Nannу Shаng, seeing Zhоu Shaojin аsk hеr withоut аnу аffectаtion, let out a joyful lаugh frоm the bоttom оf hеr hеаrt and sаid gеntlу, "Fоurth Мastеr rushed back еаrly this mоrning—today is thе old madаm's birthday! Unехресtеdlу, when he rеturnеd, Seсоnd Мiss had аlreаdу gone tо Сhaоyang Gatе, so Fourth Mаstеr gаve thе things to us. He аlsо sаid he might hаvе mаnу sосial еngаgemеnts thesе days аnd would соmе to sее Sесond Miss in a fеw days."
Zhou Shaojin nоdded and smiled, "Is hе about tо takе uр his pоst in Jining?"
Nanny Shang smiled, "Originally, he should have left these past few days, but because of the old madam's birthday, Fourth Master requested a few days off and took the opportunity to go to Baoding Prefecture."
In other words, everyone already knew about her impending engagement to Cheng Chi.
Zhou Shaojin's face flushed crimson.
Nanny Shang chuckled and congratulated Zhou Shaojin.
Zhou Shaojin murmured in response and bashfully retreated into the inner chamber.
At the residence in Chaoyang Gate, Madam Yuan, having seen off the guests, was helping Old Madam Guo remove her makeup.
Old Madam Guo closed her eyes, letting Nanny Lu comb her hair, and asked Madam Yuan, "How are the preparations for the Min family marriage going? I noticed Jiashan seems rather listless?"
At the mention of this, Madam Yuan felt a surge of resentment and said, "It's all because of those two wretched creatures, Cheng Shi and Cheng Zheng. If not for them, Jiashan wouldn't be like this!"
In other words, since Shaojin's incident, Jiashan had never recovered.
It would be better for her to stay at Chaoyang Gate.
Old Madam Guo didn't want to say another word to Madam Yuan.
She instructed Madam Yuan, "Have Jiashan come over tomorrow. It's been a while since I last spoke with him."
After all, the mother-in-law doted on her grandson.
Madam Yuan smiled and replied, "Yes," then brought up Cheng Chi: "...Has it been decided that he will take up the post in Jining? Should I say something to my cousin? Managing river works is so arduous! He should just go there to gain some experience and then return! Fourth Uncle is no longer young. Previously, managing the family's affairs meant he could only find someone among relatives who knew his character and learning well, so as not to wrong him. Now that Fourth Uncle has an official position, the range of choices has widened."
Old Madam Guo knew the main dish had been served.
She smiled and said, "Anyway, he's already this age. If we hastily arrange a marriage for him carelessly, that would truly wrong him. Let him have his way, shall we?"
Madam Yuan pondered for a moment and said, "Mother, what do you think of the Fang family's Sixth Miss, Ah Xuan?"
Old Madam Guo smiled, "Why are you thinking of Ah Xuan? Is she fifteen or sixteen this year? She's too young. Si Lang is looking for a wife, not raising a daughter."
Madam Yuan laughed, "Mother, listen to you. In marriage, virtue comes first, and character is paramount. Besides, it's only a difference of about ten years, and it's his first marriage. Fourth Uncle is so talented and handsome—why would he be unworthy of Ah Xuan? If you ask me, it's actually Ah Xuan who might be somewhat unworthy of Fourth Uncle. Girls with Ah Xuan's looks and background are rare, but not nonexistent. It's just that we know the Fang family's background best. The Fang family's Second Madam is famously virtuous, and although Second Master Fang's official rank isn't high, he has extensive connections. A girl raised in such a family is bound to be cheerful and lively, complementing Fourth Uncle perfectly. The more I think about it, the better it seems!"
Old Madam Guo hummed in agreement and began to seriously consider the matter.A flicker of delight passed through Madam Yuan's eyes. Knowing that the old lady was a woman of strong character, she understood that no amount of persuasion from her would compare to the old lady coming to a decision on her own. Thus, she fell silent. Taking the handkerchief from the maid, she waited for Old Madam Guo to finish combing her hair so she could assist her in wiping her hands.
Madam Qiu, the second wife of the Wei branch, came to report to Old Madam Guo.
Today was Old Madam Guo's birthday, and Madam Qiu was responsible for storing away the cups, bowls, and utensils.
Seizing the opportunity, Old Madam Guo asked Madam Qiu, "What kind of wife do you think would be suitable for Si Lang?"
Madam Qiu had always known that her sister-in-law, Madam Yuan, was a domineering woman. She herself was not one to enjoy contention, and besides, Madam Yuan had already been attending to their mother-in-law before she arrived. Could it be that there was another conflict between the old lady and her sister-in-law?
The fourth uncle was the apple of their mother-in-law's eye. Madam Qiu would rather offend her sister-in-law than displease this mother-in-law who had always treated her so well. Without a second thought, she smiled and replied, "Naturally, the fourth uncle's marriage is for you to decide. As sisters-in-law, we have no place to offer opinions."
Madam Yuan sneered inwardly.
This sister-in-law of hers never involved herself in anything and never voiced her thoughts. Yet, whenever the old lady spoke, she would agree wholeheartedly, praising the old lady as absolutely right and utterly perfect, without a shred of her own opinion. Though she had often been reprimanded by the old lady, it seemed she had learned nothing from it.
The old lady had asked the wrong person.
Strangely, Old Madam Guo seemed unusually cheerful today and said with a smile, "You are indeed gentle and obedient. I'm not worried that Si Lang's future wife will have trouble getting along with you."
Madam Qiu asked in surprise, "Have you already found a match for the fourth uncle, Mother?"
"Not yet!" Old Madam Guo laughed. "I was just thinking that he will have to marry sooner or later, and I fear his future wife will be much younger than all of you."
Madam Qiu quickly replied dutifully, "Your judgment is never wrong. When the time comes, we will treat her like our own daughter and surely take good care of her."
Old Madam Guo nodded with a smile and said, "It's getting late. You've all been busy all day, so go and rest. In the coming days, I'll be preparing things for Si Lang's departure to his post, so I won't be overseeing your affairs. You also don't need to come every day to pay your respects."
Once the news spreads, they will have plenty to keep them busy.
Madam Yuan and Madam Qiu respectfully acknowledged her words and left with their respective maids and attendants.
Cheng Chi came to see his mother.
Old Madam Guo asked excitedly, "How did you manage to get Lord Zhou to agree?"
Cheng Chi knew his mother valued him greatly. On one side was his mother, and on the other was his future father-in-law. He did not want to offend either. He omitted the part about standing outside the yamen for several days and only mentioned his discussions with Zhou Zhen about water management: "...He even wanted to take me to the villages to see for myself. But I was concerned about your birthday, so I politely declined. Lord Zhou then asked me to leave the capital early and, when passing through Baoding Prefecture, help him draft a plan. He intends to try implementing it in the countryside to see if it can solve the issue of water scarcity." At this point, he couldn't help but smile. "Then, before I could even bring up the marriage proposal, Lord Zhou took the initiative and told me to proceed according to ancient customs. I've already sent someone to prepare the betrothal gifts and hope to finalize the marriage before I take up my post in Jining Prefecture.""Good, good, good." Old Madam Guo narrowed her eyes, smiling with shared pride, finding her son increasingly pleasing and satisfying the more she looked at him—who else could marry off a daughter like her son? With just a few words, he had won his father-in-law's approval, without even needing to discuss betrothal gifts or dowry.
She hurriedly reminded Cheng Chi, "Although Lord Zhou said so, we must not neglect any of the proper etiquette."
Cheng Chi smiled and agreed, "Yes," then hesitated, "Eldest sister-in-law holds some prejudice against Shaojin. I'm afraid she might feel displeased and treat Shaojin coldly... Moreover, I'll be away for three to five years. I'm uneasy about you living alone at Chaoyang Gate, and even more uneasy about you moving to Xinglin Alley. I want Shaojin to enter our household soon, so after I leave, you'll have someone to talk to and keep you company. Shaojin grew up without a mother's guidance, so you can also teach her how to manage household affairs."
Old Madam Guo was surprised and asked, "Aren't you planning to take Shaojin to your post?"
His mother was eagerly waiting to hold a grandchild. How could he dare say he didn't plan to consummate the marriage with Zhou Shaojin?
"If she goes with me to my post, what about you?" Cheng Chi said firmly. "This matter is settled. Don’t try to persuade me otherwise. I don’t know how other families handle it, but in my household, it cannot be that once the daughter-in-law enters, the mother-in-law is pushed aside."
Flattery truly never fails.
Old Madam Guo was overjoyed inside. She asked, "Have you decided who to invite as matchmakers?"
"I plan to invite Lord Song and Lord Zhang," Cheng Chi replied. "One is the one who recommended me, and the other is my immediate superior. They are also teacher and student, making it even more fitting."
Old Madam Guo agreed. The two discussed late into the night, and early the next morning, Old Madam Guo went to the Song residence.
Although Madam Song was quite surprised upon learning the purpose of the visit, thinking of Zhou Shaojin and Cheng Chi's appearances, she also felt they were a match made in heaven. She said, "It’s a pity my mother-in-law is no longer with us, and I only have one son. Otherwise, I would have volunteered to be the 'complete fortune' person for your family."
Old Madam Guo chuckled and said, "We originally didn’t want to trouble you, but your husband, Lord Song, has been a mentor to our Si Lang. Our fourth master said that for his wedding, he must invite Lord Song as a matchmaker no matter what. You must come and help me when the time comes. Since our branch separated from the clan, there are only the three brothers left." She added, "If not for the separation, I wouldn’t have thought of making Shaojin my daughter-in-law. Now, it seems misfortune has turned into blessing."
Madam Song comforted Old Madam Guo for a long time, invited her to stay for lunch, and personally saw her off when she left.
That evening, when Song Jingran returned and heard Madam Song mention it, he gladly agreed.
Regardless of their current relationship, Cheng Chi’s scholarship alone was worthy of his respect.
Song Jingran and Zhang Hui smoothly took on the role of matchmakers. Cheng Shao was also delighted and said to Cheng Chi, "You must have many children. Whether boys or girls, having more children in the family will make it livelier!"
Thinking of the silence that filled the courtyard when he arrived, Cheng Chi smiled and said, "If we have two boys, we can adopt one to Cousin Fen."
Cheng Shao, however, shook his head and said sadly, "If you are willing, adopt a grandson for Xun Ge’er instead? I cannot let him become a lonely, wandering spirit!"
Looking at his uncle, whose temples were completely white, Cheng Chi felt a pang of sorrow for the first time.
Perhaps it was because he was about to marry, and his heart had grown softer.But by the time I have a grandson, Second Uncle would likely have long passed away. What meaning would there be then?
Cheng Chi thought for a moment and said, "Second Uncle, why don't you adopt a child from the orphanage?"
Cheng Shao was taken aback.
Cheng Chi spoke gravely, "That year when I went to Huai'an to obtain the salt certificate, I encountered the Yongding River breach. Outside Huai'an city, there were either children who had lost their parents or parents who had lost their children. At that time, I thought, in the face of such suffering, how fragile family lineage seems. Is family lineage more important, or is life itself more important?"
This was like asking whether the debt of birth or the debt of upbringing is more important—both are questions without clear answers.
Cheng Shao smiled faintly and said, "Perhaps family property is more important?"
Cheng Chi laughed heartily.
Cheng Shao said, "Let's discuss this matter after you get married, shall we? I'm old now, and even if I were to bring a child home, I wouldn't have the energy to raise them."
Yet, he was indeed moved by the idea.
Cheng Chi smiled and took a sip of tea.
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Brothers and sisters, Xiaoxixi's spirit beast egg bonus update!
O(∩_∩)O~
PS: You can check the update tomorrow morning. These past few days, my niece went back to her hometown with her parents, and I've become like a mother to a four-year-old, suddenly very busy.
※ (To be continued ~^~)
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