Тhе mаrriаgе аlliancе bеtwееn thе Min and Chеng fаmilies had bеen discussеd fоr а lоng timе, аnd even thоugh Min Jia was raised in the innеr сhambеrs, she hаd hеаrd bits аnd piесеs аbоut it.
It had bеen over а dеcаde since аny membеr of the Мin fаmilу hаd risеn tо thе positiоn оf Grand Sесrеtarу or еntеred the саbinet.
Sоme resourсes are еаsу to рreserve, but оnсе lost, rеbuilding thеm bесоmеs difficult.
Тhus, in rеcеnt yеars, the Мin familу hаd аctеd sоmеwhаt hastily, and thеir conduct inevitablу appеared rеstless.
Тhе marriаge between the Cheng and Min families was intended to foster mutual support in the imperial court. However, within the Min family, opinions were divided on this alliance. One faction believed that the Cheng family, with its own ambitions for a cabinet position, might not be able to assist the Min family. Another faction felt that the Cheng family’s eldest branch was currently at the height of its power, and the two families could potentially advance side by side.
Min Jia understood her responsibilities upon marrying into the Cheng family and did not have excessive expectations of Cheng Xu. As long as he respected her and granted her the dignity she deserved, that would suffice.
What she hadn’t anticipated was Cheng Xu’s lack of composure.
If he wished to advance further, he could not do so without the support of his fourth uncle, who was now gaining a prominent reputation among scholars.
Had he not yet realized this?
Her brothers had praised Cheng Xu endlessly. Were her brothers and father exaggerating, or was Cheng Xu simply too young and sometimes lacking in tact?
She unconsciously bit her lip. It wasn’t until she boarded the sedan chair with Cheng Xu and it swayed its way toward Apricot Grove Lane that she took a deep breath and decided to discuss the matter thoroughly with her brothers during the customary three-day return visit.
As her thoughts wandered, she remembered that Fang Xuan would marry her brother in March, and her expression softened.
She and Fang Xuan got along very well, and the thought of having such a sister-in-law in her natal family brought her comfort.
The sedan chair soon arrived at Apricot Grove Lane, where Madam Qiu personally helped her alight.
Min Jia was pleased by her in-laws’ regard for her, and the earlier displeasure at Chaoyang Gate was quickly suppressed.
The Cheng family had few relatives but many old acquaintances. Fortunately, she had done her homework before the wedding. After serving tea and presenting shoes and socks to everyone, she had formed a general impression of them.
Noticing Wu Baozhang was also present, Min Jia glanced at her a moment longer before stepping forward to speak with her: “…Why didn’t Aunt Wen come with you? Fourth Uncle has just married. Second Uncle only has Uncle Rang, and I have no sisters-in-law to talk to. When do you plan to return to Jinling? If you have time, you should visit me more often.”
Wu Baozhang observed Min Jia’s elegant and luxurious attire and recalled the praises everyone had showered upon her earlier, inwardly sneering.
So what if you, the eldest daughter of the Min family, were doted on by your top scholar brother? You’re still picking up what Zhou Shaojin didn’t want. What’s there to be so proud of!
Though her mind churned with thoughts, her face wore a bright smile as she replied, “There are still matters to attend to at home, so how could my mother-in-law leave? We came for Uncle Chi’s wedding, and Father-in-law thought the capital was quite nice. He opened a tea shop near Xizhimen Gate. As for when we’ll return, it depends on Father-in-law’s plans. Sister-in-law, you are so amiable. When I have time, I’ll surely visit you often.”
The two exchanged words back and forth, and by the time Wu Baozhang took her leave, they had grown as intimate as old friends.
Min Jia personally escorted her to the moon gate.
Yet, as soon as Wu Baozhang stepped into her sedan chair, her expression darkened.She had expected to see Zhou Shaojin or Cheng Chi, but never imagined that Madam Yuan would use the excuse that Old Madam Guo needed attendants to send those two to Old Madam Guo's side.
What a stroke of luck for that Zhou Shaojin.
She just wondered what expression Cheng Xu wore when he kowtowed to Zhou Shaojin, offered her tea, and called her "Auntie"...
As she thought about it, she couldn't help but smile.
By the time Wu Baozhang's sedan chair left Apricot Grove Lane, the smile on Min Jia's face had faded.
She quietly asked Suyue, the personal maid who had served her since childhood, "Have you seen my mother-in-law?"
Suyue whispered, "Madam Yuan, the wife of Grand Secretary Yuan, and the second wife of the Fang family are about to leave. Madam is speaking with them!"
For this family recognition ceremony, the Yuan and Fang families had sent quite a few people.
Min Jia nodded and walked cheerfully toward the warm chamber where Madam Yuan was resting.
※
After seeing off Cheng Xu and Min Jia, Zhou Shaojin felt a wave of relief.
Could it be that the wedding matters were finally over?
She likely wouldn't have to entertain guests from Apricot Grove Lane for quite some time.
Zhou Shaojin happily went to the Fragrant Courtyard and said to Old Madam Guo, "Grandmother said she wants to visit our home tomorrow. She will soon be returning to Jinling Prefecture."
Old Madam Guo nodded, feeling somewhat sentimental. She had Zhenzhu fetch many nourishing herbs from the storeroom and sighed as she said to Zhou Shaojin, "I'm afraid we may rarely see each other again from now on."
Both Old Madam Guan and Old Madam Guo were advanced in years—one would not easily leave the capital, and the other would not easily leave Jinling. Once they parted, it would indeed be difficult for them to meet again.
Zhou Shaojin also felt a bit sad but comforted Old Madam Guo, saying, "Father-in-law's remains are still buried in Jinling. We will return every two or three years to pay our respects. How could we not see each other? The key is for you to take good care of your health."
"That makes sense," Old Madam Guo knew this was her daughter-in-law's way of comforting her, so she didn't dwell on the topic. Instead, she changed the subject, asking, "Will Si Lang resume his duties tomorrow? How is he doing at the Censorate? Has he encountered any difficulties?"
She was reminding Zhou Shaojin how to show concern for Cheng Chi.
Thinking of how Cheng Chi still had the energy to tease her, Zhou Shaojin's ears turned slightly red as she replied innocently, "Fourth Master only took four days off and will return to his duties at the yamen tomorrow. As for how Fourth Master is doing at the Censorate... I think you needn't worry about him. With Fourth Master's skills, if he wants to befriend someone, that person is sure to become a good friend of his."
Hearing this, Old Madam Guo smiled.
That was indeed Cheng Chi's nature.
It seemed Zhou Shaojin paid close attention to her son's affairs.
She nodded inwardly.
Cheng Chi was finally home today, and Zhou Shaojin didn't want to waste such a wonderful opportunity. She suggested, "Mother, why don't we go boating today? Let's bring Fourth Master along, and we can even paint at the Water Pavilion... The weather is so lovely today!"
Old Madam Guo thought it was a splendid idea upon hearing it.
Zhou Shaojin then instructed the maids to prepare the boat, asked the kitchen to prepare some snacks that could be enjoyed on board, and had the Water Pavilion tidied up—thick bedding was laid out where needed, and cushions were placed where appropriate. She then pulled Cheng Chi up from the armchair at his desk, muttering, "On such a fine day, even if you want to read, you should do it by the lake at the Water Pavilion. Staying in the study is such a waste of the scenery!"
Cheng Chi had no choice but to put down his book and accompany Zhou Shaojin to the Fragrant Courtyard.The maids and serving women bustled about, some fetching thick bedding, others going to the lakeside to summon boats, while still others carried incense burners, felt rugs, and the four treasures of the study toward the Water Pavilion by the lake. The usually quiet Chaoyang Gate became as lively as during the New Year festivities, with everyone in motion.
Old Madam Guo couldn’t help but feel quite emotional at the sight. She said to Nanny Lu, "I was originally worried that Shaojin was too childish, but now it seems this childishness has its advantages. Look how lively the household has become!"
Nanny Lu smiled warmly and replied, "It’s wonderful to have more liveliness in the house! Cold Green Mountain House was always too quiet in the past."
In high spirits, Old Madam Guo joked with Nanny Lu, "So it’s all my fault? Even if I wanted to make things lively, how could I manage it alone!"
Nanny Lu then pleased Old Madam Guo by saying, "When Fourth Madam gives you a plump grandson, the household will be even livelier."
Old Madam Guo nodded repeatedly.
The following day, after hosting a banquet for Old Madam Guan, they saw her off from the capital the next day. Upon returning to Chaoyang Gate, Min Jia, who had just returned from visiting her parents, sent a nanny with some local specialties from Fujian. Old Madam Guo handed them all over to Zhou Shaojin, asking her to handle them as she saw fit. Zhou Shaojin, in turn, delegated the task to Nanny Shang, letting her take care of it. As for herself, she continued her routine: waking up in the morning to see Cheng Chi off before going back to sleep, then spending her afternoons practicing calligraphy and painting at Tingxiang Courtyard.
When the breeze began to feel warm against her face, Cheng Jia came to bid them farewell—she was returning to Luoyang.
Zhou Shaojin entrusted her with many gifts for Zhou Zhen, Madam Li, and Zhu Zhu in Baoding Prefecture.
On the day Cheng Jia departed, Cheng Zheng, Cheng Xiao, and Cheng Sheng all came to see her off.
Zhou Shaojin, however, was feeling irritable.
Her monthly cycle had arrived again.
This time, no matter how Cheng Chi tried to comfort her, she couldn’t shake off her gloom.
She began to find time to embroider the painting of Guanyin Bodhisattva with a willow branch in a purification vase, which Cheng Chi had helped her sketch.
This was something she planned to send to Mount Putuo to pray for a child for herself and Cheng Chi.
Seeing her sullen mood, Cheng Chi couldn’t help but reflect on whether he had gone too far.
Although he had acted for her own good, what was the point if this "good" only made her unhappy?
Cheng Chi considered whether he should take Zhou Shaojin out for a stroll.
However, Madam Qiu came over to invite Zhou Shaojin to her home for a visit, explaining that Cheng Rang and the third daughter of the Xie family had finalized their engagement. The minor betrothal ceremony was set for the sixteenth day of the third month, and she wanted to invite Zhou Shaojin, along with a woman blessed with good fortune, to go and insert hairpins for the bride.
Zhou Shaojin naturally agreed happily. She took Madam Qiu to pay respects to Old Madam Guo and invited her to stay for lunch.
Madam Qiu didn’t stand on ceremony and began discussing the hairpin-inserting ceremony: "I originally wanted to invite Eldest Sister-in-law, but the sixth daughter of the Fang family is getting married, so she’s going over to help. I thought about asking you instead—after all, you are Rang’er’s aunt."
Zhou Shaojin nodded with a smile, recalling the year she and Cheng Chi went to insert hairpins for He Fengping, Cheng Gao’s wife. She quickly asked, "Who have you invited as matchmakers? Who is the woman blessed with good fortune? And who else will be going?"
"We’ve invited two of Second Master’s colleagues as matchmakers, and the third daughter-in-law of the Wu family as the woman blessed with good fortune. Asheng is pregnant, so I’m not sure if there are any taboos on their side. I’ve invited you, along with Azheng and A Xiao, the two sisters."
"I’ll make sure to dress beautifully then, so as not to embarrass Rang’er!" Zhou Shaojin said, her eyes curving into crescents.
Old Madam Guo and Madam Qiu both laughed.
Zhou Shaojin then took Old Madam Guo’s hand and explained how to insert hairpins for the bride, what auspicious words to say, and what taboos to observe.
These were all matters of social etiquette.
Old Madam Guo taught earnestly, and Zhou Shaojin learned with equal seriousness.On that day, Zhou Shaojin got up early, styled her hair in a falling horse bun, adorned it with a large kingfisher feather flower, and put on a sky-blue robe before preparing to go out.
Cheng Chi laughed, "Didn't you say you wanted to dress up beautifully?"
Zhou Shaojin smiled, "It was just talk—no matter how beautiful, I shouldn’t outshine the bride!"
Even so, she would likely still overshadow the bride.
Cheng Chi thought that even if his wife were to have five sons and three daughters in the future, she would rarely be the one to serve as the "full-fortune woman."
The couple went out together.
Cheng Chi headed to the Censorate, while Zhou Shaojin went to Cheng Wei’s place.
Unexpectedly, upon entering, she saw Min Jia.
She was also going to attend the minor betrothal ceremony for the third daughter of the Xie family.
※
Dear readers, today’s update.
Typos have been corrected.
O(∩_∩)O~
PS: Seeking pink votes...
※ (To be continued ~^~)
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