Аfter the laughtеr subsidеd, those lingеring doubts still weighеd оn hеr mind.
Zhоu Shаоjin decidеd to start her investigation frоm thе Zhuang fаmily's аnсеstrаl homе.
Shе саllеd Mаdam Ma Fushаn in аnd askеd her to relаy a mеssage tо Ма Fushаn: "...Find оut ехactlу whеre thе Zhuаng fаmily's оld residеnсe is loсаted оn Guan Street? Whо owns it now? When wаs it sоld? Нow muсh silver was it sold fоr аt thе time? Аnd саn it bе bоught bаck?"
If this оld rеsidenсe wеre not in Сunyi Lаnе, аnd not nеighbоring Сhеng Lu's home, she wоuld definitely find a waу to reclаim it.
But now, just thinking thаt Chеng Lu livеd not fаr from this old residence made her feel uneasy all over.
She said this merely to avoid arousing suspicion from her sister and Ma Fushan.
As expected, Ma Fushan did not suspect anything.
A few days later, Madam Ma Fushan came to report back to Zhou Shaojin.
"Second Miss, guess where that old residence is?" Madam Ma Fushan beamed, and Zhou Shaojin immediately felt a sense of foreboding.
She asked warily, "Where is the old residence?"
As if waiting for her to ask, Madam Ma Fushan replied excitedly, "It turns out the Zhuang family's old residence is right next door to the Fifth Branch's Elder Brother Lu's home. Two years ago, Uncle Zhuang sold it to Elder Brother Lu, and now the deed is in Elder Brother Lu's hands. If you're serious about reclaiming it, it would be as simple as saying the word!"
Despite the sweltering heat, Zhou Shaojin felt her hands and feet turn cold.
It took her a long moment before she managed to say, "Are you sure you didn't make a mistake?"
"No, no," Madam Ma Fushan hurriedly replied. "My husband is always thorough in his work. He even pretended to pass by and went in to take a look—perhaps because Elder Brother Lu's household is small. After Elder Brother Lu bought the residence, it has remained empty, only storing some old furniture. However, the plum tree in the courtyard is thriving. Neighbors say it blooms fully during the flowering season. My husband mentioned that the beams and pillars of the residence are made of thick, sturdy cold pine, yet it was sold for only thirty taels of silver back then. With just a little renovation, it would be livable. Even if we added another twenty taels for Elder Brother Lu, it would still be a great deal."
Zhou Shaojin felt her vision darken.
When changing the deed at the government office, the previous owner and the current owner were clearly recorded.
Cheng Lu couldn't possibly have been unaware that this was the Zhuang family's old residence.
Yet from beginning to end, he never mentioned it.
It took Zhou Shaojin a long time to regain her composure. Summoning her strength, she said to Madam Ma Fushan, "Since the residence is so good, I'm afraid Elder Brother Lu wouldn't sell it for just an extra twenty taels of silver. Let's set this matter aside for now, so as not to give others the impression that we're taking advantage of relatives."
Madam Ma Fushan was quite surprised, but since Zhou Shaojin had already spoken, she couldn't say much and took her leave.
Zhou Shaojin turned and collapsed onto the bed.
If not for the events of her past life, she could have deceived herself into thinking that Cheng Lu simply hadn't had the chance to tell her.
But now, two years had passed. If he had intended to tell her, he would have done so long ago.
He clearly intended to keep it from her.
But why would he hide it from her?
Zhou Shaojin wanted to rush to Cheng Lu and confront him. Yet, in this life, she was even more unwilling to have any interaction with him.
It seemed she could only start with Uncle Zhuang!
Zhou Shaojin felt as though she were trying to negotiate with a tiger.
Soon, the Dragon Boat Festival arrived.
As in previous years, the government decided to set off fireworks in the eastern part of the city to celebrate.Prefect Wu personally visited the Cheng family, requesting them to donate five hundred taels of silver as in previous years to support the grand event.
Cheng Chi received Prefect Wu.
He said, “Our family is in mourning, so it is not appropriate to celebrate lavishly. However, the Cheng family has always taken responsibility for official matters without hesitation. Moreover, this year marks Prefect Wu’s first Dragon Boat Festival since taking office, so our family will donate eight hundred taels of silver. I will have Chief Steward Qin deliver it later. However, could the government relocate the fireworks display to another area this year?”
Prefect Wu immediately agreed and added, “As a newcomer, I am unaware of other suitable locations for the fireworks display. Zi Chuan, perhaps you could offer some suggestions.”
Subsequently, the fireworks location was set at Quqing Street in the southern part of the city.
When Xiao Tan told Zhou Shaojin about this, Shaojin had just finished copying the day’s sutras and was washing her hands.
Surprised, she asked curiously, “How did you know about this?”
“Of course, it came from the ‘Smelling Osmanthus Fragrance’ side,” Xiao Tan replied nonchalantly. “Fourth Master and Prefect Wu didn’t avoid anyone when they discussed it, so all the servants attending at ‘Smelling Osmanthus Fragrance’ that day knew.” She sighed wistfully and added gloomily, “Moreover, Chief Steward Qin has given orders: there will be no lantern festivities this Dragon Boat Festival, only vegetarian zongzi will be served, and the Cheng family will not participate in the dragon boat races… I wonder if the festival rewards will also be reduced? I was planning to buy two five-poison velvet flowers for my sister and me once the rewards were distributed, but now it seems unlikely!”
Every year, several of the Cheng family’s manors would select strong young men to participate in the dragon boat races organized by the Jinling government. During this time, most of the Cheng family’s servants were given leave to watch the races…
With all these lively celebrations canceled, it was as if the entire household was observing mourning for Cheng Xun… But with elderly elders still in the household, was this appropriate?
Zhou Shaojin told Old Madam Guan about this.
“I’ve also received word,” Old Madam Guan sighed. “These matters are for the elders to handle. As juniors, you should act as if you know nothing. Say nothing, ask nothing, and simply follow us in observing the festival.”
This likely involved the covert rivalry between the eldest and second branches of the family.
Zhou Shaojin understood this well. When she next visited Cold Green Mountain House, she wrapped two hundred copper coins in a red envelope and gave it to Xiao Tan: “Regardless of whether rewards are distributed, I’ll treat you and your sister to flowers.”
According to the Cheng family’s tradition, during the Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Spring Festival, rewards ranging from one tael to fifty copper coins were distributed based on rank.
Xiao Tan blushed, thought for a moment, thanked Zhou Shaojin, and tucked the envelope into her pocket.
Zhou Shaojin appreciated Xiao Tan’s straightforwardness.
However, on the first day of the fifth lunar month, news spread throughout Nine Prosperities Lane that the Dragon Boat Festival rewards had been distributed, along with the announcements about serving only vegetarian zongzi during the festival, the manor’s young men not participating in the dragon boat races, and the cancellation of lantern festivities.
When Cheng Yi went to pay his respects to Old Madam Guan, he was quite displeased, pouting as he said, “Why should we observe mourning for Cheng Xun? We’re beyond the five degrees of mourning. I don’t even know him.”
Old Madam Guan slapped his shoulder with a “smack.” “Where has all your learning gone? You show no brotherly affection or respect! If I hear you say such things again, you’ll kneel in the ancestral hall.”
Cheng Yi exaggeratedly rubbed his shoulder where Old Madam Guan had struck him, grinning as he said, “Grandmother, you’ve bruised my shoulder.”"Serves you right!" Old Madam Guan laughed, giving Cheng Yi another playful slap.
The servants attending in Old Madam Guan's room all chuckled.
Standing outside the door, Zhou Shaojin hesitated for a moment.
Since Cheng Yi was here, Cheng Gao must be present as well.
She wasn't the type to lack awareness. Ever since her rebirth, every time she came to pay respects to Old Madam Guan, she hadn't encountered Cheng Gao or Cheng Yi... In the past, they would often run into each other every few days and frequently leave Jia Shu Hall together.
This was no coincidence.
Though she didn't know what her grandmother was thinking or why things had changed this way, Zhou Shaojin decided not to dwell on it.
Since her grandmother didn't want Cheng Gao and his brother to meet her, she would simply avoid them.
Zhou Shaojin went to the adjacent tea room and waited until she saw Cheng Gao and Cheng Yi leave Jia Shu Hall through the gaps in the tea room's window lattice. Only then did she go to pay her respects to Old Madam Guan, presenting her with the Five Poisons sachet she had made.
Old Madam Guan happily hung it at the corner of her bed.
Watching this, the slight ache in Zhou Shaojin's heart quickly dissipated.
When she went to Cold Green Mountain House, she also gave Old Madam Guo a Five Poisons sachet.
Many people showed filial respect to Old Madam Guo. Her sachet was hung on the floor screen in Old Madam Guo's inner chamber, while more sachets were displayed in the reception room or the corridors of the main quarters. Only the Five Poisons sachets specially sent by Cheng Zheng and Cheng Sheng from the distant capital, and Cheng Xiao who had married into Tongcheng, were hung at the corners of Old Madam Guo's bed.
There was a distinction between closeness and distance.
By now, Zhou Shaojin's heart was as calm as still water.
Returning to Jia Shu Hall, she made zongzi with her sister.
Though they were vegetarian zongzi, they crafted them in various shapes—dragon boat-shaped, square, rhombus, triangular... They made all kinds and sent small baskets to Jia Shu Hall, Autumn Embrace Pavilion, Cold Green Mountain House, and Ruyi Pavilion.
Old Madam Guan's response went without saying. Madam Mian reciprocated with several bolts of brocade fabric, saying the sisters should keep them for winter clothes. Cold Green Mountain House sent two mutton-fat jade armlets, perfect for summer use. Cheng Jia's return gifts included a small jar of realgar wine, new-style palace flowers, sachets filled with cinnabar and mugwort, colorful bracelets, double-yolk salted duck eggs... an assortment that left Zhou Shaojin both amused and exasperated.
When the younger generation from the third branch came to pay respects to Old Madam Guan on the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, Cheng Jia specifically asked her, "Well? I treat you well, don't I? Whenever I have something good, I always think of you." After saying this, she raised an eyebrow and glanced at Pan Qing.
Zhou Shaojin felt that if Cheng Jia hadn't glanced at Pan Qing, her words would have been more convincing.
Yet Pan Qing chose that moment to stir up trouble, saying, "Shao Jin, since you sent zongzi to Cheng Jia, why didn't you send me any?"
She spoke with a smiling face, but her voice was slightly loud. Cheng Xian, Madam Jiang, and others all turned to look.
Cheng Jia couldn't help looking rather smug.
But Zhou Shaojin replied with a gentle smile, "This was my first time making zongzi, and I wasn't sure if they turned out well, so I asked Cousin Jia to try them first. Cousin Jia is generous, straightforward, and very filial—if she received zongzi, she would surely share them with everyone. Otherwise, how would you know, Cousin Qing, that I sent zongzi to Cousin Jia? However, if you think my zongzi are tasty, I'll make more next year and send you some too!"
"No sincerity!" Pan Qing pursed her lips and smiled. "If you truly wanted to give me some, you could make a few right now."If anyone else had heard such words, they would likely have said, "Who knows if I'll even be in Jinling Prefecture next year."
Pan Qing must be the one who wants to marry into the Cheng family, right?
Zhou Shaojin sneered inwardly.
The people from the third branch didn’t even stay for half an incense stick’s time before taking their leave.
However, those from the fourth branch who went to pay respects to the fifth branch were invited by Madam Wen to stay for lunch.
Old Madam Guan chuckled, "This is truly a rare sight—our Madam Wen is ill for three hundred days out of the year, and guests have to speak up themselves if they want tea. Yet Gao Ge’er and Yi Ge’er are fortunate enough to be invited to stay for lunch."
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The evening update will still be at the usual time... o(n_n)o~
※ (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote to recommend it or cast a monthly vote. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
!!
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