After sending Fan Lu away, Zhou Shaojin barely slept the entire night.

She knew this matter was somewhat risky, but if she didn’t take this risk, she could only watch helplessly as Lin Shisheng and Concubine Mu were separated like mandarin ducks torn apart.

She could only hope that those people would overlook Fan Qi due to his young age, allowing him to slip through the cracks.

Zhou Shaojin got up in the morning and offered three sticks of incense to the Bodhisattva.

Fan Liushi stood to the side, hesitating as if she wanted to say something but held back.

Zhou Shaojin knew she most likely wanted to ask about Fan Lu. She had no intention of making Fan Liushi worry, so she simply asked, “Is there something you want to tell me?”

“No,” Fan Liushi thought for a moment and said, “I’m just worried that Qi’er is young and might not handle the task well, which would delay Second Young Miss’s affairs.”

The young masters who hadn’t divided the family property couldn’t possess private assets, let alone her, an unmarried daughter!

A wet nurse still sides with her charge after all.

A warm feeling flowed through Zhou Shaojin’s heart. She gently took Fan Liushi’s arm and smiled, “Don’t worry, I’m only having Fan Qi go take a look. Whether it works out or not is still uncertain!”

Since Fan Liushi had decided to keep Zhou Shaojin’s secret, she set her mind at ease and smiled, “This boy has been clever since childhood, so I’m not particularly worried. I just hope heaven grants people’s wishes and everything goes smoothly for a lifetime.” She continued, “I noticed Second Young Miss didn’t seem very energetic after getting up. Did you not sleep well last night? Or are you feeling unwell somewhere? Why don’t you take a nap after breakfast? I heard from Chi Xiang from Eldest Young Miss’s quarters yesterday that after the first of October, Jing’an Study will resume classes. With you rushing between Jing’an Study and Hanbi Mountain House, you really need to take care of your health. Why not use these few idle days to rest properly? As for needlework and such, there’s Shi Xiang and Chi Xiang, and if that’s not enough, there are needlework shops outside. You shouldn’t do so much of that work yourself.”

Every sentence was sincere concern from the heart.

Zhou Shaojin smiled with pursed lips and said, “I’m fine, probably just suffering from autumn drowsiness.”

“Then you need to rest even more,” Fan Liushi said. “Harvest in autumn, store in winter. Autumn is the perfect time to rest and recuperate. If you rest well in autumn, you’ll get sick less in winter.”

As the two were talking, Zhou Chujin, having finished washing and dressing with Chi Shi’s assistance, walked in.

“What are you talking about?” She smiled as she greeted Zhou Shaojin and Fan Liushi. “You sound so happy. I could hear Shaojin’s voice from outside.”

“Sister, aren’t you wronging me?” Zhou Shaojin laughed. “It was all Nanny Fan talking. How did you pin it on me?”

Everyone laughed together.

Zhou Shaojin and her sister sat down in order of precedence to have breakfast.

The soft, glutinous white congee accompanied by assorted pickled turnips, stir-fried bok choy, and milk-fragrant steamed buns—though simple, the meal had endless aftertaste.

After setting down her chopsticks, Zhou Chujin said to Zhou Shaojin carefully, “I’ve already tested Lanting’s attitude. From what she said, she still wants to follow Father at his posting.”

If it weren’t so, she wouldn’t have taken advantage of Li Shi’s grief over losing her daughter to become pregnant with Father’s child.

Zhou Shaojin asked, “Then what does Sister think?”

Zhou Chujin didn’t speak immediately but fiddled with the chopsticks in front of her before saying, “I want her to stay behind.”

Zhou Shaojin remained silent, quietly watching Zhou Chujin, waiting for her explanation.

After a long while, Zhou Chujin finally said, “You probably don’t remember things from when we were little… but I still do! Back then when she wanted to stay, Mother asked her. If she stayed, she would have to take good care of you properly… Since that’s the case, let her stay and serve you!”

Zhou Shaojin was very surprised. She said, “Have Lanting work at Wanxiang Residence?”

“Have her live at the Zhou family’s ancestral home,” Zhou Chujin said without hesitation. “Since she’s a servant of the Zhou family and receives the Zhou family’s monthly allowance, she must follow the Zhou family’s rules. Mother told her to stay, so she must stay.”

Perhaps without hope, Lanting would give up.

Zhou Shaojin made no comment.

That afternoon when she went to Hanbi Mountain House to copy scriptures, Cheng Xu was there too.

Biyu told her, “First Master said he wants to hold a chrysanthemum banquet at home to entertain Young Master Min. The Old Madam agreed and personally summoned the steward from the flower house. She had them build chrysanthemum towers and brew chrysanthemum wine, buy crabs. Madam Yuan also brought out her own Purple Gold Plate, Buddha’s Hand Yellow, and White Shark Gauze for Young Master Min to admire. The Old Madam even ordered us to open her personal storeroom and take out her twelve-panel black lacquer mother-of-pearl inlay West Lake Twelve Scenes screen to display in the waterside pavilion where First Master is hosting the banquet…”

Purple Gold Plate, Buddha’s Hand Yellow, and White Shark Gauze were all names of chrysanthemum varieties.

Zhou Shaojin’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

Biyu asked curiously, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Zhou Shaojin quickly smiled and said, “I just get a headache thinking about how many guests will come to the chrysanthemum banquet.”

Biyu laughed, “You’re fortunate that you encountered the Fourth Branch and our Harmonious Branch, Second Cousin Miss. Neither the Old Madam nor the Madams are the type who enjoy socializing. If you had encountered First Branch’s Madam Shi, that would be terrible—Madam Shi hasn’t even completed her month of confinement yet and has already started planning flower gatherings!”

In her previous life, it was also the Second Branch that had the most social engagements.

Zhou Shaojin smiled without speaking.

Someone outside said, “Is Second Cousin Miss Zhou here?”

It was Cheng Xu’s voice.

Zhou Shaojin’s brow knitted into a knot.

She shook her head at Biyu, signaling her to say she was “not here.”

Biyu was confused for a moment.

But in just that moment of confusion, Cheng Xu had already stridden in.

“Second Cousin Miss Zhou,” he wore a purple-red robe with dark patterns of plum, orchid, and bamboo from Hangzhou Lake, cutting a graceful figure as he greeted her. “I’m holding a chrysanthemum banquet in a few days. I heard that Second Cousin Miss has a Purple Robe with Golden Belt plant. I wonder if I could borrow it for two days so my friends can also enjoy some good fortune.”

Purple Robe with Golden Belt was also a chrysanthemum name. Its flowers resembled Wei Purple, with bowl-sized blooms and layer upon layer of petals. Because the petal edges had a ring of gold, it earned the name “Purple Robe with Golden Belt.” Since both purple robes and golden belts were attire of first-rank officials, the symbolism was auspicious and very popular among scholars.

When did she ever raise a pot of Purple Robe with Golden Belt?

Zhou Shaojin said indifferently, “Perhaps Cousin Xu remembered incorrectly. My home only has a few common pots of Curved Powder and Number One Scholar Red.”

Cheng Xu scratched his head and smiled awkwardly, “Perhaps I really did remember wrong.”

Zhou Shaojin nodded.

Cheng Xu looked at Biyu and Shi Xiang standing on either side of her, hesitating as if he wanted to say something, then left dejectedly.

Zhou Shaojin breathed a sigh of relief.

Who would have known that the next day, Cheng Xu had someone deliver a pot of Nation’s Color Heavenly Fragrance and a pot of Golden Cream Water Green, and had his servant relay the message: “…Though they’re not any rare precious varieties, their appearance is excellent. I’m sending them for the two Cousin Misses to admire.”

Zhou Shaojin accepted the flowers and rewarded the servant with a smile. But she turned around and reported this matter to Old Madam Guo: “…He said they’re for Sister and me to admire. I happen to know a bit about growing flowers and plants, so when spring comes, I’ll propagate branches from them. When that time comes, I’ll layer one pot for you.”

Old Madam Guo chuckled without saying anything, but Zhou Shaojin could tell that Old Madam Guo’s smile didn’t reach her eyes.

Zhou Shaojin took the opportunity to take her leave.

The following afternoon, as she was copying scriptures in the Buddhist hall, Madam Yuan suddenly came over, bringing many melons, fruits, and pastries.

Zhou Shaojin didn’t understand Madam Yuan’s intentions and respectfully invited her to sit in the armchair beside them.

Madam Yuan dismissed those serving by her side and began chatting with Zhou Shaojin about household matters.

She first talked about Cheng Xiao’s situation, then the conversation took a turn to Cheng Xu: “…Several friends came specially from Hangzhou to see him. When I asked, I learned they were Young Master Min from the Fujian Min family, the younger brother of Min Jianjian, the top scholar of the renchen examination… and he’s of the same year as Fourth Uncle… That year the policy essay was on flood control, extremely difficult. Much of the content involved interpretations of the Luo River Chart. Only Min Jianjian knew the allusions… his learning is extremely profound… I heard he’s already assumed duties at the Court of Imperial Receptions… Though one is a provincial graduate and the other a student scholar, this Min Jianqiang hit it off wonderfully with our First Master. These past days they’ve not only eaten and lived together, but even when going out to visit friends, they go together… That Min Jianqiang even joked about having First Master become his brother-in-law, saying among their six unmarried sisters, First Master could choose any one he liked first…”

Why was Madam Yuan telling her all this for no reason?

And intentionally or not praising Min Jianjian while putting down Cheng Chi!

This made her slightly displeased.

Madam Yuan was already sighing, “When I saw the Playing Babies design you created for Xiao girl’s child, I knew you were a good girl. Later I also heard that not only is your needlework excellent, but you also cook well. I don’t know which family’s son will have the fortune to marry you…”

Zhou Shaojin became secretly alert.

Was Madam Yuan warning her not to harbor improper thoughts about Cheng Xu?

She was so angry her fingertips trembled.

The grievances of two lifetimes poured out, and she almost swept her sleeves and left on the spot.

Fortunately, she controlled herself at the critical moment, taking several deep breaths to slowly calm her emotions.

“This is too much praise from Jing’s Great Aunt. I’m not as good as you say,” she exchanged pleasantries with Madam Yuan. “I heard the Luo River Chart is a book left in the mortal world by immortals, possessing supernatural craftsmanship. I never imagined that Champion Min was so remarkable that he could actually understand the Luo River Chart? This shows that the world is truly as books say, ‘beyond people there are people, beyond heaven there is heaven.’ It would be wonderful if Nine-as-One Lane could also produce such a top scholar someday.” After speaking, she added in a low voice, “I thought all top scholars were the same. I didn’t expect that even among top scholars there are different ranks.”

She was pointing at the mulberry to curse the locust, implying that Cheng Xu was nothing special.

Madam Yuan barely restrained herself from jumping up.

She looked coldly at Zhou Shaojin.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Shaojin was also staring back at her with a pair of clear black-and-white almond eyes, her expression very innocent. When their gazes met, she could even see her own reflection in Zhou Shaojin’s eyes.

Madam Yuan smiled bitterly.

Zhou Shaojin was still a child, and had always been obedient and sensible, walking carefully for fear of stepping on ants—how could she be mocking her? Perhaps she hadn’t understood the meaning behind her words at all… Why was she getting angry with her?

Madam Yuan realized that coming to admonish Zhou Shaojin was a mistake from the start.

She should have told Zhou Chujin about this matter and had her restrain Zhou Shaojin instead.

Having made up her mind, Madam Yuan smiled and said, “It’s exactly as you say. That’s why everyone thinks Min Jianjian is very impressive.”

Afterward, she chatted randomly with Zhou Shaojin for a while before getting up to take her leave.

Zhou Shaojin silently recited the Heart Sutra once before the Buddha before her emotions gradually calmed down.