"Official matchmaker?"
Li Yi was slightly taken aback by Xiao Huan's words.
Previously, he had mistaken "ten thousand gold" as "ten thousand taels of gold", which was extremely embarrassing. In order not to make such a low-level mistake again, he took some time to study the common sense of this world. Of course, this included etiquette, customs, and customs.
Official matchmakers were also matchmakers, but they had an additional official identity compared to ordinary matchmakers.
At this time, although there was no birth control, the population was still very small. Medical standards were still limited, and the average lifespan of people was not long. It was considered lucky to live to fifty years old. Every additional day of life was a blessing from God.
If the population base could not be increased, it would lead to many problems.
Without a population, where could the country find people to farm? How could the country collect taxes? If there was a war, where could they find people to join the army? How could they resist the foreign enemies? How could they maintain the prosperity of the nation?
Therefore, every king regarded increasing the population as the top priority of the country's development.
Since a few hundred years ago, early marriage and early childbearing had become a law and regulation that encouraged more children. Those who had more children would be rewarded, and those who had fewer children would be punished. There was even a law that a girl's entire family would be imprisoned if she did not get married before the age of fifteen.
Although the marriage laws of the Jing Kingdom were not so harsh, under the encouragement of the government, everyone was working hard to get married and have children. You're a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl who's still waiting to get married. Isn't this dragging the country down?
Therefore, in addition to ordinary matchmakers, the profession of official matchmaker was also born.
Any profession, as long as it was related to the word "official", was not that simple.
The official matchmaker's responsibility was to respond to the call of the country to solve the lifelong problems of unmarried men and women of the right age. If the other party did not agree, they could even force them to be matched.
Based on the concept of "If you don't want to get married, I'll help you …", these official matchmakers traveled from village to village. When necessary, they could also force two single dogs of the right age to be together. Every time they did something good, not only would they receive a gift from the man's family, the government would also give them a certain reward. This greatly increased their enthusiasm.
Liu Ruyi was sixteen years old. In the future, she was still a young girl in her prime. However, in the current era, she was undoubtedly an old lady.
This kind of old lady was naturally the focus of the official media.
"Miss, it's not that I want to scold you, but you're not young anymore. How many women your age have children that can call 'mother'? Look at you, how many times have I come to your house? How many marriages have I talked about? Why don't you get it?" In the courtyard, the official matchmaker with a mole on the corner of her mouth was still talking incessantly.
Liu Ruyi had a helpless look on her face. Liu Ruyi's gaze was fixed in front of her. Her eyes were wandering, and it was obvious that she was distracted.
The official matchmaker's mouth did not stop. Suddenly, he asked curiously, "I remember that when I came last time, your sister wasn't married either. It's only been a few months. How did she get married? I wonder which matchmaker arranged it. Why didn't she register it with the authorities …"
Her tone was a little regretful. She was responsible for the marriages of men and women of the right age in Willow Leaf Village and the nearby villages. If she could arrange a marriage, she would inevitably be rewarded. If someone else took it away, she would have nothing to do with it.
If she knew which matchmaker was so unruly, she would definitely teach her a lesson next time. In this line of work, one must abide by the rules of this line of work. She could not stretch her hand too far.
Liu Ruyi did not speak. The reason why she made that decision some time ago was not only because of Second Aunt and the others, but also because the official matchmaker had come to her house countless times. If it was delayed for a while, she was afraid that she would be fined. At that time, they did not have any extra food at home.
The official matchmaker looked at Liu Ruyi and said, "Miss, I didn't mistreat you at all. Miss, you are so beautiful, and I can't bear to say bad things about a bad family. Last time, you were not satisfied with Blacksmith Wang's eldest son, so this time, I left the best for you …
Although Master Su's son is a little silly, he has a cloth shop in the prefecture city. He has maids and servants, and a big house. He doesn't lack anything. If you marry him, you will be the mistress of the Su family. What do you think? If you agree, I'll immediately reply to Master Su's letter, and the marriage can be settled within these two days. If it drags on for too long, and Master Su agrees to someone else, then there's nothing we can do. There's a large group of people squeezing into the Su Family's door. "
There was still no change in Liu Ruyi's expression, as if she did not hear the official matchmaker's words.
"Miss, I can't help you delay this marriage any longer. If you still don't agree, I'm afraid the higher-ups will send people to punish you soon." The official matchmaker tried to persuade her.
Li Yi found it a little funny when he heard this. Maids, servants, and a big house. Tempting Fang with such conditions might work, but Miss.Liu was someone who had seen the world now. The money she had saved up was probably enough to empty out the cloth shop.
The official matchmaker was originally confident about today's marriage. She knew the situation of the young lady's family. A few months ago, they were so poor that they could barely eat. Although the Su family was not a wealthy family, and it was an exaggeration to say that she would marry them and become the mistress of the Su family, at least she would not have to worry about food and clothing. Wouldn't it be a thousand times better than here?
As she thought about this, her gaze swept across the two sisters. Suddenly, her expression froze, and then astonishment appeared on her face.
The last time she came, they were dressed in ordinary clothes. Today … these two sets of clothes were probably worth a lot of money.
Looking at the hairpin in the elder sister's hair, she felt that it was vaguely familiar. After thinking for a while, she remembered that she had seen it at the most famous silver shop in the prefecture, Golden Jade Lane. It was worth at least a few dozen taels of silver.
After so many years of hardship, of course, Liu Ruyi would not be so extravagant as to spend a few dozen taels of silver to buy a golden hairpin. This hairpin was given to her by Li Yi some time ago.
However, she did not know that the official matchmaker was also puzzled. It had only been a few months since they last saw each other. Could it be that the two sisters had made a fortune?
However, even if they had really become wealthy, they still had to get married. If it was delayed any longer, it would not be as simple as the punishment of rations.
Li Yi was standing nearby watching the bustle. The courtyard door was suddenly pushed open. Fang had just walked in and saw Li Yi. He rubbed his head and said embarrassedly, "Son-ye, the cloth that you gave to my family last time, do you still have it? Zhu Zi was playing with fire at home today and accidentally burned the cloth. I gave him a beating …"
Li Yi did not wait for him to finish and ordered the little servant girl, "Go to the room and bring another roll of cloth out."
Fang was considered a wealthy person now and could afford a roll of cloth. But the significance of the cloth given by the Emperor was different. If it was burned by Zhu Zi just like that, he would probably be heartbroken. Li Yi silently mourned for the naughty brat's butt for a while.
Xiao Huan nodded her head and ran briskly into the room. After a while, she came out carrying a roll of cloth.
The last time the Emperor rewarded them with too much cloth. They had given out a lot and there was still a large pile left. It would not hurt to give a few more rolls to the little servant girl.
The official matchmaker watched as the little servant girl with a silver hairpin ran past him. When his gaze swept to the silk cloth in her arms, a trace of surprise appeared on his face again.
"This … this is good material!"
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