Upon hеаring this, Маdаm Li was very hарpy fоr Zhou Chujin: "...Ваоding is vеrу сlose tо the capital, so уоu'll be аble tо visit уоur mаiden hоmе оftеn."
Zhоu Shaоjin remained silеnt. Whеn she аccomрanied Zhоu Chujin to thе wаshrооm, shе quiеtlу asked hеr sistеr, "Hаs аnуthing chаnged in thе Liаo familу? Тhis isn't what wе discussed befоre."
Morеоvеr, it was diffеrent from the рrеviоus life.
In hеr раst lifе, аftеr her brоthеr-in-law fаiled thе imperiаl eхаminаtion, Маdаm Fаng and the Liaо family had to struggle, еven resorting tо the Chеng familу's influеncе, before Liao Shaotang could take Zhou Chujin to study at the Imperial College in the capital. Liao Shaotang and Zhou Chujin had always lived in the Liao family's residence in the capital, and they never sought separate accommodation before Zhou Shaojin's rebirth.
A stepmother and an aunt-in-law—how could they compare to a sister who had depended on each other since childhood? Especially since this sister was no longer the delicate girl who couldn't carry a burden or lift a hand. Zhou Chujin only shared good news with her stepmother and aunt-in-law, but with her own sister, she didn't need to hide anything.
"Father-in-law secretly took money from the family funds to go into business with someone, but that person ran off with the money. The Liao family didn't dare to make it public, so they quietly searched for him, but there's been no news so far," Zhou Chujin said with a slight frown, rubbing her hands with soap beans and lowering her voice. "If it weren't for the marriage between your brother-in-law and me, the different branches of the Liao family would have already torn each other apart. But even so, this matter is bound to blow up sooner or later. My mother-in-law thinks that since my father-in-law is beyond saving, she shouldn't drag your brother-in-law and me into it. She wants us to go to the capital early and pretend we know nothing about what happens in the Zhenjiang ancestral home."
Whether in her past life or this one, this was the first time Zhou Shaojin had heard of this.
No wonder the Liao family had always been dissatisfied with her brother-in-law in her past life. Whenever something happened, they clamored to replace the clan heir.
"Where will you live when you go?" she hurriedly asked. "Brother-in-law will likely have to wait another examination cycle. What about living expenses?"
In her past life, the Liao family's residence in the capital had relied entirely on her brother-in-law and sister for support. They were not well-off financially, and her sister had even pawned her jewelry.
Zhou Chujin's expression changed drastically upon hearing this. "How do you know your brother-in-law won't pass this examination?"
Zhou Shaojin wished she could sew her mouth shut.
Accustomed to speaking freely with Uncle Chi, she had let her guard down when talking to her equally trusted and relied-upon sister.
Fortunately, she had encountered many situations recently and had gradually developed some ability to adapt.
"With the Liao family in such turmoil, how could brother-in-law focus on his studies?" Zhou Shaojin said. "I just thought that since you and brother-in-law are going to the capital, you should budget generously for living expenses."
Zhou Chujin relaxed but then frowned again.
She was well aware of her husband's state of mind.
She shared the same concerns as Zhou Shaojin and felt that her husband was unlikely to succeed in this examination.
"We plan to live in the house my mother-in-law gave us," Zhou Chujin said. "That way, our expenses will be lower."
Zhou Shaojin nodded. She wanted to offer her sister a few more suggestions when a maidservant outside chuckled, "Eldest Miss, Second Miss, the banquet is about to begin."
The sisters had no choice but to end their conversation.
After paying respects to the Zhou family ancestors, they went to Nine Prosperities Lane to greet Old Madam Guan.
When the first, second, third, and fifth branches of the Cheng family found out, they not only sent congratulatory gifts but also invited Liao Shaotang to meals one after another.This was for Liao Shaotang. It was also a matter of face for the fourth branch and the Zhou family, so Liao Shaotang naturally could not refuse.
In the following days, Zhou Chujin and Liao Shaotang visited several households in Nine Prosperities Lane. Zhou Shaojin and Madam Li also accompanied them on a few trips to Nine Prosperities Lane.
But Zhou Shaojin did not see Cheng Chi.
The banquet hosted by the eldest branch was attended by Old Madam Guo.
What was Uncle Chi up to again?
She wondered if she could use this matter as an excuse to get Cheng Chi to promise her one more thing.
That way, when something came up, she could wave the banner of "promise."
Zhou Shaojin muttered to herself.
She didn’t bother to think deeply about why she wanted Cheng Chi to give her another promise.
However, because of this, Zhou Chujin and Liao Shaotang could not return to Zhenjiang as scheduled.
Zhou Chujin smiled and said, "It’s fine! The Liao family is more than happy for us to get closer to the Cheng family."
Seeing that the maids, wives, matrons, and stewards who had come with the Liao family to serve all wore expressions of shared honor, Zhou Shaojin knew her sister’s words were true and felt reassured.
After socializing with the Cheng relatives, Zhou Chujin and Liao Shaotang packed their luggage, preparing to return to Zhenjiang.
After her rebirth, this was the first time Zhou Shaojin had seen her brother-in-law, Liao Shaotang.
Tall and slender, with a handsome face, refined manners, and a calm, reserved temperament—compared to the Liao Shaotang in her memory, he seemed a bit more youthful and less mature.
Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but smile.
Liao Shaotang didn’t know why his sister-in-law was smiling. A hint of embarrassment flashed across his brow, and after exchanging a few words with Zhou Shaojin, he left feeling rather awkward.
Zhou Chujin pinched Zhou Shaojin’s cheek and laughed, "What are you smiling about?"
"Nothing!" Zhou Shaojin dodged her sister’s hand and said, "I’m just happy to see my brother-in-law!"
Zhou Chujin’s face flushed slightly, and she whispered, "He... he really treats me very well."
Zhou Shaojin already knew this, so she hadn’t even asked Zhou Chujin how she was doing after her marriage.
But Zhou Chujin was worried about Zhou Shaojin’s future: "Are you planning to return to Baoding Prefecture with Madam?"
Only then did Zhou Shaojin have the chance to tell her sister about Old Madam Guan’s wish for her to stay. For some reason, however, she kept quiet about Cheng Chi’s suggestion that she move to the eldest branch.
Zhou Chujin had never trusted Madam Li to begin with, so she smiled and said, "That’s good too. In the future, if I want to send you anything, I can just entrust it to the Cheng family’s stewards."
Zhou Shaojin felt a bit uneasy inside and quickly changed the subject, saying, "Then, when you go to the capital, bring me some candied fruits from there! I’ve long heard that the candied fruits in the capital are delicious, but I’ve never tried them!"
Zhou Chujin was feeling sad about not being able to see her sister for a long time, only to find that her sister’s thoughts had already shifted to food.
She couldn’t help but laugh, "You’re always thinking about food!"
Zhou Shaojin giggled.
Zhou Chujin had to admit that seeing her sister so cheerful and lively made her worries vanish instantly.
That night, Zhou Chujin stayed in Zhou Shaojin’s room. The sisters talked all night, only resting for a short while when the sky began to lighten.
By breakfast time, the sisters were yawning one after another.
Chixiang, who was serving nearby, couldn’t help laughing and said, "Madam, hold on a little longer. Once you’re on the boat, you can sleep soundly."
Just as in her previous life, Chixiang would be betrothed to Liao Shaotang’s attendant, Li Sixi, after returning.
Dongwan, on the other hand, would marry Ma Ci.Recalling how these two couples had cared for her in her previous life, she rewarded Chixiang and Dongwan each with a pair of gold hairpins and thirty taels of silver, explaining that she would not be able to attend their weddings when they married, so this was her contribution to their dowries.
Chixiang and Dongwan blushed deeply, shyly accepting the rewards.
Madam Ma Fushan came in to report that the trunks and cases had already been loaded onto the boat: "...The groom is waiting for Eldest Miss to set off."
Zhou Chujin, who had been cheerful just moments before, suddenly burst into tears.
Zhou Shaojin felt a pang of sadness in her heart, and her eyes also grew moist.
Madam Li, who had rushed over to see Zhou Chujin off, quickly said, "Eldest Miss, Second Miss, the groom is still waiting outside! You mustn’t cry so much that your makeup is ruined. Zhenjiang is only two or three days’ journey from Jinling, and Baoding is even closer to the capital. Today is just a temporary farewell—there will be plenty of opportunities to meet again in the future. Please, stop crying!"
Zhou Chujin, after all, was more resilient than Zhou Shaojin. She quickly wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and forced a smile: "Shaoji, remember to write to your sister if anything happens. You can also entrust matters to Ma Fushan. He is shrewd, capable, loyal, and reliable—someone you can depend on."
Zhou Shaojin nodded repeatedly, her vision blurred by tears as she accompanied Zhou Chujin all the way to the north bank bridgehead. Only when Zhou Chujin’s boat had disappeared from sight did she finally break down and weep softly.
Chunwan and Bitao comforted her for a long time before she managed to stop crying and returned to Flat Bridge Street.
Madam Li had not seen her daughter for over three months. She missed her so much that her heart ached, wishing she could immediately pack up and return to Baoding. However, Zhou Shaojin’s affairs had not yet been settled, and there was no definite word from Nine Prosperities Lane, leaving her feeling extremely anxious.
Zhou Shaojin also found it strange.
In her view, once her sister left, the people from Nine Prosperities Lane should have come to fetch her. Why was there no movement?
She asked Chunwan to deliver two forehead scarves she had embroidered for Old Madam Guan a few days earlier to Jia Shu Hall.
When Chunwan returned, her expression was somewhat peculiar. She said, "Second Miss, Second Master Cheng Yi was punished with family discipline by Lord Mian and is now bedridden, unable to move! From what Si’er implied, Old Anren intends to wait until Second Master Cheng Yi can get out of bed before sending for you."
Zhou Shaojin was greatly startled and hurriedly asked, "Do you know why Second Master Cheng Yi was punished with family discipline? How are his injuries?"
Chunwan whispered to her, "They say that Miss Jiying, on Fourth Master’s orders, went to deliver a message to Old Anren. On the way, she encountered Second Master Cheng Yi. I don’t know what he said to her, but Miss Jiying... immediately turned hostile, overstepped her bounds, and kicked Second Master Cheng Yi to the ground.
"Second Master Cheng Yi was furious and gathered some servants to seek revenge on Miss Jiying.
"Lord Mian was so enraged when he heard this that he nearly fainted. He had Second Master Cheng Yi pressed onto a bench and gave him fifty strokes with a paddle. He said that for a man to be knocked down by a woman and feel no shame, even gathering people to retaliate... no real man would behave that way. He needed to teach Second Master Cheng Yi a proper lesson."
Zhou Shaojin was left speechless, her mouth agape.
It was only in the evening that she remembered she should send some medicinal herbs and the like to Cheng Yi. Before going to bed, she instructed Chunwan to open the storeroom and prepare packages of herbs such as angelica and gastrodia to send over the next day.Who would have thought that before she could send her things over, Old Madam Guo sent someone to fetch her into the mansion, saying, "Miss Sheng's wedding date has been set. The old madam would like to invite Second Cousin to come to the mansion and instruct the embroiderers on embroidering two screens for Miss Sheng."
Zhou Shaojin had Chunwan bring the medicinal herbs and went together to Cold Green Mountain House.
It was quiet at Old Madam Guo's place, no different from usual.
Biyu even winked at her when she saw her.
Zhou Shaojin didn't understand what it meant, but Biyu had already lifted the curtain and invited her inside.
In a daze, she entered the main room.
Old Madam Guo was changing clothes, so Zhou Shaojin waited for a while in the resting room.
When Old Madam Guo came out, she took Shaojin's hand and walked straight out: "I heard Yi Ge'er is not feeling well. Since you're here, you must be worried too, right? Then come with me to see him."
※
Dear sisters and brothers, today's bonus update!
Don't wait for the evening update. I'm afraid something unexpected might happen and disappoint everyone again. It's better for everyone to check tomorrow morning!
o(n_n)o~
PS: There might be typos; I'll fix them later.
※ (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to...)
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