Zhou Zhen first listened with a furrowed brow, but when Zhou Shaojin spoke of how Cheng Chi had pushed Ji Ying forward, his brow smoothed and he laughed, saying, “That strategy of removing the firewood from under the pot was well used!”

Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but smile with curved eyes, saying, “Uncle Chi always has many ideas.”

Zhou Zhen sighed, “To merely manage household affairs at home is truly a waste of his talents.”

For a moment, Zhou Shaojin didn’t know what to say.

Fortunately, Zhou Zhen only sighed for a while before shifting the topic back to the matter of the mountain cave: “So when you came, they still hadn’t discovered who administered the drug?”

Zhou Shaojin defended Cheng Chi, saying, “How could such a matter be so easily investigated? At the time, everyone was only focused on pursuing the matter of Ji Ying striking Cheng Jiashan. By the time they came to their senses, whoever administered the drug had probably long since destroyed all evidence and cleaned up thoroughly. Moreover, it involves the second branch, and the second branch has Old Madam there—how could it be properly investigated?”

Zhou Zhen couldn’t help but look at Zhou Shaojin again, smiling, “You child are quite broad-minded, remaining unhurried even when matters concern yourself directly.”

Zhou Shaojin felt guilty and quickly said, “Though Cheng Jiashan harbors ill intentions toward me, Old Madam Guo and Uncle Chi treat me well. I cannot transfer my anger to the entire first branch, to all of Jiuru Lane, just because of Cheng Jiashan alone. Each person should bear responsibility for their own actions. If I’m to hate anyone, it should be Cheng Jiashan.”

Zhou Zhen’s eyes lit up as he listened, saying, “Our Shaojin has finally grown up.”

Zhou Shaojin’s face flushed red.

Zhou Zhen laughed heartily and said, “Since you’ve come to Baoding Prefecture, let your stepmother take you around to see everything and have a good time.”

After the new year, he would find Shaojin a good match, and then he would have nothing left to worry about.

Zhou Zhen said to Zhou Shaojin, “There’s no need to mention this matter to your stepmother, lest she think too much about it.”

And lest she feel that Shaojin had done something wrong or slighted her.

This wasn’t anything good after all!

Zhou Shaojin nodded, smiling, “Father, rest assured, I understand.”

Zhou Zhen naturally trusted Zhou Shaojin and asked about Zhou Chujin’s situation.

Zhou Shaojin answered everything.

Learning that Zhou Chujin was doing well in the Liao family, Zhou Zhen’s expression finally truly relaxed, and his demeanor became even gentler.

Father and daughter lingered in the study for nearly an hour until Zhou Shaojin’s stomach rumbled audibly from hunger. Only then did Zhou Zhen come to his senses and quickly called for a maid to serve the meal.

Li Shi personally helped them arrange their chopsticks.

Zhou Shaojin immediately stood up, saying, “Madam, please sit with us!”

Li Shi was about to decline when Zhou Zhen already smiled at her and said, “Sit together! There’s no need for such formality within the family. Shaojin will be staying here for some time.”

Only then did Li Shi sit down, saying, “I don’t know what Second Miss likes to eat. I asked Nanny Fan—some ingredients the kitchen has, some it doesn’t. Second Miss, please make do for now. I’ll slowly acquire the rest.”

Zhou Shaojin smiled, “Madam can just call me Shaojin. I’m quite accustomed to northern cuisine. My favorites are lamb spine soup and cabbage dumplings. I also love eating noodles.”

These were all very common northern dishes that the kitchen could prepare at any time.

“Oh my!” Li Shi said with pleasant surprise, “Why didn’t Second Miss say so earlier? I’ll have someone prepare them right away.”

“No need, no need.” Zhou Shaojin held Li Shi back, saying, “I see Madam had them make pork rib and yam soup today—I love that too. Whatever Madam wants to make, we can discuss tomorrow.”

“Very well.” Li Shi thought for a moment and smiled, “There’s plenty of time ahead. Since Second Miss enjoys both southern and northern flavors, we can vary the dishes each day—not limited to just a day or two.”

Zhou Zhen harbored no suspicions.

Old Madam Guo had lived in the capital for over ten years, and Cheng Chi had grown up in the capital from childhood. It was natural that Zhou Shaojin’s diet would have changed accordingly while living in the first branch.

He smiled faintly and said, “Let’s eat!”

Zhou Shaojin nodded sweetly and said no more.

Li Shi secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Her kindness toward Zhou Shaojin had indeed made the master very happy.

Looking at the beautiful, gentle, and compliant Zhou Shaojin, she felt very pleased as well.

It was fortunate that it was her who came to live here. If it had been Zhou Chujin, she would probably be tormented daily.

Having lived two lifetimes, Zhou Shaojin had never sat in a carriage for such a long journey and had no real appetite. But seeing the full table of dishes Li Shi had prepared, she still forced herself to eat a few more bites, though she felt somewhat melancholy.

Unless Uncle Chi traveled by land, opportunities to pass through Baoding Prefecture would be extremely rare. And whenever Uncle Chi traveled by land, it was always urgent business. Even if he came to visit them, it could only be a hurried visit with no possibility of staying for a few days.

Coming to Baoding meant her connection with Uncle Chi was severed!

What would have happened if she had shamelessly stayed in Jiuru Lane as in her previous life?

The thought flashed through her mind, and Zhou Shaojin immediately suppressed it deep in her heart.

How could she be so spineless? She had said she wouldn’t think of Uncle Chi anymore—she must follow through. Going back on her word, how would she be any different from her previous life!

Zhou Shaojin secretly resolved that no matter what, she could never return to Jinling.

The three ate their evening meal peacefully and went to the rest chamber to drink tea.

The wet nurse brought over Zhou Youjin, who was only ten months old.

She clutched Li Shi’s sleeve while sneaking glances at Zhou Shaojin—utterly adorable.

Zhou Shaojin held her, and at first she kept looking at Li Shi and her wet nurse, but later began playing with Zhou Shaojin’s jewelry.

Li Shi quickly tapped her hand: “You mustn’t mess up Elder Sister’s hair.”

Zhou Shaojin quickly said, “It’s fine, it’s fine. Let her play.” Then she gave her the kingfisher-feather phoenix-tail auspicious-cloud hairpin from her head to play with.

Zhou Youjin’s wet nurse was greatly alarmed and quickly said, “Second Miss, that won’t do—Third Miss will put it in her mouth.”

Zhou Shaojin’s face reddened as she quickly handed the hairpin to Chun Wan beside her.

Li Shi smiled to smooth things over: “No matter, no matter, we’re all watching from the side!”

Zhou Shaojin felt rather embarrassed and no longer randomly gave things to Zhou Youjin to play with.

Zhou Zhen instructed Li Shi to take Zhou Shaojin around Baoding Prefecture these next few days, and if it wasn’t enjoyable, to go stay in the capital for a few days to shop for clothes and jewelry for the new year.

Li Shi agreed with a beaming smile.

Zhou Shaojin smiled, “Elder Sister’s delivery date is at year’s end. We should shop for things for Elder Sister’s baby. And Youjin is about to become an aunt. She should be properly dressed up too.”

Zhou Zhen and Li Shi laughed cheerfully. Zhou Zhen even teased Youjin, “Did you hear what your Second Sister said? You’re about to become an aunt—you must behave properly.”

Zhou Youjin grinned, revealing her baby teeth.

Everyone burst into laughter.

Zhou Youjin looked confused and at a loss.

Everyone laughed even harder.

A young maid came in to report: “Madam Huang has arrived.”

Li Shi was slightly stunned, saying, “At this hour, what does she want?”

It was rare for Zhou Zhen to be so happy with such a pleasant atmosphere. She didn’t want anyone to ruin it.

Zhou Zhen smiled, “She probably has some matter to discuss with you. I’ll go to the study first.”

Li Shi was annoyed at Madam Huang’s lack of tact, though she didn’t show it on her face. She smiled as she saw Zhou Zhen out of the rest chamber, then had a maid invite Madam Huang in. She explained to Zhou Shaojin: “This Madam Huang is the wife of someone in the prefectural hall’s household.”

Zhou Shaojin understood.

The prefecture office had the prefectural hall, the bureau of records, the bureau of scrutiny, and the bureau of prisons.

In other words, the wife of one of her father’s subordinates had come to visit Li Shi.

And at this hour, she probably lived in the government compound as well.

Zhou Shaojin stood up, saying, “Then I’ll return to my room first.”

Li Shi thought about how, since following Zhou Zhen to his post, she had returned to Jinling twice and been busy bearing and raising children, rarely participating in Baoding Prefecture’s social obligations. She had even less private friendship with these madams living in the government compound.

Why had this one suddenly appeared!

She felt even more stifled but nodded. Just as she was about to see Zhou Shaojin out, Madam Huang had already hurried in with three steps compressed into two.

“This must be the second young miss of the household?” She showed amazement upon seeing Zhou Shaojin and said familiarly, “I heard a few days ago that your household’s second miss was coming. I never expected such a jade-like person. Truly beautiful! Not just in Baoding Prefecture—I’d say you couldn’t find more than a handful of young ladies in all of Northern Zhili who could compare with Second Miss!”

Though her words were exaggerated, they were also sincere, with the simple directness of a country woman that wasn’t off-putting.

Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but study her carefully.

Madam Huang was a woman of about forty, with slightly dark skin, a plump figure, and ruddy complexion. She had a round face with a brilliant smile, wore a parrot-green silk-padded robe, and her short, plump fingers bore glittering gold stirrup rings.

Zhou Shaojin smiled with pursed lips.

The steward madams of the outer courtyard in Jiuru Lane dressed much like this in winter.

She curtsied and called out, “Madam Huang.”

Madam Huang quickly stepped aside, smiling, “How dare I accept Second Miss’s courtesy? That would be too much honor.”

Even her speech was similar.

Li Shi invited Madam Huang to sit.

After Madam Huang offered more flattering words, Zhou Shaojin learned that Madam Huang had heard of her arrival and specially made some local delicacies from her hometown of Songjiang. She also invited Zhou Shaojin to dine at her home tomorrow.

Li Shi dared not let Zhou Shaojin eat food casually and tactfully said, “…Master has instructed me to accompany Second Miss around these next few days.”

That address of “Second Miss” certainly caught Madam Huang off guard but also cleared her mind.

“When will Madam be going out?” she said attentively. “I’ve been in Baoding Prefecture for seven or eight years and love to go out. I’ve visited every corner of Baoding Prefecture, large and small. Speaking of where the incense is most abundant in Baoding Prefecture, aside from Daci Pavilion there’s nowhere else. Moreover, behind Daci Pavilion there’s a Guandi Temple… South of Daci Pavilion is Kui Tower, what we commonly call the Wenchang Pavilion—it’s extraordinarily efficacious…”

She introduced Baoding’s local customs and culture in great detail, implying she could accompany Li Shi and Zhou Shaojin around Baoding Prefecture.

Li Shi saw that Zhou Shaojin was listening with great interest, and Madam Huang was quite talkative—whatever you said, she could respond—and for a moment was moved, thinking it wouldn’t be bad to have Madam Huang accompany them.

She caught Zhou Shaojin’s eye while Madam Huang lowered her head to drink tea.

Zhou Shaojin’s heart felt empty, and though Madam Huang talked a lot, it was just enough to keep her from dwelling on anything. She nodded almost imperceptibly.

Li Shi understood her meaning and invited Madam Huang to tour Baoding Prefecture with them in a couple of days.

Madam Huang was overjoyed.

Everyone knew Zhou Zhen’s first wife was Cheng Jing’s cousin, but whether the two families were close and whether Cheng Jing would give face to this former brother-in-law—no one could be certain.

Hearing that Zhou Zhen’s second daughter, who had grown up in Jiuru Lane, had come to Baoding, Prefectural Secretary Huang could no longer sit still, which led to Madam Huang’s uninvited visit.