As soon as Nanny Shang finished speaking, sounds came from the upper room.

Biyu lifted the curtain with a smile, seeing off a woman who appeared to be in her mid-thirties.

The woman was of medium height with a plump figure and fair skin. She wore a blue fine cotton vest, had gentle features, and with an amiable expression, she politely asked Biyu to stay.

Zhou Shaojin guessed this must be the Ninth Madam of the Gu family.

Biyu repeatedly said “I wouldn’t dare,” but when she looked up, she saw Zhou Shaojin.

She smiled at Zhou Shaojin.

Gu Ninth Madam, quite perceptive, followed Biyu’s gaze.

Perhaps somewhat surprised, her eyes showed traces of astonishment and amazement when she looked at Zhou Shaojin. She was momentarily stunned before nodding at Zhou Shaojin, then left Hanbi Mountain House accompanied by Biyu.

Zhou Shaojin entered the upper room.

Old Madam Guo looked somewhat weary, her eyes closed while Manao massaged her temples.

Zhou Shaojin quickly said, “Let me do it!”

Manao hesitantly glanced at Old Madam Guo, but to her surprise, Old Madam Guo, without even opening her eyes, said, “Let Shaojin massage me!”

Zhou Shaojin smiled as she took over from Manao.

She kept her nails short, and her fingers were slender but not bony—rather quite soft. She massaged Old Madam Guo very comfortably. After a while, the old madam opened her eyes and smiled, asking, “When did you arrive?”

Zhou Shaojin sat properly on the brocade stool and said, “I’ve been here for a while. Seeing that Gu Ninth Madam was talking with you, I went to the tea room for tea. There I met Uncle Chi and chatted with him for a bit.”

Old Madam Guo smiled. “No wonder you faintly carry the scent of ‘Thus Have I Heard.'”

Zhou Shaojin looked somewhat bewildered, then her face flushed crimson after a moment.

It must have rubbed off when she had thrown herself into Uncle Chi’s arms earlier.

She quietly glanced at Old Madam Guo.

Old Madam Guo was holding a hand mirror, arranging her hair, and hadn’t noticed her unusual reaction.

Zhou Shaojin breathed a sigh of relief. Not knowing what else to say, she could only ask Old Madam Guo, “Do you need my help?”

“No need!” Old Madam Guo set the hand mirror on the small table beside her and sighed. “I just feel somewhat unhappy. Someone like Master Qinghong—to have his descendants still quarreling over fame and fortune—just thinking about it makes me feel it’s unfair to Master Qinghong.”

On the boat, Old Madam Guo had told Zhou Shaojin much about the grievances of prominent families, so she could now somewhat understand what the old madam was saying.

Taking the tea a maid had brought and placing it before Old Madam Guo, she smiled and said, “Don’t those female storytellers say that in all matters under heaven, what is long united must divide, and what is long divided must unite? Over time, which family doesn’t split into branches? Even without splitting branches, with so many properties, they’re mostly watched by the authorities anyway. As long as the direct line maintains a proper household manner and doesn’t tarnish the ancestors’ pure reputation, that’s already quite good!”

Old Madam Guo nodded. “How could I not know this? I’m just feeling uncomfortable about it!”

Zhou Shaojin smiled and said, “How about I accompany you for a walk outside? The flowers in the garden have all bloomed. They’re very beautiful.”

Old Madam Guo hesitated somewhat.

Zhou Shaojin then took Old Madam Guo’s hand. “Please go have a look! They’re really lovely.”

Her tone carried a hint of playful coaxing.

This immediately reminded Old Madam Guo of Cheng Sheng, who had grown up at her knee since childhood.

But Zhou Shaojin was different from Cheng Sheng.

When Cheng Sheng acted coquettishly, there was a trace of willfulness, while Zhou Shaojin carried a gentle warmth.

Old Madam Guo’s mood inexplicably improved.

Supporting herself on Zhou Shaojin’s hand, she stood up with a smile. “Very well, let’s go have tea in the garden!”

Zhou Shaojin smiled with pursed lips.

Nanny Lü quickly lowered her head.

She was afraid people would discover her shocked expression.

How many years had it been since Old Madam Guo had relaxed herself like this?

Who would have thought a mere young cousin would be able to make Old Madam Guo change her mind?

It seemed she had underestimated the Second Miss of the Zhou family before.

She quickly instructed the young maids to bring handkerchiefs, copper kettles, cushions, folding stools, and other items as they followed Old Madam Guo and Zhou Shaojin to the garden.

Old Madam Guo and Zhou Shaojin sat in the waterside pavilion, enjoying the breeze, drinking tea, eating pastries, while she spoke to her about the Gu family matters: “…Because of privately amassing wealth, the money earned belongs to everyone. Naturally, those in the family who study have no objections, but those who don’t study feel it’s unfair. They asked me to speak about it. But what could I say? After all, this is the Gu family’s business.”

Zhou Shaojin knew that Old Madam Guo was too troubled by the Gu family matters and simply wanted someone to talk to, not someone to help make decisions. She just listened meekly from the side, occasionally asking “why” out of curiosity, neither making Old Madam Guo feel she was being cold nor making her feel overly enthusiastic.

The two talked in the waterside pavilion for the entire afternoon.

Nanny Shang passed by twice, and seeing Zhou Shaojin and Old Madam Guo chatting and laughing, couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

If the Second Young Cousin had gone to Tingli Pavilion and discovered that Fourth Master wasn’t home, she would certainly feel uncomfortable. At that point, the ones with headaches would only be those of them serving nearby.

Who knew when Ji Ying would return?

The Second Young Cousin always enjoyed playing with Ji Ying. If Ji Ying were here, even if Fourth Master had gone out for something, the Second Young Cousin could play with Ji Ying. Those of them could also have less contact with the Second Young Cousin.

But recently Fourth Master had not only been killing extensively in the martial world, but had also gone to see those martial arts magnates and prominent martial families he hadn’t contacted in several years. There was quite a flavor of returning to the martial world—the matter Ji Ying was handling was most likely related to this…

Nanny Shang was secretly pondering this until lamplight time when Cheng Chi finally returned from outside.

His expression was pleased, and Huai Shan following behind him carried a rosewood box.

Nanny Shang quickly stepped forward to pay her respects.

Cheng Chi asked her, “When did the Second Young Cousin leave? What did the Second Young Cousin do after I left?”

“The Second Young Cousin left at the hour of shen (note: four in the afternoon)!” Nanny Shang smiled. “After you left, the Second Young Cousin stayed with Old Madam the whole time!”

Cheng Chi was somewhat surprised. “She didn’t come to Tingli Pavilion?”

“Miss Chun Wan came to ask.” Nanny Shang smiled. “Hearing that you weren’t here, she didn’t come over again.”

Cheng Chi’s expression grew even more gentle upon hearing this.

He knew it—that little girl couldn’t possibly let it go just like that.

Cheng Chi dismissed Nanny Shang and opened the nanmu wood box he’d brought back at his writing desk.

On the red Zhangzhou velvet lay a statue of Avalokitesvara in sitting position, carved entirely from mutton-fat jade with a pure white body.

The rounded face, serene expression, compassionate countenance—Shaojin would definitely love it!

He thought for a moment and headed to Old Madam Guo’s quarters.

But halfway there, his steps paused slightly, and he turned back.

Discussing Zhou Shaojin’s living arrangements after she came over with Mother at this time was a bit early…

※※※

But Zhou Shaojin, having returned to Pingqiao Street, was quite angry.

Uncle Chi had just promised her he would let her find him at any time. Yet as soon as she turned around, he had disappeared.

Also, she had forgotten to ask Uncle Chi what he’d been doing these past days.

She thought of what Cheng Chi had said to her.

Uncle Chi seemed very busy!

Zhou Shaojin sat by the window lattice with her chin propped up for a long while. Only when it had completely darkened did she finally sigh and call Chun Wan to help her wash and groom.

Li Shi came over to ask if she wanted a late-night snack, and casually inquired about her visit to Hanbi Mountain House: “…Why did you return so late?”

Zhou Shaojin heard the implication in her words and couldn’t help saying, “Did Madam want to see me about something?”

Li Shi’s mood was somewhat low. “Your father sent a letter saying that regarding my niece’s marriage, it’s better not to bring it up.”

Father is afraid of becoming in-laws with the second branch, isn’t he?

Zhou Shaojin could only say, “Perhaps Father has some other plan. When you return to Baoding, just speak with Father properly.”

“That’s all I can do.” Li Shi sighed. “When you go to the first branch, if there’s a suitable candidate, help me keep an eye out.”

Zhou Shaojin felt somewhat awkward but still agreed.

Only then did Li Shi’s face show a smile. “Then you should rest quickly! In another two days, the First Miss will be making her return visit, and I’m still wondering what to do about the Buddha Bathing Festival that day.”

“If you want to go to the temple to burn incense, just go!” Zhou Shaojin said. “I’ll watch over things at home.”

Li Shi thought about it but ultimately decided not to go.

Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help feeling somewhat emotional.

If it were her birth mother, never mind the Buddha Bathing Day—even on the ninth day of the first month, she probably wouldn’t go!

In the end, the one who loved her most was still her sister, with whom she’d depended on for survival.

Zhou Shaojin carefully prepared the banquet, and on the day her sister made her return visit, she rose early and changed into a rather festive yet not scene-stealing peach-red vest. Her jet-black hair was styled in twin buns, adorned with the South Sea pearl hairpin that Cheng Chi had given her, and she waited at the second gate.

Because Zhou Zhen wasn’t home, the Zhou household only had the two women Li Shi and Zhou Shaojin, so Li Shi invited the fourth branch of the Cheng family to accompany guests.

Mian Grand Madam, who hadn’t seen Zhou Shaojin for several days, examined her with a smile, her eyes showing unmistakable satisfaction, saying, “Chujin’s return visit is a major event, so I also called your cousin Cheng Yi to help. Today he’s in the outer courtyard with your Uncle Mian and cousin Cheng Gao to receive guests.”

Zhou Shaojin immediately felt somewhat uncomfortable.

She murmured her thanks. Zhou Chujin’s sedan chair had arrived.

Zhou Shaojin stood on tiptoe and saw the Ma Fushan family’s wife along with four or five maids and elderly servants surrounding a young woman in a bright red vest walking toward them.

“Elder Sister!” Zhou Shaojin rushed over.

“Shaojin!” Zhou Chujin was also overjoyed, immediately grasping Zhou Shaojin’s hand.

The two sisters began crying while facing each other.

“What’s all this now?” Mian Grand Madam chided with a smile. “On such a joyous day, why are you crying? Stop crying quickly and come sit with me in the main room. You sisters can have a good talk.”

Zhou Chujin and Zhou Shaojin sheepishly wiped the corners of their eyes.

Zhou Shaojin then asked Zhou Chujin, “Where’s brother-in-law?”

Zhou Chujin was somewhat surprised.

There should be proper separation between men and women. Even though they were sisters, Zhou Shaojin shouldn’t be asking about Liao Shaotang.

But she still said, “Uncle Mian is accompanying your brother-in-law drinking tea in the flower hall of the outer courtyard!”

Only then did Zhou Shaojin realize her impropriety.

In her previous life, her sister and brother-in-law had treated her like their own younger sister and weren’t very particular about such proprieties. She hadn’t expected such a great change in this life.

This was probably what they meant by “to gain something, one must lose something.”

In this life, hadn’t she met Uncle Chi?

But Zhou Shaojin quickly cast this regret to the back of her mind and happily accompanied her sister arm-in-arm to the main room.

When the young maids served tea and refreshments, Mian Grand Madam and Li Shi asked about Zhou Chujin’s life after marriage. Only then did Zhou Shaojin learn that Zhou Chujin’s mother-in-law, Fang Shi, had decided that regardless of whether Liao Shaotang could succeed in the autumn imperial examinations this year, she would send the young couple to the capital.