...
Bai Zhu could also see that the princess was moved, and she was happy for the princess. In previous years, there had been examples of princesses marrying top scholars, so it was indeed possible that the princess and this top scholar would get married.
"Princess, the top scholar is so handsome, he's a perfect match for you," Bai Zhu teased her princess.
Jiamin blushed and covered Baizhu's mouth with her hand: "Alright, this is still far from certain, don't talk nonsense."
Bai Zhu pouted, "Princess, you'd better hurry. I've already inquired about this top scholar. He's unmarried, and he's quite young, just turned fifteen this year. Princess, you'd better hurry. This top scholar is so handsome, there are probably many people who have their eyes on him."
“You’re right, Ah Zhu.” Jia Min nodded seriously.
Xie Lang is so handsome, she fell for him at first sight, let alone those other women.
No, she had to hurry back to the palace and have her mother inquire with her father, the Emperor.
After thinking it over, Jiamin immediately told Baizhu about returning to the palace.
Qingyin specially sent someone to pick up Hongniang and the others to come to the capital, unaware that a stroke of good fortune had come knocking on her door.
—
In Huaihe County, the Red Mansion was bustling with activity at this moment.
News from the capital has not yet reached the Huai River in time.
The matchmaker looked at the brothel madam in front of her with exhaustion and disgust, who was extremely obsequious and mercenary.
“Matchmaker, I know you enjoy entertaining guests, but this Master Song came all the way from the capital after hearing about your reputation. Tsk tsk, this thousand taels of silver shows how much Master Song values you!”
"Why don't you go and see him? Maybe you can become someone's concubine, a noblewoman in a wealthy family, and avoid suffering in your old age."
"If you like doing it, then go ahead and do it. I told you I'm not feeling well today and don't want to do business." With that, the woman coldly closed the door, almost trapping the madam who was standing nearby.
The madam stared intently at the tightly closed door in front of her, a hint of displeasure flashing in her eyes.
Recalling the past few years, as the matchmaker aged and her business declined significantly, she finally let out a torrent of suppressed emotions.
Her sharp eyes narrowed, and she stood outside, hands on her hips, cursing loudly.
"Ha, you slut, you're nothing but a whore who's been ridden and trampled by thousands, and you're still putting on airs in front of your mother. Matchmaker, let me tell you, you have to go today whether you want to or not."
The madam cursed and swore for a while before swaying away.
Once the brothel madam's clattering footsteps faded away, Qinghe, now grown up and with delicate features, looked worriedly at Hongniang, who was leaning against the soft couch with a somewhat pale face. "Madam, are we going to greet guests later?"
The matchmaker looked in the mirror; a few fine lines had appeared at the corners of her eyes, but her features were still striking, and she possessed the mature beauty of a woman. She touched her pale red lips and gave a sarcastic smile: "Go, why wouldn't you go? Haven't I already received the money for the person?"
Seeing the calm matchmaker, Qinghe couldn't help but calm down as well as her mistress, and her anxiety subsided.
The matchmaker possessed a reassuring and trustworthy quality that made young Qinghe willing to stay by her side, and she continued to admire her even after she grew up.
After a long while, Qinghe finally heard the matchmaker's uncertain voice.
"Qinghe, am I getting old?"
Qinghe was puzzled and looked at the still beautiful Hongniang. She quickly denied it, saying, "Why do you say that, Madam? In my opinion, Madam is still very young and beautiful."
The matchmaker chuckled softly, her expression unreadable.
She stroked her beautiful, still fair and delicate skin, and the beauty in the mirror repeated her actions.
She has grown old, but she is not saddened by the aging of her appearance.
She only hoped to live a beautiful life until Lin Bichen went to hell. So, Lin Lang, could you please die quickly so she could see him?
The matchmaker smiled seductively at herself in the mirror, her eyes filled with endless murderous intent.
She was never a delicate or weak woman.
...
As the madam swayed her hips to greet Master Song from the capital, Qingyin's men also arrived at the Red Mansion.
The matchmaker looked at the middle-aged, obese man who was staring at her with a mixture of amazement and disgust, her eyes barely concealing a hint of annoyance.
"Greetings, sir." The matchmaker bowed gently, her manner of greeting exuding charm.
"Good, good, good." Seeing such a charming and alluring woman bowing so gently to him, Master Song's eyes widened in disbelief.
He was a wealthy merchant in the capital.
The main connection was that a nephew married a daughter of an official in the capital, which gave him some influence and enabled him to become wealthy.
His wife was a well-behaved scholar chosen by his parents. She used to be quite beautiful, and he liked her back then. But now she's in her seventies or eighties, and her face is full of wrinkles. He can't be bothered to look at her ugly face anymore. Because his nephew and wife have a good relationship, he doesn't dare to look for prostitutes in the capital. This time, when he passed through Huaihe County, he heard about the beauty of this courtesan, and his courage grew.
He eagerly took the beauty's hand and urged the madam to leave quickly so as not to ruin his good time.
Seeing that the matchmaker was cooperating, the madam stopped keeping an eye on her and prepared to leave. However, a short while later, a middle-aged man rushed over in a hurry.
"Madam, something terrible has happened! Something terrible has happened!"
Seeing the thugs suddenly rushing back and the stunned Master Song, the madam suppressed her anger and glared at the panting thug, Old Zhang: "Alright, what's the matter that you're so flustered? You have no manners."
Noticing that Mr. Song was also looking over, she pinched Old Zhang's ear and whispered fiercely, "If you ruin my business, be careful, I'll make you regret it."
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