Chapter 113: Wild Geese
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She had just finished examining the tangled cobwebs inside the box when she heard Fish Cha’en report that someone had come to pay a visit and hoped to meet the princess. Curious, she received the visitor in the main hall.
The newcomer wore a broad smile and held betrothal gifts in his hands. He bowed and scraped, his every gesture ingratiating. Dressed in gray cloth, he had a plump, neither handsome nor ugly face, with a large mole beside his mouth.
He was a matchmaker.
“Princess, I am the Goose Matchmaker from the East Market. I specialize in bringing people together—”
“Wait!” Wu Yue-Ling waved a hand and interrupted him. “Goose Matchmaker? Bringing people together? You’re here to arrange a marriage for me?”
Seeing that something was amiss, Fish Cha’en hurried over to the princess and whispered an explanation of the matchmaker’s background and profession. He, too, felt that if the princess had a husband, she might not remain so willful. At the very least, she might finally behave like a proper princess.
After hearing his explanation, Wu Yue-Ling understood. So the Goose Matchmaker was simply a marriage broker, someone who arranged matches for others. Because she often sent geese as betrothal gifts and succeeded so frequently, she had earned that name. Her expression darkened at once.
Arrange a marriage for her? In her case, that was practically asking for a beating!
The Goose Matchmaker’s fat, smiling face bunched into several folds as she set down the betrothal gifts.
“Princess, the Right Chancellor and His Majesty have discussed the matter and decided to send me here to serve as intermediary. I hope you will take a liking to the prospective groom, Young Master Wang Lizhi. He is—”
“Chu’er, throw her out!” The moment Wu Yue-Ling heard Wang Lizhi’s name, her temper flared. The Right Chancellor had discussed this with her adoptive father? The Right Chancellor? Why was he involved? Something about this seemed suspicious.
Hua Chu’er dropped from the roof beam, seized the Goose Matchmaker, and ignored her pleas as she carried her to the gate. Then, from beyond the wall, she threw her out.
Seeing how furious the princess seemed, Fish Cha’en did not dare say another word. He simply stood obediently to one side, unable to determine what was going through her mind.
Wu Yue-Ling had thought the matter would end there. Unexpectedly, a few days later the Goose Matchmaker returned—this time accompanied by Wang Lizhi.
The atmosphere in the main hall was somewhat awkward. Wang Lizhi remained composed, his face glowing with delight, clearly filled with fondness for the princess seated in the place of honor. Wu Yue-Ling, however, could not have been less interested. She sat there with a cold expression.
“Princess, Young Master Wang comes from a distinguished family of great standing, and his reputation is renowned throughout the realm. To join your lives in marriage would truly be a most joyous occasion!” The Goose Matchmaker spoke with such eloquence that one could only wonder how many marriages she had arranged to hone that tongue.
“More importantly, His Majesty has also said that the princess has reached a suitable age for marriage. He believes this matter is worth considering and hopes that you will graciously accept his wishes!”
Wang Lizhi listened with satisfaction. To accept him was evidently the proper course, and with the Emperor himself invoked, everything would be even simpler. This beautiful and captivating princess would surely become his future wife. With such a beauty in his arms, life would be splendid indeed.
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Only after confirming that the princess showed no sign of displeasure did the Goose Matchmaker conclude that she must be unable to defy the commands of her parents. Her plump face beamed as she produced a goose.
The goose honked twice and flapped its wings. A red silk ribbon was tied around its neck, symbolizing the union of two families.
“Princess, this goose is meant to be released when the marriage is sealed. When Young Master Wang rides forth in a flower-bedecked bridal carriage to welcome you, it may be released alongside him. Princess, with your exquisite beauty and jade-like features, you are perfectly matched with Young Master Wang’s brilliant talents!”
Wu Yue-Ling remained unmoved. She merely let out a cold laugh and called, “Chu’er!”
The moment the Goose Matchmaker heard the princess utter Chu’er’s name, her heart sank. A terrible premonition seized her. She then realized that her feet were no longer touching the ground.
Was she about to be thrown out again?
“Young mistress, how many shall I throw out? Should this fellow go with her?” Hua Chu’er pointed at Wang Lizhi.
“Wait. I am the future Prince Consort—”
Wang Lizhi was utterly confused. He would soon be the prince consort, so why was he being thrown out?
“Not him. Chu’er, take the goose to Madam Ye. Give it a thorough ‘preparation,’ then bring it back!”
Wu Yue-Ling winked at Chu’er. After conveying her meaning, she resumed her silence.
Only the goose let out an uneasy honk. It was innocent!
The Goose Matchmaker and Wang Lizhi were both baffled. What medicine was the princess brewing in her gourd? Marriage had always been determined by the commands of one’s parents and the words of a matchmaker.
With an encouraging glance from Wang Lizhi, the Goose Matchmaker continued speaking in the oppressive atmosphere of the main hall, pausing now and then to study the princess’s expression. Half an hour passed, and only when Chu’er appeared at the doorway with a cheerful smile did the matchmaker wisely fall silent and retreat to one side.
The woman had chattered on for a full hour.
Chu’er looked toward the young mistress, uncertain who was meant to eat the dish. Once she received her instructions, she tossed the food box without ceremony onto the table before Wang Lizhi. When she opened it, the contents were revealed to be a roasted goose.
The Goose Matchmaker stared wide-eyed at the roasted bird in disbelief. Her thick lips could no longer form a word.
The princess had actually roasted the goose!
Wang Lizhi stared blankly at the roasted goose in the food box. His proud temper surged. He had once intended to compose an ugly poem to insult her, but now he had come here as a member of the Wang family to propose marriage. How could she treat him like this?
“What is it? Eat. Why aren’t you eating? This is the roasted goose Chu’er prepared especially for you!”
Wu Yue-Ling rose, swept her emerald-green sleeves aside, and walked over to Wang Lizhi. Glancing at the goose in the food box, she smiled.
“Chu’er’s skill has improved. She actually managed not to burn it into charcoal!”
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“You!”
Wang Lizhi flung his sleeve in fury, and his refined face instantly twisted into something savage.
“Have you heard of Sima Wang Lang?”
“Who?”
“I have never seen anyone so shameless!”
After saying this to Wang Lizhi, Wu Yue-Ling cast the matchmaker a meaningful glance and left the main hall.
Wang Lizhi remained where he was, stamping his feet in rage. Before long, he left the princess’s residence as well. The Goose Matchmaker cast a regretful glance at the plump roasted goose, picked up the food box, and followed after him.
“Young Master Wang, this goose was not easy to catch—”
“Throw it away!”
Hearing the roar, the Goose Matchmaker shrank her neck. She lifted the food box, preparing to throw it away, but found herself unable to part with it. It had already been roasted, after all. Why not eat it?
She tore off a goose leg and bit into it. Her mouth, tongue, and entire body convulsed at once.
It was absolutely dreadful!
Wang Lizhi arrived at the residence of the Right Chancellor, the Duke of Jin. He was a member of the Wang family; even the imperial clan had to show him a measure of respect. He had originally assumed that the princess would understand the importance of propriety. His pride would not allow him to give up so easily. Since she had humiliated him, his desire to possess the Protector Princess only grew stronger.
In the gardens of the estate, Wang Lizhi met with the Right Chancellor and vented the fury in his heart. He hoped the chancellor would speak favorably of him before the Emperor and persuade His Majesty to betroth the Protector Princess to him.
“Hahaha!”
Li Linfu burst into laughter. The matter seemed exceedingly simple, and he also felt that using it to win Wang Lizhi over—and thereby draw the influence of the Wang family to his side—was an excellent plan.
“Consider it done. Tomorrow I shall go to the imperial city and pay my respects to His Majesty. I will see that Young Master Wang’s wish is fulfilled!”
After speaking, Li Linfu laughed inwardly once more. He still brooded over having failed to become one of the Eight Immortals. He had already intended to suppress the Protector Princess’s arrogance, and now he had found an even better means of doing so.
It was only a pity that Wang Lizhi was too headstrong and self-important to achieve anything of consequence. Still, he would make a fine pawn.
Wang Lizhi smiled and expressed his thanks. Then he gazed serenely at the starry sky, imagining the moment he would take the beauty into his arms. His blood quickened, and he lingered there, lost in the fantasy.
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