The next day, Zhou Shaojin rose at the beginning of the mao hour as usual.

Chun Wan couldn’t help but advise her, “You worked on your netting until after the third night watch yesterday before resting, and the Old Madam doesn’t require you to pay morning and evening respects. Why are you getting up so early? You should sleep a bit more!”

Zhou Shaojin couldn’t sleep, and smiled, saying, “I’m already used to getting up this early. Even if you tell me to sleep more, I can’t fall back asleep. I might as well get up and work on my netting for a while!”

Hadn’t she postponed her rising time to the middle of the mao hour some days ago?

Chun Wan was stunned and said, “You’re still working on netting! Be careful with your eyes!”

“It’s fine.” Zhou Shaojin smiled and said, “I know my own condition.”

After all, the Second Young Miss had grown up, and some matters weren’t for servants like them to make decisions about.

Chun Wan could only advise, “Then if you feel tired, you must rest. You can’t push yourself too hard. If the Eldest Young Miss finds out, she’ll surely blame this servant for not taking good care of the Second Young Miss!”

Zhou Shaojin smiled at her but neither confirmed nor denied it.

Chun Wan could only sigh inwardly and went to instruct the kitchen to prepare breakfast for Zhou Shaojin.

Cheng Jia came running over excitedly, “Shaojin! Shaojin!”

From afar, the people at Jade Emerald Pavilion could hear her cheerful voice.

Zhou Shaojin stood up to greet her while smiling and saying to Chun Wan, “What’s gotten into her? I haven’t seen her this happy in quite some time!”

Chun Wan teased, “She probably received a large red envelope from Gao’s eldest wife yesterday.”

Zhou Shaojin smiled and nodded.

Cheng Jia had already run over and pretended to be displeased, saying, “What are you two saying bad things about me again?”

This wasn’t the time for her to speak, so Chun Wan naturally smiled without saying anything.

Zhou Shaojin smiled and said, “We were saying that a big sparrow flew in somewhere and nearly deafened everyone’s ears!”

“You’re the big sparrow!” Cheng Jia refused to accept this and reached to pinch Zhou Shaojin’s ear.

Zhou Shaojin quickly retreated backward to dodge her hand.

Cheng Jia chased after her.

The two of them laughed and joked as they entered the main hall.

Seeing chopsticks laid out on the table, Cheng Jia sat down without ceremony and asked Chun Wan, “What’s for breakfast today? I want a bowl of assorted bean mix!”

Because Zhou Shaojin loved eating assorted bean mix, and Cold Jade Mountain House not only made it well but also included more varieties than what was made outside, Cheng Jia had liked it since trying it once and had even specially sent someone from the third household’s kitchen to learn how to make it.

Zhou Shaojin sat down facing her, with the laughter still not faded from her face, and said, “Coming early is not as good as coming at the right time—you really know how to pick your moment!”

“Of course!” Cheng Jia said proudly, “Who do you think I am?”

Zhou Shaojin laughed and asked her, “Seeing you so happy, could it be that Aunt Lu spoke to you?”

At the mention of this, Cheng Jia’s shoulders drooped, and she said dejectedly, “Don’t bring it up. I think I’ll have to use Li Jing’s method! Yesterday I approached my mother, and she didn’t even look at me once.”

Zhou Shaojin also sighed for her.

Instead, Cheng Jia was more optimistic and smiled, saying, “Let’s not talk about these sad things. You should have gone with me yesterday to see the bride in the wedding chamber. Cousin Gao’s wife is so beautiful! And she’s very kind too—she gave me a large red envelope!”

Everyone serving in the room laughed.

Cheng Jia asked in confusion, “Did I say something wrong?”

“No, no.” Zhou Shaojin smiled and changed the subject. “That can’t be the reason you’re so happy, can it?”

Cheng Jia smiled sheepishly.

Seeing that she had something to say to her, Zhou Shaojin gave Chun Wan a meaningful look.

After Chun Wan and the others finished setting out the breakfast, they all withdrew.

While stirring the assorted bean mix with her spoon, Cheng Jia smiled and said to her in a low voice, “Since my mother won’t tell me anything, I saw everyone praising Cousin Gao’s wife for her proper conduct, so I decided to ask her for advice—she’s a newlywed, isn’t she? And the He family has generations of scholarly tradition and is renowned for their etiquette. If I follow her example, I surely won’t make mistakes.”

Zhou Shaojin smiled warmly and said, “That’s definitely true!”

Seeing Zhou Shaojin agree with her view, Cheng Jia became even more enthusiastic. She consulted with Zhou Shaojin in a low voice, “How do you think I should bring this up with Cousin Gao’s wife? Will she laugh at me for being shameless? If only I had more time to spend with her. Right now it’s like rushing a duck onto a perch. She’ll definitely think I’ve gone crazy!”

She looked quite conflicted.

“Cousin Gao’s wife was personally selected by my eldest aunt. Even if you don’t trust your own judgment, you should trust my eldest aunt’s judgment. This was Zhou Shaojin’s experience from her previous life, and she said, “Besides, how will you know if you don’t try?”

Cheng Jia’s eyes lit up at these words, and she quickly asked, “Do you have any good ideas?”

Zhou Shaojin smiled and said, “What good ideas could I have? But if it were me, I would honestly tell Cousin Gao’s wife about my predicament and then sincerely ask her for advice!”

Cheng Jia hesitated, “Won’t she laugh at me?”

This was the first time Zhou Shaojin had seen such an anxious and hesitant Cheng Jia, and she couldn’t help but smile, saying, “Even if you don’t tell her, Aunt Lu has been so obvious about it that she’ll figure it out in a few days anyway. You might as well tell her yourself! I feel like Cousin Gao’s wife is quite a good person.”

“How do you know?” Cheng Jia said, “You haven’t even interacted with her!”

Zhou Shaojin was at a loss for words. After a pause, she said, “When I went for the betrothal gifts ceremony last time, didn’t I go? I watched Cousin Gao’s wife’s conduct and felt she was a very good person.”

Cheng Jia hesitated for a long while before finally making up her mind, “Alright then, I’ll go visit Cousin Gao’s wife right now.”

Zhou Shaojin smiled and said, “I think you should wait a few days before going.”

Cheng Jia looked surprised.

Zhou Shaojin explained, “Today she’s recognizing relatives, tomorrow she returns to her natal home, and she won’t be back from Pukou until two days later.”

But Cheng Jia was already impatient, saying, “Oh my, I’ll go take a look first. Who knows, maybe Cousin Gao’s wife is bored right now!”

Zhou Shaojin could only see her out, then went to Cold Jade Mountain House to pay her respects to Old Madam Guo.

With the double celebration of congratulations, Yuan Shi, Cheng Xu, and even Cheng Chi had all gone to the main hall for the recognition of relatives. The courtyard was quiet, no different from before Cheng Xu had returned.

Zhou Shaojin seemed to want to imprint this scene in her memory. She stood in the courtyard looking around for a moment before entering the main hall.

After paying her respects to Old Madam Guo, she accompanied her to the Buddhist hall to chant scriptures as usual.

Old Madam Guo appeared somewhat restless.

Zhou Shaojin thought bitterly that when the Old Madam had brought her over, it had been out of pure kindness. Who could have known things would turn out this way? The Old Madam probably didn’t know what to do now either.

Should she take the initiative to suggest returning to Baoding, to spare the Old Madam and Uncle Chi the awkwardness?

Even though she knew she should do this, Zhou Shaojin just couldn’t bring herself to say it.

She said to herself inwardly: This is such a major matter—she couldn’t just decide it hastily, could she? No matter what, she should inform Father first. Otherwise, Father might think she’d been wronged and develop a rift with the first household.

Zhou Shaojin decided to write a letter to her father as soon as she returned to Jade Emerald Pavilion.

Biyu walked in with a smile, saying, “The new bride has come to pay her respects to the Old Madam!”

So soon!

Both Zhou Shaojin and Old Madam Guo were quite surprised. They both brushed off the nonexistent dust from their clothes and went to the main hall.

He Fengping and Cheng Gao were both dressed in bright red ceremonial robes, standing side by side like a golden boy and jade girl.

Zhou Shaojin smiled warmly.

He Fengping’s face was slightly flushed. Cheng Gao appeared somewhat reserved.

Old Madam Guo looked at the two of them—such a perfect pair—and was also very pleased. She sat down on the arhat bed with a beaming smile and received their respects.

Afterward, He Fengping presented shoes and socks to Old Madam Guo and Zhou Shaojin. Old Madam Guo and Zhou Shaojin each gave He Fengping a greeting gift.

Biyu brought in tea and refreshments.

Old Madam Guo invited the two to sit and asked about He Fengping’s grandfather: “…In earlier years, he also studied at Stone Lane Alley. He and my eldest brother were very close friends, though in recent years, as we’ve all grown older, we haven’t kept in touch as much. How is your grandfather’s health?”

He Fengping stood up and said respectfully, “Thank you for your concern, Venerable Madam. Grandfather is doing well. However, he’s become very fond of eating fatty meat these past two years. Father worries about his health and often instructs Mother to prepare less meat for Grandfather. But then Grandfather gets angry!”

Old Madam Guo laughed heartily and said, “At seventy years old, one has reached a rare age. Your grandfather must be about seventy now, right? Being able to eat well is a good thing!”

“My mother says the same thing.” He Fengping half-sat in the grand armchair and began chatting with Old Madam Guo.

Time passed quickly. Biyu quietly asked Zhou Shaojin whether to serve the meal. Old Madam Guo’s ears were sharp, and she smiled at He Fengping, saying, “I know you still need to go to the second and third households to pay your respects to the two Madams. I won’t keep you. How about this—go and come back quickly, and then come have lunch with me later.”

He Fengping looked toward Cheng Gao.

After thinking for a moment, Cheng Gao said, “Then we’ll trouble the Old Madam!”

Old Madam Guo smiled and said, “We’re all family, no need to be polite.” Then she signaled for Zhou Shaojin to see them out.

Zhou Shaojin smiled as she escorted He Fengping to the door.

He Fengping smiled and gently tugged at her sleeve, saying in a low voice, “Miss Jia from the third household said she wants to visit me this afternoon. Are you free this afternoon? Come over for tea together! Your cousin said you’re no different from his own sister.”

The implication was that they were the closest.

Zhou Shaojin readily agreed.

Cheng Gao smiled at her and led He Fengping to the second household.

Zhou Shaojin saw Yuan Shi walking over, surrounded by several maids and matrons.

She bit her lip and turned to enter the main room.

Old Madam Guo asked her to prepare the banquet for entertaining Cheng Gao and his wife at noon.

Yuan Shi walked in and smiled, saying, “Why trouble Shaojin? I can prepare the menu.”

Old Madam Guo said, “When you weren’t home, Shaojin handled all the matters around me. You’ve just returned and have quite a lot to deal with. The affairs of Cold Jade Mountain House should still be handled by Shaojin.”

Yuan Shi smiled and said “Yes,” then paid her respects to Old Madam Guo.

Zhou Shaojin felt somewhat awkward. She silently curtsied to Yuan Shi and withdrew.

Several matrons in the kitchen were talking: “…This wedding for Fourth Household’s Gao was truly lively. All the prominent families in Jinling came. Today’s banquet is also being handled by the outer courtyard kitchen.”

“The Madam of the fourth household is generous, and all the households show her respect, so naturally the occasion was grand…”

The matron accompanying Zhou Shaojin lightly coughed.

The several matrons started in alarm.

Zhou Shaojin smiled kindly and instructed them to prepare the banquet for entertaining Cheng Gao and his wife.

The matrons respectfully agreed.

Zhou Shaojin then asked, “Does the fourth household have another banquet at noon?”

The matrons eagerly replied, “Yes, yes, yes! The Fourth Master and the eldest young master are both staying there for lunch.”

Zhou Shaojin smiled and nodded, then left the kitchen.