Еight Тrеаsures Tofu, brаisеd lion's heаd, stewed bаmbоо shооts in winе saucе, Longjing shrimp, sweet and sour роrk ribs, clеar sоuр fish bаlls... Тhe tаblе wаs fillеd with dishеs, mostlу light and mild, and the mаjоrity wеre Zhou Shaоjin's favoritеs. Espесiаllу thе brаisеd lion's heаd, еaсh оnе onlу as big аs а four-haррiness mеatball, eхactly аs shе hаd instructеd the small kitchеn аt Frаgrant Gаrdеn Rеsidеnсе to рrеpаre fоr her.
Was this sрeсiаllу madе fоr hеr?
"Оld Madam..." Zhоu Shaojin held her chоpsticks, unsure оf what to sаy.
Оld Мadаm Guo motioned for Zhenzhu, who was serving the dishes beside her, to pick up a braised lion's head and place it in Zhou Shaojin's bowl. She smiled and said, "You will still be living at Cold Green Mountain House for a few more years. You must tell me what you like and what you don't. Otherwise, you'll only be the one suffering. Understand?"
Zhou Shaojin nodded repeatedly.
Old Madam Guo then pointed at her bowl with a smile and said gently, "Hurry and eat! I also had the kitchen prepare crystal cakes. After today, you can write down what you want to eat and take the list to the small kitchen. Later, I plan to go with you to Floating Emerald Pavilion to see how things are. I wonder how they've tidied up?"
"The rooms have been cleaned very thoroughly," Zhou Shaojin replied with a smile. "Chunwan and the others brought out all the things this afternoon. Later, I can accompany you for a walk to aid digestion."
Old Madam Guo smiled contentedly.
She had personally raised three granddaughters. Cheng Zheng was steady and reliable, never causing her any worry; Cheng Xiao was reserved, keeping her thoughts hidden deep in her heart; Cheng Sheng was lively, but sometimes too lively, occasionally giving her a headache. Zhou Shaojin, however, fell perfectly between the three.
No talking while eating or sleeping.
After dinner, Zhou Shaojin helped Old Madam Guo to Floating Emerald Pavilion.
Black lacquered furniture. The floor-length canopy was hung with oil-green Hangzhou silk curtains. There were sweet white porcelain flower vases, famille rose teacups, and by the window, a large writing desk with a Ruyao plum vase holding magnolia blossoms.
Old Madam Guo was somewhat surprised.
Sweet white porcelain and famille rose had only become fashionable in the past two years. The older generation found them lacking in depth, too simple or too flashy, but the younger generation appreciated their lightness and brightness.
Although she had instructed Nanny Lu to treat Zhou Shaojin well, she hadn't specified how. Based on Nanny Lu's taste, she would likely have opened the storeroom and brought out the family's more valuable jade potted landscape or cloisonné porcelain for the guest.
This kind of decor, both dignified and bright, could not possibly be Nanny Lu's doing.
But in front of Zhou Shaojin, she couldn't ask too many questions.
After sitting for a while in the resting room of Floating Emerald Pavilion, Old Madam Guo stood up to take her leave.
Zhou Shaojin accompanied Old Madam Guo all the way to the entrance before turning back.
Old Madam Guo returned to her main room in silence.
Nanny Lu, who served by Old Madam Guo's side, noticed that while Old Madam Guo had been fine earlier, her mood seemed to have dampened after seeing Zhou Shaojin's residence. Feeling uneasy, she watched as Zhenzhu helped Old Madam Guo sit on the luohan bed. She quickly took the tea brought by a young maid and personally handed it to Old Madam Guo.
After drinking the tea, Old Madam Guo dismissed Zhenzhu and the others and asked her, "Did you personally arrange Second Cousin's residence?"
So it was about this.
Nanny Lu breathed a sigh of relief.
At first, she had also thought it seemed rather plain, but Qin Ziping had said it was Fourth Master's idea. So she had let them handle it as they pleased.
"No," Nanny Lu replied with a smile. "It was the idea of Steward Qin, who serves by Fourth Master's side."Old Madam Guo frowned. After dismissing Nanny Lu, she sat alone for a while in a daze before calling Zhenzhu in to attend to her rest.
Zhou Shaojin, however, rolled over happily in bed.
She loved this bed too.
It was a small lacquered bed with many little drawers at the headboard, perfect for storing all sorts of things.
The mattress was also padded with many layers, making it soft to lie on—like resting on clouds. Unlike the bed at Fragrant Garden Residence, which was hard. They said sleeping on a hard bed was good for health, but she preferred soft beds. In her previous life, after moving to the estate in Daxing, she had four cotton mattresses made at once and laid them all on the kang.
Chunwan covered her mouth and laughed, saying, "Second Miss, should we move the flowers you left at Fragrant Garden Residence over here?"
Zhou Shaojin felt a bit troubled.
Originally, she had thought that flowers were delicate things. If she could stay at Jia Shu Hall after her sister’s marriage, it would be better not to disturb them. If she had to follow Madam Li to Baoding, it would be perfectly reasonable to take the ones left in Nine Prosperities Lane with her.
But now, she had moved into Cold Green Mountain House, while some of her belongings remained at Fragrant Garden Residence. Her grandmother had just told her to return to Fragrant Garden Residence for a few days sometime soon, and before those words had even settled, she would go there to move her things… It might give others the impression of being cold-hearted.
If she had known this earlier, she should have moved those few pots of flowers back to Flat Bridge Street.
But it was too late to say that now.
"I’ll just have to find opportunities to move them slowly later," Zhou Shaojin said helplessly.
Chunwan agreed with a smile and helped Zhou Shaojin remove her hairpins and jewelry.
Zhou Shaojin slept soundly through the night without any dreams.
Over at Old Madam Guo’s side, there was already movement.
She hurriedly dressed and got up.
Chunwan smiled and said, "Second Miss, don’t rush! Before you woke up, Miss Zhenzhu came on Old Madam’s orders to relay a message. She said you don’t need to attend the morning and evening greetings. Just accompany her to the prayer hall at si shi (note: 10 a.m.) every day to recite two volumes of sutras."
"How can that be!" Zhou Shaojin still urged Chunwan to help her wash and dress.
Chunwan smiled and said, "I also asked Miss Biyu and Miss Zhenzhu. They said it was like this when Miss Sheng was here before. They also said that Old Madam sometimes wakes up in the morning and lies in bed thinking for a long while, probably not wanting to be disturbed. I think Second Miss should just follow Old Madam’s wishes and accompany her to recite two volumes of sutras every day."
Being new here, she didn’t know whether Old Madam Guo’s words were genuine or not, but since both Biyu and Zhenzhu said so, she might as well obediently comply.
Zhou Shaojin relaxed completely.
Chunwan handed her a large red, gold-sprinkled menu: "Second Miss, look! This was sent from the kitchen early this morning. They said it’s prepared according to the usual practice. We can just check off what we want to eat from this menu. If there’s something special we’d like that isn’t on the list, you can send someone to tell the small kitchen, and they’ll adjust the menu."
Zhou Shaojin opened it and saw that her favorite dishes, Needle Brocade Tofu Soup and Crystal Cake, were both on the list.
She couldn’t help but examine the menu closely.
Not a single crease—it was clearly brand new.
This probably wasn’t arranged by Old Madam Guo, was it?
Old Madam Guo would certainly treat her well, but she was elderly and couldn’t possibly be this meticulous.
Could it be Nanny Lu?
But those sweet white porcelain and famille rose items were likely newly purchased. She probably didn’t have that much authority.
Could it be… Uncle Chi!Impossible!
Uncle Chi wasn't even home, so he wouldn't know she had moved in. Moreover, Old Madam Guan had agreed so readily to let her move precisely because of the sudden incident with Cheng Yi... I wonder what Cheng Yi said to Jiying back then? He actually managed to anger Jiying so much. Fortunately, it was Cheng Yi who got beaten. If it had been someone from the second, third, or fifth branch, even if Jiying was Uncle Chi's maid and even if she wasn't at fault, they likely wouldn't have let it go easily.
She should remind Jiying about this when she returns.
Zhou Shaojin pondered this as she finished her breakfast and then went to see Old Madam Guo.
Old Madam Guo was leaning on a daybed, reading a book with spectacles on.
Zhou Shaojin smiled and said, "Shall I read it for you?"
In her previous life, she had often seen Concubine Mu reading for Lin Shisheng's mother. Lin's mother, who had initially disapproved of Lin Shisheng taking Concubine Mu as a concubine, had gradually been won over by her in this way.
Old Madam Guo chuckled and handed the book to Zhou Shaojin.
Zhou Shaojin saw it was a travelogue and became interested herself. She sat beside Old Madam Guo and began reading aloud with great expression.
Her voice was sweet and soft yet melodious, very pleasant to the ear.
The morning sunlight spilled over her, as if dusting her with gold powder. Her serene expression made her appear even more gentle and beautiful than usual.
What a beauty!
Who would be fortunate enough to marry her!
Old Madam Guo silently praised her in her heart.
Nanny Lu entered quietly on tiptoe.
Zhou Shaojin quickly stopped reading, put down the book, and stood up. She said to Old Madam Guo, "I'll go make you a fresh pot of tea."
"No need. The tea is still warm," Old Madam Guo replied, then asked Nanny Lu, "What is it?"
This meant there was no need to avoid Zhou Shaojin.
Zhou Shaojin was deeply moved.
Old Madam Guo did not treat her as an outsider.
Nanny Lu, however, felt a sudden chill and said, "The Liangguo Duke's residence has sent wedding invitations."
The wedding date for the heir of Liangguo Duke, Zhu Pengju, and the eldest daughter of the Liu family was set for the fifteenth day of the fifth month.
Old Madam Guo thought for a moment and said, "Then prepare two gifts for me. One to be sent to the Liangguo Duke's residence, and one to the Liu family. Twenty taels of silver for each will suffice."
So little!
Back when Shi Xiang got married, Old Madam Guo had given her twenty taels of silver as a wedding gift.
Zhou Shaojin was surprised.
Old Madam Guo explained, "Both the Liangguo Duke's residence and the Liu family have dealings with the Cheng family. Your Uncle Chi also has a good relationship with the heir of the Liangguo Duke's residence. Since the heir is remarrying, your Uncle Chi will certainly send a substantial gift. My gift, in comparison, will just be a token. However, your Uncle Chi has no particular ties with the Liu family. Moreover, the Liu family is marrying off a daughter, and your Uncle Chi isn't getting married, so there's no need for him to give a wedding gift to the Liu family's eldest daughter. It's enough for me to make a gesture on behalf of the family."
Zhou Shaojin took this lesson to heart.
Old Madam Guo chuckled, got up, and prepared to go to the Buddhist chapel to chant sutras.
Zhou Shaojin helped Old Madam Guo change her clothes.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside.
Zhou Shaojin was very curious.
Old Madam Guo, however, darkened her expression and asked, "What is going on?"
Zhenzhu had already lifted the curtain and gone out before Old Madam Guo finished speaking. As soon as Old Madam Guo's words fell, she hurried back in, her face somewhat pale, and said, "Old Madam, it's Madam Wen from the fifth branch. For some reason, she's being supported by her nanny, crying and making a scene as she barged in."
Old Madam Guo's expression grew even more unpleasant.Zhenzhu hesitated and said, "Old Madam, would you like to go to the Buddha hall first? It's already time for scripture chanting!"
This was to let Old Madam Guo avoid the situation for a while.
But before Old Madam Guo could answer, Madam Wen had already rushed in, knelt before Old Madam Guo, hugged her legs, and began to cry: "Aunt, you must stand up for me! Your nephew Wen, he... he wants to kill me!"
※
Brothers and sisters, an extra chapter for the spirit beast egg in the Jinling Spring forum.
There are typos; I'll fix them later. Please bear with it for now.
⊙﹏⊙b sweat...
PS: Regarding Cheng Sheng's wedding date, I made a mistake and have corrected it. Thank you, reader Suyan. If there are any errors, please feel free to point them out.
※ (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to...)
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