Cheng Chi’s response made Old Madam Guo smile until her eyes curved. When Zhou Shaojin changed her form of address to call her “Mother,” Old Madam Guo could no longer restrain herself. Holding Zhou Shaojin, she happily praised her, “Good child,” and gently instructed Zhou Shaojin, “Go quickly with Fourth Lang to the ancestral hall. After recognizing the relatives, come back to keep me company.”

Zhou Shaojin didn’t dare raise her head at all.

Nanny Lü must have been the one who listened outside the chamber.

In her previous life, when she married Lin Shisheng, perhaps because they feared Lin Shisheng’s heart still held the eldest daughter of the Mu family, Old Madam Lin personally listened outside the chamber.

The two slowly left the main hall of Tingxiang Courtyard.

Cheng Chi indeed called for a sedan chair. While having her carried toward the ancestral hall, he chatted with her, “When you came here some days ago, Tingxiang Courtyard hadn’t been repaired yet. It was prepared for you to entertain your female friends normally. After Mother moved in, I added a covered corridor in front of the main hall to serve as a reception hall, which works well. After the guests leave and Mother moves back to Heshou Hall, you can not only receive female guests here, but also give instructions to the household stewards here… The ancestral hall is newly built. We’re the first couple to go there to worship our ancestors…”

In the future when they grew old and passed away, their memorial tablets would be enshrined in the ancestral hall by their descendants, enjoying forever the incense offerings of later generations.

They formed their marriage bond in this residence, and in this residence they would have children and grandchildren in abundance, growing old together…

Thinking this, Cheng Chi suddenly felt all the scenery before him became more beautiful.

Zhou Shaojin, however, felt very uncomfortable.

She sat in the sedan chair while Cheng Chi walked beside it supporting the chair. When she raised her head, she saw the lakes and mountains of the inner quarters. When she lowered her head, she could only see Cheng Chi’s jet-black hair and the white jade lotus hairpin binding his hair.

It was as if she were sitting on Cheng Chi’s shoulders.

She was even more afraid of being seen by others.

Because of their wedding, almost all of the Cheng family’s relatives and old friends who could come had come. Those who couldn’t come had also found ways to come. Since most were not in the capital, they were all staying in the eastern courtyard. To reach the ancestral hall, they had to pass through the eastern courtyard.

If they were seen like this, she couldn’t escape a reputation for being arrogantly favored. Going deeper, she might even be rumored to be domineering and disrespectful to elders. Then she could forget about ever turning her life around.

Even if this was arranged by Old Madam Guo, she couldn’t explain to everyone she met, could she?

Perhaps others would think she was making a big deal out of nothing, trying to cover up by overexplaining.

She bent down and pushed Cheng Chi’s shoulder, saying in a low voice, “Fourth Master, I… I should get down and walk! I’m fine, really!”

Cheng Chi knew she was timid and cautious, knew she wasn’t accustomed to this. How could he bear to make things difficult for her?

But to let her walk to the ancestral hall like this—he really feared she couldn’t hold up.

If anyone was to blame, it could only be his own insatiability.

But he hadn’t expected it would be this serious.

Now regretting it was too late.

Cheng Chi said in a low voice, “When we reach the ancestral hall entrance, we’ll walk in.”

This was also showing respect to their ancestors.

Zhou Shaojin nodded repeatedly.

When they reached the black threshold at the ancestral hall entrance, Cheng Chi supported Zhou Shaojin as she descended from the sedan. Knowing she could only walk in by herself, he still couldn’t help asking, “Can you manage?”

Zhou Shaojin was extremely embarrassed. How could she discuss such things with him? She blushed and nodded randomly.

Cheng Chi smiled and went with her to the ancestral hall.

The one helping to arrange the offerings in the ancestral hall was Steward Qin.

He looked at Cheng Chi and Zhou Shaojin with gratification, separately handing them incense and candles, leading them to kowtow before the ancestral tablets.

The ancestral hall still had the smell of tung oil varnish. The memorial tablets were also newly made, lacking the depth of a century-old clan and the composed restraint that comes from the passage of time.

Feeling moved, Steward Qin couldn’t help but earnestly say to Cheng Chi, “A new beginning brings new prosperity. You must produce heirs, strive diligently, and together with your brothers support the Cheng family’s gateway.”

Cheng Chi respectfully responded with “Yes.”

Zhou Shaojin knew he was not an ordinary servant, but the Cheng family’s benefactor, Cheng Chi’s senior brother. Without the Qin family, there might not be the present Cheng family.

She hurriedly followed with a respectful bow.

Steward Qin’s eyes revealed a smile of gratification.

On the way back, Zhou Shaojin insisted on walking herself.

Cheng Chi didn’t force her.

The two slowly made their way to the main hall.

Fortunately, the main hall wasn’t far from the ancestral hall. Just when Zhou Shaojin encouraged herself for the third time not to stop, they arrived at the main hall.

Blue brick foundation, powder-white walls, gray ridges, with a black and gold lacquered plaque bearing the three characters “Panzong Hall.”

These three characters were personally inscribed by Cheng Jing.

It was typical official script.

But the characters were as large as measures, round and full, upright and harmonious, quite imposing.

This was the main branch’s current hall name.

Taken from the “Records of the Grand Historian: Annals of Emperor Xiaowen,” it implied prosperous descendants and a family solid as bedrock.

Zhou Shaojin thought of Steward Qin’s earlier exhortation and couldn’t help but feel secretly relieved. Good thing she had consummated the marriage with Fourth Master, otherwise how disappointed these elders who held such infinite hopes for Cheng Chi would have been!

“They’re here, they’re here. The groom and bride are here!” A female servant called out happily, her voice filled with celebration.

Zhou Shaojin’s mood also became joyful.

She smiled and followed Cheng Chi into the main hall.

The room was crowded with people. On the east side were the various masters and young masters, on the west side were the various madams and ladies. In the center was a pair of empty armchairs, with a man and woman standing on either side.

The woman Zhou Shaojin would never mistake even from afar—it was Madam Yuan.

She wore a bright red robe with gold embroidery all over, adorned with a third-rank lady’s hairpins and ornaments, her smile not reaching her eyes as she looked at Cheng Chi and Zhou Shaojin.

The man wore a precious blue brocade robe with auspicious cloud patterns. He bore five or six parts resemblance to Cheng Chi, with a scholarly temperament and gentle expression, yet his brows held an undisguisable dignity. He slowly merged with the Cheng Jing in Zhou Shaojin’s memory.

Seeing them enter, he smiled at them with great satisfaction.

The master of ceremonies smiled and said, “The newlyweds pay respects to the Old Master and Old Madam… then serve tea to the eldest brother and sister-in-law!”

Cheng Chi and Zhou Shaojin knelt on the prepared brocade cushions and paid respects to the armchairs draped with red satin embroidered chair covers, then served tea to Cheng Jing and Madam Yuan.

Cheng Jing and Madam Yuan accepted the tea cups and symbolically took a sip, then gave meeting gifts.

Zhou Shaojin presented shoes and socks in return.

Nanny Shang and Biyu helped them from the side—one responsible for distributing the shoes and socks, one responsible for collecting the meeting gifts and silently remembering who gave which gifts. Later when they returned to the bridal chamber to record everything, this would serve as the basis for future exchanges with these families.

Fortunately, Cheng Chi’s generation was high, so there weren’t many people who could receive their respects. Cheng Shao was especially kind and affectionate, looking at Zhou Shaojin with eyes full of loving kindness. As for those of equal generation and juniors, Zhou Shaojin only needed to stand there and curtsy in return or smile and nod.

Just as Cheng Jia had said, Cheng Xiao’s husband Yuan Ming particularly enjoyed joking around. While others at most added a congratulatory phrase when presenting gifts, he laughingly teased Cheng Chi, “Uncle Chi, Uncle Chi, how can I bear this—my aunt is too young! When I bring my daughter back to visit, won’t she still have to look after her little aunt and uncle in the cradle?”

Yuan Bieyun stepped forward and slapped him on the back of his head, saying, “Where is this daughter of yours? Talking nonsense all day without any seriousness.”

Yuan Ming was tall and handsome, with sword-like brows and bright eyes, very good-looking.

His current appearance of cowering with his head covered was extremely inconsistent with his appearance, causing the entire main hall to erupt in laughter.

In contrast, Gu Xu looked like a prematurely mature youth. He respectfully stepped forward to bow to Zhou Shaojin and called out “Fourth Aunt.”

Being called “Aunt” by someone so much older than herself, and moreover someone with the bearing of a dignified gentleman, Zhou Shaojin felt great pressure.

By comparison, Cheng Sheng’s husband Peng Zao was a shy young man.

When he paid respects to Zhou Shaojin, she couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

As for Yuan Bieyun, Gu Jiunie, and other good friends of Cheng Chi, they seemed much more composed. Although their eyes held teasing smiles, these were all directed at Cheng Chi. When it came to her turn, they were very respectful.

After meeting the adults who had established careers and families, it was the turn of the children.

Leading was the Cheng family’s eldest son and grandson, Cheng Xu.

Compared to his previous cheerful and sunny demeanor, the current Cheng Xu had become quiet and silent.

Expressionless, with lowered eyelids, he stepped forward to pay respects to Cheng Chi and Zhou Shaojin. After receiving the red envelope and shoes and socks that Cheng Chi handed over, he withdrew to the side. He neither looked at Cheng Chi and Zhou Shaojin once, nor said a word.

Zhou Shaojin had no intention of having dealings with him and felt this was more than ideal.

After he withdrew, a bright smile reappeared on her face. She received the respects from Young Master Guo and others, then went with Cheng Chi to the west side to pay respects to the various madams and ladies.

She didn’t know how helpless and pained the gaze that Cheng Xu raised toward her was.

Today was Cheng Chi and Zhou Shaojin’s happy day—who would pay attention to a junior hiding in the corner?

Naturally no one in the main hall noticed anything unusual about him.

After recognizing the relatives, Cheng Chi was kept in the main hall while Zhou Shaojin was taken to Tingxiang Courtyard.

Biyu was extremely anxious, saying, “Fourth Madam, I must return to the room first—we received so many meeting gifts today, I’m afraid I’ll mix them up if I wait.”

Although the Cheng family didn’t have many elders, they had many relatives and old friends.

Zhou Shaojin hurriedly said, “Then go back quickly! You don’t need to serve me here. I know all those who serve Mother. Having Nanny Shang with me is enough.”

Biyu nodded and, carrying Zhou Shaojin’s meeting gifts with two maids, returned to the bridal chamber.

Nanny Shang stepped forward to support Zhou Shaojin, still considering her dignity as she smiled and said, “Fourth Madam has been busy all morning and must be very tired. Let me help you!”

Her support was different from others.

She was practically holding her up as they walked.

Zhou Shaojin looked at her gratefully.

When they reached Old Madam Guo’s room, there were only two or three old madams seated. Besides Old Madam Guo, there was the widowed mother of Hanlin Academy Chancellor Wu Xiuzao, the mother of the Chief Censor of the Censorate, and the mother from the maternal family of the second branch’s Grand Madam Hong.

Only then did Zhou Shaojin belatedly remember that Madam Hong’s brother Hong Xiu was Vice Minister of War and concurrent Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi, a successful candidate from the two imperial examinations in the twelfth year of Yongchang, the same year as the main branch’s Old Master Cheng Shao.

These family relationships… were truly complex!

Zhou Shaojin could only break out in a sweat.

Fortunately, although the relationships were complex, the people were not.

After the several old madams received her tea and gave her meeting gifts, Zhou Shaojin was led by Nanny Lü to the gauze cabinet in Old Madam Guo’s inner chamber.

“The Old Madam said,” Nanny Lü smiled even more warmly than usual, “the Fourth Madam has just entered the family and likely hasn’t slept well. She specifically called you over to let you rest in her room.”