Cheng Chi hadn’t expected that the gentle and compliant Zhou Shaojin, besides being kind and lovely, also had such an understanding and considerate side.
Over all these years, he didn’t know how many open and covert attacks he had experienced, yet he had never feared anyone or anything. If there was something he couldn’t let go of, it was his mother—outwardly tough and strong, but inwardly lonely and solitary.
He hadn’t explained anything to her. She didn’t even know what had actually happened at Listening to Rain Pavilion. Just from sensing Mother’s emotional changes, she had been able to comfort and accompany Mother…
Cheng Zheng, whom Mother had raised with her own hands, should be able to do this.
But she wasn’t the exceptionally clever and cunning Cheng Zheng.
She was the docile, compliant, and even somewhat naive Zhou Shaojin.
Cheng Chi’s mind was in turmoil.
How had she managed to do this?
Was it out of filial respect for Mother? Or was it that inexplicable understanding she had of him? Knowing that what he worried about most was Mother, so after he went to attend that family banquet that was like a Hongmen Feast, she had focused all her attention on Mother…
Cheng Chi couldn’t quite make up his mind.
He rambled on in conversation with Zhou Shaojin about household matters.
Yet Zhou Shaojin answered with great enthusiasm.
As if the tea-scented chicken they’d had for lunch was particularly delicious, as if making clothes for Mother was especially interesting, as if this year’s popular patterns for tribute goods needed thorough discussion… Whatever he said, to her ears, it all seemed extremely interesting.
Was it because in all her life she had only traveled to Mount Putuo once?
In a few days he was going to Jinan Prefecture. Should he take her along… or should he choose another time? This trip to Jinan Prefecture was to visit the Mountain Hall there. There would likely be some disputes—it wasn’t particularly safe, and she didn’t know anything. What if he couldn’t look after her properly and she got hurt? Better to wait until after Cheng Jiashan’s autumn examinations, when he went to the capital—he could take her along then, and she could return to Baoding to see her father. She could even stay in Baoding for a while, and when he returned from the capital, he could bring her back. That way he could focus on his business with peace of mind, and she could have a proper reunion with her family.
By that time, Cheng Jiashan’s marriage should be settled… wouldn’t Shaojin also have to marry then?
At this thought, Cheng Chi froze. His mood suddenly turned sour.
Then Mother… wouldn’t she be alone again!
Cheng Chi could imagine it. The household would surely be even quieter than before—when Cheng Sheng was there, her constant chatter could always make Mother laugh. But when Zhou Shaojin was there, she could make Mother become soft-hearted from within, gentle from the bone. That was why Cold Jade Mountain House could be as warm and full of life as it was now.
Cheng Chi frowned.
He couldn’t very well keep Shaojin by Mother’s side forever, could he?
Shaojin was slowly growing up and needed to have her own life.
The scene he had just witnessed floated into his mind.
The quiet, silent inner chamber, the young girl’s face white as jade, her slender, graceful figure, soft as willow branches in spring. Before he knew it, she had grown quite a bit taller.
Cheng Chi’s gaze fell upon Zhou Shaojin.
She still wore a goose-yellow jacket trimmed with scallion-green tooth pattern, with a moon-white embroidered skirt below. Her jet-black hair was loosely coiled in a bun, adorned with a lilac flower and precious pearl hairpin. The well-fitted garments already revealed her graceful curves.
He felt somewhat stifled.
Zhou Shaojin noticed that they had been conversing well just moments ago, but in the blink of an eye Cheng Chi’s mood had dropped. She couldn’t help but ask with concern: “What’s wrong? Does Uncle Chi have some urgent matter to attend to?”
She knew she was very happy to see Cheng Chi and had spoken more and at greater length than usual, fearing Cheng Chi might grow impatient.
This little girl—he wanted to rest here for a bit, and here she was, trying to send him on his way.
“I don’t have anything urgent!” Cheng Chi said with a laugh. “Why aren’t you wearing the South Sea pearl hairpin I gave you?” The words slipped out before he could stop them. Feeling vaguely that this was somewhat improper, he quickly added: “I saw you wearing it constantly these past days and thought you really liked it!”
Zhou Shaojin’s face inexplicably flushed slightly red.
She hadn’t expected Uncle Chi to be so observant.
He had even noticed what she liked.
“I do like it very much!” She couldn’t help but touch the lilac flower and precious pearl hairpin on her head and explained in detail: “It’s just that it’s late April now, isn’t it? The chrysanthemums have grown into full plants. A few days ago I went to the greenhouse to divide the chrysanthemum plants, and somehow I left the hairpin in the greenhouse without realizing it. Later when I returned to Floating Jade Pavilion, I searched for ages without finding it. I was frantically worried. If the woman from the greenhouse hadn’t found it and brought it over, I would have almost turned Cold Jade Mountain House upside down searching, which surely would have alarmed Old Madam… I was afraid of losing the hairpin again, so I haven’t worn it these past few days.”
There was one more thing she didn’t say.
That South Sea pearl hairpin was made too solidly—it was actually solid throughout, so it felt a bit heavy when she wore it. That was why the hairpin had slipped from her head.
If anyone was to blame, it was that her hair was still too sparse.
If only she could grow a head of thick hair like Elder Sister’s!
However, Nanny Fan said she was still young, and in a few years her hair would grow as beautifully as Elder Sister’s.
Cheng Chi never would have dreamed this was the reason.
His heart suddenly felt as if something warm had flowed through it, hot and burning, making his heart tremble, yet indescribably comfortable. He involuntarily said “It’s fine” and added: “If you lose it, just tell me. I’ll have the silver shop make you another one.”
How could she keep accepting things from Uncle Chi?
Zhou Shaojin thanked Cheng Chi somewhat embarrassedly and said: “I’ll be more careful from now on.”
Cheng Chi felt this was a small matter.
Jewelry and precious stones—these glittering things—whether it was his dignified mother, his flamboyant sister-in-law, or even his taciturn second sister-in-law, there wasn’t one who didn’t like them. When the time came, he could just have the master from the silver shop come and make several more pieces.
He didn’t dwell on this matter—because of Zhou Shaojin’s words, he thought about how the Dragon Boat Festival was coming up soon. He wondered if Jinling City would hold dragon boat races this year?
Of course, the dragon boat races he referred to were those organized by the government authorities. Jinling City held folk dragon boat races every year, organized by the prominent families inside and outside Jinling City, sending out clan members to compete. The Cheng family had few descendants and most pursued scholarly and official careers, so they didn’t compete in such matters. It was back in the previous dynasty when his ancestor Cheng Zhi, after passing the provincial examination, had personally beaten the drum and organized family servants to participate once. After that, they never participated again.
Given his current situation, it certainly wasn’t appropriate for him to participate in dragon boat races.
And the government authorities couldn’t hold dragon boat races every year due to expense issues.
In a few days he would ask Prefect Wu about it.
If the authorities had no such plans, then he would sponsor the government to hold a dragon boat race.
At that time, he could take both Mother and Shaojin to watch.
After Father passed away, Mother had moved into Cold Jade Mountain House and rarely went out anymore.
Moreover, with the yamen organizing the dragon boat races, those hooligans and ruffians wouldn’t dare cause trouble, making it safer—at the folk-organized dragon boat races, who knew how many pretty young girls went missing every year.
Cheng Chi made up his mind and felt somewhat eager to settle this matter quickly.
He exchanged a few more words with Zhou Shaojin, then stood up to take his leave.
Zhou Shaojin had already felt that Cheng Chi must have business to attend to, so naturally she didn’t say much. She only told him in a low voice that she would accompany Old Madam Guo, would obediently stay put and go nowhere as he had instructed, so he could rest assured. She absolutely wouldn’t cause him any trouble.
Cheng Chi felt that her appearance when speaking—with lowered brows and obedient eyes—was particularly pleasing to the eye, and what she said went straight to his heart, making him feel especially comfortable.
What he feared most now was that something would happen to this one old and one young person at home while he was busy outside.
Cheng Chi still couldn’t resist patting Zhou Shaojin’s head and said with a smile: “Be good. When I come back, I’ll bring you something delicious.”
Zhou Shaojin’s face burned.
She wasn’t a child—why did Uncle Chi always treat her like one, coaxing her?
Telling her to be good, saying he’d bring her something delicious when he returned…
She really didn’t know what to say.
But this feeling… this feeling of being doted on was… very nice… it made her somewhat reluctant to let it go… even more reluctant to speak up in protest…
She walked Cheng Chi out of the main hall with her face red and head lowered.
Seeing that she was still preparing to walk him out of the upper courtyard, Cheng Chi noticed that the sky had somehow become covered with dark clouds, presenting the appearance of an imminent storm. He said: “Go back quickly! Don’t see me out! Watch out for the rain.” He added: “Although it’s early summer rain, it still carries a chill. Later you must close the doors and windows tightly. Don’t greedily watch the rain and get drenched and catch cold.”
Zhou Shaojin nodded and said with an embarrassed smile: “It’s only a few steps—I won’t get caught in the rain. The rain won’t come down that quickly.”
Cheng Chi looked displeased.
Zhou Shaojin quickly said: “Then I’ll just stand here and watch.”
Seeing that she agreed not to leave the covered walkway, Cheng Chi nodded slightly and quickly left the upper courtyard.
Zhou Shaojin didn’t turn back to the main hall until long after Cheng Chi’s figure had disappeared, feeling somewhat melancholy.
Lightning suddenly flashed and thunder roared in the sky.
Biyu and the others rushed to close windows and doors.
Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but silently cry “Oh no!” in her heart.
Just now she had been so focused on seeing Cheng Chi off that she had completely forgotten to remind him to take an umbrella.
This wretched weather—it was approaching Jiangnan’s plum rain season. Once it started raining, it would continue for several days without stopping. If Uncle Chi was just going out on business nearby that would be one thing, but if he was going far away, it would be troublesome.
How could she be so muddled?
Zhou Shaojin quickly called for Chun Wan and said: “Go to Listening to Orioles Pavilion and ask whether Uncle Chi went out on business or is making a long journey. These past few days the weather has been so nice…”
Hearing this, Chun Wan covered her mouth and laughed: “Second Miss, Fourth Master is surely just going out briefly. If it were a long journey, how could he not take leave of Old Madam?”
Yes, of course!
How could she have thought Uncle Chi would be making a long journey?
Moreover, Uncle Chi traveled constantly throughout the year. If she could tell it was going to rain, how could he not know to bring an umbrella? Even if he didn’t know, the clever and capable Huai Shan and Qin Ziping by his side would surely help him bring an umbrella.
Zhou Shaojin felt sheepish.
Deafening thunder rumbled in the sky.
Chun Wan reminded Zhou Shaojin: “Second Miss, you should go back to your room quickly! The thunder is so loud—Old Madam might be startled awake. Biyu and the others are all checking the doors and windows. I also need to go to the greenhouse to check on Miss’s flowers.”
How could she have forgotten about the flowers that had just been repotted a few days ago?
Zhou Shaojin returned to the inner chamber feeling somewhat dazed and at a loss.
Old Madam Guo had indeed been startled awake and sat up with the quilt pulled around her.
Seeing her walk in looking as if she’d lost her soul, the old lady was greatly startled and asked with concern: “What happened?”