Among the female relatives who came to recognize the family, one who didn’t go to watch the fireworks was Yuan Weichang’s wife.
She was sitting in the warming pavilion talking with Madam Yuan. “Was the timing too tight? Why does the household always feel chaotic? Your father-in-law’s grave is still in Jinling, your family is divided between two places in the capital, yet the ancestral hall ended up at Chaoyangmen. Your family’s eldest master is the eldest son, but the Old Madam is living with the youngest son… Aunt, you mustn’t take this lightly. These are all matters that could lead to impeachment!”
“Who says otherwise!” Madam Yuan’s face was full of exhaustion as she smiled bitterly. “What choice do I have? Originally, we had discussed it well with our master. Before the new year, we would prepare the sacrificial fields and charitable estates. After the new year, we’d choose an auspicious day to move our ancestors’ graves over. Since the Old Madam used her private silver to buy the Chaoyangmen property for Fourth Uncle, we weren’t envious and would give it to him. We’d renovate father-in-law’s small study room, enshrine his memorial tablet there, and clear out the west room of the main hall for the Old Madam to live in…
“But when the Old Madam arrived, everything fell into chaos. Never mind other things—just take the ancestral hall. With one word from the Old Madam, it was established at Chaoyangmen. Then she said she was a widow and feared bringing bad luck, so she needed to make room for Jiashan. Wouldn’t Second Uncle’s wife then have to go to Chaoyangmen every day to pay morning and evening respects to the Old Madam? The Old Madam felt sorry for her daughter-in-law and grandson, so fine—Second Uncle’s wife moved to Chaoyangmen. When Second Uncle comes home, there’s not even anyone to exchange pleasantries with. Where else would he go but Chaoyangmen? Now only our main branch family is left living in Apricot Grove Alley. Then she scheduled Fourth Uncle’s wedding before Jiashan’s and held the ceremony at the Chaoyangmen residence, as if afraid the Six Ministries and Three Courts wouldn’t know he was living with his youngest son…
“I admire my own thick skin.
“I haven’t died of shame yet!
“And look at Fourth Uncle’s wedding—it’s like adding flowers to brocade and cooking oil over a roaring fire, even more lively than a prince’s wedding.
“What can I say?”
Yuan Weichang’s wife couldn’t help but frown. “So what do you plan to do? You can’t just let the Old Madam continue being so confused!”
“What can I do?” Madam Yuan spoke with a heart full of grievance. “I’m a daughter-in-law. If our master doesn’t speak up, what can I say?”
Yuan Weichang’s wife couldn’t help asking, “What do you mean by that?”
Madam Yuan said with dissatisfaction, “Our Fourth Uncle said that the Old Madam lived in grand courtyards her whole life. There’s no reason that in her old age, having raised three sons who passed the imperial examinations, she should still have the whole family crowded in a three-room, five-courtyard residence where you have to look up to see the sky. The implication was that from now on, the Old Madam would live with him at Chaoyangmen. And our master just mumbled yes without saying a word.”
Yuan Weichang’s wife’s eyes widened. “So you’re just letting it go like that?”
Madam Yuan said, “He made his position clear. In that situation, could I start arguing with him? However, I’ve also thought it through. The eldest son inherits the family estate—there’s no family where the old madam divides the household while still alive, much less one where the old madam lives with the youngest son. If the Old Madam is determined to live at Chaoyangmen, we’ll move there too. At worst, we can move back to Apricot Grove Alley after the Old Madam passes—if Second Uncle and his wife can move in to show filial piety to the Old Madam, so can we!”
Hearing this, Yuan Weichang’s wife hesitated. “Don’t rush into this matter. You need to explain it clearly to the Old Madam. Otherwise, people might think you two are trying to seize the estate. If word gets out, it would be terrible!”
“I know.” Madam Yuan said, “Other than you, I haven’t told anyone!”
Yuan Weichang’s wife nodded.
Madam Yuan continued, “Don’t worry about me. Whatever the Old Madam wants to do, after these busy days are over, I’ll have our master discuss with the Old Madam about buying sacrificial fields, establishing charitable estates, and moving the graves. By the time Jiashan gets married, we must bring the Old Madam back.”
“That’s good!” Yuan Weichang’s wife said. “If you need me to step in for anything, just say the word.”
Madam Yuan hurriedly thanked Yuan Weichang.
At Tingxiang Courtyard, Grand Madam Guo was also discussing this matter with Old Madam Guo. “…Although you used your private silver to purchase this residence for Fourth Lang, after all, Eldest Lang is the eldest son. If you want to separate Fourth Lang to live independently, that’s not impossible, but with you living at Chaoyangmen like this, I’m afraid it will make things difficult for Eldest Lang. When Jiashan gets married, you should move back.
“When relatives talk about it, they’ll just think you were so happy about Fourth Lang’s marriage that you stayed here a few days. This way everyone saves face—wouldn’t that be perfect?
“Don’t blame me for saying this, but you’re being too partial, purchasing such a large residence for Fourth Lang. Just looking at it makes people envious. You haven’t been fair at all. I’m afraid Eldest Lang’s wife will be uncomfortable about it.”
Old Madam Guo was unconcerned and smiled. “If she’s uncomfortable, I’m even more uncomfortable! Let me ask you—if I hadn’t made such a fuss, would you all know that the Chaoyangmen residence is the estate I gave Fourth Lang for his wedding?”
Grand Madam Guo was stunned. “You mean…?”
“When your uncle died, how much did the family have? How much silver did we put out when we divided the clan? Did it fall from the sky?” Old Madam Guo said. “This was all earned by Fourth Lang. Madam Yuan clamored to divide the clan, and Fourth Lang gave them all the family assets. If I don’t compensate him a little, how can my conscience be at ease? But I also don’t want the main branch to have just divided from Jiuru Lane, only to have the brothers fighting over the estate after I pass away. Then everything we’re doing now would be for nothing!”
“You want to divide the brothers’ estates clearly now?” Grand Madam Guo asked.
Old Madam Guo nodded. “I’m planning to divide the household among the brothers while I’m still alive.”
Grand Madam Guo thought for a moment. “Even brothers should settle accounts clearly. It’s not necessarily a bad thing.”
“So this residence I’m leaving to Fourth Lang.” Old Madam Guo said. “Since everyone’s here, I’ll make it clear.”
Grand Madam Guo couldn’t help but laugh and shake her head. “If you were my mother-in-law, I’d be furious!”
Old Madam Guo retorted, “How come I don’t see Madam Qiu furious?”
Grand Madam Guo didn’t know what to say.
Grand Madam Gu and Madam Qiu stood under the osmanthus tree in the garden talking. “Your mother-in-law is really generous. Just look at this residence.” Then she lowered her voice. “Does your mother-in-law have any arrangements for you?”
She and Madam Qiu were cousins.
Madam Qiu said, “You know our family member—he’s never competed for these things. I also don’t think it’s necessary to compete. The silver belongs to mother-in-law. Whoever she likes, she gives more to. Whoever she doesn’t like, she gives less to. That’s all her own business. We children just need to do our own duties.”
“Your temperament really takes after aunt’s.” Grand Madam Gu smiled. “But you’re right. Your mother-in-law’s temperament is extremely strong-willed. Sometimes the more you compete, the less she likes it. Look at your newly arrived sister-in-law—her temperament is so gentle, and your mother-in-law likes her most.”
Madam Qiu smiled. “That’s because my mother-in-law likes Fourth Uncle most!”
The two couldn’t help but laugh.
Grand Madam Gu hesitated for a moment, then said, “Regarding Brother’s marriage, what are your plans?”
Grand Madam Shen wanted to marry her younger daughter over.
Madam Qiu really didn’t dare make decisions on such matters. She smiled. “I think we should still ask the Old Madam. She’s seen much and knows more. I’m sure she won’t be wrong.”
Grand Madam Gu knew she would answer like this and laughed heartily. “Good! Others say when it rains, the host keeps the guests. You’re saying if you want to form a marriage alliance, they’ll have to stay for Jiashan’s wedding. You’re really good at keeping guests for your family!”
Madam Qiu pursed her lips in a smile and pulled Grand Madam Gu. “Let’s go watch the fireworks. Or at least find somewhere with heated floors to talk. Standing here, I’m freezing into an icicle!”
The two looked at each other and smiled.
Zhou Shaojin was mysteriously pulled by Cheng Jia to a corner of the tea room.
With an ambiguous expression, she whispered to Zhou Shaojin, “Is being married good or not?”
Zhou Shaojin was stunned for a long while before understanding Cheng Jia’s meaning. She made a “pfft” sound at Cheng Jia and turned to leave the tea room.
Cheng Jia laughed endlessly.
Zhou Shaojin crashed right into Cheng Chi’s embrace.
“Be careful!” Cheng Chi quickly steadied her with sharp reflexes. “Why didn’t you go watch the fireworks? Hiding here with that girl Jia to have a private chat?”
Zhou Shaojin hadn’t seen Cheng Chi since recognizing the relatives in the main hall. At this moment she felt her heart bloom with joy—how could she have any mind to bicker with Cheng Jia?
She hurriedly said, “Why are you here? Don’t you need to attend to guests?”
Cheng Chi smiled. “I wanted to see what you were doing… Who knew I couldn’t find you… I ran into Grand Madam Gu and Second Sister-in-law, and I said I was coming to pay respects to Mother…”
Cheng Jia burst out, smiling as she called to Cheng Chi, “Uncle Chi!” and said, “Did you come to pick up Shaojin?”
Cheng Chi smiled and nodded at Cheng Jia.
Cheng Jia winked at Zhou Shaojin. “Then you and my Fourth Aunt take your time talking. I’ll go first.”
Cheng Chi made a sound of acknowledgment.
But Zhou Shaojin felt Cheng Jia’s smile was full of teasing, and she blushed deeply.
Cheng Chi smiled. “Did she bully you again?”
“No!” Zhou Shaojin instinctively denied. “I’m her aunt now. If she dares bully me, she’ll see how I deal with her!”
Cheng Chi was surprised, then laughed heartily. He hugged Zhou Shaojin tightly and said, “Let’s go pay respects to Mother, then go back to our room to rest! You’ve been busy all day—you must be exhausted.”
“I’m not tired!” Zhou Shaojin told Cheng Chi about resting all afternoon in Old Madam Guo’s gauze cabinet. “Is it alright for us to go back like this?”
“What’s wrong with it?” Cheng Chi smiled. “Everyone’s busy with their own things. Who would notice the bride and groom have disappeared? Besides, I have something to give you!”
“Something to give me?” Zhou Shaojin was quite surprised.
Cheng Chi then pulled her to the lakeside in the garden.
There wasn’t a soul by the lake. The grove of trees was pitch black, hidden in shadows. When the cold wind blew over, it felt cold and desolate.
Zhou Shaojin tightly gripped Cheng Chi’s hand.
Cheng Chi led her onto a large bluestone and smiled at her. “Look at your feet!”
The clear cold moonlight shone on the large bluestone. Condensed on the stone were patches of six-petaled frost flowers, gleaming brilliantly, as if blooming beneath her feet.
“This, this is…” Zhou Shaojin stammered as she looked at Cheng Chi.