Cheng Chi didn’t respond, but sighed inwardly.
Mother was getting old after all. Even though she clearly knew he didn’t want to marry, these past two years she had begun urging him as well.
Old Lady Guo was very disappointed by Cheng Chi’s reaction, but she didn’t dare say more, fearing that if she pressed too hard, her son would leave in a huff.
He rarely came to visit—she shouldn’t make him unhappy.
Old Lady Guo adjusted her emotions and said with a smile, “Will you stay for lunch?”
Her gaze held a hint of expectation.
Seeing this, Cheng Chi felt a pang of pain in his heart and couldn’t help but say, “It’s been a long time since I’ve had marinated goose feet. Could you have the kitchen make some for me?”
“Good, good, good.” A smile rippled across Old Lady Guo’s face, unstoppable. She loudly instructed Zhenzhu, “Fourth Master is staying for lunch today. Go tell the kitchen to make marinated goose feet, and mixed vegetable threads with less sesame oil; fried grass carp pieces with some Sichuan peppers, steamed lion’s head meatballs with plenty of water chestnuts, crispy roasted squab with our homemade five-spice powder, and use that mutton the Shen family sent a few days ago to make a one-grade hot pot, along with some side dishes to go with it. For the rest, let them decide what’s best.”
Everything she ordered was to Cheng Chi’s taste.
Zhenzhu smiled and replied “Yes.” Seeing Old Lady Guo’s high spirits and wanting to please her, she said with a smile, “What about wine? What wine should we drink? A few days ago, Second Master had someone send back some Pear Blossom White wine, saying it was tribute wine!”
“You certainly know how to please people.” Old Lady Guo laughed heartily, glanced at Cheng Chi, and said, “Today we’ll drink Jinhua wine—I’ll join him for a couple of cups too.”
The senior maids at Hanbi Mountain Lodge all knew that Old Lady Guo’s words carried weight not only in Jiuru Lane, but even in Xinglin Alley in the capital. However, when it came to Fourth Master, they inevitably had to be discounted.
Zhenzhu couldn’t help but glance at Cheng Chi.
Cheng Chi sighed helplessly inward, but showed a bit of a smile on his face and said, “Let’s listen to my mother. We’ll drink Jinhua wine today. Go to Xiaoshanconggui Courtyard and tell Nan Ping to bring over that wine-warming pot with the beauty painting that I brought back from Quanzhou last time.”
Now everyone was truly happy.
Zhenzhu felt especially relieved and left joyfully.
Cheng Chi then said, “With Elder Sister-in-law not at home, I should have invited you to spend the New Year at my place. But as you know, the road to Xiaoshanconggui Courtyard isn’t easy to walk, and it’s quite desolate and cold. This year I’ll just come here to mooch meals off you.”
“Really!” Old Lady Guo was overjoyed beyond measure. Her eyes became moist as she grasped his hand and asked repeatedly in surprise and delight, “Are you telling the truth?”
Other people’s children watched their parents’ faces, but only his mother had to watch his expression instead.
Cheng Chi was nearly overwhelmed by the guilt in his heart. After a long while, he said, “Of course it’s true. When have I ever deceived you?”
“I wish you would deceive me more often.” Old Lady Guo’s eyes glistened with tears, but her face bore a gratified smile. “You’re just too stubborn! However, your father was right—if you weren’t stubborn, how could you study so well?
“Do you remember when you were little? You knocked over your father’s ink, but insisted you were painting. Your father wanted to deflate your arrogance a bit, so he handed you a painting brush and said: Then finish this painting.
“You were only six years old then, still practicing large characters. You somehow found a landscape painting by Qiu Ying and copied it, painting towering mountains and steep ridges. Then, probably finding it too troublesome, you painted a few chickens at the foot of the mountain and called it done.
“Your father asked you why there would be chickens in such a desolate mountain wilderness.
“You said: They escaped from home because they were afraid of being killed and eaten.
“Your father couldn’t help but laugh. He had originally intended to punish you severely, but in the end let it go.” As she spoke, she sighed and said, “If your father were alive, he would be sixty-eight this year. He would be so happy to see how you’ve turned out!
“He used to say, the Emperor loves his eldest son, but parents dote on their youngest. When your elder brother and second brother were young, if they had dared to be so mischievous, they would have been punished to kneel in the corridor long ago. But with you, he couldn’t bring himself to be harsh. He worried he might spoil you. But then he’d say, even if you were spoiled, it wouldn’t matter—your two older brothers would take care of things, ensuring you’d have food and clothing for life and could do as you pleased.
“Who would have thought that your two older brothers now rely on your blessings instead…”
As Old Lady Guo spoke, she sadly wiped the corners of her eyes.
Cheng Chi didn’t remember much about his time with his father.
Not wanting to upset his mother, he signaled for Feicui to hand her a handkerchief and gently comforted her: “Aren’t I doing well? At least I didn’t become a wastrel. Mother should be happy for me. So many people have to watch my expression and act accordingly!”
But that’s still not as good as being an official!
These words circled around Old Lady Guo’s lips before she swallowed them back.
She suppressed the grief in her heart and smiled as she took the handkerchief to wipe her tears, saying, “I heard you had Nan Ping and the others move to Lixue Studio? Why don’t you move here to stay with me? The side rooms behind me are still empty. If you need to come and go, you can use the corner gate on the north side—it won’t interfere with anything. Living together would be more lively!”
Cheng Chi hesitated for a moment and said, “Let me think about it!”
In the past, her son would refuse without hesitation. That he was willing to consider it this time already made Old Lady Guo very satisfied. She quickly said, “Then think it over carefully. Jiashan won’t be back for another two years. Your elder sister-in-law has spent so many years apart from your elder brother. I told her to stay for a year or so before returning. It’s just the two of us in the main branch, and you’re hardly ever around…”
“I understand!” Cheng Chi said with a smile. After thinking for a moment, he added, “We’re in the middle of year-end inventory these days, so I don’t have time to think about this right now. We’ll talk after I finish with that.”
Old Lady Guo didn’t dare press further. She smiled as she watched Cheng Chi and had Feicui change her son’s tea.
The winter sunlight slanted in through the window lattice, falling on Old Lady Guo.
The silver threads mixed among her black hair sparkled, adding years to her appearance.
Watching this, Cheng Chi felt a wave of discomfort in his heart.
Mother was advanced in age, yet she lost sleep over his affairs.
But what fault did Mother have in this matter?
It was merely a choice made after weighing interests and benefits.
As descendants of the Cheng family who received the family’s support, they had to work for the family. If they didn’t even have this basic awareness, what right did they have to enjoy the legacy left by their ancestors?
Cheng Chi couldn’t help but grasp his mother’s hand and said, “Mother, I’ll move over in the next couple of days. I can keep you company for the minor New Year celebration.”
“What did you say?” Old Lady Guo could hardly believe her ears. Her eyes widened like bells as she stared at her son in a daze.
Cheng Chi felt even more pained.
It was the sons who were unfilial—why should Mother have to worry and fear on their account?
He took a deep breath, and the thought of properly keeping his mother company became even clearer, more distinct, and more resolute.
“I said, I’ll move over tomorrow.” Cheng Chi smiled. “This afternoon, hurry and have people clean out the side rooms behind you. I have quite a lot of things. The corner gate on the north side will probably need a sedan chair hall… I’ll have Qin Zi’an handle these matters…”
As he contemplated this, Old Lady Guo was already so overjoyed she couldn’t speak, only holding her son’s hand and nodding continuously.
※※※
When Cheng Chi emerged from Hanbi Mountain Lodge, Huai Shan hurried forward impatiently.
“Fourth Master, are we, are we still leaving?” he asked cautiously.
When returning to Jinling from the capital, Fourth Master had stayed at Zaoyuan Garden, but couldn’t withstand Old Lady Guo sending clothes and food to Zaoyuan Garden every day. Fourth Master had moved back, choosing Xiaoshanconggui Courtyard with its most difficult access. Now, Fourth Master had decided to move to Hanbi Mountain Lodge…
“Since the decision has been made, there’s no need to change it.” Cheng Chi knew what he was thinking. Once news of the move to Hanbi Mountain Lodge spread, many people would share Huai Shan’s concerns. He deliberately wanted Huai Shan to explain all this, saying, “I’ll be leaving in two years. I’ll take this opportunity to properly show filial piety to my mother. When a son wishes to care for his parents but they’re no longer there—in my case, my parent is still here but I don’t wish to care for her. These two years will be my final act of filial piety toward Mother!” By the end, he was filled with melancholy.
Huai Shan quietly responded “Yes,” his mood equally low.
※※※
At Jiashu Hall, after Lady Mian saw Zhou Shaojin off, she discussed Cheng Yi’s situation with Old Lady Guan: “…If everything goes smoothly and Gao’er can marry Cousin Mianzhi’s daughter, I’d like to seek Shaojin’s hand for Yi’er. You saw it yourself—though Shaojin appears soft and delicate, she doesn’t lose her head at critical moments and can manage Yi’er. With her helping me watch over Gao and Yi, I can worry less.”
Old Lady Guan said thoughtfully, “The children are still young, and your brother just went to Baoding. He has many things to handle, and his new wife is about to give birth. Let’s find the right opportunity to bring this up with him.”
“Good!” Lady Mian responded enthusiastically. When she saw Zhou Shaojin again, her gaze became much more fervent, making Zhou Shaojin inwardly uneasy, unable to tell whether Lady Mian was being so warm because she had helped persuade Cheng Yi, or whether Lady Mian had other designs in being so enthusiastic.
Fortunately, there were many matters during the New Year period. She didn’t often encounter Lady Mian, and after some slight discomfort, she quickly felt at ease again. Seeing Zhou Chujin running around busily with Lady Mian, she supervised the maids in sweeping away dust and posting talismans.
Chi Xiang said with a smile, “In the past these were always the eldest miss’s duties. When did the second miss start managing these trivial matters?”
Zhou Shaojin’s face flushed red as she said with forced composure, “That’s because you’ve all been rather lazy this year!”
Everyone burst into laughter.
Chi Xiang said bashfully, “The second miss has even started joking with us servants now.”
Zhou Shaojin smiled with pursed lips and pretended to be strict, saying, “Hurry and clean these flower windows. If I see even a speck of dust, there’ll be no braised pork with preserved vegetables for lunch today.”
Everyone joined in the fun, saying that Zhou Shaojin wasn’t as lenient with servants as Zhou Chujin.
Zhou Shaojin paid no mind and went smiling to the study.
Chun Wan came running over and said, “Second Miss, Fan Qi has returned!”
Zhou Shaojin stood up in pleased surprise and quickly said, “Bring him in at once!”
Chun Wan turned to summon Fan Qi.
He was thinner than when he’d left, but had grown taller as well. His bearing had gained a measure of composure, giving him something of a little adult’s manner—these three months traveling had clearly tempered him.
Seeing Zhou Shaojin, he respectfully performed a formal bow to her.
Zhou Shaojin noticed he wore a brand new coarse cloth robe, clean and tidy, and knew he had gone home to change clothes before coming. She instructed Chun Wan to bring him a stool.