Zhou Shaojin jumped up at once.

Then wouldn’t she be unable to see Uncle Chi!

“The Spring Festival is already over, what visits is he making!” Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but complain. “How come no one mentioned this before?”

Zhenzhu knew that Zhou Shaojin and Ji Ying were close, and smiled. “When Fourth Master says he’s going out, could Ji Ying possibly stop him? If she’d known you were coming to the mansion today, she’d definitely regret it too. Do you want to leave a message for Ji Ying? I remember the eldest young miss’s wedding is set for the ninth day of the third month—there are still two months. Ji Ying can come see you then!”

Zhou Shaojin was very disappointed.

Fortunately, she didn’t have to wait long before Madam Song took her leave.

She went to see Old Madam Guo.

Old Madam Guo was extremely pleased. She held her hand and kept looking her up and down, saying, “Mm, you’ve grown a bit taller and become even prettier. You’re just too thin—it would be better if you were a bit plumper. Clearly you didn’t eat well during the Spring Festival!”

Zhou Shaojin smiled bashfully.

Old Madam Guo had her sit beside her and instructed Zhenzhu to bring tea and refreshments.

Zhou Shaojin giggled and said, “I already had tea and refreshments earlier in the tea room.”

“I have even better ones here.” Old Madam Guo smiled and instructed Zhenzhu to bring over the red lacquered gold-traced box with the magpie pattern that was on the tea table in the inner chamber. Then she said quietly to Zhou Shaojin, “Your Cousin Zheng sent them—genuine imperial kitchen pastries. Not like those fraudulent ones in the capital that hang sheep heads but sell dog meat. You’ll know once you try them.”

Zhou Shaojin nodded repeatedly.

Old Madam Guo loved this about her—if she wanted to eat she ate, if she didn’t she didn’t, without false courtesy.

As soon as the box was opened, Zhou Shaojin smelled a sweet fragrance. The names written on the bright yellow labels made her recognize at a glance that these followed imperial kitchen regulations.

She hadn’t eaten imperial kitchen pastries in many years. Moreover, these were rose cakes—Imperial Chef Hu Er’s specialty.

They were called rose cakes but were actually red bean paste cakes.

But Hu Er’s red bean paste cakes had vibrant colors and delicate texture, sweet and fragrant. Zhou Shaojin ate one bite and her eyes curved into a smile.

Old Madam Guo chuckled and said, “Delicious, right!”

Zhou Shaojin still had pastry in her mouth and could only nod.

Old Madam Guo smiled and said, “Eat slowly. They’re all yours—I’ll have them pack them up for you to take home later.”

Zhou Shaojin was startled. She quickly swallowed the food in her mouth and said, “No need. I’ll just eat a few pieces. You should keep them for yourself.”

“I’m old now, my teeth aren’t good. When I eat things too sweet, my teeth ache.” Old Madam Guo said lovingly. “Your Uncle Chi also said they’re delicious. I gave him a box—this box is saved for you.”

Ever since learning that her maternal grandmother intended to betroth her to Cheng Yi, Zhou Shaojin had felt somewhat uncomfortable.

On the second day of the New Year, after she and her sister entered the mansion to pay New Year’s respects to Grandmother and Uncle Mian and the others, they’d hurried back to Pingqiao Street.

Perhaps Old Madam Guo had thought she and her sister would come pay New Year’s respects to her, so she’d saved pastries for her.

Zhou Shaojin felt very guilty. She wanted to say something, but felt that whatever she said would just be an excuse. Just like this time—if she didn’t have business with Uncle Chi, she probably wouldn’t have come to visit her either.

She could only say, “These rose cakes are really delicious!”

Old Madam Guo smiled and patted her head, saying, “When did your stepmother return? I’ll invite her for a meal tomorrow! It’ll count as a welcome banquet for her.”

Zhou Shaojin nearly choked on her words.

How many noblewomen in Jinling were qualified to have Old Madam Guo host a welcome banquet for them!

She hurriedly said, “No need, no need. You’re so busy…”

“Silly girl.” Old Madam Guo smiled. “I’m doing this to give you face!” Seeing Zhou Shaojin about to say more, she simply said, “This matter is settled. Go tell your stepmother later—my card will arrive shortly. I’ll also have your several maternal aunts come keep her company. When you encounter her in the future, you can speak with more confidence.” She added, “You came while your stepmother was talking with your maternal grandmother, right? I won’t keep you for lunch. After you go back, send a few pastries to your stepmother as well.”

Zhou Shaojin’s tears nearly fell.

Old Madam Guo smiled. “Although the New Year is over, I still won’t allow crying here. Quickly wipe your eyes.”

Zhou Shaojin smiled through her tears.

Old Madam Guo then asked about the preparations for Zhou Chujin’s wedding.

Zhou Shaojin answered each question, then hesitated as if wanting to say something.

Old Madam Guo asked her, “What is it?”

Zhou Shaojin whispered about how she’d “brought back” a brick from Leifeng Tower in Hangzhou for her sister, then said worriedly, “What do you think—how should I bring it over for Sister? One brick represents one field. If I put it in the dowry, will the Liao family misunderstand? But if I don’t bring it over, wouldn’t it become my own property…”

Old Madam Guo hadn’t known about this matter.

She laughed heartily and said, “Who ‘brought back’ this brick! I remember we didn’t go to Leifeng Tower! Could it be those branch managers again?”

“No!” Zhou Shaojin’s face turned bright red. She said bashfully, “I asked Uncle Chi to help get it.”

Old Madam Guo couldn’t help but raise her eyebrows.

Fourth Son!

Since when did he agree to things just because someone asked!

This was rather interesting!

Old Madam Guo said, “When a young lady marries, the dowry servants go with the marrying girl. You can have the dowry servant carry that brick over. After bringing it over, it’s best to place it under the new bed—that’s most efficacious!”

“Oh!” Zhou Shaojin breathed a sigh of relief, made a mental note, and said, “I’ll tell Chi Xiang when the time comes. She’ll marry over with my sister.”

Old Madam Guo looked at her obedient and well-behaved appearance and couldn’t help patting her head again. She almost asked, “After your sister marries, why don’t you come live with me?” But then thinking that finding a husband’s family for Zhou Shaojin still had no prospects, she swallowed those words. In her heart she complained—where had all the good young men in Jinling gone? Either their learning wasn’t enough or their appearance wasn’t enough. Good thing she wasn’t also choosing by family background and influence—if she did choose by those standards, probably none would qualify.

It seemed she’d still have to search among the great families!

The two chatted idly. Seeing it was approaching noon, Old Madam Guo urged Zhou Shaojin to return to Joyful Tree Hall. “Your maternal grandmother’s side has probably prepared lunch long ago. I won’t keep you.”

Zhou Shaojin was truly ashamed beyond words.

Old Madam Guo treated her so well, yet she hadn’t treated Old Madam Guo with equal consideration.

Truth be told, Old Madam Guo was a very lonely person.

Three sons, two daughters-in-law, two grandsons—aside from Uncle Chi, everyone else was either married off or far away in the capital. At Old Madam’s age, no matter how much needlework she did for her or how much fine food she gave her, it couldn’t compare to frequently coming to chat with Old Madam Guo.

She said, “Then I’ll come see you again tomorrow.”

Old Madam Guo smiled and nodded, having Biyu see her out.

Returning to Joyful Tree Hall, Old Madam Guan, Li Shi and the others were waiting for her. Seeing her enter, they quickly asked, “Why are you only back now? What did you talk about with Old Madam Guo?”

Zhou Shaojin told them about Old Madam Guo hosting a welcome banquet for Li Shi tomorrow.

Li Shi was both surprised and delighted. She said incredulously, “For me?”

Zhou Shaojin smiled in confirmation. “Yes. Old Madam said her calling card will arrive shortly.”

“Oh my!” Li Shi was overjoyed. Somewhat flatteringly toward the Cheng family, she said, “When we get back, I must discuss with your sister what to bring when paying respects to Old Madam.”

Grand Madam Mian quickly chimed in, “Our Chujin is the most skilled at such things. You’re asking exactly the right person!”

Li Shi hurriedly said, “Indeed, indeed.”

Old Madam Guan thought for a moment and said, “Since Old Madam said such things, you should go pay your respects to Old Madam first! As for what to bring—Yi’s mother, after lunch, go open the storeroom and get a few presentable items to accompany Madam on a visit.”

Li Shi thanked her repeatedly.

Old Madam Guan smiled. “We’re one family, no need for two sets of courtesies. I’m very grateful you could rush back to preside over Chujin’s wedding. Her affairs are all entrusted to you.”

There was an undertone of standing up for Zhou Chujin.

Li Shi hastily agreed. That afternoon, accompanied by Grand Madam Mian and Zhou Shaojin, she went to Cold Jade Mountain Retreat.

Returning so soon, Zhou Shaojin felt somewhat embarrassed, but Old Madam Guo smiled at her and began chatting amiably with Li Shi.

Zhou Shaojin helped Biyu arrange the tea and refreshments.

Biyu whispered to her, “I saw Qingfeng return!”

“What about Uncle Chi?”

“Didn’t see him!”

Not seeing him could mean he hadn’t returned yet, or that he’d returned before Qingfeng.

Zhou Shaojin’s heart beat several times. Finding an opportunity, she left the main room and went to Oriole-Listening Pavilion.

Cheng Chi hadn’t returned yet. She encountered Nanny Shang.

Nanny Shang smiled. “How did Second Young Miss come here? Are you looking for Fourth Master? Fourth Master went to a friend’s house with Sixth Master Gu. If you have something urgent, when Fourth Master returns, I’ll inform him.”

So Uncle Chi had gone out with Gu Jiunie.

“Then I’ll trouble Nanny.” Zhou Shaojin rewarded her with two eight-fen silver ingots.

Nanny Shang firmly refused, smiling. “It’s just passing along a message—how could I deserve such courtesy from you?”

She had underestimated Nanny Shang.

Zhou Shaojin’s face turned red. She said, “I didn’t see you during the New Year either. Consider this my belated New Year’s gift to you!”

Nanny Shang then smiled, thanked her, and accepted.

Zhou Shaojin left Oriole-Listening Pavilion somewhat embarrassed and sat with Li Shi and Grand Madam Mian for a while before taking her leave with Li Shi.

On the way back, Nanny Li asked Li Shi, “How was it? Old Madam Guan didn’t make things difficult for you, did she?”

“How could the Cheng family be so lacking in perception!” Li Shi said, then fell silent for a moment before continuing, “I used to think only the eldest young miss was formidable. Now it seems the second young miss is also not simple. The main branch’s Old Madam Guo is inviting me to dinner tomorrow as a welcome banquet!”

“Ah!” Nanny Li was dumbstruck.

“Didn’t expect it, did you?” Li Shi glanced at Nanny Li and said, “You should also be careful in your words and actions in front of Second Young Miss from now on.”

Nanny Li quickly assured her, “I’ve always been very respectful toward both young misses!”

“That’s good.” Li Shi murmured. “If the two young misses do well, our Youjin can benefit from it in the future. Don’t cause me any trouble, or even though you’re my wet nurse, I’ll still send you back to the Li family.”

Nanny Li shivered and hurriedly said, “I won’t, absolutely won’t.”