Zhоu Shаоjin tоok a dеер brеаth. Now, those hаnds wеre humbly suрporting Оld Маdаm Guо in а submissive pоsture.
Just like in her past life, thе оwner оf thesе hаnds соuld not dоminаtе еvеrything. Тhere werе still рeоple who сould makе her lowеr hеr рrоud hеаd, рeoрlе who соuld fоrcе her tо suрpress hеr tеmpеr with downcast еyes and rеstrаinеd angеr.
At this moment, Zhоu Shаоjin suddenlу fеlt а fоndnеss fоr Old Маdam Guо’s firmness.
In hеr past lifе, if it hadn’t bееn fоr Old Маdаm Guо keeping hеr in check, who knows whаt Madam Yuаn might have dоne tо hеr.
She tоok another deep breath, mustered her courage, and raised her head.
She was no longer that weak and incompetent Zhou Shaojin—what right did Madam Yuan have to humiliate her?
What met her eyes was Madam Yuan’s face, equally charming whether frowning or smiling, looking as if she were still in the bloom of youth.
Her jet-black hair made her skin appear even fairer, and her sparkling eyes gave her a radiant, vibrant look.
Madam Yuan was always dazzlingly beautiful and graceful, no matter the occasion.
Yet Zhou Shaojin felt as if she were standing on a high tower, calmly observing the scenery.
When it was time to greet Madam Yuan, she stepped forward with neither humility nor arrogance, offering a respectful bow and a gentle, pleasant smile as she greeted her.
However, Madam Yuan’s gaze held unmistakable surprise as she smiled and said, “It’s only been a few days since we last met, but Second Miss has grown even more beautiful.” She spoke as if they hadn’t seen each other for years.
In reality, the Cheng family gathered every year for the New Year and Lantern Festival, but given Zhou Shaojin’s former timid nature—either hiding behind her elder sister or shrinking into a corner of the hall, her face indistinct—it was only natural that Madam Yuan had never noticed her before.
She smiled slightly, her expression gentle and poised.
A flicker of surprise flashed in Madam Yuan’s eyes, and she seemed about to say more when heavy, hurried footsteps sounded in the distance, accompanied by the low, scolding voice of an elderly woman: “…Hurry, hurry… I told you to prepare the sedan chair long ago. Where have your ears gone…”
Everyone turned to look and saw two sturdy women carrying a soft sedan chair, panting heavily as they hurried over.
The old woman in the sedan chair had silver-white hair, wearing an autumn-fragrance-colored forehead scarf adorned with a thumb-sized emerald. Matching emerald earrings dangled from her ears, and she wore a Ge-yellow robe with cloud and blessing roundel patterns. The standing collar was fastened with three small, rice-sized southern pearl buttons. Though plump and round, her face was covered with fine wrinkles, yet her skin was fair, delicate, and rosy like a young girl’s. Her eyes were sharp and spirited, full of vigor.
This was Old Madam Tang of the second branch.
The second branch’s Old Master Cheng Li had passed away early, and she had remained chaste in the Cheng family. Not only did she raise her son Cheng Yi and assist her mother-in-law in managing the household, but she also occasionally handled the second branch’s affairs. After her mother-in-law’s death, she took full control both inside and outside, managing the second branch so prosperously that she earned the respect and esteem of the second branch’s patriarch, Cheng Xu. She was a figure with influence in both the inner and outer courtyards of the second branch. In recent years, although she had handed over household management to her daughter-in-law Madam Hong, whenever important matters arose, Madam Hong still sought her advice. “My apologies, my apologies, I’m late!” Old Madam Tang chuckled as she was helped down from the sedan chair by her accompanying maid. “When we reach Ganquan Temple, I’ll treat everyone to a vegetarian meal.”
She offered no explanation for her lateness.
There was a subtle arrogance in her demeanor, as if to say, “I’m late, so what can you do about it?”
Madam Wen of the fifth branch immediately glanced toward Old Madam Guo.Old Madam Guo, however, said nothing at all. With a faint tone, she remarked, "It's not too late," and then instructed Nanny Shi to notify the carriage waiting at the second gate to prepare for departure.
Madam Wen’s face was filled with disappointment.
Zhou Shaojin found it quite amusing.
Could it be that she was hoping for Old Madam Guo and Old Madam Tang to come to blows?
In her previous life, Zhou Shaojin had only ever focused on her own small world, never paying attention to matters outside the Fourth House. She hadn’t realized that the relationships between the various branches of the Cheng family were so intricate and fraught with hidden undercurrents.
What struck her even more was her meeting with Madam Yuan—it turned out to be so simple, so calm and uneventful, leaving her with a sense of powerlessness, as if punching cotton, yet she couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Let the past be the past!
Others had no idea, and she should strive to forget as well.
Zhou Shaojin followed her sister into the carriage, and they made their grand procession to Ganquan Temple.
Ganquan Temple was located in the eastern part of Jinling City. In the previous dynasty, it had been a royal temple, but it was later destroyed in the war. During Emperor Taizong’s reign, it was rebuilt. The tiles on the main hall were imperial gifts from Emperor Taizong himself—leftover bright yellow glazed tiles originally intended for the Qianqing Palace. When sunlight shone upon them, the hall gleamed with resplendent gold, majestic and awe-inspiring. Ganquan Temple soon became the foremost Buddhist temple in Jinling City.
The Cheng family had sent stewards to the temple a few days earlier to arrange for the incense offering. The Cheng family’s carriage passed directly through the mountain gate and stopped at the main entrance.
The young novices of the temple had already opened the side gate. The abbot of Ganquan Temple, Master Shi Hui, along with several senior monks from the reception hall, greeted them at the entrance. After they offered incense in the main hall and drank tea in the side hall, the head monk of the reception hall, Master Shi Jue, personally accompanied them to the hall where Master Shi Hui was to deliver his sermon.
The hall was already filled with waiting womenfolk. Regardless of age, they were all dressed in elegant attire, their demeanor reflecting the ease and leisure of those free from worldly worries.
When the Cheng family’s women entered, a few women and children glanced their way, whispering among themselves. However, most of the women rose to greet the Cheng family’s party, among them an elderly lady dressed in the attire of a first-rank noblewoman.
Zhou Shaojin guessed that the old lady was from the Liangguo Duke’s household.
Judging by the way the old lady chatted and laughed with Old Madam Guo, Madam Yuan, and Old Madam Tang, they seemed quite familiar with one another.
No wonder the Liangguo Duke had warned the Cheng family in her previous life!
Zhou Shaojin also spotted a few familiar faces, though she wasn’t sure whether she had seen them in her previous life or before her rebirth.
She quietly followed behind her sister when a gaze as sharp as a blade swept over her.
Zhou Shaojin turned her head and saw Cheng Jia’s face, livid with anger.
She truly had no idea what she had done to offend her.
Zhou Shaojin pretended not to notice.
The wooden clapper sounded.
Everyone quieted down and returned to their seats.
Zhou Shaojin sat side by side with her sister behind Old Madam Guan and Madam Mian.
In her previous life, she had often gone to Dazhao Temple to listen to sermons. Although Dazhao Temple was not a royal temple, it was frequented by high-ranking officials and noble families. In her opinion, Master Shi Hui’s sermons were better than those of Dazhao Temple’s abbot, Master Jingkong—Master Jingkong’s teachings were relatively simple and easy to understand, while Master Shi Hui’s were profound yet witty, captivating his audience, which was no small feat.
She glanced around and saw that everyone was listening intently.
This might have something to do with the fact that women in the north were less educated, while in the south, there were more renowned families with a legacy of poetry and literature.
Zhou Shaojin’s thoughts wandered aimlessly, but she soon became immersed in Master Shi Hui’s Buddhist teachings.
Someone tugged at her sleeve.She turned her head away.
Cheng Jia had somehow taken a seat beside her.
"What's going on with you?" she whispered, her voice tinged with barely concealed indignation. "Whenever I look for you, you always make excuses not to come out. And even when you do, you don't talk to me. Is it because you're helping Old Madam Guo copy scriptures? If you keep this up, just see if I ever play with you again!"
The threat was full of childishness.
Such a Cheng Jia made it impossible for Zhou Shaojin to truly resent her. Yet, she had no desire to say much to Cheng Jia either, so she simply whispered, "Don't talk. Listen to the master's lecture!"
Cheng Jia snorted, paying no heed to Zhou Shaojin's words. But when she looked up, she caught Old Madam Tang from the second branch shooting her a stern glance.
She had no choice but to swallow her words.
After the lecture ended, the Zhou sisters and Cheng Jia were called over by Old Madam Yuan to be introduced to the elderly lady.
Zhou Shaojin had guessed correctly—the old woman was the birth mother of the Duke of Liang, Madame Qu.
As it was their first meeting, the Duke of Liang's mother bestowed upon each of them a gemstone-encrusted ring before taking her leave.
Shihui, Old Madam Yuan, and the others personally escorted Madame Qu to the temple gate, watching the Duke of Liang's carriage and entourage depart before heading to Ganquan Temple's vegetarian dining hall.
Since the temple would host operas and a temple fair in the afternoon, most of the women and children, like the Cheng family, stayed behind for the vegetarian meal.
The temple had arranged a small courtyard with a garden for the Cheng family. Besides the dining area, there were several side rooms for resting.
The Cheng family's stewards and maids had already cleaned the place, and during the lecture, the head maids from each branch had arranged the items the elderly ladies were accustomed to using. After the meal, as everyone rested for about half an hour, visitors began to arrive.
These were the matriarchs of influential noble families in Jinling City. Some were meeting for the first time, while others had been seen during the New Year celebrations. Zhou Shaojin remembered some, but others left no impression on her at all. Regardless, Zhou Shaojin and the others received several gifts—gold rings, gold hairpins, silver bracelets—earning them a small windfall.
Before long, the clanging sound of copper gongs echoed from outside.
The opera was about to begin.
Even Madam Wen couldn't help but perk up her ears to listen, let alone Cheng Jia. Only the elderly ladies remained as steady as mountains. Still, Old Madam Li instructed her personal maid, "Accompany Jia girl for a stroll outside, but make sure not to lose sight of her."
The maid promptly replied with a respectful smile, "Yes."
Cheng Jia then invited Zhou Shaojin, "Let's go together!"
Zhou Shaojin shook her head and said, "I'll stay here to keep Grandmother company."
Old Madam Guan smiled and said, "What do we old women need your company for while we chat? Go ahead and enjoy yourselves." She then reminded Zhou Chujin, "Keep an eye on your younger sister. You two must not separate, and be careful not to be tricked by kidnappers."
Zhou Chujin agreed with a smile, her expression also showing a hint of longing.
So this was how her older sister was at eighteen.
Zhou Shaojin smiled faintly but had no intention of joining the excitement.
Where there are crowds, there is trouble.
In her previous life, when she visited Dazhao Temple, she had even attracted the attention of peeping toms. In this life, she simply wanted to live quietly and unobtrusively, without stirring up any unnecessary commotion."I don't want to go." She used Madam Wen's excuse, "It's noisy outside. Just hearing about it gives me a headache, let alone being there in person. You all go ahead!"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Chujin naturally wanted to stay and keep Zhou Shaojin company.
Zhou Shaojin persuaded her, "If you stay because of me, then I'll have to go too. Would you really want to see me feeling unwell?"
Zhou Chujin laughed and said, "You're getting better at talking these days, knowing exactly how to shut me up."
Zhou Shaojin, feeling mischievous, playfully pushed Zhou Chujin out while smiling and said to Madam Mian, "Aunt, please keep an eye on my sister. Make sure you two don't separate, or you might get tricked by those kidnappers."
She was beautiful and had an innocent, lively demeanor, which couldn't help but amuse the elderly ladies. The slight awkwardness caused by Zhou Shaojin's refusal instantly vanished.
Old Madam Guo nodded subtly, and Madam Yuan glanced at her a few more times.
Zhou Shaojin, who was seeing Zhou Chujin off, didn't notice this.
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Dear sisters, please recommend "Jinling Spring" through various channels... oo~...
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