Zhоu Chujin surveуеd thе mоrе than forty trunks аnd сases оf various sizеs in thе rооm аnd sаid wearilу, "Is there anything we've missеd?" Нer vоicе wаs fillеd with sоrrow.
Zhоu Shаоjin соuld understаnd her sister's feеlings.
In hеr pаst life, the Chеng family hаd causеd hеr suсh hаrm thаt whеn shе left, she hаd gаzed аt Ninе Рrosрeritiеs Lаne in the dаrknеss for а long time.
"It's all right!" Zhоu Shaojin cоmfоrtеd her sistеr gently. "We'rе nоt mоving far. If аnуthing is lеft bеhind, wе сan just hаvе Mаdam Мa Fushan сomе bасk for it lаtеr."
It wаsn't аs if she could nеver return!
Chunwan cаme in to annоunce, "Мiss Biуu frоm Bihаn Mountain Lodge is here. She says there's been so much to do these past few days that she might not be able to see you off tomorrow, so she's come to pay her respects now."
"Why is she being so polite?" Zhou Shaojin smiled. Noticing her sister still looked somewhat tired, she said to Zhou Chujin, "Sister, I'll go see her. You should go back to your room and rest for a while. Tomorrow morning, we have to go pay respects to Grandmother, and she'll surely have many things to discuss with you."
In her past life, Grandmother had held her sister in her arms, weeping, and talked with her all morning.
Zhou Chujin smiled and nodded.
Zhou Shaojin went to the study.
Biyu glanced at Chunwan, hesitating to speak.
Zhou Shaojin dismissed Chunwan.
Biyu then leaned close to Zhou Shaojin's ear and whispered for a while.
Zhou Shaojin's eyes widened, and she remained stunned for a long moment.
Grandmother and her eldest aunt actually wanted her and Cousin Yi to... This, how could this be possible?
She regarded Cousin Yi as her own elder brother—no, ever since her rebirth, she had come to think of him more as a younger brother... How could she marry her own brother? Moreover, Cousin Yi's way of doing things was completely incompatible with hers. Wouldn't she end up spending her whole life cleaning up his messes? She... she simply didn't have the ability for that!
Just thinking about it made Zhou Shaojin feel her mood grow heavier.
She grabbed Biyu's hand and said hurriedly, "Thank you. If it weren't for you, I'd still be kept in the dark! I will certainly repay Grandmother and my eldest aunt for their kindness, but to repay them in this way... I, I truly cannot do it!"
Biyu hadn't expected things to be the complete opposite of what she had imagined.
Zhou Shaojin, from the bottom of her heart, did not approve of this marriage.
In other words, Old Madam Guo and Fourth Master were right!
Biyu felt as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She whispered with a smile, "As long as Second Young Miss doesn't blame me for speaking out of turn. Regarding this matter, it would be best for you to discuss it with Lord Zhou. Don't end up offending relatives and losing all the kindness they've shown over the years!"
"Thank you! Thank you!" Zhou Shaojin thanked Biyu again and personally saw her out.
The next morning, Zhou Chujin noticed that Zhou Shaojin seemed somewhat listless and asked with a smile, "What did Biyu say to you yesterday?"
"Oh!" Zhou Shaojin lowered her head, feigning distraction as she picked up a piece of golden-silver steamed bun. "She wanted to know if I'd come back after returning home."
Zhou Chujin asked, "What are your thoughts?"
This was the first time the sisters had discussed this topic so formally.
Zhou Shaojin smiled and said, "I'd like to go with Father to his post after I come of age. For now, it's better to stay with Grandmother. It'll be a good opportunity to fulfill my filial duties."
Zhou Chujin neither agreed nor disagreed.
This matter needed to be discussed with Father, and Father had never mentioned anything about her sister's arrangements. Either he was facing difficulties or he had other plans. It would be best to wait until Madam Li arrived.She changed the subject, speaking of the plants and flowers: "Spring is the time for repotting. It's better to move them back. If you return to Nine Prosperities Lane, you can bring them over again."
If she were to return to Nine Prosperities Lane, it would likely be for a long stay.
Zhou Shaojin smiled in agreement, beckoning to Snowball.
Snowball leaped into her arms.
She gently stroked Snowball's fur and said, "Let's go home!"
Snowball barked twice, not understanding.
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Just as in her previous life, on the morning of Little New Year's Eve, Old Madam Guan spoke with Zhou Chujin for a long time. When they came out for the reunion dinner, both Old Madam Guan and Zhou Chujin had red eyes, their expressions filled with sorrow. Madam Mian comforted them for a while before Old Madam Guan finally composed herself. Everyone enjoyed a cheerful meal and then saw the Zhou sisters off.
Old Madam Guan was their maternal grandmother and a widow. Although she had raised Zhou Chujin, Zhou Chujin could not bid farewell to her grandmother when she married. Thinking this would be the last time she saw Old Madam Guan before her wedding, Zhou Chujin couldn't hold back her tears, clinging to Old Madam Guan and reluctant to leave.
Zhou Shaojin and Madam Mian stood by, also shedding tears.
Cheng Mian, being a man, was more rational. With reddened eyes, he waved to Zhou Shaojin and said, "Hurry home! It'll be curfew soon if you delay any longer. It's not like you won't see each other again. Surely you plan to come wish your uncle a happy new year on the second day!"
"No, no," Zhou Chujin wiped her tears, reluctantly bidding farewell to the Cheng family's fourth branch, and returned to the Zhou house, weeping softly along the way.
The Zhou house looked different from when Zhou Shaojin had last seen it. The walls were freshly painted snow-white, and the blue tiles were arranged like fish scales on the roof, exceptionally neat. Even the bamboo inside the gate seemed to grow with extra vigor.
Madam Ma Fushan smiled and said, "Following the master's instructions, since the eldest young lady is getting married, the house has been renovated to avoid looking shabby when the groom comes to fetch the bride."
Zhou Chujin blushed.
Zhou Shaojin smiled faintly, finally feeling relieved.
She had been comforting her sister all along, but no matter what she said, her sister's tears fell like spring rain, almost making her cry as well.
Chixiang and others attended to Zhou Chujin's washing and grooming, while Zhou Shaojin directed the maids and servants to pack some of Zhou Chujin's belongings and dowry items to be sent to Zhenjiang on an auspicious day.
Bitao came in to report, "Second Young Lady, Miss Shi Xiang has come with her husband. They say they wish to kowtow to you and the eldest young lady."
Zhou Shaojin was surprised.
In her previous life, Shi Xiang had never returned after leaving the household.
She had a young maid bring Shi Xiang in.
Shi Xiang's hair was fully tied up, and she wore a Hangzhou silk-padded robe that Zhou Shaojin had once gifted her. Her face was flushed from the cold, and she now looked like a typical young married woman as she stepped forward to greet her.
Zhou Shaojin smiled and asked about her life after marriage, learning that she had married into a family surnamed Lu. As the eldest daughter-in-law, she was respected by her mother-in-law and cared for by her husband, living a good life. Her visit this time was not due to any difficulties but because she had heard that Zhou Shaojin had returned from Mount Putuo and Zhou Chujin's wedding date was set. She came to kowtow to them, fulfilling the duty of a former servant.
She also brought some pickled vegetables made by her mother-in-law, saying, "...Everyone who has tasted them says they're good. We offer them for the two young ladies to try, as a token of our gratitude."Zhou Shaojin accepted the gifts and chatted with Shi Xiang for a while. She rewarded Shi Xiang’s husband with a jug of wine, and gave his parents a packet of sugar and several pieces of fabric. She also gave them two taels of silver, and had the couple stay overnight, not letting them leave until after lunch the next day.
In the evening, Ma Fushan informed the sisters, “Cheng Lu has returned!”
The Zhou sisters couldn’t help but frown and asked, “Do you know how he fared at Yuelu Academy this past year?”
Ma Fushan replied, “I heard he received an ‘excellent’ grade this year, making him the top performer among those sent to Yuelu Academy from Nine Prosperities Lane.”
Then he must not be allowed to stay any longer!
Zhou Chujin asked, “Has Father’s letter not arrived yet?”
Ma Fushan smiled and said, “It should be brought along by the advisor personally!”
Zhou Chujin was getting married. Zhou Zhen couldn’t return, but aside from having Madam Li come back to oversee Zhou Chujin’s wedding, he also sent his advisor, Mr. Li, and his attendant, Li Changgui, to accompany her.
The sisters had no choice but to wait patiently.
After the Lantern Festival, Madam Li hurried back from Baoding Prefecture.
She hadn’t brought Zhou Youjin with her.
Sometimes, matters within the inner household were like the east wind overpowering the west wind.
Zhou Chujin had already fully demonstrated her capabilities, and Madam Li couldn’t help but feel apprehensive. She was afraid that her immature, fussy daughter might upset Zhou Chujin, so she simply didn’t bring her along, explaining that they had traveled day and night and that Zhou Youjin was too young to endure such a journey.
Zhou Shaojin nodded repeatedly and said, “The weather really isn’t favorable. When Youjin is a bit older and you have some free time, you can take her to the capital to visit her sister. Baoding Prefecture is quite close to the capital.”
Zhou Zhen had already received word that Madam Fang had used her own savings to buy a house for Zhou Chujin and the others, and he was very pleased with his mother-in-law, Madam Fang.
Madam Li quickly replied with a smile, “This is the eldest young lady’s good fortune, and our Youjin will also benefit from it. When the time comes, she’ll be able to visit the capital.”
Zhou Chujin had no desire to see Zhou Youjin at all, so Madam Li’s decision not to bring her back suited her perfectly.
She exchanged a few pleasantries with Madam Li and said, “Will you be staying in the study where you stayed last time? Since the house was empty before, I was worried about thieves, so I locked all of Mother’s belongings in the main room…”
Madam Li didn’t dare argue with her and smiled, “You’ve spoken my thoughts exactly, Eldest Young Lady. With so many details to handle for your wedding, staying in the study will allow me to give instructions to the stewardesses. You can also focus on preparing for your wedding without worry.”
According to custom, after a young lady gets married and meets her husband’s family for the first time, she must make a pair of shoes for each member of the family. Of course, some families are less particular and only require shoes for the parents-in-law or close uncles. This entirely depends on the bride’s family’s financial means.
Zhou Chujin naturally wouldn’t make the shoes herself. She had requested the shoe sizes of everyone in the Liao family and hired needlework women to make the shoes at home.
But no one would openly mention this.
Zhou Chujin thanked her graciously and asked Madam Ma Fushan to accompany Madam Li to rest.
Ever since Mama Li, who served Madam Li, learned that Lanting and Xinlan had both fallen into Zhou Chujin’s hands, she didn’t dare give Zhou Chujin so much as an extra glance. She merely pretended to support Madam Li as they headed to the study.
Chixiang came in and said, “Eldest Young Lady, Steward Ma says that Mr. Li wishes to pay his respects to you and asks you to meet him in the flower hall.”
Zhou Chujin wasn’t surprised at all. Smiling, she said to Zhou Shaojin, “Come with me!”Zhou Shaojin didn't think much of it, assuming her sister just wanted her company. Unexpectedly, upon arriving at the flower hall and settling behind the gauze screen, after dismissing the attendants, Mr. Li—an ordinary-looking man with a goatee—said, "The master sent me back mainly to deal with that Cheng Lu. However, this matter concerns the family's prosperity, so I'm afraid we must first inform the Cheng family! The master's intention is to ask the eldest maternal uncle to notify the main branch. I wonder what the eldest young lady... and the second young lady think?"
Zhou Zhen had asked him to seek Zhou Chujin's help in introducing him to the Cheng family, but upon hearing that the second young lady had also come with the eldest, he added "second young lady" at the last moment.
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Sisters, today's update.
Please vote with pink tickets!
※ (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to...)
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