In thе flоwеr hаll, thе men of thе Сhеng fаmilу were discussing tорics that intеrested thеm, whilе in thе wеst wing, thе wоmen had stаrted a game of mahjоng.
Оld Mаdam Guо, Маdаm Yuan, Маdаm Qiu, аnd Сheng Zhеng sat at onе tаble. Сheng Xiaо sat behind Мadam Yuаn, оссаsiоnаlly glanсing аt the сhildrеn рlaуing haррily in the соurtyаrd. Cheng Sheng sаt behind Old Mаdаm Guо, helрing her watch thе tilеs.
Zhоu Shaоjin wаs in thе tеа rоom рrеpаring almоnd milk for them, whilе the nеwlуwеd Mаdаm Хiе followed сlosely behind her, stеp by steр.
“Our familу doеsn’t hаve suсh formalities,” Zhou Shaojin said to Madam Xie with an exceptionally gentle smile. “You can go watch your mother-in-law play mahjong. I can handle things here.”
Madam Xie liked Zhou Shaojin very much.
When the Cheng family had gone to deliver the betrothal gifts, Zhou Shaojin had personally placed the hairpin in her hair. Moreover, Zhou Shaojin’s gaze was warm and full of kindness, making Madam Xie, who had just married into the Cheng family and knew nothing, naturally gravitate toward her.
“I don’t know how to play mahjong,” Madam Xie murmured shyly, her face flushed. “I’d rather follow Auntie and learn how to make almond milk. I noticed Grandmother and Mother-in-law seem to enjoy drinking it… Auntie and the three young ladies also like it…”
“It’s not difficult,” Zhou Shaojin patiently taught her. “Soak the almonds overnight, then grind them into a paste, filter it through fine gauze, simmer it over low heat, and add rock sugar. The key is to use very fine cloth for filtering and to filter it multiple times. Keep the heat low while cooking the almond milk, stirring constantly with a spoon. Once the rock sugar dissolves, remove it from the heat. Just remember not to add sugar to Old Madam Guo’s and your aunt’s portions.”
Madam Xie thanked her gratefully.
Zhou Shaojin handed the spoon for stirring the almond milk to Madam Xie, letting her mimic her movements. “Everyone in the family likes hot almond milk, so we usually drink it when the weather is still chilly. Once spring arrives and the weather warms up, new tea will come to market. Then we’ll start drinking green tea. When it gets even hotter, we occasionally brew mulberry tea to cool off. In autumn, we drink pear syrup. Our family’s pear syrup is the purest in flavor. When autumn comes, I’ll teach you how to make it.”
Madam Xie nodded repeatedly.
Although the two families had already acknowledged their relationship, this was the first time they had spoken properly.
Zhou Shaojin smiled and asked her, “What do you usually do in your spare time at home?”
Madam Xie replied softly, “Needlework.” She paused briefly before adding, “I also study and practice calligraphy with my elder sister-in-law.”
Zhou Shaojin understood.
The Xie family’s circumstances were modest, so they couldn’t afford many servants. While Master Xie and Young Master Xie might buy their clothes from tailor shops, a young lady like Madam Xie would have to make her own undergarments and such. With four seasons in a year, clothing, shoes, and socks amounted to no small task. Learning needlework wasn’t just for herself—she would occasionally need to make gifts for her sisters, grandmother, mother, father, and brothers. With all that, where would she find time for leisure? As for studying, it was likely just to learn enough characters to manage household affairs.
Zhou Shaojin smiled and said, “I often do needlework in my spare time at home too. If you don’t mind, bring your embroidery patterns over for me to see sometime. It’s almost mid-spring now, which means it’s time to start making autumn clothes.”Upon hearing this, Madam Xie felt a wave of relief and revealed a bright smile. "That's wonderful, truly wonderful! Mother treats me very well. Aside from the morning and evening greetings, there are no strict rules to follow. Back at home, I used to read Buddhist scriptures to my grandmother for an hour every afternoon. Now that I don’t have to do that, I feel somewhat unaccustomed and often find myself with little to do. If you have any needlework for me, Auntie, just send a maid to let me know." At this point, her face suddenly flushed, and her voice softened as she added, "Auntie, may I make a few autumn outfits for Yun Ge'er? Come to think of it, I haven’t made anything for him yet."
She had nearly forgotten about this matter.
Zhou Shaojin, having been a new bride herself, naturally understood Madam Xie’s feelings. She happily replied, "That would be splendid. Thank you for your thoughtfulness. He’s still a child and grows quickly, so autumn clothes aren’t urgent. However, summer is approaching, and I’d like to make a few bellybands for Yun Ge'er to wear during summer to keep his stomach warm while sleeping. If you have time, could you make two bellybands for Yun Ge'er? Also, what about A Bao and Ren A? I wonder if they need any too?"
Seeing Zhou Shaojin offer her guidance once again, Madam Xie felt even more fondness toward her, convinced that helping by Zhou Shaojin’s side was the right decision.
Quick to catch on, she immediately said, "I’ll ask the other young ladies later to see if they’d like bellybands made for Ning Ge'er and the others as well!"
Zhou Shaojin nodded with a smile.
This child is clever yet sincere. Second sister-in-law has truly found a good daughter-in-law.
Zhou Shaojin ladled the prepared almond milk into small crimson porcelain bowls.
The creamy almond milk in the bright red bowls created a striking contrast, making it look all the more appetizing.
Madam Xie recalled the painting of ladies on a spring outing she had seen hanging in the side room upon entering earlier and quietly took note.
It seemed the Cheng family was indeed as her father had said—deeply rooted in tradition. Not only were their daily necessities refined, but even the furnishings and utensils were thoughtfully chosen to suit the season and occasion, reflecting great sophistication.
No wonder her grandmother had worried she might struggle to adapt after marrying into the family.
Fortunately, her young aunt was easy to get along with, her mother-in-law treated her kindly, and even her seemingly proud and talented sister-in-law was gentle and polite toward her... Everyone was well-mannered. As long as she remained sincere, she was sure to live well here!
Madam Xie secretly made up her mind, took a deep breath, and picked up the crimson tray adorned with golden begonia flowers holding the almond milk bowls, following Zhou Shaojin to the side room.
Cheng Sheng quickly stood up to help Madam Xie carry the almond milk.
Zhou Shaojin then called the children playing in the garden to come and drink the almond milk.
The children rushed in like a swarm but suddenly quieted down, respectfully bowing to their elders.
Everyone chuckled warmly.
Maids and elderly servants hurriedly brought warm water for the children to wash their hands, and their respective wet nurses helped them drink the almond milk.
Zhou Shaojin also took a spoon to feed Yun Ge'er.
After half a sip, Yun Ge'er spat it out, unwilling to drink any more.
No matter how much Zhou Shaojin coaxed him, he refused to drink and even clenched the spoon tightly with his front teeth, preventing her from feeding him.
Old Madam Guo watched and laughed, handing her empty bowl to Zhenzhu and wiping the corner of her mouth as she said, "Our Yun Ge'er is so clever. If he doesn’t like it, don’t force him."
Upon hearing this, Madam Yuan’s eyes briefly flickered with disapproval.
All children are like this, yet in the old madam’s eyes, Yun Ge'er is somehow cleverer than other children... Such blatant favoritism!Zhou Shaojin had no choice but to give up and asked Chunwan to bring warm water to feed Yun Ge'er.
After drinking a few sips, Yun Ge'er refused to drink any more.
The children also grew restless, glancing at each other, eager to go out and play.
Old Madam Guo smiled affectionately and said, "Go on, go play! But don’t run around recklessly, and be careful not to bump into anything."
The children cheered and ran outside.
Old Madam Guo and the others resumed their card game.
Cheng Zheng offered to let Zhou Shaojin take her place.
Zhou Shaojin waved her hands repeatedly and said, "You can’t just leave after winning! Even if I agreed, your grandmother wouldn’t allow it!"
Today, she was the hostess. Her duty was to ensure her guests felt at home—how could she run off to play?
Old Madam Guo nodded inwardly. Thinking of Cheng Zheng’s impending departure for Taiyuan, with no certainty of when she would return, she followed Zhou Shaojin’s words and said with a smile, "Your aunt is right. As a married daughter returning home, you are an honored guest. Since you’re rarely back, stay and play cards with us properly. Don’t keep looking around—it’ll make it hard for me to recover my losses. I’ve already lost nearly twenty taels of silver!"
Everyone laughed again.
Zhou Shaojin noticed her maid Bitao standing at the doorway, peering into the room.
Without drawing attention, she refilled Old Madam Guo’s tea and watched the card game for a while before stepping outside. Quietly, she asked Bitao, who was standing under the corridor eaves, "What is it?"
Bitao whispered, "Master Wen from Xizhimen suddenly brought three young masters to visit Fourth Master, claiming they are his sons…"
Had the mistress from outside already been brought into the household? Were his illegitimate sons now seeking to enter the family formally?
Zhou Shaojin frowned and asked, "What did Fourth Master say?"
"Fourth Master went to meet Master Wen. Originally, he just intended to share a cup of tea and send him away, but Master Wen said that since Fourth Master was hosting the elder master and others at home, why hadn’t he been notified? He even had someone bring in gift boxes, insisting on entering the second courtyard to pay his respects to the elder master," Bitao explained. "Fourth Master politely declined, but Master Wen persisted, demanding to see the elder master. So, Fourth Master called the elder master over and slipped away himself. Now, Master Wen is pestering the elder master, saying he wants to bring his three children in to pay respects to the Old Madam. The elder master had no choice but to send me to inform you. But Fourth Master also said not to bother with them…"
"Then don’t bother." Since Cheng Chi had said so, she would certainly follow his instructions.
Bitao worriedly said, "But Master Wen…"
"The elder master will handle it," Zhou Shaojin replied with a smile. "If it really becomes unmanageable, isn’t Fourth Master still here?"
Bitao sighed in relief and left the courtyard with a smile.
Zhou Shaojin was genuinely concerned that Cheng Wen might cause a scene. After some thought, she decided to inform Old Madam Guo.
Old Madam Guo was furious and said, "How dare he show his face here! Listen carefully—from now on, whenever you encounter him, steer clear to avoid embarrassment!" These last words were directed at Madam Yuan and the others in the room.
Zhou Shaojin and the others flushed and replied, "Yes."
Cheng Jing remained relatively clear-headed and ultimately did not allow Cheng Wen to bring his three illegitimate sons into the residence to pay respects to Old Madam Guo.
As for Cheng Xu, after returning from Chaoyangmen, he began studying behind closed doors. Apart from visiting Peng Xiang a few times, he went nowhere else. By the ninth day of the third lunar month, the lamps in the various rooms of Xinglin Hutong were lit one after another even before dawn broke.Cheng Jing and Cheng Xu both changed into new blue Hangzhou silk-lined robes, except that Cheng Jing's robe was embroidered with purple five-bat roundels, while Cheng Xu's was plain, with only a monkey riding a horse embroidered at the hem, symbolizing the auspicious wish for immediate success and achieving top honors in the imperial examinations.
The father and son paid respects to their ancestors, after which Cheng Jing personally escorted Cheng Xu to the examination hall.
The exams were held once a day for three sessions, with a two-day break in between, and even restroom breaks had to be taken within the examination grounds.
After nine days, the candidates were all worn out from the exams, looking as wilted as eggplants beaten by frost.
Cheng Jing personally went to pick up Cheng Xu and couldn't help but ask on the way, "How did it go? Recite the essay you wrote for me."
Cheng Xu had no choice but to recite his essay.
Cheng Jing listened and felt somewhat uncertain, immediately ordering the coachman to turn around and head toward Shuangyu Hutong, where Cheng Shao lived.
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Dear readers, here is today's update.
PS: Many of you have pointed out mistakes in the comments section that I hadn't noticed. If such issues arise again in the future, I hope you will continue to offer your guidance!
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel