The marriage between the Min family and the Cheng family had been discussed for a long time. Even though Min Jia was raised in her boudoir, she had heard bits and pieces about it.

The Min family hadn’t had descendants serving as Grand Secretary in the cabinet for over ten years.

Some resources were easy to preserve, but once lost, rebuilding them became very confusing.

So the Min family had been acting somewhat urgently these past years, and their manner inevitably became impetuous.

The alliance between the Cheng and Min families was hoped to provide mutual support in the court. But regarding the Min family’s marriage to the Liu family, the Min family was divided into two factions. One faction felt that the Cheng family itself was eyeing that cabinet position and might not necessarily be able to help the Min family. The other faction felt that the first branch of the Cheng family was in its prime, and the two families might well advance together.

Min Jia knew the responsibility of marrying into this family and didn’t have excessive demands of Cheng Xu. As long as he could respect her and give her proper dignity, that was enough.

But what she hadn’t expected was that Cheng Xu would be so unable to control himself.

If he wanted to go further, he couldn’t do without the support of this fourth uncle who was now rising in reputation among the scholarly circles.

Could it be he still hadn’t seen this clearly?

Her brothers all praised how excellent Cheng Xu was—had her brothers exaggerated? Or was Cheng Xu too young and sometimes not tactful enough in his conduct?

She couldn’t help but bite her lip. It wasn’t until she followed Cheng Xu into the sedan chair, and the sedan swayed toward Xingling Alley, that she took a deep breath and decided to discuss this matter properly with her brothers during the third-day return visit.

As the thought turned in her mind, she remembered that Fang Xuan would marry her brother in the third month, and her expression couldn’t help but soften.

She and Fang Xuan got along very well. Having such a sister-in-law in her natal family made her feel very gratified.

The sedan quickly arrived at Xingling Alley, and Qiu Shi personally helped her down from the sedan.

Her husband’s family valued her so much—Min Jia was very happy, and the unpleasantness at Chaoyangmen earlier was quickly suppressed in her heart.

The Cheng family didn’t have many relatives, but they had many old friends. Fortunately, she had done her homework before getting married. After serving tea to everyone and presenting shoes and socks, she basically had an impression of everyone.

Min Jia couldn’t help but take another look at Wu Baozhang and proactively spoke with her: “…Why didn’t Aunt Wen come with you? Fourth Uncle just got married, and Second Uncle only has you as an aunt. I don’t have any sisters-in-law either. I want to chat but can’t find anyone. When are you going back to Jinling? If you have time, please visit me more often!”

Wu Baozhang looked at Min Jia’s graceful and luxurious attire and thought of everyone’s praise for her just now. She couldn’t help but sneer inwardly.

So what if you, Miss Min, were held in the palm of your champion brother’s hand in the Min family? You’re still picking up what Zhou Shaojin didn’t want—what’s there to be proud of!

Her mind turned a thousand times, but her face showed nothing but bright smiles. She said, “There’s still a mess of things at home—how can my mother-in-law get away? We came over when Uncle Chi got married. Father-in-law thinks the capital is quite nice and opened a tea shop near Zhizhimen. When we’ll go back depends on what father-in-law plans. Since sister-in-law is so kind, I’ll definitely visit you often when I have time.”

The two went back and forth, and by the time Wu Baozhang took her leave, they had become as close as old friends.

Min Jia personally saw her off to the screen gate.

But as soon as Wu Baozhang got into the sedan, her face darkened.

She had thought she would see Zhou Shaojin or Cheng Chi, but never expected that Yuan Shi would use the excuse that Old Madam Guo needed someone to attend to her and send those two to Old Madam Guo’s side.

Zhou Shaojin really got off easy.

She just didn’t know what expression Cheng Xu had when he kowtowed to Zhou Shaojin, served her tea, and called her “Aunt”…

Thinking about it, she couldn’t help but smile.

And when Wu Baozhang’s sedan left Xingling Alley, the smile on Min Jia’s face also faded.

She quietly asked Su Yue, the senior maid who had served her since childhood, “Did you see my mother-in-law?”

Su Yue whispered, “Madam Yuan is about to leave. Madam is preparing to see Madam Yuan off!”

Min Jia nodded and went smiling toward the warm pavilion where Madam Yuan was resting.

※※※

On Zhou Shaojin’s side, after seeing off Cheng Xu and Min Jia, she felt a weight lift from her heart.

The wedding matters could be considered concluded now, couldn’t they?

For quite a long time, she shouldn’t have to deal with Xingling Alley.

Zhou Shaojin happily went to Tingxiang Courtyard and said to Old Madam Guo, “Grandmother says she wants to come visit our home tomorrow. She’ll be returning to Jinling soon.”

Old Madam Guo nodded, somewhat sentimental. She had Zhenzhu go to the storage room to fetch many nourishing medicinal materials, and sighed to Zhou Shaojin, “I’m afraid it will be difficult to see each other in the future.”

Both Old Madam Guan and Old Madam Guo were advanced in years. One wouldn’t easily leave the capital, and the other wouldn’t easily leave Jinling. This parting meant it would indeed be difficult to meet again in the future.

Zhou Shaojin was also somewhat sad but still comforted Old Madam Guo, saying, “Father-in-law’s remains are still buried in Jinling. Every two or three years we’ll go back to pay our respects. How could we not see each other? The key is that you must take good care of your health.”

“That makes sense.” Old Madam Guo knew this was her daughter-in-law comforting her, so she didn’t dwell on it and changed the subject instead. “Will Fourth Master end his leave tomorrow? How is he at the Censorate? Are there any difficulties?”

She was reminding Zhou Shaojin how to care for Cheng Chi.

Zhou Shaojin thought about how Cheng Chi still had the energy to tease her. Her ears turned slightly red, and she said naively, “Fourth Master only requested four days of leave and has to report to the office tomorrow. As for how Fourth Master is at the Censorate… I think you needn’t worry about Fourth Master. With Fourth Master’s abilities, if he wants to befriend someone, that person will definitely become his good friend.”

Old Madam Guo heard this and laughed.

Cheng Chi indeed had that temperament.

It seemed Zhou Shaojin was quite attentive to her son’s affairs.

She secretly nodded in approval.

Cheng Chi was finally home today, and Zhou Shaojin didn’t want to waste this wonderful time. She suggested, “Mother, let’s go boating today! Let’s call Fourth Master too—we can paint at the waterside pavilion… The weather is so nice today!”

Old Madam Guo agreed when she heard this.

Zhou Shaojin had the pozis prepare the boat and asked the kitchen to prepare some snacks and refreshments that could be eaten on the boat. She had people clean up the waterside pavilion—spread thick cushions where thick cushions should be spread, place pillows where pillows should be placed. She herself pulled Cheng Chi up from the armchair at his desk, muttering, “On such a nice day, even if you want to read, you should read by the lakeside pavilion. Staying in the study is so scenery-killing!”

Cheng Chi had no choice but to put down his book and go with Zhou Shaojin to Tingxiang Courtyard.

The maids and servants either went to fetch thick cushions, or went to the lakeside to prepare boats, or carried incense burners, felt blankets, and writing materials to the waterside pavilion. The usually quiet Chaoyangmen was like New Year’s—everyone sprang into action.

Old Madam Guo watched and couldn’t help but feel emotional. She said to Nanny Lü, “Originally I was afraid this girl Shaojin was too childish. Now it seems that being childish has its benefits—look how lively the household is!”

Nanny Lü smiled and said, “It’s so good when the house is lively! Hanbi Mountain Villa used to be too quiet.”

Old Madam Guo was in an excellent mood and joked with Nanny Lü, “So this is all my fault? I wanted to be lively, but how can one person make things lively!”

Nanny Lü pleased Old Madam Guo by saying, “Once Fourth Young Madam gives you a big fat grandson, the household will be even livelier.”

Old Madam Guo nodded continuously.

The next day, after hosting a banquet for Old Madam Guan, the following day they saw Old Madam Guan off as she left the capital. Upon returning to Chaoyangmen, Min Jia, who had completed her return visit, sent a nanny to deliver some local specialties from Fujian. Old Madam Guo handed everything to Zhou Shaojin, letting her handle it as she saw fit. Zhou Shaojin passed it to Nanny Shang, having her take care of it. She herself continued to wake up early to see Cheng Chi off, then take another nap, and in the afternoon go to Tingxiang Courtyard to practice calligraphy and painting.

When the wind felt warm against one’s face, Cheng Jia came to bid them farewell—she was returning to Luoyang.

Zhou Shaojin also asked her to take many things to Zhou Zhen, Li Shi, and Zhu Zhu in Baoding.

On the day Cheng Jia left, Cheng Zheng, Cheng Xiao, and Cheng Sheng all came to see her off.

Zhou Shaojin, however, was in an irritable mood.

Her monthly cycle had come again.

This time, no matter how Cheng Chi tried to comfort her, she couldn’t cheer up.

She began spending her spare time embroidering the image of Guanyin Bodhisattva with the pure vase and willow branch that Cheng Chi had drawn for her.

This was what she planned to send to Mount Putuo to pray for her and Cheng Chi to have a child.

Seeing her gloomy appearance, Cheng Chi began to reflect on whether he had gone too far.

Although he did it for her own good, what was the point if this good made her listless and unhappy?

Cheng Chi pondered whether he should take Zhou Shaojin out for a walk.

But Qiu Shi came to invite Zhou Shaojin to visit, saying that the marriage between Cheng Rang and the third young lady of the Xie family had been settled. On the sixteenth of the third month, they would have the minor betrothal ceremony and wanted to invite Zhou Shaojin to accompany the fortunate woman to insert the hairpin for the bride.

Zhou Shaojin naturally agreed gladly. She took her to pay respects to Old Madam Guo and invited her to stay for lunch.

Qiu Shi didn’t stand on ceremony either and spoke about the hairpin insertion: “I originally wanted to invite eldest sister-in-law, but the sixth young lady of the Fang family is getting married and she has to help out. I thought about it and decided to invite you—you’re Rang’s aunt, after all.”

Zhou Shaojin nodded with a smile, remembering the year she went with Cheng Chi to insert the hairpin for He Fengping at Cheng Gao’s house. She quickly asked, “Who have you invited as matchmaker? Who is the fortunate woman? Who else is going?”

“We’ve invited two of Second Master’s colleagues as matchmakers, Madam Wu the Third as the fortunate woman. Ah Sheng is pregnant, and I don’t know if they have any taboos about that, so I’ve invited you, Ah Zheng, and Ah Xiao.”

“When the time comes, I’ll definitely dress up beautifully and not embarrass Rang!” Zhou Shaojin said with curved eyes and brows.

Old Madam Guo and Qiu Shi both laughed.

Zhou Shaojin then pulled Old Madam Guo to tell her how to insert the hairpin for the newlyweds, what auspicious words to say, and what taboos there were.

These were all matters of social propriety.

Old Madam Guo taught earnestly, and Zhou Shaojin studied seriously.

When that day arrived, Zhou Shaojin got up early, styled her hair in a falling-horse bun, inserted a large kingfisher-feather flower, and put on a sky-blue jacket, preparing to go out.

Cheng Chi smiled and said, “Didn’t you say you were going to dress up beautifully?”

Zhou Shaojin laughed and said, “That was just talk—no matter how beautiful, I can’t outshine the bride!”

But even like this, she would probably still outshine the bride.

Cheng Chi felt that even if his wife had five sons and three daughters in the future, she probably wouldn’t qualify as that “fortunate woman.”

The couple left together.

Cheng Chi went to the Censorate office, and Zhou Shaojin went to Cheng Wei’s place.

Unexpectedly, when she entered, she saw Min Jia.

She was also going to the third young lady of the Xie family’s minor betrothal ceremony.