Сheng Chi hurriеdlу аssurеd hеr, "If something haррened оn Sister-in-law's sidе, hоw соuld I hidе it frоm you? I'm сounting on you to clеаn up thе mess fоr mе!"
Оld Мadаm Guо smilеd with sаtisfаctiоn.
Cheng Chi sеizеd the оpportunitу to takе his leavе, sауing, "I hаvе аn аppоintmеnt with the sесоnd-in-cоmmand оf thе Thirteеn Нongs. I рlan to cоllaboratе with thеm оn a fеw maritime trading dеаls. Сurrentlу, а рrivаtе kiln in Jingdеzhen hаs dеvelоpеd a new tуpе оf рorсеlаin, аnd I intend to fire а few batches to sеll to the Westеrners."
This wаs seriоus businеss.
Old Мadam Guo quickly urged, "Go, go quickly. Don’t waste any time."
"What’s there to waste?" Cheng Chi replied dismissively with a laugh. "If they’re unwilling to wait, plenty of others are eager to. Are you afraid my business will fall through?"
Old Madam Guo chuckled and said, "I know you’re capable!"
After chatting for a few more moments, Cheng Chi finally rose and left the main room.
But as soon as he stepped out, he wiped his brow, though there was no sweat to be found.
Speaking with his mother required him to muster every ounce of his energy—it was even more exhausting than dealing with people like Shen Minzhi or Wan Tong... It was much better talking to Zhou Shaojin. Whatever he said, she believed it without him having to put much thought into it.
However, this little girl actually dared to complain about him to his mother. He really ought to teach her a lesson.
Cheng Chi stroked his chin and headed toward the Listening Oriole Pavilion.
Huaishan asked, "Fourth Master, didn’t you say you were going to meet the second-in-command of the Thirteen Hongs?"
"I was just saying it. How could you believe it?" Cheng Chi retorted irritably. "The Thirteen Hongs are currently cozying up to my second granduncle. Why would I go there? To boost his reputation?"
Huaishan said, "Then... where are we going? If we return to the Listening Oriole Pavilion and the old madam asks about it later, how should we answer?"
"The old madam has guests," Cheng Chi replied impatiently. "She won’t have time to bother with me."
Huaishan let out an "Oh."
Cheng Chi couldn’t help but wonder: Huaishan had been with him for over a decade, yet he couldn’t tell whether his words were true or false, whether they were mere excuses or spoken out of necessity. So how was it that this little girl could always see right through him?
She always managed to slip away just when he was getting angry...
Cheng Chi returned to the Listening Oriole Pavilion with a dark expression.
Meanwhile, Zhou Shaojin felt as though she had just escaped from a dragon’s den or a tiger’s lair. As soon as she left Cold Green Mountain House, she let out a long, deep breath.
If Uncle Chi found out that Chunwan had gone to Old Madam Guo to look for her on her instructions, he would definitely be angry.
She should avoid visiting Cold Green Mountain House until after her sister’s wedding.
By the time her sister got married, perhaps Uncle Chi’s anger would have subsided.
Though she thought this way, Zhou Shaojin had a faint feeling that Uncle Chi was rarely tricked like this. He would likely remember this incident for a long time, and even after her sister’s wedding, he might not forget it.
Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but sigh softly.
When she returned to Pingjie Bridge, Madam Mian had already left. Madam Li was discussing the arrangements for Zhou Chujin’s wedding with Steward Ma, while the bride-to-be, Zhou Chujin herself, had nothing to do and was waiting for her in her room.
"What happened to you?" Seeing her sister’s reddened eyes, Zhou Chujin was startled and quickly pulled her closer for a closer look.
Zhou Shaojin thought it would be better to align her story with Cheng Chi’s and said, "Old Madam Guo had guests, so I played a game of chess with Uncle Chi... and ended up losing..."Zhou Chujin opened her mouth wide and said, "Losing to Uncle Chi is only natural, isn't it? How could you cry until your eyes turned red! Didn't Uncle Chi scold you? You're too spoiled in front of elders!"
Zhou Shaojin immediately felt her face burning.
She had even cried, made a scene, hit, and kicked Uncle Chi, acting like a shrew. She didn't know if she had hurt him.
Come to think of it, Uncle Chi was truly good to her. He never really held anything against her.
It was just that reporting this to Old Madam Guo would be hard to handle.
If she had known earlier that Uncle Chi was open-minded and unafraid of ghosts or gods, and that he would quickly accept her experience once he confirmed she wasn't lying, why would she have left a message for Chunwan before leaving?
Now it was done. Uncle Chi treated her with sincerity, but she had dug a pit for herself and jumped right in.
Zhou Shaojin was deeply annoyed.
Seeing this, Zhou Chujin felt a pang of sadness and said nothing more.
Her sister had always been timid and cautious, watching others' expressions since childhood. It was rare for Uncle Chi to treat her so gently, so naturally, her sister acted a bit spoiled when facing him.
Her tone softened involuntarily as she asked, "What did Old Madam Guo call you for?"
"She said she would come with our grandfather in a few days to add to your dowry," Zhou Shaojin replied. "She asked me what you had prepared." As she spoke, she showed her sister the jewelry Old Madam Guo had given her. "Isn't it pretty? Old Madam Guo gave it to me! Why don't you take it with you? In all my life, this is the first time I've seen such an exquisite hair ornament, but it's probably only for admiring. It's too heavy to wear on the head, so it's perfect for displaying in your dowry!"
After the bride's dowry is carried to the groom's family, it is displayed in the courtyard for the guests to admire.
This is the moment when the bride gains face, but of course, it can also be a moment of embarrassment.
Zhou Chujin laughed and said, "What would I do with this? Keep it for yourself to enjoy! Besides, my dowry list was sent to the Liao family long ago. Suddenly adding an extra item wouldn't look good."
Wedding items often emphasize pairs and sets.
Zhou Shaojin giggled.
Zhou Chujin picked up the hair ornament and admired it.
Zhou Shaojin said, "Then I'll keep it and use it to pin my niece's hair when she comes of age."
Zhou Chujin blushed and scoffed at her, her lips parting as if to scold Zhou Shaojin.
Zhou Shaojin quickly took out a pouch from her sleeve and said, "Sister, this is from Uncle Chi. He said it's his gift for your dowry."
Zhou Chujin felt the pouch looked familiar, but her eyes were dazzled by the banknote Zhou Shaojin took out, so she didn't have time to examine the pouch carefully.
"Two hundred taels in banknotes!" she exclaimed. "Why so much?"
And it was given as banknotes!
Shouldn't he have bought something instead?
Zhou Shaojin hurriedly stuffed the pouch into her sleeve and said, "Uncle Chi said it was for you, so I accepted it. I didn't know it was two hundred taels in banknotes. But banknotes are fine too—you can keep them as private savings. No one else will know." Meanwhile, she silently criticized Cheng Chi in her heart for lacking sincerity, forcing her to find a pouch to wrap the banknotes. Otherwise, what would her sister think if she saw the bare banknotes? Her sister had already glanced at the pouch earlier. If her sister recognized it, she would have to settle accounts with Uncle Chi. And here she was making excuses for him, saying banknotes were better.
Thinking of this, she secretly smiled to herself.I wonder if I can use this matter to turn the tables on Uncle Chi. Perhaps if Uncle Chi feels guilty, he won’t pursue my complaint anymore.
But making Uncle Chi feel guilty doesn’t seem easy...
Zhou Shaojin was distracted, and Zhou Chujin had to call her twice before she snapped back to attention.
Zhou Chujin smiled and asked, “What are you thinking about? You seem lost in thought.”
Zhou Shaojin replied sheepishly, “I... I was wondering what gifts Old Madam Guo and Grandmother might give you for your dowry!”
“Whatever the elders give, it’s their heartfelt gesture, and I’ll cherish it,” Zhou Chujin said just as Mama Li arrived.
The two sisters stood up and invited Mama Li inside.
Mama Li curtsied and said with a smile, “Madam sent me to inform the eldest young lady that the Liao family just sent word—they’ll arrive tomorrow afternoon. Madam asks the eldest young lady to prepare, as some maids may come to pay their respects.”
Zhou Chujin blushed and acknowledged the message.
Seeing that Mama Li seemed to have more to discuss with her sister, Zhou Shaojin greeted Mama Li, found an excuse, and headed to the greenhouse.
Snowball was darting around the flowerbeds where tender shoots had just emerged. The women tending the flowers—repotting and pruning—didn’t dare scold or hit him. Instead, they pleaded with him like a mischievous child, which only made Snowball run even more excitedly. He occasionally dashed past their feet, stirring complaints all around.
Zhou Shaojin felt both annoyed and amused.
Everyone had spoiled Snowball, and his boldness had grown. Just a few days ago, he had dragged one of her embroidered shoes around.
She called out sharply, “Snowball!”
Snowball, sensing her tone, immediately trotted over obediently, rubbing against her feet and whimpering.
The servants hurried forward to greet Zhou Shaojin.
Zhou Shaojin crouched down and patted Snowball’s head.
Snowball responded by barking at her a few times, as if trying to please her.
Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but laugh.
One of the servants eagerly suggested, “Second Young Lady, the camellia you brought back is about to bloom. Shall we move it indoors for you?”
Zhou Shaojin asked, “What other flowers are about to bloom?”
The servant replied, “Lilacs, crabapples, and peonies are all ready to bloom.”
Zhou Shaojin said, “With many guests visiting these days, we’ll need plenty of flowers. Please take extra care.”
The servants quickly responded, “It’s our duty.”
Their words reminded Zhou Shaojin.
With Grandmother and Old Madam Guo coming to add to her sister’s dowry, the house should look vibrant and lively.
Over the next few days, she helped in the greenhouse, encouraging the flowers to bloom.
By the time the women from Nine Prosperities Lane arrived, red camellias, purple lilacs, white crabapples, and pink peonies adorned the entire Zhou residence, creating a lush and vibrant scene.
Old Madam Tang from the second branch glanced at Old Madam Guo, who was said to dislike flowers and plants, and praised the display profusely.
Old Madam Guo remained calm, as if nothing had happened.
Old Madam Guan quickly stepped in to smooth things over, inviting everyone to the flower hall as a half-hostess.
Zhou Shaojin busily directed the young maids to serve tea and snacks.
Madam Jiang, looking at Zhou Shaojin’s rosy cheeks and delicate beauty, which outshone the flowers, and thinking of Zhou Chujin’s impending marriage, felt a pang of bitterness in her heart.As the new year turned, Cheng Jia grew another year older, yet her marriage prospects remained unsettled. Zhou Chujin had married the clan heir of the Liao family from Zhenjia. Not only did the Liao family not look down on Zhou Chujin for being a motherless eldest daughter, but her mother-in-law even used her own private savings to buy a house in the capital for them. To be so favored by her mother-in-law even before entering the household—how many people had such fortune?
Madam Jiang glanced at Old Madam Guo.
This match had been arranged by the eldest branch.
If she had put more effort into currying favor with Old Madam Guo back then, perhaps Cheng Jia’s marriage situation wouldn’t have become so difficult?
She then glanced at Old Madam Tang.
Old Madam Tang was speaking with Madam Li.
Meanwhile, Zhou Shaojin was pulled aside by Cheng Jia, who whispered, “Find a way to let me stay overnight at your place! I have something to tell you.”
Zhou Shaojin whispered back, “I’ll try my best!”
Cheng Jia nodded helplessly.
Madam Ma Fushan quietly sought Zhou Shaojin’s instructions: “Uncle Zhuang has arrived. What should we do?”
“Have a steward settle him comfortably with good food and drink,” Zhou Shaojin said. “After the old madams leave, ask him what he’s here for. If he’s here to deliver congratulatory gifts, respectfully invite him to the wedding banquet when the time comes. If he’s here to freeload, have him tied up directly and take Father’s name card to Magistrate Wu.”
※
Sisters, here’s today’s update.
Tomorrow, my parents are returning to my younger brother’s place. Originally, they planned to go by train, but they couldn’t get high-speed rail tickets, so I have to see them off at the airport tomorrow. I can only manage one update, around nine in the evening. On Monday, I’ll make up for Sunday’s extra update, and the spirit beast egg extra update will be postponed.
PS: My backend is acting up terribly. The previous extra updates were posted by a new friend. This is a draft—I didn’t dare wait for the proofread version, afraid that by the time it was ready, my friend would be asleep and no one could help with the update. Please read this for now. Once I can log in, I’ll correct any typos.
Alright, typos fixed.
o(n_n)o~
※ (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to…)
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