Chapter 74: Rumors are everywhere now, who wants to be associated with us?
This time, Hongniang took the benefits given by Zhao Yinlian and went to the family that was almost shaken, intending to make further efforts. In the end, she didn't even step into the door.
"Madam, every time I help a marriage to happen, I, as a matchmaker, can also share in the joy, so I have never neglected your trust. But right now, as you know, I am afraid that I cannot do this job."
Hongniang sat at the bottom of the flower hall and apologized to Zhao Yinlian with an embarrassed look on her face. She said she was apologizing but was just being polite.
The business of a matchmaker is to tie the knot, and she will not offend anyone easily. All matchmakers have a heart of gold. Even if the Zhou family falls into ruin, the matchmaker will not step on it.
Hongniang wanted to help the Zhou family find a marriage at first, after all, the family gave her a lot. But after a few days, she knew, as she was good at observing people's words and expressions, that the marriage would not work.
"Several young ladies in the mansion are waiting to get married. Now their marriages are still unsettled, and I feel uneasy. Please go and talk to her again." Zhao Yinlian was not giving up, so she had to lower her posture and beg Hongniang to mediate.
Hongniang sighed and took out half of the money Zhou's family had given her. "Madam, it's not that I don't want to help you, but I walked around the city today and no one opened the door. I will return you half of the money."
Putting down the purse, Hongniang stood up, bowed to Zhao Yinlian, and left without looking back.
If Hongniang could return the money, it would mean that it would be extremely difficult to arrange a marriage. Zhao Yinlian stared blankly at the silver on the table, and for the first time she felt what it meant to be exhausted.
The news about Zhou Junyuan's infidelity spread more and more in the capital. For a while, not to mention the difficulty in discussing the marriage of Zhou Baili and Zhou Qianqian, everyone had to take a detour when they saw people from the Zhou residence.
Aunt Zhao and Aunt Bai in the back house soon learned that Hongniang had returned the hire money, and hurried to find Zhao Yinlian. As soon as Aunt Zhao entered the yard, she started asking questions.
"Madam! I heard that there is no matchmaker in the capital who is willing to arrange a marriage for our family. What should we do about the marriages of the two young ladies?" Aunt Zhao's hair was a little loose, and it was obvious how anxious she was when she came.
"Xiaoxiao is already sixteen this year. If her marriage cannot be settled, it will be delayed." Aunt Bai's voice was soft, but there was lingering worry in her tone.
Zhou Xiaoxiao is Aunt Bai's daughter, but because of her low presence, she is often ignored in the mansion.
What should I do? Zhao Yinlian also wanted to know what to do. She was already troubled by this matter, and Aunt Zhao and Aunt Bai coming at this time made her even more upset.
Nowadays, other families even look down on the legitimate daughters born to the mistress, let alone the daughters born out of wedlock.
Although she was very impatient with Aunt Zhao and Aunt Bai, as the mistress, Zhao Yinlian still had to keep calm and comfort them.
"Rumors are spreading a lot in the capital, so it's understandable that Beppu is unwilling to marry into the Zhou family. But after so much time has passed, hasn't His Majesty punished us? Let's wait and discuss it after the rumors have died down. It should be better."
Zhao Yinlian picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea. She used to love drinking cold tea, but now she couldn't taste anything.
Among the two concubines present, only Aunt Bai could hear Zhao Yinlian's helplessness, so even though she was anxious, she did not ask any more questions.
However, not everyone has self-awareness, such as Aunt Zhao who only thinks about her daughter.
"Once a rumor starts, it will only spread further and further. How long do we have to wait? The age at which a girl's marriage is discussed is very important."
Aunt Zhao is Zhao Yinlian's half-sister. It was Zhao Yinlian who took her into the family in order to consolidate her position in her early years. The two sisters were not in harmony with each other, so Zhao Yinlian frowned whenever Aunt Zhao opened her mouth.
"You are not the only one who is anxious about the girls' marriages. Although it is important to arrange marriages, what can I do? If I knew when to wait, my daughter's marriage would not be left unsettled. Even if I am anxious now, it is still hard to say whether she will get married."
Because she was anxious and annoyed with Aunt Zhao, Zhao Yinlian spoke harshly.
When she came to her senses, she realized that her tone was too harsh and Aunt Zhao's face looked unhappy. Zhao Yinlian took a deep breath and calmed down her anger.
"Think about it, with rumors flying around right now, people are afraid of being implicated, so who would want to get involved with us?"
Although Zhao Yinlian was reluctant to say this, it was the fact. If she were in their shoes, she would also stay away from this family.
Aunt Zhao and Aunt Bai were both obviously a little anxious. Their faces changed slightly when they heard this. They said in unison: "Will the Zhou family really be punished for the master's matter?"
"No, don't let your imagination run wild. Relax your mind. Rumors have been spreading for so long, but His Majesty still hasn't made any decisions about the Zhou family. At least on the surface, His Majesty is willing to believe the Lord."
Zhao Yinlian was in deep thought. Zhou Jun had made many military achievements at the border and was also the most prominent general in recent years. Without solid evidence, the emperor would still save his face and would not abandon him.
"You all should go back first. People in the mansion are already uneasy. You guys are causing trouble for the old lady by making a fuss all day long." Zhao Yinlian didn't talk about herself, but brought up the old lady.
No matter how narrow-minded the two concubines were, they knew they had no control over the matter and had to leave.
"You two idiots, do you really think it's that easy to find a marriage? Don't you think about your daughter's illegitimate status?"
The list of the families that were originally favored was still on the table. Zhao Yinlian took the list and took a look at it, then sighed. It was really fate that among all the children in the mansion, the ugly girl Liu Mingyue got married first.
When it was decided that Liu Mingyue would marry into the Marquis' Mansion, Zhao Yinlian and Zhou Baili were gloating over it and were waiting to see Liu Mingyue make a fool of herself. At first, they really thought they were seeing a joke.
It was so embarrassing for a bride to go back to her parents' home without her husband. However, Zhao Yinlian now felt that this ugly woman was really lucky and got such a good deal.
Given the current situation at the Zhou Mansion, Zhao Yinlian was really unsure whether her precious daughter would marry worse than Liu Mingyue in the future.
Before going on the expedition, Zhou Junyuan held an official rank of second rank and was a well-known figure in the capital.
The couple's original plan was to take Zhou Baili to and from palace banquets frequently this year, and then ask someone to act as a matchmaker. There was a high chance that Zhou Baili would become the princess consort of one of the princes.
Now it seems that it is not possible, but Zhao Yinlian was not discouraged. She snorted coldly and said to herself: "My daughter is the most beautiful woman in the capital after all. What an outstanding appearance she has."
Thinking of the generous dowry she had prepared for her daughter in advance, Zhao Yinlian breathed a sigh of relief and was glad that she had foresight: "Once the rumors are over, with the dowry as a foundation, I think she will be able to find a good husband."
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