novelSusiti Chapter 612: She’s Not So Foolish as to Be Blind to Reality
Chapter 612: She’s Not So Foolish as to Be Blind to Reality
"In my opinion, among the three beautiful girls from Qinghe Bay, your Xiao Xue stands out the most. I’ve heard she’s capable, good-looking, and has a gentle temperament. Don’t laugh at me, but I just asked Xing Hua and she said Xiao Xue is not yet engaged. Is it possible you’re reluctant to marry her off and want to keep her at home longer?"
Matchmaker Wang, smiling brightly, shifted the topic to Xiao Xue’s marriage.
During a casual chat at the Xu Family, she mentioned she had a proposal from the son of a wealthy family, but didn’t specify which family. She only said the son’s condition wasn’t good and he wanted to find a good-looking and good-natured girl from the village. Her intention was to see who in Qinghe Bay might want to sell their daughter.
Xu Xinghua secretly told Matchmaker Wang that Gu Xiaoxue would be suitable, and even the second branch of the Gu Family would allow their son to be a live-in son-in-law, let alone sell their daughter.
That’s how Matchmaker Wang set her sights on Gu Xiaoxue.
Mrs. Jia’s eyelids twitched.
Matchmaker Wang is not very skilled in her craft. Mrs. Jia acknowledged that Gu Xiaoxue was capable, and good-looking, but as for being gentle, that was in the past.
Nowadays, Gu Xiaoxue was far from gentle.
If anyone at home dared to say something unpleasant to her, she would retaliate against them.
Even the old Mrs. Gu dared not provoke her.
Those unaware might have thought she was blood sisters with Taohua, both born of Tong Huaqiong.
Mrs. Jia forced a smile and said, "We’ve just moved from the south to Qinghe Bay two years ago, and we are not familiar with the young men around here, so we just wanted to inquire carefully, hence the delay in Xiao Xue’s engagement."
Matchmaker Wang sighed and said, "With Xiao Xue’s looks, she should find a husband better than Gu Xiaocao’s. I’ve seen many people, and Xiao Xue is worthy of marrying into a wealthy family as the main mistress in Pingchuan."
"To speak plainly, your Rui Nian going to the Xu Family as a live-in son-in-law while both his parents are still alive is unusual, and isn’t it because your family lacks money and power? Now you have such a good daughter and aren’t making good use of her, yet you let your son suffer. Is there any other family doing such a thing in the whole area? If Xiao Xue settled a good engagement, would the Xu Family dare to bully you like this?"
A few words from Matchmaker Wang persuaded Mrs. Jia.
Mrs. Jia sighed and said, "This child Xiao Xue has become increasingly rebellious since she started working at Tong Dajiao’s Weaving Workshop, and I’m afraid using her marriage as leverage might provoke her."
The thought of Gu Xiaoxue threatening to poison the whole family made Mrs. Jia scared.
Matchmaker Wang, always going around the village, had heard bits about Gu Xiaoxue.
She felt the rumors were exaggerated; how could a young girl be that temperamental? It was because the Gu Family was too lenient.
A girl can’t cause that much trouble; there are ways to manage her.
Unless she never wants to marry and chooses to be a nun, as long as her marriage is in her parents’ hands, she must follow their will.
Matchmaker Wang said to Mrs. Jia, "You, too, are confused. Can a girl’s marriage be in her own hands? Since ancient times, it has always been the parents’ orders and the matchmaker’s words. Xiao Xue, after all, must get married. As long as you find her a good match, can she refuse?"
Mrs. Jia thought it indeed made sense.
"Sister-in-law Wang, you say it easily, but where can I find a good match for Xiao Xue?" Mrs. Jia looked worried.
Rui Nian had made it clear to her before, saying that Gu Xiaoxue had grown ambitious and it was time to find her a match.
According to Matchmaker Wang, this good match could support Gu Ruinian and satisfy Xiao Xue.
It’s difficult!
Matchmaker Wang was waiting for these words, her eyes lighted up as she said, "This might be difficult for someone who doesn’t step out of the house, but it’s not difficult for me. It’s my job to be the matchmaker. To be honest, I have a good match on my hands right now."
"It’s the Lian Family from Pingchuan, who runs a large pearl shop. There are three sons in the Lian Family, two of whom are married; one isn’t. An illegitimate sister just became the magistrate’s wife two months ago. The third young master himself is handsome and just passed the Scholar examination this year. Whether by age or temperament, he matches Xiao Xue perfectly."
Mrs. Jia felt the Lian Family was so familiar.
An affluent family like the Lian Family, with a magistrate brother-in-law, would they really want a village girl from Qinghe Bay?
Gu Xiaoxue was beautiful and capable, and Mrs. Jia might believe it if told she could marry into an ordinary wealthy family in the city. But marrying the third young master of the Lian Family, she didn’t believe it.
She wasn’t foolish enough not to recognize reality.
Could it be that the third young master had issues?
Facing Mrs. Jia’s suspicious gaze, Matchmaker Wang explained a bit.
"The Lian Family’s third young master was engaged as a child, but the girl’s brother later climbed to a wealthier family in Shengjing and sent his sister to the Prince’s Mansion as a concubine, so their engagement was annulled. After this blow, the second young master was unwilling to marry a girl of equal status, preferring a simple girl from the countryside."
Matchmaker Wang made up a story.
"If you don’t believe me, you can inquire around. I wouldn’t deceive you."
Seeing Matchmaker Wang’s firm words, Mrs. Jia was filled with joy.
If the Lian Family is the magistrate’s family, and Xiao Xue marries in, her son won’t need to be a live-in son-in-law.
Previously, Xiao Xue had grievance because she was to be married off to Xu Dabao. Now with such a good match, what reason would she have to oppose?
Upon marriage, she becomes the third young mistress of the Lian Family and the wife of a Scholar.
Mrs. Jia said, "I’ll go back and discuss it with the head of the family."
Matchmaker Wang nodded, "I’ll wait for your news."
From the Weaving Workshop, laughter came, with several girls coming out to play with Gu Xiaoxue, who was the most prominent among them.
Matchmaker Wang looked over and nodded in satisfaction.
She hadn’t told Mrs. Jia the truth; the Lian Family was indeed choosing a daughter-in-law, but it wasn’t for the third young master.
It was for the second young master.
The second young master had a mental issue, his mind hit by Lian Hengruo so badly that he behaved like a child.
There was no one willing to marry him in Pingchuan.
The Lian Family, out of options, decided to look in the villages; a simple and capable countryside girl would suit the second young master’s current needs.
However, the girl couldn’t be just anyone; she had to be good-looking, efficient in work, and able to support the second branch.
Fearing the countryside girl’s family would object upon learning about the second young master’s condition.
Hence, it was announced externally as a match for the third young master; he would assist in welcoming and bowing during the wedding...
Once everything was set, the village family, weak and powerless, couldn’t dispute with the Lian Family and could only accept it.
Later on, an adopted nephew could be given to the second branch, ensuring its continuation.
Matchmaker Wang felt Gu Taohua was most suitable for the second young master. She could do business and support a house, but since Tong Huaqiong’s situation had greatly improved, she dared not provoke her. Therefore, her thoughts shifted to Gu Xiaoxue.
The second branch of the Gu Family couldn’t even keep their son from becoming a live-in son-in-law; could they not part with a daughter?
If the second branch of the Gu Family had a harmonious relationship with Tong Huaqiong, Matchmaker Wang wouldn’t dare.
In short, Matchmaker Wang found Gu Xiaoxue to be the most suitable.
Matchmaker Wang sat in a carriage, lifted the curtain, and looked at Gu Xiaoxue one more time, getting more satisfied with each glance.
Gu Taohua nudged Gu Xiaoxue, saying, "Matchmaker Wang is full of schemes. When she was talking to your mother just now, she kept eyeing you. I’m afraid she’s thinking about your marriage."
Having dealt with Matchmaker Wang before, Gu Taohua began to worry upon seeing her stuck to Mrs. Jia.
Gu Taohua speculated that Matchmaker Wang was arranging Gu Xiaoxue’s marriage, either to an older widower or an impotent young master from a wealthy family.
In any case, it would be an unusual marriage, meriting a substantial matchmaking fee.
Gu Xiaoxue’s heart sank.
Gu Youtian and Mrs. Jia had always wanted to use her marriage as a stepping stone. The reason they hadn’t mentioned it for the past half-year was simply that they hadn’t found anything satisfactory.
If they found something suitable, such as becoming a mistress, a second wife of a wealthy family... As long as it could help Gu Youtian rise and treat Gu Ruinian’s leg, her parents would sell her without hesitation.
Even Mr. Gu and the old Mrs. Gu would stand on their side.