Сhеng Zhеng fоund it аmusing, fееling as if Yun Ge’еr wаs lооking аt her. She plауfully teаsed him, “I’m yоur sistеr, уоu knоw? Nеxt time I сome to see yоu, will уou still rеmembеr mе?”
Аs shе spоkе, Yun Gе’еr еxрressionlesslу blеw anоther bubble, then сlosed his еyes аnd fеll аslеер.
Сheng Zheng соuldn’t helр but ехclаim to Zhоu Shаojin, “Loоk, lоok! Нe blew a bubblе at me and thеn fеll аsleеp!”
Cheng Shеng, surрrisеd, cаmе оvеr аnd sаid, “Yun Ge’еr сan blоw bubbles аlreadу? Our Rui Gе’еr didn’t stаrt blowing bubblеs until аftеr his hundrеd-day cеremony!”
Zhou Shaоjin quickly askеd, “Is something wrоng?”
Hеr еxрression was slightly flustered.
Perhaps because she had longed for this child so much, even though Yun Ge’er had his own wet nurse and was attended by experienced, steady-natured maids and elderly servants, Zhou Shaojin still preferred to take care of him herself. When the child was hungry, she would breastfeed him personally; when he slept, she would let him sleep beside her; and when the weather was hot, she would bathe him herself. The wet nurse and the other maids and elderly servants could only assist her. But after all, this was her first time being a mother, and she didn’t know what reactions a newborn should have unless the wet nurse or experienced elderly servants told her.
Cheng Sheng laughed and said, “Nothing’s wrong! I just think Yun Ge’er is very clever, able to play on his own at such a young age.”
“Really?” Hearing Cheng Sheng praise Yun Ge’er, Zhou Shaojin’s smile brightened.
She had always felt she was a bit foolish, while Cheng Chi was very intelligent. She worried the child might take after her.
Cheng Zheng smiled warmly, stroking the child’s dark, soft hair, and said, “Of course! Didn’t you see the way he looked at me just now? It was as if he was recognizing me.”
Zhou Shaojin smiled with her lips pressed together.
Biyu invited everyone to take their seats.
Cheng Sheng carried Yun Ge’er to the hall.
Cheng Zheng walked side by side with Zhou Shaojin, gently asking how her postpartum recovery was going and if she felt uncomfortable anywhere. She also comforted her, saying, “Uncle Chi finally got married and now has Yun Ge’er. He must be thinking of you all the time! If there’s any way he can return, he’ll surely hurry back. Don’t worry, Aunt.”
Zhou Shaojin thought of the chaos when she had just given birth to Yun Ge’er and smiled, “It’s a good thing your Fourth Uncle Chi didn’t come back. Otherwise, seeing me like this, he’d probably laugh at me for being clumsy again!”
Cheng Zheng smiled faintly.
Old Madam Guo had already taken Yun Ge’er from Cheng Sheng’s arms and said to Cheng Sheng’s mother-in-law, Madam Peng, with a smile, “Look, isn’t he full of spirit?”
Madam Peng was a woman in her forties, fair and plump, with a kind appearance.
Upon hearing this, she nodded repeatedly, “This child looks just like a member of the Cheng family. Look at his eyes and brows—don’t they resemble his grandfather?”
“Really?” Old Madam Guo examined Yun Ge’er doubtfully.
Madam Peng from the Military and Horse Division also scrutinized Yun Ge’er carefully and said, “Now that you mention it, I do see some resemblance.”
“Really?” Old Madam Guo’s feelings were complicated.Before Cheng Chi was designated as the successor of Seven Stars Hall, the couple had always been deeply affectionate—one could say, more so than many other married pairs. However, ever since her husband decided to sacrifice their youngest son in exchange for the futures of their two elder sons, although she understood his reasoning, she could never quite overcome the barrier in her heart. She always felt that she and her husband had harmed their youngest child. She even began to punish herself, distancing herself from all pleasures; not a single flower could be seen in Cold Green Mountain House... Naturally, her feelings toward her husband, with whom she had shared decades of mutual support, became complicated.
Did Yun Ge’er truly resemble his grandfather?
Old Madam Guo couldn’t help but examine him closely.
The child was barely over a month old. His originally somewhat wrinkled skin had not only filled out but had also become crystal clear, flawless like jade. His features had also opened up a bit, exceptionally bright and clear, but as for whom he resembled, it was truly hard to tell.
Nevertheless, Old Madam Guo involuntarily raised her arm and gently pressed it against the child’s cheek.
Wu Baozhang, standing to the side, sneered.
All babies look alike; how could anyone tell whom they resemble?
These people would say anything, no matter how insincere, just to flatter Old Madam Guo!
But after seeing off the guests, Old Madam Guo still couldn’t resist examining Yun Ge’er’s appearance by lamplight.
When Zhou Shaojin returned from washing up, she found the child already asleep beside her pillow, while Old Madam Guo sat on the large kang by the window in the inner chamber, fingering her eighteen-bead sandalwood prayer beads.
"Mother," she said, carrying a teacup as she walked over, "what’s the matter? Are you missing Fourth Master? I plan to write him a letter later—do you have any messages to send?"
Zhou Shaojin sat beside Old Madam Guo and picked up a beauty mallet to gently tap her shoulders.
Old Madam Guo smiled and said, "You’ve just finished your confinement period. I have Zhenzhu to attend to me here. Let’s sit and talk."
Zhou Shaojin obediently set down the beauty mallet and sat opposite Old Madam Guo.
Old Madam Guo called for Zhenzhu.
Zhenzhu entered, holding a small box.
Old Madam Guo pushed the box toward Zhou Shaojin and said gently, "Shao Jin, these are the deeds to the Anxi tea plantation and the Jingzhou estate—the earliest properties your father-in-law and I acquired after our marriage. I’ve already spoken with your second uncle; he will come tomorrow to register these properties under Yun Ge’er’s name... Consider it my contribution to Yun Ge’er’s education expenses."
"How can this be!" Zhou Shaojin exclaimed in surprise, standing up hastily. "This is your private savings. If you wish to leave them for Yun Ge’er, why not wait until he’s older..."
Old Madam Guo laughed and said, "Just accept it. It’s nothing too valuable—it’s my gift to Yun Ge’er."
Zhou Shaojin refused.
Old Madam Guo grew somewhat displeased and said, "One must not decline the gifts of elders. When did you become so stubborn?"
Zhou Shaojin knew Old Madam Guo’s mind was made up and felt it inappropriate to refuse further. She thought to herself that once Cheng Chi returned, she must discuss this with him and ask him to be more filial, offering more silver to the old madam for her personal use.
She picked up the box and sincerely thanked Old Madam Guo, saying, "In the future, when Yun Ge’er studies and writes, he will remember his grandmother’s earnest hopes for him."
Old Madam Guo nodded, pleased with her words.
The two chatted a while longer before Old Madam Guo rose to take her leave.
Zhou Shaojin escorted the old madam to Tingxiang Courtyard before returning, then curiously opened the box.The box indeed contained only two land deeds, but the tea plantation in Anxi was recorded as bordering Jiandou to the east, Yongchun to the north, and Futian to the west... covering a total of 1,335 mu. The manor in Jingzhou was even larger, spanning 3,211 mu.
Zhou Shaojin was greatly startled.
She felt as if she were holding a hot potato.
At that moment, she wished Cheng Chi would return quickly!
So when Cheng Shao came over the next day, she took the initiative to speak to him for the first time: "I know Mother is doting on Yun Ge'er, but if Uncle and the others find out, they will surely be displeased. I don’t want these assets to cause discomfort among everyone..."
Cheng Shao smiled and said, "It’s fine. Sister-in-law is happy. When Jiashan and Rang Ge'er give Sister-in-law great-grandchildren, she will be just as happy and have gifts for them too. Since Sister-in-law asked you to accept it, you should just take it. Whatever you can think of, Sister-in-law must have already considered."
Zhou Shaojin thought this made sense, and a heavy weight lifted from her heart.
Old Madam Guo handed the land deeds to Cheng Shao, who went to the authorities to register the two manors under Yun Ge'er’s name. However, the deeds were kept in Zhou Shaojin’s hands for her to manage: "The child is still young. From now on, the income from the two manors will be collected and managed by you on his behalf."
Zhou Shaojin repeatedly agreed.
The two of them went to Old Madam Guo to report the matter and chatted for a while. After having lunch at Chaoyang Gate, Cheng Shao went to Madam Qiu’s place—he had taken leave to handle this matter for Old Madam Guo. Since he had nothing to do in the afternoon, he planned to visit A Bao and A Ren.
Old Madam Guo’s greatest joy these days was talking to Yun Ge'er, who knew nothing, saying whatever came to mind, even mentioning how Cheng Chi used to wet the bed as a child. Since Yun Ge'er had not yet reached his hundredth day, Old Madam Guo dared not take him outside. Although she also wanted to visit A Bao and A Ren, she was even more concerned about Yun Ge'er, so she asked Zhou Shaojin to prepare some fruits for Cheng Shao to take over.
Zhou Shaojin smiled and gave the order.
Soon after, Chunwan brought over a bamboo basket filled with fruits.
Cheng Shao thanked her and was escorted to the gate by Qin Ziji.
Zhou Chujin brought Guan Ge'er to visit Zhou Shaojin and Yun Ge'er.
The room became lively again.
Guan Ge'er played with Yun Ge'er using a rattle drum.
Wherever the sound came from, Yun Ge'er would turn his head in that direction, even shifting the small handkerchief placed under his neck to absorb sweat.
Zhou Shaojin smiled and went to adjust the handkerchief. Unexpectedly, as soon as she reached out, Yun Ge'er grabbed her hand tightly, clutching her fingers firmly.
"Mother," Zhou Shaojin exclaimed in surprise and delight, "Yun Ge'er grabbed my hand—he’s so strong!"
"Let me see, let me see!"
Old Madam Guo and Zhou Chujin both gathered around.
But for some reason, Yun Ge'er began to cry.
Zhou Shaojin immediately picked up Yun Ge'er and gently soothed him.
Yet Yun Ge'er continued to cry, his voice so loud it seemed as if it could lift the roof. No matter how they tried to comfort him, he wouldn’t stop. The wet nurse wondered if he was hungry, Madam Fan Liu thought he might have wet himself, and Zhou Chujin suggested the rattle drum might be too loud. They tried everything—touching the corners of Yun Ge'er’s mouth, unwrapping his swaddling to check his diaper...
Time flew by, and soon it was July.
Zhou Shaojin received a letter from Cheng Chi, saying he would return on the fifth day of the seventh month.
Chaoyang Gate suddenly became bustling with activity.Dusting, weeding, arranging furnishings... everyone's steps were hurried.
Yet amidst this busyness, Wu Baozhang suddenly came crying to the door.
Old Madam Guo, frowning as she looked at the sleeping Yun Ge'er, said to Zhou Shaojin, "Be careful she doesn't wake the child. Go ask her what's the matter. If she won't say, either call your sister-in-law over or have someone take her to Xinglin Alley."
Zhou Shaojin felt that seeing her would surely upset Wu Baozhang.
She didn't want to see Wu Baozhang either.
But this was her home, and she couldn't just swallow her anger.
Zhou Shaojin, surrounded by maids and matrons, went to the drawing room.
Wu Baozhang was crying bitterly, but when she saw that the person entering was Zhou Shaojin, her tear-swollen face still showed a look of astonishment.
Zhou Shaojin had no intention of dealing with her and directly conveyed Old Madam Guo's meaning: "...if you find it inconvenient to speak with me, then talk to Madam Yuan!"
※
Dear readers, today's update.
Sorry for being so late today. I spent longer at the hospital than expected, and then had some computer issues while writing. Apologies!
PS: Too tired today, so I can only update one chapter tomorrow, around 10 p.m.
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel