Оld Маdаm Тang immediatеlу stepрed forwаrd with а smilе, wаrmlу grеeting the mеmbers of the third branch: "Eldеst Мiss Chеng, yоur оutfit is trulу rаdiant—it оutshinеs аll уоur sisters-in-lаw." "You flatter mе, уou flаtter me," Chеng Xian rеplied mоdеstlу. "Аs а guеst, I shоuld naturallу dеfer tо mу hоstessеs, who аrе my sisters-in-lаw." Тhen, with а beaming smile, shе turned her gazе tоwаrd Mаdam Zheng. "This must bе Shi’s wifе, right? Тhough this is оur first mееting, I саn tеll just by lооking that уou аre gentlе and sinсеrе—no wоndеr Sistеr-in-lаw Yi always рraises you endlеssly in her lettеrs to me." Аs she sроke, shе slipped a jade bracelet from her wrist and handed it to Madam Zheng. "It’s nothing precious, but it’s a token of affection from this aunt."
Madam Zheng thanked her with a smile and accepted the bracelet graciously.
Cheng Xian then asked with concern, "I heard you are with child and didn’t go out during the recent Bathing Buddha Festival? Even though it’s your second pregnancy, you must still be careful. Don’t trouble yourself with these matters; we elders are reasonable people, and no one will blame you. You should focus on resting and recuperating." After saying this, she glanced around and asked, "Why isn’t Sister-in-law Hong here?"
This remark carried subtle implications.
The lady in charge of household affairs was not present to receive guests, leaving a pregnant granddaughter-in-law who needed to rest to handle the arrangements instead... Old Madam Tang’s expression immediately darkened slightly, and she glanced lightly at Old Madam Guo.
Old Madam Guo remained composed, revealing neither joy nor anger.
Madam Zheng quickly explained with a smile, "Elder Brother Hong from the Hong family has also come to offer birthday wishes to the Old Ancestor. Mother is currently speaking with him and should be arriving shortly."
Madam Hong hailed from Jiujiang, Jiangxi. Her grandfather had once served as the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate. Her father, brothers, and uncles all held official titles. Particularly notable was her elder brother Hong Xiu, who was a jinshi in the jia xu year of the Yongchang era (the twelfth year). He was a classmate of the eldest branch’s Old Master Cheng Shao and, having distinguished himself in resisting Japanese pirates, rose through the ranks to become Vice Minister of War and concurrently served as Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi.
"Elder Brother Hong from the Hong family" referred to Hong She, the only son of Hong Xiu. He was a jinshi in the ji chou year of the Zhide era (the twelfth year) and served as a Surveillance Commissioner of Zhejiang Circuit.
No one had expected the Hong family to show such strong support by sending Hong She to offer birthday wishes to Cheng Xu.
Hong She held the authority to oversee the official circles of Zhejiang.
Although Nanjing belonged to the Southern Metropolitan Region, which family didn’t have business interests in nearby prosperous Jiangnan cities like Hangzhou, Yuhang, and Lin’an?
Except for Old Madam Guo and Madam Yuan, everyone’s expressions shifted slightly.
Old Madam Tang then smiled and said, "Sister-in-law Yi’s intention was that since Elder Brother Hong holds an official position, he should avoid unnecessary involvement and didn’t need to come in person. But who knew Uncle Hong wouldn’t agree and insisted that Elder Brother Hong make the trip himself? So, our Elder Brother Hong couldn’t refuse his uncle and had no choice but to come personally!" Everyone chimed in unison, praising Cheng Xu for his advanced age and noble virtue.
Old Madam Tang smiled modestly, saying, "Not at all, not at all!" Yet her smile could not conceal a hint of pride.
Madam Zheng seized the opportunity to invite everyone to take their seats.
Madam Yuan attended to Old Madam Guo, Zhou Chujin attended to Old Madam Guan, but Old Madam Li bypassed Madam Jiang and had her daughter Cheng Xian assist her to sit beside Old Madam Guo.
Madam Jiang stood behind Old Madam Li with a smile on her face, but Zhou Shaojin felt that Madam Jiang’s smile seemed somewhat stiff.
Zhou Shaojin stood close to her elder sister, while Cheng Jia beside her tugged at her sleeve and whispered in her ear, "Look at Pan Qing—full of wicked schemes, yet putting on an act of gentleness and virtue. Who does she think she’s fooling?"Based on Zhou Shaojin's past life experience, she estimated that Cheng Jia had already clashed with Pan Qing once, and the outcome was not difficult to discern from Cheng Jia's current demeanor.
She couldn't help but advise, "Today is for paying respects to the Old Ancestor. If you cause any trouble with Pan Qing, I won't help you. After today, I won't care what you do." After a moment's thought, she added, "If you don't listen to my advice, we'll go our separate ways from now on."
Cheng Jia glared angrily but did not retort loudly as she had in her past life.
It seemed that sometimes one had to be more assertive!
Zhou Shaojin ignored her.
Cheng Jia stamped her foot.
Zhou Shaojin remained unmoved.
Cheng Jia still wanted to catch Zhou Shaojin's attention but looked up to see her mother's stern gaze.
She had no choice but to give up and obediently stood beside Zhou Shaojin.
Neither of them noticed that Pan Qing had glanced over and gazed deeply at Zhou Shaojin for a moment.
Soon after, the Dowager Duchess of Liang and the Duchess of Liang arrived.
Everyone rose, and after exchanging pleasantries, Zhou Shaojin and the others stepped forward to pay their respects to the two ladies.
Zhou Shaojin, Zhou Chujin, and Cheng Jia had already met the Dowager Duchess during the Bathing Buddha Festival, but Pan Qing was meeting her for the first time. As Pan Qing was always dignified and graceful, the Dowager Duchess couldn't help but praise her and gave her a gift. This stirred Cheng Jia's jealousy and envy again. Perhaps Zhou Shaojin's words had an effect, as Cheng Jia did not show it as she had in her past life, which made Zhou Shaojin breathe a sigh of relief.
Several elderly ladies of the Cheng family and Madam Yuan, among others, escorted the two ladies to the open hall behind the Four Seasons Pavilion, while Madam Zheng stayed in the main hall to receive guests.
Later, the wife of Jiangning County Magistrate Liu Mingju arrived with the wife of Zhenjiang Prefect Gao Yao.
Gao Yao's father-in-law was Qu Yuan, the Minister of Works and Grand Academician of the Jinshen Hall, who was related to the Dowager Duchess of Liang.
The two ladies were also escorted to the open hall behind the Four Seasons Pavilion.
Next, the wife of Surveillance Commissioner Hu, the wife of the retired former Vice Minister of Rites, Master Sun, along with her daughter-in-law and granddaughter, and the wife of Jinling Prefectural Instructor Lin with her daughter... all arrived.
Those with official titles were escorted to the open hall, while those without were served tea in the side rooms beside the main hall.
When Madam Hong arrived, the women in the side rooms chattered away, trying to strike up conversations with her. Some even stepped forward to link arms with Madam Hong, smiling and asking where her clothes were made and her jewelry crafted, praising their beauty and saying they would ask for recommendations to have some clothes and jewelry made themselves.
Madam Hong seemed a bit bewildered, taking a moment to collect herself before smiling and engaging with everyone.
The Four Seasons Pavilion was lively and festive.
However, it wasn't until a quarter of an hour before the auspicious hour that Madam Wen arrived late, supported by her maid Xiang'er, after Madam Fang Xintong, the wife of Jiaxing's top scholar and wealthiest man, Fang Xintong, arrived with two unmarried young ladies.
Fang Xintong and Madam Wen were related by marriage. As Fang Xintong was now engaged in business, he emphasized harmony and avoiding offense to anyone. His wife was famously a virtuous helpmate. Upon seeing Madam Wen, she eagerly stepped forward to greet her, saying, "We've been waiting for you!"
Unexpectedly, Madam Wen pressed her forehead and said weakly, "Ah! I have a terrible headache. If it weren't for the Old Ancestor's eightieth birthday, I wouldn't have come even if there were mountains of gold and seas of silver here."
Her words left the usually smooth and tactful Madam Fang Xintong speechless for a long moment, and the room fell into silence.Fortunately, Madam Zheng was quick-witted. She stepped forward with a smile, linking arms with Madam Wen and saying, "Fifth Aunt, please come with me—several ladies have arrived and are asking for you!" She pulled Madam Wen away to the open hall.
"This is so embarrassing! So embarrassing!" Cheng Jia covered her face, whispering repeatedly in Zhou Shaojin's ear.
Zhou Shaojin also felt quite uncomfortable, thinking that Madam Wen had practically gone mad.
They had to find a way to pull Cheng Yi out of the small garden!
She pondered this to herself.
A young maid entered and announced, "The auspicious hour is almost here!"
The female relatives each withdrew to their places.
Cheng Xu was tall and imposing. Though over eighty years old, he still stood straight as a ramrod, with white hair and a youthful complexion, full of vigor and vitality, showing none of the frailty typical of someone his age.
Perhaps because it was his birthday, he wore a splendidly ornate crimson silk robe embroidered with gourds symbolizing peace and longevity. Accompanied by his great-grandson Cheng Shi and followed by several young pages still in their childhood, he strode in energetically.
Cheng Shi helped Cheng Xu settle into the master's chair in the central hall and then stood to the side.
Old Madam Tang led the female members of the Cheng family in offering birthday wishes to Cheng Xu and presenting their gifts.
One of the pages helped announce the gift list, while the others assisted in receiving the presents.
This went on for nearly an hour before all the gifts were presented.
Cheng Xu said a few words of thanks and then, accompanied by Cheng Shi, went to the Jifu Hall.
The birthday ceremony was thus concluded. What followed was feasting, opera performances, mahjong games, and casual conversations... Everyone felt the atmosphere lighten and sat wherever they pleased, chatting and laughing with acquaintances.
Zhou Chujin was called away by Madam Mian.
Cheng Jia huddled close to Zhou Shaojin and said, "The Tonghua Pavilion has invited the Changgao Troupe, while the Mudan Terrace has invited the Ma Family Troupe. The Ma Family Troupe only performs the same few plays over and over, but Gao Huizhu from the Changgao Troupe is both beautiful and talented. When she appears on stage in military attire, the entire Jinrui Pavilion falls silent... I want to hear Gao Huizhu sing!"
In her past life, Cheng Jia had said the same thing to Zhou Shaojin and even tried to sneak off to the Tonghua Pavilion. Back then, Zhou Shaojin was too timid to go, and Cheng Jia was caught by Cheng Shi halfway there. Cheng Jia then accused her of being a traitor who had tipped off Cheng Shi. As a result, Cheng Jia was severely scolded by Madam Jiang, and Old Madam Guan grounded her to appease the third branch. It took Zhou Shaojin a lot of effort afterward to convince Cheng Jia that she hadn’t betrayed her and to reconcile.
Now, hearing Cheng Jia say this again in this life, Zhou Shaojin replied without hesitation, "If you dare sneak off to the Tonghua Pavilion, I’ll tell your mother right away."
She had no desire to get entangled in the troubles of her past life again.
Cheng Jia was stunned and took a moment before saying, "How have you become like this now?"
Zhou Shaojin continued to ignore her.
Cheng Jia felt as if a cat were scratching at her heart, unsure of what to do.
Just then, someone nearby let out a stifled laugh.
"Who is it?" Cheng Jia’s expression darkened.
Zhou Shaojin could laugh at her, but if anyone else dared... she wouldn’t be so forgiving.
Cheng Jia followed the sound and saw a young girl with a red mole between her eyebrows."You sisters have such a close bond!" she remarked wistfully, her expression tinged with melancholy. "Not like our family..." She trailed off, then immediately brightened, smiling as she continued, "My surname is Wu, and I'm the eldest at home. My father is the prefect of Jinling." She pointed toward Madam Wu, who was speaking with Madam Zheng not far away. "That's my stepmother, Madam Wu." Then she added, "I visited Old Madam Guan of the fourth branch a few days ago and met the Shaojin sisters once, but this is my first time meeting you. If I'm not mistaken, you must be Miss Jia of the third branch. Am I right?"
Hearing that she was familiar with the Zhou Shaojin sisters, Cheng Jia indeed let her guard down, while the vague remarks piqued her curiosity.
Cheng Jia glanced at Madam Wu and said, "So she's your stepmother, no wonder she looks so young and doesn't resemble you at all. The one beside her must be your half-sister, right? She looks more like your stepmother!"
Wu Baozhang smiled and replied, "My given name is 'Baozhang.' That's my second sister, 'Baohua,' and the younger one next to her is my third sister, 'Baozhi.'"
"Ah!" Cheng Jia exclaimed. "Your family is full of treasures!"
Wu Baozhang chuckled softly.
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Wishing all sisters a pleasant weekend!
Oo~
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