Keep it from her mother-in-law!
There were probably few matters in this household that could be kept from her mother-in-law.
Yuan Shi was racking her brains when she suddenly heard that Old Madam Guo had summoned her. Her heart couldn’t help feeling somewhat uneasy, and she had no time to care about who had come to fetch her. When she learned that Old Madam Guo had decided to go stay in the capital soon, and would decide whether to return to Jinling after Cheng Jiashan’s wedding, she was immediately overjoyed. She barely managed to suppress her emotions and didn’t laugh out loud on the spot.
With her mother-in-law going to the capital, she could both avoid the matters on the Jinling side and put on an appearance of being unable to bear the harassment, framing her mother-in-law’s trip to the capital as escaping the second branch’s aggressive pressure.
This truly was a pillow arriving just when one felt drowsy.
Yuan Shi naturally had no objections. Not only did she help Old Madam Guo pack for the journey, she also proactively asked Old Madam Guo to help supervise the wedding preparations for Cheng Xu at Apricot Grove Lane in the capital.
Old Madam Guo smiled faintly and said, “I heard that Fourth Son’s residence at Chaoyangmen has already been renovated. I’m planning to stay there. When Jiashan gets married, it will also save the children from being put in a difficult position.”
Yuan Shi had been shrewd all her life, yet at this moment she was confused. She casually said “Look at what you’re saying” and left it at that, instead saying, “I’ve also heard about Fourth Uncle’s residence at Chaoyangmen. He bought several neighboring mansions of high officials—it’s one of the finest in all of the capital. Even my sixth cousin has heard of it. Fourth Uncle has always been filial. Going to stay there for a while and making Fourth Uncle happy would be good.”
The sixth cousin she mentioned was none other than Chief Grand Secretary Yuan Weichang.
Old Madam Guo smiled and said, “Exactly my thinking.”
But as soon as she saw Yuan Shi off, her expression turned cold. She snorted to Nanny Shi, “You see, those who didn’t crawl out of my own belly are just different. When I said I wanted to go stay with Fourth Son for a while, she immediately went along with my words and pushed me over to Fourth Son’s place. As if she’s afraid that when her daughter-in-law enters the household, having me, this widowed old woman, there would be inauspicious.”
Nanny Shi could only console her, “Those words are a bit excessive. Madam also just wants to make you happy. She can’t return to the capital anytime soon, and Young Master Xu’s wedding has already been scheduled. Second Madam’s health isn’t good and can’t be of much help either. With you going, having you there to help watch over things, Madam will be like a tiger with wings—how could she not breathe a sigh of relief? Moreover, you and Fourth Master are separated more than together. If you go stay there, Fourth Master will certainly be very happy. Besides, Fourth Master still hasn’t married yet. With you going, you can urge Fourth Master to marry quickly, and you can also hold a few more grandchildren sooner.”
At the mention of holding grandchildren, Old Madam Guo cheered up and smiled, “A daughter-in-law naturally can’t compare to a son—sons are raised by my own hands and feet. Daughters-in-law are raised by the in-laws’ hands and feet. Even cats and dogs know to be close to whoever feeds them. How much more so for people? I don’t expect her to treat me particularly well. I just think about how she made a fuss about dividing the clan for Jiashan’s sake and even coaxed Fourth Son into helping them produce silver—my heart feels uncomfortable. Looking at her makes me feel uneasy.” She sighed and said, “Perhaps it’s because she wasn’t the daughter-in-law I chose. Though I don’t say it out loud, I’m actually dissatisfied in my heart, which is why I pick at her faults and find fault with her everywhere. But I’m old now and don’t want to wrong myself anymore. Let’s just say she and I have no affinity.”
Nanny Shi smiled sympathetically at her side.
Old Madam Guo had a vague feeling that once she went to the capital this time, there would probably be few opportunities to return to Jinling in the future. She instructed Nanny Shi, “The matters of Cold Jade Mountain Villa, I’m entrusting to you. If we divide the clan with the second branch, eight or nine times out of ten this residence will be given to the second branch. I’ll take the valuables with me to the capital this time. As for the furnishings, paintings, antiques, porcelain, pewter items and such from Cold Jade Mountain Villa, I’ll leave them all to you and Da Man.”
Da Man was Nanny Shi’s son.
Thinking of the old madam’s five full rooms of possessions, Nanny Shi felt the weight of responsibility and hurriedly nodded solemnly.
After Old Madam Guo had given all her instructions and bid farewell to family friends at the Gu family, Guo family, and others, she selected an auspicious day for travel. Taking Chief Steward Qin, she boarded a boat and headed for the capital.
When Cheng Chi received the news, he got quite a fright and hurriedly said, “Why did the old lady suddenly think of coming to the capital?”
Saying it was to attend Cheng Xu’s wedding—he didn’t believe a single word of that.
Qin Ziji smiled and said, “I don’t know either. Great-Uncle Qin brought the message, only saying he wanted me to report this to you and to prepare a place for Old Madam to stay as early as possible.”
Cheng Chi delegated this matter to Qin Ziji.
Li Shi’s eldest brother had come over. Since there were no men in Elm Money Lane, he intermittently went over several times to keep him company. Elder Master Li was a very shrewd merchant with considerable insight. Speaking and acting in his presence required being forthright yet not losing caution, generous yet not servile—one could see he was someone worth associating with. For Zhou Shaojin’s sake, he played host and invited Liu Yong out, preparing to introduce him to Liu Yong. He didn’t dare promise anything else, but at least becoming an imperial merchant or the like should be no problem.
After giving a few instructions, he went to a private dining establishment near Dongzhimen.
These past few days, Zhou Shaojin felt like she was dreaming.
Cheng Chi wrote her a letter every day. Sometimes he would tell her what he had eaten and drunk. Sometimes he wrote nothing at all, just tucking a hand-drawn bookmark or a half-opened flower into the letter… Whenever this happened, her heart would race. She would solemnly store that letter and bookmark in a rosewood box. As for those half-opened flowers, she made them into dried flowers and arranged them all in her jewelry box, taking them out to look at whenever she had nothing to do.
Chun Wan walked in carrying a tea tray. Seeing Zhou Shaojin fiddling with those dried flowers again, she couldn’t help but smile and say, “Second Miss, we have a whole clump of these jade hairpin flowers planted in our back courtyard. If you like them, I can pick some for you later. Why must you make dried flowers?”
She didn’t know about Nanny Shang privately delivering letters for Zhou Shaojin.
Zhou Shaojin didn’t explain. Smiling, she locked the box and placed it together with the box containing deeds and documents inside the compartment at the head of her bed.
Chun Wan then said, “Madam sent me to tell you that Elder Master Li from the Li family won’t be returning for dinner tonight. She’s asking if you’d like to go with her to Double Elm Lane to see Elder Miss.”
Elder Master Li from the Li family had come specially to celebrate little Guan’s hundred-day celebration. He had also prepared many gifts for little Guan. Even Zhou Shaojin had received from him a set of writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone, a full set of red gold plum blossom ornaments, a pair of mutton-fat jade bracelets, a red gold hairband inlaid with precious stones, a hairband inlaid with pearls of various colors, and several bolts of expensive fabrics including gold-woven brocade and embroidered satin.
Fan Liushi calculated that these items were worth at least two hundred taels of silver.
Not only her—all the servants up and down Elm Money Lane had received gifts from him.
Fan Liushi said, “He’s also doing this to give face to Madam. You should compare hearts—Second Miss should treat Madam even better.”
Zhou Shaojin felt that Fan Liushi’s words made great sense. She also hadn’t seen her elder sister for several days. She dressed and groomed herself, then went with Li Shi to Elm Tree Lane.
With little Guan’s hundred-day celebration approaching, the Liao family’s relatives were coming intermittently to present gifts.
When Zhou Shaojin and Li Shi arrived, they happened to encounter Fang Xuan and her mother.
Mother Fang was a very gentle woman. In comparison, Fang Xuan’s expression showed some signs of being pampered and willful.
She only politely greeted Zhou Shaojin before following behind Mother Fang, listening to Mother Fang and Grand Madam Liao reminisce about old times. Mother Fang seemed quite fond of Zhou Shaojin. She not only praised her beauty but also complimented her gentle and refined manner, telling Fang Xuan to become closer to her.
Fang Xuan glanced at Zhou Shaojin with a half-smile and responded perfunctorily.
Even before her rebirth, Zhou Shaojin wouldn’t have bothered with relatives who looked down on her, let alone after her rebirth.
She smiled and went with Li Shi to the inner chamber to visit Zhou Chujin.
Seeing this, Mother Fang had no choice but to scold Fang Xuan a few times, “You’re all related by marriage. How can you be so rude? Even if you don’t like someone, when you meet face to face, you should at least exchange a few pleasantries and just avoid them afterward. How can you show your displeasure to others?”
Fang Xuan was annoyed that her mother was partial to Zhou Shaojin and couldn’t help saying in a low voice, “I just don’t like her—Sister Jia also said that since she grew up in Jiuru Lane, she should logically be very familiar with Cousin Xu. Yet when she sees Sister Jia, she’s quite cold. Who knows, perhaps she once had feelings for Cousin Xu…”
Mother Fang immediately covered her mouth, her face full of frost as she said, “If you dare say another word, the first thing I’ll do when we get back is tell your father and have him punish you with family law!”
Fang Xuan had never seen her mother be so severe with her. Frightened, she nodded.
Mother Fang’s expression softened slightly. From that point on, she held her daughter’s hand and never let go.
Zhou Shaojin and Li Shi had dinner at Elm Tree Lane before returning.
But not long after they returned, Elder Master Li from the Li family sent word requesting to see Li Shi.
Li Shi had the maids and servants withdraw and invited her brother to the hall to talk.
Elder Master Li had drunk too much and was quite tipsy, his words carrying the smell of alcohol, yet his thoughts were clear and lucid, “Guess what Fourth Master Cheng had me do? He introduced me to Liu Yong! Do you know who Liu Yong is? The most powerful head eunuch in the palace right now! If we can establish connections through him, not to mention bringing our business to the capital—even if we wanted to become imperial merchants, that would be within easy reach… I was so happy today that I had a couple extra cups. Fourth Master is truly a good person. He doesn’t talk much, but every sentence hits the mark. If it weren’t for him this time, how could I have received work to do? Tomorrow I must invite Master Chi out for drinks! Of course, is Fourth Master Cheng married yet? If he weren’t a double-ranked imperial scholar, marrying our eldest daughter to him wouldn’t be bad at all!”
Li Shi hurriedly waved her hands and said, “Elder Brother, you absolutely must not involve yourself in this matter. As for Fourth Master Chi’s marriage, unless you want our eldest daughter to become a concubine, don’t mention a single word about it!”
Elder Master Li laughed heartily and said, “I was just thinking out loud, wasn’t I? How could I actually let our eldest daughter become someone’s concubine?”
Li Shi breathed a sigh of relief and persuaded her brother to go rest in his room.
Elder Master Li from the Li family was too excited to sleep, however. He held Li Shi and talked for a long time before returning to the guest room.
Li Shi couldn’t help but sigh with emotion, “I only thought Fourth Master Chi was cold toward people, but he turns out to have a cold face and warm heart.”
Nanny Li smiled and nodded continuously.
The next day, Li Shi told Zhou Shaojin about how Cheng Chi had made connections for Elder Uncle Li from the Li family.
Zhou Shaojin was very surprised.
In her impression, Uncle Chi wasn’t such an enthusiastic person.
However, perhaps in Jinling with elders suppressing him, even if he had the inclination, he didn’t want to cause trouble.
“Tomorrow shall we go thank Uncle Chi?” Zhou Shaojin said, her face slightly reddening. “And let Uncle know that we remember his kindness?”