Тhe morning sunlight sрillеd intо thе trаnquil courtyаrd, thе air still cаrrying the сrisр frеshnеss uniquе tо autumn mornings.
Оld Madam Guo wore а rоbe wоven with wаtеr riррle раttеrns оn а yеllow rattan bаsе, her hаir coiled intо a bun. Pеrhaps tо mаtсh thе sеаsоn, she worе аn osmаnthus brаnсh hairрin and wаs bеing attendеd tо by Zhеnzhu and a few оthers as she trimmеd а grеen trеe as tall аs а рersоn in thе сеntеr оf the соurtyаrd. She аppеarеd еvеn morе sрiritеd thаn when she was аt Cold Green Mоuntain Housе.
It seemеd that mаttеrs like thе clan division had not affected Old Madam Guo’s mood in the slightest.
Madam Yuan thought to herself as she respectfully stepped forward to greet her mother-in-law.
Old Madam Guo nodded to her and only after trimming the last branch, carefully examining her work, and finding it satisfactory did she hand the scissors to Zhenzhu beside her. She then took the handkerchief prepared by Zitan, wiped her hands, and finally asked, “You’ve arrived? Have you had breakfast yet?”
Madam Yuan hurried forward to lightly support Old Madam Guo’s arm and replied respectfully, “I arrived last night. It was too late, and I was afraid of disturbing you. The elder master suggested I come this morning instead. I haven’t had breakfast yet!”
Old Madam Guo gave a noncommittal “hmm” and said indifferently, “Then you may join me for breakfast.”
Madam Yuan lowered her eyes and obediently replied, “Yes.” The two entered the main room.
The dark lacquered furniture, the twelve-panel standing screen inlaid with ivory, the mist-like pale yellow gauze curtains, and the sweet white porcelain flower vase by the window frame adorned with colored glass, holding two or three freshly picked osmanthus branches—the entire room was filled with the fragrance of osmanthus.
It was in no way inferior to the residence at Nine Prosperities Lane.
Madam Yuan couldn’t help but feel both envy and jealousy.
The old madam was truly blessed. Her three sons were each outstanding in their own right. Even when the family faced great adversity, she still enjoyed wealth and prosperity, lacking nothing she deserved.
If only she could have a fate like the old madam’s in her later years.
Madam Wei directed the young maids to set the table, and the three of them silently had breakfast on the large kang by the window in the resting room.
After the meal, the young maids cleared the table and served tea and snacks, after which Madam Wei withdrew.
Only then did Madam Yuan bring up matters from Jinling: “…A five-bay residence was rebuilt on the ancestral land, and an auspicious day was chosen to relocate the ancestral tablets. Loyal hereditary servants were assigned to tend to them there. Everything that could be moved from the house was transported here, while what couldn’t was stored temporarily in a small residence of three to four mu purchased on Stone Lane. Loyal hereditary servants were assigned to watch over it, with the help of the maternal uncle and cousins for the time being. Once I finish with Jiashan’s wedding, I’ll return to reorganize the household belongings.”
There was still a batch of large furniture from Jinling to be moved. Cheng Xu was responsible for escorting the shipment by boat and would arrive in a few days.
Old Madam Guo nodded slightly and said, “You’ve worked hard.”
Madam Yuan quickly stood up and replied, “This is what your daughter-in-law should do.”
Old Madam Guo raised her hand, signaling her to sit and speak, and asked, “Have all the plants from the greenhouse at home been moved?”
Madam Yuan smiled and said, “They have been moved. They will arrive in the capital with Jiashan’s ship!”
Upon hearing this, Old Madam Guo twirled the prayer beads in her hand and said, “A tree may die when moved, but people thrive when they relocate. After living in an old residence for over a hundred years, you must now give it up. I wonder if you will be able to establish yourselves in the capital.”Madam Yuan said with eager warmth, "All three masters are filial sons, united in heart and effort. What obstacle could be insurmountable? You, Elder, should rest assured and take good care of your health. There is still much happiness to enjoy in the future!"
Old Madam Guo laughed, "Are you all hoping I live on to become a spirit?"
Madam Yuan quickly replied with a smile, "An elder at home is like a treasure. With such a large family, without you, Elder, presiding over us, we would all feel quite anxious. You must not speak such discouraging words. We are still looking forward to celebrating your eightieth birthday!"
The Second Branch's patriarch, Cheng Xu, had already celebrated his eightieth birthday two years prior.
In the past, because he held authority, the younger generations could not hold birthday celebrations. Now that the clans had separated, Old Madam Guo's birthday could be celebrated with great fanfare.
With these words, the atmosphere between the two finally warmed somewhat.
Old Madam Guo then asked, "What are your plans for Jiashan's wedding?"
Madam Yuan's eyes flickered slightly, knowing that her husband had already conveyed her intentions to her mother-in-law.
"Eldest Master has become a Grand Secretary, his name recorded in history. This is truly a joyous occasion," she said slowly. "But if we were to make a grand celebration for this, it might give those censors an excuse to accuse Eldest Master of being vain, frivolous, and arrogant, which would not be good to publicize. Coincidentally, Jiashan is about to marry, so I thought, why not take advantage of Jiashan's wedding to host a grand banquet for relatives and friends, and at the same time celebrate Eldest Master..."
"Just tell me how much silver you plan to spend?" Old Madam Guo suddenly interrupted her, and the slight warmth that had just built up vanished instantly.
Madam Yuan's expression changed slightly.
In any other family, wouldn't a grandmother be overjoyed to hear her grandson was getting married? Only in their family did this old madam have unpredictable moods—never knowing when she would be happy or when her face would turn cold.
She said, "I haven't calculated in detail yet. But I think the Min family's betrothal gifts should be at least thirty-six loads, requiring a minimum of three thousand taels of silver. Then there are the tea, wine, wedding tents, music, and drums..."
Old Madam Guo interrupted her again, saying, "Will twenty thousand taels of silver be enough?"
"Ah?!" Madam Yuan was stunned.
For an ordinary family's wedding, five thousand taels of silver was already quite respectable. Twenty thousand taels... not only could the wedding be held splendidly, but even the previous expenses for renovating the residence could be covered.
Old Madam Guo straightforwardly said, "You know the family's current situation. In my opinion, Jiashan's wedding should be kept simple. But as you said, Jiashan's marriage is not just an alliance with the Min family; it also has the meaning of celebrating Eldest Young Master. Moreover, he is the eldest legitimate grandson of our main branch, so spending a bit more silver is acceptable! The expenses for his wedding will be covered by me!" After saying this, she called out loudly to Nanny Shi, "Go fetch twenty thousand taels in silver notes for Madam!"
Nanny Shi responded with a smile and left, while Madam Yuan had yet to regain her composure.
Twenty thousand taels in silver notes!
Not two thousand, not two hundred, but twenty thousand!
The old madam gave it away just like that!
As if it were not twenty thousand taels in silver notes but a handful of candies or a few pieces of pastry.
Madam Yuan couldn't help but take a sharp breath.
She had long sensed that Old Madam Guo was wealthy, but she never imagined she was this wealthy.
The old madam... truly had good fortune.
Madam Yuan felt as if a breath were stuck in her chest, unable to describe the sensation. It wasn't until Nanny Shi brought the silver notes to her that she finally regained her senses and stood up somewhat nervously. She said, "Mother, this, this...""How could we possibly use your dowry?" Old Madam Guo slowly took a sip of tea and said, "Jiashan is my eldest grandson. For his wedding, I, as his grandmother, would never let him be shortchanged no matter what. You can rest assured." Then she picked up her teacup and added, "You've just returned to the capital and must have many matters to attend to. I have Second Young Master's wife here to keep me company. You may go and attend to your affairs!"
Madam Yuan actually had much more to say to Old Madam Guo, but the old madam had immediately offered twenty thousand taels of silver, leaving Madam Yuan still reeling from the shock. Thus, she had little inclination to speak further with Old Madam Guo. After expressing her thanks, she was escorted out by Second Young Master's wife.
Watching how effortlessly Second Young Master's wife handled the situation, Madam Yuan couldn't help but feel a stirring in her heart.
For Jiashan's wedding, the old madam, considering him the eldest son and grandson, had taken out twenty thousand taels. If Second Young Master's wife continued to linger around the old madam day after day, over time, even the hardest heart would soften. If the old madam remembered her kindness, might she not secretly give something extra to Rang-ge'er when it came time for his wedding?
Madam Yuan's mood grew somewhat complicated.
Upon returning to Apricot Grove Lane and meeting Cheng Jing, she discussed with him: "You are the eldest son. How can we let Mother live with Fourth Uncle? Moreover, Second Sister-in-law's health is not good. It must be exhausting for her to run back and forth every day to attend to the old madam. Shouldn't I bring Mother back to live with us?"
Cheng Jing smiled bitterly. "Don't you think I know that? But Mother says this place is too cramped, and she can't get used to it. I even inquired with the neighbors around us to see if anyone was selling their houses, but there was nothing. Even if I wanted to expand and renovate the residence, there's no way to do it! I think we should just let Mother have her way. I've seen the place over there—it's much more spacious than here. Mother lives comfortably there, and when relatives or friends visit, there's room for activities like opera performances or garden strolls to pass the time."
Parents often dote on their youngest child. This was especially evident in the old madam.
In the future, the old madam would likely have eyes only for Fourth Uncle!
A thought struck Madam Yuan, and she said, "How about we also move to the residence at Chaoyang Gate? Look at the Gu family of Zhenjiang and the Li family of Lujiang—they both live there. Now that we've separated from the Nine Prosperities Lane branch, we could take advantage of Jiashan's wedding to establish our own branch's reputation. From now on, the Cheng family of Nine Prosperities Lane will be the Cheng family of Nine Prosperities Lane, and the Cheng family of Chaoyang Gate will be the Cheng family of Chaoyang Gate..."
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Cheng Jing interrupted Madam Yuan with a laugh. "The residence at Chaoyang Gate was bought by Mother with her own private savings for Si Lang. What does that have to do with us? You mustn't speak like this again. Now that we've separated from Nine Prosperities Lane, we're already somewhat isolated. If we brothers damage our relationship over such material matters, then our eldest branch would truly be finished. Besides, Apricot Grove Lane is our Cheng family's ancestral home, the residence of Lord Zhi in the capital, surrounded by scholars. How can we just move on a whim? Even if Mother agreed, I couldn't bear to leave!"
Cheng Jing knew about the Seven Stars Hall matter.
How could Mother possibly have so much private savings to buy a residence for Fourth Brother? But Fourth Brother had already sacrificed so much for the Cheng family and for the eldest branch. If he wanted to buy himself a residence, or even indulge in a life of extravagance and folly, as his elder brother, Cheng Jing could only try to clean up the mess for him!Madam Yuan had no choice but to temporarily drop the subject and told Cheng Jing about the twenty thousand taels in silver notes that Old Madam Guo had given her.
Cheng Jing guessed that the silver might have been arranged by Cheng Chi through some means from the Seven Stars Hall.
At present, the public treasury was already empty.
Twenty thousand taels was no small sum!
Feigning surprise, he exclaimed, "Really?"
Madam Yuan showed him the silver notes.
In front of his wife, Cheng Jing praised his mother at length, saying how good she was and how much she cared for her children.
Though Madam Yuan felt displeased, she had no choice but to echo his sentiments.
Cheng Jing then discussed with her that they would visit Old Madam Guo at Chaoyang Gate together the next day during his day off.
Whenever Madam Yuan thought of the expression on Old Madam Guo’s face when she took out the twenty thousand taels, her heart warmed, and she eagerly agreed.
※
Dear readers, today’s update.
PS: I will be attending an annual meeting in Lijiang soon, so I need to save up drafts these days. Tomorrow’s update will still be just one chapter, scheduled for around 8 PM(>_<)
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel