Zhou Shaojin’s expression was obscure and unclear.

Cheng Xu had bullied her, and she hated Cheng Xu. But they were originally just strangers who had only met a few times—she merely hated him, nothing more.

Cheng Lu was different. After he had given her such vows and promises, at her moment of life and death, he could turn a blind eye to her cries for help and stand by with folded arms—this was perhaps one of the important reasons she could no longer resist Cheng Xu.

Whenever she thought of it, she wanted to drink his blood and eat his flesh… It was an emotion even more intense than hatred. There was also regret for her own blindness, suspicion about the broken engagement… all of it far exceeding the events themselves.

In this life, nothing had happened yet. With Yuan Shi’s example as a warning, she thought she could face her past life’s experiences calmly. But when she came face to face with Cheng Xu, she discovered she was far from as composed as she had imagined.

If she encountered Cheng Lu, could she control her emotions?

Or would she still grab a pair of scissors and stab him?

This time, she would never use scissors again—no matter what, she would find a dagger…

Zhou Shaojin’s thoughts wandered wildly as she walked silently toward Jiashu Hall. Shi Xiang tried to speak to her several times but stopped, yet Zhou Shaojin didn’t notice.

When they arrived at Jiashu Hall, Old Madam Guan was indeed waiting for her.

“Tell me quickly about copying scriptures.” The old lady held Zhou Shaojin’s hand with concern. “Did Old Madam Guo say anything?”

“No.” Zhou Shaojin showed her grandmother a sweet smile. “Everyone treated me very well…”

She told Old Madam Guan everything that had happened at the First Branch, including getting lost in the bamboo grove and even encountering Cheng Xu.

Cheng Xu was right—if he knew she had been to the bamboo grove, others certainly knew too. Rather than let people become suspicious later, she might as well speak up early, at least so she wouldn’t be threatened by Cheng Xu again. However, she was also cautious and omitted the part about Cheng Xu threatening her—not because she wanted to keep secrets for the First Branch, but because in her past life, she had known nothing about these matters and nothing bad had happened to the Fourth Branch. So why should she unnecessarily stir up trouble and disturb the Fourth Branch’s peace in this life?

Old Madam Guan didn’t say much about her getting lost in the bamboo grove, but was rather curious about how she had encountered Cheng Xu in the bamboo grove: “Why was he also wandering around in the bamboo grove?”

Yes, why was he also wandering around in the bamboo grove!

Zhou Shaojin hadn’t thought about this question before, but now that Old Madam Guan mentioned it, she suddenly understood.

Clearly, he had been eavesdropping on Old Madam Guo and Head Steward Qin talking in the bamboo grove, yet he turned it around and accused her of eavesdropping, threatening her not to speak about it… This showed that Cheng Xu was just like Cheng Lu—full of lies and not a good person either.

Old Madam Guan also instructed her: “Be more careful in the future. If you want to go somewhere to walk around and relax, have that little maid Xiao Tan that the First Branch arranged follow you. Don’t run around carelessly.”

So the bamboo grove wasn’t anything important after all!

Zhou Shaojin humbly accepted the teaching and scorned Cheng Xu once more in her heart.

When she returned to Wanxiang Residence, she couldn’t help feeling somewhat uneasy.

If Cheng Xu blocked her path to the First Branch like this every day, what should she do?

Should she stop going to the First Branch to copy scriptures?

But what excuse could she use?

Illness? She had just recovered, and Zhou Niangzi’s medical skills were excellent. She didn’t have her sister’s methods… Say her body couldn’t handle it? But copying scriptures was something she had agreed to do herself, and this excuse would easily worry her grandmother…

She tossed and turned for most of the night without falling asleep. When she got up the next morning, her eyes were somewhat dark-circled.

Zhou Chujin thought she was too worried about copying scriptures and comforted her: “It’s fine. You’re still young. Even if you don’t copy something well, someone like Old Madam Guo wouldn’t blame you. Just do your best with sincere effort. There’s no deadline for when to deliver the scriptures!”

Zhou Shaojin’s eyes lit up at these words.

Why not say she was afraid of delaying her studies and arrange a deadline with the First Branch for delivering the Buddhist scriptures? At worst, she could copy more at night and finish the scriptures earlier.

She thought this was a good idea. During Nanny Shen’s class, she carefully pondered this matter and zoned out several times. Nanny Shen called on her to answer questions each time. Fortunately, she had studied these things thoroughly in her past life and answered reasonably well. Nanny Shen had no choice but to tactfully have her practice calligraphy and teach Cheng Jia separately, which angered Cheng Jia into glaring at Zhou Shaojin repeatedly.

Zhou Shaojin simply pretended not to notice.

Finally, when class ended, Cheng Jia immediately ran over, pointing at her and saying, “Shaojin, what do you mean by this? How could you let me face Nanny Shen alone?”

“But I’ve already studied all this!” In this life, Zhou Shaojin decided not to indulge Cheng Jia’s temperament anymore and said frankly, “Why don’t you do like me and review these lessons yourself after class?”

This way, Cheng Jia wouldn’t have time to pester her to play either.

Cheng Jia left huffily.

Cui Huan apologized on Cheng Jia’s behalf with a face full of regret: “Second Young Miss, please don’t take it to heart. Our young miss just has a straightforward temperament, but her heart is the kindest.”

Zhou Shaojin smiled and nodded.

Cui Huan took off running after Cheng Jia.

Zhou Shaojin slowly gathered her things, preparing to return to Wanxiang Residence.

Nanny Shen, who had left after class, had somehow returned.

She stood at the doorway and coughed lightly.

Zhou Shaojin smiled and greeted her politely.

Nanny Shen said, “Who did you study with during the time you were ill?”

Zhou Shaojin knew Nanny Shen had grown suspicious of her. If this were her past life, she would definitely have nervously made excuses and explained to Nanny Shen. But her experience of living two lives had taught her that many questions had no answers—it all depended on whether you could hold your ground or not.

She smiled and said, “It was my sister.”

Nanny Shen’s gaze gradually sharpened as she looked at her.

Zhou Shaojin worked hard to make herself appear the same as usual.

Nanny Shen watched her for a long while. Seeing she showed no signs of anything unusual, though secretly amazed in her heart, she couldn’t very well continue questioning.

She couldn’t very well tell Old Madam Guo that the Zhou family’s Second Young Miss already understood everything and didn’t need to attend classes anymore, could she?

What would be the point of the Cheng family hiring her then?

But Zhou Shaojin being like this greatly affected Cheng Jia.

She quickly made a decision and said, “From now on, when I teach Miss Jia, you can practice calligraphy on the side!”

In other words, she would teach them separately.

Zhou Shaojin was overjoyed and thanked Nanny Shen with a beaming smile.

Nanny Shen smiled slightly and turned to leave.

Zhou Shaojin returned to Wanxiang Residence with light steps and told Zhou Chujin about Nanny Shen’s decision. She asked her sister, “If I copy scriptures for Old Madam Guo during class, would Nanny Shen be angry?”

Zhou Chujin flicked her sister’s forehead hard and said, “Copying scriptures is a devout matter—don’t mess around!”

Zhou Shaojin knew this too, otherwise she would have just started copying scriptures for Old Madam Guo in class directly instead of discussing it with her sister.

She just wanted to finish copying the scriptures for Old Madam Guo early so she could draw clear boundaries with the First Branch!

But having this faint glimmer of hope maintained her good mood all the way through the afternoon when she saw Old Madam Guo.

Perhaps good emotions are contagious—Old Madam Guo’s expression had been slightly displeased earlier, but seeing Zhou Shaojin’s radiant little face, the clouds dispersed and she revealed a trace of a smile. She asked Zhou Shaojin warmly, “Are you tired? Would you like to have some tea and snacks before starting to copy scriptures?”

“No need!” Zhou Shaojin smiled, her eyes and brows curved, expressing endless tranquility and gentleness. “I had tea before I left.”

Old Madam Guo smiled and nodded, her expression very loving.

Zhou Shaojin’s heart stirred. After hesitating a moment, she said, “Yesterday I got lost in the bamboo grove. Fortunately, I encountered Cousin Xu and received his guidance… I was so frightened at the time. When I got back and told my grandmother about it, I realized I hadn’t even thanked Cousin Xu…”

As she spoke, she lowered her head slightly, looking somewhat shy.

Old Madam Guo was quite surprised, but she wasn’t angry. Instead, she smiled and said, “That Xu boy, running around like a monkey every day—just watch me give him a good talking-to!”

Seeing her words had the desired effect, Zhou Shaojin was so delighted she almost laughed out loud.

Afraid Old Madam Guo would see through her, she quickly stood up and said with lowered head, “I didn’t mean to complain about Cousin Xu…”

Old Madam Guo laughed heartily.

How many years had it been since she’d heard such straightforward words?

“It’s fine, it’s fine.” She said indifferently, “Even if you were complaining about him, it would be justified. Who told him to run around the inner courtyard? Don’t worry, I’ll discipline him properly.”

Zhou Shaojin looked embarrassed.

Having lived two lives, Old Madam Guo still saw through her thoughts at a glance… Clearly, not everyone was skilled at scheming and plotting. She should just be honest and straightforward.

She returned to the Buddhist hall with a smile and happily copied scriptures.

When Shi Xiang quietly told her “Old Madam Guo sent someone to summon Eldest Young Master Xu,” her mood improved even more.

But unexpectedly, on her way back to the Fourth Branch, she encountered Cheng Xu again.

“You’re really no fun!” He looked somewhat dejected. Seeing Zhou Shaojin, he complained, “I helped you tremendously, and not only are you ungrateful, you even complained about me to Grandmother. Because I’d already committed myself earlier, I couldn’t even expose your lies…”

So you also have someone who can control you!

Zhou Shaojin couldn’t even be bothered to glance at him from the corner of her eye. Without saying a word, she returned to Jiashu Hall.

Cheng Xu couldn’t very well follow her to the Fourth Branch.

How would he explain to the elders then?

He paced back and forth in frustration.

Da Su reminded him quietly, “Nanny Shi is coming.”

Cheng Xu stamped his feet, said to Da Su, “Let’s go,” and turned to stride quickly away from the path leading to the Fourth Branch.

Zhou Shaojin was very satisfied with this result. The next day when she saw Cheng Jia, her expression was much more amiable.

But Cheng Jia looked listless, lying on the table and asking Zhou Shaojin, “Do you remember Pan Qing?”

Of course Zhou Shaojin remembered Pan Qing.

She was the daughter of Cheng Jia’s biological aunt, Cheng Xian. She was pretty and refined-looking. During the Second Branch’s Old Ancestor’s eightieth birthday celebration, her father Pan Zhi had been promoted to Surveillance Commissioner of Shandong. Pan Zhi couldn’t get away, so Cheng Xian brought her two children back to Jinling to celebrate Cheng Xu’s birthday, taking the opportunity to visit family, and stayed at Jiuru Lane for a while.

Zhou Shaojin let out an “Oh!” and said, “Is Pan Qing coming?”

Hearing this, Cheng Jia’s face turned somewhat pale. “Mother said they’re arriving this afternoon!”

Zhou Shaojin felt that the Buddha must be watching over her these days.

She struggled to keep from showing a smile.