughter and patiently coaxed her. Xiangxiang loved beauty, and imagining her own mouth full of black teeth, she said dejectedly, "Alright then, Mother, don't worry, I will keep your secret."

Jiang Jiuniang smiled knowingly, touched her little nose, and explained earnestly, "It's not really a secret, but it's not good for your Aunt Ruozheng. To protect Aunt Ruozheng, I don't plan to tell anyone, understand?"

Xiangxiang nodded and said in her childish voice, "Then I will also keep Aunt Ruozheng's secret and not let others hurt her."

"Good boy!"

Jiang Jiuniang kissed her and began telling her a story to lull her to sleep.

Lu Baichuan was checking Gou'er's homework. When the two returned to their room, they both felt tired. Jiang Jiuniang collapsed and said to Lu Baichuan with her eyes closed, "The Chengen Marquis's mansion disgusts me. After the New Year, have someone investigate it for me. I want to see just how capable they are to scheme against me."

Lu Baichuan, unaware of what had happened, asked, "What happened? Hasn't the Marquis of Chengen's residence never had any dealings with us?"

Jiang Jiuniang didn't hide anything from him and told him the truth about Zhang the matchmaker's visit to propose marriage and the visit that evening.

Lu Baichuan frowned, genuinely surprised that someone could be so shameless, and said, "This kind of person is the easiest to deal with. Leave this to me. You've been working too hard lately, get some rest."

With someone to help her solve her troubles, Jiang Jiuniang was naturally happy to accept, and she turned over and fell into a deep sleep.

Lu Baichuan helped her cover herself with the blanket, but he wasn't sleepy at all, so he lay on the bed and read for a while until he got tired and then fell asleep holding Jiang Jiuniang.

The next day was Lunar New Year's Eve. The family continued to work. The children helped put up the Spring Festival couplets in each courtyard, and then carried a string of firecrackers around the yard to set them off, creating a strong festive atmosphere.

Jiang Jiuniang helped Yu Shi in the kitchen, personally instructing her on how to make several new dishes, all as a way to celebrate the New Year.

The children were playing hide-and-seek. Little Tiger ran behind the stone lion outside the gate and hid. He didn't see his friends coming to find him, but instead saw a carriage slowly stop at the gate. After a while, a haughty woman got out of the carriage. She rolled her eyes at the festive decorations at the Lu family's gate and muttered, "No wonder she's a country bumpkin. She's never seen anything like this. It's just the New Year, why make such a big fuss!"