What?
Second Master has arranged a marriage for that fool?
First Madam Cheng suddenly sat up straight.
These past few days, the family had been arguing with the Zhou family over that girl’s marriage—who had the right to decide it.
Now that the Zhou family was raising Cheng Jiao-niang, they insisted on having the final say in the marriage arrangement.
And controlling the marriage meant controlling the dowry as well.
Naturally, the Cheng family refused. The two sides had been locked in a stalemate for a while—who would have thought Second Master Cheng would simply go ahead and arrange the engagement for that fool.
Marriage is a serious matter, and it is customarily decided by the parents. Since it was Second Master Cheng who announced it, it made sense, and also took away any reason for the Zhou family to stir up more trouble.
But still…
First Madam Cheng slowly leaned back again.
“So soon? There wasn’t the slightest word of this beforehand. If it was done carelessly, I’m afraid it still won’t do,” she said.
Don’t think he could just marry her off to some blind man, cripple, fool, beggar, scoundrel, or ruffian just to stop the Zhou family from getting the dowry. If that kind of thing actually worked, they would’ve done it the moment the Zhou family first showed up.
Doing that would only have strengthened the Zhou family’s position.
The match for this fool—was truly hard to find someone suitable.
“It’s not some random family,” the maid replied. “It’s a scholarly family.”
A scholarly family?
“Which one?” First Madam Cheng asked, frowning.
“I’ve been considering Jiao-niang’s marriage ever since the moment she returned home,” Second Master Cheng said solemnly, his expression serious.
In the room, both First Master Cheng and Master Zhou wore odd expressions.
Over the past few days, they had seen firsthand each other’s—and their own—ability to speak blatant lies with a straight face. But even so, today it seemed Second Master Cheng had taken the crown.
“Although Jiao-niang has improved somewhat, she was still ill. Those high-ranking, noble families—I’ve stopped considering them. Even if she were to marry into one, she’d no doubt face scorn and neglect.”
Second Master Cheng sighed, his gaze drifting toward the door, his face filled with thoughtful concern for his daughter’s future.
“I don’t ask for anything else in this life—only that she can live peacefully and safely. I don’t care for wealth, status, or hollow reputation.”
First Master Zhou twitched at the corners of his mouth and let out a dry laugh.
“My Jiao Jiao will of course live peacefully and safely. As for wealth and status, she doesn’t need anyone to provide them. What her mother left her is more than enough,” he snorted.
“What I’m afraid of… is someone else trying to use our Jiao Jiao to gain wealth and status for themselves.”
“Exactly why I must choose with great care,” Second Master Cheng said. “The family’s background and character are of utmost importance.”
“Then just say it outright—what family have you chosen?” First Master Zhou sneered.
“Let’s hear it. Don’t just make it sound good on your end.”
“It’s not an outsider. Someone we know well,” Second Master Cheng said.
“It’s someone from the Peng family.”
The Peng family?
First Master Cheng’s brow twitched, and a flash of understanding—along with a hint of mocking amusement—appeared in his eyes.
The Peng family… hmph…
Master Zhou, however, frowned.
“Which Peng family?” he asked.
The teacup gave a soft clink, spilling a bit of water.
The maid nearby quickly and carefully wiped it up.
“The Peng family,” First Madam Cheng said with a mocking sneer. “What a clever scheme—how bold of her to even say it!”
Meanwhile, in another hall, Second Madam Cheng was seated comfortably with another woman.
“Why wouldn’t I say it? Everything I do is for her own good,” Second Madam Cheng said calmly, gently waving the round fan in her hand.
“Yes, yes, of course,” the woman said with a flattering smile. “Our family’s only fault is being a bit poor—I’m just afraid the masters might have other ideas.”
Second Madam Cheng let out a scoffing laugh.
“Poor, yes—but aside from that, you lack nothing,” she said. “First, Second Brother is a scholar with a clean background. Second, our family is also a family of learning. In Dongping Prefecture, we’re not some nameless nobodies.”
“Yes, yes, Second Brother is very good at his studies—it’s just that he was delayed by an illness. But Eldest Uncle said he’s sure to earn a title someday,” the woman quickly added.
“She doesn’t care about official titles or fame,” Second Madam Cheng said slowly, still waving her fan. “As long as you treat her well, that’s all that matters.”
“Of course,” the woman said, leaning forward slightly with eagerness. “We’re not outsiders—we’re your natal family. If we didn’t treat her well, wouldn’t that be a slap to your face? We don’t know what others might do, nor do we care—but we know exactly who you are, and we won’t forget it.”
A faint smile appeared on Second Madam Cheng’s face as she lightly and cheerfully fanned herself.
“I just feel sorry for you,” the woman sighed.
“It’s never easy being a stepmother—and especially with a child like her. If you ask me, it’d be best if she stayed home. But since the in-laws won’t allow that, and she has to be married off, well… no matter how loudly the Zhou family talks, if they’re the ones choosing the match—if it’s a good one, fine. But if it turns out badly, all the blame will fall on your heads. Second Master is her father, a man—people might overlook his negligence. But you, you’re the stepmother. If anything goes wrong, they’ll say you were the one who manipulated and mistreated your stepdaughter.”
Second Madam Cheng let out a sigh.
“What can I do? This is my fate,” she said.
“That’s why,” the woman continued, “even if I can’t help with much else, I can at least help you by taking care of the girl. It’s not a hard thing. Giving her to another family—well, no matter how good they seem at first, they’re still outsiders. No one can predict what might happen down the line. And if something does, you won’t be able to step in or speak up. But our family is different—we’re your family. This is your home. Whatever you say, we’ll follow it.”
Second Madam Cheng smiled and nodded in agreement.
“I know we’re poor,” the woman added with another sigh, “and people will surely suspect us of scheming to get our hands on the girl’s dowry. So, when the time comes, to prove our sincerity, we’re willing to let you and the Master manage her dowry on our behalf.”
That was the key point—and Second Madam Cheng’s smile grew even more satisfied.
So what if they couldn’t get the biggest share? One must know contentment and not be greedy—otherwise, they might end up with nothing at all. Just a bit leaking through the cracks of the Cheng family’s wealth would be more than enough to keep their household well-fed for life.
The woman smiled happily as well.
“Pah!”
First Madam Cheng spat forcefully.
“All for money—they’re not even afraid of cutting off their family line! Marrying a fool just to give birth to more fools?” she cursed angrily.
“Why would it cut off their family line?” the maid beside her shook her head with a sneer. “Madam, once they get the money, wouldn’t it be easy for them to take a few concubines? Keeping First Lady well-fed and clothed at home as a lucky charm is better than raising pigs!”
A few of the maids in the room couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
First Madam Cheng also laughed, then quickly straightened her face and resumed fanning herself.
“Come to think of it, marrying that fool really is quite the bargain,” she said.
“As long as you’re shameless enough.”
“There’s no shortage of shameless families,” the maid replied. “And this one even sounds halfway decent.”
They weren’t afraid of being mocked for marrying a fool—and it was even a scholarly family. The match Second Madam Cheng had chosen really did sound quite respectable when spoken of publicly.
“Madam, if this really goes through, then all the dowry will end up in Second Madam’s hands,” the maid said in a low voice.
First Madam Cheng held her fan without replying, her expression complicated.
“Our Jiao-niang is different from others. Her marriage must be handled with extra care,” she said. “Go, and make sure to thoroughly look into that family.”
She placed special emphasis on the word thoroughly.
The maids understood her meaning and responded in unison, “Yes, Madam.”
Just as the maids withdrew, First Master Cheng stepped through the door.
“Well? What did the Zhou family say?” First Madam Cheng asked quickly.
“They said they need to look into it,” First Master Cheng replied, not at all surprised that his wife already knew about the matter.
The entire household was in an uproar over this issue—any small development spread through the family instantly. It was impossible to keep it hidden.
“I knew it was all about the dowry,” First Madam Cheng said with a laugh. “Even if you offered them a match made in heaven, the Zhou family still wouldn’t give in.”
“They may refuse for now, but do you think they’ll refuse forever?” First Master Cheng sat down, shaking his head with a cold smile. “Don’t forget—Jiao-niang’s surname is Cheng.”
