Zhou Shaojin gently stroked the pinwheel’s blades, as if caressing delicate flowers in spring.

Bitao smiled with pursed lips and said: “Fourth Master is so thoughtful. Knowing Second Young Lady was bored staying at home, he specially had these pinwheels sent over.”

Zhou Shaojin nodded, her features so tender they seemed ready to drip water. She instructed Bitao: “Insert all these pinwheels by the window frames.”

That way she could watch these pinwheels as she fell asleep.

Bitao cheerfully answered “Yes” and enthusiastically led several young maids to insert the pinwheels.

But Old Madam Guo was terrified.

What was Fourth Son trying to do?

Was he trying to tell her his decision and demonstrate his resolve?

Old Madam Guo drank several sips of tea before her emotions somewhat settled. Without showing any sign, she smiled and said to those serving in the room: “Your Fourth Master treats Shaojin like an innocent child who knows nothing of the world. Seeing Shaojin ill, he actually bought a pile of pinwheels back.”

While refilling Old Madam Guo’s tea, Biyu smiled and said: “In the mountain estate, Second Young Lady is the youngest, and so gentle and delicate-looking that she naturally inspires pity. Fourth Master naturally treats Second Young Lady like a child! This also shows Second Young Lady and Fourth Master have a good connection. If it were Miss Sheng, even eating ice cubes she could melt them into water. Never mind treating her like a child to humor her—even treating her respectfully as a young lady, Fourth Master would probably feel it unnecessary.”

As she spoke, Zhenzhu and the others who were fanning Old Madam Guo beside her all laughed.

Cheng Sheng had an excellent constitution and had hardly been ill in all her years. Once during heavy rain, when the water was too strong and Cold Green Mountain Estate’s water accumulated a foot high, she had Nanny Lü catch ducks to release in the courtyard to paddle. When she thought the ducks weren’t paddling fast enough, she even rolled up her pants and went into the water herself to chase them. Cheng Chi happened to see this and quickly had someone pull her out. Afraid she’d caught a chill, he sent for a physician to examine her and had ginger soup brewed for her to drink. But Cheng Sheng refused to drink the medicine and stuffed the ginger soup into her personal maid’s mouth, while she herself didn’t even sneeze once… From then on, even if Cheng Jia tore the roof off, Cheng Chi no longer bothered with her.

Old Madam Guo also smiled.

But her heart felt somewhat bitter.

This child had always pitied the weak since childhood and liked obedient, docile people. Shaojin’s temperament suited his taste perfectly.

No wonder he kept that little girl in his thoughts in everything he did.

Old Madam Guo sighed helplessly.

But Zhou Shaojin no longer dared to move about anywhere. She called in Ma Fushan’s wife and, after entrusting the matter of delivering a message to Li Jing to Ma Fushan, obediently stayed home to take her medicine and rest. When Old Madam Guo came to see her that evening and made things official, she felt even more at ease recovering at home.

Only she felt somewhat sad not having seen Cheng Chi.

But what good did feeling sad do?

Could she go ask Uncle Chi why he hadn’t come to see her?

Setting aside that Uncle Chi had been very busy these days, if he detected even a hint of those inappropriate feelings she had for him, it would be enough to shame her to death.

She lay in bed, her expression somewhat dejected.

But when she looked up and saw those whirring pinwheels, her heart felt full again, as joyful and excited as going on a spring outing.

Only this mood didn’t last long.

The very day she received the pinwheels, she sent Chun Wan to thank Cheng Chi. When Chun Wan returned, she said Cheng Chi had only responded flatly with “I see,” and after that, he had been without a trace.

Had Uncle Chi done this on a casual whim? Or had he deliberately bought them for her because he was afraid she’d be lonely and wanted to relieve her boredom?

Zhou Shaojin couldn’t figure it out.

She thought of the glass hairpins, the South Sea pearl jewelry, the red coral ornaments that Cheng Chi had given her… and felt that Cheng Chi must regard her somewhat differently after all.

Zhou Shaojin curled up in bed, alternating between joy and sorrow, her days passing in a confused daze. If she hadn’t inadvertently overheard the young maids outside the window discussing how, when the heir of Duke Liangguo’s mansion married, the first portion of Miss Liu’s dowry had already entered Duke Liangguo’s mansion while the last portion hadn’t even left the Liu family yet, and that Miss Liu’s dowry was at least ten thousand taels of silver, she would probably still be wallowing in her emotions unable to extricate herself.

“Chun Wan,” she struggled to sit up and said, “Has the fifteenth of the fifth month already passed?”

The Cheng family had a good relationship with Duke Liangguo’s mansion. When Zhu Pengju married, the Cheng family should have attended in full force. Although Old Madam Guo and the others were widows and couldn’t attend the wedding, the Zhu family should have sent an invitation no matter what. How had she not heard any word of it?

Cheng Chi hadn’t come to see her either!

Her heart felt as if pierced by needles.

But Chun Wan smiled and said: “You have the nerve to say! When Duke Liangguo’s mansion came to deliver the invitation that day, the eldest young lady of Duke Liangguo’s mansion specifically instructed the nanny delivering the invitation to send you her regards. But you were sleeping so deeply you couldn’t be awakened no matter what. Fortunately, Mama Fan had sharp eyes. She apologized to that nanny, told her you were ill, and used her own private savings to tip the nanny. Otherwise, it would have been quite embarrassing!”

Zhou Shaojin’s face flushed so red it could drip blood.

Chun Wan brought in a cup of bird’s nest soup and smiled: “Second Young Lady, Fourth Master had Nanny Shang send this over yesterday. Mama Fan had Xiao Tan and the others wash it for half a day before it was clean. Drink it while it’s hot! It won’t taste good cold!”

Zhou Shaojin was stunned and said: “Why did Uncle Chi suddenly think to send bird’s nest over?”

Chun Wan smiled: “Old Madam’s throat has been a bit uncomfortable these past few days. The good quality bird’s nest in the house was all sent to the capital some time ago by Old Madam as part of Miss Sheng’s dowry. So Fourth Master specifically had someone buy some more. Five catties total. Two catties for you, three for Old Madam. Seeing that you haven’t been in good spirits these days, Mama Fan took it upon herself to stew some.”

Zhou Shaojin felt as if a basin of cold water had been poured over her.

Uncle Chi did care for her, but not like Li Jing cared for Cheng Jia.

When Cheng Jia failed to meet Li Jing, not knowing what had happened, both afraid Cheng Jia had sent someone to find her and afraid she had left the mansion on her own, he not only stationed people at the inn but also quietly spent a fortune to rent the second floor of the general store at the entrance to Jiuru Lane, where he waited for three or four days…

Zhou Shaojin blinked hard to hide the moisture at the corners of her eyes and instructed Chun Wan to bring cold water for her to wash her face: “…I can’t continue being so confused and muddled!”

She had developed improper thoughts herself and twisted Uncle Chi’s kindness toward her into something sordid. Was there anything more despicable and shameless than this in the world?

If she continued like this, would she still be human?

Would she still deserve to live at Cold Green Mountain Estate?

Zhou Shaojin submerged her face in the cold water.

Chun Wan was frightened pale: “Second Young Lady, Second Young Lady, what’s wrong with you?”

“I’m fine!” Zhou Shaojin lifted her head, her eyes red as if water had gotten in them, and said, “The weather is too hot. This is more refreshing!”

Chun Wan patted her chest, saying with lingering fear: “You scared me to death! I thought your hands and feet had gone weak…”

She took a handkerchief to wipe Zhou Shaojin’s face.

But water dripped from Zhou Shaojin’s hair onto her clothes, leaving large and small wet marks.

Chun Wan quickly called for a young maid to bring a dry handkerchief.

Zhou Shaojin smiled and said: “Forget it! You might as well have them bring water in to help me bathe. I’ve been lying in bed these past few days without moving and feel like my whole body has gone stale… Once I’m clean, I can go pay my respects to Old Madam!”

And wash away all that filth in her heart.

From now on, she would be Uncle Chi’s docile niece again.

Obediently listen to Uncle Chi’s words and properly keep Uncle Chi company.

Water droplets from her hair seemed to drip into her eyes. They stung, and tears wouldn’t stop flowing.

Seeing her regain her spirits, Chun Wan was naturally overjoyed. While wiping Zhou Shaojin’s face with a handkerchief, she said: “Second Young Lady can’t do this anymore in the future. This time it was just water getting in your eyes. If it got in your ears or choked your throat, that would be serious trouble. When I was small, Big Ya at the head of our village died just like this…”

“Enough, enough!” Zhou Shaojin covered her eyes with the handkerchief and said in a muffled tone, “Why are you so long-winded? If you keep this up, I’ll be careful to marry you off!”

Chun Wan’s face turned bright red with embarrassment, too shy to make another sound. But Xiao Tan and the others serving nearby covered their mouths and giggled endlessly.

Zhou Shaojin bathed, dried her hair, styled it in a bun, and changed into a moon-white silver-striped silk jacket. She fastened a matching embroidered skirt, put on a silver-red burnt cloth vest, wore the pair of jade bracelets her father had given her, and went to Old Madam Guo’s place.

Old Madam Guo was bored and playing leaf cards with Biyu and the others.

Seeing Zhou Shaojin arrive, Zhenzhu quickly stood up to give her the seat.

How could Zhou Shaojin usurp the host’s position? She smiled and pressed Zhenzhu back down to sit, then ran to sit beside Old Madam Guo and said obediently: “I’ll watch your cards for you, Old Madam!”

Old Madam Guo chuckled. Seeing Zhou Shaojin’s small face as smooth and tender as a freshly peeled egg, she said: “Are you feeling better?”

“Much better!” Zhou Shaojin said embarrassedly, “I’ve worried you.”

“Good that you’re better! Good that you’re better!” Old Madam Guo said with a smile, lowering her head to concentrate on playing cards.

Zhou Shaojin glanced over and saw that Old Madam Guo played very steadily and could even calculate how many cards had been played, how many cards she held in her hand, and how many cards were still out there. Her thoughts were very clear—she didn’t need anyone watching beside her at all. Zhou Shaojin felt somewhat awkward and began serving Old Madam Guo’s tea and snacks instead.

Old Madam Guo’s attention seemed entirely on the cards, and she didn’t pay much attention to her tea and snacks.

Zhou Shaojin sensed a hint of coldness.

But why would Old Madam Guo be cold toward her?

Zhou Shaojin couldn’t figure it out no matter how hard she thought.

Cheng Chi arrived.

He came to bid farewell to Old Madam Guo: “…I need to go to Huai’an tomorrow. I’ll be back in ten days.”

He had often gone out before.

Old Madam Guo was accustomed to it and reminded him of things to pay attention to on the road as usual, but from the corner of her eye, she glanced at Zhou Shaojin.

Zhou Shaojin sat there with lowered eyelids, eyes on nose, nose on heart, forcing herself not to stare at Cheng Chi—she was afraid that once she looked, she wouldn’t be able to look away.

Old Madam Guo breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, Shaojin showed no unusual signs.

If Shaojin had also developed feelings for Fourth Son, that would truly be thorny.

As this thought flashed through her mind, Cheng Chi smiled and said: “Shaojin, is there anything you need me to bring? I might also make a trip to Zhenjiang!”

“Really?” Zhou Shaojin looked up with uncontainable joy, her large almond eyes shimmering like rippling spring water as she gazed at him, saying, “Then could Uncle Chi help me deliver a letter to my elder sister?”

“Of course!” Cheng Chi smiled without showing any emotion, but his heart pounded twice.

The little girl was indeed like a flower that needed to be carefully tended.

Look, after resting well at home for a few days, she had become even more radiant and lovely.