Chapter 2: The Matchmaker’s Visit

The ringing in her ears hadn’t fully subsided when Jin Mingzhu slowly opened her eyes.

She was met with four pairs of worried eyes. Though these were familiar faces, something seemed off about them—they all looked like they did several years ago.

Mingzhu sat up abruptly.

Her family members stood around her bed.

Her sister Jin Tianjiao was wiping away tears. Next to her was Mingzhu’s delicate stepmother Xu Yao. On either side of Xu Yao stood Mingzhu’s little sister Jin Xiaofeng and Xu Yao’s son Xu Yu.

Tianjiao had willow-leaf shaped eyebrows, pure starlike eyes, and elegant features, while Xu Yao had upswept brows, fox-like eyes, and retained her alluring charm.

Little sister Xiaofeng was still tiny, and Xu Yu, who was a year older than Mingzhu, had cold, detached features.

This stepbrother looked at her with indifference. “Jin Mingzhu, was it worth it for a man?”

Their relationship had never been good, but that wasn’t the point. Why did they all look like they did years ago? Mingzhu looked at them in confusion: “Am I dreaming?”

Xu Yao held Xiaofeng’s hand while raising her eyebrows: “Oh my dear young lady, what dream? You’re finally awake. Our family can’t afford any more drama right now~”

Jin Tianjiao nodded beside her: “Sister, you’re awake. Get up, I made something delicious.”

Xu Yao rolled her eyes: “Your marriage arrangement with the Lu family was made when your father was still alive. Now that he’s gone, if it’s off, it’s off. Lu Mingshu doesn’t like you, so why be so heartbroken? Just don’t look at him anymore. Getting caught in the rain in this cold weather—if something happened to you, how could I face your father?”

With those words, Mingzhu fully awakened—she had returned to the past!

This must be after Lu Mingshu came to break off their engagement, when she had chased after him in heartbreak and caught a cold in the rain.

Yes, that was the time.

Actually, when this marriage was first arranged, the Prince Shun’s Manor was still prosperous, and the Lu family’s status was also good. Later, the Shun Prince’s Manor was confiscated, Mingzhu’s family fell from grace, but she and Lu Mingshu still met frequently.

He had been her fiancé since childhood, and Jin Mingzhu had always believed that once they married, everything would get better.

The Lu family had witnessed the Shun Prince mansion’s decline, and while the elders had their misgivings, Lu Mingshu seemed unconcerned and continued to associate with her. Mingzhu thought this reflected his feelings for her, never expecting he would break their engagement for Jin Shuyao.

In truth, by the time Xu Yao married into the family, the Prince Shun’s Manor was already just an empty shell. Her father had spent his life pursuing pleasure without any real abilities. After the estate was confiscated, he drowned himself in alcohol, and his health deteriorated.

Previously, he had only one wife, Mingzhu’s mother, who bore him three children, all daughters.

It was said that when her sister was born, their father was overjoyed, calling her “Heaven’s Pride” and naming her Tianjiao.

Mingzhu was three years younger than her sister, and their father called her his “precious pearl,” hence naming her Mingzhu.

Their younger sister was an unexpected arrival after ten years, and her name was decided before birth—their father said she would be exceptional, choosing “Dragon” for a boy or “Phoenix” for a girl. They had been a happy family, but sadly, their mother’s health was poor, and she passed away within two years.

Xu Yao had only her son as kin, who carried her surname.

She wasn’t from a respectable background, having worked in the brothel for survival, which was how she met Mingzhu’s father. When she was brought into the Prince Shun’s Manor, people gossiped for quite a while.

Previously, Jin Mingzhu had disliked everything about her—her background, her appearance, her manner of speaking. But now, returning to her youth and seeing Xu Yao’s expression, though her tone was harsh, she kept holding her little sister’s hand. Mingzhu felt moved—regardless of everything, she hadn’t abandoned the Jin family’s children.

Before her father died, he had entrusted the children to Xu Yao. It was just a few words, but Xu Yao had taken them to heart, never leaving despite her frustrations.

Xu Yao had sold off what remained of their father’s possessions for money.

At the time, Jin Tianjiao had cried and made a fuss about it. Mingzhu hadn’t understood then, but now, looking at everyone before her, she somewhat comprehended Xu Yao’s situation. Without money or any means of earning it, maintaining the family’s livelihood was truly difficult.

Xu Yao could have left with her son, but she didn’t.

She also didn’t return to her former profession. Instead, she acquired some equipment from somewhere and started making tofu in the courtyard, having Xu Yu carry it to sell on the streets every day. They lived in an old house in an old alley, with four rooms in total, one of which was used for making tofu.

Of the remaining three rooms, Jin Tianjiao and Mingzhu shared one, Xu Yao and Xiaofeng another, and Xu Yu had his own.

Jin Mingzhu recalled carefully—this was eight years ago, when she was eighteen.

Usually, Mingzhu couldn’t tolerate Xu Yao’s words, but this time, she didn’t argue.

Xu Yao found this unusual and tilted her head to look at her: “What’s wrong with you? Don’t tell me you’re still thinking of doing something foolish. Let me tell you, I’m tired enough selling tofu every day. You better behave yourself and stop thinking useless thoughts. It’s not like you can’t get married—if the Lu family doesn’t want this marriage, it’s their loss. When I earn more money, I’ll eventually find you a good family… You know your sister isn’t very bright, and your little sister is still young. You can’t do anything rash. If you stop taking care of them, I won’t either!”

In the past, she had only found Xu Yao nagging, but now, being a few years older, she found the concern in her nagging somewhat endearing.

Jin Mingzhu suddenly smiled: “You don’t need to say that. Why would I do anything foolish?”

With that, she pushed aside the thin blanket and got up.

“I’m fine, don’t worry about me. I’m going to the Lu family’s house.”

It was almost dark—what was she going to the Lu house for? Xu Yao, still holding Xiaofeng’s hand, blocked her way: “What are you going to the Lu house for? Everyone in the Northern city knows Lu Mingshu and Jin Shuyao are together now, and he’s broken off your engagement. I advise you to give up on him. Don’t go looking for him anymore.”

Mingzhu nodded, her eyes now free of any hostility towards Xu Yao, even showing kindness: “Don’t worry, I’m just going to return the things he gave me. We won’t associate anymore after this.”

Xu Yao blinked, about to say something but then closed her mouth.

“Fine, fine, returning them is good too. Do what you think is right. Let’s go eat, come on…”

Xu Yu looked back at Mingzhu once, then turned and left first.

Xu Yao quickly followed with Xiaofeng, leaving only Jin Tianjiao, who still watched Mingzhu with tears in her eyes: “Mingzhu, if Lu Mingshu doesn’t like you, you shouldn’t like him anymore either.”

Mingzhu nodded and stepped forward to hug her sister: “I know.”

Such a simple truth—her sister had known it all along, while she had taken such a roundabout path.

Just as Xu Yao had said, Jin Tianjiao indeed had some developmental issues. People outside said the eldest young lady of the Prince Shun’s Manor was slow-witted, but Mingzhu didn’t think so. Her sister understood everything, she just reacted more slowly than others.

Xu Yao was a terrible cook, but Jin Tianjiao learned quickly. After dismissing their cook, she had done all the cooking for the family.

Jin Mingzhu hugged her sister briefly before letting go: “Go eat. I’ll be back soon.”

Jin Tianjiao nodded and walked out: “Come back quickly.”

After seeing her sister off, Mingzhu returned to her bedside and bent down to retrieve a bamboo box from under the bed.

Opening the box, it contained old items—books with pressed maple leaves, dried flowers, some rouge and powder, and a used small mirror. She rummaged through it—all common trinkets.

These were all gifts from Lu Mingshu. She organized them and closed the box.

The Lu family lived two streets over, not far away. Jin Mingzhu carried the bamboo box out of the courtyard and walked straight toward that street. In this era, news traveled fast—Lu Mingshu had just come to break off the engagement, and the neighbors’ gazes at her had already become complicated.

Mingzhu ignored those inquiring looks and walked straight to the Lu family’s main gate.

The gatekeeper, Lu Xing, was still a youth at this time. Seeing her approach, he came forward: “Miss Mingzhu, you’re here.”

Jin Mingzhu nodded slightly: “Please inform Lu Mingshu that I’ve come to return his things.”

Lu Xing hurried off, and shortly after, Lu Mingshu came out hurriedly.

Lu Mingshu of eight years ago was still young.

He wore fashionable student attire and leather shoes. Upon seeing Mingzhu, his expression shifted slightly before he lowered his eyes.

Perhaps it was guilt, perhaps it was softness—after years of companionship, she understood him too well.

Eight years ago, Jin Mingzhu had chosen to stay devoted, always following Lu Mingshu, waiting for him. But now, she chose her family.

Mingzhu placed the bamboo box on the stone steps: “These are the things you gave me before. I’m returning them now. As for what I’ve given you over the years—shoes, socks, and accessories—I see you’re wearing leather shoes now, so you won’t need them anymore. Return them all to me. You’re right, two people need mutual feelings to be together. Breaking off the engagement is a good thing. I wish you well, and from now on, we’ll have nothing to do with each other.”

Lu Mingshu’s breaking off the engagement with Jin Mingzhu was what the elders had hoped for.

Privately, they had said that if Mingzhu came looking for him, they would give her some money to send her away, considering their past relationship. But they never expected Jin Mingzhu would come to the Lu family’s door and say such things.

Lu Mingshu was stunned.

He knew Jin Mingzhu liked him and had thought she came to win him back. He never expected her to be so resolute, even sorting out the small gifts from the past.

For a moment, he didn’t know what to say: “Mingzhu…”

“Never mind, you don’t need to return anything. Just throw them away,” Jin Mingzhu interrupted him before he could finish. “Lu Mingshu—I came here today just to tell you your desire to break off our engagement reflects your attitude towards me—and mine is clear too—from today on, I don’t want you anymore. That’s all.”

With that, she turned and left, leaving Lu Mingshu with only her determined back view.

Lu Mingshu’s hand moved slightly, instinctively wanting to call her back, but it was too late—she had already gone far.

Mingzhu walked quickly. She had followed in Lu Mingshu’s footsteps for too long and had carried too many of the Lu family’s burdens. With her rebirth, all of that was now irrelevant to her. As night fell, with the evening breeze gentle, Jin Mingzhu walked briskly back to the old alley. In this golden autumn, leaving the Lu family felt like removing a thousand-pound burden—she felt truly light.

With the weight lifted from her heart, she felt hungry. Returning to her small courtyard, just as Mingzhu was about to rush to the front room, she heard a woman’s angry voice from inside.

It was Xu Yao’s voice: “Auntie coming to matchmake is a good thing—we should be celebrating with gongs and drums. Although the Prince Shun’s Manor is gone, Jin Mingzhu is still born of the Prince and his wife, a proper young lady. What do you mean by ‘leftover’ and ‘hard to marry off’? Yes, the Lu family broke off the engagement, but besides that Lu fellow, there are plenty of good men in the world. We certainly won’t have her marry a sickly man who won’t live long just to bring him luck!”

Hearing this commotion, Mingzhu quickly pushed open the door and entered.

The famous matchmaker Zhao of Northern city was walking out with a cold face, and they nearly collided, each steadying themselves.

The matchmaker looked up and, seeing it was Mingzhu, her face immediately broke into a smile: “Ah, Mingzhu, you’re back! I’ve come to arrange a match for you!”