Chapter 84: A Heavy Burden, Also an Opportunity

On the third day of the third lunar month, Cheng Zhao didn’t play much; she spent most of her time talking with her eldest sister and her fourth brother.

Zhou Yuanqi, meanwhile, followed Cheng Zhao’s third sister, Cheng Ying. Both of them wore peony hairpins, drawing quite a few admiring glances.

One was as beautiful as freshly fallen snow, the other as delicate as a jade carving—together, they were the most captivating sight of the entire Shangsi Festival.

Zhou Yuanqi was used to being the center of attention and paid it no mind; Cheng Ying remained indifferent, unaffected by the praises or criticisms of the mundane world.

They were content in their own bubble, flying kites for a while and composing several poems.

Cheng Ying wrote a long poem, roughly fifty-four lines. Remarkably, Zhou Yuanqi remembered every single line and found each one exquisite, leaving a lingering fragrance on his tongue when he recited them.

“I’ll copy it out neatly for you later. I’ve been practicing Master Qu Lian’s calligraphy copybook recently, and my handwriting has improved a lot. You must treasure it,” Zhou Yuanqi said.

Cheng Ying didn’t find his words amusing.

She nodded seriously, “I definitely will treasure it.”

The two had plenty to talk about.

Cheng Zhao’s fourth brother, Cheng Chao, noticed them and said to Cheng Zhao, “Third sister gets along well with children. She’s a bit talented but also somewhat naive.”

“Are you praising her, or criticizing her?”

“Both.”

Cheng Zhao: “...”

She needed a favor from her fourth brother, so she didn’t argue, just rolled her eyes at him.

In her eyes, the third sister was the most free-spirited and bold—both learned and sincere.

Such admirable qualities seemed rare to the adults, who always acted surprised and tried to taint Cheng Ying with stains of worldly cynicism.

Only children truly understood her beauty and purity and enjoyed her company.

“...She likes children so much, she really should have one of her own,” Cheng Chao added.

Cheng Zhao: “You love eating roast beef so much; do you want to become a butcher?”

Cheng Chao: “...”

Their eldest sister quickly stepped in to separate them.

Both meant well and cared for Cheng Ying, but somehow their conversation was heading toward an argument.

If they were five years younger, they probably would have ended up fighting, which was quite a headache.

On this day of the Shangsi Festival, Zhou Yuanshen sat together with Cheng Zhao’s eldest sister’s husband and her second brother. The three chatted about trivial matters, which wasn’t boring at all.

On the way home, Zhou Yuanqi was still a bit excited and enthusiastically recited the poems he and Cheng Ying had composed to Cheng Zhao.

Cheng Zhao listened but couldn’t help drifting off, thinking about the matriarch’s birthday celebration. Her literary skills were limited, and the long poem made her drowsy.

“...You really are like a cow chewing on peonies,” Zhou Yuanqi noticed her distraction and couldn’t help but complain.

Cheng Zhao could only smile awkwardly.

Zhou Yuanshen sat quietly beside them, saying nothing.

That day, Zhou Yuanshen stayed again at Nonghua Courtyard.

“...I heard from your brother-in-law that your fourth brother was once rejected from an engagement?” Zhou Yuanshen suddenly asked.

Cheng Zhao snapped back to attention.

“Yes,” she replied.

“Why?”

“They were betrothed when they were eight years old. The bride was Seventh Miss Chu from the Feng’en Duke’s Chu family. They had been in contact for many years. When they were thirteen and the wedding date was set, Seventh Miss Chu announced at my grandmother’s birthday banquet that she wanted to break off the engagement,” Cheng Zhao explained.

At this point, Cheng Zhao frowned slightly. “In short, both families lost face. At that time, my grandmother’s health was already poor, and she passed away within half a year.”

My Fourth Brother said he would observe the mourning period and not delay the Seventh Miss, so he agreed to call off the engagement. The elders of the Feng’en Bo Mansion tried hard to salvage the situation, but in the end, it was a slap in the face to the Cheng family.

Not long after, the Seventh Miss was married off to a distant place. What their family’s true circumstances were, we had no idea.”

He added, “And frankly, I didn’t bother to find out. The whole matter left me quite displeased. My Fourth Brother was blameless in all this; no one spoke ill of the Cheng family. Over the years, many have sought to matchmake for him, but none were deemed suitable.”

After Cheng Zhao came of age, no immediate marriage arrangements were made because Cheng Chao stood in the way.

In a prominent family, respect for seniority is paramount. As long as Fourth Brother’s marriage remained unsettled, Cheng Zhao could not proceed with marriage talks—at least not until she turned eighteen.

Once she reached eighteen, even if Cheng Chao remained a bachelor, Cheng Zhao’s marriage had to be arranged.

However, the Empress intervened with a bestowed marriage, solving the dilemma of Cheng Zhao’s marriage prospects.

“Are you thinking of matchmaking for my Fourth Brother?” Cheng Zhao asked.

Zhou Yuanshen replied, “...I’ll keep an eye out for him, though I’m not sure which family has a suitable young lady waiting to be wed.”

He added, “You do have some friction with the Chu family of Feng’en Bo Mansion. But at Grandmother’s birthday banquet, the Chu family should send guests. If you’re displeased, have the main branch handle their reception; you don’t have to deal with them yourself.”

“I understand. The Chen Guogong Mansion and Feng’en Bo Mansion are old friends,” Cheng Zhao said. “I’ll adapt as the situation demands. Rest assured.”

Zhou Yuanshen nodded.

Taking advantage of the moment, he pulled Cheng Zhao close and kissed her lips.

Cheng Zhao: “...”

He kept teasing her well into the night. The next morning, when she went to Chengming Hall to attend to official duties, she kept nodding off.

The Eldest Madam sent someone to summon the three officials from Chengming Hall to visit Shou’an Courtyard.

Sure enough, the topic turned to the birthday banquet on March 17.

The matriarch casually said, “Just a simple gathering of family and friends for a meal. I’m putting up five thousand taels of silver myself for the celebration, so the public funds won’t be overly strained. It’s easier for those managing the household to explain.”

Eldest Madam Song was utterly shocked.

“Mother, is this to make up for the sixtieth birthday banquet?” she asked bluntly.

The cost of a birthday banquet was usually only a few hundred taels of silver; anything over a thousand was already extravagant. Yet the matriarch mentioned five thousand taels.

This five thousand taels came from her own pocket; the public funds would cover additional expenses.

Cheng Zhao thought that Eldest Madam’s question was unnecessary, making her seem less tactful and refined, losing face in front of the younger generation.

Since the amount had been stated, this was clearly a make-up sixtieth birthday banquet, to be celebrated in the most lavish manner.

Compared to Eldest Madam Song’s slip, both Cheng Zhao and Huan Qingtang remained composed.

Especially Cheng Zhao, who focused her gaze intently on the matriarch.

She didn’t speak out rashly because Eldest Madam and Eldest Sister-in-law were present; it wasn’t her place to take the lead. She waited quietly for instructions.

“...You all remember that the sixtieth birthday banquet was never held last time. Each of you has been dutifully filial,” the matriarch smiled.

Eldest Madam Song didn’t press further.

This was indeed to make up for the sixtieth birthday banquet.

“Mother, there’s not much time left. Is it still possible?” Eldest Madam Song asked worriedly.

Nanny Sun, standing beside her, smiled with a sharp edge: “Eldest Madam, what do you mean by ‘not much time left’? That’s an unlucky thing to say.”

The Eldest Madam hurriedly stood up: “Mother, my daughter-in-law misspoke.”

She was always respectful and cautious before the matriarch. Though she had her grievances, she feared the matriarch greatly.

"Alright, alright," the matriarch said with a warm smile, "No need to nitpick."

She went on, "It's just a birthday banquet. Everyone who can come is connected to the Zhou family by fate. Those who can't make it simply aren't meant to be here—no need to force it."

She spoke with ease.

But it wasn’t just about relatives and friends; there were countless preparations to handle.

A mid-March birthday banquet naturally called for fresh peonies, since they were in season. Yet the orders for peonies had been placed well before the New Year.

Where else could they get any now?

That was just one of the challenges the matriarch could think of.

There were more.

The main kitchen’s supplies, some rare and precious ingredients—they simply couldn’t be gathered in time. Plus, there were birthday peaches, and the special clothes, shoes, and socks for the birthday celebration.

Less than half a month left—who could survive this kind of pressure?

Mrs. Song clenched her palm so tightly her nails dug into her flesh.

At a time like this, who could come to her rescue?

Who would willingly take on this heavy burden and, by doing so, shoulder the blame?

The matriarch spoke again: “Mrs. Song, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, hand this over to Lady Huan. She’s young and needs the chance to gain experience. You and Mrs. Cheng can assist her.”