Whаt kind оf shоw is this?
Zhou Shaоjin саlmlу tоok a steр bаck, avоiding Madаm Wu.
Маdаm Wu wаs mоmentarilу taken aback, a fliсkеr of еmbarrаssmеnt сrоssing her fасе. Shе turnеd baсk to Old Mаdаm Guan with а smile and said, "Shаojiin has rеturned, and it's gеtting lаtе. I'll hеаd bасk now and visit уоu agаin in а сouрle оf dаys!"
Old Маdam Guаn smiled and agrеed, "Very wеll," withоut рressing hеr to stay. Suрроrted bу Zhоu Shаоjin, shе рersоnаlly еscоrted Mаdam Wu оut оf Jiа Shu Hаll.
Zhоu Shаоjin then quietly аsked her grandmother, "Whаt did Madam Wu сome fоr?"
Old Маdam Guаn glanced meaningfully at Zhou Shaojin and replied with a smile, "She said that Magistrate Wu intended to marry Eldest Miss Wu to the Third Master of the Liu family as a second wife. Eldest Miss Wu refused, making a huge fuss and even inciting the eldest son of the Wu family to beat up Third Master Liu. The Liu family is not one to back down from trouble. Not only did the eldest son of the Wu family gain no advantage, but he was also beaten so badly by the Liu family that he is now bedridden. The Liu family is still not satisfied, threatening to report Magistrate Wu to the capital. Naturally, this marriage proposal fell through. However, Magistrate Wu, Eldest Miss Wu, and the eldest son all blamed her for it—Magistrate Wu accused her of failing to discipline Eldest Miss Wu properly, while Eldest Miss Wu and the eldest son claimed she had arranged the marriage behind Magistrate Wu's back. Now she's caught in the middle, with no one to turn to. After much thought, she could only come to her aunt—me—to cry her heart out."
Zhou Shaojin was astonished and asked, "Third Master Liu—is he from the Liu family on Official Street, the one known as 'Plum Mansion'?"
"Exactly," Old Madam Guan confirmed.
Zhou Shaojin pondered and said, "Does Madam Wu want you to ask someone from the eldest or second branch to mediate between their family and the Liu family?"
Old Madam Guan smiled and replied, "She didn't mention it, only saying she felt uncomfortable and came here to vent. But I suspect that's why she came. Otherwise, with Magistrate Wu busy with spring plowing, how would she have the time to visit me repeatedly?"
In her previous life, Wu Baozhang had quickly integrated into Jinling's social circle of noblewomen and earned praise, so naturally, there was no incident of her marrying as a second wife.
Zhou Shaojin smiled and asked, "What do you plan to do?"
Old Madam Guan replied with a smile, "A county magistrate is not as effective as the official in charge. We shouldn't make things too awkward with the Wu family. I'll wait to see what she says before deciding."
Zhou Shaojin nodded with a smile.
Two days later, Madam Wu indeed returned.
Besides bringing gifts, she also brought Wu Baohua and her sister.
"Shaojiin," Madam Wu greeted her with the same warmth as before, pulling Wu Baohua and Wu Baozhi forward. "I've long heard about your excellent needlework. These two daughters of mine have stayed with me in the countryside for too long. They may be clever, but they lack exposure. I brought them here today specifically, hoping you could give them some guidance in needlework." Without waiting for Zhou Shaojin to refuse, she continued, "I know you go to Cold Green Mountain House every afternoon to copy scriptures, and I wouldn't dare delay your time. In the future, if they have any embroidery work, you could just point out where improvements are needed. I thank you in advance!" As she spoke, she was about to bow to Zhou Shaojin.
If word of this got out, Zhou Shaojin would undoubtedly be labeled as "frivolous."Zhou Shaojin was furious inside. She felt that everyone in the Wu family acted this way—doing whatever they pleased without any regard for others' feelings. Wu Baozhang had spoken of Madam Wu's faults as if listing treasures, and now it seemed these flaws were learned from Madam Wu herself.
But she was no longer the Zhou Shaojin from her past life. She had learned to control her emotions and would not foolishly hand others leverage against her.
"Thank you for Madam Wu's misplaced favor," she said politely with a smile. "When it comes to needlework, our entire household cannot compare to the masters in the embroidery workshop. I am still young and dare not presume to teach. If Madam Wu does not mind, should the two Miss Wu have any questions, they may come to me, and I will take them to the embroidery workshop to consult the masters. They are renowned throughout Jiangnan—even just examining their work closely is a feast for the eyes, let alone receiving their guidance!"
Madam Wu's smile stiffened slightly.
Zhou Shaojin pretended not to notice and asked Wu Baohua with a smile, "When did you arrive? It's been some time since we last met. What have you been doing lately? Our Jing'an Study will begin classes on the second day of the second lunar month, so I'll be even busier from now on. Who are you and your sister studying with? I wonder when this studying will ever end?"
She sighed, like a young girl feigning sorrow for the sake of poetry.
Wu Baohua was the typical girl with ordinary looks but exceptional inner grace. As soon as Zhou Shaojin spoke, she understood her intention. Moreover, because Madam Wu had always aimed to raise her as a virtuous official's daughter, she only displayed her best side in front of Wu Baohua. As a result, Wu Baohua and her sister were less influenced by Madam Wu's flaws.
Seeing their mother behave this way, both sisters blushed with shame.
Wu Baohua quickly replied, "Our family has hired a female tutor. My sister and I study with her every day, though sometimes we wish for a break. We don’t have the leisure to steal moments of rest like you, Second Miss, nor do we have holidays." She decisively settled the matter, adding, "Since coming to Jinling, I’ve also heard of the embroidery workshop in Nine Prosperities Lane—it’s among the finest in all of Jiangnan. It would be an honor for my sister and me to visit, thanks to you, Second Miss. However, I’ve heard that the ancestral garments of the Cheng family’s second branch are made there. Would it be too presumptuous for us to intrude and disturb the masters at work?" After speaking, she glanced at Madam Wu.
Madam Wu immediately fell silent, as if holding her breath.
Did Madam Wu usually defer to her daughter?
Zhou Shaojin wondered inwardly but showed nothing on her face. She smiled and said, "Second Miss Wu is a guest, and as hosts, we follow the guest’s wishes. If anyone is benefiting, it is I who will have the privilege of admiring the masters’ craftsmanship in the embroidery workshop thanks to Second Miss Wu."
The implication was clear: she couldn’t visit the workshop whenever she pleased, so if Wu Baohua understood propriety, she should drop the matter of seeking needlework guidance.
Wu Baohua smiled and said, "Fortunately, we have maids at home who instruct us in needlework, so there’s no urgency. We’ll seek your advice when we encounter difficulties."
This was merely polite conversation.
Suddenly, Zhou Shaojin’s impression of Wu Baohua improved.
At least it was better than her impression of Madam Wu and Wu Baozhang.
Wu Baohua then asked with a smile, "Do you go to Cold Green Mountain House every day to copy scriptures, Second Miss? Without a single day’s break?""Copying scriptures is a matter of sincerity—how can it be interrupted?" Zhou Shaojin smiled. At first, she thought this was just an ordinary, casual remark. But when she noticed Madam Wu pricking up her ears to listen and recalled Madam Wu's earlier behavior, she immediately realized there was more to these words.
Could Madam Wu's ultimate goal be the eldest branch of the family?
What could she possibly want from them?
Zhou Shaojin privately speculated and probed, "But I have nothing to do this afternoon anyway. Going to Cold Green Mountain House to copy scriptures would also give me a chance to chat with Old Madam Guo..."
She noticed that before she even finished speaking, Madam Wu's eyes had lit up.
Zhou Shaojin glanced at Old Madam Guan.
Old Madam Guan smiled and gave her a slight nod.
She knew Old Madam Guan had also caught on. Wrapping up the conversation quickly, she excused herself to return to her room to change clothes and left Jia Shu Hall.
That evening, Old Madam Guan said to her, "Madam Wu was stammering and hesitant, only saying she had something to discuss with the eldest branch and wanted me to mediate. But she didn’t breathe a word about what it actually was!"
Zhou Shaojin was annoyed by people who treated others like fools or pawns.
She muttered quietly, "If she wants to ask for an official position for Magistrate Wu, would you really accompany her to see Old Madam Guo? That would be such a huge favor—how could our fourth branch ever repay it? I think you’d be better off using that effort on Second Uncle Yuan instead."
Old Madam Guan chuckled, pleased that she referred to herself as part of "our fourth branch." So after Zhou Shaojin left, she quietly asked Nanny Wang, "What do you think of Shaojin and Yi Ge'er?"
"I think they’d be a good match," Nanny Wang smiled. "Not only is she beautiful and filial, but she also has a good temperament and gets along well with everyone in the family. It’s just as the saying goes, 'Harmony in the family leads to prosperity in all endeavors.'"
Old Madam Guan took a sip of tea, beaming. "That’s what I think too."
A few days later, Madam Wu came again.
This time, she was alone. She spoke with Old Madam Guan in the room for a long time. When she emerged, her eyes were still red, but the gloom from her previous visits had completely vanished—she was radiant with joy. Old Madam Guan, on the other hand, was the complete opposite, her brows tightly furrowed, as if they could trap mosquitoes.
Si’er couldn’t help but worry. When Zhou Shaojin returned from Cold Green Mountain House to pay her respects to Old Madam Guan, Si’er discreetly waved her over.
Zhou Shaojin followed her to the tea room.
Si’er leaned close to her ear and recounted what had happened. Finally, she said, "Do you think Madam Wu might have threatened the old madam?"
"Unlikely," Zhou Shaojin said, though she wasn’t entirely sure. "I’ll go in later and try to gauge Grandmother’s tone. I hope it’s not the case."
Si’er nodded repeatedly and let out a deep sigh.To Zhou Shaojin's surprise, before she could even ask anything after paying her respects to Old Madam Guan, the old lady had already beckoned her to sit beside her and began explaining Madam Wu's purpose: "...She said that a close colleague of Master Wu's in the Ministry of Personnel had tipped her off—someone has taken a liking to the position of Jinling Prefect and wants to move Master Wu out. Master Wu sent his advisor to the capital to pull strings for a long time before someone hinted that it was someone from the eldest branch of our Nine Prosperities Lane who had spoken, saying they wanted someone familiar to serve as Jinling Prefect so that family matters could also be looked after. Master Wu and Madam Wu grew anxious. They visited several times but never managed to meet anyone from the eldest branch. Having no other choice, they came to us. They want us to pass a message to the eldest branch: if they've done something wrong, just say it outright, and they'll correct it immediately. Why go through the trouble of replacing the Jinling Prefect? Besides, their master's mentor, Lord Song Jingran, and the Second Old Master of the eldest branch were classmates in the same imperial examination year, so they could be considered one of our own..."
This was truly an unexpected twist!
Zhou Shaojin was stunned and said, "There's such a thing?"
Old Madam Guan smiled bitterly and replied, "Whether it's true or not, Madam Wu said that regarding Xinlan and Lanting's matters, your Uncle Mian only needed to send over a name card, and their master handled everything without a word of complaint. Even the matters in the prison, they pretended not to know. If another prefect comes, one who is familiar with the eldest branch may not necessarily be familiar with the fourth branch. Whatever the other side promises, they can promise too. So why go through all this trouble? It's inconvenient for everyone."
※
Sisters, today's extra update for pink votes!
PS: Still asking for pink votes!
※ (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
!!
OpenNovel