"Is thаt so?" Madаm Нong of thе Yi branch соuldn't shаkе оff а sense оf unease, but her daughter-in-lаw's wоrds werе pеrfесtlу reаsоnаblе, lеaving hеr unable to find аnу fault.
Мadam Zheng, thе wife of thе Shi branch, knеw hеr mоthеr-in-lаw mеаnt well and wаs kind tо othеrs, thоugh shе somеtimes strugglеd tо grasp сеrtain mаtters cleаrly. Seeing hеr реrplеxed eхрrеssion, Маdаm Zhеng simрlу smiled аnd sаid, "When this mаtter wаs discussed, Grаndmothеr wаs рresеnt аs wеll. Аmong the threе candidates, she сhose Eldеst Miss Wu, and Fifth Аunt was аlsо willing. As fоr the Wu family, there’s no need to even mention—according to the matchmaker, Madam Wu agreed without asking a single question. So please don’t worry. As the saying goes, 'Once the bride enters the door, the matchmaker is tossed over the wall.' We’ve only played the role of matchmakers. How the two families negotiate and whether their future life together goes well—that’s entirely up to them."
This made even more sense.
Madam Hong of the Yi branch nodded.
Hongrui walked in with a cheerful smile, curtsied, and said, "Madam, Madam Shi, a servant from Eldest Miss Wu’s household has come, saying she made summer clothes for the eldest and second young masters. Seeing the weather growing hotter and having no time to visit in person, she specially sent someone to deliver them."
Madam Zheng of the Shi branch hinted meaningfully to Madam Hong of the Yi branch, smiling, "I knew at first glance that this girl was clever. Once, I merely mentioned that Hongrui and the others were busy making summer clothes for Geng Ge’er and Yun Ge’er, and she remembered it."
Hearing this, Madam Hong also felt that Eldest Miss Wu was quite good—at least someone who knew how to show appreciation.
"Since both you and Grandmother speak so highly of her, I’ll leave it at that," Madam Hong said, rising to take her leave. "Once the date for the formal betrothal is set, just let me know."
Madam Zheng smiled and replied, "Yes," then escorted her mother-in-law to the door.
Only then did Hongrui whisper in Madam Zheng’s ear, "I heard that Madam Wu has been diagnosed with a pregnancy, and Eldest Miss Wu is attending to her."
Madam Zheng was somewhat surprised but soon smiled. "That’s just as well! If she can’t rely on her own family, she’ll have to rely even more on her husband’s family."
Hongrui smiled without saying a word.
Madam Wen was overjoyed.
She had wanted to arrange her niece’s marriage to her son to prevent the niece of that woman outside from entering the household. But if she were to be honest with herself, Eldest Miss Wu’s background and appearance were several levels above her niece’s. Especially when she heard that Cheng Wen had reluctantly agreed to this match in front of the Second Branch’s matriarch, she became even more satisfied with the arrangement.
"It’s a pity I didn’t get a good look at Eldest Miss Wu when she came to visit," Madam Wen sighed regretfully to her personal maid, Xiang’er. "It seems the Second Branch has indeed put great effort into Nuo Ge’er’s marriage this time."The Cheng family ancestral rule stated that one could only take a concubine if they had no sons by the age of forty. However, since Cheng Wen had set a precedent, maids like Xiang'er couldn't help but have some thoughts of their own. Upon hearing this, she smiled and said, "I heard that Eldest Miss Wu is quite close to Second Branch's Madam Shi. Madam Shi knows Eldest Miss Wu's character well. If you want to know anything, you might as well ask Madam Shi." At this point, she paused slightly before adding, "I seem to recall that Madam Wu's maiden name is Guan. When Madam Wu first arrived in Jinling, she was closest to Fourth Branch's Old Madam Guan. Madam Wu even specially brought her three daughters to visit Old Madam Guan. Eldest Miss Wu is about the same age as the Zhou family's Second Cousin. They even played together back then. The Zhou family's Second Cousin should be familiar with Eldest Miss Wu too."
Upon hearing this, Madam Wen curled her lips and said, "We'd better avoid interacting too much with the Zhou family's Second Cousin. She's now Old Madam Guo's precious darling, guarded by Old Madam Guo like a mother hen protecting her chicks! What if, while asking about Eldest Miss Wu, we end up getting involved in other matters? People might say we don't know our place, using a visiting cousin at Nine Prosperities Lane as an excuse to stir up trouble!"
Xiang'er was quite dismissive of this.
You, Madam Wen, are, after all, the mistress of the Fifth Branch of Nine Prosperities Lane. How could you be inferior to a cousin who depends on others? It's understandable to fear upsetting Old Madam Guo, but now you're even afraid of a junior? You're really regressing as you age. What can one expect from following someone like this?
She silently criticized in her heart but showed no hint of it on her face. Smiling, she said, "Madam is right. It's better to avoid trouble. If you want to know about Eldest Miss Wu, just ask Madam Shi."
Madam Wen also felt her behavior was rather pointless, but whenever she remembered that the Fifth Branch still relied on dividends from Yutai Bank to make ends meet, she couldn't stand tall. She could only play dumb and instruct Xiang'er, "Then call a maid to help me change. I'll go to Listening Pavilion to chat with Madam Shi."
Xiang'er smiled and went to call a maid. After Madam Wen freshened up, she accompanied her to the Second Branch.
As they passed by the Fourth Branch, the two saw several maids moving flowers—all expensive varieties like orchids, camellias, and chrysanthemums, potted in Xianyang pots.
She couldn't help but take a few extra glances.
Xiang'er quickly stepped forward to ask.
The maid smiled and said, "These belong to the cousin. Since Master Gao's wedding is approaching and the bridal chamber needs renovation, there are often craftsmen and servants coming and going in the house. The cousin is afraid these flowers might get damaged, so she's temporarily moving them to Floating Emerald Pavilion at Cold Green Mountain House."
Madam Wen was shocked and said, "Did Old Madam Guo actually agree to this?"
The maid smiled and replied, "This servant doesn't know. It was Biyu, who serves by the old madam's side, who gave the order—we just do as she says!"
Madam Wen fell silent for a moment before walking away with a darkened expression.
The maid let out an almost inaudible, disdainful "hmph" at Madam Wen's retreating figure.
Several other maids helping with the task gathered around and whispered, "Is that Fifth Branch's Madam Wen?"
"Who else could it be!" The maid's voice dropped even lower. "If I were her, I would have moved to a separate residence long ago. How could I have the nerve to wander around the courtyard in broad daylight like this, as if afraid others don't know about her affairs?"The incident of Madam Wen kneeling to listen to a maid read "Admonitions for Women" had already spread throughout Nine Prosperities Lane. Maids, married women, and elderly servants with any standing all felt that Madam Wen had utterly humiliated herself this time, losing face all the way to the Qinhuai River. They were even more disdainful that she could actually swallow such an insult, and their behavior took on a somewhat "bullying the weak" attitude, showing less of the former respect. In contrast, they held Old Madam Guo of Cold Green Mountain House in even greater awe and reverence.
Not daring to delay, the servants quickly and carefully moved all the flowers onto the cart. One pulled, two guarded, and three more followed behind to watch over them, bustling off to Floating Emerald Pavilion in a whirlwind of activity.
A potted tea plum was placed at the entrance, a pot of cymbidium orchid by the bedside, a pot of asparagus fern on the tea table, and a pot of peony beneath the corridor eaves... The courtyard instantly brightened.
Zhou Shaojin stood in the main hall, satisfied as she lowered her rolled-up sleeves.
Xiao Tan rushed in, panting, and said, "Second Cousin, Fourth Master has returned!"
"Really?" Zhou Shaojin's eyes lit up as she spoke, turning immediately toward Listening Oriole Hall.
"Second Cousin, shouldn't you change your clothes first?" Xiao Tan said. "You were just moving flowers with the servants!"
But before she could finish her words, Zhou Shaojin had already vanished in a flash.
Stamping her foot, Xiao Tan had no choice but to follow.
When Uncle Chi was away, Listening Oriole Hall was like stagnant water. But as soon as Uncle Chi returned, the Ruyi Gate of Listening Oriole Hall swung wide open. Servants carrying trunks and boxes came and went, and the chirping of birds could be heard. The entire courtyard came alive, vibrant and full of vitality.
Zhou Shaojin spotted Cheng Chi at once, standing beneath the corridor eaves and speaking with Huaishan.
He wore a gray coarse cloth Daoist robe and black coarse cloth shoes, standing with his hands behind his back. His expression was stern yet graceful, with an imposing and dignified air.
Uncle Chi dressed so plainly, so why did he still look so handsome?
Zhou Shaojin muttered to herself, her footsteps faltering.
But Cheng Chi suddenly turned as if he knew she had arrived, and their gazes met in mid-air.
He smiled.
The sternness melted away, leaving only the warmth of spring sunlight.
A warmth blossomed in Zhou Shaojin's heart, and she fluttered over like a little swallow.
Cheng Chi's smile grew even brighter. He whispered a few words to Huaishan, who glanced at Zhou Shaojin before quietly withdrawing.
Zhou Shaojin stopped in front of Cheng Chi, pouting charmingly, and said, "Uncle Chi, why did you only return now?"
Cheng Chi looked at her flushed face and the traces of soil still clinging to the edges of her sleeves, suddenly reminded of the wildflowers that grew deep in the mountains—exquisitely beautiful, yet innocent and carefree.
Sometimes, Zhou Shaojin was like such a flower, able to preserve her true nature no matter what she experienced.
Perhaps this was why she could let go of past grievances!
He smiled and said, "I haven't even settled in yet, and you already know I'm back. It seems no matter whether I return early or late, you’re bound to find out. But you’ve only been here a few days—surely you haven’t already bribed the gatekeepers, have you?"
"How could that be!" Zhou Shaojin protested coyly. "I just asked Xiao Tan to keep an eye out and let me know as soon as Uncle Chi returned!"
"Oh!" Cheng Chi raised an eyebrow. "So this doesn’t count as tipping you off?"
Zhou Shaojin’s face flushed hotly as she argued, "Who told you to be so elusive..."
"I’m elusive?" Cheng Chi raised his eyebrow again.Zhou Shaojin quickly corrected herself, "No, no. I misspoke. Uncle Chi is like a dragon whose head can be seen but not its tail."
Cheng Chi laughed heartily.
The servants moving the trunks stole glances at Zhou Shaojin.
Feeling quite awkward yet unwilling to leave just like that, Zhou Shaojin wanted to ask Cheng Chi where he had been and what he had done, but she found it difficult to voice the questions.
After much hesitation, she simply asked Cheng Chi, "Uncle Chi, did Jiying return with you? I haven’t seen her in a while and miss her quite a bit."
"Is that so?" Cheng Chi smiled and said, "She came back with me and just returned to her side room. If you want to visit her, turn left ahead and you’ll see the side room where she stays."
Of course, she knew the way to Jiying’s place.
But why didn’t Uncle Chi ask her why she had come to see him?
It seemed he wasn’t particularly happy to see her... No, that wasn’t it either. Uncle Chi had seemed quite pleased when he first saw her—she could sense that—but he wasn’t as overjoyed as she was. Otherwise, why wouldn’t he invite her inside for tea or something...
Zhou Shaojin’s mood instantly sank, accompanied by an indescribable sense of embarrassment.
"Then I’ll go find Jiying!" she said, hurrying off toward Jiying’s quarters.
※
Sisters, this is an extra update for Qingtian Moyun.
o(n_n)o~
It’s safer to check for updates tomorrow morning.
※ (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to...)
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