sjar Chapter 263 The matchmaker comes to visit
Chapter 263 The matchmaker comes to visit
Chapter 263, The Matchmaker Arrives
Tian Tian waved, and the sisters all sat down.
"Today is a good day to distribute the assets I own."
"From now on... I'm afraid I'll be staying in the capital for a long time... I probably won't have time to take care of the shops in Yunzhou Prefecture."
"I'm thinking... I'll leave the Baishi Teahouse and Baishi Hot Pot Shop to my eldest sister and third sister to run together."
"Keep the small portion of the profits from Fulai Restaurant for Mother and Aunt Liu."
She said it casually, but in reality, there are now more than a dozen Fulai restaurants in Yunzhou Prefecture, and those profits are not small.
"I will keep Tea Fragrance Pavilion and Beauty Pavilion."
Tian Xiang and Qin Youyou exchanged a glance. "Second sister/second sister, don't we have too many shops?"
There are twenty or thirty Baishi Teahouses and Baishi Hot Pot shops combined.
Tea Fragrance Pavilion and Jiaoyan Pavilion together comprise only five shops in total.
"Don't underestimate me just because I have few shops now. These shops are all in the capital. Besides, I can open other shops later."
"You are now county princesses, and when you get married, the people you marry will certainly not be ordinary either. Having money to rely on will give you confidence."
Tian Xiang and Qin Youyou looked at Lu Tao...
Lu Tao nodded, "Let's go with the sweet one."
"Don't be so serious..." Tian Tian pulled on Tian Xiang and Qin Youyou's arms, "I still have those vegetables, business isn't bad either."
She previously bought rice from ordinary people and then sold it to the system, making a considerable profit.
Moreover, she could open Baishi Teahouse and Baishi Hot Pot Shop in Beijing and make just as much money.
Besides teahouses and hot pot restaurants, she has other ideas.
“I will make my own arrangements for my dowry.” Tian Tian turned to Liu San Niang. “But Aunt Liu, haven’t you always wanted to find a husband for Youyou? Now that Youyou has become a county princess, there are so many talented people in the capital, you must be spoiled for choice.”
Liu San Niang knew she was just trying to make everyone happy.
She immediately clutched her chest and exclaimed dramatically, "Oh dear, that's for sure, Sister Lu, you have to choose with me!"
Qin Youyou blushed...
But no one expected...
*
"Congratulations, Madam! Congratulations, Madam!"
Early in the morning, the princess's mansion was besieged by a group of matchmakers.
The gatekeeper informed Lu Tao and Liu San Niang, and as soon as they opened the door, they were surrounded by matchmakers.
"Madam, Madam, please let us in."
"A matchmaker coming to the door means good fortune is on the horizon, we can't stop her, we can't stop her!" The matchmaker giggled exaggeratedly, forcefully pushing the door open and pushing Lu Tao and Liu San Niang aside.
Then, they entered the mansion in a grand manner and went into the front hall.
When Lu Tao and Liu San Niang came in.
They ushered the two to a high seat, and then took turns coming up to offer their congratulations.
These matchmakers were all dressed smartly, adorned with pearl flowers in their hair, and their faces were full of ingratiating smiles.
They waved their handkerchiefs incessantly in front of Lu Tao and Liu San Niang, saying, "Oh, ladies."
A matchmaker dressed in a crimson jacket spoke first, her gold hairpin swaying gently with her movements, "Tell me, what are your requirements?"
"What...what requirements?" Lu Tao was completely dumbfounded.
"Well... what are your requirements for your future sons-in-law, ladies?" Another matchmaker, dressed in a bright green jacket, squeezed in. "Ladies, we are all famous matchmakers in the capital. Whatever kind of son-in-law you want, we can find him here."
Lu Tao then understood...
She turned to Liu San Niang, "San Niang, tell me."
Liu San Niang's gaze swept between the matchmakers, wondering whether these people were reliable or not.
"Ladies, please feel free to speak. Even if you desire royalty or nobility, we can arrange it," the matchmaker said, winking and making faces.
Liu San Niang spoke honestly, slowly saying, "I don't need any royal or noble lineage, as long as... the man is responsible and knows how to care for people."
The matchmakers immediately took out their notebooks and carefully wrote it down.
“And another thing…” Lu Tao added, “Our daughter has a gentle nature, so we must find someone who can tolerate and cherish her.”
The matchmakers all nodded in agreement and began to recommend the services.
“I have a very fine young master here. He is the only son of the Li family in the south of the city. He just passed the imperial examination this year. He is handsome and comes from a wealthy family.”
“The young master of the Li family is good, but I have someone even better! The second young master of the Wang family in the north of the city has taken over the family's silk shop at a young age, and the business is booming. Most importantly, his mother knows me well and said that as long as the girl is to her liking, she can name any dowry you want!”
"I happen to have a young master from a scholarly family here. He is not only well-educated but also skilled in horseback riding and archery. He is accomplished in both literature and martial arts!"
The matchmakers all nodded in agreement and began to recommend the services.
Some say that a certain young master is gentle and considerate, others say that a certain young lord is knowledgeable and worldly-wise, and still others say that a certain young man, though from an ordinary family, is of noble character and has a bright future.
Originally, Liu San Niang was quite interested, but with so many people choosing, her mind became noisy.
She looked to Lu Tao for help.
Lu Tao was also in a dilemma; she really didn't know how to interrupt these people.
*
Tian Tian was about to go out to find Wan Xinran when she arrived at the front hall and saw this scene.
Chu Qian led Chu Yao to peek through the door. The two of them were dressed in brocade robes and looked very cute.
"Second Aunt." Chu Qian waved to Tian Tian.
Tian Tian squatted down. "What's wrong?"
"Second Aunt, is Mother going to find us a new father?" Chu Qian asked.
Tian Tian scrutinized his face, unable to discern the meaning behind the child's expression.
"No, your mother doesn't have that idea for now." Tian Tian wasn't lying to Chu Qian; Tian Xiang really didn't have that idea at the moment.
But she didn't know if Tian Xiang's thoughts would change in the future.
Therefore, the word "temporarily" was used.
"Don't worry!" Tian Tian patted the two children's heads. "Even if your mother finds you new fathers, you will still be your mother's precious darlings."
Chu Qian and Chu Yao chuckled.
"Go back to your mother. Your two grandmothers don't have time to deal with you right now." Tian Tian coaxed the two children away.
Chu Qian obediently pulled Chu Yao away...
Tian Tian then entered the front hall, but unexpectedly, she overheard the matchmaker saying to Lu Tao...
"Madam, neither of you has a suitable husband. Why don't you tell us what your requirements are? We can help you find one."
Lu Tao and Liu San Niang were stunned.
they...
The matchmaker looked at them expectantly.
“We…” Lu Tao stood up awkwardly, waving her hands frantically, “We don’t need it, we don’t need it.”
She looked up and saw Tian Tian. "Tian Tian, come here quickly..."
help me!!
"Greetings, ladies!!" The matchmakers were very polite; upon seeing Tian Tian, they all knelt down respectfully.
"Get up," Tian Tian said.
The matchmakers stood up, their smiles somewhat restrained.
“My third sister, Princess Anping, is indeed of marriageable age. She has a gentle personality, so I hope she can find a family with a good personality and a kind family.”
"If any matchmakers can help find a match, I, the princess, will naturally reward them handsomely."
The matchmaker was overjoyed.
"However, if you have concealed anything and caused my third sister to fall into a pit of fire, this princess will not let you off lightly."
The matchmaker looked cautious.
They dared not question what Tian Tian, the future Crown Princess, had said.
"Princess, please rest assured, we will definitely find a suitable husband for Princess Anping."
"Yep."
"Then I'll have to trouble you matchmakers." Tian Tian looked at the maid waiting at the door. "Xiao Mei, see you matchmakers out."
Xiao Mei led the matchmakers to the door and gave each of them a purse, saying, "Thank you all for your help, matchmakers."
The matchmakers weighed the purses in their hands, their eyes practically disappearing with laughter.
This weight... must be at least twenty taels of silver.
Wow, this trip was totally worth it.
"Come on, come on... I'm telling you, what's so great about that young master Li you mentioned? After passing the imperial examination, he's become so arrogant."
"Then how about that second young master of the Wang family? He's always flirting with the guests who come to the door. Besides, the princess's sister... would she even care about that little bit of betrothal money?"
"You're even more outrageous, claiming to be both scholarly and martial... Aren't you afraid the princess will see through your act?"
"Oh dear, none of these will do. Let's find some new ones for the county princess."
"Yes, yes, we'll have to look for it carefully this time."
*
Xiaomei brought back the matchmaker's words to Tian Tian...
"Princess, none of these matchmakers are reliable."
"In my opinion, it would be better to let His Highness find one for the County Princess."
Lu Tao slammed her hand on the chair indignantly, "These old women, none of them are honest, we shouldn't have given them so much money."
Tian Tian smiled indifferently, "It's alright. Now that we've given them money, at least they won't hide the truth from us anymore."
Lu Tao thought about it and realized it made sense. "They got off too easily."
"However, Xiaomei is right. Perhaps we should ask Your Highness for help..."
Tian Tian smiled and said, "How could they, living in the palace, possibly know anything about the conduct of those young masters outside?"
"Mother, Aunt Liu, please don't worry."
"I know who to ask to find reliable people."
She stood up. "I have to go out. You all wait at home. I reckon... Caixiulou should be sending the clothes soon."
The clothes were made from the fabric chosen after I was granted the title of Lady.
"That's great, it's perfect to try it out and save it for when Tian Tian gets married."
Tian Tian said helplessly, "The Ministry of Rites hasn't chosen a date yet, so the wedding might not take place until the spring."
*
"The Empress really agreed?" Wan Xinran was so happy she almost jumped for joy.
"The Empress named our shop 'Jiaoyan Pavilion'," Tian Tian told her.
"Jiaoyan Pavilion, Jiaoyan Pavilion." Wan Xinran pondered... "This name is really nice."
"And it was even inscribed by Her Majesty the Empress herself." Tian Tian raised an eyebrow.
Wan Xinran snorted twice, "Let's see if the Qi family still dares to cause trouble."
Tian Tian handed the shop's layout plan to Wan Xinran, saying, "Have your father find someone to renovate it."
"Then have your mother go to the brokerage and buy twenty or thirty young and beautiful girls."
“Okay, leave it to us,” Wan Xinran agreed.
Remembering Qin Youyou's matter, Tian Tian said, "I have another favor to ask of you."
"What is it?" Wan Xinran asked.
"I want to find a suitable husband for my third sister!" Tian Tian said directly.
“Princess Anping?” Wan Xinran blinked. “With her current status, she could be a suitable match for the young master of a high-ranking official’s family.”
"However, the young masters of high-ranking officials have many things to consider. Although Princess Anping has you, a county princess, as her backer."
"But you're my only support..."
"I'm afraid...they won't..."
"But you are now the designated Crown Princess..."
Wan Xinran, having grown up in Beijing, provided a very thorough analysis of this matter.
"They might take this relationship into account, but... they'll mostly push out the illegitimate sons from the clan."
"Princess, it depends on how you think about it."
Tian Tian pondered, "I don't want Youyou's marriage to become a bargaining chip for those families."
"I just hope her marriage can be simpler."
Wan Xinran nodded thoughtfully, "Then we don't need to consider these big families."
"Consider some families with good family traditions."
"Do you know any families you think would be a good match?" Tian Tian asked casually.
Wan Xinran rested her chin on her hand, deep in thought...
"There is one family, though..."
"However, I have only heard about it. Your Highness should examine it carefully to see if it is true."
Tian Tian nodded, "Go ahead."
"It's... the Cui family in the south of the city."
"It is said that all members of their family, regardless of gender, take it as their responsibility to study, understand principles, cultivate themselves, and manage their families."
"The Cui family patriarchs are all upright men, each of them has only one wife, and they all treat their wives very well."
"So when the Cui family's children reached marriageable age, matchmakers would come to their door very early."
"However, I heard that the Cui family has a grandson who is not yet engaged."
"By the way, their family owns an academy called Qingya Academy, which is very famous in the capital."
"That little grandson is studying at Qingya Academy."
*
"Jinghe." Early in the morning, Tian Tian braved the light snow to arrive at Tian Jinghe's courtyard.
Tian Jinghe was reading when he heard the sound and flew out like a butterfly.
"Second Sister!!" He suddenly threw himself into Tian Tian's arms. "Why did you come looking for me?"
Tian Tian put her arm around his shoulder. "Isn't Jinghe going to visit the academies in the capital?"
Tian Jinghe nodded. Yes, but even after being in the capital for so long, he hadn't visited a single academy.
"My second sister has some free time today, so she'll take you to visit Qingya Academy."
"Qingya Academy?" Tian Jinghe nodded in delight. "The name sounds good."
"Then pack your things, we'll be leaving in a bit."
Tian Jinghe turned around excitedly, "Okay, then wait for me, Second Sister."
When they came out again, Tian Jinghe had changed into a new set of clothes. "Let's go."
Qingya Academy is located in a quiet corner in the south of Beijing, far from the hustle and bustle of the city, hidden at the end of a deep alley.
The alley is lined with mottled blue brick walls covered with vines, giving it an ancient and weathered look in the depths of winter.
The academy's main gate was inconspicuous, made of thick elm wood, with copper nails inlaid on it.
Above the gate hangs a black plaque with gold lettering that reads "Qingya Academy." The calligraphy is elegant and graceful, perfectly complementing the name of the academy.
On either side of the door is a couplet: "A pure heart and few desires, lofty aspirations; There is a path to the mountain of books, and the sea of learning is boundless."
Two stone lions stand on either side of the gate; though not tall, they are majestic in appearance.
At this moment, there were still a few people standing at the door, talking to the gatekeeper.
Tian Tian led Tian Jinghe forward.
"When you go inside, please do not make loud noises or disturb the students' reading."
"Follow Commander Cui in front."