Although Mian Grand Madam didn’t know what had happened back then, in her eyes Zhou Shaojin was a timid and fearful young girl. If someone couldn’t even get along well with Zhou Shaojin, that person definitely had problems.
So when she heard Wu Baozhang’s voice, she pretended not to hear and quickly walked into the hall.
Miss Gu Shiqi, who was outside directing the maids and servants to carry the trunks, didn’t have such good fortune.
She more or less knew that Wu Baozhang’s character was problematic—she was someone who liked to stir up trouble. When Zhou Shaojin was at the Cheng family, she had been quite wary of Wu Baozhang. Since marrying into the Cheng family herself, Miss Gu Shiqi had intentionally or unintentionally maintained a certain distance from Wu Baozhang.
Seeing Wu Baozhang ask a question, Miss Gu Shiqi smiled and responded with “Yes,” noting that Wu Baozhang was wearing a bright red embroidered and gold-threaded jacket and a pearl-studded golden hairpin, dressed very magnificently. She then smiled and changed the subject: “Are you preparing to go to the temple today or return to your natal family?”
Since Wu Baozhang married Cheng Nuo, her belly had remained without movement. She had consulted both Madam Zhou and Madam Zhou, who said Wu Baozhang had no problems. She had taken various tonic medicines, but there was still no news.
After only half a year, Wen Grand Madam couldn’t hold back anymore and began making indirect accusations and creating disturbances.
Wu Baozhang lowered her eyebrows and eyes submissively, allowing Wen Grand Madam to throw her tantrum.
Everyone in Jiuru Lane sympathized with her, knowing that Wen Grand Madam was venting her anger at Wu Baozhang because she had been angered by Wen Grand Master.
Later, it was Second Madam Shi from the second branch who stepped forward to mediate, and only then did her days become somewhat easier.
But after just a few days, Wen Grand Madam thought up another scheme. She brought a destitute niece from her own natal family into the household, saying she wanted to make her a concubine for Cheng Nuo.
Grand Madam Shi went to advise her several times but was rebuffed by Wen Grand Madam each time. Finally, Old Madam Tang summoned Wen Grand Madam and gave her a severe scolding. Only then did Wen Grand Madam settle down. However, she refused to send her natal family’s niece back no matter what, keeping her ambiguously in the fifth branch. What’s more, Cheng Nuo wouldn’t give Wu Baozhang a word of reassurance, making Wu Baozhang’s situation in the fifth branch very awkward.
Wu Baozhang probably felt her face had been damaged. These days she always wore bright red clothing representing good fortune, either going to the temple to burn incense and worship Buddha or staying at her natal home for a few days.
Old Madam Tang and others felt her days were difficult, sympathizing more and reproaching less. They simply let her do as she pleased.
Hearing Miss Gu Shiqi ask this, Wu Baozhang’s eyes immediately reddened a bit as she said, “I’m preparing to go to the temple. I heard there’s a place called Xiansheng Nunnery that’s very effective for seeking children.”
This statement left Miss Gu Shiqi not knowing what to say.
On the contrary, Wu Baozhang quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe the corners of her eyes, revealing a smile as she said, “Packing up so many things—are you all going to stay for a long time? Is Sister-in-law Gao going too? I’ve grown this big and have never been to the capital!”
She didn’t hide her envious expression at all.
Miss Gu Shiqi became alert in her heart.
She had seen many people at the Gu family. Wu Baozhang’s expressions and movements when speaking always made her feel that Wu Baozhang had come seeking something.
Miss Gu Shiqi vaguely acknowledged and said, “Didn’t Sister-in-law say she was going to the temple? You should go early and return early! It’s getting late.”
However, Wu Baozhang smiled and said, “Since I’ve come over, I must pay my respects to Old Madam—after I pay my respects to Old Madam, it won’t be too late to go to the temple!”
How could Miss Gu Shiqi stop such a thing?
She could only follow her into the hall together.
Old Madam Guan was talking with Mian Grand Madam. He Fengping, holding her belly, was being attended by Si’er and others while eating tea snacks.
A trace of bitterness flashed through Wu Baozhang’s eyes.
They were all daughters-in-law. Hadn’t He Fengping also gone some time without getting pregnant when she first entered the family? Hadn’t Miss Gu Shiqi also shown no signs? Yet their situations were like heaven and earth… Speaking of which, her father’s political achievements this year had again been rated as “excellent.” As long as he endured for nine years, he could at least achieve a rank of third grade.
Thinking of this, the handkerchief in her hand tightened, but her face showed a sweet smile. She stepped forward and paid respects to Old Madam Guan.
Old Madam Guan was not someone who made things difficult for juniors. She smiled and chatted with her for a while before Wu Baozhang took her leave.
Mian Grand Madam asked curiously, “What did she come for?”
Old Madam Guan didn’t think much of it and smiled, “Perhaps she had nothing to do and wandered here by chance.”
However, Miss Gu Shiqi felt things weren’t so simple, but since the elders had already spoken thus, she had no intention of creating unnecessary complications. Moreover, since He Fengping became pregnant, the task of assisting Mian Grand Madam in managing the household had fallen to Miss Gu Shiqi. Now that Miss Gu Shiqi was going to serve her elders on their journey to the capital, the household management needed to be handed back to He Fengping, so she began to transfer household matters to He Fengping.
He Fengping nodded repeatedly, then said hesitantly, “Why not have my husband go with you all too? There’s nothing much at home that I can’t handle.”
She knew that Zhou Shaojin’s wedding was a very good opportunity—not only could she see Old Madam Guo from the first branch, but she could also move among the Cheng brothers. Her father’s current position was achieved through Cheng Jing’s connections.
Old Madam Guan shook her head and held He Fengping’s hand, saying with some guilt, “You’ll be giving birth in a few months. By rights, neither your mother-in-law nor I should travel far. But you also know that Jiuru Lane is not what it used to be. If we don’t plan ahead, future days will probably be even harder. This time we’re wronging you. If we also called Gao’er to the capital, who would care for you during childbirth? Don’t mention this matter again. If your father-in-law can connect with the first branch, it doesn’t matter if Gao’er doesn’t go. Besides, you have two Zhou family cousins in the capital!”
He Fengping could only agree.
Wu Baozhang left the fourth branch pensively. She didn’t go to the temple but went instead to Wen Grand Master’s study in the outer courtyard.
Wen Grand Master was worrying about household expenses when he heard that Wu Baozhang had come to see him, which surprised him greatly.
Although Wen Grand Madam often created difficulties for Wu Baozhang and their son was unreliable, Wu Baozhang had never complained to her natal family, much less said a single word against her mother-in-law or husband before him, her father-in-law. Having suffered greatly from women’s gossip, Wen Grand Master thus had a good impression of Wu Baozhang.
As for Wu Baozhang personally coming to see him rather than having her personal nanny relay a message, he magnanimously chose not to pursue the matter and had a servant lead Wu Baozhang in.
Wu Baozhang looked at her father-in-law’s bloodshot eyes and the account books piled like mountains on his desk, and knew what he was troubled about.
Lowering her eyelids, she respectfully curtseyed and said, “Father-in-law, I originally planned to visit Grand Madam Gao today. Who knew when I went to the fourth branch, I discovered that the fourth branch’s Old Madam, Grand Master, and Grand Madam were packing trunks, preparing to go to the capital to attend Fourth Master Chi’s wedding…”
Her voice grew lower and lower, but Wen Grand Master’s heart jolted as he listened.
Back when Fourth Master was at Jiuru Lane, how well everyone lived…
It was all Madam Yuan’s fault!
Even upper and lower teeth sometimes clash. Wasn’t it just Cheng Shi and Cheng Zheng being jealous of Cheng Xu and causing some trouble?
Those who aren’t sages will be envied by others.
To think that Madam Yuan was a young lady from a Grand Secretary’s family—how could she not understand even this principle? Why make such a fuss about dividing the clan?
Cheng Jing too, letting the hen rule the roost, having no principles.
A perfectly good family was ruined by Madam Yuan into this state!
Wen Grand Master sighed.
Wu Baozhang could see he hadn’t really listened to her words. She cursed “fool” several times in her heart before quietly reminding him: “Father-in-law, I also heard that the fourth branch has transferred out all their shares in Yutai Bank. Grand Madam Gao is about to give birth, yet Fourth Uncle Mian and the others still want to go to the capital…”
Wen Grand Master gave a start and finally understood his daughter-in-law’s meaning.
Although Yutai Bank had changed to annual profit distribution, they had long since recovered their principal investment, and it was now like a hen laying golden eggs. The fourth branch couldn’t be much better off than him—why would they transfer it out just like that? And rushing to the capital at this time… Could they be trying to seek something through Fourth Master’s wedding?
This won’t do!
He couldn’t let the fourth branch gain this advantage!
Speaking of which, his relationship with Fourth Master was much better than Cheng Mian’s.
But even the best relationship requires frequent interaction.
He might as well go too…
The more Wen Grand Master thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed.
He hastily tried to dismiss Wu Baozhang: “I understand this matter. You go back first!”
But Wu Baozhang hadn’t come to let Wen Grand Master throw her aside and run off to the capital alone.
She said softly, “Father-in-law, the fourth branch has Old Madam and Grand Master working together!”
Wen Grand Master frowned deeply upon hearing this.
He just hadn’t been able to marry a virtuous wife.
Wu Baozhang hinted to her father-in-law: “Second Miss Zhou and I had close relations when she was at Jiuru Lane…”
Hearing this, Wen Grand Master was delighted and said, “Then we’ll also attend Fourth Master’s wedding… Let your mother stay behind. I’ll take Nuo’er and you together!”
Wu Baozhang smiled and agreed, saying, “Regarding the second and third branches, if Father-in-law trusts me, let me go explain? We still don’t know what the situation is with the first branch—we can’t offend the second and third branches either!”
“Excellent, excellent!” Wen Grand Master felt this daughter-in-law was truly sensible and worry-free. With a grand wave of his hand, he said, “Then go inform the second and third branches.”
Wu Baozhang smiled and withdrew from the study. When she met with the second and third branches, however, she shifted the responsibility onto the fourth branch, only saying that Wen Grand Master, seeing the fourth branch’s entire family going to the capital to attend Cheng Chi’s wedding, had in his envy decided to take her and Cheng Nuo to the capital as well.
Old Madam Tang from the second branch sneered repeatedly upon hearing this, while Madam Jiang from the third branch couldn’t be bothered with the matter. Since Madam Yuan began making a fuss about dividing the clan, she had felt vaguely uneasy in her heart. Now this unease had become reality. Her only son, Cheng Zheng, was not young anymore, yet still hadn’t found a suitable match. Those families she had previously found acceptable had all made excuses and adopted a wait-and-see attitude toward the first branch’s treatment of the third branch after the first branch separated. This made her gnash her teeth in hatred while feeling helpless.
She couldn’t help but complain that her son shouldn’t have gotten involved with Cheng Shi from the second branch.
Cheng Zheng smiled bitterly.
He hadn’t expected Madam Yuan to refuse to let the matter go and insist on dividing the clan even if it meant mutual destruction.
But after the clan division, he discovered that dividing the clan wasn’t really such an unforgivable matter. At least the first branch was doing well and hadn’t faced impeachment from the censors.
But now it was too late to try to mend relations with the first branch.
This thought flashed through his mind, and he felt somewhat dazed.
Wasn’t it said that it’s never too late for anything?
Did he really have no chance to repair relations with the first branch?
Cheng Zheng thought of Zhou Shaojin and thought of Cheng Jia!
Hadn’t they always been on good terms?