Chapter Fifty-Six: The Child Matchmaker

Cuiyu, hearing Cui Liu’s words and truly worried about the young lady, had no choice but to comfort her, “Don’t be upset, sister. Why bother with people like him? If you’re still angry, I’ll help you teach him a lesson tomorrow.”

“Mm.” Cui Liu replied softly.

“I’ll go now. You should head back soon—our young lady is worried about you.”

“Mm.”

When Cuiyu returned to Plum Courtyard, she ran into Xiaohong directing the maids to carry water out from the side room. She hurried over and asked Xiaohong about the situation inside, learning that the young lady had finished bathing but hadn’t yet dried her hair. Since the young lady hadn’t called for her, Xiaohong dared not go in to serve of her own accord.

Entering the room, Cuiyu found Liu Qin lying sideways on the couch, dressed only in a white inner garment, her small feet bare, and her hair dripping wet. At once, Cuiyu covered Liu Qin’s feet with a pale pink embroidered quilt, fetched a clean handkerchief, and began drying her hair, all the while grumbling, “After bathing, you should have called Xiaohong in to help. The weather is still chilly in the mornings and evenings—if you catch a cold, sister will scold me to death. If you really can’t get used to others serving you, at least wear more or cover up with a quilt. How can you be so careless? And your hair, you should at least dry it with a cloth. Oh dear, your inner garment is soaked; you must change now…”

Cuiyu chattered on as she busied herself finding a fresh inner garment for Liu Qin. For the first time, Liu Qin realized that Cuiyu was not as heartless as she sometimes seemed; she truly cared for her. For the first time, Liu Qin didn’t find her words an annoyance, but instead felt a faint warmth.

So Liu Qin did not retort, only smiling and cooperating as Cuiyu helped her change clothes and dry her hair, playing the part of a most obedient little child.

After her litany of complaints, Cuiyu hesitated for quite a while. She was not one to keep things to herself, so Liu Qin hadn’t bothered to ask her anything—she knew that even if she didn’t ask, Cuiyu would speak up. Cuiyu’s mind was straightforward; she didn’t like to overthink things. Rather than agonizing over whether to speak, she thought it better to let the young lady know and seek her advice. Unconsciously, Cuiyu had come to treat Liu Qin, though only six years old, as someone she could confide in and even rely upon.

So, disregarding Cui Liu’s instructions, she indignantly told Liu Qin, “Miss, my sister’s fellow townsman is really no good—he dared to lay a hand on her! If it weren’t for the sake of her reputation, I’d have scratched his face myself and see how he’d show himself outside again!”

Cuiyu had seen the kitchen women’s squabbles—pinching, scratching, all sorts of commotion. So when she spoke of venting her anger, it was always ‘scratching his face.’ Liu Qin couldn’t help but sigh inwardly—such shrewish potential! She wondered if Cuiyu’s future husband would be able to handle her.

As Liu Qin was silently mourning for this unknown future husband, Cuiyu had already recounted in detail everything she’d observed, not forgetting to analyze and summarize, “So sister’s odd behavior lately must be because of this Chen Zhi. Miss, what should we do?”

What to do? The answer was obvious—if the king is interested and the goddess is not, then find the goddess someone she likes. Liu Qin thought that a six-year-old acting as a matchmaker would be an unprecedented event—a true marvel! Well, she would make this marvel into a great success. But as for the candidate—the male lead—she needed more information. Did the goddess have someone in her heart, or a preferred type? Direct questioning would never do; only Cuiyu could help her with this.

Cuiyu tilted her head in thought. “I don’t think so. We maids hardly meet outsiders—only people in the manor. Over the past few years, sister has only had much contact with Chen Zhi. As for what kind of man she likes, I really don’t know. How about I try to ask her privately next time?”

In the whole household, only Cuiyu would discuss such topics with the young lady. For girls, talk of men was taboo, yet between these two, it felt perfectly natural. Liu Qin nodded her little head. “Alright. But don’t ask directly—be subtle, approach it indirectly. Understand?”

Curved strategy? Cuiyu didn’t exactly understand, but she got the gist: to ask in a roundabout way, since direct questions would make Cui Liu clam up for sure.

As the two were discussing, Cui Liu lifted the curtain and entered, forcing a smile. “I was delayed by some matters and returned late; please don’t blame me, Miss. Cuiyu, it’s time to help Miss to bed.”

Liu Qin studied her closely. Though she had reapplied her powder, there were still dark circles under her eyes and her face was noticeably thinner. She clearly hadn’t been sleeping well. Cui Liu was too sensitive—just being pestered had affected her appetite and sleep. Oh, why take things so hard?

The night passed uneventfully.

The next morning, Liu Qin went to Mo Xiang Court as usual to fetch Jiang Li, and hand in hand they went to Xuanlu for lessons. Entering the courtyard, they found Lei Hu already there, unable to contain his restless energy, practicing a set of long fist movements. All watched as he moved with agility and strength, truly like a fierce tiger—powerful and impressive.

“Well done!” Liu Qin clapped her hands in praise, her eyes lighting up. Here it was—the answer to last night’s riddle, found without effort. She had wracked her brains for half the night, yet here was the perfect candidate right before her.

One gentle as water, one upright as a mountain; one with a smile like a blossom, one tall and radiant as the sun. A perfect match, truly! Softness twined with steel, yin and yang in harmony, strength and gentleness combined—no pairing could be more suitable.

Hearing her applause, Lei Hu closed his form with a finishing move, then approached and saluted with cupped fists. Liu Qin waved the others ahead, and once she was alone with Lei Hu, she smiled sweetly and asked, “Brother Lei, how old are you this year?”

Lei Hu was puzzled by the question but answered honestly, “I am twenty-two years old.”

Good, the age was just right—a four-year difference was perfect. Liu Qin continued to smile, “Brother Lei, are you betrothed?”

Lei Hu was taken aback. What was with the young lady today, asking such questions? It was a bit embarrassing. If she weren’t so young, he might have misunderstood her intentions. Somewhat awkward, he scratched his head and replied, “No, someone like me, without family or occupation, what good woman would take a liking to me?”

Lei Hu had been sent by his master, Long Tianfeng, to protect Master Liu and was not counted among the household staff, so he didn’t need to use deferential terms with Liu Qin.

Liu Qin nodded inwardly—this was a rare opportunity, she must dig deeper. Smiling still, she pressed on, “Then, Brother Lei, do you have someone you like?”

Lei Hu’s face turned red in an instant. Though he was a rough fellow, he simply couldn’t match Liu Qin’s boldness. To be asked so directly about such a personal matter—it was too much! He felt he could no longer face this little girl, and bolted toward the courtyard gate. Liu Qin’s voice chased after him, “Well, do you or not?”—like a summons from the underworld, spurring him to run faster than ever, faster even than when his master chased him during training.

If Long Tianfeng had been there, he would have been deeply gratified—ah, my good disciple, you are finally ready to graduate!