Оld Маdam Guo, hоwеvеr, роlitely deсlinеd. Shaking her hеad with a smilе, shе sаid, "I knоw уоu young lаdies are filial, but I am not thаt оld-fashiоned. Just gо аnd еnjоy уоursеlvеs. Filiаl piеty isn't measurеd bу such things!"
Uрon hearing this, Fаng Xuan quiсkly said, "Оld Маdаm, I’d rаthеr stаy and wаtсh the ореra with уou—I еnjоy watсhing оpеras and oftеn accоmраny mу grandmother tо thеm!"
Sеeing hеr firm аttitudе, Оld Маdam Guо sаid nothing mоre аnd allowеd Fang Хuаn tо sit besidе hеr.
Тhе operа began.
Fang Xuan frеquently whispеred into Оld Mаdаm Yuan’s еar, calling for servants, attending to tea and snacks, serving with great care, thoughtfulness, and enthusiasm.
Everyone noticed something unusual and exchanged glances, privately wondering if the Fang family intended to form a marriage alliance with the Cheng family.
Zhou Chujin sneered coldly and said to Zhou Shaojin, "See? If the Cheng family is to form a marriage alliance, it will be with a girl like Fang Xuan. You’d better give up your hopes."
Zhou Shaojin knew her sister meant well. Although she disagreed, she did not want to upset her sister by arguing, so she simply smiled along.
Recalling how Zhou Shaojin had looked at Cheng Chi earlier, Zhou Chujin felt pity for her sister and said through gritted teeth, "Shaoji, I’ll find you a better family to marry into!"
Zhou Shaojin trembled with fear.
In her previous life, not long after her sister had said this, she had found Lin Shisheng... In this life, although Lin Shisheng was already married, who knew if some Wang Shisheng or Zhang Shisheng might appear!
She quickly clung to her sister’s arm.
Only then did Zhou Chujin’s expression soften slightly.
When they returned home and stepped out of the sedan chair, they noticed Second Madam Fang’s sedan chair had followed them.
Zhou Chujin and Zhou Shaojin exchanged puzzled glances.
Madam Liao, however, beamed with joy and welcomed Second Madam Fang into the house with a knowing smile.
Zhou Chujin and Zhou Shaojin stepped forward to pay their respects to Second Madam Fang.
Second Madam Fang’s gaze lingered on Zhou Shaojin for a moment before she smiled and said to them, "No need for formalities."
Madam Liao, however, looked behind her and asked, "Didn’t Ah Xuan come along?"
"I sent her home first!" Second Madam Fang replied with a smile. "She spent the entire afternoon diligently serving Old Madam. She must be exhausted, so I let her go home first. Besides, it’s not appropriate for her to know about such matters beforehand."
Madam Liao grew excited and said, "How did it go? Was I right? Our Ah Xuan’s looks and character are first-rate. How could Old Madam Guo not like her? Did you see how she kept praising our Ah Xuan all afternoon?"
"Indeed!" Second Madam Fang glanced meaningfully at the Zhou sisters. "If this matter succeeds, I must thank you properly for your matchmaking."
Such matters should not have been discussed at the Chuihua Gate, but since Zhou Shaojin happened to be there, it was just as well for her to hear some hints, lest she think her beauty could truly overshadow Ah Xuan.
Since Zhou Shaojin had been kept in the capital by her sister for an extended stay, it was likely for marriage purposes.
Once married, Zhou Shaojin and Fang Xuan would inevitably cross paths frequently, so it was better to plan ahead.
"How could it not succeed?" Madam Liao also felt such matters should not be discussed at the Chuihua Gate, but she was too delighted. Taking Second Madam Fang’s hand, she said, "Didn’t you hear Madam Yuan say she hopes Ah Xuan can marry into the family and lend her a hand?"Second Madam Wei had long been bedridden and unable to manage household affairs. This was known to everyone.
The Cheng family's main branch had a simple household.
Second Madam Fang smiled without speaking.
Madam Liao took Second Madam Fang by the hand and led her to the main hall.
Zhou Chujin, however, was so frightened that her face turned pale. She pulled Zhou Shaojin into her own side chamber. She didn’t even glance at Guan Ge, nor did she have the mind to change her clothes or freshen up. After dismissing the maids and matrons attending her, she lowered her voice and asked Zhou Shaojin, “Did Cheng Zichuan… ever behave improperly toward you in front of outsiders? Or… was it ever seen by anyone?”
When she saw Cheng Chi about to kiss Zhou Shaojin, she had been too shocked at the time. But upon careful reflection afterward, she realized that her sister hadn’t shown the slightest resistance. Instead, her face had flushed crimson, as shy and lovely as a flower. She knew then that this wasn’t the first time the two had done such a thing… But since it had already happened, she didn’t want to say too much to her sister, lest she push her further toward Cheng Chi’s side.
Zhou Shaojin’s face flushed red.
Every time, she had been so dizzy-headed that she had no idea who might have come or gone…
Zhou Chujin stamped her foot in anger, her voice like a storm before the rain: “That damned Cheng Chi, does he think there’s no one in the Zhou family to stand up to him? How dare he ruin your reputation…”
This was a grave accusation!
Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but say to Zhou Chujin, “Sister, don’t speak of him like that. Uncle Chi has always been very protective of me…”
A sharp glance from Zhou Chujin made Zhou Shaojin swallow the rest of her words.
“He’s protective of you?” Zhou Chujin said disdainfully. “If he were protective of you, then why did Second Madam Fang repeatedly target you with her words today? And why did my mother-in-law bring up the marriage between Fang Xuan and Cheng Chi right at the Moon Gate?” Suddenly, a wave of grievance washed over her, and tears welled up in Zhou Chujin’s eyes. “Shao Jin,” she embraced her sister and said, “Shao Jin, when brothers unite, their strength can break metal. It’s the same for sisters. We will both be fine…”
If their mother were still alive, how could they sisters be bullied like this!
Zhou Chujin’s tears were on the verge of falling.
A young maid announced from behind the curtain, “Madam, Li Changgui from the master’s side has arrived, saying he brought a letter from the master…”
Ah, how could she have forgotten about this?
The matter she had written about was so important that her father certainly couldn’t simply reply with a letter. Naturally, he would send a capable person to discuss it with her.
Zhou Chujin’s spirits lifted. She hurriedly instructed the young maid to invite Li Changgui to wait in the study, quickly freshened up, told Zhou Shaojin to stay in her room and not move, and then rushed to the study.
Zhou Shaojin sat by the window on the large kang, resting her chin in her hands and thinking of Cheng Chi.
He was going to Jining to take up an official post. She wondered what the weather was like there and whether she should urgently make a few winter clothes for him.
If she had known this would happen, she wouldn’t have been so lazy—Uncle Chi’s winter clothes hadn’t even been cut yet.
After he went to Jining, she wondered if the Old Madam would move back to Apricot Grove Lane.
Then the Chaoyang Gate residence would become lonely.
It would also be inconvenient for her to visit the Old Madam at Apricot Grove Lane to pay her respects.
Zhou Shaojin let out a long sigh.
Naturally, external matters were for men to decide, but how wonderful it would be if Uncle Chi could stay in the capital…
As for the Fang family’s interest in Cheng Chi, Zhou Shaojin didn’t take it to heart.
Even the young lady of the Guo family blushed when mentioning Cheng Chi, so it wasn’t surprising that others had taken a liking to him.
It all depended on what Uncle Chi would do!Her mind was wandering when Zhou Chujin burst in like a whirlwind, holding a letter in her hand.
Zhou Shaojin quickly stood up.
Zhou Chujin stared straight at Shaojin, her expression somewhat complicated.
Shaojin instinctively sensed that something major had happened.
She cautiously called out "Sister" and asked, "Has... has something happened?"
Chujin's tears suddenly fell. She hugged Shaojin and lightly thumped her a few times, sobbing, "You silly girl... truly, fortune favors the simple-minded!"
Shaojin was utterly bewildered.
Chujin had already taken out a handkerchief. While wiping the corners of her eyes, she handed the letter to Shaojin: "Here! Take a look. Uncle Chi... has asked Father for your hand! Father has already agreed. In a few days, the Cheng family will go to Baoding Prefecture to deliver the betrothal gifts... You... you are going to marry Uncle Chi!"
This happiness came too suddenly!
Shaojin felt as if she had been struck by something, her head still spinning for a long while.
Chujin was both crying and laughing, her words somewhat incoherent: "You've grown up, you already know how to judge people... It was I who wrongly blamed you... I only wanted what was best for you... You really like Uncle Chi, don't you? Now you've gotten your wish." She snorted coldly. "Fortunately, Uncle Chi has a sense of responsibility. Otherwise, if he had hurt you, I definitely wouldn't have let him off... But, what should we call each other from now on? He's my brother-in-law, yet he and Uncle Mian are cousins... Even though the families have separated, we're still one family after all..." She worried, "Fortunately, the clans have divided, otherwise this matter would be troublesome! Grandmother should know by now, right? I wonder if she'll agree to this marriage..."
Shaojin simply stood there, tears shimmering in her eyes as she smiled.
She gently stroked the few small characters on the letter, her heart filled with thoughts of Cheng Chi's efforts.
If it were her, she probably wouldn't even have the courage to speak up, let alone personally seek the elders' approval.
Uncle Chi... truly treated her very well...
The two sisters cried and laughed for a while before finally calming down.
Chujin then wondered curiously, "Why would the Second Madame of the Fang family think of marrying Fang Xuan to Uncle Chi?"
Shaojin spoke up for Cheng Chi: "Perhaps this matter hasn't spread yet? We only just found out ourselves."
Chujin nodded in satisfaction. Her gaze shifted thoughtfully for a moment before she said to Shaojin, "Don't speak of this to anyone! After all, nothing is settled yet. Even if it does come to pass, talking about it would make us seem presumptuous."
Shaojin blushed and nodded.
With Nine Prosperities Lane having just divided clans, news of her marriage to Uncle Chi spreading would be somewhat inappropriate. It was better to handle it discreetly.
Chujin urged her sister to return to her room and change clothes: "The Second Madame of the Fang family is visiting here. I still need to go greet her. Once you've freshened up, come help me hold Guan Ge—tomorrow I'll send you back to Yuqian Hutong." As soon as she finished speaking, remembering that Cheng Chi was still in the capital and might impulsively embrace Shaojin in broad daylight, she changed her mind: "You'd better stay with me for a few more days. Wait until Uncle Chi has left for his post before you move back to Yuqian Hutong."
With no elders at home, which servant would dare stop Cheng Chi? Now that the two were officially betrothed, Uncle Chi would likely find it even harder to restrain himself. If anything happened that could ruin their marriage, it would be troublesome.
Shaojin longed to see Cheng Chi.
Moreover, Cheng Chi was about to take up an official post elsewhere, and she didn't know when she would be able to see him again.But since her sister had already spoken, how could she dare to disobey.
Zhou Shaojin returned to the back room somewhat gloomily.
Nanny Shang greeted her with a smile, saying, "Second Miss, Fourth Master brought you some donkey meat buns. I've already put them in the kitchen and will prepare them for your breakfast tomorrow morning."
Zhou Shaojin couldn't hide her delight and asked, "When did Uncle Chi come over? Where is he now?"
Wasn't he just paying respects to Old Madam Guo for her birthday earlier?
※
Dear brothers and sisters, here is today's update.
O(∩_∩)O~
The extra chapter will be posted at the usual time!
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel