Chapter 41: The Matchmaking Contract

“There’s nothing we can do. With the drought, everyone’s planting coarse rice. I’m afraid polished rice will only get more expensive. A dou of fine rice now costs 130 coins, and even old rice sells for a whole string of cash. The fine rice in the basket—at least four dou,” Jiang Dahe continued.

“Four dou? That’s worth half a tael of silver? My heavens, add the bird eggs, and today Fubao earned over a whole tael for the family! Mother, you really chose a wonderful name for her. Daughter-in-law admires it greatly. Truly blessed fortune!”

“Even just catching some bugs in the mountains, and she earns more than a tael. If I had known earlier, when Tonghuo and Tongtu were born, we should’ve given them lucky names too—one called Gold Treasure, the other Silver Treasure—then they’d be picking up gold and silver every day, and our family would be rich by now!”

Sun Pingmei giggled foolishly, lost in the fantasy of owning a house full of gold and jewels.

“Don’t daydream. Go, cook a pot of rice. The rest, put in a sack. Tomorrow we’ll sell it. As for these eggs, stack them layer by layer with straw in between. Break one and that’s at least five copper coins gone! Be careful, all of you! Fubao, you be good and play in the courtyard with your brothers. Grandma will go cook for you.”

Seeing how the household was improving day by day, Zhang Jinlan even walked with a spring in her step.

At noon, the Jiang family—all sixteen members—sat crowded around the table.

Each person had a large bowl of rice before them.

Yesterday’s leftover artemisia was stir-fried with a little lard—just one dish.

Yet everyone ate with great relish.

Fubao watched quietly, smiling without a word.

This was authentic Daohuaxiang rice—each grain plump, tender, and translucent after cooking, as if polished with oil.

The fragrance was rich, with a faint sweetness when chewed.

Even eaten plain, it was delicious.

The local rice here couldn’t compare at all.

“Grandma, are we going to sell this rice?” Fubao asked, though deep down she hoped they would keep it to eat.

Compared to fine rice, even the coarse rice she had secretly mixed with millet was like pig feed.

But she knew—

The family was short on money.

In Tianling Country, only wealthy households, landlords, and officials could afford fine rice daily.

Ordinary farming families, even when harvest was good, only kept a little for a taste. The rest, after paying taxes, was sold for silver.

On regular days, they couldn’t bear to eat it.

“Does Fubao want to eat rice? Then Grandma will save one dou just for you, alright?”

Zhang Jinlan doted on her granddaughter.

Even knowing that one dou could sell for 130 coins, she was still willing to save it for her.

After all—

This fine rice had been found thanks to her granddaughter.

“No, Grandma, sell it. Get more money for the family.”

Fubao didn’t want to be selfish. She shook her head and dropped the subject.

“By the way, there’s something I forgot to tell you. Tongjin’s marriage has been settled. Tomorrow morning, Matchmaker Zhou will visit the bride’s family to make the proposal. The day after, we’ll bring the betrothal gifts and formally propose in person. The wedding date is set for ten days later—the bride’s family is urging us to hurry.”

After the meal, everyone sat resting on stools.

Zhang Jinlan slowly spoke.

“Grandma, why do we need to propose twice?” Jiang Tongshui asked curiously.

“When the matchmaker first proposes, the bride’s family will politely refuse to appear reserved. Then we visit in person, showing full sincerity and giving them face. Usually, at the second proposal they agree. Once the betrothal gift is given and the matchmaking contract signed, the engagement is set.”

Jiang Dahe explained.

“What if they refuse the second time too?” Jiang Tonghuo chimed in.

“In all my years, I’ve never seen that happen. Rejecting twice would embarrass the groom’s family—what good days could that girl expect after marriage? That’d be making enemies, not relatives.”

Jiang Shoujia finished speaking, then used his chopsticks to pick at his teeth.

With age, his teeth had loosened, and food often got stuck.

“Uncle, what is a matchmaking contract?”

Fubao’s big round eyes shone with curiosity.

She’d heard of betrothal papers and marriage certificates—
but a matchmaking contract?

“Years back, after floods, many refugees settled in different places. Some cheated families out of betrothal gifts—swindling seven or eight households before fleeing with their families. No household registration, no way for officials to trace them. Those cheated could only stomp their thighs in regret.

After too many cases, the law added a new rule: when gifts were exchanged, the matchmaker had to provide a matchmaking contract, signed by both families. On the wedding day, after the ceremony, the groom’s side tore it up. But if the marriage didn’t go through and the bride’s family ran off, the matchmaker had to pay compensation. That’s why being a matchmaker isn’t easy—if they don’t investigate properly and arrange marriages carelessly, they could ruin themselves.”

Knowledgeable Jiang Eryong explained to his niece.

“What if the matchmaker runs away too?”

Fubao tilted her head.

“She can’t. That same year, the law also required matchmakers to register with the authorities and be issued an official badge. If someone was caught working without a badge, they’d be thrown in jail.”

Before Jiang Eryong could continue, Jiang Siyin—jealous of his daughter’s admiring look at his second brother—snatched the chance to answer.

“Fubao understands now. Thank you, Father!”

Of course, Fubao was no fool.

She instantly saw through her father’s jealousy.

So she thanked him sweetly and nestled into his arms.

The next moment, Jiang Siyin hoisted her onto his shoulders and began to play.

Beside them, Zhang Yanzi shrieked in alarm.

Husband and wife chased each other around.

Fubao—who had never known parental love in her previous life—suddenly felt her eyes grow moist.

But no one noticed.

“Slow down! I won’t chase you. Don’t run, you’ll hurt Fubao!” Zhang Yanzi stamped her feet in exasperation.

Her husband was already a grown man—yet still behaved like a child.

“I don’t believe you. If you catch me, you’ll hit me for sure! Fubao, let’s run—don’t let the tigress catch us. Run—!”

Jiang Siyin didn’t even look back, carrying his daughter as he ran circles around the courtyard.

“Hahaha! Daddy, slower! Mom, come chase us—!”

Her bell-like laughter rang across the mountain foot.

Two days later.

At dawn,

Fubao dressed neatly, put away the basin under her bed, and stepped outside.

“Grandma, Uncle, are you going to propose today?”

In the courtyard, the Jiang family looked much cleaner than usual. Even Grandma had changed into clothes with only three patches.

“Yes, we’re going to Zhoujia Village to propose on behalf of your elder cousin. Fubao, stay home and be good. Your mother is watering in the backyard, and your second uncle’s wife will help you wash up. Grandma will be back by noon at the latest. If you go up the mountain with your brothers today, don’t wander too far. Tongmu, take good care of your younger siblings.”

After giving her instructions, Zhang Jinlan left with her eldest son’s family of three.

In her money pouch were two taels of silver—the betrothal gift.