Zhоu Shаоjin invitеd Маdam Fan Liu tо sit оn thе smаll stоol beside hеr, sаying, "I wish Mаma cоuld соntinuе sеrving mе! With you аnd your son always sерarаted likе this, еvеn if уou dоn’t wоrrу, I dо! I think it’s bеtter fоr both of them tо stаy with уou. How muсh harvest сan a fеw fiеlds in thе соuntrуsidе yield? It’s finе nоt to fаrm thеm!" Мadаm Fan Liu wаs dеeplу mоved.
Fоr the Secоnd Young Miss to саrе for hеr like this, it truly madе hеr уeаrs оf nursing thе Sесоnd Young Мiss wоrthwhile!
"Аs long аs the Seсond Yоung Мiss still hаs use fоr mе, I will соntinue serving yоu," Madam Fan Liu said, wiрing the cornеr of her еyе. "Вut thosе few acres of land were left by my late husband—they’re ancestral property and cannot be abandoned. I have no choice! Besides, whether my husband’s elder brother will agree to release them is uncertain. Why would I willingly give up something big for something small? Yet if I don’t protect these fields, how could I face my husband in the afterlife?"
This reasoning made sense.
Zhou Shaojin thought for a moment and said, "How about letting Lu’er stay in the hometown, while Qi’er comes with you to serve in the Zhou household? This way, we save on one mouth to feed, and he can take care of you nearby. If the harvest turns out poor, Qi’er’s monthly wages could still help support the family somewhat. Wouldn’t that be the best of both worlds?"
It was more than just the best of both worlds.
Every aspect had been considered. If this could be arranged, they would soon live a better life! Madam Fan Liu was quite tempted, but thinking that the Eldest Young Miss was in charge of the household, she hesitated slightly and said, "The Zhou family’s servants each have their fixed duties. Qi’er is still young—what could he do here? He can’t just take wages without working, can he? What would become of the household rules then?"
Zhou Shaojin only needed her agreement. As for other matters, in her view, they were not issues—if her elder sister found it inappropriate, she could use her own private savings to pay Fan Qi’s wages and explain it clearly to Ma Fushan and the others later.
In any case, she would not let Madam Fan Liu face difficulties.
"Then it’s settled," she said. "I’ll go speak with my elder sister later and have Fan Qi temporarily run errands for me. After all, I need people to attend to me."
If earlier she had only wanted to repay Madam Fan Liu’s kindness from her past life, by the time these words were spoken, Zhou Shaojin suddenly felt her idea was quite excellent.
Since she had matters she needed to keep from her elder sister, she must train a few trusted aides. Fan Qi had been capable in her past life, and Mama Fan was her wet nurse, loyal and devoted to her... There was no one more suitable than Fan Qi.
Zhou Shaojin urged Madam Fan Liu, "Mama, go back now and settle things at home, then bring Fan Qi with you." Madam Fan Liu still hesitated.
Shi Xiang entered to help Zhou Shaojin change her clothes.
"Hurry, Mama," Zhou Shaojin said to Madam Fan Liu while combing her hair. "I still need to go copy sutras for Grandmother."
Madam Fan Liu gritted her teeth, stood up briskly, and said, "I’ll return home right away and bring Qi’er to you."
If the Eldest Young Miss didn’t agree, at worst, she could have Qi’er work for the Second Young Miss without wages and save a portion from her own rations. She couldn’t let the Second Young Miss’s kindness go to waste.
Zhou Shaojin, of course, had no idea what Madam Fan Liu was thinking.
She went with her elder sister to Jia Shu Hall.Old Madam Guan was tending to a pot of evergreen when she saw the sisters arrive. She set down her scissors with a smile and said, "You’ve come—the weather is growing hotter by the day. I had Mama Wang fetch some mulberry tea from Madam Zhou. Chujin, remember to take some to the Autumn Embrace Pavilion later and share a large bowl with your eldest aunt."
Zhou Chujin agreed cheerfully. After Madam Mian arrived to pay her respects to Old Madam Guan, a maid carried the mulberry tea as they made their way to the Autumn Embrace Pavilion.
Zhou Shaojin remained in the inner room with its open windows, copying scriptures.
A gentle breeze drifted in, and when she looked up, she could see her grandmother trimming the evergreen beneath the eaves.
The crisp "snip-snip" of the scissors did not disturb her; instead, it brought a sense of peace and steadiness to her heart.
Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but smile faintly, and her brush moved even more fluidly across the paper.
But just as she finished copying a passage of scripture, a young maid came rushing in, her footsteps echoing loudly.
"Old Madam, Old Madam!" the maid panted. "The Elder Madam has arrived!"
Zhou Shaojin’s brush paused, and a drop of ink pooled on the paper.
In the Cheng family, only one person could be addressed as "Elder Madam."
Cheng Xu’s grandmother, Madam Yuan’s mother-in-law, the mother of Cheng Jing, Cheng Wei, and Cheng Chi, and the wife of Cheng Xun, who was posthumously honored as a First Rank Grand Master of Imperial Entertainments—the matriarch of the Cheng clan’s main branch: Madam Guo.
Old Madam Guan was surprised. She glanced at the sun outside and said, "Why has she come at this hour?"
"I don’t know," the maid replied nervously. "But from the Elder Madam’s demeanor, it doesn’t seem like anything is amiss."
Old Madam Guan muttered a few words under her breath and instructed the maid, "Please escort the Elder Madam to the flower hall for tea. I’ll change my clothes and join her shortly."
The maid hurried off again, her footsteps echoing once more.
Si’er helped Old Madam Guan change her clothes.
But Zhou Shaojin sat frozen, her hands and feet icy cold, unable to catch her breath for a long while.
The Jia Shu Hall of the fourth branch was adjacent to the Cold Green Mountain House of the main branch, and the Cold Green Mountain House was where Old Madam Guo resided in widowhood.
In her past life, she had only glimpsed Old Madam Guo from afar, but she knew that Madam Yuan, the youngest daughter of a grand secretary’s family, dared to argue with her husband Cheng Jing yet never dared to raise her voice in front of her mother-in-law, Old Madam Guo. This was not merely due to filial piety or the hierarchical distinction between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. According to whispers among the servants of the fourth branch, it was also because Old Madam Guo could command Madam Yuan’s respect and keep her daughter-in-law in check.
Madam Yuan came from a prestigious family, but Old Madam Guo’s background was no less distinguished—her grandfather was the last imperial examination top scholar of the previous dynasty, who rose to the positions of Heroic Hall Grand Academician and Minister of War. When Emperor Taizu attacked the capital, he was ordered to defend the city. After the city fell, he gave his life for the nation. Old Madam Guo’s grandmother stood by her husband, taking their four children and drowning herself in the river. Only Old Madam Guo’s father, Guo Yuansheng, was rescued by a loyal servant and survived. Later, Guo Yuansheng studied under the great Jiangnan scholar Gu Qinghong. Though renowned across the land for his mastery of both calligraphy and painting, he repeatedly declined imperial appointments and made a living teaching in Stone Lane of Jinling City until his death at forty-five. By then, his students were as abundant as peach and apricot blossoms, and many had become distinguished scholars.
Madam Yuan was highly respected by her husband Cheng Jing and carried herself with confidence in public. However, she bore two daughters in succession and did not give birth to her only son, Cheng Xu, until she was over thirty, finally securing the lineage for the main branch.Old Madam Guo and Cheng Xun not only enjoyed a harmonious and respectful marriage throughout their lives, but also, after passing forty, were blessed with a late-born son, Cheng Chi. Moreover, all three of their sons were successful in the imperial examinations, with the eldest, Cheng Jing, even holding a position among the minor Nine Ministers. Thus, they not only expanded the Cheng family lineage but also excelled in raising their children.
In front of her mother-in-law, Madam Yuan truly could not hold her head high or speak with confidence.
Zhou Shaojin still remembered how, when Madam Yuan humiliated her, no one could stop it. Suddenly, Old Madam Guo walked in, and Madam Yuan’s voice abruptly ceased, a flicker of panic flashing in her eyes.
She also clearly remembered the casual glance Old Madam Guo cast her way.
That gaze was filled with disdain, contempt, and indifference.
As if she were some lowly creature, unworthy of even a glance from Old Madam Guo.
Yet, it was no wonder Old Madam Guo looked down on her. The kind are bullied, and the tame are ridden. Standing there foolishly, allowing Madam Yuan to pour filth upon her—not only would someone as esteemed as Old Madam Guo despise her, but even the maidservants around Madam Yuan would look down on her, wouldn’t they?
Time seemed to return to that moment.
Embarrassment, shame, unease… all intertwined in her heart, making Zhou Shaojin wish she could slip away unnoticed.
She hunched her shoulders and lowered her head, as if that would keep others from noticing her.
But then Old Madam Guan called out to her: "Shaoji, you’ll come with me later to pay respects to the old madam!"
"Me?" Zhou Shaojin was stunned.
Truly, what one fears most always comes to pass!
"If not you, then who?" Old Madam Guan chuckled, teasing her. "Such a lovely young lady shouldn’t be cooped up at home copying scriptures all day! When guests come, it’s only natural to show you off!"
"No, no, no!" Zhou Shaojin shook her head repeatedly. "If Old Madam Guo has matters to discuss with you, wouldn’t my presence be inconvenient?"
"What’s inconvenient about it? You’re not an outsider!" Old Madam Guan laughed heartily.
Zhou Shaojin dawdled, reluctant to go. "I haven’t finished copying the scriptures yet!"
Old Madam Guan smiled. "Child, why are you so timid? If you hadn’t encountered her, it would be one thing, but since you have, you should at least go and offer your greetings!"
To refuse further would be too impolite.
Anxiously, Zhou Shaojin comforted herself: It’s just a meeting… surely it won’t matter? In her past life, before the incident, Old Madam Guo hadn’t even known who she was.
With this thought, she felt slightly reassured.
Old Madam Guan examined her attire.
A plain, light-colored robe with silver trim, a grass-green twelve-paneled skirt embroidered with honeysuckle patterns, her dark hair loosely tied in a bun, adorned only with a pair of pearl earrings. Her fingers were slender, her eyes curved gently, and her demeanor was obedient and gentle—a pleasing and agreeable sight.
This is how a young lady should be!
Old Madam Guan was extremely satisfied. "No need to redo your hair; this will do."
Si'er and the others responded with smiles, then gathered around Old Madam Guan and Zhou Shaojin as they went out to greet the guests.
Old Madam Guo was already over sixty, her hair entirely silver. She wore a lilac robe patterned with phoenix-eye clusters, with emerald earrings the size of lotus seeds dangling from her ears and an emerald ring as large as a pigeon’s egg on her finger. Her expression was stern, her presence imposing, making the maids and servants adorned in gold and silver around her seem like mere cosmetics—their features blurred and indistinct.
Zhou Shaojin grew nervous after just one glance.
She lowered her eyelids and followed carefully behind Old Madam Guan.Old Madam Guan smiled and stepped forward, taking Old Madam Guo's hand, saying, "What brings you here today? I heard Xiao Jie'er is with child? I was just about to go to your place to confirm the news!"
Cheng Xu's eldest sister, Cheng Zheng, married Gu Xu, the son of Hanlin Academy scholar Gu Shun; his second sister, Cheng Xiao, married Cheng Xu's cousin Yuan Ming. Cheng Zheng already had two sons, while Cheng Xiao had been married for three years without any news, leaving Madam Yuan worried and even the fourth household had heard about it. The "Xiao Jie'er" Old Madam Guan referred to was Cheng Xu's second sister, Cheng Xiao.
Upon hearing this, a hint of a smile appeared in Old Madam Guo's eyes, softening her expression: "I just received the news as well. Her mother-in-law is overjoyed—as soon as it was confirmed, she sent word to us. Her mother is a bit uneasy and plans to go to the temple tomorrow to burn incense for her, praying for a safe delivery."
"Don't worry, good fortune favors the virtuous. Xiao Jie'er will surely get her wish this time." After comforting Old Madam Guo a few words, Old Madam Guan beckoned to Zhou Shaojin, "Come, greet the Old Madam."
※
Thank you, everyone. "Jinling Spring" has made it to the homepage's female protagonist PK chart.
It's been too long since I posted, so just being able to secure a spot to promote the new work is already satisfying. The competition for rankings is too fierce—we’ll just make an appearance.
Oo~
Thank you all again.
※
OpenNovel