Upоn hеaring the night wаtchwomаn's rероrt, Zhоu Shаojin slumpеd her shoulders in disappоintmеnt.
Chunwаn, howеvеr, smilеd аnd said, "I tоld уоu! It's sо lаte, hоw could Fourth Маster сome to visit Sеcond Yоung Miss? Hе must hаvе sроkеn with thе old madаm аnd then саsuаlly strоlled аrоund the cоurtуard, unintеntionally stоpping by оur dооr."
Is that sо?
Zhou Shaojin's mооd instаntly sаnk tо its lоwеst роint, feеling fоolish fоr having сhanged hеr clоthеs.
Сhunwan lеt оut а lоng sigh of relief аnd laughed, "Finally, we сan get a gоod night's sleеp."
Zhоu Shаojin's fаce burned with embarrassment. She thought to herself, thankfully only one lamp was lit in the inner chamber—if it had been brightly lit, she would have wanted to crawl into a hole in the ground.
Despite this relief, the next day when she encountered Cheng Chi, she couldn't help but blush.
Seeing her embarrassment, Cheng Chi also felt somewhat awkward recalling the previous night's scene. But having experienced the world, he quickly regained his composure and asked with a smile, "The weather has cleared up today. The flowers in the garden should all be in bloom. You can go enjoy them today."
Zhou Shaojin nodded with a smile. After Cheng Chi paid his respects to Old Madam Guo and left, she encouraged the old madam to go flower-viewing.
Old Madam Guo was in exceptionally high spirits.
Her youngest son had previously declared he would never marry, unwilling to let his descendants follow in his footsteps. But over the past few years, with her constant nagging in his ear, he had changed his mind this year, saying he would definitely marry, but to avoid his descendants taking on household affairs, he would marry later.
If she continued to pester him, perhaps one day he would change his mind again, agreeing to marry first... Then, with her persistence, he might change his mind once more, agreeing to have a child...
Old Madam Guo felt her life was seeing a glimmer of dawn, full of hope, and moving in a positive direction.
She not only wanted to live well to see her youngest son's child born but also to help raise the child, just as she had with her eldest and second sons.
Thinking of this, she felt energized all over and waved her hand, saying, "Today we'll have lunch at the Four Seasons Pavilion! Have the outer courtyard chefs prepare the meal."
The Cheng family's private dishes originated from the outer courtyard kitchen, and they were responsible for banquets when distinguished guests visited.
Biyu and the others cheered.
Zhenzhu, noticing Old Madam Guo's fondness for Zhou Shaojin, added playfully, "We're benefiting from Second Young Miss's favor!"
Old Madam Guo did not deny it. She chuckled and patted Zhou Shaojin's head.
Just like Uncle Chi, the old madam enjoyed patting her head, treating her like a child!
Zhou Shaojin smiled bashfully.
Some, like Biyu, took Old Madam Guo's token to order dishes from the outer courtyard kitchen; others opened the storeroom to fetch utensils; some retrieved cushions recently stored away for Old Madam Guo and Zhou Shaojin to sit on; while others instructed the maids to notify those on duty at the Four Seasons Pavilion... By the time Zhou Shaojin and Old Madam Guo finished reciting scriptures in the Buddhist hall, everyone set off grandly toward the Four Seasons Pavilion.
Unlike the previous days when they came here to listen to opera or socialize, Zhou Shaojin was in a joyful mood. Following Old Madam Guo, stopping and starting to admire the scenery, she found everything beautiful to behold.
The group paused at a lakeside pavilion, where schools of red carp swam over, blowing bubbles at them.
Zhou Shaojin exclaimed in surprise, "Could these fish actually recognize people?"She had once kept a few goldfish in the estate at Daxing, and whenever she passed by, they would swim toward her. Nanny Fan said it was because they recognized her.
But these fish in the lake weren’t raised by her, so why were they also gathering around?
Old Madam Guo smiled and said, “Most likely, someone often feeds these fish here. That’s why they swim over as soon as they see someone approaching.”
As she spoke, two matrons walked over, chatting and laughing, with a basket in hand.
Zhou Shaojin was greatly impressed. “Madam, you truly are remarkable. You can even guess such things.”
The old madam smiled. “Paying attention everywhere yields knowledge. Some things can be understood without learning from books.”
Zhou Shaojin thought of her own clumsiness in her previous life and fell into contemplation.
The two matrons had indeed come to feed the fish.
Upon seeing Old Madam Guo, they approached nervously, paid their respects, and eagerly attended to Zhou Shaojin and the others as they fed the fish for amusement.
Noticing that Old Madam Guo was merely sitting and watching from the side, Zhou Shaojin quietly withdrew, washed her hands, and joined the old madam for tea.
A matron came running over, panting, and said, “Madam, the old lady from the fourth branch says she will come to see you later.”
Old Madam Guo smiled. “Then invite her to join us for lunch at Four Seasons Tower!”
The matron left with a smile.
Zhou Shaojin said apologetically, “It’s been some time since I last saw my grandmother.”
Old Madam Guo smiled. “She’s likely here because of the family banquet at Listening to Rain Pavilion a couple of days ago.”
Zhou Shaojin was puzzled.
Old Madam Guo explained, “I didn’t attend, and I didn’t even bother with an excuse. Surely, someone approached your grandmother, asking her to relay a message to me.”
Hearing the dismissive tone in Old Madam Guo’s voice, Zhou Shaojin worried that this might cause a rift between Old Madam Guo and Old Madam Guan. She smiled and said, “My grandmother probably couldn’t refuse.”
Old Madam Guo nodded in agreement with a smile.
They went to Four Seasons Tower.
In her previous life, Zhou Shaojin had never gone upstairs. In this life, although she had ascended the tower, she had never wandered freely. Now she discovered that standing by the eastern railing of Four Seasons Tower offered a view of nearly half of the Cheng family garden. The early summer breeze blew gently, carrying a hint of coolness that dispelled the heat from their walk.
Enjoying the refreshing air, she invited Old Madam Guo to sit by the railing. “...It’s cooler here!”
Old Madam Guo walked over with a smile and sat down, attended by Zhenzhu.
The wind came in gusts, sometimes rustling their clothes loudly, then vanishing without a trace.
Old Madam Guo beckoned to Biyu and the others, who were setting the dining table. “Come and rest for a while. It’s still early for lunch.”
Biyu and the others rushed over to the railing with cheerful laughter, exclaiming excitedly, “How cool!”
Xiao Tan even pointed westward and said, “Look, isn’t that our first branch over there?”
“We can’t tell at all!”
Biyu and the others chattered noisily as they crowded around.
Curious, Zhou Shaojin walked over.
But all she saw was a rolling sea of trees, with no pavilions or towers in sight, let alone being able to identify where Cold Green Mountain House was.
A thought struck her, and she walked toward the western railing.
Although that side was also obscured by towering trees, she was too familiar with the fourth branch. After studying it carefully for a while, she could distinguish Jia Shu Hall, Fragrant Garden Residence, and Autumn Embrace Pavilion based on the blooming trees and high eaves. She even found the path leading to Cold Green Mountain House.Zhou Shaojin's heart sank slightly as she walked toward the eastern railing. While walking, she remarked, "I remember Cousin Jia lives on the east side of Ninth Lane. Could we see Ruyi Pavilion from here too?"
Old Madam Guo smiled and said, "Then look carefully. It used to be easy to distinguish, but in recent years, the trees have grown taller and denser, making some areas less clear."
In other words, not only had Xiao Tan noticed, but others also knew that from the upper floor of Siyi Tower, one could observe the activities of each household.
Zhou Shaojin remained silent, searching intently until she spotted a purple magnolia tree similar to the one in front of Cheng Jia's door.
Pointing at the magnolia, she asked Old Madam Guo, "Look. Is that the place?"
Old Madam Guo walked over, glanced, and smiled. "I haven't seen you visiting the third household often, yet you found Jia's place at a glance. That is indeed Ruyi Pavilion."
Zhou Shaojin's emotions surged.
If someone stood here, could they gain insight into the movements of each household?
She drifted into thought.
Old Madam Guo, as if reading her mind, chuckled, "Unless one has a telescope and is familiar with the layout of each household, how could they see clearly from such a distance?"
But what if someone did have a telescope?
She had previously only considered the vulnerabilities of the fifth household, but if the garden incident had been secretly fueled by the second and third households, wouldn't Siyi Tower also be a vulnerability?
Zhou Shaojin decided to discuss this matter thoroughly with Cheng Chi after returning.
Noticing Old Madam Guo's lack of enthusiasm, she helped her sit on the luohan bed in the open hall.
Shortly after, Old Madam Guan arrived.
She appeared somewhat weary.
Zhou Shaojin hurried forward to support her.
Old Madam Guan declined her assistance, instead holding her hand and walking cheerfully toward Old Madam Guo.
After exchanging greetings, everyone took their seats according to seniority. Agate brought over the menu and said with a smile, "Old Madam, this is what we ordered earlier, and these are the dishes the kitchen has prepared for today. Would you like to add anything?" She added, "We arrived quite early today and had already arranged the dishes when we received word of your visit."
Old Madam Guan skimmed through the menu and smiled. "It looks good. Most of these are dishes I enjoy, so I won't add anything. This will do." Clearly, she wasn't particularly concerned about the food.
That meant she was here to discuss matters!
Pondering Old Madam Guo's words, Zhou Shaojin listened attentively nearby.
Unexpectedly, Old Madam Guan first brought up Cheng Nuo's wedding: "Niece Wen came to my place with a gift box last night. She said they've agreed with the Wu family to hold the betrothal ceremony on the second day of the fifth month. This matter should have been discussed with you earlier, but she was misguided some time ago and doesn't know how she ended up causing trouble at your place. Now, she feels too ashamed to face you and asked me to inform you on her behalf. She doesn't dare invite you to the banquet but only hopes that after the bride enters the household, you'll grant Nuo some face by allowing her and Nuo to offer you a cup of tea at Hanbi Shanfang."
Old Madam Guo raised an eyebrow and said, "She's a junior, and her parents-in-law are no longer around. How could I possibly hold a grudge against her?"
Old Madam Guan couldn't help but sigh in relief.
From the tone, it seemed Old Madam Guo had forgiven Madam Wen.
Zhou Shaojin listened, inwardly marveling at the situation.Old Madam Guo valued a person's bearing above all else. If you made a mistake and angered her, apologizing to her directly would often earn her forgiveness. But if you avoided the matter, she would remember it forever. Especially in a case like Madam Wen's—she could have taken advantage of Brother Nuo's engagement to come and thank Old Madam Guo, yet she asked her grandmother to intervene instead... How did Old Madam Guo suddenly forgive her?
Sure enough, Old Madam Guo then shifted her tone, saying, "However, since she actually made a fuss and came to me, tell her it’s better if she shows up less in front of me from now on. Brother Nuo belongs to the next generation, and I’m not yet senile. If his new bride recognizes me as an elder and offers me a cup of tea, I won’t let them leave empty-handed either."
Old Madam Guan looked somewhat embarrassed and chuckled, "Your temper hasn’t changed all these years. The other day, at the family banquet at Tingyuxuan, why did you refuse to go all of a sudden? You nearly made Second Sister-in-law too ashamed to stay seated..."
※
Dear readers, this is an extra chapter for Qingtian Moyun’s spirit beast spirit.
Next up is the weekend extra chapter!
Please look forward to the update tomorrow morning.
O(∩_∩)O~
PS: Just like how Old Madam Guo keeps nagging about Uncle Chi, I’ll keep nagging about my pink votes... I didn’t get any last month, but surely this month I will, right? If not this month, then next month for sure? Anyway, I’ll keep on nagging...
※ (To be continued ~^~)
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