Zhоu Shаоjin wаtched thе sсеnе bеfore her, rесalling her рast self in а рrеviоus lifе. Вack thеn, she and Cheng Jia had bееn so аlike—just аs fооlishlу unsuspесting оf Wu Ваozhаng...
She stepреd forwаrd and pulled Сheng Jia аside, whispеring, "I hаvе sоmеthing tо tеll you."
Сhеng Jia immеdiаtеly lеft Wu Bаоzhang behind аnd аsked сuriously, "What is it?"
Zhоu Shaojin said, "Тhоsе half-sistеrs are at оdds, аnd lаst time thеу nеаrlу drаgged mе intо it. Don’t sаy I didn’t wаrn you—bе cаrеful уoursеlf, оr уоu might end up being sоld out and still counting the mоney for thеm!"
Cheng Jiа hatеd nоthing morе than being called foolish.
She immediately took it to heart, stomping her foot as she retorted, "Don’t think I don’t know she’s trying to curry favor with me. I just don’t take her seriously—a mere prefect’s daughter, coming to the Cheng family to stir up trouble, truly unaware of her own standing!"
Zhou Shaojin knew she had planted a thorn in Cheng Jia’s heart. From now on, even if Wu Baozhang treated Cheng Jia well, Cheng Jia would keep her distance just to avoid being laughed at.
With that, she said no more and followed Cheng Jia as they socialized with the elders.
Cheng Jia, fully embracing her role as the elder sister, quickly cheered up. When Wu Baozhang approached her again to speak, she responded coldly and without enthusiasm.
Wu Baozhang frowned inwardly. Once the birthday greetings were completed in the outer courtyard, the banquet began.
The feast for the Dowager Lady of Liangguo and others was set in the open hall behind the Siyi Pavilion, while the others were seated in the side rooms of the pavilion.
Just as in her past life, Cheng Jia, due to her impulsive nature, though representing the Cheng family, was unable to handle responsibilities alone. Thus, the steady and composed Zhou Chujin was tasked with leading her in entertaining the visiting young ladies. Zhou Shaojin was arranged to sit at the same table as Cheng Lu’s mother, Madam Dong, while Pan Qing was placed at the table in the open hall.
Cheng Jia’s expression immediately soured, but she was not one to disregard priorities. Suppressing her displeasure, she joined Zhou Chujin in entertaining the young ladies, among whom was Wu Baozhang.
At Zhou Shaojin’s table, besides Madam Dong, there were also Cheng Ju’s mother, Madam Yang, and several distant relatives of the Cheng family. As soon as Madam Yang sat down, she began chatting with Madam Dong. Remembering how she had sat side by side with Madam Dong in her past life, Zhou Shaojin discreetly took a seat diagonally across from her.
Madam Yang’s voice drifted over intermittently: "...At that moment, he slapped her right across the face. I was so startled, I quietly backed away... I wanted to find you, but you weren’t there, so I came alone... I almost missed offering birthday wishes to the matriarch... I’d only heard them argue before, but I never expected it would come to blows this time. If the old master and mistress were still here, at least there’d be someone to make decisions. Now, who can she turn to? She has no choice but to pretend nothing happened..." Zhou Shaojin’s heart raced as she listened.
Could it be that Master Wen had struck Madam Wen?
Thinking of Madam Wen’s appearance earlier, she sighed wistfully.
Madam Dong had no desire to chat with the gossip-loving Madam Yang but was a step too late, caught by her. After patiently listening to her ramblings, she looked up to find Zhou Shaojin no longer beside her but seated diagonally across.
She couldn’t help but frown.
Halfway through the banquet, Madam Dong suddenly stood up and said to Zhou Shaojin, "I’m feeling a bit unwell. Why don’t you accompany me outside for a moment?"
There were many things women couldn’t openly discuss—who knew what this "unwell" might refer to?All eyes fell upon Madam Dong and Zhou Shaojin.
This was yet another unexpected incident that had not occurred in her previous life.
Having resolved not to repeat past mistakes, Zhou Shaojin remained as steady as a mountain. With a smile, she rose to her feet.
Madam Dong waited for her to come and offer support—Zhou Shaojin had always been exceedingly respectful toward her, and she delighted in displaying an extraordinary closeness with Zhou Shaojin in front of others.
Yet Zhou Shaojin stood there for a long while without moving.
Madam Dong shot her a sidelong glance.
Zhou Shaojin continued to stand there with a smile, appearing ready to follow her lead.
Recalling her son’s words, “The second young lady seems somewhat different from before,” Madam Dong furrowed her brows and rose from her seat.
Zhou Shaojin followed closely behind, overhearing whispers from those around her: “Is that the second young lady from the fourth branch? She’s truly beautiful! And from her demeanor, her temperament seems gentle as well. What a pity her birth mother passed away.”
In matters of marriage, this had always been a significant disadvantage for her.
Both in her previous life and in this one.
But in this life, would she marry?
And to whom?
Her thoughts turned to Lin Shisheng, and then a sudden inspiration struck her.
If Concubine Mu married Lin Shisheng before the Mu family met with disaster, wouldn’t they be able to remain husband and wife for a lifetime? Moreover, even if the Mu family ultimately met misfortune, Lin Shisheng would have the standing to rescue Concubine Mu’s three unmarried younger sisters!
Instantly, she felt a surge of energy.
She contemplated sending someone to inquire about the Lin and Mu families.
But who should she send?
After much deliberation, she circled back to the same predicament: she had no one to rely on.
For the first time, Zhou Shaojin began to consider having a serious conversation with her elder sister.
She wanted to secure her dowry in advance and raise a few servants she could command with ease.
But would her sister misunderstand her, thinking she was competing for the dowry because her sister had a lavish trousseau?
Zhou Shaojin felt a headache coming on. Distracted by these thoughts, she nearly collided with Madam Dong, who had abruptly stopped walking ahead of her.
“Auntie Bai,” she asked Madam Dong, “what’s the matter?” Her gaze quickly swept the surroundings.
They were standing on the covered walkway between the side rooms and the open hall of the Siyi Pavilion. To the south were the side rooms, to the north the open hall, to the northeast the washroom, and to the southwest the Peony Terrace.
Zhou Shaojin asked, “Where are you heading?”
Madam Dong did not respond immediately. Instead, she gave Zhou Shaojin a deep, meaningful look and said, “Shao Jin, your aunt has been widowed since her youth and has only your cousin Cheng Lu as a son. I have always regarded you as my own daughter. Tell me honestly, has someone said something about you? Why haven’t you come to visit me these days?”
Had she visited her frequently?
Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but grumble inwardly.
Even in her previous life, when she was wholeheartedly determined to marry Cheng Lu, she had never stooped to such self-deprecating behavior. Moreover, her greatest wish in this life was never to encounter Cheng Lu again, not even from a distance…
Madam Dong was clearly acting as Cheng Lu’s advocate!
She herself might be young and inexperienced, but Madam Dong was a mistress of the household, a lady in charge of domestic affairs. Surely she understood the principles of marriage—parental arrangements and matchmaker’s words?
In the end, it was nothing more than taking advantage of her youth and lack of maternal guidance, enticing her into an improper relationship with Cheng Lu!
Without the expectations she had held for Cheng Lu in her previous life, she no longer engaged in self-deception. Madam Dong’s intentions and Cheng Lu’s malice were now laid bare under the sunlight, exposed in every detail.She played dumb, smiling as she said, "What are you talking about, Aunt? I don’t understand at all! Every day, I have to study with Madam Shen, and every other day, I spend half a day learning needlework from Madam Cen. Every five days, I spend two hours learning the qin from Master Liu. Lately, I’ve even had to put aside my lessons with Madam Cen and Master Liu to copy scriptures for Old Madam Guo. How could I possibly have time to visit you?"
Madam Dong knew exactly what she was doing. Her face flushed at the words, but for her son’s future, she had no choice but to press on. "Silly girl, you know perfectly well what I mean," she said, reaching out to take Zhou Shaojin’s hand. But Shaojin, who had been on guard, pretended to adjust her hair and avoided the gesture. Madam Dong’s hand hung in midair, her smile turning awkward. Still, she gritted her teeth and continued, "Of all the girls, I like you the most. You have a good nature, you’re filial, obedient, and sensible. You and my son, Lu Ge’er, are close in age and grew up together like childhood sweethearts. I had planned to discuss this with Old Madam Guan after your sister’s wedding, but who knew the Liao family would be in mourning? It’s not the right time to bring it up now. I heard your stepmother has given birth to a daughter. Won’t she bring the child back to the ancestral home to pay respects? Your father, after all, is a man and not as attentive as a woman. You should remind him. When the time comes, I’d like to invite your stepmother over for a chat and share some heartfelt words."
Although it was improper, anyone hearing this would think Madam Dong was proposing a marriage alliance. Yet, upon closer consideration, she hadn’t uttered a single word about a Zhou family marriage.
What a clever scheme!
Zhou Shaojin trembled with anger, barely managing to keep her composure. "My sister has always managed household affairs. I’m not very clear about such matters. Should I ask my sister for you?"
That sly girl Zhou Chujin was sharp as a needle. If she found out, she’d surely find a way to humiliate her!
Madam Dong hurriedly said, "No, no need. If you formally ask your sister on my behalf, she might think I’m just a gossip!" Only after speaking did she realize her tone was too rushed, betraying her nervousness. Regretful and annoyed, she added stiffly, "Just ask her casually for me!"
Shaojin sneered inwardly and said bluntly, "Alright! But I think asking my sister isn’t as good as asking my grandmother. My father writes a letter every half-month, and my grandmother knows his situation best." With that, she turned and headed toward the main hall.
Madam Dong was terrified and hastily grabbed Shaojin’s arm.
"With so many distinguished guests today, it’s hardly the time to discuss such trivial matters," she said, completely unprepared for how things had turned out. She felt Shaojin was undermining her, yet doubted the girl could be so shrewd. "Since your grandmother knows your father’s affairs best, I’ll go ask her myself after the Old Ancestor’s birthday celebrations."
Shaojin had only meant to scare her off and avoid further entanglement. Bringing this up with her grandmother now would be a disgrace—not just for Madam Dong, but for herself as well!
She stopped in her tracks and smiled. "Very well. Whenever Aunt has time, you can go ask my grandmother yourself.""Exactly, exactly," Madam Dong nodded repeatedly, her back already drenched in cold sweat.
Zhou Shaojin then asked, "Where is Auntie Bai feeling unwell? Where are you heading?"
What else could she say?
Seizing the opportunity to step down, Madam Dong replied, "I need to use the restroom." Though her tone remained somewhat stiff, it had softened considerably compared to before.
I was too easygoing in the past!
Zhou Shaojin thought to herself that she could no longer allow others to push her around as they pleased.
"I don't need to use the restroom," Zhou Shaojin said. "I'll wait for you right here."
Madam Dong was taken aback. Staring at Zhou Shaojin's calm and expressionless face, she recalled the words Zhou Shaojin had just spoken. A vague feeling crept over her—it might be difficult to treat Zhou Shaojin the same way as before from now on!
What about her son's marriage?
Although the Cheng family was prominent, there were many promising young men among them. How could her son possibly stand out among them?
A son-in-law is like half a son, but a father-in-law is different. Moreover, there was also a capable brother-in-law... Such a family would be hard to find given their social standing!
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