Old Madam Guan knew: “Of course she agreed.”
Zhou Shaojin nodded and didn’t continue asking.
Old Madam Guan instead found it strange and said: “Don’t you think that since we’re all one family, we should naturally help and support each other?”
Zhou Shaojin shook her head.
Earlier at the Second Household, Old Madam Guan’s smile that faded when no one was watching had been bothering her all along.
Her experience from two lifetimes made her understand the importance of explanation.
She had been looking for an opportunity to explain to Old Madam Guan why she had been impolite to the Second Household’s maids.
Perhaps Old Madam Guan would think she was calculating and thus lose her grandmother’s favor; but perhaps Old Madam Guan would realize she wasn’t just an “embroidered pillow” and that she also thought about various matters in life, and would view her differently. She might be able to have a say before her grandmother and eldest aunt like her sister did.
A fifty-fifty chance.
Very risky.
But she had to take this risk.
If she couldn’t gain the right to speak for herself even in the Fourth Household, how could she have any say before Old Madam Guo!
At worst, it would be like her previous life—being kept at a distance and treated with mere courtesy by her grandmother.
That’s why she had proactively brought up her speculation.
This way she could both have an opportunity to explain her actions to her grandmother and test where her grandmother’s bottom line was.
So far everything was going smoothly.
What came next would depend on whether her answer could satisfy her grandmother.
Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help feeling somewhat anxious, but she still suppressed her unease and tried to make her smile appear natural and sweet as she said: “That’s not it. After copying scriptures at Cold Jade Mountain Studio for these past months, though I can’t say I understand Old Madam Guo completely, I’ve at least grasped some of her temperament. The position of Cheng family patriarch isn’t easy to hold. Cousin Xu is now in the capital with Uncle Jing protecting him and the Second Elder Master of the First Household watching over him. He has the advantage of timing, geography, and people. If he still gets overshadowed by Cousin Shi who has left his hometown, then even if he becomes the Cheng family patriarch with the elders’ support, he probably won’t be able to command respect. Old Madam Guo’s intention is probably to let Cousin Shi serve as a whetstone for Cousin Xu, to see if Cousin Xu can bear the responsibility of being patriarch.”
“Excellent, excellent!” Old Madam Guan’s eyes revealed undisguised admiration. “I never expected that at your young age, usually so quiet, you would have such insight. Old Madam Guo is someone who likes to nurture tigers in the mountains. Back then, your Uncle Jing went to western Yunnan with Old Master Guo’s maternal uncle when he was just a young child. Your Uncle Wei was also left by Old Madam Guo to stay in western Sichuan for a period of time. Not to mention your Uncle Chi—at such a young age, he studied with Old Master Shao, and if he didn’t complete his assigned lessons, he wasn’t allowed to return home even during New Year.
“The person I admire most in my life is Old Madam Guo. No matter how disadvantaged the First Household’s position, she can always quietly turn the situation around.
“Perhaps because the previous dynasty killed too many, the Cheng family has always struggled with offspring. We all treasure our children like the apples of our eyes, yet we don’t realize that children who aren’t taught properly won’t become proper people. Descendants who don’t become proper people will not only bring disaster to the family but also harm others. In this regard, we’re all inferior to Old Madam Guo.
“Shaojin, being able to think of these things at your age is already quite remarkable. But you must remember—men manage the outside, women manage the inside. The inner courtyard is a woman’s domain. In the future, you’ll not only need to manage household affairs but also be responsible for educating children. You must never spoil and pamper them just because you feel sorry that they’re your own flesh and blood. You must understand that they cannot live under your wings forever—one day they’ll have to go outside and deal with people out there. Those outside people don’t care whose children they are. The stricter you are with them now, the less harm they’ll suffer when they go out. That’s what truly loving your children means. Do you understand?”
Grandmother was speaking from the heart.
Zhou Shaojin respectfully agreed.
Old Madam Guan smiled with satisfaction, turned to sit down on the daybed, and said gently: “However, even so, you were too harsh with that maid from the Second Household.”
Zhou Shaojin’s face reddened slightly.
Ever since she learned about some matters regarding the Second Household, she could no longer respect them, so when the Second Household’s maid contradicted her, she momentarily couldn’t hold back…
Fortunately, Old Madam Guan didn’t pursue this further. Instead, she leaned forward slightly with a serious expression and said: “Shaojin, did you hear something at the First Household?”
Zhou Shaojin said carefully: “Some things I heard, some things I guessed—I don’t know if they’re correct. I’ll tell you everything, and you can help me figure out how I should conduct myself in the future.”
Upon hearing this, Old Madam Guan made a “silence” gesture to her, then had Si’er invite Nanny Wang over and instructed Nanny Wang: “I have something to say to Shaojin. Help us guard the door.”
Nanny Wang’s expression changed slightly. She solemnly responded “Yes” and closed the door for them.
Old Madam Guan then pointed to the daybed opposite her and said: “Sit down to talk.”
Zhou Shaojin agreed and sat halfway on the daybed, leaning forward to quietly tell Old Madam Guan some of her discoveries after her rebirth: “…The conflict between the First Household and the Second Household has existed for a long time, but because of the Third Household, people couldn’t see it before…
“Among all the cousins, Cousin Shi’s knowledge and character are outstanding, yet he never continued to participate in the imperial examinations. I wondered if something happened back then—the First Household and Second Household have been suppressing the Third Household, preventing the Third Household from ever succeeding in the examinations, forcing them to rely on the First and Second Households to live…
“But the Third Household has never been resigned to this and has been trying to escape this predicament, which is why Cousin Zheng has never discussed marriage…
“When Duke Liangguo came to the capital and invited Uncle Chi to help make arrangements, Uncle Chi refused. After that, rumors spread that the heir of Duke Liangguo had taken a liking to Cousin Jia… Perhaps the Duke Liangguo family knows about this grudge… They want to get closer to the Cheng family and are somewhat confident that the Third Household will agree, which is why they sought to marry Cousin Jia.
“Although the Cheng family refused, Duke Liangguo and the heir are still in the capital—I’m afraid this matter isn’t over yet… Now the First Household is like brocade adorned with flowers, with orderly succession; but the Second Household is like the setting sun, without anyone capable of standing on their own. The Old Ancestor of the Second Household must be very anxious…”
When she reached this point, her tone paused slightly.
That’s why in her previous life, they wanted to destroy Cheng Xu.
Because among the fourth generation of the First Household with the “yan” radical in their names, aside from Cheng Xu, there were no other talented individuals.
“When Father returned, the Old Ancestor of the Second Household didn’t hesitate to lower herself to personally introduce Cousin Shi to my father… When people from the Min family of Fujian came, she even came out to receive them. The two households are not far from a complete falling out.”
Zhou Shaojin clenched her hands into fists and said: “I keep feeling that once the First Household and Second Household have their falling out, we other three households won’t be able to avoid getting dragged in. When that time comes, I’m afraid we’ll have to repay several generations’ worth of kindness.”
Old Madam Guan lowered her eyelids, gently fingering the eighteen-bead prayer beads that had somehow ended up in her hands, and said nothing.
Zhou Shaojin broke out in a cold sweat.
This was what she had thought over and over, combining her experiences from two lifetimes—but she didn’t know if it was correct.
Time passed bit by bit. Old Madam Guan sat there like a clay Buddha statue, motionless except for fingering the prayer beads in her hands.
The room was utterly silent. You could hear a pin drop.
Zhou Shaojin sat perfectly still, her throat tight, her body stiff and aching. She only wished someone would burst in or something would happen. She couldn’t help grumbling inwardly: If she had known it would be like this, she should have assumed a comfortable position before talking to her grandmother.
After who knows how long, Old Madam Guan finally raised her head.
She looked at Zhou Shaojin and let out a long sigh. The wrinkles on her face suddenly seemed to have multiplied: “Child, what am I to say to you! These words—just say them to your grandmother and leave it at that. Don’t mention them even to your eldest aunt, lest disaster come from your mouth.”
Grandmother believed her!
Zhou Shaojin felt a weight lift from her shoulders.
If it weren’t for the inappropriate setting, she would have jumped for joy.
“I won’t tell anyone.” She quickly vowed, “…I’ll keep it buried in my stomach.”
“That’s not necessary!” Old Madam Guan laughed despite herself and said, “These matters you mentioned—the older generation all knows them, and even the younger generation, if they have their wits about them, can guess some of it. What I want to tell you is another matter. Why are you so certain that the First Household will definitely have the last laugh? Think about it—in order to restrain Zichuan, the Second Household has made it impossible for anyone to take over Zichuan’s affairs for at least twenty years. This is equivalent to wasting one of the First Household’s jinshi degree holders, and the First Household has no one else to use. While Jiashan actually falls short of Youyi in certain aspects… If the Old Ancestor of the Second Household lives a bit longer, Youyi might not be without opportunities. Moreover, Grand Madam Hong of the Yi branch also comes from no simple background. What if we choose the wrong path?”
This was such a profound question that Zhou Shaojin had no idea how to answer or even think about it.
But she knew that twelve years from now, the entire Cheng family would be executed.
All these grudges and conspiracies would crumble like dead wood before imperial power.
Only Cheng Chi and Cheng Xu escaped.
Rather, Cheng Chi only saved Cheng Xu.
In her previous life, the First Household was still the victor even when she was silently living like an ant.
In this life, having prevented Cheng Xu’s tragedy and with her warnings, the First Household had no reason not to escape.
Thinking of this, Zhou Shaojin felt a chill run through her.
Why did Cheng Chi only save Cheng Xu?
Did he lack the ability? Or was it simply because Cheng Xu was the eldest grandson of the First Household, representing the Cheng family’s lineage?
She thought of Cheng Chi’s coldness and suddenly felt she vaguely understood something.
But at this moment, she couldn’t dwell on it.
If she wanted the Fourth Household to follow the First Household, she had to make Old Madam Guan believe that the First Household would be the ultimate victor.
“You know about the Min family of Fujian.” Zhou Shaojin said calmly. “Madam Yuan wants to seek a Min family young lady’s hand in marriage for Cousin Xu.”
Old Madam Guan looked astonished and said: “Wasn’t it said to be a chance encounter with a young master from the Min family?”
“I don’t know the specifics.” Zhou Shaojin said. “I just heard Madam Yuan had this intention.” She told Old Madam Guan about how Cheng Shi had been rebuffed at Young Master Min’s place. “Think about it—for no reason at all, why would that Young Master Min offend someone?”
“If that’s the case…” Old Madam Guan pondered, “the First Household can indeed be confident…”
Was the Min family of Fujian really that formidable?
Madam Yuan thought that a marriage alliance with them would allow Cheng Xu to enter the cabinet as a minister, and upon hearing that the First Household had support from the Min family, Old Madam Guan felt the First Household would win… Zhou Shaojin felt indignant.