Chapter 243: A Matchmaker Who Stands Out

Hearing Zhao Lei wanted to eat something, Qiaohua thought he was improving, and ran out in surprise and joy.

"Brother, I'm going now, it'll be ready soon!"

Qiaohua thought, this time no matter what, she would finally speak out the feelings she had hidden for years!

However, when she returned with a bowl of steaming buckwheat noodles, Zhao Lei had already passed away forever.

After that, Qiaohua refused all matchmakers.

She has guarded the old house and fields of the Zhao family to this day.

Every year she plants a patch of buckwheat, waits for it to mature, then harvests and grinds it into flour.

On Zhao Lei's memorial day, she always makes a bowl of buckwheat noodles prepared entirely by herself and offers it at his grave.

He Jinglan said, "Who would have thought this year's buckwheat would run into trouble? No wonder she feels upset."

"Yes," Zhang Shen sighed, "to outsiders it's just a field of buckwheat."

"Who knew there were so many twists and turns behind it."

Immersed in the story, the three fell silent for a long while, hearing only Gu Xixi's sawing wood creak.

After a moment, He Jinglan asked, "Then she hasn't married all these years, has she?"

Zhang Shen sighed, "She never married, and she became a matchmaker at a young age. Who would dare to arrange a marriage for her?"

"For years she's lived alone, she says she's grown used to it, and loves the peace when she returns home."

He Jinglan said wistfully, "Qiaohua never married Old Zhao, but she took his surname. She has no children, lives alone, yet she loves nothing more than bringing about happy unions."

"This matchmaker Zhao is truly unlike the matchmakers I imagined."

Zhang Shen nodded, "That's right, I inquired about her before seeking her out."

"The marriages she has arranged have never ended in divorce; indeed, most are harmonious couples with peaceful, prosperous households."

"Otherwise, why would her matchmaking count be modest yet she be the most renowned matchmaker in the area? Even prominent families in the county seat seek her services—for the good luck she brings."

"It's a pity she herself has no luck in this regard, sigh..."

Seeing Zhang Shen unusually wistful, Gu Xixi let out a long sigh.

She realized Zhang Shen might be reminded of her own early-life sorrows through Zhao Meipo's story—likewise lacking a husband and children, making her thoughts grow heavier.

Worried that Zhang Shen's excessive worrying would harm her health, Gu Xixi deliberately changed the subject: "Matchmaker Zhao isn't easy; let me suggest this— Aunt, you'll first send her medicine tomorrow."

"The day after tomorrow, you can take me to her place to see her buckwheat field—I'll help if I can."

Zhang Shen heard this and was indeed pleased: "That's even better!"

He Jinglan, upon hearing that story, involuntarily thought of Meng Chengping.

I wonder how he is now— is he alright? Has he been injured?

Does he still care for her as he used to?

Or has he, busy with warfare during this time apart, completely relegated their past to the back of his mind?

He Jinglan herself is strong-willed; she doesn't want others to notice her unease, so she forces a smile and says:

"Aunt, you forgot to tell us the most important thing."

"Has Matchmaker Zhao agreed to take on the task of finding a match for our Xixi?"

Bringing this up, Zhang Shen gave Xixi a playful glance. "What do you say?"

Xixi smiled on the surface, but her heart was beating nervously.

This Matchmaker Zhao sounds far from an ordinary woman.

What if she doesn't follow the usual path, but instead insists on taking on a challenge and agrees?

Zhang Shen pursed her lips, wearing a resigned expression.

"Don't worry, she didn't agree!"

"As soon as she heard the conditions you mentioned, she laughed and told me you're surely just like her back then— fundamentally unwilling to marry."

Xixi laughed, feigning ignorance, and said nothing.

Zhang Shen chided, "You child, if you don't want to marry, just say so."

"Making up these excuses to fool me— are you afraid I'll hold a knife to your throat?"

"No way!" Xixi coaxed, "I'm the one you raised— how could you bear to let me suffer any injustice?"

"I just don't want you to worry on my account, so I'm looking for excuses to delay."

Xixi clung to Zhang Shen's shoulders, shaking them in a coquettish manner.

Zhang Shen couldn't help but laugh, "You!"

She looked at Xixi and said, "From now on, decide your own marriage."

"Just in case you end up an old maid who can't marry, as long as you don't regret it."

Xixi felt relieved and laughed, "I'll never regret it!"

He Jinglan joined in the fun, "Aunt, don't worry— Xixi is still as young as a flower bud; what's the rush?"

"Besides, with our family's estate and Xixi's looks and character, what sort of man couldn't we find?"

"If we wait until she truly makes it big, not to mention taking in a live-in son-in-law, even emulating those men with many wives and concubines would be well within our means."

Zhang Shen was both astonished and amused, chanting Buddha's name repeatedly, "What a bold young lady! Such talk behind closed doors among us women is fine, but we must never let it be heard outside!"

He Jinglan winked at Xixi.

Xixi weakly waved her hand, "Although a hundred flowers blooming is pleasing to the eye, having them all in the house would be too noisy—I couldn't handle it."

The three couldn't help but laugh.

The next morning, Gu Xixi received payment for her work with the Northwest Army.

It was delivered by a messenger in plain clothes.

The envelope was sealed with wax; Gu Xixi opened it back in her room and pulled out a stack of silver notes.

Each note is for 100 taels, totaling 500 taels of silver.

Zhang Shen's eyes widened; yesterday Jing Lan jokingly said Gu Xixi would strike it rich, and today it came true!!

Gu Xixi simply explained, "Every time I go to the border to help them farm, this is the remuneration they previously promised me."

"Just for helping with farming they give this much?" Zhang Shen stared.

She hurriedly pushed the banknotes into Gu Xixi's bosom.

"Quickly hide it, put it in your room! Don't let it get out—leaking wealth is not good!"

Gu Xixi chuckled, "Auntie, this isn't outside; you can speak louder."

Zhang Shen then realized they were indoors, with no outsiders, and she laughed embarrassedly.

After lunch, Gu Xixi sat in Lao Langzhong's room grinding medicine.

He Jinglan was also roped in to help, yawning as she asked, "You're making mosquito repellent? Our household only has a few people—there's no way we'd need this much!"

Gu Xixi said calmly, "Last night I thought about it; the military camp is densely populated, so they need epidemic prevention even more than we do."

"It's perfect that I received the general's remuneration today; I'll whip up some medicine as a tit-for-tat."

The prescription was written by Lao Langzhong yesterday.

These herbs require no special processing and can be prepared quickly.

Divided into two types: one is a herbal sachet to wear on the person and hang at the entrance of the military tents.

The other is a large packet of herbs; after boiling the water, it can be sprayed around, combined with lighting fires outside the camp to fumigate, effectively repelling and killing mosquitoes.

He Jinglan propped her chin, gazing at Gu Xixi with deep meaning, "Xixi, are you thinking of someone because of the story Zhao Meipo told you yesterday?"

"So you're just a little worried about his safety?"