Zhou Chujin smiled and said, "Of course. He is our uncle."
What is meant is their mother's family.
In her previous life, because of her, her sister had cut off contact with the Cheng family and would discuss everything with her brother-in-law... Now, she is fine, and her sister would rather talk to Uncle Chi than to her brother-in-law...
Zhou Shaojin was sweating.
I hope my sister and brother-in-law don’t become estranged because of this!
She said, "But you should talk to your brother-in-law about this. I don't think your brother-in-law is the kind of person who would feel implicated and blame his wife if something happened to Yue's family. Husbands and wives should be honest with each other. Otherwise, it would be so uncomfortable to be so secretive when you say something or do something!"
Zhou Chujin burst out laughing and tapped Zhou Shaojin's forehead, saying, "What do you know, little kid? And you want to tell me about husband and wife..." As she spoke, her eyes moved, looking very charming, "But you are right. There are a lot of messes in your brother-in-law's family. Ever since the incident of my father-in-law borrowing money, he dare not look me in the eye. He must feel bad. If there were some embarrassing things in our family, your brother-in-law would be so reserved."
"That's right, that's right." Zhou Shaojin smiled and nodded continuously, like a chick pecking at rice.
Zhou Chujin laughed when he saw this, and started chatting with Zhou Shaojin about family matters: "… Your brother-in-law wanted you to live in the west wing. But we in the south always think that a house facing south is the best, so we arranged you to live in the back wing, and specially separated the three rooms on the east side to make a small courtyard. It's a pity that my sister and brother-in-law are not well-off, otherwise they could have added another floor to the back wing and bought you an embroidery building."
Zhou Shaojin said hurriedly: "This is already very good. My sister is about to give birth, don't waste so much energy. When I have a niece, you can add another floor to this back room."
Zhou Chujin blushed slightly and said, "Your brother-in-law said that it would be best if this baby is a girl."
Girls are careful and obedient, and are the mother's little cotton-padded jacket. If you have a son in the future, he can help his mother take care of his younger brother.
Zhou Shaojin pursed his lips and smiled.
Zhou Chujin said, "Madam wanted to take care of me, so she put me in the east wing. If there's anything, she can hear me if she shouts. The people in the inner house are the ones we brought from the south. They are unfamiliar with the place, but they can stay in the house peacefully. You've seen the family at the door. They are the Yang family. They are from the capital and know everything. If you want to go out, let her accompany you." Then he took out a purse and handed it to her, saying, "Here are twenty taels of silver. Keep it for pocket money. If it's not enough, come and talk to your sister."
Zhou Shaojin accepted it without hesitation.
Zhou Chujin stood up with a smile and said, "It's getting late. You should take a rest. We will have dinner together in the hall. As for Uncle Chi, let's find a time to go over and thank him together."
Still old people
Zhou Shaojin couldn't help laughing when he thought of Cheng Chi's appearance, and saw his sister off.
Mrs. Fan Liu was talking to Madam Yang in the veranda: "... Almost every household in this alley has an elm tree, so the alleys all have the word 'elm' in their names. The alley on the east is called Shuangyu Hutong, and the one beyond is Yuqian Hutong. Our Huaishu Hutong is the main one."
Zhou Shaojin was delighted.
She was worried about how to get to Uncle Chi's house!
When Fan Liu and Madam Yang heard the noise, they immediately stopped talking and turned around to greet Zhou Shaojin and her sister. Madam Yang came forward to help Zhou Chujin and said, "You see, this is my first day meeting the Madam and the Second Miss, so I wanted to come over to recognize them, so that the Madam and the girls won't recognize the wrong people when they have any errands in the future!"
Zhou Chujin smiled and said, "You are thoughtful. Do your job well. I will not mistreat the people around me. Just ask the people around me and you will know."
"Look at what Grandma said, it really makes me feel embarrassed." Mother Yang was busy expressing her loyalty, "I knew that Grandma was a kind person the first time I saw her. When I heard that I could work for Grandma, I was so happy that I didn't sleep all night..."
Zhou Chujin interrupted her with a smile and said, "Okay, okay, stop being so slick, okay? I'm watching!"
Mother Yang swore and cursed again, which made Mrs. Fan Liu laugh.
Zhou Shaojin thought about it and decided to go to Li's place to have a look.
Zhou Chujin was puzzled.
Zhou Shaojin smiled and said, "No matter what, we are daughters. If we are polite to each other, we will live a happier life."
Zhou Chujin didn't comment, but didn't stop Zhou Shaojin either.
Zhou Shaojin smiled and pulled Zhou Chujin to the main courtyard.
Zhou Youjin was sleeping soundly on the kang accompanied by her wet nurse, her little face was rosy and very cute. Li was instructing the maids and servants to decorate the room. Occasionally, if the maids and servants made a rough move, Li would frown and say, "Be gentle, be careful not to wake up the third young lady."
Zhou Shaojin smiled at Zhou Chujin.
Zhou Chujin pinched Zhou Shaojin, smiled and walked in with his sister, saying: "Madam, if you have anything to do, just let the people around you do it. It's such a long way, and you have to take care of the three of us sisters. I'm sure you are very tired. You should take a break. Be careful not to get tired!"
Mrs. Li was very surprised, her eyes immediately turned red, and she smiled and said, "Look at what my aunt said. I am not a paper man, and such a small matter won't bother me. It is my aunt who should be more careful. I think this little master will be a lucky one when he is born. He has followed my aunt and uncle for so long, but he never makes a fuss. He is a good child."
Zhou Chujin couldn't help but touch her belly when she heard that. A soft glow appeared on her face, and her voice became a little lower. She said, "Thank you, Madam, for your good wishes."
Zhou Shaojin smiled with narrowed eyes.
How great is that!
Everyone lives together in a warm and friendly manner, discusses things with each other, and helps each other.
She went back into the house and began to prepare her clothes for the trip to Yuqian Hutong.
But before she could arrive, Cheng Chi came to visit them first.
Liao Shaotang did not dare to neglect Cheng Chi and invited him to sit down in the hall.
Cheng Chi asked about the family's situation and found out that everything was settled. He said, "I will be out for a while in two days and will not be back until after March 3rd. If you have any questions, please tell my manager. I will not be home these days."
Liao Shaotang responded respectfully “Yes”.
Cheng Chi stood up and said goodbye.
Liao Shaotang returned to the backyard and asked the Zhou sisters in confusion, "Why did Uncle Chi come to me to tell me when he was going out? Even if I had something to do, I could only ask the second old master for help, why would I go to Uncle Chi for help?" He asked curiously, "You said, Uncle Chi didn't live in the Cheng family's old house in Xinglin Hutong, and didn't live in Old Master Shao's Shuangyu Hutong. Instead, he spent a lot of money to buy a house not far from Old Master Shao and moved in to live alone... Old Master Shao lives alone in Shuangyu Hutong. It would be nice for Uncle Chi to go over to such a big house to accompany him... Even if he has money, he doesn't have to squander it like this!"
Uncle Chi, are you talking to yourself
Don't know where he is going
I'd better send someone over to ask when I have time.
Zhou Shaojin pondered in his heart.
Zhou Chujin asked, "Are the houses here very expensive?"
"The houses here are not expensive," Liao Shaotang said, "most of them are owned by old local residents. The houses in Shuangyu Hutong and Yuqian Hutong are more expensive, and most of them are owned by officials from the south."
Zhou Chujin seemed to be thinking about something, and asked Zhou Shaojin privately: "Does Uncle Chi have any rift with the family?"
Zhou Shaojin didn't want anyone to criticize Chi, so he smiled and said, "Maybe you think it's troublesome to live with your elder brother? Uncle Chi is used to freedom."
Zhou Chujin felt that what Zhou Shaojin said made sense, so the next day he sent a note to Shuangyu Hutong to say hello to Cheng Xun.
Cheng Xun accompanied the emperor to the Western Garden for a short stay, saying that he would be back in a few days, and told them that Cheng Jing had gone with them.
Zhou Shaojin was very disgusted with Xinglin Hutong, so he breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this.
Zhou Chujin asked Liao Shaotang to take Li and Zhou Shaojin and Zhou Youjin to visit Daxiangguo Temple during his rest time: "I can't go because of my period. Madam and sisters finally came to the capital, so we have to go out for a walk."
Li smiled and said, "After the baby is born smoothly, it won't be too late for us to go again."
Zhou Shaojin also said: "The weather is so cold, let's go after a few days."
Liao Shaotang was worried about his wife and children, and what Li and Zhou Shaojin said hit the mark, so he also advised Zhou Chujin.
Zhou Chujin sneered and said to Liao Shaotang, "You just don't want to go out, right?"
Liao Shaotang just smiled and said nothing.
A few days later, a letter came from Mrs. Liao's old house in Zhenjiang, saying that the debt was completely fictitious and that they didn't need to worry. If Mr. Liao needed money in the future, they didn't need to care about it, just tell her, and she would deal with Mr. Liao. Then they were told not to get too close to the Liao's old house, but to visit more with Mrs. Liao's natal family Fang's relatives in the capital. Finally, she asked how Liao Shaotang's "Beijing Geography" was going? Has a midwife been found? When she thanked Li for coming from Baoding Prefecture to take care of Zhou Chujin, Zhou Chujin's heart was finally put down. Thinking that the weather was gradually getting warmer during her confinement, she had no time to take care of Zhou Shaojin, so she discussed with Li and asked a tailor to come home to make clothes.
Zhou Shaojin, Zhou Youjin and Li each have four sets.
Li didn't expect that she had it too. She was a little excited and went back to talk to Li Ma in private: "Now I feel that I have really married into the Zhou family."
Nanny Li was also happy for Li and asked her to write a letter back to her parents' home to tell them: "This will prevent the mistress and the master from worrying about her all the time."
Li smiled and nodded.
The house suddenly became lively as if it were New Year’s Day.
Neighbors also came to visit Zhou Chujin one after another.
Zhou Chujin asked the kitchen to prepare some snacks as a return gift.
That day, the two sisters and Li Zheng were trying out the new snacks made in the kitchen. Mother Yang came running in with sweat all over her forehead. She said in a panic but could not hide her joy: "Grandma, the mother of Lord Song's house, the old man Song who is in charge of the Ministry of Revenue, has sent you a note saying that Madam Song wants to come to visit you the day after tomorrow. What do you think we should do?"
Zhou Chujin was surprised and asked, "How did Madam Song know that we came to the capital?"
Zhou Shaojin shook his head.
She thought of the naughty Song Sen.
※
Brothers and sisters, today’s extra update.
For the update, please wait till tomorrow morning to check it out!
O(∩_∩)O~
※(To be continued)