“What? Cheng… Jiashan is getting married?” Zhou Chujin managed with difficulty to replace the words “Cheng Xu” with “Jiashan,” saying, “When did this happen? How come we haven’t heard any news about it before? Are we supposed to go back to Jinling for the ceremony?” After speaking, she realized her tone was too harsh and quickly added, “What about Guan Ge’er then? Will he be left in the capital? Who will take care of him?”
The child was so small—he definitely couldn’t be taken back to Jinling.
Yet from Grand Mrs. Liao’s tone, it seemed she had to attend Cheng Xu’s wedding.
Grand Mrs. Liao was currently vexed by her own family’s affairs and had little interest in other people’s business. She said indifferently: “According to your grandmother, Jiashan is preparing to marry in the capital, which would also be convenient for entertaining your uncle’s colleagues. They say that the main branch of the Cheng family hasn’t held a happy occasion in nearly twenty years, and Jiashan has passed as provincial recommended candidate. This time, no matter what, they want to hold a grand celebration.”
In other words, this news had come from Mrs. Yuan and Grand Mrs. Liao’s natal family, the Fang clan.
Zhou Chujin found it somewhat hard to believe and said hesitantly: “But the Cheng family’s ancestral shrine is all in Jinling. Wouldn’t it be somewhat improper for them to hold the wedding in the capital?”
Grand Mrs. Liao had no favorable feelings toward Mrs. Yuan either. Speaking privately with her son and daughter-in-law, she said frankly: “That person has always been strong-willed. And Old Madam Guo is someone with high pride—her own son still has one who hasn’t married yet. How could she have the mind to manage her grandson? This must be Mrs. Yuan’s idea, and she’s always been able to get her way once she’s made up her mind.” Speaking to this point, her face showed bewilderment as she said, “However, this time she’s really gone too far.” As Grand Mrs. Liao spoke, she thought of her own family’s matters again and said, “Let them be! If Jiashan marries in the capital, we’ll go to the ceremony. If it’s in Jinling, whoever wants to go can go. In any case, I’m not going.”
Zhou Chujin’s mind was somewhat chaotic, but it was getting late, and her mother-in-law had traveled a thousand miles to get here, by boat and carriage—she must be very tired. It wasn’t appropriate to ask too many questions. After chatting for a few more sentences, the couple took their leave.
However, Grand Mrs. Liao truly doted on her grandson Guan Ge’er. She suggested that Zhou Chujin and her husband let Guan Ge’er sleep with her tonight.
Since the grandmother was fond of her grandson, the Zhou Chujin couple naturally agreed happily.
Zhou Chujin helped the wet nurse settle the child in Grand Mrs. Liao’s room before returning to the east wing where she and her husband lived.
Liao Shaotang had already bathed and sat cross-legged by the window holding a book, lost in thought. When Zhou Chujin drew near, she discovered that her husband was holding the book upside down.
She didn’t disturb him. She quietly went to bathe, and when she came out, her husband was still in the same position holding the book. He hadn’t even turned a page—like a clay sculpture of a person.
Zhou Chujin smiled and urged him: “Go rest now! Whatever it is, think about it tomorrow. Didn’t you only request one day’s leave? You can’t make mistakes with the Hanlin Academy’s work.”
Proofreading and transcribing were very tedious tasks, yet not the slightest error could be made.
Liao Shaotang nodded with a smile and got into bed with Zhou Chujin.
But even after getting into bed, he lay there with his eyes open, staring at the bed canopy in a daze.
Zhou Chujin sighed quietly to herself. Thinking that she still had to visit Elm Money Lane tomorrow, she forced herself to sleep.
The next day, however, she was awakened by Liao Shaotang.
His beard was unkempt as he said in a low voice: “Chujin, there’s something I want to discuss with you.”
His voice was hoarse and dark, as if he hadn’t slept all night.
Zhou Chujin was greatly alarmed. She quickly sat up and said seriously: “Please speak! I’m listening!”
Liao Shaotang still hesitated for a long while before finally saying: “When we got married, didn’t Mother give us a small farm? I want to return this small farm to Mother so that she’ll have some personal funds in her hands… so she can have dignity in front of us children…”
Zhou Chujin was now fully awake.
If returning this small farm to her mother-in-law could bring her “dignity,” why wouldn’t she be willing?
It wasn’t as if she didn’t have her own dowry, or as if she relied on that bit of silver from the Liao family’s public funds to live.
However, she knew Liao Shaotang’s character—he would never use their property to please his mother without reason. Something major must have happened, and it was related to what his mother had told him yesterday.
Zhou Chujin immediately agreed readily and smiled, saying: “That was originally Mother-in-law’s dowry to begin with. There are still younger brothers and sisters at home. I was already worried that our receiving Mother-in-law’s dowry would displease the younger siblings—causing family discord over silver and wealth wouldn’t be worth it. When you put it this way, I’m actually relieved.”
Liao Shaotang was immensely grateful. Holding Zhou Chujin’s hand, he said: “No wonder the old people all say that having a virtuous wife at home is like having a treasure. There are some things I don’t want to hide from you—I just didn’t know how to bring them up… My father, he secretly sold off all of my mother’s dowry. When preparing for Guan Ge’er’s hundred-day celebration, my mother wanted to find some good things to give to Guan Ge’er and only then discovered it… But she doesn’t dare make a fuss about it, fearing it would ruin my father’s reputation and make it difficult for my younger siblings to arrange marriages. Now Mother has nothing good left in her hands, and my eldest sister is of marriageable age… Although Mother hasn’t said anything, since she was able to learn about Cheng Jiashan’s imminent marriage, she must have returned to her natal family to find her brothers… Mother’s whole life has been too bitter!”
Zhou Chujin simply decided to finish the good deed completely: “Why don’t we take the gold ornaments from my dowry to the silver shop to be remelted and crafted into several new-style pieces? When Eldest Sister marries, Mother can take them back as gifts?”
“No need, no need.” Liao Shaotang embraced Zhou Chujin. “That you’ve agreed to let me return the farm to Mother—I’m already immensely grateful. How could I touch your dowry? No need! I, I will definitely work hard in the future and earn back a farm.”
A thousand gold pieces cannot buy a husband and wife of one heart.
Zhou Chujin made up her mind that if her sister-in-law married, she would definitely give her several sets of jewelry to be presented through her mother-in-law, to please both her mother-in-law and sister-in-law.
After breakfast, the couple went to pay their respects to Grand Mrs. Liao.
Grand Mrs. Liao also seemed to have not slept all night. Only when she saw Guan Ge’er did a trace of genuine smile emerge from deep within her heart.
Liao Shaotang gave Zhou Chujin a meaningful look.
Zhou Chujin knew he wanted to discuss the farm matter with Grand Mrs. Liao. She found an excuse to carry Guan Ge’er and withdrew.
When Zhou Chujin returned to the hall, both Grand Mrs. Liao and Liao Shaotang had reddened eyes. Grand Mrs. Liao even took Zhou Chujin’s hand and said: “I’ve wronged you two as a couple.”
“Mother, saying such things makes us seem like outsiders. This is actually Husband’s filial piety toward you.” Zhou Chujin had grown up in Jiuru Lane and was well-versed in pleasing elders. A few sentences moved Grand Mrs. Liao deeply, and she privately said to Liao Shaotang: “I was always somewhat worried that Chujin was a motherless eldest daughter. Now it seems I was judging a noble person by petty standards. With such a virtuous daughter-in-law, you must treat her well in the future.”
Liao Shaotang nodded continuously, his eyes full of smiles. From then on, his relationship with Zhou Chujin remained as it had been when they were newly married.
But this is a story for later.
After Zhou Chujin and Grand Mrs. Liao saw off Liao Shaotang, they freshened up and dressed again, then carried Guan Ge’er and took a sedan chair to Elm Money Lane.
Li Shi and Zhou Shaojin were waiting at the hanging flower gate to receive them.
Grand Mrs. Liao looked around to the left and right and smiled, saying: “Elm Tree Lane and Elm Money Lane really are very close. In-law Madam and In-law Miss should visit often.”
Li Shi exchanged pleasantries, and the group walked toward the house.
Grand Mrs. Liao was secretly surprised.
The residence where Zhou Chujin lived had been purchased with silver from her personal funds. She knew clearly exactly how much had been spent. This area of Double Elm Lane and Elm Money Lane was the best—closest to the Six Ministries and the Imperial Academy. She had initially also wanted to buy a residence in this area, but ultimately gave up because it was too expensive.
She hadn’t expected that Zhou Zhen still had this capability, buying Zhou Shaojin a residence in such a prosperous location.
Since this was something very face-giving, she praised the Zhou family.
Li Shi had plenty of silver and had never cared much about monetary matters. Hearing this, she smiled and said: “This wasn’t purchased by our master for Second Miss. This was given to Shaojin by Old Madam Guo. After Eldest Young Mistress married, Second Miss moved to Cold Jade Mountain Lodge to keep Old Madam Guo company.”
So that was it!
She then brought up Cheng Jiashan’s marriage.
Zhou Chujin had originally planned to find an opportunity to tell Zhou Shaojin, never expecting her mother-in-law to mention it first.
She immediately looked toward Zhou Shaojin.
Her younger sister’s expression indeed showed some displeasure.
Zhou Chujin found an opportunity to say to Zhou Shaojin: “You needn’t worry. Uncle Chi has always cared for you. When the time comes, you can just find an excuse to stay home. Uncle Chi will definitely speak up for you.”
“That’s not what I’m worried about!” Zhou Shaojin said with a grave expression. “Even if I go with Madam to observe the ceremony, I’ll just be dealing with the female relatives in the inner courtyard. Will Mrs. Yuan have time to find fault with me? Will Cheng Xu make things difficult for me? I’m worried about Old Madam Guo. With Mrs. Yuan doing this, Old Madam Guo definitely won’t come to the capital. Cheng Xu is the legitimate eldest grandson. Instead of getting married in his hometown, he’s running to the capital to marry—how upset the old lady’s heart must be!”
Zhou Chujin didn’t know what to say.
Having received an express letter sent three hundred li by her confidential maid, Cheng Zheng was extremely angry. She closed the door and said to her wet nurse: “What’s gotten into my mother? Whose enchanting potion did she drink to actually think of having Jiashan marry in the capital? What about Grandmother? What will the old ancestor of the second branch think? Jiashan hasn’t even achieved success yet, and already he’s acting as if he looks down on everyone. If Jiashan actually enters the cabinet and becomes Grand Secretary, won’t his eyes only look toward heaven? Who will be able to seek his favor then? If that’s the case, why would the clan members support Jiashan? Without the clan’s help, even if Jiashan has extraordinary abilities, I’m afraid he’ll have difficulty carving out a path. Otherwise, why would they have me marry into the Gu family and Second Sister marry back into the Yuan family? Who is giving my mother these ideas?”
The wet nurse’s expression was also somewhat grave. She said: “Young Mistress, shouldn’t you write a letter back to persuade Madam? Madam listens to you most.”
Cheng Zheng smiled bitterly and said: “I’m afraid my mother has been waiting for this day for a long time. Writing a letter back won’t be of any use! I can’t neglect my husband and children for the sake of my natal family’s affairs, can I? I can only help my natal family after I’ve earned respect from my husband’s family. What Grandmother repeatedly instructed me when I married out—I haven’t forgotten for a single moment!”
The wet nurse said: “Why not ask Master’s advisors to help make a trip? We can’t just watch as Madam and Old Madam drift further and further apart…”
Cheng Zheng was still hesitating.
A second letter from her dowry maid was delivered.
This first letter had arrived less than an hour ago…
Cheng Zheng looked at her wet nurse in alarm, then tremblingly opened the letter.