Zhu Zhu encountered matters with calm composure and decisiveness. Zhou Shaojin hadn’t thought of this at all, having assumed she was just a spoiled eldest daughter of a wealthy family, especially since Cheng Jia had previously rejected the marriage proposal from Duke Liangguo’s heir Zhu Pengju. At this moment, she couldn’t help but look at Zhu Zhu with admiration and said in a low voice: “I understand. Thank you so much for this matter!”

“What thanks!” Zhu Zhu said matter-of-factly, “We’re all good sisters. I also don’t want her reputation damaged. As for the Duke’s household’s hidden sentries, I’ll also find a way to pass word to them and see if there’s any news.”

Zhou Shaojin nodded repeatedly.

Although she felt that whatever Zhu Zhu could think of, Cheng Chi would certainly think of too, she was still extremely worried about Cheng Jia. Holding onto a thread of hope, she hoped to discover Cheng Jia using the telescope and contain the matter within the smallest scope.

Because the finals were about to begin.

Once the finals ended, they would have to return home.

If people discovered Cheng Jia was missing at this time, regardless of the reason or justification, Cheng Jia’s reputation for this lifetime would be ruined.

The two pretended as if nothing had happened, walking hand in hand to the window with smiles on their faces.

The four dragon boats were racing intensely, with continuous cheers from the shore. Everyone in the private room watched intently.

Zhu Zhu then patted Miss Guo Sixth, who was holding the telescope, and said: “Oh my, how much longer will you need? I really want to quickly see who can participate in the finals!”

They had been very conscientiously taking turns using it for half a quarter-hour each. After Miss Guo Sixth finished, it should go to Miss Guo Seventh. Upon hearing this, Miss Guo Sixth’s expression darkened. Seeing this, Miss Guo Seventh quickly said: “It’s fine, it’s fine. Let Miss Zhu use it first. I can see quite clearly from here too.”

Gu Seventeenth Aunt had an astute personality and smiled: “Ah Zhu, if you cut in line like this, the order for using the telescope will become chaotic. If you can’t get your turn later, you mustn’t throw a tantrum.”

The implication was that if she broke the rules, no one would defend her anymore.

Zhu Zhu then laughingly took Gu Seventeenth Aunt’s arm and said coquettishly: “Good sister, please let me have this once! I guarantee I won’t use this telescope again later. If it weren’t because this group has the Sun family’s boat team, I wouldn’t even care to look!”

Everyone was guessing that the Sun family participated in this dragon boat race to compete with the Liu family.

And the Liu family’s eldest daughter was about to marry into Duke Liangguo’s household to become the young madam.

Upon hearing this, Miss Guo Sixth and Seventh exchanged glances.

Miss Gu Seventeenth had already intervened on their behalf to uphold justice, yet Miss Zhu was still being unreasonable. Everyone knew the fault lay with Miss Zhu. Besides, if they continued to insist, it would only make things difficult for Miss Gu Seventeenth who was standing up for them.

Miss Guo Sixth silently handed the telescope to Zhu Zhu.

Zhu Zhu cheerfully accepted the telescope as if without a care in the world, raised it up, and began looking around.

Gu Seventeenth Aunt quickly stepped forward to apologetically say to Miss Guo Sixth: “That’s just her personality. I ask the two younger sisters to be more tolerant. This time, consider it as giving in to her. If she does this again later, I’ll go tell Old Madam Guo.”

The two Miss Guos hadn’t expected Gu Seventeenth Aunt to be so righteous. That small bit of dissatisfaction disappeared like smoke, and they said in unison: “Such a small matter—Sister Gu need not take it to heart. If it reaches the elders, they’ll say we sisters are at each other’s throats and none of us are worry-free.”

Hearing this, Gu Seventeenth Aunt smiled: “The two younger sisters are quite considerate. It was my thoughtlessness. In any case, I definitely won’t let the two younger sisters suffer a loss. Please bear with it for now, younger sisters.”

The two Miss Guos were very well-mannered and smiled as they thanked her. Accompanied by Gu Seventeenth Aunt, they went to another window to watch the dragon boat race with Miss Gu Eighteenth and Twentieth, leaving only Zhu Zhu alone at this window.

Zhu Zhu then beckoned to Zhou Shaojin, saying: “Come quick and look, come quick and look!”

Zhou Shaojin was startled, thinking Zhu Zhu had discovered something. She walked over in three steps as two.

Zhu Zhu thrust the telescope into her hands and said in a hurried low voice: “I’ve looked for a long time and haven’t found anything. Look carefully again—I might have missed something.”

From when Cheng Jia went to the privy until now, nearly two quarter-hours had passed. If Cheng Jia was determined, by this time if they hadn’t found her, she had probably already gone far.

Zhou Shaojin’s heart felt heavy. Taking the telescope, she slowly examined the crowded streets.

Over there, Gu Seventeenth Aunt glanced at Zhou Shaojin and Zhu Zhu, then entertained the two Miss Guos even more enthusiastically.

Zhou Shaojin couldn’t worry about these things. She carefully examined the women dressed in red on the street.

Outside Qingyan Tower was a main road wide enough for three carriages to travel side by side. Willow trees were planted on both sides at intervals of over ten feet. Though these willow trees grew lush and verdant, they ultimately weren’t like scholar trees or camphor trees with umbrella-like crowns—looking down from above, one couldn’t really see much.

She found several young women dressed in red under the trees at the stalls and on the bustling streets—none of them was Cheng Jia.

Zhou Shaojin became anxious.

She couldn’t just keep the telescope and not return it to Miss Guo Sixth, could she?

Zhou Shaojin began quickly searching among the pedestrians for women in red clothing.

Suddenly, from the corner of her eye, she inadvertently glimpsed the side gate next to Qingyan Tower.

Under the large scholar tree, it seemed a corner of a red dress was blown up by the wind, then quickly disappeared from view.

Zhou Shaojin’s heart pounded like a drum.

Sometimes the most dangerous place was the safest place.

Moreover, deep down she never quite believed that Li Jing would abduct Cheng Jia and elope.

One must know that betrothed women become wives, while elopers become concubines.

Since he had to carefully calculate what methods to use even to secretly meet Cheng Jia in the mansion, how could he recklessly do something that would harm Cheng Jia?

Zhou Shaojin carefully observed the scene by the large tree.

That side gate faced away from Mochou Lake. Perhaps because everyone had gone to watch the excitement, the door was now half-closed, quiet without anyone coming or going. But under a willow tree not far away, there was someone who looked like a maid looking around, as if keeping watch.

That maid was probably guarding against people going toward Mochou Lake, with her back to the private room where Zhou Shaojin was, so her face couldn’t be seen clearly.

Unfortunately, Zhou Shaojin couldn’t remember what clothes Cui Huan was wearing. Thinking back carefully, it seemed Cui Huan had never appeared before her at all.

This Cheng Jia had clearly premeditated this!

Zhou Shaojin was so angry she almost stomped her foot.

She gave Zhu Zhu a meaningful look, handed her the telescope, and smiled: “I saw it. It seems the Sun family’s dragon boat is leading for now.”

Zhu Zhu’s expression immediately relaxed somewhat. She casually handed the telescope toward Miss Guo Sixth and said: “Sixth Miss, I’m truly sorry for taking your item. You all can take turns watching later—I won’t participate anymore.”

With her saying this, Miss Guo Sixth instead felt somewhat embarrassed and said: “Since you’re so concerned about this race, finish watching this round before returning it to me!”

Zhu Zhu indeed wanted to know whether the Sun family would win or lose—if the Sun family and Liu family met in the finals, regardless of the final outcome, it would be quite a joke.

But she was also worried about Cheng Jia.

So she glanced at Zhou Shaojin.

Zhou Shaojin took the opportunity to say: “I’m going to the privy. You all continue playing.”

She indicated for Zhu Zhu not to worry about her—she was going out to search for someone.

After all, this was the Cheng family’s internal matter. It wouldn’t be good for her to get too deeply involved.

She smiled and thanked Miss Guo Sixth in passing, who continued watching the dragon boat race.

Zhou Shaojin then greeted the others and left the private room with Bitao.

But having experienced her previous life, she had become cautious and even somewhat jumpy.

She had Bitao knock on Cheng Chi’s door while she herself stood to the side.

Unexpectedly, it was Cheng Chi himself who answered the door.

He strode out and casually closed the door behind him, his expression somewhat displeased as he said: “Why did you come over? I’ve already sent people to look for Cheng Jia. This matter has nothing to do with you. If the third branch asks, I’ll handle it myself. If she’s not found before the dragon boat race ends, just say Cheng Jia wasn’t feeling well and went home first, then quietly inform my mother. Go back to your room quickly. Be careful not to let others see you!”

Cheng Jia had come at Zhou Shaojin’s invitation. If something happened, neither Zhou Shaojin nor the first branch could escape responsibility!

Cheng Chi had never spoken to Zhou Shaojin so seriously before.

Zhou Shaojin felt quite wronged in her heart, but still lowered her head and obediently replied “yes,” saying softly: “I, I think I’ve found Cheng Jia. I want to go look. Can you have Ji Ying accompany me?”

Cheng Chi was stunned.

He felt very regretful.

He hadn’t taken Cheng Jia’s disappearance to heart, but Shaojin’s mood must be terrible.

Moreover, she had no experience with such matters. Being able to calmly send someone to inform him and request his help in searching was already quite remarkable. His tone just now had been too harsh. Although it wasn’t directed at this matter or at her, she was the one looking at his face, she was the one hearing his words—how could she not be hurt?

Cheng Chi softened his voice and said gently: “I’m upset about something else, not because you came to find me. However, since you’ve found Cheng Jia, I’ll have people go look. You shouldn’t get involved, to avoid being implicated. Be good, listen—go back quickly. I’ll handle this matter!”

That word “be good” was said with such tender emotion.

Zhou Shaojin often heard Cheng Chi coax her like this. She only felt it was like warm sunshine, ironing out all her worries perfectly, and she liked it very much.

Hearing it for the first time, Bitao’s face turned red as if blood could drip from it, and she didn’t dare steal even a glance at Zhou Shaojin and Cheng Chi.

Zhou Shaojin pouted and said: “It’s better if I go! In case Cheng Jia makes a fuss, it would be quite awkward…”

Seeing her become spirited again, Cheng Chi relaxed and said: “I sent Ji Ying out to look for Cheng Jia. She’s not here right now…”

Zhou Shaojin was very disappointed.

Perhaps she wanted to go find Cheng Jia not only because she was worried about Cheng Jia, but also had some thought of making amends?

Watching and guessing this, Cheng Chi immediately changed his mind and said: “I’ll have Nanny Shang accompany you then! When she was young, she worked as a laborer at the docks. Though she’s older now, she still has considerable strength—much more capable than those rough servants. Catching Cheng Jia would be like catching a chick for her.”

Zhou Shaojin smiled with pursed lips.

Her face brightened.

Cheng Chi couldn’t help but sigh, called Nanny Shang over, and uneasily instructed Zhou Shaojin: “Be alert yourself. Don’t make it so that Cheng Jia isn’t found and I have to go find you instead.”

“I’ll definitely listen to Uncle Chi!” Zhou Shaojin promised, her face smiling like a blooming flower.

Cheng Chi helplessly entered the private room.

Zhou Shaojin headed toward the back courtyard with Nanny Shang.

On the way, she told Nanny Shang about her discovery.