Call the Matchmaker

Xuxian dropped the herbs and caught Suzhen's shoulders, gazing anxiously at her face.

"She's fine," snapped Qingqing. "She's just drunk herself silly, like any other lovesick fool."

They lowered Suzhen gently onto the bed and Xuxian knelt besides her, folding the coverlet back.He brushed a loose lock of hair back from her face. "Why would she do that out of the blue?" he murmured. "On her own as well. All sorts of things might have happened to her. Thank the gods you happened to come by her."

There was a brief silence. "Physician Xu, you know this lady?" Granny Hong asked delicately, at the same time Xuxian said "But how did you come to know Miss Qing?"

QIngqing folded her arms. "All right, this is becoming awkward. Now then, Mr Physician. My sister said she promised to marry you. Is that true?" Her eyes dug into him.

Granny Hong gasped. Yuanzheng turned to look quickly at Xuxian. Xiaohu looked unimpressed.

Xuxian came forward slowly, cheeks flushed. "Yes." he said firmly.

He drew a deep breath. "Miss Qing, I know that your family is above my station. I know that I am not worthy of your sister. But I love her, and she loves me. I will provide for her and make her happiness my priority. Since she is willing to trust herself to me, please give us your blessing. I would have visited myself to discuss this matter officially, but since fate has brought us together, let me not delay."

He bowed formally. "Miss Qing, I humbly ask you to accept me as your family."

Qingqing tried hard not to show that she was pleased. For a moment her resentment against him struggled feebly with her vanity. She waved graciously at him to rise. "Ah, Physician Xu, I knew you were a man of manners. As Suzhen's sister, I am pleased that you recognize the importance of my role, especially since we ahem, lack the protection of our parents. You could say, I am her only kin. Therefore, my approval is of the greatest significance."

"Miss Qing, if you are willing to trust your sister to me, it would be the greatest honour I could expect in my life. I will treasure her, and do my best not to let her suffer in any way. And I will be a brother you can rely on."

Qingqing twirled a lock of hair. "And as the groom, what bride gifts will you give?" she purred.

Xuxian bit his lip. "I cannot offer much," he said anxiously, "but I will do my best. Please tell me what you expect of me."

Qingqing counted busily on her fingers. "Roast chicken. Roast pork--a suckling pig. A roast duck would be nice. Not to mention--"

Yuanzheng caught her elbow. "You're not selling your sister off for food. Stop embarrassing Physician Xu. Where would he get all those things?" he whispered.

She sighed. "Ah, I should have known it was too good to be true. I'll settle for just one then. A good feast is all I ask for."

Xuxian beamed. "I will do my best to please you. Miss Qing, thank you."

Qingqing cut him off impatiently. "All right. Now that's settled, when is the wedding? The sooner the better." She glanced at where Suzhen lay.

"The wedding--" stammered Xuxian, startled by how fast she had progressed.

Granny Hong clapped her hands in delight. "Finally, Physician Xu, you're going to get married!" She turned to Qingqing. "I've been trying to set him up several times but he's always been too shy. Three or four perfectly good women all ready to marry him, yet he turns them down." She wagged a finger at him, clucking her tongue. "I ought to claim compensation from you for my wasted time. And to Miss Qing's sister too! What a coincidence."

She smiled. "Miss Qing's sister is very beautiful. Physician Xu, you're a lucky man."

"She is," Xuxian said softly. "And she is as good as she is beautiful. From the moment I first met her, I lost my heart to her."

Suzhen stirred and gave a small sigh. Xuxian crouched by the bedside and gazed fondly at her.

Granny Hong chuckled and rubbed her hands. "Don't you worry, Physician Xu. The two of you will have a beautiful wedding. We will make sure everything is done properly. I will help you find a matchmaker to ensure we complete all the important rituals, for an auspicious marriage. Ah, Physician Xu, how happy this news makes me!"

Xiaohu peered at Suzhen and whispered, "She doesn't look at all like you, Sister Qing. Are you sure you brought the right person?"

Granny Hong was fortunately too busy to hear him. "I know just the person, we'll ask Madame Zhao who lives next to the goldsmith's. She's an experienced matchmaker and will know everything that needs to be done. And Yuanzheng, you must help Physician Xu to fix up his home before the wedding.

Qingqing listened intently. "So, how soon can we have the wedding? How long will this matchmaker person need?" she demanded. "Can we get it done by tonight?"

Scandalized, Granny Hong held up her hands in horror. "Tonight? Miss Qing, how can one have a wedding without preparing properly? Of course not. In a week's time, maybe."

"A week!" repeated Qingqing in disappointment. "And I thought we could get it over with before she wakes up. It would save her so much trouble if she wakes up with it all settled." she added under her breath regretfully.

Xiaohu poked her. "I've never had a sister but even I feel like you're taking it too far. You sound as if you can't wait to get her off your hands." he said dryly.

"I'm just doing what's best for her," snapped Qingqing. "She'll thank me later. You won't believe how annoying it is when she can't make up her mind. If you want something that terribly, then go ahead and get it, that only makes sense. Why make a fool of yourself?"

She watched Xuxian as he knelt by Bai's side, holding her hand. There was a tenderness in his face that Qingqing had not seen before, and she studied it thoughtfully.

Abruptly she went up to him and cleared her throat.

"Mr Physician."

"Yes, Miss Qing."

Qingqing cocked her head on one side, glancing at Suzhen uneasily as if afraid she could overhear them. "My sister is--not quite like other people. If you haven't already realized. We, ahem, grew up on the mountains on our own, and though she can take care of herself--believe me, she is quite capable--but she may not have the same mannerisms and behaviour as people in the town. Don't think much of it if she says or does things which seem strange. She is eager to be accepted by you, and will pick up quickly enough." She spoke carefully, watching him keenly.

Xuxian nodded, surprised. "Of course. I know that the two of you had to grow up without parents, it must have been very difficult."

Relieved, Qingqing sprang up. "Then that's settled! Now," she turned to Granny Hong with a resolute air. "Where is this matchmaker person? Let's settle it quickly. I shall see if we can't have this wedding before the week is up."