In the front hall, seven or eight women filed in and took their seats. They all looked at each other with dislike, like fighting cocks.
Seeing that the people who came were all women, Su Jin turned to Qiu Ju and said, "It's not appropriate for me to stay here. Let's wait for my sister to handle this."
Qiuju nodded: "Okay, I'll handle things here. Let Miss get some more sleep."
"Hey! Young master, don't go. I'm from the official matchmaking agency. You must be Miss Jiang's cousin, right?" A plump woman dressed in green stood up.
Su Jin stumbled.
State media? Should we contact him?
"Madam, I'm sorry, but I have no plans to discuss marriage at the moment," Su Jin politely declined with a cupped hand.
His official rank would only be determined after the palace examination. He didn't yet have his own residence, and his mother wasn't by his side. Su Jin had no plans to arrange a marriage for the time being, and he told the truth.
The matchmaker waved her handkerchief and smiled, "These words are not enough for the young master to say. We must invite Miss Jiang out to meet you in person before we can discuss the details."
Although Qiuju didn't recognize the group of people, the doorman said they were matchmakers, and judging from their colorful clothes, they did indeed look like matchmakers.
Qiuju was initially worried about the sudden arrival of so many matchmakers, but seeing the official matchmakers chasing after Su Jin with questions, she breathed a sigh of relief.
It turns out they've come to arrange a marriage for Young Master Su. Just now, seeing this huge group of matchmakers, she thought they were all after Miss Su, and she was worried for Nangong Zeyue.
Su Jin said politely, "Madam, you don't need to wait for my sister's answer. I can make my own decisions."
"Young master, you misunderstand. The official sent this woman to act as matchmaker for Miss Jiang."
"Are you also acting as a matchmaker for Miss Jiang?"
The matchmaker's words left the other matchmakers dumbfounded.
Those who can get official media to come to their aid are certainly not ordinary families, so wouldn't all their trips have been in vain?
Just as Su Jin and Qiu Ju were completely bewildered, a woman in her early thirties stood up and said, "What's wrong with official matchmakers? Matchmaker Wang, you can't guarantee success every time you arrange a match, can you?"
They were all matchmakers from the capital, and they all knew each other. They usually competed for business behind the scenes, and today's scene was a once-in-a-century event.
The private media had long disliked Wang the matchmaker who relied on connections to earn a salary in the official media. Today, they had no choice but to meet on a narrow road, so they didn't hold back in their words.
The other matchmakers chimed in, "That's right, that's right. When it comes to matchmaking, it's not just about family background, but also about character and education."
"Yes, yes, yes, it also depends on whether the young master is handsome or not. If he is ugly and deformed, he is not worthy of Miss Jiang."
“Some families are prestigious and have many rules, but those families are not necessarily good matches.”
"That's right. There are many examples of noble families in the capital favoring concubines over wives. Miss Jiang is shrewd and capable, she might not look down on such families."
The atmosphere in the hall suddenly changed, and the other matchmakers immediately united and began to criticize the official media.
Faced with the attacks from the crowd, Wang, the matchmaker from the official media, was so angry that her chest heaved.
She glanced at the two matchmakers who had stood up and said disdainfully, "Madam Zhang, Madam Xie, look at how capable you are! Tell me, why are you two here to act as matchmakers for such an important family?"
The first matchmaker to stand up raised her chin and said, "I, surnamed Zhang, have been matchmaking for many years and have never uttered a false word. The master of the house is a fifth-rank official and the eldest son of the main wife. His appearance is absolutely top-notch."
She thought the conditions were already very good, and after she finished speaking, she glanced at the other matchmakers, trying to see a hint of hesitation on their faces.
However, everyone's expressions remained as steady as Mount Tai, showing no sign of self-reproach.
The matchmaker surnamed Xie curled her lip in disdain and snorted, "His father is still a fifth-rank official, what's there to brag about? The family that invited me here is a relative of my maternal family. The young man is gentle and refined, with an elegant demeanor. The key point is that he passed the imperial examination this year."
"who?"
Su Jin stared wide-eyed in disbelief.
His name appeared on this year's scientific expedition list, possibly because he knows someone from that group.
"Young Master Jiang cannot make decisions for Miss Jiang. If you want to know the details, go and invite Miss Jiang out."
Before Xie the matchmaker could finish speaking, another matchmaker sitting at the end of the octagonal table raised her eyebrows and said smugly, "Being on the list is nothing special. The last person on the list is also on the list. My master's family holds a high-ranking official position, and your son is already receiving a salary from the imperial court."
Upon hearing this, Wang the matchmaker scoffed, thinking to herself, "A bunch of shallow-minded fools. If I told them who invited her, they'd be dumbfounded. Humph! They're overestimating themselves compared to official matchmakers."
Since Qiuju took charge of the Jiang family, she has handled everything with ease and has never encountered a difficult situation.
Today's situation truly left her at a loss.
The gatekeeper announced that a matchmaker was requesting an audience, and she let her in without a second thought.
Whether the young lady is interested or not, she cannot turn away the matchmaker; if word gets out, it will damage her reputation.
Who knew that she hadn't checked the almanac today, and the young lady had stirred up trouble with the matchmakers in the capital, causing them to swarm in.
The girl's outing is proving difficult; who should we listen to first? The matchmakers are practically arguing, their words dripping with barbs, giving her a real headache.
Just as everyone was boasting to each other about how powerful their master was, a maid brought tea.
Qiuju winked at Su Jin and whispered, "Quickly tell Miss to pretend to be sick, and whatever you do, don't come out."
Given this situation, even if the young lady agrees to meet with one family, she will offend the others. Since she will offend people either way, it is better to avoid them altogether.
Based on her understanding of the young lady, she could offend all the matchmakers here, including those from the official matchmaking office, leaving none of them behind.
"Okay, I understand." Su Jin quickly turned around and slipped out.
Qiuju turned around and saw two matchmakers arguing fiercely, their faces flushed red.
She quickly went over, took a teacup from the tray carried by the maid, and handed it to them with a smile, saying, "Ladies, please have some tea to soothe your throats. Everyone, please stop arguing. You are all prominent figures in the capital. Those who can invite you are certainly not from humble families."
"This girl knows how to talk; she truly lives up to her reputation as someone who serves Miss Jiang." A matchmaker seized the opportunity to shower her with compliments.
Qiuju and the maids poured tea down one by one, and then she instructed the maids, "The kitchen hasn't made any pastries yet, so bring some dried fruit and melon seeds."
Even the imperial kitchen doesn't make pastries this early in the morning.
After the maid left, Qiuju noticed that the gunpowder smell in the room was gradually dissipating, and she quickly thought of a solution.
I racked my brains, but I couldn't come up with a perfect solution that wouldn't offend anyone.
If you say that Miss was too tired yesterday and caught a cold, even if these matchmakers leave today, they will come back tomorrow and make a comeback.
If she were to say that her mistress was already engaged, she feared that it would delay her mistress's good fortune.
Sending Su Jin to stop the young lady was not a wise move; one might escape the first day of trouble, but not the second.
She had a sudden inspiration, glanced at the side door leading into the hall, and then said to everyone, "Ladies, please wait a moment. The restaurant opened yesterday, and Miss was tired. She will get up a little later today. I will go and urge her again."
"Okay, okay, then I'll have to trouble you, young lady."
This time, everyone was unusually united in their opinions.
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