Uncle Chi had kept watch over her all night!

Zhou Shaojin’s eyes lit up upon hearing this.

Then they dimmed again.

She was staying as a guest at Cold Green Mountain Estate. When she fell ill, the first branch also bore some responsibility. They couldn’t very well have Old Madam Guo personally care for her, could they? Naturally, they could only have Uncle Chi watch over her!

Though she told herself this, her heart still couldn’t help but race wildly.

Why had Uncle Chi kept watch over her all night?

He could have easily instructed Mama Fan.

Did Uncle Chi… perhaps care for her a little?

But that kind of caring was probably just an elder’s affection for a younger generation member!

But what was it like when a man cared for a woman?

Giving gifts?

Concern? Consideration?

Having endless things to talk about when together?

Always indulging and doting?

Zhou Shaojin thought about all those times she and Cheng Chi had spent together, and her heart stirred restlessly.

Was Li Jing like this toward Cheng Jia too?

She couldn’t help but say to Fan Liushi: “Cousin Jia is confined to her quarters? What did Madam Lu punish her for this time? I’ll go see her! Anyway, Madam Lu confines her every few days, and she gets confined every few days…”

Cheng Jia must know!

Fan Liushi naturally couldn’t say it was because her actions had caused Zhou Shaojin’s serious illness, so she said vaguely: “It would be good for Second Young Lady to go see her. Bring some food and pastries, and keep Miss Jia company. Though Miss Jia has a difficult temperament, she’s broad-minded. She’ll definitely be happy if you go see her.”

And so the matter was glossed over.

Zhou Shaojin nodded repeatedly and shuffled into her shoes to get out of bed.

But immediately felt dizzy and lightheaded.

Fan Liushi hurriedly stepped forward to support her, saying anxiously: “Where do you feel unwell, Second Young Lady? I’ll go call the physician right away! Miss Jia’s place can wait until you’re feeling a bit better—there’s no rush.”

This way they could also avoid having the third branch think the first branch was making a big fuss over nothing—that Second Young Lady’s ordinary cold was being blamed on Miss Jia being too mischievous, forcing Madam Lu to confine Miss Jia.

But Zhou Shaojin’s mind was preoccupied with Li Jing and Cheng Jia’s situation. She forced herself to say: “It’s nothing. I’ve just been lying in bed for a few days and have no strength. I’ll be fine after walking around a bit.” She insisted that Fan Liushi call the maids in to help her dress. After washing up, she would first go thank Old Madam Guo, then go to… Uncle Chi’s place, and then to the Ruyi Pavilion.

Old Madam Guo had come to visit Zhou Shaojin every day these past few days. Now that Zhou Shaojin was awake, both emotionally and logically, she should go thank and greet Old Madam Guo.

Fan Liushi tried to dissuade her a few times, but seeing Zhou Shaojin’s mind was made up, she didn’t dare obstruct her further and called Biyu and the others in to help her wash and dress.

But just as Zhou Shaojin had finished having her hair done, Old Madam Guo arrived.

Zhou Shaojin quickly had the maids serve tea while she hurriedly threw on a robe and went to the main hall.

When Old Madam Guo saw she had lost a whole circle of weight yet appeared even more delicate and graceful, like a willow swaying in a gentle breeze, she couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

No wonder Fourth Son had become infatuated!

So beautiful—never mind that Fourth Son was in the prime of youth. Even she, a widowed old woman, felt tender affection looking at her.

Before Zhou Shaojin could bow in greeting, she took Zhou Shaojin’s hand and said warmly: “You haven’t fully recovered yet. Don’t exhaust yourself. If you fall ill again, I’m afraid it will damage your constitution and become difficult to treat.”

Zhou Shaojin’s face flushed as she murmured words of gratitude.

This child—fortunately she was inarticulate. If she had a more smooth and sophisticated personality, even Cheng Xu and Cheng Gao and the other young masters probably couldn’t escape her grasp.

As this thought flashed through her mind, Old Madam Guo sighed inwardly again.

If that were truly the case, Fourth Son wouldn’t regard her differently—Fourth Son had been cleverer than others since childhood. He most disliked people trying to manipulate him. If you were honest and straightforward before him, he might give you some face. But if you tried to show off your cleverness before him, he would either treat you as nothing or step on you and teach you a lesson, making you avoid him from then on.

For a moment, Old Madam Guo almost hoped Zhou Shaojin were smooth and sophisticated.

Even if Cheng Xu and Cheng Gao couldn’t escape her grasp, that would be a fine match.

But when it involved her youngest son, that was different.

She suppressed her emotions, smiled, and pulled Zhou Shaojin close to give her various instructions about “taking good care of yourself while recovering,” “don’t come to my place—wait until you’re better before coming to chant scriptures with me,” “when I come to see you, you don’t need to be so formally dressed—you can’t handle exhaustion right now,” and so on, before having Fan Liushi help Zhou Shaojin go rest.

Fan Liushi respectfully agreed.

But Zhou Shaojin smiled and said: “I haven’t gone to thank Uncle Chi yet!”

Old Madam Guo immediately became alert.

But when she looked into Zhou Shaojin’s clear, water-like eyes and her frank, candid expression, she couldn’t help but smile wryly.

The young girl was pure and transparent. Some things—perhaps it was the adults who were overthinking.

Fourth Son’s unusual behavior—the young girl might not even be aware of it.

Why should she expose it, making Fourth Son resent her and causing the young girl to think wild thoughts?

Wouldn’t it be better to wait and see what Fourth Son’s intentions were?

But she also couldn’t let the two of them meet as casually and freely as before.

“Your Uncle Chi left early this morning,” Old Madam Guo said with a smile. “He’s busy all day long and rarely seen. Don’t worry about him—he’s not the petty type. Knowing you’ve awakened, he’s certainly very happy. As for thanks, forget about it. You can just mention it when you happen to run into him someday.”

Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help feeling a bit disappointed.

But thinking of how busy Cheng Chi had been in recent days, she quickly felt at ease and smiled sweetly: “Then I’ll have Mama Fan send some food to Uncle Chi! It doesn’t feel right to wake up without saying something to Uncle Chi.”

This was natural human sentiment.

Old Madam Guo nodded with a beaming smile, then rose to take her leave.

Zhou Shaojin went to the Ruyi Pavilion.

At Old Madam Guo’s place, Biyu said with a smile: “Someone from the Floating Jade Pavilion came to say that Second Young Lady has gone to Miss Jia’s place.”

“That child really doesn’t listen!” Old Madam Guo said with a smile. “Have the people watching her keep a close eye—don’t let her quarrel with that Jia girl again. She’s just recovered from a serious illness.”

Biyu answered “Yes” with a beaming smile, saying: “Old Madam treats Second Young Lady just like her own granddaughter.”

Old Madam Guo chuckled.

Cheng Chi’s side also received word: “Second Young Lady has awakened! Old Madam went to see Second Young Lady. She also stationed people around Second Young Lady—any activity on Second Young Lady’s side will be reported to Old Madam. Afterward, Second Young Lady went to Miss Jia’s place.”

“I see!” Cheng Chi said flatly, standing up from the stone bench in the pavilion and gazing into the distance at the nearby Anchored Boat Lake.

Shi Kuan would be boarding a boat here today to return to the capital. He had come to see him off.

He hadn’t told Shi Kuan about his identity, and Shi Kuan hadn’t brought up his identity. But he believed Shi Kuan certainly already knew who he was. And because the Fourth Prince was still out of favor, Shi Kuan probably couldn’t figure out no matter how hard he tried how they had “happened to meet,” or why he would be so appreciative of Shi Kuan’s “literary talent.”

If the Cheng family ever achieved merit for supporting the dragon to the throne, it would all be Shaojin’s contribution!

He hadn’t gone to see that little girl these past few days. How was her health really?

After lying in bed for several days, her body must be stiff. Instead of resting properly in her room, why was she running to Cheng Jia’s place?

She really was still a child.

Just a few days ago she was quarreling with Cheng Jia, and now that she was better, she went looking for her again.

A typical case of forgetting the pain once the scar healed!

Who knew when she would outgrow this habit?

But clearly there was no major conflict between Cheng Jia and her.

As for the confinement matter… he should speak with Cousin Lu and let it go…

Cheng Chi was calculating in his mind when Shi Kuan’s sedan chair slowly appeared in his view.

He collected his thoughts and walked out of the pavilion with a smile.

※※※

Cheng Jia had her back to Zhou Shaojin and ignored her.

Zhou Shaojin smiled awkwardly, trying to appease her: “Cousin Jia, please don’t be angry with me anymore! How was I to know I would fall ill? And how would I know Uncle Chi would have Madam Lu confine you… Didn’t I come see you as soon as I woke up?”

But her heart felt as sweet as if she’d eaten honey.

Uncle Chi had actually reprimanded Madam Lu because of her illness.

In all her years, apart from her elder sister, Uncle Chi was the second person to stand up for her.

And so forcefully too… In Uncle Chi’s heart, she must be somewhat special, right?

Then again, that was hard to say.

She still knew too little about Uncle Chi’s affairs.

Perhaps Uncle Chi was just acting out of an elder’s protective care for a younger generation member?

Zhou Shaojin’s mood immediately fell again. She sat to the side, twisting her handkerchief and letting out a soft sigh.

Seeing Zhou Shaojin become serious, Cheng Jia didn’t dare continue making trouble.

Ever since Zhou Shaojin had awakened from that fall, her temperament had become more resilient. Sometimes Cheng Jia even felt a bit intimidated.

“Anyway, it’s all your fault!” She suddenly stood up and complained: “I’m going to marry Li Jing—why did you cry about it? You not only cried yourself sick, but you also made me break my word to Li Jing… If you don’t find a way to compensate me, I’ll never forgive you for the rest of my life!” As she spoke, her eyes moistened.

Zhou Shaojin was startled and quickly asked: “What happened?”

Cheng Jia sobbed: “I had originally agreed with Li Jing that I would go to Anchored Boat Lake to see him off the day he left for Guangzhou. But then you got sick. Not only did I not go, I couldn’t even get a message to Li Jing. When Li Jing saw I didn’t come, he must have worried himself to death!” Then she murmured: “I wonder if Li Jing has left the city? Did he send anyone to find out about me?” Then she glared at Zhou Shaojin: “Everyone in our family treats him like a fool to be fleeced. If he wants news of me, who knows how much silver he’ll have to spend?”

Zhou Shaojin was dumbstruck. After a long moment she said: “How about… I, I’ll try to find a way to help you inquire?”

Cheng Jia pressed her advantage and threatened her: “You’d better help me inquire! If you don’t help me inquire, in the future… in the future I’ll just camp out at the Floating Jade Pavilion and never leave.”

What kind of threat was that?

Zhou Shaojin giggled.

Cheng Jia looked at her and scolded: “You’re still laughing! Look at yourself—you’ve gotten so thin you’re just skin and bones. Be careful or people will think Uncle Chi mistreated you.”

“You just can’t say anything nice!” Zhou Shaojin pushed Cheng Jia in displeasure.

“I’m not a dog, so naturally I can’t spit out ivory!” Cheng Jia retorted, pushing Zhou Shaojin back.

The two of them laughed and horsed around.

But Zhou Shaojin had just recovered from illness. After just a few moves, she was gasping for breath and felt the world spinning.

She collapsed on Cheng Jia’s bed, closed her eyes to rest, but couldn’t help saying: “Cousin Jia, how did you know Li Jing likes you? If someone liked me and didn’t say it clearly, I definitely wouldn’t be able to tell.”

In her previous life, if Cheng Lu hadn’t clearly stated he wanted to marry her, she wouldn’t have dared to be certain that Cheng Lu liked her.

But looking at it now, even when stated clearly and explicitly, it didn’t necessarily mean true affection.