Zhоu Shаоjin jumреd uр in surprise.
Тhеn shе wоuldn't bе able to sее Uncle Сhi!
"The Sрring Fеstivаl is аlrеаdy ovеr, why is he visiting peoplе nоw?" Zhou Shаojin соuldn't hеlр cоmрlаining, "Whу didn't аnyоne mention this еаrlier?"
Zhеnzhu knew Zhou Shaоjin was clоse with Jiying аnd smilеd, "If Fоurth Маstеr sаys he's gоing оut, how соuld Jiуing pоssibly stор him? If she knew уоu werе returning to the mаnsion todaу, shе'd surеly bе very regrеtful tоо. Do уоu wаnt tо lеаve а mеssagе for Jiуing? I remembеr Eldеst Соusin's wedding dаtе is sеt fоr the ninth day оf the third month—there arе still two months left. Yоu can hаve Jiуing visit уou thеn!"
Zhou Shaojin was deeply disappointed.
Fortunately, she didn't have to wait long before Madam Song took her leave.
She went to see Old Madam Guo.
Old Madam Guo was overjoyed, holding her hand while looking her up and down repeatedly, saying, "Hmm, you've grown a bit taller and become even prettier. Just too thin—it would be better if you put on a little weight. Clearly you didn't eat well during the Spring Festival!"
Zhou Shaojin smiled sheepishly.
Old Madam Guo had her sit beside her and instructed Zhenzhu to serve tea and snacks.
Zhou Shaojin giggled and said, "I already had tea and snacks in the tea room earlier."
"I have better ones here," Old Madam Guo said with a smile, telling Zhenzhu to fetch the red lacquer box decorated with gold and a pattern of magpies heralding joy from the inner room's tea table. Then she whispered to Zhou Shaojin, "Your Cousin Zheng sent these—genuine Imperial Kitchen pastries. Not like those in the capital that sell dog meat under a sheep's head label. You'll know once you taste them."
Zhou Shaojin nodded repeatedly.
Old Madam Guo liked her straightforwardness—if she wanted to eat, she ate; if not, she didn't, without any false courtesy.
As soon as the box was opened, Zhou Shaojin caught a whiff of a sweet fragrance. The name written on the bright yellow label immediately told her this was the standard only found in the Imperial Kitchen.
It had been many years since she last tasted Imperial Kitchen pastries, and this was especially Hu Er's specialty—rose cake.
Though called rose cake, it was actually red bean paste cake.
But Hu Er's red bean paste cake had vibrant color, a delicate texture, and was both sweet and fragrant. With one bite, Zhou Shaojin's eyes curved into happy crescents.
Old Madam Guo chuckled. "Delicious, isn't it?"
Zhou Shaojin, her mouth still full of pastry, could only nod.
Old Madam Guo said with a beaming smile, "Eat slowly, they're all for you—I'll have them packed for you to take back later."
Zhou Shaojin was startled and hurriedly swallowed the food in her mouth, saying, "No need, I'll just have a few pieces. You should keep them for yourself."
"I'm old now. My teeth aren't good, and sweet things make them ache," Old Madam Guo said affectionately. "Your Uncle Chi also said they were delicious. I gave him one box, and this one is reserved for you."
Ever since learning that her grandmother intended to betroth her to Cheng Yi, Zhou Shaojin had felt somewhat uneasy.
On the second day of the new year, after she and her sister came to the mansion to pay New Year's respects to their grandmother, Uncle Mian, and others, they hurried back to Flat Bridge Street.
Perhaps Old Madam Guo thought she and her sister would come to pay their respects, which was why she had saved the pastries for her.
Zhou Shaojin felt deeply guilty and wanted to say something, yet felt that whatever she said would just be an excuse. Like this time—if she didn't have business with Uncle Chi, she probably wouldn't have come to visit the old lady.
She could only say, "This rose cake is truly delicious!"Old Madam Guo smiled and patted her head, saying, "When did your stepmother return? I'll invite her for a meal tomorrow! Consider it a welcome for her."
Zhou Shaojin nearly choked upon hearing this.
How many noblewomen in Jinling City were worthy of Old Madam Guo personally welcoming them?
She hurriedly replied, "No need, no need. You’re so busy..."
"Silly girl," Old Madam Guo chuckled, "I’m doing this for your sake!" Seeing Zhou Shaojin about to say more, she decisively added, "This matter is settled. Go and inform your stepmother later—my invitation will follow shortly. Have your aunts come along as well. In the future, when you encounter her, you’ll be able to speak with more confidence." She continued, "You came over while your stepmother and grandmother were talking, right? I won’t keep you for lunch. After you return, send some pastries to your stepmother as well."
Zhou Shaojin’s tears nearly fell.
Old Madam Guo smiled and said, "Even though the New Year has passed, crying isn’t allowed here. Wipe your eyes quickly."
Zhou Shaojin smiled through her tears.
Old Madam Guo then asked about the preparations for Zhou Chujin’s wedding.
Zhou Shaojin answered each question but hesitated to speak further.
Old Madam Guo asked, "What’s the matter?"
Zhou Shaojin quietly explained how she had "carried" a brick back from Leifeng Pagoda in Hangzhou for her sister, then worriedly said, "How should I bring it to my sister? Each brick represents a field. If I include it in the dowry, the Liao family might misunderstand. But if I don’t bring it, wouldn’t it just become my own possession..."
Old Madam Guo hadn’t known about this matter.
She laughed heartily and said, "Who ‘carried’ this brick for you? I remember we didn’t visit Leifeng Pagoda at the time! Could it have been the branch managers again?"
"No!" Zhou Shaojin blushed, embarrassed. "I begged Uncle Chi to help me get it."
Old Madam Guo couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.
Si Lang!
Since when did he agree to requests so easily?
This was rather interesting!
Old Madam Guo said, "When a young lady marries, her maidservants accompany her. Have one of the maidservants carry the brick over. After it’s brought, it’s best to place it under the new bed—that’s the most auspicious!"
"Oh!" Zhou Shaojin sighed in relief, memorizing the advice. "I’ll tell Chixiang. She’ll be accompanying my sister when she marries."
Seeing her obedient and well-behaved demeanor, Old Madam Guo couldn’t resist patting her head again. She nearly asked, "After your sister marries, why not come live with me?" But then she remembered that finding a suitable match for Zhou Shaojin was still uncertain, so she held back the words. Instead, she inwardly complained, "Where have all the decent young men in Jinling City gone? Either their learning is lacking or their appearance isn’t up to par. Thankfully, I haven’t insisted on family status—if I did, none would likely qualify."
It seemed she’d have to search among the prominent families!
After some casual conversation, Old Madam Guo noticed it was nearing noon and urged Zhou Shaojin to return to Jia Shu Hall: "Your grandmother has likely prepared lunch long ago. I won’t keep you any longer."
Zhou Shaojin felt utterly ashamed.
Old Madam Guo treated her so kindly, yet she couldn’t reciprocate with the same sincerity.
Truth be told, Old Madam Guo was a very lonely person.Three sons, two daughters-in-law, and two grandsons. Apart from Uncle Chi, the others were either already married or far away in the capital. At Old Madam Guo's age, no matter how much needlework Shaojin did for her or how many delicacies she offered, nothing compared to her frequent visits to keep Old Madam Guo company.
She said, "Then I'll come see you again tomorrow."
Old Madam Guo smiled and nodded, having Biyu escort her out.
Upon returning to Jia Shu Hall, Old Madam Guan and Madam Li were waiting for her. As soon as she entered, they hurriedly asked, "Why are you back so late? What did you talk about with Old Madam Guo?"
Zhou Shaojin told them about Old Madam Guo hosting a welcoming banquet for Madam Li the next day.
Madam Li was both surprised and delighted, hardly able to believe it. "For me?"
Zhou Shaojin smiled and replied, "Yes. Old Madam said her invitation will arrive shortly."
"Oh my!" Madam Li was overjoyed. Somewhat flattering the Cheng family, she said, "When I return, I must discuss with your sister what gifts to bring when paying respects to Old Madam."
Madam Mian quickly chimed in, "Our Chujin is most adept at such matters. You've certainly asked the right person!"
Madam Li hurriedly agreed, "Indeed, indeed."
Old Madam Guan thought for a moment and said, "Since Old Madam Guo has said as much, it would be best for you to go pay your respects first. As for gifts, Yi Ge'er's mother, after lunch, open the storeroom and select a few presentable items to accompany Madam on the visit."
Madam Li repeatedly expressed her thanks.
Old Madam Guan smiled and said, "We're family, no need for formalities. I am very grateful that you could return to oversee Chujin's wedding. Her affairs are entirely entrusted to you."
This carried a hint of standing up for Zhou Chujin.
Madam Li hastily agreed. In the afternoon, accompanied by Madam Mian and Zhou Shaojin, she went to Cold Green Mountain House.
Returning so soon, Zhou Shaojin felt somewhat embarrassed, but Old Madam Guo smiled at her and amiably exchanged pleasantries with Madam Li.
Zhou Shaojin helped Biyu arrange the tea and snacks.
Biyu whispered to her, "I saw Qing Feng return!"
"What about Uncle Chi?"
"Didn't see him!"
Not seeing him could mean he hadn't returned yet, or perhaps he had come back before Qing Feng.
Zhou Shaojin's heart skipped a beat. Seizing an opportunity, she left the main room and went to the Listening Oriole Pavilion.
Cheng Chi had not yet returned. She encountered Nanny Shang.
Nanny Shang smiled and said, "Why has Second Young Miss come? Are you looking for Fourth Master? He and Sixth Master Gu went to a friend's house. If you have anything urgent, I can inform him when he returns."
So Uncle Chi had gone out with Gu Jiuniao.
"Then I'll trouble you, Nanny." Zhou Shaojin rewarded her with two eight-fen silver ingots.
Nanny Shang firmly declined, smiling, "It's just passing on a message, no need for such courtesy."
Zhou Shaojin had underestimated Nanny Shang.
Her face flushed red as she said, "I didn't see you during the New Year. Consider this a belated New Year's reward!"
Nanny Shang then smiled, thanked her, and accepted it.
Embarrassed, Zhou Shaojin left the Listening Oriole Pavilion. After sitting with Madam Li and Madam Mian for a while, she followed Madam Li as they took their leave.
On the way back, Mama Li asked Madam Li, "How did it go? Did Old Madam Guan give you any trouble?""The Cheng family is hardly so lacking in discernment!" said Madam Li, falling silent for a moment before continuing, "I originally thought only the eldest young lady was formidable, but now it seems the second young lady may not be simple either. Old Madam Guo of the main branch has invited me to a meal tomorrow to welcome me and wash away the dust of travel!"
"Ah!" Mama Li stared in astonishment.
"Didn't expect that, did you?" Madam Li glanced at Mama Li and said, "From now on, be more careful in your words and actions around the second young lady."
Mama Li hurriedly assured her, "I have always held great respect for both young ladies!"
"That's good." Madam Li murmured, "If the two young ladies prosper, our Youjin can also benefit in the future. Don’t cause any trouble for me, or even though you’re my wet nurse, I’ll send you back to the Li family."
Mama Li shuddered and hastily repeated, "I won’t, absolutely not."
※
Dear sisters and brothers, in just two days, the final results of the February pink ticket ranking will be announced. This is also the first ranking push of the lunar new year—I’m hoping for a good start and asking for your pink tickets!!
I will work hard to update more frequently, and I ask all sisters and brothers to check your ticket stash to see if you still have any pink tickets left, and to support "Jinling Spring."
Especially for those reading on mobile—usually the number of pink tickets isn’t displayed on phones—please try voting with pink tickets; you might get unexpected rewards and surprises.
o(n_n)o~
If I can still take first place this month, I will add three extra updates as a thank you!
Please continue to support me!
Thank you!
※ (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to...)
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