The matchmaker, having seen her share of events, had truly put in her best effort to secure the job with the Thousand-Household Lord's family.
Recalling the benefits these newlyweds had brought her, the matchmaker was determined. She managed to keep pace with Qi He, entering the bridal chamber right behind him.
The matchmaker had been inside this bridal chamber before. Oh my, looking at the bright glass windows, coupled with the festive red decorations filling the room, she imagined if she were twenty years younger, she too would want such a bridal chamber.
Qi He gently placed his bride on the heated kangs. Though exhausted today, he didn't want to let go, wishing to hold her like this forever.
The matchmaker observed the groom's lingering gaze and habitually touched her hair bun. Then, raising her hand holding a handkerchief, she pointed to the weighing scale placed on a nearby table and said, "Groom, it's time to lift the veil."
"Alright." Qi He had waited for this moment for years, and his response was loud and clear.
As the weighing scale, tied with a red silk ribbon, lightly lifted the red veil covering Fu XinCi's head, Qi He looked at his shy bride, his heartbeat so loud that everyone present could probably hear it.
The matchmaker, having lived so long, had lost count of how many brides she had seen.
However, she was truly impressed today. This Lady Fu was truly as renowned as her reputation suggested. Not only was she skilled at dealing with villains, but she also possessed exceptional beauty. With such looks, she could easily rank among the top in Ningyuan City.
The more the matchmaker looked, the more she liked her, her auspicious wedding pronouncements flowing one after another as if they were endless.
While Qi He was delighted and joyful, his mood soured when he inadvertently caught the look in the matchmaker's eyes as she gazed at his wife.
He immediately wanted to frown, but remembering it was his and his wife's wedding day, he restrained himself slightly and said to the matchmaker, "Auntie, you know the situation outside."
The groom's words reminded the matchmaker. This young couple before her were both formidable generals of the Northern Frontier, and now was the time of the Japanese pirate invasion. She couldn't dawdle.
The matchmaker, unaware that the coastal Japanese pirates had already been wiped out, quickly began arranging the next steps.
She had the couple sit affectionately, the groom on the left and the bride on the right. Each cut a lock of hair, and then these two locks were tied together, symbolizing their commitment, eternal devotion, and unbreakable bond.
Listening to the matchmaker's swift and eloquent words, Fu XinCi glanced at her discreetly, thinking, "This is not something just anyone can do."
If it were her, she might have botched it.
...
After the couple had drunk the bridal wine, their flushed faces still entwined in each other's gazes, they heard the voices of Yu'er and Ning'er from outside.
Through the glass window, they could see their two younger brothers and their cousins delivering the dowry.
Thinking about how they had rushed on horseback to catch the auspicious time, Fu XinCi's blush deepened.
Qi He knew that as a new bride, his wife shouldn't get out of bed. However, he, the groom, didn't have so many scruples. He reassured his wife with a look before stepping out of the room.
He watched as dowry chests were carried one after another into the courtyard and placed in the east wing, which had been designated beforehand.
The matchmaker's eyes crinkled with a smile. Holding her handkerchief to cover her mouth, she flattered, "Lady Fu's dowry is truly a first in our Northern Frontier."
She then habitually glanced left and right before extending a hand and saying, "The 'yā xiāng yín zi' [money to press the dowry chests], more than the eldest daughter of the Cao family by this much."
Hearing the matchmaker mention the Cao family's eldest daughter, Fu XinCi's gossipy nature stirred within her.
The matchmaker was adept at reading people's expressions. Seeing Fu XinCi's interest and with no one else in the room temporarily, she animatedly puffed out her cheeks and began to recount the story.
"This is thanks to the benevolence of the Second Master Cao and his wife. Knowing that their eldest niece had a hard life, they added two thousand taels in front of both families' relatives. Old Master Cao and his wife also doted on their eldest granddaughter, who lost her mother at a young age, so they gave her three thousand taels from their personal savings."
Fu XinCi wanted to say that five thousand taels was quite a sum.
But after some thought, she remained silent.
The matchmaker, however, pouted disdainfully at someone's attitude and continued, "If they were relying on her father, who was unreliable, and her sweet-talking but cold-hearted stepmother, forget five thousand taels, even five hundred taels would be a debt note."
"The 'yā xiāng yín zi' could be a debt note?" Fu XinCi really wanted to ask how incompetent someone had to be to do such a shameless thing.
"Why not? The eldest son and his wife of the Cao family had planned just that. When the eldest daughter of the Cao family overheard, she ran crying to her grandparents to complain."
"Old Madam Cao was so furious she almost fainted. Her eldest son's actions were a direct insult to the Cao family. Old Master Cao was also enraged, shouting about invoking family discipline, but the eldest son stubbornly retorted that his parents were biased, giving the position of family head to his second brother, and that he had nothing, which led him to this desperate measure."
Fu XinCi was speechless. Anyone with such a father would go berserk.
Once the matchmaker's floodgates opened, she couldn't stop. She chattered on and on:
"That eldest son of the Cao family, he doesn't realize that if the Cao family fell into his hands, they would be bankrupt in no time."
"No way."
"Why not? The eldest daughter lives on this side. Everyone in Ningyuan City knows that the eldest son of the Cao family is not only clueless but also fond of visiting courtesans. Because of this, he has more concubines than he can count on one hand."
Fu XinCi: She really didn't want to hear such gossip; it was too disgusting.
"This is only because Old Madam Cao keeps him in check. Otherwise, even counting his hands and feet wouldn't be enough."
"Isn't a merchant family only allowed to take one concubine?"
"Pfft, the eldest son of the Cao family put a lot of effort into this matter. All his concubines are addressed as 'Miss So-and-so'."
"It's funny to think about it. One of his concubines is already over thirty years old, and she's still called 'Miss'."
At this point, the matchmaker, clutching her handkerchief, chuckled lewdly. "That one is also restless and likes to visit others. When people from the few households on the back street see her walk by, they secretly say, 'At her age, still a Miss? I think she should be called Auntie.'"
Fu XinCi didn't respond, only feeling that these people's tongues were quite sharp.
Fortunately, Mama Yang soon arrived with Chunyu and Lichun. The matchmaker finally stopped gossiping.
Mama Yang was observant. Seeing that her young lady looked a bit uncomfortable, she stepped forward to greet the matchmaker. "Sister, the banquet has already begun outside. Let Chunyu escort you there to be seated."
"Alright. Today, I shall also sample the banquet at the Thousand-Household Lord's manor."
Watching the matchmaker finally sway her hips and leave with Chunyu, Fu XinCi breathed a sigh of relief.
"Young lady, have some water." Lichun, fearing her young lady was thirsty, quickly poured tea for her.