Matchmaker comes to the door
Tian Xiuping had been waiting at the entrance of the Fu residence for a while. As soon as Yu Roulan appeared, she came over to greet her: "Is this Madam Fu?"
Yu Roulan had just met Zhao Junhui and her mind was still unsettled when Tian Xiuping suddenly appeared, startling her.
"Greetings, Madam Fu!" After introducing herself, Tian Xiuping continued, "Madam Fu, you can just call me Granny Tian."
Tian Xiuping was the matchmaker who had previously gone to the Fu residence to contact Granny Fan and get information about Fu Zhiqiao.
Yu Roulan was almost hit by the carriage and then saved by Zhao Junhui. She had not yet recovered from the shock. Now, when she heard Tian Xiuping say that she was a matchmaker, the events of this morning had already been terrifying for her. Without thinking much, she nodded in agreement.
Tian Xiuping was surprised that things went so smoothly and entered the Fu residence with Yu Roulan with a happy expression.
Yu Roulan was also troubled by Fu Zhiqiao's marriage, but her daughter had a strong will, and she couldn't say anything. Now that a matchmaker had come to the door, there was no reason to send her away. Perhaps it was time to consider the marriage. Yu Roulan was moved by Tian Xiuping's words and warmly received her.
Tian Xiuping entered the main hall of the Fu residence and secretly observed the decorations and furnishings.
The four purple wood pine and cypress patterned screens, the tables and stools were all made of the finest huanghuali wood, not to mention the huge Ru kiln vase placed in the corner.
Tian Xiuping sat down with a smile, glancing out of the corner of her eye at a painting titled "Jiangnan Misty Rain" hanging on the opposite wall. Although she didn't know which master painted it, she could understand the artistic conception expressed in the painting, even as a layman. Based on this, she guessed that the painting must be extraordinary.
Outside, the snow was freezing cold, but inside the house, the charcoal fire burned brightly.
Just then, a maid came over to serve tea. Tian Xiuping took a closer look and exclaimed, "Wow, the tea set used to entertain guests is also a celadon doucai begonia flower porcelain cup. Judging from the furniture and the way it's arranged, the Fu family must not be just an ordinary wealthy merchant family, but rather a family with some heritage."
Tian Xiuping made up her mind.
However, no matter how rich she was, she was still just a merchant. She had come today to find a spouse for Lord Yang, the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. With that thought in mind, Tian Xiuping felt more confident.
She secretly rubbed her hands together, picked up the teacup, and took a sip. After drinking the hot tea and being warmed by the heat in the room, she completely relaxed.
Tian Xiuping smiled and pressed her advantage, saying, "Madam Fu, please forgive my intrusion, but I have come here today to inquire whether your daughter has been engaged?"
Before Tian Xiuping arrived, she had already found out that Fu Zhiqiao was not engaged. Her asking was just a formality.
Yu Roulan understood her meaning perfectly well and replied in agreement, "My daughter is not yet engaged."
Upon hearing this, Tian Xiuping's smile deepened. "Yes, yes, a family with a daughter is sought after by many. Miss Fu is someone we must choose carefully."
Tian Xiuping first lavishly praised Fu Zhiqiao, then subtly expressed her desire to arrange a marriage for Fu Zhiqiao, "Madam Fu, rest assured, the families that I, Granny Tian, can introduce are all talented, beautiful, of noble character, and wealthy! I'm not bragging, if you don't believe me, you can go and inquire about my reputation outside..."
Halfway through the conversation, a servant came to report that the young lady had returned.
Tian Xiuping hurriedly looked up towards the door, not caring about being impolite, because she was really curious about what this Miss Fu looked like.
Snowflakes danced outside the door, and a person slowly approached through the falling snow. She wore a snow-white rabbit fur cloak, the fluffy collar of which covered most of her small face.
As she stepped onto the porch, a maidservant went up to her and helped her take off her cloak, revealing a lilac-colored padded jacket underneath. The thick jacket still couldn't hide her slender figure.
Her already fair skin was made even more dazzling by the lilac dress, as if it were whiter than the snow outside the window. Her black hair was styled into a high bun, with long pearl ornaments hanging down and trembling. She had almond-shaped eyes, willow-leaf eyebrows, red lips and white teeth. Every smile and frown of hers perfectly blended aloofness and liveliness.
Against the backdrop of the snow-covered ground, every strand of her hair seemed to glow, making it impossible to look away.
He truly is a god-like figure.
Tian Xiuping was somewhat mesmerized by the sight of such a beauty; no wonder Lord Yang, the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, had taken a liking to her the moment he saw her on the street.
Looking at her daughter, who had grown into a graceful young woman, Yu Roulan smiled faintly and said, "You're back."
Fu Zhiqiao responded, then noticed a strange woman in the house and asked, "Who is this?"
Tian Xiuping snapped out of her daze, composed herself, stood up, and bowed: "Old woman Tian Xiuping greets Miss Fu." Before she could introduce herself, Yu Roulan interrupted her.
Yu Roulan said calmly, "A Qiao, this is my guest. I have some things to discuss with her. You should go back to your room first."
Fu Zhi Qiao's butterfly-like eyelashes trembled slightly, and she instantly guessed Yu Rou Lan's thoughts. She nodded gently and bowed respectfully to Yu Rou Lan, "Then I will go back to my room first."
As she turned to leave, she glanced back at Tian Xiuping.
Even though Yu Roulan tried to conceal it, Fu Zhiqiao still saw through Tian Xiuping's identity at a glance. Tian Xiuping's festive clothes were clearly the kind of outfit that matchmakers loved to wear.
Tian Xiuping felt a little nervous under Fu Zhiqiao's gaze. She had originally planned to directly state her purpose, asking if the Fu family would be willing to marry their daughter to Lord Yang, the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, as his second wife. Although she would be a second wife after marriage, she would still be a formally married wife. Moreover, Lord Yang was a sixth-rank official in his prime. For a court official to be willing to marry a woman from a merchant family was already a great blessing for a merchant family.
However, after meeting Fu Zhiqiao in person, Tian Xiuping changed her mind. The Fu family was not like the usual nouveau riche gentry. Looking at the furnishings in the hall and the way the Fu mother and daughter spoke, they were clearly well-off. Such a delicate young lady would probably not easily agree to marry someone else as a second wife.
It seems this matter needs further consideration.
"I've long heard of a stunning beauty in Qintai Street, and seeing her today, I can confirm that she truly lives up to the reputation." Tian Xiuping maintained a flattering smile, appearing very amiable.
"Not at all," Yu Roulan said modestly, but her eyes were practically brimming with pride.
During the conversation, Tian Xiuping did not mention that she had come to propose marriage. Instead, she mentioned that she had connections with young students and aristocratic children, and said that if Yu Roulan wanted to help her daughter find a husband, she should definitely contact her.
Yu Roulan smiled and agreed.
After Tian Xiuping left, Yu Roulan locked herself in her room and thought about it for a long time.
Without Fu Zhi Qiao, she wasn't sure she could survive losing her husband and being oppressed by her clan. She was determined to ensure her A Qiao lived a happy life. Yu Rou Lan herself was an only child, orphaned at a young age, and raised by relatives. She knew all too well how difficult life was without family support. She didn't want Fu Zhi Qiao to follow in her footsteps. Her A Qiao had to find a good family, live a peaceful and stable life, and enjoy many children and blessings.
Yu Roulan knew her daughter was beautiful, and she had imagined countless suitors coming to marry her when her daughter grew up, but then too many things happened...
Sighing softly, Yu Roulan lit an incense stick in front of Fu Changyue's memorial tablet. Looking at Fu Changyue's memorial tablet, she made a decision in her heart.
*
On a winter evening, the sky had completely darkened, and lights were lit throughout the Fu residence, with lanterns hanging high and swaying in the wind.
After the mother and daughter finished their dinner together, Fu Zhi Qiao noticed that Yu Rou Lan's gaze was fixed on her. She looked up at her in confusion and asked, "Mother?"
"Mother saw Zhao Jun return today." Before Fu Zhiqiao could reply, Yu Roulan continued, "That child is quite promising. I heard he is now working in the Hanlin Academy. He entered the Hanlin Academy as a third-place scholar in the imperial examination. That child has such a promising future at such a young age. Your father was right to have chosen him."
When talking about Fu Changyue and the past relationship between the two families, Yu Roulan became somewhat downcast.
Seeing Zhao Junhui today was a huge shock to Yu Roulan. Her mind was in complete chaos at the time, and after returning, she couldn't wait to send someone to find out about Zhao Junhui.
Knowing that Zhao Junhui was promising made her very happy. She was relieved that she and Fu Changyue had not misjudged him. On the other hand, seeing that Zhao Junhui was now an official of the imperial court with a bright future, she felt a little uneasy.
Human hearts are sometimes so complicated. They fear you're not doing well, yet they also fear you're doing too well. They feel pity when they see you living a miserable life, but they also feel bad when they see you doing very well, even better than themselves.
Back then, the Fu and Zhao families had a verbal engagement, but later events led to the cancellation of the engagement. It was Mrs. Zhao who personally came to break off the engagement. The Zhao family's act of breaking off the engagement was undoubtedly a knife to Yu Roulan's heart, who had just lost her husband. It was impossible for her not to feel resentment.
Yu Roulan doesn't usually think about the past. After living a peaceful life for a long time, she has gradually let go of the past. But Zhao Junhui just happened to appear in front of her again, reminding her of these past events.
Fu Zhi Qiao, of course, had no idea what Yu Rou Lan was thinking. But thinking of the matchmaker she had met at home today, she could vaguely guess what was going on.
In the Great Wei Dynasty, officials and businessmen are ultimately different. Her mother must have felt resentful seeing that the Zhao family was doing better than her own.
"Mother, the Zhao family is doing well, and our family isn't doing badly either!"
Yu Roulan shook her head in disagreement, "Is my concern about how the Zhao family is doing? The Zhao family's well-being is none of our business, but if it involves you, how can I not worry?"
"Mother, what makes you say that?" Fu Zhi Qiao looked puzzled. She really didn't understand how the Zhao family's good life had anything to do with her.
Yu Roulan frowned. Now that Zhao Junhui had become an official in the capital, he would definitely bring his mother, Madam Zhao, to the capital as well. Yu Roulan thought that since she had run into Zhao Junhui today, she might run into Madam Zhao another day.
Yu Roulan is not a person who likes to compare herself to others. She had been humiliated by Madam Zhao in the past, and now she really doesn't want to be inferior to Madam Zhao again.
“A man who doesn’t marry can be said to be focused on his career and fame, but a woman who doesn’t marry will definitely attract gossip.” Yu Roulan rubbed her temples with a headache.
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