What kind of performance was this?
Zhou Shaojin calmly took a step back, avoiding Madam Wu.
Madam Wu was slightly taken aback, a flash of embarrassment crossing her face. She turned back to Old Madam Guan with a smile: “Shaojin has returned, and it’s getting late. I’ll head back first and come visit you again in a couple of days!”
Old Madam Guan smiled and agreed, not pressing her to stay. Supported by Zhou Shaojin, she personally saw her out of Jia Tree Hall.
Zhou Shaojin then asked her grandmother in a low voice: “What did Madam Wu come here for?”
Old Madam Guan gave Zhou Shaojin a meaningful look and smiled: “She said that Magistrate Wu intends to marry the Wu family’s eldest daughter to Third Master Liu of the Liu residence as a replacement wife. The Wu eldest daughter disagreed and made a huge fuss, even instigating the Wu eldest son to beat up Third Master Liu. How could the Liu family be afraid of such trouble? Not only did the Wu eldest son gain no advantage, he was beaten by the Liu family’s people and is now bedridden. The Liu family still wasn’t satisfied and said they would go to the capital to file a complaint against Magistrate Wu. Naturally, this marriage proposal fell through. But Magistrate Wu and the Wu eldest daughter and son blamed it all on her—Magistrate Wu reproached her for not properly disciplining the Wu eldest daughter, while the Wu eldest daughter and son said she was the one who arranged this marriage behind Magistrate Wu’s back. Now she’s caught in the middle with nowhere to turn, no place to even talk about it. After thinking it over, she could only come cry before me, her aunt.”
Zhou Shaojin was astonished: “The Liu family’s Third Master—is that the Liu family on Official Street, the one people call ‘Plum Mansion’?”
“Exactly.” Old Madam Guan said.
Zhou Shaojin pondered: “Does Madam Wu want you to come forward and ask someone from the First or Second Household to help mediate with the Liu family?”
Old Madam Guan smiled: “She didn’t mention it, only said she felt uncomfortable and came here to get some fresh air. But I suspect she came for exactly this matter. Otherwise, with Magistrate Wu so busy with spring plowing affairs, how would she have time to come visit me again and again?”
In her previous life, Wu Baozhang had quickly integrated into Jinling city’s circle of ladies and gained good reviews, so naturally there had been no incident of her marrying someone as a replacement wife.
Zhou Shaojin smiled: “So what are you planning to do?”
Old Madam Guan smiled: “The county magistrate cannot compare to the current administrator. We shouldn’t make things too tense with the Wu family. I’ll just wait for her to speak up and see what she says before deciding.”
Zhou Shaojin smiled and nodded.
Two days later, Madam Wu really did come.
Besides gifts, she also brought Wu Baohua and her sisters.
“Shaojin.” Upon seeing her, Madam Wu was as affectionate as before. She pulled Wu Baohua and Wu Baozhi in front of her. “I’ve long heard that your needlework is excellent. These two daughters of mine have stayed with me in the countryside for so long—they’re clever enough, but they lack refinement. I specifically brought them over today, hoping you can give them some guidance on needlework.” Then, without waiting for her to refuse, she continued, “I know you go to Cold Jade Mountain Studio every afternoon to copy scriptures. I dare not delay your time. In the future, if they have any embroidery work, you can just help them see where improvements are needed. I thank you in advance!” As she spoke, she was about to bow to Zhou Shaojin.
If word of this got out, Zhou Shaojin would definitely be stuck with a reputation for “arrogance.”
Zhou Shaojin was furious inside, feeling that everyone in the Wu family was like this—doing whatever they wanted without any consideration for others’ feelings. Wu Baozhang could recite Madam Wu’s faults like counting family treasures. Now it seemed she had learned all these bad habits from Madam Wu.
But she was no longer the Zhou Shaojin of her previous life. She had learned to control her emotions and wouldn’t foolishly hand others ammunition to use against her.
“Thank you for your kind regard, Madam Wu.” She smiled politely. “Speaking of needlework, our entire mansion cannot compare to those masters in the sewing room. I’m young and dare not act as a teacher. If Madam Wu doesn’t mind, whenever the two Miss Wus have questions, they can come find me and I’ll take them to the sewing room to show the masters. They’re all renowned masters throughout Jiangnan. Never mind getting their guidance—just being able to carefully examine their work would be a blessing for the eyes!”
Madam Wu’s smile immediately stiffened somewhat.
Zhou Shaojin pretended not to notice and asked Wu Baohua with a smile: “When did you arrive? We haven’t seen each other for some time. What have you been doing these days? Our Jing’an Studio will start classes on the second day of the second month. After that, I’ll be even busier. Who are you sisters studying with? I wonder when this studying will ever end?”
She sighed, just like a young girl forcing melancholy into new verses.
Wu Baohua was that typical girl with ordinary looks but great inner qualities. As soon as Zhou Shaojin spoke, she understood her intention. Moreover, because Madam Wu had always wanted to cultivate her into a noble official household young lady, Madam Wu only showed her good side in front of her, so the Wu sisters were actually less influenced by Madam Wu.
Seeing their mother act this way, both sisters blushed with shame.
Wu Baohua quickly said: “We have a female teacher at home. My sister and I study with her every day. Sometimes we want to rest too, but it’s not like Second Young Miss who can steal moments of leisure from her busy schedule and even has holidays.” She made a decisive judgment on this matter. “After coming to Jinling city, I’ve also heard people mention the sewing room in Nine Ru Lane—it’s one of the finest in all of Jiangnan. Being able to benefit from Second Young Miss’s kindness to go see it, we sisters would be extremely honored. But I’ve heard that the Old Ancestor of the Cheng family’s Second Household has her clothes made in the sewing room. If we just barge in so presumptuously, I wonder if we’d disturb the masters while they’re working?” Having finished speaking, she glanced at Madam Wu.
Madam Wu immediately fell silent.
Could it be that Madam Wu normally had to listen to her daughter?
Zhou Shaojin speculated, but her face remained impassive as she smiled: “Miss Wu the Second is a guest—the host should accommodate the guest. Speaking of benefiting, it’s I who benefit from Miss Wu the Second’s kindness, being able to go to the sewing room to observe the masters’ craftsmanship.”
The implication was: I normally can’t just go whenever I want either. If you’re sensible, don’t bring up guidance on needlework again.
Wu Baohua smiled: “Fortunately, we sisters have matrons at home who guide us in needlework. This matter isn’t urgent. We’ll come ask for advice when we encounter difficulties.”
These were just polite words.
Zhou Shaojin suddenly gained a good impression of Wu Baohua.
At least a better impression than of Madam Wu and Wu Baozhang.
Wu Baohua then smiled and asked: “Does Second Young Miss go to Cold Jade Mountain Studio to copy scriptures every day? Not even one day’s interruption?”
“Copying scriptures is a matter of sincerity—how can it be interrupted?” Zhou Shaojin smiled. At first, she thought this was just an ordinary casual remark, but when she noticed Madam Wu was listening intently, and recalling Madam Wu’s earlier behavior, she immediately realized there was another meaning in these words.
Could Madam Wu’s ultimate goal be the First Household?
What could she want from the First Household?
Zhou Shaojin secretly wondered and probed: “However, I don’t have anything else to do in the afternoon. Going to Cold Jade Mountain Studio to copy scriptures also allows me to chat with Old Madam Guo…”
She noticed that before she even finished speaking, Madam Wu’s eyes had brightened.
Zhou Shaojin looked toward Old Madam Guan.
Old Madam Guan smiled and nodded slightly at her.
She knew Old Madam Guan had also seen through it. She wrapped up the topic in just a few words and, using the excuse of needing to return to her room to change clothes, left Jia Tree Hall.
That evening, Old Madam Guan said to her: “Madam Wu stammered and stuttered, only saying she had business with the First Household and wanted me to mediate. But she didn’t mention a single word about what the matter actually was!”
Zhou Shaojin was very annoyed by people who treated others as fools and used them as pawns.
She muttered quietly: “If she wants to petition for an official position for Magistrate Wu, would you really accompany her to see Old Madam Guo? Such a huge favor—how would our Fourth Household ever repay it? I think you’d be better off using this effort on Second Uncle Yuan instead!”
Old Madam Guan chuckled. She very much liked that she used “our Fourth Household” to refer to them. So after Zhou Shaojin left, she quietly asked Nanny Wang: “What do you think of Shaojin and Yi?”
“I think very well.” Nanny Wang smiled. “Not only is she beautiful and filial, but she also has a good temperament and gets along well with everyone in the household. This truly embodies that saying ‘family harmony brings prosperity to all.'”
Old Madam Guan smiled contentedly, took a sip of tea, and said: “I think the same way.”
Several days later, Madam Wu came again.
This time she came alone and talked with Old Madam Guan in the room for a long time. When she came out, her eyes were still red, but her expression had completely shed the gloom of the previous two visits. She was beaming with joy. Old Madam Guan, on the other hand, was the complete opposite—her brows were so tightly knitted they could crush a mosquito.
Si’er couldn’t help feeling worried. When Zhou Shaojin returned from Cold Jade Mountain Studio to pay respects to Old Madam Guan, she quietly beckoned to Zhou Shaojin.
Zhou Shaojin went with her to the tea room.
Si’er leaned close to her ear and recounted the whole affair. Finally, she said: “Do you think that Madam Wu threatened the Old Madam?”
“No.” Zhou Shaojin was also somewhat uncertain. She said, “I’ll go in shortly and probe Grandmother’s mood. I hope it’s not the case.”
Si’er kept nodding and let out a deep sigh.
But what surprised Zhou Shaojin was that after she paid her respects to Old Madam Guan, before she could even open her mouth to ask anything, Old Madam Guan had already called her to sit beside her and explained Madam Wu’s purpose for coming: “…She said that Magistrate Wu has a good relationship with someone from his examination year in the Ministry of Personnel who tipped off Madam Wu that someone has their eye on the Jinling Prefect position and wants to have Magistrate Wu transferred. Magistrate Wu sent his legal advisor to maneuver in the capital for a long time before someone finally hinted that it was people from the First Household in our Nine Ru Lane who had spoken, saying they wanted to find someone familiar to be Jinling Prefect so there would be someone to look after family affairs. Magistrate Wu and Madam Wu panicked. They tried to visit several times but couldn’t meet anyone from the First Household. Having no other choice, they came to us, wanting us to pass a message to the First Household. If they did something wrong, the First Household should just say so and they’ll correct it immediately. Why must they replace the Jinling Prefect? After all, Magistrate Wu’s mentor, the great Song Jingran, and the Second Elder Master of the First Household were examination classmates—they could also be considered one of their own…”
This was truly a bolt from the blue!
Zhou Shaojin was dumbfounded: “There’s such a thing?”
Old Madam Guan smiled bitterly: “Regardless of whether there’s such a thing, Madam Wu said that for the matters of Xinlan and Lanting, your Uncle Mian sent over one calling card and their Magistrate Wu did everything without a second word. Even regarding the prison matters, he pretended not to know. If another prefect comes who’s close to the First Household but not necessarily close to the Fourth Household, they might not agree to things that the current one agreed to. Why bother with all this trouble back and forth? It’s inconvenient for everyone.”