Zhou Shaojin was pondering this matter in her heart, while Fan Liushi breathed a sigh of relief.

Fourth Master had entered and come straight to the inner quarters as if this were his own residence. Yet Nanny Shang and the others looked on as if they hadn’t seen anything—of course, Nanny Shang had once served Fourth Master, so how would she dare to stop whatever Fourth Master wanted to do? Fortunately, she had a sudden inspiration and thought of the mung bean soup being prepared in the kitchen… Now, although Zhou Shaojin’s expression seemed unusual, she was at least sitting safely before her, which made her secretly relieved. She couldn’t help saying, “When did Fourth Master return? Today is the Dragon Boat Festival. Our madam and Second Miss have wrapped many zongzi these past couple days. Let me bring in a few for Fourth Master to taste?”

She felt uneasy leaving Zhou Shaojin alone with Cheng Chi.

Cheng Chi was a clever person—how could he not see through this?

Zhou Shaojin had always been perceptive—how could she not understand in her heart?

One nodded pleasantly while smiling bitterly inside; the other smiled with pursed lips while blooming with joy within.

Taking advantage of the moment when Fan Liushi went to instruct the little maid to bring in the zongzi, Cheng Chi raised his eyebrows at Zhou Shaojin and said in a low voice, “Dare to laugh at me? See how I deal with you later!”

Zhou Shaojin inexplicably thought of the kiss just now.

Her face flushed bright red all at once.

Fan Liushi turned back and came in. Seeing Zhou Shaojin like this, she couldn’t help feeling somewhat puzzled.

Fourth Master hadn’t said or done anything—how had Second Miss suddenly become like this?

She shook her head in confusion.

How could Zhou Shaojin dare show any unusual expression? She also thought that since zongzi were made from glutinous rice, eating too many wasn’t good. She also thought that Cheng Chi had been traveling day and night these past days and must have eaten only dry rations on the road. Having just returned, it wouldn’t be suitable for him to eat too much or anything too greasy. Only then did she realize that in her joy, she hadn’t even asked about Cheng Chi’s meals.

A touch of guilt appeared in her expression as she said, “Uncle Chi, have you had breakfast yet? Do you need to go rest?”

Cheng Chi had only eaten half a flatbread and drunk some water when dawn had just broken.

His single-minded focus had been on rushing back to spend the Dragon Boat Festival with Zhou Shaojin. Upon returning, he had hastily washed up and come to see Zhou Shaojin without even bothering to drink water.

But he didn’t seem hungry!

Zhou Shaojin could tell from his appearance that he had probably only eaten some dry rations on the road. She quickly poured Cheng Chi a cup of tea herself and said somewhat embarrassed, “Please sit for a while and have something to tide you over. I’ll go to the kitchen right now to see what’s available. Is there anything in particular you’d like to eat? If not, I’ll just arrange something!”

How could Cheng Chi bear to have her bustling about for him? He quickly said, “I’m not picky about food. Just have the maids and servants go to the kitchen and see what’s available to bring over. It’s so hot—why would you go out? Sit properly and eat something with me later.”

Zhou Shaojin felt uneasy and insisted on going to the kitchen.

Cheng Chi gave Fan Liushi a look, indicating she should go check the kitchen, then said to Zhou Shaojin, “Sit properly. Someone is coming to kowtow and pay respects to you.”

Zhou Shaojin was surprised and said, “Who is it?”

She didn’t know many people, much less anyone who would kowtow and pay respects to her.

Cheng Chi didn’t tell her and asked her to go with him to the resting room.

Zhou Shaojin eagerly followed Cheng Chi and sat down by the large kang near the window in the resting room.

Fan Liushi went to the kitchen.

Cheng Chi called out loudly, “Langyue!”

The curtain lifted, and a woman wearing a jade-green vest, white Hangzhou silk inner garment, with her hair in a matron’s bun walked in.

“Second Cousin Miss!” She respectfully kowtowed to Zhou Shaojin.

She had an elongated face, willow-leaf eyebrows, a warm smile, and dignified bearing.

“Biyu!” Zhou Shaojin was both surprised and delighted. She jumped down from the kang at once, and before Biyu could bow again, she had already grasped her hand excitedly, saying, “You, how did you come here? Are you well?”

She looked Biyu up and down.

Since she had married, she should be at home being a good wife and teaching her children. To travel such a long distance to see her—could it be that her son-in-law wasn’t successful?

But from her appearance, it didn’t seem like it!

Biyu not only had a healthy complexion, but compared to when she was a senior maid at Hanbi Mountain Villa, she had gained the composure and ease that settled through peaceful years.

Zhou Shaojin was even more confused.

Biyu rose smoothly, quickly glanced at Cheng Chi, then smiled and said, “I married a minor steward from the Cheng family’s outer courtyard. Fourth Master saw he was honest and earnest, steady and reliable in his work. It happened that the residence at Chaoyangmen in the capital had been newly renovated and needed staff, so Fourth Master brought my husband over. He now manages the daily purchasing at the Chaoyangmen residence. I also came to the capital. Fourth Master has put me in charge of the inner courtyard affairs, so from now on my husband and I will be stationed at the large residence at Chaoyangmen.”

Among Old Madam Guo’s senior maids, she had the best relationship with Biyu, followed by Zhenzhu.

Zhou Shaojin felt the joy of encountering someone from home in a distant land upon seeing Biyu.

“This is wonderful!” She instructed a little maid to bring in a small stool for Biyu, then turned to continue talking with Biyu. “You can visit me frequently from now on.”

Biyu smiled and nodded, saying, “Fourth Master said the same thing. That’s why he specially brought this servant today to familiarize me with the way.”

A little maid brought the small stool and placed it beside Zhou Shaojin.

Zhou Shaojin gestured for her to sit and talk.

Biyu declined repeatedly. Seeing Cheng Chi nod slightly at her, she thought for a moment before sitting halfway on the small stool.

Zhou Shaojin chatted with her, “When did you come to the capital? Have you gotten used to it? How are Zhenzhu and Manao? I haven’t seen them in some time! With you and Feicui married off, has Old Madam added anyone to serve her? Who is it? Do I know them?”

Biyu respectfully answered each question one by one, “The day after Fourth Master returned, he asked Old Madam for my husband and me. We packed our things and set off that very evening. However, Fourth Master still had matters in Jinling and didn’t leave for several more days. But Fourth Master traveled quickly while we traveled slowly, so we entered the city together with Fourth Master this morning. I’ve heard the capital’s winters are very cold. I haven’t experienced it yet, but the weather now is cooler than Jinling, which I find quite pleasant. After Feicui and I left the household, Zhenzhu and Manao took over what we used to manage. The former second-rank maids Zitan and Chenxiang filled Zhenzhu and Manao’s positions, and several little maids were selected to join.”

Zhou Shaojin had an impression of Zitan and Chenxiang.

Both young ladies were very pretty, always wearing smiling faces when meeting people, very amiable.

Zhou Shaojin chatted with Biyu about everyday matters.

Biyu took advantage of when Zhou Shaojin wasn’t paying attention to glance at Cheng Chi. Seeing that Cheng Chi showed no sign of impatience, she relaxed and smiled as she chatted with Zhou Shaojin.

Before long, Fan Liushi brought in the zongzi.

Zhou Shaojin instructed Cheng Chi, “You can only eat two. Eating too many isn’t good. You still need to have a meal later!”

Cheng Chi smiled without speaking but only ate two zongzi.

Biyu was extremely shocked and lowered her head.

Soon the meal was brought to the table. Biyu proactively helped with Xiao Tan in serving the dishes.

After the meal, Zhou Shaojin “urged” Cheng Chi, “You should go back and rest now! You’ve been traveling for several days. You must be tired.”

Cheng Chi smiled and said, “Would you like to go stroll the streets with me?”

Zhou Shaojin thought of the Buddha Bathing Festival.

When Cheng Chi had held her in his arms sitting on the large bluestone halfway up the mountain to watch the scenery, she had been afraid someone would walk by and her nerves had been taut the whole time… She wouldn’t fall for that trick again!

Besides, as long as she was with Uncle Chi, that was enough. What difference did it make where they went?

So watching the dragon boat race had its own pleasures, but staying at home like this was equally interesting, wasn’t it?

Zhou Shaojin politely declined, saying, “It’s so hot. Sister entrusted me to take good care of Guan Ge’er, and I still need to make socks. I don’t want to go out.”

Cheng Chi thought of Zhou Shaojin doing needlework.

She truly didn’t want to go out, did she?

Cheng Chi had also traveled to many places and seen many sights. Since Zhou Shaojin had no interest in going out, he decided to stay home.

Lest he lure her out and couldn’t help embracing and kissing her, frightening her.

The little girl had already been stimulated enough today—haste makes waste!

Cheng Chi smiled and stood up, saying, “In that case, I’ll move to Chaoyangmen later.”

“What?!” Zhou Shaojin’s mouth dropped open in astonishment. “You, you’re moving to the residence at Chaoyangmen? Why?”

Isn’t this place good?

Wouldn’t that mean she wouldn’t see Uncle Chi for a very long time?

Zhou Shaojin immediately felt panicked.

Cheng Chi saw her color change and knew she was reluctant to part with him. But with Mother Fan still watching the activities in the room like a hawk, he forcibly suppressed his desire to hold Zhou Shaojin and comfort her, saying, “Madam Liao has already come to the capital. It wouldn’t be very convenient for me to continue living here. It’s best to move out today while I have the chance! We’re both in the capital. If you need anything, just send someone to deliver a message to me. At most it will take half an hour for me to arrive.”

His fooling around with Zhou Shaojin was because everyone around them was his people, and he knew no one would dare say a word. But Madam Liao was different—matrons who managed households typically had very sharp eyes. Yet he was increasingly unable to control himself, and the little girl couldn’t hide anything. If Madam Liao noticed something, how would he be any different from Cheng Xu? What future would he and Shaojin have?

Moreover, Elder Brother and Sister-in-law were determined to separate the clan branches. The Second Branch’s old ancestor would certainly spread many rumors to make others think it was the First Branch’s lack of filial piety that was causing the family division. But these were all empty gestures. When the Second Branch’s old ancestor discovered he could no longer prevent it, that would be when everyone truly sat down to negotiate terms.

He had no desire to expose Zhou Shaojin to these dark matters.

Moving near Chaoyangmen would also be more convenient.

Having long made up his mind, Cheng Chi said in a voice only he and Zhou Shaojin could hear, “If you want to, you can come see me!” Then in a voice everyone could hear, he said, “The residence at Chaoyangmen is divided into east, west, and central sections—very large. If you get bored staying here, you can go there to relax.”

She wouldn’t miss Uncle Chi!

Zhou Shaojin shyly lowered her head.

Cheng Chi had people prepare for the move.

Although she knew it was best for Cheng Chi to move out, her heart still felt disappointed and lost.

Without even having dinner, Cheng Chi took Biyu and the others and moved to Chaoyangmen.

Cheng Chi was very meticulous. The study was cleaned spotlessly without leaving anything behind, making the already spacious study seem even more desolate.

Zhou Shaojin felt melancholy. After returning to play with Guan Ge’er for a long while, her mood gradually improved.

In the evening when Zhou Chujin and the others returned and learned that Cheng Chi had moved out in the afternoon, they were all surprised. But they also secretly felt that Cheng Chi handled matters very properly, thoughtfully, and carefully, and their impression of Cheng Chi improved.