Chapter 146 - 125: Three Matchmakers, Six Rites, and an Eight-Bearer Sedan Chair
The goose-egg-faced girl was perched on the edge of her seat, her posture ramrod straight.
She was also a little nervous.
"My family... oh, I’m very pleased with you. Now, let’s discuss what’s needed for the wedding."
As she spoke, the goose-egg-faced girl subconsciously glanced at the pillar-like maid beside her.
She then turned back to Fang Yue and continued:
"My family... I want the full, formal procession—three matchmakers, six ceremonies, and an eight-bearer sedan chair. The betrothal gift must be five thousand, eight hundred and eighty-eight taels of silver. You must also give my family a thousand-mu Tea Garden, and you have to help my younger brother pass the Martial Scholar examination next year..."
As the goose-egg-faced girl spoke, her face grew rosier and rosier, so flushed it seemed dew might bead on her cheeks. She took a deep breath and went on, "I’m not accustomed to living with in-laws. After we marry, we must buy a new residence in Xiahe County Town. Also, I heard your older brother is managing the Tea Garden. He needs to be replaced..."
Hearing this, Fang Yue nearly dropped his teacup.
He stared in shock at the goose-egg-faced girl, then his gaze shifted to the pillar-like woman beside her.
’Good heavens. If I didn’t know I was in Xiahe County of Shanyang Prefecture in the Great Wei Dynasty, and if I couldn’t feel the immense power surging through my body, I’d really think I had returned to that other world.’
’It seems some women are the same no matter the time or place.’
’No wonder a woman this ’good’ hasn’t found a husband yet.’
’Who in their right mind would agree to these terms? Besides, the real lady here probably isn’t the one with the goose-egg face, but her pillar of a maid.’
’The demands are outrageous, and her looks are... distinctive.’
’Who gave her the audacity to even suggest such things?’
Fang Yue immediately stood up and said to the goose-egg-faced girl, "Ah, I left in a hurry. I just remembered I have something urgent to attend to. My apologies, I must be going."
With that, Fang Yue turned to make a quick exit.
However, the pillar-like maid blocked his path. "Why are you in such a hurry? Are you going back to prepare the formal betrothal gifts? When do you plan to visit my family for the official proposal?"
Fang Yue’s face paled. ’What is wrong with these people? Can’t they take a hint?’
’And she had the nerve to say that to my face. Absolutely shameless.’
At that thought, Fang Yue took a deep breath. "It’s going to rain. I have to hurry home to bring in the laundry."
Then, without giving them another chance, he shot forward, disappearing in an instant.
He left the mistress and maid staring blankly at each other.
~~~~~~
When he got home, he told Ms. Chen all about the matchmaking session.
Only then did Ms. Chen realize what sort of person the matchmaker had found for her Zhi’Er.
"Pah! She took five taels of my silver just to find me this... this pillar," Ms. Chen seethed, especially furious about the five taels she’d spent.
"Mother, let’s not rush things. We can take our time. But now, I really have to go. I can’t delay any longer."
Fang Yue actually felt relieved. ’After this fiasco,’ he thought, ’Ms. Chen will probably give up on finding me a wife for a while.’
Now that he had dealt with this, Ms. Chen had no more excuses to keep him.
Fang Yue went straight to the Tea Garden to load the latest batch of tea onto the carts. Then, taking a dozen or so tea masters with him, he set off for Shanyang Prefecture.
The journey from Xiahe County to Shanyang Prefecture City spanned thousands of miles.
On his own, Fang Yue could cover hundreds of miles a day and make the trip in just seven or eight days.
But with a dozen carts, a full load of cargo, and a retinue to care for the horses and guard the goods, their pace was slowed considerably. The trip would now take almost a full month.
Fang Yue wasn’t worried, though. All he had to do on this trip was get the cargo safely to Shanyang Prefecture City.
The caravan was led by professionals from an Escort Agency, so Fang Yue was free to spend his time on his cultivation.
After all, the journey was long. They needed guides and Martial Artists to protect the caravan.
Though Fang Yue’s own Martial Arts were formidable, he was just one man. He couldn’t be expected to handle every potential threat.
「Half a month later.」
They had covered most of the distance and were now just over seven hundred miles from Shanyang Prefecture City.
The journey had been peaceful enough. They’d run into highway bandits a few times, but after the men from the Escort Agency negotiated, they were always allowed to pass without incident.
’It just goes to show,’ Fang Yue thought. ’The reason Escort Agencies can stay in business long-term isn’t just their martial prowess. It’s also their wide network of contacts, or perhaps the fact that they pay off the bandits with a cut of silver.’
"We’ve reached the jurisdiction of Shanyang Prefecture City," said the lead Darts Master, Master Zheng, taking a drag from his long-stemmed pipe. "There won’t be any more bandits. But from here on, Boss, you’d best have some silver ready."
His face was weathered and deeply lined, and the sleeve of his right arm was empty, fluttering in the wind.
"Oh? For the patrolling Guard Army?" Fang Yue asked, his curiosity piqued.
’Along the way, they had encountered numerous powerful bandit gangs, yet the Escort Agency’s reputation had been enough to see them through after some negotiation. But here, where there were supposedly no more bandits, Master Zheng was telling him to have silver ready. If even the Escort Agency was helpless, then there was only one explanation: the Guard Army.’
’Thieves are like a comb, soldiers are like a fine-toothed comb, and officials are like a razor.’
"It’s alright," Fang Yue said, nodding slightly. "I have it handled."
He was no longer concerned. ’The Guard Army? Perfect.’
’This shipment is for Chubby. With his name on the line, I doubt the Guard Army would dare try anything.’
However, events rarely unfold as expected.
They had traveled another few dozen miles and were just setting up camp when a troop of cavalry galloped over and surrounded them.
"Sirs, what’s all this about?" Master Zheng hurried forward to ask.
"Routine inspection!" the lead soldier barked. "Open the crates. We’re checking for contraband."
"Well now..." Master Zheng began, "Could you see your way to making an exception? It’s all dried goods, and we’re worried about them getting damp."
As he spoke, Elder Zheng the Darts Master shot Fang Yue a meaningful look. The message was clear: it was time to bring out the money.
But Fang Yue merely glanced at him before looking away, completely ignoring the signal.
Master Zheng grew anxious. ’Didn’t we agree he’d have the silver ready?’
’Why is he just standing there?’
’Is he going to wait until they start tearing through the cargo and impounding it to get worried?’
Just as the Guard Army soldiers were getting impatient, Fang Yue stepped forward to face their leader.
"This is Eldest Young Master Bai’s cargo," Fang Yue said. "Do you still want to inspect it?"
The lead soldier’s eyes widened, and he stared at Fang Yue, a mix of shock and uncertainty on his face.
Behind him, Elder Zheng the Darts Master was dumbfounded. ’Eldest Young Master Bai? Eldest Young Master Who? As if these soldiers care which noble family you’re from.’
’These are War Soldiers. They don’t give a damn about the average Noble Young Masters from Shanyang Prefecture.’
Just when he expected the soldiers to teach his young boss a harsh lesson...
...the lead soldier, far from making a move, hopped off his horse and asked cautiously, "Which Eldest Young Master Bai?"
He was as deferential as a subordinate meeting his superior officer.
Fang Yue smiled, patting the soldier’s shoulder. "The one you’re thinking of," he said with utter confidence.
The soldier’s jaw dropped.
"Ah, so it’s Eldest Young Master Bai’s cargo! I understand, I understand completely! My apologies, we almost caused offense. Please, whatever you do, don’t mention this to the Eldest Young Master."
The lead soldier gave a fawning smile and even pulled out about twenty taels of silver, pressing them into Fang Yue’s hand.
Elder Zheng the Darts Master was utterly floored.
He rubbed his eyes. ’This can’t be happening. How could the Shanyang Prefecture patrol Guard Army—the same vicious thugs who extort every merchant and Escort Agency that passes through—suddenly be so accommodating?’
’Not only that, they’re giving the boss silver!’
’This is completely unheard of!’
Fang Yue accepted the silver, and the soldiers quickly departed.
They left in a great hurry, as if they were afraid of being pursued.
They arrived like the wind and left just as fast.