Chapter 555 - 557: The Matchmaker Comes to the Door
She was a middle-aged woman, dressed in bright colors that were particularly festive. At least at this moment, many people believed that such apparel represented celebration as well as a certain status - a matchmaker.
"Oh, Mrs. Bai, did you know I was coming and come to greet me at the door? I’m so grateful!" The matchmaker walked briskly toward them, even breaking into a bit of a trot because was so eager.
Bai Ruozhu could tell from her mother’s expression that this matchmaker had been here before and the previous conversations had not been pleasant.
Lin Ping’er glanced at the matchmaker and said, "Miss Wang, you’re delusional. I don’t owe you any welcome, and you don’t need to come in. We’re busy."
Having said that, Lin Ping’er pulled Bai Ruozhu toward the yard, and everyone else hurriedly followed. They seemed ready to shut the matchmaker out.
But the matchmaker moved quickly, rushing passed them and grabbing Lin’s sleeve. She laughed and said, "Oh come on, can’t we talk things over? Since your daughter is here today, why not ask her opinion too?"
Bai Ruozhu had a hunch this had to do with her. But she had no desire to engage with the matchmaker, who was grinning at her, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth stained with rouge. It was truly nauseating.
"Miss, this Wang Matchmaker is one of the top matchmakers in Beiyu City. I’ve arranged countless marriages. Could we perhaps sit down and talk when there’s time?"
Bai Ruozhu gave her a cold look and said, "I have no intention of remarriage right now, so save yourself the trouble, Miss Wang. Please leave."
"Oh, what a great opportunity you’re passing up!" Wang Matchmaker cried. But Lin Ping’er gave her a stern stare and said loudly, "My family has other matters to attend to, we can’t entertain you."
Following her words, she harshly shook off Wang Matchmaker’s hand and pulled Bai Ruozhu back into the yard. Seeing this, the others hurriedly blocked Wang Matchmaker from following, and Wei San, the last one to go in, rudely pushed her aside to close the gate, not caring for his age or manners.
Wang Matchmaker pounded on the gate from the outside, shouting all the while, "Can’t we just talk this out? Look, I came to you with all sincerity. The Du Family cares about Miss Bai’s reputation. And their son, Du, has never been married. What else can you pick on?"
Bai Ruozhu now understood that this was a marriage proposal from the Du Family. She looked anxiously at her mother. Lin Ping’er sighed and pulled her into the main hall, saying, "She came once when you were away and I turned her down. I thought the matter was over and forgot to mention it to you. I didn’t expect her to come again."
Bai Ruozhu took her mother’s arm and asked with a laugh, "So, you’re not willing?"
Lin Ping’er snorted coldly and said, "Why would I send you to a chaotic place like the Du Family? Besides, you have no feelings for Du Zhongshu. Could I force you into this?"
Bai Ruozhu’s smile deepened. Her mother indeed understood her well.
"What infuriated me most was that they told the matchmaker you had ’skin-to-skin contact’ with Du Zhongshu when you were treating him. They said they wanted to protect your reputation, hence they wanted to propose marriage." Lin Ping’er spat out. "What nonsense! Does saving a life ruin one’s reputation now? I think Du Family just doesn’t want to share the profits and came up with this despicable tactic."
Bai Ruozhu did not lose her temper. From the day she tooth-filled Du Fuling, she had seen Du Zhongshu’s choice clearly, and it was impossible for them to even be friends anymore. So it was not surprising that the Du Family proposed marriage.
"Mom, don’t get upset. It’s the New Year, and there’s no need to make a fuss over this. Just say no to the Du Family. They can’t ruin my reputation with a few words." Bai Ruozhu stated.
Seeing that her daughter had her own thoughts, Lin Ping’er sighed with relief and said, "I don’t know if Zhongshu knows about this. Oh, it puts him in a difficult position."
Fearing that her father would soften up if Du Zhongshu came to their house in the future, Bai Ruozhu disclosed what happened on the day she filled Du Fuling’s teeth.
Bai Yihong’s mustache trembled in anger as he exclaimed with wide eyes, "The Du Family is absolutely shameless, aren’t they? They actually want to steal your skills? Du Zhongshu has really changed, and it’s such a disappointment!"
Bai Ruozhu shrugged her shoulders and said, "In the future, if he comes, just politely turn him away at the door. If he asks why, just tell him we’ve already rejected the matchmaker, and it would only cause gossip if we let him in again."
Lin Ping’er and Bai Yihong nodded, acknowledging they understood.
By the afternoon, after Bai Ruozhu has put Dengdeng to bed, Lin Ping’er stealthily followed her into the room, whispering, "Tell me the truth, you’re not interested in Du Zhongshu, are you?"
Bai Ruozhu nodded firmly, "Mother, I’ve said it so clearly, could I still be shy about it?"
"Then who are you interested in? Your first marriage was arranged, but your second one should be your own decision. Don’t worry about your father and me. Just let us know, so we have an idea of what to expect." Lin Ping’er looked at Bai Ruozhu’s face as she spoke.
An image involuntarily surfaced in Bai Ruozhu’s mind, a figure in dark clothing with a cool demeanor, but sometimes was playful with her, completely lacking that chilly demeanor. Her heart ached slightly, unsure of how to answer her mother.
"It’s your benefactor, isn’t it?" Lin Ping’er noticed her daughter in a daze, whispering, "I think your benefactor is not bad, he has been so kind to you, and he also truly adores Dengdeng."
If she hadn’t heard from Wu Wanqing that Jiang Yichun had lost a period of memory and his virginity, she would definitely confess to her mother right now that she had her heart set on Jiang Yichun. But...
"Mother, it’s too early to discuss these matters now. It hasn’t even been three years since Chang Sheng disappeared. Dengdeng is still young. We can talk about it when there’s an opportunity." Bai Ruozhu replied.
Lin Ping’er was slightly anxious, "You need to be flexible. It’s not like you can always meet someone suitable. How long do you expect him to wait for you? Your father and I are not that obstinate. If you want to remarry, we won’t fear Chang Sheng’s troubles when he returns - he’s been gone for so long."
All Bai Ruozhu could do was nod and assure her mother, "Understood, I will seriously consider it."
Seeing her agreement, Lin Ping’er grew excited, a gossiping light in her eyes, she asked, "Have you seen what your benefactor looks like? What does he look like?"
Bai Ruozhu was amused by her mother’s excitement, "Not bad, not any worse than elder brother or second brother."
Lin Ping’er’s eyes lit up, and seeing her satisfied look, it was as if she could already taste her daughter’s wedding wine.
In a blink of an eye, it was the 29th of the last lunar month. The students of Beiyu Study Palace only had half a day of classes, mostly to receive their assignments from their teacher. Then, they had a month off.
At noon, Bai Zepei returned home from school, with quite a few books and a group of people trailing behind him, all who the Bai Family was familiar with. However, they were not so welcoming to one of them.
No, perhaps it should be two of them.
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The sixth update is here. Mouka didn’t go out at all today, this is as fast as my typing could go. I’ll try my best for six updates tomorrow, at least five, okay? So, subscriptions and recommendations can’t fall short, okay?
Thanks to my book friends Little Apple Singing on the Bridge of Sighs, Book Friend 21272164, Li Jun, The Consequences, Elly, Back Street Boys, ? Too Much Drama, ~~ If ~~ Suppose, ≈ Rainy ※ Pretend to Understand for the rewards, thanks so much for everyone’s support these few days, a big hug ~ (This is not all, three more pages to continue thanking tomorrow, don’t rush if you haven’t been mentioned yet ~)