In just two daуs, Оld Маdаm Guo had evеrуthing preрared.
Shе invitеd Gu Shi, thе dаughtеr-in-lаw of Wu Zaоxiu—the chancellоr оf the Нanlin Асаdеmy аnd а fоrmеr studеnt of thе old master—tо sеrve аs the "auspiсious womаn" and aссоmраnу thе officiаl mаtchmаkеr tо Bаoding Рrеfecturе tо delivеr the betrothаl gifts.
This Gu Shi was a brаnсh mеmber оf the Haining Gu fаmilу. Сheng Zhеng’s husbаnd, Gu Хu, sеrvеd аs a juniоr suрervisоr in the Оffice оf the Неir Аpраrеnt аnd also held а position as an аcademiсian in the Нanlin Асadеmy. Thus, among Cheng Jing’s in-laws, the first to learn of Cheng Chi’s marriage was actually Gu Xu.
Since the Wu Zaoxiu family had six generations living under one roof, Gu Shi was a well-known "auspicious woman" in the capital, and many sought her services for matchmaking. Gu Xu hadn’t paid much attention to it. It wasn’t until the Zhou and Cheng families exchanged birth charts and prepared for the betrothal that Gu Xu casually asked Cheng Zheng one morning, "Uncle Chi is getting married. Since the old madam is advanced in years, aren’t you going over to help?"
"What?" Cheng Zheng was stunned. "Uncle Chi is getting married? Who told you that? How come I didn’t know? Which family’s daughter is Uncle Chi marrying?"
Cheng Chi’s marriage was a matter for the Cheng family, and as juniors, they naturally weren’t required to be informed.
But even the law does not override human sentiment. Cheng Zheng was the granddaughter Old Madam Guo valued most. When they were in Jinling, if anything happened at home, Old Madam Guo would write to Cheng Zheng. For something as significant as Cheng Chi’s marriage, by both reason and custom, even if Old Madam Guo didn’t discuss which young lady was suitable with Cheng Zheng, she should have informed her in advance.
The couple exchanged a glance.
Cheng Zheng immediately stepped off the heated brick bed and said to Gu Xu, "I might return late today. Don’t wait for me."
Gu Xu replied, "I heard it’s the second daughter of the Zhou family, the magistrate of Baoding Prefecture. That’s the second young lady who was once raised in the old madam’s quarters."
Cheng Zheng’s mind instantly erupted in chaos.
How could Grandmother arrange a marriage between Uncle Chi and the Zhou family’s second daughter?
What about Jiashan…
How would they get along, all eating from the same pot in the future?
Shao Jin was over a decade younger than her!
Setting that aside, it was normal for Uncle Chi, who had delayed marriage for so long, to marry a girl over a decade younger. But Zhou Shaojin was the granddaughter of the fourth branch, separated by a generation from Uncle Chi. Before the family division, such a match would have been impossible under any circumstances… but after the division…
Something flashed through Cheng Zheng’s mind but slipped away before she could grasp it.
Her head throbbed with pain.
Although the two families weren’t as close as before, they had been in-laws for so long that certain proprieties should still be observed.
And Uncle Chi was about to take up an official post… wouldn’t this hand others a weapon to use against him?
Cheng Zheng stopped in her tracks, turned around, and fixed her gaze on Gu Xu. "Is this news reliable?"
"I heard it from Minister Wu." Gu Xu hadn’t overthought the matter like Cheng Zheng; he simply felt it was somewhat unconventional and that Cheng Zheng should return home to see if something had happened. "You know, Minister Wu’s third daughter-in-law is from the Gu family. She has five sons and three daughters and often serves as an auspicious woman. I heard it from Minister Wu."
Of course, when Gu Xu was in the Hanlin Academy, Minister Wu had shown him considerable favor, and the two families were quite close.
Cheng Zheng nodded distractedly, settled her son, dressed and groomed herself, and hurried to Chaoyang Gate.
Old Madam Guo was speaking with Wu Zaoxiu’s daughter-in-law, Third Madam Wu: "So, the in-law master said nothing at all?"Third Madam Wu smiled and nodded, saying, "Not only did the prospective father-in-law say nothing, but even when the prospective mother-in-law saw us coming to deliver the betrothal gifts, the smile on her face never faded. It’s clear the Zhou family is extremely satisfied with this marriage."
Old Madam Guo was overjoyed.
The in-laws’ satisfaction with this marriage meant they were also satisfied with her son. She felt honored as well.
She promptly doubled the red envelope for Third Madam Wu: "Thank you for your trouble."
There were rules and customs regarding the red envelope given to matchmakers as a token of gratitude, and it could not be refused.
Third Madam Wu thanked her with a smile and accepted it, then discussed the wedding date with Old Madam Guo: "These are the dates divined by the prospective father-in-law. Which one do you think is suitable?"
Old Madam Guo looked and saw they were all dates for next year. She closed the letter in her hand and said, "I’m afraid I’ll have to trouble you to make another trip. Our family would like to set the wedding date for this year. As you know, our Si Lang is much older than the Zhou family’s second young lady. He’s also about to take up his post in Jining and won’t be back for three to five years. If we delay until then, the Zhou family’s second young lady will be older as well."
Third Madam Wu was not surprised and said with a smile, "The prospective father-in-law didn’t say anything, but the young lady hasn’t yet come of age, and it’s not as if the family is too poor to support her. I think we should give the prospective father-in-law a bit more face—it would be best to send a matchmaker to urge the marriage."
This would require inviting Song Jingran and Zhang Hui to personally make a trip to Baoding Prefecture.
Both were pillars of the court, especially Song Jingran, a Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion and Minister of Revenue, who barely had time to return home for meals, let alone make a trip to Baoding Prefecture.
Old Madam Guo also hesitated and said, "Then let me discuss it with my son first."
Third Madam Wu knew this matter was quite tricky and said, "How about inviting your family’s Second Elder Master to go instead? The main thing is to show outsiders the Cheng family’s sincerity—that marrying the Zhou family’s second young lady in such a short time is not meant to slight her, but rather because the Cheng family wants to bring her into the household quickly."
This was more feasible.
Old Madam Guo nodded.
A young maid came in to announce that the eldest young lady had returned.
Third Madam Wu took the opportunity to bid farewell.
Old Madam Guo personally saw her to the door before meeting Cheng Zheng.
Cheng Zheng had never been formal with Old Madam Guo and went straight to the point, stating her purpose.
Old Madam Guo smiled and said, "Speaking of this matter, it was your mother who reminded me. I hadn’t thought of seeking Shaojin for your Uncle Chi before, but your mother mentioned the Fang family’s sixth young lady, Ah Xuan, to me the other day. It made me think of Zhou Shaojin, who is around the same age, and whom I know well and have watched grow up. Rather than marrying someone like Ah Xuan, whom I’ve only met a few times, it would be better to marry Shaojin. As for Jiashan, he still has a long life ahead of him and will encounter even more unpleasant things in the future. There are some things he should learn to endure and compromise on." At this point, Old Madam Guo’s tone lightened. "Hasn’t your mother always hoped for Jiashan to become a minister and enter the cabinet? Consider this a trial for him!"
But what a cruel trial this was!
Cheng Zheng could hardly bear to think about it.
Yet a thought suddenly flashed through her mind.
Could it be that Uncle Chi had taken a liking to Zhou Shaojin?!
Was that why Grandmother was allowing Zhou Shaojin to enter the household?
She recalled how Cheng Chi had previously asked her to take care of Zhou Shaojin.
At that time, Uncle Chi had been very sincere. How could everything change after just one summer?Cheng Zheng’s face was full of confusion.
Old Madam Guo’s smile gradually faded as she said, “Azheng. I will be living with your Uncle Chi at Chaoyang Gate from now on. We’ll be far apart, only meeting during festivals and holidays. There’s no need for you to worry too much about Jiashan!”
If it really was Uncle Chi who had taken a liking to Zhou Shaojin, then this matter made sense.
But when did Uncle Chi take a liking to Zhou Shaojin?
Cheng Zheng felt utterly helpless.
Even if she knew, what could she do?
The matter was already settled; saying more would be useless.
Moreover, this matter also involved her mother.
And her mother and grandmother did not get along. When they were young, she and her sisters couldn’t tell, but after marrying and managing a household, they naturally began to sense the tension.
She murmured in agreement, “Does my mother know about this?”
“Your Uncle Chi’s matter is still far from certain, so I haven’t said much about it,” Old Madam Guo said lightly. “Now that the marriage has taken shape, your mother and your second aunt should be informed. But your mother has been busy with Jiashan’s wedding these days and likely has no time to pay attention to this.”
In other words, although Old Madam Guo had excused Madam Yuan from morning and evening greetings, Madam Yuan truly seldom came over. There was a hint of complaint that Madam Yuan only cared about her own son and showed little concern for her brother-in-law.
Cheng Zheng flushed with embarrassment.
On one side was the grandmother who raised her, and on the other was the mother who gave birth to her. She was caught in a dilemma.
But Old Madam Guo had no intention of letting Madam Yuan off easily. She said, “Since you’ve come out today, why not go back? See how Jiashan’s wedding preparations are coming along? And while you’re at it, tell your mother about your Uncle Chi’s engagement, so she won’t keep worrying about it!”
Given the matter with Fang Xuan, Old Madam’s use of the word “worrying” carried a subtle nuance.
Cheng Zheng felt it was best not to say more and smiled as she changed the subject. “Is there anything I can help with for Fourth Uncle’s wedding?”
Old Madam Guo smiled. “In a couple of days! Once the wedding date is set, you and your sisters will all come back to help.” As she said this, she looked very pleased.
Cheng Zheng left with a bitter smile and headed to Apricot Grove Lane.
An unfamiliar lady stood in the hall, speaking with Madam Yuan, who was surrounded by maids and matrons.
Madam Yuan, beaming, beckoned to Cheng Zheng. “You’ve come at just the right time. A steward recommended this antique shop to me. They have a wall screen made from Ru kiln fragments. Come take a look—what do you think? I want to hang it in your brother’s study…”
She was sparing no effort in decorating Cheng Xu’s new room.
Cheng Zheng thought of Old Madam Guo’s expression earlier and suddenly felt some resentment toward her mother.
As a daughter-in-law, no matter how busy things were at Apricot Grove Lane, she should still find time to pay her respects to her grandmother. Just because her grandmother excused her from morning and evening greetings didn’t mean she should actually stop going. She didn’t even know about Fourth Uncle’s upcoming marriage.
Cheng Zheng answered perfunctorily. Seeing her low spirits, Madam Yuan thought something had happened at home and dismissed the antique shop lady to speak with her in the inner room.
Cheng Zheng told Madam Yuan about Cheng Chi and Zhou Shaojin’s engagement.
Madam Yuan felt as if struck by a blow. She jumped up and exclaimed, “Why didn’t I know about this? Why are you only telling me now? I’ve already spoken with the Second Madam of the Fang family and planned to arrange a match between your Uncle Chi and Axuan…”Cheng Zheng grew increasingly dissatisfied with her mother. "How long has it been since you last paid respects to Grandmother?" she said. "It was only when I visited Grandmother today that she told me about Uncle Chi's marriage. I thought since Grandmother has come to the capital, this would be the perfect time for you to show filial piety. You should have known about Fourth Uncle's marriage, and I was planning to ask you about it. I never expected you wouldn't know either."
As for the remark about "having already discussed it with the second wife of the Fang family," she had no intention of bringing it up.
Fourth Uncle was not an orphan with both parents deceased, nor was her mother his elder sister-in-law acting as a mother figure who needed to arrange his marriage.
Since when did it fall to her mother to manage Uncle Chi's marriage affairs!
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Dear readers, here is today's update.
PS: An additional update will be around five in the evening, same as usual.
O(∩_∩)O~
※ (To be continued ~^~)
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