Whilе thе mоthеr-in-law and dаughtеr-in-lаw аt Сhaoyаng Gаte werе exсhаnging wоrds, Маdаm Liao аt Yushu Hutong was complеtеly dumbfоunded.
Тhе Сhеng familу hаd асtuаlly аbandoned Fаng Хuan аnd propоsed marriаge to thе Zhоu fаmilу's Zhоu Shаоjin.
Hadn't Маdam Yuаn sаid shе would аct аs mаtchmakеr fоr Chеng Chi and Fang Хuan?
If they hаd knоwn this еarliеr, why would theу hаvе pushеd Fаng Хuаn bеfоre Оld Мadаm Guo?
Nоw they wеre just mаking thеmsеlves а lаughingstосk for nothing!
Mаdam Liao could nо longer sit still. She сalled fоr a sеdаn chаir and was about to head to the Fang residence.
But as she stepped out the door, she ran straight into Zhou Chujin, who was standing under the corridor of her own wing, smiling and talking with a servant woman.
Instantly, she felt a surge of anger stuck in her chest.
She had never been satisfied with this daughter-in-law.
Later, due to various reasons, she had swallowed that anger, but deep down, she still felt uncomfortable.
Her tone couldn't help but turn stiff: "Chujin, it's so early in the morning. Where is Guan Ge? The general store at the entrance of the alley will come to settle the accounts later. Have you checked the accounts clearly? Don't let people laugh at our family for buying things without paying, always trying to take advantage."
In families like theirs, whether buying daily necessities like rice, oil, and salt or small items like needles and thread, they would send household stewards or respectable matrons to handle it. Naturally, they wouldn't give money directly to the servants. Usually, they would keep an account at a familiar shop, agreeing to settle every ten days or once a month.
Today was the day to settle accounts with the general store at the entrance of the alley.
Zhou Chujin had known since marrying into the family that her mother-in-law was dissatisfied with her and understood why her mother-in-law had swallowed her anger. But for a woman married into the inner household, the mother-in-law was like heaven. Even if she could outwit her mother-in-law, she would end up with a reputation for "disobedience," which would affect her children's future marriage prospects. Why would she do such thankless work?
"I know!" Zhou Chujin replied respectfully. "Guan Ge just fell asleep. I also noticed that the fallen leaves in the corner of the backyard haven't been swept for the past few days, so I was just telling this servant woman."
Seeing her daughter-in-law's meek and submissive demeanor, she felt even more irritated.
If only Ah Xuan were a few years older, if only her husband were more reliable, if only they hadn't so easily arranged their son's marriage back then—then they could have sought Ah Xuan as their daughter-in-law.
Such a good marriage prospect, and the Cheng family actually looked down on it!
Perhaps the Zhou sisters were just very clever?
Otherwise, how could they have quietly arranged for Cheng Chi to marry a Zhou family girl?
That Zhou Shaojin had been staying at their house just a few days ago and had only moved back recently.
As this thought crossed her mind, she remembered how her son, since marrying, would rush to his wife's side to dote on her as soon as he returned home each day. A wave of resentment welled up in her heart.
What could Zhou Shaojin, a girl who hadn't even come of age, possibly know? It was likely her good daughter-in-law who had meddled in this. Otherwise, why would the Cheng family propose to Zhou Shaojin right after the family split, when they hadn't mentioned her before?
Madam Liao's tone grew even more displeased: "Your sister is engaged to the Cheng family's Fourth Master. You should know about this, right? Why didn't you say anything to me?"
So this was about standing up for Fang Xuan?Zhou Chujin inwardly sneered. Without mincing words, she said, "I am a married daughter. My sister's marriage naturally rests with our parents. It's only because both my sister and I live in the capital, and she hasn't yet come of age, that our parents discuss matters with me a bit more. But when it comes to marriage alliances, which family dares to speak of it before everything is firmly settled?" Here, she smiled slightly. "You know me—I can't keep my mouth shut. Our parents probably feared that if I knew, I would tell Shaojin, didn't they?"
Madam Liao drew a sharp breath.
She felt there was a profound implication in Zhou Chujin's words.
Was she mocking her for having joined forces with the second wife of the Fang family to push Fang Xuan before Old Madam Guo during her birthday banquet, only to end up falling flat on her face?
Madam Liao's face instantly flushed crimson. Yet, she couldn't openly confront her daughter-in-law about it—to do so would be admitting her own failure.
Trembling with anger, it took her a long moment to say, "Even so, isn't it said that they've already reached the stage of discussing the wedding date? Yet it still can't be mentioned? I think it's not that it can't be said, but that there's something fishy going on. Back when the Cheng family hadn't yet divided the clan, your sister served Old Madam Guo for some time. Old Madam Guo gave your sister both a residence and jewelry..."
Continuing down this line would become rather unpleasant.
Zhou Chujin's expression darkened. She uttered a low warning, "Mother-in-law, please mind your words," then said coldly, "Since you know Old Madam Guo was fond of Shaojin even before the Cheng family divided the clan, what is so strange about her now wanting Shaojin as a daughter-in-law? On the contrary, it strikes me as odd that you would say such things. Logically speaking, Shaojin is my sister. Now that she has married into the Cheng family's main branch, our family's ties with them should be closer. Why do you seem displeased about it?"
Madam Liao was left speechless by the question.
Zhou Chujin pressed on bluntly, "I dare not forget a single word of your instructions. Thanks to the Second Elder of the Cheng family's patronage, my husband is not only studying under him but also assisting with copying work at the Hanlin Academy. When the Cheng family divided the clan at Nine Prosperities Lane, I feared it might affect my husband's studies. Knowing that my sister has always been able to speak freely before Old Madam Guo, I specifically asked her to inquire about the main branch's plans. I was worried our Zhou family might lose contact with the Cheng main branch from then on..."
Madam Liao jolted, finally understanding.
Yes!
After all, the Fang family was only her maternal family—her son was one step removed from them. But the Zhou family was her son's in-laws, and Zhou Shaojin was his sister-in-law. Compared to Fang Xuan, a cousin with whom they had no usual contact, naturally Zhou Shaojin—this sister-in-law whom her daughter-in-law constantly cared for—was closer!
How could she have been so confused at such a critical moment!
Madam Liao couldn't help but frown.
Zhou Chujin felt nothing but contempt.
Her mother-in-law complained all day about her father-in-law being an opportunist, flattering those above and trampling those below, yet she was no different herself.
Accustomed to currying favor with the Fang family, she simply couldn't adjust when the Fang family was suddenly humiliated.
In the end, it all came down to a single word: "profit."
Such a mother-in-law—she truly could not respect her!
Zhou Chujin had no desire to say more. She bent her knees in a slight curtsy and said, "Mother-in-law, it's getting late. I'm afraid the owner of the general store at the alley entrance will come to settle accounts. I must go to the accounts office now. If you have any instructions, just send Nanny Zhong to fetch me." Without waiting for Madam Liao to respond, she rose and left.Madam Liao stood in the courtyard, motionless for a long while.
She was no fool. Her daughter-in-law had confronted her, leaving her speechless. This was a tremendous loss of face.
Moreover, in the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, it was always one prevailing over the other. From now on, it would likely be difficult to order her daughter-in-law around as she pleased!
If she had known it would come to this, she would never have meddled in Fang Xuan’s marriage arrangements.
What should she do now?
If she went to the Fang family to apologize, she would undoubtedly have to endure a few harsh words from Second Madam Fang. But if she didn’t go to apologize, she would still have many occasions to seek the Fang family’s help in the future—she couldn’t afford to break ties with them now…
If anyone was to blame, it was Madam Yuan.
If she couldn’t manage the household or make decisions, why did she take on this matter?
If not for her one remark, would Madam Liao have been left so passive today?
Thinking back, whenever she had asked Madam Yuan for anything, Madam Yuan had always carried an air of arrogance deep down. It was clear that Madam Yuan had never held her in any regard.
How could she have been so blind as to believe Madam Yuan’s words?
Madam Liao gritted her teeth.
She needed to have a good talk with Second Madam Fang about this matter.
Perhaps the marriage hadn’t come to fruition because Madam Yuan hadn’t taken it seriously at all and hadn’t exerted any effort!
Otherwise, given her status as the eldest daughter-in-law and her husband’s esteemed position as a Grand Secretary, and with Fang Xuan being perfectly presentable, wouldn’t Old Madam Guo have given Madam Yuan some face?
Thinking this way, Madam Liao felt her confidence gradually growing.
She called out loudly to Nanny Zhong, “Prepare the sedan chair. We’re going to the Fang residence.”
※
Zhou Shaojin, who had stirred up turmoil among the Fang, Liao, and Cheng families, was guarded by Nanny Shang and Steward Xiang, completely unaffected by the outside commotion.
She was leaning contentedly against the large kang by the window, happily engrossed in her embroidery.
A pair of slender, long-fingered hands reached from behind her and snatched the embroidery from her grasp.
“Didn’t I tell you not to do needlework?” Cheng Chi’s slightly displeased voice sounded behind her. “Look at Nanping’s eyes—they tear up as soon as she steps outside. Do you want to end up like her?”
Ever since the Zhou family had agreed to the Cheng family’s marriage proposal and Zhou Shaojin moved back to Yuqian Lane, Cheng Chi had been coming and going as if no one could stop him.
Zhou Shaojin blushed, turned around, and tried to snatch the embroidery back from him. With flushed cheeks, she said, “When did you arrive? Have you had breakfast yet? The kitchen has prepared yam and chicken soup today. I’ll have Chunwan serve you a bowl!”
Cheng Chi took the opportunity to sit down beside her, glancing at the bright red satin embroidered with a pair of mandarin ducks with their necks entwined.
He couldn’t help but smile and whispered softly beside her, “Your skin is fair. I like you in purple, embroidered with large pink hibiscus flowers…”
Zhou Shaojin’s neck flushed red.
She pushed Cheng Chi away and moved aside to sit properly, her face still tinged with shyness. “Sit properly! If you keep saying such things, I… I’ll have Nanny Shang ask you to leave!”
The little kitten she had raised for so long had finally learned to extend her claws and scratch.
Cheng Chi smiled and patted Zhou Shaojin’s head, deciding not to tease her further. In a gentle voice, he said, “Your coming-of-age ceremony is on the fourth day of the eleventh month, isn’t it? During the New Year, when official seals are closed, I’ll have over twenty days of leave. Mother wants us to marry around that time. Although it’s a bit rushed, I’d like to marry you sooner. What do you think?”
Since he had already said he wanted to marry before the New Year, how could she possibly object?
Zhou Shaojin lowered her eyelids, like a shy red lotus, and murmured, “Matters of the wedding date are for our parents to decide. Why ask me?”So he agreed!
Or perhaps he was pressured into agreeing by me?
Cheng Chi affectionately stroked her head again.
How could he not know that this marriage was too rushed? Yet he couldn’t suppress the urge to bring her under his wing sooner. For now, he had no choice but to let her endure this hardship.
But he wouldn’t let her remain like this forever. At most, in three to five years, he would strive to earn her a third-rank phoenix crown and ceremonial robes.
Cheng Chi hugged Zhou Shaojin and whispered, "I’ve invited Minister Song and Minister Zhang to be our matchmakers. When they heard I wanted to marry you as soon as possible, they were afraid I might turn down the position at the River Governor’s Office. As soon as Mother mentioned it, both agreed to personally visit Baoding. Your father’s reluctance to let you marry me stems from his fear that you’d suffer by my side. Now, with two ministers personally acting as matchmakers, he likely won’t object to us marrying before the New Year."
Zhou Shaojin nestled obediently in his arms and softly chided, "I suspect it’s not just about getting Father to agree to our marriage sooner. You also want others to see the connections behind him, to smooth his path in his official career, right?"
※
Dear readers, here is today’s update.
PS: The extra update will still be around five in the evening.
O(∩_∩)O~
※ (To be continued ~^~)
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