Zhou Chujin and Cheng Sheng were the same age. Both had grown up in Jiuru Lane, and both were exceptionally intelligent women. They had gotten along very well in Jiuru Lane, so naturally when they met now, they were warmer with each other than with the others. As for Cheng Zheng, she was the eldest daughter of this generation of the Cheng family—dignified, generous, and of noble bearing. Because her husband was an Academician of the Hanlin Academy and Junior Supervisor of the Office of Supervision of Heir Apparent, she already held the rank of fourth-grade Lady of Respect.
If Cheng Sheng and the others were children just beginning their education, then Cheng Zheng was a youth who had already started studying examination essays.
In speech and conduct, they should naturally follow Cheng Zheng’s lead.
Zhou Chujin took Cheng Sheng’s arm, smiling as she chatted with Cheng Zheng, heading toward the reception room.
Cheng Xiao was left behind.
Fortunately, Zhou Shaojin was there to accompany her.
It wasn’t a breach of etiquette.
Compared to Cheng Zheng’s heaven-sent beauty and Cheng Sheng’s lively cheerfulness, Cheng Xiao appeared much more reserved.
But her skin was fair, her smile gentle, and her bearing composed—she seemed even more approachable than Cheng Xiao and Cheng Sheng.
She smiled at Zhou Shaojin. “I see that after marrying, Chujin has become more outgoing than before. Clearly she’s living very happily. I was worried about Chujin before—that aunt of mine has a rather strong personality and isn’t so easy to get along with.”
Cheng Zheng had married her own cousin, the fifth young master of the Yuan family, Yuan Ming.
The Yuan and Fang families were also related by marriage, having intermarried for several generations. Whether in her previous life or this one, Zhou Shaojin had never figured out the relationship between the Cheng and Fang families.
She smiled. “Last year when I went to Baoding Prefecture to visit my father, I passed through Zhenjiang and called on my in-law madam. She was very kind, and Elder Sister is quite favored by her. I didn’t see that my in-law madam had a strong personality.”
Hearing this, Cheng Xiao laughed, looking at Zhou Shaojin with somewhat more interest.
Zhou Shaojin felt slightly embarrassed.
This was basically speaking with eyes wide open and telling lies.
But Uncle Chi had said this was social courtesy. People weren’t supposed to take it seriously. Whoever took it seriously was a fool… She wondered where Uncle Chi had traveled to by now? Was he eating and sleeping on time?
She came back to herself with a start and chatted with Cheng Xiao with confidence. “Did Cousin Xiao bring the little baby when you came to the capital this time? When I was in Jiuru Lane, I occasionally saw Yun Ge from Cousin Shi’s family. He could already walk and run—so adorable.”
Speaking of her son, Cheng Xiao’s face couldn’t help but break into smiles. “I originally wanted to bring him along. My mother-in-law couldn’t bear to part with him and refused to let go no matter what. I had no choice but to come ahead with your brother-in-law. I’m planning to get things sorted out here first, then go fetch Rong Ge and bring him over.”
Rong Ge was Cheng Xiao’s son’s pet name.
There was some regret in her voice.
Zhou Shaojin quickly said, “Elder Sister just arrived in the capital and must be in a flurry. It’s good for Cousin Xiao to get things settled before bringing Rong Ge over. By then, you’ll know where to buy snacks and such. I just feel the capital is too big—it’s inconvenient to buy anything.”
Walking ahead, Cheng Sheng turned her head upon hearing this and said with a grin, “Eldest Sister, see? I’m not the only one saying this! Shaojin, I’m having Eldest Sister take us around the capital. Never mind not knowing where the theaters and general goods stores are, but we can’t not know where they sell needles and thread. Shaojin, come with us when the time comes. Second Sister isn’t familiar with the capital either!”
In her previous life, they had no connection at all.
In this life, there was still the barrier of Cheng Xu between them.
Zhou Shaojin instinctively wanted to refuse. “I’ve already given instructions to go to Fengtai in a few days to look at flowers and plants…”
Knowing she would say this, Cheng Sheng burst out laughing. “I thought you’d changed your nature. Turns out you’re still so timid! Following us and Eldest Sister, who would dare bully you? Second Brother-in-law will be going to study at the Imperial Academy in a few days—he might even become classmates with your brother-in-law. My husband hasn’t decided yet whether to enter Shuanghe Academy or the Imperial Academy—he needs to discuss it with the family elders… We sisters are finally all in the capital together. How can we not visit each other? You’re being too formal!”
The Zhou family had few members and most needed help from marriage relations.
Now that the three Cheng sisters were taking the initiative to show goodwill, and with their past connection and having received Cheng Chi’s kindness, Zhou Chujin also had thoughts of maintaining relations with the Cheng family. Hearing this, she smiled at Cheng Sheng. “You still don’t know our Shaojin? She’s the type who’s afraid of stepping on ants when she walks. You clearly look like you’re instigating Eldest Cousin to take you running wild everywhere—how would she dare take you up on it! I think you’d be better off inviting her to visit temples. She’d like that more.”
Cheng Zheng, who hadn’t really talked much with Zhou Shaojin, suddenly smiled. “Shaojin, do you really enjoy tending to flowers and plants? I also often go to Fengtai to buy flowers. Whichever day you decide to go to Fengtai, call me along too. Spring comes later in the north than in the south. Weather like this in the south would be the season of luxuriant grass and flying orioles, willows brushing the embankment. I’ll bring both my children—they can get acquainted with their relatives and also have some fun. Zhong Ge was just released from observing the Smallpox Goddess a few days ago, and it’s been driving him crazy being cooped up.”
Cheng Zheng’s two sons were the eldest, Gu Ning, and the second, Gu Zhong.
Her obvious gesture caught everyone present off guard, and there was a sudden silence.
Zhou Shaojin very much wanted to ask Cheng Zheng: Treating me this way, does Madam Yuan know?
Fortunately, everyone present was clever.
Zhou Chujin quickly smiled and agreed, “Wonderful!” She added with mock reproach, “What a pity I just finished my postpartum month, otherwise I could go with you!”
With someone speaking up, the atmosphere became lively again.
Cheng Xiao smiled. “There’s plenty of time ahead. When the child is a bit older, I’ll go with you to climb Fragrant Hills. I hear the scenery there is also very good. Let them search all over the streets for needles and thread—saying they don’t need to know where the theaters and general goods stores are, just need to find where they sell needles and thread. I don’t believe it—a few needles and bundles of thread are giving you this much trouble! I think you just want to tour the capital, don’t you? Don’t drag me into this!” The last few sentences were teasing Cheng Sheng.
Cheng Sheng said, “Second Sister really won’t give me any face at all!”
Indirectly acknowledging Cheng Xiao’s words.
Zhou Chujin and the others burst into laughter.
Zhou Shaojin also smiled with pursed lips, but inwardly hoped Cheng Chi would return soon.
She wondered what Cheng Zheng and the others were up to.
The group sat down in the reception room. The little maids served tea and refreshments, and Cheng Zheng asked about Guan Ge’s full-month celebration. “When the time comes, we sisters will certainly come to join in the festivities.”
Whether Apricot Grove Alley or Double Elm Alley, neither had female relatives managing the household. Events like the addition of children—third-day bathing ceremonies, full-month celebrations, hundredth-day celebrations—were all social occasions for women. Having the three Cheng sisters come to celebrate would give Zhou Chujin considerable face before the Liao family’s marriage relations.
Zhou Chujin smiled and expressed her thanks.
But Zhou Shaojin’s heart grew even more uneasy.
The three Cheng sisters stayed for the midday meal at Elm Tree Alley. They agreed to go to Fengtai for an outing in two days, then go shopping at Dashilan two days after that, before finally returning home.
Cheng Sheng wasn’t staying with the Yuan family.
She and Yuan Ming lived in the residence from her dowry, not far from Apricot Grove Alley. Cheng Xiao and Cheng Zheng each lived in their husband’s families’ old residences in the capital. The two families weren’t far apart, both near Chaoyang Gate. The sisters first saw Cheng Sheng home, then headed toward Chaoyang Gate.
Cheng Xiao frowned. “Eldest Sister, what does Uncle Chi mean? Why does he want us to associate with the Zhou sisters? Uncle Chi never used to concern himself with such matters. Is there something I don’t know about?”
They were full-blooded sisters, so they spoke even more freely.
Hearing this, Cheng Zheng only felt suffocated and frustrated.
A loving mother often spoils her children.
Mother could still be fair and impartial with her daughters, but when it came to their younger brother, she only knew how to dote on and indulge him. Now such a big incident had occurred. Instead of taking this opportunity to correct some of her brother’s minor faults and try to properly discipline him, she actually shielded him by saying it was Zhou Shaojin’s fault, that it was Cheng Zheng and the others who were wrong. Continuing like this, even if her brother didn’t become a wastrel playboy, he would become an ignorant good-for-nothing!
But how could she tell her sister such a shameful matter?
There were originally no secrets that could be kept forever in this world.
But saying one less sentence was better than saying one more.
Cheng Zheng let out a long sigh. Feeling her mood had improved somewhat, she said gently, “It should be at Grandmother’s request. After Sister Sheng arrived in the capital, Mother followed closely to the capital as well. It was Shaojin who fulfilled filial duties before Grandmother and even accompanied her on a trip to Mount Putuo. She lost her mother at a young age, and as you’ve seen, her temperament is gentle and quiet, obedient and well-behaved. She probably relieved much of Grandmother’s loneliness. Now that the sisters are in the capital, we should look after them both out of principle and sentiment. Consider it repaying her for bringing joy to Grandmother’s side in our stead.”
Cheng Xiao thought of how Zhou Shaojin sat there with her head slightly lowered, quiet and docile as she listened to them talk, and couldn’t help but smile. “Shaojin truly has a good temperament. I like her very much too.”
Cheng Zheng thought for a moment and simply told Cheng Zheng that the residence Zhou Shaojin now lived in on Elm Money Alley was a gift from Cheng Chi.
Cheng Xiao was extremely surprised.
Cheng Zheng smiled. “Now you know how much Grandmother and Uncle Chi value her! Just treat her as a younger sister when you interact with her from now on.”
Cheng Xiao nodded and couldn’t help but laugh. “Uncle Chi is too partial. When I married, he only gave me five thousand taels of silver for my dowry chest. This won’t do! When Uncle Chi returns, I’m going to ask him for a residence too. I heard Third Uncle say that Uncle Chi is a god of wealth—last year even without doing much business, he made at least a hundred thousand taels of silver. I absolutely must take advantage of this windfall!”
When she said Third Uncle, she was referring to Yuan Weichang’s third son, Yuan Bieyun.
Last time at the eightieth birthday celebration of the old patriarch of the second branch, Cheng Xu, Zhou Shaojin had mistakenly assumed based on her previous life’s experience that Yuan Bieyun was Yuan Weichang’s eldest son.
Yuan Bieyun and Cheng Chi got along well and had a very good relationship.
Cheng Zheng couldn’t help but laugh heartily. “People who don’t know better would think you married into a destitute family! Are you really that short of money?”
“I’m not short of money, but who would complain about having too much!” Cheng Xiao laughed. “You know what the Yuan family is like—many people, complex relationships. No matter how affectionate sisters-in-law are, they can’t help but compare clothes, jewelry, and their maiden brothers’ prospects. I’m still young and haven’t cultivated myself to Grandmother’s and your level yet. Just let me continue rolling around in the mortal world!”
This speech made Cheng Zheng laugh until she couldn’t close her mouth.
But after laughing, an inexplicable trace of worry crept into her heart.
Brothers’ prospects…
The way Cheng Xu was going, could he have good prospects?
If Cheng Xu couldn’t support the family gate, would the first branch… have to go back to looking at the second branch’s face again!
Perhaps what they sisters could rely on wasn’t their maiden family brother, but their own sons!
Cheng Zheng pressed her hand to her forehead.