Thinking of these matters, Zhou Shaojin felt a tightness in her chest that made it hard to breathe. It took her quite a while to calm down.

After Madam Wu had established a connection with Grandmother, she frequently visited the Cheng family’s fourth branch. At this time, she only needed to send someone to Grandmother’s quarters to inquire, and she should be able to find out whether she and her sister had actually come out to receive guests.

She asked Shi Xiang, “Did Ma Fushan’s wife enter the mansion today?”

The Ma Fushan couple and their son Ma Sheng lived at the Zhou family’s old residence, but Ma Fushan’s wife came to the mansion every day to see if the Zhou sisters had any instructions and to relay messages to Ma Fushan so he could handle matters.

Shi Xiang smiled and said, “Aunt Ma followed Eldest Miss to the temple. She said she won’t return until shenzheng hour, four in the afternoon.”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but frown, listlessly leaning against the headboard.

Ma Fushan’s wife was clever and resourceful. After all these years coming and going at the Cheng family, she had established some friendship with people from all branches. Sending her to inquire about matters in Grandmother’s courtyard would be most appropriate.

Who would have thought she’d actually gone to the temple with her sister?

Once her sister returned, if she then ordered Ma Fushan’s wife to run errands, especially to inquire about matters in Grandmother’s courtyard, her sister would surely become suspicious and question her motives.

It seemed she’d need to think of another way!

Who could she send to inquire?

Zhou Shaojin pondered this.

Seeing her uncertain expression, Shi Xiang worried privately and carefully approached, saying gently, “Second Miss, what’s the matter? Are you feeling unwell somewhere? Should I go fetch a physician to come examine you?”

“No need.” Zhou Shaojin came back to her senses, her gaze falling on Shi Xiang.

Have Shi Xiang go inquire about Wu Baozhang?

Zhou Shaojin shook her head lightly.

Matters at Wanxiang Residence had always been handled publicly by Chi Xiang, the senior maid at her sister’s side. If Shi Xiang rashly ran to Grandmother’s courtyard, she might even alarm Grandmother, making her think something had happened on their side—achieving the opposite of the intended effect.

Send Chun Wan?

That might be even more inappropriate!

Her sister always said Chun Wan was rash and impulsive, not steady enough in handling matters, unable to keep her mouth shut, which was why she still only received a junior maid’s monthly allowance.

Who would be good to send?

Zhou Shaojin contemplated this in her heart.

But Shi Xiang watched with her heart in her throat.

Although Wanxiang Residence looked the same as usual, Second Miss’s abnormal behavior couldn’t be hidden from those who served at Eldest Miss and Second Miss’s side. Now that Eldest Miss wasn’t home, Second Miss absolutely mustn’t have any problems at this time!

She urgently called out “Second Miss” and said loudly, “That assorted tofu catch won’t taste good once it’s cold. I’ll instruct the young maids to bring it in for you right away.” As she spoke, she turned to open the tall cabinet. “What clothes will you wear today? How about that newly made white openwork skirt from a few days ago? The weather is gradually getting warmer—wearing white looks refreshing…”

“Never mind about that.” Zhou Shaojin seemed somewhat distracted, saying lazily, “I don’t want to get up yet. Go downstairs first. I want to be alone and quiet for a while.”

How could Shi Xiang dare ask more questions? She withdrew trembling with fear and immediately ran toward Nanny Fan Liu’s room…

Zhou Shaojin’s mood was agitated.

This one wouldn’t work, that one wasn’t suitable—surely she couldn’t personally go inquire about the news herself?

As this thought flashed through her mind, Zhou Shaojin was badly startled.

She had never done such a thing before.

What if she gave herself away? Wouldn’t she lose face right in front of Grandmother!

How could she face anyone after that!

Zhou Shaojin immediately dismissed this idea.

Then… who else could help her?

She thought and thought but couldn’t come up with a suitable candidate.

Zhou Shaojin was feeling vexed and irritated when Shi Xiang walked in with a tense expression, saying, “Second Miss, the Fourth Branch Eldest Lady has arrived.”

The Fourth Branch’s old master, Cheng Quan, was an only son who had passed away thirty years ago. He had three children: eldest son Cheng Mian, eldest daughter Cheng He, and second son Cheng Yuan. The Fourth Branch Eldest Lady was Cheng Mian’s first wife, He Shi, while Cheng He was Zhou Chujin’s birth mother.

Zhou Shaojin quickly instructed Shi Xiang to receive the Fourth Branch Eldest Lady in the west wing study and serve tea, while having Chun Wan come in to help her wash and dress.

But just as she had finished rinsing her mouth and washing her face, Shi Xiang returned, saying, “Eldest Lady says Second Miss is ill and mustn’t exhaust herself by making a fuss just because an elder is coming to visit. She told me to inform you to just lie in bed—she’ll look at you and then leave.” As she spoke, there was already movement outside.

Zhou Shaojin obeyed, though she didn’t actually lie in bed—she stood in the room waiting.

Shi Xiang went to invite the Fourth Branch Eldest Lady inside.

The Fourth Branch Eldest Lady had just celebrated her fortieth birthday on the second day of the second month this year. She was a plump woman with a face like a full moon. She wore a honey-colored jacket with four-leaf pattern, her hair arranged in a round bun with only three gold hairpins inlaid with South Sea pearls inserted in her hair—simple and elegant yet still splendid.

Zhou Shaojin stepped forward to pay her respects.

Before Zhou Shaojin could curtsy, the Fourth Branch Eldest Lady quickly stepped forward and helped her up, saying, “Your grandmother was afraid you’d exhaust yourself and has been constantly concerned about your illness but didn’t dare come see you. Seeing how worried your grandmother was, I steeled myself to come in person. If you still don’t follow your elders’ instructions like this, I won’t dare come again.”

She was feigning illness here, yet making her elders worry. Zhou Shaojin felt embarrassed and murmured, “Thank you for Grandmother’s and Eldest Aunt’s concern. I’m already much better. Nanny Zhou said after taking this dose of medicine, everything will be fine. Sister is just afraid I’ll pass my illness to Grandmother and you, so she’s keeping me confined to the room to rest and recover for a few more days before going out.”

The Cheng family always consulted Doctor Zhou from “Zhou’s Medical Hall” when seeing physicians. Doctor Zhou’s wife’s natal family ran an apothecary, and after marrying into the Zhou family, she learned the skills of taking pulses and diagnosing from Doctor Zhou. The women of Jinling’s great households would invite her to examine them when ill. Over time, “Nanny Zhou’s” reputation became even more resounding than her husband Doctor Zhou’s.

“That’s good then!” The Fourth Branch Eldest Lady led Zhou Shaojin to sit on an embroidered stool beside the red-lacquered carved-tooth round table in the center of the room. She carefully examined her for quite a while, and seeing her complexion was still good, let out a long breath. She accepted the tea Shi Xiang offered and took a sip, then asked Zhou Shaojin whether she was still taking the previous prescription, whether she slept well, whether her appetite was good, and what she did at home when she couldn’t go out… All sorts of things, trivial yet specific.

Zhou Shaojin respectfully answered, but having not slept well these past few days, after a while she inevitably showed some signs of fatigue.

Seeing this, the Fourth Branch Eldest Lady gave her a few instructions about “resting well to recover” and such, then rose to take her leave.

Zhou Shaojin saw the Fourth Branch Eldest Lady to the door.

A young maid was waiting outside. Upon seeing the Fourth Branch Eldest Lady emerge, she stepped forward to pay respects and said with a smile, “Old Madam asked me to come tell you that guests will be visiting in a couple days. After you finish at Second Miss’s quarters, she wants you to come by.”

Zhou Shaojin’s heart immediately felt like it was being scratched by a cat.

Grandmother was a widow who didn’t receive guests casually. Whenever she did receive guests, they were either close relatives or distinguished visitors.

Who was coming?

Should she send someone to inquire?

At this thought, Zhou Shaojin deflated again.

What people did she have available to use now?

Unlike before, when she only had to give an instruction and if Nanny Zheng who served her couldn’t accomplish it, Lin Shisheng would help her achieve it. Unlike now…

Thinking of this, Zhou Shaojin became somewhat dazed.

The matter wasn’t yet clear, but she was constantly being influenced by things from her memories. If this continued, she feared she wouldn’t be able to distinguish what was real from what she had merely imagined!

Zhou Shaojin’s mood was low. She curled herself up in the blankets, alternating between waking and sleeping, her mind sometimes showing her sister’s swollen red eyes, sometimes showing Cheng Lu’s ferocious face… In a muddle, she didn’t know what time it was. When Shi Xiang finally woke her, she discovered it was already late evening and the room had grown dark.

“Second Miss.” Shi Xiang, who had guarded her at the door with Nanny Fan Liu all day, couldn’t hide her excitement. “Eldest Miss has returned.”

Zhou Shaojin was startled as Shi Xiang quickly and efficiently helped her arrange her hair and change clothes.

Zhou Chujin walked in with a beaming face, clearly satisfied with her trip.

The two sisters both resembled Zhou Zhen, with delicate and gentle features, fair and fine jade-like skin, brilliant sparkling eyes, and slender graceful figures. The difference was that what showed in Zhou Chujin’s eyes and brows was resilience, while Zhou Shaojin’s was more compliance. Added to this, they were seven years apart in age—Zhou Chujin had fully matured while Zhou Shaojin was still a young girl not yet of age. Zhou Chujin was gentle and steady while Zhou Shaojin was delicate and timid. Those who had seen both sisters didn’t think them very similar.

Zhou Chujin’s jet-black hair was simply arranged in a bun with only a pair of pearl earrings the size of lotus seeds hanging from her ears. The sleeves and hem of her snow-blue jacket embroidered with orchid patterns were all wrinkled—clearly she had come straight from the carriage without even returning to her room first, just to see her.

“Shaojin, how are you?” She sat on the bedside and took her sister’s hand, saying, “Father’s birthday is approaching. I went to the temple and lit incense for Father and for us.” Unable to hide the joy in her expression, she took from her bosom a golden sachet embroidered with night-blooming cereus. “I also obtained peace talismans for all of us.” She handed the sachet to Zhou Shaojin. “This one is yours. Keep it safe and hang it at your waist. It will protect you throughout the year, ensuring peace and smooth fortune, free from disaster and difficulty.”

It was specially obtained for her, wasn’t it?

Father’s birthday was in June—still almost three months away!

Zhou Shaojin silently accepted the sachet, murmuring her thanks to her sister.

“No need to be so formal with your sister.” Zhou Chujin smiled and patted her head, asking, “What did you eat today? Is there anything in particular you want to eat? I’ll have the small kitchen make it for you tomorrow.”

Shi Xiang’s expression tightened slightly.

Second Miss hadn’t eaten anything all day, but they truly didn’t dare force Second Miss…

Only now did Zhou Shaojin feel hungry.

She said, “I’d like to eat some crystal cakes.”

Shi Xiang quickly said, “They’re still steaming in the kitchen. I’ll go get them right away.”

“Better to make them fresh!” Zhou Chujin was slightly displeased, saying, “Have the kitchen also add an osmanthus duck and a squirrel fish.”

These two dishes were both Zhou Shaojin’s favorites.

Shi Xiang curtsied and withdrew.

Zhou Chujin also stood up, smiling. “I’ll go change clothes. After paying respects to Grandmother, I’ll come back to have dinner with you.”

Zhou Shaojin saw her sister to the door, then washed up and dressed herself properly, sitting at the table waiting for her sister to return for dinner. But it wasn’t until the large red lanterns in the Cheng family’s inner courtyard were lit one after another that Zhou Chujin finally returned from Old Madam Guan’s quarters.

“Did you wait anxiously?” Zhou Chujin smiled while Chi Xiang helped her wash her hands, and she instructed her young maid Dong Wan to set out the meal.

Perhaps because her mind was preoccupied, or perhaps because her meals had been irregular these past few days, Zhou Shaojin felt full after eating just two pieces of crystal cake and a few bites of squirrel fish.

Zhou Chujin was quite surprised but didn’t force her, instead giving Chi Xiang a meaningful look.

Chi Xiang nodded slightly and immediately brought in a bowl of soup.

“I had this specially stewed for you.” Zhou Chujin spoke vaguely. “Drink it while it’s hot! It nourishes the qi and blood.”