Zhou Shaojin hadn’t expected her sister to be so eager about this matter. Early the next morning, she came over in person holding Official Brother. Upon seeing Zhou Shaojin, she even chided, “You’re too inconsiderate. Knowing Old Madam Guo had come to the capital, you took your time and didn’t tell us. Properly speaking, we should have gone to Xizhimen to receive her.”
Although Zhou Chujin didn’t like Cheng Xu, back when Ji Ying had beaten him, Old Madam Guo hadn’t made a sound, allowing Zhou Shaojin to leave Jiuru Lane and Jinling smoothly. Only after Zhou Chujin became a mother herself could she deeply appreciate this.
Just for this kindness alone, she would be grateful to Old Madam Guo for her entire life.
Zhou Shaojin wasn’t yet prepared to meet Old Madam Guo. Upon hearing this, she couldn’t help but smile sheepishly and say, “As soon as I found out, I sent someone to tell you. Old Madam came quietly—they say she didn’t even tell Cousin Xiao and Cousin Sheng at the time. We’re a generation removed, aren’t we?”
“Isn’t that what relatives do—visit each other?” Zhou Chujin disagreed. “Even the closest relatives, if they don’t visit for a long time, will sometimes grow distant. Moreover, Old Madam Guo is so elderly now. Coming to the capital isn’t easy. With Madam Yuan making a fuss about dividing the family in Jinling, the old lady must feel bad inside. If we all go visit her, it will also make her happy.”
Who knew whether seeing her would make Old Madam happy or unhappy?
Zhou Shaojin muttered to herself.
But she did need to visit Old Madam.
She listened as Li Shi and Zhou Chujin discussed, “…Today Old Madam is moving to Fourth Master’s residence at Chaoyangmen. Tomorrow she’ll need at least a day to settle in. The day after tomorrow would be most appropriate—not too early, not too late. But the calling card should best be sent over today. Too late would seem disrespectful!”
Zhou Chujin agreed. She added, “As for Uncle Li, I think just sending a courtesy gift will do. The old lady is elderly and doesn’t tolerate social obligations well. Even back in Jinling, she rarely received guests. Since Uncle Li’s business has expanded to the capital, there will be plenty of opportunities for everyone to interact in the future. After summer comes Old Madam’s birthday, which will likely be celebrated in the capital this year. Without the old ancestor of the second branch suppressing things, Old Madam’s birthday can be lively. Uncle Li can go drink a birthday toast then—that would be better.”
Li Shi nodded repeatedly, smiling as she thanked Zhou Chujin for helping her come up with such an idea.
Zhou Chujin smiled and said, “I hadn’t thought that far ahead. My mother-in-law reminded me when I was leaving. My eyes are glued to Official Brother now—how could I have the energy to manage other matters?” She sighed again. “Fortunately my mother-in-law came over. Otherwise, when Madam leaves, my household will be in chaos.”
Saying this carried some acknowledgment and gratitude for Li Shi’s care.
Li Shi’s eyes moistened upon hearing this.
Being a stepmother was difficult.
Especially with two stepdaughters who were already grown and sensible.
Only today did she finally feel she had truly integrated into the Zhou family.
Three people—or rather, two people. When Li Shi and Zhou Chujin talked, Zhou Shaojin mostly listened from the side. Li Shi and Zhou Chujin ultimately decided to send the calling cards today. The cards would be sent in two sets—one from Li Shi and Zhou Shaojin, one from Grand Madam Liao and Zhou Chujin. They would go together to Chaoyangmen to pay respects to Old Madam Guo.
Li Shi smiled as she saw Zhou Chujin off. Zhou Shaojin, however, began to worry.
How should she dress when going to see Old Madam?
Wearing red might be too flamboyant—her temperament couldn’t carry it. Wearing pink—would Old Madam think her too young, not a good match for Uncle Chi? She rummaged through chests and cabinets at home until even Li Shi was moved to suggest, “Just wear that water-blue vest you had made a few days ago, with the white embroidered skirt, and insert a row of jasmine flowers. You’ll look dignified and elegant yet refreshingly pleasant.”
Zhou Shaojin smiled ruefully.
This was indeed her usual preferred style of dress.
She had been too anxious about gains and losses—this might actually ruin the meeting.
Zhou Shaojin spent the whole day doing needlework at home. Only then did her mood settle. The next day, she simply added a pair of South Sea pearl earrings and dressed as Li Shi suggested before going to Old Madam Guo’s residence.
A large residence required many people.
With Old Madam Guo moved in, with servants coming and going, the Chaoyangmen residence seemed much livelier than a few days ago and had more of a lived-in atmosphere.
Perhaps because of Grand Madam Liao, the one who greeted them at the hanging flower gate was Second Madam Wei.
She was nominally forty-one years old this year—graceful and gentle. Though she wore light powder and rouge, her slender frame and the weary expression between her brows still couldn’t hide her sickly appearance.
Yet Zhou Shaojin knew she embodied the saying “a bent carrying pole is sturdy”—her health had been poor for years, but with obedient children and a respectful husband, she lived well right up until the Cheng family’s downfall.
Everyone smiled as they greeted each other warmly. Grand Madam Liao affectionately took Second Madam Wei’s arm.
Second Madam Wei’s father and the late Old Master Cheng Xun had taken the imperial examinations in the same year. Her mother was a young lady from the Li family of Jianglu and was related to Grand Madam Liao’s natal Fang family.
Round and round… all relatives!
Walking at the back, Zhou Shaojin nervously clutched her handkerchief. Seeing Biyu standing under the veranda of the main house with a smile, she let out a long breath and finally felt much more relaxed.
Biyu came forward to greet everyone, smiling, “Old Madam has been waiting in the room!” Then she lifted the curtain to serve them as they entered.
Compared to the solemnity of Zhou Shaojin and the others, Old Madam Guo appeared dignified yet casual.
Her hair was casually coiled into a bun, wearing a pair of pure gold hairpins inlaid with cat’s eye stones. She wore a stone-blue vest with silver auspicious cloud roundel patterns that reached her knees. With a gentle expression, she sat on the large kang by the window in the western reception room.
They hurried forward to pay respects.
Old Madam Guo’s expression grew even warmer. She beckoned to Zhou Chujin, “Let me see the child.”
The elderly loved children—nothing could be more delightful.
Zhou Chujin quickly took Official Brother from the wet nurse and brought him to Old Madam Guo.
Old Madam Guo took the child in her arms, smiling as she coaxed Official Brother with a few words.
Zhou Chujin and the others were surprised and pleased—when Old Madam Guo had them bring the child over, they thought she would merely glance at him and bestow some rewards. They hadn’t expected Old Madam Guo to actually hold the child herself… Clearly she truly liked him.
The atmosphere in the room became even warmer and more intimate.
Old Madam Guo’s gaze seemed to casually sweep over Zhou Shaojin, who had been sitting there quietly all along with a smile, not saying anything.
The old lady couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
Pretty, truly pretty—like a jade carving… But why did she feel so conflicted inside?
Of all people for Silang to like, why did he have to fancy this little girl?
When the time came for everyone to eat from the same pot, what about Jiashan?
She thought of what Cheng Shao had said to her a few days ago: “Whoever Zichuan wants to marry is fine with me… Since Xun and Sanlang died one after another, I’ve become much more detached from worldly affairs… Both died suddenly from catching cold… Human life is but a few short decades. I still remember the day before Xun died, he was still reading the ‘Annotations on the Four Books’ without putting it down, saying he’d taken a few days off from school but couldn’t let his studies fall behind…
“Thinking about it now still tears my heart apart.
“Zichuan is an adult. I trust he’s carefully considered what consequences his actions will have.
“Let him live whatever kind of life he wants!”
Old Madam Guo had kept Cheng Shao behind to talk. Her eldest and second sons thought it was about dividing from the second branch. Who knew that after learning of Cheng Chi’s situation, Cheng Shao not only had no intention of helping persuade Cheng Chi, but instead advised her to let go.
How could she not know what Cheng Shao said?
But knowing was one thing. Yet whenever she thought about Zhou Shaojin actually entering the Cheng family’s door… A niece becoming a sister-in-law, how would sisters address each other? Jiashan would be most pitiful… The girl he loved becoming his young aunt… She felt her scalp tingle.
Break up the lovebirds?
Silang wasn’t like Jiashan—whether she could even break them up was questionable.
Moreover, this was the first time in Silang’s life he’d shown such enthusiasm about marriage, going to such great lengths… This child Shaojin, she truly did like very much… But as long as she wasn’t becoming her daughter-in-law, she would happily give a generous dowry supplement and let her marry in glory!
What should she do? She had always been decisive, yet even upon seeing Zhou Shaojin, she still hadn’t made up her mind.
Perhaps she should find an opportunity to talk with Zhou Shaojin?
Maybe her son was the only one with feelings?
If she disagreed then, could her son force a marriage?
But what if her son’s marriage prospects were ruined because of this?
Looking at the chubby baby in her arms, Old Madam Guo thought on one hand that she should just turn a blind eye and let her son have his way—perhaps next year she could hold a chubby baby just like this one. On the other hand, she thought about how she had carried him for ten months and given birth to him with such difficulty—how could she just let him act so recklessly? If even a little gossip spread about him seducing his niece, his life would be ruined…
Even after returning the child to Zhou Chujin, giving meeting gifts, and exchanging pleasantries with Grand Madam Liao—which led to Grand Madam Liao endlessly talking about how adorable her grandson was, how mischievous, how clever—Old Madam Guo still hadn’t made up her mind.
Then take it one step at a time?
For the first time in her life, Old Madam Guo felt so helpless.
Zhou Shaojin quickly sensed Old Madam Guo’s unusual attitude toward her.
On the surface, it seemed that because Grand Madam Liao and Li Shi, two elders, were present, she hadn’t had a chance to speak with her. But in reality, her demeanor revealed a faint sense of distance.
If it were someone else, Zhou Shaojin wouldn’t have minded.
But Old Madam Guo was someone who, if she looked down on you, could treat you as if you didn’t exist, and if she liked you, could show it without reservation. Treating her this way instead had a flavor of trying to cover up the truth.
Did she dislike her?
It didn’t seem so.
Like her… also not quite…
In the end, it was probably still because of her status.
Zhou Shaojin’s heart suddenly ached dully.
Status… would always be her Achilles’ heel.
She didn’t want to be like this either!
But what could she do!
Old Madam Guo was the person closest to Uncle Chi in this world. Without her support, she and Uncle Chi in the Cheng family… would have a very difficult time, wouldn’t they?
Zhou Shaojin’s hands unconsciously twisted tightly together.