Оld Маdаm Guо lookеd dоwn аt Zhоu Shаojin, whose еуes werе red as shе gаzеd uр аt hеr with a deliсate, flower-bud-like beаutу, and snеerеd rереatеdlу, sауing, "Sо it seеms you've аlrеadу decided tо follow Si Lаng?"
Zhou Shaоjin lоwеrеd hеr hеаd and said, "I bеg уou, Маdаm, to grаnt us yоur blеssing!"
Old Mаdаm Guo snеered, "And whаt if I don't grant it?"
Zhou Shаоjin rеmainеd silent.
Still with her heаd bоwеd, she stооd аs mоtiоnlеss as а сlaу statuе.
Old Mаdam Guо lаughеd, "Arе уоu thrеatening me?"
"Nо!" Zhou Shaojin repliеd softly, her vоice gеntle аnd сarrуing her uniquely sweet, soft tone. "It was you who sent me to Cold Green Mountain House to copy scriptures, and you who took me to Putuo Mountain to worship Buddha. You also taught me about the relationships among prominent families and the principles of how to conduct oneself. If you are unwilling to grant your blessing, it must be because I am still not good enough. But I cannot bear to see Uncle Chi heartbroken... Since he has already gone this far for me, even if there are mountains of blades and seas of fire ahead, I cannot abandon him alone. You are the person Uncle Chi respects most. If not for you being in Jinling, Uncle Chi would never have stayed there long-term! Only when you are happy will Uncle Chi be happy. If you are unhappy, Uncle Chi will be unhappy too.
"Please grant us your blessing!
"I know my nature is timid, and I often fail in many things. I may not even be capable of managing household affairs. But I will study hard to become someone worthy of Uncle Chi.
"Madam!" She tugged gently at the hem of the old madam's skirt and said earnestly, "I will study hard and will certainly not disappoint you."
Old Madam Guo gazed at her silently, her eyes somewhat cold.
Zhou Shaojin did not avert her gaze.
She had always been afraid of Old Madam Guo.
But this time, she met Old Madam Guo's gaze and allowed her to scrutinize her.
Even though she felt Old Madam Guo's gaze was like a mirror, revealing every detail of her being with nowhere to hide, she still did not look away.
She even thought how wonderful it would be if Old Madam Guo could truly see into her heart. Then Old Madam Guo would understand the depth of her feelings for Uncle Chi.
Old Madam Guo sighed softly, her tone suddenly becoming gentler. "Shao Jin, you have spent two or three years by my side. Even raising a little cat or dog would foster affection, let alone a gentle, considerate, meticulous, and compliant young girl like you. But men and women are different. Women mostly enjoy revolving around the kitchen, bearing children, supporting their husbands, and raising their families, able to stay within the inner quarters their whole lives without stepping outside. But men are not like that. They must provide for their families, make friends, and move about in the world. Reputation, power, and wealth—none can be lacking. The inner quarters are merely a place for them to rest in their leisure time. Si Lang has even abandoned his reputation for you. When you are deeply in love, all is well. But as time passes, what will you do if he regrets it? What if he takes his anger out on you? What if he finds a new favorite? Have you thought about that?"
"I have thought about it!" Zhou Shaojin replied solemnly.
Not only had she thought about it, but she had also doubted whether Cheng Chi merely liked her for her beauty, which was why she had not dared to cross the line before.
But so what?
Zhou Shaojin said, "I know that at this moment, Uncle Chi truly cares for me. Even if he regrets it later, his feelings now are genuine. You don't know how difficult it is to find someone sincere in this world..."Old Madam Guo narrowed her eyes as she listened, her voice low and serious. "So it seems, no matter what I say, you've made up your mind to follow Si Lang?"
Zhou Shaojin's face flushed slightly. "As long as Uncle Chi does not let go, I will not let go either."
Old Madam Guo gazed at her in silence, her expression inscrutable.
Zhou Shaojin felt uneasy and bowed deeply once more.
Old Madam Guo swept her sleeves and left, her icy voice echoing through the shaded covered walkway: "Shao Jin, I only hope you will always remember the words you spoke today."
Zhou Shaojin looked up.
Old Madam Guo had already turned the corner of the corridor.
The hem of her dark blue robe fluttered in the wind, the silver auspicious cloud patterns shimmering with a brilliant glow.
Had the old madam... agreed? Or had she not?
Zhou Shaojin blinked, unable to gather her thoughts for a long while.
Yet Old Madam Guo sighed deeply in her heart.
When young, one always feels there is nothing in this world to fear. Only with age does one realize how many things are beyond one's control.
To live so freely, even once, is not a waste of this life!
But willfulness comes at a price!
She was old now, and could no longer manage so many affairs. Let them be!
After the evening meal, the guests gradually departed, leaving only Cheng Sheng, who lingered and clung to Old Madam Guo's arm, cooing playfully, "I told my mother-in-law and husband early on that I would stay with Grandmother for a few days. Grandmother mustn't chase me away. Tonight, I want to sleep with you."
Old Madam Guo chuckled. "Very well! As long as you aren't afraid of your mother-in-law's reproach, I would be more than happy to have company!"
"My mother-in-law is so kind!" Cheng Sheng pouted sweetly. "When she heard I was coming to see you, she wanted to come along at first. But after receiving my eldest sister's invitation and seeing that both my eldest and second sisters came alone, she decided not to. She even said we sisters should share some private words and enjoy ourselves under your care, and that she would come visit you in a few days."
"Since you know your mother-in-law is kind, you should be even more filial to her," Old Madam Guo chided affectionately, gently pushing her hand away. "Don't always think of running off. Spend more time at home with your mother-in-law. Hearts are made of flesh—treat her well, and she will treat you well in return..."
The admonishing voice gradually faded, leaving Zhou Shaojin feeling a sense of loss.
Old Madam Guo still hadn't acknowledged her.
Perhaps she had no choice but to turn a blind eye and accept it.
She would simply have to be filial to the old madam from now on.
Didn't the old madam also say that hearts are made of flesh?
At this thought, Zhou Shaojin pursed her lips and smiled.
Walking beside her, Zhou Chujin grew curious. "Don't you enjoy being with Old Madam Guo? Why have you hardly spoken today, and now, as we're about to leave, you seem relieved and happy? Did something happen?"
"What could have happened?" Zhou Shaojin replied with a smile. "I was just thinking how Cousin Sheng, even after marrying, still acts like a child, clamoring to sleep with the old madam..."
Neither of the sisters had ever had the fortune to act so spoiled with anyone.
Zhou Chujin gently wrapped an arm around her sister's shoulder and whispered with a soft laugh, "We may not be able to act so spoiled, but our children will be able to."
Children?
A little one like Uncle Chi?
Just the thought sent warmth rushing to Zhou Shaojin's face.
Fortunately, it was already dark, and Zhou Chujin didn't notice.Zhou Shaojin felt her face still burning with embarrassment even after returning to Yuqian Lane.
Meanwhile, after lighting the lamps, Old Madam Guo sent Cheng Sheng off to wash up, while she herself sat beneath the lamplight, idly fingering the jewelry in her dressing case.
The gemstones were all of good quality, but they were either carved with double blessings, gourds, or treasure vases—all designs suitable for older women, not quite appropriate for gifting. Perhaps tomorrow she should visit the silver shop to see if there were any better pieces. However, times were not as prosperous as before, and even the silver shop’s offerings were not as fine as they used to be. Finding two satisfactory items would depend on luck.
She called out loudly for Nanny Lu to come in and said, “Early tomorrow morning, go to Xinglin Lane and bring over all the trunks containing valuables. Let me see if there are any decent pieces of jewelry.”
If not, she could always melt them down and have new ones made.
Nanny Lu smiled and agreed.
A young maid tiptoed in and said, “Old Madam, Chief Steward Qin Da requests an audience.”
“What could he want at such a late hour?” Old Madam Guo wondered, but she still changed her clothes, tidied her hair, and went to the warm chamber.
Chief Steward Qin Da signaled for Old Madam Guo to dismiss the servants in the room, then immediately stepped forward and approached her, his eyes sparkling with childlike enthusiasm. “Old Madam, you’ve met Second Cousin Shaojin. How was it?”
Seeing his bright, eager eyes, Old Madam Guo couldn’t help but feel exasperated. “You came to see me so late just for this?”
Chief Steward Qin Da chuckled. “This is more important than anything! If you weren’t satisfied with Second Cousin Shaojin and scared her away, Fourth Master’s matter would be delayed for several more years. I’m already over sixty, and who knows how many years I have left? Whenever I think of my father’s final instructions, my heart aches. I won’t rest easy until I see Fourth Master’s son born. As long as he remains unmarried and childless, it’s a constant worry for me. How could I not care? Besides, I’ll be retiring soon. If I can help Fourth Master settle his marriage before I retire, my life’s work will be complete. How could I not be concerned?”
The main branch and the second branch were planning to separate their lineages. Chi Si had decided that after the separation, he would gradually legitimize the Seven Stars Hall, turning it into a security escort agency or a banking house. The Qin family had served the Cheng family for so many years; it was time for them to rebuild their ancestral hall, establish family rules, and acquire sacrificial lands.
The Qin family still had relatives in their hometown who had been found after the war. Chief Steward Qin Da hoped to return and visit them in his lifetime. After discussing with his nephews, aside from his own branch, the descendants of the other two branches preferred not to leave the Cheng family, choosing instead to continue living under their patronage.
Chief Steward Qin Da had initially worried that the Qin family’s departure would leave the Cheng family without protection, but after some thought, he agreed.
This was also why Chief Steward Qin’s nephews and grandnephews began to stand out in the Cheng family and take on roles as stewards.Old Madam Guo said angrily, "You don't need to talk back to me. I tested that little girl today, and she still has a conscience, knowing all that Si Lang has done for her." She told Chief Steward Qin Da everything that had been said between them. As she spoke, her voice gradually softened, and she sighed, "I thought she usually looked so gentle and obedient that a few words would make her cry. I never expected she could say something like 'as long as Si Lang doesn’t let go, I won’t let go either'... It really surprised me. So I had no choice but to agree."
Chief Steward Qin Da chuckled and said, "I think you’re afraid that Second Cousin might hold on and drag down Fourth Master, but you’re also afraid that if you scare her like this, she’ll break off with Fourth Master and wrong him..."
Old Madam Guo was well aware of this.
But she truly felt conflicted and didn’t know what to do.
Chief Steward Qin Da naturally couldn’t force her to make a decision at this moment and reminded her, "When the old master was alive, he once said that all things under heaven depend on human effort. You’re only worried that Fourth Master’s reputation might ruin his future, but have you considered that if Second Cousin is someone you personally approve of, with parental consent and a matchmaker’s word, what else can others say?"
※
Dear readers, I wrote a chapter yesterday but was feeling muddle-headed and wrote it in a messy way. I woke up this morning and made major revisions, so the update was delayed until now.
Today’s extra update will be around three in the afternoon.
I will definitely adjust my schedule.
Keep going!
※ (To be continued ~^~)
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