Zhou Shaojin didn’t know how long she had been standing in the privy. It wasn’t until a gust of wind blew past, making her body feel chilly, that she finally came to her senses and slowly crouched down by the door panel, wrapping her arms tightly around herself.

Even so, she still felt cold.

Tears slowly fell, dripping onto the blue stone bricks and spreading into small puddles.

She wanted to go home.

To cast all this aside and go home.

But where was her home?

Yuqian Alley was a gift from Uncle Chi to her. As for Father in Baoding Prefecture, although he treated her affectionately, if he knew she had fallen in love with Uncle Chi, he probably wouldn’t let her off lightly either, would he?

Go find her sister?

She thought of Zhou Chujin holding Guan Ge.

No!

She couldn’t disturb her sister anymore. Her sister had finally achieved a peaceful and comfortable life.

Zhou Shaojin stared blankly at the water stains on the blue stone bricks.

Outside came the voice of a young maid: “Still haven’t found Second Young Miss?”

The maids at home would call her “Second Miss,” only the maids from the Cheng Mansion would call her “Second Young Miss.”

Zhou Shaojin instinctively hid in the compartment where the chamber pot was kept.

The incense burner burning lily fragrance made her head ache slightly.

Outside came the cautious calls of the young maid: “Second Young Miss! Second Young Miss!”

“I’m fine!” Zhou Shaojin answered, her voice somewhat muffled. “My stomach hurts a little! I’ll be right back.”

The young maid responded with a smile and withdrew.

Silence returned outside.

Only then did Zhou Shaojin realize her entire face was covered in tears.

If she went out like this, everyone would surely know she had been crying, wouldn’t they?

She took out her handkerchief and wiped her face.

Thinking of what Old Madam Guo had said, anger rose in her heart.

In her previous life, Old Madam Guo had also looked down at her from on high like this, as if she were a useless person.

And there was Yuan Shi. Always acting as if she had brought shame to the Yuan family.

When it came down to it, they simply thought she was weak and could be bullied.

Why should she let them manipulate her as they pleased!

Zhou Shaojin felt indignant.

She had made mistakes in her previous life—should she continue making the same mistakes in this life?

The Bodhisattva had given her a chance to be reborn—was it just to let her muddle through and continue down the same path as her previous life?

Even if she was going to cry, she couldn’t cry at this moment!

Even if she was going to lose face, she couldn’t lose it on this occasion!

Zhou Shaojin raised her voice slightly and said, “Is anyone still outside?”

The young maid who had answered earlier replied, “This servant is Zhuyu. I’m right here guarding the door!”

Zhou Shaojin said, “Please quietly go call Nanny Shang who came into the mansion with me. I have urgent business with her.”

When women visited other people’s homes, unexpected incidents could always happen—for instance, suddenly getting her monthly courses and staining her clothes… The young maid suspected nothing and hurried to fetch Nanny Shang.

Nanny Shang was already shrewd among the shrewd. At the privy door, she slipped that young maid a few copper coins to send her away before calling out softly “Second Miss” and saying, “There’s no one outside now!”

Only then did Zhou Shaojin emerge from the compartment.

Seeing her slightly red and swollen eyes, Nanny Shang was greatly startled.

Zhou Shaojin didn’t stand on ceremony with her. She said, “Think of a way quickly so others won’t notice I’ve been crying.”

Nanny Shang repeatedly agreed. Thinking it fortunate that this was a privy with cold water available, she dampened a handkerchief and had her apply it to her eyes. She then went to call Chun Wan over, and the two of them quietly helped her clean her face again, rearrange her hair, and apply light makeup. Except for her slightly red eyes, one couldn’t tell she had been crying.

Zhou Shaojin’s mind was blank the entire time, letting them apply things to her face. Only when Nanny Shang quietly reminded her that they were finished did she take a deep breath and sit down on the beauty rest along the covered corridor outside the privy, gazing at the lush boxwood trees while carefully contemplating Old Madam Guo’s words.

What the old madam had said actually made a lot of sense.

It wasn’t groundless, nor was it contempt or an attempt to discourage her.

If she really married into the Cheng family, how to face Cheng Jiashan would be a difficult problem. One misstep, and Cheng Jiashan might think Uncle Chi had stolen her away… After all, Uncle Chi had treated her very well before. If there were nothing between her and Uncle Chi, people wouldn’t think in that direction. But once she married Uncle Chi, even things that didn’t happen could be described with nose and eyes, let alone things that did happen!

Zhou Shaojin twisted the handkerchief in her hands.

But if she just gave up like this following Old Madam Guo’s words?

She thought of Cheng Chi’s gentle smile, his warm embrace, and the tenderness on his face when he softly coaxed her… Her heart ached unbearably, and she suddenly stood up.

No, no, no!

She couldn’t give up Uncle Chi.

In this world, no one held a place in her heart comparable to Uncle Chi.

She wanted to be with him.

Even if she would be criticized, troubled, or cursed in the future, she still wanted to be with Uncle Chi.

Zhou Shaojin walked forward a few steps somewhat urgently, then stopped again.

But what if… Uncle Chi regretted it?

Sometimes imagination was one thing, but actually facing reality was another.

She had nothing to offer—she could neither help Uncle Chi achieve great things nor help him socialize with relatives. After a long time, what if Uncle Chi regretted it?

Zhou Shaojin vaguely felt that she might not be able to go on living!

Not because of Uncle Chi’s change of heart, but because of herself—truly finding no reason to continue living.

She thought of the desolate, lengthy, and numb days at the estate in Daxing in her previous life.

She had been able to endure those days. With the beautiful memories of Uncle Chi, why couldn’t she endure?

As this thought flashed through her mind, there was a “boom” in her head, like a thunderclap.

Long ago, when she had yearned for something unattainable, she had thought this way.

Just a thread of his tenderness, just a moment of his regard… How was it that now that she had obtained it, she had forgotten her original resolve?

People truly were insatiable!

Zhou Shaojin slowly sat back down on the beauty rest.

Her heart gradually became clear and calm.

Just as Old Madam Guo had said, Uncle Chi had even encouraged Yuan Shi to divide the clan for her sake.

There were no walls that didn’t let wind through.

If Yuan Shi found out about this matter, how could Uncle Chi hold his head up in the future!

But if Uncle Chi was reviled and criticized by everyone, yet she cowardly gave up, leaving him alone to face the world’s censure… like a betrayal… wouldn’t that hurt Uncle Chi more than the world’s scorn and criticism?

In her previous life, hadn’t she experienced something like this herself?

When Yuan Shi had scolded her, when the servants in Jiuru Alley had all pointed fingers at her… she had hated Cheng Xu… At that time there was only towering hatred… But thinking about it now, there was probably more resentment toward him for abandoning her to bear everything alone…

Uncle Chi treated her so well—he was someone she held so precious even placing him on her heart’s tip didn’t seem enough. How could she hurt him out of fear? And how could she just watch him be criticized because she was afraid of being spurned by the world?

Zhou Shaojin smoothed out the handkerchief in her hands and tidied her temples. Then she stood up and smiled at Nanny Shang and Chun Wan who were standing not far away looking at her with concern: “Let’s go. We’ll go to the flower hall. Don’t make them wait for me!”

The two quickly exchanged glances.

The Second Miss who just moments ago had been withering like a flower about to wilt—how had she suddenly become radiant, proud yet reserved like a general who had just won a great battle?

They were very puzzled.

But Zhou Shaojin couldn’t be bothered with all that.

She quickly entered the flower hall.

The theatrical performance had reached a crucial moment.

But her arrival still drew everyone’s attention.

Zhou Chujin smiled and gestured for her younger sister to sit beside her.

Old Madam Guo, however, was slightly startled.

Zhou Shaojin’s eyes were still somewhat red. If one paid attention, it wasn’t hard to notice she had been crying. Yet her demeanor was serene and composed, with a calm decisiveness and courage that showed she had a plan—she even seemed more resolute than before.

It was like a beautiful but ordinary painting of a court lady that had suddenly been brought to life by a brilliant painter’s final touches, suddenly gaining a soul.

Old Madam Guo’s heart grew solemn.

Fang Xuan had already frowned with displeasure.

Zhou Shaojin took it all calmly, smiling as she walked to Zhou Chujin’s side, spoke a few words to her in a low voice, then rose and walked toward Old Madam Guo.

Old Madam Guo smiled faintly, but her gaze was exceptionally sharp.

Zhou Shaojin’s heart was pounding, and her hands and feet felt a bit weak.

But she knew that if she really married Cheng Chi—no, if her feelings for Cheng Chi became known, she would face gazes ten times, a hundred times, even a thousand times sharper than Old Madam Guo’s… She couldn’t retreat.

And she absolutely must not retreat.

If she retreated, it would be over between her and Uncle Chi!

The hands hidden in Zhou Shaojin’s sleeves were already clenched into tight fists, yet her smile remained gentle and serene.

“Old Madam.” She stopped in front of the arhat couch, allowing Fang Xuan to examine her with puzzlement. “I have something I’d like to discuss with you privately…”

Had she made a decision so quickly?

Old Madam Guo was secretly surprised.

Was it a choice to leave Fourth Master or to continue staying with Fourth Master?

Old Madam Guo realized even her own breathing had become heavy.

She smiled and stood up with Fang Xuan’s support.

Everyone looked over.

The two opera performers didn’t know what had happened and stopped in confusion.

Old Madam Guo smiled and said, “It’s nothing, nothing. Continue singing. Shaojin has something to tell me.”

Under the eyes of all, Zhou Shaojin became the center of attention.

This made her very uncomfortable.

But she still maintained her smile.

Old Madam Guo gazed deeply at her for several moments before turning to leave the flower hall.

Fang Xuan hurried to follow.

But Old Madam Guo smiled and said, “You go listen to the opera! If I need anything I’ll call a maid.”

Fang Xuan said “Oh” and couldn’t help but glance at Zhou Shaojin before leaving.

Zhou Shaojin supported Old Madam Guo’s arm lightly as before, as if nothing had happened, and the two walked at an unhurried pace toward the large locust tree in the courtyard.

Old Madam Guo didn’t say a word.

Zhou Shaojin chose to speak first.

She said, “Old Madam, I’ve carefully considered everything you said earlier. You’re not wrong…” She had fallen in love with Uncle Chi! Zhou Shaojin’s face reddened slightly. Such words—she had no face to say them in front of Old Madam Guo. “But I still want to try!”

“Try!” Old Madam Guo stopped walking and looked at her with an even sharper gaze. “Such childish words! Can someone who’s been killed come back to life? Can someone spurned by the world still hold their head up high? Try! Do you know what the consequences of trying will be…”

“I know!” Zhou Shaojin said softly. “But I still want to try—this matter isn’t Uncle Chi’s fault alone.” She lowered her eyelids. “If I had rejected Uncle Chi, he couldn’t possibly have reached this point. Since I’m also at fault, I should be with Uncle Chi… No matter what difficulties we encounter in the future, I want to be with Uncle Chi…”

As she spoke, she knelt before Old Madam Guo and said earnestly, “Old Madam, I beg you to grant us your blessing!”