Whаt аrе thеse pеорlе hеre for?
Zhou Shаоjin frowned dеeplу.
Вut thеу саme to sеe Cheng Gao. If she intеrfеred, whаt would Сhеng Наo bесоmе?
Аfter sоme thought, she sаid, "Кeеp an eуe on thеm from the sidе. If аnуthing sееms оff, сome аnd infоrm me."
Тhе littlе maid аcknоwlеdged and lеft.
Мadаm Xie askеd curiously, "Аrе thеy frоm the secоnd аnd third brаnchеs?"
Shе hаd hеаrd аbout thе Сheng fаmily's divisiоn, but only thrоugh heаrsау, not knоwing whеthеr it wаs true or falsе.
Since it involved Zhou Shаojin, she spоke cаutiouslу, "If уou'rе curious, you can go back and ask Second Sister-in-law. I have instructed the gatekeepers about these two—if they ever come, they must inform me immediately."
To avoid any more trouble.
Perhaps due to memories from her past life, she always felt that Cheng Shi and the others were rather opportunistic and wouldn't come to see Cheng Gao without a reason. She disliked dealing with such people.
Madam Xie nodded, somewhat embarrassed.
After all, this was a matter of the past. Asking about it seemed inappropriate.
Zhou Shaojin smiled and said, "It’s not that I don’t want to tell you, but this matter is very complicated. I don’t even know how to explain it properly, which is why I suggested you ask Second Sister-in-law after you return."
Only then did Madam Xie recall the rumors outside.
It was said that the division of the Jinling Cheng family was related to her aunt-in-law, Madam Yuan.
Was that why her aunt-in-law couldn’t say much?
Feeling she had uncovered the inside story, Madam Xie naturally felt too embarrassed to ask Zhou Shaojin further. She quickly changed the subject with a smile, "I wonder what Mother and Grandmother are discussing? They’ve been talking for so long and haven’t come out yet."
During the Bathing Buddha Festival, Zhou Shaojin didn’t go out. Madam Xie was nearing her due date, so Madam Qiu and Madam Xie also stayed in. Madam Yuan did come once to congratulate Zhou Shaojin on her pregnancy, sat for a while at Chaoyang Gate, and then excused herself, citing discomfort. This time, Madam Qiu brought Madam Xie to pay respects to Old Madam Guo. Zhou Shaojin and Madam Xie, both pregnant, sat under the wisteria trellis in the courtyard, chatting, drinking beverages, and enjoying fruits and pastries, while Madam Qiu remained in Old Madam Guo’s room for a long time without emerging.
Zhou Shaojin found the kumquat honey tea particularly refreshing and said with a smile, "One is your mother-in-law, the other is mine. Both are kind and amiable people. Let’s not worry about what they’re discussing. We’ll just listen when they’re ready."
Madam Xie was taken aback, a flicker of realization in her eyes.
Was this why her aunt-in-law and grandmother had such a close relationship?
No wonder every time she returned to her maiden home or when her mother visited, she was told to learn well from her aunt-in-law.
She smiled gently and said, "Aunt is right."
Putting the matter aside, she chatted warmly with Zhou Shaojin about everyday affairs.
The little maid who had come to report to Zhou Shaojin earlier rushed in, panting, and said, "Madam, Master Shi has invited Master Gao out for a drink. Master Gao has already agreed and is about to leave."
Zhou Shaojin had the little maid summon Qin Ziji and instructed him, "Quickly send a reliable and sharp person to follow them. Make sure nothing happens to Master Gao, especially anything that might seem trivial now but could affect his future career."
The Qin family had long served as stewards in the Cheng household. Although the past incident had been suppressed, how could it have escaped the Qin family’s notice? Moreover, Qin Ziji was here to serve as Cheng Chi’s steward. Rather than letting him hear confused and misleading rumors, it was better to let him know the truth.He knew even better than Madam Qiu what Cheng Shi and Cheng Zheng had done back then.
Qin Ziji respectfully acknowledged with a "Yes." He then turned and arranged for a trusted steward to accompany Cheng Gao, seeing him out the door.
With Qin Ziji taking over, Zhou Shaojin felt at ease.
When Madam Qiu helped Old Madam Guo out, Shaojin happily went up to greet them and asked if they would like to sit in the garden: "...The weather is so lovely today. It would be good for Sister-in-law Rang to move around more."
Madam Qiu smiled as she looked at Old Madam Guo.
Old Madam Guo, appearing in high spirits, smiled and agreed, "Good." The maids and elderly servants carried Yun Ge'er, and they all went to the garden together.
On the way, Old Madam Guo said to Zhou Shaojin and Madam Xie, "Second Young Master is doing very well in Shandong. There is a vacancy in the Dali Temple, and his superior has recommended him for a position there. Your mother-in-law specially came to tell me about this—if things go smoothly, he can return to preside over your child's hundred-day celebration."
"This is truly wonderful news," Zhou Shaojin hurriedly congratulated Madam Qiu.
Madam Qiu said bashfully, "This matter isn't completely settled yet. I'm a bit uncertain, so I came to consult Mother. She says it's good news."
Cheng Wei first served his time in the Hanlin Academy to build seniority, then was posted outside the capital. With experience from his local appointment, upon his return, he would surely secure a decent position in one of the Six Ministries or Three Courts. Of course, it was good news!
Madam Xie, who had not yet met this father-in-law, also congratulated Madam Qiu.
Madam Qiu hugged Madam Xie and chided, "You child, why are you teasing me too? When your father-in-law returns, Rang Ge'er will have someone to discipline him—that's the important matter." As she spoke, she took Yun Ge'er into her arms and said, "When Second Uncle returns and sees our Yun Ge'er, he'll be overjoyed! Then he can buy you delicious treats, alright?"
Yun Ge'er only heard "buy delicious treats" and nodded repeatedly, even making a request: "I want to eat the roujiamo made by the Crooked-Neck in the west of the city."
Once, when Jiying came to visit him, she brought roujiamo made by the Crooked-Neck in the west of the city. Since then, he had been craving it. Now, every time Jiying visited, she brought it for him, and he would lick his fingers after eating it. Zhou Shaojin sent a cook to investigate, but perhaps due to a secret recipe, it never tasted as good as the Crooked-Neck's version.
Hearing this, Madam Qiu laughed heartily and said, "Does Yun Ge'er only want roujiamo?"
Yun Ge'er nodded earnestly and said, "It's delicious!"
This amused Old Madam Guo and Zhou Shaojin, making them laugh as well.
Madam Qiu then asked about Chunwan's wedding: "It's said to be set for the tenth day of the fifth month? I'll come then to add to her trousseau."
Old Madam Guo smiled and said, "Not only will you come to add to her trousseau, but I've also told Eldest Young Master's wife to come and add to this child's trousseau. Logically, she should have been married off long ago, but she was always worried about Si Lang's wife's household, which delayed her. This time, she even said she wanted to wait until Shaojin gave birth safely... This child takes after Si Lang's wife's temperament—single-minded and devoted. I think we must marry her off with great fanfare and celebration."
Madam Xie couldn't help but widen her eyes in surprise.
Madam Qiu, however, readily agreed and even joked cheerfully, "We'll have another wedding feast to enjoy!"
Seeing how highly Old Madam Guo regarded Chunwan, Zhou Shaojin decided to postpone Bitao's wedding until next year. This would prevent the two from marrying one after the other, which might lead to envy or resentment due to the stark difference in their wedding arrangements.Upon returning, she said to Bitao, "With Chunwan leaving, you're the only one I brought from my maiden home. You'll need to keep an eye on things in my quarters."
Bitao, not one to overthink, quickly smiled and replied, "Don't worry, Madam. Chunwan's matter should naturally come first. I will follow your instructions in everything."
After careful consideration, Zhou Shaojin chose Bitao's match—the cousin of Biyu's husband.
Chunwan would no longer serve by her side.
After Chunwan married, Biyu would take over managing Zhou Shaojin's quarters.
Zhou Shaojin spoke with Bitao for a while before dismissing her.
As soon as Bitao left, Jixiang entered and quietly reported to Zhou Shaojin, "Chief Steward Qin sent someone to relay a message. Today, Master Zheng is hosting a gathering—he has secured the position of Assistant Magistrate in Jimo County and will soon depart for his post. Masters Shi and Pan are holding a farewell dinner for him. I heard Master Gao has come to the capital and was invited to join them for drinks. Nothing else of note occurred."
"Master Zheng is going to Jimo County?" Zhou Shaojin was somewhat surprised, yet it made sense.
In her previous life, with Cheng Jing's protection, Cheng Zheng not only passed the imperial examination to become a Junior Scholar Candidate, remained in the capital to observe governance in the Six Ministries as a capital official, but also married the daughter of Wang Jian, the Vice Minister of Personnel. In this life, having aligned himself with Cheng Shi, why would Cheng Jing bother with him? Having failed to attain the Junior Scholar Candidate status, with his temperament, how could he settle for just any position? Yet sometimes circumstances force one's hand—he wanted a better post, but that required someone to scheme on his behalf.
He, Cheng Shi, and Pan Zhuo all passed the imperial examination together. Cheng Xu would prioritize Cheng Shi first, while Pan Zhi would prioritize Pan Zhuo, leaving him to fend for himself haphazardly.
However, Jimo County is in Shandong, and Cheng Wei is also in Shandong... He sought out Cheng Gao. Could it be for Cheng Wei's sake?
It wasn't that Zhou Shaojin wanted to think of him in this light, but in her previous life, Cheng Zheng had been exactly that kind of person.
When Cheng Chi returned, she told him about this matter.
Cheng Chi changed his clothes while saying, "You're not overthinking it. He likely wants to seek out Second Brother. That he managed to secure the Assistant Magistrate position in Jimo County is actually thanks to Second Brother's help. Hasn't he been lingering around the Ministry of Personnel lately? Coincidentally, the newly appointed Director of the Bureau of Appointments in the Ministry of Personnel is Second Brother's former examination cohort. He previously served in Shaanxi and was just transferred here this year. Hearing that Cheng Shi is our family's nephew, he arranged for him to become the Assistant Magistrate in Jimo County. As you know, even so, he would surely write to my Second Brother afterward. Cheng Zheng has faced many setbacks in the capital this past year, which has tempered some of his arrogance of 'even without the Cheng family's main branch, I still passed the imperial examination.'
"Cheng Zheng came to see me, but I was unavailable. He couldn't get through to Eldest Brother either. Inviting Gao Ge'er out for dinner is almost certainly about this matter."
Zhou Shaojin said, "Does he think Cousin Gao would help him?"
Cheng Chi smiled and reminded her, "Aren't you very close with Jia?"
So, in the end, he wanted to use her influence.
Zhou Shaojin was displeased. "In his mind, am I that easy to persuade?"
"It's not that he thinks you're easy to persuade," Cheng Chi said, having changed his clothes and sitting beside Zhou Shaojin, taking her hand gently. "He believes that since he grew up with Gao Ge'er, although Gao Ge'er might not add flowers to brocade, he also wouldn't kick someone when they're down. He wants Gao Ge'er to speak on his behalf.""Surely Gao Ge'er isn't that foolish?" Zhou Shaojin pouted. "He knows perfectly well what happened back then."
"Yet most people forget the pain once the wound heals," Cheng Chi chuckled. "I'll speak with Gao Ge'er about this. Let Second Brother do Cheng Zheng a favor, so he can take up his post with peace of mind."
Zhou Shaojin stared in astonishment.
Cheng Chi whispered in her ear, "Don't worry. I know what to do! Hasn't the Third Branch always believed that all they needed was to produce a jinshi? Now not only have they produced one, but he's also smoothly become an official. After generations of swallowing their pride, no matter how steady they are, they'll get carried away and make mistakes. Add to that the favor from the Second Branch—they'll think the Eldest Branch won't hold it against them and will surely move out of Nine Prosperities Lane... By the time they realize climbing from county deputy to magistrate isn't so easy, it'll be too late!"
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Dear readers, today's update.
O(∩_∩)O~
※ (To be continued ~^~)
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