Chapter 1836: Chapter 1825: Collective Blind Date

After Li Xia’s wedding, she returned home three days later, and it was to the backyard of the County Yamen.

Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang saw her looking radiant, dressed differently from before, her hair styled in a married woman’s bun, adorned with several gold and jade gemstone hairpins, accompanied by a little maid, truly looking like the lady of the house.

They were instantly relieved.

However, in the front yard, not only was Song Chongjin present, but Yao Da and his group as well as Song Xiaoyin and his brothers, all longtime acquaintances, couldn’t help but tease Jian Huaifeng, who looked quite cheerful.

Despite the teasing, Jian Huaifeng maintained his composure, smiling broadly, and occasionally responded slowly with quips about the joys of marriage, suggesting that those who were single couldn’t fathom such happiness.

This made the group of unmarried men grit their teeth, exchanging glances and joining forces, vowing to drink Jian Huaifeng under the table.

Jian Huaifeng was unfazed, surrounded by familiar faces and within the County Yamen, with no fear even if he got drunk.

Besides, he was genuinely happy. Years ago, when he married Lady Bai, they lived respectfully together for some time, but later events shattered everything.

After being single for many years, he now had a lovely wife by his side, beautiful and literate, and as he grew older, he appreciated his new bride with more tolerance than in his younger days.

What he wanted was not youthful romance; he desired a woman who understood him, who could live with him peacefully, and perhaps have a couple of children, which would be ample.

Thus, as long as Li Xia was decent and honest, it was sufficient.

Li Xia was adept at seizing opportunities; though she married Jian Huaifeng without romantic affection, she sincerely wished to spend her life with Jian Huaifeng.

Both were intent on seeking harmony, offering their utmost sincerity, and naturally, the other felt it.

Within these few days, Jian Huaifeng lived a life of ease, with clothes provided, hot tea and snacks readily available, and the household impeccably managed, feeling very content.

Having been trained by Wang Yongzhu for years, managing Jian Huaifeng’s small household was effortless for Li Xia, not only arranging their daily life impeccably.

But also treating Lame Li and Jian Dan with extra care, being generous.

Jian Huaifeng’s household was simple; besides him and his wife, alongside Lame Li and Jian Dan, there were two kitchen helpers, two rough workers for cleaning and laundry, plus a little maid to attend Li Xia, and an old man at the gate, completing the household.

Moreover, Jian Huaifeng expressed his stance, making Li Xia’s position as the new bride secure and her backing by the Magistrate’s Lady evident, ensuring respect without negligence.

Despite their age difference, the couple was exceptionally in sync, and while Jian Huaifeng felt the joy of the post-marital days, Li Xia found marrying Jian Huaifeng pleasantly better than anticipated.

As long as no troubles arose, outsiders would perceive them as a loving couple.

Jian Huaifeng, approaching an age where others were embracing grandchildren, truly appreciated the benefits of marriage, unexpectedly not holding back, getting swept up by Song Xiaoyin and his brothers, and Yao Da, in a round of drinking.

No matter how much Jian Huaifeng could drink, he couldn’t withstand their rotation, soon slumping over the table, unconscious.

Song Chongjin, holding a teacup, watched the chaos without a word of reprimand.

Recently, tensions from negotiations earlier in the year, the residual effects of Bayar’s time, and the rebellion in the Capital City had everyone on edge; this rare chance to relax was worth sacrificing Jian Huaifeng for everyone’s amusement.

In the backyard, the women were waiting for Jian Huaifeng to take Li Xia back after dinner, but as time passed with no sign, the inquiry revealed that Jian Huaifeng had been intoxicated.

Li Xia, both annoyed and amused, stood and bid farewell. Wang Yongzhu sent someone to lead Li Xia to the front, and then arranged for Jian Huaifeng to be carried back, finally resolving the matter.

After the honeymoon period, Jian Huaifeng resumed work at the County Yamen. Unlike before, when he used to eat the meals instructed by Wang Yongzhu sent from the kitchen to the front.

Now married, each day at mealtime, Li Xia dispatched Jian Dan with a lunchbox containing steaming dishes Jian Huaifeng loved.

Because of this, Jian Huaifeng showed off in the County Yamen, annoying the single men, leading them to convey requests to Wang Yongzhu, not asking to marry a maid but seeking help to find a caring wife.

Following this, Wang Yongzhu became busy, daily discussing with Old Granny Zhang, inquiring about suitable girls for potential marriage.

The rough maids nearby and suitable ones outside were all considered.

For this, even the newly married Li Xia, along with Lady Shen, Lady Qu, Lady Chen, and other spouses of county officials, were mobilized.

Suddenly, in Chicheng County, matchmakers were in high demand, running from east to west all day, legs thinning, utterly exhausted, returning home wanting nothing more than silence.

It was known that Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang weren’t randomly matching girls with decent appearances and pairing them without careful consideration.

They meticulously selected honest and healthy girls without troublesome relatives, ensuring their families’ and their own opinions were considered before selection.

They were gathered to stay at the yard for several days, monitored for their personalities and conduct.

Opportunities were arranged for the prospective grooms to meet these girls at the yard, allowing them a face-to-face meeting, exchanging a few words.

With relaxed local customs, this wasn’t considered excessive in Chicheng County.

Those guys typically had little chance to see so many girls, awkwardly unsure where to place limbs, but their eyes weren’t honest, intensely fixating on the girls.

They had heard that if they fancied anyone, they could approach the girl themselves, and if she agreed, the senior officials could arrange the marriage, rumor had it that for each wedding, they’d receive twenty silver taels for establishing a household.

The girls had been briefed by their chaperones on details of whom they’d marry, their family situations, their virtues and flaws, discussed in advance.

They were reminded to clarify anything in question upon meeting, lest regret followed with no recourse afterward.

The others were envious of how Wang Yongzhu handled matters, marveling at their arrangements, complimenting Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu’s thoughtfulness in meticulously handling marital arrangements for their subordinates.

In other households, merely pairing individuals based on looks would be standard, with rare inquiry into the man’s character seen as generous.

Not like Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu, whose diligence seemed unmatched even among parents selecting partners for their children.

Wang Yongzhu modestly did not reveal that this was her replication of modern collective matchmaking methods in her previous world.

Though this era favored blind marriages, where couples were bound forever regardless of suitability.

Thus, she preferred the bother to afford these girls some agency in choosing before marriage.