Chapter 65: Speaking Ill Right to Their Face

Matchmaker Qian’s attitude was sincere.

Zhang Jinlan’s anger subsided as well.

No matter how skilled a matchmaker might be at making inquiries, she couldn’t prevent others from putting on an act. Someone could look proper on the surface, but who really knew what lay beneath?

Besides, Madam Qian Zhao truly wasn’t a bad person—it was just that she had spoiled her granddaughter too much, ruining her character at the core.

And admittedly, Zhang Jinlan had been briefly fooled by that girl earlier.

She had thought she was someone gentle and virtuous.

Thinking this over, Zhang Jinlan sat back down in her chair, giving Matchmaker Qian some face.

“Mm, fine, this isn’t your fault. I know you’ve been carefully keeping an eye out for us. Setting aside that girl, the Qian family itself is decent. You put effort into this.”

Hearing her say this, Matchmaker Qian finally breathed a sigh of relief.

She continued:

“The next girl who’s coming—her family’s situation is poor, but she herself is excellent. Even I have to praise her. She’s diligent, has a good temperament, manages both the fields and the housework, really capable. Not ugly either, just a bit dark and short.

Her parents died young, and she’s been living under her elder brother’s roof. Unfortunately, her fate isn’t easy—her sister-in-law is a troublemaker, so this girl works herself like an ox every day. When she heard I was arranging a meeting for your grandson Tongjin, she sought me out herself, wanting to have a look.

It’s up to you—if you want to see her, wait a little longer. If not, you can go home first and I’ll look for someone else.”

At first, hearing that the girl was an orphan with a difficult sister-in-law, Zhang Jinlan wanted to leave.

But then she thought it over. A girl with initiative, who could even step into her own marriage matters, and was hardworking—such a person could handle even hard days and make them better.

At least she was far better than the previous one who immediately demanded a family split.

With the comparison fresh in her mind, Zhang Jinlan suddenly found this new girl more appealing.

“Let’s wait then. Since she’s coming anyway.”

She picked up her water cup, intending to drink. But she had already finished it while talking to Madam Qian Zhao earlier.

Sharp-eyed, Matchmaker Qian quickly shot her daughter-in-law a look.

Madam Bai brought over the water kettle and refilled Zhang Jinlan’s cup.

At that, the last bit of resentment in Zhang Jinlan’s chest was gone.

Less than half an hour later, two people entered the courtyard.

Jiang Fubao tilted her head up to look.

Leading was a girl who looked a little older than her eldest cousin—seventeen or eighteen at least.

Her face was somewhat square, her height a little short—likely from growing up without enough to eat.

Her looks were honest and plain, truth be told not as pretty as Zhou Yuanyuan, or even Qian Yuanlan.

But her bearing was excellent. She strode in with confidence, her back straight.

Her wheat-colored skin was flushed with health—her body clearly strong and sound.

Behind her was a man who resembled her by thirty percent—likely her elder brother.

“Aunt Qian, I’m not late, am I?”

The girl called out as soon as she entered the hall.

Her voice was hearty, completely unpretentious.

“No, no, you’re just in time. Come sit. This is Madam Zhang from Jiangjia Village, the family you’re here to meet…”

Matchmaker Qian began the introductions.

Before Zhang Jinlan could even speak, the girl greeted them first.

“I already heard Aunt Qian’s introduction the other day. An honor to finally meet. I’m Qian Xile, fifteen this year. My family situation is a bit special. This is my elder brother.

Although my sister-in-law runs the household, she cannot interfere in my marriage. I made the decision to ask Aunt Qian to arrange this meeting.

I heard your family doesn’t favor boys over girls, so I wanted to come see for myself. If you want to ask anything, go ahead—I promise to answer truthfully.”

Qian Xile’s bold and straightforward manner instantly won favor with the Jiang family.

“You can truly decide your own marriage?”

Zhang Jinlan was skeptical.

“I can. My sister-in-law once tried to marry me off to a widower in Zhu Village, but I caused such a scene she didn’t dare anymore. My sister-in-law is from Zhu Village—since I just heard you, Aunt, say your surname is Zhu, perhaps you know her. Her name is Zhu Pan’er.”

Qian Xile turned to Zhu Yingqiu.

“Zhu Pan’er? That one? Oh my, of course I know her. When I married into Jiangjia Village, she must’ve only been ten. Time flies. Seems her temperament hasn’t changed at all. Poor you, having to live under her.”

Originally Zhu Yingqiu hadn’t thought much of Qian Xile.

But hearing her sister-in-law was Zhu Pan’er, she immediately looked at her with sympathy.

“Auntie, who is Zhu Pan’er?”

Curious, Jiang Fubao piped up with a question.

It happened that the others also wanted to know, so no one minded a three-year-old girl being nosy.

All waited for Zhu Yingqiu’s explanation.

“She? Tsk, she’s done plenty of wicked things. Years ago, when she was seven or eight, while everyone else was helping their families, she secretly sold her little brother to a passing peddler—for just a few pieces of candy.

Her family were all honest folk, never quarreled with anyone. Who knows how they ended up with such a daughter?

When her grandmother learned her grandson had been sold, she died of shock. Her grandfather fell down a slope while searching and perished. Her mother went mad after losing her son. Her father was killed by bandits while searching too.

In the end, her family was destroyed, leaving only her and her mad mother.”

Zhu Yingqiu shook her head, sighing.

“The village chief had wanted to drive that wicked seed out, but seeing her poor mother, he let them stay. Ah, I’ve said too much—let me drink some water.”

Midway, she remembered that the girl’s brother was sitting right there in the hall.

Saying someone’s wife was a ‘wicked seed’ right to his face—perhaps that was too much.

Hurriedly, she raised her teacup, taking an awkward sip without daring to lift her eyes.

“It’s fine. I know my wife’s character. But she bore me three sons, so I can’t cast her aside. When I was poor, with my parents gone, no one wanted me. Only she agreed to marry me without a dowry.

But my sister has suffered too much over the years. I’ve failed her. Please, don’t mind me.”

Qian Ping’an gave a bitter smile.

He was a useless man, unable to even protect his own sister.

And a henpecked husband.

That wouldn’t change now. He only hoped his sister could marry into a good family and live happily.

“Madam Zhang, Auntie—rest assured. If I marry, I won’t ever return to my maiden home. So you needn’t worry about my sister-in-law meddling. I’ve already settled this with my brother—it’s what he owes me.

I’ve worked hard for this family all these years. Now it’s time I plan for myself.”

Afraid the Jiang family might look down on her background, Qian Xile quickly explained.

“You child, you’re too honest. You just say everything out loud. Off you go—take a walk in the courtyard. Tongjin, you too. We have matters to discuss, things you shouldn’t hear.”

Matchmaker Qian, afraid Qian Xile might say something shocking again, hurriedly shooed her out of the hall.