The matchmaker,aunt three,driven by her desire to maintain an unblemished record across ten villages, despite her reservations about Zagonnas, still made her way to his door. After all, Cendrarsa's words that day had stirred a sense of unease within her.
With her extensive experience in human nature, she sensed that Cendrarsa held no affection for Dave; perhaps, just perhaps, Zagonnas might be a suitable match.
Zagonnas stood awkwardly before the uninvited matchmaker, uncertain of what to say, waiting for her to speak first.
At last, after scrutinizing him for a considerable time, the matchmaker finally broke the silence.
"Sir, you are truly handsome! If my daughters were not already married, I would certainly invite you to be a son-in-law. Alas, both of my daughters have already borne several children."
"Indeed, what a pity," Zagonnas replied with a forced smile, nearly crushing the teacup in his hand.
"Oh dear, Sir, you must realize that your circumstances are rather lacking. Teaching hardly yields a substantial income. Pray, be frank with me—how much can you offer?"
"Ah? Money?" Zagonnas echoed. In his youth, he had vowed that if he ever met a woman he loved, he would offer her the world's riches, inscribing their marriage contract on the cliffs of Ling Mountain with the finest sword. Yet now...
"I have no money. As you can see, this house is borrowed from the village. The children cannot pay tuition, so I do not charge any fees," he admitted, feeling the sting of financial hardship for the first time. Had he known this day would come, he would have brought along some gold leaves.
"No money? That poses quite a problem!" The matchmaker's expression turned grave. No wonder Zagonnas had been in Maple Village for so long without a single family offering their daughter to him.
"Then, sir, do you have anyone at home? Are your parents still alive? Do you have any inheritance?"
Is anyone at home?
The moment the matchmaker asked this, a flicker of pain crossed Zagonnas's eyes, as memories he had desperately tried to forget resurfaced in his mind.
Suppressing the rage that threatened to engulf him, he pressed his trembling right hand down with his left, swallowing hard before responding in a hushed tone, "No, I have nothing."
"Um, heh heh, understood. But do not lose heart, sir; you still possess merits. You are quite handsome! Well, I won't disturb you any longer."
The matchmaker, with her plump figure, hurried away in small steps. This marriage was the most challenging case she had encountered in her forty years of matchmaking. She regretted not simply presenting the many fine young men available for Cendrarsa to choose from. As long as Cendrarsa married someone through her, her reputation would remain intact.
Yet now, she needed to further probe Cendrarsa's sentiments.
Meanwhile, at Cendrarsa's clinic.
With autumn upon them, coughs had become prevalent among the villagers. Cendrarsa had risen early to gather a large quantity of licorice, concocting numerous cough remedies.
However, even as she dispensed medicine, the villagers could not help but gossip about her romantic prospects. They either inquired about whom she had her eye on or suggested she consider their sons.
Overwhelmed, she retreated into the back room, seeking refuge.
When the matchmaker from Maple Village arrived, the villagers were even more eager for entertainment.
Unable to chase the villagers away, Cendrarsa found herself cornered by the charming matchmaker in the backyard. Before the matchmaker could speak, Cendrarsa blurted out, " I don't like Dave, so please don't bother."
"Miss, won't you reconsider? Dave is quite impressive," the matchmaker persisted.
"Um, no, I won't reconsider. Besides, I don't want to marry..."
"What about the teacher?"
Before Cendrarsa could finish, She interjected, cutting her off.
"Zagonnas?"
"Yes, I'm here not just to propose for Dave, but also to inquire about your feelings for him. He mentioned that he was smitten with you at first sight, and I believe you two would make a splendid couple!" The matchmaker smiled sincerely, her words sounding genuine.
"He truly said that?" Cendrarsa recalled the way Zagonnas had looked at her yesterday. Perhaps she had misunderstood him; he might genuinely have fallen for her. If they could marry smoothly, wouldn't that simplify her quest to win his heart?
"Of course! However, he is a teacher and his financial situation is quite tight..."
"Money is merely a material concern; I don't mind it," Cendrarsa replied, her cheeks flushing, looking like a peach blossom poised to bloom.
"It seems he has no family left."
"I have no family either; it's just me."
"He lives in a straw hut."
"Straw huts are nice; they're cool and breezy, hee hee hee."
Cendrarsa's responses surprised the matchmaker at every turn. It appeared that not only did the gentleman have feelings, but the lady was also interested.
The matchmaker smacked her lips, preparing to deliver her final point. If Cendrarsa accepted this, the marriage would surely proceed.
"Cendrarsa, there's one more thing you must have heard about. You see, while Zagonnas is knowledgeable, he is rather thin, and in that regard, he might not be quite satisfactory."
"Ah? In what regard?" Cendrarsa was puzzled.
"Tsk! I mean, the marital bed matters; this concerns your happiness for the rest of your life."
Cendrarsa: "…"
Cendrarsa: "No need to worry about that. You forget, I'm a doctor. Even if he has issues, I can treat him, and I don't really care about that."
The moment Cendrarsa finished her sentence, the matchmaker clapped her thigh.
"Settled! This marriage shall proceed. In our humble village, we just need to choose an auspicious day for Zagonnas to come and take you to his home."
"Ah, understood," Cendrarsa replied with a wry smile.
Well, what could she do? After all, this troublesome man was her one true love in this life.
Three days later, the villagers who had hoped Cendrarsa would change her mind finally accepted the reality.
The fairy-like healer of Maple Village was getting married—to the village's esteemed teacher.