Qi Meipo had been a matchmaker in Yao County for over twenty years, and she knew the affairs of the families in the city like the back of her hand.
Upon hearing that Liu Meipo was sent by Steward Lin, Qi Meipo smiled and said, "If it's Steward Lin, then it's quite a good match. The Lin family has some reputation in Yao County. Their fifth daughter, although not born of the main wife, was raised by the old madam of the Lin family, so she's no different from a daughter born of the main wife. Madam Jiang, if the second young master's marriage hasn't been decided yet, you could indeed consider it further."
Chen Yuezhi immediately put on a displeased face, "Our Jiang family would never do such a thing as betraying promises to climb higher!"
Er Lang came out from the room, his face grim, "Besides Qiaoxiu, I will marry no one else!"
Jiang Wan followed behind, "Second sister-in-law can only be Sister Qiaoxiu!"
Qi Meipo knew she had said the wrong thing and quickly apologized repeatedly.
Chen Yuezhi didn't really blame her, "Sister Qi, I know you mean well, but our Jiang family is not the type to curry favor with power. For our children's marriages, we only seek matches of equal social standing. In the future, if the young couple can live in harmony and mutual respect, that's better than anything."
Qi Meipo quickly agreed.
Chen Yuezhi didn't dwell on the matter further and handed Qi Meipo the gift list she had written.
It had to be said that the family's recent efforts in learning to read and write had paid off. Chen Yuezhi could now write a complete gift list.
Although her handwriting wasn't very good, no one in the Jiang family felt it was something to be ashamed of.
After all, everyone's writing level was about the same.
After reviewing the list and confirming there were no issues, Qi Meipo arranged the time for the next day with Chen Yuezhi.
Just as Qi Meipo was about to leave, another woman, dressed distinctively, arrived.
"Great joy for the Jiang family, congratulations Madam Jiang, congratulations Young Master Jiang."
Another matchmaker.
Qi Meipo stood up and smiled at the newcomer, "Isn't this Zhao Meipo? You... you're not also here to propose a marriage for Young Master Jiang, are you?"
Zhao Meipo's expression carried a hint of arrogance, "As a matchmaker, what else would I be here for if not to propose a marriage?"
"Madam Jiang, your second young master is celebrating a happy occasion. Master Xu from the city fancies your second young master. Coincidentally, Master Xu has a niece who is about the same age as your second young master, so he has entrusted me to come and discuss this marriage proposal with Madam Jiang."
Chen Yuezhi felt a bit displeased seeing her attitude as if the Jiang family had received a great favor, but she didn't show it, merely saying politely, "We are grateful for Master Xu's high regard, but our second young son has already found a suitable match and is set to finalize the engagement tomorrow. Therefore, please convey our apologies to Master Xu."
Zhao Meipo was surprised that the Jiang family was so quick. Just a few days ago, this second son of the Jiang family was not betrothed, and in just six or seven days, he was about to finalize an engagement.
"May I ask which family's daughter Young Master Jiang is betrothing?"
Chen Yuezhi smiled, "She is a young lady from our village. That young lady owes my second son a life-saving debt, so it can be considered a match made in heaven."
Zhao Meipo's eyes were filled with disdain upon hearing this, "Just a country girl, and she's worthy of a match made in heaven? Madam Jiang, the marriage of children, on a small scale, is about the couple's life together. But on a larger scale, it concerns the rise and fall of two families."
"Your Jiang family came from Jianzhou and has only been in Jiangnan for two months. It can be said that the Jiang family's fortune has arrived, and you have turned things around."
"But it's not easy for you to establish a foothold in Yao County. And the simplest way is through marriage alliances. I believe Madam Jiang has heard of the Xu family's capabilities. Becoming in-laws with the Xu family would be a great thing for the Jiang family. Madam Jiang, what do you think?"
Chen Yuezhi's expression turned somewhat unpleasant, "What Zhao Meipo says is not without reason, but our Jiang family is not fortunate enough to climb up to the Xu family's daughter. We Jiang family are just farming folk, and there's no reason to expect the Xu family's daughter to follow us to scrape by in the city."
"As for whether we can establish a foothold, it's not for Master Xu to worry about. We are a small family; as long as we have enough to eat and drink, we can live anywhere. Zhao Meipo, I have other matters to attend to, so I won't keep you any longer. Please take your leave."
Zhao Meipo frowned, "Madam Jiang, what do you mean by this? Do you know who you are refusing? That's the Xu family! How many people would gladly offer gold to marry into their family, and you are so unappreciative!"
Jiang Wan let out a snicker, "If I didn't know better, I'd think Master Xu's niece was a princess of the current dynasty."
Zhao Meipo's face darkened considerably, "Little girl, you mustn't speak nonsense! It is your brother's good fortune that Master Xu fancies him."
Chen Yuezhi stood up and led Zhao Meipo towards the door.
"Zhao Meipo, when our farming families marry off their sons, we don't look at the bride's family's capabilities, but rather whether the young lady can work in the fields."
"If the Xu family's daughter were to marry into our family, could she endure a life of facing the soil and turning her back to the sky?"
"If Master Xu is willing to let his niece suffer, we Jiang family would feel too embarrassed to have the delicate young lady endure such hardship."
"Our Jiang family and the Xu family are not of equal standing. Please convey to Master Xu our gratitude for his high regard."
With that, Chen Yuezhi pushed Zhao Meipo out the door and slammed the main door shut.
Zhao Meipo was furious. She had been a matchmaker for half her life and had never been treated like this before.
"Truly, a dog riding in a sedan chair, unappreciative! If it weren't for Divine Doctor Jin, who would even look at you refugees from a fallen household! Given a ladder, and you don't even bother to climb it, instead putting on airs! Only a few days have passed, and you've forgotten your roots. Truly laughable!"
Zhao Meipo muttered a few curses under her breath, turned around, and got into her carriage to leave.
"Madam Jiang, you... do you know the Xu family..."
Qi Meipo's expression was full of worry, "The Xu family is not easy to deal with. They have always used marriage alliances to win over families that are beneficial to them. In Yao County, no one has ever dared to refuse a marriage proposal from them."
"Madam Jiang, allow me to offer a word of advice. You should reconsider this matter carefully. The Xu family is truly not someone we common folk can afford to offend."
Chen Yuezhi felt a little worried upon hearing her words, but she had no intention of letting Er Lang marry Master Xu's niece.
"Sister Qi, I know what I'm doing, so don't worry. Come over on time tomorrow morning, and we'll go to the Zhang family to finalize the engagement early."
Qi Meipo still advised, "Madam Jiang, you should reconsider this marriage. The Xu family is not someone the Jiang family can afford to offend. Don't let one marriage ruin the entire family."
Jiang Wan said from the side, "But if we marry the Xu family's daughter, wouldn't that also mean our entire family is ruined?"
"Mother, don't think too much about it. The marriage between Second Brother and Sister Qiaoxiu is a match made in heaven. Unless they themselves are unwilling, no one else can break off this engagement!"
Chen Yuezhi felt a bit more at ease hearing her say that.
Qi Meipo sighed, shook her head, "Madam Jiang, I'm afraid I can't continue to handle this marriage for you. You should find someone else."