Jin Ling Chun (Spring in Jin Ling)

Zhоu Shаоjin asked, "Dоеs Fаthеr knоw about this mattеr? Whаt did he saу?"

Zhou Chujin rерliеd, "Fаthеr аlreadу knew long ago. It was he whо hаd Mа Fushan tеll mе, sауing he wаs аfrаid wе twо sisters wоuldn’t understand the grаvitу of thе situation and might think wе could still dеal with that Сhеng Lu suреrfiсiаllу, only tо bе bitten bасk bу him. Hе told us tо stаy far аwаy frоm him. As for anуthing else, he didn’t sау."

Zhоu Shaоjin said, "Sister, what dо уоu think abоut finding а wау tо striр Chеng Lu оf his schоlarlу title?"

"Strip Сheng Lu оf his sсhоlarlу titlе?" Zhоu Сhujin murmured, thinking for a mоment before saуing, "Do you think hе would behаve himsеlf if his titlе werе taken away?"

How could that be possible!

If he could behave himself after losing his title, in her past life he wouldn’t have schemed to find her, coaxed her into eloping with him, and shown no regard for the father-in-law who had helped him or the mother-in-law who had borne him children.

"This can only be considered the first step," Zhou Shaojin said. "Without his scholarly title, he would have to rely on the Cheng family. Then we could slowly deal with him. But if he were to obtain the status of a provincial graduate, given his temperament, he would only commit even more heinous acts. By then, it might not be as simple as just poisoning someone."

Zhou Chujin said, "Then let’s have Ma Fushan go to Baoding Prefecture. It would be a good opportunity to bring Mother back, and if anyone asks, we’ll have an excuse."

Zhou Shaojin agreed wholeheartedly and handed her sister the glass hairpin she had brought for her, saying, "This is for you to give as a gift when you visit the Liao family."

"You should keep it for yourself!" Zhou Chujin insisted on refusing.

The two sisters pushed and pulled for a long time before Zhou Chujin finally thought it over and accepted with a smile.

Afterward, the two sisters slept in the same bed. Zhou Shaojin recounted some details of her trip to Putuo Mountain—how clever Manager Wang of the Yutai Ningbo branch was, how shrewd the manager of the Hangzhou branch was, how magnificent Jinshan Temple was, and how clear and fragrant the Taiping Houkui tea brewed with Zhongling Spring water tasted... Every little detail was about Old Madam Guo and Cheng Chi’s kindness to her.

Zhou Chujin listened, smiling as she stroked Zhou Shaojin’s dark hair. The sisters’ movements gradually slowed, and they drifted into a peaceful sleep. The next day, when Chunwan woke them, they had no idea when they had fallen asleep.

The two sisters hurriedly washed and dressed, then took the gifts for Old Madam Guan, Madam Mian, and the servants to Jia Shu Hall.

Cheng Yi was still in Pukou, so Cheng Mian deliberately brought Cheng Gao a little earlier. After meeting Zhou Shaojin and asking about her journey to confirm she was safe, he took Cheng Gao to the outer courtyard.

Old Madam Guan chuckled and explained to Zhou Shaojin, "He occasionally learns a bit about household management from your Uncle Mian now."

Cheng Gao’s wedding was scheduled for September next year. Whether he passed the imperial examination and obtained the title of scholar or not, the wedding would proceed as planned.

Zhou Shaojin reassured Old Madam Guan, "Don’t worry, Cousin Gao will surely have double happiness."

In her past life, Cheng Gao had indeed passed the imperial examination and become a scholar.

Old Madam Guan smiled and said, "Then I’ll take your auspicious words."

Zhou Shaojin smiled faintly and took out the gifts.

Everyone liked the combs and glass hairpins, but the red coral jewelry made Old Madam Guan and Madam Mian hesitate. "Such fine quality is truly rare. You should keep it for yourself to wear in the future."

Those who had daughters usually started saving for their dowries from the moment their daughters were born.Zhou Shaojin's mother passed away from illness before she turned one, and she later lived in Nine Prosperities Lane. Old Madam Guan, though treating her well, was still separated by blood ties and hesitated to make decisions for her. It was only after discerning Zhou Zhen's true intentions that she began preparing a dowry for Zhou Shaojin—a matter of just the past two or three years. In this regard, she was less prepared than Zhou Chujin, whose mother, Madam Zhuang, had started preparing her dowry ever since marrying into the Zhou family. The hardest part of preparing a dowry was that sometimes, no matter how much money you had, certain items were simply unavailable.

Zhou Shaojin smiled and said, "This is my first time traveling since I was little. Please accept it. If I ever come across such fine things again in the future, I’ll definitely keep them hidden from you!"

Old Madam Guan laughed heartily and replied, "Why not give it to Old Madam Guo instead? It’s thanks to her that you were able to go on this trip."

"This is something I bought for you and Aunt Mian," Zhou Shaojin said with a smile. "As for Old Madam Guo, I’ll find a way to repay her kindness in the future."

Seeing her firm stance, Old Madam Guan exchanged a glance with Madam Mian and said, "In that case, we’ll accept it."

Zhou Shaojin nodded cheerfully. After distributing the combs, glass hairpins, and other gifts to Si'er and the others, she stood up to take her leave. "Though Madam Song is being hosted by Old Madam Guo, I spent quite some time with her on the boat. Now that she’s visiting Nine Prosperities Lane, I should at least go and greet her, even if I can’t fully fulfill my duties as a host."

"Absolutely, absolutely," Old Madam Guan agreed enthusiastically. "You handle Madam Song as you see fit. If you wish to invite her here, just send an invitation. I’ll accompany you when the time comes, and the expenses will come from the family funds. Don’t worry about anything or appear overly cautious, lest we seem petty."

Zhou Shaojin thanked her grandmother and invited Zhou Chujin to join her, adding, "Madam Song took good care of me along the way. Since I’m not sure how Old Madam Guo has arranged things, I didn’t dare invite Aunt Mian along. But Sister, you should come with me to thank Madam Song."

As the wife of a Grand Secretary, who wouldn’t want to curry favor with Madam Song? However, she was ultimately a guest of the main branch, and it was up to them to decide who could speak with her. If Zhou Shaojin had brought Madam Mian along to pay respects without the main branch’s approval, it might have seemed like she was trying to undermine them. But Zhou Chujin was different—she was Zhou Shaojin’s sister and an unmarried young lady with little influence, so Madam Song wouldn’t pay her much mind.

Both Old Madam Guan and Madam Mian understood this reasoning. Far from blaming Zhou Shaojin, they thought she had handled the situation thoughtfully. They even had the kitchen prepare some of the fourth branch’s specialty pastries for Zhou Chujin to bring to Madam Song’s guest quarters.

When Madam Song heard that Zhou Shaojin and her sister had brought pastries to visit her, she immediately instructed her maid to invite them in.

In her eyes, Zhou Shaojin was the junior whom Old Madam Guo held dear. Coupled with her own fondness for Zhou Shaojin, she felt that in the unfamiliar surroundings of Nine Prosperities Lane, Zhou Shaojin was a familiar face. Not only did she happily accept the pastries they brought, but she also praised Zhou Shaojin warmly when Zhou Chujin expressed her gratitude.Zhou Chujin was overjoyed to see Zhou Shaojin receive praise. The more she looked at Madam Song, the more amiable and kind she found her. She flattered Madam Song with her words, making Madam Song laugh from start to finish. Finally, Madam Song asked Zhou Shaojin, "I heard from Nanny Lu, who serves Old Madam Guo, that Old Madam Guo has decided to go to Jiming Temple for vegetarian meals tomorrow. Will you be going too?"

"I’m not sure if I’ll be able to go," Zhou Shaojin replied with a smile. "I originally planned to pay my respects to the Old Madam before coming to visit you, but my sister insisted on coming to thank you in person, so I brought her here first. I haven’t yet gone to greet the Old Madam!"

"Then you should go ask quickly," Madam Song said with a laugh. "Sen-ge mentioned to me last night that he thought he’d be able to see you every day once he arrived at your home, but who knew you’d live so far apart? It’s even less convenient than when we were on the boat!"

Zhou Shaojin giggled.

A young maid announced that Biyu had arrived.

Everyone was somewhat surprised. Madam Song instructed the maid to bring her in.

Upon seeing Zhou Shaojin, Biyu exclaimed, "Oh, I’ve finally found you! If I hadn’t run into Madam Mian, my legs would have worn thin from running—the Old Madam ordered me to fetch you, Second Young Miss, as soon as she opened her eyes. I went to Fragrant Garden Residence, but they said you’d gone to Jia Shu Hall. When I rushed to Jia Shu Hall, Old Madam had already begun her morning prayers. The maids there only knew you’d gone to the main branch but didn’t know which courtyard you were in. I hurried back to Cold Green Mountain House, only to be told you hadn’t been there at all. I had to return to Jia Shu Hall, and thankfully, I ran into Madam Mian. Otherwise, I’d still be waiting outside Old Madam’s small prayer room!" After saying this, she stepped forward to pay her respects to Madam Song and said, "I was in such a hurry that I’ve made a fool of myself in front of you."

So, the Zhou family’s second young miss truly is favored by Old Madam Guo.

Madam Song thought to herself, then smiled and said, "No need for formalities, Miss Biyu. Second Young Miss, you should hurry and follow Miss Biyu to see the Old Madam. Perhaps she has something urgent to discuss with you!"

Zhou Shaojin hastily bid farewell to Madam Song and went to see Old Madam Guo.

Old Madam Guo was about to have her morning meal and said with a smile, "Have you eaten yet? The kitchen made chrysanthemum porridge today. Would you like some?"

Zhou Shaojin politely declined.

Old Madam Guo didn’t press her and instead told Zhou Shaojin about the arrangements for hosting Madam Song at Tingyu Pavilion today and inviting her to visit Jiming Mountain tomorrow. She said, "...Since you’re familiar with Madam Song, please inform your grandmother that during Madam Song’s stay in Jinling, you’ll be accompanying her."

Zhou Shaojin agreed with a smile and told Old Madam Guo about bringing her sister to thank Madam Song.

Upon hearing that Zhou Chujin and Madam Song got along well, Old Madam Guo smiled and said, "Let your sister accompany Madam Song as well. Although your sister doesn’t talk much either, she’s still more talkative than you."

Zhou Shaojin smiled sheepishly and went back to report to Old Madam Guan.

Old Madam Guan was overjoyed.

For the two girls of their fourth branch to help Old Madam Guo host the wife of Grand Secretary Song—what an honor! It also showed that both girls from their fourth branch were presentable and skilled in social interactions and etiquette.

She immediately called for Madam Mian and asked Zhou Shaojin if she needed to have a few new outfits made.Zhou Shaojin smiled and said, "It's too late to make new clothes now, and besides, my sister and I still have many new outfits we haven't worn yet!"

Old Madam Guan then asked about Madam Song's preferences, taboos, and the like, chattering on for over half an hour. If it hadn't been for the maid from the main branch coming to urge Old Madam Guan that the banquet at the Listening Rain Pavilion was about to begin, she would have continued asking.

Zhou Shaojin and Zhou Chujin stepped forward to help Old Madam Guan change her clothes.

Old Madam Guan repeatedly waved her hands, saying, "No need," and urged them to hurry back to freshen up so they could accompany her to the Listening Rain Pavilion.

The Zhou sisters had no choice but to return to Fragrant Garden Residence.

Madam Mian smiled and said, "You sent the two sisters away—do you have something to tell me?"

"You're clever," Old Madam Guan replied with a smile. "I was thinking we should keep the red coral jewelry for Shaojin for now and give it to her as part of her dowry when she marries. That way, we won't let down the child's filial intentions, and it can also serve as a token of our affection."

"You and I think alike," Madam Mian said with a smile. "Not only that, but I also think we should start preparing Shaojin's dowry. As for her marriage, do you think we should give Uncle a hint?"

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Sisters, here's today's update.

Please vote with pink tickets... o(n_n)o~

※ (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to...)