Zhou Shaojin sent the first invitation to Zhuzhu.

Because Cheng Chi had mentioned her first.

After receiving the invitation, Zhuzhu was very surprised. She readily accepted and even rewarded Nanny Lu and Chun Wan, who came to deliver the message, five taels of silver each—this was considered very generous among rewards.

When Chun Wan returned, she was overjoyed, not only because of the reward money, but mainly because she had opened her eyes at Duke Liangguo’s mansion: “…That courtyard is entirely paved with such large bluestone bricks that you can’t see the end at a glance. The railings are all carved from white jade, and the roof has flying eaves and upturned walls, like the treasure halls in temples!”

Bitao covered her mouth and laughed.

Xiao Tan, however, said indignantly, “Is it even more beautiful than Hanbi Mountain Manor?”

Chun Wan thought carefully and said, “Hanbi Mountain Manor is still more beautiful. Although Duke Liangguo’s mansion is large, it’s all pathways that look cold and austere. Unlike our Hanbi Mountain Manor—there’s a lake here, a tree there, the paths rise and fall, and wherever you go, you can pass through groves and courtyards. Our Hanbi Mountain Manor is still the best!”

Zhou Shaojin smiled.

She planned to keep Chun Wan by her side in the future and have her go out more to gain experience, which would benefit her conduct and demeanor.

It seemed she had taken the right step.

As Cheng Chi had predicted, the Gu family’s side saw Miss Gu Shiqi ask if she could bring her two younger sisters, Miss Gu Shijiu and Miss Gu Shi’er, along.

Zhou Shaojin readily agreed.

Cheng Jia’s reaction was exactly as Zhou Shaojin had anticipated—she was overjoyed.

Upon receiving the invitation, she rushed to Fucui Pavilion ahead of Nanny Lu. Upon seeing Zhou Shaojin, she hugged her and gave her two hard kisses, saying, “Shaojin, you’re truly my good sister! I was just worrying about having no way to leave the house, and you sent me an invitation.” Then, looking at Zhou Shaojin suspiciously, she whispered, “You didn’t secretly send me this invitation behind Old Madam Guo’s back, did you? However much you gave to smooth things over with Nanny Lu, I’ll reimburse you. I have money now. Last time…” But as she spoke, she suddenly stopped.

For some reason, Zhou Shaojin suddenly thought of that day when Cheng Chi asked her, “How much silver did you lose? I’ll reimburse you.”

As if possessed, she said, “Did Li Jing secretly give you silver to spend?”

Cheng Jia was startled. She pulled her into the inner room and, in a classic case of protesting too much, shut the door with a “bang,” nervously saying, “How, how did you know? Who told you?”

Seeing her like this and thinking of how she had been completely dominated by her in the previous life, Zhou Shaojin felt quite smug inside but said calmly, “I guessed, of course! How much wealth you have, don’t I know? Now you suddenly have money—besides Li Jing, who else could be so generous in supporting you!”

Cheng Jia looked embarrassed and said, “I, I didn’t want to take his silver, but he said that having money in hand keeps one from panicking. My monthly allowance, jewelry, and clothes all have fixed amounts and can’t be touched. He’s lending me this silver first, and when I have money later, I’ll pay him back. I thought what he said made quite a lot of sense. The people at Ruyi Pavilion keep reporting my affairs to my mother—isn’t it because their monthly allowances and prospects are all controlled by my mother? If I had money and could give them a future, who would want to do such thankless tasks? Besides, I may not even need to use this silver…”

Zhou Shaojin was too lazy to listen to her insincere rambling. She smiled and interrupted, “So on Dragon Boat Festival day, can you actually get out or not?”

“Of course I can! How could I not!” Cheng Jia said with certainty. “Nanny Lu personally delivered the invitation to me. Even if my mother harbors resentment in her heart, she wouldn’t dare disrespect Old Madam Guo.” As she spoke, she tried to hug Zhou Shaojin again.

Being so liked by someone would make anyone happy.

But Zhou Shaojin still felt a bit embarrassed.

She pretended to be disgusted and avoided Cheng Jia’s outstretched arms, saying, “Alright, alright! Stop being silly! Just remember to come when the time comes. I’ve also invited Zhuzhu and Miss Gu Shiqi. We can have a good time then.”

Cheng Jia asked curiously, “You only invited us few?”

Zhou Shaojin smiled apologetically and said, “Miss Gu Shiqi said she wanted to bring her two clan sisters along, and I agreed.”

Cheng Jia said joyfully, “Then there will be six of us!”

Zhou Shaojin nodded.

“Oh my!” Cheng Jia was pleasantly surprised. “This time we finally don’t have to deal with others!”

Zhou Shaojin thought the same way.

She pressed her lips together in a smile.

Old Madam Guo, however, asked Nanny Lu quite surprised, “Second Young Miss didn’t invite any young ladies from the Guo family?”

Nanny Lu glanced at the servants attending nearby.

Old Madam Guo then sent everyone away.

Only then did Nanny Lu lower her voice and say, “I heard it was Fourth Master’s idea! As you know, Second Young Miss has always respected Fourth Master…”

On the surface, Cheng Chi was the weakest among the brothers of the first branch.

He couldn’t even compare to Cheng Yi from the second branch, who was the headmaster of the Cheng clan school.

So Old Madam Guo most hated people looking down on Cheng Chi.

Nanny Lu’s words touched Old Madam Guo’s heart. Not only did she not blame Zhou Shaojin, but she even showed a gratified smile and said, “Since it’s Silang’s idea, you shouldn’t mention this matter again. As for the Guo family, I’ll send an invitation myself.”

Thinking of Nanny Shang’s private instructions, Nanny Lu stammered, “Old Madam, I feel something is improper… The eldest young lady of Duke Liangguo’s mansion is about to marry, and Fourth Master remembered to have Second Young Miss invite her to watch the dragon boat races. The several young ladies from the Guo family are in their prime years, and Second Young Miss is so gentle and compliant—reasonably speaking, they should be able to get along well…”

Old Madam Guo suddenly understood.

Her son was afraid she would use the dragon boat race viewing as an excuse to matchmake for him, wasn’t he?

She found it both amusing and exasperating, saying, “This child has too many schemes! Since he doesn’t fancy the Guo family’s young ladies, could I possibly force him? Besides, he’s already promised me he’ll marry and have children soon. I don’t want to provoke this stubborn mule and have him kick me a couple of times for no reason!”

Seeing her goal achieved, and just as Nanny Shang had said, Old Madam Guo was not only not angry but in quite good spirits, Nanny Lu admired Nanny Shang while feeling more relaxed. She cheerfully coaxed Old Madam Guo, saying, “Fourth Master doesn’t hide anything at all in front of you—clearly he’s counted on you loving him and not forcing him. How many mother-son pairs can be like this? Old Madam is truly enviable! When the new daughter-in-law enters the household, they’ll surely live harmoniously, allowing you to enjoy your grandchildren.”

Old Madam Guo kept nodding, beaming with joy.

She had no defense against such crude flattery.

She instructed Nanny Lu to send invitations to Madam Guan and Great-Aunt Mian from the fourth branch.

Nanny Lu was stunned.

Old Madam Guo smiled and said, “After all, they’re Shaojin’s grandmother and aunt, and both have good character. Consider it giving Shaojin some face. Then send an invitation to the old madam of the Guo family, and let her decide whom to bring. As for the several ladies and madams of the Gu family, the grandmother is still in mourning, so I won’t invite them, but you must convey this message. As for the Grand Dowager of Duke Liangguo’s mansion, she’s probably also reserved a private room, but proper etiquette must still be observed. Don’t bother with anyone else. I don’t have the energy to deal with all those troublesome people.”

The old madam of the Guo family was Old Madam Guo’s sister-in-law.

Nanny Lu smiled and responded “Yes.”

Duke Liangguo’s mansion had also reserved a private room, right next to Old Madam Guo’s. Both families had the best locations. The Grand Dowager of Duke Liangguo’s mansion would also bring some friends to watch the dragon boat races. She sent a servant woman over, saying the two families could liven things up together when the time came.

Old Madam Guo naturally smiled and agreed.

The Guo family would bring, besides the old madam and two daughters-in-law, several granddaughters-in-law and two young ladies who hadn’t yet discussed marriage.

Madam Guan and Great-Aunt Mian from the fourth branch gladly accepted.

After receiving the news, Zhou Shaojin quietly said to Fan Liushi, “Uncle Chi told me not to worry about it, and indeed I didn’t need to worry. Everything has been arranged properly.”

Fan Liushi smiled and said, “Of course! What kind of person is Fourth Master? He keeps the food, clothing, and expenses of such a large household all in his head. How could he make a mistake!”

Zhou Shaojin agreed wholeheartedly and said, “From now on, I’ll just do my own things well and not cause trouble for Uncle Chi.”

Fan Liushi smiled and said, “What troubles could Second Young Miss have? In the future, you just need to listen well to Old Madam Guo and Fourth Master! Both of them have very good hearts. For Second Young Miss to gain the favor of these two, you’ve truly fallen into a fortune pit.”

Zhou Shaojin laughed dryly, somewhat embarrassed.

It sounded like she was some big trouble!

Was she really that bad?

Of course, she wasn’t that good either…

She went to the fourth branch to ask what she should wear on Dragon Boat Festival day.

Both Madam Guan and Great-Aunt Mian were pleased by her show of closeness. Madam Guan even rewarded Zhou Shaojin with a gilt hairpin inlaid with turquoise.

By the time Dragon Boat Festival arrived, the weather had already begun to heat up.

Zhou Shaojin specifically wore a tender green plain Hangzhou silk vest, a white damask standing-collar short-sleeved blouse, and a bean-green brocade-patterned Xiang skirt. She combed all her hair up and wore a small South Sea pearl floral crown. Dressed simply yet looking exceptionally elegant and fresh, she was like a refreshing breeze that brought peace to the heart just by looking at her.

Old Madam Guo looked at her own sapphire blue auspicious cloud-patterned jacket and smiled, “You make us all look shabby by comparison!”

Zhou Shaojin said coquettishly, “Didn’t I make you a lake-blue jacket? You should have worn that one!”

“How could I possibly wear such a tender color out?” Old Madam Guo shook her head repeatedly.

Zhou Shaojin said, “I embroidered brown treasure-design flower borders in tan color for you, and paired it with a brown horse-face skirt—it’s perfect! If you don’t believe me, try it on first. If it doesn’t look good, you can always change back!”

Biyu and the others kept urging Old Madam Guo to try it.

Unable to withstand the young maids pulling and tugging at her, Old Madam Guo went to change her clothes.

Nanny Lu quickly said, “Oh my, Old Madam, dressed like this, you look several years younger!”

Old Madam Guo also thought it looked good.

Mainly because it looked cool.

She couldn’t help stroking her temples in front of the mirror, saying, “It’s just that there’s too much white hair!”

“Having white hair is good!” Zhou Shaojin helped Old Madam Guo select a pair of flowing gold inlaid with precious stones hairpins and inserted them for her, saying, “Having white hair shows dignity. Old Madam looks perfect this way. You should trust me.”

Thinking of how Zhou Shaojin had made this outfit on her, Old Madam Guo chuckled with delight.