Cheng Wen had made up her mind. On the morning of the eighth day of the eighth month, she set off early with Wu Baozhang to Chaoyangmen.
Cheng Chi had been promoted, and it just so happened to coincide with the one-hundred-day celebration for his eldest son, Yun Ge’er. Not only did Grand Secretary Song’s entire family come, but Cheng Chi’s former superior, Zhang Hui, also attended, along with colleagues from the Ministry of Works and the Censorate—both those he knew and those he didn’t—all giving monetary gifts. The outer courtyard had fifty tables set up, with two theater troupes performing. The inner courtyard only hosted female guests with whom they regularly socialized—the Yuan family from Tongxiang, the Fang family from Shucheng, the Liao family from Zhenjiang, and others all came. Below the pavilion on the third courtyard’s water terrace, ten tables were set up, with six tables upstairs. Opposite was a stage performing “General Liu Visits His Mother,” chosen by Old Madam Guo. In the alcoves were five or six tables for mahjong, where Zhou Chujin’s mother-in-law, Grand Madam Liao, Fang Xuan’s mother, Second Madam Fang, and others were all playing mahjong.
Zhou Shaojin came in to greet everyone, instructing the junior maids to refill water, serve fresh tea and refreshments for the guests. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Grand Madam Liao, she rose and headed to the water pavilion at the front.
Second Madam Fang watched Zhou Shaojin’s figure disappear through the doorway and couldn’t help but sigh quietly to herself.
Today, Madam Zhou wore a plain jade-blue vest over a silver-red silk jacket with borders embroidered with large hibiscus flowers. Her complexion was rosy, her steps light, and she smiled before speaking. Though she had already given birth, she still resembled an unmarried young lady, possessing a brightness and ease that married women lacked.
If only she had lowered her head back then and proactively conversed with Old Madam Guo, marrying Fang Xuan off to them would have been wonderful.
Or if she hadn’t been in such a rush to marry Fang Xuan off… Fang Xuan had been spoiled by her, and her son-in-law had also been raised like a treasured child. When the two began sharing meals from the same pot, neither would yield to the other, even blaming their families—the son-in-law felt his parents shouldn’t have married him to an only daughter, while Fang Xuan felt her family shouldn’t have married her off so hastily.
Thinking of her daughter’s haggard face during her last visit home, Second Madam Fang felt a dull ache in her heart.
But what could be said now that things had come to this?
Second Madam Fang felt restless and thought it better to find an excuse to leave early so she could go home and keep her daughter company.
With this thought, she looked around searching for Grand Madam Liao.
If she was going to leave, she at least needed to find someone to help convey her regards to the hosts. Otherwise it would be too impolite. Grand Madam Liao was the mother-in-law of Madam Zhou’s elder sister, making her the perfect person to ask.
However, Madam Liao was surrounded by a group of women gathered around her daughter-in-law, Elder Madam Zhou, who was holding a bright red swaddling bundle in her arms… most likely Younger Madam Zhou’s child!
Second Madam Fang hesitated briefly before walking over.
She heard Madam Peng from the Military Police Bureau laughing: “…This child is truly handsome. I came to see him at both the third-day ceremony and the full-month celebration. He was so tiny then, but after the full month, this child is completely different—in just a few days, his features have fully developed.”
Second Madam Fang craned her neck for a look.
He truly was good-looking.
Fair and tender, not to mention. His hair grew jet black, and his eyes were bright and alert. With so many people crowding around him, he neither cried nor fussed, looking around curiously—clearly an extremely intelligent child.
Second Madam Fang felt sourness churning in her heart. She still called over Grand Madam Liao and spoke to her in a low voice.
Grand Madam Liao more or less guessed why she felt uncomfortable and offered some consoling words for appearance’s sake before personally escorting Second Madam Fang out through the ceremonial gate.
Second Madam Fang expressed her thanks and turned to board her sedan chair.
Grand Madam Liao was just about to return to the inner courtyard when she looked up and saw a forty-something woman wearing oil-green damask with vase patterns, her hair meticulously combed into a round bun adorned with two silk flowers, standing ramrod straight like a measuring pole. She was being led with a beaming smile by Biyu, the stewardess of the Cheng family’s inner courtyard. Seven or eight maids carrying bright red gilt boxes followed them in pairs, heading toward the ceremonial gate.
Clearly this was some respectable household’s servant woman coming to deliver congratulatory gifts to the Cheng family.
But she had absolutely no recollection of whose servant this might be.
The notable official families of Jiangnan could be counted on one hand, and they were all interconnected through marriages—this person related to that one, that one related to this one, through seven twists and eight turns, one should recognize them…
Grand Madam Liao calmly turned and headed toward the inner courtyard.
She didn’t want to encounter these people and have to exchange pleasantries.
It would be beneath her status.
Biyu led the Fourth Prince Consort’s wet nurse forward, but her heart was pounding.
Ever since the Fourth Prince’s mansion had yielded the郑 family’s young lady that day, Uncle Xu had personally gone to the Fourth Prince’s mansion to express thanks, and Fourth Madam had also sent gifts, but unexpectedly the Fourth Prince’s side showed no response. Instead, the Fourth Prince Consort suddenly became courteous. A few days ago, she even sent several baskets of newly marketed autumn pears. According to Nanny Shang, these were tribute items that couldn’t be bought even with money.
Today for Young Master Yun’s hundred-day celebration, she had sent her own wet nurse to deliver these things.
As the saying goes, showing excessive courtesy without reason means either treachery or theft—there must be nothing good coming.
What exactly was the Fourth Prince Consort trying to do?
Fourth Master was merely a Left Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate. If the Fourth Prince had any business, he could easily go to Xinglin Alley to return the courtesy and seek the Elder Master…
Following Zhou Shaojin’s instructions, she entered through the ceremonial gate and took the side passage directly to the main courtyard on the west side.
Nanny Shang was waiting there.
She approached with a smile and exchanged pleasantries with the Fourth Prince Consort’s wet nurse, taking her arm to the adjacent warm chamber for tea. She instructed Chun Wan to verify the gift list, Ji Xiang to help entertain the maids carrying the gifts, and told the outer courtyard stewards to reward the coachmen and rough servant women who had accompanied them.
The room filled with continuous laughter, quite lively, fitting the day’s atmosphere perfectly.
Before long, Zhou Shaojin, who had been strolling around the water pavilion, came over.
Nanny Shang led the Fourth Prince Consort’s wet nurse to the reception hall.
After the courtesies were exchanged and the purpose stated, Zhou Shaojin had someone reward the Fourth Prince Consort’s wet nurse and said regretfully: “Rumors truly harm people—I thought the Fourth Prince Consort was an imperial daughter-in-law, the most noble person under heaven, and it was a child’s birthday, how would I dare disturb her? I never expected the Fourth Prince Consort still remembered and specially sent someone with gifts. Thinking about it, I feel quite apologetic. Since Nanny has come on behalf of the Fourth Prince Consort today, it’s the same as the Fourth Prince Consort coming in person. You must not only drink a few cups of wine here before leaving, but later you must accompany me to the water pavilion to sit with relatives and friends before you can go.”
The Fourth Prince Consort’s wet nurse quickly waved her hands with a smile: “How dare I accept such honor from Madam? No matter what, I’m ultimately just a servant. How could I sit together with the mansion’s relatives and friends? Moreover, before leaving, the Prince Consort specifically instructed me not to think that just because I came from the Fourth Prince’s mansion I could be ignorant of my place and embarrass her. I appreciate Madam’s kindness, but I truly dare not accept.”
Zhou Shaojin didn’t insist. After Chun Wan accepted the gift list, she instructed Nanny Shang to treat her well and then hurried off to the study in the front courtyard.
Cheng Jing and Song Jingran were playing chess in the study. Zhang Hui gave Cheng Chi a meaningful look, and the two left the study one after the other, stopping under the old locust tree in the courtyard.
“How is Old Master Song’s illness?” Zhang Hui asked in a low voice. “I heard Young Master Song’s wedding date has been moved up to the fourth day of the ninth month?”
Cheng Chi glanced at Zhang Hui and said: “A few days ago, Madam Song came over and discussed this matter with my wife.”
If Old Master Song passed away, Grand Secretary Song would have to observe mourning. He had asked Zhou Shaojin if she remembered when Old Master Song died. Zhou Shaojin shook her head blankly, saying she didn’t remember Grand Secretary Song observing any mourning period.
Cheng Chi guessed that Song Jingran would either be summoned back to the capital by the Emperor immediately after completing his mourning period, or he would be compelled to remain in office despite mourning.
If it was the latter, naturally all would be well. If it was the former, even if it was just the short twenty-seven months, they needed to make some preparations. After all, in the previous life, Yang Shoushan hadn’t been demoted to commoner status, Qu Yuan hadn’t been impeached so early, he hadn’t gone to Mount Putuo to worship Buddha, and he hadn’t met Old Master Song… This life had changed too much. They could no longer rely on Zhou Shaojin’s memory.
Zhang Hui asked: “I wonder who the Cabinet will recommend to enter?”
Cheng Chi smiled: “Let’s discuss it when the time comes! Hasn’t that day not arrived yet? I think Grand Secretary Song surely has his own plans. We just need to listen.”
Zhang Hui seemed about to speak but stopped.
Cheng Chi pretended not to notice.
If Zhang Hui went up and Song Jingran returned home to observe mourning, and the Emperor summoned him back, who should step down?
Cheng Chi decided to remain on the sidelines.
In any case, since Elder Brother was already a Grand Secretary, it couldn’t possibly be his turn. He might as well stay neutral—whoever became Prime Minister and entered the Cabinet wouldn’t dare easily offend him.
Zhang Hui was quite disappointed.
Huai Shan silently walked in, his gaze glancing toward the east wing room.
Cheng Chi understood. After exchanging a few more pleasantries with Zhang Hui, he made an excuse about needing to visit the office, took a turn, and entered the east wing room.
Zhou Shaojin was waiting for him.
Seeing him, she ran over and couldn’t help embracing Cheng Chi’s waist.
Cheng Chi laughed softly, kissed her cheek, and then asked gently: “You’re looking for me—has something happened?”
Zhou Shaojin nodded. Reluctant to let go, she remained nestled in Cheng Chi’s embrace as she told him about the Fourth Prince sending someone to celebrate Yun Ge’er’s hundred-day celebration.
Cheng Chi smiled: “The Fourth Prince is far more ambitious than you know. Not just me, but the several presented scholars from the Hanlin Academy who’ve distinguished themselves these past two years, the Left Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, censors from the Censorate… He’s cultivated quite a network these past two years.”
Zhou Shaojin grew somewhat uneasy hearing this and said: “I thought princes shouldn’t associate with court officials. With people from the Li family of Lujiang and Yuan family of Tongxiang present today, I didn’t dare make a show of it. I had Nanny Shang bring them in through the side passage by the ceremonial gate and had her entertain the gift-bearers in the garden alcove… The Fourth Prince wants to win people’s hearts, but I didn’t let those people make an appearance. Will this offend the Fourth Prince? He’s the future Emperor after all!”
“Silly girl!” Seeing her anxiety, Cheng Chi indulgently kissed her forehead again and praised: “He’s not Emperor yet, is he? You don’t need to fear him. Even if he becomes Emperor someday, considering what he’s done to the Cheng family… why should I respect him? Why should I after he mistreated the Cheng family…”
Zhou Shaojin listened with trepidation, yet she also felt this was exactly Cheng Chi’s character—it made perfect sense that he would say such things.
She asked Cheng Chi: “Then what are your plans for the future? Will you treat the Crown Prince’s illness? Or try to become an official of the Eastern Palace to keep track of his movements…” But it didn’t seem like something Cheng Chi would do.
If he wanted to know something, he would probably ask directly rather than scheme and calculate in such roundabout ways.