Chapter 006: Daughters' Pile

Next, Ji Cheng inquired about the well-being of the Huang family

It is merely that Shen Cui harbors some insecurities, resulting in an exceptionally strong sense of self-esteem. The few remarks she makes are directed towards Shen Yan and Shen Xuan, and she does not take the initiative to speak to Su Jun, instead waiting for Su Jun to cling to her.

Just now, the ancestor mentioned that they were getting old and could not remember things. I see that your memory is even better than that of us young people. It has been three years since Ah Cheng came back, and you have only met her once, yet it is impressive that you still remember this girl's name

Indeed. This time, Azheng has come to celebrate your birthday, so I specially arranged for her to stay long-term. Ancestor, you can watch her for as long as you wish. Everyone in the family knows that you have a fondness for beautiful young ladies, don't they?" Ji Lan said with a smile

Ah, I never said Miss Ji was frivolous. I just meant that, well, I can't quite express it, but I simply feel that this Miss Ji makes you want to look at her again and again, and you can't help but want to sneak a glance at her.

Shen Yan, being the oldest among everyone, naturally took on the responsibility of looking after her younger sisters. She first organized everyone to sit down properly and then introduced the newcomer, Ji Cheng, to Su Jun and the sisters in the household

"How do you know Mr. Lian?" Shen Cui said in surprise, "Did my mother tell you? Huh, wait a minute, what do you mean by 'following Mr. Lian again'?"

Shen Cui's heart was filled with displeasure; she had never liked Su Jun's flamboyance, and at this moment, she felt even more that Su Jun looked down on her, constantly flattering Shen Yuan and Shen Xian. They were all daughters of the Shen family; wasn't it just because her father was ineffectual and her mother came from a merchant background?

At the end, Ji Cheng picked up the teacup and glanced around. The young girl Juan'er quickly brought over a small carved lacquer bowl. Ji Cheng thanked her, rinsed his mouth with the tea, and spat it into the nearby carved lacquer bowl. He then took a small piece of mint candy from his pouch in his sleeve and placed it in his mouth

The eldest unmarried daughter in the Shen family is the third daughter, Shen Yuan. She is the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Zhongyi and is already sixteen years old this year. Her marriage has been arranged, and she will be married next year

Old Madam Su presented Ji Cheng with a box containing twelve glass hairpins as a gift for their meeting, and then took her hand, saying to the nearby Old Madam Shen: "She is truly beautiful, surpassing our Jun Jie. " Old Madam Su's words were somewhat truthful; up to this point, she had only seen Ji Cheng's appearance that could rival Su Jun's. However, Su Jun was not as tall as Ji Cheng, appearing delicate and graceful, yet overall, she did not catch the eye as much as Ji Cheng did.

"Is your sister also studying in the south?" Shen Qian immediately asked excitedly, "Oh dear, look at my question; your Su family must also hire tutors for girls. Our ancestors often spoke of her childhood studies. What will you do, Jun sister, if you can't finish your homework?"

After the introduction was completed, for some reason, there was suddenly an awkward silence

Su Jun smiled and said: "In fact, finding someone to do homework is not a big deal. Sometimes the assignments given by the teacher are too many, and one can only stay up late to finish them. This not only harms the eyes but also affects one's spirit. I also have times when I cannot finish my work."

Jicheng sat in the side hall for a while, casually surveying the furnishings around him. He finished the bowl of almond milk, which was indeed as sweet and delicious as the little girl had said, smooth and silky on the palate. He also tasted a piece of the hibiscus cake, which was fragrant with the essence of fresh flowers.

As for the eight-year-old girl Shen Zhi, she is still too young, only eight years old this year. At this moment, she is not in Ruiying Hall; after receiving the morning greetings, she was taken back to the courtyard by her nurse to play.

The most remarkable aspect is that these items are all crafted with great finesse, unlike the Ji family, which remains focused solely on the pursuit of flavor, believing that as long as it tastes good and looks acceptable, it suffices, since they are all meant to be consumed.

Indeed, the old lady wishes she could gather all the beautiful young ladies in the capital to live in our residence.

On the right side of Old Madam Shen sat a row of young ladies, all from the younger generation, among whom was Shen Cui

"After all, it has been decades of mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationships, or do you know me?" The old lady herself chuckled, "Seeing them reminds me of my younger days, when I too had a time as beautiful as a flower"

"Then what flower do you think Miss Ji resembles? The lotus?" Juan'er persistently asked.

At this moment, Shen Cui felt that Su Jun looked down on her. When she glanced at Ji Cheng, she had hardly said a word, but it was evident that she was listening attentively, occasionally smiling and nodding, seemingly unaware of being neglected and belittled.

Who says otherwise? He is just like the local officials who are allowed to set fires while forbidding the common people from lighting lamps. Those matters of his can only be hidden from my mother. Hmph, just wait and see if I don't report him next time

The fourth sister beside us cheerfully said, "That would be wonderful. Recently, there were only the three of us sisters in the school, and the eighth sister is too young to join us, which felt quite desolate. If Sister Jun were to come, it would be much more enjoyable for us all."

When Ji Cheng entered the main hall of Rui Ying Tang, there were already half a room full of people either sitting or standing inside. In the center, on a short couch, sat an elderly lady dressed in a maroon Eight Immortals embroidered robe celebrating longevity. She wore a dark-patterned headband of a similar color, adorned in the center with a piece of Hetian jade the size of a thumb. Although silver strands of hair were already showing, she appeared very spirited. The old lady Shen had a face like a silver moon, both kind and amiable.

"Do you dare to report to Second Brother?" Shen Yan said with a smile, clearly not believing it.

"Yes, I did not expect to have the opportunity to learn from Mr. Lian again," Ji Cheng said.

"Yes, yes, yes." Juan'er seemed to have found a kindred spirit, "I was just stealing glances at her all along."

The two young ladies of the Shen family, the sixth and seventh, have already passed away

In the end, the two girls did not use any flowers to compare with Ji Cheng, reaching a consensus that she seemed to be more vibrant than any flower, and no flower could encapsulate her.

At this moment, a maid had already placed a mat in front of the old lady. Ji Cheng took two steps forward, slightly lifted her skirt, knelt down, and said: "Ji Cheng pays her respects to the ancestor, wishing the ancestor a fortune as vast as the East Sea, a longevity surpassing the South Mountain, a constant smile, and everlasting family happiness"

"That is something that cannot be sought after," Su Jun said with a smile. Her smile was radiant, her teeth white, and when she smiled, she was strikingly beautiful, dazzling to the point that it was hard for one to keep their eyes open.

Ji Cheng responded, and on his right side, Su Jun and several young ladies from the Shen family also stood up, heading together towards the pavilion.

Shen Qian playfully stuck out her tongue and said, "I wouldn't dare; my sister is truly courageous. If we don't finish our homework, the teacher will make us go back and complete it before returning, and I can't afford to lose face like that"

Old Madam Shen was accompanied by another elderly lady, dressed in a robe adorned with the recently fashionable pattern of abundance that has emerged in the southern regions over the past two years. She was likely the elderly woman who had come from Suzhou in the south, and her hair was almost entirely silver.

In fact, it is truly Shen Cui who is being overly stubborn. Even if Su Jun harbored any flattery or discriminatory feelings, she would not express them so overtly. Moreover, they are all daughters of the Shen family; if she were to look down on Shen Cui, Shen Yuan and Shen Qian would not necessarily be pleased, but rather would think less of her character.

At this moment, Ji Lan was sitting in the third chair to the left of the old lady. In front of her was a round-faced lady in her forties, who was fair and plump, exuding an air of prosperity. It was evident that she was a person accustomed to a life of comfort. She wore a purple robe adorned with the Three Abundances pattern, featuring embroidered bats, longevity peaches, and coins, hence the name Three Abundances pattern. On her hand was a jade ring, and at a glance, Ji Cheng could tell that the quality of the jade was exceptionally rare and lustrous. It had become increasingly difficult to find jade of such quality in the past decade or so, and it was clear that this piece had some years behind it. In contrast, the jade piece that Ji Lan had worn yesterday appeared less vibrant than this one.

However, Su Jun also comes from a prestigious family background. Seeing Shen Cui's cold demeanor towards her, she naturally did not wish to humiliate herself by trying to curry favor with her, which led to this misunderstanding

I find both to be quite good," the old lady said with a smile

"What a bewitching sight!" Juan Er did not understand, "Miss Ji does not seem to be a frivolous person at all."

"Does the second brother also give instructions? I heard that when he was young, he often had the eldest brother help him with his homework," Shen Cui said

This year, Si Gu Niang Shen Qian is also 15 years old, but she is a few months younger than Su Jun and Ji Cheng. She is the daughter of Princess Anhe and was granted the title of county princess at birth

Shen Yan smiled and said, "Sister Jun, you flatter me. The knowledge of several gentlemen is indeed profound and extensive, and their character is also upright. However, even if they were to come themselves, they would not dare to claim to be the most learned individuals in the Great Qin. I just heard from Aunt Biao that you plan to stay in the capital for a longer period this time. If you are interested, you can mention it to our ancestors, and you could accompany us in the academy."

The Shen family has indeed put in a great deal of effort in raising their daughters. The reputation of the Shen girls in the capital is exceptionally good, and it is common for families to seek them out for marriage. Even the second daughter, although born of a concubine, has suitors knocking at their door so frequently that they are nearly wearing out the threshold.

"It resembles, yet it does not resemble," Duan'er said, "Miss Ji indeed possesses a certain purity akin to that of a lotus flower, but she also has an added touch of allure."

Ji Cheng reported her date of birth to Su Jun, and it was quite coincidental that Su Jun was only one day older than her, thus one became Sister Jun and the other became Sister Cheng

"Good, good." The old lady gently patted Ji Cheng's hand, her eyes crinkling with laughter. In her youth, Mrs. Shen was very strict with her three sons, but in her old age, she was extremely fond of her grandchildren, especially the girls, regardless of whether they were her own or not, she adored them immensely

Upon arriving at Shen Cui's place, Ji Cheng became like a dedicated companion, serving as her study partner.

"Good, good." The young girl, Yun Jin, who appeared to be around twenty years old, handed a red envelope to the elderly lady, who then personally passed it to Ji Cheng

The first person on the right is a woman who appears very petite and delicate, yet possesses an extraordinary beauty that captivates the gaze of anyone who sees her. One cannot help but sigh at the existence of such beauty in the world. Her brows are like the spring mountains, her eyes reflect the autumn waters, her skin is as smooth as fine cream, and her waist is as slender as if bound. She truly resembles the beauty of Zhuang Jiang, the lady with the elegant brows and graceful head, as described in the poems.

Su Jun's compliment is indeed to the point; the members of the Shen family are beautiful. If one were to praise their appearance as being uniform, that would be something they are accustomed to hearing. Therefore, the young ladies particularly appreciate when others perceive the depth and refinement beneath their outward beauty.

Su Jun smiled brightly and said, "Sister Yan, I often heard my grandmother speak of the girls' school at your residence when I was in Suzhou. She mentioned that the female teachers invited there are among the most learned in our Great Qin. Now that I see all of you sisters and younger sisters, each possessing profound knowledge and bearing an elegant demeanor, it is truly a sight that makes one forget the mundane world. The rumors are indeed not unfounded."

Duan'er awkwardly said: "It's really hard to say." Although she had learned a few characters while following the maid Yun Jin, she truly did not know how to describe Ji Cheng.

Shen Cuixin thought, could this person be a fool? She couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for Ji Cheng, thinking that they were on the same side, and thus said: "Sister Cheng, this morning I heard my mother say that you will be staying at my house for a long time and that you will also be going to school with me, is that right?"

Su Jun said: "I spoke honestly to the Master, and she did not punish me, as long as she understood that I was sincere in my efforts"

Ji Cheng thought that this was probably the second madam, Mrs. Huang, who was of legitimate birth from the Hou family, as mentioned by Ji Lan. The last time Ji Cheng visited the Shen residence for a short stay, Mrs. Huang was ill, and she did not get to meet her

Everyone began to laugh along.

Ji Cheng expressed her gratitude, and the elderly lady held her hand, asking her two or three questions, before allowing her to pay her respects to the old Mrs. Su from the south.

"This is your niece from the Lao San family, right? Her name is Cheng Yatou, isn't it?" Old Lady Shen said with a smile to Ji Cheng, "Come closer so I can have a look; I'm getting old, and my eyesight is failing."

Of course, these individuals were merely glanced at by Ji Cheng, as there was not much time to scrutinize them.

"No, no, absolutely not," Shen Qian said anxiously, shaking her hands. "I dare not do it again. Last time, when my second brother found out, he scolded me half to death, and the elders at home always lecture me whenever they see me. I've heard it so many times that my ears are calloused. I truly cannot dare to do it again"

The old lady smiled and said, "I can't remember much else, but this girl is truly beautiful; I remembered her at a glance. At that time, I thought about how graceful she would be when she grew up. Now that I see her, she is even more exquisite than I imagined. Just look at her delicate features; if it weren't for her tall stature, she could easily pass for a Southern girl. Back then, I asked you why I hadn't seen Cheng girl come to my place anymore, and you said she had gone back to Jin. I sighed about it for quite a while.

This is Miss Su Jun, whom you have just met. She is the granddaughter of our maternal aunt. You both seem to be of the same age, but I am not sure who is older and who is younger.

Shen Yancheng smiled and said: "You spend all day playing. Before Sister He got married, you always relied on her to help you with the homework assigned by your teacher. Now that Sister Jun has arrived, are you not trying to take advantage of her as well?"

Just after finishing these tasks, Miss Chunchan walked in and said, "Miss Ji, the old lady has inquired about you, please come with me"

Under the intentional socializing of Su Jun, Shen Yan, Shen Qian, and her were practically engaged in endless conversation, laughing so heartily that they seemed to tremble like flowers in the wind. Shen Cui would occasionally interject, but before she could say more than a couple of sentences, the three would once again form their own circle.

Shen Qian immediately deflated, "I was just saying something."

Ji Cheng stepped forward a few paces in response, allowing the old lady to take her hand, and stood beside her, saying, "A Cheng pays respects to the ancestral elder."

Since you will be living here permanently from now on, we, as grandparents and grandchildren, will have plenty of time to talk in the future. You should go and get to know your sisters first, so that you can become closer in the future. The younger ones should not be constrained here either; let them all go to the back to play.