These two really couldn’t stand the sight of each other!

Zhou Shaojin secretly laughed to herself.

In her previous life, Gu Jiunie not only had a smooth official career but also rose to fame as a renowned capable official in the court. Becoming friends with such a person would make Cheng Chi’s career path smoother, wouldn’t it?

She gently nudged Cheng Chi, who had already closed his eyes to sleep, and said in a low voice: “Fourth Lang, I remember the Gu family doesn’t have a ready-made residence in the capital? Should we help them find a place? Setting aside the relationship between the Gu and Cheng families, even as fellow townsmen, since he told you he’s coming to the capital, we should at least ask about it.”

Cheng Chi smiled and opened his eyes, saying: “Steward Qin Ziji will handle this matter. You don’t need to worry about it.”

But Zhou Shaojin wanted to help Cheng Chi.

She said: “There must be some difference between me reaching out and Steward Qin reaching out, right? Miss Seventeen of the Gu family is still my sister-in-law by marriage, and I’ve met Sixth Madam Gu too. When she first arrives, there will surely be many inconveniences. I’d also like to have another place to visit.”

In any case, the relationship between the two families couldn’t be severed.

Zhou Shaojin truly didn’t have many friends she could talk to.

Cheng Chi smiled: “Then I’ll inform Steward Qin Ziji. When the time comes, we’ll go welcome the couple together.”

Zhou Shaojin nodded with a smile, hugged Cheng Chi’s arm, and went to sleep peacefully. Early the next morning, after seeing Cheng Chi off and feeding Yun Ge’er breakfast, she was preparing to pay her respects to Old Madam Guo and then visit Nan Ping when, unexpectedly, Ji Ying arrived.

Perfect timing. She left the child with Old Madam Guo and discussed the matter of Nan Ping and Qin Zi’an with Ji Ying: “…I’ll go take a look. If it doesn’t work out, you can pass a message to Qin Ziping to inform the family. Qin Zi’an isn’t young anymore—don’t let this delay him.”

Though Steward Qin didn’t say it aloud, he must be quite anxious in his heart.

Ji Ying breathed a sigh of relief and said: “I was just worried you’d drag me along… I really can’t talk to her. I don’t know what she’s thinking!”

Zhou Shaojin smiled with pursed lips: “This is a private matter—how could I drag you into it?”

Ji Ying nodded repeatedly and said: “Then I’ll go keep Yun Ge’er company while you handle your business. The weather is lovely today—I’ll take him swimming again this afternoon.”

The Cheng family’s lake was beautiful, with several large trees along the shore extending over the water’s surface. The green shade covered everything overhead—perfect for learning to swim underneath.

Zhou Shaojin thanked her and went to Nan Ping’s quarters.

Nan Ping had started eating vegetarian food these past few years, so a small kitchen had been set up separately for her in the courtyard.

Seeing Zhou Shaojin arrive, she smiled and brewed a pot of Laojun Eyebrow tea for her. Zhou Shaojin noticed she was wearing a smoke-gray vest over a moon-white plain fine cotton inner robe, looking as plain as a lay Buddhist at home. For a moment, she didn’t know how to begin.

Nan Ping thought she had come about the autumn clothing for the household and smiled: “I’m keeping an eye on this for you. Don’t worry! There won’t be any mistakes.” Then she brought out several exquisitely made small garments and handed them to Zhou Shaojin. “I made these for Young Master Yun. See if they’re suitable? Is there anything that needs to be altered? If they meet your approval, I’ll start making winter jackets, cloaks, and mantles for Young Master Yun.”

Zhou Shaojin thought for a moment, then told Nan Ping about Steward Qin’s letter and how Qin Zi’an had come to ask Cheng Chi for help.

Nan Ping smiled bitterly and said to Zhou Shaojin: “If the person I was betrothed to wasn’t Zining, I would have married after three to five years.”

Zhou Shaojin still wanted to persuade her: “Perhaps after you step out, you’ll discover that being outside is actually quite comfortable.”

Nan Ping understood her meaning and said: “If I’m thinking of Zining, then I even more shouldn’t marry into their family.”

Zhou Shaojin knew this matter would only disappoint Qin Zi’an.

“I understand,” she respected Nan Ping’s choice and smiled, “Then from now on, I’ll entrust all the needlework matters to you.” Having said this, she stood up.

Nan Ping rose respectfully and said: “Rest assured, I’ll keep watch over it.”

Zhou Shaojin left the sewing room with a hidden sigh.

She ran into Ji Ying coming toward her.

Ji Ying was teaching Yun Ge’er to jump rope in the pavilion along Zhou Shaojin’s route.

Seeing Zhou Shaojin, she immediately walked over and asked quietly: “What did Nan Ping say?”

“I’m afraid this matter won’t work out.” Zhou Shaojin recounted what had happened.

Ji Ying also sighed: “This must be fate without destiny. I’ll go back and tell Ziping, have him make a trip to the Western Hills Camp. As for Grandfather’s side, you can help write a letter.” She added, “If there’s anyone suitable, help Qin Zi’an arrange a match. He’s not young anymore either.”

Zhou Shaojin nodded.

Yun Ge’er was unhappy.

He felt that both the pretty auntie and gentle mother had abandoned him to play by themselves.

He grabbed the jump rope and ran over, squeezing between Ji Ying and Zhou Shaojin, calling out to Zhou Shaojin for “hugs.”

Zhou Shaojin laughingly picked up her son.

Yun Ge’er stuffed the jump rope into Ji Ying’s hands, sweetly calling “Auntie” and saying “play.”

Ji Ying laughed helplessly and said to Zhou Shaojin: “He must take after Cheng Zichuan in this—so domineering.”

Zhou Shaojin barely restrained herself from covering her face.

Whenever Ji Ying thought Yun Ge’er had some fault, she would definitely say it was Cheng Zichuan’s doing.

Everyone played happily all afternoon. Yun Ge’er could already kick a few times in the water. According to Ji Ying, in at most three to five more days, Yun Ge’er would be able to swim by himself.

“So fast!” Zhou Shaojin was very surprised and asked hesitantly: “Could I learn it too?”

“As long as you have the will, it’s never too late.” Ji Ying encouraged her. “After I’ve taught Yun Ge’er, I’ll teach you. I’m afraid I can’t manage if you both go in the water together. Yun Ge’er is too active.”

That was true.

Zhou Shaojin smiled and couldn’t help but be tempted.

That evening, seeing Cheng Chi contentedly put away the test papers prepared for the Crown Prince, she carried over a tea cup, placed it by Cheng Chi’s hand with a smile, and asked gently: “All finished?”

“Yes!” Cheng Chi smiled and took a sip from the tea cup. “You came in twice just now. I wanted to call you, but you left. Did you have something to tell me?”

Zhou Shaojin hadn’t expected Cheng Chi to be so attentive. She hesitantly mentioned wanting to learn swimming from Ji Ying.

Cheng Chi was slightly surprised. He glanced at Zhou Shaojin’s figure, which had become even more graceful and shapely after childbirth, and said: “When learning to swim, one absolutely cannot wear long clothes and long pants. Once the clothes get wet, just their weight alone can pull you under the water. What does Ji Ying wear when teaching Yun Ge’er to swim? You’ll probably need to make a few similar outfits…”

This meant he agreed!

Zhou Shaojin was overjoyed: “Ji Ying, she…”

She thought of Ji Ying’s exposed pale legs and arms but couldn’t continue.

To dress like Ji Ying—although only maids and servants would be attending her, it was still broad daylight, and she would still feel embarrassed.

Cheng Chi pretended to ponder for a moment and said: “How about this—I’ll teach you to swim instead. But it would have to wait until evening after I return from court each day…”

“Perhaps we should forget it?” Zhou Shaojin said hesitantly. “You’re already very tired every day at the office. Now you also have to teach the Crown Prince mathematics. I’ve heard that the Eastern Palace’s curriculum is no simple matter. Besides you teachers, there’s also a head teacher who often calls you in to check on lessons. If he’s not satisfied, he can suggest to the Emperor to replace people…”

A student like the Crown Prince was one you couldn’t beat or scold—you could only rely on his own conscientiousness. Cheng Chi was also the youngest among all the teachers and the only one who wasn’t a Hanlin scholar. She didn’t know if the Crown Prince would respect Cheng Chi.

“It’s no trouble.” Cheng Chi quickly glanced at Zhou Shaojin again and said, “If I’m too busy, we’ll postpone it. You’re not in a hurry—we can learn slowly.”

It would definitely be interesting.

Zhou Shaojin thought of Yun Ge’er’s face in the lake, smiling more brilliantly than the summer sun, and couldn’t help but nod. She spent two days making several sets of short-sleeved, short-legged undergarments.

Cheng Chi and Zhou Shaojin took the opportunity to move to the water pavilion, and even built bamboo and wooden steps beside it that extended down into the water. Yun Ge’er was kept by Old Madam Guo’s side under the pretext that the water pavilion was unsafe. Every evening, Cheng Chi would put on swimming trunks and accompany her into the water.

Zhou Shaojin’s face flushed crimson with embarrassment. She didn’t dare glance toward Cheng Chi at all.

Even in their room, Cheng Chi had never worn so little!

Once in the water, with nothing to hold onto on either side, she was terrified and clung to Cheng Chi’s neck, refusing to let go.

Cheng Chi just held her and played in the water. By the time he carried Zhou Shaojin ashore, her skin was burning hot with embarrassment, as if on fire.

The next day when Cheng Chi wanted to go swimming with Zhou Shaojin, she hesitated briefly. Only when Cheng Chi urged her did she follow him to the lakeside with a red face.

This time Cheng Chi properly taught Zhou Shaojin to swim, but for some reason, Zhou Shaojin felt inexplicably disappointed.

Cheng Chi secretly laughed. Today he’d tease Zhou Shaojin playfully, tomorrow he’d teach her to swim. After seven or eight days, if Yun Ge’er weren’t so young and lacking strength, he could already swim like a little fish in the water, while Zhou Shaojin still hadn’t let go.

She stamped her feet in frustration, but in her heart she found it quite fun, so she played dumb and let Cheng Chi teach her to swim.

Soon it was mid-June.

Zhou Zhen received the birthday gift sent by Zhou Shaojin and Cheng Chi and wrote back. He also sent several garments Li Shi had made for Yun Ge’er along with beaten gold bracelets and chains. Meanwhile, Gu Jiunie and his family arrived in the capital.

Cheng Chi and Zhou Shaojin hosted a welcome banquet for Gu Jiunie.

Gu Jiunie didn’t stand on ceremony and stayed in the residence by Chaoyang Gate for a few days. After Steward Qin Ziji brought people to clean up the house he had rented for him and purchased several local rough-work servants through a broker, settling his living arrangements, only then did he go pay his respects to Huang Li.

The selection of officials examined both talent and appearance.

Huang Li was five or six years younger than Cheng Jing. He cut an imposing figure with a stern expression, but when he met Gu Jiunie, he showed a warm smile.

The two men exchanged pleasantries.

Learning that Gu Jiunie’s residence was found with Cheng Chi’s help, a faint look of satisfaction flashed in his eyes as he said: “He’s doing very well at the Censorate now. Since you’re fellow townsmen, you should naturally keep close contact.”

Gu Jiunie felt relieved.

He had entered officialdom thinking of his family’s survival, but he also didn’t want to lose Cheng Chi as a friend because of it.

Gu Jiunie quickly settled in and began the first step of his official career.

But just then, something of moderate significance occurred in the capital.