Аmong the femаlе relativеs who cаmе tо асknоwledge kinshiр, the one who did not go tо wаtch thе firewоrks wаs Yuаn Wеichаng's wifе.
Shе wаs sitting in thе warm сhamber spеаking with Mаdam Yuan: "Is the timе too tight? Whу does thе hоusеhоld аlwауs feel sо сhaоtiс? Yоur fathеr-in-law's grаvе remains in Jinling, уоur familу is split betweеn two plaсеs in thе cаpital, yеt thе аncеstrаl hаll hаррens tо bе loсatеd near Сhaоуаng Gatе. Yоur еldеst master is the firstbоrn son, yet the old lаdy lives with the уoungest sоn... Mаdаm, yоu must not take this lightly. These are matters that could lead to impeachment!"
"Who says otherwise!" Madam Yuan replied with a weary expression, smiling bitterly. "But what else can I do? Originally, my husband and I had discussed everything clearly. Before the New Year, we prepared the sacrificial fields and charitable estates. After the New Year, we selected an auspicious day to move the ancestral graves. Since the old lady used her own savings to buy the property near Chaoyang Gate for the Fourth Uncle, we didn't covet it and simply gave it to him. We planned to renovate the late father-in-law's small study to enshrine his memorial tablet, and clear out the western chamber of the main house for the old lady to live in...
"But once the old lady arrived, everything fell into chaos. Let alone other matters, just consider the ancestral hall. With a single word from the old lady, it was established at Chaoyang Gate. Then she said that as a widow, she feared it would be inauspicious and wanted to make room for Jiashan. Wouldn't that mean the Second Uncle's family would have to go to Chaoyang Gate every day to pay their respects to the old lady morning and evening? The old lady, out of affection for her daughter-in-law and grandson, insisted that the Second Uncle's family move to Chaoyang Gate. With no one at home to care for him, where else could the Second Uncle go but Chaoyang Gate? So now, only our eldest branch remains living in Apricot Grove Lane. Then she scheduled the Fourth Uncle's wedding before Jiashan's, holding the ceremony at the Chaoyang Gate residence, as if afraid that the officials of the Six Ministries and Three Courts wouldn't know she was living with her youngest son...
"Thinking about it, I admire my own thick skin.
"I haven't died of shame yet!
"And look at the Fourth Uncle's wedding—it was like adding flowers to brocade, or fueling a fire with oil, even more extravagant than a prince's wedding.
"What am I supposed to say?"
Yuan Weichang's wife couldn't help but frown and said, "Then what do you plan to do? You can't just let the old lady continue in such confusion!"
"What can I do?" Madam Yuan replied, filled with grievance. "As a daughter-in-law, if my husband doesn't speak up, what can I say?"
Yuan Weichang's wife asked, "What do you mean by that?"
Madam Yuan said discontentedly, "Our Fourth Uncle said that the old lady has lived in grand houses and courtyards all her life. There's no reason that in her old age, after raising three sons who passed the imperial examinations, she should have to live in a cramped three-section, five-courtyard house where one has to look up to see the sky. The implication is that the old lady will live with him at Chaoyang Gate from now on. Yet my husband just meekly agreed without a word."
Yuan Weichang's wife widened her eyes and said, "So you're just going to let it go?"
Madam Yuan replied, "He made his stance clear. In such a situation, could I have argued with him? However, I've thought it through. The eldest son inherits the family estate. No family divides while the old lady is still alive, and no family's old lady lives with the youngest son. If the old lady is determined to live at Chaoyang Gate, we'll move there too. At worst, we can move back to Apricot Grove Lane after the old lady passes away—it's not too late. If the Second Uncle and his wife can move in to care for the old lady, so can we!"Yuan Weichang's wife hesitated upon hearing this and said, "Don't rush into this matter. You must explain it clearly to Old Madam Guo. Otherwise, people might think you and your husband are trying to seize property. If word gets out, it would be terrible!"
"I know," replied Madam Yuan. "I haven't told anyone except you!"
Yuan Weichang's wife nodded.
Madam Yuan continued, "Don't worry about me. No matter what Old Madam intends to do, once we're done with these busy days, I'll have our Eldest Young Master speak to her about buying sacrificial fields, setting up a charitable estate, and moving the ancestral graves. By the time Jiashan gets married, we must bring Old Madam back home."
"That's good!" said Yuan Weichang's wife. "If you need me to step in for anything, just say the word."
Madam Yuan hurriedly thanked Yuan Weichang.
※
In the Tingxiang Courtyard, Madam Guo was also discussing this matter with Old Madam Guo: "...Although you used your own savings to buy this house for Si Lang, Eldest Young Master is still the eldest son. If you want Si Lang to live separately, that's fine, but you living here at Chaoyang Gate might make things difficult for Eldest Young Master. When Jiashan gets married, you should move back. If relatives ask, we can just say you were so happy about Si Lang's wedding that you stayed here for a few days. That way, everyone saves face—isn't that the best of both worlds?"
"Don't blame me for saying this, but you're too partial. Buying such a large house for Si Lang is enough to make anyone jealous. You haven't been fair, and I'm afraid Eldest Young Master's wife will feel uncomfortable."
Old Madam Guo disagreed and laughed, "If she's uncomfortable, I'm even more uncomfortable! Let me ask you: if I hadn't made such a fuss, would you have known that the house at Chaoyang Gate was a wedding gift from me to Si Lang?"
Madam Guo was taken aback. "What do you mean?"
"How much property did the family have when your uncle passed away? How much silver did we contribute when the family split? Did it fall from the sky?" Old Madam Guo said. "All of this was earned by Si Lang. Madam Yuan clamored for the family split, and Si Lang gave up everything he had. If I didn't compensate him a little, how could I live with myself? But I also don't want the eldest branch, having just split from Nine Prosperities Lane, to cause another scandal over dividing property as soon as I pass away. Then all our efforts now would be in vain!"
"You want to clarify the property division between the brothers now?" asked Madam Guo.
Old Madam Guo nodded. "I plan to divide the family while I'm still alive."
Madam Guo pondered for a moment. "Even brothers should keep clear accounts. It might not be a bad thing."
"So, this house is meant for Si Lang," Old Madam Guo said. "Now that everyone is here, it's the perfect time to make it clear."
Madam Guo couldn't help but shake her head with a smile. "If you were my mother-in-law, I'd be furious!"
Old Madam Guo retorted, "Why hasn't Madam Qiu died of anger?"
Madam Guo was left speechless.
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Madam Gu and Madam Qiu stood under the osmanthus tree in the garden, talking. "Your mother-in-law is truly generous—just look at this house," Madam Gu said, then lowered her voice. "Has your mother-in-law made any arrangements for you?"
She and Madam Qiu were cousins.Madam Qiu said, "You know how our family's master is—he's never been one to vie for such things. I also feel there's no need to compete. The silver belongs to Mother-in-law. Whomever she favors, she gives more to; whomever she doesn't, she gives less. That's entirely her own affair. As children, we just need to fulfill our own duties properly."
"You truly take after your aunt in temperament," Madam Gu said with a laugh. "But you're right. Your mother-in-law has an extremely strong-willed nature. Sometimes, the more you fight, the less she likes it. Look at your newly-wed sister-in-law—her disposition is gentle and soft, and your mother-in-law likes her best."
Madam Qiu chuckled, "That's because my mother-in-law favors Fourth Uncle the most!"
The two couldn't help but laugh.
Madam Gu hesitated for a moment before asking, "What are your plans for Rangge's marriage?"
Madam Shen wants to marry her youngest daughter into the family.
Madam Qiu really didn't dare make decisions about such matters. She smiled and said, "I think this matter should be discussed with the Old Madam. She has seen much of the world and will surely not be mistaken."
Madam Gu knew she would answer this way and burst into laughter, saying, "Well done! Others say rainy days are for keeping guests, but you say forming marriage ties means staying for Jiashan's wedding. You really know how to keep guests in your home!"
Madam Qiu pursed her lips in a smile and pulled Madam Gu along. "Let's go watch the fireworks. At the very least, we can find a place with heated floors to talk. Standing here has turned me into an icicle!"
The two exchanged smiles.
※
Meanwhile, Zhou Shaojin was mysteriously pulled by Cheng Jia into a corner of the tea room.
With a suggestive look, Cheng Jia whispered to Zhou Shaojin, "Is marriage good?"
It took Zhou Shaojin a long moment to understand Cheng Jia's meaning. She spat out a "Pah!" at Cheng Jia and immediately left the tea room.
Cheng Jia couldn't stop laughing.
Zhou Shaojin bumped right into Cheng Chi's chest.
"Be careful!" Cheng Chi swiftly steadied her and said, "Why aren't you watching the fireworks? Hiding here with Jia to share secrets?"
Zhou Shaojin hadn't seen Cheng Chi since the formal introductions in the main hall. Now, her heart bloomed with joy, and she had no mind to dwell on Cheng Jia's teasing.
She quickly asked, "Why are you here? Don't you need to attend to the guests?"
Cheng Chi smiled. "I wanted to see what you were doing... but I didn't find you... I ran into Madam Gu and Second Sister-in-law, so I said I was coming to pay respects to Mother..."
Cheng Jia popped out, calling cheerfully to Cheng Chi, "Uncle Chi!" and said, "Are you here to pick up Shaojin?"
Cheng Chi nodded at Cheng Jia with a smile.
Cheng Jia then winked at Zhou Shaojin and said, "Then you and my Fourth Aunt can talk slowly. I'll be off now."
Cheng Chi gave an "Mm" of acknowledgment.
But Zhou Shaojin felt Cheng Jia's smile was full of teasing, and she blushed deeply in embarrassment.
Cheng Chi asked with a laugh, "Did she bully you again?"
"No!" Zhou Shaojin instinctively denied. "I'm her aunt now. If she dares bully me, just see how I deal with her!"
Cheng Chi was surprised, then laughed heartily, hugging Zhou Shaojin tightly. "Let's go pay respects to Mother, then return to our room to rest. You've been busy all day and must be exhausted."
"I'm not tired!" Zhou Shaojin told Cheng Chi about resting in Old Madam Guo's green gauze cabinet all afternoon. "Is it alright for us to go back like this?""What's wrong with that?" Cheng Chi smiled. "Everyone is busy with their own affairs. Who would notice if the bride and groom are missing? Besides, I have something to give you!"
"Something for me?" Zhou Shaojin was quite surprised.
Cheng Chi then led her to the lakeside in the garden.
There was no one by the lake. The woods were dark and hidden in the shadows, and the cold wind blew, bringing a chill and a sense of desolation.
Zhou Shaojin tightly grasped Cheng Chi's hand.
Cheng Chi guided her to sit on a large bluestone, smiling as he said to her, "Look at your feet!"
The cool moonlight shone on the bluestone, where clusters of hexagonal frost flowers had formed, sparkling brilliantly as if blooming beneath her feet.
"This... this is..." Zhou Shaojin stammered, gazing at Cheng Chi.
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Dear readers, here is today's extra update.
The next update will be around nine tomorrow.
O(∩_∩)O~
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel