Whаt skillful mаnеuvеring.
Nо wоnder he соuld соаx her sister intо gоing along with him.
Did hе calсulаtе thаt shе wоuldn’t dare kеep her sister confinеd аt homе?
Did he саlсulаte thаt shе wоuldn’t dаrе crеate a rift with hеr mоther-in-lаw?
If it were anу other mаtter, she might hаvе lеt it slidе, but this соnсerned hеr sistеr’s future hаррiness. Нow соuld she just let it gо аnd do nоthing?
Zhou Chujin loоked at her sistеr, whо sеemеd to be plеаding fоr merсу, аnd fеlt еvеn morе аnnoуed. It tоok her а while tо саlm down bеfоrе shе said to Zhou Shаojin, “In that case, уou’ll stay with mе for now. Until I sеnd yоu bаck tо Baoding, you are not to leave your courtyard. If I find out you’ve met anyone in private, I’ll immediately ask Father for Chunwan and Madam Fan Liu’s deeds of sale and have them sold far away.”
Zhou Shaojin nodded, as obedient as a kitten.
Seeing this, Zhou Chujin’s heart softened, and her tone gentled slightly. “If you feel bored, you can read poetry or novels at home, or do some embroidery and needlework. At the very least, you can have Xiao Tan keep you company while you kick shuttlecocks…”
In short, anything was allowed—except meeting Uncle Chi again.
Zhou Shaojin understood her sister’s intentions and repeatedly promised, which finally eased Zhou Chujin’s expression.
When Cheng Chi received the news and learned that Zhou Shaojin was safe and well, merely confined from seeing him, his anxious heart finally settled.
In situations like this, many would immediately blame the woman, subjecting her to insults or even beatings. He had feared Shaojin would suffer on his account.
Fortunately, Zhou Chujin was just as Zhou Shaojin had described—both a mother and a sister to her, caring deeply for her. She simply forbade them from meeting.
Cheng Chi went to bid farewell to Old Madam Guo. “...I didn’t expect Chujin to notice something amiss. With such a significant matter, she’ll surely ask Lord Zhou to intervene. I plan to go to Baoding myself before Chujin’s letter arrives, to meet Lord Zhou and propose marriage.”
He couldn’t bring himself to shamelessly admit in front of his mother that he had intended to take liberties with Shaojin and was caught by Zhou Chujin.
A mother knows her own son.
If he didn’t want others to know, he certainly had ways to keep it hidden.
Even if there were any slip-ups, it was likely Zhou Shaojin who couldn’t conceal it.
Old Madam Guo didn’t expose him and said with a smile, “What if Chujin’s letter has already reached Baoding?”
Cheng Chi replied with calm assurance, “It won’t. I’ll definitely reach Baoding before Chujin’s letter.”
In other words, he intended to use some tricks!
Hearing this, Old Madam Guo couldn’t help but worry for Zhou Shaojin.
This child. Who knows if meeting Si Lang is a blessing or a misfortune?She said, "You should go quickly! If you can't find a suitable gift in time, go to my storeroom and take one. When you meet Lord Zhou, be careful and cautious. Lower your head when you should, and apologize when you should. When marrying off a daughter, hold your head high; when taking a daughter-in-law, lower your head. The daughter they raised like a precious jewel will come to our family to manage household affairs, help you honor the elders, and bear children. You should feel grateful. Don’t bring your foul temper from outside into the Zhou family, and don’t rely on Shaojin’s affection for you as your confidence. The more it is like this, the more you should show respect to the Zhou family and treat Shaojin well. Only such a couple can last long and grow better together." After speaking, she couldn’t help but sigh, "It’s a pity I only gave birth to three sons. If I had a daughter, I could also experience the feeling of having a hundred families seeking her hand, and taste what it’s like to be scrutinized!"
Cheng Chi laughed heartily and said, "Mother, don’t worry! I’m not someone who doesn’t understand human affairs. I know this principle well. If you want to experience the feeling of having a hundred families seeking a daughter’s hand, once Shaojin enters our home and gives birth to a granddaughter for you, you can take charge of her marriage arrangements, isn’t that right?"
"You’re just saying that!" Old Madam Guo wasn’t fooled. "Once children are born, you’ll dote on them so much you won’t know what to do. Don’t try to cheer me up here. Hurry and persuade your future father-in-law—that’s what really matters. Otherwise, where will you get a wife or a daughter?"
Back then, she had said the same thing to her eldest and second sons.
But what happened? Once they married, each of them prioritized their own small families first.
However, everyone is the same.
She was the same when she was young.
Everyone thinks of their own small family first.
Old Madam Guo smiled faintly.
Cheng Chi, however, coaxed the old lady, saying, "Shaoji isn’t like others. You watched her grow up. After she marries into our family, you’ll still have plenty to guide her on in household matters. Just don’t shirk your responsibilities when the time comes!"
Old Madam Guo shook her head with a smile and said, "This world belongs to you young people. I’m old, and some matters you must decide for yourselves."
But after Cheng Chi left, the old lady sat before the dressing table, looking at herself again and again. She leaned closer to the mirror and said to Nanny Shi, "It seems my white hair has increased again?"
Since the old master passed away, Old Madam Guo had stopped paying attention to her appearance, and white hair gradually grew. Nanny Shi and others had advised the old lady to dye it, but she waved her hand dismissively, saying, "Why dye it? What age you are is what age you are. Would dyeing my hair really turn me into a seventeen- or eighteen-year-old girl?"
Why, after so many years, was the old lady suddenly concerned about her white hair?
Old Madam Guo said subtly, "I was thinking, for Eldest Young Master, I helped raise Zheng Jie’er and Xiao Jie’er; for Second Young Master, I helped raise Sheng Jie’er. Now that Fourth Master is getting married, I must also help him raise a daughter!"
So it was because she was afraid Fourth Master would think she was too old!
Nanny Shi laughed and said, "That’s why you must take good care of your health. In the future, Fourth Master will still rely on you to take charge for him!"She thought Old Madam Guo would surely respond with modest words after hearing this, but to her surprise, Old Madam Guo nodded earnestly and said, "I think so too—I don’t need to worry about Eldest Young Master and Second Young Master’s households. But if Si Lang marries Shaojin, that child is still so young. In the first few years, I’ll definitely have to lend them a hand!"
Nanny Shi couldn’t help but smile faintly and whispered, "Old Madam, Madam has invited Second Madam Fang and Madam Liao over as guests."
Old Madam Guo smiled without saying a word.
At Apricot Grove Lane, Madam Yuan’s wet nurse was helping her select fabrics from the storeroom.
After much deliberation, Madam Yuan finally settled on a bolt of dark green brocade with persimmon calyx patterns and floral sprays, instructing her personal maid Yunbin, "Take this to Mistress Wang and have her make a robe for me."
Yunbin acknowledged and left.
Madam Yuan had brought Mistress Wang, the seamstress from Nine Prosperities Lane, with her from Jinling.
She said to her wet nurse, "Now that we’ve moved here, I realize Apricot Grove Lane is truly too narrow. There isn’t even enough space to set up a proper sewing room... Once the eldest daughter of the Min family enters the household, the family will become even more crowded. We can’t leave everything to Mistress Wang. I think we should add someone to assist her. I wonder if any of the household maids are skilled in needlework?"
The wet nurse suggested a few names, but Madam Yuan was unsatisfied with each. Finally, she said, "Then we’ll just buy one from outside."
The wet nurse smiled and agreed, "Very well," but her expression showed hesitation.
Madam Yuan laughed, "What is it that you can’t say?"
It was clear her mood was quite cheerful.
Yet the wet nurse still hesitated for a moment before lowering her voice and saying, "Is it appropriate... to marry the sixth young lady of the Fang family over?"
The sixth young lady of the Fang family was only sixteen, more than a decade younger than Fourth Master!
Moreover, the sixth young lady of the Fang family had been raised with the utmost care, while Fourth Master was an exceptionally stern and aloof man. With such contrasting temperaments, could they possibly live together harmoniously?
Seeing that no attendants were in the room, Madam Yuan hinted meaningfully, "It’s precisely because the sixth young lady of the Fang family was raised in a sheltered environment, with a simple and agreeable nature, that I thought of arranging this match for Fourth Uncle. You don’t know—the old lady’s wealth is immense! Just the trunks moved to Chaoyang Gate alone numbered over two hundred and sixty. And the old lady’s favoritism is blatantly obvious. Second Sister-in-law doesn’t involve herself in household matters. If Third Sister-in-law doesn’t align with me, even if I had the skill to deceive heaven and earth, I couldn’t withstand someone pulling me back!"
So it was because the sixth young lady of the Fang family would be easy to control.
But was the old lady so easily fooled?
The wet nurse couldn’t help but say, "Madam, I think this matter should be carefully considered. If the old lady disagrees, wouldn’t you offend the Fang family? Wouldn’t it be better to discuss it with the old lady first before inviting Second Madam Fang and Madam Liao over as guests?"Madam Yuan smiled and said, "I should first sound out the opinions of the Second Madam Fang and the Eldest Madam Liao, shouldn't I? We shouldn't be the only ones eager about this!" As she spoke, her brows slightly furrowed, and she pondered, "But the truth is, our current residence is simply too small... Now that we have separated from the Nine Prosperities Lane branch, the Eldest Master is the eldest son. For the old lady to stay at Chaoyang Gate for so long is rather inappropriate—those who know might say the old lady prefers the spaciousness of Chaoyang Gate; those who don't might think she is angry about the separation, misunderstanding that she is unwilling to split from the main branch, causing a rift between the Eldest Master and the old lady. But when Jiashan gets married, where will the old lady live if she moves back? We can't possibly have her stay in the rear annex, can we? The old lady has lived a life of wealth and has never suffered such indignity! The Eldest Master would surely be furious with me! But what can I do? Can I magically create more space?"
"I've been thinking we should move to a more spacious residence."
On such matters, the wet nurse dared not speak.
Madam Yuan pondered this in her heart, and the more she thought about it, the more she felt their current home was too cramped.
When Cheng Jing returned, she shared her idea with him.
Cheng Jing had also been feeling uneasy about his mother staying at Chaoyang Gate, but he currently lacked the funds to purchase a larger residence. Frowning, he said, "I will discuss this matter with Mother. You need not involve yourself. This residence was acquired by our ancestors over a century ago. Our elders all lived here while serving as officials in the capital, and Si Lang was even born here... How can we simply sell it off?"
Having been married for many years, Madam Yuan understood her husband's temperament.
In minor matters, he usually left things to her discretion. But when it came to matters concerning the old lady or the Cheng family, he would personally intervene and take them very seriously.
Hearing his words, she nodded repeatedly, appearing quite respectful, yet her response placed Cheng Jing in a difficult position: "Then where will Mother live when she moves back? If it weren't for Jiashan's upcoming wedding, which requires the ceremony to be held in the main hall, I would have already offered the main rooms to Mother. What should we do now? You must give me a solution, Eldest Master."
※
Dear brothers and sisters, here is today's update.
I should be home by now... if the flight isn't delayed.
O(∩_∩)O~
※ (To be continued ~^~)
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