Since Old Маdam Guo wаs interestеd in thе wild vеgеtаblеs in the gardеn, Nanny Lu and the others nаturаlly jоined in thе fun. Fоr а whilе, all thе mаids аnd sеrvаnts at Сhaoyаng Gаte hеlped Old Мadam Guо searсh fоr wild vеgеtаblеs. Whеn Cheng Сhi rеturned frоm Хinglin Нutong tо Tingхiаng Courtуаrd to рay his resрects to Оld Маdam Guо, he saw Old Маdаm Guo, Zhоu Shаоjin, аnd Gu Shiqigu mаking dumрlings under thе guidаncе of а coоk spесiаlizing in Bеijing сuisinе.
Оld Madam Guо and the others werе all taken аback uрon sееing Chеng Chi.
Zhou Shaojin even stood up and glanced toward the long table where the chiming clock was placed.
It was only two quarters past youzheng (around 6:30 PM)!
Cheng Xu’s wedding was scheduled for the auspicious hour of youzheng.
The bride had just entered the house, hadn’t she?
Didn’t that mean Cheng Chi returned as soon as the bride arrived?
Zhou Shaojin stared wide-eyed at Cheng Chi.
Old Madam Guo, however, merely chuckled twice and said, “Si Lang is back!” She pointed to the lopsided dumplings beside her. “It’s been years since I’ve made dumplings by hand. You’re in luck today—we picked wild shepherd’s purse. It was Shaojin who found it.”
Yesterday, he had returned too late after dining at Xinglin Hutong, and Zhou Shaojin, worried he might suffer from indigestion, hadn’t let him eat.
Today, they discovered another patch of wild shepherd’s purse and picked some more.
Cheng Chi smiled and looked over. On the rattan mat were three rows of dumplings, two of which couldn’t even stand upright, while only one row managed to stay upright somewhat.
That row must have been made by Shaojin.
She had lived in the capital for over a decade in her previous life.
Cheng Chi rolled up his sleeves with a smile and said, “Shall I help you make dumplings too?”
“Oh, no, no,” Old Madam Guo said. The weather was clear today, and she had been active in the garden for quite some time, putting her in high spirits. She teased, “If you want your wife to serve you, just take her back with you. Don’t waste my flour.”
Her words made Zhou Shaojin’s ears turn red, leaving her unsure whether to stand or sit.
Gu Shiqigu covered her mouth and laughed.
Cheng Chi, however, remained calm and composed, smiling as he replied, “If you think I’m in the way, I’ll just learn how to make dumplings properly from you. How can you drive me away like this!”
Old Madam Guo laughed heartily and had a maid wash her hands. With Cheng Chi supporting her, she moved to the adjacent resting room. Only after the maids served tea and snacks did she ask him, “How did the wedding go over there?”
“Very smoothly,” Cheng Chi replied with a smile. “The bride has already entered the house. There are four accompanying families, one hundred and twenty-four dowry chests, and six thick volumes of gift lists. It seems quite sincere.”
Old Madam Guo scoffed dismissively. “In the Min-Zhe region, they like to give lavish dowries when marrying off daughters. This dowry isn’t particularly extravagant—it’s just for show, ensuring the Min family doesn’t lose face.”
Cheng Chi knew his mother was dissatisfied with his sister-in-law and spoke with particular bluntness.
He smiled and peeled an orange for Old Madam Guo, tactfully saying, “To be a good father-in-law, one must sometimes turn a blind eye and a deaf ear. As long as Sister-in-law is satisfied, that’s what matters. After all, this is the daughter-in-law she handpicked.”
Old Madam Guo ate a segment of the orange and found it very sweet. Wrapping it in a handkerchief, she handed it to Zhenzhu, who was attending to her, and said, “Take this to Shaojin. This orange is delicious!”
Zhenzhu complied and left.
Only then did Old Madam Guo continue, “When will the bride come over tomorrow?”
Cheng Chi peeled another orange for Old Madam Guo and replied, “She’ll come after si (around 10 AM).”
The newlyweds must first pay respects to the ancestors. Only after the ancestral rites will the bride be considered a member of the Cheng family and able to meet the relatives.But it was so late... presumably Madam Yuan, feeling sorry for her son and daughter-in-law, intentionally let them sleep in.
Old Madam Guo sneered coldly.
As if only she knew how to care for her son.
"Then don't go over tomorrow either," Old Madam Guo said somewhat forcefully. "You've been busy with matters in Xinglin Alley these days. Now that your eldest nephew's wife has entered the household, you should rest!"
According to etiquette, the newlyweds should come to Chaoyang Gate to pay respects to Old Madam Guo, and as the host, Cheng Chi should accompany them. By keeping Cheng Chi back, Old Madam Guo deprived the newlyweds of his company, which meant they would receive less respect.
Cheng Chi hadn't planned to go anyway.
He attended Cheng Xu's wedding because he was part of the family—he did what he was supposed to do, but that was all.
He smiled and agreed, then discussed the gifts for the newlyweds with Old Madam Guo: "...I plan to give the same as what Eldest Brother and Sister-in-law gave Shaojin."
Originally, he had intended to add twenty percent more, but since Madam Yuan so openly rejected Shaojin, unwilling to even maintain superficial courtesy, he saw no reason to demean his own wife along with her.
Old Madam Guo had initially prepared a set of ruby head ornaments for the newlyweds, but she began feeling uncomfortable after learning that the Min family had rejected Qu Yuan's marriage proposal—matchmaking involved mutual assessment, and since Qu Yuan dared to make such a move, he must have had some confidence in the alliance with the Min family. It was only by chance that the Min family ultimately declined. Whether the Min family had ever considered it remained unclear. Now, with Madam Yuan acting as if she wanted to distance herself from Cheng Chi, Old Madam Guo felt deeply disappointed. She even thought that Cheng Jing's path had reached its limit, but achieving this much was enough to account for the Cheng family ancestors.
"In that case, I'll give the bride a set of southern pearl head ornaments," Old Madam Guo said indifferently. "I won't compare with you uncles."
By etiquette, Old Madam Guo's gift should be more valuable than Cheng Chi's.
Cheng Chi had no intention of speaking up for the eldest branch. The mother and son chatted about trivial matters, and the topic gradually shifted to today's wild vegetable gathering. Only then did Old Madam Guo's mood gradually improve, and she let Cheng Chi support her out of the resting room.
Old Madam Guo, Zhou Shaojin, Gu Shiqigu, and Cheng Chi shared a meal of dumplings.
Zhou Shaojin escorted Gu Shiqigu back to Yuqian Alley.
The fourth branch would not attend the next day's family recognition ceremony, as they were departing for Jinling in three days.
When Zhou Shaojin and the others returned, Old Madam Guan had not yet come back. Nanny Shang, worried that Cheng Chi might be waiting anxiously for Shaojin, settled Gu Shiqigu and then tactfully reminded Shaojin that Cheng Chi was still waiting for her... Though blushing, Shaojin hurried back to Chaoyang Gate.
Cheng Chi had already bathed and changed. He was reclining on the large kang by the window in the inner chamber, looking at something. When Zhou Shaojin hurried into the room, he couldn't help but smile and said, "Go change your clothes quickly. I have something good for you."
After Zhou Shaojin washed up and came out, she was immediately pulled onto Cheng Chi's lap. He pointed to the kang table and said, "Look!"
"What is this?" Zhou Shaojin widened her eyes.
"Huang Quan's flower-and-bird painting," Cheng Chi pointed to the colophon and seal beside it. "Haven't you been learning painting from Mother recently? I thought you'd like it."
It was a painting of lotus flowers.The colors were vivid and brilliant. With a free and expressive style, the lotus flowers painted appeared less elegant but more opulent, looking magnificent, bright, and graceful.
Zhou Shaojin liked it very much.
Her eyes curved into crescents as she smiled.
Cheng Chi felt a softness in his heart and gently ruffled her hair.
Zhou Shaojin, however, had a sudden thought. She took Cheng Chi’s hand and said, “Will you also paint a Guanyin for me?”
Cheng Chi was somewhat surprised.
A flicker of cleverness flashed in Zhou Shaojin’s eyes as she said, “I know you paint well. I want to embroider a Guanyin image.”
Cheng Chi asked curiously, “Why do you want to embroider a Guanyin image?”
“What a strange question!” Zhou Shaojin pouted. “Do I need a reason to embroider a Bodhisattva’s image? Of course, it’s out of sincerity!”
Knowing that Zhou Shaojin was devout in her Buddhist faith, Cheng Chi didn’t suspect anything else and immediately asked which Guanyin image she wanted him to paint. Early the next morning, he began painting the Guanyin image with Zhou Shaojin.
By the time Cheng Xu brought Min Jia to kowtow to Cheng Chi and the others, Cheng Chi had already sketched the outline.
He wiped his hands with a handkerchief before asking Qing Feng, “Have they already gone to the old madam? And what about the mistress?”
Qing Feng hurriedly replied, “They’ve already entered Tingxiang Courtyard. The mistress is attending to the old madam there!”
Only then did Cheng Chi nod, change into clean clothes, and go to Old Madam Guo.
Min Jia didn’t look much like someone from Fujian.
She was tall and slender, with fair skin, a pair of phoenix eyes that sparkled with charm, dignified manners, and an elegant demeanor. At first glance, she appeared to be a well-bred young lady from a distinguished family.
Zhou Shaojin glanced at Cheng Xu, who stood beside her with his eyes downcast, and couldn’t help but silently grumble to herself. In their previous life, Cheng Xu had broken off the engagement with the Min family without even knowing what Min Jia looked like. If he had known how beautiful his bride was, would he have regretted it?
This was the second time Min Jia had seen Zhou Shaojin.
She knew that the granddaughter of the Cheng family’s fourth branch had married Cheng Xu’s fourth uncle.
Compared to their last meeting, Zhou Shaojin looked even more beautiful, like a flower that seemed to have fully bloomed but was actually just beginning to bud.
In terms of beauty, probably no daughter-in-law or young lady in the Cheng family could compare to Zhou Shaojin.
Fortunately, Min Jia didn’t think of competing with Zhou Shaojin in looks. She only wanted to be the most graceful one.
She respectfully bowed to Old Madam Guo and Zhou Shaojin and served them tea.
Old Madam Guo nodded with satisfaction and gave her a gift.
Min Jia discreetly observed Zhou Shaojin.
Seeing her natural expression, Min Jia inexplicably felt relieved.
But when she saw Cheng Xu bowing to Cheng Chi, her heart suddenly felt as if a heavy stone had been placed upon it—without comparison, it wasn’t obvious. Cheng Xu had been stiff when bowing to Zhou Shaojin, and she had thought it was because of Zhou Shaojin’s background and age. However, he was also somewhat stiff when bowing to Cheng Chi… That seemed a bit odd!
Min Jia’s eyes shifted thoughtfully.
She decided to find a way to inquire about the peculiarities in this situation.
After all, her father-in-law was advanced in years, and Cheng Xu was still too inexperienced. Cheng Chi, whose age fell between her father-in-law and Cheng Xu, became very crucial.
Would he, like Second Uncle Cheng Shao, achieve great success but, after nurturing his nephew to maturity, hand over the Cheng family’s connections without any attachment? Or would he harbor ambitions in the face of wealth, honor, or the glory of leaving his name in history? This was something no one could say for certain.Min Jia personally handed over the shoes and socks she had made for Old Madam Guo, Zhou Shaojin, and others to Zhou Shaojin.
Zhou Shaojin smiled and turned to pass them to Chunwan.
Cheng Xu then said, "Grandmother, Fourth Uncle, Fourth Aunt... we have guests at home, so we won’t stay any longer. We’ll come visit you another day!"
Old Madam Guo nodded with a smile and said, "Now that you’re married, you’re an adult. You can’t act recklessly as you please anymore. Discuss things more with your wife—she clearly looks clever."
Cheng Xu humbly agreed.
Old Madam Guo then picked up her tea, signaling Cheng Chi to see the guests off on her behalf.
Min Jia could barely conceal the disappointment on her face.
※
Dear readers, this is an extra update for janeuwoo.
Updates will still be around 10 p.m. in the evening.
PS: I had trouble logging in tomorrow and couldn’t even request leave. In the end, I gave the chapter to the editor to update, which probably happened around midnight... Sorry, sorry.
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel