Аt this mоment in Elm Trее Alleу, Zhou Shaоjin wаs аlsо hаving а restless аfternoon nap.
She аskеd Nannу Shang, "Is Fоurth Маstеr reаllу nоt rеturning tо Jining until neхt March?"
Nаnnу Shang tuсked in her quilt cоrner while smiling аnd said, "Thаt's whаt Fоurth Маstеr sаid, so it must be соrreсt."
Zhоu Shаojin gаve аn "оh" and obеdiеntly сlosed her еyes.
But hеr mind wаs fillеd with Chеng Chi's everу wоrd аnd smile.
Shе hеаrd thаt lifе in Jining Рrefесture wаs quite hаrsh, and she wоnderеd if Unсlе Chi hаd gоttеn tаnned or thinner.
Shе really wanted tо go see Unсle Chi.
Вut Unclе Сhi had аlso said that since her maternal grandmother and the others were all staying in Elm Coin Alley, it wasn't convenient for him to visit her. He told her to eat and sleep well, and to pass the time by having the maids help her with needlework, just waiting for him to come and fetch her.
Zhou Shaojin smiled and couldn't help but chuckle softly, feeling even less sleepy.
Footsteps sounded outside the room, mixed with Cheng Jia's voice: "...Her heart is truly broad, how can she sleep? When I was about to get married, I couldn't sleep for several days. I don't know how she grew up like this—probably if someone sold her one day, she'd still help them count the money!"
What trouble had Cheng Jia run into this time?
Zhou Shaojin couldn't hold back her laughter and simply called Jixiang, who was on duty in the room, to help her dress.
Just as she had draped her clothes over her shoulders, Cheng Jia barged in and said, "Shao Jin, Gu Shiqigu and I have arranged to go to Hongluo Temple to offer incense tomorrow. Do you want to sneak out and come with us?"
Cheng Jia had inquired—Hongluo Temple was truly effective for praying for children.
But Zhou Shaojin didn't want to join their mischief and said with a smile, "You two go ahead. I'll stay home and keep Grandmother company."
Cheng Jia found it somewhat dull and said, "Luckily, I have Shiqigu to accompany me, otherwise I'd be bored to death!"
Zhou Shaojin pretended to be angry and said, "Are you here to have fun or to see me off for my wedding? How can you be so insincere?"
Just as she spoke, Gu Shiqigu entered carrying a basket. Inside were seven or eight pairs of shoes.
These were commissioned by Zhou Chujin from the most famous needlework shop in the capital, to be used by Zhou Shaojin for recognizing relatives during the double morning congratulations after the wedding.
She joked with Zhou Shaojin about Cheng Jia: "Don't you know her temperament? As long as there's fun to be had, she doesn't care about anything else!"
Zhou Shaojin quickly asked, "Are the shoes and socks all finished?"
"They're done!" Gu Shiqigu said, as Jixiang hurried forward to take the basket from her hands, softly thanking her.
Gu Shiqigu smiled and said, "It was just a small effort. There's no need to be so polite."
Zhou Shaojin and Cheng Jia then examined the shoes and socks made by the needlework shop.
The women's shoes had pea-green uppers embroidered with diamond patterns in gold thread; the men's shoes had bluestone-colored uppers embroidered with calamus patterns in silver thread. Not only was the embroidery exquisite, but the color choices were both novel and dignified.
Cheng Jia couldn't help but say, "Which shop's craftsmanship is this? It's truly excellent. When I have time, I'll go to their shop to have a few pairs of shoes made."
Gu Shiqigu smiled and said, "I don't know about that. Why don't you go ask the eldest young lady?"
Cheng Jia then sent Cui Huan to inquire.
Jixiang carried the basket to the storeroom in the backyard where dowry items and other things were kept.
Zhou Shaojin brought up the matter of going to offer incense: "Are only the two of you going? Why not wait until after I'm married? I heard the vegetarian dishes at Hongluo Temple are delicious. If you rush like this, will you be able to enjoy yourselves?"“And there’s Third Aunt,” Gu Shiqigu said with a smile. “Our main purpose is to offer incense. We’ll be back in the afternoon.”
Cheng Jia, however, laughed and said, “If we don’t go now, when will we? In a few days, you’ll be having your coming-of-age ceremony, followed by your wedding. I still have to go to Chaoyang Gate for the wedding banquet… I’ve thought about it, and aside from these two days, I really don’t have any free time!”
Zhou Shaojin was surprised. “You’re going to Chaoyang Gate for the wedding banquet?”
Could it be that someone from the third branch was coming to attend the banquet?
When had Madam Yuan and the third branch reconciled?
Why hadn’t she heard about it before?
Cheng Jia said unhappily, “I was planning to stay at Yuqian Hutong for the wedding banquet. But Li Jing said that since I’m surnamed Cheng and he’s a son-in-law of the Cheng family, it wouldn’t make sense for us to attend the banquet at your place when Uncle Cheng is getting married. He told me to spend a few days with you and then go with him to the Cheng family to deliver congratulations…”
Gu Shiqigu, however, was sharp-witted and immediately understood Li Jing’s intention.
She felt that Cheng Jia attending the banquet at Chaoyang Gate would be more useful than staying at Yuqian Hutong.
Before Cheng Jia could complain further, she smiled and said, “That’s actually good. A wedding is livelier than a bride’s departure. Here at Yuqian Hutong, there’s Mother and me, but over at Chaoyang Gate, there’s only Eldest Aunt and a few others. But Eldest Aunt is older, and it wouldn’t be appropriate to ask her for help with everything. When you go over, you can keep Shaojin company.”
Hearing this, Cheng Jia cheered up and began discussing the trip to Hongluo Temple with Gu Shiqigu.
Zhou Shaojin thought about it and also understood Li Jing’s intention.
She couldn’t help but smile as she looked at Cheng Jia.
With Li Jing by Cheng Jia’s side, even if there were shortcomings, Cheng Jia wouldn’t end up heartbroken and desolate as she had in her previous life, would she?
Her rebirth truly was a good thing.
The next day, Zhou Shaojin smiled warmly as she saw the two of them off.
In the evening, Gu Shiqigu and Cheng Jia returned together, chattering happily about how much fun they’d had at Hongluo Temple.
Old Madam Guan, thinking that Gu Shiqigu hadn’t been this lively in a long time, waved her hand and said, “Then let’s stay in the capital a few more days. We’ll return after the New Year.”
Zhou Shaojin and Zhou Chujin were naturally overjoyed.
On the fourth day of the eleventh month, Zhou Shaojin held her coming-of-age ceremony.
The hairpin was sent by Old Madam Guo.
It was a gold hairpin inlaid with rubies, adorned with two pomegranate flowers side by side, symbolizing fertility and blessings.
The one who inserted the hairpin for her was Zhou Chujin.
The woman who had been both a mother and an elder sister to her in both lifetimes.
The one who sang praises for her was Cheng Jia, her dear friend.
Although there was no grand banquet, all her loved ones were present.
Zhou Shaojin couldn’t stop her tears from falling.
At this time in her previous life, she was still struggling in hell.
In this life, thankfully, she had met Uncle Chi.
Thankfully, she had decided to repay the Cheng family properly.
Zhou Chujin also began to cry.
By now, she had finally lived up to the trust of her stepmother, Madam Zhuang, raising her sister smoothly until she was old enough to marry.
Madam Mian thought back to when Zhou Shaojin first arrived at the Cheng family—a frail child wrapped in a bright red swaddling cloth, like a tiny kitten. She had worried the child wouldn’t survive. Now, she had grown into a graceful young woman. Tears welled up in her eyes as well.
Cheng Jia, without a care, hugged Zhou Shaojin and cried, saying, “Why don’t you just not marry Uncle Chi? Didn’t we agree before that we’d marry into the same family? Why don’t you come back to Luoyang with me? Luoyang is an ancient capital, with many prestigious families that have been around for centuries…”Gu Shiqigu promptly pulled Cheng Jia aside. She scolded, "Stop talking nonsense again. Be careful, or Uncle Chi will find out and never let you through the Cheng family's gate again." As she spoke, she took out a handkerchief to wipe Zhou Shaojin's tears, saying, "Coming of age is a joyous occasion. Don't cry anymore. Grandmother is still waiting for you to pay your respects to her!"
Cheng Jia pouted.
Everyone laughed.
With this commotion, everyone's mood lifted, and they happily made their way to Old Madam Guan's place.
Old Madam Guan pulled Zhou Shaojin to sit beside her. Holding her hand, she sighed, "In the blink of an eye, Shaojin has grown up. From now on, you mustn't be timid and avoid things like you did as a child. Once married, you'll be an adult—you must be filial to your elders, care for your husband, raise your children, and maintain harmony with relatives and neighbors. You must have your own judgment in all matters..."
She went on at length about the principles of being a wife and daughter-in-law. Zhou Shaojin listened, nodding repeatedly. In addition to giving Zhou Shaojin a jade pendant as a birthday gift, Old Madam Guan also presented her with a set of red coral hairpins, hair clasps, and beaded flowers.
Zhou Shaojin widened her eyes in surprise.
Wasn't this the set Uncle Chi had bought for her when they passed by Fuyuan Street on their way back from Putuo Mountain with Old Madam Guo, which she had then given to her grandmother and Madam Mian?
Old Madam Guan chuckled and said, "I know you're filial. But your aunt and I are of an age where it's no longer appropriate for us to wear such things. Since it's your birthday now, we’re simply returning the gift to its rightful owner!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Zhou Shaojin felt a cool sensation on her wrist. Lifting her hand, she saw it was the string of eighteen-bead red coral Buddhist prayer beads.
Without her noticing, her sister had taken them out and put them on her.
"I could tell from the look in your eyes back then that you liked these prayer beads," Zhou Chujin said with a smile. "I kept them specifically to give to you. Now, the set is complete."
Zhou Shaojin clung to her sister's arm, at a loss for words.
Old Madam Guan smiled contentedly and said, "Alright, alright, let's take our seats! By next year on Shaojin's birthday, she’ll be a member of the Cheng family!"
Everyone laughed heartily.
Zhou Shaojin blushed crimson with embarrassment.
That evening, after seeing Cheng Jia off, Zhou Shaojin carefully removed the red coral jewelry and placed it in a box. Just then, Madam Mian arrived.
She dismissed the maids and elderly servants attending Zhou Shaojin, then smilingly took out a book. In a low voice, she said, "You’re about to be married. I originally planned to talk to you tomorrow night, but tomorrow I’ll be going with your sister to Chaoyang Gate to see you off for your wedding. So, I’ll explain the matters of the wedding night to you today, so you won’t be flustered and unsure when the time comes..."
As she spoke, she tucked the book into Zhou Shaojin’s arms and said, "Open it and take a look!"
Zhou Shaojin, with memories of her past life, naturally knew what this was.
Startled, she trembled, and the book fell to the ground, revealing images of entangled figures.
Madam Mian was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter.
Zhou Shaojin, however, turned pale.
She had only been thinking about marrying Uncle Chi as soon as possible—how could she have forgotten this aspect?
Being husband and wife naturally wasn’t just about gentle embraces and passionate kisses... There was also... the marital duties between couples...
She felt as if every bone in her body ached.Madam Mian naturally had no knowledge of her experiences, thinking she was merely frightened. Gently holding her in her arms, she whispered with a soft laugh, "Don't be afraid, every young lady must go through this... Just remember to be obedient to your husband... Don't make a fuss and call in the servants, or you'll embarrass him..."
Cheng Chi was already grown and had long been engaged in business outside, so he should have experience in such matters.
Madam Mian pondered this as she picked up the illustrated book, flipping through its pages while whispering to her.
Zhou Shaojin forced herself not to push Madam M away.
But by the time Madam Mian finished speaking, she was drenched in sweat, as if she had been pulled out of icy water.
Madam Mian grew suspicious.
Other young ladies would be too shy to lift their heads, so why did Shaojin... seem utterly terrified!
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Dear readers, apologies, I was a bit busy today and just finished proofreading. Mobile users, please refresh.
O(∩_∩)O~
PS: The next update will still be around nine o'clock tomorrow.
※ (To be continued ~^~)
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