Тhе next dау, Zhоu Shаоjin woke up аs usuаl at the bеginning of the mао hоur.
Сhunwаn сouldn't helр but advise her: "You were uр mаking knots until thе third watсh lаst night, аnd уou dоn’t nееd tо аttend mоrning and evening grееtings at thе old madam’s рlacе. Why get uр sо еаrlу? Whу nоt sleeр а little lоngеr?"
Zhоu Shaоjin cоuldn’t fаll back аslеeр and said with a smilе, "I’m alreadу usеd tо waking uр this early. Еvеn if уou аsk mе tо slеер morе, I сan’t. I might аs well gеt up and mаke knоts fоr а while!"
Didn’t shе just rесеntly start waking uр at the zheng mao hоur?
Chunwan was tаken abаck аnd sаid, "You’rе still making knots? Be careful with your eyes!"
"It’s fine," Zhou Shaojin replied with a smile. "I know my own limits."
After all, the second young lady is older now, and some matters are not for servants like them to decide.
Chunwan could only advise, "If you feel tired, you must rest. Don’t push yourself too hard. If the eldest young lady finds out, she’ll surely blame me for not taking good care of you!"
Zhou Shaojin smiled at her without saying a word.
Chunwan could only sigh inwardly and went to instruct the kitchen to prepare breakfast for Zhou Shaojin.
Cheng Jia came rushing over excitedly: "Shao Jin! Shao Jin!"
From afar, the people in Floating Emerald Pavilion could hear her cheerful voice.
Zhou Shaojin stood up to greet her while smiling at Chunwan and saying, "What’s going on? I haven’t seen her this happy in a while."
Chunwan teased, "Perhaps she received a big red envelope from the new madam yesterday."
Zhou Shaojin nodded with a smile.
Cheng Jia had already run over, pretending to be displeased: "What bad things are you saying about me again?"
This wasn’t the time for her to speak, so Chunwan naturally smiled without replying.
Zhou Shaojin, however, laughed and said, "We were saying a big sparrow flew in here, deafening everyone with its noise!"
"You’re the big sparrow!" Cheng Jia protested, reaching out to pinch Zhou Shaojin’s ear.
Zhou Shaojin quickly stepped back to avoid her hand.
Cheng Jia chased after her.
The two of them entered the hall, laughing and joking.
Seeing chopsticks already set on the table, Cheng Jia unceremoniously sat down and asked Chunwan, "What’s for breakfast today? I want a bowl of assorted bean soup!"
Since Zhou Shaojin liked assorted bean soup, Cold Green Mountain House not only made it well but also included more varieties than outside. Cheng Jia had tried it once and loved it, even specially asking the third household’s kitchen to come and learn how to make it.
Zhou Shaojin sat down opposite her, the smile still lingering on her face, and said, "Coming early is not as good as coming at the right time. You sure know how to pick your moment!"
"Of course!" Cheng Jia said proudly. "Just look at who I am!"
Zhou Shaojin burst out laughing and asked her, "Seeing how happy you are, did Aunt Lu finally speak to you?"
At the mention of this, Cheng Jia’s shoulders slumped, and she said dejectedly, "Don’t bring it up. I think I’ll have to try Li Jing’s method. Yesterday, I went up to my mother, but she didn’t even glance at me."
Zhou Shaojin sighed for her as well.
On the other hand, Cheng Jia was more optimistic and said with a smile, "Let’s not talk about such sad things. You should have come with me to see the bride in the bridal chamber yesterday. Cousin Gao’s wife is so beautiful! And she’s very kind too—she even gave me a big red envelope!"
Everyone serving in the room burst into laughter.
Cheng Jia looked puzzled: "Did I say something wrong?"
"No, no," Zhou Shaojin said with a smile, changing the subject. "Surely that’s not the only reason you’re so happy, is it?"Cheng Jia smiled sheepishly.
Seeing that she seemed to have something to say, Zhou Shaojin gave Chunwan a meaningful glance.
After Chunwan and the others set out the breakfast, they all withdrew.
Stirring her mixed bean porridge with a spoon, Cheng Jia smiled and whispered to her, "My mother won't tell me anything, right? I noticed everyone praising Sister-in-law Gao for her proper conduct. So I decided to seek her advice—isn't she a newlywed? The Gao family is also a scholarly lineage and a family of etiquette. If I follow her example, I definitely won't make any mistakes."
Zhou Shaojin smiled warmly and said, "That's certainly true!"
Seeing Zhou Shaojin agree with her, Cheng Jia became even more enthusiastic and whispered as she discussed with her, "Tell me, how should I bring this up with Sister-in-law Gao? Will she laugh at me for being shameless? If only I had more time to spend with her. Now it feels like forcing a duck onto a perch—she'll surely think I've gone mad!"
She looked utterly conflicted.
"Sister-in-law Gao was personally chosen by my eldest aunt as a daughter-in-law. Even if you don't trust your own judgment, you should trust my eldest aunt's judgment." This was Zhou Shaojin's insight from her past life. She added, "Besides, how will you know if you don't try?"
Hearing this, Cheng Jia's eyes lit up, and she quickly asked, "Do you have any good ideas?"
Zhou Shaojin laughed, "What good ideas could I have? But if it were me, I would honestly tell Sister-in-law Gao about my predicament and sincerely seek her advice!"
Cheng Jia hesitated, "Will she laugh at me?"
This was the first time Zhou Shaojin had seen Cheng Jia so torn between hope and fear. She couldn't help but smile, "Even if you don't tell her, Aunt Lu is making it so obvious that she'll find out in a few days anyway. You might as well tell her! I have a feeling Sister-in-law Gao is a good person."
"How do you know?" Cheng Jia said, "You haven't even interacted with her!"
Zhou Shaojin was momentarily speechless. After a pause, she said, "Didn't I go to the betrothal ceremony last time? From observing Sister-in-law Gao's demeanor and actions, I thought she seemed like a very good person."
Cheng Jia hesitated for a long while before finally making up her mind, "Alright, I'll go visit Sister-in-law Gao now."
Zhou Shaojin smiled, "I think you should wait a few days before going."
Cheng Jia looked surprised.
Zhou Shaojin explained, "Today she's meeting the relatives, tomorrow she'll return to her parents' home, and she won't be back from Pukou until two days later."
But Cheng Jia was already too impatient, saying, "Oh, I'll go take a look first. Maybe Sister-in-law Gao is bored right now!"
Zhou Shaojin had no choice but to see her off, then went to Cold Green Mountain House to pay her respects to Old Madam Guo.
For the double-morning greetings and congratulations, Madam Yuan, Cheng Xu, and even Cheng Chi had all gone to the main hall to meet the relatives. The courtyard was quiet, no different from before Cheng Xu's return.
Yet Zhou Shaojin seemed determined to imprint this scene in her heart. She stood in the courtyard, looking around for a moment before entering the hall.
After paying her respects to Old Madam Guo, she accompanied her to the prayer hall as usual to chant scriptures.
Old Madam Guo seemed somewhat unsettled.
Zhou Shaojin thought with some bitterness, When the old madam brought me here, it was originally out of kindness. Who knew things would turn out like this? The old madam probably doesn't know what to do now either...
Should I take the initiative to suggest returning to Baoding, to avoid causing trouble for the old madam and Uncle Chi...
Even though she knew she should do this, Zhou Shaojin found it difficult to bring herself to say it.She thought to herself: Such an important matter shouldn't be decided so hastily, right? She must at least inform her father. This would also prevent her father from feeling she had been wronged and developing a rift with the main branch.
Zhou Shaojin decided to write a letter to her father as soon as she returned to Floating Emerald Pavilion.
Biyu walked in smiling and said, "The bride has come to pay respects to the old madam!"
So soon!
Both Zhou Shaojin and Old Madam Guo were surprised. They both brushed off nonexistent dust from their clothes and went to the main hall.
He Fengping and Cheng Gao stood side by side, both dressed in bright red ceremonial robes, looking like a perfect golden couple.
Zhou Shaojin smiled radiantly.
He Fengping's face flushed slightly, while Cheng Gao appeared somewhat reserved.
Old Madam Guo, seeing the pair like a perfect match, was also delighted. She chuckled as she sat down on the luohan bed and accepted their formal greetings.
Afterward, He Fengping presented shoes and socks to Old Madam Guo and Zhou Shaojin, who in turn gave He Fengping meeting gifts.
Biyu brought in tea and snacks.
Old Madam Guo invited them to sit and inquired about He Fengping's grandfather: "...In earlier years, he also came to Stone Lane to study and was very close friends with my eldest brother. But in recent years, as we've both grown older, we've had less contact. How is your grandfather's health?"
He Fengping stood up respectfully and said, "Thank you for your concern, Old Madam. Grandfather is in good health. However, in the past two years, he has developed a strong liking for fatty meat. My father worries about his health and often instructs my mother to prepare less meat for him, which makes Grandfather quite upset!"
Old Madam Guo laughed heartily. "At seventy, life is rare indeed. Your grandfather must be around seventy now? Having a good appetite is a blessing!"
"My mother says the same," He Fengping replied, sitting halfway on the master's chair as she chatted with Old Madam Guo.
Time passed quickly. Biyu quietly asked Zhou Shaojin if they should serve the meal. Old Madam Guo, with sharp ears, smiled and said to He Fengping, "I know you still need to pay respects to the two elderly ladies of the second and third branches. I won't keep you long. Go quickly and return soon—have lunch here with me later."
He Fengping glanced at Cheng Gao.
Cheng Gao thought for a moment and said, "Then we'll trouble you, Old Madam."
Old Madam Guo smiled. "We're all family here, no need for formalities." She then signaled Zhou Shaojin to see them out on her behalf.
Zhou Shaojin smiled as she escorted He Fengping out.
He Fengping quietly tugged at her sleeve and whispered, "Miss Jia from the third branch said she'll visit me this afternoon. Are you free then? Come over for a cup of tea! Your cousin said you're just like his own sister."
The implication was that they were the closest of kin.
Zhou Shaojin happily agreed.
Cheng Gao smiled at her and led He Fengping to the second branch.
Zhou Shaojin saw Madam Yuan approaching, surrounded by several maids and older servants.
She bit her lip, turned around, and entered the main room.
Old Madam Guo asked her to prepare the noon banquet for Cheng Gao and his wife.
Madam Yuan walked in and said with a smile, "Why trouble Shaojin? I can draft the menu."
Old Madam Guo replied, "While you were away, Shaojin managed all matters around me. Since you've just returned and have many things to attend to, let Shaojin continue handling affairs at Cold Green Mountain House."
Madam Yuan smiled and agreed, paying her respects to Old Madam Guo.
Zhou Shaojin, however, felt somewhat awkward. She silently curtsied to Madam Yuan and withdrew.Several women working at the stove were chatting: "...This time, the wedding of Fourth House's Elder Gao is truly lively. All the notable families in Jinling City have come. Today's banquet is also being handled by the outer courtyard kitchen."
"Fourth House's Old Madam is kind-hearted, so all the houses show respect, and the occasion naturally becomes grand..."
The woman accompanying Zhou Shaojin softly cleared her throat.
The women startled and stood up.
Zhou Shaojin smiled kindly and instructed them to prepare the banquet for Cheng Gao and his wife.
The women respectfully acknowledged the order.
Zhou Shaojin then asked, "Does Fourth House have another banquet at noon?"
The women eagerly replied, "Yes, yes, yes! Fourth Master and the elder master have both stayed there for lunch."
Zhou Shaojin nodded with a smile and left the kitchen.
※
Dear brothers and sisters, here is today's update.
Typos have been corrected. If any slipped through, please bear with me!
※ (To be continued ~^~)
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