Nanny Zhong smiled as she offered Madam Fang a suggestion. “That’s not difficult! We can just have someone ask for some Zhongling Spring water, and who would know whether we got this spring water from Second Miss Zhou or obtained it from someone else? It’s true that Fourth Master Cheng drew Zhongling Spring water by Golden Mountain, isn’t it?”
Madam Fang immediately grasped the trick of it.
She nodded slightly.
Nanny Zhong knew the matter was settled and said, “I’ll send someone to Shanquan Residence to ask for some right away.”
Shanquan Residence was Zhenjiang’s largest teahouse. They sent people to draw water from the river every day, relying precisely on this Zhongling Spring water.
Madam Fang was somewhat uneasy. After thinking it over, she said, “When the time comes, have my sedan chair stop outside Shanquan Residence.”
This way the head manager of Shanquan Residence would understand the importance of the matter and not speak carelessly.
Nanny Zhong happily assented and asked about this visit to Old Madam Guo. “…Did Old Madam agree?”
A hint of joy appeared at the corners of Madam Fang’s eyes as she said, “She agreed!”
“Amitabha!” Nanny Zhong couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief, pressing her palms together as she recited the invocation.
Madam Fang thought for a moment and said, “I think what you said makes sense. Those Zhou sisters are probably extremely favored in the Cheng family—Old Madam’s face showed difficulty at first, but then somehow she agreed very readily. When I invited Old Madam to visit our home, she said at the time, ‘Since we’re one family, we’ll inevitably need to maintain relations in the future. Everyone needn’t be so formal.’ At first I thought she was referring to how Madam Yuan and I are cousins, and I was happy for Madam Yuan that her mother-in-law was finally being pleasant with her. But looking at it now, she was probably referring to the Zhou sisters.”
Nanny Zhong was Madam Fang’s most trusted confidante and naturally knew that Madam Yuan didn’t have as much face before Old Madam Guo as was rumored outside. When the Liao and Zhou families formed the marriage alliance, Madam Fang had felt wronged and had once visited Old Madam Guo. Who would have known that Old Madam Guo’s words had conveyed throughout the tone of “This is a decision between you two sisters. It has nothing to do with me.” Otherwise Madam Fang wouldn’t have been so disappointed.
She pondered this in her heart and said carefully, “First Madam, could it be Second Miss Zhou? At that time, Miss Zhou would have been about fourteen, and Second Miss Zhou should have been only seven or eight years old. If the favored one were Miss Zhou, Old Madam Guo shouldn’t have spoken that way at the time.”
Madam Fang’s face flushed slightly as she said, “That matter wasn’t Old Madam’s fault. At the time I was dissatisfied with this marriage match. Old Madam probably saw through me, which is why she spoke so bluntly. However, what you say also makes sense. But in a few months, Miss Zhou will be marrying in. Regardless of who is favored, as long as they’re willing to help our Liao family with such a great favor for the sake of the two sisters, it benefits our Liao family. We should simply cultivate this marriage alliance well. Moreover, that in-law master has already been promoted to Prefect of Baoding. I only hope he continues to rise steadily and can help our Shaotang in the future. As for my husband, I’ve already given up on him. He’s not even as willing to work hard as his son. How could that title of successful candidate in both provincial and palace examinations fall from the sky? Only you and I should know about this matter—don’t let it leak out under any circumstances. My husband forced me to ask Old Madam for this favor. In any case, I can already give my husband an explanation. Let’s not create additional complications.”
Nanny Zhong quickly agreed respectfully.
The Liao family appeared prosperous and the main branch seemed infinitely glorious, but in reality, after the Old Madam passed away, the incompetent First Master lost his mother’s protection. He only dared to scold Madam Fang, which had already made life very difficult for Madam Fang and this household within the Liao clan.
Madam Fang then instructed Nanny Zhong, “After you return, go tell the Head Steward that after the First Young Master marries, he’ll take his new mistress to live permanently in the capital. They just need a place to store things—there’s no need to connect the neighboring residence. If anyone asks, say that when I visited Old Madam Guo of the Cheng family this time, Old Madam Guo herself suggested it, wanting our First Young Master to study with First Master Cheng. How could I refuse such a wonderful opportunity? I agreed immediately. Then go tell the Second Steward who manages the accounts to go to the capital right away and purchase a residence for the First Young Master to stay in. The residence should be good quality, preferably close to the Cheng family residence. I’ll provide the silver. This residence will also be registered under the First Young Master’s name—consider it property I’m acquiring for his marriage.”
Nanny Zhong was stunned. “Can the First Young Master also go to the capital with First Master? Having the new mistress serve both the First Young Master and First Master alone—isn’t that not quite proper? Why not give the First Young Master a residence but still have the First Young Master and First Master live in the Liao family’s residence…”
“There’s no need for such trouble.” Madam Fang said coldly, “They only agreed to have Second Master Wei give him some guidance on his examination essays when First Master goes to the capital for the examinations. I’m planning to have the First Young Master live temporarily in the capital. Staying cooped up at home like this, with the First Young Master suffering indignities every day alongside his disappointing father—what’s the point? As for studying with First Master Jing, I didn’t expect Old Madam Guo to agree so easily. My mind was a bit dazed for a moment and I didn’t react. Tomorrow you go see Second Miss Zhou and hint to her about these messy family matters. If the Cheng family can proactively suggest letting the First Young Master study with First Master Jing without me having to plead, then I’ll put Miss Zhou in charge of matters in the capital going forward. I’ll also have a helper! If not, then when the time comes I’ll swallow my pride and make a trip to Jinling myself. At worst, I’ll ask my natal family to come forward and petition Old Madam Guo. No matter what, I won’t let First Master be laughed at for having an empty reputation.”
Nanny Zhong repeatedly assented.
How could Zhou Shaojin have imagined that because of Langyue’s jar of Zhongling Spring water, compared to her previous life, her sister and brother-in-law would gain a residence out of nowhere? Moreover, her sister wouldn’t have to endure being worn down in the Liao family for several months before having the opportunity to go to the capital to attend to Liao Shaotang. From then on, she would live for a period without seeing her mother-in-law. It was precisely because of this period that Zhou Chujin and Liao Shaotang, without the influence of others, grew closer day by day. This eventually led Liao Shaotang to be willing to give up the position of heir apparent rather than abandon his wife and children.
She carried the Zhongling Spring water joyfully to Old Madam Guo’s room.
When Old Madam Guo heard that what Zhou Shaojin was holding was Zhongling Spring water, known as “the finest spring water under heaven,” she was greatly interested.
Zhou Shaojin said enthusiastically, “Let me make you a pot of tea, shall I?”
Old Madam Guo repeatedly said “Good.”
Nanny Lü very perceptively went personally to fetch the tea implements.
Zhou Shaojin naturally sat cross-legged before the tea table on the arhat bed. Heating water, warming cups, distributing tea, rinsing tea, brewing… the entire sequence of movements flowed like water, graceful as unfurling clouds, elegant and confident. Like a top-quality South Sea pearl, she radiated a lustrous glow, causing Old Madam Guo to sigh to Nanny Lü, “This truly is beauty and fragrant tea—I’m blessed today.” She praised Zhou Shaojin until her face turned completely red, and she quickly invited Old Madam Guo to taste the tea.
Old Madam Guo smelled the tea’s fragrance, slowly sipped the tea, and nodded repeatedly, saying, “This Zhongling Spring water truly lives up to its reputation. Yesterday we also drank Taiping Houkui tea. Without comparison, one doesn’t know. But with this comparison, the difference is clear—tea brewed with Zhongling Spring water has an extra crisp clarity compared to tea brewed with other water. However, Shaojin also chose the tea well. Taiping Houkui has a clear green infusion with a rich orchid fragrance. When the brewing water is crisp and clear, they complement each other perfectly. If we had chosen the Lu’an Guapian we drank a few days ago, it wouldn’t taste this good—Lu’an Guapian is mild, with the fragrance of roasted chestnuts and a bright amber-yellow infusion. Brewing it with Zhongling Spring water would likely have the spring water suppress the Lu’an Guapian’s taste and aroma, making it inferior. As for the tea-making technique, that was even better. The movements were clean and efficient without any dragging, yet also gentle and graceful. Soft yet firm—this is the essence of the tea ceremony. The essence of moderation… Very good! Very good!”
Zhou Shaojin hadn’t expected Old Madam Guo to praise her so highly. Her face flushed crimson. Just as she was about to say something modest, Cheng Chi’s voice suddenly appeared by her ear. “What’s so good? Mother, tell me so I can be happy too!”
“Uncle Chi!” Zhou Shaojin jumped up and saw Cheng Chi walking in with a smile.
Old Madam Guo laughed heartily. “This truly is better to arrive at the right time than early. Shaojin just made tea—you should taste it too.”
“Oh!” As Cheng Chi walked in and saw the scene in the room clearly, he had already guessed seven or eight parts of it. Hearing this, he sat down across from his mother with great interest. Zhou Shaojin quickly took out a small cup and brewed a fresh pot for Cheng Chi.
Cheng Chi took a sip.
Old Madam Guo asked Cheng Chi with a smile, “Well?”
Cheng Chi nodded. “Zhongling Spring water truly deserves to be called ‘the finest spring under heaven!'”
Old Madam Guo smiled and said, “Though the implement is good, it also depends on who uses it. Only when Shaojin used Zhongling Spring water to brew Taiping Houkui did it achieve this effect. With other teas, it might not taste this good.”
Cheng Chi glanced at Zhou Shaojin standing to the side, her ears so red they seemed ready to drip blood. He thought to himself, no wonder this little girl could win his mother’s affection. When he had drawn a bucket of Zhongling Spring water, aside from the fact that he himself enjoyed using this spring water to make tea, he had also intended to surprise his mother. But spring water wasn’t like other things—it would spoil if kept too long. That’s why he had instructed Langyue to give a bit to each person, while he would personally deliver his mother’s portion. He hadn’t expected that after receiving the spring water, this little girl not only hadn’t hoarded it selfishly but had immediately shared it with his mother for tasting… His mother’s affection for her wasn’t wasted.
He smiled as he played along and teased his mother. “You’re being too biased. I haven’t even finished speaking and you’ve already scolded me. Can’t you wait until I finish talking, and if you still find it disagreeable, then scold me?”
“Where did you learn such glib talk?” Old Madam Guo couldn’t help but laugh. “Not even restraining yourself in front of your mother—be careful or you’ll frighten Shaojin!”
Cheng Chi smiled and said, “She has your protection—how could she be afraid of me?”
Zhou Shaojin, teased by the mother and son, felt her face burning. She lowered her head and dared not raise her eyes.
Old Madam Guo found this quite amusing, yet also felt affection. She chided Cheng Chi, “What kind of uncle are you? Shaojin, come here to me. Don’t pay attention to him.”
Like a startled little rabbit, Zhou Shaojin darted behind Old Madam Guo.
Cheng Chi couldn’t help but laugh heartily.
Old Madam Guo then took Zhou Shaojin’s hand and comforted her gently. “You don’t need to fear him. I’m here!”
Zhou Shaojin murmured her assent.
Old Madam Guo then pushed the tea cup in front of her toward Cheng Chi and commanded him, “Go make a pot of tea!”