“Ah!” Zhou Shaojin froze in shock.
Old Madam Guo wanted her to witness Cheng Yi’s disgrace!
No wonder Biyu had winked at her.
But why would Old Madam Guo do this?
Zhou Shaojin was somewhat puzzled.
She wanted to ask Old Madam Guo, but the old madam pulled her outside with a stern expression, so she had no choice but to temporarily set aside all those doubts and follow Old Madam Guo to Jiashu Hall.
Seeing Old Madam Guo and Zhou Shaojin, Old Madam Guan was very surprised. Especially seeing Zhou Shaojin come over, a trace of embarrassment flashed in Old Madam Guan’s eyes. As if not daring to look at Zhou Shaojin, she turned her head away, instructed the maids to serve tea and refreshments, then turned back to ask Old Madam Guo, “Why have you come over? Is there something you need?”
Old Madam Guo smiled meaningfully. “As you know, Miss Sheng’s wedding date has been set for the tenth day of the tenth month this year. I called Shaojin into the mansion to draw some design patterns for Miss Sheng, but then I heard that Yi’er had received family discipline, and Shaojin became quite restless. So I accompanied her over. After seeing Yi’er, she’ll come back with me—we’ve only just begun work on Miss Sheng’s design patterns.” Having said this, she raised her eyebrows.
Old Madam Guan suddenly understood.
The reason she hadn’t sent for Zhou Shaojin was her fear that Zhou Shaojin would learn of Yi’er’s ridiculous behavior and thus look down on him.
Who knew that man proposes but heaven disposes—Old Madam Guo had happened to summon Zhou Shaojin to Hanbi Mountain House to draw design patterns, and upon hearing that Yi’er had received family discipline, Old Madam Guo had guessed the fourth branch’s intentions. Seeing that Zhou Shaojin wanted to visit Yi’er upon learning he was bedridden from punishment, and fearing Zhou Shaojin might hear gossip from the servant women, she accompanied Zhou Shaojin there, planning to escort her out of the mansion afterward to prevent any talk from reaching Zhou Shaojin’s ears.
Old Madam Guo knew the fourth branch wanted to keep Zhou Shaojin in the household—she was helping the fourth branch!
Old Madam Guan immediately looked at Old Madam Guo with gratitude.
Old Madam Guo then said, “This child Yi’er is too mischievous. How did he displease Grand Nephew Mian again? I think Grand Nephew Mian is too harsh on the children. Boys at this age who aren’t mischievous and don’t cause trouble—those are wooden blockheads. Even if they read their books well, they’re destined to be nothing more than seventh-rank county magistrates at best. Though the saying goes ‘when married, follow one’s husband; when widowed, follow one’s son,’ you should still advise Grand Nephew Mian. In all matters, haste makes waste.”
This was speaking well of Yi’er in front of Zhou Shaojin!
Old Madam Guan couldn’t help but secretly rejoice. Her heart felt like drinking a bowl of iced mung bean soup on a June day. She quickly said, “What you say makes sense. This time he really angered his father terribly, so the punishment was rather severe.”
Old Madam Guo then asked, “But why did Grand Nephew Mian punish Yi’er?”
Old Madam Guan said somewhat embarrassedly, “Speaking of it, it’s all trivial matters—his father told him to study, but he ran off to play again.”
Old Madam Guo smiled. “This is because your family manages the children strictly. In other households, they’d probably just scold him a few times.”
Old Madam Guan smiled. “Jade must be carved to become a vessel! Boys need to support their families and uphold the family name—it’s better to manage them strictly.”
Old Madam Guo then asked with concern, “How are his injuries?”
“They’re all superficial wounds,” Old Madam Guan smiled. “Just enough to teach him a lesson.”
Old Madam Guo breathed a long sigh of relief and said thoughtfully, “Silang has taken that maid of his called Ji Ying to Zaoyuan, so my place has become quiet… Shaojin, when is your stepmother departing to return to Baoding Prefecture? I heard from your maternal grandmother that your father has agreed to let you continue staying in Jiuru Lane. It just so happens I’ve hired over twenty skilled needleworkers to rush Miss Sheng’s dowry, and I’d like your help overseeing them. Why don’t you come stay with me? After summer passes, you can move back to Jiashu Hall for the Mid-Autumn Festival—that won’t be too late.” She added, “As for Yi’er, don’t visit him for now. He’s a boy after all—it might hurt his self-esteem. Your thoughtfulness is enough.”
Old Madam Guan had been troubled by this very matter. Old Madam Guo’s suggestion was like timely assistance in snow. Moreover, Hanbi Mountain House was secluded and remote, with few visitors. If Zhou Shaojin lived there, given Old Madam Guo’s temperament, should any gossip emerge, without Old Madam Guo’s approval, the people at Hanbi Mountain House wouldn’t dare discuss it privately—they wouldn’t even dare say an extra word.
“Shaojin, what do you think of this idea?” Before Zhou Shaojin could speak, Old Madam Guan had already said, “Your younger sister still needs her mother’s care. Your stepmother is probably already anxious to return home.”
By this point in the conversation, Zhou Shaojin more or less understood what the two old madams were plotting.
She couldn’t help feeling both amused and exasperated.
She didn’t know whether Old Madam Guo opposed her marrying Cheng Yi, or whether, entrusted by Uncle Chi, she had seized this opportunity to legitimately get Maternal Grandmother to agree to her moving to the first branch.
The next day, accompanied by Li Shi, she packed her trunks and moved to Fucui Pavilion at Hanbi Mountain House.
As soon as Zhou Shaojin entered, she saw the pomegranate tree in the corner of the courtyard.
She immediately recalled the first time she had come to Hanbi Mountain House and seen those large bright red pomegranate trees.
So Fucui Pavilion was right next to Old Madam Guo’s upper courtyard!
That meant it wasn’t far from Uncle Chi either.
Zhou Shaojin looked at the three-bay wing rooms with side chambers, red pillars and green gauze windows, the grape arbor in the middle of the courtyard, and the stone table and stools beneath the arbor—she immediately loved this residence.
Chun Wan, however, said puzzledly, “Miss, if we planted two magnolia trees at the entrance, it would be exactly like our Wanxiang Residence.”
Zhou Shaojin looked carefully and found it indeed quite similar.
She couldn’t help but smile. “It seems we have some affinity with this Fucui Pavilion.”
Everyone laughed heartily.
The rooms had already been thoroughly cleaned. Chun Wan directed the maids and servant women to arrange Zhou Shaojin’s commonly used items according to her habits, while Zhou Shaojin accompanied Li Shi to the upper room of Hanbi Mountain House.
Old Madam Guan had already arrived and was chatting with Old Madam Guo. After Zhou Shaojin and Li Shi paid their respects, Old Madam Guan quickly said to Zhou Shaojin, “Your eldest aunt had planned to come with me, but just as we were about to leave, a servant woman came to report something, so she had to stay behind while I came alone first.”
Probably tied up taking care of Cheng Yi!
Li Shi quickly smiled and said “Don’t mention it,” as maids brought over brocade stools.
Zhou Shaojin and Li Shi sat down.
Old Madam Guan said apologetically to Li Shi, “Originally we should have brought Shaojin back to stay at Wanxiang Residence, but we’re currently renovating new quarters for Gao’er, and they’re not yet finished. With people coming and going in the inner courtyard, it’s somewhat chaotic, so I’ve imposed upon Old Madam Guo to let Shaojin stay here temporarily for a few days.”
Li Shi harbored no suspicions and smiled as she exchanged pleasantries with Old Madam Guan. “What do I have to worry about with Second Miss staying in Jiuru Lane? I entrust Second Miss to your care.”
“This is only proper!” Old Madam Guan exchanged courtesies with Li Shi for quite some time before finally dropping the topic.
Old Madam Guo had originally intended to keep Li Shi for the noon meal. But Li Shi was eager to return to Baoding Prefecture early, thinking of seeing her precious daughter soon. Smiling, she politely declined, saying, “…We had already consulted the almanac earlier and plan to depart the day after tomorrow. There are still many matters at home to arrange… I’ll come to take my leave of Old Madam and Old Madam Guan on the day of departure.”
Seeing her insistence on leaving, Old Madam Guan didn’t press her to stay and had Nanny Lü see Li Shi out.
Old Madam Guo seemed to remove a mask she’d been wearing on her face—not only did her expression become more affectionate, her speech also softened considerably. “Fourth Sister-in-law, then you should stay for the noon meal.”
Old Madam Guan didn’t stand on ceremony and took the noon meal at Hanbi Mountain House. After instructing Zhou Shaojin with remarks like “We’re always keeping Wanxiang Residence ready for you—if you really miss your maternal grandmother, just come back for a short stay,” she finally rose to take her leave.
But as soon as Old Madam Guan left, Old Madam Guo also showed signs of fatigue.
Zhou Shaojin urged Old Madam Guo to rest, saying, “I’ll come keep you company later.”
Old Madam Guo nodded with a smile and, attended by Zhenzhu, entered the inner chamber.
Zhou Shaojin returned to Fucui Pavilion.
Chun Wan happily told her, “Second Miss, the western side chamber is a small Buddhist prayer room.”
Zhou Shaojin was even more delighted upon hearing this. “Come, let’s go have a look!”
Chun Wan accompanied Zhou Shaojin to the side chamber.
Though the small prayer room wasn’t large, the offering vessels, fruit dishes, incense, candles, and altar curtains were all very neatly arranged. However, the place for the bodhisattva statue was empty, and beneath the long altar table were placed several round meditation cushions woven from white thatch grass.
Chun Wan said, “Second Miss, should we invite a bodhisattva statue here?”
Zhou Shaojin hesitated somewhat. “After all, this is the Cheng family home… I should find an opportunity to ask Old Madam first!”
Chun Wan nodded.
Bitao walked in with a smile. “Second Miss, the rooms have all been tidied. Would you like to take an afternoon nap?”
Zhou Shaojin smiled and shook her head. “I’ll go to Tingli Pavilion first to have a look!”
She had moved in but still hadn’t seen Uncle Chi.
Did Uncle Chi know she had moved in?
Chun Wan and Bitao both assumed Zhou Shaojin was going to find Ji Ying. Both said somewhat indignantly, “Second Miss, you should really comfort Miss Ji Ying properly. What Second Master Yi did this time was truly inexcusable.”
Zhou Shaojin smiled in acknowledgment and went to Tingli Pavilion.
Tingli Pavilion was very quiet, with only Nan Ping there. She told Zhou Shaojin, “Fourth Master went to Huai’an. They say this year’s salt permits are about to be issued, and Ji Ying went to Huai’an with him.”
Zhou Shaojin was very disappointed.
So what Old Madam Guo had said wasn’t entirely an excuse.
Where exactly had Uncle Chi gone?
She reluctantly chatted with Nan Ping for a few sentences before returning to Fucui Pavilion.
Biyu was standing in the covered corridor talking with Chun Wan, with Xiao Tan standing beside them.
Hearing the movement, Biyu stepped forward and curtsied, while Xiao Tan performed a full kowtow.
Zhou Shaojin was surprised.
Biyu then gestured toward Xiao Tan and smiled. “Old Madam says that since Xiao Tan served you during your previous visits, she’s assigning Xiao Tan to you as before. In a couple days when the employment agency sends people over, you can carefully select a few who seem clever and capable.”
“Please thank Old Madam for me!” Zhou Shaojin thought for a moment and smiled. “I’ll accept Xiao Tan, but as for the others, please tell Old Madam not to rush—the staff I brought with me are quite sufficient.” She then invited them inside for tea.
Xiao Tan still hesitated somewhat, but Biyu, as before, entered the room with a beaming smile.
Zhou Shaojin secretly nodded, thinking Biyu truly deserved to be the head among the senior maids.
That evening, Zhou Shaojin accompanied Old Madam Guo for the evening meal.
Though the two didn’t speak much, having one more person at the dining table made it feel much livelier.