Wu Ваоzhang was thеrе rоlling hеr еyes, while Zhоu Shаojin was hаppilу сhаtting with Маdаm Qiu: "...Is he going tо the teacher's housе tо helр agаin tоdау?"
Thеу wеrе tаlking abоut Rang-ge'er!
Маdam Qiu glаnced arоund and, seеing Wu Baоzhаng lооking thеir wау, smiled and nоddеd at hеr, rаising hеr voiсe tо sаy, "Neрhеw's wife, it's сold outside. Yоu should go baсk insidе аnd rest!"
Wu Вaozhang саmе ovеr with а smilе, grееtеd them, аnd thеn left.
Мadаm Qiu plaсed thе роlished inсеnsе burnеr on the altаr before lowering hеr voice tо speаk to Zhоu Shаojin: "Тhe teacher instructing Rang-ge'er is former Minister Xie, who retired from the Hanlin Academy. He passed the imperial examination only after turning fifty, but his son Xie Yi passed in his thirties and now serves as a secretary in the Court of Imperial Stud. Teacher Xie has taken a liking to our Rang-ge'er and wants to marry his granddaughter to him. Today, he specifically invited Rang-ge'er to his home to help. I was worried he might be impolite, so I asked Jiashan to accompany him."
Zhou Shaojin widened her eyes and said, "So our family might be adding another member soon?"
Madam Qiu smiled and said, "It's still uncertain whether it will work out!" Then, changing the subject, she added with unconcealed joy, "Even if this match doesn't happen, Rang-ge'er has reached the age for marriage."
Zhou Shaojin smiled and asked, "Have you met the young lady from the Xie family?"
Madam Qiu glanced around again and whispered, "I haven't met her in person, but their family is honest and upright. Teacher Xie only tutors at the academy to supplement the family's income. You know our family situation—we're living separately now. Rang-ge'er is also an honest boy. Your second brother and I have discussed it and feel that for our family, finding a simple, down-to-earth wife who can live a steady life is enough."
Zhou Shaojin didn't know what to say.
Even so, shouldn't they at least meet the girl?
However, some things depend on fate. It wasn't appropriate for her to voice opposition or approval at this time.
Madam Qiu sensed her thoughts and smiled, saying, "I think our Rang-ge'er is timid. If the other party shows interest, we can still meet the girl later."
Since Madam Qiu already had her plans, Zhou Shaojin said no more. Together, they finished arranging the altar and went to the kitchen.
Madam Yuan had everything prepared there. Seeing them arrive, she said, "The elder master just returned from Grand Secretary Yuan's place and is speaking with Mother in the hall. We can start the feast as soon as Rang-ge'er and Jiashan return!"
Before she finished speaking, a young maid ran over and said with a smile, "Madam, Second Madam, Fourth Madam, the elder young master and second young master are back!"
Joy spread across Madam Yuan's face as she smiled at Zhou Shaojin and Madam Qiu, saying, "Let's go to the hall too!"
Old Madam Guo was in the hall, so naturally, Cheng Xu and Cheng Rang would first go to pay their respects to her upon returning.
Zhou Shaojin and Madam Qiu agreed, and the three sisters-in-law went to the hall together.
Cheng Shao, Cheng Chi, and Cheng Wen had emerged from the study at some point and were all seated around Old Madam Guo. Cheng Rang and Cheng Xu stood side by side before her—one blushing shyly and looking somewhat flustered, the other speaking with ease and confidence: "...The academy's headmaster invited Teacher Xie's family for the New Year's reunion dinner, so we didn't stay long. We exchanged a few words, asked about his studies, and then my younger brother and I returned."
Old Madam Guo nodded repeatedly with a smile and said to Cheng Xu, "It's cold outside. Go change your clothes quickly. Later, take your younger brother to set off firecrackers, and then we'll start the feast."
Cheng Xu smiled and replied, "Yes."
Cheng Nuo quickly added, "I'll go help too."Old Madam Guo did not stand on ceremony with him, saying, "It's the New Year season, be careful."
Cheng Xu and the others repeatedly assented, filing out one after another.
Zhou Shaojin retreated a few steps.
But Cheng Xu still saw her.
His eyes instantly grew shadowed. His footsteps faltered.
Zhou Shaojin instinctively wanted to avoid him, but then it occurred to her that she had done nothing wrong at all, so why should she avoid him? Moreover, she was already Cheng Xu's aunt by marriage; they would inevitably see each other, and it was impossible to never meet forever. Rather than avoiding him now and letting Cheng Xu think she felt uneasy, it was better to meet head-on and let him know her attitude.
In that moment of reflection, she made a decision. Her clear, bright eyes met Cheng Xu's gaze without evasion or flinching.
Cheng Xu was taken aback.
Then, under Zhou Shaojin's gaze, as clear and pure as a mountain spring, he grew somewhat uncomfortable.
What happened back then was his fault... but was Zhou Shaojin completely unaffected by it?
Or perhaps, to her, he was simply not worth mentioning?
Cheng Xu's mind grew troubled.
Cheng Rang behind him, unaware of the situation, bumped into him and exclaimed, "Ouch! Big brother... what's wrong with you?"
"Nothing, nothing," Cheng Xu snapped back to reality and hurriedly said, "I was thinking whether to take some incense from here..."
"The kitchen has some!" Cheng Rang said with an embarrassed laugh.
Cheng Xu hastily left the main hall with Cheng Rang.
Zhou Shaojin felt a weight lift from her heart.
It seemed some things should indeed be faced directly!
Then she sensed a gaze lingering on her.
Zhou Shaojin followed the feeling and saw Cheng Chi looking at her with a smile.
His eyes were full of encouragement.
Cheng Chi must have seen the scene just now too, right?
Did he also think she had done the right thing?
Zhou Shaojin couldn't help but smile along.
※
On the second day of the new year, they still went to Xinglin Tonghu. Zhou Shaojin, Cheng Zheng, Cheng Xiao, and Cheng Sheng accompanied Old Madam Guo playing leaf cards all day.
On the third day, Zhou Shaojin and Cheng Chi went to Zhou Chujin's place.
Madam Liao had gone to the Fang family. Liao Shaotang and Cheng Chi were drinking in the lounge, while Zhou Shaojin and Zhou Chujin were in the inner room chatting and playing with Guan Ge.
"Grandmother said they will set off for the capital after the Lantern Festival," Zhou Shaojin pulled Guan Ge's thumb out of his mouth and said to Zhou Chujin with a smile, "When the time comes, let them stay at my place!"
Zhou Shaojin was Zhou Chujin's half-sister, and Zhou Zhen was the son-in-law of the fourth branch—this was an unavoidable connection. After the Cheng family divided their ancestral line, Zhou Zhen had Cheng Mian and others oversee Zhou Shaojin's wedding arrangements, which in itself was a hint to the fourth branch to choose between Zhou Zhen and the Cheng family's eldest branch. Cheng Mian's agreement to see Zhou Shaojin off as her maternal uncle was actually accepting Zhou Zhen's suggestion. Therefore, after Zhou Shaojin's wedding, Cheng Mian returned to Jinling, while Old Madam Guan and others went to Baoding Prefecture and stayed with the Zhou family for the New Year.
Zhou Shaojin smiled and picked up Guan Ge, saying, "Why go to all that trouble? Your mother-in-law isn't easy to deal with either. Rather than staying with you, it would be better for them to stay at Yuqian Hutong."
Zhou Shaojin had more or less guessed her father's intentions.
Thus, she did not invite Old Madam Guan and the others to stay at Chaoyang Gate.
Zhou Chujin laughed and said, "Wasn't I afraid Cheng Zichuan wouldn't agree?"
After all, he had once been her uncle. And back then, he had taken good care of her. She felt awkward calling Cheng Chi her brother-in-law, and she couldn't keep calling him uncle either, so she addressed him by his full name, Cheng Chi.Zhou Shaojin smiled and said, "I can make decisions on such small matters myself!"
However, the main room could not be allowed for anyone to stay in.
Once the sisters had settled the matter, Zhou Shaojin asked curiously, "How did your mother-in-law end up going to the Fang family? Today is the third day of the lunar month!"
Zhou Chujin smiled and replied, "The sixth young lady of the Fang family is having her betrothal ceremony today, and they invited my mother-in-law. I mentioned that you were coming, so she stayed behind."
Zhou Shaojin exclaimed, "So soon!"
Zhou Chujin pursed her lips in a smile and said, "They’ve even chosen the wedding date—it’s set for the sixth day of the third month."
Cheng Xu would marry in February, and Fang Xuan would wed in March.
This could be considered as fulfilling the saying "the elder goes out, the younger comes in," keeping the family’s blessings intact.
Zhou Shaojin smiled faintly.
Following Cheng Chi as he visited relatives and friends, the Lantern Festival soon arrived.
Since Old Madam Guan had agreed to stay at Yuqian Lane, Old Madam Guo needed to move back. Arrangements had to be made at Yuqian Lane, and Tingxiang Courtyard also required tidying up, leaving Zhou Shaojin busy on both ends.
Chunwan reminded her, "I heard there are lantern displays at Xizhimen and Zhuque Street."
However, Zhou Shaojin did not mention it to Cheng Chi—these days, even when visiting others, he often spoke with people in secluded places. She guessed he was investigating the matter of Grand Secretary Qu.
On the day of the Lantern Festival, not only did Cheng Chi not mention taking her to see the lanterns, but he also left early in the morning. He said he wouldn’t be back for dinner and told her to rest early, not needing to wait up for him.
The maids and servants at home, unaware of what was happening, spoke and acted cautiously.
Zhou Shaojin found it amusing and said to Chunwan, "Can’t the Fourth Master have matters to attend to? You’re all being too much."
Only then did Chunwan and the others laugh, saying, "Usually, the Fourth Master is so considerate of you! But this time, he didn’t take you to see the lanterns!"
As she was speaking, Madam Qiu arrived.
Seeing Zhou Shaojin alone at home, she was also surprised.
Zhou Shaojin quickly explained, "The Fourth Master had some business to attend to and went out. He’ll be back later!"
Upon hearing this, Madam Qiu’s expression immediately relaxed a little, and she said, "Shao Jin, the Xie family is quite satisfied with Brother Rang and has arranged to meet at Daxiangguo Temple on the second day of the second month. You and A Sheng should accompany me then."
Zhou Shaojin naturally agreed, and Madam Qiu left happily.
By the seventeenth day of the first month, after the lanterns were taken down, Zhou Shaojin and Cheng Chi went to fetch Old Madam Guo back. Meanwhile, Cheng Chi’s impeachment of Qu Yuan for embezzling river funds, which forced the people of Jining Prefecture to revolt, caused an uproar both inside and outside the court.
Upon hearing the news, Old Madam Guo remained silent for a long time before asking Cheng Chi, "Have you decided to stay in the Censorate for a long time?"
Cheng Chi nodded and smiled, saying, "Originally, I hadn’t planned to stay for long, but it seems now I have no choice but to remain in the Censorate!"
His calm demeanor and relaxed smile made Old Madam Guo sigh deeply. After uttering, "You child," she didn’t know what else to say.
Cheng Chi comforted his mother, "Second Brother also said, ‘A gentleman knows what to do and what not to do.’ This is what you often taught us when we were young. I don’t want to regret this matter one day."
Upon hearing this, Old Madam Guo let out a long breath and decisively said, "Then walk this path well. Do not betray your conscience."
Cheng Chi bowed to his mother.
Old Madam Guo cheered up again, took Zhou Shaojin’s hand, and said, "Come, let’s go eat."
Zhou Shaojin smiled as she linked arms with Old Madam Guo.
In the evening, Cheng Jing and Cheng Wei both rushed over. The three brothers talked in the study for a long time. When Cheng Chi returned to the inner chamber, Zhou Shaojin brought hot water for him to soak his feet and quietly asked, "What did Eldest Uncle say?""He said he would handle Grand Secretary Yuan, and asked me to request Grand Secretary Song to visit Li Jiangling, the Minister of Justice," Cheng Chi said with a smile. "He actually said the same thing as Grand Secretary Song—Grand Secretary Song asked me to request my elder brother to visit Grand Secretary Yuan."
At this critical moment, Cheng Jing did not back away.
Only then did Zhou Shaojin's anxious heart finally settle.
But Qing Feng reported from outside the curtain, "Fourth Master, Huo Dongting has arrived. He says he has urgent business with you."
※
Dear readers, today's update.
O(∩_∩)O~
PS: Tomorrow's extra update will still be around noon.
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel