Zhоu Shаоjin's imрrеssiоn of her fаthеr still lingеrеd frоm their last meеting.
Аt that time, hеr father hаd аlrеаdу stоppеd caring for her. Yet, whenеvеr the imрeriаl соurt сonduсtеd mаjоr invеstigatiоns, she would pау spеcial attеntion to thе court gаzеttеs. Оnе уеar, upоn hеaring thаt hеr fаther wоuld cоmе to the саpitаl to repоrt on his duties, she wаitеd fоr four dаys in Tongzhоu bеfоre finаllу sееing him. Нiding in hеr cаrriаge, shе watсhed as hеr fathеr, surrоundеd by аttеndаnts, bоarded his own сarriage. Her fаther, just past fоrty, worе a bеаrd, loоked thin and weary, with a trace of sorrow between his brows. Though among the crowd, he appeared exceptionally lonely and isolated.
It was then that she learned about her stepmother Madam Li's scheme to eliminate the mother and keep the son, about the falling-out between her father and Madam Li, and about her half-brother named Zhou Jiajin...
But upon meeting him again, her father had transformed into an elegant and refined man, looking like a young man barely older than Cheng Shi.
The contrast was simply too great!
Zhou Shaojin felt somewhat uncertain in her heart.
Yet the man had already turned his gaze toward her and Zhou Chujin.
"Chujin, Shaojin," he called out their maiden names, and a smile overflowed uncontrollably from his eyes.
It was Father!
Only Father could smile from the depths of his heart upon seeing them.
But Zhou Shaojin... still felt somewhat awkward.
Zhou Chujin's tears immediately fell.
Choking back sobs, she called out, "Father."
Zhou Shaojin couldn't help but hesitate.
Should she also say something?
Who would have thought that as this idea flashed through her mind, Zhou Zhen had already stepped forward, lifted his robe, and knelt on one knee before Old Madam Guan.
"What are you doing?" Cheng Mian hurried forward to pull Zhou Zhen up. "Quick, get up! Get up!"
Zhou Zhen remained kneeling and said, "That Chujin and Shaojin have come this far is entirely due to the careful care of my mother-in-law, brother-in-law, and sister-in-law. I have no way to repay you, but I wish to kowtow a few times to my mother-in-law!"
"This won't do, this won't do," Old Madam Guan exclaimed upon hearing this, hurriedly stepping aside to avoid the gesture. "A man's knees are worth gold. I appreciate your sentiment. Hurry and help Uncle up!" This last sentence was directed at Cheng Mian.
Zhou Zhen insisted on kowtowing to Old Madam Guan: "A man's knees may be worth gold, yet he still kneels to heaven, earth, parents, and teachers. To me, Mother-in-law, you are like a parent who gave me a second life." With that, disregarding the dust on the ground, he kowtowed three resounding times to Old Madam Guan on the bluestone-paved pathway.
"Oh dear, oh dear!" Old Madam Guan's eyes reddened.
Though the elderly lady had toiled hard without seeking repayment, who wouldn't be delighted to receive genuine gratitude!
Old Madam Guan personally stepped forward to help Zhou Zhen up. Seeing his forehead reddened and stained with dust, and his snow-white knee-length trousers soiled, she repeatedly instructed Madam Mian: "Have the maids fetch water for Uncle to change his clothes."
Zhou Zhen's humble demeanor greatly increased Madam Mian's favorable impression of him. Before Old Madam Guan's words had even finished, she had already ordered the maids to fetch water and thoughtfully instructed one: "Bring over the new knee-length trousers that the master had made just a few days ago."
The maid responded with a smile and left.
Zhou Zhen turned sideways and beckoned toward the door.
A woman in her prime, accompanied by an elderly servant, walked over.
She was tall, appearing almost as tall as Zhou Zhen, wearing a white Hu silk standing-collar shirt under a silver-red plain cotton vest, adorned with southern pearl jewelry. Her features were elegant and dignified, and her expression was modest and gentle.The woman appeared to be in her forties, somewhat plump. With a beaming smile, she wore a lilac-colored silk robe and gilded jewelry, looking amiable and very neat.
Zhou Zhen pointed to the woman and said to Old Madam Guan, "This is my wife, Madam Li."
The servant woman then supported Madam Li as she knelt to kowtow to Old Madam Guan.
Old Madam Guan immediately noticed she was pregnant and quickly stepped forward to help Madam Li up. She chided Zhou Zhen, "Since we are family, why stand on ceremony? You’ve had difficulty having children, and it pains me to think of it. Judging by Madam’s appearance, she must be only three or four months along. How could you rush back with her in such haste?" Then she said to Madam Li, "Please, no need for such formalities! The long journey must have tired you out. Come with me to rest in my room. If you wait for these men to show you care, you’ll only suffer in silence."
The elderly woman’s gaze was affectionate, her tone sincere and kind, instantly putting Madam Li’s anxious heart at ease.
She smiled and said, "My husband often speaks of your kindness and that of Madam Mian. Since this is our first meeting, I must pay my respects to feel at ease."
At Old Madam Guan’s age, she preferred simplicity. She smiled and said, "In that case, just give me a bow of blessing. That way, you won’t feel uncomfortable."
Madam Li was naturally delighted.
She knew her husband respected his late wife’s family and held his mother-in-law, who had raised his two daughters, in high regard. If she could get along well with his late wife’s family, her husband would value her even more.
Madam Li then bowed respectfully to Old Madam Guan.
When it was Madam Mian’s turn, she smiled and said, "You can skip the formalities with me. When you give birth to the little master in your belly and bring him back for ancestral worship, we can exchange greetings then. For now, let’s just keep it on record."
Madam Li was overjoyed and felt a strong affinity for Madam Mian.
Her husband already had two daughters and was now hoping for a son. She had prayed to gods and even vowed to gild a Buddha statue, all in hopes of bearing a son.
She warmly stepped forward and linked arms with Madam Mian, saying with a lighthearted, teasing tone, "Thank you, Madam. I’ll remember this debt. Once the child is born, I’ll bring him to kowtow to you properly."
Her cheerful and playful manner lightened the atmosphere.
Old Madam Guan then called Zhou Shaojin and her sister, "You two should also kowtow to your father and stepmother."
A nimble servant woman had already placed two kneeling cushions in front of Zhou Zhen.
Zhou Zhen and Madam Li stood and accepted the bows from Zhou Chujin and Zhou Shaojin.
Madam Li’s gifts for the meeting were two small boxes.
Naturally, they could not be opened in front of everyone.
The two sisters curtsied and thanked Madam Li.
Madam Li smiled and said a few polite words.
Zhou Zhen reached out to pat his daughters’ heads but realized they had grown into young ladies, making such a gesture inappropriate.
He awkwardly withdrew his hand and smiled, looking his daughters over repeatedly.
The elder daughter wore her hair in double spiral buns adorned with gold hairpins and kingfisher feather flowers; the younger daughter wore her hair in a simple style with only a pearl hairpin. One wore willow-green clothing, the other pink, standing side by side like spring flowers and autumn moonlight... yet the younger daughter subtly outshone the elder.
Zhou Zhen couldn’t help but sigh deeply in his heart.
Shaojin was growing more and more like Madam Zhuang.He couldn't help but put his arm around Zhou Shaojin's shoulders. He asked Zhou Chujin, "You sisters haven't been mischievous and angered Old Madam and your eldest aunt, have you?"
This was the first time in her life that a man had put his arm around Zhou Shaojin's shoulders like this.
She couldn't help but stiffen slightly, seeing her sister smiling with pursed lips as she said, "We're not children anymore, how could we be mischievous and anger Grandmother and Aunt?"
Old Madam Guan also chuckled and said, "A few years ago, that might have been possible, but these past few years, both girls have been sensible and thoughtful. If they were to marry and leave in the future, my days... I don't know how difficult they would be." By the end of her words, her eyes had reddened with emotion.
"Look at you, Old Madam!" Madam Mian said, handing a handkerchief to Old Madam Guan while chiding gently, "Everything was fine, and now you bring this up again, needlessly making Uncle sad as well. Please don't say any more. Uncle has finally returned for a visit—this is a happy occasion. You should be joyful."
"It's my fault, it's my fault," Old Madam Guan said, taking the handkerchief and smiling. She turned to Zhou Zhen and Madam Li, "Let's go inside to talk."
Everyone agreed in unison. Zhou Zhen kept his arm around Zhou Shaojin as they entered the sitting room of Jia Shu Hall.
Madam Li exchanged a glance with the matron she had brought along.
Her husband had not only observed three years of mourning for Madam Zhuang but also kept her portrait hanging in his study. It went without saying that his favorite had been Madam Zhuang. However, she was still somewhat surprised by his partiality toward the daughter Madam Zhuang had left behind.
She had thought that at her husband's age, he would be hoping for her to bear a son.
It seemed she would have to be kinder to Zhou Shaojin.
Madam Li followed the others into the sitting room without showing any change in expression and took her seat according to rank.
Then she noticed that Zhou Shaojin was standing beside her husband, while Zhou Chujin stood next to Old Madam Guan.
To others, it might seem that Zhou Chujin, being older, could not be as affectionate with her father, but in Madam Li's eyes, her husband clearly favored the younger daughter more.
The maids served tea and snacks, and the maids bringing water and knee-length trousers also arrived. Cheng Mian personally accompanied Zhou Zhen to Autumn Embrace Pavilion to change clothes, while Madam Li and the others stayed in Jia Shu Hall to chat with Old Madam Guan.
Madam Li introduced the matron who had come with her to Old Madam Guan: "...She used to serve my mother and later followed me to the Zhou family. Her husband's family also shares the surname Li."
Mama Li kowtowed to Old Madam Guan and the others.
Old Madam Guan and the others gave her rewards, and Old Madam Guan asked her to serve in the room: "...Your mistress is pregnant, and as someone who serves her closely, you are more familiar with her preferences."
Mama Li respectfully agreed and stood behind Madam Li with lowered eyes and a submissive demeanor.
Everyone was not yet familiar with each other, as this was their first meeting. The conversation revolved around local customs and daily life. By the time Zhou Zhen returned after changing clothes, it was time for lunch. The meal was served in the sitting room, with one table for the men and one for the women, without a screen set up between them. Since they still had to pay respects to the Second Branch's matriarch later, Zhou Zhen and the others did not drink wine. Even so, with small dishes, cold plates, hot tea, soup, and desserts... the meal took nearly an hour, and soon it was time to pay respects to the Second Branch's matriarch.
After hastily drinking a sip of tea, Cheng Mian accompanied Zhou Zhen to the Second Branch.Madam Mian arranged for Madam Li to rest at the Autumn Embrace Pavilion, saying, "The local specialties for each household have already been delivered. Take this opportunity to lie down for a while. After Uncle meets with the Old Ancestor, I will accompany you to visit the elderly ladies, wives, and young mistresses of each household."
Madam Li smiled and said, "I’m not tired, but I wouldn’t want to disturb the elderly ladies during their afternoon rest." As she spoke, she glanced warmly at Zhou Shaojin and her sister, adding softly, "How about we go to the Autumn Embrace Pavilion for a chat instead?"
This was Madam Li’s goodwill, hoping to spend more time with Zhou Chujin and Zhou Shaojin. Old Madam Guan and Madam Mian were naturally pleased to see this.
The Zhou sisters followed Madam Mian and Madam Li to the Autumn Embrace Pavilion.
※
Today’s extra update.
o(n_n)o~
PS: an ancient term for the wife of one’s maternal uncle.
※ (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
!!
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