Oncе а daughter is mаrried off, shе bесоmеs рart of аnother family, but a son must uрhоld the fаmily's rерutаtiоn and tаkе сhаrgе of thе household, inеvitаbly lеading to irreсoncilаble cоnfliсts оf intеrеst with а stеpmothеr.
Тhus, Mаmа Li аlso fеlt that hеr уoung mistress shоuld еndure it, аnd things would improvе once thе twо уoung lаdies were mаrriеd оff.
Bеfоrе соming, shе had mеntаlly рreрared hеrself—nо mаttеr what thе tеmреraments of thе two Zhou sisters were likе, even if theу spat in hеr faсе, she wоuld have to smile, endure, and respect them without complaint.
Unexpectedly, both young ladies were well-bred daughters of noble families, speaking and acting with grace and courtesy. No wonder the master was willing to marry his daughter into this family—just based on the demeanor of these two young ladies, they were more refined than the daughters of typical provincial graduates or imperial scholars. This couldn't help but stir a sense of admiration in her.
Upon hearing Mama Li's words, Madam Li quickly said, "That goes without saying. But I wonder what the two young ladies like to eat? Later, go ask Madam Ma Fushan. She has dealt with the two young ladies for years, and she is likely the most familiar with them in the Zhou family." After a moment's thought, she added, "When you go, take two gold hairpins with you. It never hurts to be generous with gifts."
The Li family was extremely satisfied with this marriage. The dowry alone amounted to twenty thousand taels of silver, not to mention that Madam Li's father supplemented her with three thousand taels of private money every year—Madam Li never lacked for silver. For this return, she had five hundred taels of silver cast into ingots just for rewarding people.
Understanding her mistress's intention, Mama Li went to find Madam Ma Fushan.
Thus, by the time Zhou Chujin and Zhou Shaojin had settled in and freshened up, the kitchen sent over some pear soup with rock sugar.
"The kitchen said," Chunwan, who brought in the pear soup, explained, "it's too late today to prepare anything else, as they were afraid it might not agree with the young ladies. Tomorrow evening, they'll switch to lotus seed, lily, and red bean soup."
Zhou Chujin nodded.
Zhou Shaojin picked up her bowl and took a few sips.
She had been feeling a bit of dryness in her throat these past few days.
The pear soup with rock sugar was refreshingly sweet and served at just the right temperature.
"Delicious!" Zhou Shaojin praised. Seeing her sister sitting still without touching hers, she said, "Sister, drink yours quickly. Once it cools, it won't taste as good."
Zhou Chujin tapped Zhou Shaojin on the forehead and chided, "What a silly girl, with such a clever face but no sense."
Huh!
It had been over a decade since Zhou Shaojin last heard her sister say that to her.
In her previous life, whenever she did something wrong, her sister would always scold her like this.
What had she done wrong this time?
Zhou Shaojin carefully recalled the events of the day. Apart from wandering around the second household like a country bumpkin visiting the city, she couldn't think of anything she had done wrong.
Seeing her still looking clueless, Zhou Chujin sighed and shook her head. Noticing that aside from Chixiang, who was making their beds, there was no one else in the room, she lowered her voice and said, "Think about it. We've only just returned, and the kitchen already knows what we usually eat. If Madam hadn't returned with Father, and Madam Ma Fushan were in charge, this wouldn't be surprising. But now that Madam has returned, Madam Ma Fushan can't make decisions. Yet the kitchen responded so quickly... Our new Madam is likely not as simple as she seems."Zhou Shaojin set down her bowl and smiled, saying, "Sister, please set your mind at ease. As long as Father is on our side, Madam won’t cause trouble. Even if she does, with the two of us, are we afraid of her? Perhaps Madam simply wants to get along well with us? Harmony in the family leads to prosperity in all things. Who would want constant turmoil at home? If she treats us well, we’ll accept her kindness. After Sister goes to Zhenjiang, I’ll only stay at home for two or three years at most. I believe Madam is a sensible person."
Zhou Chujin was taken aback, then laughed, saying, "I can’t tell if you’re truly naive or just pretending. You’re right—after all, we’ll only be with her for a few days. As long as we keep up appearances, that’s enough. We don’t want to upset Father."
"Exactly, exactly," Zhou Shaojin urged cheerfully as she handed Zhou Chujin the rock sugar and pear soup. "This rock sugar is excellent—perhaps Madam brought it from Nanchang!"
Zhou Chujin took a sip. It was sweet but not cloying, truly made from fine ingredients.
She instructed Chixiang, "I remember Grandmother had Eldest Uncle pack two boxes of Suzhou-style pastries for us. Take them to Madam and say that we sisters thank her."
Chixiang left with a smile.
Zhou Shaojin and her sister rinsed their mouths and retired for the night.
The next day, before dawn, they were awakened by Madam Ma Fushan: "We’re going to pay respects at the ancestral graves. Don’t be late, young ladies."
Zhou Shaojin and Zhou Chujin got up and dressed.
Zhou Zhen’s grandfather had purchased a burial plot at the foot of Qinglong Mountain east of Jinling City, moving the graves of his great-grandparents, grandparents, and parents there. This became the Zhou family’s ancestral burial ground.
They first took sedan chairs to Baixia Bridge, then boarded a boat from Yanque Lake to Qinglong Mountain.
After breakfast, as the sky brightened, Zhou Shaojin and her sister went to the study to pay their respects to their father and Madam Li.
Zhou Zhen was already prepared, chatting with Ma Fushan in the flower garden in front of the study while waiting for his daughters. When he saw them, he immediately smiled and said, "You’re wearing so much—be careful not to overheat later."
The weather had already turned cool in the mornings and evenings but remained warm at noon.
Zhou Shaojin wore a robe in lotus purple with a pattern of four persimmons, while Zhou Chujin wore one in moon-white with a honeysuckle and grape motif.
Zhou Chujin smiled and said, "My sister has a weak constitution and can’t handle the cold. We’ve also brought vests to change into when it gets warm at noon."
Zhou Zhen nodded and said, "Come, I have something for both of you."
Zhou Shaojin and her sister followed Zhou Zhen into the study.
Zhou Zhen took out two small boxes, exquisitely carved from yellow pearwood.
Remembering the gifts Madam Li had given her and her sister the day before—a set of ruby jewelry and a set of sapphire jewelry—Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but ask, "What are these?"
A flicker of mischief flashed in Zhou Zhen’s eyes as he said, "Guess!"
He seemed like a playful, grown child.
Suddenly, Zhou Shaojin felt her father was very dear, instantly closing the distance between them.
She gently weighed the box in her hand, thought for a moment, and mused, "Could it be a seal?"
In her past life, she had heard from someone that her father seemed to enjoy collecting seals and was skilled in seal carving.Zhou Zhen saw her tilting her head, her clear black-and-white eyes blinking. It was exactly like how Madam Zhuang looked when she was thinking, and he was already quite delighted. Hearing her guess correctly, he thought of Madam Zhuang’s fondness for ancient bronzes and stone artifacts during her lifetime, which made him even happier. He scooped Zhou Shaojin up in his arms and said, "You little clever one, nothing can stump you. It is indeed a seal, one I carved for you and your sister. One is engraved with 'Duanyi,' and the other with 'Xiyan.' For you to use in the future."
Zhou Shaojin, having lived two lifetimes, had never been picked up like this before. Her body stiffened, her face flushed, and she dared not move a muscle.
Fortunately, Zhou Zhen soon sensed the inappropriateness.
Shaojin was already twelve years old, not two.
He set Zhou Shaojin down.
Zhou Chujin watched with a giggle. Happily, she went to open the box.
The bloodstone seal, its vivid crimson hue as if splashed on, was carved with an auspicious cloud knob and engraved with the characters "Duanyi" in Qin clerical script. The calligraphy was majestic yet fluid, and both the seal and the engraving were extraordinary pieces. It was truly rare.
Zhou Chujin liked it immensely, thanking Zhou Zhen repeatedly. She held it in her hand, examining it over and over.
Zhou Shaojin’s seal was the same as Zhou Chujin’s, except it was engraved with the characters "Xiyan."
She wasn’t particularly fond of bloodstone, finding its red color as vivid as blood somewhat alarming. However, the seal was perfectly square, only about three fen in size but two cun long, reminding her of the private seal Liao Zhangying wore on her person. She thought it would be quite nice if she, too, someday published a copybook like Liao Zhangying and used this private seal to stamp it. She also happily thanked her father.
Madam Ma Fushan entered and said, "The mistress has already finished her breakfast."
Zhou Zhen then said, "Then let us set off!"
Madam Ma Fushan went to relay the message, and Zhou Zhen led his two daughters out of the study.
Madam Li, supported by Mama Li, stood under the corridor. Seeing Zhou Zhen and his two daughters approaching, she hurried forward to greet Zhou Zhen.
Zhou Zhen stopped her, preventing her from bowing, and said, "There are no outsiders here; there’s no need for such formality."
Madam Li smiled in agreement, greeted Zhou Shaojin and her sister, and then followed meekly behind Zhou Zhen to the sedan chair hall.
Zhou Zhen was often away on official duties. Although the Zhou family had a sedan chair, it had not been used for many years and was in disrepair. He had originally intended to hire several sedan chairs, but Cheng Mian had already thought of it and considerately suggested using the sedan chairs from Nine Prosperities Lane to take them there and back.
Ma Fushan tipped the sedan bearers.
Zhou Zhen asked Zhou Chujin and Zhou Shaojin, "Will you ride together or separately?"
"Naturally, together!" the sisters said in unison.
Zhou Zhen laughed again and instructed Ma Fushan, "Place the snack box I had you prepare yesterday in the sedan chairs of the Eldest Miss and Second Miss."
Madam Ma Fushan smiled and acknowledged the order.
They boarded the sedan chairs.
Once the sedan chairs were lifted, Zhou Shaojin opened the snack box. It was filled with crisp candy, winter melon strips, candied dates, rice cakes, lucky persimmons, rose cakes... a full box, all from Qifangzhai.
Zhou Shaojin felt her father was truly... quite thoughtful.
She lifted the sedan curtain and looked ahead.
Her father’s green woolen sedan chair swayed as it moved forward, yet it made her feel very secure.
Once aboard the boat, Zhou Zhen pointed out the scenery along the way and shared historical anecdotes, captivating not only the Zhou sisters but also Madam Li.
Zhou Shaojin asked her father, "Did you see Uncle Chi when you went to the main branch yesterday? Why didn’t he come over for dinner in the afternoon?"Zhou Zhen found it a bit odd that his younger daughter would ask about Cheng Chi, but then he thought about how she had been copying scriptures in Cold Green Mountain House these past days and must have had frequent contact with Cheng Chi. Without dwelling on it further, he smiled and said, "I did see Fourth Master Chi, but he seemed quite busy. I only exchanged a few words with him before taking my leave. I hadn’t expected you two to stay at the main house for so long. I heard you even met Old Madam Guo?" Intending to elevate his daughters in front of Madam Li, he chuckled, "Old Madam Guo stopped receiving guests several years ago. It seems I’ve come back this time basking in the reflected glory of Chujin and Shaojin! Otherwise, how would we have gotten such a fine boat to travel on?"
The boat they were on also belonged to the Cheng family.
Zhou Chujin understood her father’s intention and smiled with pursed lips.
Zhou Shaojin, however, was wondering why Cheng Chi hadn’t attended the banquet at Jia Shu Hall. Since her father hadn’t given her a clear answer, she felt it inappropriate to ask further... No wonder in her previous life, Cheng Chi had been like an invisible presence—she had lived in the Cheng household for over a decade yet never once encountered him.
Could it be that he didn’t participate in ancestral worship either?
Zhou Shaojin thought to herself, feeling a wave of embarrassment.
The Cheng family’s ancestral worship seemed unrelated to her, so naturally, she wouldn’t have known whether Cheng Chi had been present or not.
By the time the ancestral worship concluded, it was already past noon. Zhou Shaojin and the others hastily had lunch on the boat, and by the time they returned to Jinling City, the sun was setting in the west.
※
Sisters, here’s today’s bonus update!
o(n_n)o~
※ (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please vote to recommend it or cast a monthly vote. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
!!
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