Zhou Shaojin headed north.

Shi Xiang hurriedly pulled her back. “Second Miss, where are you going? Jiashu Hall is over there!”

Zhou Shaojin smiled faintly. “We’re not going back to Jiashu Hall. We’re going to Xiaoshan Conggui Courtyard.”

Shi Xiang was stunned.

Zhou Shaojin opened the bamboo basket Shi Xiang was carrying and said with a smile, “Father brought back some tea leaves. Since I even sent some to the Second Branch, by rights and reason, I should also send some to Uncle Chi, shouldn’t I?”

“But…” Fourth Master Chi was such a formidable person—shouldn’t it be better to keep one’s distance from him? Why go seeking him out? If she somehow angered him, he could even pin the Fifth Branch’s fire incident on Master Nuo—what couldn’t he do as he pleased? Shi Xiang deeply felt that Second Miss should stay far away from Fourth Master Chi, but seeing Zhou Shaojin’s cheerful expression, she was uncertain whether she should voice these concerns.

Zhou Shaojin didn’t care what Shi Xiang thought.

She needed to find a way to tell Uncle Chi what her father had said.

She left Shi Xiang behind and headed straight for Xiaoshan Conggui.

How could Shi Xiang dare not follow?

The two climbed up the hill one after the other.

The one who came out to receive them was actually Qingfeng again.

Both stared wide-eyed at each other, you looking at me, me looking at you. In the end, Qingfeng was the one to back down. He said with chagrin, “Please wait a moment, Second Miss,” then turned and walked inside.

Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but snort coldly at the sight.

They said Uncle Chi had gone to Lin’an, but after just a few days, how had he already rushed back?

Was it Uncle Chi’s excuse, or was it the Old Ancestor of the Second Branch deliberately suppressing Uncle Chi and looking for an excuse?

Zhou Shaojin felt the latter possibility was more likely.

Uncle Chi was a junior after all. From his demeanor, though he always wore a smile, he wasn’t someone who would let himself be pushed around. As long as the Old Ancestor of the Second Branch gave even the slightest hint, given his character, how could he have the gall to freeload and feast there?

She stood in the pavilion waiting, feeling rather bored, and began examining Xiaoshan Conggui Courtyard.

Xiaoshan Conggui Courtyard was built on a small hill. Where she stood was halfway up the hill—a pavilion with several large rocks. Behind her was a grove of trees. The terrain gradually rose higher, and through the verdant trees, one could clearly see a complex of connected roof ridges. Looking at its size, it was actually no smaller than the Fourth Branch. Further up was the hilltop, where there was a pavilion called Qingyin Pavilion. She had been there once before. Along the way were flowing streams, ancient trees and wild flowers, and craggy rocks—quite full of rustic mountain charm.

However, the landscapes of Jiangnan were all like this—nine out of ten were artificially constructed, fake. Unlike the landscapes of the north, which though rough and wild, were solid and real, their original appearance. Speaking of which, she was still more accustomed to the north, especially in winter, with the heated floors—so warm, not cold at all. Unlike Jinling, where they had to use braziers, and the rooms always had that smell.

In such a large courtyard, could Uncle Chi really be living there alone?

The woods of Xiaoshan Conggui Courtyard seemed to connect to Hanbi Mountain Villa.

She just didn’t know what was behind them.

If there was an opportunity someday, she would have to walk around the entire perimeter of Jiuru Lane to see where Jiuru Lane extended to in the west and the east… Looking at it this way, they seemed to be living in the mountains. Where was any sign of the prosperity of Jinling Prefecture?

Zhou Shaojin stood there lost in wild thoughts for quite a while. There was still no sign of Qingfeng, so she sat down on the beauty’s rest in the pavilion to wait.

“Second Miss, be careful not to catch a chill.” Shi Xiang quickly pulled her back, took out her own handkerchief to place on the beauty’s rest, and muttered, “It would be good if we had a cushion.”

Zhou Shaojin guessed that Qingfeng was deliberately giving her the cold shoulder, so she said with a smile, “Next time we come, we’ll bring our own cushion.” After thinking for a moment, she added, “We’ll also bring a tea set and a book. Since we have to wait anyway, we might as well drink tea and read. I refuse to believe that Qingfeng would still dare not announce us.”

Shi Xiang couldn’t help but cover her forehead.

They were clearly trying to drive Second Miss away, yet Second Miss… wanted to camp out on someone else’s doorstep.

If First Miss knew about this, wouldn’t she be furious!

She tried to persuade Zhou Shaojin, “How about we come back tomorrow? With the tea set and cushion…”

“Let’s wait a bit longer!” Zhou Shaojin looked up at the sky. The sun had already risen, and shining on her body, it no longer had the scorching heat of summer. “If Qingfeng doesn’t come after another quarter hour, we’ll just go straight in.”

“That, that might not be appropriate?” Shi Xiang said, feeling as if sweat was forming on her forehead.

Zhou Shaojin was unconcerned. “Tell me, what household servant would dare neglect guests? Yet the servants of Xiaoshan Conggui Courtyard dare to. This shows that in this vast world, nothing is impossible. Since the servants of their courtyard dare to take it upon themselves not to announce guests, if I barge in, that’s just following their example—no big deal.”

Rather than speaking to Shi Xiang, she was really giving herself a pep talk.

Shi Xiang was helpless.

Seeing that Qingfeng still showed no sign of appearing, Zhou Shaojin steeled her heart and walked inside.

“Second Miss, Second Miss, please think thrice before acting!” Shi Xiang earnestly tried to dissuade her.

Zhou Shaojin acted as if she hadn’t heard.

Qingfeng suddenly jumped out from the nearby woods, glaring angrily. “Second Miss, our Fourth Master is not home. Please go back for now!”

“Is that so?” Zhou Shaojin remained unmoved and continued walking forward. “From what I saw, you never went to announce me at all!”

Qingfeng blocked Zhou Shaojin’s path.

Zhou Shaojin went around him and continued forward.

Qingfeng had no choice but to block her again, saying, “Second Miss Zhou, our Fourth Master really isn’t…”

Zhou Shaojin was fed up. She stood there and called out loudly for “Miss Nan Ping.”

Her clear voice, carrying a touch of sweetness, softly echoed through the woods.

Qingfeng’s expression changed dramatically.

Zhou Shaojin warned him, “If you dare block me again, I’ll report this to Old Madam Guo. Even if Uncle Chi protects you, your reputation will be ruined. You can spend the rest of your life as a lowly servant boy.”

Qingfeng stamped his feet in frustration.

Zhou Shaojin smiled with pressed lips.

Qingfeng acted like a little adult, but in reality he was just a child—very amusing!

Someone walked over with graceful bearing.

A tall figure, exquisite curves, dark clothing, skin like snow and frost, a cold expression, and a beautiful face.

It was actually Ji Ying.

For some reason, Zhou Shaojin always felt that Ji Ying didn’t seem like a maid. The feeling she gave off… was somewhat formidable.

She couldn’t help but restrain her smile, straightened her back, and nodded at her with a smile, presenting the dignified bearing of a proper young lady.

Ji Ying raised the corner of her eyes and said with a smile, “I was wondering who was calling for Sister Nan Ping. So it’s Second Cousin Miss! I wonder what brings Second Cousin Miss here? May I announce you on your behalf?”

Before her words had even finished, Zhou Shaojin sensed Qingfeng’s body stiffen, his entire being becoming filled with wariness.

The reason they knew each other was because of the fire at the Fifth Branch.

Though Cheng Chi hadn’t specifically instructed her to keep it secret, wasn’t that just common sense?

Just like Qingfeng, who upon seeing her acted as if they didn’t know each other.

Why would Ji Ying show no such discretion and greet her openly?

Could it be that Qingfeng also found Ji Ying difficult to deal with, just as she did?

Zhou Shaojin pondered this and said with a smile, “Thank you, Miss Ji Ying, but I just ran into Qingfeng. I’ll just have Qingfeng announce me.”

Upon hearing this, Qingfeng seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

He bowed respectfully to Zhou Shaojin and said, “Second Cousin Miss, please wait here for a moment. I’ll go announce you right away.”

It was just as Zhou Shaojin had said—as if Zhou Shaojin had just arrived and he had only just encountered her.

Ji Ying sneered coldly, flicked her sleeves, and brushed past them.

Qingfeng let out a long breath.

Zhou Shaojin then called out “Qingfeng” with displeasure and said, “I just did you a huge favor. If you still make all sorts of excuses like you did just now, I’ll definitely file a thorough complaint with Uncle Chi when I see him.”

“All you know is how to tattle!” Qingfeng was quite angry, but somehow, he didn’t glare at her fiercely as he had before. Instead, he walked reluctantly toward that complex of buildings.

Before long, he returned and said, “Fourth Master is waiting for Miss in Xiuqi Hall.”

What kind of place was Xiuqi Hall?

However, in Jiuru Lane, any place called a “hall” was a main residence of a branch.

The First Branch already had Yunzhen Hall where Yuan Shi lived—how did another Xiuqi Hall appear?

Zhou Shaojin suppressed her confusion and followed Qingfeng forward.

Not far ahead was a five-bay open chamber with black-lacquered pillars and glass panes set in the door panels.

Qingfeng led her up to the covered corridor of the open chamber and headed toward the corridor gallery on the right.

Zhou Shaojin took the opportunity to glance at the open chamber and saw a black-lacquered horizontal board hanging in the central hall. On it, the three large characters of “Xiuqi Hall” in gilded running script were very conspicuous. There was also a couplet in black lacquer with gold beside it, but unfortunately she was walking too quickly and didn’t see clearly what was written on it.

The corridor gallery turned a corner into a long corridor. On the left was a beauty’s rest, on the right a decorative wall. At the end was a three-bay open hall.

Through the decorative wall, one could see bamboo groves, banana trees, and a lake surface, though it was unclear what lay beyond.

The door panels of the open hall were open, revealing hanging partitions with endless swastika patterns on both sides, with lake-colored curtains. Though the curtains were hooked up with silver hooks, one still couldn’t see clearly what was behind the hanging partitions.

In the central hall hung a painting of “Watching the Tides at Qiantang River.” Below the painting was a black-lacquered long table with an ivory landscape table screen in the center, and on either side a famille rose vase with peony blossoms.

In front of the long table was a square black-lacquered table with a black-lacquered armchair on each side. Below that was a row of black-lacquered armchairs separated by black-lacquered tea tables.

What ordinary furnishings!

Zhou Shaojin stood on tiptoe to look inside.

No one was there.

Standing at the door, Qingfeng announced respectfully, “Second Miss Zhou has arrived.”

His attitude was worlds apart from when he had spoken to Zhou Shaojin earlier.

Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but become nervous as well.

Cheng Chi walked out from behind the hanging partition on the right.

Like last time, he wore a moon-white fine kudzu cloth Taoist robe, dark blessing-top shoes, snow-white socks, and his jet-black hair was bound with an ivory hairpin. His expression was genial, his face bearing a smile.

“You’ve come.” He pointed to the armchair beside him and asked with a smile, “What did you need to see me about?”

As if he were very busy and had only spared time to speak with her.

Zhou Shaojin became even more nervous.

She quickly took the bamboo basket from Shi Xiang’s hands and said, “My father returned from Nanchang, and I stayed at home for a few days. These are tea leaves Father brought back. The Old Madam also said they were good, so I brought some for you… I remember that you drink tea!”

Cheng Chi smiled and said, “I do drink tea. Thank you very much.” As he spoke, he gestured for Qingfeng to take the bamboo basket.

Zhou Shaojin suddenly felt somewhat at a loss.

Wasn’t he going to invite her to sit?

Uncle Chi was the host—why wasn’t he sitting down first?

Standing there like that, as if ready to see her out and leave at any moment… should she take her leave?