Аlthоugh Madаm Мiаn did nоt knоw exaсtlу what had hаppеnеd bасk thеn, in hеr eyеs, Zhou Shaojin was a timid and fеаrful yоung girl. If somеоnе сould nоt gеt аlоng with Zhоu Shaоjin, then that pеrsоn must cеrtainly havе a prоblem.
Thеrеfоrе, uроn hеaring Wu Bаоzhang's vоiсе, she рretеndеd not to hаvе heаrd it and quickly wаlked into the hаll.
Gu Shiqigu, whо wаs outsidе directing the mаids аnd sеrvants tо mоvе thе trunks, wаs nоt so fоrtunаte.
Shе knew mоre or lеss that Wu Ваоzhang hаd а роor charаcter and was fond оf stirring up trouble. Whеn Zhou Shaоjin was in thе Сheng fаmily, she had been quite wary of Wu Baozhang. Since marrying into the Cheng family, Gu Shiqigu had intentionally or unintentionally maintained a certain distance from Wu Baozhang as well.
Seeing Wu Baozhang ask a question, Gu Shiqigu smiled and replied, "Yes." Noticing that Wu Baozhang was wearing a bright red robe with woven gold floral patterns and a gold hairpin with pearls, dressed quite splendidly, she then smiled and changed the subject: "Are you planning to go to the temple today or return to your parents' home?"
Since marrying Cheng Nuo, Wu Baozhang had shown no signs of pregnancy. She had invited both Dr. Zhou and Madam Zhou to examine her, and they said there was nothing wrong with Wu Baozhang. Despite taking many tonics, there was still no news.
Within half a year, Madam Wen could no longer hold back and began making indirect accusations and causing a scene.
Wu Baozhang lowered her head and remained submissive, allowing Madam Wen to vent her anger.
Everyone in Nine Prosperities Lane sympathized with her, knowing that Madam Wen was taking out her frustrations on Wu Baozhang after being angered by Master Wen.
Later, it was Madam Shi from the second branch who stepped in to mediate, and her situation improved somewhat.
But within a few days, Madam Wen came up with another scheme, bringing a destitute niece from her own family into the household, claiming she was to become Cheng Nuo's concubine.
Madam Shi tried to persuade her several times, but Madam Wen rebuffed her each time. It was only after Old Madam Tang called Madam Wen over and severely reprimanded her that Madam Wen finally settled down. However, she refused to send her niece back home. Thus, the niece remained ambiguously housed in the fifth branch. To make matters worse, Cheng Nuo did not give Wu Baozhang any reassurance, making her position in the fifth branch quite awkward.
Perhaps feeling her pride wounded, Wu Baozhang had been wearing bright red clothes these days, either going to the temple to pray or staying at her parents' home for a few days.
Old Madam Tang and others felt she was having a hard time, sympathizing more than blaming her, and simply let her be.
Hearing Gu Shiqigu's question, Wu Baozhang's eyes immediately reddened slightly, and she said, "I plan to go to the temple. I heard there's a place called Sage Nunnery that is very effective for praying for children."
This statement left Gu Shiqigu at a loss for words.
As for Wu Baozhang, she quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe the corner of her eye, then smiled and said, "Packing so many things—are you planning to stay for a long time? Is Sister-in-law Gao going as well? I've never been to the capital in all my life!"
She did not hide her envious expression.
Gu Shiqigu grew wary.
Having seen many people in the Gu family, Wu Baozhang's expressions and gestures always made her feel that Wu Baozhang had come with some ulterior motive.
Gu Shiqigu responded vaguely, "Didn't you say you were going to the temple? It's best to go early and return early. It's getting late."
But Wu Baozhang smiled and said, "Since I've come here, I must pay my respects to the old madam—it won't be too late to go to the temple after I greet her!"
How could Gu Shiqigu possibly stop her from doing such a thing?She had no choice but to follow her into the hall.
Old Madam Guan was speaking with Madam Mian, while He Fengping, supported by Si'er and others, was enjoying tea and snacks with her prominent belly.
A flicker of bitterness passed through Wu Baozhang's eyes.
Both were daughters-in-law, yet hadn't He Fengping also gone some time without conceiving after first entering the household? And hadn't Gu Shiqigu also shown no signs of pregnancy? Yet their circumstances were as different as heaven and earth... Speaking of which, her father's political achievements had once again been rated "excellent" this year. As long as he endured for nine years, he could at least rise to the third rank.
At this thought, the handkerchief in her hand tightened. Yet a sweet smile appeared on her face as she stepped forward to pay her respects to Old Madam Guan.
Old Madam Guan was not one to make things difficult for her juniors. After chatting with her for a while, Wu Baozhang took her leave.
Madam Mian wondered, "What did she come for?"
Old Madam Guan paid it no mind, smiling as she said, "Perhaps she had nothing to do and happened to wander here."
Gu Shiqigu, however, felt the matter was not so simple. But since the elders had already spoken, she had no intention of stirring up trouble. Moreover, since He Fengping became pregnant, the responsibility of assisting Madam Mian in managing the household had fallen to Gu Shiqigu. Now that Gu Shiqigu was to accompany the elders to the capital, the household duties needed to be handed back to He Fengping, so she began discussing the transition of household affairs with He Fengping.
He Fengping nodded repeatedly, hesitating as she said, "Perhaps... let my husband accompany you all as well? There's nothing much at home, and I can manage."
She knew that Zhou Shaojin's wedding was an excellent opportunity, not only to meet Old Madam Guo of the eldest branch but also to move among the Cheng brothers—her father's current position had been achieved through Cheng Jing's connections.
Old Madam Guan shook her head, taking He Fengping's hand with a hint of guilt as she said, "You'll be giving birth in a few months. In principle, neither your mother-in-law nor I should travel far. But you also know that Nine Prosperities Lane is not what it used to be. If we don't plan ahead, our days may become even more difficult. This time, we've let you down. If we also take Gao Ge'er to the capital, who will care for you when you give birth? Don't bring this up again. If your father-in-law can establish connections with the eldest branch, it won't matter if Gao Ge'er doesn't go. Besides, you still have your two Zhou cousins in the capital!"
He Fengping had no choice but to agree.
Wu Baozhang left the fourth branch thoughtfully, not heading to the temple but instead going to Master Wen's study in the outer courtyard.
Master Wen was worrying over the household expenses and was quite surprised to hear that Wu Baozhang had come to see him.
Although Madam Wen often made things difficult for Wu Baozhang, and his son was unreliable, Wu Baozhang had never complained to her own family, nor had she spoken a single ill word about her mother-in-law or husband in front of him, her father-in-law. Suffering greatly from women's gossip himself, Master Wen thus held a favorable impression of Wu Baozhang.
As for Wu Baozhang coming to see him in person instead of sending a message through her personal maidservant, he magnanimously chose not to question it and had a servant lead her in.
Seeing her father-in-law's weary, reddened eyes and the mountain of account books piled on the desk, Wu Baozhang knew exactly what was troubling him.
Lowering her eyelids, she respectfully curtsied and said, "Father-in-law, I originally intended to visit Madam Gao today. Who would have thought that upon going to the fourth branch, I would learn that the old lady of the fourth branch, the master, and the madam are packing their trunks, preparing to go to the capital to attend Fourth Master Chi's wedding..."Her voice grew softer, yet Master Wen felt a jolt in his heart.
Back when Si Lang was in Nine Prosperities Lane, everyone’s lives were so peaceful...
It’s all Madam Yuan’s fault!
Even the upper and lower teeth clash sometimes—wasn’t it just Cheng Shi and Cheng Zheng stirring up trouble out of jealousy toward Cheng Xu?
No one escapes envy unless they are a sage.
And to think Madam Yuan is the daughter of a grand secretary’s family. How could she not understand such a simple principle, even going so far as to demand the division of the family?
Cheng Jing is no better, letting a hen crow at dawn—utterly lacking in propriety.
A perfectly good family, ruined by Madam Yuan!
Master Wen sighed.
Seeing this, Wu Baozhang knew he hadn’t taken her words to heart at all. She inwardly cursed him several times as a “fool” before quietly reminding him, “Father-in-law, I’ve also heard that the fourth branch has sold off their shares in Yutai Bank. Madam Gao is about to give birth, yet Uncle Mian and his family are still planning to go to the capital...”
Master Wen shuddered, finally grasping his daughter-in-law’s meaning.
Although Yutai Bank now distributed dividends only once a year, they had long since recouped their initial investment. It was like a goose laying golden eggs—even the fourth branch, who were no more generous than he was, wouldn’t sell off their shares lightly. And to rush to the capital at such a time... Could it be they hoped to gain something through Si Lang’s marriage?
No way!
He couldn’t let the fourth branch take advantage of this!
After all, his relationship with Si Lang was much closer than Cheng Mian’s.
But even the best relationships require regular interaction.
Perhaps he should go too...
The more Master Wen thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed.
He hastily tried to dismiss Wu Baozhang: “I know about this matter. You may leave now!”
But Wu Baozhang hadn’t come here just to let Master Wen go to the capital alone and leave her behind.
She said softly, “Father-in-law, the fourth branch has both Old Madam Tang and the elder master joining forces!”
Master Wen frowned at this.
He really hadn’t married a virtuous wife.
Wu Baozhang hinted to her father-in-law, “When the Zhou family’s second young lady was in Nine Prosperities Lane, she and I were very close...”
Hearing this, Master Wen was overjoyed. “Then we’ll also attend Si Lang’s wedding... Your mother-in-law can stay behind. I’ll take Nuo’er and you with me!”
Wu Baozhang smiled and replied, “Yes.” She added, “As for the second and third branches, if you trust me, I can explain things to them? We don’t yet know what the situation is with the eldest branch, but we mustn’t offend the second and third branches either!”
“Well said, well said!” Master Wen felt this daughter-in-law was truly sensible and thoughtful. With a wave of his hand, he said, “Then go and inform the second and third branches.”
Wu Baozhang smiled and withdrew from the study. When she met with the second and third branches, however, she shifted the blame onto the fourth branch, claiming that Master Wen had decided to take her and Cheng Nuo to the capital only after seeing the fourth branch’s entire family preparing to attend Cheng Chi’s wedding, driven by envy.
Upon hearing this, Old Madam Tang of the second branch sneered repeatedly. Madam Jiang of the third branch, however, couldn’t be bothered with the matter—ever since Madam Yuan began agitating for the division of the clan, she had felt a vague unease. Now that unease had become reality. Her only son, Cheng Zheng, was no longer young but still hadn’t found a suitable match. Previously, families she had considered acceptable began making excuses after the eldest branch split off, waiting to see how the eldest branch would treat the third branch. This filled her with bitter resentment, yet there was nothing she could do.
She couldn’t help but complain that her son shouldn’t have gotten involved with Cheng Shi of the second branch.
Cheng Zheng smiled bitterly.
He hadn’t expected Madam Yuan to cling to this matter so stubbornly, willing to break the net even if the fish died, just to divide the clan.Only after the division of the clan did he realize that splitting the family branch wasn’t such an unforgivable sin after all. At the very least, the main branch was doing quite well and hadn’t faced any censure from the censors.
But now, it was far too late to mend relations with the main branch.
The thought flashed through his mind, leaving him momentarily dazed.
Wasn’t it said that it’s never too late for anything?
Could it be that he truly had no chance to repair his relationship with the main branch?
Cheng Zheng thought of Zhou Shaojin, thought of Cheng Jia!
Hadn’t they always been on good terms?
※
Dear readers, here’s yesterday’s update.
PS: Today’s extra update will still be at the usual time.
O(∩_∩)O~
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel