Cheng Chi and Song Min conversed with great pleasure.

In the main hall of the inner courtyard, Madam Song was holding a flower pattern Zhou Shaojin had just drawn for her, vigorously praising Zhou Shaojin: “…I just mentioned it casually, who knew she would sketch it right out. Truly worthy of being an educated young lady from a distinguished family—so intelligent. When I was little, I also loved reading very much. Whenever my brothers went to their private school, I would see them to the door, and as soon as they returned, I would eagerly help them carry their book bags. When my brothers did their homework under the lamplight, I would stand beside them helping pour tea and water, hoping with all my heart that in their spare time they might teach me to recognize a character or two. That I can now read account books is thanks to the few characters I secretly learned from my brothers back then. I swore to myself then that if I ever had a daughter, I would definitely let her study and learn to read, and not be like me.”

Old Madam Guo laughed heartily and said, “Local customs differ from place to place. Where we’re from, most girls are literate. Shaojin’s abilities are merely average.”

Madam Song covered her mouth and laughed, saying, “Old Madam, you’re being too modest with me. I’ve seen quite a few young ladies from Jiangnan official and scholarly families in the capital, but I’ve never seen one like Miss Cheng with such character, appearance, and learning…”

Zhou Shaojin pretended not to hear, keeping her head lowered as she sat there embroidering jade magnolia flowers with casual stitches on a piece of silk she had found temporarily.

Song Sen sat before the round table laden with dishes, being fed vegetables and rice by his wet nurse while his eyes rolled around constantly, stealing glances at Zhou Shaojin from time to time. It wasn’t until a servant woman came in to report that Old Master Song and Cheng Chi had decided to go out for a walk, telling them to rest early without waiting up, that the atmosphere in the room suddenly changed.

“At this hour?” Old Madam Guo frowned, her face full of worry. “What matter is so urgent that it cannot wait until tomorrow morning?”

The servant woman couldn’t answer clearly either. She said, “Fourth Master went with Old Master Song and Young Master Huang. Manager Qin is accompanying them with several guards. There shouldn’t be any problems. Old Madam can rest assured.”

How could Old Madam Guo possibly feel at ease?

Madam Song said apologetically, “Old Madam, I’m truly sorry. My father-in-law has this temperament—waking up in the middle of the night to look at stars is normal for him. During busy farming season, he suddenly ran off to Mount Ba to visit friends. He encountered a terrible rainstorm that caused landslides and nearly lost his life there. Another time, he was traveling to Zhenjiang with a shipment of fresh fruit when he abandoned the steward and clerks to go to Jinan Prefecture alone, and the entire boatload of goods nearly rotted completely. I heard that when my mother-in-law was alive, she often quarreled with him over such matters. Later, after my mother-in-law passed away, my father-in-law refused to remarry because he didn’t want anyone controlling him…” She stood up somewhat anxiously and said, “I never expected he would drag Fourth Master out with him… I’ll have someone go look for him right away…”

Old Master Song’s temperament was indeed somewhat eccentric. However, Zhou Shaojin believed Cheng Chi was not the type to act on a whim, treating every wind as rain, easily moved by any random matter. Since he had decided to go out for a walk with Old Master Song, there must be a good reason for it. They needn’t worry so much.

“Old Madam,” Zhou Shaojin gently consoled Old Madam Guo, “please don’t worry. Uncle Chi always handles matters properly. Perhaps they’ve simply had too much to drink and want to walk along the Qiantang River, or their poetic inspiration has struck and they wish to contemplate history. If you’re truly uneasy, we can call in the servants from the outer courtyard to inquire.”

Old Madam Guo nodded slightly and said, “You make a good point. Your Uncle Chi is no longer a child. He knows his own affairs. Since he had a servant woman inform us, we needn’t call in the outer courtyard servants to ask. Tomorrow morning when they return, everything will be clear!” She also comforted Madam Song, “Please rest easy. Si Lang has the steward and guards with him. Our household guards are all highly skilled. They’ve protected Si Lang’s safety during his travels for nearly ten years without a single incident.”

Madam Song’s main concern was that Cheng Chi had been led astray by her father-in-law. Hearing Old Madam Guo and Zhou Shaojin speak this way, she couldn’t help but breathe a long sigh of relief.

However, Song Sen, young but cunning, burrowed into his mother’s embrace and cried loudly, “Uncle won’t sleep with me, I’m scared!”

Madam Song’s face flushed bright red as she scolded, “How old are you! Stand up quickly! How can you have your uncle sleep with you every night? If your father sees this, he’ll punish you again.”

Song Sen twisted and squirmed in Madam Song’s arms like a pretzel, refusing to sleep alone.

Madam Song had no choice but to compromise, coaxing him, “If you behave today, I’ll grant you one request. Even going to Shichahai to play on the ice is fine!”

Song Sen’s eyes lit up and he jumped up from his mother’s embrace, saying, “Really?”

“Of course,” Madam Song promised.

“Then good.” Song Sen pointed at Zhou Shaojin. “I want to sleep with this sister.”

Everyone in the room was stunned.

Madam Song’s face turned from red to purple as she said, “What nonsense are you spouting? That’s your Sister Zhou, not a servant attending you. How can you ask Sister Zhou to sleep with you? When we return to the capital, Mother will take you to Shichahai to play on the ice!”

Song Sen refused, crying and making a fuss about sleeping with Zhou Shaojin.

A flash of displeasure crossed Old Madam Guo’s eyes.

Having lived two lives, Zhou Shaojin had only encountered children who were well-behaved, adorable, sensible, and obedient. She had never seen such unreasonable and domineering behavior. In her shock, she didn’t react immediately. By the time she came to her senses, Song Sen was already sitting on the ground wailing.

Madam Song, both ashamed and angry, hastily explained to Old Madam Guo and Zhou Shaojin, “He’s not usually like this. I don’t know what’s gotten into him today,” while threatening Song Sen, “If you continue making such a scene, I’ll definitely tell your father when we return. Next time you anger your father and he wants to enforce family discipline, I absolutely won’t plead with him on your behalf…”

Song Sen continued crying and fussing without stopping.

Zhou Shaojin felt very awkward, realizing this matter concerned her. If she didn’t step forward to resolve it, it would only put Old Madam Guo, their hostess, in a difficult position.

She hesitated and took a few steps forward, about to agree to let Song Sen sleep with her. Who knew that before she could speak, Old Madam Guo’s stern “Shaojin” frightened her into swallowing the words that had reached her lips.

Song Sen suddenly broke free from his mother and threw his arms around Zhou Shaojin, crying, “Sister, beautiful sister, I want to sleep with you. I’ll definitely listen to you and be good, won’t disturb you or bother you…”

“You child!” Madam Song looked flustered, trying to pull her son away from Zhou Shaojin.

Zhou Shaojin felt embarrassed. Thinking of Old Madam Guo’s displeased shout and look just moments ago, she was in a difficult position. She could only gently soothe Song Sen, saying, “If you truly say you’ll listen to me, then stand up properly right now. Stop crying.”

Song Sen seized the opportunity to bargain with her: “Then you must promise to sleep with me.”

Zhou Shaojin dared not agree.

Old Madam Guo stood up with a smile and said to Madam Song, “That Brother Sen likes our second girl is naturally our second girl’s honor. However, she is no longer young. She has long reached the age when men and women should sit separately. We’ve only relaxed these proprieties because your master and our eldest master both serve together in the Grand Secretariat, and our Si Lang and Old Master Song have hit it off so well. We’ve treated this as a close family connection. Everything else is negotiable, but Brother Sen sleeping with Shaojin is truly inappropriate.”

“You’re absolutely right, absolutely right.” Madam Song was too ashamed to face Old Madam Guo.

Old Madam Guo chuckled and said to Song Sen, “Brother Sen, you too are from a scholarly family. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

As she spoke, she looked at Song Sen with a smile, but her gaze was cold as ice and frost, like a sharp blade radiating cold light, piercing straight to the heart.

Zhou Shaojin shivered involuntarily and inexplicably thought of Cheng Chi.

Mother and son were so alike!

She couldn’t help lowering her eyelids, only then noticing that Song Sen, who was holding onto her, had stiffened slightly, his small face showing a trace of fear.

Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but silently chuckle to herself.

Old Madam Guo was truly formidable—just that cold glare was enough to subdue Song Sen.

Old Madam Guo gave Song Sen a slap followed by a sweet date, saying, “You really like Sister Zhou, don’t you?”

Song Sen nodded repeatedly.

Old Madam Guo smiled and said, “Very well then. Your Sister Zhou attends to me every evening, so you can sleep with us together!” Then she said to Madam Song, “I see this child is quite spirited. If you trust me, I’ll help you watch him for the night, and you can take the opportunity to rest properly.”

“How could I possibly impose!” Madam Song waved her hands repeatedly.

Who knew Song Sen would loudly declare, “Mother, I’ll sleep with Old Madam and Sister together.”

Madam Song’s face darkened as she stepped forward to pull Song Sen away, but he nimbly dodged behind Zhou Shaojin.

Zhou Shaojin looked toward Old Madam Guo.

Old Madam Guo nodded.

Zhou Shaojin smiled and said, “Madam Song, just let him stay with us! I was also worried earlier about disturbing Old Madam, which is why I didn’t dare agree to your request.”

Song Sen was determined to stay with Zhou Shaojin, and Madam Song had no choice but to nod in agreement.

Old Madam Guo then ordered the Song family servants to bring in a daybed to place in her inner chamber and found bedding to make it up.

Madam Song, together with Song Sen’s wet nurse, took Song Sen to bathe and change clothes.

Only Old Madam Guo and Zhou Shaojin remained in the room.

Zhou Shaojin lowered her head in shame and said, “Old Madam, this is all my fault…”

“Silly girl, what have you done wrong?” Old Madam Guo interrupted her with a smile. “If anyone is at fault, it’s clearly Madam Song for failing to properly educate her child. What does this have to do with you? You needn’t feel uneasy!”

Zhou Shaojin raised her head and carefully studied Old Madam Guo.

Old Madam Guo’s eyes held a smile, her expression composed.

Old Madam truly wasn’t blaming her!

Zhou Shaojin’s eyes reddened slightly.

In the past, whenever anything happened, everyone would certainly blame her, thinking it was her fault…

“There now, don’t cry, don’t cry!” Seeing this, Old Madam Guo compassionately put her arm around Zhou Shaojin’s shoulder and said softly, “Good child, I’m old now and most afraid of seeing people sad and upset. I know this matter has wronged you, but Madam Song has come from afar as our guest, and I couldn’t very well refuse them directly. For my sake, please bear with it. Tomorrow our two families will part ways…”

Zhou Shaojin nodded repeatedly, but tears kept streaming down her face uncontrollably.