Zhоu Shаоjin hаd no ideа whаt Маdаm Mian was thinking. Shе аnd her sister smilеd and noddеd, bоth hарру for Chеng Gao. However, whеn Сheng Gаo саmе tо pау rеsреcts tо Old Madаm Guаn aftеr meeting with Chеng Mian, hе couldn’t hеlр but fееl а bit shу, whiсh made thе Zhоu sisters gigglе. Тhеir laughtеr cаusеd Cheng Gао’s faсe to flush bright red, lеaving him unsure whethеr tо stеp fоrward or retrеаt.
"Yоu two!" Оld Маdаm Guаn сhided рlаyfullу, defеnding her eldеst grandsоn. "Соme оvеr hеrе, don’t mind your сousins—they’re just haрpy for уou!"
Chеng Gaо nоdded аnd, under the amused gazes of Zhou Shaojin and Zhou Chujin, mustered the courage to sit beside Old Madam Guan.
"Once you’re engaged, you’re considered an adult. From now on, you must act with greater maturity. Besides honoring your parents and caring for your wife and children, you must also look after your younger siblings. Do you understand?" Old Madam Guan held Cheng Gao’s hand, expressing her expectations for her eldest grandson.
"Yes!" Cheng Gao stood up and respectfully bowed to Old Madam Guan.
Old Madam Guan smiled with satisfaction and then informed Cheng Gao about the engagement arrangements: "...On our side, your father has decided to invite your Uncle Chi and the eldest master of the Gu family to serve as matchmakers, with the eldest madam of the Gu family as the ‘complete fortune’ person. Your First Madam Lu will help you propose."
Zhou Shaojin was taken aback and couldn’t help but ask, "Has Uncle Chi returned?"
"No," Old Madam Guan replied without taking offense, smiling. "I visited Old Madam Guo last night, and she has already agreed."
No wonder!
Zhou Shaojin sighed inwardly with relief.
She had sent Fan Qi to keep an eye on when Cheng Chi would return home, and Fan Qi had reported to her just yesterday that he hadn’t returned yet...
But having Uncle Chi as a matchmaker...
The thought struck her as odd.
However, among the male members of the Cheng family currently at home, only Uncle Chi and the patriarch of the second branch held the prestigious title of "Two-Rank Jinshi." The patriarch of the second branch would certainly not involve himself in such matters, so it had to be Uncle Chi.
The eldest master of the Gu family was currently the head of the Gu Family Academy, but his temperament was unknown. If he were smooth and adaptable, it would be fine, but if he were rigid and pedantic, then Cheng Gao’s wedding... Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but worry for Cheng Gao just thinking about it.
After that, she barely paid attention to what else Old Madam Guan instructed Cheng Gao, only noticing that he kept nodding repeatedly.
It wasn’t until after Cheng Gao left, when Madam Mian comforted Old Madam Guan, saying, "Gao’er stayed in Pukou for some time, and everyone in my family liked him very much. Please rest assured, we won’t make things difficult for him," that Zhou Shaojin snapped back to reality.
According to etiquette, the groom-to-be was supposed to visit the bride’s family with the matchmakers when proposing.
Having lived two lives, Zhou Shaojin had been too preoccupied to manage her own wedding, and other people’s weddings were merely occasions she attended as a guest—she had never been involved in the arrangements.
Cheng Gao was like an older brother to her. With her brother getting married, she was naturally very curious.
Recalling how, in her previous life when Cheng Gao was engaged, her sister had accompanied First Madam Lu to the He family to deliver the gold hairpin, she asked Old Madam Guan, "During the ‘minor betrothal,’ can I go to Pukou with my sister and Aunt Lu?"
During the minor betrothal, the groom’s family would send a gold hairpin to the bride’s family. At this time, female relatives from the groom’s side could send someone along with the matchmakers to see the bride.
Those who went to see the bride could be the bride’s future aunts, sisters-in-law, or even younger sisters-in-law.
Zhou Shaojin and Zhou Chujin could barely be considered younger sisters-in-law.
Old Madam Guan hesitated slightly.Zhou Shaojin was too beautiful. If she went there, she would undoubtedly outshine the bride by a significant margin, and there was a fear that the He family might misunderstand this as the Cheng family deliberately trying to overshadow the bride.
Madam Mian, however, didn’t think it mattered.
What if Zhou Shaojin ended up marrying Cheng Yi? Could He Fengping avoid seeing Zhou Shaojin for the rest of her life?
Besides, she had already hinted to her sister-in-law that the two young ladies in their family were exceptionally beautiful. Her sister-in-law had even said that she should bring them over for a look. If they were truly as beautiful as she claimed, the two families could strengthen their ties by arranging a marriage between the unmarried Zhou Shaojin and her eldest nephew from her maiden family. If she hadn’t dropped that hint, her sister-in-law might have actually come to see Zhou Shaojin in person!
Madam Mian smiled and said, “Let them go! Our Shaojin is so beautiful, there’s no need to worry about others looking.”
Zhou Shaojin knew she was beautiful, but she had never felt she was more beautiful than her sister. As a result, she greatly underestimated just how beautiful she truly was. She didn’t realize what Old Madam Guan was concerned about and instead thought Old Madam Guan was worried she might be too playful and embarrass the Cheng family. Hearing Madam Mian’s words, she quickly said, “Grandmother, I promise to be obedient and stay close behind my sister.”
“Alright, you may go with your sister!” Old Madam Guan, seeing that her daughter-in-law had spoken so confidently, assumed she was sure the He family wouldn’t take offense. She didn’t even notice that she hadn’t mentioned Zhou Chujin going to deliver the gold hairpin, yet Zhou Shaojin had confidently stated that Zhou Chujin would be going.
No one else in the room noticed either.
Everyone was happily discussing Cheng Gao’s engagement when First Madam Lu arrived.
Accompanying First Madam Lu was Cheng Jia.
As soon as she entered, Cheng Jia exclaimed, “I want to go deliver the gold hairpin to Sister-in-law Gao too!”
“Don’t listen to her nonsense,” Madam Jiang said, rubbing her temples in frustration. She bowed to Old Madam Guan and added, “She just loves stirring up trouble. If she goes, who knows what kind of spectacle she’ll cause? She might even embarrass our family all the way to Pukou.”
Cheng Jia’s eyes welled up with tears of grievance upon hearing this.
Madam Mian looked at Cheng Jia, with her bright eyes and gleaming teeth, and a thought struck her. She quickly embraced Cheng Jia and said to Madam Jiang, “Sister-in-law, you’re being too harsh. Our Jia is already of marriageable age—she’s not as immature as you make her out to be.” As she spoke, she gave Madam Jiang a meaningful glance.
Only then did Madam Jiang swallow the scolding words on the tip of her tongue. She took out the engagement gift list prepared at home and handed it to Old Madam Guan, saying, “Please see if this is acceptable.”
Zhou Chujin took the list and read it word by word to Old Madam Guan.
Meanwhile, Cheng Jia had already pulled Zhou Shaojin aside to whisper to her.
She was trying to persuade Zhou Shaojin to go to Pukou with her as well.
After the long list was finally finished, Old Madam Guan praised Madam Jiang, saying she was “thorough and meticulous in her work.” Smiling, she asked Zhou Chujin to hand the list to Madam He and said, “Take another look. If there’s nothing to add or remove, prepare the gifts according to this list.”
Madam Mian was also very pleased and thanked Madam Jiang with a smile. She invited her to Autumn Embrace Pavilion for tea to discuss some specific matters.
Everyone except Old Madam Guan went to Autumn Embrace Pavilion.
On the way, Madam Mian left Zhou Shaojin and the others behind, whispering incessantly to Madam Jiang. Several times, Madam Jiang even glanced back at Cheng Jia.Cheng Jia had thought her mother was admonishing her not to be mischievous, so every time her mother glanced back, she would flash an eager smile, hoping that seeing her so eager to please would persuade her mother to agree to let her go with Zhou Shaojin to Putian to finalize the betrothal for Little Madam He.
Unexpectedly, as soon as they returned home and before she could even speak, her mother had already told her, "I can take you. But if you do even the slightest bit of improper behavior, don’t ever expect me to take you out again."
Cheng Jia was overjoyed and repeatedly assured her mother.
The next day, Madam Jiang called in a tailor to make clothes for Cheng Jia, selected a few pieces of jewelry suitable for a young girl from her own dressing case, and warned her once more. Only then did she turn her attention to the matter of Cheng Gao’s betrothal.
Cheng Jia hurried off to tell Zhou Shaojin.
Zhou Shaojin was also quite pleased, but she had no time to entertain Cheng Jia at the moment and said, "I have to go to Cold Green Mountain House to copy scriptures. We can talk in detail when I return!"
Cheng Jia glanced at the hourglass in the room and said, "It’s just past noon… Why are you going so early?"
Zhou Shaojin had a sudden inspiration and replied, "Going early means I can come back early!"
Cheng Jia didn’t suspect anything and quickly said, "Then hurry there and come back soon."
Zhou Shaojin had Shi Xiang accompany her and hurried off to Cold Green Mountain House—she had just received word. Cheng Chi had returned.
She was anxious to find out whether Jiying had returned to Cangzhou or had come back with Cheng Chi.
At Cold Green Mountain House, Huaishan was directing the servants to unload the trunks, while Cheng Chi was inside speaking with Old Madam Guo.
Zhou Shaojin slipped into the adjacent tea room.
Biyu and Zhenzhu were sitting in the tea room chatting.
Zhou Shaojin quickly asked, "Have you seen Jiying?"
"Yes!" Biyu said with a smile. "She went back to her room with a gloomy face. I called out to her, but she didn’t respond."
Zhou Shaojin’s heart sank, and she said, "Then I’ll go to the Buddha hall to copy scriptures first."
Biyu saw her out of the tea room.
Zhou Shaojin circled around from the back and entered the Liyin Pavilion.
The door to Jiying’s side room was tightly shut, and a few young maids stood helplessly under the corridor, exchanging uneasy glances.
Zhou Shaojin hurried over, nodded calmly to the young maids, and gently tapped on Jiying’s window lattice. "Jiying, it’s me. What’s wrong? Open the door!"
She thought she would have to knock a few more times, but as soon as her words fell, the window lattice creaked open.
Zhou Shaojin nearly didn’t dodge in time and almost hit her face.
But she had no time to worry about that. Jiying looked like wilted greens soaked in water—utterly listless, her eyes red and swollen. Fortunately, her tone was still calm: "You’re here! Come in and sit." With that, she went to open the door for Zhou Shaojin.
Zhou Shaojin quickly asked, "What happened?"
Jiying closed the door again and sat down with her on the luohan bed by the window, lowering her voice. "I went back and saw Jiao Ziyang. He said that although our families have called off the engagement, it was his father’s decision. He would marry no one but me. He even suggested… we elope…"
"Absolutely not!" Zhou Shaojin’s face turned pale, and she hurriedly said, "A bride with a proper betrothal is a wife; one who elopes is a concubine! You must not do something so foolish. If you truly want to marry him, you’d rather kneel and beg your parents than follow him away without a clear status."
Seeing Zhou Shaojin’s anxious expression, Jiying’s tense face finally revealed a long-absent smile."I know." Her voice remained low, yet carried a touch of softness. "I'm not foolish. Whatever he said, I took it as truth. When I heard him speak back then, I thought to myself, 'So it's because I agreed to serve your Uncle Chi as a maid for ten years that I also consented to break off the engagement. Now that I've returned, Jiao Ziyang remains unmarried, and I am still single. Rather than eloping with him as he suggested, I might as well try to persuade Jiao Ziyang's father to agree to restore our betrothal...'"
Zhou Shaojin couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, praising, "You're truly remarkable! You came up with a solution right away."
Jiying smiled faintly and said, "Guess what I discovered when I went to the Jiao family?"
Zhou Shaojin, recalling how Jiying would rather return to the Cheng family than stay at home, felt a chill in her heart and murmured, "Could it be... could it be that he's already married?"
Jiying chuckled, "Marriage is a normal thing. What's so strange about that?"
Her smile only lingered at the corners of her lips, but her gaze was icy cold, like an unsheathed sword gleaming with a chilling light.
Zhou Shaojin shivered and asked, "Then... then what happened?"
(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
PS: ※
Sisters, here's today's update.
PS: Wishing everyone a happy weekend!
Bring on the pink votes!
Doesn't this feel like asking for red envelopes during the New Year? I think it even rhymes a bit... o(n_n)o~
※
!!
OpenNovel