Chapter 38
Matchmaking

Song Wan casually took out “Essential Techniques for the Welfare of the People” and “Secrets from the External Platform” and turned to the page on making lip balm. “Cinnabar, lithospermum, and safflower are the main ingredients for rouge. Find an out-of-town merchant and have him loudly advertise buying these at high prices.”

“How much should we buy?”

Song Wan put the book back on the shelf. “Make a big fuss about it, but buy only high-quality and small quantities.”

“Miss, you are so clever.”

“But, Miss, won’t doing this displease Consort Jiang? What if the first master finds out…”

“Even if I don’t do these things, will Consort Jiang be pleased with me?”

Song Wan smiled faintly and continued calculating with the abacus.

Heng Zhi, hearing this, realized she had asked an unnecessary question. Her young lady had been a widow for six years, and Consort Jiang didn’t even see her when she first entered the palace. Since even the most basic courtesy wasn’t maintained, why should her young lady endure it?

“I’ll go find Nanny Zhao and have her take care of this.”

As she was leaving, Heng Zhi ran into Madam Zhou and the third young lady of the Marquis’ residence, Jiang Jing, who had come to see Song Wan. After greeting them, she had Xiang Cao bring them inside.

Seeing Madam Zhou and Jiang Jing for the first time, Song Wan was a bit surprised, as these two were usually very quiet in the Marquis’ residence, almost to the point of being forgotten.

“Young Madam, we came to see you today because we have something to ask for your help with.”

Madam Zhou smiled, revealing two shallow dimples on her face. She had a delicate appearance and spoke slowly, with a very gentle demeanor.

Jiang Jing also had a shy expression. In her early teens, the young girl was at the age where her beauty blossomed. Her peach blossom eyes were charming and affectionate, but because of her young age, she appeared pure and innocent. Her fair skin was as radiant as pearls and jade. When she smiled, the dimples on her face made her look even more endearing.

Song Wan stood up to offer them seats, but Madam Zhou declined and sat on the embroidered stool by the west side while Jiang Jing stood obediently behind her.

Seeing this behavior, Song Wan knew that both of them were well-mannered and respectful.

“Auntie, you are like half a senior to me. There’s no need to talk about asking for help. If you have something to say, just say it. We’re family; there’s no need for formalities.”

Madam Zhou smiled, “It’s about Jing’er. She is fourteen this year.”

Upon hearing this, Song Wan immediately understood Madam Zhou’s intention. After Xiang Cao took Jiang Jing to play in the courtyard, she asked, “Auntie, are you here to discuss the marriage of the third sister?”

“Exactly.” Madam Zhou nodded, “To be honest, Jing’er’s marriage has been a constant worry for me.”

After the sudden passing of the old marquis, Madam Zhou only had one daughter, Jiang Jing, and no sons to support them. Life had been very difficult for the mother and daughter in the residence.

Madam Zhou had a weak personality and was oppressed by Madam Liu when she was young. Now that the old marquis was gone, she was also controlled by several unruly servants who managed the back courtyard. If it weren’t for the kindness of the old madam and the madam, she wouldn’t know how to get through her days.

Fortunately, Song Wan had recently expelled those unruly servants from the residence, allowing Madam Zhou and Jiang Xing to have a few comfortable days.

Madam Zhou had thought long and hard and didn’t dare to bring up Jiang Jing’s marriage to Mother Jiang. Firstly, she was somewhat afraid of Mother Jiang, and secondly, she knew Mother Jiang’s personality well enough to know that she wouldn’t put much effort into finding a good match for Jing’er.

After much consideration, she finally mustered the courage to bring Jiang Jing to seek help from Song Wan.

“Jing’er is growing up. If we delay any longer, I’m afraid we won’t find a good match. So, I wanted to ask for your help in finding a suitable husband for her.”

Madam Zhou spoke as she took out a red velvet box from her bosom, shyly handing it to Song Wan. Her face flushed as she stammered, “I know you’ve seen many good things, but this… is a token of my appreciation.”

Song Wan felt a pang of emotion and opened the red velvet box.

Inside was a pearl hairpin, a genuine East Pearl, not only lustrous and beautifully shaped but also with a faint pink hue. Unfortunately, the pearl was only the size of a fingernail, and such quality was usually not even noticed by Heng Zhi and Heng Wu. However, Song Wan lovingly took it out and asked Madam Zhou to help her wear it.

“Just for this beautiful hairpin, I will definitely find a good husband for the third sister. But what kind of person are you looking for, Auntie?”

Madam Zhou thought for a moment and said, “I don’t care about family background or status; the most important thing is good character and temperament. Jing’er is like me, a bit timid. She can’t manage a household on her own. If possible, please help find a younger son from a good family, even if he’s older or the family is not wealthy.”

Song Wan’s heart softened, knowing that Madam Zhou truly cared for Jiang Jing.

“Auntie, don’t worry. Leave the third sister’s marriage to me.”

Madam Zhou thanked Song Wan profusely, holding her hand for a long time before reluctantly leaving Lan Ting Courtyard.

Song Wan touched the pearl hairpin on her head and sighed softly.

Madam Zhou reminded her of her own mother, who would have been just as careful in arranging everything for her if she were still alive.

“Miss, what are you looking for? Let me help you.”

When Heng Zhi returned, she saw Song Wan half-squatting and rummaging through the redwood cabinet. She helped Song Wan up and saw her holding several pieces of fabric. “Miss, are you making new clothes?”

“For the third sister.”

Thinking about the attire of Madam Zhou and Jiang Jing earlier, Song Wan added, “Go to my dressing box and take out two sets of gold-threaded jewelry, and send them along with this fabric to the third sister’s room. Her mother and she rarely leave their courtyard, so I don’t know what they might be lacking. I imagine their days are quite frugal.”

Heng Zhi nodded and instructed a second-class maid in the courtyard to deliver the items.

After finishing her tasks, Song Wan flipped through the book of noble families in the capital. She actually thought there was someone quite suitable for Jiang Jing.

“Heng Zhi, do you know the Lan family from Cangzhou?”

“I do. The Lan family used to be officials but were implicated in some matters and had their official positions revoked by the late emperor. However, I heard that the previous head of the Lan family had quite a talent for business, and now their business is thriving and very wealthy.”

Song Wan nodded. “The Lan family originally had a very upright family tradition, unlike ordinary merchants who are overly concerned with profit and loss. Moreover, the younger generation has decent character. I intend to match Jing’er with the Lan family.”

“If I remember correctly, they have a high-ranking illegitimate son who recently came of age and has not yet married. He has some connections with the eldest young master. Is this the person you have in mind?”

“Yes, my brother mentioned him a few times. He has some talent. The Lan family is wealthy, and since he is of high rank and has no burdens, Jing’er would become the head of the household’s aunt and could directly enjoy a good life.”

“Miss, you truly have the third young lady’s best interests at heart. She is fortunate to have you.”

Song Wan smiled faintly. “Who could let down Madam Zhou’s motherly love?”

“Help me grind the ink. I need to send a letter to the head of the Lan family to see if we can arrange a marriage between their uncle and Jing’er.”

Just as she was enthusiastically writing the letter, Jiang Xingjian walked in. Seeing him, Heng Zhi’s smile vanished, and she silently left after paying her respects.

Looking at Jiang Xingjian, Song Wan’s good mood disappeared, and even her writing became sluggish.