The morning sunlight fell upon the tranquil courtyard, the air still carrying the fresh quality unique to autumn mornings.

Old Lady Guo wore a brocade jacket with yellow vine base and water ripple pattern, her hair styled in a chignon. Perhaps to suit the season, she wore a hairpin with osmanthus branches. Attended by Zhenzhu and the others, she was trimming a person-high green tree in the center of the courtyard. She actually looked more spirited than when she was at Hanbi Mountain Villa.

Clearly the clan division hadn’t affected Old Lady Guo’s mood at all.

Yuan Shi muttered to herself while respectfully stepping forward to pay her respects to her mother-in-law.

Old Lady Guo nodded at her. Only after trimming the last branch and carefully inspecting it with satisfaction did she hand the scissors to Zhenzhu beside her. Taking the handkerchief Zizhen had already prepared, she wiped her hands before asking, “You’ve arrived? Have you eaten breakfast yet?”

Yuan Shi hurried forward to support Old Lady Guo’s arm and said respectfully, “We only arrived last night. It was too late—I was afraid of disturbing you. Master suggested I come over early this morning. I haven’t eaten breakfast yet!”

Old Lady Guo gave a noncommittal “Mm” and said indifferently, “Then have breakfast with me.”

Yuan Shi lowered her eyes submissively and replied “Yes.” The two entered the main hall.

Black lacquered furniture, a twelve-panel standing screen inlaid with ivory, mist-like yellow gauze curtains, a sweet white porcelain vase by the window lattice inlaid with colored glass held two or three freshly cut osmanthus branches—the entire room was filled with the fragrance of osmanthus.

In no way inferior to the residence at Jiuru Alley.

Yuan Shi couldn’t help feeling both jealous and envious.

Old Madam truly was blessed. Her three sons were each more capable than the last. Even when the family met with great disaster, she still had gold and jade filling her halls, lacking nothing she should have.

If only she could have such fortune in her old age.

Second Madam Wei directed the young maids to set up a table. The three of them silently ate breakfast on the large kang by the window in the reception room.

After finishing the meal, the young maids cleared the table and served tea and refreshments. Second Madam Wei then withdrew.

Only then did Yuan Shi speak of matters in Jinling: “…We built a new five-bay residence on the sacrificial fields. We chose an auspicious day and moved all the ancestral tablets there. We assigned loyal hereditary servants to look after it. Everything the family could bring was transported here. For what couldn’t be brought, we bought a small three or four-mu residence at Stone Alley and temporarily stored things there. We assigned loyal hereditary servants, with Uncle and the young masters helping to temporarily oversee things. After I finish with Jiashan’s wedding, I’ll make another trip back to reorganize the family’s belongings properly.”

There was still a batch of large furniture pieces to be moved from Jinling. Cheng Xu was responsible for escorting the boats and would arrive in a few days.

Old Lady Guo nodded slightly and said, “You’ve worked hard.”

Yuan Shi quickly stood up and said, “This is what a daughter-in-law should do.”

Old Lady Guo raised her hand, indicating she should sit and talk, and asked, “Have all the flowers and plants from the greenhouse been moved out?”

Yuan Shi smiled and said, “They’ve been moved out. They’ll arrive in the capital together with Jiashan’s boat!”

Hearing this, Old Lady Guo fingered the prayer beads in her hand and said, “Trees die when transplanted, but people thrive. A residence we’ve lived in for over a hundred years, yet now we must give it up. I wonder if you’ll be able to establish yourselves in the capital.”

Yuan Shi smiled ingratiatingly: “All three masters are filial people. Working together with one heart, what obstacle can’t be overcome? You can rest assured and take good care of yourself—you still have blessings to enjoy!”

Old Lady Guo smiled and said, “Are you all planning for me to become an immortal spirit?”

Yuan Shi quickly smiled and said, “Having an elder in the family is like having a treasure. With such a large family, without you presiding, our hearts are all unsettled. You mustn’t say such discouraging words—we’re still hoping to celebrate your eightieth birthday!”

The old ancestor of the second branch, Cheng Xu, had celebrated his eightieth birthday two years ago.

Previously, because he was still alive, the younger generation couldn’t celebrate birthdays. Now that they’d split the clan, Old Lady Guo’s birthday could actually be celebrated properly.

With this exchange, the atmosphere between them finally warmed somewhat.

Old Lady Guo then said, “What are your plans for Jiashan’s wedding?”

Yuan Shi’s eyes flickered slightly, knowing her husband had already conveyed her intentions to her mother-in-law.

“Master has become a Grand Secretary, his name will be recorded in history. Originally this would be a tremendous joy,” she said slowly. “But if we were to celebrate it grandly, it would inevitably give those censors ammunition to say Master loves vanity and is frivolous and ostentatious—better not to make a big show. It just so happens Jiashan is getting married, so I thought, why not take the opportunity of Jiashan’s wedding to host a grand banquet for friends and family, and celebrate Master’s achievement as well…”

“Just tell me how much silver you plan to spend,” Old Lady Guo suddenly interrupted her. The slight warmth that had just developed immediately dissipated.

Yuan Shi’s expression changed slightly.

Whose grandmother, upon hearing her grandson was getting married, wouldn’t be overjoyed? Only their family’s old madam—you never knew when she’d be happy or when she’d turn cold.

She said, “I haven’t calculated precisely. But I think the betrothal gifts for the Min family should be at least thirty-six trays, costing at least three thousand taels; plus tea ceremony, banquet tents, musicians…”

Old Lady Guo interrupted her again: “Would twenty thousand taels of silver be enough?”

“Ah?!” Yuan Shi was astonished.

Normally for marriages, five thousand taels was already quite respectable. Twenty thousand taels… not only could the wedding be done very well, even the previous renovation costs would be covered.

Old Lady Guo said simply, “You know the family’s current situation. In my opinion, Jiashan’s wedding would best be kept simple. But as you said, Jiashan’s wedding isn’t just a marriage alliance with the Min family—it also means celebrating for your husband. He’s also our main branch’s legitimate eldest grandson, so spending more silver is acceptable! The expenses for his wedding—I’ll provide them!” Finishing, she called out loudly for Nanny Shi, “Go get twenty thousand taels in banknotes for Madam!”

Nanny Shi smiled and left. Yuan Shi still hadn’t recovered.

Twenty thousand taels in banknotes!

Not two thousand taels, not two hundred taels, but twenty thousand taels!

Old Madam just gave it away like that!

As if it weren’t twenty thousand taels in banknotes but a handful of candy or a few pastries.

Yuan Shi couldn’t help but draw a sharp breath.

She’d long felt Old Lady Guo was wealthy, but hadn’t expected her to be this wealthy.

Old Madam… truly had good fortune.

Yuan Shi’s heart felt as if something was stuck there—she couldn’t describe the feeling. Only when Nanny Shi brought the banknotes to her did she snap back to reality. Standing up somewhat nervously, she said, “Mother, this, this…”

“How could we use your dowry?” Old Lady Guo slowly sipped her tea and said, “Jiashan is my eldest grandson. When he marries, no matter what, I as his grandmother won’t slight him. Don’t worry.” Then she picked up her tea, saying, “You’ve just returned to the capital. You must have many things to do. I have Second Son’s wife to keep me company here. You go attend to your affairs!”

Yuan Shi actually had many more things to say to Old Lady Guo, but with Old Lady Guo having just thrown down twenty thousand taels, she was still in shock and had no mind for further conversation. After expressing her thanks, Second Madam Wei escorted her out.

Watching Second Madam Wei’s familiar manner, Yuan Shi’s heart stirred.

For Jiashan’s wedding, Old Madam had produced twenty thousand taels remembering he was the legitimate eldest grandson. With Second Madam Wei hovering before Old Madam every day like this, over time—all hearts being made of flesh—if Old Madam came to value her kindness, when Rang got married, might Old Madam privately give something extra to Rang?

Yuan Shi’s feelings became somewhat complicated.

Returning to Xinglin Alley and seeing Cheng Jing, she discussed with him: “You’re the eldest son. How can you live together with Fourth Uncle? Besides, Second Sister-in-law’s health isn’t good. Having her run back and forth every day to serve Old Madam is really too hard. Why don’t I bring Mother back to live here?”

Cheng Jing smiled bitterly and said, “How could I not know this? But Mother says it’s too cramped here and she’s not comfortable living here. I even had someone inquire whether any neighbors around Guanhou were selling residences—not a single one. Even if I wanted to expand the residence, there’s no way! I think we should just let Mother be. I’ve been to see that place—it’s much more spacious than here. Mother lives comfortably there. If relatives or friends visit, putting on plays or touring the gardens, there’s space to pass the time.”

Parents favor the youngest child. This was particularly evident with Old Madam.

In the future, Old Madam’s eyes would probably see only Fourth Uncle!

Yuan Shi’s heart stirred as she said, “Why don’t we also move to the residence at Chaoyang Gate? Look—the Gu family from Zhenjiang, the Li family from Lujiang all live there. Now that we’ve split from Jiuru Alley, we could take advantage of Jiashan’s wedding to establish our own branch’s reputation. In the future, Jiuru Alley’s Cheng family is Jiuru Alley’s Cheng family, and Chaoyang Gate’s Cheng family is Chaoyang Gate’s Cheng family…”

“What nonsense are you talking?” Cheng Jing interrupted Yuan Shi’s words with a smile. “The residence at Chaoyang Gate was bought by Mother with her private funds for Fourth Brother. What has it to do with us? Don’t say such things in the future. Now that we’ve split from Jiuru Alley, we’re already somewhat weak. If brothers also hurt their feelings over such material things, our main branch will truly be finished. Besides, Xinglin Alley is our Cheng family’s old residence, where Master Zhi resided in the capital. The neighborhood is all scholars—how can we just move away? Even if Mother agreed, I’d be reluctant!”

Cheng Jing knew about the Seven Star Hall matter.

How could Mother possibly have so much private silver to buy Fourth Brother a residence? But Fourth Brother had already sacrificed so much for the Cheng family, for the main branch. Not to mention wanting to buy himself a residence—even if he wanted to carouse and live dissolutely, he as the elder brother could only help him clean up the mess!

Yuan Shi had to drop the subject for now and told Cheng Jing about Old Lady Guo giving her twenty thousand taels in banknotes.

Cheng Jing guessed the silver might have been transferred from Seven Star Hall by Cheng Chi.

The public funds were now depleted.

Twenty thousand taels was no small sum!

He feigned surprise and said, “Really?”

Yuan Shi showed him the banknotes.

In front of his wife, Cheng Jing went on at length about how good Mother was, how much she cared for her children.

Though Yuan Shi felt displeased in her heart, she had to agree along.

Cheng Jing then discussed with her about both of them visiting Old Lady Guo at Chaoyang Gate together on his next rest day.

Yuan Shi, just thinking about Old Lady Guo’s expression when producing those twenty thousand taels, felt her heart warm and eagerly agreed.