Zhоu Zhеn wаs quitе surрrised, and thе sinсеritу rеvealed in Сhеng Chi's words furthеr won his favоr.
Нis ехрrеssion softеned involuntarily as he sаid, "Dоes Оld Mаdаm Guо knоw abоut this mаttеr аs wеll?"
Chеng Chi immediatеlу knew his оpportunitу had cоme.
Evеrу wоrd hе sроkе now beсаme сruсiаl—it cоuld meаn suсcess оr fаilure, dеpending entirеly on how hе rеsрondеd.
"After my mоthеr аrrived in thе сарitаl, I mаde it сlеar tо her," Сheng Chi sаid. "Hоwеvеr, at thаt timе, thе fаmily was in the midst оf dividing the clan. My mоther felt that Sеcond Мiss should nоt bеcоme the target of criticism during such a time, so we temporarily refrained from mentioning the matter. This time, when I came to Baoding Prefecture, I also informed my mother beforehand. She is aware of it!"
Zhou Zhen inexplicably felt a sense of relief.
Perhaps, in his view, a marriage without parental blessing was akin to elopement. And without Old Madam Guo's approval, matters in the Cheng family seldom ended well.
Zhou Zhen picked up his teacup and took a slow sip, studying Cheng Chi thoughtfully.
The composed and dignified demeanor of a scion from an aristocratic family, the confident and unrestrained air of a learned scholar... No matter how one looked at it, Cheng Chi was a man of exceptional grace and appearance.
Just as Madam Li had said, aside from his age, he was indeed an ideal son-in-law.
Perhaps nothing in this world could be perfect in every way!
Zhou Zhen felt a bit more at ease in his heart.
He asked Cheng Chi, "What are your plans regarding Cheng Jiashan?"
Cheng Chi smiled and replied, "My mother has already purchased a residence for me near Chaoyang Gate. I will live there in the future."
The ancestral home in Xinglin Hutong naturally belonged to Cheng Jing, as the eldest son.
Cheng Chi added, "So, after I return from Jining, I may still be assigned to an external post. At that time, I can take Shaojin with me to my official appointment."
This way, husband and wife would not have to be separated.
There were advantages to being the younger son as well.
Only now did Zhou Zhen begin to seriously consider the possibility of this marriage.
He nodded slightly and asked, "How did you come to think of helping Yang Shoushan manage the Yellow River?"
Cheng Chi then told him about his proficiency in mathematics since childhood and his interest in studying hydrological and geographical records. He also recounted how he met Old Mr. Song, how they calculated water levels, and how they drew water from the river's center—sharing everything with Zhou Zhen.
Zhou Zhen was deeply intrigued and inquired in detail about the methods for calculating water levels.
Baoding Prefecture also suffered from frequent droughts and scarce rainfall. If river water could be diverted for irrigation, farmers would not have to endure such hardship.
Cheng Chi answered every question patiently.
Gradually, their expressions grew serious as they discussed the matter of diverting water for irrigation.
Outside the flower hall, Madam Li whispered to Mama Li, who was listening intently with her ear pressed close, "Well? Did you hear what Fourth Master and the master discussed? Did the master and Fourth Master argue?"
Mama Li shook her head repeatedly.
Madam Li breathed a sigh of relief.
The two men did not emerge from the study until lunchtime. Even then, after a brief silence at the dining table, they returned to the study to continue discussing farmland irrigation.
Madam Li was overjoyed.
Master Li Sr. arrived in a hurry, covered in dust from his journey. He asked anxiously, "What happened? Why did you summon me so urgently? I still have wine to deliver to the capital!"
Since securing business with the imperial household, the Li family had become the wealthiest in Jiangxi. Master Li Sr. was radiant with success, his weariness unable to conceal his pride and ambition.Madam Li complained, "Why did you only come now? If I had known it would be like this, I might as well not have sent you the message. By the time you arrived, the opportunity would have long passed!"
Master Li Sr. paid no mind.
The two siblings bickered.
In the capital, Old Madam Guo was busy sending out invitations.
The ninth day of the ninth lunar month was her birthday.
Cheng Jing also intended to hold a celebration for the old madam.
This would be their first family banquet since the clan division. It was a perfect opportunity to gather the relatives and friends who had helped them during the split.
Old Madam Guo specifically sent invitations to the Zhou sisters, Zhou Shaojin and Zhou Chujin, and instructed Nanny Lu, "Take some nourishing herbs to the Liao family. Deliver all three invitations to Madam Liao, but the nourishing herbs are to be given separately—one portion for Madam Liao and one for the Zhou family's second young lady."
Regarding the Fang family matter, Madam Liao had secretly put in considerable effort.
She would certainly attend.
And since the invitations for the Zhou sisters were placed in her hands, even if Zhou Chujin intended to stop Zhou Shaojin from attending, Madam Liao would likely not agree.
As for the Fang family, even if they weren’t invited, they would probably come anyway.
Nanny Lu smiled and replied, "Yes," then delivered the invitations to Elm Tree Lane.
Although it was thanks to the Zhou sisters that she received the invitation, Madam Liao was still delighted to have Old Madam Guo’s most trusted nanny personally deliver it.
Zhou Chujin, however, secretly cursed Cheng Chi for his cunning.
He must be using this method to see Shaojin!
She still didn’t know that Cheng Chi had already gone to Baoding.
Zhou Chujin couldn’t very well refuse to attend, or else Madam Liao would suspect a rift between her and the Cheng family. If investigated further, it might expose her sister, which would be troublesome.
As Old Madam Guo had anticipated, Zhou Chujin made an excuse for Zhou Shaojin: "Shaojin hasn’t been feeling well these past few days. For the old madam’s birthday banquet, I’ll accompany you. Once Shaojin is better, she can go pay her respects to the old madam."
Even if she might not succeed in stopping her, she had to try.
Madam Liao was displeased and said, "When an elder celebrates their birthday, unless one is bedridden, how can one not go to offer greetings?" She instructed Nanny Zhong to summon Zhou Shaojin and continued scolding Zhou Chujin: "I’ve heard you say before that your sister once received guidance from the old madam. That means the old madam has been a mentor to her. Now that the elder is celebrating her birthday for the first time, how can you say such a thing…"
Zhou Shaojin endured in silence.
Even if she was being reprimanded by her mother-in-law, she had no intention of compromising on this matter.
But soon, Zhou Shaojin was summoned.
Madam Liao smiled kindly and handed the invitation to Zhou Shaojin, saying, "On the ninth, dress up nicely. We’ll go pay our respects to the old madam for her birthday."
Seeing her sister’s expression, Zhou Shaojin knew she was unhappy about this. She smiled and agreed. Once outside the main room, she immediately linked arms with Zhou Chujin and acted like a child, acting cute in front of her sister: "Sister, I said I’d listen to you." It’s only proper for me to go pay my respects to the old madam for her birthday. But I promise to stay by your side the whole time and not go anywhere else, alright?"
Zhou Chujin’s expression softened slightly.
When the ninth day of the ninth lunar month arrived, the two sisters dressed up nicely and went to Chaoyang Gate with Madam Liao.
Cheng Zheng and Cheng Xiao had arrived early and were standing at the moon gate, helping Old Madam Guo greet the guests.When Zhou Shaojin and the others entered, they happened to meet several madams arriving together. These ladies warmly greeted Cheng Zheng and teased the sisters, saying, "You are the young ladies of the house, the honored guests—why are you standing here to welcome visitors? The old madam really knows how to put people to work!"
Cheng Zheng smiled and replied, "Today is the old madam's birthday. For us sisters to help her welcome guests here is an act of filial piety, and we can also share in her blessings."
As she spoke, she took Zhou Shaojin's hand and introduced the madams to them.
Zhou Shaojin listened attentively.
The round-faced one was Madam Zhou, the long-faced one was Madam Wang, and the one who looked sorrowful even when smiling was Madam Qu. Madam Shen was from the seventeenth branch of the Shen family in Jinling and currently served as a clerk in the Military Selection Department of the Ministry of War. She had received an invitation because she shared the same hometown as the Cheng family...
Zhou Shaojin memorized each of them carefully.
Since she had decided to marry Uncle Chi, she would inevitably have to interact with them in the future.
Everyone knew that Madam Fang was the eldest madam of the Liao family in Zhenjiang and greeted them warmly.
Cheng Xiao, smiling, invited them to sit in the passage hall.
Madam Fang, the second wife of the Fang family, arrived with Fang Xuan.
Having been in the capital longer than Madam Liao, they were familiar with these madams. Everyone exchanged cheerful greetings, chatting about everyday matters before going together to pay their respects to Old Madam Guo.
Old Madam Guo was in high spirits today, wearing a sapphire-blue robe embroidered with cranes and auspicious plants. She wore a forehead band adorned with a pigeon-egg-sized green cat's eye gemstone, her silver-streaked hair neatly tied into a round bun, and for the first time, she had even worn a gold hairpin.
Everyone stepped forward with smiles, bowing and congratulating Old Madam Guo on her birthday.
Old Madam Guo chuckled happily.
When it was Zhou Shaojin's turn, she took her hand and looked her up and down, saying, "It's been a while since I last saw you. I heard you went to the capital with your sister, and I was wondering whether you would have returned to Baoding by the time of my birthday banquet?"
Her tone made it sound as though they hadn't seen each other for years.
Zhou Shaojin didn't understand why, but she trusted Old Madam Guo just as she trusted Cheng Chi.
She obediently and gently followed Old Madam Guo's lead in the conversation.
Old Madam Guo was very pleased and specifically ordered someone to reward her with an eighteen-bead tourmaline Buddhist bracelet, saying, "Come visit often when you have time. The scriptures you copied for me back then are enshrined at the Fayu Temple on Mount Putuo."
Zhou Shaojin smiled and replied, "Yes."
Old Madam Guo then instructed Cheng Sheng, "You studied together when you were young. Take her along and introduce her to all the sisters here in the capital."
Cheng Sheng smiled and agreed, stepping forward to take Zhou Shaojin's hand and standing beside the screen behind the old madam. Watching the waves of relatives and friends coming in to pay their respects, she whispered, "What's going on with Grandmother? You came to pay your respects to her just the other day. Could it be that she's getting old and forgetting things?"
Zhou Shaojin carefully observed Old Madam Guo and whispered back, "The old madam's gaze is clear and sharp—it's unlikely she's forgetting things..."
It was more likely that she had another purpose in mind!
It was just that they couldn't see it yet.
Cheng Sheng continued to speculate, but Zhou Shaojin's gaze had already fallen on Fang Xuan, who was approaching to pay her respects to Old Madam Guo.Whether by accident or design, Second Madam Fang waited until everyone had paid their respects to Old Madam Guo before stepping forward with Fang Xuan. When Fang Xuan greeted Old Madam Guo, all eyes fell upon the mother and daughter.
Old Madam Guo thus had the leisure to take Fang Xuan’s hand and speak with her.
Only then did everyone learn that Fang Xuan had been learning calligraphy from Old Madam Guo these past days.
Old Madam Guo smiled and said, “When it comes to calligraphy, you and Shaojin are the two most talented young ladies I’ve ever seen…” As she spoke, she beckoned to Zhou Shaojin, “Come and meet the Sixth Miss of the Fang family as well.”
Hadn’t they just met last month?
Zhou Shaojin and the others found this strange, but in such a setting, no one would be foolish enough to correct Old Madam Guo.
The two exchanged greetings.
※
Dear readers, here is today’s update.
Tomorrow’s extra update will still be around five in the evening.
PS: I forgot to hit the publish button, and only found out today from ** that the new chapter hadn’t been updated. My apologies! My apologies!
(>_<)
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel