Chapter 172: The Xu Family Has Wild Geese and the Matchmakers [Many Thanks for Everyone's Support

Sheng Hong hurriedly smiled and said, "Senior Brother Xu, this child's name is Zhen, as in 'wood' and 'true,' Zhen."

Hearing Sheng Hong's words, Xu Minghua looked at Xu Xu Zaiduan with slight confusion, while Xu Xu Zaiduan turned his gaze to Xu Xu Zaizhang.

Xu Xu Zaizhang glanced at his younger brother; seeing that Xu Xu Zaijing remained silent, Xu Zaizhang said, "Zhen, referring to the Podocarpus macrophyllus."

Upon hearing Xu Xu Zaizhang's words, both Sheng Hong and Sheng Changbai broke into smiles.

Earlier on the road, the two had discussed this topic while riding; Xu Zaizhang had suggested several names, and Xu Xu Zaijing had guessed a few as well, each explaining the meanings they represented.

They had not expected that Xu Xu Zaijing would be the one to guess correctly.

After the infant was "exhibited" before everyone, the wet nurse carried the child out of Shou'an Hall.

Having finished praising the child, the Sheng Sheng Laofuren said, "Hua'er, take your younger sisters to play in the rear courtyard. Sheng Changbai, take your older brothers to see your study."

"Yes, Grandmother / Great-Aunt."

Except for the married Xu Xu Zaiduan, everyone else filed out of Shou'an Hall, each heading to their respective courtyards.

At this moment, a female servant from the Sheng family escorted Nurse Xie into the inner courtyard of Shou'an Hall.

After listening to the nurse's report, Xu Minghua exchanged a glance with his wife and named a date.

The nurse then hurried back to Quyuan Street to report to Lady Xie.

Hearing the mention of the Hai family from the nurse's mouth, Lady Wang and Sheng Hong exchanged glances; both came from families of civil officials and naturally knew of the Hai family, yet they had not expected the Hou Fu to have connections with them!

After the others departed,

Inside Shou'an Hall, Xu Minghua looked at the Sheng Sheng Laofuren and the couple, Sheng Hong and his wife, and smiled gently as he said, "Aunt, Cousin, I plan to invite the eldest brother of the Cao family to serve as the male matchmaker, and Sister Cao as the female matchmaker."

Hearing these words, the Sheng Sheng Laofuren nodded with a smile, while Lady Wang wore an expression of pure delight.

The person Xu Minghua had invited was none other than the Empress's natal brother, the future Marquis Marquis Tuoxi!

Thus, at lunchtime, Wang Wang Ruofu looked at her eldest daughter with eyes full of joy, while Sheng Hong kept nodding approvingly at Xu Zaizhang.

The meal was enjoyed thoroughly by both hosts and guests.

In the afternoon, the Duke of Qi and the Marquis of Lady Ningyuan arrived at the Sheng family residence, bringing Qi Heng and Gu Gu Tingye with them.

As a renowned Confucian scholar in Bianjing, Master Zhuang had seen many of his students from his academy pass the provincial and metropolitan examinations over the years.

In particular, Gu Gu Tingyu, a noble scion whose performance in this year's imperial examination was most astonishing, had even sought Master Zhuang's guidance on scholarly matters before the palace examination.

Many high-ranking officials and nobles had wished to invite Master Zhuang to teach in their homes, but he had refused them all, citing his need to repay the kindness of saving his mother.

Given such a reason rooted in filial piety, no one could say anything against it.

Master Zhuang had not revealed much about which family he intended to join; only the Sheng family knew of this until now, with the Qi family added to the list.

Previously, when Gu Gu Tingyu had visited to thank Master Zhuang, the scholar had expressed some regret over Gu Gu Tingyu's ranking.

Knowing that the Gu family had another son studying, Gu Gu Tingye, he had mentioned he could teach the boy, but only with the Sheng family's consent.

This was how the scene of one Duke and two Marquises gathering at the Sheng family home came to pass.

Ultimately, it was decided that four young men from outside the Sheng family—Xu Xu Zaizhang's second son, Qi Heng, and Gu Gu Tingye—would come to study at the academy.

Once the Duke and the Marquises had left the Sheng residence, Lady Wang felt refreshed and invigorated.

"Regardless of the outcome, with these friendships formed among classmates from noble families, Sheng Changbai's future path will be smoother."

Mama Liu nodded happily beside her.

Continuing joyfully, Lady Wang said, "Ah! You say the Hou Fu really handles things thoroughly; hearing Marquis Xu speak, Brother Zhang caught a pair of large wild geese outside the city before the end of the first lunar month and had hunters raise them with great care!"

"It is all thanks to the Sheng Sheng Laofuren's blessings."

The next day

Exactly Si Hour (10:00 AM)

Bianjing

Lao Ya Lane

Neighbors living in the lane were working, cooling off under the trees, and watching children.

A woman dressed in bright colors but wearing no hair ornaments passed by the crowd and entered a somewhat dilapidated courtyard in the lane, calling out, "Is Sister Hua at home?"

An old woman with graying hair, wearing tattered but clean clothes, opened her door and asked, "Who is it? Oh! It's Matchmaker Sun! What brings you here?"

The brightly dressed matchmaker smiled and said, "Old Sister-in-Law, someone has taken a fancy to our family's Miss and sent me to negotiate! Where is she?"

Hearing this, although the old woman knew the matchmaker had a poor reputation, joy still appeared on her face: "She went out to work! Please, do come in quickly."

Hearing this exchange, the neighbors in the lane flocked to the courtyard gate, ready to watch the excitement.

Speaking as she invited the guest into the room, she could only offer a bowl of cool water: "Matchmaker, please forgive us; we truly have no tea prepared in the house."

After entering the room, the matchmaker listened to the old woman's voice while her eyes scanned everywhere, as if searching for something.

"No harm, no harm."

"May I ask, which family has taken a fancy to my daughter?" the old woman asked with a smile.

"It is the natal younger brother of Sister Tian from the lane entrance; he is a butcher in the city whose wife died just last year! So, hearing that Old Sister-in-Law has such a Miss in her home, he has specially come to propose marriage."

Hearing the matchmaker's words, the old woman's face turned somewhat ugly as she said, "I heard from the Tians before; didn't they say there are three children in that household? If my daughter goes there, she'll be a stepmother, and she..."

"Old Sister-in-Law, they heard that your Hua family's Miss is tall and works diligently, which is why they sought me out! Don't blame me for speaking harshly, but at your daughter's age, if she doesn't marry soon... Moreover, his family is willing to offer a betrothal gift of fifty-five taels!"

As she spoke, the matchmaker shook her palm, gesturing the amount of the betrothal gift.

The old woman was rendered speechless; indeed, for women of her daughter's age, most already had children old enough to climb walls and raid bird nests.

"But I heard that butcher loves to drink, and after drinking, he beats his wife; for my daughter, let's just forget it," the old woman said with a sigh.

"Hey! Let me tell you, Old Sister-in-Law, he doesn't drink, and he doesn't beat people! Besides, with such a large birthmark on your daughter's face, finding such a wealthy household is not bad at all."

"Matchmaker Sun, let's just drop it; I'll have my daughter support me in my old age! You go attend to your other business first."

Finishing her sentence, the old woman moved to open the door.

The matchmaker walked to the doorway, pressing her hand against the old woman's rough one, and said, "Old Sister-in-Law, listen to my final words; both the Tian family at the lane entrance and the butcher's family have agreed that as long as your dowry includes that little donkey and those cotton wads, they are willing to take you in to care for you in your old age!"

"With this single move, you'll have both a son and a daughter, won't you!"

After the matchmaker finished speaking, she looked at the old woman and asked, "Old sister-in-law? Say something!"

"Oh! So you've taken a liking to the things sent yesterday?"

Hearing the old woman's words, the matchmaker's expression changed as she said, "What nonsense! We truly have taken a liking to your young lady!"

The old woman sneered and said, "In that case, forget it!"

"I say, Old sister-in-law, don't ruin your Miss's future," the matchmaker said, her expression changing.

"You never came before; just leave."

Seeing the old woman's resolute attitude, the matchmaker's smile vanished; she scowled and walked out of the house.

"I say. Old—"

The old woman shouted loudly, "Go!"

The matchmaker looked at the neighbors gathered at the courtyard gate, glanced sideways at the old woman, and cursed:

"Hah! Your Miss wanted to enter Hou Fu, but Hou Fu didn't want her. For the sake of reputation, they sent you silver, yet you've become so high and mighty!"

"Tch! What trash!"

"Let your ugly daughter support you in your old age!"

"At your age, still with a birthmark, and you're being picky! What an unreasonable old hag!"

Hearing these words, the onlookers at the gate began whispering among themselves; when a poor neighbor suddenly comes into wealth, it is easy for people to gossip or covet it.

Cursing as she walked outward,

the matchmaker's insults made the old woman in the courtyard tremble with rage; she was about to curse back when she saw another woman appear at the gate.

"Yo, isn't this Matchmaker Sun! Tsk tsk tsk."

The speaker was also a woman dressed in bright, flashy clothes, but her face was round like a silver plate, her hair bun adorned with numerous ornaments, and two maids followed behind her.

"You! Hao Guan Pozi! What are you doing in this Crow Alley? Could it be—" As she spoke, Matchmaker Sun looked at the old woman in the courtyard.

"Tch! Do you think everyone is like you? Get lost!"

"Oh my, Flower Guan Pozi, I am from the street agency; a wealthy household from the capital heard that your daughter has old ties with Hou Fu and has specially sent me—"

At that moment, another voice came: "Make way, what are you all gathering here for?"

Hearing the words, everyone turned to look behind; they saw a person riding a tall, powerful horse in the alley, followed by a group of female servants and attendants carrying various gift boxes.

The woman, dressed in noble yet plain attire, glanced disdainfully at Hao Guan Pozi and shouted loudly:

"Yin, steward of Marquis Marquis Yongyi Hou Fu, has come specifically to seek marriage with the Flower family's beloved daughter!"

The two words 'Hou Fu' and 'beloved daughter', so out of place in Crow Alley, left the onlooking neighbors and common folk stunned.

Nothing more.

If there are any typos or awkward passages, please, respected readers, point them out!

(`) Sending love.

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(End of this chapter)