The Cheng family’s fourth branch arrived in the capital in early October.

They happened to encounter the capital’s first snowfall.

Cheng Mian was somewhat better off, having been to the capital before. Although Old Madam Guan and Mian Grand Madam had fur coats to ward off the cold, the bone-chilling wind still made them feel as if their hands and feet were soaked in snow—unbearably cold.

Liao Shaotang, who had come to receive them, quickly said, “It’ll be better once we get inside. Knowing the day you’d arrive in the capital, they started heating the floor dragons at Elm Tree Lane a few days ago.”

Cheng Mian felt the cold wind pouring into his mouth as soon as he opened it. After briefly exchanging pleasantries with Liao Shaotang, he mounted his horse and braved the wind and snow to enter the city with Liao Shaotang.

Before long, they arrived at Elm Tree Lane.

Zhou Shaojin and Zhou Chujin, having received word, came out to greet them with little Guan’er in their arms, maids holding oil-paper umbrellas over them.

As soon as Old Madam Guan stepped down from the carriage, she saw little Guan’er wrapped in bright red swaddling clothes. Before the Zhou sisters could pay their respects, she exclaimed “Oh my!” and scolded, “In such cold weather, how could you bring Guan’er out! Even showing filial piety isn’t done this way. What if the child catches cold! Quick, quick, take Guan’er back inside.”

The wet nurse looked toward Zhou Chujin.

Old Madam Guan scolded, “What are you looking at! Are adults more important or is the child more important?”

Only then did the wet nurse dare not delay. She quickly covered the child’s face with a cloak and hurried back to the main room.

Only then did Old Madam Guan’s gaze fall upon Zhou Shaojin and Zhou Chujin.

The two gracefully curtseyed, tears already brimming in their eyes.

Reunited after a long separation, Old Madam Guan’s eyes reddened. She took one in each hand and helped them up, looking them over from left to right, “Good children, I’m relieved that you’re both well!”

Tears rolled down both their faces as they paid respects to Cheng Mian and Mian Grand Madam, addressing them as “Uncle” and “Aunt.”

Cheng Mian’s eyes moistened. He turned his face away. Mian Grand Madam wiped the corners of her eyes and quickly said “No need for such formality.” Only then did the sisters step forward, preparing to greet Cheng Yi and Miss Gu Shiqi, when to their surprise they looked up and saw Cheng Wen, Cheng Nuo, and Wu Baozhang descending from the carriage behind.

Zhou Shaojin and Zhou Chujin looked at each other in bewilderment.

Miss Gu Shiqi whispered in their ears to explain, “Uncle Wen said he wanted to bring Cheng Nuo and Wu Baozhang to the capital to attend your wedding. We thought he was just talking—since the first branch divided from Jiuru Lane, Uncle Wen has been troubled by financial difficulties. The cost of coming to the capital isn’t low. Who knew Uncle Wen would actually decide to come to the capital? We ran into them early this morning at an inn in Tongzhou. We couldn’t very well abandon Uncle Wen, but unfortunately the steward who had gone to report your arrival had already left, so we could only travel together!”

Zhou Shaojin frowned deeply.

She had a rift with Wu Baozhang, but Cheng Wen and Cheng Nuo had never offended her. She couldn’t very well drive Cheng Wen and his son out because of this, could she?

Zhou Shaojin exchanged a glance with her sister and welcomed Cheng Wen and the others inside.

After the Zhou sisters paid their respects to Cheng Wen, he stood with his back to the covered walkway in the front courtyard, looking around in all directions, “This residence is really nice. Elegant and refined—clearly the work of us southerners. Everyone says Uncle Zhou does well in his post. I didn’t believe it, but seeing this residence, it must be worth at least five or six thousand taels of silver. Looks like he’s not just ordinarily good! Fourth Sister-in-law, you’re truly blessed.”

He spoke as if Zhou Zhen had embezzled funds.

Old Madam Guan’s expression darkened. She said bluntly, “By Uncle Zhou’s generation, the Zhou family has had two generations of officials. Don’t they have this much family wealth? Nephew Wen, this is the capital. Some things can be said, but some things cannot be said.”

Cheng Wen laughed awkwardly.

Wu Baozhang, before Cheng Nuo could speak, already came forward aggressively, smiling, “Old Madam, don’t be angry. My father-in-law has always been careless with his words. He’s just admiring how beautiful this residence is and envying it.” She then stepped forward wanting to take Zhou Shaojin’s hand, “Shaojin, I thought after you left Jinling I’d never see you again. I didn’t expect I’d still be able to see you off on your wedding day. This is truly rare fate!”

Zhou Shaojin adjusted her hair at the temples, just avoiding Wu Baozhang’s hand, and smiled, “This isn’t the place to talk. Let’s all go inside and sit down!”

“Right, right, right.” Mian Grand Madam smiled and stamped her feet, “This weather is truly cold!”

Everyone laughed. Liao Shaotang accompanied Cheng Mian, Cheng Wen, Cheng Yi, and Cheng Nuo to the study in the outer courtyard, while the Zhou sisters accompanied Old Madam Guan and the other female relatives to the main room.

The floor dragons were burning vigorously, and they were met with a wave of heat.

Old Madam Guan and the others coming from the south felt they were wearing too much and wanted to return to their rooms to change clothes. However, the young servants were still moving trunks, so Old Madam Guan simply called for their personal maids and servants to help them change and wash up, “At Shaojin’s place, there are no outsiders, no need for so many formalities.”

Everyone responded with smiles. For a time, the room was filled with the chirping of orioles and swallows, very lively.

However, Wu Baozhang was in no hurry. She removed her fur coat and padded jacket, standing to the side examining the room’s furnishings.

Large pieces of glass were set in the window frames. The snow in the courtyard reflected inside, making the room bright and gleaming. A celadon Ge kiln vase with ice-crack glaze patterns stood on the windowsill, holding a large bunch of pink, purple, and red hibiscus. Uniform black lacquer furniture, neat and elegant. On the kang table sat a set of powder-colored tea ware with plum blossoms braving the cold. The floor screen hung with smoke-colored gauze curtains. Ginkgo leaf curtain weights dangled deep purple tassels. In the corner, a large blue-and-white porcelain flowerpot held yellow wintersweet, some buds about to bloom, others competing in fragrant display, spreading a faint fragrance.

The corner of Wu Baozhang’s mouth trembled slightly.

Zhou Shaojin was truly blessed!

Having escaped from Cheng Xu’s hands, she ended up marrying Cheng Chi.

That handsome and dignified Cheng Chi… who left both Cheng Xu and Cheng Lu far behind, and she had become Cheng Xu’s aunt!

Wu Baozhang’s hands clenched tightly into fists.

Back then, in order to obtain Zhou Shaojin, he had jumped into what he clearly knew was a trap, holding onto a sliver of hope. She wondered what expression Cheng Xu would have knowing this news?

And what about Cheng Lu, who appeared modest and cautious on the outside but was arrogant and conceited inside, fancying himself romantic and talented—what would he think knowing Zhou Shaojin had married Cheng Chi?

Wu Baozhang’s heart suddenly surged with excitement.

It would be wonderful if she could see Cheng Xu and Cheng Lu’s expressions.

One had his beloved stolen away, the other had his lifeline career path taken from him… all because of the woman before her eyes. They must have much to lament about, mustn’t they?

Wu Baozhang couldn’t help but smile.

She was going crazy at Jiuru Lane. Originally she had just wanted to use Zhou Shaojin’s wedding as an excuse to come to the capital for fun, but now she had discovered something even more entertaining.

Both the fourth and fifth branches of Jiuru Lane had come to attend Zhou Shaojin’s wedding. With so many people and loose tongues, might they let slip about Zhou Shaojin’s past?

Wu Baozhang squinted her eyes, her gaze somewhat dark and unclear.

Zhou Shaojin observed coldly and decided to get Wu Baozhang out of there.

After Old Madam Guan and the others had tidied up, when the wet nurse brought little Guan’er in to pay respects to the old madam and everyone was playing with the child, she quietly slipped out. She instructed Nanny Shang, “Did Fifth Master Wen say anything? Our residence here is too small to accommodate so many people. Have Steward Xiang see if there’s a house nearby to rent—rent one for Fifth Master Wen’s family to stay in.”

Nanny Shang acknowledged and left.

Zhou Shaojin brought in frozen pears for Old Madam Guan and the others to taste, “These are unique to the north. In a few days when they’re frozen with ice, they’ll taste even better. Try this first. If you like it, I’ll have them freeze more then.”

Old Madam Guan, being advanced in years, only tasted a piece and praised it with a smile before asking about Old Madam Guo, “I heard she’s staying at Fourth Master’s place at Chaoyangmen… Send someone over to ask exactly where she’s staying. I want to go see her tomorrow.”

Zhou Shaojin respectfully acknowledged.

Mian Grand Madam looked at her acting like a young daughter-in-law, her eyes smiling as she pulled Zhou Shaojin to her side. She smiled at Old Madam Guan, “Mother, how should we address Shaojin now?”

Zhou Shaojin’s face flushed red.

Old Madam Guan smiled, “What’s so difficult about that? The first branch divided from us, so we each use our own terms. Before Shaojin married, we used the Zhou family terms; after she marries, naturally we use the Cheng family terms. Have you ever seen a daughter who still receives worship from her natal family after death?”

Mian Grand Madam teased Zhou Shaojin, “I won’t be able to call her ‘niece’ for many more days. I must take good advantage of this opportunity and boss Shaojin around to my heart’s content.”

Zhou Shaojin blushed, not knowing what to say.

Miss Gu Shiqi teased from the side, “Grandmother, we’re at a great loss. When Shaojin marries, we on this side are elders and must give Shaojin trousseau gifts. After Shaojin marries into the Cheng family, she becomes the elder. By rights, she should give us meeting gifts. But because you’re coming to see Shaojin off, we can’t attend the recognition ceremony at Chaoyangmen, so we won’t get those meeting gifts either…”

Old Madam Guan clearly liked Miss Gu Shiqi very much. Hearing this, she smiled, “You calculate accounts so precisely. Isn’t it just meeting gifts? Later go to my jewelry box and pick out two pieces of jewelry to wear.”

Miss Gu Shiqi smiled and thanked Old Madam Guan.

A young maid came in saying all the trunks had been moved to their respective rooms.

Zhou Shaojin asked Wu Baozhang to sit in the reception room for a while. The sisters, one on each side, helped Old Madam Guan to the east wing room arranged for her. Seeing that Old Madam Guan already showed fatigue, they mentioned the time for lunch and then took their leave.

Mian Grand Madam stayed in the room to attend to Old Madam Guan. Miss Gu Shiqi saw them out.

Only then did Zhou Shaojin and Miss Gu Shiqi have the opportunity to excitedly link arms.

One said, “After dinner, once I’ve settled Grandmother for rest, I’ll come find you to talk.”

The other said, “I’ll brew Da Hong Pao tea waiting for you to come drink.”

Both were full of anticipation for their upcoming meeting.

Nanny Shang then quickly walked over, saying, “Second Miss, the servant accompanying Grand Master Wen said that Grand Master Wen only came to visit and will go stay at Chaoyangmen tonight, so he won’t unload his trunks. I’ve sent some hot tea and hot water over to those attending Grand Master Wen.”

This was even better!

If Wu Baozhang had any ulterior motives, let Old Madam Guo or Cheng Zheng deal with her.

“This is excellent!” Zhou Shaojin smiled and instructed Nanny Shang to “treat well those who came with Uncle Mian and Fifth Master Wen,” then went with Zhou Chujin to the main room.

Wu Baozhang was standing in front of the floor screen admiring the wintersweet. Hearing movement, she turned with a smile and said, “This wintersweet is planted so well! It’s already blooming this season—did Shaojin plant it?”