Cheng Chi laughed, touched Zhou Shaojin's flower-like face, and said, "How could I leave you behind!"
Zhou Shaojin breathed a sigh of relief.
Then there is nothing to worry about.
The two went to see Mrs. Guo off.
Mrs. Guo had a lilac-colored silk cape made of sable skin next to her. She pulled Zhou Shaojin's hand as if she was going on a long journey and instructed Cheng Chi: "Although socializing with colleagues is important, it will not be worth it if you drink and lose your composure. You should go to visit the elders, and don't forget to give gifts to your mentor and classmates. Go there early on New Year's Eve and talk to your second uncle. On the second day of the New Year, the uncles-in-law of the Gu family, the Yuan family, and the Peng family will all come over, and you should also come to accompany the guests..."
Cheng Chi nodded respectfully and replied "yes".
A little maid reported through the curtain: "Madam, the second master, his wife, and the second mistress are here."
This time it was Cheng Wei who came to pick up Mrs. Guo.
Cheng Chi and Zhou Shaojin went out to greet them.
There was a natural sense of familiarity when the brothers met, and the three sisters-in-law also greeted each other politely, and then everyone went to the main room of Tingxiang Courtyard.
After greeting Mrs. Guo and knowing that they had already had breakfast, Mrs. Guo stood up quickly and said, "Then let's go!"
Cheng Chi and the others escorted Madam Guo out of the door. Yuan helped Madam Guo get into the carriage. Qiu took the opportunity to wink at Zhou Shaojin and whispered, "Come with us!"
Zhou Shaojin was slightly stunned.
Cheng Chi knew that she had a knot in her heart, and had already thought of an excuse to tell Mrs. Guo. Today, he would send Mrs. Guo over, and she would stay at home. But she also knew that Mrs. Qiu had always been kind to her, and there must be a reason for her to say such a thing.
She thought for a moment, nodded slightly, walked quickly to Cheng Chi, and whispered this to him.
Cheng Chi immediately said, "Then you go over. We'll take Mom to the door."
In this case, doesn't Cheng Chi have no choice but to send Madam Guo to the door
Mrs. Guo would definitely be unhappy when she saw this!
Zhou Shaojin thought about this, took a deep breath, and said, "It's okay, I'll chat with mom for a while and then come back with you."
Now that I'm there, I'm afraid I can't just leave after chatting with him. I have to at least stay there for lunch.
Cheng Chi expressed his concerns.
Zhou Shaojin suddenly felt that something was wrong with him.
It was Yuan who had wronged her, so why should she avoid him and even make Cheng Chi hide with her
Zhou Shaojin straightened his back and said, "Silang, why don't we stay there for lunch? Jiuru Lane's homemade dishes are delicious, but I didn't try them many times. Xinglin Hutong is Jiuru Lane's old house in the capital, and most of the people who come here are officials. I'm sure the kitchen there will also cook Jiuru Lane's homemade dishes. We can learn some of the ones we like and bring back to entertain our guests."
Cheng Chi looked at Zhou Shaojin's expression and saw that although her expression was gentle, there was a bit of toughness in her eyes. He thought of her calm toughness and laughed, and whispered: "Then follow the madam's instructions, we will go to Xinglin Hutong for lunch!"
There are some things Shao Jin cannot avoid forever.
Looking straight ahead is the best way to forget.
Madam Guo and Mrs. Yuan took a carriage, and Cheng Chi personally helped Zhou Shaojin get into Mrs. Qiu's carriage.
Mrs. Qiu smiled slightly and asked the accompanying maid to lower the curtains of the carriage.
Zhou Shaojin said: "Second sister-in-law, thank you for reminding me."
Seeing that she listened to her without hesitation, Qiu was very happy and felt closer to Zhou Shaojin. She whispered, "These days, my sister-in-law tells everyone that mother is going back to Xinglin Hutong today. I'm afraid that when the neighbors come to visit mother, you're the only one away from home among the daughters-in-law. People will see it and remember it. That's how they get the first impression." She added, "Don't think I'm too talkative. You're younger than Ah Sheng!"
The implication is that she is old enough to support Zhou Shaojin.
Zhou Shaojin was very grateful for Qiu's support. She hugged Qiu's arm and said, "I am young and don't know anything. If I do anything wrong, Second Sister-in-law can just tell me. If I hadn't married Fourth Master by chance, would I still have to call Ah Sheng cousin?"
Mrs. Qiu laughed softly, patted Zhou Shaojin's hand, and accepted her words.
Zhou Shaojin asked about the Qiu family's move: "Have you set a date? When the time comes, we should bring some firecrackers to congratulate Second Uncle and Second Sister-in-law!"
Even though everyone lives separately, they visit each other warmly and intimately. This is the upbringing and affection of a family where poetry, books and etiquette are passed down from generation to generation.
How could Qiu refuse
"It's set for January 22nd." Qiu smiled softly, "I originally thought it would be inappropriate to move in the first month of the year. But Jiashan's wedding is scheduled for February 10th, and I'm afraid everyone will be busy by then, and no one will be free when I invite everyone to my house. So I set the date for January 22nd, which is also a good time to vacate the house early so that my sister-in-law can arrange a guest room."
Zhou Shaojin nodded, and the two chatted about family matters all the way.
When we arrived at Xinglin Hutong and got off the carriage, some neighbors actually came up to us and said hello.
"The old lady is back!"
"Are you here to celebrate the New Year, old lady? I heard that your eldest grandson's wedding is scheduled for February. Are you going to attend the eldest grandson's wedding before going to your youngest son's house?"
"Madam, do you still recognize me? I'm from the Li family next door."
Some people also looked towards Zhou Shaojin.
Qiu introduced Zhou Shaojin to those people: "She is my new sister-in-law, who specially sent my mother here."
"You are so beautiful!" Someone came forward and greeted Mrs. Qiu.
Mrs. Guo greeted everyone with a smile.
It can be seen that most of the people living around here are ordinary people, but they are very friendly and speak with kindness. The Cheng family has a very good relationship with their neighbors.
In his previous life, Zhou Shaojin had never been to Xinglin Hutong.
She thought that places like Chaoyangmen were either expensive or very classy, and that people living there were all these ladies who never left their houses. Even if they lived next door, they would only see each other twice a year.
Everyone said a few words and then went their separate ways.
Zhou Shaojin followed Madam Guo in and looked up to see Cheng Xu standing next to Ruyi Gate.
He seemed to have been paying attention to her for a long time. He was standing there straight, but when she looked up and saw him, he lowered his head, walked over quickly, and saluted Mrs. Guo.
Madam Guo picked up Cheng Xu with concern and said, "How come you've lost weight again, kid? I heard you've been studying with Lord Wu these days? You should take care of your health. The imperial examination is important, but without a good body, you won't be able to stand the three exams, the palace exam and the imperial examination!" She added, "Didn't you say you were going to school? Why are you back?"
Cheng Xu smiled and said, "Grandma, I'm fine. Lord Wu always tells me so and asks me to walk to him every morning. I heard that grandma was coming today, so I came back from Lord Wu early. Lord Wu also knows about this and he agrees."
Mrs. Guo nodded.
Cheng Xu stepped forward to greet Cheng Wei and Cheng Chi. When it was Zhou Shaojin's turn, he hesitated for a moment before calling out softly, "Fourth Aunt."
Zhou Shaojin knelt down and bowed, then stood behind Cheng Chi.
Mrs. Guo smiled and extended her hand to Cheng Xu, saying, "Okay, everyone, don't stand here. It's so cold, let's go back to the house and talk."
Everyone smiled and said "yes".
Cheng Xu helped Mrs. Guo into the main room.
There was a steward to assist Madam Lu in putting away Madam Guo's boxes.
Yuan helped Madam Guo take off her cloak, and then helped her sit down on the big kang by the window.
Everyone sat around Mrs. Guo.
The maid came in and served tea and snacks.
Yuan took the tea from the maid and handed it to Mrs. Guo.
Mrs. Guo drank two sips of tea, and her expression finally softened. She said to Cheng Wei and Cheng Chi, "I know you are both filial, but you are all on duty now, so go and do your work if you have anything to do. I have your sister-in-law here, so nothing will happen."
Cheng Wei smiled and said, "Brother can't pick you up. I agreed to take a day off. I will just stay with you and talk."
Cheng Chi also said: "I am an idle person, so I won't waste a day or two."
After hearing this, Yuan said hurriedly, "How can you not enter your own home? Fourth uncle, why don't you stay and have dinner? I have already arranged everything in the kitchen."
"Yes!" Qiu smiled and said, "We are here to help you put your things in order, otherwise Shao Jin would be worried!"
Zhou Shaojin nodded repeatedly.
Mrs. Guo said nothing more. When the boxes and cages were packed, the housekeeper came in to ask Yuan for the wine pot. Qiu and Zhou Shaojin accompanied Mrs. Guo to the main room in the backyard to wash and change clothes. Mrs. Guo looked at Zhou Shaojin standing beside Qiu like her daughter, and she couldn't bear to let Zhou Shaojin do these things. So she found an excuse to send her out to play: "See what's being done in the kitchen? It's so cold, let them make us some lotus seed, lily and white fungus soup to keep us cool."
Zhou Shaojin agreed with a smile and asked a maid from Xinglin Hutong to take him to the kitchen.
Who knew that when she went out, she saw Cheng Chi and Cheng Wei standing in the alley leading to the backyard and talking.
Cheng Chi had his back to her, so she couldn't see his expression clearly. Cheng Wei was facing her. His expression was serious and stern, his mouth tightly pursed, and there was some anger in his eyes. It was unknown what Cheng Chi said, but he suddenly became excited and said, "A gentleman should do what he should do and not do what he shouldn't do. I think your idea is right. Just do it, I support you! If my elder brother blames you, I will talk to my elder brother! Did the gentlemen do that just to leave a good reputation for the descendants of the Cheng family?"
Zhou Shaojin sighed secretly and felt a little proud in his heart.
After quietly asking the maid, she went to the kitchen from the other side.
Back at Chaoyangmen, where they were alone at home, Zhou Shaojin thought Cheng Chi would get close to her, but Cheng Chi just kissed her on the cheek and went straight into the study without coming out.
Zhou Shaojin stood in front of the stove and stewed some lotus seed soup with rock sugar and brought it to Cheng Chi.
Cheng Chi raised his head from the table full of case files with a determined look on his face.
Zhou Shaojin placed the small pastel bowl next to his hand, walked behind him and massaged his shoulders, and whispered, "Silang, do you want to impeach Lord Qu?"
Speaking of which, Lord Qu and Cheng Chi should have had a good relationship, especially when Cheng Chi was in Jinling. When Lord Qu's son-in-law Gao Yao brought his wife to Jiuru Lane to pay birthday greetings to the second house's ancestor Cheng Xu, he was obviously close to the first house.
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Hey guys, today's update.
Tomorrow’s update will still be around twelve o’clock!
PS: The list is too brutal, please support me sisters.
Thanks!
※(To be continued)