Chapter 43 Pumpkin Pancakes

To act as a matchmaker?

Zhang glanced at her granddaughter; it wasn't appropriate for a young lady to be present at this time. Lin Xiahe understood her grandmother's meaning and went inside.

Zhang welcomed the matchmaker in, saying, "My son and daughter-in-law aren't home. Thank you for making this trip. Please have some tea first."

That's how it is when there's a daughter in the family. As her family's life gradually improves, others can see it. They are a humble family, and there's no such thing as a lady from a wealthy family who never leaves her home. The girls go out to the market every day, and if someone takes a liking to them, they will come to inquire.

The matchmaker took a sip of tea, her eyes already surveying the Qiao family mansion. Small as it was, it was impeccably tidy. "You're the grandmother, so it's the same if I tell you. Was that your fourth daughter just now?"

Zhang said yes.

"She's so beautiful, no wonder everyone is so satisfied with her." The matchmaker said with a smile, "I'm a straightforward person, I won't beat around the bush. I've been asked by the Zhong family in the market to arrange a marriage for your fourth daughter. You know the Zhong family, right? They're the ones who sell spices at the end of the street. Their youngest son is exactly twenty, and your family often buys spices from them."

Both families run businesses in the market. The matchmaker just saw Lin Xiahe; she's a pretty young girl, and I heard she's very hardworking. She's a good match for the Zhong family.

"This... I remember now, but I've never heard of it before." Zhang felt a bit surprised; her daughter-in-law hadn't mentioned it, nor had she seen the Zhong family visit. The sudden appearance of a matchmaker to propose marriage left her somewhat bewildered.

"It's good that you remember him. The Zhong family is a well-off family, just like yours, making a living in the market. I've met the young man; he's very upright and a perfect match for your daughter." The matchmaker became more and more excited as she spoke. "His family is very satisfied with your daughter. If your family is interested, I can help arrange a meeting. What do you think?"

Zhang only had a vague impression of the Zhong family; she knew nothing about who they were or what their situation was.

But marriages for children depend on the matchmaker's word, and no one wants to offend a matchmaker. She smiled and said, "It sounds good to me, but I can't make the decision myself. After my son comes back, I'll tell them that no matter what the outcome, I'll send someone to inform you. What do you think?"

"Of course. Marriages should be approached with care. But the Zhong family is truly good; your daughter is very fortunate." The matchmaker rose to take her leave, and seeing Zhang give her a handful of hazelnuts, she smiled and opened her bag as well.

To arrange a marriage, sometimes you have to make dozens of trips back and forth. She didn't expect it to work out in one go. The Qiao family said they would discuss it, so there was hope. The matchmaker walked to the door and told Zhang not to see her off anymore, "You can stop here, no need to see me off any further. If you have any good news, come and tell me as soon as possible."

Zhang went out to see them off, only to find a sedan chair parked in front of her house. A woman got out and asked if she was from the Qiao family.

Why are there so many people here today? Zhang wondered.

Upon learning that it was Wang Xiucai's mother who had come, Zhang suddenly realized that she hadn't just been joking; she had genuinely come to visit.

Madam Wang brought only her youngest son today, not her other daughters-in-law.

Wang Chuang, carrying gifts, said, "You must be Grandma Qiao. My mother has come to see if your fourth daughter's leg is better."

"She's almost better, come inside quickly." Zhang welcomed them inside, only to find the teacup the matchmaker had drunk from was still there. She then beckoned Xia He to come out and greet them, "You see, she's almost fully recovered. But her mother is worried about her and wants her to rest at home for a couple more days."

Lin Xiahe helped get the fresh tea. "Auntie, I'm really fine now. Thank you for making this trip. Don't worry about me."

She was a little embarrassed; it wasn't a big deal.

"I won't feel at ease unless I come and see for myself." Madam Wang pulled Lin Xiahe to sit down. "I also brought you some herbs to strengthen your bones. After you recover, come visit us at home. I really miss your sister's cooking. I heard you're learning to cook. How's it going?"

Lin Xiahe said her cooking skills are average, but she makes all the braised dishes at home.

"That's very good, it's a fine skill." Madam Wang said, then brought up the topic of the matchmaker she had just seen, "Was that one who came to propose marriage?"

"Yes, the children in the family are all grown up and have reached the age to settle down and start their own families." Zhang didn't mention who she was proposing to, as it was still far from certain and she didn't want to announce it prematurely, lest it damage her granddaughter's reputation if things didn't work out. Madam Wang understood Zhang's meaning and stopped asking about the matchmaker, instead inquiring about Xia He, "Your children are all good; has Xia He's marriage been arranged already?"

"Not yet. Her mother dotes on her daughters and doesn't want them to get married too early. My third daughter didn't get married until she was eighteen, and Xia He is only sixteen. Her mother is just helping to find a couple of suitors, but they haven't settled down yet." Zhang thought that Madam Wang was just being normal and didn't think much of it.

Just then, her husband returned and hurriedly got up to take the wooden bucket. "Today's catch is quite good. This is Madam Wang, the mother of Scholar Wang. Say hello to them and then take the catch to the market."

Upon hearing the name "Scholar Wang," Qiao Youfu immediately went over to greet him warmly, saying, "I've heard that your son is good at studying. Why don't you have dinner at my house today? I caught a turtle today, so I'll add it to our meal."

As she spoke, seeing Xia He reach for the wooden bucket, she quickly told her to put it down, "Xia He, your legs aren't strong, don't carry it."

"Grandfather, I'm fine." Lin Xiahe always wanted to help in some way.

Madam Wang glanced at her son and ordered, "You really have no sense of propriety. That girl's foot isn't healed yet. Help her take it to the market. Anyway, you're a regular customer, so you know where Qiao's Food Shop is."

She didn't stay for dinner, told her son to hurry back, and continued talking to the Qiao family elders herself.

In the past few days, Madam Wang has found out all about the Qiao family. It turns out that Madam Lin brought her two daughters with her when she remarried into the Qiao family. Logically speaking, such a family would have some degree of discord and not be very close.

But at this moment, Grandma Qiao handed Lin Xiahe a handkerchief to wipe her hands and pulled her to sit down. The closeness between the grandmother and granddaughter didn't seem like an act.

Previously, Madam Wang thought the Qiao siblings had a good relationship, and Lin was a sensible person. Now, looking at it this way, Grandma Qiao is easy to talk to, and Grandpa Qiao doesn't put on airs as an elder. With two good role models in the family, the children will naturally be good too.

At this point, she understood.

While waiting for Wang Chuang to return, Madam Wang and Madam Zhang had a brief chat, mostly about ordinary family matters.

When Wang Chuang returned with the braised food, Madam Wang learned that it was Lin Shi who sent it and said with a smile, "Your family is really kind. I'm relieved to see that Xia He is alright. Fourth brother, let's go back. Your sister-in-law told us to make lunch at home today."

Upon hearing that the Wang family was cooking, Zhang stopped trying to keep them and instead took her granddaughter to see them off.

After returning to the Wang family home, Madam Wang exclaimed, "The Qiao family has such a wonderful atmosphere. In a family like this, where everyone works together towards a common goal, the future looks bright."

"Mother seems to really like the Qiao family?" As soon as Wang Chuang crossed the threshold, two of his nephews ran over and asked him if he had brought back food, as they smelled wonderful.

He handed over the braised food, and only then did his nephews let him go and run to the kitchen.

“I’ve lived most of my life, and I’m good at judging people. The Qiao family’s wealth can’t compare to ours, but that doesn’t mean they’ll never be able to. I didn’t think much of it at first, but after seeing that matchmaker today, I started to have some ideas.”

Madam Wang entered the room just as her eldest daughter-in-law came over. In front of her eldest daughter-in-law, she asked her son, "Fourth son, what do you think of Xia He?"

"What do you mean, how?" Wang Chuang didn't react at first.

"What else can we do?" Madam Wang clicked her tongue in disdain and turned to look at her eldest daughter-in-law.

Zhou immediately understood her mother-in-law's meaning and analyzed, "In terms of character and appearance, Miss Xiahe is good. Last time they came to our house to prepare the banquet, I looked at all the Qiao siblings. If I had to say who was the most outstanding, it would be Miss Qiao the Fifth. However, she is too young, and the Qiao family will not let her get married so early. Xiahe is not as clever as Miss Qiao the Fifth, but she is very diligent and has a good character. She is a good girl."

"If we really have to pick something, it's that their family background isn't as good as ours, especially since our fourth brother now has an official title." If my brother-in-law didn't have an official title, then arranging a marriage with the Qiao family would be feasible. But my brother-in-law finally passed the imperial examination and became a scholar; if it were someone else's family, they would try to marry him up, not down.

Wang Chuang finally understood, and his cheeks slowly flushed red. "But sister-in-law, I think my career is over. Besides, when it comes to marriage, a virtuous wife is the most important thing, isn't she?"

"So, are you willing or not?" Madam Wang said. "You saw the matchmaker today. The eldest son of the Qiao family is already engaged. She's either arranging a marriage for the second son of the Qiao family or for Xia He. If you hesitate, you'll miss your chance with the Qiao family."

Madam Wang was open-minded; her family had no shortage of food and drink, and she didn't necessarily need to find someone of equal social standing. Having learned from her first three daughters-in-law, she deeply understood that not only was the daughter-in-law's character important, but her family background was also crucial. What pleased her most was the overall harmony of the Qiao family. No one's life is without its challenges; marrying into such a family meant that if her youngest son ever needed help, the Qiao family would surely be able to lend a hand.

Wang Chuang blushed and dared not look at his mother. "Mother, I..."

"Oh dear, young man, what are you being so coy about? If you're willing, then you're willing; if you're not, then you should just say no. I've introduced you to so many people before, and I haven't said anything to you every time you complained. Make a decision quickly. If you're willing, have your sister-in-law go to the Qiao family again right now and have a good talk with Madam Lin to sound out their opinion. Don't let someone else beat you to it, or you'll regret it later," Madam Wang urged.

"I...I do!" Wang Chuang said loudly, his cheeks burning.

“Alright, eldest daughter, after lunch, take the gifts to the Qiao family. I always trust you to get things done. If the Qiao family is willing, our family will then find someone to formally propose marriage,” said Madam Wang.

Zhou asked if she was being a little too hasty.

"If you find a good daughter-in-law, you have to act fast, or she'll belong to someone else. You have to remember this. You'll understand when Heze and the others grow up." Madam Wang finally got her son to nod, and she couldn't suppress the joy on her face. "You little rascal, you have good taste. Once you're married, I can go see your father in peace."

After lunch at the Wang family's house, Zhou prepared generous gifts and planned to visit Lin at the Qiao family's house.

After Qiao finished packing up and returned home, Zhang brought up the matter of the Zhong family sending a matchmaker to their door.

Inside the house, only the Lin couple and the Zhang couple were present.

"Mancang, you've been running a stall in the market for so many years, do you really know the Zhong family?" Zhang was quite concerned. A good marriage between their children would ensure the prosperity of both families. If they didn't choose the right in-laws, they would become enemies in the future.

Qiao Mancang said he didn't remember it well. "We had no contact before. I only knew what his youngest son looked like, but I didn't know anything else. But Old Hu also has a stall at the end of the street. Maybe I should go ask Old Hu?"

Everyone else looked at the Lin family.

"Why are you all looking at me? Since you know who to ask, then hurry up and go now." Just listening to them, Madam Lin felt that the Zhong family was not bad; they were of similar social standing and age. The rest depended on their character and family background.

Qiao Mancang then pushed open the door and went out.

Seeing her father leave, Qiao Mianmian ran to the backyard to find her fourth sister. "I overheard that Dad was going to ask Uncle Hu about the Zhong family. Fourth sister, do you know the Zhong family?"

"I have a vague recollection of it," Lin Xiahe said, busy with the braised food in the pot, as if it had nothing to do with her.

"What kind of person is he? Should I go and see him?" Qiao Mianmian was afraid that her sister would marry the wrong person. Fortunately, at this time, the young people would be allowed to meet and see each other, so that they wouldn't be forced into an arranged marriage.

Before Lin Xiahe could answer, Madam Lin came over and grabbed Qiao Mianmian's ear, "I told you there was a shadowy figure at the door just now. You're getting bolder and bolder, actually eavesdropping on our conversation?"

"Mother, I'm just concerned about Fourth Sister." Qiao Mianmian's ears didn't hurt, and she hugged Lin Shi with a smile. "Don't be angry, we're all doing this for Fourth Sister's own good."

"You, you have no ladylike reserve at all. I don't know what to do when you come of age," Lin sighed.

Qiao Mianmian wasn't worried. "There will definitely be a lot of people coming to propose marriage. You just need to wait and choose a perfect son-in-law."

"You shameless bastard!" Madam Lin raised her hand to hit her, but seeing her youngest daughter run away, she walked over to her fourth daughter. "I asked your father to inquire. If the Zhong family is alright, let's meet them first. Originally, I was thinking of finding a matchmaker to help you find a suitable family after we moved, but now that someone has taken the initiative to propose marriage, it means you are a good person."

"Mother, I don't want to get married so early," Lin Xiahe said.

“I’m also reluctant to part with you. Let’s arrange the marriage first, and then we can get married later,” Lin said. “I can only feel at ease letting you get married once I’ve gathered your dowry.”

Her fourth daughter could only rely on her, so she had to worry about everything.

The mother and daughter were having a private conversation, while Qiao Mianmian went into the kitchen to prepare the food.

It was still early, so Qiao Mianmian decided to make a dessert. She bought a yellow pumpkin, peeled it, and steamed it in a pot. After the pumpkin was cooked, she mashed it with a spoon.

Naturally ripened yellow pumpkins already have the flavor of fruits and vegetables. Add a spoonful of white sugar and an appropriate amount of glutinous rice flour, mix them together, and knead the dough until it becomes shiny. Then you can prepare to fry it.

It's a pity there were no breadcrumbs, otherwise coating them in egg wash and frying them together would have made them even crispier.

Qiao Jiaxing came in, drawn by the smell. "Fifth Sister, what are you doing?"

"Pumpkin pancakes," Qiao Mianmian said. "Mom can't bear to eat meat, so I can only make something else to eat. Can you help me shape the dough into balls, and I'll fry the pumpkin pancakes?"

"Okay!" Qiao Jiaxing washed his hands and helped with the work.

Qiao Mianmian started frying pumpkin cakes. Each pumpkin cake was only half a finger thick, so it was fried quickly.

Steam escaped from the crispy cracks, carrying the delicate aroma of pumpkin and glutinous rice, along with an enticing sweet fragrance. Qiao Mianmian herself was tempted; the moment she bit into it, she could hear the crispy crust making a "crunch" sound, followed by the soft, fluffy texture inside the pumpkin cake.

"Give me a piece too!" Qiao Jiaxing couldn't wait to take a bite.

Qiao Mianmian ladled out the first plate of pumpkin pancakes. "You take it out for everyone to eat, and I'll fry the rest. We're having fried fish today, so the oil won't go to waste."

Since her family wouldn't let her buy meat, Qiao Mianmian could only cook with the ingredients they had at home. She specially saved one fish for lunch.

Qiao Jiaxing carried the steaming pumpkin cakes to the front hall, just as Zhou Shi arrived. He thought he was mistaken, since Madam Wang had just come that morning. Why was Zhou Shi here again?

"Father, Mother, Sister-in-law Wang is here," Qiao Jiaxing hurriedly called out.

Lin came out of the house and was equally surprised to see Zhou. "You're Wang Xiucai's sister-in-law! Please come in, what brings you here..."

Seeing that the child next to Zhou was carrying two large bags of things, Lin didn't immediately understand why Zhou had come to visit.

"I was supposed to come with my mother-in-law this morning, but something came up at home and I couldn't get away. Now that I have some free time, I came here specifically to apologize." Zhou's smile was gentle. She was there to test the waters, not to directly say that she was there to discuss marriage. Otherwise, if the Qiao family didn't have that intention, it would be awkward for the two families to get along in the future, and it would also affect the reputation of their respective children.

She always followed the rules in everything she did, from how to speak to what gifts to give, she always adhered to traditional customs.