Chapter 16: Conversation

After returning to her own room, Wen Ruyu instructed the maid to prepare tea and snacks before sitting on the couch to wait for her guest.

Perhaps because of her disciplined routine of early sleep and early rising, despite being eight or nine years older than in her previous life, Wen Ruyu’s current physical condition was not too bad.

The herbal medicine she had been drinking recently was also taking effect; her stomach no longer felt as uncomfortable as it did when she first transmigrated.

There were plum blossoms in the room, and the weather was quite nice today. Wen Ruyu sat by the window, where the paper-covered panes allowed in bright light, and the charcoal fire in the room provided warmth.

After a short while of idle sitting, the matchmaker was led in.

Upon seeing Wen Ruyu, the matchmaker greeted her respectfully. Wen Ruyu smiled and invited her to sit, instructing the maid to serve tea.

At this time, Granny Yan had already returned to the shop, making it much more convenient for Wen Ruyu to handle matters.

Chuntao brought over a chair and placed it opposite Wen Ruyu, inviting the matchmaker to sit.

The purpose of inviting a matchmaker was obvious.

Wen Ruyu was no longer an unmarried young girl. She was planning for her children’s futures, so she naturally asked all the necessary questions.

She inquired about eligible young women—first those who were well-matched in family background, then those from modest backgrounds but with outstanding appearances and personalities. She made some basic inquiries.

Initially, Wen Ruyu had not planned to arrange her children’s marriages so soon.

After all, in her past life, she had never intended to marry. Many people around her were having children in their thirties, and some even in their forties.

But everything is relative.

Lu Songnian, as the eldest son in the family, already had children at around twenty years old.

This made Wen Ruyu realize that it was about time to start preparing for the other children’s marriages as well.

She couldn’t afford to be careless and risk resentment from her older sons later.

However, matchmakers did not have the best reputation at this time. So while Wen Ruyu gathered information about the girls, she did not fully trust the matchmaker’s words.

To truly determine a girl’s qualities, one had to see her in person.

Naturally, those with matching family backgrounds were prioritized. Wen Ruyu asked for addresses, planning to attend social gatherings of that class whenever possible. This would give her the opportunity to observe potential daughters-in-law up close.

Since Old Master Lu had already passed away, and Wen Ruyu was the only elder in the Lu family, they could only rely on a matchmaker to learn about suitable young women.

Had Old Master Lu been alive, he might have arranged marriages for the younger sons in advance, saving Wen Ruyu the trouble.

As she gathered information, time slipped by, and evening approached.

Near dinnertime, Wen Ruyu glanced at Qiumai beside her.

Qiumai understood and retrieved a set of fabric from Wen Ruyu’s room. Such fabric was worth about two taels of silver on the market.

With a glance from Wen Ruyu, Qiumai handed the fabric to the matchmaker.

Wen Ruyu said, “Our family has many children, and I will have to trouble you in the future. Keep an eye out for suitable young women. If a good match is made, you will not be treated unfairly.”

The matchmaker, delighted to receive a reward even before successfully arranging a marriage, was overjoyed.

She secretly noted the Lu family’s generosity and resolved to pay extra attention to their marriage arrangements in the future.

Smiling so broadly that the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes became more prominent, she said, “Madam is sincere and kind-hearted. Your sons are all accomplished! Surely, everything will go smoothly for your family. I will definitely find the best matches for your sons!”

Wen Ruyu responded indifferently, “I appreciate your kind words.”

In truth, the household was already large enough. More daughters-in-law would mean more mouths to feed.

Her plan was—regardless of whether her second son could find a wife in the future—when it came to her other sons, she needed to find women with good character and management skills.

That way, they could share the responsibilities of the household, lightening her own burden.

After chatting with the matchmaker a little longer, Wen Ruyu noted the late hour and did not keep her any longer. The matchmaker bid farewell, and Wen Ruyu instructed one of the maids to escort her out.

As it happened, at the Lu family’s entrance, the maid escorting the matchmaker crossed paths with the third young master, Lu Ke, who had just returned from an errand.

Seeing the maid sending someone off, Lu Ke asked curiously, “Who was that just now?”

He assumed it was some distant relative. He was wondering why, after just sending one away, another one had arrived so soon.

The maid replied casually, “That was a matchmaker invited by the madam.”

After saying this, she quickly returned to Wen Ruyu’s side to report back.

Lu Ke stood in place, deep in thought.

After a moment, he shook his head and continued on his way, carrying a box of rouge he had bought for his concubine mother, Qian Yiniang.

Coincidentally, Qian Yiniang also brought up Lu Ke’s marriage.

“Your second brother has caused so much trouble that no one wants to marry him. But does that mean your marriage should be delayed as well? Jinian is still young—another three to five years won’t matter for her, but you will be eighteen after the New Year. In two years, you should at least have a marriage arranged.”

She sighed. “Your grandmother plays favorites. If she only starts arranging your marriage after your younger brother’s is settled, who knows how long you’ll have to wait?”

Lu Ke recalled the matchmaker he had seen leaving earlier.

“I ran into a servant from Grandmother’s courtyard earlier. She was escorting someone out, and I asked about it. It was a matchmaker invited by Grandmother.”

Qian Yiniang’s eyes lit up. “She must be looking for a match for Bo Nian.”

“Seems so.”

Qian Yiniang nodded. “Bo Nian is the second eldest in the family. It’s only natural for him to marry first. If he doesn’t, you won’t have your turn either.”

Lu Ke frowned. “A man should establish his career before starting a family. If I pass the imperial examination, I won’t have trouble finding a good match.”

“That may be true,” Qian Yiniang said proudly, pleased with her scholarly son, “but whether you marry well or poorly, it’s ultimately your grandmother’s decision.”

She lamented her own low status. If she had been born into a better family, she could have had more influence over her son’s marriage.

Lu Ke fell silent at that thought.

Soon, the New Year arrived.

After visiting the ancestral hall for prayers, the Lu family hosted an opera performance.

With relatives living nearby, the household was bustling.

Wen Ruyu believed in balancing study and rest. During the festival, she forbade the children from reading, sending her eldest and third sons out to visit relatives.

Lu Ke, who was classmates with Lin Qiaofeng, the county magistrate’s youngest son, received an invitation to a gathering.

Over drinks, Lin Qiaofeng suddenly asked, “Do you know what your second brother has been up to lately?”

Lu Ke was puzzled. “What do you mean?”

Lin Qiaofeng, well-informed as always, said, “He’s been trying to buy something expensive and is short on money. He’s been borrowing from people everywhere. Do you know what he’s trying to buy?”

Lu Ke hadn’t been paying much attention to his second brother, but Lin Qiaofeng’s words made him uneasy.

“If he’s just buying something, that’s one thing,” Lin Qiaofeng added, “but if he’s buying a person, things could get ugly.”

Lu Ke was stunned.

Lin Qiaofeng continued, “You’re of marriageable age. Your second brother’s reputation is already affecting your prospects. You’ll be taking the imperial exam next year. Do you really want your brother’s actions to tarnish your future?”

Lu Ke fell silent but took his friend’s words to heart.