Jin Ling Chun (Spring in Jin Ling)

In Соld Grееn Mountаin Ноusе, Оld Madam Guо wаs frowning as shе asked Qin Shоuуuе, "Yоu sаid Yоuyi is alsо returning with Jiashan this time?"

Youyi wаs thе cоurtesу nаmе оf Chеng Shi, thе еldеst sоn of thе second brаnсh.

Qin Shouуue repliеd, "It is said that thе matriarсh оf thе sесоnd brаnch wrotе tо him, asking him tо rеturn tо prеpаrе for neхt уeаr's imperial еxaminatiоns."

Оld Мadаm Guo sneerеd, "I dо hоpе thе sесоnd brаnch саn prоducе a schоlar. Тhеn hе cаn tаstе thе heart-wrenсhing sorrow I once fеlt."

Qin Shouyue lоwered his hеad slightlу, nоt daring tо respond.

Of course, Old Madam Guo did not expect Qin Shouyue to share her resentment and say anything in agreement. She asked, "When will Jiashan arrive home?"

Qin Shouyue looked up with a smile, "At most, four or five days."

Old Madam Guo nodded, a hint of joy appearing in her eyes. "His mother is not at home, so I must trouble you to take extra care of Duojiage."

Duojiage was where Cheng Xu lived, and it had been empty for nearly two years. Now that he was returning from the capital, although the place was regularly cleaned, it lacked the warmth of human presence. According to Old Madam Guo's wishes, besides arranging the furnishings in the current fashionable style, the maids and servants should also move in ahead of time.

Qin Shouyue smiled, "You are too kind, Madam. However, Fourth Master's intention is to have the young master stay in Algae Garden. He said it is quiet there, perfect for the young master's studies."

Old Madam Guo was taken aback for a moment, then smiled in relief. "I never thought he would concern himself with such matters. It seems he truly intends to teach Jiashan." She sighed, "I have always wanted him to be closer to Jiashan, but he has always been distant. Now it seems he has suddenly come to his senses. At least this puts my mind at ease."

Qin Shouyue smiled, "Fourth Master is someone who appears cold on the outside but is warm-hearted. He does care for the young master, but he is not the type to fuss over him like others."

Old Madam Guo nodded with a smile. "Was it Zi'an or Ziping who relayed the message about moving Jiashan to Algae Garden? In that case, I will leave matters concerning Algae Garden entirely in your hands."

"Rest assured, Madam!" Qin Shouyue said. "It was Ziping who delivered the message. Although the young master will be staying in Algae Garden, we cannot simply leave him there alone. I will accompany him. If anything arises on your side, please send word to me. Ziping will remain here."

Old Madam Guo was surprised again and smiled. "Was this also Si Lang's arrangement?"

Qin Shouyue smiled, "Yes! Fourth Master said this is an opportunity to see whether Zi'an or Ziping is more suitable to be the chief steward of the Qin family."

"This child," Old Madam Guo chuckled. "Is he confused? In the future, Jiashan will be the head of the household, so the Qin family's chief steward must get along well with him. Since he intends for Ziping or Zi'an to stay in the household, he should arrange for them to serve in Algae Garden. Why has he reversed it, sending you to Algae Garden and leaving Ziping here?"

Qin Shouyue smiled, "Fourth Master may still be concerned about Ziping or Zi'an's abilities and hasn't considered whether they will get along with the young master."

"That's true!" Old Madam Guo laughed. "The Qin family has always been loyal to our eldest branch. There is no need to worry about whether Zi'an or Ziping will get along with my Jiashan. While we two old folks are still alive, it is good for them to gain some experience."

Qin Shouyue quickly smiled, "How could someone like me compare to you, Madam...""Enough, enough. No need to speak these empty pleasantries with me here," Old Madam Guo interrupted him before he could finish, smiling as she said, "You're already over sixty years old. Leave matters to those below you to handle. You should take good care of yourself."

"Thank you, Old Madam!" Qin Shouyue modestly declined the praise before taking his leave from Old Madam Guo to arrange matters for Algae Garden.

Upon hearing the news, Zhou Shaojin couldn't help but beam with joy.

She had known that Uncle Chi, aware of her dislike for Cheng Xu, wouldn't remain completely inactive.

But sending Cheng Xu to Algae Garden, far away from here... truly wonderful!

She set down her paintbrush, propped her elbow on the table, and rested her chin in her hand, lost in thought.

When would Uncle Chi return?

What exactly was he doing?

Was there any danger?

She had so much to tell him.

Travel by boat or horse carries three parts risk. After he returned, should she advise him to go out less in the future...

As Zhou Shaojin's thoughts wandered, Old Madam Guo's voice suddenly came from behind her: "What you're painting is... a Guanyin image. Are you planning to embroider a Guanyin?"

Caught off guard, Zhou Shaojin was startled.

She quickly stood up, calling out, "Old Madam."

Old Madam Guo chuckled, pressing her shoulder and saying, "Did I startle you? I saw you sitting here alone, lost in thought. I called you twice, but you didn't respond, so I asked... Is something on your mind?"

For some reason, Zhou Shaojin's face flushed red. Countless thoughts swirled in her mind, but she only said, "I plan to embroider a Guanyin image, but I'm not sure if the painting is any good..."

So that was it!

"It's good! Very good indeed," Old Madam Guo smiled as she picked up the tracing paper to examine it closely. "The face is full and round, the expression serene and compassionate, the lines smooth... I never expected you could paint, and so well at that."

Zhou Shaojin blushed, murmuring softly, "You flatter me, Old Madam. I... I was just painting casually."

"Good is good, and not good is not good," Old Madam Guo said affectionately as she set down the tracing paper. "Sometimes you lack confidence in yourself. You should trust my judgment."

Zhou Shaojin nodded repeatedly, suddenly feeling her back straighten a little.

Old Madam Guo then asked, "I heard you've been going to Jia Shu Hall early every morning these days to pay respects to your grandmother, then visiting the greenhouse before rushing back to accompany me in chanting sutras?"

Zhou Shaojin explained, "Grandmother seems to be in low spirits these past few days, and the few pots of azaleas I've been tending are about to bloom..."

Old Madam Guo smiled and said, "Don't you have several pomegranate trees in your courtyard? If you like, I'll have someone build a greenhouse in your courtyard and move all your plants there." Without waiting for Zhou Shaojin to respond, she continued, "Why is your grandmother in low spirits? Hasn't Yi Ge'er started walking? Could it be that she feels embarrassed because Yi Ge'er was hit by your uncle's maid?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Shaojin lost all interest in discussing her flowers. She hurriedly said, "I don't think Grandmother is upset about that matter. It seems Second Uncle Cheng Yuan has encountered some difficulties at his post!"

In her previous life, she hadn't paid any attention and naturally didn't know what exactly Cheng Yuan had encountered or how it was resolved. In this life, she had no way to offer advice.Old Madam Guo smiled and said, "What kind of matter is this? I'll accompany you to Jia Shu Hall later and ask how the preparations for Gao Ge'er's wedding are coming along. Once Gao Ge'er gets married, Yi Ge'er will likely have to live separately. Should we wait until Yi Ge'er's wedding to arrange a new residence, or should we tidy up both brothers' living quarters while preparing for Gao Ge'er's wedding? Since I have nothing to do at the moment, I’ll go and chat with your grandmother."

Zhou Shaojin couldn’t have asked for more.

She put away her paintbrush and accompanied Old Madam Guo to Jia Shu Hall.

Old Madam Guan knew the purpose of Old Madam Guo’s visit. She was very grateful and said, "It’s not a big matter. As you know, your nephew Yuan passed the imperial examination as a tong jinshi. This year, he got a new superior who places great importance on one’s background and sometimes speaks rather harshly. With Gao Ge'er about to get married, he specifically sent an advisor to see if there was anything he could help with at home. The advisor inadvertently mentioned this to your nephew Mian. Your nephew Mian became somewhat anxious and told me. I’ve already spoken to them—when a man goes out into the world, how can everything go smoothly without hearing even a single unjust word? If he can’t handle such a small matter, he might as well resign and come back home."

Uncle Mian probably told Grandmother about this in hopes that she would seek a word from Old Madam Guo, didn’t he?

As Zhou Shaojin speculated, she heard Old Madam Guo say with a smile, "It’s nothing. I’ll speak to your nephew Jing and find out what’s going on with his superior."

Old Madam Guan thanked her repeatedly.

The two chatted for a while longer, and just as Old Madam Guo was about to ask about Cheng Gao’s bridal chamber, Si'er rushed in. Seeing Old Madam Guo, she quickly stood aside with her hands at her sides.

Old Madam Guo chuckled and asked Zhou Shaojin to support her. She said, "Shall we go see the place where you grow flowers? I’ve long known you’re skilled at gardening, so today I’ll broaden my horizons!"

Old Madam Guan’s face flushed red. She said, "Sister-in-law, why be so formal with me! Si'er, what happened? Why are you in such a panic?"

Si'er, realizing she had caused trouble, turned pale with fright and said tremblingly, "Madam, I just ran into a servant from the fifth branch. She said that Madam Shi from the second branch is acting as a matchmaker, proposing the eldest daughter of Prefect Wu’s family for Master Nuo of the fifth branch. Madam Wen has already gone to the second branch to discuss Master Nuo’s marriage."

The eldest daughter of Prefect Wu’s family... wouldn’t that be Wu Baozhang?

Zhou Shaojin was horrified.

How could this be?

In her previous life, she had married Cheng Lu!

She couldn’t help but glance at the two elderly ladies.

Both Old Madam Guo and Old Madam Guan looked surprised, clearly not having expected this. It was Old Madam Guan’s attendant, Madam Wang, who reacted first and said with a smile, "Master Nuo of the fifth branch is getting engaged—this is good news indeed!"

Indeed. It’s certainly more reliable than the person Cheng Wen and Madam Wen were planning to marry.

But would Wu Baozhang agree?

Zhou Shaojin really didn’t like Wu Baozhang. Should she oppose this?

Zhou Shaojin felt somewhat troubled.

In the Liu Ting Pavilion where Cheng Shi lived, Madam Hong, the wife of Uncle Yi, was also troubled, much like Zhou Shaojin. She asked her daughter-in-law, Madam Zheng, "Is this appropriate? Miss Wu is, after all, the daughter of a prefect’s family, while Nuo Ge'er doesn’t even have an official title. He’s lazy and lives aimlessly...""Mother, please don't worry anymore." Eldest Madam Shi smiled and gently pulled her mother-in-law's hand, sitting down beside her on the luohan bed. "I've already discussed this matter with Baozhang, and she agrees. Although she is the eldest daughter of the prefect, she lost her mother at a young age and has not had an easy life at home. The matches Madam Wu has proposed for her are either elderly widowers or playboys who indulge in drinking, gambling, and womanizing. Occasionally, there are a few scholars, but they are all unprincipled individuals who are only interested in Baozhang's status and want to benefit from the Wu family's influence. Although Nuo'er may not be as responsible as others, he is kind-hearted, gentle in temperament, filial, and sensible. With the Cheng family's protection, if Baozhang marries him, it could actually be considered a blessing for her!"

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Dear brothers and sisters, here is yesterday's update.

o(n_n)o~

PS: The overtime for Qingtian Moyun is scheduled for around 5 PM.

※ (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to...)

!!