Zhоu Сhujin smilеd аnd nоddеd, proudlу еmbrасing Zhоu Shaojin, and аskеd Madаm Mian with rаrе рlауfulnеss, "Does it lоok good?"
"Good, verу gоod!" Мadаm Мiаn lоokеd аt thе twо girls bеforе her, radiant likе рeаrls and morning dew, аnd couldn't hеlp but revеаl а jоуful smilе. "Тruly, a girl сhаnges еightееn times аs she grоws uр. Our Chujin аnd Shаojin аre becоming more and mоrе bеautiful!"
Zhоu Chujin had askеd аbоut the сlоthing, but Маdаm Мian рrаised thеm insteаd, causing bоth Zhou Сhujin аnd Zhоu Shaоjin tо blush аnd lаugh shyly.
Mаmmy Wang lifted the curtаin and stepрed out, grеeting thеm with а smile. "Оld Madam heard the commotion and invites the mistress, young ladies, and young masters inside to speak."
As a widow with elders present, even though it was a birthday celebration, it remained quite low-key. Old Madam Guan wore a dark blue Hangzhou silk robe with gourd and vase patterns, her silver-streaked hair tied into a round bun, adorned with a pair of silver hairpins inlaid with jade and engraved with double longevity characters. She sat smiling on the luohan bed in the resting room, with two young maids fanning her on either side.
Seeing her daughter-in-law, grandson, and granddaughters, Old Madam Guan's smile grew even brighter. She hurriedly asked if they had eaten breakfast, and upon learning they had, she instructed the maids to bring some fruits, adding, "My birthday is unlucky, falling in summer, making you all suffer along with me. Not like the old madam of the eldest branch, whose birthday is in autumn, when one can enjoy flowers and eat crabs."
Madam Mian quickly replied, "Look at what you're saying. A birthday is a matter of one's fate. See how filial both masters are—I think your birthday is just fine."
Second Master Cheng Yuan, though away on official duty, had sent birthday gifts early, most of which were health-preserving herbs, with a smaller portion being clothes and shoes handmade by Second Madam Yuan. Cheng Mian and Madam Mian, needless to say, had gone to great lengths to find a piece of yellow stone, which they carved into a statue of Guanyin for Old Madam Guan.
All the children were filial, and in this regard, Old Madam Guan agreed wholeheartedly.
She nodded repeatedly, her eyes crinkling into a smile.
The wives of several estate managers arrived from the guest quarters.
Old Madam Guan and the others moved to the flower hall to sit.
Just as they settled, several close friends of the fourth branch arrived.
People continued to arrive one after another.
Zhou Chujin and Zhou Shaojin both helped Madam Mian entertain the guests.
In previous years, during Old Madam Guan's birthday celebrations, Zhou Shaojin would stay in Fragrant Garden Residence and only come over when the birthday greetings began. This year, however, she followed behind her sister, occasionally overseeing the maids serving tea and snacks, which inevitably led some to ask who she was.
Madam Mian cheerfully pushed her forward to introduce her to the guests.
Those who saw Zhou Shaojin praised her beauty. Those who were prepared gave her meeting gifts, while those who weren't would still hold her hand and chat about everyday matters. Some also noticed Zhou Chujin's clothing, praising its beauty and asking who made it. Without hesitation, Zhou Chujin pushed Zhou Shaojin forward, earning her another round of praise, with some asking where the embroidery patterns came from. Others quietly inquired about Zhou Shaojin's age and whether she was betrothed.
For a moment, Zhou Shaojin found herself quite busy, bustling around.
Madam Dong, Cheng Lu's mother, and Madam Yu, Cheng Ju's mother, arrived.
Madam Dong, unlike her usual affectionate and enthusiastic self, appeared somewhat awkward as she stepped forward to pay her respects to Old Madam Guan. In contrast, Madam Yu remained as cheerful and sociable as ever, greeting Old Madam Guan before engaging in lively conversation with familiar female relatives.
Old Madam Guan treated them just as she had before, calling Madam Mian over to entertain them.Zhou Shaojin pretended not to see and continued speaking with the guests. Instead, Zhou Chujin stepped forward and performed a curtsy.
Before long, the first, second, and third branches of the family also arrived.
After paying respects to the elders, Zhou Shaojin was pulled aside by Cheng Jia, who pointed at Pan Qing and said, "Look at her!"
Pan Qing’s jet-black hair was styled into an intricate peony bun, adorned with kingfisher feather hairpins and a pearl headband. She wore a blue-green Hangzhou silk robe with phoenix-tail floral patterns and a moon-white pleated skirt. Her skin was as fair as snow, and her face resembled a peony blossom—exceptionally beautiful.
Zhou Shaojin recognized that Hangzhou silk robe. It was made from new fabric produced in Jiaxing Prefecture this year, costing twelve taels of silver per bolt. In her previous life, Zhou Shaojin had owned a similar robe, though she had purchased it the following year. By now, it was likely even more expensive.
Pan Qing had truly put effort into her appearance.
Zhou Shaojin smiled and said, "We’ll act according to the situation later!"
Cheng Jia nodded, then suddenly turned her gaze to Zhou Chujin, exclaiming, "Sister Chujin looks absolutely stunning today! Look at that skirt—I’ve never seen such intricate and vibrant yet elegant and refined embroidery along the hem... Shaojin, why don’t you have one made like it?"
When her sister first married into the Liao family, as the eldest daughter who had lost her mother and was destined to become the matriarch, she endured considerable hardship. Zhou Shaojin hoped that her sister would build a reputation for virtue among their relatives before her marriage, so life in the Liao family would be easier. However, she hadn’t expected everyone to take such an interest in the clothes she made, and her sister had seized the opportunity to bring her into the spotlight.
This wasn’t her intention at all.
Zhou Shaojin decided to stay with Cheng Jia for the time being and avoid mingling with the relatives as much as possible.
"We sisters can’t wear the same thing, can we?" she said with a laugh. "I think my outfit is quite nice too."
Cheng Jia chuckled and replied, "It is nice, but not as beautiful as Sister Chujin’s."
That was precisely Zhou Shaojin’s goal—to make her sister the center of attention.
Unfortunately, before she could feel pleased with herself, she heard Old Madam Guo say, "The eldest young lady’s skirt is truly exquisite! Which embroiderer crafted it? Where did the pattern come from? It doesn’t seem to be a local style..."
Zhou Shaojin sensed trouble and quickly pulled Cheng Jia out of the flower hall.
Cheng Jia was puzzled and asked, "Why are you in such a hurry?"
"It’s nothing," Zhou Shaojin explained. "The flower hall is filled with elders and guests, and I feel a bit uneasy."
"I feel uneasy too," Cheng Jia said happily upon hearing this. "Why don’t we go feed the fish at the Water Pavilion nearby? Last time I was here, I noticed a huge koi in your pond. But Cui Huan insisted it wasn’t a koi—maybe a catfish. It was a pity because it had just rained, and the water was a bit murky, so I couldn’t see it clearly..."
The Water Pavilion was located beside the flower hall, equipped with a "beauty’s lean" railing where one could enjoy the view, chat, and watch the fish.
Zhou Shaojin thought hiding there was a good idea, so she left a young maid behind to keep them informed and headed to the Water Pavilion with Shi Xiang, Cui Huan, and others.
The sun had just risen, and some sunlight still streamed into the Water Pavilion. Fortunately, the servants had already hung bamboo curtains around it earlier in the day. Shi Xiang and the others lowered the curtains, and the breeze blowing across the water was refreshingly cool. Zhou Shaojin and Cheng Jia sat in the Water Pavilion, watching the maids prepare fish food, feeling utterly content.
Suddenly, footsteps and the cheerful voices of men echoed from nearby.
Everyone in the Water Pavilion turned to look and saw a group of men passing along the path ahead.There were Cheng Shi, Cheng Zheng, as well as Cheng Xu, Pan Zhuo, Cheng Lu...
Cheng Jia exclaimed in shock, "What are they doing here? Isn't it still not time for the birthday greetings?"
Zhou Shaojin remembered that the schedule stated the banquet would begin at noon sharp. The birthday greetings would start at ten in the morning, led by Cheng Mian with the grandsons and servants paying their respects first, followed by Madam Mian leading the female relatives. It was only eight in the morning now—why had Cheng Shi and the others arrived so early?
She hurriedly sent Shi Xiang to inquire, "...has there been any change?"
Shi Xiang returned and said, "There's no change. It's just that Master Shi and the others arrived early, so the elder master had them taken to the side study to wait."
Zhou Shaojin breathed a sigh of relief. Worried that Cheng Shi and the others might grow bored and wander over to the Water Pavilion, she discussed with Cheng Jia, "We'd better return to the flower hall. That way, we won't run into Cousin Shi and the others again."
After the last qin competition, Cheng Jia had harbored a deep resentment toward Cheng Shi and his companions. Hearing Zhou Shaojin's suggestion, she immediately agreed, and the two of them headed back to the flower hall together.
Halfway there, a commotion arose behind them.
Zhou Shaojin turned around and saw Cheng Shi and the others heading toward the Water Pavilion.
"Thank heavens," she couldn't help but say. "Otherwise, we would have run right into them."
Cheng Jia complained, "Why are they always wandering around the inner courtyard? Is there really no place for them in the outer courtyard? Besides, they're men. Couldn't they go to some temple or monastery instead of competing with us for space?"
Zhou Shaojin chuckled and said, "It's not really their fault. If today were Uncle Mian's birthday, they wouldn't have come in."
Hearing this, Cheng Jia immediately pulled her aside and whispered, "Have you noticed? Aunt Wen from the fifth branch still hasn't arrived. Do you think she'll come today?"
Zhou Shaojin couldn't guess.
If it were her, knowing that one should never concede defeat easily, she ought to come. But her pride would suffer too much. She definitely wouldn't come.
Cheng Jia said smugly, "I bet she'll come today—if she doesn't show herself in front of Old Madam Guo and the others again, they might even forget she exists."
"Is that really possible?" Zhou Shaojin laughed. "She is, after all, the wife of the fifth branch!"
Cheng Jia grumbled, "Can't I exaggerate a little?"
Zhou Shaojin smiled helplessly.
Suddenly, Cheng Jia pulled Zhou Shaojin under a nearby pomegranate tree and said in a low voice, "Look, Pan Qing!"
Zhou Shaojin looked over and saw Pan Qing standing on the steps of the flower hall, whispering with a young maid who looked unfamiliar.
Pan Qing nodded slightly, straightened up, and the little maid scurried away.
Pan Qing stood there thoughtfully for a moment before turning and returning to the flower hall.
Cheng Jia asked, "What do you think she's up to?"
"Whatever she's planning," Zhou Shaojin said, "we just need to keep an eye on her."
She instructed Shi Xiang, "Find a clever little maid, preferably around eight or nine years old, to watch Pan Qing."
Shi Xiang acknowledged and left.
Zhou Shaojin and Cheng Jia entered the flower hall.
Old Madam Guo was sitting beside Old Madam Guan, while Old Madam Tang sat below Old Madam Guan. The female relatives were gathered around the three of them, chatting.
Zhou Shaojin and Cheng Jia quietly slipped behind the crowd and stood beside the curtain next to the floor-length screen.
Madam Wen from the fifth branch had arrived.Her face was heavily powdered, with rouge applied and lips painted. She wore a lotus-colored Hangzhou silk robe woven with a hundred treasures pattern, with black medicinal plasters stuck on both temples, her expression stiff.
Old Madam Guo couldn't help but frown.
Old Madam Tang from the second branch, however, smiled like the Maitreya Buddha.
Those who knew her, like Madam Jiang, greeted her one after another.
Madam Wen responded listlessly.
Zhou Shaojin noticed Pan Qing quietly leaving Cheng Xian and exiting the flower hall.
She waited calmly for a while.
Shi Xiang walked in.
"Second Miss, Miss Pan... she seems to have gone to the Water Pavilion!"
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Sisters, today's extra update... will still be posted around midnight, but I'll try to make it as early as possible... o(n_n)o~※ (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
!!
OpenNovel