Zhou Shaojin shook her head, quickly cast these thoughts to the back of her mind, and helped her sister slowly walk to the side room prepared for her.
Chun Wan and a few others attended to her washing up.
Zhou Chujin sat on the luohan bed watching and talking with her, “Can you stay here for a few more days? We sisters haven’t had a good talk together in a long time.”
Zhou Shaojin also wanted to stay in Zhenjiang for several more days, but she knew that in her previous life, the Liao family hadn’t been very welcoming to her sister. Though things had changed somewhat in this life, Elder Sister still had the Old Madam above her and her mother-in-law to contend with, and couldn’t manage the household. These past few years at Nine Ru Lane, being doted on by Old Madam Guo and Cheng Chi, she had developed quite a temper. She didn’t want to observe the Liao family’s reactions, nor did she want to make things difficult for her sister. It would be better to wait until Elder Sister gave birth to her son and then find a way to encourage Elder Sister to go to the capital. Then the sisters could meet up in the capital from time to time and have proper gatherings.
“I’ll come stay properly for several days when Elder Sister gives birth to my nephew.” She smiled and said, “Father is still waiting for me in Baoding Prefecture! I’m afraid he’ll grow anxious.”
Zhou Chujin was very perceptive and immediately understood her sister’s concerns.
She couldn’t help but gently twist the handkerchief in her hand.
When the day came that she managed the household, the sisters could gather for as many days as they pleased—who would dare gossip then?
Though Fan Liushi wasn’t as shrewd as Nanny Shang, she was quite versed in human relationships and social matters.
With one look at Zhou Chujin’s expression, she knew what Zhou Chujin was thinking. She quickly smiled and changed the subject, “Eldest Miss… no, look at my mouth—I should call you Eldest Madam. Old Madam Guan and Madam Mian both sent many things for you, including several garments that Second Young Master Gao and Second Young Master Yi wore as children. They specifically instructed that you should sleep with them under your pillow every night. I’ll go fetch them for you right now and have Chi Xiang put them away properly for you.”
It was said this could help produce male children.
Zhou Chujin agreed happily, then began going through the children’s clothing Zhou Shaojin had brought.
She asked curiously, “Why so many? Did you rest properly at night?”
Zhou Shaojin smiled with pursed lips and said, “These were all made by the people in Nine Ru Lane’s sewing room. They’re not my handiwork.”
Zhou Chujin knew that the sewing room at Nine Ru Lane was staffed by people that even the fourth branch’s Cheng Mian couldn’t order around. She quickly asked, “How did this come about?”
Zhou Shaojin smiled and said, “That day I was cutting clothes for my nephew when Madam Wang from the sewing room happened to come deliver autumn clothes to Old Madam Guo. Learning that I was making clothes for Elder Sister’s unborn child, she volunteered. Thinking that her craftsmanship was excellent, I agreed and had Chun Wan take several more bolts of cloth over, originally intending to thank her. Who knew she wouldn’t take a single bolt, made all these small garments for my nephew, and even sent me a silver lock pendant with an auspicious design, saying it was a full-month gift for my nephew and asking you not to disdain it… I brought it all with me this time.”
How could Zhou Chujin not understand—this was clearly that Madam Wang trying to curry favor with her sister.
What had happened after she left? Why were even the prominent people in the sewing room beginning to regard Shaojin with special attention?
After meeting the Liao family’s Old Madam and Madam Liao, Zhou Shaojin politely declined the banquet invitation from the Old Madam and Madam Liao, going instead to her sister Zhou Chujin’s rest chamber for dinner.
After dinner and tea, Zhou Chujin dismissed the servants attending in the room and asked her seriously, “Tell me the truth—why the sudden desire to go to Baoding Prefecture? Before, didn’t you want to stay at Nine Ru Lane? Father also agreed… Is it Old Madam Guo…”
“No, no.” Zhou Shaojin quickly said, “Old Madam Guo treats me very well, like a biological grandmother…” It was just that she had fallen in love with Uncle Chi, and every day felt like sitting on pins and needles—she simply couldn’t stay any longer. “It’s just that a small incident occurred—the day after Cousin Gao’s wedding during the morning greeting ceremony, someone put something like Five Stone Powder in Cousin Xu’s tea. Cousin Xu lost his senses. We encountered him in that Taihu rock cave grotto by the lake. He mistook Ji Ying for me and tried to drag Ji Ying back to Hanbi Mountain House. Ji Ying thought Cousin Xu was trying to molest her and in her resistance beat up Cousin Xu, who had no strength in his limbs. Old Madam Guo settled Cousin Xu in the canopy bed chamber of her inner room. I felt it was inappropriate to continue living at Hanbi Mountain House, so I wrote to Father saying I wanted to see Father and my newborn sister, and it would be perfect for the family to reunite for New Year.”
Zhou Shaojin had made up her mind that if anyone asked about what happened that day, this would be her answer.
Zhou Chujin was still somewhat confused, but seeing Nanny Shang and those guards who clearly didn’t belong to the Zhou family, she felt that if her sister had angered the first branch, they couldn’t possibly treat her sister so well. She stopped pursuing these matters and asked about Zhou Shaojin’s daily life and routine.
Zhou Shaojin chatted and laughed with her sister, sharing intimate conversation, until the third night watch drum sounded and Chi Xiang came to urge Zhou Chujin to rest. Only then did Zhou Chujin say, “I’ll sleep here tonight.”
Liao Shaotang had already gone to the capital to study, but Zhou Shaojin had traveled far and was a guest. Even though Zhou Chujin wanted to sleep in the same bed with Zhou Shaojin and share whispered confidences, she couldn’t fail to help Zhou Shaojin arrange guest quarters.
Chi Xiang smiled in agreement and together with Chun Wan helped make up beds for the sisters.
The sisters chatted on for quite a while, agreeing to meet in the capital. Then they talked intermittently about this and that, falling asleep without knowing when.
The next day upon waking, several young ladies from the Liao family came to visit Zhou Shaojin.
Zhou Chujin’s status as eldest madam, and the pure gold hairpin with red gemstones Zhou Shaojin had worn when visiting the Liao family’s Old Madam yesterday, along with her gauze jacket like mist and clouds—all made the Liao family’s young ladies’ hearts tremble, no longer daring to view her through the lens of being a “fourth-rank prefect’s daughter.” Today, seeing Zhou Shaojin had only styled her hair in a simple twist yet wore a kingfisher feather magnolia flower ornament, and that the pearl at her shoe tip was the size of a lotus seed, emitting a quiet luminescence in the dim indoor light, their expressions all became somewhat subtle.
Zhou Shaojin had done this intentionally.
In her previous life, the Liao family had always felt that Elder Sister’s background wasn’t prominent, fearing Elder Sister would subsidize her natal family. This visit, she intended to display full grandeur—not only giving rewards of ten or five taels of silver at every turn, but also selecting clothing and accessories that were understated yet luxurious, to back up her sister.
Fan Liushi hadn’t detected anything, but Nanny Shang immediately sensed something different.
She had someone send a message out.
Before noon had arrived, both the wife of Zhenjiang Assistant Magistrate Chen Shuming and the wife of Zhenjiang Prefect Gao Yao had sent cards inviting Zhou Shaojin to dine at their residences.
Zhou Shaojin was extremely surprised, unable to understand how they knew she was passing through Zhenjiang and had invited her to dine.
She naturally declined politely and sent back two gifts in return.
But this matter spread throughout the Liao residence.
When she rose to take her leave in the afternoon, several of Zhou Chujin’s aunts-in-law, sisters-in-law, and unmarried younger sisters-in-law all came out to see her off. Even Old Madam Liao personally escorted her out of her own residential courtyard.
Zhou Shaojin left the Liao family with a smile.
But as soon as she returned to the official boat, she pulled Nanny Shang aside to ask, “How could they possibly send me invitations?”
Especially Madam Gao Yao—her father was Qu Yuan, Minister of Works and Grand Secretary of the Jinshen Hall, who had familial connections with the Grand Dowager of Duke Liang’s household. Moreover, she didn’t seem like the type to flatter people.
Nanny Shang smiled and said, “Fourth Master once wrote a letter to Magistrate Gao requesting that he look after you extensively during your stay in Zhenjiang Prefecture. As for that Magistrate Liu’s wife, I don’t know what that’s about!”
“Oh!” Zhou Shaojin responded faintly, had Nanny Shang withdraw, then couldn’t help but beam with delight, laughing as she threw herself onto the bed.
***
The rest of the journey was smooth sailing, with no unexpected incidents or encounters.
Sixteen days later, they arrived in Tianjin.
Zhou Zhen’s secretary had already brought people to wait at the dock.
Seeing the dozen or so guards in their party, he was greatly startled.
Li Changgui quickly explained, “They’re from the Cheng family.”
Only then did the secretary breathe a sigh of relief. While warmly receiving them, he couldn’t help but glance several more times at the carriage Zhou Shaojin was riding in. Originally thinking his master was making too much fuss over bringing back a young miss, he now changed his attitude and conducted himself even more carefully than usual.
Traveling by carriage was more arduous than by boat, but fortunately it was only five days before they arrived in Baoding Prefecture.
Zhou Zhen hadn’t rented another residence outside but lived in the county yamen.
This day wasn’t a rest day. He was still hearing cases in the public hall, while Madam Li led a large group of maids and matrons to welcome Zhou Shaojin at the second gate.
Seeing the little girl like carved jade being held by someone behind Madam Li, Zhou Shaojin immediately took a liking to this half-sister of hers.
After exchanging greetings with Madam Li, she couldn’t help but gently stroke the little girl’s jet-black hair and smile, “This is my sister Youjin, isn’t it?”
Madam Li quickly had Zhou Youjin call out to her older sister.
Zhou Youjin was very obedient, calling out “Elder Sister” in a sweet baby voice before shyly burying her head in her wet nurse’s embrace.
Zhou Shaojin giggled with laughter.
Only then did Madam Li’s heart settle. She went with Zhou Shaojin to the east wing room and explained apologetically, “The yamen is very cramped. Knowing you were coming, the master has already had people look outside for any better residences available for rent. But as the master serves as the local magistrate here, there are many matters to consider. We haven’t found a suitable place yet, so please bear with staying in the yamen for a few days. As soon as we find an appropriate place, we’ll move.”
Zhou Shaojin thought it was because she had brought too many people and blushed slightly, saying, “Madam need not be so concerned. Those guards were arranged by the Old Madam and will return once they’ve delivered me safely. As for those who serve me, everyone can squeeze together. In a few days I’ll send several back to Jinling.”
“How could that work?” Madam Li smiled. “There’s absolutely no reason to send away all the people attending Second Young Miss.”
As the two were talking, Zhou Zhen returned to the back quarters.
Zhou Shaojin happily went to greet him, making a point of introducing Nanny Shang and Xiao Tan to her father.
Because one was a person bestowed by Old Madam Guo and the other given by Cheng Chi, Zhou Zhen warmly exchanged a few words with them before having them withdraw. Then, smiling, he took Zhou Shaojin to his study to talk.
While Madam Li personally directed the household maids and matrons in arranging Zhou Shaojin’s side room, Zhou Zhen was already conversing with Zhou Shaojin in the study.
“What exactly happened to make you so urgently want to come to Baoding?” Zhou Zhen’s face turned stern, dignified and solemn.
Some matters could be concealed from Elder Sister but not from Father—moreover, she had received Uncle Chi’s favor and needed Father’s help in repaying it!
Zhou Shaojin anxiously told Zhou Zhen everything that had happened, leaving nothing out.