Chapter Sixty-Six: The Matchmaker (Second Update)

In his previous life, Zhang Yue had always thought the films he watched were absurd—how could people be so shamelessly snobbish? It wasn’t until this life that Zhang Yue realized how naive he had been. What is reality? One only needed to witness the fervent scenes unfolding before him.

Guo the Scholar and Guo Lin, having just left the Zhang household, could barely walk; compared to the surging crowd, they were like two men struggling upstream, unnoticed and ignored. Passersby in the distance stopped, curious, seeking explanations. Someone nearby impatiently clarified, “A scholar, a scholar has emerged!” “Yes, it’s someone from this very street. What do you think!” “Remarkable!” “Of course. Let me tell you, the second son of the Zhang family and I grew up together, playing in the mud as children. Who could have guessed such fortune would come his way?” “Brother, you truly have enviable connections! Surely you’ll be favored.” “Favored, yes, but I’ll have to travel to the capital. You know me—I’m lazy and loathe to leave home. Alas.” “So that’s how it is. My apologies.”

Two women on the street chatted, “That second son of the Zhangs has always been talented in writing, and handsome too. But he’s a bit proud. Though it’s not right to run from marriage, at least he’s made something of himself.” “Running from the marriage? That was just misfortune for the Zhao family’s daughter, can’t blame Zhang entirely.” “If I were the registrar Zhao, why hold a grudge? I’d hurry to send my daughter back to the Zhangs.” “But the Zhangs have already written a letter of divorce—there’s no turning back.” “Poor registrar Zhao! He insisted on not splitting, pushed his daughter into the Zhang household, and now what?” “Look, even eminent monks from the Imperial Temple have come. Aren’t monks supposed to be above worldly affairs? Why join the crowd?” “I told you, even monks can’t escape the world’s ways.”

At this moment, his family’s gate was nearly bursting with people, making Zhang Yue understand why wealthy families always installed larger doors. “Brother, we’ll need to replace this door!” Zhang Yue turned to find Zhang Shi lost in joy, unable to hear him, his face brimming with delight. “Hahaha!”

Zhang Yue felt as if he could hear his elder brother’s laughter echoing from deep within his heart.

“Upon hearing the good news, we’ve come to congratulate the distinguished gentleman and his family!” “In one day, the third son becomes a scholar, the second son a successful candidate—double blessings have come, so we’re here to offer our felicitations!” “A small gift, just a token of our respect.”

Zhang Shi kept repeating, “We’ve all been neighbors for years, no need to be so formal. Ah, Head Constable Xu, you’re here too.” Lady Yu smiled, “Head Constable Xu is a rare guest; we’ve invited him before, but he never came.” Xu laughed heartily, “Sister-in-law, it’s only because official duties kept me busy. Now that I’ve heard of the second son’s achievement, even if knives rained from the sky, I’d still come to offer congratulations. Gentlemen, these are my colleagues from the yamen—they’ve long admired you, and today came both to share your good fortune and to bask in your joy.”

Xu turned, “This is the distinguished Zhang I often spoke about—straightforward and sociable. Come, pay your respects!” Zhang Shi, already beaming, hurried to stop them, “Gentlemen, you’re all officials. I am but a commoner; how could I accept such honors? I’ll need your support in the future.” They answered in unison, “We wouldn’t dare—just tell us what you need, distinguished Zhang.” Zhang Shi tried to decline, “You’ve come, but why bring gifts…” Xu laughed, “It’s just their way of showing respect; please accept it.” Unable to refuse, Zhang Shi said, “Very well. I’ll host a banquet another day to thank you all. Wife, Third Brother, take the gifts and keep a careful record.”

Cao, the bailiff, offered, “Let me record everything; no need to trouble the lady or the third son. If you trust me, I’ll write it up and announce it.” “Good! I’ll announce the gifts. Now, lean in—everything above a string of coins, announce loudly; below that, quieter. Good, start with mine: Bailiff Cao, one string of copper coins, a pair of porcelain vases! Yes, everyone inside and out must hear!” Lady Yu entertained the guests, “How can I accept all this? We’re family; no need for formalities. No meal today, but have some tea before you go!”

“Xi’er, don’t run off; come here. This is your great-uncle and cousin. Take your uncle upstairs for a tour—it’s his first visit.” As the guests departed, two women approached Lady Zhang, laughing, “Lady Zhang, I always said you were destined for both wealth and nobility. Surely it’s come true now.” “When the second son becomes a high official, your elder son will surely receive a post too, and you’ll be a titled lady.” Lady Yu’s smile reached her eyes, “Where do you get such ideas… Lady Yu, Lady Sun, you’re the ones with fortune.” Zhang Yue, meanwhile, remained calm amid the commotion.

Others couldn’t help praising, “The third son truly has seen the world!”

“Look, he’s chatting up the matchmakers!” “Well, youth… it’s understandable.” “The great achievement is followed by a lesser one.” Someone realized, “That’s right—the second son is far away in the capital, but the third son is still here.” “Have you heard? After the second son’s success yesterday, several wealthy families in the city pledged gifts. Whichever matchmaker can arrange their daughter with the third son, those gifts would support the matchmaker’s family for years.” Someone nearby remarked sourly, “Yesterday when the third son became a scholar, I wanted to propose my niece. Now those matchmakers have beaten me to it, and even Master Xu has his eye on the third son.” Many marveled and envied.

Zhang Yue now truly felt the warmth of the crowd. Faced with these heavily made-up matchmakers, he was at a loss—perhaps they could just give him the girls’ numbers? Maybe send a photo on WeChat first?

The matchmakers chattered away, and seeing Zhang Yue silent, thought he must have high standards, not interested in any of them, but business had to be done. One matchmaker ventured, “Perhaps you have a type in mind, Third Son? Tell us.” “Let us find her for you. Maybe not a high official’s daughter, but in Pu City, there isn’t a girl I don’t know.” “Rest assured, no dowry less than five hundred strings of coins.”

Before Zhang Yue could reply, someone burst in, slapped his shoulder hard. He sucked in a breath. “Jingyi?” he asked. Peng Jingyi laughed, hugged him, and started pulling him away, “Let’s talk outside.”

The matchmakers hurried after, “Don’t go, Third Son! At least tell us your preferences!”

As Zhang Yue escaped, he thought of a friend forced into blind dates after working just two years—a friend who was very unwilling. Always scheming how to make himself less appealing, or how to avoid hurting the girl’s pride. Later he realized he was completely overthinking.

Yes, that friend was me.