flstandardbreds Chapter 234 Finding a Second Wife for My Father (2)
Chapter 234 Finding a Second Wife for My Father (2)
"Auntie, if you have any other questions, please feel free to ask. As long as we can find a suitable person, I don't mind paying more for the matchmaking fee," Zhao Wu said generously.
His words made the others in the room extremely envious. They were all thinking about whether there were any suitable people among their relatives and friends, so that if they could successfully introduce someone, they could also get a share of the reward money.
Hearing that the matchmaker's fee could be increased, Matchmaker Jia rubbed her hands together happily.
"Don't worry, I'll make sure you're satisfied with the woman I found. I just don't know how much dowry you're planning to give to her family?"
Upon hearing Jia the matchmaker's words, Zhao Wu suddenly realized what was happening and clapped his hands together.
"Look, I've completely forgotten something so important, but..." Zhao Wu stroked his mustache, looking somewhat troubled. He didn't finish his sentence, leaving the others waiting impatiently.
"But what?" Matchmaker Jia couldn't help but ask.
“Although I am being a second wife, there should be no shortage of rules and regulations. However, I can only stay at home for a limited time. I may not be able to come back until the New Year. My father is not in good health, and it would be inconvenient to go through all the rituals every time. So I was thinking of giving him a dowry of fifty taels of silver on the day I pick him up. Of course, there will be other gifts as well. Do you think this amount is acceptable?”
His words stunned the people in the room once again, making them wonder if this man was either too foolish or too rich, spending fifty taels to marry an old lady.
Soon, Matchmaker Jia was the first to react, praising with a smile, "Master Zhao is truly sincere and filial. Your father is so lucky to have such a dutiful son. Don't worry, I will definitely find you a wife who is honest, hardworking, kind-hearted, and good-looking. I guarantee you will be satisfied."
That's why they say a matchmaker's words are deceitful. A dowry of fifty taels of silver instantly upgraded Zhao Wu from a nephew to Uncle Zhao. If she were truly an honest and hardworking woman, why would she abandon her children and grandchildren to remarry?
Hearing Jia the matchmaker's assurance, Zhao Wu nodded in satisfaction, but muttered something as he left.
"I wonder if there's any news from the other matchmakers." Her voice was very soft, barely audible to the matchmaker Jia who was standing beside her.
After respectfully seeing off the landlord's foolish son, Matchmaker Jia pulled a few people aside and told them what she had just heard. Upon hearing that Zhao Wu had also found other matchmakers, the people who had been listening to the story in the room began to chatter amongst themselves.
"Then you'd better hurry, or someone else will snatch it away," said Woman A.
"Of course I know we need to hurry, but I can't think of a suitable candidate right now." Matchmaker Jia rolled her eyes at Woman A; this was the first time she had ever seen a matchmaker's fee of ten taels of silver.
“Older sister, if we can help you find the right person, what do you think…” The second woman said, rubbing her fingers together.
"Of course, as long as you can find the right person, I'll give you..."
"How much?" several people asked in unison, looking at her.
"Two taels of silver." Matchmaker Jia felt a pang of pain just saying it.
"Tch, old lady, you're too stingy. How about three taels of silver?" the second woman said, dissatisfied.
Matchmaker Jia felt it was too much, but under the urging of several people, she was about to grit her teeth and agree when suddenly a name popped into her mind.
He immediately said, "Oh, I suddenly thought of a suitable candidate. I'll go ask around at this place first, and if that doesn't work out, you can introduce someone to me. If it works out, I'll give you three taels of silver as a reward." After saying that, he smiled obsequiously at the group of people.
"Ladies, please go back first. I'll go to the girl's family now to see what they think. If things go well, I'll treat you all to a drink."
Although the group was somewhat unwilling, they didn't dare to really fall out with her, considering that their children's marriages still depended on her. They just laughed and cursed a few times before dispersing.
After everyone left, Matchmaker Jia changed into her finest clothes, applied makeup, and then rode her family's little donkey to Wang's house. Yes, the person who had given her that sudden inspiration was Wang, who had just visited her not long ago. While changing clothes, she carefully compared the two in her mind and felt that this was a marriage tailor-made for Wang.
"Oh my, congratulations, Sister Wang! I wish you all the best!" As soon as she rode her donkey to the gate of Wang's courtyard, the matchmaker, Jia, loudly congratulated Wang, who was feeding chickens in the yard.
"Old lady, you're here? What are you talking about? What joy could an old woman like me, divorced, possibly have?" Although Wang was secretly delighted, she pretended not to understand the matchmaker's words.
Seeing her acting so affectedly, Matchmaker Jia inwardly spat, but her smile only grew wider.
“Sister Wang, let’s talk inside. This is a joyous occasion, you must treat me to the best fruit.” Matchmaker Jia took Wang’s hand and led her into the house.
"Daughter-in-law, quickly bring some fruit to your aunt." Wang only had time to say one sentence to her daughter-in-law before she was pulled into the house.
The two of them held hands affectionately and sat down on the kang (a heated brick bed). Matchmaker Jia then recounted in detail how Zhao Wu had come to find a second wife for his father.
After hearing Matchmaker Jia's words, Wang was also very tempted. She wasn't old, even a few years younger than Old Man Liu. Most importantly, her family was wealthy, she had maids to serve her, and her son wasn't around. Wouldn't she be the housekeeper after marrying into the family?
Thinking of that beautiful scene, Madam Wang lowered her head and smiled shyly. Like a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl, she stammered that she still needed to discuss this matter with her two sons.
The matchmaker, Jia, felt nauseous at the sight of her. This wasn't her first remarriage; why was she acting so coy? But she still tried to persuade her.
"Sister, you'd better hurry. Uncle Zhao is waiting to go back to the prefectural city to do business; he can only stay here for three days. Besides, he's asked other matchmakers to help with this. If someone else beats him to it, you'll regret it." After saying this, he looked outside and then leaned close to Wang's ear and whispered...
"Uncle Zhao said he's willing to give fifty taels as a bride price, plus other gifts." She finished speaking, looking with satisfaction at Wang's wide, surprised eyes. She then continued to persuade her.
"Sister, don't think I'm being mean. Fifty taels isn't enough to marry a fifty-year-old, let alone a fifteen-year-old. It's just a coincidence that they don't want young girls, and they prefer older women like us. Think about the two women who got married before, how much dowry did they receive in total?"
As the two were talking quietly, Wang's daughter-in-law brought in a plate of fruit, placed it on the kang table, and left without looking up.
At this moment, Wang was in a good mood and didn't bother to argue with her daughter-in-law's rudeness.
“Alright, elder sister, I believe you. If this marriage goes through, I will thank you with five taels of silver.” Madam Wang generously agreed.