Jiа Shu Нall was lосаtеd in thе eastern раrt of the Fоurth Housе аnd sеrvеd аs its mаin residenсe. Old Madam Guan, bеing а widow, shоuld havе mоvеd tо the Sеrеnitу Раvilion in thе west after thе оld mastеr passed аway, аs was custоmаrу. Ноwеvеr, at that timе, thе childrеn wеrе still yоung, and thеrе were nо еlders in thе family, so suсh formalities wеrе nоt strictlу observed. Whеn Сhеng Miаn wаs аbоut tо mаrry, Оld Мadаm Guan intеnded to vаcаtе thе main rеsidеnсе for her eldеst son, who should have tаken on the rеsponsibilitiеs of thе hоusehоld. But Cheng Mian was unwilling—the Serenity Pavilion was situated in the western part of the Fourth House, right next to the Fifth House, which was constantly unsettled. He feared not only disturbing his mother but also that she would be troubled by the commotion. After discussing with Cheng Yuan and his wife’s family, he arranged the bridal chamber in the Autumn Embrace Pavilion behind Jia Shu Hall.
This was the first time he made a decision on his own. Old Madam Guan did not want to contradict her son and also wished to avoid the troubles of the Fifth House, so she continued to reside there.
When Zhou Shaojin entered Jia Shu Hall, the morning mist had already dissipated. Green willows hung gently nearby, osmanthus trees provided shade, and crape myrtles, roses, winter jasmine, and oleanders bloomed in vibrant competition. The scent of grass and trees mingled with a faint floral fragrance, refreshing the spirit.
They were greeted by Si’er, Old Madam Guan’s senior maid.
She wore a pale red summer cloth robe, her round face adorned with a sweet smile. From a distance, she curtsied to Zhou Shaojin and the others, saying, “Second Miss, the old madam has been waiting for you.” Zhou Shaojin smiled and nodded to her before entering the main hall.
Old Madam Guan sat on a low couch in the main hall, its backrest inlaid with Lingshan stone and carved with red lacquer. She held the hand of Zhou Chujin, who stood before the couch, as they chatted.
She was fifty-six years old this year, her hair graying, making her appear five or six years older than her actual age. She wore a sapphire-blue robe embroidered with cloud patterns and clustered flowers.
Hearing the commotion, she turned her head.
Her gentle gaze held a kind and affectionate smile, warm and endearing.
Tears welled up in Zhou Shaojin’s eyes.
She quickly lowered her head, curtsied, and called out, “Grandmother,” her voice unconsciously tinged with a sob.
Old Madam Guan chuckled and said, “Have you been wronged after being confined for a few days? Come, come to your grandmother.”
Zhou Shaojin took a few steps forward.
The maids hurriedly brought in two embroidered stools and placed them before the low couch.
Old Madam Guan took a handful of spun-silk candy from the compartmented box on the couch table and handed it to her, saying, “This was specially brought back from the capital by your cousin Gao’s classmate to honor me. It’s very sweet—you should try some too.”
The elderly lady loved children and always carried sweets with her, giving a few pieces to any child she met. Whether young masters, misses, maids, or servants, all the children in the household adored her.
Being treated like a child in this way, Zhou Shaojin’s nervousness instantly vanished, replaced by a feeling of being pampered. Tears welled up in her eyes once more. “You silly child, why are you crying for no reason?” Old Madam Guan handed her a handkerchief and said, “If you have something to say, say it properly! Will crying make things better? Stop crying now!”
Having experienced many partings and losses in her life, the old madam disliked seeing people weep.
Zhou Shaojin quickly wiped the corners of her eyes and smiled, saying, “I haven’t seen Grandmother for a few days and missed her delicious treats!”Old Madam Guan saw that although she was smiling, the corners of her eyes still held a hint of moisture, like pear blossoms after rain, carrying a delicate and fragile charm. She couldn't help but feel a surge of affection and said gently, "But you can't always cry like this! For a young lady, shedding a few tears occasionally is like golden beans, but if you cry all the time, it's just water—nothing special."
Zhou Shaojin was slightly taken aback.
In her memory, this was the first time her grandmother had taught her such a lesson about life and conduct.
Her feelings toward her grandmother had always been complex. On one hand, she longed for her grandmother's affection and attention; on the other, she felt she was merely a nominal granddaughter. No matter how obedient, sensible, or gentle she was, she could never compare to her sister, who shared a bloodline with their grandmother.
And indeed, her grandmother treated her and her sister differently.
She had always been lenient with Shaojin.
But with her sister, she was strict.
When she was young and naive, she didn't notice it. But as she grew older and learned that sometimes strictness was also a form of love—even a deeper love than leniency—and after understanding her relationship with the Cheng family, she began to feel uneasy. She started avoiding her grandmother whenever possible, staying in her room as much as she could...
What was wrong with her grandmother today?
Zhou Shaojin couldn't help but smile and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Grandmother. I will remember it."
Her grandmother nodded with a smile, looking quite pleased, and said to the others in the room, "This child truly needs to grow up. Look at Shaojin—this is the first time she's spoken to me so decisively."
Everyone laughed.
But Zhou Shaojin thought of her timid and hesitant demeanor in front of her grandmother in the past and fell into contemplation.
Old Madam Guan pointed to the embroidered stools, inviting them to sit. Maidservants brought tea and snacks.
Zhou Shaojin and Zhou Chujin took their seats, while Nanny Wang only perched on the edge of hers.
Old Madam Guan shook her head with a smile, not bothering to argue with her, and said to Zhou Shaojin, "I heard from your sister that you've fully recovered. Tomorrow, the wife of Magistrate Wu of Jinling will bring her children to pay their respects. You and your sister should join me to receive them."
Zhou Shaojin was both surprised and delighted. "Me? Really?"
"Yes!" Old Madam Guan was amused by her reaction and teased, "Is there a second Zhou Shaojin here?"
"Yes, yes, yes!" The joy of seeing a long-held wish suddenly come true was indescribable. Zhou Shaojin hurriedly said, "I will definitely help entertain the guests with my sister." Before she even finished speaking, she felt a flicker of doubt. She was still recovering from illness—why would her grandmother suddenly ask her to meet guests? She couldn't help but glance at her sister.
Her sister was smiling and winking at her.
Zhou Shaojin understood—her sister must have said something to their grandmother on her behalf.
She felt a dizzying rush of overwhelming happiness.
"Sister," she couldn't help but say, "thank you!"
Zhou Chujin smiled with pursed lips.
Old Madam Guan watched them, her face blooming with joy. "That's more like it! Sisters should be affectionate and respectful toward each other." She turned to Zhou Chujin and said, "Now you must be satisfied! Both of you will accompany me to meet the guests tomorrow!"
"Thank you, Grandmother!" The sisters rose in unison and curtsied to Old Madam Guan."Go on, go on!" Old Madam Guan pretended to frown, putting on an expression of being utterly vexed, saying, "You're making my head ache with all this noise. Let me have some peace and quiet!"
Zhou Chujin giggled and pulled Zhou Shaojin away as they retreated.
"That child!" Old Madam Guan's smile lingered as she said to Mama Wang, "In everything she does, she always thinks of her younger sister." After saying this, her smile gradually turned into melancholy as she sighed, "But this is also the cause planted by Madam Zhuang, reaping this good result. I don't know whether to be glad for this child or heartbroken over her hardships."
Seeing that Old Madam Guan and Mama Wang were speaking intimately, the servants in the room quietly withdrew.
Mama Wang consoled her, "Every action and its consequence is originally predetermined by heaven. You needn't worry too much. I see the eldest young lady as blessed—otherwise, how could she have encountered Madam Zhuang? If Uncle hadn't married Madam Zhuang, the eldest young lady wouldn't have been able to grow up under your care."
"That's true." Old Madam Guan had always been broad-minded; otherwise, she wouldn't have lived so healthily until now. Hearing this, she immediately cheered up and said with a smile, "The thirteenth master of the Liao family came specially at the request of their eldest master, wanting to set the wedding date for Chujin and the Liao family's son-in-law. The master has already agreed, and the letter to Uncle is already on its way. Presumably, as soon as the mourning period over there is over, they can marry. Once we find a good marriage for Shaojin, my task will be complete." After saying this, she felt quite relieved.
Mama Wang listened and smiled slightly, saying, "Speaking of the second young lady, I think with her temperament, she isn't suited to be a clan matriarch or eldest daughter-in-law. It would be best if she married a second son or youngest son of some family."
Old Madam Guan agreed wholeheartedly, saying, "I think so too—she always likes to keep things to herself, is sensitive and prone to worry, often becoming sad and despondent. It's fine at home, but if she marries, she might not withstand a mother-in-law's cold treatment. The second son, having an elder brother above him, is usually not highly regarded. A strong-willed mother-in-law would naturally torment the eldest daughter-in-law, so she wouldn't have to bear the brunt of establishing rules. The youngest son is usually the mother's darling, and nine times out of ten, they are somewhat spoiled. Shaojin is gentle and yielding, so the couple would surely respect each other. The mother-in-law, for the sake of her youngest son, wouldn't intentionally make things difficult for her. Perhaps when dividing the family property, there might even be some private savings quietly given to them. I think we should not only look for a second or youngest son but also preferably from a simpler family. If there are too many people and affairs, she wouldn't be able to handle them." As she spoke, the old lady chuckled to herself, saying, "We're worrying about her here, but perhaps it's all unnecessary. Look at her appearance—any man would probably hold her in the palm of his hand. How many mothers can go against their sons? When the time comes, we just need to find her a family that values their children."
Mama Wang also laughed along, saying, "I've lived to this age, and aside from Madam Zhuang, the second young lady is the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. That's why I often say the eldest young lady is kind-hearted. If it were someone else, even if they were sisters, so what? They probably wouldn't be able to tolerate it! Why does the third branch's eldest young lady always compete with the second young lady? It's probably because of that appearance."
Old Madam Guan couldn't help but laugh.
Mama Wang then said, "What do you think of Second Young Master?"
"Yi'er?!" Old Madam Guan was astonished."Yes indeed!" Old Mammy Wang said with hidden meaning, "When I went to deliver the message to Second Miss, she came out from the study. I seemed to see Second Master Yi hiding in the bamboo grove... but my old eyes are failing, perhaps I saw wrong..."
Old Madam Guan's expression darkened.
Zhou Shaojin was twelve, Cheng Yi fifteen. Though they were cousins living in the same household and usually quite close, it was time to start maintaining proper distance.
"Don't try to gloss over this with me!" she said bluntly, "I know you saw it. Have you found out what exactly happened?"
"In this old servant's view, you might as well let things take their natural course," Old Mammy Wang said tactfully. "We've watched Second Miss grow up with our own eyes. If nothing else, she's most teachable. With careful guidance, even if she can't be as decisive as First Miss in everything, she'll certainly be content with her lot and follow the rules. That's surely better than marrying blindly to someone whose background we don't know. We could also take this opportunity to arrange a good marriage for Master Yi!"
Old Madam Guan sat up in shock, exclaiming anxiously, "Are you saying that Yi'er...?"
Old Mammy Wang smiled and said, "I've noticed that since Second Miss fell ill, the young master asks about her condition every day..."
Old Madam Guan fell silent, frowning as she carefully traced the rim of the blue-and-white teacup.
Old Mammy Wang leisurely took a sip of tea.
She had said all that needed to be said. As for what outcome there would be, it depended on how the old madam decided.
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Thank you everyone!
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