Old Madam Tang immediately came forward with a smile, warmly greeting the Third Branch people: “Grand Aunt, your outfit is truly brilliant—it puts your sisters-in-law to shame.”
“I wouldn’t dare claim that.” Cheng Xian replied politely. “I’m a guest, while my sisters-in-law are the hosts. Naturally they must yield to me as the guest.” Then she looked toward Zheng Shi with a smile: “This must be Shi’s daughter-in-law? Come to think of it, this is our first meeting. Just looking at her, you can tell she’s gentle and kind—no wonder every time Yi Sister-in-law writes to me, she praises her endlessly.” As she spoke, she removed a jade bracelet from her wrist and handed it to Zheng Shi. “It’s nothing special, but it’s a token of affection from me as an aunt.”
Zheng Shi smiled her thanks and accepted the bracelet graciously.
Cheng Xian said with concern: “I heard you’re with child and didn’t even go out during the recent Buddha Bathing Festival? Although this is your second pregnancy, you still need to be careful. Don’t worry about these matters—we elders aren’t unreasonable people. No one will blame you. You should rest and recuperate properly.” After finishing, she looked around and said, “Why don’t I see Hong Sister-in-law?”
These words carried implications.
The lady in charge of household management wasn’t present to receive guests, instead leaving a pregnant granddaughter-in-law who needed to rest to manage things…
Old Madam Tang’s expression immediately soured, and she glanced lightly at Old Madam Guo.
Old Madam Guo remained impassive, showing neither pleasure nor displeasure.
Zheng Shi quickly smiled and said: “Hong Family’s Grand Uncle also came to pay birthday respects to Old Ancestor. Mother is currently speaking with Grand Uncle. Judging by the time, she should be coming soon.”
Hong Shi was from Jiujiang, Jiangxi. Her grandfather had served as Left Chief Censor of the Censorate. Her father, brothers, and uncles all held scholarly degrees. Especially her elder brother Hong Xiu, who was a successful candidate in both examinations in the jiaxu year of Yongchang 12, the same year as First Branch’s Old Master Cheng Shao. For his merit in resisting pirates, he had risen to Vice Minister of War and held the concurrent title of Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi.
Hong Family’s Grand Uncle referred to Hong Xiu’s only son, Hong She, a successful candidate in the jichou year of Zhide 12, serving as Supervising Censor of Zhejiang Circuit.
Unexpectedly, the Hong family was being so supportive—they had actually sent Hong She to celebrate Cheng Xu’s birthday.
Hong She held the position of supervising the official circles of Zhejiang.
Although Nanjing belonged to Southern Zhili, which family didn’t have business in nearby prosperous Jiangnan locations like Hangzhou, Yuhang, or Lin’an?
Except for Old Madam Guo and Yuan Shi, everyone’s expressions changed slightly.
Only then did Old Madam Tang smile and say: “What Yi’s daughter-in-law meant was that since Grand Uncle holds an official position, he should avoid suspicion and needn’t come personally. Who knew Uncle wouldn’t agree—he insisted Grand Uncle make the trip himself. So our Grand Uncle, unable to overcome Uncle’s insistence, had no choice but to make this trip personally!”
Everyone unanimously praised Cheng Xu’s advanced age and virtue.
Old Madam Tang smiled modestly: “Not at all, not at all!” Yet her smile couldn’t hide her pride.
Zheng Shi took the opportunity to invite everyone to sit.
Yuan Shi attended to Old Madam Guo, Zhou Chujin attended to Old Madam Guan, but Old Madam Li left Jiang Shi aside and sat beside Old Madam Guo, attended by her daughter Cheng Xian.
Jiang Shi stood behind Old Madam Li with a smile on her face, but Zhou Shaojin felt that Jiang Shi’s smile seemed somewhat stiff.
Zhou Shaojin stood beside her sister. Cheng Jia at her side tugged her sleeve and whispered: “Look at Pan Qing—full of bad intentions yet putting on an act of gentle virtue. Who knows who she’s trying to fool!”
Based on Zhou Shaojin’s experience from her previous life, Cheng Jia had probably already clashed with Pan Qing once. As for the outcome, it wasn’t hard to guess from Cheng Jia’s current behavior.
She couldn’t help but advise: “Today is Old Ancestor’s birthday celebration. If you cause trouble with Pan Qing, I won’t help you. After today passes, you can do whatever you want—I won’t care.” After thinking, she added, “If you don’t listen to my advice, we’ll sever ties from now on.”
Cheng Jia was so angry her eyes widened, but she didn’t loudly refute her as in the previous life.
It seemed sometimes one had to be forceful!
Zhou Shaojin ignored her.
Cheng Jia stamped her foot.
Zhou Shaojin remained unmoved.
Cheng Jia was about to try again to get Zhou Shaojin’s attention when she looked up and saw her mother’s stern gaze.
She had no choice but to give up and obediently stand beside Zhou Shaojin.
Neither of them noticed that Pan Qing had glanced over and gazed intently at Zhou Shaojin for a moment.
Before long, the Grand Dowager and Madam of Duke Liangguo arrived.
Everyone rose, and after a round of pleasantries, Zhou Shaojin and the others stepped forward to pay respects to the two ladies.
Zhou Shaojin, Zhou Chujin, and Cheng Jia had already met the Grand Dowager during the Buddha Bathing Festival, but this was Pan Qing’s first meeting. She had always been dignified, so the Grand Dowager naturally praised her extensively and gave her a meeting gift. This again provoked Cheng Jia’s jealousy and envy. Perhaps Zhou Shaojin’s words had an effect—she didn’t show it as in the previous life, which made Zhou Shaojin sigh with relief.
The several old madams of the Cheng family and Yuan Shi and others escorted the two ladies to the open hall behind Siyi Pavilion, while Zheng Shi remained in the main hall to receive guests.
Afterward, the wife of Jiangning County Magistrate Liu Mingju arrived together with the wife of Zhenjiang Prefect Gao Yao.
Gao Yao’s father-in-law was Qu Yuan, Minister of Works and Grand Secretary of Jinshen Hall, who was related to the Grand Dowager of Duke Liangguo.
The two ladies were also escorted to the open hall behind Siyi Pavilion.
Immediately after, the wife of Commissioner Hu, the wife of the retired former Vice Minister of Rites Master Sun with her daughter-in-law and granddaughter, the wife of Jinling Prefecture Education Officer Lin leading her daughter… all arrived.
Those with imperial rank were escorted to the open hall, while those without were served tea in the side rooms next to the main hall.
When Hong Grand Madam arrived, the female guests in the side room chattered away, engaging Hong Grand Madam in conversation. Some even stepped forward to take Hong Grand Madam’s arm, smiling as they asked where she had her clothes made, where she had her jewelry crafted—everything was so beautiful, they said, asking her to recommend the places so they could have some clothes made and jewelry crafted too.
Hong Grand Madam seemed somewhat bewildered. It took her a while to recover and begin socializing with everyone with a smile.
Siyi Pavilion was indeed lively and quite festive.
But it wasn’t until two quarters of an hour before the auspicious time, after the wife of Jiaxing scholar and wealthiest man Fang Xintong arrived with two unmarried young ladies, that Wen Grand Madam finally arrived late, supported by her maid Xiang’er.
Fang Xintong and Wen Grand Madam were related by marriage. Fang Xintong now engaged in mercantile activities and emphasized harmony generating wealth while offending no one. Fang Xintong’s wife was a famously capable helpmate. Seeing Wen Grand Madam, she hurriedly stepped forward attentively: “We’ve been waiting for you!”
Who knew Wen Grand Madam would touch her forehead weakly and say: “Ah! My headache is severe. If it weren’t for Old Ancestor’s eightieth birthday, even if this place were mountains of gold and seas of silver, I wouldn’t have come.”
These words left the usually smooth and tactful Fang Xintong’s wife speechless for a long while. The entire room fell silent.
Fortunately Zheng Shi was quick-witted. She smiled and stepped forward to take Wen Grand Madam’s arm, saying: “Fifth Aunt, please come with me—several ladies have arrived and are asking about you!” She pulled Wen Grand Madam toward the open hall.
“This is so embarrassing! So embarrassing!” Cheng Jia covered her face, murmuring continuously in Zhou Shaojin’s ear.
Zhou Shaojin also felt uncomfortable, thinking Wen Grand Madam had simply gone mad.
They had to find a way to pull Cheng Yi out from the small garden!
She pondered this secretly.
A young maid came in to report: “The auspicious time is approaching!”
The female guests each withdrew.
Cheng Xu was tall and imposing. Though over eighty, his posture remained ramrod straight. With white hair and a youthful face, he was full of vigor, showing none of the aged appearance typical of someone his age.
Perhaps because it was his birthday celebration, he wore an extremely magnificent bright red longevity robe with peace and ten-thousand-years gourd patterns in carved silk. Accompanied by his great-grandson Cheng Shi, followed by several young servants still in their youth, he walked in with vigorous spirits.
Cheng Shi attended Cheng Xu as he sat properly in the grand armchair in the central hall, then stood to one side.
Old Madam Tang led the Cheng family’s female relatives to pay birthday respects to Cheng Xu and present birthday gifts.
One young servant helped announce the gift list, while the other servants helped receive the birthday gifts.
This continued for nearly an hour before all the gifts were presented.
Cheng Xu said a few words of thanks, then went to Jifu Hall accompanied by Cheng Shi.
The birthday celebration thus concluded. What followed would be banquets, listening to opera, playing mahjong, and chatting… Everyone felt the atmosphere become more relaxed. They sat casually wherever they pleased, laughing and talking with acquaintances.
Zhou Chujin was called away by Mian Grand Madam.
Cheng Jia sidled up to Zhou Shaojin and said: “Tonghua Pavilion has engaged the Changgao Troupe, while Peony Platform has the Ma Family Troupe. The Ma Family Troupe sings the same few opera scenes over and over, but Gao Huizhu from the Changgao Troupe possesses both beauty and talent. When she appears in full military costume, the entire Jinrui Pavilion falls completely silent… I want to hear Gao Huizhu sing!”
In her previous life, Cheng Jia had said the same thing to Zhou Shaojin and wanted to sneak to Tonghua Pavilion. Because she was timid, she didn’t dare go. Cheng Jia was later caught by Cheng Shi and yelled that Zhou Shaojin was a traitor who had informed on her. The result was that Cheng Jia received a severe scolding from Jiang Shi, and to give the Third Branch an explanation, Old Madam Guan confined Zhou Shaojin to her quarters. Afterward, she had spent much effort convincing Cheng Jia that she hadn’t informed on her before they reconciled.
In this life, hearing Cheng Jia say this again, Zhou Shaojin replied without thinking: “If you dare sneak to Tonghua Pavilion, I’ll immediately tell your mother.”
She didn’t want to be entangled in the troubles of her previous life again.
Cheng Jia was somewhat dumbfounded. After a long while she said: “How have you become like this now?”
Zhou Shaojin continued to ignore her.
Cheng Jia’s heart felt as if scratched by a cat—she didn’t know what to do.
Nearby came a “pfft” of laughter.
“Who is it?” Her face darkened.
Zhou Shaojin could laugh at her, but if others laughed at her… she wouldn’t be so easy to talk to.
Cheng Jia looked in the direction of the sound and saw a young lady with a red mole between her eyebrows.
“You sisters have such a good relationship!” She remarked with feeling, her expression wistful. “Not like our family…” As she spoke, she immediately put away her wistful expression and said with a smile, “My surname is Wu. I’m the eldest at home. My father is the Prefect of Jinling.” She pointed to Madam Wu, who was talking with Zheng Shi not far away. “That’s my stepmother, Madam Wu.” Then she said, “Some days ago I visited the Fourth Branch to call on Old Madam Guan. I met Sister Shaojin once, but this is my first meeting with you. If I’m not mistaken, you must be Miss Jia from the Third Branch. Am I right?”
Hearing that she was familiar with the Zhou Shaojin sisters, Cheng Jia indeed lowered her guard, and her ominous words aroused Cheng Jia’s curiosity.
Cheng Jia glanced at Madam Wu and said: “So she’s your stepmother—no wonder she looks so young and doesn’t resemble you at all. The one beside her must be your half-sister from the same father? She looks more like your stepmother!”
Wu Baozhang smiled and said: “My given name is ‘Baozhang.’ That’s my second sister ‘Baohua,’ and beside her is my younger third sister ‘Baozhi.'”
“Ah!” Cheng Jia exclaimed. “Your family is full of treasures and jewels!”
Wu Baozhang laughed lightly.