Zhоu Shаоjin first sеnt an invitation tо Zhu Zhu.
Вecаuse Chеng Сhi hаd mеntiоnеd her first.
Zhu Zhu was quitе surprised upon recеiving thе invitatiоn and rеаdilу аcсерtеd it. Shе evеn rewarded Nаnnу Lu and Сhunwan, who had dеlivered thе messagе, with fivе tаеls оf silvеr еach—а rаther gеnеrоus rewаrd by аnу standard.
Сhunwаn returnеd overjoуed, not just beсаusе of thе reward but mainlу bесausе shе hаd brоаdеned hеr hоrizons аt the Liаngguo Duke’s rеsidenсе: “…Тhat соurtуаrd was entirelу paved with large bluе stone bricks, strеtching as fаr as thе еyе could see. The railings were carved from white jade, and the roof eaves soared upward like the halls of a temple!”
Bitao covered her mouth and laughed.
Xiao Tan, however, retorted, “Is it really more beautiful than Cold Green Mountain House?”
Chunwan thought carefully and said, “Our Cold Green Mountain House is still prettier. Although the Liangguo Duke’s residence is large, it’s all paved pathways, which look cold and unwelcoming. Unlike our Cold Green Mountain House, with a lake here, a tree there, and winding paths that rise and fall—you can walk through forests and courtyards wherever you go. Our Cold Green Mountain House is definitely better!”
Zhou Shaojin smiled faintly.
She thought about keeping Chunwan by her side in the future, letting her go out more often to broaden her horizons, which would benefit her demeanor and conduct.
It seemed she had made the right move.
As for the Gu family, just as Cheng Chi had predicted, Gu Shiqigu asked if she could bring her two younger sisters, Gu Shijiugu and Gu Ershigu, along.
Zhou Shaojin readily agreed.
Cheng Jia, just as Zhou Shaojin had expected, was overjoyed.
She rushed to Floating Emerald Pavilion ahead of Nanny Lu upon receiving the invitation. As soon as she saw Zhou Shaojin, she hugged her tightly and planted two kisses on her cheeks, saying, “Shao Jin, you truly are my good sister! I was just worrying about how to get out, and you sent me an invitation.” Then, with a suspicious look, she whispered, “You didn’t send this invitation secretly behind Old Madam Guo’s back, did you? How much did you give Nanny Lu? I’ll make it up to you. I have money now. Last time…” She suddenly stopped mid-sentence.
For some reason, Zhou Shaojin suddenly recalled the scene when Cheng Chi had asked her, “How much silver did you lose? I’ll make it up to you.”
As if guided by some unseen force, she asked, “Did Li Jing secretly give you silver to spend?”
Cheng Jia was startled. She pulled Zhou Shaojin into the inner room and, as if protesting too much, slammed the door shut with a loud bang. Nervously, she asked, “How… how did you know? Who told you?”
Zhou Shaojin looked at her like this. Recalling how she had been completely dominated by Cheng Jia in her past life, she felt a surge of triumph but kept her expression neutral, saying, “Of course, I guessed! How much wealth you have, I know perfectly well. Now that you suddenly have money, who else but Li Jing would be so generous in supporting you?”
Cheng Jia looked embarrassed and said, “I… I didn’t really want to take his silver. But he said, ‘With money in hand, you won’t panic.’ My monthly allowance, jewelry, and clothes are all fixed and can’t be touched. He lent me this silver for now, and I’ll pay him back when I have money later. I thought what he said made sense. The people at Ruyi Pavilion are always reporting my affairs to my mother. Isn’t it because their monthly allowances and futures are in my mother’s hands? If I had money and could offer them a future, who would want to do such thankless tasks? Besides, I might not even need to use this silver…”Zhou Shaojin couldn't be bothered to listen to her insincere rambling and interrupted with a smile, "On the Dragon Boat Festival, can you actually go out or not?"
"Of course I can! Why wouldn't I be able to?" Cheng Jia replied firmly. "Nanny Lu personally delivered the invitation to me. Even if my mother resents it in her heart, she wouldn't dare disregard Old Madam Guo's face." As she spoke, she tried to hug Zhou Shaojin again.
Being liked like this would make anyone happy.
But Zhou Shaojin still felt a bit embarrassed.
She pretended to be annoyed and dodged Cheng Jia's outstretched arms, saying, "Alright, alright! Stop fooling around! Just remember to go when the time comes. I've also invited Zhu Zhu and Gu Shiqigu. We can have a good time together then."
Cheng Jia asked curiously, "Did you only invite the few of us?"
Zhou Shaojin smiled apologetically, "Gu Shiqigu said she would bring two of her cousins along, and I agreed."
Cheng Jia exclaimed happily, "Then there will be six of us!"
Zhou Shaojin nodded.
"Ah!" Cheng Jia was overjoyed. "This time, we finally don't have to entertain others!"
Zhou Shaojin thought the same.
She pursed her lips and smiled.
However, Old Madam Guo asked Nanny Lu with some surprise, "Did Second Cousin not invite the Guo family's young ladies?"
Nanny Lu glanced at the servants around them.
Old Madam Guo dismissed them.
Only then did Nanny Lu lower her voice and say, "I heard it was Fourth Master's idea! You know, Second Cousin has always respected Fourth Master..."
On the surface, Cheng Chi was the weakest among the brothers of the eldest branch.
He couldn't even compare to Cheng Yi of the second branch, who served as the head of the Cheng family school.
Thus, Old Madam Guo hated it the most when people looked down on Cheng Chi.
Nanny Lu's words struck a chord with Old Madam Guo. Not only did she not blame Zhou Shaojin, but she also revealed a gratified smile and said, "Since it's Si Lang's idea, let's not bring this up again. As for the Guo family, I'll send an invitation myself."
Nanny Lu, recalling Nanny Shang's private advice, hesitated and said, "Madam, I feel this might not be entirely appropriate... The eldest daughter of the Liangguo Duke's household is about to get married, and Fourth Master still remembered to have Second Cousin invite her to watch the dragon boat races. The Guo family's young ladies are at a lovely age, and Second Cousin is gentle and agreeable. Logically, they should be able to get along well..."
Old Madam Guo suddenly understood.
Her son was afraid she would use the dragon boat races as an excuse to arrange a marriage for him again, wasn't he?
She felt both amused and exasperated. "This child is too cunning! Since he doesn't fancy the Guo family's girls, would I force him? Besides, he already promised me he would marry and have children as soon as possible. I don't want to provoke this stubborn mule and get kicked for no reason!"
Seeing that her goal was achieved—just as Nanny Shang had predicted, Old Madam Guo wasn't angry at all and was in quite good spirits—Nanny Lu felt both admiration for Nanny Shang and a sense of relief. She playfully flattered Old Madam Guo, "Fourth Master doesn't hide anything from you, which shows he knows you dote on him and won't force him. How many mothers and sons are like this? Madam, you're truly enviable! Once the new daughter-in-law enters the household, everything will surely be harmonious, and you'll be able to enjoy the pleasures of grandchildren."
Old Madam Guo nodded repeatedly, beaming with joy.
She was completely unsuspecting of such crude flattery.
She instructed Nanny Lu to send invitations to Old Madam Guan of the fourth branch and Madam Mian.
Nanny Lu was taken aback.Old Madam Guo smiled and said, "After all, they are Shaojin's maternal grandmother and aunt. Both have good character, so let's consider it as giving Shaojin some face. Then send an invitation to Old Madam Guo's family and let her decide whom to bring. As for the ladies of the Gu family, they are still in mourning, so I won't invite them, but you must convey this message. As for Grand Madam of the Duke of Liang's Estate, she has likely already reserved a private room, but we must still observe the formalities. As for the others, there's no need to bother. I don’t have the energy to deal with all those unsavory characters."
Old Madam Guo's family referred to her sister-in-law.
Nanny Lu smiled and replied, "Yes."
The Duke of Liang's Estate had also reserved a private room, coincidentally right next to Old Madam Guo's, both in the best locations. Grand Madam of the Duke of Liang's Estate would bring some friends to watch the dragon boat races and sent a servant over to suggest that the two families could join in the festivities together.
Old Madam Guo naturally agreed with a smile.
In addition to Old Madam Guo and her two daughters-in-law, the Guo family would also bring several granddaughters-in-law and two unmarried young ladies.
Old Madam Guan of the Fourth Branch and Madam Mian gladly accepted the invitation.
Upon hearing the news, Zhou Shaojin quietly said to Madam Fan Liu, "Uncle Chi told me not to worry, and indeed, there’s no need for me to. Everything has been arranged perfectly."
Madam Fan Liu laughed, "Of course! Who is Fourth Master? He has the entire household’s livelihood in mind—how could he possibly make a mistake?"
Zhou Shaojin wholeheartedly agreed, saying, "I’ll just focus on my own affairs from now on and avoid causing any trouble for Uncle Chi."
Madam Fan Liu smiled, "What affairs could Second Young Miss possibly have? As long as you listen to Old Madam Guo and Fourth Master, that’s all you need! Both are genuinely good-hearted people. For Second Young Miss to gain their favor is truly a stroke of great fortune."
Zhou Shaojin gave an awkward, forced laugh.
It made her sound like a huge nuisance!
Was she really that bad?
Well, she wasn’t exactly outstanding either...
She visited the Fourth Branch to ask what she should wear on the day of the Dragon Boat Festival.
Old Madam Guan and Madam Mian were pleased by her show of closeness. Old Madam Guan even gifted Zhou Shaojin a gilded hairpin inlaid with turquoise.
When the day of the Dragon Boat Festival arrived, the weather had already begun to warm up.
Zhou Shaojin deliberately wore a light green, plain Hangzhou silk vest, a white silk standing-collar blouse with narrow sleeves, and a pea-green brocade skirt. She tied her hair up and adorned it with a small southern pearl floral crown. Her simple yet elegant attire made her look like a refreshing breeze, calming to the eyes.
Old Madam Guo glanced at her own sapphire-blue robe with auspicious cloud patterns and chuckled, "You make the rest of us look utterly plain in comparison!"
Zhou Shaojin chided, "Didn’t I make you a lake-blue robe? You should wear that one!"
"Such a youthful color—how could I possibly wear it out?" Old Madam Guo shook her head firmly.
Zhou Shaojin insisted, "I embroidered the hem with brown peony patterns on a yellow vine-colored border, paired with a brown horse-face skirt. It would look perfect! If you don’t believe me, why not try it on? If it doesn’t suit you, you can always change back."
Biyu and the other maids urged Old Madam Guo to give it a try.
Unable to resist the maids’ persistent tugging and pulling, Old Madam Guo went to change and emerged in the new outfit.
Nanny Lu exclaimed, "Oh, my dear madam, dressed like this, you look years younger!"Old Madam Guo also thought it looked good.
Mainly because it appeared cool and refreshing.
She couldn't help but stroke her temples in front of the mirror, saying, "It's just that there are too many white hairs!"
"Having white hairs is a good thing!" Zhou Shaojin helped Old Madam Guo pick a pair of gold-inlaid gem hairpins and inserted them for her, saying, "White hair adds to one's dignity. This suits you perfectly, Madam. You should trust me."
Thinking of the outfit Zhou Shaojin had made for her, Old Madam Guo chuckled.
※
Dear readers, here's today's bonus update.
The next update is scheduled for around 10 p.m.
For Qingming Festival, I'll be visiting the graves.
O(∩_∩)O~
PS: I haven't had time to correct typos, so please bear with them for now. I'll fix them when I return.
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel