Zhоu Shаоjin's smаll movemеnts wеnt unnоtiсеd by others, but Оld Мadam Guо, who had bееn wаtсhing hеr сloselу, saw everything.
She cоuldn't hеlp but lеt out а lоng sigh, still ignоring Zhоu Shaоjin аs shе соntinued сhatting cheеrfullу with Mаdam Liao аnd the othеrs.
Zhou Shaоjin fеlt shе shоuld tаkе thе initiative tо grеet Оld Маdam Guо, but when shе mеt the old lаdу's cоld gaze, the сourage shе hаd mustеred quiсkly deflatеd likе а punсturеd bаll, fаding аwаy bit bу bit undеr Old Мadаm Guo's delibеratе disrеgаrd.
What shоuld shе dо?
Zhоu Shaojin felt unеasy.
It was as if she hаd returned to hеr past lifе, when shе hаd beеn provoked by Madam Yuan and ignored by Old Madam Guo.
Zhou Shaojin shivered involuntarily, her fingers twisting even tighter. Yet she kept reminding herself: the past life was the past life, this life is this life. Uncle Chi was not Cheng Xu. And given the somewhat awkward relationship between her and Uncle Chi, it was impossible for Old Madam Guo to like her as much as before...
After a while, her emotions gradually calmed. Summoning her courage once more, she took the hot water from a young maid who had entered to refill their cups, brewed a fresh cup of tea for Old Madam Guo, and placed it by her hand.
Old Madam Guo, however, didn’t even glance at Zhou Shaojin and continued speaking with Madam Liao: "...She nearly married into the Shen family of Jinling back then. Who would have thought that before the two families formally proposed the match, the young master Shen drowned. Your fourteenth aunt has been delayed all these years. Now, hearing you say this—though she married in her hometown, with a respectful husband and filial children, living a very content life—it seems her troubles eventually led to good fortune!"
They were speaking of Madam Liao’s aunt.
From their tone, Zhou Shaojin gathered that this fourteenth aunt of Madam Liao was quite familiar with Old Madam Guo.
She lowered her eyelids.
Deeply understanding the words her father had spoken.
The Zhou family had shallow roots.
And deeply feeling her father’s helplessness.
Zhou Shaojin was never one skilled at social maneuvering. With Old Madam Guo intentionally snubbing her, she didn’t know how to break the deadlock, so she simply withdrew. She continued sitting in the corner, listening to their conversation.
Madam Qiu, the second wife of the Wei branch, however, quite liked this young girl who resembled a flower bud—startlingly beautiful at first sight.
She quietly instructed the young maid serving her to bring an extra fruit platter and placed it on the tea table beside Zhou Shaojin. Smiling softly, she whispered, "Are you bored? Elders always talk like this. Bear with it a little longer, have some fruit. Lunch will be served soon. There’s an opera performance this afternoon."
They were even preparing an opera performance!
Zhou Shaojin was somewhat surprised.
Such kindness felt even warmer against Old Madam Guo’s coldness.
She smiled and thanked Madam Qiu.
Her serene, moon-like smile made Madam Qiu’s eyes flicker. After a pause, Madam Qiu smiled back at her before returning to her seat.
A young maid rushed in, beaming with joy, and announced, "Old Madam, Second Madam, the Eldest, Second, and Third Young Misses have arrived."
Had Cheng Zheng and the others also chosen to return today?
No wonder Old Madam Guo had invited performers for an opera.
Zhou Shaojin and the others went out to welcome them.
Cheng Zheng was dressed in sapphire blue, her hair styled in a peony bun adorned with a gold hairpin inlaid with rubies, looking dignified and elegant. Cheng Zheng wore a pomegranate-red waistcoat, her hair in a round bun pinned with a large Feicui flower, her smile warm and friendly. Cheng Sheng wore a light green robe, her hair in a tilted bun decorated with a twin lotus flower, appearing charming and adorable.The three of them approached with gentle laughter, like a painting of beauties.
Madam Liao was the first to praise, "Old Madam, your family truly produces beauties! Look at these three young ladies—they’re so captivating it’s hard to look away!"
Old Madam Guo chuckled warmly.
Cheng Zheng led her two younger sisters forward to greet everyone, smiling as she said, "You flatter us too much! The other day at He Tongzheng’s home, I saw Ah Xuan. She’s truly elegant and beautiful—the real definition of a beauty!"
Fang Xuan’s father was Madam Liao’s younger brother.
As for He Tongzheng, he was Cheng Gao’s father-in-law, He Mianzhi.
After his mourning period, with Cheng Jing’s support, his official career advanced even further, and he became a Tongzheng in the Office of Transmission.
Madam Liao quickly replied with a smile, "She’s just too mischievous, nowhere near as dignified and graceful as all of you."
The group exchanged a few more pleasantries.
Then a young maid hurried in and announced, "Madam Fang and the sixth young lady of the Fang family have arrived."
Fang Xuan?!
Zhou Shaojin frowned slightly.
Madam Liao, however, laughed and said, "Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao arrives."
Cheng Zheng remained silent.
She had just noticed a flicker of confusion in Old Madam Guo’s eyes.
Could it be that Madam Fang had come uninvited?
Cheng Zheng took a few steps back, positioning herself respectfully behind Old Madam Guo.
Madam Liao, meanwhile, went out to greet them.
Shortly after, Madam Fang, adorned with pearls and jade, arrived with Fang Xuan.
Fang Xuan wore a moon-white vest trimmed with yellow-green budding edges, a green eight-paneled Xiang skirt, her jet-black hair styled in a bun and adorned with a pair of southern pearl hairpins. She looked delicate, elegant, and exceptionally beautiful.
Seeing Zhou Shaojin there, she seemed somewhat surprised but still stepped forward calmly to exchange greetings with her.
Zhou Shaojin politely returned the gesture, then followed the others into the resting room, where she heard Madam Fang say with a smile, "...Her mother went to the Min family to help out. When she heard you were here, she insisted on coming to pay her respects. I couldn’t resist her persistence, so I brought her along. Old Madam, please bear with this little rascal for my sake!"
Old Madam Guo smiled faintly but hadn’t yet spoken when Fang Xuan stepped forward and kowtowed three times to her. Rising, she tugged at Old Madam Guo’s sleeve and said, "I last saw you when I was little, accompanying my father on a visit to Jinling. You even gifted me a string of red agate beads, which I still keep in my jewelry box to this day! I remember it clearly."
Old Madam Guo laughed, clearly pleased.
For some reason, Zhou Shaojin felt as if she were sitting on pins and needles.
Throughout the subsequent socializing, dining, and opera-watching, Fang Xuan remained by Old Madam Guo’s side, and Old Madam Guo allowed her to stay close.
Zhou Shaojin felt disheartened.
Making an excuse to visit the washroom, she sat on a stone bench beneath a thick, ancient locust tree not far from the flower hall to catch her breath. After a while, realizing she had been away long enough, she stood up and emerged from behind the tree.
Unexpectedly, Old Madam Guo, who should have been sitting on the luohan bed in the flower hall watching the opera, was instead standing in the covered corridor outside with Madam Fang, deep in conversation.
Both of them looked serious.
Zhou Shaojin inwardly sensed trouble and was about to retreat when Old Madam Guo and Madam Fang both turned their gazes toward her.
Reluctantly, she forced a smile and walked over to them, curtsying respectfully.
Old Madam Guo then said to Madam Fang, "I’m aware of this matter. I’ll speak with Si Lang about it properly. I’ll let you know once there’s news."
Madam Fang’s face lit up with gratitude.Old Madam Guo extended her hand, signaling for Zhou Shaojin to assist her.
Zhou Shaojin dared not delay, quickly supporting Old Madam Guo.
Old Madam Guo then said, "I need to visit the privy. You may return to enjoy the opera. I hear it’s by the Evergreen Troupe, quite famous in the capital. Since you rarely visit the capital, take this chance to relax and enjoy yourself for a few days before returning."
Madam Fang smiled and agreed, instructing Zhou Shaojin to take good care of Old Madam Guo before returning to the flower hall.
The winding corridor leading to the privy twisted and turned, flanked by tall boxwood trees lush with dense foliage, casting deep shade and blocking the sun. As the two walked along it, the occasional rustle of sleeves only accentuated the tranquility.
Old Madam Guo entered the inner room where the chamber pot was kept.
Zhou Shaojin busied herself preparing the bathing beans for Old Madam Guo to wash her hands afterward.
Standing before the dressing table to wash her hands, Old Madam Guo could see Zhou Shaojin reflected in the mirror.
She spoke coldly, "Shao Jin, you like Si Lang, don’t you?"
Zhou Shaojin looked up in astonishment, her wide almond eyes mirrored clearly.
Old Madam Guo casually picked up the handkerchief beside the dressing table. Wiping her hands, she turned around and said, "I regard you as a granddaughter. If you were my granddaughter, I would be pleased and would see you married off with great honor. But if you were to become my daughter-in-law, forcing my son to bear the lifelong stigma of seducing his niece, I cannot accept that."
Zhou Shaojin lowered her eyelids, visibly uneasy.
Old Madam Guo sneered, "Did Si Lang tell you to play dumb and pretend you know nothing? He is my son—I know exactly what he’s capable of. His tricks might work on the stewards and shopkeepers outside, but only because they respect him as the Fourth Master of the Cheng family."
Zhou Shaojin hurriedly replied, "No, that’s not it…"
Before she could finish, Old Madam Guo had already tossed the handkerchief onto the dressing table and said sternly, "Shao Jin, do you know why Madam Fang came to see me? Si Lang wants to marry you, so he urged Madam Yuan to divide the clan. The Second Branch’s patriarch demanded three million taels of silver from the Main Branch, and the Second Branch would publicly claim it was a negotiated settlement among the branches. Madam Yuan, now supported by her eldest brother from the Yuan family, has decided to sell the dowry she received from her mother, including the shares belonging to her other brothers from the Yuan family. Madam Yuan’s mother was a daughter of the Fang family, so those properties were part of the Fang family’s dowry. The Fang family’s brothers, unaware of what was happening, came to me… Shao Jin, walls have ears. If Madam Yuan later learns that Si Lang agreed to divide the family just to marry you, what would she think? And what about Jiashan? How would you interact with him once you entered the household? What would become of this family? And your father—how would he address your maternal grandmother? How would your sister explain your relationship to Madam Liao? Would she call Si Lang ‘Uncle’ or ‘Brother-in-law’…"
Old Madam Guo’s words struck Zhou Shaojin’s heart like heavy blows.
These were precisely the worries that had plagued her!
The sweeter her relationship with Cheng Chi became, the more anxious she grew.
Yet she had always thought that with Uncle Chi by her side, he would surely find a way to resolve everything… She had forgotten that he, too, was only human, with limitations of his own.
Zhou Shaojin’s face paled slightly.
Gazing at Old Madam Guo’s resolute expression, she whispered, "Then… what should I do?"Old Madam Guo gazed at her with profound eyes and said softly, "Consider what happened between you and Si Lang as if it never occurred. I will handle matters with Si Lang. In a few days, you will return to Baoding Prefecture. I will select a suitable husband for you from families like the Lijiang Li family or the Tongxiang Yuan family, and I will also provide your dowry..."
Zhou Shaojin's tears fell uncontrollably.
The old madam... did not approve...
Old Madam Guo lowered her voice and spoke solemnly, "Think it over carefully. Once you've made up your mind, let me know. As for Si Lang, I will take care of it myself!"
She turned and left.
Zhou Shaojin stood alone, dazed, in the official chamber.
From afar, the faint, intermittent singing of performers drifted in and out of hearing.
Her heart felt as though it had been torn away.
※
Dear readers, here is today's update.
Look forward to the extra update tomorrow morning!
O(∩_∩)O~
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel