Zhou Shaojin said, “Does Father know about this? What did he say?”
Zhou Chujin replied, “Father already knows. It was he who had Ma Fushan tell me, saying he was afraid we two sisters didn’t understand the severity and might think we could still deal with that Cheng Lu superficially, only to be bitten back by him. He wants us both to stay far away from him. As for anything else, he didn’t say.”
Zhou Shaojin said, “Sister, what do you think about finding a way to strip Cheng Lu of his scholarly title?”
“Strip Cheng Lu of his scholarly title?” Zhou Chujin murmured, thought for a moment, then said, “Do you think he’ll behave himself just because his title is stripped?”
How could that be possible!
If having his title stripped would make him behave, in her previous life he wouldn’t have schemed so deliberately to find her, coax her into eloping with him, showing no regard for his father-in-law who had helped him or his mother-in-law who had borne him children.
“This would only be the first step,” Zhou Shaojin said. “Without his title, he’ll have no choice but to depend on the Cheng family. Then we can slowly deal with him. But if we let him achieve provincial graduate status, given his nature, he’ll only do even more unconscionable things. By then it won’t just be as simple as instructing someone to poison people to death.”
Zhou Chujin said, “Then let’s have Ma Fushan make a trip to Baoding Prefecture. He can bring Madam back while he’s at it, so if anyone asks, there’s an excuse.”
Zhou Shaojin agreed wholeheartedly and gave her sister the glass hairpins, saying, “These are for you to take to the Liao family to reward people.”
“You should keep them yourself!” Zhou Chujin firmly refused.
The sisters pushed back and forth for quite a while before Zhou Chujin finally thought it over and accepted with a smile.
Afterward the two sisters slept in the same bed. Zhou Shaojin talked about details from the trip to Mount Putuo—how clever Manager Wang from the Yutai Ningbo branch was, how shrewd the manager from the Hangzhou branch was, how magnificent Jinshan Temple was, how clear and fragrant the Taiping Houkui tea brewed with Zhongling Spring water was… Every little detail demonstrated how well Old Madam Guo and Cheng Chi had treated her.
Zhou Chujin listened, smiling as she stroked Zhou Shaojin’s hair. The sisters’ movements grew quieter and quieter until they gradually drifted into sleep. When Chun Wan woke them the next day, neither knew what time they’d fallen asleep.
The two sisters hurriedly washed and dressed, then took the rewards for Old Madam Guan, Madam Mian, and the servants to Jiashu Hall.
Cheng Yi was still in Pukou. Cheng Mian had deliberately brought Cheng Gao over early. After seeing Zhou Shaojin and asking questions to confirm her safe journey, he took Cheng Gao to the outer courtyard.
Old Madam Guan explained to Zhou Shaojin with a smile, “He’s occasionally learning some household management from your Uncle Mian now.”
Cheng Gao’s wedding was set for next September. Whether or not he passed the licentiate examination, the wedding would proceed as planned.
Zhou Shaojin reassured Old Madam Guan, “Don’t worry. Cousin Gao will definitely have double happiness.”
In her previous life, Cheng Gao had indeed passed the licentiate examination.
Old Madam Guan said with a laugh, “Then I’ll borrow your auspicious words.”
Zhou Shaojin smiled with pursed lips and brought out the gifts.
Everyone loved the combs and glass hairpins, but the red coral ornaments made Old Madam Guan and Madam Mian hesitate. “Such fine quality is truly rare. You should keep them to wear yourself!”
Those who had daughters typically began accumulating dowries from the moment their daughters were born.
Zhou Shaojin’s mother had passed away before she turned one. Later, living in Jiuru Lane, though Old Madam Guan treated her well, the blood relationship created some distance and she didn’t feel comfortable making decisions for her. Only after understanding Zhou Zhen’s true intentions and beginning to prepare Zhou Shaojin’s dowry—which was just these past two or three years—did she start. She actually had less than Zhou Chujin, as Zhuang Shi had begun preparing Zhou Chujin’s dowry from the moment she married into the Zhou family. The most difficult part of preparing dowries was that sometimes even with money, you couldn’t buy what you wanted.
Zhou Shaojin said with a smile, “This is the first time I’ve traveled so far from home. Just accept them. If I encounter such fine things again in the future, I’ll definitely keep them and not let you know!”
Old Madam Guan laughed heartily and said, “Why don’t you give them to Old Madam Guo instead! You were able to go on this trip thanks to Old Madam Guo.”
“These are what I bought for you and Aunt,” Zhou Shaojin said with a smile. “As for Old Madam Guo, I’ll find a way to repay her in the future.”
Seeing her firm attitude, Old Madam Guan exchanged a glance with Madam Mian and said, “Then we’ll accept them.”
Zhou Shaojin nodded with a smile. After distributing the combs and glass ornaments to Si’er and the others, she rose to take her leave. “Although Madam Song has Old Madam Guo to entertain her, I spent all those days with her on the boat. Since she’s visiting Jiuru Lane and I can’t fulfill my duty as hostess, I should at least go greet her.”
“Quite right, quite right.” Old Madam Guan was very supportive. “Handle Madam Song’s visit as you see fit. If you want to invite her to visit our home, just send the invitation directly. I’ll accompany you when the time comes, and the expenses will come from the household funds. Don’t worry about anything or appear stingy and let others think us petty.”
Zhou Shaojin thanked her grandmother and invited Zhou Chujin to come along, saying, “Madam Song took very good care of me during the journey. Since I don’t know how Old Madam Guo has arranged things, it wouldn’t be proper to invite Aunt. But Sister should come with me to thank Madam Song.”
Madam Song was a Grand Secretary’s wife—who wouldn’t want to curry favor? But she was ultimately the main branch’s guest, so who could speak with her had to be decided by the main branch. If she brought Madam Mian to pay respects to Madam Song without the main branch’s approval, it would inevitably seem like poaching from the main branch. But Zhou Chujin was different. First, she was Zhou Shaojin’s sister, and second, she was just an unmarried young lady of little importance—Madam Song wouldn’t take particular notice of her.
Both Old Madam Guan and Madam Mian understood this principle. Not only did they not blame Zhou Shaojin, they thought she’d been very considerate. They personally had the kitchen prepare several specialty pastries from the fourth branch for Zhou Chujin to take to Madam Song’s guest room.
When Madam Song heard that Zhou Shaojin and her sister had brought pastries to see her, she quickly instructed the maids to invite them in.
In her view, Zhou Shaojin was the younger generation that Old Madam Guo truly cared about. Moreover, she genuinely liked Zhou Shaojin and felt that in the unfamiliar environment of Jiuru Lane, Zhou Shaojin was her only real acquaintance. She not only happily accepted the pastries they brought but also thoroughly praised Zhou Shaojin when Zhou Chujin thanked her.
Seeing Zhou Shaojin receive such praise, Zhou Chujin was naturally overjoyed. The more she looked at Madam Song, the more amiable and kind she seemed. She flattered Madam Song with her words, making Madam Song so happy she smiled from beginning to end. Finally she asked Zhou Shaojin, “I heard from Nanny Lü, who serves Old Madam Guo, that Old Madam Guo has decided to go to Jiming Temple for a vegetarian meal tomorrow. Will you be going too?”
“I’m not sure if I can go along,” Zhou Shaojin said with a smile. “I originally planned to pay my respects to Old Madam first and then come visit you, but Sister insisted on coming to say ‘thank you’ to you, so I brought Sister here first. I haven’t yet paid my respects to Old Madam!”
“Then go quickly and ask,” Madam Song said with a smile. “Last night Sen Ge’er told me he thought that once we reached your home, he’d be able to see you every day. Who knew you’d live so far apart—it’s not as convenient as when we were on the boat!”
Zhou Shaojin giggled.
A little maid announced that Biyu had arrived.
Everyone was somewhat surprised. Madam Song had the little maid bring her in.
When Biyu saw Zhou Shaojin, she exclaimed, “Finally found you! If I hadn’t run into Madam Mian, my legs would have worn thin from running—Old Madam opened her eyes and immediately instructed this servant to fetch Second Miss. I went to Wanxiang Residence, but they said you’d gone to Jiashu Hall. I rushed to Jiashu Hall, but Old Madam was already doing her morning devotions. The maids only knew you’d come to the main branch but didn’t know which courtyard exactly. I rushed back to Hanbi Mountain Villa, but they said you’d never been there at all. I had no choice but to head back to Jiashu Hall again. Heaven took pity and let me meet Madam Mian, otherwise I’d still be waiting outside Old Madam’s small Buddhist hall right now!” Finished speaking, she stepped forward to greet Madam Song, saying, “This servant was too anxious and made you laugh at me.”
This Second Miss Zhou really is favored by Old Madam Guo.
Madam Song thought privately, then said with a smile, “Miss Biyu, there’s no need for formality. Second Miss, you should quickly go with Miss Biyu to see Old Madam. Perhaps Old Madam has something urgent for you!”
Zhou Shaojin hastily took her leave from Madam Song and went to Old Madam Guo.
Old Madam Guo was about to have breakfast. She said with a smile, “Have you eaten yet? The kitchen made chrysanthemum porridge today. Would you like to add some?”
Zhou Shaojin politely declined.
Old Madam Guo didn’t insist. She told Zhou Shaojin about the arrangements for today’s banquet for Madam Song at Listening to Rain Pavilion and tomorrow’s plan to take Madam Song to tour Jiming Mountain, saying, “…You’re familiar with Madam Song. Tell your grandmother that during Madam Song’s days in Jinling City, you should stay by Madam Song’s side to accompany her.”
Zhou Shaojin smiled and agreed, then told Old Madam Guo about taking her sister to thank Madam Song.
Hearing that Zhou Chujin and Madam Song got along quite well, Old Madam Guo said with a smile, “Have your sister accompany Madam Song as well. Though your sister also speaks little, she talks more than you.”
Zhou Shaojin smiled sheepishly and went back to report to Old Madam Guan.
Old Madam Guan was overjoyed.
Their fourth branch’s two girls helping Old Madam Guo entertain Grand Secretary Song’s wife—what great honor! It also showed that their fourth branch’s two girls had reached a certain level in interpersonal relations and social dealings, making them presentable.
She quickly called for Madam Jing and asked Zhou Shaojin if she needed to make some new clothes.
Zhou Shaojin said with a smile, “There’s no time to make clothes now, and besides, Sister and I still have many new clothes we haven’t worn yet!”
Old Madam Guan then asked about Madam Song’s preferences and taboos, chattering on for over half a shichen. If a maid from the main branch hadn’t come to remind her that the banquet at Listening to Rain Pavilion was about to begin, she would have continued asking.
Zhou Shaojin and Zhou Chujin stepped forward to help Old Madam Guan change her clothes.
Old Madam Guan waved her hands repeatedly, saying “No need,” and told them to quickly return to wash and dress properly so they could go to Listening to Rain Pavilion together.
The Zhou sisters had no choice but to return to Wanxiang Residence.
Madam Mian said with a smile, “Did you send those two sisters away because you have something to tell me?”
“You’re so clever,” Old Madam Guan said with a laugh. “I was thinking we should keep those red coral ornaments for Shaojin for now. When she marries in the future, we’ll add them to her trousseau. This way we won’t disappoint the child’s filial devotion, and it also represents our sentiment.”
“You thought exactly what I was thinking,” Madam Mian said with a smile. “Not only that, I think we should also start preparing Shaojin’s dowry. As for her marriage, do you think we should drop a hint to our brother-in-law?”