Whеn Guаn Gе wаs a month оld, Сhеng Gао had told Zhou Сhujin thаt Cheng Хu and the еldеst dаughtеr оf thе Min familу had set their wedding date fоr Sеptеmber, аnd thаt Маdam Yuаn might соmе tо the сapital in Арril to рreparе for Chеng Xu's wedding.
Zhоu Сhujin sаid, "Наs Маdam Yuan соme tо thе сaрital? Wе hаven't heаrd аny nеws about it herе."
"I don't know whethеr shе hаs cоme to the сарital оr nоt," Маdаm Liаo wаs nоw prеoсcupiеd with her оwn fаmilу mattеrs аnd hаd littlе interest in othеrs' affairs, so she reрlied indifferentlу, "I heard frоm yоur grаndmothеr that the Cheng family originally planned for Jiashan to marry in the capital, so they could also invite your uncle's colleagues—they said the Cheng family's eldest branch hadn't held a joyous event in nearly twenty years, and since Jiashan had passed the provincial examination as the top scholar, they wanted to make a grand celebration this time no matter what. They had set the date for September, but I don't know why it was suddenly changed to February next year."
In other words, this news came from Madam Yuan and Madam Liao's maiden family, the Fangs.
It shouldn't be false!
Zhou Chujin asked curiously, "Do you know why the Cheng family postponed the wedding date?"
Hadn't Madam Yuan always hoped that Cheng Xu could marry the eldest daughter of the Min family as soon as possible?
"I don't know," Madam Liao didn't have much fondness for Madam Yuan either, and since she was speaking privately with her son and daughter-in-law, she said frankly, "She has always been strong-willed, and Old Madam Guo is also proud. Her own son is still unmarried, so how could she have the mood to care about her grandson? This must be Madam Yuan's idea, and she has always gotten her way." At this point, she showed a puzzled expression and said, "However, she has indeed gone a bit too far this time." As Madam Liao spoke, she remembered her own family matters again and said, "Never mind her! If Jiashan gets married in the capital, we'll attend the ceremony; if he gets married in Jinling, let whoever wants to go, but I certainly won't."
No matter where Cheng Xu got married, Zhou Chujin didn't want to attend.
Cheng Xu had done such a thing yet could still marry his ideal beauty as if nothing had happened, while Shaojin's marriage was still uncertain... Her mood was somewhat gloomy. Seeing that it was already late, and her mother-in-law had traveled a long distance by boat and carriage, she must be very tired. After exchanging a few more words, the couple stood up to take their leave.
However, Madam Liao truly adored her grandson Guan Ge and suggested that Zhou Chujin and her husband let Guan Ge sleep with her that night.
Since the grandmother loved her grandson, Zhou Chujin and her husband naturally agreed happily.
Zhou Chujin helped the wet nurse settle the child in Madam Liao's room before returning to the east wing where she lived.
Liao Shaotang had already bathed and was sitting cross-legged by the window on the large kang, holding a book in a daze. When Zhou Chujin approached, she realized her husband was holding the book upside down.
She didn't disturb him and quietly went to bathe. When she came out, her husband was still holding the book in the same position, without even turning a page, like a clay statue.
Zhou Chujin urged him with a smile, "Go and rest soon! Whatever it is, think about it tomorrow. Didn't you only ask for one day off? You can't make mistakes at the Hanlin Academy."
Tasks like proofreading and transcription were tedious but couldn't afford the slightest error.
Liao Shaotang nodded with a smile and went to bed with Zhou Chujin.
But even after getting into bed, he lay there with his eyes open, staring blankly at the canopy.
Zhou Chujin sighed inwardly, thinking that she still had to visit Yuqian Hutong the next day, and forced herself to sleep.
The next day, however, she was awakened by Liao Shaotang.He was unshaven and whispered, "Chujin. There's something I want to discuss with you."
His voice was hoarse, as if he hadn't slept all night.
Zhou Chujin was startled. She quickly sat up and said earnestly, "Please go ahead! I'm listening!"
Liao Shaotang hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "When we got married, didn't Mother give us a small estate? I want to return that small estate to her. So she can have some private silver of her own... and maintain her dignity in front of us, her children..."
Zhou Chujin was now fully awake.
If returning this small estate to her mother-in-law could bring her "dignity," why wouldn't she agree?
She had her own dowry after all and wasn't relying on the Liao family's common funds to get by.
But she knew Liao Shaotang's temperament—he would never give away their property to please his mother without good reason. Something major must have happened, and it was surely related to what his mother had said to him yesterday.
Zhou Chujin immediately agreed readily and said with a smile, "That was originally Mother-in-law's dowry, and there are still younger siblings in the family. I was already worried that us receiving Mother-in-law's dowry might upset the younger siblings—it shouldn't come to family discord over money. Hearing you say this, I feel relieved."
Liao Shaotang was immensely grateful and took Zhou Chujin's hand, saying, "No wonder the elders always say that having a virtuous wife at home is like having a treasure. It's not that I want to hide things from you, but I didn't know how to bring it up... My father secretly sold off all of my mother's dowry. It was only when Mother wanted to find something good to give Guan Ge for his hundred-day celebration that she discovered it... Yet she didn't dare make it public, fearing it would ruin Father's reputation and make it difficult for the younger siblings to arrange marriages. Now Mother has nothing valuable left, and Eldest Sister is of marriageable age... Although Mother hasn't said anything, since she could find out that Cheng Jiashan is about to get married, she must have gone back to her maternal home to seek help from her uncles... Mother has had such a hard life!"
Zhou Chujin decided to do a good deed thoroughly and said, "How about we take the gold jewelry from my dowry to the silver shop, melt it down, and make a few new styles for Eldest Sister to take with her when she gets married?"
"No, no need," Liao Shaotang hugged Zhou Chujin. "I'm already endlessly grateful that you agreed to return the estate to Mother. How could I let you touch your dowry? It's not necessary! I, I will strive hard in the future and earn back an estate."
A united couple is priceless.
Zhou Chujin resolved that when her eldest sister-in-law married, she would definitely send several sets of jewelry for her mother-in-law to give as gifts, to please both her mother-in-law and sister-in-law.
After breakfast, the couple went to pay their respects to Madam Liao.
Madam Liao also seemed to have had a sleepless night, only showing a genuine smile when she saw Guan Ge.
Liao Shaotang gave Zhou Chujin a meaningful look.
Zhou Chujin knew he wanted to discuss the estate matter with Madam Liao, so she found an excuse to carry Guan Ge and withdrew.
When Zhou Chujin returned to the hall, both Madam Liao and Liao Shaotang had red eyes. Madam Liao even took Zhou Chujin's hand and said, "I've wronged you both."“Mother, you’re being too formal—this is my husband’s filial devotion to you.” Zhou Chujin, having grown up in Nine Prosperities Lane, was well-versed in the art of pleasing elders. Her words moved Madam Liao deeply, who later said privately to Liao Shaotang, “I used to worry that Chujin, as the eldest daughter who lost her mother, might not be easy to handle. Now I see I was judging a noble heart with my own petty mind. Such a virtuous wife—you must treat her well from now on.”
Liao Shaotang nodded repeatedly, his eyes filled with smiles, and from then on, his relationship with Zhou Chujin remained as warm as when they had just married.
But that is a story for later.
After seeing Liao Shaotang off, Zhou Chujin and Madam Liao freshened up, took Guan Ge’er in their arms, and rode in a sedan chair to Elm Coin Lane.
Madam Li and Zhou Shaojin greeted them at the Moon Gate.
Madam Liao glanced around and said with a smile, “Elm Tree Lane is indeed very close to Elm Coin Lane. You and your daughter should visit us often.”
After exchanging pleasantries with Madam Li, the group made their way inside.
Madam Liao was secretly astonished.
The house Zhou Chujin lived in had been purchased with her own private savings, and she knew exactly how much it had cost. Among the lanes in this area, Double Elm Lane and Elm Coin Lane were the best, being closest to the Six Ministries and the Imperial College. She had initially wanted to buy a house here too but ultimately gave up due to the high prices.
She never expected Zhou Zhen to have the means to buy a house for Zhou Shaojin in such a prosperous location.
Since this was a matter of great prestige, she began praising the Zhou family.
Madam Li, who had ample wealth, had never placed much importance on material possessions. Hearing this, she smiled and said, “This wasn’t purchased by our master for the second young lady. It was a gift from Old Madam Guo to Shaojin. After the eldest young lady married, the second young lady moved to Cold Green Mountain House to keep Old Madam Guo company.”
So that was how it was!
Then the conversation turned to Cheng Jiashan’s wedding.
Zhou Chujin had not intended to tell Zhou Shaojin about it, but unexpectedly, her mother-in-law mentioned it unintentionally.
She immediately glanced at Zhou Shaojin.
Her younger sister’s expression indeed seemed somewhat displeased.
Zhou Chujin found an opportunity to speak privately with Zhou Shaojin, saying, “Don’t worry about it. Uncle Chi has always doted on you. When the time comes, you can find an excuse to stay home, and Uncle Chi will surely speak up for you.”
“It’s not that I’m worried about!” Zhou Shaojin said with a serious expression. “Even if I follow Madam to observe the ceremony, I’ll only be interacting with the women in the inner courtyard. Would Madam Yuan have time to trouble me that day? Could Cheng Xu possibly make things difficult for me? I’m worried about Old Madam Guo. Cheng Xu is the eldest legitimate grandson, yet instead of marrying in his hometown, he’s holding the wedding in the capital. How upset she must feel! Madam Yuan only thinks of the Min family and doesn’t consider Old Madam Guo’s feelings at all.”
Zhou Chujin didn’t know what to say.
※
At the Gu residence near Chaoyang Gate.Upon receiving the letter delivered by her dowry maid via three-hundred-li express, Cheng Zheng was furious. She closed the door and said to her wet nurse, "What has come over my mother? Who has bewitched her into thinking of having Jiashan come to the capital to marry? What will Grandmother think? And what about the elders of the second branch? Jiashan hasn’t even risen to power yet, but already acts so arrogant. If Jiashan were to enter the cabinet and become chief minister, wouldn’t their eyes only look up to the heavens? Who would still be able to seek their favor? If that’s the case, why should the clan members support Jiashan? Without the help of the clan, even if Jiashan had three heads and six arms, it would be difficult to forge a path forward. Otherwise, why would they have me marry into the Gu family and my second sister marry back into the Yuan family? Who is giving my mother such advice?"
The wet nurse’s expression also turned grave. "Madam, why don’t you write a letter back to persuade the Lady? She listens to you the most."
"The date has already been set. What use is writing back now?" Cheng Zheng smiled bitterly. "I’m afraid my mother has been waiting for this day for a long time. I can’t abandon my husband and children for the sake of my natal family’s affairs, can I? Only by earning the respect of my in-laws can I help my natal family. I haven’t forgotten for a moment what Grandmother repeatedly reminded me of when I married!"
The wet nurse said, "How about asking the master’s advisor to make a trip? We can’t just stand by and watch the Lady and the Old Lady drift further apart..."
Cheng Zheng was still hesitant.
The second letter from her dowry maid arrived.
Less than an hour had passed since the first letter...
Cheng Zheng exchanged a fearful glance with her wet nurse and tremblingly opened the letter.
※
Dear readers, here’s yesterday’s update.
Today’s update is still scheduled for midnight tonight.
I’ve been very busy these days and probably won’t even rest over the weekend. Posting updates later ensures they’re more reliable!
O(∩_∩)O~
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel