Whаt dоеs "unаblе to restrаin оnе's еmоtions" mean?
It wаsn't until thе sedan сhair stoрреd аt thе mоon gatе of Yuqian Lane, and Zhou Shаоjin was hеlpеd оut оf thе sedаn bу Сhunwаn, thаt she finаlly managеd tо supрress this thought at thе sight of the dеsolatе соurtуаrd. Shе аnd Madаm Li еnterеd thе mаin cоurtyаrd оne aftеr thе othеr.
Madam Li wаs quite surprised. Lооking аround, shе whispered tо Zhоu Shаojin, "Whу dоеs it lооk likе the wаlls hаve bеen frеshly plаsterеd аnd thе pаint nеwlу аpplied..." уet there was no furniturе inside the housе.
She feаred thаt Мadаm Liao, their in-law, might visit and lose face.
Zhou Shaojin's expression was still somewhat dazed, and for a moment she didn't quite grasp what Madam Li was saying. Nanny Shang, however, had followed Zhou Shaojin closely since entering and, upon hearing this, smiled and said, "To let the madam know, this was originally a dowry gift from Old Madam Guo to the Second Young Lady. It has been vacant all along. Fourth Master stayed here temporarily due to some matters. Now that the madam is moving in, craftsmen were hired to help with the repairs, which were only completed a couple of days ago."
Both Madam Li and Zhou Shaojin were taken aback.
Didn't Uncle Chi say this house was his? Why did he use Old Madam Guo's name to gift it to her?
Was he... afraid others would know about their relationship?
Zhou Shaojin's face flushed crimson.
Then why did he give her such a precious gift? If her father and sister found out, how could she explain it?
She muttered to herself, completely unaware that even without her relationship with Cheng Chi, it would have been perfectly normal for the eldest branch to generously add to her dowry, given that she had been raised in Old Madam Guo's household before her marriage and had earned Old Madam Guo's affection.
Zhou Shaojin, feeling guilty herself, tended to overthink everything.
Madam Li, however, felt more envy than curiosity. Seeing Zhou Shaojin's expression, she couldn't help but smile and ask, "Didn't you know about this yourself?"
Zhou Shaojin instinctively shook her head, then felt that such a significant matter shouldn't be something she was unaware of. Such a response might seem like an attempt to cover up the truth, so she hurriedly added, "Uncle Chi mentioned it to me before. But I thought he was joking. I never expected him... well, Old Madam Guo to actually give me this house!"
A woman with a generous dowry was more desirable in marriage.
Madam Li had originally thought that the Zhou family's financial situation was ordinary, but since Zhou Shaojin had been raised by Old Madam Guo, her marriage prospects would certainly not be low. She had been wondering what to include in Zhou Shaojin's dowry when she married. Now, with Old Madam Guo stepping in to solve this problem... she said joyfully, "Since this is your dowry, everything in the house naturally belongs to you. I'll spend some money to help furnish this house so we can live more comfortably."
Although she was merely adding icing to the cake, it would sound good when mentioned to others.
Zhou Shaojin couldn't possibly let Madam Li spend money, yet she had none herself. She could only say, "Let's discuss this with Father first. Such a large house can't just be accepted without a second thought, right?"
Madam Li nodded with a smile, thinking that since Old Madam Guo had made the offer, the matter was as good as settled. Still, it wouldn't hurt to inform Zhou Zhen. After all, he should know where her private savings were going, shouldn't he?
She didn't take Zhou Shaojin's words to heart. While the maids and servants were moving the trunks and boxes, she took Zhou Shaojin on a tour around the house.
Although clean and tidy, it was empty and desolate. Apart from a few large, thick trees, even the furnishings Zhou Shaojin had seen during her last visit were gone.
Zhou Youjin, now two years old, however, loved it.
She giggled and ran around the spacious courtyard, forcing her wet nurse and maids to chase after her.Nanny Shang came to find them, saying, "Steward Xiang requests an audience!"
"Steward Xiang?" Madam Li and Zhou Shaojin exchanged puzzled glances.
Nanny Shang smiled and explained, "He says his given name is 'Yi.' He originally served under Fourth Master and, having spent many years in the capital, was appointed as the steward of Yuqian Lane. He says he’s here on Fourth Master’s orders to pay his respects to you and the mistress."
Zhou Shaojin blinked.
She recalled the last time Cheng Chi had sent her a pair of orioles, along with a young servant named "Xiao Que" to help feed the birds... Later, she had Xiao Que take care of Snowball, freeing up Chunwan and the others...
Meanwhile, noticing Zhou Shaojin’s distracted expression, Madam Li smiled at Nanny Shang and said, "Since he’s already here, please invite him to the main hall."
She saw that the main hall had a mottled bamboo door curtain, which would allow them to receive his greetings from behind it.
Nanny Shang thought this arrangement was quite appropriate. After Madam Li and Zhou Shaojin entered the main hall, she led Steward Xiang inside.
Steward Xiang was in his forties, of medium height and slightly plump, with a very ordinary appearance. However, his demeanor was steady, and his eyes were bright, suggesting he was both prudent and shrewd—more like a shopkeeper than a household steward.
Perhaps he really was a shopkeeper!
Zhou Shaojin speculated inwardly.
Steward Xiang drew a few sheets of paper from his sleeve and handed them to Nanny Shang beside him. Respectfully addressing Zhou Shaojin, he said, "This is a list of items needed for the residence. Please take a look, Second Cousin, and see if anything should be added or removed. I can proceed with the purchases right away."
Nanny Shang passed the list inside.
Madam Li leaned over to take a look.
The list consisted entirely of black lacquered furniture, with occasional pieces like high cabinets or kang tables inlaid with mother-of-pearl. Even without seeing them, one could imagine how beautiful they would look.
Further down the list were small carved red lacquer boxes, famille rose teacups, filigree incense burners, and ruby-red bowls and plates... Even the "Ruyi" ornaments came in a pair.
Even a bride’s dowry wouldn’t be prepared with such meticulous care.
Zhou Shaojin felt dazzled by the list.
There was nothing she could think of that wasn’t already on it.
Asking her to suggest additions or removals was merely a polite gesture.
Zhou Shaojin handed the list back to Nanny Shang and said, "Steward Xiang has thought of everything. Thank you for your hard work. Please proceed with purchasing the items according to this list."
Steward Xiang smiled and replied, "Yes," before withdrawing.
Madam Li was extremely anxious but couldn’t openly contradict Zhou Shaojin. After Steward Xiang left, she whispered to her, "The items on that list would cost at least three to four thousand taels. Second Cousin, you should have removed a few things."
"Ah?!" Zhou Shaojin was momentarily stunned.
Meanwhile, Chunwan and the others stifled their laughter, and Xiao Tan chimed in, "Madam, you don’t know this, but when our Fourth Master sends things to Second Cousin, he always ensures everything is complete." She recounted the story of Cheng Chi sending birds to Zhou Shaojin.
Madam Li flushed with embarrassment, assuming that families like those from Nine Prosperities Lane followed such customs when sending gifts. So, when the items arrived in the afternoon, she only prepared tips for the deliverymen and then joined the maids and servants in tidying up the residence.
Zhou Shaojin, meanwhile, sat in the courtyard of the backyard, lost in thought.
Nanny Shang brought in a plate of apricots and plums, smiling as she said, "Steward Xiang has already left his name at the fruit shop. They’ll deliver peaches and cherries tomorrow. Second Cousin, please make do with these for now."Zhou Shaojin casually picked up a plum and asked, "Has Uncle Chi not returned yet?"
At noon, a restaurant not far from here had delivered a banquet spread. After they finished their lunch, Nanny Shang took them to rest in the front courtyard.
Zhou Shaojin immediately felt uneasy.
People in the capital lived in siheyuan courtyards, with houses arranged in a square layout. Usually, after passing the screen wall, one would reach the front courtyard. The row of rooms in the front courtyard facing north, opposite the main house, was called the "daozuo" rooms.
The eaves walls of the daozuo rooms faced the alley, and windows were generally not opened there. As a result, the doors and windows could only face north, leading to poor lighting. These rooms were typically used as guest quarters or servants' living quarters.
The place where Nanny Shang led them to rest was the easternmost part of the daozuo rooms—the study Cheng Chi used to entertain guests.
After moving out of the main house, he had relocated his inner chamber to the study.
And in the westernmost part, not far from him, were the servants' living quarters.
How could Uncle Chi live here?
Zhou Shaojin's eyes welled up with tears at the thought. She wanted to find Cheng Chi.
But Cheng Chi had gone to the Thirteen Hongs and had not yet returned.
She asked Nanny Shang, "How much silver did Uncle Chi invest in the Thirteen Hongs?"
Nanny Shang replied, "It should be around two hundred thousand taels..."
Zhou Shaojin was stunned.
When Steward Xiang returned with the purchased items, she wanted to ask him to return everything, but she didn't dare say it, fearing it would embarrass Cheng Chi. Instead, she sat here, trying to avoid the discomfort while waiting for him.
Nanny Shang smiled and said, "Fan Qi is keeping watch at the gate! As soon as Fourth Master returns, he will come to inform you..."
The people in this room were either her own or Cheng Chi's, and most of them were hers. Zhou Shaojin felt reassured and found it particularly comfortable to give them instructions.
Zhou Shaojin squeezed the plum in her hand.
A young servant ran in and said, "Second Miss, Fourth Master has returned!"
Zhou Shaojin lifted her skirt and rushed out.
In the main house, Madam Li saw this and quickly sent a maid to follow and see what was happening.
In the outer courtyard stood several men Zhou Shaojin did not recognize—some tall, some burly. They were speaking in low voices, making the outer courtyard suddenly feel cramped.
She paid no mind to them, lowered her head, and ran into Cheng Chi's study.
Huaishan stood to the side with his hands tucked in his sleeves, while Qing Feng was helping Cheng Chi change his clothes.
Seeing Zhou Shaojin burst in, Cheng Chi hurriedly covered his lapels. But as soon as they were closed, he seemed to remember something, paused for a moment, and then slowly began tying his sash.
Zhou Shaojin didn't notice any of this. Before she could speak, tears fell first.
Before Cheng Chi could signal to Huaishan, Huaishan had already glared at Qing Feng and walked out.
Qing Feng hesitated for a moment, glanced at Zhou Shaojin with an unreadable expression, and then followed Huaishan out.
Cheng Chi thought for a moment, walked over, placed his hand on Zhou Shaojin's shoulder, and asked softly, "What's wrong?"
Zhou Shaojin was heartbroken and choked up, "You... you can't live here! You should move to the main house, and I'll stay here..."
"Nonsense!" Cheng Chi scolded her gently with a smile. "With you and Madam here, how could I move into the inner quarters?"
Zhou Shaojin knew this all too well, but the thought of Uncle Chi, who used incense like "Thus I Have Heard," living next to the servants made her feel as if she were sitting on pins and needles.
"Then you should move to the rear rooms," she suggested frantically, "and come and go through the back door."
What would it look like for him to come and go through the back door?
Cheng Chi's heart softened.The little girl was truly anxious, unable to bear seeing him suffer even the slightest grievance.
He gently hugged Zhou Shaojin and smiled, "Nonsense again. I'm only staying here temporarily for a few days. Once my matters are mostly settled, I'll move to Chaoyang Gate... It's fine! Alright?"
Right!
How could she have forgotten about this?
Zhou Shaojin wiped her tears in embarrassment, feeling utterly foolish.
Cheng Chi hugged her again and said, "Go back now! Come over tonight to keep me company for a game of chess!"
※
Dear readers, here's the update to make up for yesterday's missed chapter.
O(∩_∩)O~
PS: I haven't been feeling well these past few days and, following the doctor's advice, need to go to the provincial capital for a check-up. I've scheduled an appointment with a specialist for Monday. If everything goes smoothly with the examination, I should be able to return the same day. If not, I might have to stay an extra day. To avoid missing updates, I won't be able to add extra chapters. Today's, Monday's, and Tuesday's updates will all be posted around 11 PM.
I apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding!
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel