I Am A Husband Curser, And You Are A Wife Curser. - Chapter 5

Chapter 5: The Matchmaker’s Reputation

The scene at the time had been so chaotic it nearly turned fatal; the father-in-law almost beat his own daughter to death on the spot.

The woman held her ground, claiming she had already given herself to her lover the previous day and likely already carried his child. Since this wasn’t something that could be verified in public, the Yang family told them to take their daughter back first. They needed to settle their own messy accounts privately. The plan was to find a clan elder the next day to act as a witness so all three parties could sit down and negotiate a resolution.

That was the most grueling night Yang Tongchuan had ever experienced.

The aftermath involved the other party returning the betrothal gifts and providing an extra sum of silver to compensate for the wedding expenses. In return, the Yang family returned the dowry and issued a formal letter of divorce. Using Head Constable Wang’s influence, the woman’s family sent word pleading with the Yangs not to spread the story, as it would be too humiliating and ruin their family’s security escort business.

The Yang family suffered a massive blow but couldn’t defend themselves publicly. Mother Yang was so overcome with rage she fainted and remained bedridden for over a month before recovering. Consequently, whenever marriage was mentioned now, Yang Tongchuan felt his skin crawl; the shadow of that disgusting ordeal lingered.

Meanwhile, once her health improved slightly, Sister-in-law Xiang bought two bags of fruit and visited Matchmaker Chen.

“Auntie Chen, you must have heard about our Xixi’s situation. We were truly wronged. Xixi is a good child; I don’t ask for much, just that the other party is a decent person. I just hope he isn’t like my late husband—drinking and hitting people,” she said, tears falling as she recalled her own past suffering.

“I know, I know. We live in the same alley; I understand what kind of ger Xiangxi is better than anyone. Rest assured, if there’s a good match, I’ll keep him in mind,” Matchmaker Chen replied, her mind already spinning with possibilities.

“Speaking of which, the Yang family from the east side did ask me to find a match for their second son. I took him to see a few gers yesterday, but he didn’t like any of them. He has very high standards.”

Matchmaker Chen grew annoyed just thinking about it. She had presented her best candidates, but Yang Tongchuan had rejected them all, complaining they were too “delicate” and “womanly.” They were gers raised in the inner chambers; if they weren’t delicate, were they supposed to swing broadswords in the street?

“Which one is the Yang family’s second son?” the sister-in-law asked, unfamiliar with the details. She and Xiang Qiang spent every day at the stall and rarely had time for gossip.

“You don’t know the Yangs? The eldest works at the pawnshop, and the second is a constable at the yamen. They are well-off, have a maid, and a wife wouldn’t have to do any heavy labor—she’d just live a life of comfort,” Chen said, highlighting only the best parts.

“With conditions that good, would they look at our family? Especially since Xixi is already eighteen.” The sister-in-law feared another unreliable match would truly ruin Xiangxi’s life.

“Second Brother Yang is twenty-five, so the age gap is quite fitting. The main thing is he was married once but divorced, and because the family is picky, it’s been dragged out until now—giving our Xixi a chance. If you’re willing, I’ll take Xiangxi’s horoscope to the Yangs.”

“So soon? They haven’t even met yet.” The sister-in-law felt hesitant. Could such a “gold nugget” really just fall from the sky?

“Fine, you think it over, and I’ll touch base with the Yangs. If both sides are willing, I’ll have him come over for a formal meeting.” While saying nice things, Matchmaker Chen secretly muttered that given the Xiang family’s circumstances, it was uncertain if the Yangs would even agree.

Sure enough, when Matchmaker Chen mentioned Xiangxi to Mother Yang and described the family situation, Mother Yang recoiled.

“Absolutely not! A street vendor selling cakes? On one side, he has no parents; on the other, a pregnant widow remarrying. And the ger himself is a ‘jinxed fiancé’ (wangmen gua). What kind of family is that? No, find someone else.” Mother Yang thought the matchmaker must be blind to suggest such a family for her son.

Sitting nearby, Yang Tongchuan listened intently. This sounds exactly like that “money-over-life” ger.

“Is it the Xiang family that has a stall at the freight docks?”

“You know them, Second Son?” Matchmaker Chen noticed his interest.

“Mother, I’ve seen this ger. His looks are… average, but he’s hardworking and quick with his hands. Not a lazy bone in him. It wouldn’t hurt to meet.”

This was the first time Yang Tongchuan had ever proactively suggested a meeting. Mother Yang doubted her own ears. Well, if he likes him, I suppose a poor background can be overlooked. Her standards had truly dropped floor by floor. She decided to take Xiangxi’s horoscope to be matched first.

The sister-in-law went home and discussed it with Xiang Qiang and Xiangxi.

Xiangxi didn’t mind. He had heard the elders in the alley say: A ger’s life is cheaper than grass; you live wherever the wind blows you. As long as his brother and sister-in-law were willing, he would marry.

Xiang Qiang, however, had an impression of this Constable Yang because a constable had been coming to the stall frequently lately to eat cakes. Their stall was meant for laborers; the food wasn’t refined, just filling and cheap—not usually to the taste of officials.

“So, what do we say? Shall they meet?”

While the Xiang family was undecided, the Yang household was in an uproar—because the divination result was “Great Fortune.”

The reading showed that Yang Tongchuan and Xiangxi were a perfect elemental match. Yang’s fate was “weak water” needing “earth” to stabilize it, while the ger’s fate was “strong earth” that provided balance. A union would bring harmony, balanced energy, and prosperity. It was an auspicious omen of the highest order.

Hearing this, Mother Yang felt her blood flow strengthen instantly; she didn’t even need her tonic medicine. She immediately prepared gifts and asked Matchmaker Chen to arrange a time for the two sides to meet.

Matchmaker Chen brought the news to the Xiang brothers. Xiangxi listened quietly; he had been home looking after the child lately and had almost forgotten what the constable looked like. Am I really about to marry him?

That afternoon, his sister-in-law took him out to buy a set of ready-made clothes and two bags of pastries for the next day’s visit.

Xiangxi couldn’t sleep that night. Looking at the new clothes hanging nearby, he wasn’t sure what to feel. The butcher before had also been very kind to him; after the engagement, he often brought pork to their house and counted down the days until the wedding. That was the happiest time in Xiangxi’s life, full of hope for the future.

But what happened? He died, and everything vanished. His parents had cursed Xiangxi with the most poisonous words he had ever heard.

Xiangxi dared not think more. He closed his eyes and forced himself to sleep; there would be much work to do tomorrow.