Seducing the Heart - Chapter 14

Recently, for reasons unknown, the practice of matchmaking and forming marriage alliances has suddenly become fashionable within the Imperial Capital.

Matchmakers, catching wind of the trend, have been moving in all directions, searching everywhere for marriageable young ladies and fine young men in hopes of facilitating auspicious unions.

Among them, the daughter of a wealthy family who recently migrated from Jiangnan just over a day ago has become the favorite of these matchmakers.

Rumor has it that this family has a clean background, with ancestors hailing from prestigious scholarly lineages. Furthermore, the family’s only daughter is said to be proficient in the four arts: the zither, Go, calligraphy, and painting.

One might ask: what young man wouldn’t want to come to her door and seek her hand in marriage?

As a result, the gates of the Jiang Manor were nearly trampled down by the embroidered shoes of those matchmakers. Every day, portraits of young gentlemen were stuffed into the manor like falling snowflakes.

Inside the General’s Manor, several luxuriously dressed women gathered to chat. They moved from discussing clothing to jewelry, and then from jewelry to their respective descendants.

“Madam Jiang, your young General looks to be of age. Why hasn’t he brought back a young mistress yet?”

“Indeed,” added Madam Wang, who was dressed in purple, with a nudge of her eyes. “Look at my own worthless son; he already has a wife and a concubine. I always feel that with more people, the household is livelier.”

“Ah, speaking of which, the young Master Yuan Yixuan of your house was born with striking features, sword-like brows, and starry eyes. Being a majestic young General himself, there must be many girls secretly admiring him.”

At the mention of Yuan Yixuan’s marriage, Jiang Qiuyun felt a headache coming on.

Of all the people her son could like, he just had to fall for a girl who grew up in the “wind and moon” district, the red-light district.

Seeing her friends watching her, Jiang Qiuyun could only offer a perfunctory response: “Xuan’er doesn’t think much of these romantic affairs; his heart is set on achieving great things and establishing his career. Besides, we haven’t found a suitable candidate yet.”

“Madam Jiang, establishing a career and getting married do not conflict. It just so happens the matchmakers in the capital haven’t been idle lately. I think you should hurry up and scout a good girl for the young General,” Madam Wang said with a smile, lowering her voice slightly. “That way, you can hold a ‘little-little General’ sooner.”

These words more or less struck a chord with Jiang Qiuyun, and she began to feel anxious about her son’s marriage.

Jiang Qiuyun had a habit: whenever she felt troubled, she liked to go to the market to shop and bargain.

Although she was the wife of a General and did not lack money, this did not stop her from being even more formidable at haggling than ordinary women.

“This piece of jade, ten copper coins.”

“What? Madam, please do not joke. This is jade, pure jade! How could it be so worthless?”

Jiang Qiuyun examined the small jade piece on the stall for a moment, then looked up at the owner: “Are you truly not selling?”

“I can’t sell at that price, I truly can’t.”

“Then I don’t want it anymore.”

Jiang Qiuyun did not play by the rules; if she said she didn’t want it, she didn’t want it. She turned to leave, but saw many gaudily dressed women jogging together toward an unknown destination.

“Hurry, hurry! If we’re late, we won’t make it!”

“Hey, what is everyone in such a hurry for?” Driven by curiosity, Jiang Qiuyun reached out and stopped a passing woman.

The woman recognized her as Madam Jiang of the General’s Manor. Seeing that she couldn’t catch up with those ahead, she paused for a moment to explain patiently: “You don’t know? The daughter of that wealthy merchant family from Jiangnan is said to be exceptionally virtuous and gentle. Me? I’m going to take a look for my son. If there’s a chance, I’ll try to propose a match.”

“Is she really that good?” Jiang Qiuyun’s heart stirred. “Take me along to see as well.”

The front of the Jiang Manor was indeed bustling. Most of the crowd consisted of women gathered in the front hall, holding portraits of their sons and scrambling to shove them into the arms of a man who looked like a butler.

“Ladies, please don’t be anxious. Take it slow, take it slow.”

Seeing that the Jiang Manor was elegant and quiet, and that the servants were refined and polite in their conduct, Jiang Qiuyun couldn’t help but feel a boost in her favorable impression. If even the servants are like this, the masters must be truly sophisticated people.

Jiang Qiuyun began to make her own plans, though she had yet to see the daughter of the house.

“Miss Jiang is coming out! Miss Jiang!”

The crowd suddenly became lively. Jiang Qiuyun, quick-eyed and nimble, snatched a good vantage point and finally saw the appearance of the Jiang family’s daughter.

Though her face was covered by a thin veil, her eyes were as tender as water. Her gait was light and graceful, as if lotuses were blooming with every step, a truly willow-like, elegant figure.

Although the Jiang daughter only passed by briefly, that single glimpse of a startled swan was enough to make one sigh in admiration; she truly looked the part of a lady from a great family.

“Tianji Zi! Madam, please stay your steps!”

Jiang Qiuyun turned around to look at the fortune-teller holding a banner, feeling somewhat hesitant. “Was the Master calling me just now?”

“Indeed, indeed.” The fortune-teller pinched his fingers to calculate. “Oh my! Madam! Great fortune and auspiciousness are approaching!”

Jiang Qiuyun had always respected these wandering occultists. Hearing this, she respectfully stepped before the fortune-teller and proactively pulled out ten taels of silver. “What is this ‘approaching fortune’ the Master spoke of? Could you please enlighten me?”

The fortune-teller pushed the silver back, rebuking her with some displeasure: “Madam, what are you doing? I perceived that you share a destiny with the Heavens and intended to offer guidance. I didn’t expect you to bring out such filthy things to soil my eyes!”

“Oh, Master, do not take offense. I was muddled.”

“Forget it, forget it. I know you did not mean it.” The fortune-teller reached out, making grasping motions in the air to the left and then to the right of where Jiang Qiuyun stood, muttering incantations as if speaking to the gods.

“This humble Taoist has just calculated that your family has a young master. This young master’s destiny carries wealth and status, but he lacks only one specific opportunity to ensure a meteoric rise in his career.” The fortune-teller closed his eyes and stroked his beard, speaking unhurriedly.

Jiang Qiuyun was overjoyed, feeling that this Master truly had divine powers. “Then may I ask the Master, what kind of opportunity does my son need?”

“This,” the fortune-teller again formed hand seals and drew complex arrays in the air. “The character for ‘clothing’ half-worn over a ‘mouth’ of earth; three drops of water accompanying the ‘labor’ radical.”

“Madam, this is Yuan and Jiang.” The fortune-teller suddenly snapped his eyes open. “Is your son’s surname Yuan? I observe the heavenly secret: if he is matched with a woman surnamed Jiang, his future will be boundless!”

“Jiang? Ah, Jiang!” Jiang Qiuyun frowned at first, then her eyes lit up. She looked up joyfully. “Thank you, Great Master!”

Mid-sentence, she realized the fortune-teller had already vanished without a trace.

He truly comes and goes as he pleases, a man of God!

Jiang Qiuyun thought to herself, her belief in the man’s words deepening even further.

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