Chapter 3: The Huo Family Arranges a Meeting

Early the next morning, Madam Wang fed the chickens and tidied the kitchen. She barely had a bite of breakfast before tucking ten copper coins into her clothes and hurrying out.

Su Xue sat at the entrance to the main room, combing her hair. A smile tugged at her lips as she watched her mother leave. She knew Madam Wang was going to see Matchmaker Wang.

Once the matchmaker went to the Huos and proposed Su Wan in her place, Su Xue would be free of the match. Then she could turn her attention to Xu Xiuzhi without worrying.

In her previous life, Su Wan had become a titled lady through him. This time, Su Xue could do the same.

No, she would do better than her sister.

At the well, Su Wan was washing clothes, her sleeves rolled to her elbows and the water in the basin cloudy from her scrubbing. She did not look at Su Xue, but she could sense her smugness. Her sister was shortsighted, lazy, fond of good food, and incapable of hiding her thoughts. When she was pleased, she practically wore them on her face.

Su Wan calmly wrung out a garment and hung it on a bamboo pole. If the Huos agreed, she would marry. If they did not, she was in no hurry. She would have no trouble finding a husband.

Madam Wang arrived at the matchmaker’s house to find her sitting in the courtyard, sorting vegetables. Matchmaker Wang broke into a smile at once.

“Well, Sister Wang, you’re here early! Has Xue come around?”

Madam Wang looked embarrassed. After sitting down, she took the ten copper coins from her clothes and placed them before the matchmaker.

“I won’t hide it from you. I’ve spoiled that girl. She made a scene yesterday and refused outright to marry into the Huo family.”

Matchmaker Wang’s hands paused, and her smile faded. “That won’t be pleasant for them to hear. So many girls would be delighted to have a match with the Huos, yet she refuses?”

Madam Wang sighed. “You’re telling me! She nearly drove me mad. But she was threatening to kill herself, and I was afraid she might really do something.”

She leaned closer and lowered her voice. “I do have an older daughter, though: Wan. You’ve met her. She’s capable and sensible, and she’s pretty too. If the Huos don’t object, could we offer Wan instead?”

Matchmaker Wang did not answer immediately. In all her years arranging marriages, a change of bride midway through negotiations was the sort of thing she dreaded. Mishandle it, and she could offend both families.

But Madam Wang had paid her, and the Su family’s eldest daughter was indeed a fine girl. After weighing the matter, she slipped the coins into her sleeve.

“All right. I’ll sound them out for you. But let me say this first: if the Huos take offense, don’t blame me.”

“Of course not,” Madam Wang said quickly. “You have a way with words, Sister Wang. We’re counting on you.”

The matchmaker rose and shook the vegetable leaves from her hands. “I’ll go now. Wait at home for word.”

Huo Family Village was not far from Wang Family Village: across a couple of field ridges and down a stretch of dirt road. The Huo courtyard was large, enclosed by blue-brick walls, with a yellow ox tethered inside.

At the gate, Matchmaker Wang raised her voice. “Sister Guo, are you home?”

The gate opened shortly afterward. Madam Guo stood there, a round-faced woman in her early forties, dressed neatly, with every hair in place. She smiled when she saw her visitor.

“Sister Wang! Come in and sit down.”

The matchmaker glanced around as she entered. The Huos were indeed better off than many families in the village. Their courtyard was clean, the firewood neatly stacked, and grain chaff scattered beside the chicken coop.

Su Xue must have very high standards to turn up her nose at a household like this.

Madam Guo poured her a bowl of water. “Has the Su family given you an answer?”

Matchmaker Wang held the bowl without drinking. “They have, but I’ll need to explain it carefully.”

Madam Guo’s smile dimmed. “What is it? Are they unwilling?”

“Not at all!” The matchmaker waved a hand. “The Sus would be delighted to join families with yours. It’s that girl Xue who doesn’t know her own good fortune. She refuses, no matter what anyone says.”

Madam Guo’s face darkened. She set her handkerchief on the table. “Refuses? What’s wrong with my Shi’an? He’s already a minor military officer at his age. We have enough land and a house. How is he beneath her?”

The matchmaker’s heart skipped. She hurried to smooth things over. “Don’t be angry, Sister Guo. To be fair, this isn’t the Huo family’s fault. Xue is young and spoiled. All she thinks about is marrying a scholar; her head is full of impossible dreams.”

Madam Guo still looked displeased. She had met Su Xue in the county town and noticed her fair face, pleasing figure, and lively appearance. Afterward, she had wanted the girl for her son.

Shi’an spent most of the year in the army camp, and this rare visit home was her chance to settle his marriage quickly. Who would have thought Su Xue would refuse? If word got out, how could the Huos hold their heads up?

Seeing her displeasure, Matchmaker Wang pressed on. “But the Sus do want the match. Sister Wang says her eldest daughter, Su Wan, is willing.”

Madam Guo’s brows moved. “Su Wan?”

“Yes, their eldest.” The matchmaker set down her bowl and spoke more steadily. “You must have heard of her. Who in the neighboring villages doesn’t know the Su girls? Xue is pretty, certainly, but when it comes to running a household, she can’t compare with her sister.”

Madam Guo did not argue. She knew of Su Wan’s widely praised beauty, though she had never met her.

Encouraged by her silence, the matchmaker continued. “I’ve seen all kinds of girls in my years arranging marriages. Wan is hardworking and attentive, capable both inside and outside the home. Most of the credit for keeping the Su courtyard so clean belongs to her.”

Madam Guo took a sip of water without speaking.

“And her temperament is good. She’s considerate, not the sort to marry in and cause trouble. There are so few people in your household; the last thing you need is a daughter-in-law who turns it upside down. Wan won’t do that.”

Madam Guo’s expression softened. That was exactly what worried her. The Huo family had few descendants, and their home had always been quiet. She did not need a daughter-in-law of extraordinary talents, only someone who would build a steady life and soon give the family a child.

Matchmaker Wang lowered her voice, growing earnest. “There’s something else I shouldn’t say too plainly, but we’re both women and we understand. You can see Wan is strong and healthy. She can work, has strength, and looks well suited to bearing children.”

That caught Madam Guo’s attention. She put down her bowl and leaned forward. “Truly?”

The matchmaker patted her chest. “Would I risk my reputation by lying? If I pushed an unsuitable girl on your family, who would trust me to arrange a match afterward?”

Madam Guo fell silent. The Huo line had usually passed down through a single son, and Shi’an was her only boy. He spent so much time at camp that he seldom came home. At twenty-one he was still unmarried, while the boys he had grown up with already had several children apiece. It worried her terribly.

For the past two years she had heard that the border towns were unsettled. Afraid something might happen, she had resolved to find him a wife, whether he wanted one or not. She could not put it off any longer.

She had chosen Su Xue partly for her face and partly because her figure suggested she could bear children—and because her son might like her. But if Xue’s heart was elsewhere and she brought chaos into the house, that would be no blessing. If Su Wan was truly as the matchmaker described, she might be the better choice.

After some thought, Madam Guo asked, “Is the eldest girl herself willing?”

“She is,” Matchmaker Wang said with a nod. “Her mother told me so herself. The girl is sensible and follows her parents’ wishes.”

Madam Guo relaxed a little more. “I need to see her for myself.”

“Of course. Choosing a daughter-in-law is too important to rely on my word alone.”

“How shall we meet?”

The matchmaker had already thought it through. “Come to my house tomorrow. I’ll have her mother send Wan over, saying I need help with some work. You can observe her and exchange a few words. Then you’ll know whether you take to her.”

“All right,” Madam Guo said.

“Then it’s settled. If you like her, I’ll carry messages between the families and we can discuss the arrangements.”

“Very well. But don’t spread the news yet. It would be bad for both families’ reputations.”

“Don’t worry. I know how to keep my mouth shut.”

Matchmaker Wang left the Huo house with a lighter step. If the match succeeded, both families would pay her a fee. Instead of going straight home, she went first to Su Family Village.

Madam Wang was watching from her gate. The moment she saw the matchmaker, she pulled her into the courtyard. “How did it go?”

Matchmaker Wang glanced around and lowered her voice. “Madam Guo was angry at first. Her face went quite dark. But I told her your eldest daughter’s good qualities, and she was interested.”

Madam Wang’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

“Would I lie about that? She wants to see the girl herself. Send Wan to my house tomorrow, saying I need help drying herbs. Madam Guo will be there too.”

“All right, all right.” Madam Wang hurried inside and found ten more copper coins, which she pressed into the matchmaker’s hand. “Thank you so much. Once it’s settled, you’ll have your fee.”

Matchmaker Wang accepted the money, smiling until wrinkles gathered at the corners of her eyes. “I’ll look forward to good news. Don’t fret too much. Your eldest girl has plenty to recommend her.”

After seeing her off, Madam Wang felt a weight lift from her heart. Back in the courtyard, she found Su Wan chopping fodder for the pigs and cleared her throat.

“Wan, go to Matchmaker Wang’s house tomorrow.”

Su Wan did not stop chopping. “What for?”

“She has some herbs to dry and wants your help.” Madam Wang hesitated. “Huo Shi’an’s mother will be there too. She wants to meet you.”

Su Wan looked up. “To see whether I’m suitable?”

Madam Wang shifted uneasily. “It’s not quite a formal meeting. Just meet her and talk a little. Don’t be frightened. Wear something clean and comb your hair neatly, so she can’t find fault.”

“I understand.”

Su Wan answered so calmly that her mother felt a pang of guilt. The match had originally been intended for her younger daughter; passing it to the elder did not sound good, however she put it. Still, it might not be a bad thing. Marrying into the Huo family was better than marrying people too poor to put food in the pot.

Su Xue came out of the west room just in time to hear them and could not help scoffing. “You have to go and be inspected?”

Madam Wang frowned. “What now?”

Leaning against the doorframe, Su Xue spoke with a sting in her voice. “I just find it amusing. Sister had better do well tomorrow. Don’t let them think the Su family’s eldest daughter isn’t good enough to be seen.”

Su Wan set down the knife and looked up. “Don’t worry. Whether I’m good enough isn’t for you to decide.”

Su Xue’s expression changed. “I was kindly reminding you. Why snap at me?”

“Kindly?” Su Wan smiled. “If you meant well, you wouldn’t be making snide remarks. You really are something, Su Xue.”

Caught out, Su Xue flushed, snorted, and went back inside. The courtyard fell quiet.

Madam Li came in carrying a basin of washed vegetables. She had caught the end of the exchange and thought even less of Su Xue. Her sister-in-law was thoroughly spoiled: she had refused the match herself, yet still had to put someone else down over it.

Su Wan behaved as though nothing had happened and resumed chopping fodder, the knife striking the wooden block in crisp beats.

Inside the west room, Su Xue opened the drawer and took out the letter she had written the night before. In it, she expressed her admiration for scholars and asked for guidance on several passages of poetry and prose.

Her heart warmed as she read the lines. What did it matter if Su Wan married a Huo? However rich the Huos might be, they were merely prosperous country people. Xu Xiuzhi was the one who could take her to the capital. She must win his heart as soon as possible.

That evening, Madam Wang rummaged through the chests and found Su Wan a blue cotton garment, faded from washing but without a single patch. “Wear this tomorrow. It’s old, but clean. Don’t put all sorts of things in your hair. Keep it simple; a family like the Huos likes a dependable girl.”

Su Wan accepted it. “All right.”

Her obedient manner softened Madam Wang’s heart. “If the match is settled, I’ll add two new quilt covers to your trousseau.”

Su Wan smiled. “Thank you, Mother.”

Su Xue, listening nearby, rolled her eyes. Two quilt covers were enough to please her? How pathetic.

At first light the following morning, Su Wan rose. She fed the chickens, put the pig feed on to cook, and swept the courtyard before changing. The blue garment looked neat and clean on her. She combed her hair and secured it with a single wooden hairpin, applying neither powder nor rouge.

Madam Wang looked her over and nodded with satisfaction. “That’s just right.”

Su Xue came out holding a new handkerchief. When she saw Su Wan, she laughed. “You’re wearing that? The Huos have money. They might think you look shabby.”

Su Wan looked at her. “If all the Huos care about is clothing, the match might as well fall through.”

Su Xue was at a loss for words.

“Besides,” Su Wan added, “if you think so little of the Huos, stop watching them so closely. Keep it up and people will think you regret refusing.”

Su Xue’s face turned green. “Who regrets it?”

Su Wan picked up her small basket and headed for the gate. “Good, then.”

Madam Wang stood in the doorway, listening to her daughters trade remarks. Her lips moved, but in the end she said nothing. More than anything, she hoped Madam Guo would like Su Wan. Once the match was settled, the family would have one less major worry.

Outside, the morning breeze brushed Su Wan’s face, and dew clung to the grass along the field ridges. She walked without haste.

Matchmaker Wang lived in Wang Family Village, next to their own. When Su Wan arrived, the courtyard gate was half open, and a woman’s voice came from inside. “Sister Wang, has she arrived yet?”

The matchmaker laughed. “Soon, soon. Sit down, Sister Guo. I tell you, once you see this girl, you’ll be pleased.”

Su Wan paused. The woman inside must be Madam Guo. She smoothed her sleeves and knocked.

“Auntie Wang, I’m here.”