RWNEFE -Chapter 510 Aftermath of the Matchmaking

“He’s just a bit shorter, and the work is more dangerous—but the pay is high!”

Seeing no one respond, Che Mingyuan continued, “For scouts, the compensation for death in battle is three hundred taels, higher than for other branches.”

Many people were tempted, but Che Mingyuan had more to say.

“Daniu also has a requirement: the woman should preferably be over eight chi tall and strongly built. If these two conditions are met, he can be flexible on other points—such as the woman being older than him or having children.”

Pfft—

Ban Sicao felt he had broadened his horizons.

Shen Lanxi, holding a teacup, gave Ban Sicao a look of mild disgust—he was almost spraying tea everywhere.

Still, Zhang Daniu’s conditions were indeed interesting.

Those who had just been eager immediately fell silent.

“Where would you find a woman that tall?”

“Exactly. Better just find a man to live with.”

“He’s short himself, so he wants a tall wife. That way, their children won’t be short.”

That remark clearly came from someone experienced.

Just when it seemed the matter would fall through, a thin, tall woman trembled as she stood up from the crowd.

Her height made her stand out like a crane among chickens.

“I’m tall,” she said, “not strong, just hungry. I have four younger brothers who aren’t grown yet. Is that alright?”

Che Mingyuan was so stunned he could not answer immediately.

The world truly held all kinds of people.

He had thought Daniu would remain a bachelor, but now the situation had turned around.

Shen Lanxi said, “Of course it’s alright. If you’re hardworking, once you get there you could be assigned thirty or forty mu of land. With that plus Daniu’s pay, not only you—even your four younger brothers could be well fed.”

It took Che Mingyuan quite a while to recover. He stammered a few dry syllables before continuing: “Yes… yes. And if you arrive there and don’t like Daniu, you can enlist yourself. As long as you settle there, you’ll be allocated land, seeds, and tools. If you’re capable, you can even apply for more land. As long as you work hard, you won’t starve there.”

The tall, thin woman was moved.

“When can we leave?”

Che Mingyuan replied, “Once this group is fully arranged, you’ll all leave together. Don’t worry—once you register, food and lodging are provided by the court. If you’re hungry, go take some steamed buns over there. Eat as much as you like—it’s free.”

Knowing that most of those who came were from poor families, Che Mingyuan had prepared in advance.

The woman thanked them repeatedly and left.

After that, they continued arranging matches for local men whose backgrounds were clear.

…

“Wang Dali, forty years old, gate guard, widower, with a son and a daughter. The son is an archer, the daughter a medical aide. Salary: two taels a month, twenty mu of land, and a courtyard. He does not live with his children. He only wishes to find someone to wash clothes, cook, and accompany him in old age. Bride price: thirty taels. After marriage, he will hand over his salary. No specific requirements for the woman.”

After seeing so many younger men with higher pay, the women began to be selective.

After all, most of them were only in their twenties, and Wang Dali was indeed older.

Suddenly, a flirtatious voice rang out:

“No one wants him? Then I’ll take him~”

A woman dressed in bright, showy clothes walked forward, swaying her hips.

There was no need to ask—her attire and the strong scent of perfume made it obvious what she did for a living.

The woman did not hide it. After bowing to Shen Lanxi, she stated her identity openly.

“I was sold by my family to Chunman Pavilion as a child. I had a few prosperous years there. While still young, I saved enough to buy my freedom and redeemed myself.”

Che Mingyuan hesitated and looked toward Shen Lanxi. “This…?”

Shen Lanxi said, “I can see from your eyes that you are clear-minded and resolute. You are not someone who willingly fell into depravity. To preserve your heart and hold to your beliefs while in the mud—such strength of character is rare.”

The woman had not expected such praise. She froze for a moment, then lowered her head in shame.

Shen Lanxi continued, “I will decide this: you may meet Wang Dali and see if you are suitable. If it does not work out, you may serve in the army as a medical aide. Is that acceptable?”

The woman’s eyes lit up. Her original intention had been to go somewhere no one knew her. She had little hope of marriage, but becoming a medical aide and relying on the army would ensure no one dared bully her.

“I will follow the Regent King’s arrangements.”

Che Mingyuan quickly had someone record it.

Even a woman from the pleasure quarters could have such a chance, making many of the women present envious.

All five hundred people were arranged over the course of an entire day. At the end, Shen Lanxi personally gave each woman a piece of red cloth.

“When you go to the northwest or Dongchuan, live well.”

Tears filled the women’s eyes as they watched Shen Lanxi leave.

News of the courtesan who found a future spread somehow.

After that, more and more women from the pleasure quarters redeemed themselves and registered. Some who lacked the money even ran away and asked the authorities to advance the redemption fee.

This news was quickly reported to Shen Lanxi.

“To know how to save oneself is wisdom,” she said.

“The Ministry of Revenue will certainly not agree to pay outright, but payments can be made in installments.”

She explained carefully: “Have the authorities supervise while the women sign contracts with the establishments. If the men they marry are willing to pay their redemption, they may do so. If they do not have enough money, let the soldiers pay in installments.”

“For women registered in this way, local authorities must keep a closer watch to ensure they are not abused.”

Che Mingyuan nodded seriously. This action by the Regent King had undoubtedly given a path to survival for women trapped in misery.

Orders were transmitted downward, and Shen Lanxi’s words soon reached all the music bureaus and brothels.

The women in brothels were one matter—but the women in the official music bureaus were descendants of criminals, registered as slaves. Redemption was not even an option.

While Shen Lanxi was out presiding over matchmaking, a woman stopped her carriage, crying injustice.

“My lord, I was implicated by my uncles and entered the music bureau. I have done nothing wrong—I am innocent!”

Shen Lanxi would not foolishly claim that blame lay only with the guilty; the law was the law.

“I will give you two choices,” she said. “First, enlist in the army. If you earn enough merit, you may gradually remove your slave status. Second, be exiled to Dongchuan to farm.”

The woman froze, then asked tearfully, “Can I not marry instead?”

Shen Lanxi answered firmly, “No. You are of criminal status. Though you yourself committed no crime, when your family prospered, you also benefited, and thus became, in some sense, part of the wrongdoing. Without collective punishment, would evildoers not become even more reckless?”

The woman collapsed to the ground. When officials from the music bureau came to take her back, she did not resist and went with them.

Shen Lanxi gave a cold laugh. “If she had to choose between marrying a soldier and becoming a concubine to an official’s son, she would certainly choose the latter.”

Those accompanying her agreed completely.

This time she had left the palace because Old Master Shen’s illness had worsened; he was near the end.

“Grandmother, how is Grandfather?” Shen Lanxi asked.

Old Madam Shen did not look particularly sorrowful. Calmly she said, “The Imperial Physician says it will be within these few days.”

Shen Lanxi said softly, “If Grandfather wants anything, I will certainly find it for him.”

Old Madam Shen shook her head. “No need. Aside from the hardships during exile, your grandfather has lived quite well these past years.”