Chapter 196: Debts Owed

Zhong Lanhua frantically lunged at Xiao Yanci, while the latter stood there motionless, neither resisting nor retaliating.

The doorway was crowded with onlookers. Seeing this scene, they pointed fingers at Zhong Lanhua.

"What’s wrong with this crazy woman? Her son’s dead, what’s she blaming the son-in-law for?"

"Exactly. She really doesn’t think it through. Now that her son is gone, all she has to rely on is her daughter. But the daughter is married to him, so ultimately she still needs to consider the son-in-law’s attitude."

Jiang Yihuan grabbed Zhong Lanhua, preventing her from doing anything more rash.

She said to Xiao Yanci, "Brother Xiao, I’m sorry, my mother has been traumatized and has lost some of her sanity."

Xiao Yanci held Zhong Lanhua’s shoulders, speaking to Jiang Yihuan, "I understand. Mother is not thinking clearly right now, but she’ll be fine once she calms down. I don’t blame her."

"Look at this son-in-law, so good, and yet this crazy woman doesn’t know how to cherish him. I heard her son was drowning in debt from gambling and women, probably couldn’t take it and killed himself."

Zhong Lanhua clutched her collar, crying so hard it ripped through her soul.

Jiang Yihuan supported her, speaking to the arrest officer beside them, "My mother is in no condition to sign any documents; could my husband handle it instead?"

The arrest officer nodded, "That’s fine."

Jiang Yihuan turned to look at Xiao Yanci, who was staring at the corpse, lost in thought. Jiang Yihuan could only remind him again, suggesting he sign the papers so the body could be laid to rest.

Taoyao Square. Zhang Zhaodi listened as an old customer talked about the Jiang Family’s affairs, learning that Zhong Lanhua had just lost her son and seemed deranged. She sighed softly.

Zhang Pandi, seeing her looking despondent beside her, said, "What’s wrong? You’ve been fighting with her for over twenty years; shouldn’t you be happy hearing about her misfortune?"

"If she’d gone bankrupt, disfigured, or been abandoned by men, I would surely cheer. But losing her son, I find it hard to laugh. We women would rather something happen to us than to our children; they’re the joy of our hearts! Now she’s a mother who’s lost her joy, I’ll hold my tongue from cursing her."

A woman clad in a dazzling outfit walked in, looked around the store, her gaze settling on Zhang Zhaodi and Zhang Pandi.

"Ah, you two are here. I have some business I’d like to discuss; could we find a place for a private chat?"

"Matchmaker Li." Zhang Zhaodi and Zhang Pandi exchanged glances.

If a matchmaker is coming, could she be here about a proposal for Chunni or Jiang Jing?

Though they’re both rather young, it’s suitable to look around now, and if satisfied, get engaged, marry in a few years.

Su Yaoguang’s already married, everyone knows the young couple’s doing well, so it’s unlikely she’d lack insight. Currently, Chunni and Jiang Jing are the only ones unmarried at home.

Zhang Zhaodi, being Jiang Jing’s godmother, should arrange matters concerning her marriage, as Jiang Jing has no other family.

"Matchmaker Li, have some tea." Zhang Pandi poured tea.

At that moment, Zhang Zhaodi invited Matchmaker Li into the inner room. There, they were free from outside ears.

"I’m here about a proposal." Matchmaker Li said cheerfully, "You know Mr. Wang from the east of the city, the man who sells soy sauce? And Landlord Zhang from Zhang Family Village, you’ve heard of him, right? He has a hundred acres of land, earns a fortune each year just from rent, not to mention he runs an escort agency, pulling in quite a profit yearly."

"I know Mr. Wang, his eldest son’s quite diligent in his studies, ranked fifty-some in the same cohort as Wang Shu this time." Zhang Zhaodi said.

She hadn’t gone out of her way to find out; it’s just that Taoyao Square patrons love gathering gossip, north to south and east to west. Those bits slip into her ears naturally.

"Yes, that’s their family."

Zhang Pandi leaned over and whispered into Zhang Zhaodi’s ear, "This sounds good, could be considered for either Chunni or Jing’er."

Zhang Pandi nodded.

"What’s with Landlord Zhang from Zhang Family Village? I recall he lost three wives, none of whom left him any children. There shouldn’t be suitable candidates from their family." Zhang Zhaodi continued, "Have you come to introduce us to his relatives?"

"No, it’s about Landlord Zhang himself." Matchmaker Li said, "Landlord Zhang has wealth, marry in as the main lady, with a throng of servants, living in comfort!"

Zhang Zhaodi furrowed her brows, "Whether Chunni or Jing’er, they’re not of age yet; you want to marry a young girl to such an old scoundrel?"

Zhang Pandi angrily added, "This old scoundrel cursed three wives to death."

Matchmaker Li hurriedly explained, "That’s not it, you’ve misunderstood. Landlord Zhang’s interested in Second Lady Zhang, you!"

Zhang Pandi was stunned for a moment, "Second Lady Zhang..."

Could she be the Second Lady Zhang?

She’d never heard herself called that before, the unfamiliar term felt odd. But being the second Zhang, who else could it be?

Suddenly, her face flushed, eyes wide, she exclaimed in shock, "You’re not here about a proposal for my daughter, but for me?"

"Yes, I’m here about a proposal." Matchmaker Li finally caught on to their misunderstanding, hastily clarifying. "I mean Mr. Wang and Mr. Zhang, Mr. Wang’s interested in Lady Zhang, Mr. Zhang’s taken with Second Lady Zhang. Oh, it really is awkward having such misunderstandings. By the way, Mr. Wang’s son already has a proposal settled for next month."

Zhang Zhaodi immediately cooled, "You can leave now, my daughter’s already grown, no intentions of remarrying."

"Neither do I." Zhang Pandi grumbled angrily, "I’m living well now, why find a man to aggravate my life? I don’t want to relive past days."

"Consider it some more, both gentlemen’s households are loaded."

"No thank you." Zhang Zhaodi stood up, "We’re busy with business, no time to entertain you."

"Yes, yes, hurry out."

Zhang Pandi ushered Matchmaker Li toward the door, just in time to see Su Yaoguang and Zhou Wangshu returning from outside.

Seeing Su Yaoguang, Matchmaker Li abandoned entanglement with the Zhang Family Sisters, instead darting toward Su Yaoguang.

"Boss Su, could we speak privately?"

"Are you done yet?" Zhang Zhaodi scolded fiercely, running out with a feather duster raised. "If you dare speak of such nonsense to my daughter, I’ll tear your mouth apart."

Matchmaker Li quickly dodged, fleeing as she dodged, away from Zhang Zhaodi.

"Oh, Lady Zhang, your temper is too mercurial. Fine, I’ll stop. With such an unrelenting nature, I’m afraid no man could tolerate it, no wonder you cursed your own man to death."

"What did you say?!"

Zhang Zhaodi was about to chase after her when Matchmaker Li stumbled at the doorway, tumbling forward, mouthful of dirt.

"Ouch..."