Ji Ying didn’t notice Zhou Shaojin’s meaningful look at all.

She was very flustered!

When she had returned home, she had looked like she’d escaped to freedom, incredibly happy—she hadn’t even gone to bid farewell to Cheng Zichuan. But after just a few days back, she had slunk back here again, and somewhat like an ostrich burying its head in the sand, she had hidden in her room without even meeting with Cheng Zichuan.

The Canal Gang matter could hardly be concealed from Cheng Zichuan. Given Cheng Zichuan’s unpredictable temperament, whether he would actually take her in—forget about her, even her father wasn’t entirely certain. He had only repeatedly instructed her, “Just bite down hard and insist you only came back to visit. After seeing your parents and brothers, you naturally have to return. If he refuses to acknowledge it, he and I still have our ten-year agreement—it’s not serious, you don’t need to be afraid.”

How could she not be afraid?

If her father was confident, would he repeatedly instruct her like this?

If Cheng Zichuan didn’t take her in, what would she do?

Zhou Shaojin had never seen such an expression on Ji Ying’s face before—as if she had committed some grave error.

She quickly stepped forward and grasped Ji Ying’s hand, comforting her in a low voice, “It’ll be fine. Uncle Chi is a good person. Just remember not to lose your temper later, and speak properly with him…”

But before she could finish speaking, the woman outside the door urged with a call of “Miss Ji Ying.”

Zhou Shaojin’s hand was very soft and warm. Ji Ying’s heart gradually calmed down.

Anyway, there was no turning back now. At worst, they’d fight to mutual destruction—what was so terrible about that!

No, even if she could turn back, she wouldn’t regret severing Jiao Ziyang’s arm with one strike.

Then what was there to regret or fear!

Ji Ying’s heart was instantly filled with courage. Smiling, she nodded at Zhou Shaojin and went to open the door.

The woman outside had a pair of weathered eyes. She looked about fifty years old, tall and slender, with jet-black hair neatly coiled at the back of her head. She wore an indigo blue cloth kerchief printed with white double lotus patterns wrapped around her head, secured with a peach wood hairpin, and dressed in an indigo blue plain cloth magpie robe. She looked clean and neat, capable and efficient.

“Second Young Miss.” She greeted Zhou Shaojin respectfully, yet her demeanor was neither servile nor overbearing, like some matron in charge of a household, not at all like a servant woman.

Ji Ying pointed at the woman and said, “This is Nanny Shang who serves Fourth Master.”

Zhou Shaojin smiled and greeted her. After thinking for a moment, she pulled Ji Ying aside and whispered in her ear, “Don’t be afraid. My cousin Gao is getting married and has asked Uncle Chi to be his matchmaker…”

Fear and matchmaking originally had no connection at all. But when the person in question was Cheng Chi… somehow it just seemed laughable!

Ji Ying couldn’t help but laugh heartily.

She knew it—this would surely lighten Ji Ying’s mood!

Zhou Shaojin smiled and said, “Then hurry along! Don’t keep Uncle Chi waiting.”

“Thank you!” Ji Ying thanked her sincerely and went with Nanny Shang to the main courtyard of Liyin Pavilion.

Zhou Shaojin went to the Buddhist shrine to copy scriptures.

When the light in the room gradually dimmed, she put down her brush, wondering if she shouldn’t be quite so diligent. At this rate, she would finish copying by the end of April at the latest.

She flipped through the remaining small stack of scriptures and sighed.

Chun Wan heard the sound and came in, saying, “Second Young Miss, Miss Ji Ying has been waiting outside for you all afternoon!”

Zhou Shaojin’s heart jumped. She stood up and left the Buddhist shrine.

The spring sunset was rather brief. Ji Ying sat under the covered walkway of the Buddhist shrine, staring blankly at the sky full of evening clouds. The orange glow of sunset fell on her face, softening all her features.

Zhou Shaojin smiled and said, “Why didn’t you come in when you arrived?”

Ji Ying smiled and turned around, saying, “Have you finished copying your scriptures? I was afraid of disturbing you. Shi Xiang told me you’re almost done. I thought you must want to finish quickly so you can return to Wanxiang Residence. I came to find you for no particular reason. Cheng Zichuan—well, Fourth Master is actually quite decent. He called me over and just told me to listen to Nan Ping in the future. Hanbei Mountain Villa isn’t like Zao Garden, and if I dare make mistakes again, he’ll send me home.” As she spoke, she smiled with pressed lips, her expression unspeakably cheerful, “I might really have to learn needlework from you from now on!”

“Good, good!” Zhou Shaojin was also happy for her, saying, “I told you, Uncle Chi isn’t someone with a heart of stone. If he has the ability, he’ll definitely take you in.”

Ji Ying felt she couldn’t quite agree with this statement, but Cheng Chi had shown her leniency this time, and she was still very grateful. Therefore, when Zhou Shaojin said this, she nodded with a beaming smile.

Zhou Shaojin said, “This is something worth celebrating… Well, why don’t you come have dinner at my place? No, you should go back first and tell Nan Ping, see if you’re on duty later? If you’re not on duty, come to my place for dinner. If you are on duty, we’ll do it on a day when you’re not. Anyway, since you’re staying now, there’s no rush for a day or two. I just think this is wonderful and should be celebrated!”

Ji Ying just laughed, saying, “Fourth Master didn’t mention anything about me being on duty. I think it should be fine.”

“Are you sure it’s fine?” Zhou Shaojin confirmed, “This is your first day back. Don’t make a mistake on your very first day.”

“Oh my! You’re so nagging.” Ji Ying pulled Zhou Shaojin along, “Let’s go eat at your place! Have the kitchen make me something delicious. I’ve been anxious and frightened these past few days, couldn’t sleep well or eat well…”

Zhou Shaojin giggled. After Chun Wan packed up, they returned together to Wanxiang Residence.

***

Cheng Chi was reviewing account books when he saw Huai Shan enter and said, “Ji Ying went to Wanxiang Residence?”

“Yes!” Huai Shan said, “Second Young Miss of the Zhou family said this is something worth celebrating, so she invited Ji Ying to Wanxiang Residence for dinner.”

Cheng Chi nodded and continued reviewing the account books.

Huai Shan stood there without moving.

Cheng Chi looked up and said, “Is there something else?”

Huai Shan’s lips twitched. Mustering his courage, he said, “Fourth Master, the Ji family schemed against us like this—are we just going to let it go?”

Cheng Chi said, “If even you know the Ji family is scheming against us, don’t the Ji family themselves know? Doesn’t the Canal Gang know?”

Huai Shan didn’t understand.

Cheng Chi was too lazy to waste words on him and said, “If you don’t understand, go ask Qin Zi’an.”

Huai Shan lowered his head and left the study.

Cheng Chi rubbed his forehead and continued reviewing the account books.

Huai Shan found Qin Zi’an.

Qin Zi’an was talking with Qin Ziping. Hearing Huai Shan’s purpose, he said, “The reason Fourth Master let Ji Ying return is mainly out of consideration for the Ji family’s consistent respect toward Fourth Master. No matter what, compared to the Canal Gang, the Ji family can barely be considered Fourth Master’s people. The Canal Gang targeted Ji Ying because of Fourth Master. Fourth Master can’t very well let outsiders trample on his own people, right? This is also done for others to see, to let them know that as long as someone is utterly loyal to Fourth Master, he will never allow them to be bullied.

“Moreover, the Ji family sent someone over without saying anything. It’s just that when Fourth Master borrowed passage, they didn’t fail to show proper respect like the Canal Gang did. Otherwise, the Ji family wouldn’t have sent their legitimate son as a hostage afterward. Although they later sent a legitimate daughter instead, Ji Ying is the most talented at martial arts in the Ji family. If the Ji family wants to continue dominating the Central Plains in the future, Ji Ying’s martial skills are one of the Ji family’s important guarantees.

“Right now the Ji family and Canal Gang are locked in fierce conflict. The Ji family can claim they couldn’t spare attention for a moment, that Ji Ying ran back on her own. But once the matter between the Ji family and Canal Gang is settled, can the Ji family pretend not to know? Since they were lacking in propriety before, shouldn’t they make up for all the proper courtesies afterward? The Central Plains doesn’t produce salt. They control the entire Central Plains region—whether it’s Huai salt, Zhe salt, or Chuan salt, if they want to enter the Central Plains, they all have to look at the Ji family’s mood. Shouldn’t they consider giving Fourth Master a share of the pie!” Then he added, “Don’t worry, Ji Ying is quite valuable. Fourth Master won’t just kick her out.”

“I’m not worried about Ji Ying. I understand what you’re saying too.” Huai Shan said, “I just feel that Fourth Master is very strange lately. How did he suddenly become so reasonable…”

Qin Zi’an pricked up his ears to listen.

Huai Shan said irritably, “I already checked. There’s no one outside.”

Qin Zi’an’s expression relaxed slightly. In a low voice he said, “Fourth Master said he’s leaving. He’s never said where he’s going. Great hermits hide in court, small hermits hide in the marketplace. I think this matter should be related to where Fourth Master is planning to go…”

Huai Shan nodded in agreement and said, “Do you have any inkling about it?”

“No!” Qin Zi’an said very frankly, “Anyway, I’m determined to follow Fourth Master. Wherever he goes, I’ll go.” His gaze fell on Qin Ziping, “Besides, my father has another son.”

Qin Ziping, whose expression had been somewhat unfocused, immediately snapped back to attention upon hearing this and said, “I’m also planning to go with Fourth Master. Don’t set your sights on me.” Then, regardless of what expression Qin Zi’an wore, he said, “Did Fourth Master… really only take Ji Ying in because he thinks she’s valuable? What if the Ji family sacrifices a pawn to save the chariot? Wouldn’t that put Ji Ying in great danger?”

“Why are you worried about Ji Ying?” Qin Zi’an asked, his gaze piercing, as if trying to see straight into Qin Ziping’s heart.

“It’s, it’s nothing!” Qin Ziping was briefly uncomfortable, but quickly recovered, saying, “I just think that Ji Ying has been with us for these past few years. Thinking about what she’s been through, I find her quite pitiful.”

Qin Zi’an said nothing.

Huai Shan blinked and also said nothing.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the room became somewhat stagnant.

Qin Ziping quickly said, “Oh right, have you heard? Master Gao from the Fourth House is getting engaged. The Fourth House asked the Old Madam to come forward and requested Fourth Master and the eldest master of the Gu family to be matchmakers. In a couple of days, Fourth Master and the eldest master of the Gu family are going to Pukou to propose marriage for Master Gao!”

“We already knew.” Qin Zi’an said blandly, “The Fourth House is just trying to borrow Fourth Master’s status as a top scholar in both examinations. Fourth Master just needs to sit there like a clay Buddha statue. But as for you, don’t you have anything to say to me?”

“What would I have to say to you?” Qin Ziping muttered quietly, though his eyes didn’t dare meet his elder brother’s directly.

Huai Shan smiled and smoothed things over, saying, “Will Fourth Master really go that day? Should I go along too? Honestly, I really can’t imagine what Fourth Master would look like acting as a matchmaker for someone. I wonder what kind of temperament the eldest master of the Gu family has? If he’s as taciturn as Fourth Master, that would be terrible…”

The two Qin brothers ignored him, glaring at each other like fighting cocks.