On Old Madam Guo’s side, everything was prepared in just two days.

She invited Madam Gu, the daughter-in-law of her late husband’s student Wu Zaoxiu, Grand Academician of the Hanlin Academy, to serve as the auspicious married woman, and together with the official matchmaker, they went to Baoding Prefecture to send the betrothal gifts.

This Madam Gu was from a branch of the Haining Gu family. Cheng Zheng’s husband Gu Xu served as Junior Administrator in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and also held a position as Academician in the Hanlin Academy, so among Cheng Jing’s in-laws, the first to learn of Cheng Chi’s marriage was actually Gu Xu.

Because Wu Zaoxiu’s family had six generations living together, Madam Gu was famous in the capital as an auspicious married woman, and many people sought her out for matchmaking, so Gu Xu didn’t pay it much attention. It wasn’t until the Zhou and Cheng families had exchanged birth charts and were preparing to send the betrothal gifts that Gu Xu casually asked Cheng Zheng one morning, “Uncle Chi is getting married. Since Old Madam is advanced in years, shouldn’t you go help out?”

“What?” Cheng Zheng was stunned. “Uncle Chi is getting married? Who told you this? How come I don’t know? Which family’s young lady is Uncle Chi marrying?”

Cheng Chi’s marriage was a Cheng family matter, and they were of the younger generation, so naturally there was no need to tell them anything.

But law and reason still couldn’t surpass human sentiment. Cheng Zheng was the granddaughter Old Madam valued most. When she was in Jinling, Old Madam Guo would write letters to Cheng Zheng about family matters. Cheng Chi getting married was such a major event that both emotionally and logically, even if Old Madam Guo didn’t discuss with Cheng Zheng which family’s young lady was suitable, she should have told her in advance.

The couple couldn’t help but exchange a glance.

Cheng Zheng immediately got down from the kang and said to Gu Xu, “I might come back quite late today, so don’t wait up for me.”

But Gu Xu said, “I heard it’s the second daughter of Prefect Zhou of Baoding, that Second Cousin Miss who was once raised in Old Madam’s quarters.”

Cheng Zheng’s mind exploded all at once.

How could Grandmother seek to marry the Zhou family’s second young lady for Uncle Chi?

What about Jiashan…

Everyone eating from the same pot in the future—how would they get along?

Shaojin was more than ten years younger than her!

Setting that aside, Uncle Chi had delayed marrying for so long, so finding a young lady more than ten years younger than him was quite normal. But Zhou Shaojin was the granddaughter of the fourth branch. She and Uncle Chi were separated by a generation! Before the clan split, it would have been impossible no matter what… But after the split…

Something flashed through Cheng Zheng’s mind but she couldn’t grasp it.

Her head throbbed painfully.

Although the two families weren’t as close as before, they had been in-laws for so long that certain things should still be handled with some consideration.

What’s more, Uncle Chi was about to enter official service… Wouldn’t this be handing someone leverage to hold over them?

Cheng Zheng stopped in her tracks, turned around, and stared intently at Gu Xu: “Is this news reliable?”

“I heard it from Master Wu.” Gu Xu hadn’t thought as much as Cheng Zheng had. He just felt this matter was somewhat against convention, and Cheng Zheng should go back and see if something had happened at home. “You know, Master Wu’s third daughter-in-law is a Gu family young lady. She gave birth to five sons and three daughters and often serves as an auspicious married woman for others. I heard it from Master Wu.”

Of course, when Gu Xu was at the Hanlin Academy, Master Wu had taken good care of him, and the two families could be considered quite close.

Cheng Zheng nodded distractedly, settled her son, tidied up her appearance, and hurriedly went to Chaoyangmen.

Old Madam Guo was talking with Wu Zaoxiu’s daughter-in-law, Third Madam Wu: “So you’re saying the in-law master said nothing at all?”

Third Madam Wu nodded with a smile and said, “Not only did the in-law master say nothing, but when the in-law madam saw us come to send the betrothal gifts, the smile never left her face. Clearly the Zhou family is extremely satisfied with this match.”

Old Madam Guo was delighted.

The in-laws being satisfied with this match meant they were satisfied with her son. She also felt honored.

She spontaneously doubled the red envelope for Third Madam Wu: “Thank you for your trouble.”

Matchmakers accepting thank-you red envelopes had rules and proprieties and couldn’t be declined.

Third Madam Wu thanked her with a smile and accepted it, then discussed the wedding date with Old Madam Guo: “These are the dates the in-law master divined. What do you think would be suitable?”

When Old Madam Guo looked, they were all dates for next year. She closed the letter in her hand and said, “I’m afraid I’ll have to trouble you to make another trip. Our family wants to set the wedding date for this year. As you know, our Fourth Son is much older than the Zhou family’s second young lady, and he’s about to go to his post in Jining. He won’t be back for three to five years. If we delay until then, the Zhou family’s second young lady will also be getting older.”

Third Madam Wu wasn’t surprised and said with a smile, “The in-law master didn’t say anything about it, but after all, the young lady hasn’t yet had her coming-of-age ceremony, and it’s not as if they’re a poor household that can’t afford to raise her. I was thinking that our side should give the in-law master a bit more face—it would be best to have the matchmakers go urge the marriage along.”

This would mean requesting Song Jingran and Zhang Hui to personally make a trip to Baoding Prefecture.

Both were pillars of the court, especially Song Jingran, Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion and Minister of Revenue, who didn’t even have time to go home for meals. How could he possibly go to Baoding Prefecture in person?

Old Madam Guo also hesitated somewhat and said, “Let me discuss this with my son first.”

Third Madam Wu also knew this matter was rather thorny and said, “Alternatively, you could have your family’s Second Old Master go. The point is just to let outsiders see the Cheng family’s sincerity—that marrying the Zhou family’s second young lady into the family in such a short time isn’t meant to slight her, but rather that the Cheng family wants to bring her into the family quickly.”

This seemed more feasible.

Old Madam Guo nodded.

A young maid came in to report that the eldest young madam had returned.

Third Madam Wu took the opportunity to take her leave.

Old Madam Guo personally saw her to the door before meeting with Cheng Zheng.

Cheng Zheng never stood on ceremony with Old Madam Guo and got straight to the point about her reason for coming.

Old Madam Guo smiled and said, “Speaking of which, it was your mother who reminded me of this matter. I hadn’t previously thought of seeking Shaojin’s hand for your Uncle Chi, but when your mother mentioned the Fang family’s sixth young lady Axuan to me the other day, I thought of Zhou Shaojin—she’s about the same age, and I know her background well, having watched her grow up myself. Rather than marrying someone like Axuan whom I’ve only met a few times, it would be better to marry Shaojin. As for Jiashan, his life is still long. He’ll encounter even more unpleasant things in the future. There are some things he should learn to endure and compromise on.” At this point, Old Madam Guo’s tone became lighter. “Doesn’t your mother always hope for Jiashan to become prime minister and enter the cabinet? Consider this matter training for him!”

But how cruel such training was!

Cheng Zheng hardly dared to imagine it.

But a thought flashed through her mind.

Could it be that Uncle Chi had taken a fancy to Zhou Shaojin?!

So that’s why Grandmother would bring Zhou Shaojin into the family?

She thought of how Cheng Chi had previously asked her to look after Zhou Shaojin.

At that time, Uncle Chi had been very earnest. How was it that after just one summer, everything had changed completely?

Cheng Zheng’s face was full of confusion.

The smile on Old Madam Guo’s face gradually faded. She said, “Azheng, in the future I’ll be living with your Uncle Chi at Chaoyangmen. Everyone will be far apart, only meeting during festivals and holidays. You don’t need to worry too much about Jiashan!”

If Uncle Chi truly had taken a fancy to Zhou Shaojin, this matter would make sense.

But when did Uncle Chi develop feelings for Zhou Shaojin?

Cheng Zheng felt quite helpless.

Even if she knew, what difference would it make?

The matter was already settled. No matter how much more she said, it would be useless.

Moreover, this matter also involved her mother.

And Mother and Grandmother didn’t get along. When they were young, she and her sisters couldn’t tell, but after marrying and managing a household, she naturally began to taste the flavor of it.

She murmured her acknowledgment and asked, “Does my mother know about this?”

“Your Uncle Chi’s matter still isn’t completely settled, so I didn’t say much about it.” Old Madam Guo said coolly. “Now that the marriage has prospects, I should inform your mother and your second aunt. It’s just that your mother has been busy with Jiashan’s wedding these days, so she probably doesn’t have time to concern herself with this matter.”

Which meant that although Old Madam Guo had exempted Madam Yuan from morning and evening greetings, Madam Yuan truly hadn’t been coming over much, and there was a hint of complaint that Madam Yuan only cared about her own son and didn’t care about her brother-in-law.

Cheng Zheng’s face flushed bright red with shame.

On one side was the grandmother who raised her, on the other was the mother who gave birth to her. She was caught in a difficult position.

But Old Madam Guo had no intention of letting Madam Yuan off, saying, “Since you’ve come out today anyway, go back home, won’t you? See how Jiashan’s wedding preparations are going. While you’re at it, tell your mother about your Uncle Chi’s engagement news, so she doesn’t keep worrying about it!”

After the incident with Fang Xuan, Old Madam’s use of the word “worrying” became somewhat subtle and meaningful.

Cheng Zheng didn’t feel she could say much more. She smiled and changed the subject: “I wonder if there’s anything I can help with regarding Fourth Uncle’s wedding?”

Old Madam Guo smiled and said, “In a couple of days! Once the wedding date is set, you and your sisters will all need to come back and help.” When she said this, she seemed very happy.

Cheng Zheng went to Xinglin Alley with a bitter smile.

An unfamiliar matron stood in the main hall talking with Madam Yuan, who was surrounded by maids and elderly servants.

Madam Yuan beckoned to Cheng Zheng with a beaming face: “You’ve come at just the right time. A steward recommended this antique shop to me. This is a wall screen they have made from Ru kiln fragments. Come take a look—what do you think? I’m thinking of hanging it in your brother’s study…”

She was devoting all her energy to decorating Cheng Xu’s new quarters.

Thinking of Old Madam Guo’s expression when she spoke earlier, Cheng Zheng suddenly felt some resentment toward her mother.

As a daughter-in-law, no matter how busy things were at Xinglin Alley, she should still find time to go pay her respects to Grandmother. Just because Grandmother told her she didn’t need to perform morning and evening greetings, she truly stopped going, and didn’t even know about Fourth Uncle getting married.

She answered distractedly with a few words. Seeing her low spirits, Madam Yuan thought something had happened at her home and dismissed the antique shop people before taking her to the inner room to talk.

Cheng Zheng told Madam Yuan about Cheng Chi and Zhou Shaojin’s engagement.

Madam Yuan felt as if struck by a blow to the head. She jumped up and cried out, “How did I not know about this? Why are you only telling me now? I already spoke with Second Madam Fang and was preparing to matchmake your Uncle Chi and Axuan…”

Cheng Zheng grew even more dissatisfied with her mother and said, “How long has it been since Mother went to pay respects to Grandmother? Uncle Chi’s marriage—I also only learned of it today when I went to visit Grandmother and she told me. I thought that since Grandmother came to the capital, it was exactly the time for Mother to show filial piety, and you should have known about Fourth Uncle’s marriage. I was even preparing to ask you what was going on! I never expected you didn’t know either.”

As for the talk about “already agreeing with Second Madam Fang,” she didn’t even want to mention it.

It wasn’t as if Fourth Uncle had lost both parents and needed his eldest sister-in-law to act as a mother and arrange his marriage.

When did it become Mother’s place to manage Uncle Chi’s wedding!