Zhou Shaojin definitely wasn’t crying because she missed her elder sister.

Then why exactly was she upset?

Cheng Chi immediately lost all sleepiness.

He called Nanny Shang in and said, “Go to Ruyi Pavilion and find out what Miss Jia said to Second Cousin Miss.”

Nanny Shang had just gone to bed and was called over by Cheng Chi. She thought something serious had happened, but it turned out to be this same matter—she had already made two trips to Floating Jade Pavilion today. However, she had always been good at reading expressions. With lowered brows and eyes, she calmly responded “Yes,” and said respectfully, “Fourth Master, it’s already past the third watch. If I go over now, I’m afraid Ruyi Pavilion will already be locked up. How about I go first thing when it gets light tomorrow?”

Only then did Cheng Chi realize he had lost his composure somewhat. He said, “When you inquire doesn’t matter—what’s important is getting to the bottom of things. Don’t be like at Floating Jade Pavilion, only asking perfunctory pleasantries.”

Nanny Shang respectfully acknowledged and withdrew.

Cheng Chi kept his eyes open for a long time before falling asleep.

The next day, as soon as it was light, Nanny Shang came to report: “The Third Household’s Old Madam Li has a nephew from her maiden family named Li Jing who seems to have taken a fancy to Miss Jia. However, Madam Lu absolutely refuses because Li Jing comes from a merchant family. A few days ago, Madam Lu had business and invited Li Jing into the household to talk. They encountered Miss Jia by chance, and Miss Jia exchanged a few words with Li Jing. Since Madam Lu was busy with Young Master Zheng’s wedding, she didn’t have the energy to manage Miss Jia for the time being, so she confined Miss Jia to her quarters…”

She explained clearly, telling Cheng Chi the entire sequence of events.

Cheng Chi was even more puzzled and said, “Then why was Second Cousin Miss crying?”

Since Cheng Jia was talking entirely about her affairs with Li Jing, why would that young girl get so worked up?

Nanny Shang was even more confused than Cheng Chi. She repeatedly assured him, “Fourth Master, I only found this out by using people from East Pavilion. If you don’t believe me, I can call in that young maid from East Pavilion’s staff, and you can ask her yourself.”

“No need!” Cheng Chi’s eyes flickered slightly as he said, “Most likely something Miss Jia said inadvertently touched Second Cousin Miss. Let this matter end here!”

Nanny Shang lowered her head, acknowledged “Yes,” and withdrew.

Cheng Chi stood alone by the window with his hands behind his back for a while. Qingfeng ran in and said, “Fourth Master, Old Madam asks if you’re still accompanying her to the Gu family. If you’re not going, then she’ll leave first. If you are going, you need to set out now.”

How could he have forgotten about this matter!

Cheng Chi changed his clothes and hurriedly went to the main quarters.

From afar, he could already hear Mother’s hearty laughter.

Cheng Chi’s face also naturally showed a slight smile.

With him at home, Mother had company, and her mood was much better than before.

Thinking that Mother had been waiting for him, without waiting for the little maid on duty at the door to announce him, he strode into the hall in just a few steps.

In a large Ge kiln flower vase on the long table in the hall was arranged a large bunch of fiery red peony flowers.

Zhou Shaojin wore a lake-blue plain Hangzhou silk jacket and a moon-white embroidered skirt, standing beside that flower vase with a beaming smile.

In such a simple outfit, the complex bright red flowers not only didn’t make her fade into the background, but instead set off her features like a painting, luminous as jade.

Cheng Chi couldn’t help but catch his breath.

Wasn’t she supposed to be resting at Floating Jade Pavilion?

How did she end up here?

His brows slightly furrowed, and just as he was about to ask what was going on, Old Madam Guo already said with a smile, “We were just waiting for you! Good, now everyone’s here. Go tell those in the palanquin hall that we’re setting out now.”

These last few sentences were directed at Nanny Lü.

Cheng Chi said in surprise, “Shaojin is also going along?”

“Yes!” Old Madam Guo happily patted Zhou Shaojin’s hand and said, “This child is so thoughtful. She says she’s feeling fine now. She’ll come along with me to see the several young misses of the Gu family.”

What was this all about?

Cheng Chi looked at Zhou Shaojin.

Zhou Shaojin also hadn’t expected that Cheng Chi would accompany Old Madam Guo to the Gu family.

But by the time she knew, Old Madam Guo had already sent someone to call for Cheng Chi.

She could hardly say, “Since Uncle Chi is accompanying you, I won’t go,” could she?

But thinking about how yesterday she had cried inexplicably for fear of losing Uncle Chi’s protection, she felt somewhat embarrassed to face Cheng Chi.

Now with Cheng Chi looking at her as if questioning her, she felt inexplicably guilty and said softly, “I, I’m fine now… Old Madam said she was going to the Gu family as a guest. I thought Uncle Chi had business to attend to, so I volunteered to accompany Old Madam on her visit… I didn’t know Uncle Chi would be going with Old Madam…”

Cheng Chi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Volunteered!

Was the Gu family a dragon’s pool or a tiger’s den?

If she had known he was also going to the Gu family, would she have decided not to go?

He had worried about her half the night for nothing!

What an ungrateful little wolf—no matter how you raise her, she won’t stay home!

Now it turned out well—he was afraid Mother would encounter vexing matters at the Gu family with no one to comfort her; she was afraid Mother would go visiting the Gu family alone with no one to accompany her… The two of them had inadvertently thought of the same thing.

Thinking of it this way, this little girl at least had some conscience.

Cheng Chi’s expression cleared somewhat.

Old Madam Guo knew Cheng Chi had been very busy these days. Thinking he was annoyed that they had delayed his affairs, she quickly said, “Alright, alright, this matter is my fault for not explaining clearly. Shaojin also had good intentions. If you have business, then go attend to it. Shaojin and I will go to the Gu family together.”

They were going to the Gu family to serve as mediators, not to admire flowers and scenery at the Gu family. With Zhou Shaojin, who knew nothing, following along, how could he not go?

Cheng Chi said, “I’ve already made arrangements for my affairs. I’ll still accompany you there!”

Old Madam Guo understood perfectly well in her heart.

She was a widowed old lady. Even though she had managed the household affairs of Nine Fortunes Lane, in terms of ability, vision, and knowledge, she might not compare to the head managers of those large commercial firms. She wasn’t much better than anyone else. It was only because she had raised three jinshi sons, and her eldest son held a position among the Nine Ministers, that others gave her some face and addressed her as “Old Madam,” inviting her to preside over justice. To put it bluntly, they simply needed to borrow the influence of her sons.

Therefore, she rarely visited other people’s homes as a guest.

But the Gu family was different.

The Gu family had several generations of friendship with both the Guo and Cheng families. Both the Guo and Cheng families had received favors from the Gu family. She couldn’t just watch as the Gu family’s reputation as a “family of scholars and propriety passed down through generations” collapsed.

With her capable younger son along, matters might proceed more smoothly.

Old Madam Guo didn’t stand on ceremony. She allowed Zhou Shaojin to support her lightly as she got into the palanquin.

Zhou Shaojin was arranged to sit in the second palanquin.

As soon as she turned around, she saw Cheng Chi standing beside the palanquin hall.

Uncle Chi had sent people to inquire about her twice last night—should she thank Uncle Chi?

Zhou Shaojin hesitated.

Cheng Chi sighed.

This little girl had all her emotions written on her face. When they got to the Gu family, wouldn’t she be devoured alive?

Once they reached Plum Blossom Lane, it would be better to just leave her with the several young misses of the Gu family to play.

Cheng Chi pondered this as he walked to Zhou Shaojin’s side. He said warmly, “Do your eyes still hurt?”

Uncle Chi wasn’t angry with her!

Zhou Shaojin beamed with joy, nodding repeatedly and saying eagerly, “I had Chun Wan help me boil eggs. It was very effective—by this morning when I woke up, nothing could be seen anymore.”

Seeing her presenting it like a little girl showing off a treasure, Cheng Chi couldn’t help but tease her, “You even know to use eggs. Clearly you cry often!”

Zhou Shaojin’s face turned bright red, and she couldn’t get any words out.

Cheng Chi couldn’t help but laugh and said, “When we return later, I have something to ask you. After you come out of Old Madam’s room, come find me at Listening to Orioles Pavilion.”

Ah!

Zhou Shaojin’s eyes widened.

Cheng Chi had already turned and walked toward his own palanquin.

Zhou Shaojin quickly caught up and said, “Uncle Chi, what do you want to ask me? Can’t you ask now?”

Cheng Chi pointed at Old Madam Guo’s palanquin, which had already left the palanquin hall, and said, “Now is not the time to talk!”

Indeed, now was not the time to talk.

But with Uncle Chi leaving her with such words, how could she have peace of mind all day?

Zhou Shaojin pouted as she got into the palanquin.

Cheng Chi couldn’t help but shake his head with a smile.

This little girl couldn’t hold her composure at all.

If he had known, he wouldn’t have said those words to her.

However, it wouldn’t do for her to always be like this.

This time could serve as practice for her.

When they arrived at the Gu family, Madam Gu was surprised that Cheng Chi had come along.

She had heard that Cheng Chi had negotiated a major deal with the Thirteen Hongs. If it succeeded, Nine Fortunes Lane could live comfortably for three years.

Everyone in the Gu family who heard this gave Cheng Chi a thumbs up in praise, feeling it was a great pity he hadn’t entered official service.

She quickly had someone report to the several old masters and masters of the Gu family.

The several old masters had either gone to build huts at the Gu family’s ancestral tombs on Azure Dragon Mountain or had gone to temples to chant sutras. Only Fifth Master Gu was at home.

Madam Gu couldn’t worry about all that. On one hand, she sent people to notify whichever Gu family old masters and masters could return. On the other hand, she invited Fifth Master Gu to entertain the guests, while she personally supported Old Madam Guo as they headed to the inner courtyard.

Nanny Lü quietly said to Seventh Madam Gu, who had come with Madam Gu to greet the guests, “When the several madams talk, Second Cousin Miss is young and might not be able to sit still. Please, Seventh Madam, later take our Second Cousin Miss to sit with the several young misses.”

Seventh Madam Gu knew why the Gu family had invited Old Madam Guo over as a guest. Hearing this, she understood and smiled, saying, “Rest assured, Nanny. I’ll take care of this matter.” Then, remembering that Zhou Shaojin had a good relationship with Gu Family’s Seventeenth Miss, after three rounds of tea when all the madams had arrived, she personally led Zhou Shaojin to Gu Family’s Seventeenth Miss’s quarters.

The Gu family had a flourishing population. Although the Gu household consisted of two large compounds with five courtyards each, by the time it came to Gu Family’s Seventeenth Miss, she could only share a side chamber with Gu Family’s Eighteenth Miss—the dark room on the east side belonged to Gu Family’s Seventeenth Miss, while the dark room on the west side belonged to Gu Family’s Eighteenth Miss. The maids and servants all lived in the ear rooms at the back. They shared a common hall and would run into each other coming and going.

Fortunately, the Gu family sisters were well-raised. They could all control their temperaments to be modest and yielding. Living together like this, they actually talked and laughed quite cheerfully and had a rather lively atmosphere.

Knowing that Gu Shiqi had a guest, Gu Shiba came out to greet Zhou Shaojin. After exchanging pleasantries, she had her personal maid bring over some wisteria cakes she had made a few days ago before returning to her room.

Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but be impressed. She whispered to Gu Shiqi, “Your cousin sister is so capable!”

Gu Shiqi smiled with pursed lips and said, “We see each other constantly. That’s why the young ladies from our family adapt quite well when they marry out.”

That was indeed true!

Zhou Shaojin smiled and said, “You’re also very capable!”

Gu Shiqi laughed heartily and asked her, “What are you doing here? Why would Elder Aunt invite Old Madam Guo to our home as a guest?”

Zhou Shaojin said somewhat embarrassedly, “If you don’t know, I can’t tell you. If I’m really curious, I can only tell you after I’ve asked Old Madam Guo or Uncle Chi.”