The topic finally turned to this matter after all.

Although Old Madam Guo said she wouldn’t be angry with Old Lady Guan, Zhou Shaojin still couldn’t help worrying for her grandmother.

Old Madam Guo smiled: “This is Third Sister-in-law who asked you to come mediate, isn’t it?”

Wasn’t it said that Old Lady Tang from the Second Branch was extremely embarrassed? How did it involve Old Lady Li from the Third Branch?

Zhou Shaojin was puzzled.

Old Lady Guan’s face reddened as she said: “I also had this intention. Harmony at home brings prosperity in all things. If you and Second Sister-in-law have some rift, those of us who are younger sisters-in-law will inevitably be somewhat worried.”

Old Madam Guo thought for a moment, then said seriously: “Fourth Sister-in-law, let me also speak frankly with you. According to propriety, the First Branch should be the clan head, but look—the Second Branch has been holding the genealogy records and refuses to hand them over. Not only that, they try to suppress us at every turn. I really don’t know what they’re trying to do. Tell me, am I resentful or not?

“For the past few decades, I wasn’t resentful at all. Because without the Second Branch’s old ancestor, our family’s two old masters couldn’t have entered officialdom back then—someone had to stay home to guard the ancestral property, right? My two sons also couldn’t have smoothly participated in the imperial examinations. Now one is a minister in the cabinet, and the other has a prestigious leisurely position. But these past few years, I have felt resentful.

“Since Si Lang gave up the opportunity to enter officialdom to manage household affairs, why does the Second Branch’s old ancestor still hold onto the genealogy records?

“Fourth Sister-in-law, you know me—I’m straightforward. Whatever needs to be said, I say it face to face, beating drums and gongs openly. If something works, say it works; if it doesn’t, say it doesn’t and think of ways to resolve what doesn’t work. If the Second Branch’s old ancestor wants to continue being the clan head, fine. Gather all the branches together to discuss it. Our First Branch will hand over the sacrificial fields, and from now on let Shi Ge’er and his brothers guard the family property.

“Our Si Lang can also register with the Ministry of Personnel, seek some official position—perhaps even earn a spirit turtle monument after death. If the Second Branch’s old ancestor is just worried that his descendants won’t amount to anything, he should let Si Lang gradually become familiar with clan affairs. If nothing else, he should at least let Si Lang try managing the Cheng family clan school.

“How can things just be left hanging there with no justification, with nothing said—what kind of situation is this?

“What words the Second Branch’s old ancestor said at Tingyu Pavilion that day, you all should have heard clearly, right? Is our Si Lang unfilial? Making Geng Ge’er recite the Classic of Filial Piety is one thing, but what did those words he said afterward mean? How can we not overthink it?

“What does Old Lady Tang have to be embarrassed and angry about?

“If anyone should be embarrassed and angry, it’s me.

“I’m also an elderly grandmother. Hasn’t the Second Branch’s old ancestor always said things that pierce people’s hearts? Knowing this full well, why would I go to Tingyu Pavilion? To feel I haven’t been humiliated enough?

“I think the Second Branch’s old ancestor is getting old and starting to become confused. He’s becoming like that Wife Wen. The previous generation has the previous generation’s grievances, but the younger generation has the younger generation’s relationships. Otherwise, if clan members can’t be united, this family will fall apart sooner or later. Yet he used Geng Ge’er as an excuse, making him recite the Classic of Filial Piety—that’s one thing—but then using what Geng Ge’er recited to make a point.

“You go tell Third Sister-in-law this. I’ve taken this matter to heart, and sooner or later I’ll make it clear to the Second Branch. She’d better think clearly early on whether she’s standing on my side or the Second Branch’s side. Best not to flatter the wrong leg and only get kicked for it.”

Old Madam Guo’s words, openly cutting yet covertly striking, left Old Lady Guan unable to speak for a long while, her expression awkward.

Previously, the Second Branch’s old ancestor could be said to treat Old Madam Guo with great respect. When he first retired, he even said in front of Chief Minister Qu Min, who came to pay respects to him, “That our Jiuru Lane has today is largely thanks to my eldest nephew’s wife.” On the contrary, it was Old Madam Guo who acted as she pleased, yet the Second Branch’s old ancestor never said anything. According to Old Lady Li from the Third Branch about the Tingyu Pavilion incident, the Second Branch’s old ancestor, seeing the First Branch growing powerful while he himself was advanced in years with his former students and old friends either deceased or no longer in office, feared that when it came to Shi Ge’er’s time, the First Branch would wash their hands of responsibility. Combined with Old Madam Guo’s inexplicable absence from the Tingyu Pavilion family banquet, he acted rashly in a moment of anger.

Old Madam Guo was getting old. Si Lang should go apologize to the old ancestor.

Si Lang ignoring this would only intensify the conflict between the two branches.

Yet Old Lady Guan felt that the Second Branch’s old ancestor wouldn’t live much longer anyway. For the First Branch to fall out with the Second Branch at this time was undoubtedly unwise. That’s why she came to mediate.

But what Old Lady Guan didn’t expect was that Old Madam Guo would turn the tables, saying the Second Branch’s old ancestor shouldn’t have made those insinuations.

But without Old Madam Guo’s absence from the family banquet, how could there have been the Second Branch’s old ancestor implying the First Branch should be filial to their elders?

Now Old Lady Guan, even with a thousand words, had no way to say them.

Old Madam Guo was clearly being unreasonable!

She could only smile weakly and powerlessly: “We’re just worried you’ll quarrel.”

Fortunately, Old Madam Guo didn’t continue further and sighed: “I appreciate your good intentions, but in the future, don’t bother with their messy affairs. Some things aren’t as simple as you imagine.”

Having said this much, Old Lady Guan couldn’t continue the conversation.

“Since you’ve said so, you’ve removed a great weight from my heart. I’ve long since stopped wanting to manage these matters—sometimes I really can’t refuse out of consideration for others’ feelings.” She changed the subject with a smile: “Today I’m in for a treat, getting to taste the head chef’s cooking by following you.”

The Cheng family kitchen only managed daily meals for the First and Second Branches. The other three branches all ate from their own small kitchens. When there were guests requiring the kitchen to prepare a full banquet, they still needed to request a token from First Branch’s Madam Yuan or act under orders from Second Branch’s Old Lady Tang.

Thinking of it this way, the Cheng family was indeed rather chaotic.

No wonder Old Madam Guo felt unhappy!

Old Lady Guan smiled bitterly to herself several times. When leaving, she gave Zhou Shaojin a meaningful look.

But before Zhou Shaojin could speak, Old Madam Guo had already said: “Shaojin, go see your grandmother off.”

Zhou Shaojin smiled in agreement and helped Old Lady Guan out of Siyi Tower.

Only then did Old Lady Guan say: “Do you know why Old Madam Guo lost her temper?”

Zhou Shaojin instinctively shook her head. Seeing some confusion in her grandmother’s eyes, she could only feign ignorance: “Didn’t Old Madam Guo just say it was because the Second Branch’s old ancestor said bad things about the First Branch?”

Old Lady Guan looked at her innocent face and shook her head inwardly.

Shaojin was still too young!

In the future, the conflict between the First and Second Branches would definitely grow larger. It was better to settle this child’s marriage with Yi Ge’er early and send her to Baoding Prefecture, lest she be caught between the two branches in a difficult position.

Old Lady Guan instructed Zhou Shaojin with a few words to “be obedient” before being surrounded by maids and women as she left.

Zhou Shaojin reluctantly went back upstairs.

Old Madam Guo didn’t ask her anything, only smiled: “Do you want to go back or continue staying here for dinner?”

Outside was the best temperature of the day.

Zhou Shaojin smiled: “Could we stay at Siyi Tower?”

The second floor had two small rooms partitioned off near the stairs, used for female guests to rest or arrange their clothing during banquets.

Hearing this, Old Madam Guo said: “Then we’ll return after dinner.”

Zhou Shaojin nodded with a smile. She and Old Madam Guo each took an afternoon nap at Siyi Tower.

After waking in the afternoon, they played cards again.

This time when Cheng Chi came for dinner, he said nothing about it.

But whenever Zhou Shaojin thought of Cheng Chi’s words “However much you lose, I’ll make it up to you,” a warm current flowed through her heart.

It was as if he were her towering tree, and no matter what she did, he could shelter her from wind and rain.

She smiled with pursed lips. Thinking of what her grandmother had said when she came, she guessed Old Madam Guo must have something to say to Cheng Chi. She took the tea a young maid handed up, placed it before Cheng Chi, then went downstairs to prepare dinner with Biyu.

Old Madam Guo watched Zhou Shaojin’s slender, graceful yet not delicate figure and smiled: “This child has grown up so quickly, becoming even more well-behaved and sensible than before.”

Cheng Chi followed his mother’s gaze, somewhat absent-mindedly responding “Indeed,” while thinking that when she learned she could go out to watch dragon boat races during the Dragon Boat Festival, who knew how happy she’d be!

Then he greatly praised Magistrate Wu’s tact and understanding.

He had only started the matter, and Magistrate Wu took it from there, ultimately resolving it with just five hundred taels of silver.

Magistrate Wu wasn’t much of a person, but he was quite reliable in getting things done.

It seemed the Jinling Magistrate position could be his for a few more years…

Old Madam Guo told Cheng Chi about Old Lady Guan’s purpose for coming, finally saying: “…I’m getting old and too lazy to deal with their pretenses anymore.”

Cheng Chi could see that his mother was still somewhat uneasy.

She must be worried about affecting his arrangements.

These years he had been traveling east and west. His mother vaguely sensed he was doing something but didn’t know he was planning to leave the Cheng family.

Cheng Chi suddenly felt guilty and couldn’t help taking his mother’s hand to comfort her: “Don’t worry, family matters won’t affect me.”

Only then did Old Madam Guo feel relieved. Thinking of how Cheng Chi had promised yesterday that he would marry, her mood improved again. She happily ate dinner with Cheng Chi and Zhou Shaojin.

Afterward, Cheng Chi walked ahead while Zhou Shaojin held Old Madam Guo’s arm as they chatted and laughed on their way back to Hanbi Mountain Estate.

Old Lady Tang’s side, upon receiving the news, was so angry she gnashed her teeth. She sneered coldly: “Let’s see how long she can keep laughing.”

The maids and women serving nearby all pretended not to hear, lowering their heads to attend to their tasks.

Madam Jiang, however, scolded Old Lady Li: “No one else said anything—why did you stick your neck out?”

Old Lady Li said aggrievedly: “Old Lady Tang came to me. Could I refuse?”

Madam Jiang’s molars ached from clenching.

How could the Li family produce only such people? Even if they married their daughter to a poor scholar, they couldn’t let her have any connection with that Li Jing!

Li Jing, suffering undeserved calamity, kept sneezing in the inn.

Zhou Shaojin, however, took the opportunity of seeing Cheng Chi out of the main room to tell him about the Siyi Tower matter.

Cheng Chi pondered: “Do you want to know why those things happened in your previous life?”

“Not exactly.” Zhou Shaojin herself couldn’t quite explain it clearly. She hesitated: “I also know it’s impossible to investigate what happened in my previous life… it’s just that my heart feels… somewhat complicated… I wanted to talk to Uncle Chi about it.”