For a time, both inside and outside the room fell into complete silence.

After a long while, Old Madam Guo finally spoke: “Is Shaojin asleep?”

Her voice carried a somewhat somber tone.

Cheng Chi nodded, his gaze clear and bright, like a deep, still abyss—possessing a kind of fearless composure.

Old Madam Guo slumped in defeat, yet deep in her heart she felt a hidden sense of proud affection.

Her son was strong and resolute, gentle on the outside but firm within, daring to act and take responsibility.

This was once the son she had hoped for.

But now that it was directed at her, she only felt helpless.

“That’s good then!” Old Madam Guo couldn’t help but lower her eyelids, murmuring, “I’m a bit tired, so I’ll head back to rest first!”

Cheng Chi came out and said softly, “I’ll have Nanny Shang escort you back!”

“No need,” Old Madam Guo said faintly. “You need people to serve you here too. I have Nanny Lü to attend to me, and that will suffice.”

Cheng Chi thought for a moment and said, “Then be careful on your way!”

Old Madam Guo nodded, supporting herself on Nanny Lü’s arm, and walked out of the Floating Jade Pavilion with upright bearing.

Cheng Chi stood in the covered corridor, watching his mother’s retreating figure grow more distant, his gaze gradually dimming.

At midnight, heavy rain began to fall.

Cheng Chi fed Zhou Shaojin medicine once more.

Zhou Shaojin’s temperature had come down.

Cheng Chi breathed a sigh of relief.

In the pitch-black inner chamber of the main room at Cold Green Mountain Estate, Old Madam Guo, who had been tossing and turning unable to sleep, had eyes that shone bright as cold stars.

She said to Zhenzhu, who was on duty: “Go to the Floating Jade Pavilion and see how Second Young Lady is doing.”

Zhenzhu was stunned.

The old madam was always most considerate of her servants. Outside, the wind was howling fiercely and rain was pouring down amid thunder and lightning. How could her ladyship bear to have them brave the wind and rain?

But she quickly collected her emotions, respectfully answered “Yes,” and went to the Floating Jade Pavilion holding an umbrella and wearing a cloak.

Old Madam Guo sat up, leaning alone against the headboard in a daze for quite some time before calling to a second-rank maid on duty outside: “Help me get up. I want to go to the Buddhist hall to offer incense.”

The young maid didn’t dare delay and hurriedly helped Old Madam Guo rise.

Feicui, who had been sleeping in the side room, was startled awake. She directed the young maids to bring lanterns and hold umbrellas as they accompanied Old Madam Guo to the Buddhist hall.

In the Buddhist hall, lamplight flickered, making people’s shadows lengthen and shorten, lean and tilt. Yet Guanyin Bodhisattva’s face remained compassionate and filled with kindness.

Old Madam Guo closed her eyes, holding back the single tear at the corner of her eye.

Fourth Son—Fourth Son had actually come to care for Shaojin.

And she was his niece in name.

If anyone were to detect something amiss, Fourth Son’s entire life would be ruined.

Yet she had been the one to bring Shaojin to Cold Green Mountain Estate.

At this thought, Old Madam Guo couldn’t help but feel sorrow welling up from her heart.

Fourth Son had always been independent-minded since childhood. She had never imagined that one day he would even calculate against her.

Was that Zhou Shaojin really so wonderful?

So wonderful that he would disregard even his reputation and proper relationships?

Zhou Shaojin’s flower-like smiling face flashed through Old Madam Guo’s mind.

Brilliant as sunshine, radiant as spring light.

Would such a girl deliberately seduce their Fourth Son?

Old Madam Guo shivered.

Once inner demons arose, one leaf could obscure the mountain.

She could not develop prejudice against Zhou Shaojin just because she might obstruct or even destroy Fourth Son’s future.

Zhou Shaojin was still just a little girl not yet fourteen, while Fourth Son had been out in the world all these years—what kind of women had he not encountered? Even with Ji Ying, hadn’t he remained indifferent?

This matter—the crux probably lay with Fourth Son himself.

If that was truly the case, what should she do?

She had already failed this son in so many ways. Could she deny him even in marriage?

But why did it have to be Zhou Shaojin he fancied—Zhou Zhen’s daughter?

If only it were someone else!

Old Madam Guo felt at a loss for the second time in her life, her mind as if covered in fog—the first time was when the Old Ancestor of the second branch had Cheng Chi inherit the household affairs. She had vaguely felt it improper then. But she was the mother of three children. Besides Fourth Son, there were also Eldest Son and Second Son… So she had nodded in agreement.

But once that step was taken, looking back after a hundred years would be too late.

Fortunately, Fourth Son was a pure-hearted and filial child who said nothing. No matter what grievances he suffered, he still silently managed the household’s trivial matters without complaint.

But what about this time?

If she made another wrong decision, would her Fourth Son be destroyed by her?

But if she let him continue like this, how would it end?

When had Fourth Son and Zhou Shaojin grown so close?

It seemed to have been when she herself encouraged Zhou Shaojin to accompany Fourth Son in playing chess.

Old Madam Guo carefully recalled the scenes at Mount Jintuo, the scenes after Zhou Shaojin moved into Cold Green Mountain Estate… How regrettable that she had always been too assured about this son and hadn’t paid any attention to what Fourth Son had been doing. Now, thinking back, whether they were playing chess or talking, everything revealed a hint of intimacy. Yet upon careful reflection, she felt that between the two there was nothing but pure innocence—absolutely nothing had happened!

Old Madam Guo rubbed her temples, closed her eyes, and said in her heart to her deceased husband: “My lord, you must protect Fourth Son from heaven. He has come to care for his own niece—what is to be done? If your spirit is in heaven, please show me a clear path!”

She respectfully kowtowed three times to the Bodhisattva.

Zhenzhu returned and said in a low voice: “Second Young Lady has been unconscious the whole time, and Fourth Master has been keeping watch there. Second Young Lady’s fever has now broken. Fourth Master says she should recover soon. Once Second Young Lady is well, he’ll have her come thank you.”

What she feared had indeed come to pass.

Fourth Son had actually been keeping watch there the whole time!

Old Madam Guo’s hands clenched tightly into fists. It took all her effort not to show any unusual expression, yet she couldn’t help but say: “If he weren’t keeping watch there, then I would have to keep watch there. This child—he’s being filial to me!”

Zhenzhu didn’t dare respond.

But in her heart she felt it strange.

No matter what, Second Young Lady was a guest. Now that she was ill, regardless of the reason, the old madam bore some responsibility. Fourth Master keeping watch there was naturally out of filial piety to the old madam, but why did the old madam feel the need to explain this to her?

She was merely a maid.

Moreover, the old madam never explained her actions to others!

She was full of doubt.

But Old Madam Guo remained wide awake until the sky turned white.

She finally decided to pretend she knew nothing.

Her son was not a confused person.

Nor was he someone who let just anyone get close.

In all his years, he had never cared for someone like this.

If she rashly asked him about Shaojin and he denied it, that would be fine. But if he admitted it, what should be done afterward—she would need to come up with a plan.

The problem was that after thinking all night, she still hadn’t come up with any proper solution.

Send Zhou Shaojin away?

What did her son think? Would he agree?

He was not like the eldest!

This youngest son of hers had always been very decided in his actions.

Keep Zhou Shaojin?

If he couldn’t control himself momentarily and did something improper or rumors spread, that would be disastrous.

Keep Zhou Shaojin by her side?

Could she really avoid seeing Fourth Son?

Neither left nor right was right.

She could only temporarily play ignorant and wait until she thought of a foolproof solution.

Old Madam Guo suddenly felt extremely exhausted.

Her eldest daughter-in-law was both proud and insecure before her, while her second daughter-in-law was so cautious she barely dared speak an extra word. When trouble arose, she didn’t even have anyone to consult with.

If only Zheng jiejie were here!

Old Madam Guo sighed, and only then felt a bit sleepy.

Cheng Chi didn’t close his eyes all night.

The little girl slept extremely restlessly.

Sometimes she called out “Mother,” sometimes “Elder Sister,” and several times she called out “Uncle Chi.”

He felt both heartache and bitterness.

Hongmen banquets, honey traps—in his time out in the world, what kind of situations had he not encountered?

If before he had simply not thought about it, now with her illness, even a fool would guess the general situation.

But her feelings were so transparent—how could she know what it meant to care for someone?

Moreover, they were separated by generational status.

She didn’t understand, but he could not fail to understand.

Once she recovered, he should still send her back to Baoding…

Given time, she would make new friends and gradually forget him!

Cheng Chi thought despondently, his mood somewhat low.

But he had always been skilled at concealing his thoughts. He quickly suppressed these emotions, gently touching Zhou Shaojin’s forehead.

Zhou Shaojin groggily opened her eyes.

Her hazy large eyes were misty with moisture, possessing a child-like vulnerability.

“Uncle Chi,” she showed a soft smile. “Why are you here? I must be dreaming, right?”

Yes!

Why was he here?

This was the little girl’s inner chamber.

Not to mention him, her uncle in name—even her own blood brother shouldn’t be keeping watch by her bed without proper propriety.

Cheng Chi smiled and stood up, saying: “You had a fever all night, and I was a bit worried… Now that you’re better…”

He should leave.

But before he could finish speaking, Zhou Shaojin grabbed his sleeve, saying softly: “Uncle Chi, don’t go! If you leave, I’ll be scared! Just stay here with me, please! I’ll be good and obedient! Please don’t go, all right?”

That voice, so sweet and soft, fell straight to the bottom of Cheng Chi’s heart.

Should he stay or should he leave?

Two voices in his head kept fighting.

But Zhou Shaojin closed her eyes and said: “I must be dreaming! Once I fall asleep, Uncle Chi won’t leave.”

Cheng Chi felt great tenderness.

He told himself—she’s still a child, why are you worrying about such things with her?

He sat back down.

Zhou Shaojin, with her eyes closed, smiled sweetly.

Her fair face was like a night-blooming cereus about to bloom, possessing an untainted beauty.

Cheng Chi steeled his heart and gently extracted his sleeve from her grasp.

He rose and left the inner chamber.

Nanny Shang and the others all breathed sighs of relief.

By the time Zhou Shaojin fully regained consciousness, three days had already passed.

She remembered nothing of what happened during her illness.

She only remembered Cheng Jia saying that she liked Li Jing.

For Li Jing’s sake, she was willing to do anything.

She urged Fan Liushi to invite Cheng Jia over, saying: “I’ve been ill, so why hasn’t she come to see me?”

Fan Liushi naturally couldn’t tell Zhou Shaojin that Cheng Jia was confined to her quarters and punished with copying the Admonitions for Women five hundred times. Instead, while she and the young maids replaced the bright red pomegranate flowers in the vases with fragrant gardenias, she smiled and said: “Illness strikes like a mountain falling, but recovery is like drawing silk—slow and gradual. The other day your condition was so severe it frightened us all. Not only did Old Madam Guo personally come to see you, but Fourth Master even kept watch at your bedside all night. You don’t ask about Old Madam Guo or Fourth Master, yet you’re concerned about Miss Jia… Don’t blame me for speaking out of turn, but when the eldest young lady was your age, she was already helping Madam Mian learn household management. You’re still always thinking about playing. I think you should also learn proper conduct from Old Madam Guo. Her ladyship’s character—if you could learn even a tiny fraction of it, it would serve you well for a lifetime.”