Chapter 507 Choosing the Zhao Clan
The matchmaker was good at reading people. When she saw Madam Meng frowning, she knew that Madam Meng was not satisfied with either the Jin family girl or the Zhao family girl. She felt a little contemptuous and thought to herself: It's one thing that your son is useless, but he has married three wives. Now he is a grandfather and is not young anymore. It is good enough that he has found a good girl to marry. And you are still being picky.
However, the matchmaker didn't want to continue searching. These two women were the ones she had searched for a long time to find. Other daughters were either not married to Lord Meng by their parents, or the daughters themselves were not willing to marry Lord Meng and become stepmothers to several grown children in the Meng family. It was not easy to find two families whose daughters were willing, and they were even from official families.
The matchmaker continued, "Madam, both the Jin family's daughter and the Zhao family's daughter are gentle and virtuous women, and they are also quite good-looking. If you want someone younger, then the Jin family's daughter is the better choice; if you want someone more mature and composed, then the Zhao family's daughter is quite suitable. What do you think?"
Madam Meng was dissatisfied with both of them and asked, "Matchmaker Zhang, besides them, are there any other girls?"
The matchmaker truthfully said, "Madam, to be honest, with Lord Meng's current reputation, it's really difficult for him to find a better girl. There are rumors that Lord Meng has a weak marriage luck, and it's impossible to grow old together with him. Many parents are unwilling to marry their daughters to him."
Madam Meng was depressed. Why was her son so unlucky in marriage? How could someone with such unlucky marriages marry three times? She couldn't stand either of these two women. They were both bringing a child into the Meng family, and now the family would have to raise the child.
The matchmaker glanced at her and said, "Madam, I think the Zhao family's daughter is quite good. Zhao is gentle and virtuous, and she manages the household well. Her daughter is fourteen this year and will be ready to get married next year. She's not a child anymore and doesn't need anyone to take care of her. Jin's son is only five years old this year, and I imagine he'll need quite a bit of care."
Upon hearing this, Old Madam Meng paused for a moment, her mind racing, before her eyes lit up.
Compared to Jin's son who would divide the family property, Zhao's fourteen-year-old daughter was not unacceptable. After all, she could be married off in another year, and daughters were used for marriage alliances anyway.
Ayao married the Marquis of Changxing. Although the eldest son-in-law did not help the Meng family, the Meng family's status improved as a result. Ayu married Deng Yuanqing, a wealthy merchant from Yangzhou. This second son-in-law could not help the Meng family in their career, but he could provide some financial support. Now the Meng family was not as poor as last year. With the addition of Zhao's daughter, this marriage could be used well to bring some benefits to the Meng family.
Thinking this, Madam Meng said, "It would be a real pity to miss out on a gentle and virtuous woman. However, being a stepfather is difficult. I am also worried that the child has a bad temper and is not obedient. If my son is strict with the child in the future, he will be accused of mistreating his stepchildren. If he does not discipline them, he will be derelict in his duty as a father."
The matchmaker, understanding the unspoken meaning, realized that Madam Meng wanted a way out, and immediately offered a way out: "Madam, don't worry, I've met Zhao's daughter, she's a sensible child, and Jin's son is also very sensible."
Madam Meng pretended to ponder for a moment, then said, "Then let's go with Zhao Shi. She's not much older than my son. Jin Shi is more than ten years younger than my son, so I guess she's not mature enough."
After hearing this, the matchmaker knew what Old Madam Meng was planning. She didn't want to find someone with a son so that they could divide the family property in the future. Someone with a daughter wouldn't have to divide the family property. Besides, this daughter would be of marriageable age next year and could get married. If she stayed at home and got in the way, she would only be an eyesore for a year.
The matchmaker said, "Since the old lady thinks Zhao is a good match, shall I go and give her my reply to the Zhao family?"
Although Madam Meng had chosen the Zhao family, it didn't mean the engagement had to be finalized immediately. She said, "No rush. I need to send someone to investigate the Zhao family first. If there are no problems with the Zhao family, then we can finalize the marriage."
"Being cautious is advisable."
The matchmaker nodded, her smile becoming more genuine. The matchmaker's fee was finally almost in her hands. Although the Meng family was down on its luck, they had the Marquis of Changxing as their son-in-law. How could she dare to marry a family with serious problems to the Meng family? The Zhao family might have some minor issues, but nothing too serious that would be unacceptable.
Madam Meng said kindly, "Thank you for your trouble today, Matchmaker Zhang." After she finished speaking, she gave a wink to the maid beside her.
The maid immediately understood and gave the matchmaker the purse that had been prepared beforehand.
Seeing this, the matchmaker pretended to decline before accepting the money and then took her leave.
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When Meng Dongyuan returned home in the evening, he learned that the matchmaker had come to his door again. He was very annoyed. He had met Dong Shi on the street earlier that day, but Dong Shi did not even glance at him and did not turn around no matter how much he called after her.
He understood that the Meng family had broken Dong's heart by protecting that scoundrel Chengxing, but he just couldn't let it go. He hadn't liked a woman like this in a long time, not even for Sun back then.
The attendant discreetly observed his expression and carefully said, "My lord, it is said that the old lady is very happy today."
Upon hearing this, Meng Dongyuan knew that the marriage was about to be finalized. He became even more agitated and hurried to Rongfu Hall.
When Madam Meng saw him arrive, and that there was a hint of resistance on his face, she immediately took the initiative: "My son, today the matchmaker Zhang came to our door, saying that she has found two good girls. After listening to her description, your mother also thinks they are quite good and is preparing to arrange your marriage. We will have you get married in the second half of this year."
Meng Dongyuan protested, "Mother, I still..."
Madam Meng's face darkened, and she glared at him sharply: "Don't tell me you're still thinking about Dong Shi, that woman who has turned our family upside down. Why are you still thinking about her? Do you know what people outside are saying about you because of her? They all say you have bad luck in marriage and that you can't grow old together with someone."
Seeing this, Meng Dongyuan had a change of heart and subconsciously swallowed his words, saying, "Mother, I have already let go of Dong Shi. I wonder which family's daughter Zhang the matchmaker has found for me?"
Madam Meng truthfully stated, "One is Jin, the daughter of the Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, and the other is Zhao, the daughter of the Registrar of the Imperial Academy. Jin is twenty-two years old, very beautiful, and gentle. She was married once, but after her husband passed away, she returned to her parents' home with her son to seek a new marriage. Zhao is thirty-one years old, also married once, and her husband has passed away. Now she has a daughter with her. Both of them are seeking to remarry with their children."
Upon hearing this, Meng Dongyuan was slightly taken aback, but he understood that he could not make his own decision about his marriage. Since he had to choose, he would choose someone younger. So he said, "Mother, I think Jin Shi is a good choice, so let's choose Jin Shi."
Madam Meng frowned and glanced at him: "Are you confused? Although Madam Jin is much younger, she has a son who will inherit the family property in the future. How can that be? When choosing a wife, one should choose a virtuous one. Age and appearance are secondary. Being able to manage household affairs well is the most important thing. If you want a young and beautiful one, then take another concubine."
Meng Dongyuan said dismissively, "Mother, our family is in such a state now that we don't have any assets left to divide, so why bother with so much?"
Old Madam Meng was speechless for a moment, then said, “Our family is currently on the rise, and given time we will surely be able to restore our former glory. How can we let someone else’s son benefit from this? Zhao Shi is a good choice. Her daughter is fourteen this year and can find a husband next year. If we make good use of the marriage, our Meng family can gain more external support.”
Meng Dongyuan knew he couldn't go against his mother's wishes, so he simply stopped resisting. After all, it didn't matter who he married, so he might as well marry someone who was useful to him.
He obediently replied, "Mother, I was not thinking things through just now. You are right, Zhao Shi is indeed better."
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