Madam Yan's Matchmaking Pavilion for Men

1 A Business Called Love

Author's Note: I recently finished the series "Second Male Lead to One, Male Lead to Another" so there is a free upload spot now. Since I'm not starting a new story (too far behind with edits, revisions, translations, and even writing already 😭) I've decided to use the opportunity and upload an older, finished work here on Wattpad ~

The story is called "Madam Yan's Matchmaking Pavilion". And yeah, it's still a bonafide BL story even if there's a woman in the title. In fact, you won't get to see all that much of Madam Yan 😅

Funny tidbit about the name and title: Why is she called "Madam Yan"? Because as I was writing a short bio for my website, I was like "... what am I actually doing? Oh, yeah, I am matchmaking handsome men!" and because I have zero impulse control that turned into a novel 😂

Anyway, here we go with chapter 1! I hope you'll like the story ~

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At the bank of the Fen Hua river, stood a wooden pavilion with a curved black roof and a shining plaque above the entrance facing the street. The plaque read 'Madam Yan's Matchmaking Pavilion' and from the other bank of the river, people could often see Madam Yan sitting there drinking tea with a popular bachelor that wanted to get married or a desperate mother that had trouble finding a decent daughter-in-law for her son. Madam Yan would listen to their worries and her guests would always leave with a smile. A few months later, a wedding procession would pass through the streets of the capital and an influential family would usher in a new era.

Today, people gathered on the other side of the Fen Hua river and craned their necks to get a closer look at the gentleman sitting across Madam Yan.

A woman in the back tried to shove her way through the crowd but the whole bank was already packed with people and there was no way to get through. She could only tap the shoulder of the woman in front of her. "Is it true that the person over there is General Yu?"

"How would I know?" The other woman snapped at her, turned back around and tiptoed in the hope of getting a glimpse of this legendary figure.

In the pavilion, General Yu glanced to the side. "Wouldn't it be better to relocate this conversation to the house?"

Madam Yan smiled. "But doing it here is better for my business." She vaguely motioned to the other side of the Fen Hua river. "All these women also have sons and daughters. Why would I pass up on this opportunity?"

"Are you sure you should admit to that?" General Yu furrowed his brows.

It was said that the husband of this Madam Yan was a high-ranking General but he had served in the military of their Chen country for more than ten years now and had never even heard of any 'General Yan'. So either he had long passed away or her story was as fake as his interest in marriage. Considering her attitude, the latter seemed more likely.

Madam Yan put down the teacup and folded her hands in her lap. "So, General Yu, why don't you tell me about your plans?"

"My family wants me to get married. I'll likely return to the battlefield soon so it should happen within this year."

Madam Yan glanced at the sky. It was already late June by now. In other words, this person wanted her to find a fitting match in less than six months and right after the wedding, he might leave the capital and go back to the borders. The only things he had going for him were his high status and the prestige of his family. Well, that and his appearance.

She examined him and her lips curved up. The General had exchanged his usual armor for a plain black robe, highlighting his broad shoulders and muscular arms. This way, he looked more like a martial artist than a member of an influential family. It was a good look for him though. Among the young masters and the scholars that normally frequented the capital and came to the matchmaking pavilion, he stood out. This was a man that people would inevitably look at and most women wouldn't be able to find anything to nitpick about. As for other men ... It probably depended on which way they swung.