After Cheng Yumo's wedding and her first visit on the third day, Yichun Marquis Manor's biggest celebration of this year was also over. Everyone in the Cheng family was in the mourning period. As for Cheng Yumo, she was already a Huo family member. The mourning ritual no longer restricted her, but it wasn't the case for the rest of Cheng family members.
Qingfu Junzhu and the others also put down their mind and stayed inside the manor obediently to observe the mourning for Old Master Cheng.
In a blink of an eye, the calendar entered the eleventh month. The weather became cold and harsh. Outside, the temperature had dropped so much. Cheng Yujin wore a fur scarf around her neck and a silver-pink velvet jacket, preparing to go for her daily greetings to Old Madam Cheng.
These past few months, she stayed at home peacefully, cultivating herself. Both Linlang Pavilion and Yunyi Shop's business was getting on the right track. At the end of each month, the shopkeeper would send the shop's account books to Cheng Yujin, who then prepared the next month's new designs and marketing strategy based on the current sales. Afterward, she would go to Cheng Yujin's courtyard and asked Liu Yi to help deliver her message to the shopkeepers.
Knowing that she didn't have any reliable manpower outside the inner courtyard, Cheng Yujin put special attention into establishing a good relationship with the people in Cheng Yuanjing's courtyard. These men ran outside all day long. They were well-informed and smart. Cheng Yujin stayed inside all time without leaving the manor. If something happened, it would be too late when she received the news. Therefore, she tried her best to win over these people, so she could use their help when she needed it.
It's a pity that Cheng Yuanjing was about to leave. Soon, she wouldn't be able to use these people again. She should utilize this remaining period well.
In the past few months, Yunyi Shop and Linlang Pavilion gradually gained fame, having their names spread among the womenfolks of high-ranking families. The first to get famous was Yunyi Shop, which was located on the most prosperous street. The passerby shoppers were first attracted by Yunyi Shop's brand-new storefront. After trying the ready-made garments sold there, they later found out that Yunyi Shop's designs were very clever. Even using the same fabrics, other shops couldn't imitate the beauty of Yunyi Shop's garments.
On top of that, Yunyi Shop regularly launched new styles every month. Words passed from mouth to mouth, and in no time, they had more and more repeating customers. Yunyi Shop's reputation also spread from the middle-ranked circle to the high-nobility circle where the Cheng family was part of.
Linlang Pavilion's growth was a bit slower than Yunyi Shop. After all, clothes had to be changed every season, but jewelry could be used for a long time. However, women's love for beauty could never be underestimated. Some women started to wear Linlang Pavilion's jewelry and went out to socialize. After a time, more and more people knew about Linlang Pavilion's jewelry.
When Cheng Yujin inspected the account books at the end of each month, she was very satisfied. Now she no longer had to worry about money, Cheng Yujin focused on solving her marriage problem. Lin Qingyuan, her husband target, hadn't appeared for a long time.
Perhaps it was not that Lin Qingyuan hadn't visited Yichun Marquis Manor at all, but Cheng Yujin never ran into him again. During this period, Cheng Yujin used the reason of borrowing books to run to Cheng Yuanjing's courtyard frequently. However, no matter how many times she went back and forth, she never encountered Lin Qingyuan even once.
Cheng Yujin couldn't understand. She deliberately chose the time when Lin Qingyuan often visited Cheng Yuanjing. Logically, it was impossible to have zero encounters. Why didn't she saw him even once?
Of course, Cheng Yujin didn't suspect Cheng Yuanjing at all. Liu Yi and the others were close attendants, who earned their living upon their ability to serve and please their masters. They were the most skillful in arranging this sort of thing. If they didn't want two guests to meet, even if both sides were walking across the same place at the same time, these people still had a way to make them never went into each other.
Peaceful and regular days could easily make people lose the sense of time. Cheng Yujin's plan hadn't progressed for a long time. She should have been anxious, but maybe because her current life was too peaceful and comfortable, she actually didn't feel rushed at all. Cheng Yujin paid respect to the Old Madam every morning, took a short break in the noon, then went to Cheng Yuanjing's courtyard to read, waiting for Lin Qingyuan in disguise. If she didn't finish reading the book during the day, she would borrow it back. After some time, this became her routine, and she became very familiar with Cheng Yuanjing's courtyard.
...
Cheng Yujin wore her fur winter coat and went out. As soon as she entered Old Madam Cheng's courtyard, the servant girls there saw her coming and hurriedly came out to open the curtain, greeting joyfully: "Eldest Miss is here!"
Cheng Yumo had been married, and thus Cheng Yujin was the only one who came to Old Madam Cheng every day. Gradually, the servants at Shou'an Hall became used to it. When the Eldest Miss arrived, the new day officially began.
Cheng Yujin nodded and smiled, asking: "Where's grandmother?"
"The Old Madam is inside. The Old Madam just said that she has no appetite today. But the Old Madam likes Eldest Miss the most. If Eldest Miss is here, the Old Madam may be willing to eat."
"Oh, grandmother has a bad appetite?" Cheng Yujin glanced at the inner room and said: "I'll go and see grandmother. Thank you for reminding me. Lian Qiao, prepare some rewards for this sister."
Lian Qiao stepped forward and stuffed a few broken silvers into the servant girl's hands. The servant girl laughed and pretended to refuse: "It is just a small thing."
"Grandmother needs people to serve. Thanks for sister and the others for taking care of her. This is just a bit of gratitude from me. You can use this to have a cup of hot tea, okay?"
After some more refusal, the servant girl accepted the broken silver. This was the reason why people serving in Shou'an Hall liked Cheng Yujin. Eldest Miss was kind and very generous. As long as they had a sweet mouth and quick feet, they could get her rewards every time.
Like this, many servants liked to do errands for Cheng Yujin. They also rushed to inform her of anything that happened in Shou'an Hall, just to get another reward.
Cheng Yujin watched the servant girl took the broken silvers with bright eyes. Her smile turned softer. She now earned a lot of money every month. Just the monthly profits from Yunyi Shop and Linlang Pavilion were already large enough. Yichun Marquis Manor provided her with basic necessities, and these few months, due to the mourning period, she didn't have to go out to socialize either. Her income greatly exceeded her expense. Now in Cheng Yujin's eyes, these few pieces of broken silver were not money at all.
With just a small amount of money, Cheng Yujin could make the servant girls next to Old Madam Cheng like her more, and whenever she wanted to do something, she would get twice the result with half the effort. Both sides were happy, and there was no reason not to do this.
Just like now. Cheng Yujin hasn't entered the room yet, but already knew that Old Madam Cheng had just got up, have a bad appetite, and didn't want to eat anything. It was clear that her sleep last night was not pleasant. Knowing this information beforehand, Cheng Yujin knew what to say later.
Cheng Yujin walked into the main building. First, she unbuttoned her coat and scarf inside the enclosed porch and changed into the indoor soft-soled shoes. Afterward, she headed into the western room. Unlike other courtyards in the manor, Old Madam Cheng's Shou'an Hall was heated with earth dragon, which was used as soon as autumn began. The warm and dry air circulated using buried-in pipes, and even the floor was warm. It was very comfortable to step on. People could wear spring or summer clothes inside the rooms.
Although Old Madam Cheng's residence was as warm as spring, other family members didn't have this kind of comfort. In other courtyards, including Cheng Yujin's, normal charcoal burners were used. Even if they used the highest-grade charcoal and didn't have to save on the fuel, it was still far worse than a large-scale earth dragon. At least, Cheng Yujin didn't dare to wear light clothes inside her room.
Having been free from the heavy winter clothes, Cheng Yujin sighed in admiration. Being the old madam was truly comfortable. When a woman was young, she had to serve her elders in her natal family. When she got married, she had to serve her mother-in-law. Once she gave birth to children and had more standing, she had to worry about her children. The only time she would truly enjoy her life was when she finally became the old madam.
Like Old Madam Cheng. She seemingly didn't care about anything, but the whole manor was still firmly in her hands. Her two sons and daughters-in-law must please her carefully. Every day, her young granddaughters and a load of servants would serve her everywhere. How comfortable. Cheng Yujin's goal in this life was to be like Old Madam Cheng.
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However, all of these comfort and privileges were based on the fact that Cheng Yuanxian and Cheng Yuanhan were Old Madam Cheng's biological sons, and that Cheng Yuanxian was about to become the next Marquis Yichun. If one of these two conditions were missing, Old Madam Cheng wouldn't be able to enjoy such a nice life.
Therefore, the root of a happy old age ultimately lay in having one's biological son in the position of power. Cheng Yujin stepped on Shou'an Hall's warm floor, firming her determination towards her goal. She would marry a wealthy and promising husband, jumped into a higher social status, and finally living her old age in comfort.
Cheng Yujin entered the innermost room. Sure enough, Old Madam Cheng was leaning on the luohan couch, wearing a headband with a bean-sized emerald on the front. The light inside the room was dim. Old Madam Cheng looked listless, leaning on the soft pillow and having a servant girl massaging her legs.
Cheng Yujin walked in and smiled naturally: "Grandmother, good morning."
Old Madam Cheng nodded her head listlessly. Seeing this, Cheng Yujin walked to the luohan couch and took over the servant girl's task to pour a cup of hot tea for the Old Madam: "Grandmother, this granddaughter listens the servants say that you have a bad appetite today? This granddaughter wakes up late this morning and has no time to eat before going out, and was planning to come to grandmother's place to have the morning meal. Grandmother, can you be accommodating, and let this granddaughter taste a skill of your kitchen's cooks?"
Old Madam Cheng laughed. Seeing a beautiful young girl early in the morning made anyone happy. The Old Madam's frowned brows unconsciously loosened, and she said: "Since you didn't have your meal yet, let's take it now."
The servants on the sides saw how Cheng Yujin used just one or two sentences to convince the Old Madam to take a meal. They couldn't help casting a grateful and admiration gaze. They had been persuading the Old Madam for a long time until their lips almost chapped, but the Old Madam didn't response, and even became too impatient to listen. But when Eldest Miss came, she was being persuaded in just a few words.
Sure enough, Eldest Miss always had a way.
No one in the manor dared to be negligent when serving the Old Madam. Her morning meal had long been prepared, and now was kept warm in Shou'an Hall's small kitchen. When they finally got the Old Madam's order to prepare the meal, the servant girls immediately went busy. Various cups, dishes, and utensils filled the table. Old Madam's meal was naturally the best, and even her morning meal was so lavish. There was everything here, from porridge, dim sum, and various side dishes, so much that the table was almost overfilled.
Cheng Yujin sighed. Having money was indeed the best. It was even better if the money was accompanied by power. She wondered when she would ever reach Old Madam Cheng's level.
Cheng Yujin was a granddaughter, not a daughter-in-law. She could sit down and have the meal together. Cheng Yujin didn't lie when she said that she hadn't taken her meal yet. She raised her chopsticks and waited until the Old Madam began to move her chopsticks. During the meal, Cheng Yujin persuaded the Old Madam to try out the dishes. In the end, Old Madam Cheng didn't eat much, but Cheng Yujin was full.
However, Old Madam Cheng was old and generally didn't have much appetite. Today's food intake had reached her usual average. The servants at Shou'an Hall looked at Cheng Yujin as if looking at the salvation Buddha. Cheng Yujin saw that Old Madam Cheng had almost finished, and put down her own chopsticks at the right timing. "Grandmother, may this granddaughter pour you a cup of hot tea?"
Old Madam Cheng nodded. Cheng Yujin took the teacup from a servant girl and handed it to Old Madam Cheng. Saying that Cheng Yujin poured the tea, but in fact, she was merely handing the teacup. In fact, there were very few occasions when she really needed to work.
Old Madam Cheng moved to the luohan couch in the outer room to have her after-meal tea. The servant girls promptly began to clean the table. After Old Madam Cheng finished drinking her tea, Qingfu Junzhu also arrived.
Qingfu Junzhu came only to pay her daily respect to Old Madam Cheng, and no one expected her to do more. Usually, the Old Madam only said a few random sentences to this eldest daughter-in-law before letting her go back. Today, for some reason, the Old Madam had Qingfu Junzhu stayed longer and said a few more words: "How is Bao ge'er? The temperature has fallen these few days. The weather is also cold and dry, and it's easy to fall sick. Have you told people around Bao ge'er to be more careful?"
"Mother doesn't have to worry. I've warned them several times. Every night, they got up three times to check on Bao'er and properly cover him with blankets. There will be nothing wrong." Qingfu Junzhu quickly replied. Towards her only son, Qingfu was really meticulous in her care.
Old Madam Cheng nodded. She moved to another topic: "Many people fell ill after the temperature dropped a few days ago. I heard that the Empress in the palace was also afflicted with cold wind and hadn't gotten better after a few days. Empress Dowager was worried about the Empress, so she asked for a health talisman. Not long after, the Empress got better. Empress Dowager was very happy and said that she wanted to express her gratitude to the Boddhisattva."
"Oh?" Qingfu Junzhu raised her eyebrows in surprise. Things that happened in the palace really had nothing to do with people like them. However, for the better or the worse, Cheng family still held the title of Marquis and had accumulated some contacts over several generations. For example, Qingfu didn't know about the movements of the women in the palace, but Old Madam Cheng, who was old and weak and seemingly was trapped inside the manor, was the first to know.
After having the morning meal, Cheng Yujin didn't immediately leave, but stayed with Old Madam Cheng to put herself in a good light. Unexpectedly, she heard such news. Since Old Madam Cheng deliberately said it, she definitely wasn't chatting casually, and there must be more meaning hidden behind.
Cheng Yujin didn't care about the affairs of the palace. Those high-ranking people were too far away from her. Although she was a daughter of a marquis family, she was still many steps away from the palace circle. Cheng Yujin hadn't ever met Shu Consort, who was unremarkable and without the Emperor's favor. Let alone seeing the Empress and Empress Dowager?
Planning based on what you could reach was called forsighting, but planning on something outside your league was called overestimating your ability. Cheng Yujin knew her own weight, so she would never do things that only wasted her energy with no gains in return.
Cheng Yujin's thoughts were still the same. However, since she overheard Cheng Yuanjing and Old Master Cheng's conversation and learned Cheng Yuanjing's true identity, it seemed that the distant palace suddenly became much closer. Cheng Yujin unconsciously began to pay attention to the changes in the palace. For example, when Old Madam Cheng began to talk about the Empress and Empress Dowager, Cheng Yujin, who didn't pay much attention before, quietly raised her ears and carefully waiting for the Old Madam's next words.
Qingfu Junzhu asked: "Mother, what does the Empress Dowager means? She wants to express her gratitude to the Boddhisattva, how will she do it?"
Old Madam Cheng sighed. Her voice was filled with meaningful heaviness: "The Empress Dowager wants to go out the palace and visit Xiangji Mountain Temple in person."
"Eh?" Qingfu Junzhu was suprised, and hurriedly asked, "Is this news accurate?"
Old Madam Cheng nodded wordlessly. Both Qingfu Junzhu and Cheng Yujin understood. It seems that the Empress Dowager had decided it.
It was not a trivial matter for the Empress Dowager to go outside the palace, especially because Empress Dowager Yang had a particularly high status. Her travel preparation wouldn't be small. For the most part, the womenfolk of high-ranking families in the capital would be required to accompany her.
The current men of Yichun Marquis Manor were dudes without any achievements in their career, but their family still had a second-rank nobility title. Qingfu herself held the Junzhu title of her own, which was the standard second rank title. No matter from which side, Cheng Yujin had the opportunity to join this outing.
Cheng Yujin understood why the Old Madam looked so distracted today, but she couldn't understand why the Old Madam was so worried that she had no appetite to eat. Wasn't it a good thing for the Cheng family, who held only an empty Marquis title, to join Empress Dowager's outings? Why did Old Madam Cheng look so worried?
Qingfu Junzhu didn't think so far. After she confirmed the news, the corners of her eyes raised with uncontrollable joy. "This is great. It has been years since the last time I greet Her Majesty."
On the other hand, Old Madam Cheng sighed: "It's okay if only the Empress Dowager who want to go out of the palace. Her Majesty always has a hard and unyielding temperament. What's strange is that the Emperor actually also wants to accompany Empress Dowager to visit the mountain temple."
Hearing that the Emperor would also go, Cheng Yujin's heart jumped slightly. Although a bit uncommon, it was still normal for the Empress Dowager to make a personal visit to the temple. After all, Empress Dowager respected Buddhism and donated a lot of money every year. But it was very unusual for the Emperor to follow along.
Old Madam Cheng couldn't figure it out. Now the Emperor had passed his prime age. The second prince was growing up, and the crown prince was still missing. Qingfu couldn't understand. But the Old Madam, who had experienced the change of rulers, was very sensitive.
Before, Old Madam Cheng was just slightly worried. But thinking about her two sons' achievements, with the current situation of the Cheng family, no matter how big the succession commotion would be, the wave wouldn't reach their Cheng family. However this time, the Emperor would go out of the palace, which was uncharacteristic of him. In an instant, the Old Madam began to worry again.
Could it be that the status quo would change so soon? Did the Emperor have another purpose of leaving the palace?
Qingfu Junzhu was originally overjoyed. But seeing the Old Madam's worried face, she couldn't help but sigh. Cheng Yujin bowed her head deeply and didn't speak. "The Emperor has the reputation of being filial. His ascension is thanks to Empress Dowager's support. This time, His Majesty probably wants to accompany Empress Dowager to visit the temple because of his filiality. Isn't it normal?"
Old Madam Cheng sighed, "Maybe."
Cheng Yujin stood aside, still in silence. Old Madam Cheng couldn't understand why, but she roughly guessed it.
If it was before, Cheng Yujin might not think much. But now that she knew Cheng Yuanjing's true identity, how could she not understand the real reason why the Emperor wanted to go out of the palace?
Perhaps, the Emperor deliberately went in such a big circle, not hesitating to accompany the Empress Dowager to visit the temple to show his filiality and kindness. But in the end, the real purpose was to see Cheng Yuanjing.
Cheng Yuanjing's identity was about to be restored.