Zhou Shaojin and Ji Ying covered their mouths and laughed. Ji Ying, being quite playful, put on a stern face and said, “How do you perform your duties? Such a big living person like me walked in from outside and you didn’t even see me. If there’s a next time, I’ll have you transferred to the outer courtyard to sweep the paths!”
The little maid was so frightened she trembled, tears nearly falling. She urgently addressed “Second Young Miss,” “This servant kept her eyes wide open the whole time. I truly didn’t see this young lady come in…”
Seeing the little maid had taken it seriously, Zhou Shaojin quickly said, “This is Miss Ji. She’s joking with you. She came in while you were making tea—you probably just missed each other. Don’t be afraid, it’s not a big deal!”
The little maid felt greatly relieved upon hearing this. She looked at Zhou Shaojin gratefully and repeatedly promised, “Second Young Miss, I’ll definitely keep my eyes wide open when on duty from now on.”
Zhou Shaojin grabbed a handful of candy for her, smiled and comforted her with a few words, then let her withdraw.
Ji Ying said boredly, “Really no fun at all!”
Zhou Shaojin smiled faintly.
Perhaps it was because Ji Ying had always been heaven’s favored child?
She thought to herself that in her previous life, she had been someone just like this little maid, so she could particularly understand their joys and sorrows. Therefore, she was able to be considerate and generous with the maids and servants around her.
Zhou Shaojin then led Ji Ying to meet Li Shi.
Hearing that Ji Ying was Zhou Shaojin’s friend who had come specially from Cangzhou Prefecture to visit Zhou Shaojin, Li Shi was somewhat surprised by the age difference between them, but still warmly and thoughtfully received Ji Ying and invited her to stay for dinner.
Ji Ying politely declined and returned to the main house with Zhou Shaojin.
Zhou Shaojin smiled and said, “Our family’s cook is from Jiangnan and makes excellent Hangzhou cuisine. You’re entering a treasure mountain but leaving empty-handed—don’t regret it later.”
Ji Ying had spent several years in Jinling City and loved the exquisite cuisine of Jiangnan very much. Upon hearing this, she couldn’t help but salivate, saying, “Next time I come, you can keep me for a meal, all right? Right now I need to find Qin Ziping, otherwise I’ll really have to marry him.”
Zhou Shaojin said, “Didn’t your two families already exchange betrothal gifts? If you don’t marry him, what will you do?”
Ji Ying appeared somewhat anxious, saying, “But I can’t just marry him like this!”
Zhou Shaojin said, “If you don’t mind that he once served as Uncle Chi’s attendant, I actually think he’s quite nice—meticulous and someone you know well…” Speaking to this point, she thought of Song Mu. Her tone couldn’t help but shift. “However, if you really don’t like him, then forget it. After all, he’s someone you’ll spend your whole life with. Talk it over properly with your father and Uncle Chi. I believe they definitely won’t force you.”
“Like him?!” Ji Ying frowned.
“Yes!” Zhou Shaojin smiled. “It’s not like you don’t know Qin Ziping. If you really can’t get along with him, living together will definitely be very painful…”
Ji Ying appeared somewhat conflicted, hesitating for quite a while before finally saying, “He used to be your Uncle Chi’s man… Naturally he’s very capable, but the more capable he is, the more annoying…”
Perhaps because the two had previously been adversaries, no matter how good that person was, she had no way to develop favorable feelings toward him.
Zhou Shaojin smiled gently and said, “Don’t jump to conclusions so quickly! You can know a person’s face but not their heart. Look at that Jiao Ziyang—if you hadn’t suddenly gone to Jiuru Lane, would you have known what kind of person he was? You should think this matter over carefully!” Then she said, “Do you want me to ask Uncle Chi where he went?”
Ji Ying nodded absentmindedly, saying, “Then please ask Fourth Master for me!”
Zhou Shaojin urged her to stay, “Why not stay here at my place! In the residence there’s only me, Madam, and my younger sister.”
“I still want to try to find Qin Ziping,” Ji Ying hesitated for a moment, then said, “The Ji family also has a shop in the capital. I’ll rest there. It will also prevent my father and mother from worrying.”
This was fine too!
Zhou Shaojin had Nanny Shang escort Ji Ying to the Ji family’s shop.
But Nanny Shang smiled and said, “Fourth Master told me not to leave your side for a moment. Miss Ji’s martial skills are excellent. I think just calling a guard to escort her to the Ji family shop will suffice.”
Ji Ying didn’t even need a guard.
In the end, it was only at Zhou Shaojin’s insistence that she took a sedan chair to the Ji family shop.
After this commotion, her mood improved considerably.
Nanny Shang came in smiling and said to Zhou Shaojin, “Second Young Miss, Fourth Master has come. He’s waiting for you in the study in the outer courtyard, saying he has something to tell you!”
“Really!” Zhou Shaojin was filled with joy.
Hadn’t he said he had matters to attend to and would be going out today?
She lifted her skirt and trotted to the study.
Cheng Chi wore a blue-green flowing water damask pattern lake silk robe with a jade seal hanging at his waist. Standing with his hands behind his back in the middle of the study, he saw her run in breathlessly, her face flushed, running in happily like a swallow returning to the forest.
The smile between his eyes and brows became brilliant.
He stepped forward to embrace Zhou Shaojin, saying gently, “What did you do today? Did you eat properly?”
Zhou Shaojin’s face flushed slightly.
She had originally planned to finish sewing the sleeves on the winter garment she’d been making for Uncle Chi for a long time, but she’d dawdled around and still hadn’t sewn more than a few stitches.
“I was doing needlework at home!” Zhou Shaojin said vaguely. Remembering Ji Ying, she quickly said, “Uncle Chi, did you see Ji Ying? She just left, saying she wanted to find Qin Ziping. Do you know where Qin Ziping is?”
He knew it—when he wasn’t around, the little girl was too lazy to even go out the door.
Cheng Chi scraped her delicate nose and smiled, “Qin Ziping went out on an errand for me. He won’t be back for some days. I saw her in the sedan chair, so I didn’t greet her.”
He had initially thought it was Zhou Shaojin.
So that meant Uncle Chi had watched Ji Ying leave!
This seemed a bit wicked…
However, Uncle Chi seemed to have always treated people as he pleased… Zhou Shaojin didn’t say much more about it.
Cheng Chi took out a paper package from inside his robe and said, “They say it’s a type of water lily the size of a rice bowl. If you plant them now, they’ll bloom in autumn, and might even bloom in winter. Do you want to try planting them?”
“Yes, yes, yes!” Zhou Shaojin was extremely happy.
Cheng Chi gave the paper package to Zhou Shaojin and said in a low voice, “I originally wanted to have your sister keep you in the capital. Now it’s perfect—my mother has come to the capital, so when the time comes you can keep her company in the capital—both emotionally and reasonably, you should!”
“Old Madam has come to the capital?” Zhou Shaojin was very surprised.
“Yes!” Cheng Chi smiled. “She even had Head Steward Qin help, keeping it from even me. She says tomorrow she’ll move to my residence at Chaoyangmen, and wants Rang and second sister-in-law to move there as well. I might be very busy these next few days and won’t have time to accompany you. If you feel bored, have Steward Xiang and Nanny Shang take you out for walks. If you want to buy anything, just buy it—Steward Xiang will record the accounts on my side. Don’t always shut yourself in at home doing needlework—be careful of your eyes. Understand?”
He gave gentle instructions, meticulous, thoughtful and considerate. Zhou Shaojin’s heart was nearly drowned in tender affection.
She nodded obediently and said softly, “Then you must also pay attention to rest. Don’t wear yourself out. If there’s anything I can help with, just tell me…” Speaking to this point, she hesitantly asked Cheng Chi, “Should I go kowtow to her?”
Having this relationship with Uncle Chi, she felt somewhat guilty whenever she thought of Old Madam Guo.
Cheng Chi smiled and said, “She’s noticed my intentions. But it’s not yet time to make this clear, so I haven’t said much to her. Since she’s come, you should indeed go kowtow to her. However, don’t panic. She’s not someone who doesn’t know proper measure. Before the clan is divided, she absolutely won’t discuss these matters with you. Just visit Old Madam with your sister and Madam as you did before. If Old Madam happens to say something with unclear implications, just pretend you don’t understand. I’ll handle everything!”
How could someone as composed as Uncle Chi have his thoughts seen through by Old Madam?
He was taking everything upon himself simply because he didn’t want to put her in a difficult position.
Even without her previous life’s experiences, having a man care for her like this, especially one she cherished in her heart, already made her feel her life was not in vain. Now with the contrast of her previous life, Zhou Shaojin felt even more moved.
For the first time, she embraced Cheng Chi, saying softly, “I understand!”
Although she only carefully grasped the sides of the clothing at Cheng Chi’s waist, this was still Zhou Shaojin’s first time being so proactive.
Cheng Chi was overjoyed.
But he didn’t dare act rashly.
Shaojin was like a timid little rabbit—he could only approach slowly.
He forcefully suppressed the various thoughts emerging from the bottom of his heart, only tenderly stroking her head and smiling, “Then I’ll head back first!”
Zhou Shaojin reluctantly saw Cheng Chi off. After returning to the inner residence, she immediately went to see Li Shi and told her the news of Old Madam Guo’s arrival in the capital.
Li Shi was both surprised and delighted. On one hand she said, “When should we go pay respects to Old Madam? Should we go to the clothing shop near Xizhimen to have a few garments made?” On the other hand, she anxiously stood up to adjust her hair at the temples, as if she were about to see Old Madam Guo right away. “I think we should also have some jewelry made.” Then thinking of her brother, she urgently instructed the little maid, “Quickly go tell Uncle about Old Madam Guo’s arrival in the capital. Tell him not to rush off—no matter what, he should go pay respects to Old Madam.” After saying this, worried this might not be proper, she asked Zhou Shaojin, “Do you think my brother should pay respects to Old Madam together with us? Or find another opportunity to go?”
Zhou Shaojin hadn’t expected her to take this matter so seriously. She also became more cautious, saying, “How about I ask elder sister first before we decide?”
Li Shi nodded repeatedly, saying, “I’ll send a servant right away to inform First Young Madam.”
Zhou Shaojin nodded and returned to the upper room, instructing Ji Xiang and Ruyi to fetch a water vessel. Using a paper-cutting knife, she began peeling the lotus seeds.
Ji Xiang asked curiously, “Second Young Miss, what are you doing?”
Zhou Shaojin smiled, “The lotus seeds need to be done this way before they can sprout.”
Ji Xiang stayed close by Zhou Shaojin’s side, unwilling to leave, saying, “Second Young Miss, can they really bloom like this?”
“Yes!” Zhou Shaojin smiled decisively. “However, if I damage the lotus seed, it might not be able to sprout.”
Ji Xiang’s breathing became lighter.
Zhou Shaojin smiled and asked her, “Do you like flowers and plants?”
Ji Xiang nodded continuously.
Zhou Shaojin said, “That’s good. From now on, you can help me tend to the flowers and plants.”
Ji Xiang was overjoyed.
A little maid came in to report, “Second Young Miss, someone came from First Young Madam’s place, saying they’ll come visit you and Madam early tomorrow morning.”