A husband found in the village? I bought a regent for a penny!

When Qiaohua heard that Zhao Lei wanted to eat, she thought he was getting better and ran outside with mixed feelings of joy and surprise.

"Brother, I'm going right now, it'll be quick!"

Qiaohua thought to herself, no matter what, she was determined to tell the truth about what she had kept hidden for so many years!

However, when she returned with a steaming bowl of buckwheat noodles, Zhao Lei had already left forever.

From then on, Qiaohua refused all matchmakers.

She has been guarding the Zhao family's old house and fields to this day.

Every year she plants a field of buckwheat, waits for it to ripen, and then harvests and grinds it into flour.

On the anniversary of Zhao Lei's death, she would always make a bowl of buckwheat noodles, which she prepared herself, and offer it at his grave.

He Jinglan said, "Who knew that there would be problems with the buckwheat planted this year? No wonder she's feeling bad."

“Yes,” Aunt Zhang sighed, “to outsiders it just looks like a piece of buckwheat.”

"Who knew there would be so many twists and turns in the process?"

Immersed in the story, the group remained silent for a long time, with only the creaking sound of Gu Xixi sawing wood audible.

After a while, He Jinglan asked, "So she hasn't remarried all these years?"

Aunt Zhang sighed, "She's never been married, and she became a matchmaker at such a young age. Who would dare to arrange a marriage for her?"

“She has been living alone for many years and she said she is used to it and loves the peace and quiet when she comes home.”

He Jinglan said wistfully, "Qiaohua didn't marry Lao Zhao, but she took his surname. She has no children and is all alone, yet she loves to help people find happy marriages."

"This matchmaker Zhao is really different from the matchmakers I remember."

Aunt Zhang nodded, "That's right, I inquired about her before I went to see her."

"Of all the marriages she has arranged, none of the couples have had trouble getting along. In fact, many of them have lived harmoniously together and their homes are peaceful and prosperous."

"Otherwise, why would she be the most famous matchmaker in the area, even though she hasn't arranged many marriages? Even prominent families in the county town ask her to be their matchmaker! It's all for the sake of good luck."

"It's just a pity she wasn't destined for that kind of thing, sigh..."

Seeing that Aunt Zhang was unusually melancholy, Gu Xixi sighed deeply.

Knowing that she might have been reminded of the sad events of her own life by Zhao the matchmaker's experience, as she also lacked a husband and children, she couldn't help but feel more and more emotional.

Worried that Aunt Zhang's excessive worry would be bad for her health, Gu Xixi deliberately changed the subject, "Matchmaker Zhao has had a tough time. I think you should send the medicine to Matchmaker Zhao tomorrow."

"Please take me to her house again the day after tomorrow. I want to see the buckwheat she grows and help her if I can."

Aunt Zhang was delighted to hear this, exclaiming, "That's even better!"

He Jinglan couldn't help but think of Meng Chengping when she heard that story.

I wonder how he is doing now? Is he injured?

Does he still care about her as much as before?

Or perhaps he's been so busy with his campaigns that he's completely forgotten about their past?

He Jinglan was a strong-willed person at heart, and not wanting anyone to suspect anything, she could only force a smile and say:

"Auntie forgot to tell us the most important thing."

"Has Matchmaker Zhao agreed to arrange a marriage for our Xixi?"

Mentioning this, Aunt Zhang glanced at Gu Xixi with amusement. "What do you think?"

Gu Xixi smiled outwardly, but inwardly she was pounding with anxiety.

This matchmaker Zhao sounds like no ordinary woman.

What if she doesn't follow the usual path and insists on taking on a challenge, and you agree?

Aunt Zhang pursed her lips, looking like she had already resigned herself to her fate.

"Don't worry, they didn't agree!"

"As soon as she heard the conditions you mentioned, she laughed and told me that you were probably just like she was back then, and you didn't want to get married at all."

Gu Xixi smiled and pretended to be stupid, remaining silent.

Aunt Zhang scolded, "You silly child, if you don't want to get married, then don't."

"Trying to fool me with these excuses? Are you afraid I'll hold a knife to your throat?"

"No way!" Gu Xixi said ingratiatingly, "You raised me, how could you bear to let me suffer even the slightest grievance?"

"I just didn't want you to worry about me, so I thought of making an excuse to delay."

Gu Xixi hugged Aunt Zhang's shoulders and swayed affectionately.

Aunt Zhang couldn't help but laugh, "You!"

She looked at Gu Xixi and said, "From now on, you'll have to make your own decisions about your marriage."

"As long as you don't regret it if you become an old maid and can't get married someday."

Gu Xixi felt relieved and smiled, "I will never regret it!"

He Jinglan chimed in, "Auntie, don't worry. Xixi is still as beautiful as a flower bud. What's the rush?"

"Besides, with our family's wealth and Xixi's looks, what kind of man can't she find?"

"If we wait until she really becomes successful, let alone finding a son-in-law who will live with her family, she can confidently follow those men and have a harem of wives and concubines."

Aunt Zhang was both surprised and amused, and kept chanting Buddhist prayers, "Such a bold young lady! We can only talk about this behind closed doors, but we must never tell anyone outside!"

He Jinglan winked at Gu Xixi.

Gu Xixi waved her hand helplessly and said, "Although it's pleasing to the eye to see a hundred flowers blooming, it would be too noisy to put them all in the house. I can't handle it."

The three of them couldn't help but laugh.

The following morning, Gu Xixi received her payment for working for the Northwest Army.

It was delivered by a messenger in civilian clothes.

The envelope was sealed with sealing wax, and Gu Xixi opened it after returning to the house, taking out a stack of silver notes.

Each sheet costs 100 taels, totaling 500 taels of silver.

Aunt Zhang's eyes widened in disbelief. Just yesterday, Jinglan had jokingly said that Xixi was going to be successful, and today it had come true!

Gu Xixi explained simply, "Every time I go to the border to help them farm, this is the payment they promised me."

"You get this much just for helping with farming?" Aunt Zhang exclaimed in astonishment.

She hurriedly pushed the banknotes into Gu Xixi's arms.

"Hurry up and hide it in your room! Don't let this get out, it's bad to lose money!"

Gu Xixi chuckled, "Auntie, we're not outside, you can speak louder."

Aunt Zhang then realized they were inside the house, with no outsiders around, and smiled sheepishly.

After lunch, Gu Xixi sat in the old doctor's room pounding medicine.

He Jinglan was also dragged into helping, yawning as she asked, "You need to make mosquito repellent? There are only a few people in our family! We don't need that much at all!"

Gu Xixi said calmly, "I thought about it last night. The military camp is densely populated and needs epidemic prevention even more than we do."

"I just received the General's reward today, so I'll just get some medicine ready as a way of returning the favor."

The prescription was written by the old doctor yesterday.

These medicinal materials do not require special processing and can be prepared quickly.

There are two types: one is a herbal sachet, which is worn on the person, and the other is hung at the entrance of the military tent.

Another method involves boiling large packets of herbs in water and spraying the solution around the area, while simultaneously using the solution to create a smoke-driving effect outdoors at the campsite. This method is effective in repelling and eliminating mosquitoes.

He Jinglan rested her chin on her hand and looked at Gu Xixi meaningfully, "Xixi, is it because you heard Zhao the matchmaker's story yesterday that you thought of someone?"

"So there's just a tiny bit of worry, just a tiny bit, about his safety?"