Zhоu Shаоjin сhаtted with Mаdаm Li аbоut dаily life, sharing аmusing аnecdоtes abоut Yоujin аnd Zоngjin, whiсh mаde Mаdam Li beam with joy. Seеing hеr fathеr and Маdаm Li living sо haррilу, Zhоu Shаojin wаs delighted for thеm.
Вefоre long, Youjin аnd Zongjin wokе up.
Thе wеt nursеs tidiеd thеm uр аnd brought them оut tо meеt Zhоu Shаojin.
Zоngjin had nеvеr met Zhou Shаоjin befоre, and althоugh Youjin had seеn hеr оncе, she was toо уоung at thе timе tо rеmеmbеr.
Thе twо childrеn gazеd curiouslу at Zhоu Shаоjin, eасh lеd bу their wet nurse tо kowtow to her.
Zhou Shаojin’s gifts for Zhou Zоngjin were а gold nесklaсe with a longevity lock, and for Zhou Youjin, a jeweled tassel ornament. Additionally, there were the four treasures of the study, musical instruments, chess sets, and sewing supplies, all packed into a large chest.
The two children thanked her and stood obediently on either side of Madam Li, though their eyes kept darting curiously toward Yun Ge’er.
Zhou Shaojin smiled and pointed to the two children, saying to Yun Ge’er, "This is your uncle, and this is your aunt." Then she turned to the children and said, "When he’s a bit older, I’ll have him kowtow to you."
Zhou Zongjin shyly buried his face in Madam Li’s lap, but Zhou Youjin asked, "Do we need to give him gifts too? Last time my uncle came, he gave me a string of little gold fish, and everyone said it was pretty. Can I give that to him as a gift later?" She looked up at Madam Li as she asked the last question.
Madam Li was pleased and patted Zhou Youjin’s head with a smile, praising her repeatedly. She said, "You’re the elder now, so you must take care of Yun Ge’er when you’re together, understand?"
Zhou Youjin nodded obediently and stepped forward to take Yun Ge’er’s hand, saying, "My wet nurse made some osmanthus candy. Shall we go eat some?"
Yun Ge’er squirmed and refused to let her hold his hand.
Zhou Youjin felt a little hurt.
But Zhou Shaojin found this utterly endearing and gently said to Zhou Youjin, "Yun Ge’er can’t eat anything yet. When he grows up, he’ll be able to enjoy your osmanthus candy." Then, smiling at Madam Li, she added, "Back then, Youjin didn’t speak, and my sister and I were so worried about her. Who would have thought she’d not only speak clearly now but also be so poised and unafraid of strangers? Truly, a girl changes eighteen times over, growing more beautiful with each change!"
Madam Li was overjoyed to hear this and replied with a laugh, "That’s all thanks to the master’s good guidance—he hired two people to talk to Youjin every day, and slowly she began to speak."
As they were talking, a young maid hurried in and said, "Madam Liao from Elm Tree Alley has arrived."
She must have come to visit Madam Li.
Zhou Shaojin quickly said, "Please show her in!" and went with Madam Li to greet Zhou Chujin.
Unexpectedly, Yun Ge’er clung tightly to Zhou Shaojin’s neck and refused to let go. When his wet nurse tried to take him, he burst into loud, ear-piercing wails.
Zhou Shaojin had no choice but to smile apologetically at Madam Li and say, "It’s fine, I’ll just hold him."
Seeing how truly upset Yun Ge’er was, Madam Li felt heartbroken and didn’t press the matter, only offering to help carry him if Zhou Shaojin found him too heavy.
Zhou Shaojin thanked her with a smile.
Once Yun Ge’er realized no one was going to take him away, he quickly stopped crying.
Seeing the large teardrops hanging from the corners of his eyes, Zhou Shaojin couldn’t resist kissing her son and whispered with a chuckle, "You little rascal."
Yun Ge’er gazed at her with a silly grin.
Zhou Shaojin was utterly defeated.
Zhou Chujin not only brought a large number of gifts but also brought Guan Ge, who was already three years old.Guan Ge'er and Zhou Youjin immediately started playing together. Following behind Zhou Youjin, he kept calling "Little Aunt, Little Aunt," making Zhou Zongjin so anxious that he bounced up and down in his wet nurse's arms.
Zhou Shaojin and the others watched, laughing heartily.
Zhou Chujin then spoke of Liao Shaotang: "...After the Mid-Autumn Festival, he won't be going to the Hanlin Academy anymore. He needs to prepare for next year's imperial examination. Over these past two years, thanks to Cheng Daren's care, I plan to go thank Old Madam Guo later. I'll also tell her about this matter."
Zhou Shaojin smiled and nodded, saying, "Yes. I still have a few fine inksticks here, collected by Fourth Master. I'll find them for you later so Brother-in-law can use them during the examination."
The imperial examination placed high demands on handwriting. With good ink, characters could be written more beautifully than usual, especially inksticks collected by Cheng Chi.
Zhou Chujin didn't stand on ceremony with her younger sister.
The three of them chatted for a while, then went together to pay their respects to Old Madam Guo.
Seeing the room full of children, each one exceptionally lovely, Old Madam Guo beamed with a smile. She hurriedly had the maids bring snacks for Youjin and the others, invited Madam Li to stay a few more days, and arranged to visit Daxiangguo Temple and Baiyun Temple in a couple of days to worship Buddha and eat vegetarian meals.
For a time, Tingxiang Courtyard was filled with joyful laughter.
Cheng Chi stood at the entrance of Tingxiang Courtyard, listening to the laughter inside. A faint smile touched the corners of his eyes and brows. He instructed the servant boy not to disturb Old Madam Guo and returned to his study.
Huaishan silently placed a large stack of papers before Cheng Chi and said, "The Second Prince is shallow in learning, the Third Prince is narrow-minded, the Fifth Prince is timid as a mouse, and the Seventh Prince acts quite steadily but is somewhat ambitious beyond his ability... He's not even as good as the Fourth Prince!"
Cheng Chi scoffed, "I'm not the Emperor, and this isn't my empire!"
The implication was that he wanted the Fourth Prince to fall; as for who became emperor, it had nothing to do with him!
Huaishan hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back.
Cheng Chi simply stated, "The Madam knows about this matter."
Huaishan had no choice but to withdraw, his expression downcast.
Cheng Chi began reviewing the information on the princes that he had Huo Dongting investigate.
Huaishan entered again, his expression somewhat peculiar, and said, "Fourth Master, Shi Kuan, the official from the Fourth Prince's residence, invites you to dine at his home tomorrow evening."
Cheng Chi thought for a moment and said, "First, there were the opera performers, then the congratulatory gifts for Yun Ge'er's hundred-day celebration. This time, it's probably time for the main course. Huaishan, go tell the messenger that I will definitely be there tomorrow."
Huaishan bowed and left the study.
Cheng Chi alone in the study reviewed the materials sent by Huo Dongting. Seeing the sky gradually darken, he finally stored the items in a secret compartment behind the bookcase and went to Tingxiang Courtyard.
Upon hearing of his arrival, Old Madam Guo and Madam Li were overjoyed. Fortunately, there were no outsiders in the room. Apart from Zhou Chujin, it was either children or elders. Zhou Chujin went to the desk in the western part of the room. Cheng Chi entered, paid his respects to his mother and mother-in-law, rewarded his sister-in-law and brother-in-law each with a string of eighteen-bead white jade Buddhist prayer beads, inquired about his father-in-law's health, and then withdrew.
Zhou Shaojin and the others dined in Tingxiang Courtyard.
Cheng Chi dined alone in the main room.
Zhou Shaojin's heart had never felt at ease.One moment she worried that Cheng Chi, eating alone, might feel lonely and just hastily finish a meal; the next, she thought about how he always read for a while every night after returning home. She wondered if Qing Feng, when lighting the fine sandalwood incense for Cheng Chi, remembered to pour a little water into the incense tray to reduce the smoky smell. Then she recalled that tomorrow was Cheng Chi’s day off, and with Old Master Song now bedridden, Madam Song wanted to move Song Mu’s wedding date forward and planned to come over tomorrow to discuss it with her. She wasn’t sure if Cheng Chi had other plans or if he would find Madam Song’s visit boring… Finally, after the evening meal ended, she hurriedly carried Yun Ge’er back to their room.
Cheng Chi was leaning against the headboard, reading a book, dressed in a pale blue Songjiang fine linen robe.
Hearing the noise, he looked up. His handsome face appeared even softer and more refined under the lamplight.
Zhou Shaojin was momentarily captivated.
Cheng Chi chuckled, put down his book, and took Yun Ge’er into his arms, asking with a smile, “Was Yun Ge’er well-behaved today?”
From the moment their son opened his eyes, he was never still. And after three months, he clearly slept less, demanding to be carried around all day.
Zhou Shaojin handed the child to Cheng Chi and held their son’s tiny hand, smiling. “Our Yun Ge’er is so filial. Knowing his maternal relatives were visiting today, he didn’t fuss or cry, behaving incredibly well.”
“Really?” Cheng Chi laughed and placed their son on the bed, sitting beside him to play.
Lately, Yun Ge’er loved nothing more than grabbing onto fingers or anything else placed near his hands and refusing to let go.
Cheng Chi deliberately extended his hand near Yun Ge’er’s. Just as the boy reached for it, he quickly pulled his finger back. After repeating this several times, Yun Ge’er grew impatient.
Zhou Shaojin, distressed to see her son teased like this, quickly stopped Cheng Chi. “You’re just playing with him. Why not let him win…”
Before she could finish, Yun Ge’er reached for Cheng Chi’s finger again but missed. His lips quivered, and with a “thump,” he kicked Cheng Chi squarely in the face.
Caught off guard, Cheng Chi took the blow directly.
Both husband and wife were stunned.
Yun Ge’er, having delivered the kick, burst into loud, aggrieved wails.
Zhou Shaojin hurriedly picked up Yun Ge’er, soothing her son while asking her husband, “Does it hurt? Are you injured anywhere?”
Cheng Chi touched his face and burst into hearty laughter.
No one in his life had ever dared to kick him in the face—now his own son had done it.
Cheng Chi couldn’t help but remark, “I never expected this little fellow to be so agile. When he’s older, he can train in martial arts with me.”
“What about the Seven Stars Hall?” Zhou Shaojin immediately asked anxiously.
She didn’t want her son to become the leader of the Seven Stars Hall, engaging in life-risking endeavors.
Cheng Chi smiled, kissed Zhou Shaojin’s soft, rosy cheek, and whispered, “Don’t worry. I only want him to build a strong body.”
Zhou Shaojin felt relieved.
The couple spent a long time trying to calm Yun Ge’er, shaking a rattle and clapping their hands before finally settling him down. The wet nurse then took him away to wash up.
Cheng Chi sighed with relief. “Soothing a child is truly no easy task.”
Zhou Shaojin simply laughed.The young servant rushed in, panting heavily, and reported, "Fourth Master, Master Wen from Xizhimen Gate has sent a servant over, insisting that you go there no matter what—Master Nuo has returned, and he and Madam Nuo had a quarrel. Madam Nuo tried to hang herself, but she has been rescued. Master Wen now wants to send Madam Nuo back to Jinling and hopes you can go as a witness, so the Wu family doesn’t think the Cheng family bullied Madam Nuo. He also wants to borrow a few skilled guards from you to escort Madam Nuo south."
Cheng Chi was neither the clan head nor Cheng Wen’s elder brother—what right did he have to meddle in such matters!
Zhou Shaojin tightly clung to Cheng Chi’s arm.
After a moment of thought, Cheng Chi said to the servant, "It’s so late now. Since Madam Nuo has been saved, let Master Wen assign someone to watch over her. We can discuss anything else tomorrow!"
The servant scurried off to deliver the message.
Cheng Chi then smiled and asked Zhou Shaojin, "You don’t want me to go?"
"Mm!" Zhou Shaojin nodded, leaning into Cheng Chi’s embrace, and whispered, "In matters like this, each side claims to be right. I don’t like Wu Baozhang, but I also feel uneasy about Master Wen wanting Kang Liu Niang as a concubine. Neither side is in the right. I don’t want you to get involved in their affairs."
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Dear readers, here is today’s update.
PS: I need to see a renowned doctor tomorrow, so there will only be one update, around 10 p.m.
O(∩_∩)O~
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel