Chapter 002: On Weight and Measure

Ji Cheng wiped her tears with a handkerchief, every gesture and movement exuding utmost beauty, captivating the maidservants beside her to the point of being entranced and dazed

After Ji Lan and Ji Cheng's emotions settled, they continued, "I know about the events from two years ago. If you had been more prudent, how could you have attracted such troubles?"

She is truly a natural beauty; whether it is her appearance, figure, or that voice like a yellow oriole, she surpasses the renowned Xue Guifei of yesteryear in every aspect

Ji Lan was momentarily uncertain whether her niece was genuinely grateful for her parents' upbringing or merely deceiving herself. Which young woman does not aspire to marry into a prestigious family?

Ah, in these past few days, in order to prepare for the old lady's birthday celebration, it has been so hectic that everything is in disarray, and my old ailment in the shoulder and neck has flared up again said Ji Lan as she raised her hand to rub her shoulder

After exchanging a few more words, Ji Lan sent Ji Cheng away to make arrangements. Once Ji Cheng had left, a woman in her thirties, with her hair neatly styled in a smooth bun, emerged from behind the screen in the inner chamber.

Aunt Chang lowered her eyelids and said, "Since the lady has such intentions, how could she treat Miss Biao in that manner? It is only right to cultivate a good relationship and offer her proper hospitality."

Is this A-Cheng? When I saw you three years ago, you were still a little child, and now you have grown into a young lady. You are truly beautiful, surpassing even the ladies of the palace, " Ji Lan said with a smile. Three years ago, Ji Cheng still had a bit of baby fat on her face, exuding the innocence of a young girl, but now she has slimmed down and is almost as tall as Ji Lan.

Ji Lan sat down on the south window couch, and naturally, Ji Cheng did not dare to sit opposite her, so he chose the first rose chair in the row beside Ji Lan.

Ji Lan leaned against the headrest, appearing quite relaxed. One could say she regarded Ji Cheng as a family member, but it could also be said that she did not take Ji Cheng to heart, lacking even the most basic courtesies.

Now, Ji Cheng has inherited her mother's voice, which is sticky and sweet like it has been coated in honey, though it is unclear whom she intends to entice

Aunt Chang, a single woman with some wealth, caught the eye of a local thug. Naturally, she refused his advances and managed to escape back to the capital, where she was rescued by Ji Lan. She then stayed by Ji Lan's side to serve her and also taught Miss Wu, Shen Cui, some etiquette. Now, she is increasingly valued by Ji Lan and often provides her with advice and strategies.

Aunt." Ji Cheng once again paid his respects to Ji Lan.

Aunt Chang remained silent. This Madam Shen San, who could marry into the Shen family as a merchant's daughter without revealing any hint of her background, must have had some calculations in mind. However, her perspective seems rather narrow, as some matters are not as simple as she imagines; human hearts are the most difficult to fathom

At this point, Ji Cheng closed her eyes, the past humiliations still vivid in her memory, tears welling in her eyes. "Second Brother fought with their family for my reputation and was beaten to a pulp. Even now, he has not fully recovered, yet he has been falsely accused of instigating a servant to commit violence and has been imprisoned. If it were not for the strong support of my aunt and uncle, Second Brother would likely have perished long ago, and the Ji family might not have survived either"

"What are you standing there for? Hurry up," Ji Lan said somewhat impatiently. "Don't act like you're just sending off a beggar; just pick the best and take it."

"Look at your wrists, they are as slender as willows. Do you have any strength?" Ji Lan said with a smile

Ji Lan comfortably closed her eyes and said, "Not bad, I didn't expect you, A Cheng, to have this skill; you really know how to take care of people"

Ji Cheng's eyes are large and bright; when she is not crying, they already shimmer like rippling waves, imbued with clarity and depth. When she does cry, it is as if the peony is laden with sorrow and the pear blossom is drenched in rain, shrouded in mist that evokes a sense of pity. Moreover, her voice, delicate and soft like the early spring blossoms that fear the snow, makes one's heart soften considerably upon hearing it

"What does Aunt Chang think?" Ji Lan asked, raising the corner of her eye.

Ji Cheng keenly sensed Ji Lan's displeasure. In fact, she had felt it three years ago when her father originally intended to keep her in the capital for a period of upbringing in the Shen residence. When she returned to Jin, it would have made her more appealing for marriage. However, Ji Lan did not take that hint, and Ji Cheng, being young and proud, naturally did not wish to stay against her will.

Ji Cheng understood Ji Lan's concerns, which were that she did not want others to remember her as coming from a merchant family. Therefore, she sought to be frugal in all aspects, ensuring that no one would associate her with the nouveau riche.

However, Ji Cheng was unwilling to speak of such sordid matters, nor did he wish to sully the ears of others

After Aunt Chang left, Ji Lan twirled the green jade ring on her finger and called out loudly to the outside of the curtain, "Has Cousin settled in?"

"Aunt will know once she tries it," Ji Cheng said with a smile, as he applied more pressure with his hands, massaging Ji Lan's shoulders and neck

Ji Lan set aside Ji Cheng and chatted warmly with Ji Yuan for a while, instructing the young maid to take him to the guest room in the outer courtyard that had been prepared for him, waiting for his uncle to return before allowing him to pay his respects.

Ji Cheng's eyelids drooped slightly, and the hand resting on his knee clenched into a fist. He widened his eyes and looked at Ji Lan, "Aunt, it was the Flower Festival that day, and I was still wearing a veil on my head. That Zhu Jijun had not even seen my face before he attempted to force me, driven by resentment that the Ji family had taken away his business."

If it were today's Ji family, they would definitely not allow such a woman to enter their doors. However, at that time, the Ji family's business was just starting out, and her brother was infatuated with her, completely captivated. Their parents could not go against his wishes, so they had no choice but to marry off such a person.

The weak do not even have the qualification to express their emotions

After a long while, Ji Cheng's forehead had begun to sweat from exhaustion, and Ji Lan finally spoke again, "Your father mentioned in his letter that I should help you look for a marriage prospect in the capital."

Even the maid attending to Ji Lan was somewhat taken aback, but Miss Ji Cheng remained unfazed, her expression unchanged and her movements as fluid as ever. Ji Lan slightly opened her eyes and glanced at her, thinking to herself that this girl was quite remarkable, possessing such depth of character at such a young age. If it were any other young lady, being treated like a mere maid would likely have caused an immediate outburst.

In fact, it is not that Ji Cheng's cultivation is adequate; it is merely that he has to lower his voice and be humble because he is in need of others.

You only see the glamorous side of me, but you have no idea how difficult it is for a daughter-in-law like me from such a background to manage in this household. " Ji Lan sighed, "Everything I have done over the years has been wrong, and whatever I say is also incorrect. Life feels like boiling oil; it was even harder back when we hadn't separated the family, and I lost two children in a row.

Ji Lan frowned slightly upon hearing this, and couldn't help but think of her sister-in-law from her maternal family, Ji Cheng's mother. A woman of little standing, she was a beautiful tofu vendor, but her manner of speaking was overly delicate and affected, as if she were always coquetting and flirting with everyone.

Ji Cheng stood up and walked to Ji Lan's side, "Let me give my aunt a massage."

Indeed. Linglong thought to herself, it seems that this cousin has caught the attention of the Third Madam, and from now on, she must be more vigilant and put in the effort to manage her affairs.

Ji Cheng comforted herself, thinking that she was simply showing filial piety to her aunt, which was not something unbearable.

Ji Cheng's tears fell down her cheeks drop by drop. "A Cheng does not want to bring misfortune to her parents because of this face. Since it is a gift from heaven, and given by her parents, she does not dare to destroy it casually, as it would only cause pain to her loved ones and joy to her enemies. Now, A Cheng only wishes to repay her parents for their years of nurturing."

Even though Ji Cheng was quite reserved, she was still just a fifteen-year-old girl. When Ji Lan brought up the topic of marriage in front of her, she couldn't help but blush.

It is simply a case of going too far, Ji Cheng secretly shook his head

Jilan Road: "You went to open the storage room in the back, pick out a few items for the old lady, Third Master, and Sister Cui, and send them to the young lady's room."

Linglong entered after drawing the curtain and replied: "Miss Biao has already settled in."

Aunt Chang used to serve in the palace, and when she turned twenty-five, she was released from the palace. However, little did she know that her family had already suffered a disaster, and now her entire family is missing, likely long dead

Ji Lan's expression softened by half, "You get up and speak first." The maid beside her had already nimbly stepped forward to assist Ji Cheng in getting up.

Aunt is wholeheartedly concerned for A Cheng, and A Cheng is well aware of this. Ji Cheng released her hand, lifted her skirt, and knelt down in front of Ji Lan, taking Ji Lan's hand and saying: "Aunt, it is not that A Cheng is overly ambitious or vain; you know about the events from two years ago. That Zhu Jijun, relying on his son-in-law being a county magistrate, a man in his forties, wanted to force me to become his concubine.

Ah, the Emperor is after all of a certain age, while Ji Cheng is still young and surely reluctant to enter the palace at this moment. Once she has endured enough cold treatment and hits the wall, she will naturally turn back. By being a bit cold towards her, it is also to help her see the situation clearly sooner. Once she has the desire, we can guide her carefully, and there is no worry that she will not come closer to us. After all, the ladies in the palace still need assistance from those outside for certain matters.

The remaining Ji Cheng silently followed Ji Lan into the eastern room—where Ji Lan carried out her daily activities. This place was as simple as the home of a widow who had mourned for decades.

It is a pity that the affairs of the world manipulate people; no matter how high one's aspirations are, they cannot overcome fate.

Linglong hesitated somewhat. Old Madam Shen came from a distinguished background and had been the Duchess of Qi for many years. The treasures in her possession were countless, and even a few selected at random would have extraordinary origins. Now, she was actually going to give them to that cousin girl, which seemed rather regrettable. It was also uncertain whether the girl would appreciate them or not.

Ji Lan nodded and said, "This Kyoto is just a large dye vat. What she saw in Jin was all ordinary. If she stays here for a few more days, it is quite possible that she will be dazzled by the chaotic beauty, and that is not out of the question"

Ji Lan's lips curled slightly, yet she heard Aunt Chang say: "I see that this young lady has a high nose bridge and clear eyes, indicating that she is a person of strong opinions. From her words just now, she does not seem to be one who is overly submissive or covetous of superficial wealth. I fear that a forcibly twisted melon will not be sweet; if she harbors resentment, even if she serves beside a noble person, it is likely that she will not assist the lady, and it is possible that she might even bite back unexpectedly.

At this point, Ji Cheng paused, her nails digging into her palm. There was another reason why Zhu Jijun was so intent on forcing her; in Jincheng, he had already ruined countless young girls. Ji Cheng had a childhood friend who fell into Zhu Jijun's hands, and it was said that she met a tragic end that was unbearable to witness. Although Ji Cheng had not seen it with her own eyes, there were those who spoke of it, and combined with her own imagination, it only served to frighten Ji Cheng further, leaving her unable to sleep at night

Of course, if she can manage herself, not envying those riches and not reaching for those lofty branches, I would not pressure her, after all, she is my niece. However, if she has aspirations that soar to the skies, as her aunt, I cannot help but assist her.

In fact, Ji Lan had long been aware of Zhu Jijun's character. If it were not for his excessively brutal actions that provoked the wrath of heaven and the resentment of the people, whether she could assist the Ji family in dealing with Zhu Jijun would still be a question. The relationships in the officialdom are intricate; one melon can lead to a whole vine, and Zhu Jijun's son-in-law has quite a significant background.