Zhоu Shаоjin sat upright on thе rоsewoоd chair in thе flоwеr hаll оf Jiа Shu Hall, аppearing to listen with а smilе as Оld Mаdаm Guаn аnd Mаdаm Wu соnvеrsed, уet her pеriрherаl gaze was fiхed on thе budding pomеgrаnаtе trее оutside the windоw.
Оriginallу, Маdam Мian wаs suрposеd tо return аfter the Lantеrn Festival, but her jоurnеу had bеen postроnеd reреаtеdlу. Nоw, it was аlrеadу mid-Aрril, and therе was still nо sign оf hеr. If Mаdаm Мiаn were homе, Zhou Shaojin wouldn’t havе had to aсcomрanу Оld Mаdam Guan to receive guests.
She remembered that in her previous life, Madam Mian had returned after the Lantern Festival and then went back to Pukou in April, after which Cousin Gao’s marriage to the Eldest Miss of the He family was settled.
Could something have changed this time?
She was deeply grateful to this cousin-in-law.
Not only was she beautiful, gentle, and generous, but she also treated Cousin Gao very well.
After the Fourth Branch was affected by her affairs, it was thanks to her efforts in mediating family matters that their situation didn’t worsen further.
As Zhou Shaojin pondered whether to write a letter to test her eldest aunt’s intentions, she suddenly felt someone gently nudging her from behind. Collecting her thoughts, she looked up to see everyone in the flower hall smiling at her.
What had happened?
She couldn’t help but feel a surge of anxiety, just as Chunwan’s faint, mosquito-like voice reached her ears: "Eldest Miss Wu has invited you to the Wu residence to admire the flowers."
Instantly, a flame of anger ignited in Zhou Shaojin’s heart.
In her previous life, Wu Baozhang had also invited her to admire flowers at this time. Back then, their relationship was already quite close, and Cheng Jia loved to go out and about. Wu Baozhang was also currying favor with Cheng Jia, so the two cousins went together to the Wu residence. There, they encountered Wu Baozhang’s brother, Wu Taicheng, who had also invited Cheng Yi and the Fifth Branch’s Cheng Nuo and Cheng Ju to admire flowers at the Wu residence. Wu Baozhang insisted that since they were all relatives and the spring day was so lovely, they shouldn’t be too formal and should stroll together.
Although Zhou Shaojin felt it was inappropriate, she couldn’t resist Cheng Jia’s agreement and reluctantly followed them to the rear garden.
Wu Taicheng’s eyes were fixed intently on her, yet he eagerly attended to Cheng Jia. Then there was Cheng Ju, who kept praising her beauty, calling her "little sister" left and right. That fool Cheng Yi was too busy fishing with Cheng Nuo nearby, completely oblivious to everything… Humiliated and furious, Zhou Shaojin stormed off.
Cheng Jia chased after her.
The two parted on bad terms.
Although Cheng Jia eventually returned with her to Nine Prosperities Lane, she ignored Zhou Shaojin for a long time afterward, leaving her aside while having a great time with Wu Baozhang. It was during that period that Wu Baozhang gained the favor of Second Branch’s Madam Shi, and Wu Taicheng began associating with Cheng Shi and Cheng Zheng.
"I don’t have time," Zhou Shaojin refused without a second thought.
Madam Wu’s expression darkened slightly.
Wu Baohua also furrowed her brows.
Old Madam Guan was taken aback.
Over the past year, Zhou Shaojin had hardly spoken so bluntly as she used to. Why had she suddenly reverted to such behavior?
Old Madam Guan couldn’t help but feel uneasy.
Realizing her mistake, Zhou Shaojin silently berated herself for her rashness. With a gentle smile, she said, "I have to go to Cold Green Mountain House every day to copy scriptures. I truly envy Eldest Miss Wu for being able to go out as a guest."
Madam Wu’s expression softened slightly as she smiled and asked, "How is Second Cousin’s scripture copying coming along? It’s been almost a year—hasn’t it been completed yet?"
"It should be finished by September," Zhou Shaojin replied with a smile. "I’ll have to wait until I finish copying the scriptures before I can host the three Miss Wus at home!"She could have finished copying earlier, but after Cheng Chi moved to Cold Green Mountain House, she changed her mind.
However, if by September she still hadn’t found a way to speak with Cheng Chi, she had a vague feeling that she might never get the chance again. By then, she would have to think of another plan.
Staying at Cold Green Mountain House would no longer hold any meaning!
Madam Wu sighed with admiration, "Second Cousin truly has remarkable composure. If it were anyone else, they might have handed the sutra copying to someone else!"
Old Madam Guan smiled and nodded, clearly pleased.
Madam Wu then said with a laugh, "As I reminisce with you about old times, these young ladies must be growing restless. I think it would be best for Second Cousin to take them for a stroll in the garden."
This indicated she had something to discuss privately with Old Madam Guan.
Zhou Shaojin led Wu Baozhang and her sisters toward the garden.
Along the way, she smiled at Wu Baohua and whispered to her, "Last time, I heard your sister was to be engaged to the Third Master of the Liu family. What happened? Has the wedding date not been set yet? I see your sister still accompanies Madam Wu on social visits. Is the wedding still far off?"
On the springtime forest path, even the chirping of birds carried far.
The Wu sisters were taken aback.
Although the matter had been quickly suppressed by the Wu and Liu families, most respectable households in Jinling were aware of it. Was Zhou Shaojin asking so bluntly because, secluded in the inner chambers, no one had informed her? Or was it to humiliate the Wu family?
Wu Baohua quickly dismissed the latter possibility.
Given the current relationship between the Cheng and Wu families, Zhou Shaojin shouldn’t act that way. Moreover, if Zhou Shaojin intended to humiliate the Wu family, she could have chosen a different occasion or asked Wu Baozhang directly in a loud voice. Instead, she chose to whisper to her...
Wu Baozhang, however, felt her blood boil with anger. She had decided to forget what happened at the Second Branch’s ancestral birthday celebration, never expecting Zhou Shaojin to bring it up again.
She couldn’t help but glance around.
Wu Baozhi walked behind her, while Zhou Shaojin and Wu Baohua were ahead. The maids and servants followed at a distance.
Suppressing her fury, she said coldly, "Second Cousin, matters of marriage are decided by parents and matchmakers. I don’t know where you heard such rumors, but my parents have never mentioned this engagement to me. Second Cousin, you speak too freely."
Zhou Shaojin widened her eyes, looking utterly surprised. She hesitated for a moment before saying, "Shall we go sit at the Water Pavilion by the lake? The view there is quite lovely."
Having sealed the loophole in the Fifth Branch and with Cheng Xu no longer a threat, the Cheng family remained a safe place for her.
Wu Baohua and the others naturally had no objections.
The group made their way to the Water Pavilion.
Seeing Wu Baozhang’s livid expression, Wu Baohua had a sudden thought and quietly apologized to Zhou Shaojin, "My sister hasn’t been in a good mood lately. If she said anything inappropriate, please don’t take it to heart, Second Cousin."
Zhou Shaojin realized Wu Baohua was quite clever.
How well she phrased it!
Wu Baozhang denied the engagement, and Wu Baohua attributed it to her being in a bad mood.
What could have put her in such a state?
That left room for imagination.
Zhou Shaojin deeply disliked Wu Baozhang. This dislike wasn’t solely due to Wu Baozhang’s actions in her previous life but also because every time Wu Baozhang appeared, her actions stirred memories of those unpleasant past events, like a lingering ghost that dampened her spirits.She hoped Wu Baozhang would marry soon, staying far away from her and never appearing in her life again.
Zhou Shaojin decided to test Wu Baohua.
She said softly, "Has something unexpected happened? I truly didn’t mean it just now." As she spoke, she glanced at Wu Baozhang.
Usually, at such times, the person being spoken to would comfort Zhou Shaojin and change the subject. But Wu Baohua smiled bitterly and said, "Second Cousin might not know yet, right? The Liu family did propose to our family. My elder sister didn’t say much, but my elder brother, disliking that the other party was a widower, didn’t even consult our father and beat him up..."
"Second Sister, what nonsense are you talking about?" Wu Baozhang’s face turned pale upon hearing this. She never dreamed that Wu Baohua, who always emphasized "the greater good," would say such things. She jumped up and tried to pull Wu Baohua’s arm.
Whether intentional or not, Wu Baohua took two large steps forward, just avoiding Wu Baozhang, and said, "Elder Sister, there’s no one else here. Besides, this matter has long spread throughout Jinling City. Even if I don’t say it, Second Cousin will find out sooner or later. Rather than letting Second Cousin hear exaggerated versions from others, it’s better for us to tell her directly. That way, if someone gossips in front of Second Cousin someday, she can defend us..."
Wu Baozhang felt like a mouse trapped in a pot, wishing she could tear Wu Baohua apart.
Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but glance at Wu Baohua.
Wu Baohua happened to look back at her.
Their eyes met, and they exchanged a knowing, meaningful smile.
So, the Second Miss of the Cheng family was targeting Wu Baozhang.
Though she didn’t know why, this situation was ultimately advantageous for her.
Wu Baohua pondered.
It seemed her memories from her previous life were correct. Wu Baohua and Wu Baozhang were as incompatible as fire and water, utterly impossible to reconcile.
Zhou Shaojin thought.
The two of them, as if by mutual agreement, stepped apart to the right and left, creating distance as if to draw a clear line.
※
After seeing off Madam Wu, Madam Mian returned.
Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao arrives.
In her last letter, Madam Mian had said she wouldn’t return until after the Dragon Boat Festival.
Zhou Shaojin, both surprised and delighted, followed her sister to greet her.
With Cheng Gao’s support, Madam Mian stepped out of the sedan chair. Though her face was full of exhaustion, it couldn’t hide the joy in her expression.
The marriage must have been settled, right?
Zhou Shaojin guessed to herself.
When Madam Mian spoke with Old Madam Guan, she pricked up her ears to listen.
However, after Madam Mian gave the local gifts she had brought for the Zhou Shaojin sisters, Old Madam Guan sent them back to their rooms to rest.
Zhou Shaojin groaned inwardly and dragged her sister early the next morning to pay respects to Old Madam Guan.
Old Madam Guan smiled and told them that Cheng Gao was about to become engaged to the eldest daughter of the He family.
Zhou Shaojin, who already knew the outcome, took it rather calmly, but Zhou Chujin nervously asked, "Has Auntie met the eldest daughter of the He family? What is her temperament like? Is she good-looking? What does Cousin Gao say?"The eldest grandson is getting married, and Old Madam Guan is overjoyed. She chuckled and said, "The reason your eldest aunt stayed in Pukou for so long was to carefully observe the temperament of the He family's eldest young lady. This marriage was decided by the He family's old master, who only gave his approval after evaluating your cousin Gao's studies. It truly is a perfect match!"
Zhou Chujin breathed a sigh of relief.
Zhou Shaojin watched and smiled with pursed lips.
Just then, Madam Mian entered.
Seeing Zhou Shaojin’s radiant smile, she felt indescribably happy inside.
With the eldest son supporting the family and the He family’s eldest young lady being dignified and virtuous, in another two years, once Cheng Yi marries Shaojin, she can peacefully stay at home, enjoying the joys of grandchildren!
She took Zhou Chujin’s hand but spoke to Zhou Shaojin, "I’ve quietly observed the He family’s eldest young lady for a long time. She’s a sensible child and will surely get along well with all of you once she enters our household."
※
Sisters, here is today’s bonus update.
This is a draft; I’ll correct any typos right away.
※ (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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