Old Madam Guan’s words were naturally somewhat exaggerated, but it was true that the Fifth Branch’s Madam Wen rarely entertained guests.

Everyone burst into laughter upon hearing this.

Afterward, Old Madam Guan ordered the noon meal to be served: “…We won’t wait for them. Tonight everyone can gather properly again.”

Cheng Mian had been invited over by the Second Branch early in the morning, and had just sent word that he was being kept for a meal by the Second Branch’s Old Ancestress, so they needn’t wait for him.

Zhou Shaojin and Zhou Chujin helped the maids serve the dishes, but were firmly pulled down onto stools by Madam Mian: “There are no outsiders here, no need to be so formal.”

The sisters knew that their maternal grandmother and eldest aunt were not such particular people, so they smiled their thanks and sat down together for the noon meal.

By this time the weather had grown hot. After drinking tea, everyone felt somewhat drowsy. After exchanging just a few words, they all dispersed.

When Zhou Shaojin woke from her nap, the sun had already shifted westward.

She hadn’t expected to sleep so deeply. She hurriedly asked Shi Xiang: “Has Grandmother’s side begun preparing the evening meal yet?”

“Second Miss hasn’t had such a good sleep in quite some days,” Shi Xiang said with a smile. “This servant was afraid of waking you, but also afraid of being late for the evening meal, so I’ve been keeping watch on Jiashu Hall—both young masters haven’t returned yet, so the evening meal will probably have to wait a while longer.”

Zhou Shaojin asked about her sister: “…Has she gotten up?”

“She has!” Shi Xiang served her tea and said, “Seeing that you hadn’t awakened, she went to the Grand Madam’s place, saying she wanted to keep the Grand Madam company for a few rounds of mahjong.”

Zhou Shaojin nodded, thinking that if Cheng Gao and Cheng Yi returned, they should first pay respects to their grandmother. She might as well go to her eldest aunt’s place too—staying with her sister would always be proper and could help avoid suspicion.

She had Shi Xiang help her change into a lake-colored jacket with a hidden pattern of hibiscus flowers in clusters. Her jet-black hair was combed into a double bun, adorned with a silver pearl hairpin. Taking a Xiangfei bamboo white gauze fan painted with gold, she headed to Hanqiu Pavilion.

Upon entering Hanqiu Pavilion, there was a half-pond of lotus flowers—green leaves stretching endlessly, young lotus shoots pointed and delicate. The scenery was refined and elegant.

Zhou Shaojin stood there admiring the lotus flowers for a moment before following a maid to the waterside pavilion.

Playing mahjong with Madam Mian, besides Zhou Chujin, were a personal nanny surnamed He who served at Madam Mian’s side and a personal maid named Xianglian. The four of them had just finished one round when the young maids brought tea and refreshments. Madam Mian beckoned to Zhou Shaojin, saying: “Come help me look at my tiles. This year’s melons are especially sweet—eat more.”

Everyone knew she still didn’t know how to play mahjong, and since they were all familiar with each other, Nanny He and the others didn’t stand on ceremony with her. Xianglian went to instruct a young maid to serve Zhou Shaojin melon, while Nanny He stood up to exchange pleasantries with her: “Second Miss, this jacket is truly beautiful. Is it from fabric that your uncle sent over?”

Zhou Shaojin didn’t really remember, so she responded vaguely with a sound of acknowledgment.

A young maid came running in, saying urgently: “Grand Madam, the two young masters have arrived.”

Everyone in the room was stunned.

If Cheng Gao and Cheng Yi had paid their respects to Old Madam Guan, with the weather being so hot, Old Madam Guan would certainly have kept them there to wait for the evening meal. If they came directly here instead… it wouldn’t be proper, and they rarely did such things… most likely something had happened.

Madam Mian hastily said: “Why don’t you quickly invite the two young masters in?”

The young maid ran out like a gust of wind.

Zhou Shaojin retreated behind the screen.

Madam Mian and the others hardly noticed such small matters. Only Zhou Chujin furrowed her brow, looking thoughtful. The brothers Cheng Gao and Cheng Yi walked in together.

Cheng Gao was in better shape—his clothing was neat and tidy, though his face was as red as Guan Yu’s. Cheng Yi had clearly drunk excessively; he walked supported by his brother, his gaze unfocused, muttering something unintelligible. Even behind the screen, Zhou Shaojin could smell the strong odor of alcohol.

Madam Mian was both alarmed and anxious, saying repeatedly: “What happened? How did you drink so much? The family is supposed to have the evening meal together soon. What will happen if your father and Old Madam see this?” As she spoke, she called out loudly to Xianglian: “Quickly have the kitchen prepare sobering soup.”

Cheng Gao said regretfully: “We ran into Cheng Ju and Cheng Lu at the Fifth Branch. They kept us for a meal too. Uncle Wen Wu kept urging us to drink, and Cheng Nuo was there egging us on as well. We couldn’t refuse to drink. I helped Second Brother block several cups, but I couldn’t block them all. If I hadn’t said that the family was eating together tonight, we probably wouldn’t have been able to extract ourselves. Mother, the sobering soup probably won’t work. I remember you have sobering medicine here—quickly give some to Second Brother so he can at least clear his head somewhat.”

Today being a festival, Madam Mian was both afraid that her sons’ drunkenness would anger her husband and afraid that her mother-in-law would blame her for not supervising the two brothers properly. Upon hearing this, she immediately had Nanny He fetch the sobering medicine, then helped Cheng Yi lie down on her own bed together with Cheng Gao. She personally administered the sobering medicine and directed the young maids to bring a copper basin to attend to him.

Before long, Cheng Yi began vomiting.

The maids and servants busied themselves—some brought clean water for him to rinse his mouth, some emptied the filth, some prepared tea—running about in circles.

Finally, when Cheng Yi had finished vomiting and his drunkenness had mostly cleared, Madam Mian began her lecture: “Don’t you know what that household is like? Your Uncle Wen Wu, as long as there’s alcohol, will catch anyone and make them drink a few cups. And he drinks slowly—a meal can take one or two hours before he’ll let anyone go. How could you possibly keep up with him? Why didn’t you use your heads? Since that’s how it was, you should have slipped away early. Instead you stayed there for a meal? Now you’ve learned your lesson, haven’t you? I wondered why Madam Wen suddenly kept you for a meal—it turns out your Uncle Wen Wu was at home…”

Today was the Dragon Boat Festival, with lanterns and decorations everywhere. Given Cheng Wen’s nature, that he wasn’t out carousing was indeed strange. No wonder Madam Mian was surprised.

But Zhou Shaojin knew about this matter.

In her previous life, at this time Cheng Wen’s mistress was pregnant. Cheng Wen wanted to give his mistress status and came home to discuss it with Madam Wen.

Madam Wen naturally disagreed. Not only that, but the next day she caused a scene at the Second Branch’s Old Ancestress Cheng Xu’s residence.

Cheng Xu was annoyed that Madam Wen couldn’t even manage her husband taking a concubine and was unwilling to deal with her. He directly summoned Cheng Wen to Chunze Pavilion and made him kneel in the blazing sun all day without food or water, nearly causing him to faint.

After that, Cheng Wen and Madam Wen completely tore off all pretense.

That mistress not only gave birth to the child, but it was a boy. Except for Qingming and New Year’s Eve ancestral worship, Cheng Wen spent all other festivals at his mistress’s place. That mistress was also ambitious—when the child grew up, his learning and literacy far surpassed Cheng Nuo, whom Madam Wen had borne. Cheng Wen then wanted to have that child officially recognized, causing another uproar. Although the child ultimately couldn’t be entered into the family register, Cheng Wen transferred most of the family’s property to that child’s name. When Cheng Yi went to see Zhou Shaojin, he mentioned the Fifth Branch’s situation: “…It’s been an empty shell for a long time! Uncle Wen Wu secretly selling ancestral property was also for that one born outside.”

Right now Cheng Wen definitely hadn’t told Madam Wen yet. So Madam Wen could still happily entertain her nephews. Once Madam Wen learned tonight why Cheng Wen was at home, the household would probably explode.

Zhou Shaojin most feared such matters.

Just thinking about it gave her a headache.

When Cheng Yi could stand and walk again, they went to Jiashu Hall.

On the road, Cheng Yi said to Zhou Shaojin somewhat embarrassedly: “I’ve made a fool of myself in front of you.”

In the past, Zhou Shaojin would certainly have comforted him with a few words, but now whenever she thought of Cheng Yi’s drunken state, she felt very annoyed. She couldn’t help but say: “Since you know you lost composure, why did you drink so much? Others won’t think you’re a hero just because you drank more. Acting like this only makes people think you have no willpower and can’t control yourself. How can someone like this accomplish great things? And how would anyone take you seriously? You should drink less in the future. And don’t drink just because others urge you—what’s the point of that?”

Though her voice was soft, Madam Mian and Cheng Gao, who had been paying attention to Cheng Yi, heard clearly.

Madam Mian nodded repeatedly, feeling that Zhou Shaojin was becoming more sensible as she grew up.

Thinking of the fragments she’d overheard that day in her mother-in-law’s room, she felt that if Zhou Shaojin could manage Cheng Yi, even keeping her at home might not be a bad thing.

Cheng Gao, thinking of his own drinking situation, felt Zhou Shaojin’s words were as if she were talking about him, and his face immediately reddened somewhat.

Cheng Yi didn’t think so much. He laughed cheerfully and followed attentively behind Zhou Shaojin until they reached Jiashu Hall.

Old Madam Guan and Cheng Mian naturally had to scold Cheng Yi a bit when they saw him, but Cheng Yi’s attitude in admitting his mistake was excellent. Old Madam Guan and Cheng Mian didn’t pursue the matter further, only warning him: “If you can’t control yourself like this next time, you won’t be allowed to go out for social engagements anymore.”

Cheng Yi repeatedly agreed.

Old Madam Guan, seeing that it was getting late, had the maids set out the meal.

Since it was all family, though two tables were set, they were in the same room with no screen dividing them.

After eating zongzi, the womenfolk followed Old Madam Guan to the courtyard to admire the moon, while Cheng Gao and Cheng Yi were called by Cheng Mian to the study to be questioned about their studies.

The Dragon Boat Festival of the eighteenth year of Zhide passed quietly and warmly like this.

The next day, the matter concerning Cheng Wen exploded.

In her previous life, Zhou Shaojin had only stayed within the Fourth Branch, hearing the news only afterward.

In this life, Zhou Shaojin was copying scriptures at Old Madam Guo’s place in Hanbi Mountain Villa.

When Madam Wen came wailing and crying into Zelan Courtyard where the Second Branch’s Old Ancestress Cheng Xu lived, a servant woman from Jing’an Study had already quietly whispered in her ear.

She knew of this matter even earlier than Cheng Jia.

Pan Qing only heard her mother Cheng Xian mention it in the afternoon.

She asked her mother: “The Old Ancestress has already punished Uncle Wen. Afterward he should allow that mistress to enter the household, right? No matter what, she is carrying the Cheng family’s flesh and blood…”

Cheng Xian sneered and said: “If family rules could be changed at will, changed whenever one wanted, what kind of family clan would it be?”

Pan Qing lowered her head upon hearing this.

Cheng Xian didn’t see the gleam flickering in her daughter’s eyes.

Cheng Nuo came to pour out his grievances to Cheng Yi: “It’s just a woman—why can’t my mother tolerate her? Rather than making such a scene where everyone loses face, wouldn’t it be better to quietly bring her into the household? That would also keep Father from always wandering outside.”

Cheng Mian and Madam Mian treated each other with mutual respect. Cheng Yi really couldn’t understand such a relationship and could only say: “Our elders have eaten more salt than we’ve crossed bridges—how is it our turn to comment? You’d better not get involved. Trust that the Old Ancestress will give your family a resolution.” He then changed the subject to discuss clan school matters: “Which ones are taking the examinations this year? Cousin Pan is leaving tomorrow to return to his hometown. Cousin Lu seems to have said he’s requesting leave to study at home… Should we see them off?”

Cheng Nuo became interested upon hearing this and said: “Good idea, good idea! Let’s meet at the usual place. I’ll host. These past days I went back to my maternal home with my mother, and my maternal grandfather, maternal grandmother, and uncle all gave me rewards.”