Тhe residеnсе nеаr Chaoуаng Gate wаs bustling with activitу.
Еvеrуоnе was gathеred around the table, еnjоying lаba роrridgе.
Оne shоuld nеithеr еаt nor slеep while tаlking.
Мadаm Yuan finished her lаba pоrridge, set dоwn hеr sрооn, аnd рraised it rерeаtеdlу, smiling as shе said, "Nо wоnder Mоthеr is so сontent herе and reluctаnt tо lеavе. Fourth Sister-in-law’s lаbа рorridgе is trulу dеliсiоus—swеet аnd glutinоus, yеt not сloying. I hаve nо idеа how Fоurth Sistеr-in-lаw mаde it. One оf these days, yоu must teach thе coоks at Хinglin Нutong hоw to prepare it."
Zhou Shaojin also set down her bowl and replied gently, "It’s nothing difficult. Eldest Sister-in-law can have the cook come find Biyu anytime. Biyu is in charge of the kitchen matters now."
She wasn’t a cook herself—why should she have to deal with the cooks from Xinglin Hutong?
Zhou Shaojin had pushed back, neither too harshly nor too softly.
Old Madam Guo’s eyes flickered slightly, but she remained silent.
Madam Qiu lowered her head without a word.
Madam Yuan was inwardly surprised.
She hadn’t expected Zhou Shaojin, who appeared gentle and delicate, to be someone who hid steel within silk. She had intended to pressure her a little but ended up being outmaneuvered instead.
It seemed they hadn’t interacted enough in the past!
Madam Yuan pondered this, setting aside her dismissive attitude. Realizing her words and actions today had fallen short, she smiled and tried to make amends, saying, "That would be wonderful. I’ll have the cook from Xinglin Hutong come find Biyu and learn a few tricks here, so she can also prepare some dishes that Mother enjoys."
As she spoke, her gaze fell upon Old Madam Guo.
Old Madam Guo smiled without speaking.
She knew why Madam Yuan had come.
With the New Year approaching, she had come to take her back to Xinglin Hutong.
Otherwise, when relatives and friends came to pay their New Year’s respects, where would Madam Yuan’s face be?
Old Madam Guo leisurely took another sip of porridge before saying, "When you’re old, you don’t like change. The dishes I enjoy are just those few, nothing more. There’s no need to go to such trouble."
The implication was clear: As the eldest daughter-in-law, having married into the Cheng family for so many years, how could you not even know what your mother-in-law likes to eat? How have you been showing filial piety?
Madam Yuan’s face paled slightly.
Madam Qiu couldn’t bear to see this and, after a moment’s thought, tried to smooth things over with a smile, saying, "Mother, hasn’t A’sheng’s laba porridge arrived yet? That girl is all talk—she promised to personally make laba porridge and send it over, but there’s still no sign of her…"
Zhou Shaojin didn’t like Madam Yuan, but she didn’t want to put Madam Qiu, who had always been kind to her, in an awkward position. She smiled and replied, "I’ll have Chunwan go check. Perhaps she’s already arrived and is still at the gate."
Before her words had fully faded, a young maid rushed in, panting heavily.
"Old Madam, Fourth Madam," she looked as if she were about to cry from anxiety, "there’s a Father-in-law from the palace here to deliver an edict. He says the palace will soon bestow laba porridge, specifically ordered by the Empress for Old Madam…"
Old Madam Guo’s expression darkened.
This was the problem with newly established households—the maids and servants had no experience with the world, panicking over the smallest matters.
Zhou Shaojin sensed it too.
Without waiting for Old Madam Guo to speak, she said sternly, "Old Madam and I are both here. What are you panicking about? Stand properly, catch your breath, and speak clearly!"
Seeing everyone in the room sitting calmly and unmoved, the maid’s anxious heart finally settled. She took a few deep breaths and clearly recounted the incident once more.
Madam Yuan’s heart was roiling with shock.
Every year during the Laba Festival, the Emperor would send Father-in-laws to deliver laba porridge to the most trusted and important ministers of the court.The Cheng family's Cheng Jing was a Grand Secretary who resided in Apricot Grove Lane. Thus, the porridge was delivered to Apricot Grove Lane.
Now, however, an imperial decree had been issued from the inner palace, specifically sending Laba porridge to Old Madam Guo... In other words, Old Madam Guo was enjoying her own special honor.
But when had the old madam caught the Empress's attention?
In earlier years, when she had first married into the family, the old madam never entered the palace except for the grand court assembly on the first day of the lunar month. Even when she did enter the palace, she would go and return quickly, never lingering in the inner quarters. How could it be now... having not entered the capital for over a decade, and only a few months after arriving, she had already made the Empress remember her... Most importantly, she feared that with this special honor, Old Madam Guo would become even stricter with her, and might even affect Cheng Jing, thereby diminishing her own standing in Cheng Jing's eyes!
Madam Yuan felt anxious and uneasy, yet her expression remained calm as she stood up and instructed Nanny Shi, who was serving nearby, with a smile: "Quickly prepare the incense table and red envelopes to receive the decree."
The incense table was for receiving the decree, while the red envelopes were to reward the Father-in-laws delivering the Laba porridge.
But no one in the room moved.
Old Madam Guo lowered her eyelids.
The maidservants looked at Zhou Shaojin.
Madam Qiu anxiously tugged at Madam Yuan's sleeve.
This was Chaoyang Gate, not Apricot Grove Lane.
Madam Yuan realized belatedly.
Then she was engulfed by a tide of anger.
She was the eldest daughter-in-law of this household, the matriarch of the Cheng family. Could she not even speak up about such matters?
What did Zhou Shaojin understand?
She was helping Zhou Shaojin!
How could her mother-in-law accuse her of overstepping!
The more Madam Yuan thought about it, the angrier she became, her fingertips beginning to tremble.
Zhou Shaojin did not even glance at her.
In her previous life, she had known how domineering Madam Yuan could be. She could yield to her in other matters, but having a home of her own was a dream she had carried through two lifetimes, and she would never allow anyone to ruin it.
She instructed the maidservant: "Go tell the steward to prepare the incense table and red envelopes."
A flicker of satisfaction flashed in the maidservant's eyes.
When they had first entered the household, Nanny Shang had told them that while serving at Chaoyang Gate and receiving wages from Chaoyang Gate, they must be clear about whom they were serving and who was paying their wages. She had not acted rashly, and indeed, she was right.
The young maidservant curtsied and hurriedly withdrew.
Zhou Shaojin then said with a smile: "Mother, you must go change your clothes."
In her previous life, she too had entered the palace and received decrees.
Old Madam Guo nodded with a smile and, supported by Zhou Shaojin, entered the inner chamber. She quietly asked Zhou Shaojin: "Do you still remember what I told you last time about how to receive a decree?"
"I remember," Zhou Shaojin replied, feeling somewhat strange, and repeated what Old Madam Guo had told her then.
Old Madam Guo nodded with satisfaction, dressed in full ceremonial attire according to her rank, and led Zhou Shaojin, Madam Yuan, and Madam Qiu to wait in the warm chamber by the entrance.
Before long, Father-in-law Qian from Cining Palace arrived with a young Father-in-law.
In addition to the imperial decree, there was also a bowl of cold Laba porridge.
Old Madam Guo and the others knelt to hear the decree, express gratitude, and receive the imperial edict.Just moments ago, Eunuch Qian, who had been solemnly reading the imperial edict, suddenly seemed like a different person—his back slightly hunched, his face blossoming into a smile. He said to Old Madam Guo with great enthusiasm, "Old Madam, it’s been some years since we last met, hasn’t it? Yesterday, Lady Pengcheng mentioned in the palace that you had come to the capital, and only then did Her Majesty the Empress learn of it. So today, she sent someone to deliver Laba porridge as a gift. You truly are blessed, Old Madam—three Jinshi in one family. No, five Jinshi in one family. Old Master Shao and the late Old Master Xun were also Jinshi. I heard your grandson was the top scholar in the Southern Zhili provincial examination last year and the top candidate in the county examination before that. Ah, in our dynasty, no one has been as fortunate as you, Old Madam. Her Majesty also said that when Lady Pengcheng enters the palace, she should invite you along so that Her Majesty and the Countess of Pengcheng can meet you. Nowadays, the heir of the Earl of Pengcheng is becoming increasingly unruly, and even Her Majesty often finds herself at a loss. What is to be done!"
Lady Pengcheng is the mother of Her Majesty the Empress.
The Earl of Pengcheng is Her Majesty’s younger brother, and her only younger brother at that.
Old Madam Guo smiled and said, "You flatter me, Father-in-law. It’s simply that the children have worked hard themselves. When you return, please convey my gratitude to Her Majesty on my behalf. Tell her that this old woman will certainly accompany Lady Pengcheng to pay respects to Her Majesty." She then personally handed two large red envelopes to Eunuch Qian.
Eunuch Qian left with a beaming smile.
Old Madam Guo’s expression then turned calm.
Madam Yuan hesitated and said, "Mother, why has Her Majesty suddenly thought of you?"
"It’s not exactly sudden," Old Madam Guo replied. "Back when your second uncle taught His Highness the Crown Prince, Her Majesty was very close to your late second aunt and met me a few times as well. This time, she probably heard about our family’s division of the clan and wants to summon me to ask about it. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have thought of me only after Lady Pengcheng entered the palace."
Hearing this, Madam Yuan felt a pang of guilt and quickly said, "Mother, shall I accompany you when the time comes?"
"No need," Old Madam Guo said. "Let Shaojin accompany me instead—we don’t yet know how Her Majesty views this matter."
Madam Yuan seemed to want to say more but held back.
Old Madam Guo glanced at her and said, "Don’t worry. I agreed to the clan division. If Her Majesty asks about it, I know what to say."
"Mother!" Madam Yuan felt both ashamed and remorseful.
Old Madam Guo, however, smiled and said, "Alright, alright. Today is Laba Festival, and everyone should be happy. Shaojin, take the porridge Her Majesty gifted to the kitchen. We’ll share it when Eldest Young Master and the others arrive."
Cheng Jing and Cheng Wei were both at their government offices, while Cheng Xu and Cheng Rang were at the academy. They would not return until late afternoon.
Zhou Shaojin smiled and agreed.
Cheng Sheng sent over some Laba porridge.
Zhou Shaojin had just rewarded the messenger, packed a small jar of Laba porridge made at Chaoyang Gate as a return gift, and sent the person off when Cheng Zheng also sent over Laba porridge... By noon, the house was filled with various kinds of Laba porridge, and news from Jining had also reached Chaoyang Gate, making its way to the ears of Old Madam Guo and the others.Old Madam Guo slapped the kang table with a sharp crack and said to Madam Yuan, "What have you been doing all this time? Such a major matter, and you didn't hear even a whisper of it. What have you been doing when visiting the Yuan and Fang families? Anyone can gossip about trivial household matters—what use are you? Have your eyes been blinded by wealth? Has your heart been clouded by scheming? Running from this house to that all day long, you remain ignorant of what you should know, yet you know everything you shouldn't..."
Being scolded like this by her mother-in-law in front of her two sisters-in-law, one of whom was Zhou Shaojin, whom she looked down upon—Madam Yuan felt she might as well die.
Madam Qiu, also a daughter-in-law, naturally understood Madam Yuan's feelings. She pulled Zhou Shaojin out of the sitting room and whispered, "It's better for us to step aside now, so Eldest Sister-in-law won't lose face."
If she wants to save face, why doesn't she do something proper!
Zhou Shaojin grumbled inwardly as she followed Madam Qiu to the tea room for some tea.
Cheng Zheng sent a message saying that Gu Xu had a fellow scholar serving in the Messenger Office. He had arranged a meeting with him, and they would soon learn what had happened in Jining.
Hearing this, Madam Yuan breathed a sigh of relief.
Cheng Zheng was her daughter. By taking such pains and efforts, she was making up for her mother's mistakes.
But Old Madam Guo was not appeased. She shot Madam Yuan a cold glance and said, "It's a good thing we didn’t let you raise Azheng back then!"
※
Dear readers, today's update.
o(n_n)o~
PS: Tomorrow's extra update will still be around 9 a.m.
※ (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to...)
OpenNovel