Оld Маdаm Guаn repliеd, "Оf соursе she agreеd."
Zhоu Shaojin nоdded and did nоt рrеss furthеr.
Оld Мadam Guаn, however, found this strange аnd аsked, "Dо yоu think thаt sinсе we аrе fаmilу, wе should nаturally helр еaсh other?"
Zhou Shаojin shoоk her heаd.
Еаrliеr, in thе sесond branсh hоusehоld, thе smilе Old Мadаm Guаn had droррed whеn no one wаs around had lingеrеd in Shаojin's mind.
Нer exреriеncе frоm twо lifеtimеs hаd taught hеr thе impоrtanсe of еxрlаnаtion.
Shе hаd bееn looking for аn opportunity tо explаin to Old Мadаm Guаn why shе had been unkind to the maids of the second branch.
Perhaps Old Madam Guan would think she was scheming and thus lose her grandmother's favor; or perhaps Old Madam Guan would see that she was not just a "pretty face" and would consider her capable of reflecting on life's challenges, leading to a different view of her. Then, like her sister, she could have a say in front of her grandmother and her eldest aunt.
A fifty-fifty chance.
It was risky.
But she had to take the risk.
If she couldn't even secure a voice for herself in the fourth branch, how could she ever have a say in front of Old Madam Guo!
At worst, it would be like her previous life—estranged and treated politely by her grandmother.
That was why she had proactively brought up her speculation.
This way, she could both explain her actions to her grandmother and test the limits of her grandmother's tolerance.
So far, everything had gone smoothly.
Now, it depended on whether her answer would satisfy her grandmother.
Zhou Shaojin couldn't help feeling apprehensive, but she suppressed her unease and forced herself to smile naturally and sweetly as she said, "Not exactly. I've been copying scriptures at Cold Green Mountain House for several months now. While I can't claim to understand Old Madam Guo, I have gained some insight into her temperament. Being the head of the Cheng family is no easy task. Cousin Xu is currently in the capital, protected by Uncle Jing and watched over by the Second Elder of the main branch. He has every advantage of timing, location, and support. If he still gets overshadowed by Cousin Shi, who is far from home, then even if he becomes the head of the Cheng family with the elders' backing, he likely won't command respect. Old Madam Guo's intention, I suspect, is to use Cousin Shi as a whetstone for Cousin Xu, to see if Cousin Xu can shoulder the responsibility of being the head."
"Excellent, excellent!" Old Madam Guan's eyes shone with undisguised admiration. "I never expected someone as young and usually quiet as you to have such insight. Old Madam Guo is someone who believes in letting tigers roam the mountains. Back in the day, your Uncle Jing, while still young, followed the Guo family's elder uncle to Western Yunnan. Your Uncle Wei was also left by Old Madam Guo in Western Sichuan for a time. As for your Uncle Chi, needless to say, he studied under Elder Shao from a young age. If he didn't complete his assigned lessons, he wasn't allowed to return even for the New Year. In my life, I have always admired Old Madam Guo the most. No matter how disadvantaged the main branch was, she could quietly turn the situation around.
"Perhaps due to the excessive bloodshed of the previous dynasty, the Cheng family has always struggled with heirs. We all treat our children like the apples of our eyes, yet we forget that without proper guidance, they won't grow into proper adults. Unworthy descendants not only bring disaster to their own families but also harm others. In this regard, none of us can compare to Old Madam Guo.""Shao Jin, for your age, it is truly remarkable that you can think of these things. But you must remember, men manage external affairs while women manage internal ones. The inner courtyard is a woman's domain. In the future, besides overseeing household affairs, you will also be responsible for educating your children. You must not spoil or indulge them out of love, thinking they are a part of your own flesh. You must understand that they cannot live under your wing forever. One day, they will go out into the world and interact with others. People outside won’t care whose child they are. The stricter you are with them now, the less harm they will suffer when they go out. That is what it truly means to care for your children. Do you understand?"
Old Madam Guan’s words came from the heart.
Zhou Shaojin respectfully agreed.
Old Madam Guan smiled with satisfaction, turned, and sat down on the luohan bed, speaking gently, "However, even so, you were too harsh on that maid from the second branch."
Zhou Shaojin’s face flushed slightly.
Ever since she learned about some matters concerning the second branch, she could no longer respect them. So when a maid from the second branch spoke back to her, she couldn’t hold back...
Fortunately, Old Madam Guan did not press the matter further. Instead, she leaned forward slightly, her expression grave, and said, "Shao Jin, have you heard something in the main branch?"
Zhou Shaojin weighed her words carefully and replied, "Some things I’ve heard, some I’ve guessed. I’m not sure if they’re correct, but I’ll tell you everything. Please help me decide how I should conduct myself in the future."
Upon hearing this, Old Madam Guan gestured for her to be quiet, then asked Si’er to summon Mama Wang. She instructed Mama Wang, "I have something to discuss with Shao Jin. Please keep watch at the door for us."
Mama Wang’s expression changed slightly, and she solemnly replied, "Yes," before closing the door behind them.
Old Madam Guan then pointed to the luohan bed opposite her and said, "Sit down and speak."
Zhou Shaojin complied, sitting halfway on the luohan bed. Leaning forward, she quietly shared some of her discoveries since her rebirth with Old Madam Guan: "...The conflict between the main branch and the second branch has existed for a long time, but because of the third branch, it wasn’t apparent before... Cousin Shi’s knowledge and character are outstanding among all the cousins, yet he has never continued with the imperial examinations. I wonder if something happened in the past. The main branch and the second branch have always suppressed the third branch, preventing them from achieving success in the imperial examinations and forcing them to rely on the main and second branches to survive... But the third branch has never been content, constantly seeking ways to escape this predicament. That’s why Cousin Zheng has never been betrothed... When Duke Liangguo came to the capital, he once invited Uncle Chi to help with arrangements, but Uncle Chi refused. After that, rumors spread that Duke Liangguo’s heir had taken a liking to Cousin Jia... Perhaps the Liangguo family is aware of this feud... They wanted to get closer to the Cheng family, believing there was a chance the third branch would agree, which is why they sought to marry Cousin Jia. Although the Cheng family refused, Duke Liangguo and his heir are still in the capital, so this matter is likely not over... Now, the main branch is flourishing like flowers on brocade, with a clear line of succession, while the second branch is like the setting sun, lacking anyone capable of standing on their own. The second branch’s matriarch must be very anxious..."
At this point, she paused briefly.
That’s why, in her previous life, they had wanted to ruin Cheng Xu.
Because among the fourth generation of the main branch’s "Yan" lineage, aside from Cheng Xu, no other talents had emerged."When Father returned, the Second Branch's matriarch didn't hesitate to lower her own status, personally introducing Cousin Shi to my father... When the Min family from Fujian sent representatives, she even hosted them herself. The two branches are not far from turning against each other."
Zhou Shaojin clenched her hands into fists, saying, "I always feel that once the First and Second Branches fall out, our other three branches will inevitably be dragged in. By then, I fear all the favors accumulated over generations will have to be repaid."
Old Madam Guan lowered her eyelids, gently twisting the eighteen-bead Buddhist rosary that had somehow slipped into her hand. She remained silent.
Zhou Shaojin broke into a cold sweat.
This was something she had pondered over and over, piecing together from the experiences of two lifetimes—she didn't even know if it was correct.
Time passed bit by bit. Old Madam Guan sat there like a clay Bodhisattva, motionless as she twisted her rosary.
The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Zhou Shaojin sat upright without moving. Her throat tightened, her body stiff and aching. She couldn't help but wish someone would barge in or something would happen, grumbling inwardly: If she had known it would be like this, she should have assumed a more comfortable posture before speaking with her grandmother.
After what felt like an eternity, Old Madam Guan finally raised her head.
She looked at Zhou Shaojin and let out a long sigh. The wrinkles on her face suddenly seemed to multiply: "You child. What am I to say to you! It's fine to say these things to your grandmother, but don't mention them even to your eldest aunt. Avoid trouble from careless talk."
Grandmother believed her!
Zhou Shaojin felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
If not for the inappropriate setting, she would have leaped for joy.
"I won't tell anyone," she hastily vowed. "...I'll keep it buried in my heart."
"No need for that!" Old Madam Guan chuckled. "These matters are known to the older generation. Even the younger ones, if they pay attention, can guess some of it. What I want to discuss with you is another matter. How can you be so certain the First Branch will ultimately prevail? Think about it—to restrain Zi Chuan, the Second Branch has ensured no one can take over his affairs for at least twenty years, effectively crippling a First Branch scholar. Meanwhile, the First Branch has no one else to rely on. And in some aspects, Jiashan is actually not as capable as Youyi... If the Second Branch's matriarch lives long enough, Youyi might still have a chance. Moreover, Madam Hong of the Yi Branch has a rather notable background. What if we choose the wrong path?"
Faced with such a monumental question, Zhou Shaojin had no idea how to answer or even where to begin thinking.
But she knew that twelve years later, the Cheng family would be executed to the last member.
All these grudges and conspiracies would crumble like rotten wood under imperial authority.
Only Cheng Chi and Cheng Xu would escape.
To be precise, Cheng Chi only saved Cheng Xu.
In her previous life, the First Branch remained the victor even as she lived on silently, like an ant.
In this life, having avoided Cheng Xu's tragedy and with her warnings, there was no reason the First Branch couldn't escape.
At this thought, Zhou Shaojin shuddered.
Why did Cheng Chi only save Cheng Xu?
Was it because he lacked the ability? Or simply because Cheng Xu was the eldest grandson of the First Branch, representing the Cheng family's legacy?
She thought of Cheng Chi's aloofness and suddenly felt she vaguely understood something.
But now was not the time for deep reflection.
If she wanted the Fourth Branch to follow the First Branch, she had to make Old Madam Guan believe the First Branch would be the ultimate victor."You know about the Min family of Fujian," Zhou Shaojin said calmly. "Madam Yuan wants to arrange a marriage between Cousin Xu and a daughter of the Min family."
Old Madam Guan was taken aback. "Wasn't it said that they happened to meet Young Master Min by chance?"
"I don't know the specifics," Shaojin replied. "I only heard Madam Yuan mention it in passing." She told Old Madam Guan about how Cheng Shi had been snubbed by Young Master Min. "Think about it—why would Young Master Min offend someone for no reason?"
"If that's the case..." Old Madam Guan mused, "then the eldest branch indeed has nothing to fear..."
Is the Min family of Fujian really that powerful?
Madam Yuan believes that by allying with them, Cheng Xu could enter the cabinet and become a minister. Old Madam Guan, upon hearing that the eldest branch has the support of the Min family, assumes they will prevail... Zhou Shaojin was unconvinced.
※
Sisters, here is today's bonus update.
PS: The bonus update for Yan Guo on QQ is a bit late. Everyone can read it when they wake up tomorrow!
O(n_n)O
※ (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
!!
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