At dusk, Steward Lin and the escorting party finally sent Old Madame Zhen and Zhen Ting Yun to the Zhen household.
Having been away from home for many years, Father Zhen had made great achievements in his political career. Now that he was transferred back to the Imperial City, it was to be expected that he would have a bright future ahead. In addition, Pei-Shi’s father and brothers were all very capable and adept at managing the household. Thus, although the Zhen family had only been transferred back to the Imperial City at the beginning of the year, a manor was already prepared before their arrival. A four-entrance residence was settled up, and with all the arrangements made, it looked spacious and refined.
Located in an alleyway with a few other residences, most of which belonged to other government officials, the location was a tranquil one.
The old servant guarding the gate had sharp eyes. He immediately recognized Steward Lin amongst the approaching party. He also spotted Zhen Ting Yun and Old Madame Zhen’s carriage. After shouting a quick greeting of ‘Old Madam’ and ‘Second Miss’, he respectfully led them into the residence before he hurriedly made his way inside to report their arrival.
In a bit, Father Zhen led Pei-Shi and a group of people over to receive them.
Steward Lin and the escorting guards were arranged to retire to the guest rooms, leaving only Zhen Ting Yun to support Old Madame Zhen into the reception hall.
Old Madame Zhen had not seen her son in many years. Now that she finally laid eyes on him, they quickly became wet. Disregarding everything else momentarily, she went up to put her arms around her son while turning him side to side trying to examine every inch. The tears swimming in her eyes flowed down her face.
She caressed her son’s thin cheeks with her palms and sobbed, “You’ve become darker! And thinner! My son must’ve suffered in the many years that you’ve been working outside…”
Back then when Father Zhen was but a pale-faced scholar[1], he was already considered to be educated and outstandingly talented. During the palace examinations, the Emperor had even wanted to appoint him the third rank, but because the first three ranks had already been decided on, the Emperor could only give him the next best thing, which was to appoint him the fourth rank. Over the years, although Father Zhen held the position of a local magistrate, he was determined to do something that would help him make achievements. It was inevitable that he would have to work hard and becoming darker and thinner was not surprising. On the brighter side, his figure had also become more robust and all the years of dealing with official matters had sharpened his senses, making him appear more influential and imposing.
Since Father Zhen lost his father when he was younger, he was brought up by his widowed mother causing him to harbor more affection for her and making him naturally filial towards Old Madame Zhen. Currently, having finally met after so many years and witnessing his mother shedding tears, Father Zhen was also choked with emotions, “This son has been unfilial and had caused Mother to tire herself over worrying for me…”
Although Old Madame Zhen was weeping profusely, she still managed to find some energy to take a glance at Pei-Shi.
Pei-Shi was as still as beautiful and delicate as Old Madame Zhen had remembered. Despite it being more than ten years, Pei-Shi had not aged a single day, maintaining her graceful appearance. In fact, it seemed that with time, she had become more charming, like a beautiful flower that would bloom more splendidly in the following years to come.
Old Madame Zhen was extremely upset and could not help it as she gave Pei-Shi a glare, “Back then you abandoned Second Girl and single-mindedly wanted to go to my son’s side. I had thought that since my son had no one taking care of him and you’re still without a son, as husband and wife, it was only right to let you go to his side. Who would’ve thought that you’re such a heartless thing? You went over and led such a good and leisurely life, having smooth skin and a delicate appearance. While leaving my pitiful son to suffer and toil on his own that he even became darker and thinner…”
As Old Madame Zhen continued her rant, she started sobbing all over again. She felt sympathy for all the years her son had suffered, and felt even more sorry that he had married such an ignorant wife that did not know how to care for her own husband.
Having such a finicky mother-in-law like Old Madame Zhen, although Pei-Shi maintained a virtuous smile on her face, on the inside, she was gritting her teeth in hatred. You are reading on novelping dot com, the official source.
Back then, due to certain reasons, Old Master Pei was dismissed from his official position. He had no choice but to uproot his family to the countryside in order to avoid disaster. In the countryside, he had coincidentally encountered Father Zhen who was intellectual and had potential. He appreciated a talented youth, thus, he accepted him under his tutelage and further down the road even married his beloved daughter to Father Zhen. Afterwards, Old Master Pei was reinstated and his political career prospered. Currently, he was part of the government cabinet, holding a position as the Minister of Revenue. The Pei Household could be considered to be one of the prominent families within the Imperial City. With her natal family being so capable, Pei-Shi’s backbone was naturally stiffer and even her words held confidence with her family backing her up. In fact, it was also all thanks to the Pei household’s influence that Father Zhen had the opportunity to transfer back into the Imperial City.
In addition, disregarding her background, Pei-Shi was also good-looking. She was a female scholar who graduated from Xidu Women’s Academy and was considered to be a talented woman. She and Father Zhen’s relationship was enviable as they were affectionate despite the years of relationship and Father Zhen never took in concubines or bed servants. Her eldest daughter was beautiful and intelligent, while her youngest son was sensible and diligent. Everyone that met Pei-Shi would compliment her for being really blessed.
Unfortunately, such a blessed Pei-Shi was given such a fussy mother-in-law like Old Madame Zhen.
As one would know, during such times, it was not a rare occurrence that mothers-in-laws would make things difficult for their daughter-in-laws. As long as they do not go overboard, then it would be treated as heaven’s law and earth’s principle. No matter how annoyed Pei-Shi was, as the daughter-in-law, she had no choice but to bear with it. The one time she could not bear it any longer, she gritted her teeth and left her younger daughter behind and carried her elder daughter to look for her husband. At that time, Old Master Pei was still stabilizing his position within the Imperial City, and noticing how precarious the situation was within the capital, he had arranged for his son-in-law to take up a position on the outskirts. He had hoped that being farther away from the Imperial City, his son-in-law would have an easier time accumulating political merits and gaining experiences that would facilitate his son-in-law’s promotion in the future. This would also relieve his daughter from suffering the sporadic nitpicking of her mother-in-law.
After leaving Old Madame Zhen behind, Pei-Shi‘s life became easier. Although in the beginning, she had missed her younger daughter that she left behind, she was also clear that if she suggested having her younger daughter brought over, her wicked mother-in-law would also follow along. Thus, she gritted her teeth and endured it. As time went by, Pei-Shi’s life went smoothly, living a happy and sufficient life, and naturally, she slowly tossed her younger daughter, who was left behind after birth, to the back of her mind.
On the rare occasions that she thought about her younger daughter, she felt that being raised by Old Madame Zhen, this daughter was most likely a wastrel. And gradually, the little bit of motherly love she had also become fainter.
Now that so much time had passed, she and Old Madame Zhen were once again going to live under the same roof.
Thinking up to this point, Pei-Shi clenched her teeth unconsciously.
And now, Old Madame Zhen still wanted to make things difficult for her. Pei-Shi endured and push down her irritation as she lowered her head and responded softly, “The matters that Master has to deal with outside are not something I can stick my nose into. As for matters regarding the household… Sigh, without Old Madam and Ting’er by his side, Master thought of you two constantly, and it’s inevitable that he would’ve lost weight.”
Father Zhen quickly added, “That’s right. It’s because this son had missed Mother dearly, it’s not Pei-Shi’s fault.”
The mother and son once again hugged each other and shed more tears.
Pei-Shi waited patiently at the side for the duo to calm down slightly before she stepped forward to comfort Father Zhen. “Master and I had waited many days and nights for Old Madam and Ting’er’s arrival. Now that the whole family is reunited, it’s a joyous occasion, so we should wipe away the tears…” She gave Father Zhen a look before she continued, “Master should console Old Madam on such matters as well.” Read this novel at NovelPing for the best experience.
“Yes, yes, yes. It was I who momentarily lost my composure.” Father Zhen quickly gathered his emotions as he support Old Madame Zhen to a seat before asking a servant to serve tea.
After returning to his senses, Father Zhen recalled the pair of daughter and son that had followed behind Pei-Shi and himself. He hurriedly waved them over, “Quickly come over here and greet your grandmother…”
With a slight pause, his eyes fell onto Zhen Ting Yun, who had stood silently beside Old Madame Zhen, and he added in a gentle voice, “And sister.”
With his words, Zhen Yi Yun and Zhen Heng Zhe, who had stood behind Pei-Shi, stepped forward.
Zhen Yi Yun was a year older than Zhen Ting Yun and was about to reach marriageable age. Thus, her stature was much taller than Zhen Ting Yun’s, and her figure was no longer petite and cute like a little girl’s. Her chest was slightly protruding with a slender waistline, she had a slim and graceful figure of a budding young lady.
As they were in their own residence, Zhen Yi Yun had dressed in causal home attire with her hair pinned in a flowing cloud bun on top of her head, and the hairpin she used was inlaid with green gems. Her skirt was embroidered with butterflies and flowers on a pea-green cloth and the contrasting colors of the patterns and cloth created a depth of dimension like rippling water during a bright spring day.
Zhen Yi Yun was born to have elegant and graceful features. So even when she was donned in plain robes, she did not look unenergetic. On the contrary, she appeared more delicate, gentle like water, soft and clear, making those that look at her feel ashamed of their own appearances. She had lightly stepped forward before stopping in front of Old Madame Zhen. She stood gracefully like a fresh and tender magnolia branch in fresh snow, making people fall into a trance upon seeing her.
On the other hand, Zhen Ting Yun was dressed in old clothes, and her hair was held up with a worn-out beaded flower hairpin. Due to their tiring journey, her face showed signs of fatigue and overall, she looked disheveled.
With a side-by-side comparison, outsiders would never believe that they were actually a pair of biological sisters.
The author has something to say:
In fact, the dynamic of the Zhen household was made to be quite simple. The main thing being if it was too complicated, I also would not be able to handle it. 2333
P.S. Because Father Zhen and Pei-Shi were good-looking individuals, the elder sister and our female lead would be great beauties~
[1] A young scholar without practical experience.