Old Madam Guan returned to Jiashu Hall with a heavy heart.
Both Zhou Shaojin and Zhou Chujin had already received news of Cheng Fen’s passing.
Zhou Chujin felt that since the Second Elder Master of the main branch had lost his heir, the main branch must be grief-stricken at this moment. Old Madam Guan choosing this time to speak on behalf of Madam Wu was a very unwise decision.
Zhou Shaojin also felt this wasn’t quite the right time to bring up such matters. After all, the main branch had just lost a family member—what could be more important than that? Even if Old Madam Guo agreed, the matter would likely be difficult to advance. However, she knew that in her previous life, after the Second Elder Master of the main branch lost his heir, he neither adopted an heir nor took a concubine. The secondary branch of the main branch’s lineage simply ended without descendants.
Thinking of this, somehow an image floated into her mind—a solitary old man, alert and vigorous, reading by lamplight as small as a bean.
The Second Elder Master of the main branch, a scholar who passed both the provincial and metropolitan examinations, a dignified third-place finisher—just like that, he was extinguished like fireworks in the long river of history. Even their relatives by marriage didn’t know what he looked like, what kind of person he was, or what achievements he had made…
Zhou Shaojin became somewhat lost in thought.
If her sister hadn’t stood up and hurried outside, she probably wouldn’t have noticed that Old Madam Guan had returned.
“Grandmother.” Zhou Chujin supported Old Madam Guan. “Are you all right?”
She very much wanted to ask how things had gone, but seeing her grandmother’s expression, she didn’t quite dare.
Zhou Shaojin also quickly rose and came forward.
Old Madam Guan showed a slight smile, nodding at the sisters and saying gently, “Why are you waiting here? Is something the matter?”
“Nothing in particular!” Zhou Shaojin smiled. “Sister was worried that if we spoke about Madam Wu’s matter too late, there might be complications on Magistrate Wu’s end. Even if Old Madam Guo agreed to help, it would be too late, so she was somewhat concerned.”
“It’s fine.” Old Madam Guan smiled. “Old Madam Guo agreed, and right in front of me, she had Fourth Uncle Chi, who is going to the capital to attend your Uncle Fen’s funeral, inquire about what exactly is going on with this matter!”
“That’s excellent.” Zhou Chujin’s heart, which had been like a heavy stone, finally settled.
Zhou Shaojin was momentarily stunned, saying, “Fourth Uncle Chi is going to the capital for the funeral?”
“Yes!” Old Madam Guan sighed. “After all, he grew up at the Second Elder Master’s side. Your Uncle Fen was more than ten years older than your Fourth Uncle Chi! He probably treated him like his own son. Now that your Uncle Fen has passed away, he must go before the spirit altar to offer incense no matter what.”
What a pity this trip was for a funeral. If it were for some other reason to go to the capital, and she could go along—she could see Uncle Jing, and might even be able to speak a few words with him thanks to Fourth Uncle Chi!
Zhou Shaojin secretly shook her head and went to find Ji Ying.
“Are you going to the capital too?” she asked. “When is Fourth Uncle Chi departing?”
“I’m going to the capital.” Ji Ying seemed rather downcast. “We’re leaving this afternoon.”
Zhou Shaojin said, “Is it because you’ll pass through Cangzhou?”
Cangzhou was Ji Ying’s hometown.
Ji Ying nodded, saying softly, “I really want to go back and see… but without your Fourth Uncle Chi’s approval, I can’t return…”
“Then have a good talk with Fourth Uncle Chi!” Zhou Shaojin advised. “The weather is still quite cold these days, so wear more layers. Be careful on the road, and don’t talk back to Fourth Uncle Chi—you’re always the one who ends up losing.”
Ji Ying smiled, her cold and beautiful face blooming like summer flowers, stunning to behold. “Thank you. I’ll be careful.”
Zhou Shaojin made some walnut cookies and had Chun Wan deliver them to Ji Ying to take along on the journey.
Ji Ying thanked her and rewarded Chun Wan with over twenty copper coins.
Chun Wan accepted the coins, feeling somewhat strange.
How was it that every maid serving Fourth Master Chi seemed like a young lady? Last time when she brought radish cakes for Fourth Master Chi, the senior maid who rewarded her was called Nan Ping…
She habitually curtsied in thanks and withdrew.
Looking at the box of walnut cookies, Ji Ying decided to set aside her pride and go speak with Cheng Chi. After all, such opportunities were rare. Who knew when she might encounter another chance like this?
But when she arrived at Cheng Chi’s residence, he was talking with Huai Shan.
So she sat on the stone bench outside the side room to wait.
Through the glass-paned window lattice, Huai Shan saw Ji Ying. He said hesitantly, “When we pass through Cangzhou, if Ji Ying wants to go back and see…”
“Then let her go back and see.” Cheng Chi said indifferently, carefully flipping through the book in his hands. “Take this copy of ‘Huangzhong Dalü’ with you. Second Uncle will surely be very happy to see this book.”
Second Elder Master Cheng Shao’s passion was making musical instruments.
Huai Shan recalled scenes from childhood of Second Elder Master Cheng Shao placing Cheng Chi on his knee and teaching him to play the zither hand by hand. The corners of his mouth turned up slightly as he responded quietly, “Yes.”
Cheng Chi asked, “Still no word from Fan Qi?”
Huai Shan said with confusion, “There has been correspondence. He says that once again he’s staying at Shangqing Palace in the name of the young master, either playing around everywhere with that Daoist surnamed Yang or strolling through Hu Shangshu Alley…”
Cheng Chi was somewhat surprised. “Apart from that, he’s done nothing else at all?”
“Nothing else at all.” Huai Shan said with certainty, then laughed as if remembering something. “You know what they say—unintentional actions sometimes bear fruit. The Mu family and Lin family have set the auspicious time for the fourth day of the fourth month at noon. In just two months, Miss Mu will marry into the Lin family.”
They’d arranged the marriage so quickly!
It seemed that Daoist surnamed Yang really had brought this match to fruition.
Rather than finding it amusing like Huai Shan, Cheng Chi’s expression grew more serious. He lowered his head in thought for a long while before saying, “This matter is too strange. Second Miss Zhou went to such great lengths to send a servant to the capital—could it really just be so he could eat and drink his fill? If it’s not that servant surnamed Yang who has some issue, then there must be something wrong with the Mu and Lin families… Do this: send someone to thoroughly investigate these three people’s backgrounds, see if there’s any connection between them. As for Second Miss Zhou, have someone keep watch over her as well. No matter how I look at this matter, I find it suspicious.” After speaking, his tone paused slightly. “The more inexplicable something is, the more dangerous it feels!”
Huai Shan solemnly clasped his fists and went to issue the orders.
Ji Ying came in and brought up wanting to return home midway to take a look. “…I won’t go inside the house, I’ll just look from afar…”
“Sure!” Before she could finish speaking, Cheng Chi readily agreed. “Back then when I made that bet with your father, it was because I was too young and hot-headed. Now thinking back, I acted too harshly. You’re not young anymore either. If you want to return, discuss it with your father and have him come meet with me, that’s all.”
Ji Ying stared at Cheng Chi in shock, unable to come to her senses for quite a while.
Was Cheng Chi saying he would let her go?
After hoping for so long, enduring for so long, could she finally return home?
Ji Ying was so happy she nearly jumped up, but she quickly calmed down.
Cheng Chi wanted her father to come meet with him… her father might not agree…
She immediately felt her spirits deflate.
Cheng Chi wasn’t really planning to let her return home—he was clearly just dangling an impossible prospect before her.
Ji Ying made a sound of acknowledgment and, too lazy to pack her belongings, went to Wanxiang Residence to find Zhou Shaojin.
“So what do you plan to do?” Zhou Shaojin couldn’t understand how anyone could wager their child’s ten years of freedom on a bet, much less imagine what Ji Ying’s feelings would be upon meeting her parents again.
“I’ll send a letter home first!” Ji Ying said. “First let my father know about this matter… as for the rest, I can discuss it in detail after reaching Cangzhou.”
“Being able to return to your own home and stay by your parents’ side is always good.” Zhou Shaojin said, then exclaimed “Oh my!” and laughed. “If your father takes you back, won’t we never see each other again? That won’t do. I must give you something as a keepsake…”
Ji Ying smiled and took Zhou Shaojin’s hand. “Don’t worry. Even if I return to Cangzhou, I know where you live! I’ll come find you.”
Only then did Zhou Shaojin’s heart feel somewhat better.
The two exchanged more assurances, and seeing that it was getting late, Zhou Shaojin finally saw Ji Ying out of Wanxiang Residence.
When Ji Ying returned, Cheng Chi’s belongings had already been packed and he was preparing to board the carriage and leave.
Remembering she hadn’t packed anything yet, Ji Ying’s face flushed red.
But Cheng Chi had no intention of waiting for her. He glanced at her coldly and said, “Soon the gates of Jinling will close for the night. After you pack your things, ride your horse and catch up on your own! Your Scarlet Red is at the Algae Garden—you should know how to get to the Algae Garden, right?”
Ji Ying’s face burned with embarrassment. She lowered her head to see Cheng Chi off, then hurried back to her room to pack.
In the carriage, Huai Shan asked Cheng Chi, “Aren’t you going to ask what she talked about with Second Miss Zhou?”
“What’s there to ask?” Cheng Chi said indifferently. “Going to the capital with the possibility of returning home—whatever they talked about, it was just these girls’ little concerns!”
Huai Shan fell silent.
Zhou Shaojin also learned that Yiniang Mu and Lin Shisheng’s wedding had been set for the sixth day of the fourth month.
So it was settled then?
She couldn’t help but recite “Amitabha.”
Hanbi Mountain Villa became very quiet after Cheng Chi left home, especially Old Madam Guo, who seemed to have had her vital energy wounded. For a long time she didn’t recover. By the time she rallied her spirits, it was already the season when spring warmed and flowers bloomed.
Old Madam Guo often took walks by the lake, and several times she specifically called for Zhou Shaojin.
But there was still no news from Cheng Chi, only an initial message of safe arrival sent back when he first reached the capital.
Old Madam Guo couldn’t help worrying, and while walking would occasionally drift into reverie.
After the Buddha Bathing Festival and the second branch’s old ancestor’s birthday celebration passed, Fan Qi hurried back.
“Second Miss.” His eyes shone brightly. “I saw Miss Mu board the sedan chair with my own eyes before returning.”
“You’ve worked hard!” Zhou Shaojin couldn’t hide her gratitude.
Without Fan Qi, she would still be frowning with worry.
Fan Qi laughed and waved his hand dismissively.
Zhou Shaojin felt an indescribable happiness in her heart.
More than a year after her rebirth, she had finally completed one heartfelt wish.
Though still far from her ultimate goal, this proved that as long as she was willing and persistent, she could accomplish something that seemed utterly impossible.
She felt more confident in herself.
Zhou Shaojin decided to plan carefully. No matter what, she must break down the barrier between herself and Fourth Uncle Chi. Even if she had to force her way in, she would find a way to get close to Fourth Uncle Chi.