As our story continues Mama placed her hands firmly on her daughter's shoulders and led her out of the bedroom. Catching sight of her father she wheeled around, greeted him coldly and turned to Mama. "Dad's got nothing to say, so why did you bring me out?" she asked. Squire Hu was dumbstruck at seeing his daughter standing there alive as she could be. He then received quite a bit of severe criticism and scolding from his wife, and passed the night in nervous bewilderment.

Next morning he rose early and went right to the woodshed for a look. The sight that greeted him there made him gasp in panic. For he saw only the long butcher's knife lying to one side, with the sliced-off head of a broomstick and its lower part lying there on the floor, seperated by its blade. "It was only yesterday that I did the act and I remember it so clearly!" he thought. "How could it have been only a broomstick? With her being a witch capable of all these strange tricks, why, there's going to be no destroying her. I'd best figure out some way to get her out of my household and fast!"

After hesitating for an entire day the Squire finally brought it up with Mama over dinner. "Folks expect young men to seek a wife and young women to be married off," he began. "Yong'r is all grown up and just keeping her here at home is no long term arrangement. She's got to do something with the rest of her life."

His wife was indignant at first. "Our home and business are all being carried on her shoulders for now. We can't simply push her out!" Mama then thought of a possibility. "On the other hand, we have only her... so if we found a young man to marry into our family and take our name we'd have another child helping us out!"

"Mama!" said the delighted Squire. "That's just what I've had in mind all along! Problem is, our daughter's been spoiled ever since childhood and she's fond of playing all the time." He then sent the maid away and told his wife in private all about the battle between those bean men and horses in the woodshed. "If that activity of hers falls under somone's scrutiny and the word gets out, you and I will be put to death! Better to arrange a little romance for her and send her out as a bride to live with her in-laws for awhile, really far from us where she'll have to watch her step. Then in a few years when she's grown out of it we can invite them to come live with us. They're sure to take advantage of that!"

"Yes," said Mama, persuaded; "it does look that way." And so next day at dawn an employee was sent over to a residential lane in the next street to summon a couple of matchmakers who lived there. Before long he returned with the two old women, and here is a poem about the ways of matchmakers entitled "Flying Above the Clouds":

Now one of those two matchmakers was known as the gabby Every Auntie Zhang and the other was called the silent Every Auntie Li, and together they pretty much characterized all matchmakers who have ever lived anywhere. They arrived in front of the family hall and greeted the Squire and Mama, who invited them to sit for tea. And when tea was finished wine was set out for their enjoyment.

"Tell me," said Every Auntie Zhang, standing impatiently, "Why have you sent for us?"

"Be seated," answered the Squire. "Haven't you two seen our daughter yet?"

"Oooh," said Every Auntie Zhang, "we saw her earlier. What a fine looking young woman!"

"She's our only daughter, nineteen years old and I'm seeking a husband for her. That's why I called especially for you ladies."

"Good Squire and Mama, it's wonderful how you look after your daughter! Now we know you want to find a mate for her, but do you want to bring the husband in or marry the girl out?"

"I only want to marry her off"

"Well then," said Every Auntie Li, "in that case there are matches to be had."

The Squire then took out two lumps of silver.

"Here's a little advance money for you two to get started with. When you make a match there'll be lots more coming."

"We haven't even lifted a finger yet"....."How can we take your money?" said the two women in quick order even as Every Auntie Zhang took the cash with some words of thanks, placing it in her purse to be weighed and divided up later.

"Let's go and start talking it up to all the rich good folks we know!" she said as they set out.

"Just when the choices seem so few, look at the miracles we can do!" added Auntie Li.

"That's right!" said Every Auntie Li, "I report to you all that I've done, and you likewise tell all to me."

The two then went their separate ways as planned. "Squire Zhang with the big shop in West Market Street is seeking a nice bride for his seventeen-year-old son," thought Auntie Zhang. "Only the boy might not like the Hu girl's being two years older. Still," she continued, "whatever the outcome there's no harm in going over for a few cakes and a round of wine!"

A short while later she arrived at the Zhangs' residence. "What brings you to my home?" asked Squire Zhang upon seeing the old matchmaker.

"So many matchmakers have come and gone, all for naught. Praytell, who's daughter is it this time?"

"The big silk merchant Squire Hu's daughter, a really fine looking and lovely girl."

Oh, yes, I've seen her at the Pond of Golden Brightness. She's really quite a number! Only I wonder about her age..."

"She's nineteen and an only child."

"Squire Hu wants to marry her out, in fact!"

Now Squire Zhang was truly delighted to hear this. He ordered up some wine and sat with her for the customary three rounds, then presented her with an ounce of silver.

"If a marriage results there'll be more compensation coming!" he said gleefully, as Every Auntie Zhang took the money, thanked him and left. Having drunk both families wine, thoughts rushed through her mind.

"This was a good day's work. Everything went so smoothly, and now those two seem headed for a successful match. Tomorrow I'll get up before dawn and head over to Squire Hu's to talk it over. No need to tell good old Auntie Li!"

In fact, our old reliable Auntie Li had some thoughts of her own, having just that very day visited the home of the fabulously wealthy Squire Tang.

"He's got a twenty-one-year-old son who was once engaged to the wealthy Xu family's girl. But they didn't tie the knot because the young lady was afflicted with tuberculosis and passed away just a month after the New Year, and now the young Master Tang is again asking for a wife." And so Every Auntie Zhang strolled right up to Squire Tang's gate just in time to find him sitting right there; they were well acquainted and he greeted her warmly.

"Why, what brings you around, Every Auntie Li?"

"I've come to discuss something with you."

"Well, well, if you've got something to tell me let's go inside!" They entered the family hall and sat.

"Is the young master home?" asked Auntie Li.

"He's still out picking up some merchandise."

"Are there any other marriage prospects now that the Xu girl has passed away?"

"Nobody as of yet. If you hear of someone with a good head on her shoulders we'll be able to make a match, that's for sure!"

"I've got one that he's certain to take a fancy to!"

"And who's girl might she be?"

"It's the nineteen-year-old daughter of Squire Hu, the one with the silk shop."

"Hah! I know the girl! She's really a clever one at that! Back when Squire Hu opened his new shop we paid a call to him and he invited us in to meet her and chat. Much as we were delighted we couldn't take him up on it because of my son's engagement to the Xu girl. I wonder if he's still interested...could that be why you're here, Auntie?"

"Yesterday he summoned me and gave me two ounces of silver and three glasses of wine, and told me how he wanted to marry his daughter out to some wealthy family. That's why I've come, all right!"

Squire Tang was totally delighted to hear all this, calling for some wine to be served and presenting her with an ounce of silver. "There'll be more compensation after the wedding!" he said. "If any problems arise let's do our best to solve them, by gosh!"

Every Auntie Li thanked Squire Tang and went out, feeling ever so happy the entire way home. She reckoned that she ought to conceal the entire matter from that noisy and impulsive colleague of hers, Every Auntie Zhang, and simply handle it all herself upon the morrow.

And so bright and early next morning Squire Hu's door opened to greet Every Auntie Zhang, first to arrive. But before she entered someone far in the distance caught her sight. Why, it looked like none other than Every Auntie Li, and headed her way at that!

"I'd better hide and see just where the old hag is headed, up and about so early!" she thought, watching as Every Auntie Li came right up to Squire Hu's gate, spotted her colleague and rushed inside to join her with a nod in greeting. Now, wasn't it just like an insomniac to get the jump on an early riser! They were indeed shocked for a moment but then merely feigned disinterest.

"What did you come here to talk about?" asked Every Auntie Zhang.

"Figuring you were here I just came over to keep you company!"

"I also had an idea that you'd be showing up! That's why I was here waiting for you!" The two then had a good laugh.

"Admit it, sister!" said Every Auntie Li, "Haven't you already bagged a groom on your own?"

"Oh all right, no use trying to hide it from you. One with a first class head on his shoulders. It's nearly a sure thing!"

"And which family is he from?"

"It's the seventeen-year-old dreamboat son of the grand emporium owner, Squire Zhang!"

"Sister, don't be silly! I always say 'If the elder is the boy, the pair will have a life of joy'. I'm afraid that a little dove who's two years younger than her mate won't quite suite this family!"

"Now you just shut your mouth!" snapped Every Auntie Zhang. "Folks always say 'A wife that's older by a year means meals always will be near!' And then there's 'If the bride is two years older, market profits will be bolder!' And then, well, you know the rest: 'A wife three years up on her spouse ensures they'll have a growing house!' Now this girl is two years older, so that means prosperity. How can anything be wrong with that?"

"I've found one that has him all beat! It's none other than the rich financier Squire Tang's young master. Bride and groom both the sole heirs of their families! They're bound to tie the knot just like that, soon as the word is out of my mouth!"

"Isn't that the brokenhearted boy who won't look at another girl since his bride-to-be died on him? What eligible girl would ever want to be a pot for that wallflower? Whatever his brains you'd best keep quiet about him if you don't want to regret it later!"

""I ought to slap your face!" seethed Auntie Li. "Of course the Squire will select my match!"

"Now, now, I'll go along with whomever he chooses and I expect you to do the same, whatever your wild ideas. We'll just drink a toast to the happy couple and call it a job as usual."

Now, the clerk in Squire Hu's shop overheard this. "That's the idea!" he chimed in. "Life is too short for arguments. But I wonder who our master will finally choose. Well, Fate was set into motion five centuries ago and there's nothing we can do about it!"

Upon hearing those words the two women went silently into the guest room and sat in waiting, and here is a poem that sums it all up:

To get on with the story, Squire Hu soon came into the foyer and sat facing the matchmakers. "You two sure are hard-working," he began. "Just yesterday I spoke and already you are here with some news."

Every Auntie Zhang didn't wait for her colleague to respond. "There's one good match and I found him all by my little old self!" she boasted. It's the seventeen-year-old prodigy of the big emporium owner, Squire Zhang. Clever as they come, at word or sum!"

Squire Hu seemed uninterested. "We've already considered that match," he countered. "Turned it down."

Every Auntie Li then spoke up. "Mine is a young master as well, from the family of the rich financier Squire Tang. Such a fine boy and fully twenty-one years of age, super clever and quick-witted and a genius at writing and arithetic. Five or six years ago you considered a marriiage with him but nothing came of it, and now here's another chance."

"And I've already turned him down as well," answered Squire Hu. "May I trouble you to look for another match?"

"How could you pass up such fine matches?" asked one of the women. "Have you consulted your wife about this?"

"I just have some little doubts about those two, and my wife can't make up her mind either." He then took out another lump of silver and gave it to them. "I shouldn't be keeping you here so early in the day. Remember, I want you to do your best to find a sincere young man who leaves me with a good impression."

The old women took the money and got up to leave. "Well," said one, "we didn't make a match this time but our getting up so early wasn't really wasted, either. I guess we really didn't try hard enough. Next time we'll play him along and have him down on his knees pleading with us." They then split the small silver ingot in half and went on their separate ways.

From that point on the two old matchmakers stuck together like a pair of waterbugs, scurrying along as one. Now to summarize in brief they had been told by Squire Hu that their fine matches had already been refused, and now they didn't know where to turn for a marriageable man. Squire Hu was generous enough, they knew, giving wine and money beforehand like that. But what would they say if he wanted nothing to do with any of their matches?

"I reckon that in the end he was just jealous of those bright young men we found," said Every Auntie Li.

"Well, we've got no one to visit today. Tell you what! Why don't we pay a call upon Squire Hu and bamboozle him out of some wine and a couple bits of silver? It'll be such fun!"

"What kind of match have you got for him?"

"Now don't you go minding that!" exclaimed Every Auntie Zhang. "Just go along with me on the joke and enjoy your wine!"

The pair arrived just in time to find Squire Hu opening his shop. "Any news of a match?" he asked.

"Squire!" exclaimed Every Auntie Zhang. "There's a Squire Jiao who also owns a silk shop, same as you. He's got a son who is so sincere and simple you won't believe it! I'm only afraid he might be a bit too much so...!"

How old is he and what does he do?"

"Everybody reckons the Jiaos' boy to be about nineteen. He still has a wetnurse to dress him and call him to meals three times a day. And he drools a bit out the corner of his mouth and doesn't know exactly what's going on, so they all call him Han'ge the Dimwit."

"That sounds fine!" answered the Squire. "See to it, will you? And you don't have to go exaggerating his virtues like that to my wife."

The matchmakers were dumbstruck. "He tosses aside the finest golden boys, and then he takes that daughter of his and marries her to a nut. Go figure!" They then drank a few rounds of wine and received two pieces of silver, thanked the Squire and left. Across the way was a tearoom, and they stopped in for a cup.

"You really are something!" laughed Every Auntie Li, "Making me sweat to hold back my laughs! I was only afraid he'd explode in rage and whip me! How dreadful that would have been!"

"Well, as we said he had turned down quite a few good matches. I was only baiting him, hoping he'd get all riled up and give us a good laugh. Who'd have guessed he'd actually go for it seriously!"

"It must have been what he really wanted!" said Every Auntie Li. "If not, why would he have given us each two pieces of silver? It's unusually generous!" And the two hastened on their way, giggling. They headed directly for the Fallen Heroes District and the home of Squire Jiao, who invited them in for tea.

"You two came through my gate chirping like a pair of crickets!" said the Squire. "Have you really brought such good news for me?"

"To tell the truth, Squire, we've just come to tipple a little wine and tell you about a marriage match for your son."

"My boy is an idiot who doesn't know the time of day. What family's daughter would want to marry him?"

"Squire Hu, another silk shop owner just like you, has got a real flower of a girl!" said Every Auntie Li. "Nineteen years old and already she's turned down so many fine young men who've come a'calling. We two have just come from speaking there on your son's behalf. Squire Hu has given his blessing to the match and sent us especially to tell you the news."

Now, Squire Jiao was visibly delighted. "There'll be lots of rewards for both of you if this match of yours really results in a marriage!" he said excitedly. The pair then drank several cups of wine and each received two lumps of silver before leaving Squire Jiao's home and returning to see Squire Hu.

"Squire Jiao was so delighted to hear of your lovely daughter!" reported Every Auntie Li. "He begs you to set an auspicious day and time for the bride to receive her gifts. The arrangements are all up to your your liking."

Squire Hu was pleased as could be to hear this and called the matchmakers to inform his Lady, who only pronounced it a miracle that the groom was a young man of such wealth and substance. It was only due to his maids' doting since childhood, she stated, that he still needed others to dress him. It would make no difference in such a wealthy home, she insisted. And so Squire Hu's wife was clearly satisfied, and the matchmakers returned to Squire Jiao and reported all of this accordingly. Now to make a long story short he then utilized the two women to carry over the bridal gifts, the live goose and family books. As his son was no help Squire Jiao prepared all these things himself. An auspicious date and time was quickly set for the marriage to be performed, and Squire Jiao and his wife called called their son's wetnurse in for instructions.

"Now that the young master has grown up and taken a wife we're making you responsible for what goes on in the marriage chamber. If you can ensure a harmonious domestic life for them, with each persevering and the girl dutifully following my boy in all things, each going along quietly with the other, we will reward you richly."

"Thank you, Squire and Lady Jiao," said the maid. "I've got the idea."

"When telling him the hows and whys," said Lady Jiao, "it'll be best to go slowly." The maid then accompanied her into the couple's new room to speak with the groom.

"Han'ge my boy! Tomorrow you are taking a wife!"

Han'ge just repeated this, word for word.

"Isn't it wonderful!" exclaimed the maid.

"Isn't it wonderful!" repeated the groom.

The nurse fell silent. "The Squire doesn't see just how hopeless this is!" she thought. "What's this fool going to do with a wife? It all boils down to bringing suffering and harm on somebody else's daughter! And that stupid Squire Hu doesn't get it either. Why, I've heard folks say that his girl is a really complete person, so bright and wise for her years, widely learned and beautiful. Who knows how it will work out, marrying her to this idiot!"

Next morning the Jiaos were busy arranging the wedding; need I say more? Come nightfall Lady Hu escorted the bride over the threshhold. Needless to say there were bows and prayers and much feasting before the Buddha. But as the wetnurse escorted Han'ge into the banquet hall Squire Hu was seized with fear. Just consider this:

That evening the wetnurse helped Han'ge through the rituals, all to no avail; none of his moves or prayers were quite what they were supposed to be. He had been accustomed to only repeating the words of others, but now he only mumbled unintelligibly. Seeing her daughter caught up in these straits Mama Hu could only pour forth a stream of uncontrolled tears.

"Old ignoramous!" she cursed beneath her breath, ever so bitterly and darkly. "Giving our own flesh and blood to this sort of man! Isn't it just the same as killing her?" Just then she raged at the two old matchmakers and started for them. Straightlaced Aunty Li jumped aside while the loudmouthed Aunty Zhang took the initiative with some words of her own.

"How impudent! You are really stepping out of line for a bride's mother!" she shouted. "All has been decided according to the rules laid down by the Squire. Just ask him and you'll understand everything. This is a happy occasion, with your elders all gathered. Now put your worries aside and look on the bright side, my Lady. Really!"

Those few lines were all it took to intimidate Lady Zhang into silence. It's indeed hard to argue with an insincere person who turns black into white with a stream of clever words. Humiliated before so many of her kinfolk she could only suffer on through the night. But next morning, with her daughter tossed out and kinsmen gone home, her anger shot up to the sky as soon as she laid eyes on the squire. Tearing out her hair and pounding her chest she cried out with all her strength to Heaven and Earth.

"What in the world are you carrying on about?" asked the squire.

"I only relied on you for everything because you were the head of our household!" blurted his wife. ""Who'd have imagined that you were just an old heartless beast! My daughter was such a fine future wife and mother and so very industrious and you turned down so many matches as lacking. Then you go an marry her to an imbecile! Where's the sense in that?"

"Squire Hu answered calmly. "If our daughter had remained at home she would have implicated us sooner or later. Even if we married her out to a clever husband, it would have led to rivalry and her revealing a few things to him and it would have leaked out. But by giving her away to an unconscious idiot like that, well, even if she leaked some secrets to him it wouldn't bring us any harm."

"Still, marrying such a fine girl to an imbecile! Haven't you gone and ruined her entire life?"

"Now that she's out of here she's in God's hands. What business is it of yours?"

All night Mama cried bitterly for her lost girl, scolding and sobbing in turn and disturbing the entire house, but alas the deed was done and no more could be said.

Now, on her wedding night Hu Yong'r watched in tears as her mother left to cry her entire way home in unspeakable sorrow. After seeing the seemingly endless flow of kinsfolk out the gate and with supper finished, at last she thanked the two old matchmakers. By then it was bedtime and she followed the wetnurse into the bedchamber. Han'ge was seated on the marriage bed. "Now go to sleep with the young maiden," the nurse instructed.

"Now go to sleep with the young maiden," repeated Han'ge.

"Now, I said to lie down and go to sleep with the nice young maiden!" admonished the nurse once more.

"Now, I said to lie down and go to sleep with the nice young maiden!" echoed Han'ge.

The nurse calmly considered the situation. "Once he starts with this it can go on for hours," she thought. "There's no point in continuing. Why not just get him and the girl ready for sleep?" She first undressed Han'ge, helping him recline on the bed and covering him with a quilt. She then looked at Yong'r. "Please, darling, get into your gown and go to bed," she gently instructed.

Upon hearing the wetnurse calling her to slumber her eyes filled with tears. "Oh mom and dad!" she lamented silently. "What kind of danger did I pose for you that you had to marry me to this unconcious fool? You've both forgotten how we all suffered in the homeless shelter, and now that you've returned to wealth and comfort you don't even feel anything for the one who made it all happen! Shame on you! Why, I understand dad's purpose in all of this. He was afraid that if I'd been married to a clever man I might have taught him a bit of whatever... So to head off that possibility he has married me to an idiot."

She then wiped her tears and called the maid to make the bed. Putting on her gown she clambored onto the bed along with Han'ge and the maid left the chamber, not to return. Yong'r gathered up her own quilt, wrapped herself in it and withdrew to one side, away from Han'ge. "This is all because I once followed Holy Auntie. I've been thrown out because of mom and dad's fears about that. All because dad hasn't got a son to rely on I have to bear being married out to this gross thing! I wonder if Holy Auntie knows about this, wherever she is."

And so she sighed and nodded off to sleep, and in a dream she met Holy Auntie riding by on a stork. And out of this comes still more... Yong'r becomes calm at heart and quietly bides the time.

It's like this: