With Song Мu рrеsеnt, thе servant boу wоuldn't dare vоice аnу idеаs еvеn if he had thеm!
He lowered his heаd аnd said, "Тhis humble оnе dоеsn't know!"
"Whаt а fооl!" Sоng Sen sсolded.
Song Мu grеw curiоus.
Ever sincе his youngеr brother hаd gоnе tо Jingzhоu Рrеfecturе tо bring their grаndfаthеr baсk, he hаd bеen cоnstаntly tаlking about his "fairу sister" in Jinling Prefесturе—saуing that the widelу рrаised соusin wаsn't аs bеаutiful as his "fаirу sister"; thе pаstries at hоme wеrеn't аs deliсiоus аs thоse made bу his "fairy sister"; their mothеr's words weren't аs gentle аnd plеаsant аs his "fairy sister's"... He even often threatened Song Mu, saying, "If you treat me like this, I won't let you marry my 'fairy sister.'"
Song Mu had heard it so often his ears were calloused, but he never took it seriously.
What does a child know about good and bad? Whoever treats him well, he thinks that person is perfect in every way; whoever treats him poorly, he finds nothing commendable about them.
But this time, after returning from that "fairy sister's" home, Song Sen hadn't mentioned making his "fairy sister" Song Mu's wife... Song Mu knew his brother well—to put it nicely, he was strong-willed; to put it bluntly, he was stubborn. For him to give in so easily didn't seem like his brother's character.
He couldn't help but laugh and ask, "What did your 'fairy sister' say to you? To make you change your mind so suddenly..."
Song Sen snorted coldly upon hearing this, glancing at him with a haughty tilt of his eyes, and said, "I won't tell you!"
Song Mu burst into laughter. "Is it because your 'fairy sister' ignored you, and you can't explain it to me, so you're saying this? Don't worry, I won't take your previous nonsense seriously."
Song Sen had always said how well Zhou Shaojin treated him and that if he acted as a matchmaker for Song Mu, Zhou Shaojin would surely give it serious consideration.
Even though he knew his brother was using a provocation tactic, Song Sen couldn't help but fall for it. He raised his voice and exclaimed, "Who says so! It's because 'fairy sister' asked me why I insisted on making her my sister-in-law, and I said, 'Once you become my sister-in-law, you can come to our home.' 'Fairy sister' said..."
He vividly recounted everything Zhou Shaojin had said to Song Mu, and fearing that Song Mu might find her words too blunt, he even embellished them: "...So this matter must follow the parents' orders and the matchmaker's words. It was wrong of me to say that to her."
Song Mu couldn't help but view Zhou Shaojin in a new light.
Song Sen never admitted he was wrong, not even verbally.
He suddenly became very interested in Zhou Shaojin.
"You said your 'fairy sister' is the cousin of the Cheng family from Nine Prosperities Lane in Jinling," Song Mu said with a smile. "What is her surname? How old is she this year? And how did she come to the capital?"
Song Sen shot Song Mu a challenging glance and snorted disdainfully.
Song Mu then said, "If you tell me, the next time you go to see your 'fairy sister,' I'll make your knees feel as if you've been punished with kneeling."
"Really?" Song Sen's eyes lit up.
Song Mu glanced at Song Sen but said nothing.
Song Sen grinned sheepishly and said, "Brother is a gentleman, and a gentleman's word is his bond. I shouldn't have doubted you."
Song Mu couldn't help but ruffle Song Sen's hair. "You know what's good for you. Otherwise, I'd make you copy the 'Three Character Classic' two more times."
Upon hearing this, Song Sen tugged at his brother's sleeve and whined, "Brother, brother, dear brother. Please let me copy it two fewer times! I'll listen to you from now on."These words were as common as drinking water to Song Sen, but Song Mu remained unmoved, saying, "Would you rather have Father come back and punish you by making you write in the ancestral hall, or would you prefer to write in my study?"
Song Sen fell silent, obediently lowering his head to write.
Song Mu shook his head with an indulgent smile.
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Meanwhile, Mama Yang, who was on duty at Elm Tree Alley, was so excited she could hardly contain herself. She quietly said to Mama Fan, "Who would have thought our Eldest Mistress and Second Miss would have such face, that Madam Song would personally come to visit the two sisters? But it seems to me that Madam Song came specifically to see the Second Miss."
Given her age, she felt there was a generational gap between herself and maids like Chunwan, so they couldn’t really talk freely. Mama Li belonged to Madam Li, and if she said something wrong and it reached Madam Li’s ears, it would be troublesome. Nanny Shang was too sharp—her eyes seemed to see right through you. After weighing her options, she found that Mama Fan, who served the Second Miss, was the best choice. Mama Fan was amiable, cautious in her actions, and pleasant to talk with, so Mama Yang often chatted with her during idle moments.
Mama Fan wasn’t one to gossip about others. She smiled and said, "I didn’t notice anything like that. Madam Song is acquainted with Old Madam Guo from Nine Prosperities Lane. Back when the Eldest Miss was still unmarried, she and the Second Miss once entertained Madam Song together. This time, Madam Song probably just wanted to return the favor."
Mama Yang was about to say more when stewards from Apricot Grove Alley and Twin Elm Alley arrived. They said they had received the calling cards left by the Zhou Shaojin sisters, but since they had just returned from the Western Park and were busy with official duties, they wouldn’t invite the sisters over for a visit. Instead, they asked Liao Shaotang to come for a meal when he had time and sent return gifts worth twice the value of what they had received.
Zhou Shaojin understood that this was because neither household had a woman in charge of domestic affairs. Although she and her sister were juniors, they were only relatives by marriage. Cheng Xun and Cheng Jing had accepted their gifts, and if anything came up, they could simply have Liao Shaotang go over and convey the message.
Liao Shaotang took advantage of a day off to pay his respects to Cheng Jing and Cheng Xun.
Cheng Jing asked Liao Shaotang when he planned to take the imperial examinations, while Cheng Xun inquired when he could come and assist in compiling the Jinghua Gazetteer... Liao Shaotang returned home overjoyed and said to Zhou Chujin, "Both elders are broad-minded, cultivated, and enjoy mentoring the younger generation."
"That’s wonderful!" Zhou Chujin also hoped her husband would achieve great success. While the maids attended to his washing and grooming, she stood nearby, handing him towels and such, saying, "Those coming and going at Twin Elm Alley are all scholars and officials, aren’t they? When you go, Master, you’ll surely have to handle many trivial tasks. But as the saying goes, 'No pain, no gain.' Not everyone has the opportunity at such a young age to help compile a book. Think of any grievances as tuition paid..."
Compiling the Jinghua Gazetteer was such a significant undertaking that it couldn’t be accomplished by just a few people. Several senior scholars from the Hanlin Academy were involved, but the Emperor had personally appointed Cheng Xun as the chief editor. Several well-known Hanlin scholars were assisting with the compilation, while Liao Shaotang’s role was merely to help restore old maps, transcribe geographical records, or copy manuscripts. As for actual compilation work, that was far beyond his reach.Liao Shaotang laughed heartily and said, "Don't worry. I understand this reasoning perfectly well. I won't feel wronged. My knowledge is indeed not as extensive as those others'. Handling those trivial tasks is only right. As you said, such opportunities are far too rare—not everyone gets a chance like this at such a young age." At this point, he paused thoughtfully and added, "As for Uncle Chi, should we find a way to express our gratitude?"
"Let's wait until Uncle Chi returns!" Zhou Chujin replied with a smile. "We really must thank Uncle Chi properly. He may appear cold and distant, difficult to approach, but he keeps everything in his heart. Take this trip to Baoding, for example—Uncle Chi quietly arranged for Nanny Shang to accompany Second Sister, all because he saw that she lost her mother at a young age and lacked guidance, fearing she might lose face in front of relatives or be mocked... We must remember this kindness."
Liao Shaotang agreed with a smile.
The next day, he went to the Hanlin Academy to assist with compiling books.
But before he could even take a bath, Zhou Chujin went into labor.
After a night of pain, she successfully gave birth to a baby boy weighing seven jin and eight liang.
Liao Shaotang wrote a letter back to Zhenjiang to announce the joyous news, asking Master Liao Sr. to name the child.
Exhausted yet beaming with joy, Zhou Chujin leaned against the headboard as Madam Li served her wine-fermented poached eggs.
Zhou Shaojin, meanwhile, held the baby, unable to tear her eyes away.
Madam Li teased, "Look at our Second Miss—she’s completely mesmerized by her nephew."
Zhou Shaojin truly was mesmerized.
Although the time and hour of birth were different, this child looked exactly like Liao Chengfang from her past life, as if cast from the same mold.
She couldn’t help but say, "Sister, let’s name him 'Chengfang'!"
Zhou Chujin felt somewhat hesitant.
The child was the legitimate eldest grandson of the Liao family. Naming him was likely something even Master Liao Sr. would want to discuss with the family elders.
However, if the family elders gave the child another name, they could simply use this one as a pet name.
Zhou Chujin smiled and said, "I’ll mention it to your brother-in-law when he returns."
Zhou Shaojin nodded repeatedly, her eyes growing slightly moist as she gazed at Chengfang.
During the Third-Day Bathing Ceremony, Madam Li’s elder brother, Master Li Sr., arrived in the capital, covered in dust from his journey, and presented a palm-sized purple-gold Maitreya Buddha as a gift for the ceremony.
Everyone was both surprised by his arrival and astonished by his extravagant gift.
Madam Li couldn’t help but chide him for not consulting her: "...Who gives such an expensive gift for a Third-Day Bathing Ceremony?"
Master Li Sr. was a tall, stout man with fair, clean skin and features somewhat resembling Madam Li’s.
Dressed in a purple robe with green floral patterns, he smiled warmly and said, "Isn’t this also to give you face? Since they’ve acknowledged you as their mother, I, as their uncle, won’t treat them poorly."
"But you can’t just throw gold at people!" Madam Li muttered. "All those gifts will be taken by the midwife—won’t you just be giving them away for nothing?"
According to tradition, the midwife who assisted with the birth presided over the Third-Day Bathing Ceremony and kept all the gifts presented.
Master Li Sr. chuckled and said, "You don’t understand. I heard this midwife was recommended by the Fang family, the maternal relatives of the eldest young mistress’s mother-in-law, and she holds quite a reputation in the capital. With such a valuable gift, the midwife won’t forget it once she receives it. When word spreads, the eldest young mistress will gain prestige, and even the Fang family who recommended her will share in the honor.""That's true!" Madam Li had always trusted this brother who was nearly twenty years her senior. She said nothing more and invited her brother to stay for a meal.
In the past, Master Li Sr. would certainly not have stayed, but now that his sister had barely managed to gain a foothold in the Zhou family, he did not hesitate to accept the invitation.
Zhou Chujin had the steward order a banquet from a restaurant to entertain Master Li Sr. After returning from the Hanlin Academy, Liao Shaotang personally kept him company and invited him to stay at their home for a few days.
Master Li Sr. arrived happily and left satisfied.
From then on, Madam Li served Zhou Chujin with even greater dedication.
Amidst the busyness, time flew by, and soon Liao Chengfang was about to reach his first full month.
A letter arrived from Zhenjiang, announcing that the child had been given the milk name "Guan Ge," while his formal name remained undecided. Madam Liao, née Fang, would also set off soon for the capital to celebrate the child's hundredth-day ceremony.
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Dear readers, here is today's bonus update.
O(∩_∩)O~
PS: Check back tomorrow morning for the next update!
※ (To be continued ~^~)
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