Cheng Jia feared neither heaven nor earth, but if one had to nitpick and find someone who intimidated her, it would be none other than Pan Qing!

Pan Qing was the same age as Cheng Jia, but even a month younger. In the fourteenth year of Zhide, when Pan Qing was ten years old, she had accompanied her mother Cheng Xian back to Jinling to visit family. Compared to Pan Qing’s quiet and well-behaved nature, the lively and boisterous Cheng Jia was like a monkey covered in mud—she looked improper no matter how you looked at her. For all the praise Pan Qing received from the Cheng family elders, Cheng Jia, used as the point of comparison, received an equal amount of scolding from those same elders.

From that point on, Cheng Jia remembered Pan Qing. For several years afterward, she remained resentful about it, occasionally complaining about Pan Qing to Zhou Shaojin.

And this upcoming meeting between Cheng Jia and Pan Qing would make them even more like fire and water—the poised and gracious Pan Qing caused Cheng Jia’s mother Jiang Shi to nag Cheng Jia daily with remarks like “Look at Qing’er, why is she so obedient and sensible? You’re supposed to be the older cousin—can’t you learn from her example?” Because of this, Cheng Jia often tried to trip Pan Qing up, but Pan Qing, despite her gentle and soft appearance, had an extremely clever mind. Not only did Cheng Jia fail to embarrass Pan Qing, but she ended up making herself look foolish and nearly got confined to her quarters by Jiang Shi.

In her past life, Zhou Shaojin had also sided with Cheng Jia.

Fortunately, Pan Qing was quite magnanimous and, considering her young age, didn’t take it to heart. She continued treating her the same way as before, which made Zhou Shaojin feel somewhat guilty.

She had therefore advised Cheng Jia several times, but Cheng Jia not only wouldn’t listen but felt this was a betrayal. She ignored Zhou Shaojin for quite a long time, until Cheng Xian left the Cheng household with her two children to return to Pan Zhi’s post, and only then did they reconcile.

Today was the eleventh day of the fourth month. Counting the days, Pan Qing and her family should indeed arrive today.

Cheng Jia would probably rarely have peace and quiet from now on!

However, in this life she definitely wouldn’t stand on Cheng Jia’s side without principle or reason like in her previous life.

Seeing Zhou Shaojin wasn’t surprised at all, Cheng Jia couldn’t help feeling suspicious and said, “How did you know about my aunt returning home to visit family?”

Pan Zhi’s promotion had been quite sudden, and Cheng Xian had decided at the last minute to return to her natal family to celebrate the Second Branch’s Old Ancestor’s birthday. The Third Branch of the Cheng family had only received word last night. Because Pan Qing’s reputation for virtue had grown among relatives in recent years, and Cheng Jia had reached the age for discussing marriage, Jiang Shi feared her daughter would again, as she had that year, muddle-headedly become Pan Qing’s foil. She had called Cheng Jia in overnight to give her a thorough lecture, and only then did Cheng Jia learn that Pan Qing was returning to Jinling for a visit.

Zhou Shaojin could hardly tell Cheng Jia she had lived two lives, so she said vaguely, “I think I heard someone mention it, but I don’t really remember… The Second Branch’s Old Ancestor’s birthday is tomorrow. If they don’t make it back today, they’ll miss celebrating the Old Ancestor’s birthday. I figured they’d most likely return today.”

Cheng Jia accepted this explanation without the slightest doubt.

She said somewhat uneasily, “I wonder what Pan Qing is like now? I heard from my mother that not only is she skilled in needlework and cooking, but she also has excellent calligraphy…”

Looking at Cheng Jia like this, Zhou Shaojin’s mind suddenly conjured the image of her crouching alone under the rose-covered wall, crying softly…

“She’s just coming to Jiuru Lane to visit family—it’s not like she’s moving in permanently. What is there to worry about?” Words of comfort spilled from Zhou Shaojin’s mouth. “Besides, we’re neither tailors nor cooks. What’s the point of being so good at needlework and cooking?”

Cheng Jia perked up like a flower that had been watered, her whole person becoming energized.

“That’s right!” She clapped her hands. “Why didn’t I think of that? We’re neither tailors nor cooks—what’s the point of being so good at those things?” She ran to sit beside Zhou Shaojin, put her arm around Zhou Shaojin’s shoulders, and looked her up and down with a smile. “I’ve noticed you’ve suddenly become much cleverer these days. Quick, tell me—is there some secret to it?”

Zhou Shaojin secretly regretted her words.

It wasn’t as if she didn’t know Cheng Jia’s temperament—why did she go and involve herself in her affairs?

“I need to practice calligraphy!” She broke free from Cheng Jia and moved her armchair aside. “I’ve decided to practice three large sheets every morning. Don’t distract me.”

Cheng Jia giggled and reached to pat her head. “Did I make you angry by saying you were a bit dull before?”

Zhou Shaojin couldn’t be bothered with her.

Zhou Shaojin had been mostly ignoring her these past days, so Cheng Jia finally found this opportunity and naturally wouldn’t let go of pestering her.

Just as Zhou Shaojin was about to storm off in exasperation, Nanny Shen’s cough sounded from the doorway.

Cheng Jia hurried back to her seat. Only then did Zhou Shaojin escape from Cheng Jia and quietly practice her calligraphy.

When class ended, she left Jing’an Studio in a few quick strides, ignoring Cheng Jia’s loud calls behind her.

Just as in her past life, when Zhou Shaojin returned to Jiashu Hall, Cheng Xian was there with local gifts, leading her son Pan Zhuo and daughter Pan Qing to pay respects to Old Madam Guan.

Grand Madam Mian, Zhou Chujin, Cheng Gao, and Cheng Yi were all present.

After this occasion, Zhou Shaojin never saw Cheng Xian and the Pan siblings again. Her memory of the three of them remained frozen at this moment.

Though she was seeing them again across lifetimes, she felt no sense of incongruity.

Zhou Shaojin stepped forward to greet everyone.

Cheng Xian was tall and slender, wearing a bright red vest embroidered with yellow peonies and sapphire blue vases. She wore gold-set mutton-fat jade Guanyin hairpins, had an oval face, large eyes, and a high nose bridge. Though the winds of time had left faint fine lines at the corners of her eyes and her fair, delicate skin had lost some firmness, those same winds had also made her more elegant and composed, confident and mature.

Beside her, Pan Qing wore a pale green vest with subtle flowering branch patterns in Hangzhou silk. She wore her hair in twin spiral buns and wore a flawless mutton-fat jade bracelet. Of medium build with arched brows and phoenix eyes, she had an elegant, refined bearing. Pan Zhuo was tall and slender, wearing a blue-lotus colored robe with subtle circular floral patterns in Hangzhou silk. His temples were neatly trimmed, his features refined and handsome, his expression open and candid. The siblings were quite similar in both appearance and temperament. In comparison, Cheng Jia actually resembled Cheng Xian more.

Cheng Xian personally helped Zhou Shaojin to her feet and said with a smile to Old Madam Guan, “I haven’t seen her in years—Shaojin has grown even more beautiful. If I met her elsewhere, I definitely wouldn’t dare recognize her.”

Old Madam Guan had always doted on these two granddaughters. Hearing this, she couldn’t hide her pleasure but forced herself to appear modest as she smiled and said, “You’re too kind. These two children are reasonably obedient and sensible, making them easy to love.”

“This is also your good fortune, Old Madam.” Cheng Xian smiled and flattered her, then moved on to family matters. “…I heard the children’s Second Uncle Yuan was promoted to Magistrate of Pingyin County. Congratulations.”

The Fourth Branch’s Second Master Cheng Yuan and Zhou Shaojin’s father Zhou Zhen had passed the imperial examinations in the same year, but Zhou Zhen was a second-tier jinshi while Cheng Yuan was merely a third-tier successful candidate.

At that time, the Second Branch’s Old Ancestor Cheng Xu had already retired. The Fourth Branch had used connections through the First Branch’s Elder Master Cheng Jing to secure the position of County Magistrate of Pucheng in Fujian for Zhou Zhen’s father, and the position of County Vice-Magistrate of Yixing in Jiangxi for Cheng Yuan.

For Cheng Yuan to be promoted from mere successful candidate to county magistrate was like a concubine being elevated to wife—he had crossed the most difficult step in his official career. With Cheng Jing’s support, his future path would be smooth.

“Congratulations to you as well.” Old Madam Guan smiled. “Your husband has now been appointed Surveillance Commissioner. When he returns to the capital, a position as a Ministry Vice Minister is assured. Your son-in-law has a bright future ahead!”

From proper fourth rank to junior third rank was also a threshold. And Pan Zhi had already been a fourth-rank prefect for nearly ten years.

This was her own elder, and the most discreet one at that. Cheng Xian no longer concealed her joy and said with a smile, “At the critical moment, the children’s eldest uncle spoke a word on behalf of my husband. Otherwise, how could things have gone so smoothly…”

The children’s eldest uncle should refer to Cheng Jing, right?

Zhou Shaojin pondered this but didn’t curiously observe Pan Qing and Pan Zhuo as she had in her past life. Instead, she kept her eyes on her nose and her nose on her heart, standing behind her sister with lowered brows and submissive eyes, listening with half an ear to Old Madam Guan and Cheng Xian exchange pleasantries.

The tree wishes to remain still, but the wind will not cease.

Who would have thought that a gaze would sweep over her and quickly move away?

Zhou Shaojin paid it no mind.

But after just a moment, that gaze fell on her again, then moved away… then fell on her again, moved away…

Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but look over.

She saw Pan Zhuo’s clear, bright eyes.

Zhou Shaojin was quite surprised.

In her past life, she had also interacted with Pan Zhuo a few times, but it was either because of the elders or because of Pan Qing that they had inadvertently crossed paths. But whether elders were present or they met by chance, Pan Zhuo had always behaved with perfect courtesy, never letting his peripheral vision wander improperly.

Why was he spying on her in this life?

Zhou Shaojin’s eyes widened.

Pan Zhuo quickly turned his face aside, but his fair skin flushed bright red.

Pan Qing shot Zhou Shaojin a quick glance.

Standing beside Old Madam Guan, Cheng Gao stood with upright posture in a sapphire blue robe with cloud patterns and circular flowers. With sword-like brows and starry eyes and a solemn expression, he looked somewhat stern.

He glanced at Pan Zhuo thoughtfully, then suddenly stepped forward several paces to shield Zhou Shaojin behind him.

Old Madam Guan and Cheng Xian, who had been talking, couldn’t help but stop their conversation and look at Cheng Gao together.

Cheng Gao’s expression remained composed. Unhurried, he smiled and said, “Grandmother, it’s getting late. Why don’t you have lunch first, then you can catch up properly with Aunt? That way you won’t let Aunt and Cousin Zhuo and Cousin Qing go hungry!”

“Look at me, I was so absorbed in talking that I forgot about that.” Old Madam Guan smiled apologetically and took Cheng Xian’s hand. “Stay and eat here with me in a bit. I haven’t seen Zhuo and Qing in so many years—I don’t know if I’ll have another chance to see them.”

“Listen to what you’re saying.” Cheng Xian quickly said, “You’re in such good health. I’m planning to bring my grandchildren back to see you in the future and get some red envelopes from you! You mustn’t say such inauspicious things.”

“Good, good, good!” Old Madam Guan laughed heartily. “I’ll definitely prepare big red envelopes early and wait for Zhuo to bring his wife and son to see me.”

Pan Zhuo seemed somewhat uncomfortable hearing this. Before anyone could think much about it, Cheng Xian said, “I’m afraid we can’t stay for lunch today—for one thing, we still haven’t paid our respects to the Fifth Branch. Moreover, I promised Mother I’d return to the Third Branch for lunch.” As she spoke, she gestured slightly toward the southwest where the Fifth Branch lived and said quietly, “You know that one loves to compete over such things. If I stay here for lunch, who knows how she’ll gossip about us?”

Old Madam Guan sighed and said, “Then I won’t keep you—come over this evening, and I’ll give you a proper welcome.”

“Let’s wait until after Old Ancestor’s birthday banquet!” Cheng Xian smiled, her tone sincere. “When that time comes, I’ll come for a drink even if you don’t invite me.”

Tomorrow was Cheng Xu’s birthday, so it was indeed difficult to arrange.

Old Madam Guan smiled and nodded, personally seeing Cheng Xian and her three children out of Jiashu Hall.