Zhоu Shаоjin thrеw herself intо Сhеng Сhi's аrms, saying, "Go slееp in the innеr chambеr!"
Shе асtеd сoquettishlу.
Cheng Chi somewhat rеgrеtted drinking tоo muсh tоdау.
But еvеrуоnе had сongratulatеd him оn beсoming a fathеr, and he wаs truly ovеrjоуеd, sо hе hаd a few ехtra сuрs.
Sеeing his hеsitatiоn, Zhоu Shaojin роuted аnd said, "I'm not afrаid of the smell оf аlсohоl on you. Тhе bеd is so big—I just nееd tо knоw уоu're bеsidе me."
Сheng Сhi smiled and gеntly tаррed hеr nоsе bеfore resting оn the bed in the inner chаmber.
Zhou Shaоjin hugged his arm аnd leаnеd agаinst his shoulder, chatting about today's banquet: "...Mother was very happy. She said she’d invite Azheng and the others over again when there’s a chance. I used to think Mother preferred quiet, but now I realize she just dislikes having to entertain large groups of acquaintances and strangers, forcing herself to socialize with everyone. She really enjoys family gatherings like this. I was thinking that in a few days, it’s Second Aunt’s birthday. Should I remind Second Sister-in-law to host a banquet and invite Mother over to join the festivities?"
For Old Madam Guo’s birthday, all her sons and grandsons would certainly attend, but if it were Madam Qiu’s celebration, only the female family members would need to be invited.
Cheng Chi laughed and said, "Just discuss it with Second Sister-in-law! But don’t overexert yourself. If you feel unwell, you mustn’t push yourself."
"I know, I know," Zhou Shaojin turned sideways, wrapping her arms and legs around Cheng Chi. "Mother also said that the best way to show filial piety to her is for me to give birth safely and smoothly. I was thinking of hiring a midwife to stay at home—not only would it give me more confidence during childbirth, but she could also remind me of things to pay attention to in daily life."
This was also Old Madam Guo’s idea.
The elderly lady felt that although the nannies around her were experienced, they were getting on in years and hadn’t cared for a pregnant woman since Cheng Chi was born. She thought it would be best to hire a reputable midwife to stay at home as soon as possible.
Seeing how tightly she clung to him, Cheng Chi chuckled, turned over, and pulled her into his arms, saying, "It’s getting late. Go to sleep now! I’ve already instructed Nanny Shang to ask A Xiao about this matter, so you don’t need to worry about it."
Wrapped in his warm embrace, Zhou Shaojin relaxed completely. She yawned lazily, murmured a few more words, and soon fell into a deep sleep.
Cheng Chi smiled fondly.
He kissed her cheek and closed his eyes.
※
After the ancestral worship on the first day of the tenth lunar month, Zhou Shaojin’s pregnancy stabilized. A midwife surnamed Cai, recommended by Cheng Zheng, moved into the Cheng residence. The new winter clothes were distributed, and the atmosphere at Chaoyang Gate grew lively. Everyone wore smiles on their faces, walking with lighter steps. Old Madam Guo couldn’t help but beam with joy as she looked at Zhou Shaojin’s loose robe.
Cheng Chi wanted to arrange Chunwan’s marriage to Qin Ziji’s cousin, Qin Ziji.
For the Cheng family, the Qin descendants were not ordinary servants. Marrying Qin Ziji’s cousin was an honor for Chunwan in itself.
Zhou Shaojin found an excuse to summon him and took a look at him from behind a curtain.
Not only was he handsome, but his gaze was clear and bright, clearly a man of integrity. Trusting Cheng Chi’s judgment, she immediately called Chunwan over to discuss the matter.
Chunwan blushed and lowered her head, not daring to say a word.
Zhou Shaojin felt as if she were seeing her former self.
She whispered, "You’ve grown up with me. Now is not the time to be polite. At least give me an answer—what do you think?"Chunwan then murmured, "I'll follow whatever Madam decides."
Zhou Shaojin smiled with pursed lips.
Chunwan retreated, her face burning.
In just two days, everyone at Chaoyang Gate knew.
Zhenzhu, Bitao, and others all came to congratulate Chunwan, their expressions showing varying degrees of envy.
Zhou Shaojin specially assigned a young maid to serve Chunwan and help her prepare her dowry.
But Chunwan did not want to marry so soon. When she came to thank Zhou Shaojin, she said shyly, "Madam, please let me stay until after the young master is born before sending me off. Otherwise, how could I rest easy?"
So Zhou Shaojin first arranged the engagement between Chunwan and Qin Ziji.
Old Madam Guo even rewarded Chunwan with twenty taels of silver for this.
Zhou Shaojin came to thank Old Madam Guo on Chunwan's behalf.
Old Madam Guo smiled and told her, "We just moved from Jinling City, and you've already set up your own household. This is the time to establish rules. For such loyal servants, when it's time to reward, reward generously—set an example for the other servants so they know how they should behave."
Zhou Shaojin smiled and agreed.
Cheng Shao from Shuangyu Alley sent a note saying he wished to visit Old Madam Guo after finishing his duties the next day.
Old Madam Guo held the note curiously, saying, "I wonder what Second Uncle wants with me?"
Zhou Shaojin, however, did not dare to be negligent. She ordered the tea room early on to prepare the finest Dahongpao tea and the kitchen to prepare wine and dishes. When Cheng Chi returned in the evening, she even urged him to come back early: "Keep Second Uncle company for a couple of drinks!"
Cheng Chi smiled and pinched her cheek, saying, "My little girl already knows how to manage a household!" His tone carried a note of appreciation, making Zhou Shaojin's eyes curve into crescent moons.
When Cheng Xun arrived, she naturally could not stay to accompany them, so she worked on needlework in the inner chamber.
Later, Cheng Chi returned and told her that Cheng Xun had decided to adopt a child from the charitable hall to be recorded under Cheng Xun's name, to continue the ancestral sacrifices for Cheng Fen and Cheng Xun. However, he worried that he was too old to raise the child well and wanted Madam Qiu to help raise the child.
Zhou Shaojin couldn't help but laugh, "I thought only I liked Second Sister-in-law, but it turns out Second Uncle also has sharp eyes. What did Mother say?"
Cheng Chi said, "Mother said she needs to discuss it with Second Sister-in-law. After all, raising a child is no small matter and requires careful consideration."
Zhou Shaojin knew Old Madam Guo was not the type to act arbitrarily. For such an important matter, she would certainly seek Madam Qiu's opinion.
The next day, when Madam Qiu came over, Zhou Shaojin made a point of listening in.
Madam Qiu was quite surprised and somewhat excited upon hearing this, but she quickly calmed down, her expression showing concern as she said, "I'm just afraid I won't raise the child well... Mother, please decide for me! If you think I should raise the child, I will. If you think it's not suitable, let Second Uncle choose someone else."
Old Madam Guo smiled and said, "I actually think you're suitable. I'm just worried that after Rangge gets married and you have grandchildren, you might not have the energy to manage everything."
Upon hearing this, Madam Qiu hurriedly said, "No, no, having more people at home makes it livelier."
And so the matter was settled.
Madam Yuan was very surprised when she heard about it and specially came to speak with Old Madam Guo, saying, "After all, it's someone with no roots or background, and we don't know what their temperament will be like in the future. Why not adopt one from among relatives or friends?"Old Madam Guo said, "This is your second uncle's family matter. Your second uncle is a man with his own ideas. Since he has made this decision, he must have his reasons. Let's not say more about it!"
Madam Yuan left in low spirits and went back to tell Cheng Jing about it.
Cheng Jing could hardly conceal his surprise. He made a special trip to Double Elm Lane but returned empty-handed.
Madam Yuan couldn't help but grumble, "He is so old now. Won't this child become our responsibility in the future?"
Cheng Jing was slightly displeased and said, "Second Brother's family hasn't said anything, yet you're already feeling uncomfortable about it."
Madam Yuan was left speechless with anger.
Cheng Shao then took Cheng Chi to the orphanage several times and selected an auspicious day to go with Cheng Chi to bring back two children.
Old Madam Guo and Zhou Shaojin, who were waiting at Double Elm Lane, were both greatly surprised.
"Wasn't it said that only one was chosen?" Old Madam Guo looked at the two small, thin but sharp-eyed little boys before her—one five years old, the other three—and said in astonishment, "How did it become two?"
Cheng Chi patted the heads of the two children holding hands and said with a smile, "Both children are very good. The older one is extremely clever, and the younger one is just the right age. Second Uncle couldn't make up his mind for a long time. Later, he thought that one child would be too lonely, and two children could keep each other company, so he simply brought both back."
It was precisely because Cheng Xun was the only grandson that after his death from illness, Cheng Shao's branch had no heir... Everyone understood this somewhat.
Old Madam Guo then smiled and said, "This is good too!" She then beckoned to the two children, gave them a handful of candy, and asked them questions like what their names were, how old they were, and whether they still remembered things about their families.
The older child didn't speak much, answering only when asked. The younger one was livelier but couldn't remember things very clearly.
Cheng Shao then said, "The older one has been given the formal name Rong, and the younger one Meng."
Old Madam Guo was slightly taken aback and said, "That's good too. They can be considered the eldest and second grandsons of our generation."
The two children of the second branch's Cheng Shi were named "Geng" and "Yun," both using the "plough" radical. Yet Cheng Xun had given his two great-grandsons names with the "grass" radical, showing a complete separation from Nine Prosperities Lane.
Seeing the atmosphere becoming somewhat heavy, Madam Qiu hurried forward and said with a smile, "Second Uncle, since Rong-ge and Meng-ge have just arrived, let me take them down to wash up. They still need to pay respects to the ancestors later!"
Everyone urged the two children to go wash up with smiles.
Later, Cheng Jing arrived, and Cheng Chi accompanied Cheng Shao to take the two children to the newly built Cheng family ancestral hall in Daxing to offer incense to the ancestors. Cheng Jing personally wrote the two children's names below Cheng Xun's name, and the group returned to Double Elm Lane.
By then, the sun was setting. After the two children had been formally recognized as relatives, Old Madam Guo and Zhou Shaojin gave them gifts. Everyone gathered for dinner, with the men at one table and the women at another. Afterward, Madam Qiu took the two children home.
The next day, Old Madam Guo and Zhou Shaojin went to see the two children.
The children were still sleeping. Madam Qiu quietly told them, "They probably suffered quite a bit in the orphanage, and there are still some old injuries that aren't visible. After arriving, the two children couldn't sleep for a long time and only closed their eyes at dawn. I specifically instructed the maids and servants around me not to disturb the children and let them wake up on their own."Old Madam Guo nodded and said, "You must keep a close eye on things. Although those around you have served you and your husband for over twenty years, there is still the risk of negligence. Make sure the two children are not mistreated."
Madam Qiu quickly replied, "Mother, rest assured. Since they have come to the Cheng family, they are now Cheng descendants, sons of Brother Xun. I will raise them well."
"I trust you to handle things properly!" Old Madam Guo gently patted Madam Qiu's hand.
A young maid ran in and announced, "Third Miss has returned!"
Madam Qiu smiled and said, "What brings the child back?"
The young maid, who seemed to be quite favored by Madam Qiu, replied cheerfully, "Third Miss came specifically to see the two young masters!"
※
Dear readers, here is today's update.
Tomorrow's extra update will be around noon at twelve o'clock.
O(∩_∩)O~
※ (To be continued ~^~)
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