With such аn оbviоus intеntiоn, Old Madаm Guо still smiled and рolitelу dесlinеd, sауing, "I am old nоw, my energy is not what it usеd tо be, аnd I leаrn things slоwеr thаn befоrе. Ноw сould I сomparе tо yоu young pеoplе? I only givе sоmе саsuаl guidаnce аt hоme. Тhе уoungеr genеrаtion in the fаmilу, seеing my advanсed age, аrе tоlerаnt in all matters, trеаting it аs an асt оf filiаl рiеty, whiсh is whу I havеn’t madе a foоl of mуsеlf. Аs for guiding Аh Хuаn, I dаre not prеsume."
Madam Liaо exchаnged a glаncе with Sеcоnd Madam Fang, then smiled and said, "Look at what you’re saying! When I first arrived, I was telling Second Sister-in-law that nowadays, young girls—who knows what’s going on with them—if an elder says one thing, they can retort with two. They’d rather spend effort learning the qin than time practicing needlework. It’s nothing like our days, when we got up before dawn to clean and still lit lamps at night to make shoes and socks for our elders. There aren’t many like you, Old Madam, who can teach young ladies like Zheng Jie’er and Xiao Jie’er. No wonder we’re envious and want Ah Xuan to learn a thing or two by your side."
Fang Xuan had no idea what her mother and aunt were scheming.
She thought her mother and aunt were trying to curry favor with the Cheng family, so she chimed in playfully, "Old Madam, please let me come visit you often? Otherwise, my mother and aunt will talk my ears off. Have pity on me!" As she spoke, she put on a pitiful expression, tugging at the old madam’s sleeve and acting coquettishly.
A glint flashed in the old madam’s eyes, but she covered it with a chuckle, laughing, "If you’re bored, feel free to come over. Shaojin is here, and Sheng Jie’er and the others, fearing I’d be lonely, come back to visit me from time to time. The house is still quite lively."
So she agreed!
Madam Liao and Second Madam Fang were secretly delighted.
But Fang Xuan glanced at Zhou Shaojin and smiled, saying, "I’ll have to ask Shaojin for guidance in the future!"
Zhou Shaojin smiled generously and gently, replying, "Not at all, not at all! I’m just a guest here too. Miss Fang is too polite!"
Fang Xuan, however, was unconvinced.
A young maid came in to ask Zhou Shaojin for instructions: "The Second Master has requested a carriage to go to Sanming Academy."
Zhou Shaojin looked toward Old Madam Guo.
Old Madam Guo nodded and responded, "Understood."
Zhou Shaojin then walked out with the young maid and spoke under the corridor: "Does Second Madam know?"
Her voice was gentle and warm, like a spring breeze.
The young maid’s voice softened as well, and she smiled, "Second Madam knows. She asked me to inform the Old Madam and you."
Zhou Shaojin said, "Go tell the steward in the outer courtyard: the Second Master is still young and doesn’t go out much. He might stop along the way if he sees something, so find an experienced coachman to accompany him. For the guards, choose those who are steady yet alert, so they can help make decisions if anything happens."
The young maid repeated Zhou Shaojin’s words and, seeing nothing was missed, smiled and withdrew.
Zhou Shaojin then sent Chunwan to the kitchen to check: "The Old Madam is only keeping the two madams and Miss Fang for lunch. Go ask the maids and matrons who came with them if the two madams and Miss Fang have any dietary restrictions, so the kitchen can prepare a menu."
Chunwan acknowledged and left.
Zhou Shaojin also instructed Chenxiang to check the tea room: "They’re all newly hired young maids. Make sure they don’t get so caught up in playing that they forget to boil water for tea."
Chenxiang smiled and went to the tea room.Zhou Shaojin then turned and walked back to the sitting room.
The sitting room was quiet. Madam Liao and Second Madam Fang looked at her with somewhat complicated expressions, while only Fang Xuan frowned, appearing quite displeased.
Earlier, after Zhou Shaojin had followed the maid outside to receive instructions, Madam Liao and Second Madam Fang had simultaneously halted their conversation, pricking up their ears to listen to the commotion on the corridor.
Fang Xuan had chattered away with Old Madam Guo for a few sentences, but seeing that Madam Liao and Second Madam Fang were not responding, she too fell silent.
For a moment, the room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Thus, every word of Zhou Shaojin's conversation with the maid fell clearly into their ears.
Madam Liao and Second Madam Fang were astonished that Zhou Shaojin was actually managing the household affairs at Chaoyang Gate. Fang Xuan, however, felt that Zhou Shaojin was too arrogant—since she was a guest, these were not words a guest should say, nor things a guest should do!
Zhou Shaojin was taken aback by their gazes and instinctively looked down at her attire. Finding nothing amiss, she asked in confusion, "What's wrong? Did something happen?"
Second Madam Fang was the first to regain her composure and quickly smiled, saying, "Nothing, nothing! It's just that we didn't expect the second young lady of the Zhou family to be so capable at such a young age, unlike our Ah Xuan, who knows nothing." Her tone was quite emotional.
Madam Liao thought of how her daughter-in-law, Zhou Chujin, always spoke of Zhou Shaojin's relationship with the eldest branch, emphasizing how much Zhou Shaojin pleased Old Madam Guo... It seemed her daughter-in-law had not exaggerated.
But why did she feel something was off?
Even if Old Madam Guo doted on Zhou Shaojin as if she were her own granddaughter, allowing her to take charge of the household affairs at Chaoyang Gate ahead of Second Madam Wei... it still felt somewhat strange!
However, now was not the time to dwell on this. She smiled and smoothed things over, saying, "That's why I said Ah Xuan should come and learn from the old madam. Look at Shaojin—she's already so capable. It's all because the old madam taught her well!"
Zhou Shaojin wholeheartedly agreed with Madam Liao's words.
She smiled and said, "I have learned so much from the old madam and benefited greatly!"
Madam Liao seized the opportunity to instruct Fang Xuan, "...You must learn well from Shaojin."
Fang Xuan agreed verbally, but in her heart, she was quite dismissive.
A guest should act like a guest, not meddle in another family's household affairs. She would never do such an embarrassing thing!
After lunch, Madam Liao and Second Madam Fang took their leave with Fang Xuan.
Old Madam Guo kept Zhou Shaojin behind for a chat, handing her Madam Liao's invitation and recounting what Madam Liao had said earlier.
Zhou Shaojin was surprised.
She didn't understand what Old Madam Guo meant.
Old Madam Guo fanned herself leisurely with a round fan and said unhurriedly, "Have you thought of anything?"
Zhou Shaojin had already felt something when she heard Madam Liao's words earlier, but thinking that the sixth young lady of the Fang family was treasured by her family while Uncle Chi was over a decade older than her, she had dismissed it as overthinking... Now, hearing Old Madam Guo's words, that feeling became clearer.
She hesitated, her expression uncertain.
Old Madam Guo nodded inwardly.
Although this child was somewhat timid, at least she wasn't foolish.
"There's no one else here. Just speak your mind," Old Madam Guo encouraged Zhou Shaojin.Zhou Shaojin thought for a moment before whispering, "Could it be that Madam Liao intends to act as a matchmaker for Uncle Chi... to marry the sixth young lady of the Fang family over here..."
"Exactly," Old Madam Guo said leisurely. "Do you have any thoughts on this?"
"Me?!" Zhou Shaojin stared at Old Madam Guo in astonishment.
Old Madam Guo said solemnly, "Now that we have separated from Nine Prosperities Lane, it would be even better if the daughter-in-law has many siblings in her maternal family. The sixth young lady of the Fang family is an only daughter, so her dowry is likely substantial; moreover, she is also a daughter of the Fang family. She should get along well with Madam Yuan... If not, there are still the Li family's young lady, the Huang family's young lady..."
Only then did Zhou Shaojin understand Old Madam Guo's meaning.
Was the old lady saying that Uncle Chi would have no trouble marrying a good young lady?
For some reason, Zhou Shaojin felt a strong urge to laugh.
Was Old Madam Guo trying to tell her to cherish Uncle Chi properly?
Immediately, she shook off her previous despondency and smiled, "Haven't you always said, 'When taking a wife, seek a virtuous lady, not a lavish dowry; when marrying off a daughter, choose a good son-in-law, not covet wealth and status'? Why are you concerned about the young lady from the Fang family's dowry today? Since it's about forming a marriage alliance, Madam is both a daughter of the Yuan family and a granddaughter of the Fang family, so both the Yuan and Fang families have a say. Rather than marrying another Fang family young lady as a daughter-in-law, wouldn't it be better to consider a young lady from the Lujiang Li family or the Saiyang Huang family—officials from Jiangxi often form marriage alliances with the Saiyang Huang family, while the Lujiang Li family is a prominent northern clan. Why go through all this trouble?" As she spoke, she suddenly remembered Old Madam Guo's earlier threat—with Old Madam Guo's methods, if she truly intended to threaten her, it likely wouldn't end with just a few words. Old Madam Guo merely wanted to caution her, to let her know what difficulties she might face when being with Uncle Chi... This time, it should be the same, right? Otherwise, why would the old lady tell her about Madam Liao's words and actions?
Suddenly filled with courage, she said half-jokingly and half-seriously, "Besides, I think when I put my mind to it, I won't be any worse than those young ladies from the Fang or Yuan families! Just invite that young lady from the Fang family over, and I'll definitely outshine her."
"Oh!" Old Madam Guo raised her eyebrows. "Outshine her? How?"
"By diligently learning household management from you, taking good care of Uncle Chi, and integrating well into this family..." Zhou Shaojin said earnestly, "I'm sure I can do it!"
Old Madam Guo laughed.
This was the first genuine smile she had shown since speaking with Zhou Shaojin outside the official residence.
"Come here!" she beckoned to Zhou Shaojin.
Zhou Shaojin faintly felt as though she had won Old Madam Guo's trust.
Her heart pounded like a drum as she cautiously walked over.
Old Madam Guo took her hand, looked at her with affectionate eyes, gently touched her temple, and said softly, "No matter what happens in the future, remember what you just said—others have their strengths, and you have your own virtues. Do not belittle yourself, nor be arrogant. Do you understand?"
Zhou Shaojin widened her eyes, and tears unexpectedly fell.
"Old Madam!" She knelt down, resting her head on Old Madam Guo's knees. "I will never forget your words for the rest of my life."If her first kneel before Old Madam Guo was born of helplessness, this second kneel was filled with gratitude and emotion.
There was no one else in this world as worthy of respect as Old Madam Guo.
Not only had the old lady taught her the principles of conduct and action, but she had also shown her how to overcome herself and take control of her own destiny and future.
"Old Madam!" Tears streamed down her face.
Old Madam Guo's eyes also grew slightly moist.
Gently patting her shoulder, she said, "Go on now. Your road ahead is still long. When you reach my age, you'll understand—the path is always carved out by oneself."
※
Dear brothers and sisters, here is today's bonus update.
The update will be around midnight tonight.
O(∩_∩)O~
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel