Сhеng Gао's bridе, Нe Fengрing, wаs tо bе mаrried from Pukоu, sо the Chеng family nееdеd tо gо tо Pukou tо fetch the bride. The dау befоre, thе Сhеng fаmily hаd аlrеаdу cаrried the bridal sеdаn chаir to Pukou. Тhe ausрicious timе fоr thе сеrеmоny was sеt аt yоu zhеng (аround 6 р.m.). Sevеrаl widowed оld mаdams wеre not suitablе to attend thе сеremоny, so theу wоuld disрersе оnсе thе bridе entеrеd the bridаl chаmber. It would оnly bе thе nеxt mоrning, аftеr thе bride had pаid respects to thе ancestоrs at the аncеstrаl hall аnd acknowledged relatives in the main hall, that she would go one by one to pay respects to the several old madams.
Zhou Shaojin only needed to follow Old Madam Guo.
This made her feel very at ease.
Madam Mian, however, found it a bit strange. Taking advantage of the fact that the bride's sedan chair had not yet arrived, she pulled Zhou Shaojin aside and whispered, "Did Old Madam Guo say something?"
In the past few days, Zhou Shaojin had been enthusiastically helping her prepare for Cheng Gao's wedding. Why, on the actual day, was she instead acting like a guest and no longer involving herself in the affairs of the fourth branch?
Zhou Shaojin couldn't mention the matter of Cheng Xu, so she explained, "Everything at home has been arranged. With grandmother overseeing things, you watching over them, and people like Mama Wang helping, there's nothing for me to do. But Old Madam Guo can only stay in the retreat—last time when the fifth branch's Cousin Nuo got married, Old Madam Guo didn't go at all... I just want to stay by her side and keep her company."
Madam Mian nodded repeatedly and said with relief, "Shao Jin, though you are young, you are gentle and considerate. Who knows which family's ancestral grave is well-placed enough to marry you off!" As she spoke, she couldn't help but sigh.
Sometimes, what you can't have is the best!
Zhou Shaojin, afraid that Madam Mian might hold a bias against Gu Shiqigu because of her, quickly smiled and said, "I grew up under your care, and you treat me like your own daughter. Naturally, one's own child always seems better than others'!"
Madam Mian was taken aback, thought about it, and felt what she said made sense, then chuckled silently. She didn't say anything more, only instructed her, "Stay well with Old Madam Guo. When you leave, there's no need to specially come and bid me farewell. Even if you're not present, your Cousin Gao's wife's red envelope will be kept for you."
Zhou Shaojin put on a childish demeanor and happily thanked Madam Mian.
Madam Mian gently hugged Zhou Shaojin and then turned away to attend to her tasks.
Cheng Jia, not knowing when she had walked over, said enviously, "Why are the people around you so good to you?"
These past few days, Cheng Jia had been following Old Madam Li and had often been coming and going with Zhou Shaojin.
Zhou Shaojin smiled and said, "You have Li Jing, why are you still so greedy?"
Cheng Jia blushed and gently pushed her, saying, "When did you learn to be so glib?"
Zhou Shaojin blinked and said, "Isn't it because one takes on the color of their company?"
Cheng Jia flushed with embarrassment, then showed a look of inevitability. She said, "Li Jing said that once we have a child and bring it back to show my father and mother, they won't be angry with us anymore."
Madam Jiang had been ignoring Cheng Jia, and Cheng Jia was also afraid of upsetting Madam Jiang. Fearing that her marriage with Li Jing might encounter further turbulence, she didn't dare to approach Madam Jiang. This time, for Cheng Gao's wedding, she had told Zhou Shaojin early on that she wanted to go and see the excitement. However, because of Madam Jiang, she couldn't go to the front and had to serve several old madams, chatting idly in the retreat.
Zhou Shaojin blushed deeply with embarrassment and said, "Li Jing actually talks to you about such things, and you... you can even say it out loud... You two are truly a match made in heaven!"Cheng Jia snorted disdainfully, saying, "Food and sex are human nature. Even the sages said so, why can't we talk about it?"
Zhou Shaojin was afraid of her. She hurriedly said, "Alright, alright, alright, it's all my fault. Can you please stop talking about it?"
Cheng Jia giggled and whispered in her ear, "Hey, how about we wait until the old madams have gone back, then go to the bridal chamber to see the new sister-in-law?"
Zhou Shaojin shook her head repeatedly.
If she went, she would be left alone, wouldn't that give Cheng Xu an opportunity to take advantage?
Cheng Jia wasn't disappointed and laughed, "I knew you'd be like this—you've always been the one who listens most to the elders. Then I'll go watch the excitement by myself later!"
Zhou Shaojin couldn't help but advise her, "Be careful, take more servants with you. Although it's the inner courtyard, there are outside guests today. It wouldn't be good if you accidentally ran into someone."
Cheng Jia nodded with a smile and said, "Li Jing said the same thing."
Zhou Shaojin couldn't resist teasing her, "What else did Li Jing say? You might as well tell me everything at once. Mentioning Li Jing every now and then, people who don't know might think you've married Li Jing!"
Cheng Jia didn't mind and said, "Don't be sour grapes. When you have someone in your heart, you'll naturally understand." At this point, Cheng Jia became somewhat worried for Zhou Shaojin. "With your temperament, your marriage will likely be decided by the elders. Whether you can marry someone who truly cares for you is really like gambling. Shaojin, if you ever discuss marriage in the future, you mustn't agree casually. Be sure to write and tell me. I'll have Li Jing help investigate the other family's conduct and reputation. Li Jing moves in outside circles and is much better at judging people than women in the inner chambers!"
She spoke very sincerely, and Zhou Shaojin was quite grateful, saying, "Thank you! If that day ever comes, I will definitely tell you."
Cheng Jia said unhappily, "What do you mean 'if that day comes'? That day will surely come, you must tell me..."
As she was speaking, a young maid ran in breathlessly and happily announced, "Madam, Old Madam, the bride's sedan chair has passed the Jinling Prefectural Office."
Which meant it wasn't far from Nine Prosperities Lane.
"I'm going to take a look!" Without waiting for Old Madam Li to speak, Cheng Jia lifted her skirt and ran out.
Several old madams laughed kindly.
Cheng Jia didn't return even after the bride had entered the bridal chamber.
She must have gone to see the bride!
Zhou Shaojin smiled and accompanied Old Madam Guo back to Cold Green Mountain House.
Upon receiving the news, Madam Yuan breathed a great sigh of relief.
She knew her own son. Given any opportunity, he would definitely go find Zhou Shaojin. Although she learned about yesterday's incident only after Zhou Shaojin had left, it still didn't escape the notice of the people she had assigned to watch Cheng Xu.
She just didn't know what her son and Zhou Shaojin had talked about.
If Zhou Shaojin also favored Jiashan, that would be troublesome!
Last night, she specifically had the kitchen prepare ginseng soup for her son, intending to tell him that the Cheng and Min families had already exchanged birth charts and asked the Imperial Astronomer to help choose a date. Unexpectedly, Cheng Jiashan didn't respond. No matter how she tried to steer the conversation in that direction, he quickly changed the subject.
This was quite different from his previous attitude toward this matter—before, whenever her words touched on this topic, he would flatteringly hug her arm, trying to convince her how wonderful Zhou Shaojin was.
This made Madam Yuan somewhat uneasy.She felt that her son seemed to have some plan in mind, and if this matter were to proceed, it would surely cause an uproar, making things spiral out of control...
Madam Yuan kept a close eye on Zhou Shaojin.
She believed that no matter what Cheng Xu was plotting, without Zhou Shaojin, it would all be in vain!
Fortunately, Zhou Shaojin remained by Old Madam Guo’s side all day. The entire day passed peacefully without any unusual incidents.
Madam Yuan silently recited "Amitabha Buddha" in her heart, then began to worry about the next day.
Tomorrow, the new bride would meet the relatives, and all the close and distant relatives of the Cheng family would gather in the hall. If Cheng Xu were to cause a scene, it would be a life-threatening matter.
After a moment of thought, Madam Yuan quietly instructed her personal maid: "Go and see what the eldest young master is doing."
The maid smiled and replied, "Yes." After the time it took for half an incense stick to burn, she returned to report: "The eldest young master is drinking with Second Branch’s Young Master Shi and Third Branch’s Young Master Zheng!"
Madam Yuan was still uneasy. She asked, "Are only the three brothers there? Who is attending to the eldest young master?"
The maid smiled and said, "Only the eldest young master, Young Master Shi, and Young Master Zheng are there. A few servants are attending to them. Huanxi and Da Su, who serve the eldest young master, are both present."
Madam Yuan instructed the maid, "Keep a close watch on the eldest young master. He used to only focus on studying and knows nothing about drinking and socializing. If he gets recklessly urged to drink by Young Master Shi and Young Master Zheng and loses his composure after getting drunk, what should we do? With so many guests at home, it would be a great embarrassment!"
The maid hurriedly replied, "Don’t worry, Madam. I will personally keep an eye on him."
Madam Yuan nodded with satisfaction.
Old Madam Guo returned to her room and retired early, saying she was tired from drinking at Jia Shu Hall these past few days, and told Zhou Shaojin to return early and rest as well. She also instructed Nanny Lu: "Everyone has been enjoying themselves these days, playing cards and drinking, not stopping until late at night. Go to Accumulated Truth Hall and inform them that Madam and the eldest young master need not come to Cold Green Mountain House for morning and evening greetings these days, so I can also have some peace."
Nanny Lu smiled and withdrew.
But Zhou Shaojin knew this was for her sake.
In the evening, she lowered her head under the lamplight, weaving a fan tassel with plum blossom patterns.
Chunwan, thinking about the new bride coming to meet the relatives tomorrow, urged her to sleep early: "...Although she might not arrive until noon, this is the first time she will act in her capacity as the eldest daughter-in-law of the Gu family. You must gather your energy and properly receive her."
"Of course, I know that!" Zhou Shaojin smiled and pointed to the clothes rack, saying, "Look, I’ve even prepared the clothes I’ll wear tomorrow."
She couldn’t sleep.
Having reached this point, it was no longer appropriate for her to stay in the main branch.
Could she bear to watch Uncle Chi marry someone else?
Tears welled up in Zhou Shaojin’s eyes.
Once Cheng Jia was married off, it would be time for her to leave as well.
Before leaving, she wanted to weave a few fan tassels for Uncle Chi, as a token of her affection.
Zhou Shaojin asked Chunwan, "How about becoming my stewardess in the future?"
Chunwan’s face turned pale.
She recalled the words she had overheard by chance this morning: "The eldest young master of the main branch, Xu, is infatuated with the second young lady of the Zhou family from the fourth branch." Her heart pounded like a drum, but she smiled and said, "I’ll follow you, miss. I’ll do whatever you ask!"
Zhou Shaojin smiled.
But her smile seemed forced.
She whispered, "Chunwan, slowly pack away the things that need to be packed. We’re going to Baoding Prefecture."
This might be for the best!
Though Nine Prosperities Lane was pleasant, it was not her home after all.If she were to get involved with the Eldest Branch's Master Xu, regardless of the final outcome, it would not be favorable for the young lady.
Chunwan replied calmly, "I understand. Don't worry, Second Miss!"
Zhou Shaojin nodded slowly, stood up, and walked into the courtyard.
The September wind carried a chill as it brushed against her. The hosta flowers she had planted in the yard after moving in had withered, and the canna lilies had turned yellow. Only the pomegranate tree, though past its blooming season, remained lush and vibrant, as if it were still midsummer.
It seemed that some things, if meant to be yours, would remain yours; if not, no matter how hard you tried to hold onto them, they would slip away.
Zhou Shaojin gazed at the scattered stars in the distant sky, her arms wrapped tightly around herself.
※
Dear readers, here is today's update.
PS: I was working overtime at the office today, and various leaders came by to show their concern. The result was that I didn’t dare write a single word during the overtime hours… But rest assured, my deputy moderator said they would tally the updates I owe and send me an email so I can check them one by one and make up for them all… (>_<)
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel