Chapter 83: Matchmaking

The banquet prepared by the Fan family was no half-hearted affair. The platters overflowed with meat and vegetables, featuring five or six substantial dishes that could be considered hearty fare. The entire banquet cost about one guan of silver.

Including the table and hiring kitchen staff, the total expenses exceeded one and a half guan.

The portions were generous, so there were plenty of leftovers.

With the May weather too warm to keep food out for long, Chen Sanfang packed a basin of meat to send to Master Shen, brought some dishes and meat to close friends, and also called the eldest branch of the family over to eat. It took a day or two before it was all finished.

The banquet expenses were all covered by Kanghe and Fan Jing, so naturally, they also received the return gifts.

After tallying everything, they collected five guan and three qian in silver just from the gifts alone, not to mention the many other presents.

There were clothes and pants, shoes and socks for the children, toy boxes… chickens, ducks, and fish caught nearby—everything was for eating or use.

In the end, not only did the banquet break even, but it also turned a good profit.

When Kanghe and Fan Jing first married, they had little money to spare and put together a modest feast. A few tables barely cost two guan.

Few people attended then, and the gifts were modest as well.

Now, with a grander banquet, more guests came, and the gifts of money and goods became correspondingly generous.

After the daytime feast, three matchmakers came to the house.

They were all there to discuss marriage prospects for Zhen’er.

The first visit was about a tavern owner. The family was not poor, and the man was hardworking and capable, which pleased Chen Sanfang.

However, the tavern owner was from a neighboring county.

Kanghe had made it clear early on: don’t marry Zhen’er too far away. It would be inconvenient for their families to visit, and if any grievances arose, it would be hard to find support from home.

Besides, it’s hard enough to properly vet a distant family; listening to a matchmaker’s smooth talk, who knows if any of it was true?

The second time, the matchmaker mentioned a wealthy family: an official’s elder in the city with seven or eight shops, engaged in the tea business. If Zhen’er married there, they could immediately give her two land deeds as a dowry.

Chen Sanfang was tempted but asked for more details. It turned out the family wanted to take Zhen’er as a concubine.

Hearing that, Chen Sanfang scoffed. They had enough food and drink at home—how could they go coveting riches only to become a servant concubine?

By the third visit, the matchmaker had learned of Chen Sanfang’s sharpness and held back the exaggerated stories.

She spoke of a middling family: a tofu shop owner’s son in the city.

This tofu shop was the only son’s family business. They also raised a daughter and a younger brother, living off the tofu shop’s income. Life wasn’t rich, but there was no shortage of food.

Chen Sanfang thought this sounded reasonable and passed the information to Kanghe and Fan Jing.

“Sounds like a decent family,” Fan Jing said. “I’ll go see them first.”

Since they were doing business in town, they had to go check. Chen Sanfang went along with Kanghe and Fan Jing to the county seat.

They heard the family’s surname was Zhang, and the shop was on Liuer Street.

The three pretended to be customers buying tofu and went inside to look.

Zhang’s tofu shop was small, but the matchmaker had said it was their own shop, not rented or leased. Though small, it was truly theirs.

Upon entering, a young man came to greet them. When Fan Jing glanced up, his brows tightened.

The young man’s appearance was not ugly but certainly not handsome. Looks can be a bonus, but when lacking, it’s not so bad as long as the person is pleasant to look at.

The real problem was… the man was too short.

Even Kanghe, standing next to Fan Jing, had to look down to meet his eyes.

When the man served them, Fan Jing casually ordered two blocks of tofu.

The man quickly grabbed the tofu and had it wrapped before handing it over.

Fan Jing took out four qian and paid him. Kanghe asked if the purchase was done, and the two left the shop together.

Chen Sanfang browsed around and came out empty-handed.

“That matchmaker—I thought she was honest, but she never mentioned the Zhang boy was that short. If something happened, even a dog could snatch him up.”

Kanghe couldn’t help but smile. “The Zhang family’s young man may lack talent, but their shop was kept clean. If his character is good, that would add to his worth. Let’s look a bit more carefully.”

Fan Jing knew living with someone depends mostly on character. A pretty face means nothing if the person can’t handle daily life—it soon becomes tiresome.

“Let’s listen to more before deciding. If it’s good, we’ll ask the matchmaker to arrange a meeting for Zhen’er.”

That was their plan, but upon returning to the shop, their hopes were dashed again.

They had planned to eat there at noon. Chen Sanfang took the two blocks of tofu bought by Fan Jing to prepare a small dish of tofu soup with He Xiaoqiu.

But when they lifted the lotus leaf wrapping, the tofu was soft and white—yet it smelled sour.

Chen Sanfang feared she was imagining things and had He Xiaoqiu and Kanghe smell it too—they all detected the sour odor.

“Damn it! They’re treating us like strangers and fooling us like this.”

Kanghe advised that the sourness wasn’t severe; the shopkeeper probably just hurriedly wrapped the tofu.

“I’ll take these sour tofu blocks back to Zhang’s and see what they say.”

Chen Sanfang agreed to see how Zhang’s family would handle the situation.

Kanghe and Fan Jing returned to Zhang’s tofu shop, bringing back the two blocks of tofu unopened and showed them to the young man.

“Smell this and tell us if it’s spoiled.”

Any healthy nose could smell the rancid scent on the tofu.

“It does have a sour smell.”

Fan Jing said, “We bought this from your place just now.”

The Zhang boy smiled. “Sir, you say you bought it here, but words alone aren’t enough.”

“Are you forgetful? We bought it here this morning, and you can’t remember?”

“There are so many customers coming and going, I can’t remember every one. If you insist that you bought it here, besides you two, who else can testify?”

The Zhang boy shamelessly added, “Even if you did buy it here, fresh tofu doesn’t go bad that fast. Maybe you bought it elsewhere and brought it here to cause trouble.”

“If you say you bought it this morning, why didn’t you mention it tasted off when you bought it? Why wait until after leaving the shop to come back complaining?”

Kanghe saw the man’s sharp tongue and pulled Fan Jing aside, chuckling, “We’ve learned a thing or two about Zhang’s business. A block of tofu costing two qian can tell you all about their character. Cheap price, cheap manners.”

“Better used as feed for chickens or pigs.”

The Zhang boy caught the sarcasm and got angry. “You!”

Kanghe didn’t wait for him to finish and pulled Fan Jing away. What use was arguing over two qian with a man like this?

“Look at this tofu for two qian—it truly reveals Zhang’s character.”

Kanghe was a bit angry at the Zhang family’s conduct but felt the lesson was worth it.

“People say there are three hardships: rowing a boat, grinding iron, making tofu. Running this business is a hard life. If Zhang’s boy has no talent or good character, there’s no need to waste words with the matchmaker.”

Fan Jing shook his head. People are never perfect, and you can’t expect flawlessness.

Minor flaws are acceptable, but Zhang’s dishonesty was another matter. If Zhen’er married in, she would suffer.

“No wonder Fan Xin has failed to find a suitable match after so many attempts.”

Kanghe laughed, “Finding the right family is always difficult. Aunt is picky, making it even harder.”

“In the end, it’s just better to be at home.”

Fan Jing glanced at Kanghe; their own luck was one in a million, hard to find again.

The two returned and told Chen Sanfang what had happened.

She was furious and cursed that Zhang’s tofu shop would surely close down someday with such poor business practices.

That same day, they rejected the matchmaker.

Three visits, no reliable match found. Chen Sanfang felt somewhat discouraged.

June arrived, and with the heat, she lounged on the bamboo couch at home, eating cold melon.

She thought that when the family was poor, there were few options, so it was easier to succeed. Now that they were better off, why was it so difficult to find a good match?

Just then, Zhen’er came in to tell her that Aunt Yunbiao had arrived.

Hearing this, Chen Sanfang sat up quickly, hurried to tidy the couch, fixed her clothes and hair, then smiled warmly to welcome her.

“What brings you here? I was just thinking I should head to the city soon to check the shops and find you.”

Aunt Yunbiao took Chen Sanfang’s hands. “I went to Monkey Temple to burn incense and on the way back bought some cold melon. Since you live here, I thought to bring some over to help beat the heat.”

“You think of me like that? I’m so touched.”

“We were such good childhood friends, how could I not?”

Chen Sanfang, happy to have someone to talk to, found that life at home was busy with chores done by others, leaving her mostly idle except to look after Dafu.

The boy was sleeping a lot in the heat, so she had little to do. The girls were too grown to listen to her nagging, and she could only hum softly while rocking Dafu’s crib.

She could sometimes go to the eldest branch to visit, but due to the earlier trouble with Xiaoqiu, her relationship with sister-in-law Zhang Jinguai was strained, and she avoided casual talks with her.

A rare visitor, she invited Aunt Yunbiao to stay for a meal.

She tossed the melon into the well to chill, caught a rabbit, and had Yihuan prepare it to entertain Aunt Yunbiao.

Aunt Yunbiao, touched by her warmth, stayed to eat.

“Mother and Aunt Yun seldom meet. You ladies talk inside; I’ll go cook,” Zhen’er said.

She brewed tea, sliced some cold melon, and brought it to the room.

Tying on an apron, she quietly spoke a word to the two women sitting on the bamboo couch.

Aunt Yunbiao said, “I didn’t say anything about coming; you poor girl must be tired.”

Zhen’er smiled silently and bowed slightly before heading to the kitchen.

Aunt Yunbiao lowered her voice and said to Chen Sanfang, “Let me tell you something, don’t take it the wrong way. Though she’s not as clever with words as your own daughter, she is sensible and well-behaved.”

Chen Sanfang said, “I raised her since she was three; she’s always been sensible.”

“You’re blessed—three good children. Now your eldest grandson is in your arms.”

Aunt Yunbiao sighed, “Too bad my eldest son has been married three years with no child yet. I heard the Monkey Mountain Bodhisattva is powerful, so I went there specially.”

Chen Sanfang comforted her, “It’s fate; it comes when it comes. Our eldest and third sons had their children only after more than a year of marriage. Your eldest is busy with business, and the house for him and his wife is small, so it’s normal.”

Aunt Yunbiao sighed again. These were matters she couldn’t share with friends in town, afraid of being laughed at. She confided in Chen Sanfang.

“Every family has its own difficulties. I worry too. Look at our Zhen’er—a good girl, but several marriage talks have failed. You know many people; if you hear of a good family, keep me in mind.”

Aunt Yunbiao agreed.

At noon, Aunt Yunbiao and Chen Sanfang ate together in the house.

Zhen’er’s braised rabbit was fragrant but not greasy; she also brewed cooled bean water to accompany the meal.

After enjoying the meal, Aunt Yunbiao left when the sun was lower.

Returning home, Aunt Yunbiao saw her son returning from school and called him over to ask about his studies.

In a flash, the boy had grown taller, and she had to look up to speak with him.

“My son, have you been doing well? I see you’ve grown tall and strong.”

Luo Chuanyi replied, “I just turned eight at the start of the year; it’s natural to be taller and stronger.”

“She’s getting older.”

Aunt Yunbiao felt a pang of guilt. She had been so focused on her eldest son and daughter-in-law’s childlessness that she neglected Luo’s prospects.

Thinking of marriage, her heart stirred.

“Mother, if there’s nothing else, I’ll go back to study. I’ll write a couple of essays for Father during dinner.”

“All right, but take care of your eyes.”

Aunt Yunbiao watched her son enter the room, then went back to her own.

After fetching some water, she washed up, sweat-covered from the heat outside most of the day.

Then her husband Luo Tongsheng returned.

“How was your trip to Monkey Temple?”

“The master said we have to wait for fate.”

Luo Tongsheng sighed.

Aunt Yunbiao went upstairs and said, “Our eldest is growing up; it’s time to make arrangements.”

Luo Tongsheng said, “You really can afford to care so much. For your eldest and his wife, you’re obsessed.”

Aunt Yunbiao let his complaints slide and said, “My cousin once came to visit. She has a daughter of marriageable age.”

Luo Tongsheng asked, “The one who runs a pork shop in town?”

Aunt Yunbiao nodded.

Luo frowned, “A butcher’s daughter? She must be rough. Our eldest is a scholar.”

“Just because a family is butcher-run doesn’t mean everyone’s coarse. I saw the girl—she’s pretty and can make good soup, and is very gentle.”

Aunt Yunbiao praised Zhen’er’s qualities to her husband. “Our eldest needs a gentle girl to take care of him while he studies.”

Luo Tongsheng’s heart was most fond of his eldest son, the scholar.

His eldest brother had refused to study and went into business early.

The eldest was eager to study and diligent. Luo thought that within two or three years, he could surely pass the civil service exam.

He loved the eldest dearly and wanted the best match for him.

But the middle ground was hard to find; decent families in the city were difficult to approach.

The county seat was different from the countryside, where many poor families were conscripted.

Some city families paid to avoid military service, so men were less scarce than in rural areas.

Better families couldn’t easily leverage the advantage of having many siblings.

For rural folks, the Luo family was a rare good household, but in town, they weren’t top-tier.

“Besides, the girl’s cousins are scholars too. They started a private school in the village to teach children. Coincidentally, her cousin studied under Elder Xu, who was our eldest’s classmate!”

Luo Tongsheng perked up. “Really?”

“I’m not a matchmaker who fabricates tales. You can ask around and see if what I say is true.”

Luo took it to heart and, while inquiring about his eldest son’s studies, also asked Elder Xu about the Fan family.

Elder Xu said they were fellow villagers, and that the child now ran a private school. He spoke highly of his student.

Luo also carefully inquired about the uncle and aunt, learning how well-connected they were with Elder Xu’s family.

Hearing all the praise for the Fan family, Luo began to like them and even bought pork from their shop twice.

After a few visits, he found the Fan family honest and sincere in business with no major faults.

Still, he felt uneasy—perhaps because he wanted a scholarly family. Two literary households matched would be ideal.

“Do you think this could work?”

Aunt Yunbiao, seeing her husband’s busy scrutiny, pressed for a definite answer.

Luo finally said, “Let’s go discuss it. The two children should meet. It’s not enough for us to see; the eldest has to agree.”

Aunt Yunbiao knew Luo was not completely satisfied with the Fans since he wanted a scholarly family.

But she herself did not care about scholarly pedigree. First, she lacked education and didn’t value it; second, she felt scholars were often arrogant and looked down on others.

The Fan family seemed good to her.

Since Luo had spoken, she didn’t delay and went to tell Chen Sanfang the next day.

One day, Kanghe and Fan Jing returned home.

Chen Sanfang was all smiles as she told them, “Zhen’er’s marriage is settled!”

“Another matchmaker?” Fan Jing asked.

“No, it’s my cousin from my natal family,” Chen Sanfang said happily. “I mentioned before to keep an eye out for a good family, and today she told me she wants to join our families.”

Kanghe knew Chen Sanfang’s closest relative lately was that cousin from her natal family, who ran a household in town. Her husband was a scholar teaching at a private school; their eldest son ran a calligraphy business; the eldest was still studying; and they had a daughter.

From the start, it sounded like a decent family. Chen Sanfang had been to their home and bragged about their good food and furnishings, adding to the impression of a respectable household.

“There’s no better family in this world!” Chen Sanfang said. “Ordinary families wouldn’t look at us unless there was a kinship connection. You two must not hesitate. Whether to see or meet, hurry up and arrange it—don’t let a good family be snatched away by others.”

Fan Jing trusted Chen Sanfang more than matchmakers but was still cautious for Zhen’er’s sake.

He and Kanghe privately visited the Luo family to investigate.

After several inquiries, they found nothing unfavorable. Compared to previous prospects, this one was much more satisfactory.

Since both families agreed they were good, they decided to arrange a meeting between Zhen’er and the Luo family’s eldest son.