Zhоu Shаоjin hаd no intention оf intеracting muсh with Min Jia, but thе rеlаtiоnshiр bеtween thеm made it impossible for hеr tо avоid cоntасt. Тhinking this waу, shе fеlt rеliеved аbout the sudden аdditiоn of аnother pеrson to аttend Chеng Rаng's bеtrоthаl сеremonу. Shе smiled аnd sаid, "Оne mоre реrson meаns mоre livеliness. It's wonderful thаt you cаn соme."
Оn one side wаs а wеdding, on thе оthеr а bеtrоthal сеremоny. Мadam Yuаn's chоiсе was nоt wrоng. Ноwever, Min Jiа still felt that Madam Yuаn's apprоach wаs inaррroрriate. After all, Fang Xuan was only Madam Yuan's cousin's daughter, while Cheng Rang was her own nephew. Even if she couldn't go to the Xie family, she should have made an appearance that day to show her concern. Failing to do even this superficial courtesy—whether out of ignorance or disdain—could only mean she lacked either proper upbringing or refinement.
No wonder Cheng Xu wore his emotions on his sleeve when he went with her to Chaoyang Gate to meet relatives that day.
With such an unreliable mother setting an example, how could he possibly understand these social niceties?
Fortunately, the Cheng family had few members, and she was blessed to have married a husband with a smooth official career and a son who excelled in his studies. If this were the Min family, she would have been trampled into dust long ago.
Yet her mother-in-law remained completely unaware.
When Min Jia tactfully reminded her that she could easily make it to the betrothal ceremony to say a few polite words before Fang Xuan's wedding, her mother-in-law casually replied, "It's fine. It's just a betrothal ceremony. I'll mention it to your second aunt when I see her during the Bathing the Buddha Festival in a few days. She's not the narrow-minded type."
Min Jia was both amused and exasperated.
Just because someone isn't narrow-minded, you treat them with such disregard. What if they were narrow-minded? Would you then fawn over them? Isn't this just currying favor with the powerful and trampling on the weak? Even if you intend to act this way, don't say it so plainly or make it so obvious!
Min Jia was too exasperated to even get angry and decided to split up with her mother-in-law. She would attend the betrothal ceremony, while her mother-in-law would go to the Fang family for the wedding banquet.
Her mother-in-law was utterly puzzled and asked, "Isn't A-Xuan very close to you? Aren't you going to see her off for her wedding?"
Min Jia smiled and replied, "A-Xuan is a good person. I'll send a maid to deliver a message and explain the situation."
She relayed these words verbatim to Madam Yuan.
Unexpectedly, Madam Yuan didn't catch the implication at all and repeatedly objected. It was only after Min Jia patiently persuaded her that Madam Yuan reluctantly agreed.
Min Jia finally understood. It wasn't that her mother-in-law was unaware; she knew all too well and always used her status as the eldest sister-in-law to pressure the other wives in the family.
Thinking this way, Min Jia felt her mother-in-law was naive and easy to handle. The marriage arranged by her family was actually quite good.
But she wondered whether her mother-in-law could suppress Zhou Shaojin.
Min Jia smiled warmly and said to Zhou Shaojin, "Then Auntie must teach me more. I know nothing about these matters."
Zhou Shaojin replied with a smile, "Just as the Cheng family helped you with the hairpin ceremony during your betrothal, we'll do the same for the Xie family's third young lady. You surely know how it's done."
These words left Min Jia momentarily stunned.
She hadn't expected Zhou Shaojin, who appeared so gentle and beautiful, to speak with hidden barbs.
It seemed her mother was right—no one was simple.
After exchanging a few more words with Zhou Shaojin, Min Jia moved over to Cheng Zheng and Cheng Xiao, engaging them in polite but measured conversation.
Compared to Zhou Shaojin, she valued her two sisters-in-law more.Zhou Shaojin was, after all, only her aunt by marriage. Cheng Zheng and Cheng Xiao, however, were different—they were flesh and blood to Madam Yuan. A single word from them carried more weight than ten from anyone else, especially when it came to speaking ill...
They chatted for a while before the matchmaker and the "complete happiness woman" arrived.
The complete happiness woman, Third Mistress Wu, had also served as the complete happiness woman at Zhou Shaojin’s wedding. Being somewhat familiar with her, Zhou Shaojin chatted with her in good spirits.
Although Madam Qiu knew they had already eaten breakfast at home, she still had the maids serve some light fare like soybean milk and lotus seed soup for them to enjoy. Only then did the matchmaker lead the way to the Xie residence.
The Xie family lived some distance away, though not too far—just half an hour by sedan chair.
As the minor betrothal ceremony primarily involved the women of the inner household, the men of the Xie family had withdrawn to the study in the outer courtyard. As soon as Zhou Shaojin stepped out of the sedan chair, she saw the courtyard filled with women and children, crowding the small residence to the point of being nearly packed. Yet most of these women had kindly faces and cheerful smiles; even the few who appeared somewhat sharp-tongued wore faint smiles, creating a festive atmosphere.
Zhou Shaojin was delighted.
She felt that this marriage alliance with the Xie family was truly a good one!
The complete happiness woman invited by the Xie family welcomed them into Xie Jue’s inner chamber. Xie Jue, dressed in a bright red embroidered robe, sat blushing on the large heated platform, accompanied by several women.
As soon as Zhou Shaojin entered, the women began offering auspicious words and made room for her to help Xie Jue insert the hairpin.
The hairpin presented by the Cheng family for the minor betrothal was a rather ordinary gold Ruyi hairpin, though slightly heavier than usual and exquisitely crafted, yet not overly extravagant.
When she took out the hairpin, she distinctly sensed Xie Jue, seated cross-legged opposite her, heave a sigh of relief.
For some reason, Zhou Shaojin suddenly understood: Xie Jue had likely been worried that the wealthy Cheng family might present an antique or an excessively precious hairpin for the minor betrothal—in marriages between families of equal status, the expenses were typically shared, with the bride’s family bearing half the cost of the groom’s family.
The Xie family was not a wealthy household!
Having endured many emotional hardships in both her past and present lives, Zhou Shaojin was particularly sensitive to such matters.
She couldn’t help but smile softly and comfort Xie Jue, "My second sister-in-law is a very good person!"
Xie Jue immediately understood her meaning and smiled gratefully at Zhou Shaojin.
This gave Zhou Shaojin a sense of joy from having helped someone.
That evening, when she saw Cheng Chi, she recounted the incident to him.
Gazing at her curved eyebrows, Cheng Chi held her tightly in his arms...
Perhaps because she felt she had done a good deed, or perhaps because Cheng Chi had teased her playfully, Zhou Shaojin’s lingering resentment inexplicably vanished into thin air. She once again busied herself with Old Madam Guo, practicing calligraphy and painting, and in her spare time, she continued embroidering the Guanyin tapestry.
In the blink of an eye, the Dragon Boat Festival passed, and the height of summer arrived.
Qu Yuan was demoted to commoner status, and his family property was confiscated.
Cheng Chi’s name once again circulated among the scholarly circles.
Madam Qiu sent over many sweet melons and invited Zhou Shaojin and Old Madam Guo to attend a theatrical performance.
Zhou Shaojin was puzzled, "In such hot weather, why would Second Sister-in-law think of hosting a home theater?"
Old Madam Guo chuckled and said, "Your second brother-in-law will be leaving for Ningbo in a few days."
"An external posting?" Zhou Shaojin was very surprised.During these days, she had been staying by Old Madam Guo's side. Old Madam Guo hadn’t mentioned anything, and neither had Cheng Chi.
Old Madam Guo nodded with a smile and said, "Didn’t Lady Pengcheng often come to visit recently? She secured a favor for your second uncle. Of course, his qualifications were sufficient, so he was appointed as the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner in Shandong. He’ll be setting off in a few days. Your second aunt probably wants the family to gather before he leaves!"
Zhou Shaojin blinked and said, "You’re truly amazing! I’ve been by your side every day and didn’t notice a thing..."
Her voice was naturally sweet and soft, but now it carried a hint of surprise, admiration, and a touch of playful dissatisfaction, which made Old Madam Guo burst into laughter. She told her, "I wasn’t entirely sure about this matter either! How could I go and beg her? That would be beneath us. Even if there were good opportunities, they might not come our way..." She explained the intricacies in detail to Zhou Shaojin. "I only learned about your second uncle’s appointment yesterday morning when I received her letter."
Zhou Shaojin listened attentively, nodding repeatedly, and said with a smile, "This is truly a great thing. I should prepare a congratulatory gift for Second Uncle."
After all, Cheng Wei’s rank had been promoted. Even if he returned to the capital in the future and idled away in some obscure corner waiting to collect his salary, he would receive more money, and his ceremonial processions would be more elaborate.
In her previous life, Cheng Wei had never been appointed to an external post!
Could it be that she had once again revealed the secrets of her past life, thus affecting Cheng Wei’s fate?
She asked Cheng Chi.
Who would have thought that Cheng Chi would only anxiously ask her, "Will revealing heavenly secrets bring retribution?"
Zhou Shaojin didn’t know either.
Cheng Chi immediately decided to go to Daxiang Temple the next day to perform a ritual for Zhou Shaojin. He also thought about Old Madam Guo living with them, as the elderly were most inclined to believe in such matters of gods and spirits. It would be best not to alarm Old Madam Guo, so he instructed Zhou Shaojin, "Don’t let anyone know. Just say we’re going to visit your sister. We’ll go quietly and return quietly."
Seeing how much Cheng Chi cared for her, Zhou Shaojin felt a sweet warmth in her heart and no longer worried about any retribution for revealing heavenly secrets. The next day, she happily followed Cheng Chi to Daxiang Temple.
She watched as Cheng Chi busied himself doing this and that for her, her eyes curving into crescents as she couldn’t stop smiling.
Cheng Chi couldn’t help but sigh.
Zhou Shaojin then clung to Cheng Chi’s arm, swaying back and forth.
Cheng Chi was both amused and exasperated, scolding her, "Stand properly. This is a temple."
Zhou Shaojin wasn’t bothered. She let go with a giggle, but seeing that the small stalls had closed by noon and there were few people around, she clung to Cheng Chi’s arm again and said, "We should have already left the temple grounds, right?"
She was incredibly clingy.
Cheng Chi felt delighted in his heart and stopped minding her antics. He helped her into the carriage, and along the way, her clinginess made him sweat profusely. A sudden surge of restless energy rose within him, so he simply instructed the coachman to turn and took Zhou Shaojin to Yuqian Lane.
The summer cicadas chirped "zhi liao, zhi liao" in the trees. The large pagoda tree spread its shade like an umbrella, blocking the sun, with only dappled shadows falling on the windows, making the place feel even more tranquil and cool.
Zhou Shaojin closed her eyes, not daring to watch Cheng Chi moving in and out of her body...
※
They returned rather late that day. When paying respects to Old Madam Guo, Zhou Shaojin’s legs were still weak.Old Madam Guo didn't pay much attention, thinking it was just fatigue from traveling in the summer. She kindly urged them to rest early, mentioning they would visit Cheng Wei tomorrow.
Zhou Shaojin respectfully agreed, not daring to look at Old Madam Guo.
Cheng Chi, however, remained calm and composed, as if nothing had happened.
Back in their inner chamber, Zhou Shaojin couldn't help but pinch Cheng Chi.
The firm yet supple sensation reminded her of what had happened that afternoon, and her face began to burn again.
Cheng Chi smiled good-naturedly and went to the side room to bathe.
He was in high spirits today.
Partly because Zhou Shaojin had unexpectedly indulged his whims, but more importantly, because she had closed her eyes.
For the first time, she hadn't looked at his face or felt afraid.
※
Dear readers, this is an extra update for Lin's Fairy 0925.
The evening update will still be around ten o'clock!
O(∩_∩)O~
PS: Regarding Old Madam Guan attending Cheng Xu's wedding ceremony, let me explain here.
In ancient times, widows were considered inauspicious, so unless they were particularly close to the family, they would not attend others' weddings. Even if they did attend, they could not enter the bridal chamber to watch or handle the bride's dowry; they could only watch from a distance. Old Madam Guo could have attended, but she used this as an excuse not to go because she disapproved of Madam Yuan's compromise with the Min family.
※ (To be continued ~^~)
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