Saying things have gone missing—most likely she stole them out to sell!

Everyone understood this perfectly well.

Old Madam Guan couldn’t help but shake her head and sigh, saying, “Then come with us!”

Dong Shi smiled awkwardly and replied “Yes,” following them as they walked outside together.

Zhou Shaojin, however, became vigilant.

In her previous life, Wen Grand Master and Wen Grand Madam from the Fifth Branch had indeed been the last to arrive, but there had been no mention of them losing anything. Moreover, Dong Shi and Yang Shi, the Yu Grand Madam from another collateral branch of the Fifth Branch, had arrived at Siyi Pavilion together with Wen Grand Madam.

This life had changed!

In her previous life, when Zhou Shaojin had her incident, Dong Shi—who had always been warm and attentive to her like a close elder—never appeared. At that time, she understood a principle: mother and son are mother and son. No matter how benevolent and generous they might appear ordinarily, when it comes time to make a choice, they will unprincipledly favor their son and stand on their son’s side.

In this life, ever since her rebirth, she had never paid any attention to Cheng Lu.

Could Dong Shi be coming for her son’s sake?

In her previous life, Dong Shi had hinted repeatedly in her words that the Cheng family intended to seek Zhou Shaojin’s hand in marriage for Cheng Lu. Especially after Father was promoted to Prefect of Baoding, their intention to form a marriage alliance with the Zhou family became even more obvious. Otherwise, how could Grandmother and First Aunt have misunderstood?

Zhou Shaojin remained secretly alert.

After Dong Shi exchanged a few pleasantries with First Aunt, she indeed spoke affectionately to Zhou Shaojin: “Shaojin, some days ago I heard you were ill. Aunt wanted to come see you, but then I heard you had recovered and were helping Old Madam Guo copy scriptures… What exactly happened? Why did you suddenly go to Hanbi Mountain Estate to help Old Madam Guo copy scriptures? Can your body handle it?”

Dong Shi’s special enthusiasm toward Zhou Shaojin was nothing new. Old Madam Guan had originally thought that the children were still young, and with daughters being sought after by many families, it wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing if Zhou Shaojin could gain the favor of her elders. But now Zhou Shaojin was different from her former dull and timid self—not only did she frequently visit Old Madam Guan, she also knew how to keep her company in conversation and make her happy, and had even gained Old Madam Guo’s favor. Her marriage prospects would certainly be much easier than before.

The Cheng Bai family had been somewhat inadequate before, and in the future… they would likely be even less worthy of consideration.

But Cheng Lu was a good child, and Dong Shi had a good temperament. The two children had grown up together since childhood. Although marriage emphasized parental orders and matchmaker’s words, what parent didn’t hope for their children’s marriages to be happy and their lives smooth and peaceful?

Childhood sweethearts were always better than blind marriages.

As for how things would turn out in the end, it would still depend on what Shaojin herself thought.

Old Madam Guan pondered this as she looked toward Zhou Shaojin.

Mian Grand Madam thought along the same lines as her mother-in-law, and coincidentally also looked toward Zhou Shaojin.

Zhou Chujin, however, was always attentive to her younger sister and also turned to look at her.

For a moment, Zhou Shaojin became the center of everyone’s attention.

Despite having lived two lives, Zhou Shaojin still wasn’t accustomed to being the focus of so many eyes.

She was initially somewhat uneasy, but she quickly overcame this discomfort and smiled graciously: “Earlier it was just a cold from the wind. After taking two doses of medicine from Physician Zhou, I recovered. It just so happened that Old Madam Guo came to visit Grandmother and saw me helping her copy scriptures. She casually asked me to help her copy a set of scriptures as well. I haven’t found it tiring at all!”

“That’s good, that’s good.” Dong Shi listened with a delighted expression and said, “As long as your body can handle it, that’s good—just yesterday I was telling Nanny Dong to stew some blood bird’s nest to nourish your body!”

“That’s not necessary.” Zhou Shaojin declined with tactful words but firm tone, saying, “At my young age, I don’t need blood bird’s nest yet.” As she spoke, she looked toward Old Madam Guan, “Just as Grandmother usually teaches, when there’s nothing wrong, walking more is equally good for strengthening the body and health!”

Old Madam Guan loved hearing these words. Upon hearing them, she nodded repeatedly and said, “Medicine has three parts poison. For young children, use fewer supplements and move around more—that’s the proper way.”

Dong Shi had been rebuffed, her smile somewhat awkward as she said, “The Old Mistress is right! It’s just that I, as an aunt, care too much about the child—you see how Shaojin looks as if she’d blow away in a strong wind. Every time I see her, I can’t help but want to nourish this child.”

These words were fine if one didn’t think carefully about them, but upon closer consideration, wasn’t she implying that Old Madam Guan and Mian Grand Madam hadn’t been taking good care of her?

Both Zhou Chujin and Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but frown slightly. Zhou Shaojin, changing from her former silence, spoke up before Zhou Chujin with a smile: “Everyone’s constitution is different. Look at me—although I’m thin, I’ve rarely been sick growing up. But look at Wen Grand Madam, who takes supplements constantly yet is either sick today or was sick yesterday. This shows that good or bad health has little to do with what one eats or drinks—it still depends on each individual!”

If anyone else had said this, it would have seemed quite sarcastic toward Wen Grand Madam. But she was still young, and Old Madam Guan and Mian Grand Madam were not the type to discuss the faults of elders in front of juniors. With her completely guileless manner, people would only assume she didn’t know about the Fifth Branch’s affairs and wouldn’t think she was mocking Wen Grand Madam.

Without waiting for Dong Shi to speak, Zhou Shaojin continued: “I heard some days ago that you had two hundred Comprehensive Tonic Pills made at Zhou’s Medical Hall. Has your health been better lately?”

The implication was: you, Dong Shi, who look rosy and healthy, also need to take supplements.

Everyone’s eyes couldn’t help but fall on Dong Shi’s somewhat plump figure.

Dong Shi’s face flushed red. She wanted to say a few words to Zhou Chujin, but when she looked up and saw her completely sincere expression, she could only swallow the words already at her lips. After two dry laughs, she said, “Those tonic pills were ordered for your Cousin Lu. You know, your Cousin Lu will take the examination in June. I’m worried about him!” As she spoke, she sighed deeply.

Old Madam Guan comforted her: “Lu is good at his studies—that’s recognized in the clan school. If he can’t pass, then others have even less chance. You don’t need to worry too much.”

The two began discussing the June prefectural examination, which allowed them to move past this topic.

Mian Grand Madam didn’t forget, however. She smiled at Zhou Shaojin.

Zhou Chujin quietly praised her sister: “Well done! Don’t forget that the Fourth Branch is our closest kin. Even if bones are broken, the tendons remain connected—it’s not the place of outsiders to criticize.”

Zhou Shaojin nodded, involuntarily thinking of the past.

She wondered whether in her previous life she had done something foolish that hurt Grandmother, First Aunt, and Elder Sister?

Siyi Pavilion was on the central axis of Jiuru Lane. At the very front was the Cheng family’s main hall, called “Shende Hall.” Except for occasions like New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, receiving imperial edicts, when children made the honor roll or received promotions, when provincial governors or higher officials visited in person, or when the legitimate eldest grandson of the First Branch married, it was rarely opened. To the left of Shende Hall was “Chunze Pavilion,” used for receiving guests in ordinary times. Diagonally opposite Chunze Pavilion was a flower hall called “Smelling Osmanthus Fragrance,” also for receiving guests, though for close friends and old acquaintances. Further back was a small garden with emerald peaks forming mountains, clear streams flowing straight down, green vines providing cover, and lush flowers and trees. Passing through the winding vermilion-railed long corridor of the small garden, there was a banana grove. Beside the banana grove, “Tingyu Pavilion” served as the outer study.

To the left of Tingyu Pavilion, passing through the Taihu stone rockery, was “Jifu Hall.” Further forward was a flower garden, and the exquisitely carved and jade-adorned “Tonghua Pavilion” stood beside the flower garden. The small outer study “Listening to Pine Wind Place” was behind Jifu Hall and Tonghua Pavilion, separated by a pine grove. To the right of Tingyu Pavilion was a north-south corridor called “Four Seasons Brocade.” Walking north for about a bowshot’s distance, on the east side was a moon gate. Behind the gate was the outer courtyard kitchen, and the far-famed “Cheng Family Private Cuisine” came from this outer courtyard kitchen.

Walking forward a few more steps was an auspicious gate leading to the inner courtyard’s “Peony Platform” and “Siyi Pavilion.”

For the Second Branch’s Old Ancestor’s eightieth birthday, the Cheng family of Jiuru Lane would certainly open its central gates wide.

Zhou Shaojin could already faintly hear a commotion before even reaching Siyi Pavilion.

Between Siyi Pavilion and Jifu Hall was a decorative flower wall.

Mian Grand Madam smiled and said, “It’s really lively today!”

Old Madam Guan smiled and said, “The Cheng family should be lively—it’s usually too quiet.”

With all the masters serving as officials in the capital, even when there was good news it was just opening the central gate and setting off a few firecrackers—it ultimately lacked human warmth.

As they spoke, they encountered people from the First Branch coming toward them.

Old Madam Guo wore an autumn-fragrant colored embroidered jacket with cranes carrying immortal herbs. The pigeon-egg-sized ruby on her longevity hairpin shone brilliantly. Her posture was ramrod straight, her expression severe, and surrounded by a crowd of maids and servants, her presence was overwhelming. Like red flowers among green leaves, she forcefully overshadowed Yuan Shi beside her, who wore a rose-purple gold-woven four-petal pattern embroidered jacket, kingfisher-feather jewelry, and carried herself with dignified grace.

Zhou Shaojin suddenly greatly admired Old Madam Guo—every time she appeared, she made everyone else her supporting cast. In her two lives, this was the first time she had seen this. Even when entering the palace years ago to pay respects to the noble ladies, no one had Old Madam Guo’s commanding presence.

She and her sister stepped forward to greet Old Madam Guo and Yuan Shi.

Old Madam Guo, however, looked the two sisters up and down, then smiled and said to Old Madam Guan, “They’re truly like bright pearls and morning dew, equally matched. Your Fourth Branch has produced two beautiful young ladies.”

“You’re too kind, too kind.” Old Madam Guan replied modestly, yet couldn’t hide her pleasure.

Yuan Shi smiled without speaking, but appeared very amiable.

Inexplicably, Zhou Shaojin thought of her former self in her previous life, always meekly following behind her sister, letting Elder Sister decide everything big and small.

The current Yuan Shi seemed so much like her former self!

She followed her sister into Siyi Pavilion.

The Second Branch’s Old Madam Tang Shi immediately came forward with a beaming smile. After exchanging greetings, she hastily introduced the other female guests at Siyi Pavilion to Old Madam Guo and Old Madam Guan.

Some were family friends who spoke casually with familiar intimacy; some were acquaintances who warmly exchanged pleasantries; some had met a few times and politely greeted each other; and some were meeting for the first time, announcing their families and tracing connections through various relatives.

Zhou Shaojin’s gaze had just swept past Wu Baozhang, who was quietly following behind Madam Wu, and landed on Second Branch Grand Madam Zheng Shi beside Tang Shi, who wore a sapphire-blue branch-pattern embroidered jacket.

She wore her hair in a peony style, adorned with a yellow jade center-parting ornament. Her skin was snow-white, her figure somewhat plump, yet she had a kind of round and lustrous prosperous air.

Zhou Shaojin had little impression of her in her previous life and couldn’t judge whether this was due to pregnancy or if she had remained this way after giving birth.

Zheng Shi sensed someone looking at her, smiled and turned around, nodding to Zhou Shaojin.

Zhou Shaojin revealed a gracious yet sweet smile.

Zheng Shi was momentarily stunned.

People from the Third Branch arrived.

Cheng Xian wore a bright red embroidered jacket with a “wealth and honor in the hall” pattern, supporting her mother, Old Madam Li, who was adorned with pearls and jade and wore a loving smile. Cheng Jia’s mother Jiang Shi and Cheng Jia followed, with Pan Zhuo behind the two of them.