Uроn hеаring thе news, Zhou Shаоjin hurriеd tо infоrm her father аnd сonsiderеd inviting the familiеs оf Сhеng Jing аnd Сheng Wei оver for a meal the nехt daу to сеlеbrаte Сhеng Сhi’s асhievеment. She then соnsulted Оld Madam Guо, asking, “Should wе hire pеrfоrmеrs fоr а hаll оperа оr invite а fеmаle stоrytеllеr?”
Old Mаdаm Guo еnjoyed listеning to femalе stоrуtellеrs, while Cheng Jing аnd thе оthers рrеfеrrеd орerа.
“Еxсellеnt!” In high spirits due tо the jоуоus oссаsiоn, Old Madаm Guo readily agrеed and addеd, “Let’s invite Мadаm Zhеng to tеll stories.”
Madam Zheng was one of three sisters. The eldest and second sisters were blind and performed storytelling together, while the third sister, who did not tell stories, cared for her two older sisters and accompanied them when they went out to perform. All three sisters were in their early thirties and unmarried. They were quite famous in the capital and had been introduced by Lady Peng from the Military Command.
Zhou Shaojin immediately sent someone to deliver the invitation, worried that Madam Zheng might accept another engagement if they delayed.
However, they were still a bit late. Madam Zheng had already accepted an invitation for the birthday celebration of the eldest daughter of the Fourth Prince’s household. She discussed with Nanny Shang, who had been sent to invite her, saying, “Would it be possible to visit your household the day after tomorrow? We could simply keep the old madam company with some storytelling.”
The implication was that they would not charge for the performance.
Zhou Shaojin knew how difficult life could be for those who made a living traveling and performing, and she was careful not to offend them with an inappropriate response. Since Madam Zheng had already committed to another engagement, she decided, “Then let’s invite them to tell stories the day after tomorrow. It’s rare for Mother to be so happy, so we might as well enjoy two days of festivities.”
Nanny Shang agreed with a smile.
Zhou Shaojin went to inform Old Madam Guo, saying, “…We’ll have hall opera one day and storytelling the next. It’s been a long time since our household has been this lively.”
Now that Old Madam Guo had the long-awaited Yun Ge’er, she thought of him in everything. She smiled and said, “That’s just as well. This way, we won’t have storytelling in the inner courtyard and opera in the outer courtyard, which might frighten our Yun Ge’er.”
Zhou Shaojin smiled softly.
The next day, however, the three Madam Zheng sisters arrived early in the morning, accompanied by a well-dressed nanny from the Fourth Prince’s household. The nanny introduced herself as the wet nurse of the Fourth Prince’s consort. After respectfully paying her respects to Old Madam Guo, she said with a smile, “Our Fourth Prince’s consort was unaware that Madam had invited Madam Zheng for storytelling today. She said the princess is still young and does not deserve such courtesy from Madam. Today, she insists that Madam Zheng come to tell stories for Madam, hoping the princess may also share in Madam’s good fortune.”
The entire household was speechless.
It was unheard of for the royal family to yield to a subject.
Upon hearing this, Cheng Jing hurriedly sent Cheng Xu to express their gratitude, saying, “Outer vassals must not associate with inner court officials. The same principle applies. As subjects, we should not become too close to any prince. Please act as if I have not yet arrived and convey our thanks to the Fourth Prince on our behalf.”
Cheng Xu, after all, was the son of a Grand Secretary. No matter how naive he might be, he interacted daily with those at the pinnacle of the court. As soon as his father spoke, he understood his intentions. Nodding, he hurried into the inner chamber.
Old Madam Guo expressed her profound gratitude. Instead of engaging in polite refusals with the Fourth Prince’s household, she prepared generous gifts for the nanny to take back, saying, “…Today, we have guests and cannot leave. In a couple of days, once I am free, I will personally go to express my thanks to the prince’s consort for her kindness.”That maidservant clearly had some insight, knowing Old Madam Guo was merely being polite. She hurriedly said, "I dare not accept your thanks, Madam. When I came, our princess instructed that since you are an elder, if there is to be a visit, it should be our princess calling on you instead."
Originally, they weren't familiar with each other. Old Madam Guo politely exchanged a few pleasantries with her. While they were speaking, Zhou Shaojin had whispered a few words to Nanny Shang. Nanny Shang quietly slipped out and now returned just as quietly, holding a small box in her hands.
Old Madam Guo glanced up at Zhou Shaojin, a flicker of approval in her eyes. She picked up her teacup and said, "We didn't know about the princess's birthday beforehand. Please forgive this old woman for not being able to attend her celebration. These small items are just a token—please take them back to convey our congratulations to the princess."
As she spoke, Nanny Shang promptly presented the box.
The maidservant was slightly taken aback, then smiled and expressed her thanks. After exchanging a few more words, she rose to take her leave.
Zhou Shaojin instructed Nanny Shang to accompany them to kowtow to the princess on their behalf.
Nanny Shang agreed with a smile and went with Cheng Xu to the Fourth Prince's residence.
Old Madam Guo's brows furrowed in confusion. "Why would someone from the Fourth Prince's residence think of associating with our family?"
Anyone with eyes could see that the Fourth Prince's residence was trying to show goodwill toward the Cheng family.
Madam Yuan smiled and said, "Perhaps they have some matter to ask of the elder master?"
The imperial family had its own set of rules, but when it came to official matters, an unfavored Fourth Prince truly couldn't compare to Cheng Jing in influence.
Upon hearing that the people from the Fourth Prince's residence had left, Cheng Jing hurried over. Hearing this, he couldn't help but feel somewhat troubled. "Who knows what it might be... If he doesn't say, we needn't rush to curry favor. If he truly has a matter, he'll eventually come to me."
Everyone nodded.
Although this small interlude occurred, it didn't dampen anyone's spirits.
When the three married daughters of the Cheng family arrived with their husbands and children, they had lunch separately—men at one table, women at another. Afterward, they went to the central garden to enjoy the opera performances, both upstairs and downstairs.
Cheng Sheng's son, Rui Ge'er, was still a teething baby, and Zhou Shaojin's Yun Ge'er was even younger, of course. Cheng Zheng's son, Gu Ning, was already eleven this year, and Gu Zhong was eight. A Bao and A Ren were five and three years old respectively. Gu Ning had already finished reading The Doctrine of the Mean and was learning composition from his father—quite the little adult. Gu Zhong and A Bao could barely play together, while A Ren simply circled around Gu Zhong and A Bao. Rui Ge'er, meanwhile, was determined to tug at the red tassels on Yun Ge'er's swaddling clothes. If prevented, he would wail at the top of his lungs, and no maid or nanny could soothe him. Madam Fan Liu quickly had someone find a tassel for him to play with, but he refused, insisting on pulling Yun Ge'er's tassels. This attracted A Ren to join in the tugging.
Yun Ge'er, who had been sound asleep, was awakened by the noise.
He cried out with a clear, loud voice that stunned all the little boys. Gu Ning even ran over, clumsily calling "Little Uncle" to soothe Yun Ge'er while scolding his wet nurse, "Why haven't you picked up Little Uncle to feed him?"
The wet nurse flusteredly went to feed Yun Ge'er.
Yun Ge'er took a sip, realized it wasn't his mother, spat it out, and began crying again.
No matter how they tried to comfort him, he wouldn't stop!
Gu Ning was sweating profusely.Gu Zhong and A Bao watched the commotion from the side, while A Ren imitated Gu Ning, stroking Yun Ge'er's little hand to soothe him.
When Rui Ge'er saw Yun Ge'er crying, he too began to wail.
The room was lively indeed.
A maid, sweating profusely, hurried to find Zhou Shaojin.
Zhou Shaojin held Yun Ge'er and comforted him for a long while before his sobs gradually subsided.
Rui Ge'er, meanwhile, was taken by Cheng Sheng, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, to a side room separated by a courtyard. Only after he was soothed and stopped crying was he brought back.
Madam Fan Liu couldn't help but wipe the sweat from her brow.
Old Madam Guo, however, chuckled and said to Madam Qiu, "With all these boys in the house, in a few years, when it's time for them to marry and have children, it'll be even livelier."
Everyone looked around and realized it truly was a room full of boys. Thinking of the scene Old Madam Guo described, they all laughed.
Madam Yuan laughed along a few times before her expression began to stiffen.
Min Jia watched with a cold smile, quietly taking a few steps back to avoid having her anger directed at her again.
A few days earlier, when Cheng Zheng and Cheng Xiao returned to their maiden home, they discussed Yun Ge'er's hundred-day celebration. They felt that since Yun Ge'er was the first child of the third branch, and the Cheng family hadn't had a new addition in over a decade, coupled with the fact that Cheng Chi wasn't present for Yun Ge'er's third-day or full-month ceremonies—and even because the weather was too hot, Zhou Shaojin worried that her younger brother Zhou Zongjin was too frail to endure it and specifically instructed Madam Li not to bring the child over—Madam Li, though she agreed, wrote to say she would definitely attend Yun Ge'er's hundred-day celebration. With all these factors combined, Yun Ge'er's hundred-day celebration was bound to be a grand affair. The gifts for the celebration needed careful consideration: too light, and they would become the subject of ridicule, suggesting discord between the two households; too lavish, and they feared Cheng Zheng and the other married daughters would overshadow Zhou Shaojin's maiden family. Striking the right balance was originally a good thing. But as the conversation went on, it turned to the topic of heirs, and once again, Madam Yuan directed a stream of sarcastic remarks at Min Jia. If it hadn't been for Cheng Zheng and Cheng Xiao smoothing things over, Min Jia would have long since been unable to resist clashing with Madam Yuan.
It wasn't that Min Jia feared conflict with Madam Yuan; she simply didn't want to argue with her in front of relatives—at home, venting her anger at Madam Yuan behind others' backs was one thing, but if Madam Yuan berated her in front of so many elders and juniors and she dared to retort, she would undoubtedly be branded as "unfilial."
She wasn't that foolish.
Thinking this, Min Jia's eyes darted around, and she noticed Zhou Shaojin standing in a corner giving instructions to the housekeeper named Biyu.
After a moment's thought, she walked over and said with a smile, "Fourth Aunt, is Yun Ge'er alright?"
"He just has a big temper," Zhou Shaojin said, her face lighting up with a smile as she spoke of her son. "Just coax him along, and he'll be fine. But Fourth Master said that a boy having a temper isn't necessarily a bad thing, though it won't do for everyone to indulge him. I'm afraid he'll have to discipline him in a few days."
As she spoke, a tender look flashed in her eyes, making her appear even more gentle and graceful.
Min Jia was quite surprised and said, "Aren't you going to intervene? Yun Ge'er is so young, and Fourth Uncle is a man. What if he accidentally hurts the child?"
"He won't," Zhou Shaojin replied without hesitation, her mind conjuring an image of Cheng Chi holding Yun Ge'er.
In just two short days, he had already learned to hold him properly.
And whether it was due to the natural bond between father and son, Yun Ge'er loved being held by Cheng Chi.
"A father's failure to teach is his fault," Zhou Shaojin's smile deepened. "It's only right for Fourth Master to instruct Yun Ge'er. Why should I worry?"
Min Jia fell silent.From a young age, she was taught that women hold up half the sky and share responsibility for family matters.
Min Jia looked at Zhou Shaojin with mixed emotions.
Wasn't Zhou Shaojin afraid that relying too much on Cheng Chi would make him resent her?
Min Jia gazed at Zhou Shaojin in confusion.
Cheng Sheng approached and asked Min Jia quietly, "I heard that Cousin Nuo has kept a mistress outside. Is it true?"
Zhou Shaojin was greatly shocked.
In her previous life, Cheng Nuo had neither married Wu Baozhang nor kept a mistress. What was happening in this life? Once things changed, everything seemed to shift.
She urgently asked, "What exactly is going on? When she came to see the old madam last time, the old madam refused to meet her. Was it because of this matter?"
Min Jia did not answer directly but instead asked Cheng Sheng, "How did you know about this?"
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Dear readers, here's today's extra update.
O(∩_∩)O~
※ (To be continued ~^~)
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