Cheng Сhi's rеsponsе made Оld Маdаm Guо smilе until her eуes curved. When Zhou Shaоjin finаlly аddressеd hеr аs "Мothеr," Оld Маdаm Guo сould no longеr сontаin herself. She еmbracеd Zhou Shaоjin аnd jоуfullу рrаised, "Goоd сhild," then gеntlу instruсted hеr, "Hurrу аnd go to thе аncеstral hall with Si Lang. Оnce yоu'vе аcknоwledged yоur аnсestоrs, соmе bасk to kееp mе cоmpanу."
Zhou Shаоjin didn’t dаre lift hеr hеаd аt all.
Nanny Lu wаs surely the one whо had eavеsdropрed оn thеir wedding night.
In hеr previous life, when she married Lin Shisheng, perhaps fearing that Lin Shisheng still held feelings for the eldest daughter of the Mu family, Old Madam Lin had personally listened outside their chamber.
The two slowly exited the main room of Tingxiang Courtyard.
As expected, Cheng Chi called for a sedan chair. While carrying her toward the ancestral hall, he spoke to her: "...When you came a few days ago, Tingxiang Courtyard wasn’t yet renovated. It was originally intended for you to entertain close female friends. After Mother moved in, I added a covered corridor in front of the main room, which works well as a reception hall. Once the family guests leave and Mother moves back to Heshou Hall, you can use this place not only to receive female visitors but also to give instructions to the stewardesses... The ancestral hall is newly built, and we are the first couple to worship our ancestors there..."
In the future, when they grew old and passed away, their memorial tablets would be placed in the ancestral hall by their descendants, forever receiving offerings from later generations.
They would pledge their love in this residence, and here they would raise generations of descendants, growing old together...
With this thought, Cheng Chi suddenly felt the scenery before him grow more beautiful.
Zhou Shaojin, however, felt extremely uneasy.
She sat in the sedan chair while Cheng Chi walked beside her, supporting it. When she looked up, she saw the lakes and mountains of the inner residence, but when she looked down, she could only see Cheng Chi’s jet-black hair and the white jade lotus hairpin holding it in place.
It felt as though she were sitting on Cheng Chi’s shoulders.
She was even more afraid of being seen by others.
Because of their wedding, nearly all of the Cheng family’s relatives and old friends who could attend had come, and those who couldn’t had found ways to be there. Since most were not from the capital, they were all staying in the East Courtyard. To reach the ancestral hall, they had to pass through the East Courtyard.
If anyone saw her like this, she would undoubtedly be labeled as someone who flaunted favor and acted spoiled. Worse still, she might even be accused of arrogance and disrespect toward elders, which would ruin her reputation forever.
Even if this had been arranged by Old Madam Guo, she couldn’t possibly explain it to everyone she encountered.
Others might even think she was using a minor privilege as an excuse, trying to cover up the truth.
She bent over and gently pushed Cheng Chi’s shoulder, whispering, "Fourth Master, I... I should get down and walk! I’m fine, really!"
Cheng Chi knew she was timid and cautious, and that she was uncomfortable. How could he bear to make things difficult for her?
But letting her walk to the ancestral hall, he truly feared she wouldn’t be able to manage.
If anyone was to blame, it was his own insatiable desire.
Yet he hadn’t expected it to be this severe.
Now, regret was too late.
Cheng Chi whispered, "When we reach the entrance of the ancestral hall, we’ll walk in together."
This was also a sign of respect toward their ancestors.
Zhou Shaojin nodded repeatedly.
When they reached the black threshold at the entrance of the ancestral hall, Cheng Chi helped Zhou Shaojin down from the sedan chair. Knowing she had to walk in on her own, he couldn’t help but ask, "Can you manage?"
Zhou Shaojin was too embarrassed to discuss such matters with him and hastily nodded in flustered agreement.
Cheng Chi smiled and accompanied her into the ancestral hall.
Chief Steward Qin was assisting with the offerings in the ancestral hall.
He looked at Cheng Chi and Zhou Shaojin with heartfelt relief, handing them incense and candles respectively. He then led them to kowtow before the ancestral tablets.The ancestral hall still carried the scent of tung oil lacquer, and the spirit tablets were newly made. It lacked the depth of a century-old clan and the steady, introspective refinement honed by the passage of time.
Chief Steward Qin, feeling a mix of emotions, earnestly said to Cheng Chi, "A new beginning brings new growth. You must branch out and flourish, strive diligently, and together with your brothers, uphold the Cheng family's standing."
Cheng Chi respectfully replied, "Yes."
Zhou Shaojin knew he was no ordinary servant but a benefactor of the Cheng family. Without the Qin family, there might not be the Cheng family as it stood today—Cheng Chi’s senior brother owed them much.
She hurriedly followed with a respectful bow of her own.
Chief Steward Qin’s eyes revealed a gratified, elderly smile.
On the way back, Zhou Shaojin insisted on walking on her own.
Cheng Chi did not press her.
The two slowly made their way toward the main hall.
Fortunately, the main hall was not far from the ancestral hall. Just as Zhou Shaojin was encouraging herself for the third time not to stop, they arrived.
The foundation was of blue bricks, the walls whitewashed, the roof ridge gray, and a plaque painted in black, white, and gold bore the three characters "Pan Zong Tang."
These characters were inscribed by Cheng Jing himself.
They were written in the typical "Guan Ge" style.
Yet each character was as large as a dipper, round and full, upright and balanced, exuding considerable presence.
This was now the hall name of the eldest branch.
Taken from the "Records of the Grand Historian: Annals of Emperor Xiaowen," it symbolized the prosperity of descendants and the family’s steadfastness, as solid as a rock.
Thinking of Chief Steward Qin’s earlier exhortation, Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but feel secretly relieved. Thankfully, she had shared a room with the Fourth Master; otherwise, how disappointed these elders, who placed boundless hopes in Cheng Chi, would have been!
"They’re here, they’re here! The bridegroom and bride are here!" a maidservant cheered, her voice brimming with joy.
Zhou Shaojin’s mood couldn’t help but brighten as well.
Smiling, she followed Cheng Chi into the main hall.
The room was packed with people. On the east side were the various masters and young masters; on the west side, the various madams and ladies. In the center stood a pair of empty grand chairs, flanked left and right by a man and a woman.
Even from a distance, Zhou Shaojin would not mistake the woman—it was Madam Yuan.
She wore a bright red, gold-patterned full-sleeved jacket and the hairpins and ornaments of a third-rank lady, her smile not quite reaching her eyes as she watched Cheng Chi and Zhou Shaojin.
The man wore a sapphire-blue brocade robe with auspicious cloud and floral patterns. He bore a five or six out of ten resemblance to Cheng Chi, with a scholarly and gentle demeanor, yet an undeniable authority lingered between his brows. Slowly, he merged with Zhou Shaojin’s memory of Cheng Jing.
Seeing them enter, he smiled at them with heartfelt satisfaction.
A master of ceremonies announced cheerfully, "The newlyweds bow to the Old Master and Old Mistress… then present tea to the elder brother and sister-in-law!"
Cheng Chi and Zhou Shaojin knelt on the prepared brocade cushions and bowed to the grand chairs draped with red satin embroidered covers, then presented tea to Cheng Jing and Madam Yuan.
Cheng Jing and Madam Yuan each took the teacups, sipped symbolically, and gave gifts in return.
Zhou Shaojin, in turn, presented shoes and socks as her reciprocal gift.
Nanny Shang and Biyu assisted them nearby—one responsible for distributing the shoes and socks, the other for carefully storing the gifts received, while silently noting who had given what. Later, back in the bridal chamber, they would record the accounts. These would serve as the basis for future interactions and gift exchanges with these families.
Fortunately, Cheng Chi’s seniority was high, so there were few who could receive their bows. Cheng Shao was especially amiable, his gaze toward Zhou Shaojin full of affection. As for peers and juniors, Zhou Shaojin only needed to stand, curtsy in return, or smile and nod.As Cheng Jia had said, Cheng Xiao's husband Yuan Ming was particularly fond of joking. Others at most added a congratulatory remark when betrothals were arranged. Yet he laughingly teased Cheng Chi, saying, "Uncle Chi, Uncle Chi, how can you put me in such an awkward position—my aunt is so young. When I bring my daughter back to visit, won't I have to take care of a little aunt or uncle still in the cradle?"
Yuan Bieyun stepped forward and slapped the back of his head, saying, "Where is your daughter? You talk nonsense all day without any seriousness."
Yuan Ming was tall and handsome, with striking features.
At this moment, his cowering and scurrying appearance was completely at odds with his stature, causing a burst of laughter in the main hall.
In contrast, Gu Xu appeared mature beyond his years, respectfully stepping forward to bow to Zhou Shaojin and addressing her as "Fourth Aunt."
Being called "Aunt" by someone so much older than herself, and one who carried such a dignified and upright demeanor, made Zhou Shaojin feel immense pressure.
Compared to him, Cheng Sheng's husband Peng Zao was a shy young man.
When he bowed to Zhou Shaojin, she couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
As for Yuan Bieyun, Gu Jiuniao, and other close friends of Cheng Chi, they were much more composed. Although their eyes held a hint of teasing smiles, it was all directed at Cheng Chi. When it came to her, they showed great respect.
After meeting the adults who had established families and careers, it was the children's turn.
Leading the way was the Cheng family's eldest son and grandson, Cheng Xu.
Compared to his previous cheerful and sunny disposition, Cheng Xu had now become quiet and withdrawn.
Expressionless, with lowered eyelids, he stepped forward to bow to Cheng Chi and Zhou Shaojin. After accepting the red envelope and socks Cheng Chi handed him, he retreated to the side without glancing at Cheng Chi or Zhou Shaojin or uttering a single word.
Zhou Shaojin had no intention of engaging with him either, feeling this was for the best.
After he withdrew, her face brightened with a radiant smile as she accepted the bows from Young Master Guo and others. She then went with Cheng Chi to the west side to pay respects to the various madams and ladies.
She was unaware of the helpless and pained gaze Cheng Xu lifted to rest upon her.
Today was Cheng Chi and Zhou Shaojin's joyous occasion; who would pay attention to a junior hiding in the corner?
Naturally, no one in the main hall noticed his unusual behavior.
After the family introductions, Cheng Chi remained in the main hall, while Zhou Shaojin was taken to Tingxiang Courtyard.
Biyu was extremely anxious, saying, "Fourth Madam, I must return to our room first—we received so many meeting gifts today, and I'm afraid I'll mix them up later."
Although the Cheng family had few elders, they had many relatives and old friends.
Zhou Shaojin hurriedly replied, "Then go back quickly! You don't need to attend to me here. I know all those serving by Mother's side, and with Nanny Shang accompanying me, it will be enough."
Biyu nodded and, with two maids carrying Zhou Shaojin's meeting gifts, returned to the bridal chamber.
Nanny Shang then stepped forward to support Zhou Shaojin, tactfully saying with a smile, "Fourth Madam, you've been busy all morning and must be very tired. Let me help you!"
Her assistance was different from others'.
She practically carried her as they walked.
Zhou Shaojin gave her a grateful look.
Upon arriving at Old Madam Guo's room, only two or three elderly ladies were seated. Besides Old Madam Guo, there were the widowed mother of Wu Xiuzao, the Chancellor of the Hanlin Academy, the mother of the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, and also the mother of Second Branch's Eldest Madam Hong's maiden family.Zhou Shaojin then belatedly remembered that Madam Hong's brother Hong Xiu was the Vice Minister of War and Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi, a dual-ranked scholar who passed the imperial examination in the twelfth year of Yongchang, the same year as the eldest branch's Old Master Cheng Shao.
This family connection... was truly complicated!
Zhou Shaojin could only break into a sweat.
Fortunately, although the relationship was complicated, the people themselves were not.
After several elderly madams accepted her tea and gave her gifts, Zhou Shaojin was led by Nanny Lu to the green gauze cabinet in Old Madam Guo's inner chamber.
"The Old Madam said," Nanny Lu smiled with even more enthusiasm than usual, "that the Fourth Madam has just entered the household and might not have slept well. She specifically called you here to rest in her room."
※
Here’s a book recommendation for everyone.
Fun and Plenty Around This Palace
Author: Leidewen
Synopsis: After living a life of glory as Consort Duan of Emperor Heng and passing away peacefully in old age, she finds herself back at age seven, just entering the palace.
Given a second chance at life, she meets her little nemesis again.
You, stop right there—let this consort pinch your cheeks.
PS: Our updates remain from nine to five...
※ (To be continued ~^~)
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