Cheng Chi’s gaze, even more scorching than summer sunlight, fell upon Zhou Shaojin’s hands.

Zhou Shaojin’s hands couldn’t help but shrink back into her sleeves, but then she thought about how Cheng Chi was saying all this for her own good. She straightened her back, extended her hands, and then following Cheng Chi’s instructions, clasped them tightly together. She asked softly, “Is, is it like this?”

“Roughly like that,” Cheng Chi said. “When winter comes, make your sleeves a bit longer—that way others won’t be able to tell even more.” He added, “You need to practice this gesture well and make it a habit so it becomes natural. Once it becomes natural, others won’t be able to notice anything unusual about you.”

Zhou Shaojin repeatedly acknowledged his advice.

Cheng Chi asked, “Your father accompanying the Second Branch’s Old Ancestor in playing chess—did your father tell you about this? Did he say it to you alone, or did he mention it when everyone was chatting together?”

Zhou Shaojin immediately became somewhat hesitant.

If she said her father had told her alone, would Uncle Chi think her father was trying to use her to pass a message to him, leading him to misunderstand that her father was trying to sow discord between him and the Second Branch’s Old Ancestor?

Cheng Chi suddenly smiled and said gently, “Or was it something you wanted to tell me yourself?”

Zhou Shaojin’s eyes lit up, and she quickly said, “I wanted to tell you myself.”

This way, she wouldn’t implicate her father, would she?

Cheng Chi laughed heartily.

This little girl was afraid of dragging her father down with her, wasn’t she?

However, if Zhou Zhen had no such intention, why would he say these things in front of his daughter?

His gaze toward Zhou Shaojin grew even gentler.

Footsteps sounded from outside.

Zhou Shaojin looked toward the sound.

She saw Qingfeng walking over. Through the curtain, he reported respectfully, “Fourth Master, the Master has come.”

Zhou Shaojin almost jumped up.

Cheng Xu… what was he doing here?

She looked at Cheng Chi.

Cheng Chi’s face was completely calm as he instructed Qingfeng, “Let him in.”

Only then did Zhou Shaojin realize that since Cheng Xu had made a trip away, bidding farewell to his elders when leaving and paying respects to them upon returning was proper etiquette. It was she who hadn’t thought things through and hadn’t considered this. She couldn’t blame Cheng Xu.

She quickly stood up and said nervously, “Then, then I’ll take my leave.” As soon as the words left her mouth, she felt it wasn’t right. If she left Xiaoshan Conggui Courtyard now, she might run right into Cheng Xu. Given Cheng Xu’s temperament, he would probably say just a few hasty words to Cheng Chi and then chase after her… She might as well wait until Cheng Xu left before taking her leave. She quickly changed her words, “Could you let me have a cup of tea in your tea room before I go?” After speaking, Zhou Shaojin looked at Cheng Chi hopefully.

Cheng Chi was slightly surprised.

The little girl’s gaze, carrying a hint of panic, was as fearful and helpless as a small animal cornered by a hunter.

Why was she so afraid of Cheng Xu?

This was no longer simple dislike or aversion—this was fear.

Cheng Chi harbored doubts but didn’t show it on his face. He said with a smile, “Go ahead! There are also refreshments in the tea room. It won’t be too late to go back after having some tea and eating some snacks.”

Zhou Shaojin cast him a grateful glance, turned, and ran out. But the curtain was still swaying when she ran back in, her face completely flushed. “Uncle Chi, I, can I sit…” she pointed to the open chamber on the left, “over there?”

She had noticed after coming in that the open chamber on the right was a study. There were books and rice paper spread out on the large desk. The left side was a sitting room with only tables, chairs, incense tables, curio shelves, porcelain, and such. Moreover, Cheng Chi had walked out from the right-side chamber. She was afraid there might be something in the study that she shouldn’t see, so she wanted to hide in the sitting room on the left.

The tea room of Xiuqi Hall was between the two open halls.

Cheng Chi guessed that she had probably seen Cheng Xu walking over. If she went to the tea room, Cheng Xu would see her, so she had turned back.

“Sure!” He agreed with a smile and asked her, “Do you want me to have a maid bring you some tea?”

“No need, no need,” Zhou Shaojin waved her hands repeatedly.

If she sat there brazenly drinking tea, Cheng Xu would see her as soon as he came in. Why would she bother turning back?

Cheng Chi didn’t press her.

Zhou Shaojin had just hidden behind the curtain of the hanging partition when Cheng Xu walked in.

He wore a lake-blue plain lake silk robe with dark shoes embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns. He was in high spirits with a beaming smile.

“Fourth Uncle!” He greeted Cheng Chi cheerfully. Before Cheng Chi could speak, he had already sat down with a grin in the seat below Cheng Xu—the position where Zhou Shaojin had been sitting earlier.

Cheng Chi nodded with a cold expression. “You’re back? How is your mentor? Does he still write poetry every day?”

“Write poetry, write poetry,” Cheng Xu said with a smile. “Not only does he write poetry, but he also recites a selected poem by Du Fu or Li Bai every day.” It was clear that Cheng Xu’s mentor not only knew Cheng Chi, but the two had a very good relationship.

Then Cheng Xu began laughing as he talked about his experiences in Hangzhou. “That Wufangzhai—I went there once with my mother when I was young. It hasn’t changed at all. I went in to buy some peach pastries, preserved vegetable cakes, and such. I brought some back for Grandmother and you… My mentor’s son accompanied me to West Lake, and we met Min Jianqiang from the Min family of Fujian and some companions.” As he spoke, he became excited. “He’s the younger brother of Min Jianxing, the top scholar from your examination year. He’s ten years older than me and passed the provincial examination last year. He was traveling to Hangzhou with a cousin from his clan.

“His cousin’s brother-in-law serves as Vice Prefect in Hangzhou Prefecture. Knowing that you and his brother were classmates, he was very warm toward me and left his address, telling me to visit him in Fujian when I have time. He’ll be going to Jiaxing in a while. The Prefect of Jiaxing is another cousin of his. We’ve already arranged to meet in Jiaxing, and I’ll invite him to visit our home then.

“His companion took us to a small restaurant by West Lake. Though the place was small, their beggar’s chicken and fried響鈴 were absolutely authentic. It’s called ‘Gathering of Heroes’ or something. You should try it someday when you go to Hangzhou…”

Peach pastries, preserved vegetable cakes, and such went in one ear and out the other for Zhou Shaojin, but the four words “Min family of Fujian” landed heavily in her heart.

Round and round, the Min family of Fujian had still appeared.

In her previous life, she had often wondered for a time who that girl who should have married Cheng Xu was. Was she really so wonderful? So wonderful that Yuan Shi would rather they both suffer than accept Zhou Shaojin?

In this life, she had distanced herself from Cheng Lu, attracting rumors. Cheng Xu had been sent off to Hangzhou and met people from the Min family of Fujian… Was it predestined that the young lady from the Min family was Cheng Xu’s true destined match?

Zhou Shaojin silently leaned against the hanging partition and sighed softly.

Cheng Chi sat there quietly, slowly drinking his tea, yet he was as steady as deep waters and towering mountains, dignified and composed, as if he could remain this way until the end of time.

Watching this, Cheng Xu began to feel somewhat anxious.

He stood up to take his leave. “Fourth Uncle, I’ll be going now. I’ll come visit you another day.”

Cheng Chi nodded and called for Qingfeng to see Cheng Xu out.

Zhou Shaojin breathed a long sigh of relief, emerged from behind the curtain, and bid farewell to Cheng Chi.

Seeing that she no longer looked as pale and fragile as before, Cheng Chi said, “Let me have Ji Ying see you back.”

Having already made a fool of herself in front of Cheng Chi earlier, how could Zhou Shaojin have the nerve to let him send someone to escort her home?

She declined tactfully, “It’s not far from here to Jiashu Hall. It’s just a short walk. There’s no need to trouble Miss Ji Ying.”

Cheng Chi remained noncommittal.

Zhou Shaojin didn’t dare linger. She curtsied, took her leave from Cheng Chi, called for Shi Xiang, and left Xiuqi Hall.

But what she hadn’t expected was that Cheng Xu, along with his young servant Huanxi and attendant Da Su, were actually standing in the pavilion outside the gate of Xiaoshan Conggui Courtyard.

Cheng Xu’s expression appeared somewhat bewildered, as if something was puzzling him. Da Su and Huanxi stood respectfully behind him, not even daring to breathe loudly.

Why hadn’t he left yet?

Zhou Shaojin muttered to herself and had no choice but to turn back to Xiuqi Hall.

Shi Xiang asked, “Miss, what should we do?”

Zhou Shaojin said helplessly, “We can only wait until he leaves before we go.”

They waited for Cheng Xu to leave.

Langyue passed by the corridor for some reason and greeted her with a smile.

Zhou Shaojin was startled and quickly looked outside.

Fortunately, Cheng Xu was talking with Da Su and Huanxi and hadn’t noticed the activity here.

Zhou Shaojin breathed a sigh of relief and made a shushing gesture to Langyue.

Langyue smiled and turned into the ruyi gate on the right side of the long corridor.

Zhou Shaojin felt it was too unsafe to stand here and instructed Shi Xiang, “Let’s go to Uncle Chi’s place.”

Just in case Cheng Xu discovered she was here, she would have a place to hide.

They went back to the rear open hall.

Cheng Chi was standing in the hall talking with Huai Shan about something. When he saw Zhou Shaojin, his expression remained unchanged as he glanced at her, continued to finish what he was saying to Huai Shan, and only then looked up.

Zhou Shaojin quickly curtsied, her face flushed like the morning glow as she murmured, “Cousin Xu is at the gate…”

Cheng Chi didn’t ask anything. Upon hearing this, he said, “Then come sit for a while!”

Zhou Shaojin was overjoyed. She thanked Cheng Chi and entered the open hall.

Huai Shan nodded slightly and withdrew.

Zhou Shaojin returned the gesture awkwardly. Seeing only Cheng Chi in the room, she couldn’t help but ask quietly, “Uncle Chi, did you know Cousin Xu would wait for me halfway?”

“No,” Cheng Chi said briefly. “I saw that when Cheng Jiashan was sitting before me just now, his eyes kept rolling around, looking like he was searching for someone, so I guessed he might have gotten word and come looking for you.”

So that’s why Uncle Chi offered to have Ji Ying see her home!

Zhou Shaojin’s heart was filled with mixed emotions. She said softly, “Uncle Chi, then please have Miss Ji Ying see me home!”

She didn’t know why Cheng Chi wanted Ji Ying to see her home, but she trusted Cheng Chi’s decision.

If he said to have Ji Ying see her home, then Ji Ying would definitely be able to get her safely back to the Fourth Branch.

Cheng Chi hummed in acknowledgment and instructed Qingfeng to go call Ji Ying over.

Qingfeng acknowledged and left.

Cheng Chi then pointed to the armchair where Zhou Shaojin had been sitting earlier. “Sit for a while. Ji Ying should arrive shortly.”

Zhou Shaojin thanked him with a smile and sat down again.

She noticed there was now a blue-covered ledger on the square table.

Thinking of the scene in the hall earlier, Zhou Shaojin said uneasily, “Uncle Chi, did I disturb you? How about I just wait in the corridor instead.”

Cheng Chi said “Oh,” glanced at the blue-covered ledger on the square table, and said, “It’s fine. It’s an account book from Huai’an. I’ve already finished reviewing it.”