Сhеng Chi did not rеsроnd, but sighеd inwаrdly.
Mothеr wаs truly getting оld; despitе knоwing hе hаd nо wish tо marry, shе had begun urging him these past twо уeаrs.
Old Маdаm Guо was quitе disарроinted bу Cheng Chi's rеаctiоn, but she dared nоt say mоre, feаring thаt if shе рrеssеd tоo hard, hеr sоn might storm оff in аngеr.
Hе rarеlу visited, so shе must nоt makе him unhappу.
Adjusting her moоd, Оld Мadаm Guo smiled and аskеd, "Will уou stау fоr lunсh lаtеr?"
Hеr gаze hеld a fаint tracе of hоре.
Seеing this, Сhеng Сhi felt a pаng in his heart and could nоt help saуing, "It’s been а long timе sinсe I’vе had braised goose feet. Could you have the kitchen prepare some for me?"
"Good, good, good." A smile spread uncontrollably across Old Madam Guo’s face. She called out loudly to Zhenzhu, "Fourth Master will stay for lunch today. Go tell the kitchen to prepare braised goose feet, along with shredded mixed vegetables—go easy on the sesame oil. Fry some pieces of black carp with a bit of Sichuan chili, steam some lion’s head meatballs with extra water chestnuts, and serve crispy-skinned squab with our own five-spice powder. Also, use the mutton the Shen family sent a few days ago to make a first-class hotpot, and bring some side dishes along. For the rest, let them decide."
One by one, all were dishes to Cheng Chi’s taste.
Zhenzhu smiled and acknowledged the order. Seeing Old Madam Guo in high spirits, she deliberately tried to please her, asking, "What about wine? What shall we drink? A few days ago, Second Master sent back some Pear Blossom White, said to be tribute wine!"
"You always know how to handle things." Old Madam Guo chuckled, glanced at Cheng Chi, and said, "Today we’ll drink Jinhua wine—I’ll join in for a couple of cups too."
The senior maids in Cold Green Mountain House all knew that Old Madam Guo’s words carried weight not only in Nine Prosperities Lane but even in Apricot Grove Alley in the capital. Yet when it came to Fourth Master, her influence inevitably diminished somewhat.
Zhenzhu could not help stealing a glance at Cheng Chi.
Cheng Chi sighed helplessly in his heart, but a faint smile appeared on his face as he said, "Let’s do as my mother says. We’ll drink Jinhua wine today. Go to Hill of Clustered Cassia Courtyard and tell Nanping to bring over that painted beauty wine warmer I brought back from Quanzhou last time."
Now everyone was truly delighted.
Zhenzhu, especially, felt as if a weight had been lifted, and she left the room in high spirits.
Cheng Chi then said, "Eldest Sister-in-law isn’t home. I should have invited you to spend the New Year at my place. But you know, the path to Hill of Clustered Cassia Courtyard is hard to walk, and it’s rather desolate too. This year, I’ll just come here to freeload meals from you."
"Really!" Old Madam Guo was overjoyed, her eyes moistening as she took his hand, asking again and again in surprise and delight, "Are you telling the truth?"
Other children watched their parents’ expressions, but his mother, instead, watched his.
Cheng Chi was nearly overwhelmed by guilt, and after a long pause, he finally said, "Of course it’s true. When have I ever lied to you?""I actually wish you would deceive me more often." Old Madam Guo's eyes glistened with moisture, yet her face wore a comforting smile. "You, ah. You're just too stubborn! But then, your father was right too. If you weren't stubborn, how could you have studied so well? Do you remember when you were little, you knocked over your father's ink and insisted you were painting? Your father, wanting to humble your arrogance, handed you a paintbrush and said: 'Then finish this painting.' You were only six at the time, still practicing calligraphy. Somehow you found a landscape painting by Qiu Ying and copied it to create towering mountains and rugged peaks. Then, to save trouble, you added a few little chicks at the foot of the mountains and called it done. Your father asked you, 'In these wild mountains, where did these chicks come from?' You said, 'They escaped from home, afraid of being killed and eaten.' Your father couldn't help but laugh. He had originally intended to punish you severely, but in the end, he let it go." Sighing, she continued, "If your father were alive, he would be sixty-eight this year. Seeing you like this, he would be overjoyed! He always used to say, 'The emperor loves his eldest son, but parents dote on their youngest.' If your eldest or second brother had dared to be so mischievous when they were young, they would have been made to kneel in the corridor as punishment. But with you, he couldn't bring himself to be harsh. He was afraid he would spoil you. He also said, 'Even if he's spoiled, it doesn't matter. With his two older brothers to rely on, he'll never want for food or clothing and can do as he pleases.' Who would have thought your two brothers would now owe their good fortune to you..."
Old Madam Guo spoke, sadly wiping the corners of her eyes.
Cheng Chi could hardly remember those times with his father.
Not wanting to upset his mother, he signaled Feicui to hand her a handkerchief and gently comforted her, "Isn't this good enough? At least I didn't turn into a spoiled wastrel. You should be happy for me. So many people have to watch my expression and act accordingly!"
But that still wasn't as good as being an official!
This thought lingered on Old Madam Guo's lips, but she swallowed it back.
Suppressing the sorrow in her heart, she forced a smile, took the handkerchief, and wiped her tears. "I heard you had Nanping and the others move to Lixue Studio? Why don't you move in with me instead? The side rooms behind my quarters are still empty. If you need to come and go, you can use the northern corner gate—it won't inconvenience you at all. It would be livelier if we all lived together!"
Cheng Chi hesitated for a moment. "Let me think about it."
In the past, her son would have refused without hesitation. This time, he actually considered it, and Old Madam Guo was already quite satisfied. She quickly added, "Then think it over carefully. Jiashan won't be back for the next two years, and your eldest sister-in-law has spent little time with your eldest brother these past years. I've told her to stay for a year or so before returning. In the main household, it's just the two of us, and you're nowhere to be seen all year round..."
"I understand!" Cheng Chi said with a smile. After a moment's thought, he added, "I'm busy with inventory these days and don't have time to think about this right now. Let's talk about it after I'm done."
Not daring to press further, Old Madam Guo beamed at Cheng Chi and asked Feicui to bring her son a fresh cup of tea.
The winter sunlight slanted through the window lattice, falling on Old Madam Guo.
The silver strands mixed in with her black hair shimmered, adding to her aged appearance.
Seeing this, Cheng Chi felt a pang of sorrow.
His mother was growing old, yet she worried over his affairs, losing sleep and appetite.
But what fault was it of hers?It is merely a choice made after weighing the pros and cons.
As descendants of the Cheng family, having received its support and provisions, they must contribute to the family. If they lack even this awareness, what right do they have to enjoy the legacy left by their Cheng ancestors?
Cheng Chi couldn't help but grasp his mother's hand and said, "Mother, I'll move over in the next couple of days! It'll be perfect timing to accompany you for the Minor New Year."
"What did you say?" Old Madam Guo could hardly believe her ears. Her eyes widened like copper bells as she stared blankly at her son.
Cheng Chi felt even more distressed.
It was the unfilialness of sons like him—why should their mother have to endure such worry and fear?
He took a deep breath, and the thought of properly accompanying his mother grew clearer, more distinct, and firmer.
"I said, I'll move over tomorrow," Cheng Chi said with a smile. "This afternoon, hurry and arrange for someone to clean out the side rooms behind yours. I have quite a lot of things. The northern corner gate will probably need a sedan hall set up... I'll have Qin Zi'an take care of these..."
As he pondered, Old Madam Guo was so overjoyed she couldn't speak, only nodding repeatedly while holding her son's hand.
※
When Cheng Chi emerged from Cold Green Mountain House, Huaishan eagerly approached him.
"Fourth Master, are we... are we still leaving?" he asked cautiously.
When they returned from the capital to Jinling, the Fourth Master had stayed at Algae Garden, but he couldn't withstand Old Madam Guo sending clothes and food there daily. So, he moved back, choosing the Hill of Clustered Cassia Courtyard, which had the most difficult access. Now, the Fourth Master had decided to move into Cold Green Mountain House...
"Once a decision is made, there's no need to change it," Cheng Chi knew what he was thinking. Once news of the move to Cold Green Mountain House spread, many others would share Huaishan's concerns. He intended for Huaishan to explain everything, saying, "I'll be leaving in two years. This is an opportunity to properly show filial piety to my mother! 'A son wishes to care for his parents, but they are no longer there.' In my case, my mother is still here, yet I haven't wished to care for her. These two years will be my final act of filial devotion to her." By the end, his tone was filled with melancholy.
Huaishan softly replied, "Yes," his mood also somber.
※
In Jia Shu Hall, after seeing Zhou Shaojin off, Madam Mian spoke with Old Madam Guan about Cheng Yi: "...If everything goes smoothly and Gao'er can marry Mianzhi's cousin's daughter, I'd like to propose Shaojin for Yi'er. You've seen it too—though Shaojin appears gentle and delicate, she isn't foolish in crucial moments and can keep Yi'er in check. With her helping me watch over Gao and Yi, I'll have less to worry about."
Old Madam Guan pondered and said, "The children are still young. Uncle has just gone to Baoding and has much to attend to. The new wife is about to give birth soon. It would be better to find a suitable opportunity to bring this up with Uncle later."
"Alright!" Madam Mian agreed cheerfully. When she saw Zhou Shaojin again, her gaze became much more fervent, leaving Zhou Shaojin inwardly uneasy, unable to discern whether Madam Mian's warmth was due to her speaking up for Cheng Yi or because Madam Mian had some other request.
Fortunately, with many matters during the New Year, she didn't often run into Madam Mian. After a brief period of discomfort, she quickly relaxed. Seeing Zhou Chujin bustling around with Madam Mian, she urged the maids in her room to sweep away dust and paste up charms.
Chixiang laughed and said, "In the past, these were all the Eldest Miss's responsibilities. When did the Second Miss start managing such trivial matters?"Zhou Shaojin's face flushed red as she forced herself to appear calm, saying, "That's because you all have been rather lazy this year!"
Everyone burst into laughter.
Chixiang said with embarrassment, "Second Miss is starting to joke with us servants now."
Zhou Shaojin pursed her lips and smiled, pretending to be strict as she said, "Hurry up and clean these lattice windows. If I spot even a speck of dust, there'll be no braised pork with preserved vegetables for lunch today."
Everyone joined in the fun, teasing that Zhou Shaojin wasn't as lenient with others as Zhou Chujin was.
Zhou Shaojin paid no mind to their remarks and cheerfully made her way to the study.
Chunwan came running over and said, "Second Miss, Fan Qi has returned!"
Zhou Shaojin stood up in pleasant surprise and quickly said, "Bring him in at once!"
Chunwan turned and went to fetch Fan Qi.
He had grown a bit thinner since he left, but he had also grown taller. His demeanor carried a touch more steadiness, giving him the air of a young adult. It was clear that his three months of traveling had tempered him.
Upon seeing Zhou Shaojin, he respectfully performed a deep bow.
Zhou Shaojin noticed he was wearing a brand-new coarse cloth robe, neat and tidy, and knew he had changed into fresh clothes after returning home. She instructed Chunwan to bring a stool for him.
※
Sisters, today's 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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