Old Madam Guo didn’t believe such an explanation.
She privately laughed with Zhou Shaojin, “I suspect Li Jing wants to marry his bride sooner to avoid complications from delays.”
Zhou Shaojin smiled slightly but worried a bit whether Cheng Jia would be able to shoulder the responsibility of managing the household after marrying over.
However, Cheng Jia didn’t care at all. “They’re not my real parents-in-law—what do I have to fear? Besides, Li Jing already said everything has him backing me! I just need to maintain proper appearances and social courtesies.”
Zhou Shaojin thought of her previous life when Lin Shisheng had supported her, and despite the Lin family’s dissatisfaction with her, she had still peacefully served as Madam Lin for over ten years. She felt Cheng Jia’s words made a lot of sense.
Cheng Jia then invited Zhou Shaojin to come help: “My mother is angry with me and is still lying in bed pretending to be ill. Grandmother is advanced in years and lacks energy. I don’t even have anyone around to remind me of things.”
Zhou Shaojin said with difficulty, “I don’t understand these matters either. How about I have Nanny Fan go help you?”
In her previous life when she married, it was Fan Liushi who had helped arrange all these trivial matters. She must understand these things.
“Even if she’s the one handling things, you still need to hold the position.” Cheng Jia said in a low voice, “For my wedding, I can’t very well have a household servant help oversee everything, can I?”
Zhou Shaojin’s heart stirred upon hearing this.
Perhaps there would be another opportunity to overhear Cheng Lu’s conversations. Even if she couldn’t overhear anything, she might learn some clues, so Uncle Chi wouldn’t have to help with every little matter—Uncle Chi was actually quite busy.
She thought of that day when she had been counting golden beans on the arhat couch while Uncle Chi was busy reviewing account books and calculating…
“All right!” Zhou Shaojin readily agreed. “Just if I do something poorly, you must be understanding.”
“I’m already very happy that you’re coming to help me.” As Cheng Jia spoke, her face showed some melancholy. “Luoyang is so far from here. After I marry, I don’t know if we’ll still have opportunities to meet or if we can become in-laws through our children.”
Zhou Shaojin felt somewhat embarrassed. “In the future, you can just try to return to your maternal home every few years, won’t that work?”
Cheng Jia smiled bitterly.
Her mother probably wouldn’t be happy to see this disobedient daughter.
Zhou Shaojin quickly changed the subject and talked with her about her wedding preparations.
Biyu came in to report: “Second Young Miss, Great Madam Gu has come with Seventeenth Miss Gu and Eighteenth Miss Gu to visit. Old Madam asks you to come pay your respects.”
Cheng Jia quickly rose to take her leave.
Zhou Shaojin couldn’t keep her. She saw her out of Jade Pavilion and went to Old Madam Guo’s quarters.
Great Madam Gu was wearing a snow-blue vest. Miss Gu Shiqi and Miss Gu Shiba were wearing pink and scallion-green vests respectively.
Only then did Zhou Shaojin remember that Miss Gu Shiqi and Miss Gu Shiba, being great-great-granddaughters, had already come out of mourning.
Whenever the Gu family came to see Old Madam Guo, they had business. This time probably wouldn’t be an exception.
Zhou Shaojin entertained Miss Gu Shiqi and Miss Gu Shiba for Old Madam Guo, taking them to the flower hall to drink tea.
Miss Gu Shiqi chatted idly with Zhou Shaojin, but Miss Gu Shiba seemed somewhat distracted.
Zhou Shaojin signaled to Miss Gu Shiqi with her eyes.
Before long, Miss Gu Shiqi rose to go to the lavatory.
Zhou Shaojin accompanied her.
On the way, Miss Gu Shiqi smiled and said, “You’re not an outsider. Even if I don’t tell you, when you see Old Madam later, she’ll tell you anyway—Great Madam brought us sisters here hoping Old Madam will help us find good marriage prospects. From Great Madam’s tone, it seems she wants to form a marriage connection with the Guo family.”
Zhou Shaojin was somewhat surprised by Miss Gu Shiqi’s composure.
Miss Gu Shiqi smiled. “I’ve been mentally prepared for a while. Someone like me, though I can’t find a particularly excellent family, won’t marry too poorly either. As long as the person isn’t foolish or stupid, I can definitely find ways to gradually make life better.”
Zhou Shaojin most appreciated Miss Gu Shiqi’s optimism and openness.
She comforted Miss Gu Shiqi, “Don’t worry. Old Madam likes helping people, and besides, the Gu family’s relationship with both the Cheng and Guo families is special. Nothing bad will happen.”
“I think so too, but Eighteenth Sister is very worried.” Miss Gu Shiqi smiled and returned to the flower hall with Zhou Shaojin.
Zhou Shaojin only talked with Miss Gu Shiba about needlework matters. Miss Gu Shiba’s mood gradually brightened. By the time Great Madam Gu took the two of them home, they had already arranged to go to the Gu residence together next time to appreciate the lotuses.
Old Madam Guo laughed upon hearing this. “Our family’s water pavilion isn’t used year-round. Since you young misses have made plans, just come to Nine-As Lane instead. I’ll have the servants prepare small boats for you to row or prepare a painted pleasure boat for you to hold poetry gatherings.”
The Gu family’s public funds weren’t easy to use, and each household’s personal savings were difficult to bring out. Coming to the Cheng family to appreciate lotuses, with Old Madam Guo’s offer, would be much more convenient.
Zhou Shaojin smiled and agreed, then wrote a letter to Miss Gu Shiqi.
Both Miss Gu Shiqi and Miss Gu Shiba happily accepted. Zhou Shaojin simply sent invitations to Zhu Zhu and others as well.
Old Madam Guo intended to teach Zhou Shaojin, so she herself stepped back from managing things, assigning Nanny Lü to assist her in organizing the flower-viewing gathering.
Zhou Shaojin recalled scenes from when her sister hosted guests and managed things systematically without any mistakes.
Nanny Lü was secretly surprised and reported it to Old Madam Guo.
Old Madam Guo was silent for a moment, then said, “After all, she’s a motherless child. Even if gold is buried underground for too long, people will mistake it for brass.”
Nanny Lü didn’t dare speak.
Old Madam Guo then said, “Tell the stewards that I’ll cover the expenses for Shaojin’s gathering. Tell them to put their hearts into their duties and make this flower-viewing party beautiful and proper.”
Nanny Lü smiled and agreed.
Cheng Chi also sent Nanny Shang to inquire. Learning that everything was going smoothly on Zhou Shaojin’s end, he left word that if she had any matters, she should speak directly to Nanny Shang.
Great Madam Mian, who was busy arranging the bridal chamber for Cheng Gao, heard about it and made a special trip to look.
However, she had stood there for less than three-quarters of an hour when Si’er, the senior maid from Old Madam Guan’s side, hurried over saying that bamboo curtains had been purchased and asking Great Madam Mian to come see them.
Great Madam Mian could only give Zhou Shaojin a few instructions before hurrying back to the Fourth Branch.
But the person who had made the purchase was nowhere to be seen. Instead, Si’er led her to Jiatang Hall: “Old Madam says there’s an urgent matter requiring you.”
Great Madam Mian rushed into the inner room in three quick steps.
Old Madam Guan was leaning against the arhat couch with her eyes closed, continuously fingering her prayer beads.
Hearing the commotion, she opened her eyes, frowned and said “You’re here,” then said, “Si’er, guard the door. No one is allowed to enter—I have something to discuss with Great Madam.”
Si’er quickly withdrew.
Great Madam Mian said gently, “Mother, what’s so urgent?” As she spoke, she changed Old Madam Guan’s tea and sat on an embroidered stool beside the arhat couch.
Old Madam Guan pondered for quite a while before carefully saying, “Great Master just came in and told me he received a letter from Great Master Jing. He wants to arrange a match for Yige’er…”
Great Madam Mian’s face changed dramatically. “Then what does Great Master mean?”
“Great Master still thinks Shaojin is best.” Old Madam Guan said word by word. “But I think Great Master Jing couldn’t possibly be arranging a match for Yige’er for no reason. Besides, I already made things clear with Old Madam Guo and was planning to keep Shaojin in the family…” She rubbed her temples. “This matter seems suspicious no matter how I look at it. My thought is to have you go ask Old Madam Guo…”
Great Madam Mian was completely stunned, no longer displaying her former quick-wittedness. She murmured, “How do I ask? Which family’s young miss is Great Master Jing proposing for Yige’er? How did he think of Yige’er? Could that family’s young girl have some hidden illness? Or does Great Master Jing have something to ask of someone else and is using our Yige’er as a favor…”
“Nonsense!” Old Madam Guan rebuked in a low voice. “Great Master Jing’s letter said he was acting on behalf of the Gu family. The Gu family’s old madam has passed away, and several great-great-granddaughters’ marriages have been delayed. So he wrote letters to former colleagues asking them to help inquire about suitable young men. It happens that the Gu family’s Seventeenth Miss is similar in age to our Yige’er. That’s why Great Master Jing came up with this idea. You’ve also met that young lady—though her appearance isn’t as good as Shaojin’s, she’s composed in manner, proper in conduct, and socially adept. Originally this wouldn’t matter—we could just explain things clearly to Great Master Jing. But what’s difficult is that Great Master Jing has already mentioned this match to the Gu family.”
“What are we to do!” Great Madam Mian paced anxiously. “We live in the same Jinling city as the Gu family—we can’t avoid seeing each other. If we reject the Gu family’s proposal, what will I say when I meet the Gu family in the future!”
“Exactly!” This was what troubled Old Madam Guan. “I had someone inquire, and they said a few days ago Great Madam Gu brought Miss Gu Shiqi and Miss Gu Shiba to pay respects to Old Madam Guo. How is it that Great Master Jing suddenly arranged this match…”
What did Old Madam Guo mean by this?
What benefit would there be for her in ruining the marriage between Zhou Shaojin and Cheng Yi?
Shaojin had been beautiful since childhood—had someone taken a fancy to the child?
But that didn’t make sense either.
Shaojin’s marriage was for Zhou Zhen to decide. Even if Old Madam Guo had such ideas, she would still need Zhou Zhen’s agreement.
The mother and daughter-in-law were so anxious in the room that their mouths became dry. Great Madam Mian didn’t even wait for dinner before finding an excuse to see Old Madam Guo.
Old Madam Guo was shocked. “When did this happen? How did I not know? Great Madam Gu asked me to arrange matches for the two children, but I said I was old and didn’t go out much, didn’t know children from my old acquaintances’ families anymore, and declined the matter. How did something like this suddenly emerge? Don’t worry yet—I’ll go inquire.”
Great Madam Mian’s heart finally settled. “Please don’t make a fuss about this to Shaojin.”
She was afraid that if Zhou Shaojin learned that Great Master Jing intended to match Miss Gu Shiqi with Cheng Yi, she would harbor resentment.
Old Madam Guo nodded and went to Cheng Chi’s quarters. “Was this your doing?”
Cheng Chi didn’t hide it. “This is the most straightforward method. Between his future prospects and Shaojin, they have to choose one!”
Most likely Shaojin isn’t enough to make them choose to give up his prospects!
Old Madam Guo fell silent.
Cheng Chi sneered coldly.
Old Madam Guan was completely sleepless.
The First Branch probably felt that the marriage between Cheng Yi and Zhou Shaojin wasn’t worth mentioning, which was why they let Great Master Jing take it upon himself to arrange Miss Gu Shiqi for Cheng Yi.
Although Cheng Jing was considerate of clan members, he wasn’t someone who liked meddling in others’ affairs.
Marriage united two surnames in friendship.
Had something happened that required Cheng Jing to form a marriage alliance with the Gu family?
She sent people to inquire about the Gu family’s affairs.