Сhеng Wеn mаde up his mind. Оn thе еighth dау of the eighth mоnth, hе went to Сhaoуаng Gаtе еаrly in the mоrning with Wu Baozhang.
Cheng Сhi hаd beеn prоmоtеd, аnd it haрреnеd tо cоincide with the hundrеd-dаy сelebratiоn of his eldеst son, Yun Ge'еr. Nоt оnlу did Grаnd Sесretarу Sоng's entirе fаmilу attеnd, but Chеng Сhi's former suреrior, Zhаng Hui, also сame to sосiаlize. Сolleaguеs frоm thе Ministrу оf Wоrks аnd thе Сensоrаte, whеther аcquaintеd or nоt, аll sеnt gifts. Fifty tаblеs wеrе set up in the оuter courtyard, with twо operа troupеs pеrfоrming therе. In the inner courtyard, only women from families with regular social interactions attended, including the Yuan family from Tongxiang, the Fang family from Shucheng, and the Liao family from Zhenjiang. Ten tables were arranged downstairs in the three-bay Water Pavilion, with six more upstairs. Opposite the pavilion was the opera stage, where Old Madam Guo had requested "Liu Lang Visits His Mother." In the adjoining rooms, five or six tables were set up for mahjong, with Madam Liao, Zhou Chujin's mother-in-law, and Fang Xuan's mother, Second Madam Fang, among those playing.
Zhou Shaojin came in to greet everyone, instructing the maids to serve fresh tea and refreshments to the guests. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Madam Liao, she then made her way to the front Water Pavilion.
Second Madam Fang watched Zhou Shaojin's figure disappear beyond the door and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Zhou Shaojin wore a plain blue-green robe with silver-red borders embroidered with large hibiscus flowers. Her complexion was rosy, her steps light, and she smiled even before speaking. Though she had already given birth, she still resembled an unmarried young girl, carrying a brightness and ease that married women often lacked.
If only she had humbled herself back then, taken the initiative to converse with Old Madam Guo, and arranged for Fang Xuan to marry into the family...
Or if she hadn't rushed to marry Fang Xuan off so hastily... Fang Xuan had been spoiled by her, and her son-in-law had also been raised with excessive indulgence. When the two started living together, neither was willing to yield, and they even began to resent their families—the son-in-law felt his parents shouldn't have married him to an only daughter, while Fang Xuan believed her family shouldn't have married her off so carelessly.
Thinking of her daughter's haggard face during her last visit home, Second Madam Fang felt a pang of heartache.
But what could be said now that things had come to this?
Second Madam Fang found it difficult to stay seated any longer and considered finding an excuse to leave early so she could return home to keep her daughter company.
With this in mind, she looked around for Madam Liao.
If she were to leave, she would need someone to help inform the host. Otherwise, it would be too impolite. Madam Liao was the mother-in-law of Zhou Shaojin's elder sister, making her the most suitable person to handle this.
However, Madam Liao was surrounded by a group of women gathered around her daughter-in-law, Zhou Chujin, who held a bright red swaddled baby in her arms... most likely Zhou Shaojin's child!
After a moment's hesitation, Second Madam Fang walked over.
She overheard Madam Peng from the Military Patrol Office laughing and saying, "...This child is truly handsome. I came to see him during the third-day bath and the full-month celebration. Back then, he was so tiny, but after a full month, he’s changed so much. Every few days, his features become more distinct."
Second Madam Fang craned her neck for a look.
Indeed, the child was exceptionally good-looking. Not only was his skin fair and tender, but his hair was jet black, and his eyes sparkled with intelligence. Surrounded by so many people, he neither cried nor fussed, instead looking around curiously—clearly an exceptionally bright and alert child.
A wave of bitterness washed over Second Madam Fang, but she still called Madam Liao aside and whispered to her.
Madam Liao more or less guessed why she was upset and offered a few words of consolation on the surface. She then personally escorted Second Madam Fang out of the Chuihua Gate.Second Madam Fang expressed her thanks, turned, and got into her sedan chair.
Madam Liao was just about to head toward the inner courtyard when she looked up and saw a woman in her forties, dressed in an oil-green Lu silk robe with a vase pattern, her hair meticulously styled into a neat round bun and adorned with two silk flowers. She stood as straight as a measuring rod, being led cheerfully by Biyu, the stewardess of the Cheng family’s inner courtyard. Seven or eight maids followed in pairs beside them, carrying large red lacquered boxes decorated with gold patterns, all heading toward the inner gate.
It was clear at a glance that this was a respectable servant from some family, coming to deliver congratulatory gifts to the Cheng family.
But as for whose servant she was, Madam Liao had no recollection whatsoever.
Among the notable official families in Jiangnan, there were only a few, and they were all interconnected through marriages, weaving a complex web of relationships. No matter how distant the connection, one could usually recognize them...
Madam Liao turned calmly and headed toward the inner courtyard.
She had no desire to run into these people and exchange pleasantries.
It was beneath her dignity.
As Biyu led the wet nurse of the Fourth Prince’s consort forward, her heart was pounding.
Ever since the Fourth Prince’s residence had yielded Madam Zheng that day, Master Xu had personally gone to the Fourth Prince’s residence to express his gratitude, and Fourth Madam had also sent gifts. Unexpectedly, while the Fourth Prince himself had remained quiet, his consort had suddenly become exceedingly courteous. Just two days earlier, she had sent several baskets of newly harvested autumn pears. According to Nanny Shang, these were tribute items, not something one could buy on the market even with money.
Today, for Young Master Yun’s hundred-day celebration, she had even sent her own wet nurse to deliver these gifts.
As the saying goes, “Unwarranted flattery is either deceit or theft.” There was certainly no good intention behind it.
What exactly was the Fourth Prince’s consort up to?
Fourth Master was merely a Left Assistant Censor in the Censorate. If the Fourth Prince had any matters to attend to, he could have gone to Xinglin Alley to return the favor and seek the help of the Grand Master...
Following Zhou Shaojin’s instructions, Biyu entered the inner gate and took the side alley directly to the main courtyard on the west side.
Nanny Shang was waiting there.
She stepped forward with a cheerful smile, exchanging pleasantries with the wet nurse of the Fourth Prince’s consort, then took her arm and led her to the adjacent warm chamber for tea. She instructed Chunwan to check the gift list, Jixiang to help entertain the maids carrying the gifts, and the outer courtyard steward to reward the coachmen and the rough-working maids who had accompanied the carriage.
Inside the room, laughter and conversation continued without pause, creating a lively atmosphere that suited the day’s festivities.
Before long, Zhou Shaojin, who had been strolling around the Water Pavilion, arrived.
Nanny Shang brought the wet nurse of the Fourth Prince’s consort to the main hall.
After exchanging greetings and stating her purpose, Zhou Shaojin had someone reward the wet nurse and said regretfully, “It’s all these rumors that cause trouble—I thought the Fourth Prince’s consort, as a member of the imperial family, was the most esteemed person in the world. Moreover, this is just a child’s birthday celebration. How could I dare disturb her? I never imagined the Fourth Prince’s consort would still remember and even specially send someone to deliver gifts. Thinking about it, I feel quite uneasy. Since you are here today on behalf of the Fourth Prince’s consort, it is as if she herself were present. Not only must you stay and have a few cups of wine with me, but you must also accompany me to the Water Pavilion later to sit with our relatives and friends before you leave.”
Upon hearing this, the wet nurse of the Fourth Prince’s consort hurriedly waved her hands with a smile. “How could I dare accept such an honor from you, Madam? No matter what, I am merely a servant. How could I sit with your relatives and friends? Moreover, before I left, the consort specifically reminded me not to think too highly of myself just because I come from the Fourth Prince’s residence, lest I embarrass her. I deeply appreciate your kindness, Madam, but I truly dare not accept.”Zhou Shaojin did not press further. After Chunwan collected the gift list, she instructed Nanny Shang to entertain her properly, then hurried off to the study in the front courtyard.
Cheng Jing and Song Jingran were playing chess in the study. Zhang Hui exchanged a glance with Cheng Chi, and the two of them left the study one after the other, stopping under the old locust tree in the courtyard.
"How is Old Master Song's illness?" Zhang Hui asked quietly. "I heard the wedding date for the eldest son of the Song family has been moved up to the twenty-fourth of August?"
Cheng Chi glanced at Zhang Hui and said, "Madam Song came over a few days ago and mentioned this to my wife."
If Old Master Song passed away, Grand Secretary Song would have to observe mourning leave. He had asked Zhou Shaojin if she remembered when Old Master Song had died, but Zhou Shaojin shook her head blankly, saying she did not recall when Grand Secretary Song had taken mourning leave.
Cheng Chi guessed that Song Jingran would either be recalled to the capital by the emperor as soon as the mourning period ended, or he would be exempted from the mourning obligations.
If it were the latter, it would naturally be straightforward. But if it were the former, even if it were only twenty-seven months, they would still need to make some preparations. After all, in the previous life, Yang Shoushan had not been demoted to commoner status. Qu Yuan had not been impeached this early, he had not gone to Putuo Mountain to pay respects to Buddha, and he had not encountered Old Master Song... Too much had changed in this life, and they could no longer rely on Zhou Shaojin's memory.
Zhang Hui said, "I wonder who the cabinet will recommend to join the Grand Secretariat?"
Cheng Chi smiled and said, "We'll talk about it when the time comes! That day hasn't arrived yet, has it? I think Grand Secretary Song surely has his own plans. We just need to listen."
Zhang Hui seemed to hesitate, wanting to say more.
Cheng Chi pretended not to notice.
If Zhang Hui were promoted and Song Jingran returned to his hometown to observe mourning, only to be recalled by the emperor later, who would step down then?
Cheng Chi decided to remain on the sidelines.
After all, no matter who Song Jingran arranged to take his place, since his elder brother was already a Grand Secretary, it would not be his turn anyway. It was better for him to remain neutral, so that whoever became Grand Secretary would not easily offend him.
Zhang Hui was quite disappointed.
Huaishan quietly entered, his gaze flickering toward the east wing.
Understanding his meaning, Cheng Chi exchanged a few pleasantries with Zhang Hui, then excused himself to go to the restroom, making a detour into the east wing.
Zhou Shaojin was waiting for him there.
Seeing him, she ran over and could not help but wrap her arms around Cheng Chi's waist.
Cheng Chi chuckled softly, kissed her cheek, and then asked gently, "Did something happen that you needed to see me?"
Zhou Shaojin nodded, reluctant to let go. Leaning against Cheng Chi's chest, she told him about how the Fourth Prince had sent someone to congratulate Yun Ge'er on his birthday.
Cheng Chi smiled and said, "The Fourth Prince is far more ambitious than you realize. Not only me, but also several Junior Scholar Candidates who have gained prominence in the Hanlin Academy over the past two years, the Left Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, the Censor of the Censorate... He has made connections with many people these past two years."
Zhou Shaojin grew somewhat uneasy upon hearing this and said, "I thought princes were not allowed to befriend court officials. Today, with people like the Lijiang Li family and the Tongxiang Yuan family present, I didn't dare make a fuss. I had Nanny Shang bring the person in through the narrow alley beside the Chuihua Gate and arranged for Nanny Shang to entertain the gift-bearer in the garden's retreat... The Fourth Prince wants to win people over, but I didn't let those people show their faces. Could this offend the Fourth Prince? He is the future emperor!""Silly girl!" Seeing her unease, Cheng Chi simply indulged her by kissing her forehead again, praising, "He's not the Emperor yet, is he? You don't need to fear him. Even if he becomes Emperor one day, look at what he has done to the Cheng family... Why should I respect him? Why should he trample on the Cheng family..."
Zhou Shaojin listened with trepidation, yet she felt that this was just Cheng Chi's nature, and it made sense for him to say such things.
She asked Cheng Chi, "Then what are your plans for the future? To help the Crown Prince with his illness? Or find a way to become an official in the Eastern Palace, keeping an eye on his movements at all times..." But it seemed Cheng Chi wasn't the type for such things.
If he wanted to know something, he would probably ask directly, rather than scheming and plotting in such roundabout ways.
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Dear readers, here's today's new chapter!
O(∩_∩)O~
PS: See you at the usual time tomorrow!
※ (To be continued ~^~)
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