Zhou Shaojin was the first to post to Zhu Zhu.
Because she was the first person Cheng Chi mentioned.
Zhu Zhu was very surprised after receiving the note and agreed to it readily. She also rewarded five taels of silver each to Lu Ma and Chun Wan who went to report the news - this was considered very high among the rewards.
After returning from the Spring Festival Gala, he was extremely happy, not only because he received the reward money, but mainly because he had broadened his horizons by visiting the Duke of Liang's Mansion: "… The courtyard was paved with such large bluestone bricks that you could not see the end of it. The railings were all carved from white jade, and the roof had flying eaves and curved walls, just like a palace in a temple!"
Bitao covered her mouth and laughed.
Xiao Tan was unconvinced and asked, "Is it more beautiful than Hanbi Mountain House?"
Chun Wan thought about it carefully and said, "Our Hanbi Villa is still the most beautiful. Although the Duke of Liang's Mansion is large, it is full of corridors and looks cold. It is not like our Hanbi Villa, where there is a lake on one side and a tree on the other. The roads are undulating and you can go through the forest and the courtyard to get anywhere. Our Hanbi Villa is still the best!"
Zhou Shaojin smiled.
She wanted to keep the Spring Festival Gala around her in the future so that she could go out more often and see more, which would be good for her behavior.
It seems that I have taken the right path.
At the Gu family, things were just as Cheng Chi had expected. Aunt Gu Seventeen asked if she could bring her two younger sisters, Aunt Gu Nineteen and Aunt Gu Twenty, along.
Zhou Shaojin agreed readily.
Cheng Ji was as delighted as Zhou Shaojin had expected.
After receiving the note, she arrived at Fucui Pavilion before Aunt Lu. When she saw Zhou Shaojin, she hugged her and kissed her twice, saying, "Shaojin, you are really my good sister! I was worried that I couldn't go out, and you sent me the note." After that, she looked at Zhou Shaojin suspiciously and whispered, "You didn't send me the note secretly without Madam Guo's knowledge? I will compensate you for the amount Aunt Lu gave. I have money now. Last time..." She stopped talking abruptly.
For some reason, Zhou Shaojin suddenly thought of the day when Cheng Chi asked her, "How much silver did you lose? I'll give it to you."
She asked in a mysterious way, "Did Li Jing secretly give you the money?"
Cheng Ji was startled, and pulled her into the inner room. He slammed the door shut as if to cover up his mistake, and asked nervously, "You, how did you know? Who told you?"
Zhou Shaojin looked at her like this, thinking of how he was suppressed by her in his previous life, and felt very proud in his heart, but he said calmly: "Of course I guessed it! I don't know how much wealth you have? Now that you are suddenly rich, who else can be so generous to support you except Li Jing!"
Cheng Ji said embarrassedly, "I, I didn't want to take his money, but he said that he would not be worried if he had money in his hands. My monthly allowance, jewelry, clothes, etc. are all fixed and cannot be touched. He lent me this money first, and I will pay him back when I have money. I think what he said makes sense. The people in Ruyixuan always tell my mother about my affairs, isn't it because their monthly allowance and future are in my mother's hands? If I have money and can give them a future, who would be willing to do these thankless things? Besides, I may not be able to use this money..."
Zhou Shaojin was too lazy to listen to her insincere nagging, so he interrupted her with a smile and said, "Can you go out on the Dragon Boat Festival?"
"Yes! Why not!" Cheng Ji said confidently, "Madame Lu sent me the note personally. Even if my mother is resentful in her heart, she would not dare to disrespect Madam Guo." As she spoke, she was about to hug Zhou Shaojin again.
Anyone would be happy to be liked like this.
But Zhou Shaojin still felt a little embarrassed.
She pretended to be disgusted and dodged Cheng Ji's outstretched arm, saying, "Okay, okay! Stop being naughty! Just remember to go when the time comes. I've also invited Zhu Zhu and Gu Shiqigu, so we can have a good time then."
Cheng Ji asked curiously, "You just invited a few of us?"
Zhou Shaojin smiled apologetically and said, "Gu Shiqi said she wanted to bring her two cousins with her, and I agreed."
Cheng Ji said happily: "Then there are six of us!"
Zhou Shaojin nodded.
"Oh my!" Cheng Ji was overjoyed and said, "Finally I don't have to entertain others this time!"
Zhou Shaojin thought so too.
She pursed her lips and smiled.
Madam Guo asked Aunt Lu in surprise, "Didn't the second cousin invite a girl from the Guo family?"
Madam Lu looked at the servants around her.
Mrs. Guo sent the man away.
Nanny Lu then lowered her voice and said, "I heard that it was the Fourth Master's idea! You also know that the Second Cousin has always respected the Fourth Master..."
On the surface, Cheng Chi is the weakest among the brothers in the eldest house.
He is not even as good as Cheng Yi, the headmaster of the Cheng clan school in the second branch.
That's why Mrs. Guo hated people looking down on Cheng Chi the most.
What Madam Lu said touched the heart of Madam Guo. Not only did she not blame Zhou Shaojin, but she also smiled with relief and said, "Since it is Silang's intention, you should not mention it again. As for the Guo family, I will post a notice."
Nanny Lu thought of Nanny Shang's private instructions, and stammered, "Madam, I think this is a little inappropriate... The eldest daughter of the Duke of Liang's mansion is getting married, and the fourth master remembered asking the second cousin to invite her to watch the dragon boat race. The daughters of the Guo family are in their prime, and the second cousin is a docile person. Logically, they should be able to play together..."
Mrs. Guo suddenly realized.
Is my son afraid that I will use the dragon boat race as an excuse to introduce him to a matchmaker
She didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and said, "This kid is too cunning! Since he doesn't like the girl from the Guo family, can I force him? Besides, he has promised me that he will get married and have children as soon as possible. I don't want to piss off this stubborn donkey, or he will kick me for no reason!"
Seeing that her goal had been achieved, Madam Lu saw that just as Madam Shang had said, not only was Old Madam Guo not angry, but she was in a good mood. In addition to admiring Madam Shang, she also felt relieved and coaxed Old Madam Guo, saying, "The Fourth Master doesn't hide anything in front of you, which shows that he knows that you love him and won't force him. There are not many mothers and sons who can be like this. The old lady is really enviable! When the new daughter-in-law comes home, they will definitely live in harmony and you will be able to enjoy your grandchildren."
Mrs. Guo nodded continuously, her brows full of joy.
Not the slightest defense against such crude flattery.
She ordered Madam Lu to send a note to the fourth room, Guan Lao'an, and Madam Mian.
Madam Lu was stunned.
Madam Guo smiled and said, "After all, they are Shaojin's grandmother and aunt, and both of them have good character, so just give Shaojin some face. Then you can send a note to Lao An of the Guo family, and let her decide who to bring. As for the ladies of the Gu family, since grandma is still in mourning, I won't invite them, but you have to convey this message. I'm afraid the wife of the Duke of Liang has also booked a private room, but the etiquette still needs to be discussed. Don't worry about the others. I don't have the energy to deal with those monsters."
Mrs. An from the Guo family is the sister-in-law of Mrs. Guo.
Nanny Lu smiled and replied “yes”.
The Duke of Liang's residence also booked a private room, which happened to be next to Madam Guo's. Both of them had the best seats. The Madam of the Duke of Liang's residence would also bring some friends to watch the dragon boat race, and sent a maid to come over, saying that the two families would join in the fun.
Mrs. Guo naturally responded with a smile.
In addition to Old Anren and the two daughters-in-law, the Guo family will also bring several granddaughters-in-law and two young ladies who have not yet been engaged.
Mrs. Guan and Mrs. Mian from the fourth room readily agreed.
After Zhou Shaojin got the news, he quietly said to Fan Liushi: "Uncle Chi told me not to worry about it, and it turns out that I don't need to worry about it. Everything has been arranged perfectly."
Mrs. Fan Liu smiled and said, "Of course! Who is the Fourth Master? The food, clothing, and daily necessities of this whole family are all on his mind, how could he be wrong?"
Zhou Shaojin agreed very much and said, "I'll just do my own thing in the future and not cause trouble for Uncle Chi."
Mrs. Fan Liu smiled and said, "What can happen to Second Cousin? You just need to listen to Old Lady Guo and Fourth Master! They are both kind people. It is a blessing in disguise for Second Cousin to win their favor."
Zhou Shaojin laughed dryly.
She makes it sound like she's in big trouble!
Am I that bad too
Of course, it’s not that good…
She went to the fourth room to ask what to wear on the Dragon Boat Festival.
Both Guan Laoanren and Mrs. Mian were very happy with the closeness she showed to her, and Mrs. Guan even rewarded Zhou Shaojin with a gilt hairpin inlaid with turquoise.
By the Dragon Boat Festival, the weather had started to get hot.
Zhou Shaojin deliberately wore a light green plain Hangzhou silk bodice, a white silk stand-up collar and short-sleeved blouse, and a bean green brocade-patterned Xiang skirt. She combed her hair up and wore a small South pearl flower crown. Her outfit was simple but extremely beautiful, like a cool breeze, making people feel calm when looking at her.
Madam Guo looked at her royal blue jacket with auspicious cloud patterns and said with a smile, "It makes us look so ugly!"
Zhou Shaojin said angrily: "Didn't I make you a lake blue jacket? You should wear that one!"
"How can I wear such a light color out?" Mrs. Guo shook her head.
Zhou Shaojin said: "I've embroidered a brown border of Baoxiang flowers with yellow rattan, and paired it with a brown horse-faced skirt. It's just right! If you don't believe me, why not try it first? If it doesn't work, you can change it back!"
Biyu and the others kept persuading Madam Guo to give it a try.
Mrs. Guo couldn't stand the pulling and tugging of the maids, so she went to change her clothes.
Aunt Lu said hurriedly, "Oh, my old lady, you look several years younger when you dress like this."
Mrs. Guo also thought it was a good idea.
Mainly it looks cool.
She couldn't help but stroke her mane in front of the mirror and said, "It's just that there are too many white hairs!"
"It's better to have white hair!" Zhou Shaojin helped Madam Guo pick out a pair of hairpins inlaid with precious stones and put them on, saying, "It's more dignified to have white hair. It's the best for you, Madam. You should trust me."
Thinking of the clothes made for her by Zhou Shaojin, Mrs. Guo laughed.
※
Sisters, today's extra update.
It is recommended to update around 10 o'clock in the evening.
On Qingming Festival, I will go to the cemetery.
O(∩_∩)O~
PS: I didn’t have time to correct the typos, so please just bear with me for now and I will correct them when I come back.
※(To be continued)