After the laughter subsided, Zhou Shaojin called Fan Qi over and quietly instructed him, “When you have time, you might as well interact more with the people from Fourth Master Chi’s side at the main branch and find out news about Little Mountain of Clustered Osmanthus.”

Fan Qi, who was usually eager to try such tasks, unexpectedly showed some hesitation and said, “Second Miss, there are just too many people trying to curry favor with Fourth Master Chi. I’m afraid, I’m afraid I won’t be able to squeeze in!”

Zhou Shaojin was somewhat dumbfounded.

There was such a thing?

But on second thought, Cheng Chi managed the household affairs, so how could those stewards, elderly servants, and attendants not desperately try to ingratiate themselves!

She could only say, “Keep this matter in mind for now, and we’ll talk about it when an opportunity arises.”

What was Second Miss trying to do?

Fan Qi nodded and withdrew, full of doubt.

It seemed she couldn’t just rely on Fan Qi—she needed to think of other methods.

Zhou Shaojin sat with her elbow propped on the round table for a long time.

The next day, both Zhou Shaojin and her sister received invitations from Duke Liangguo’s household, inviting them to visit the temple fair and release flower lanterns during the Ghost Festival.

Both Old Madam Guan and Eldest Lady Mian were very surprised. Eldest Lady Mian looked at Zhou Shaojin with a smile, an expression of “my girl has grown up” pride on her face, and said, “I didn’t expect that after Shaojin went out with me just once, she made friends with the eldest miss of Duke Liangguo’s household. This shows you should go out with me more often in the future.”

Zhou Shaojin felt that rather than sitting there gossiping with those young ladies, it would be more comfortable to stay home doing needlework or copying scriptures.

But she couldn’t say this to her eldest aunt.

Eldest Aunt meant well and was thinking of her, wanting her to build a reputation among relatives so that whether arranging a betrothal or getting married in the future, it would be beneficial.

Zhou Chujin nodded repeatedly at these words and asked Eldest Lady Mian with a smile, “Then shall we send a reply to Duke Liangguo’s household?”

“Of course.” Before Eldest Lady Mian could speak, Old Madam Guan said with a smile, “Not only should you go, but you should dress beautifully so everyone knows that the Cheng family has two flowers.”

In her moment of excitement, the old lady forgot that the Zhou sisters both had the surname “Zhou.”

But who would spoil the mood?

The old lady had always treated the sisters like her own granddaughters.

Seeing the good atmosphere, Eldest Lady Mian took the opportunity to make Old Madam Guan happy and said, “Fine feathers make fine birds. Looking beautiful isn’t just about talking—it requires action. Besides making new clothes, you need new jewelry too. I won’t make things difficult for you—as long as you take out some of your private savings to make a pair of gold hairpins for the two sisters, I’ll take care of everything else. What do you say?”

“So you’re all scheming for my private savings!” Old Madam Guan pointed at Eldest Lady Mian and laughed heartily. “I know you’re all honey on the outside and daggers within. I won’t provoke you. Just take the two sisters to make clothes and jewelry—I’ll cover all the expenses!”

Zhou Shaojin and Zhou Chujin giggled and joined in the fun. Before Eldest Lady Mian could speak, they hurried forward to thank Old Madam Guan.

Old Madam Guan smiled so broadly her mouth wouldn’t close. She simply said to Eldest Lady Mian, “I’ll contribute fifty taels of silver. Besides making clothes and jewelry for the two sisters, also make two outfits each for Gao and Yi. In a few days, it will be the Mid-Autumn Festival on the fifteenth of the eighth month.”

Eldest Lady Mian smiled and put her arms around Zhou Shaojin and Zhou Chujin’s shoulders. “Our Gao and Yi are benefiting from you two sisters this time. I’ll have them thank you sisters when the time comes.”

Zhou Chujin smiled. “No need for thanks. This is just a favor that costs us nothing. Instead, why don’t the two young cousins draw us some plum blossom charts for counting down to spring in the future, so we can have something to pass the time by dotting plum blossoms in our rooms.”

Everyone laughed heartily.

Eldest Lady Mian then called in the seamstress to make clothes for them.

Zhou Shaojin demurred, “You should make them all for Sister. I still have new clothes I haven’t worn yet. When the time comes, you can help me pick one. If there’s nothing suitable, it won’t be too late to make more then.”

Zhou Chujin naturally disagreed, and Zhou Shaojin spent a long time persuading her sister.

The seamstress who had been scheduled arrived half a quarter-hour late.

She came in panting and wiping sweat from her forehead, continuously explaining, “I came early originally, but who knew I’d run into the young cousin from the third branch. Several large carts of trunks blocked the sedan chairs outside, so I had to wait there for the young cousin to unload the trunks…”

“A young cousin from the third branch?” Eldest Lady Mian frowned. “Who is it?”

She somewhat suspected it was someone from the Hong family…

But the seamstress said, “I heard it’s someone from Third Branch Old Madam’s natal family who’s made a fortune doing business in Guangdong. This time on his return home, he specifically came to visit Old Madam.” As she spoke, she gestured with her hands. “I heard there’s a pair of red coral trees over three feet tall…”

Oh no!

How could she have forgotten about Li Jing coming to the household!

Zhou Shaojin nearly jumped up.

In her previous life, during hot weather, when Li Jing came to pay respects to Old Madam Li, Cheng Jia had been drinking mung bean soup and keeping Old Madam Li company playing cards to pass the time. Li Jing had fallen for Cheng Jia at first sight and became completely smitten upon their second meeting.

Now Li Jing had arrived, but Cheng Jia was confined—how could they meet?

This was the change caused by her rebirth—in her previous life, she’d had no interaction with Cheng Xu, Wu Baozhang hadn’t quarreled with her, and she hadn’t schemed against Pan Qing… Now everything had changed.

Li Jing, though born of merchant stock and of humble status, was Cheng Jia’s lifeline.

In case… at least Cheng Jia would have Li Jing to treat her well.

Call her selfish if you will.

She couldn’t just watch Cheng Jia miss this chance with Li Jing.

Besides, this whole situation was caused by her.

Zhou Shaojin seized an opportunity to instruct Shi Xiang, “The Li family’s young cousin from the third branch has arrived. Go find out when Young Cousin Li is leaving. Is Cousin Jia still confined, or has she been temporarily summoned to meet the relative?”

Shi Xiang quietly withdrew.

By the time Zhou Shaojin had her measurements taken, chosen fabric, and seen off the seamstress, Shi Xiang had returned. “Young Cousin Li says he’ll leave in a couple of days. Miss Jia is still confined and hasn’t come out to meet the relative.” After saying this, her tone paused before continuing, “I heard from the third branch people that although Young Cousin Li brought generous gifts, Eldest Lady Lu still maintained an aloof attitude. Since Young Cousin Li can conduct such large business, he has his pride too. He had originally planned to stay several more days, but seeing this situation, he went directly to stay at the Peace Inn on Official Street. He said that after meeting some merchant friends, he would set off to return to his hometown of Rizhao.”

Just like in her previous life.

Because of Jiang Shi’s coldness, Li Jing hadn’t even stayed at Jiuru Lane.

When he left, he had come to the Cheng family to say goodbye.

After Cheng Jia’s troubles, he was just a passing figure. Having seen Cheng Jia twice, no one remembered him. Only after Cheng Jia’s troubles did he emerge.

This was truly terrible!

Zhou Shaojin paced around the room.

The urgent matter was to get Cheng Jia released from confinement.

Otherwise, once Li Jing left Jinling City, Cheng Jia and Li Jing would never have another chance to meet.

Zhou Shaojin went to see Cheng Jia.

Compared to the awkwardness of the servants when she had visited last time, the servants guarding Cheng Jia this time appeared much more composed and calm.

Those bringing stools brought stools, those brewing tea brewed tea, those announcing announced—everything was orderly. In just a moment, the doorway was arranged into a temporary reception area.

Zhou Shaojin understood clearly.

If these servants hadn’t received Jiang Shi’s tacit approval, how would they dare act this way?

Although Jiang Shi intended to restrain Cheng Jia’s temperament, she ultimately felt sorry for her daughter. Afraid she would be lonely and miserable, she turned a blind eye to Cheng Jia’s antics. But Cheng Jia was ungrateful—when she saw Zhou Shaojin, she either questioned why she hadn’t visited these past few days or complained that her mother was heartless, that Pan Qing had been gone for so many days yet she still wasn’t allowed to go out.

Zhou Shaojin looked at the early spring Longjing tea floating in her cup and smiled faintly.

She hoped that Cheng Jia’s life would forever only have such trivial matters to complain about.

With difficulty, she waited for Cheng Jia’s complaints to pause, then asked her, “Do you have any plans for the fifteenth of the seventh month?”

“I don’t know.” Cheng Jia said dejectedly. “I did ask my mother if she could let me visit the temple fair on the fifteenth, then come back to continue my confinement… with the time deducted from my confinement period. Mother didn’t agree.” She sighed. “If only Grandmother would come these next few days. With Grandmother helping to intercede, Mother would definitely agree. Unfortunately, when Grandmother came to see me last time, I forgot about this.”

“Do you want to go out or not?” Zhou Shaojin asked her.

“Of course I do!” Cheng Jia became even more dejected. “But what good does my wanting do? My mother has to agree! And now my brother and mother are in cahoots—I can’t get out at all!”

Zhou Shaojin smiled slightly and told Cheng Jia about Ah Zhu’s invitation. “…Although I don’t know if it will work, we can try asking Ah Zhu for an invitation!”

Cheng Jia’s face lit up. She gripped Zhou Shaojin’s arm tightly. “Will it work? Is this appropriate?”

“How will we know if we don’t try?” Zhou Shaojin smiled. “Just in case it doesn’t work out, you can’t blame me!”

“How could I?” Cheng Jia rolled her eyes at her. “This isn’t something you can decide…”

As long as she understood!

Zhou Shaojin didn’t want to rack her brains only to be blamed.

She hurried to see Eldest Lady Mian and said, “Aunt, can we bring Cousin Jia along to visit Duke Liangguo’s household?”

Eldest Lady Mian was surprised. “Isn’t she confined?”

“Yes!” Zhou Shaojin smiled. “It’s the Ghost Festival—leaving her alone at Ruyi Studio would be so pitiful! If you agree, I’ll have someone ask Ah Zhu if she can provide an additional invitation.”

Eldest Lady Mian quite liked Cheng Jia’s lively and cheerful nature and also felt this was Zhou Shaojin’s act of kindness. She nodded and sent a servant to deliver a message to Duke Liangguo’s household.

That afternoon, the messenger returned with the invitation and said, “The eldest miss of Duke Liangguo’s household said that Second Miss can bring as many sisters as she has.”

Zhou Shaojin hadn’t expected Ah Zhu to personally receive the servant.

Eldest Lady Mian told the sisters, “You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours. Since Miss Ah Zhu thinks so highly of you, when you go to see her, you might as well bring some small gifts.”

Both sisters agreed in unison.

Zhou Chujin went to prepare gifts while Zhou Shaojin went to see Cheng Jia again.

Cheng Jia had been waiting anxiously. When she saw the red invitation, she hugged Zhou Shaojin and kissed her, excitedly saying, “You really are my good sister!” She generously promised, “From now on, if you take a fancy to anything of mine, just take it.”

Zhou Shaojin laughed heartily.