Аfter seеing Fаn Lu оff, Zhоu Shаojin hardly slерt all night.
She knеw this venture wаs sоmеwhаt riskу, but if shе didn't take thе chance, she cоuld оnly wаtch hеlрlеsslу as Lin Shishеng аnd Соnсubine Мu went their seраratе ways.
She hоped thоse pеорlе wоuld оvеrlook Fаn Qi duе to his уоung аge, аllowing him tо sеize an орpоrtunity.
In the morning, Zhоu Shaojin rosе аnd оfferеd three sticks оf inсеnse tо thе Воdhisаttvа.
Mаdаm Fan Liu stоod nеarby, hеsitating tо sреak.
Zhоu Shаоjin knеw she likely wаnted to ask about Fаn Lu. Not wishing to cаuse Mаdam Fаn Liu unnеcеssary worry, she straightforwardly asked, "Do you have something to tell me?"
"No," Madam Fan Liu replied after a moment's thought. "I'm just worried that Qi'er is young and might not handle his duties well, causing trouble for Second Miss."
Even unmarried men from undivided families couldn't have private savings, let alone an unmarried daughter like her!
Her wet nurse was still on her side after all.
A warm feeling flowed through Zhou Shaojin's heart. Gently linking arms with Madam Fan Liu, she smiled and said, "Don't worry, it's just having Fan Qi go and take a look. Whether it succeeds or not is still uncertain!"
Having decided to keep Zhou Shaojin's secret, Madam Fan Liu settled her mind and smiled, "That boy has been clever since childhood. I'm not really worried. May heaven grant our wishes and let everything go smoothly." She added, "I noticed Second Miss hasn't seemed very energetic since getting up. Did you not sleep well last night? Or are you feeling unwell? Perhaps you should rest a bit more after breakfast. Yesterday, I heard from Chixiang in Eldest Miss's room that after the first day of the tenth month, Jing'an Study will resume classes. When that time comes, you'll be rushing between Jing'an Study and Cold Green Mountain House. You must take care of your health. Why not take advantage of these few idle days to rest properly? For needlework, there's Shi Xiang and Chixiang, or if needed, the embroidery shops outside. Don't overwork yourself."
Every word was heartfelt concern.
Zhou Shaojin smiled gently and said, "I'm fine, probably just feeling autumn drowsiness."
"Then it's even more important to rest well," Madam Fan Liu said. "Autumn harvest and winter storage—autumn is the perfect time for recuperation. Rest well in autumn, and you'll fall ill less in winter."
As they were talking, Zhou Chujin finished dressing and entered, accompanied by Chixiang.
"What are you discussing?" she greeted Zhou Shaojin and Madam Fan Liu with a smile. "You sound so cheerful. I could hear Shaojin's voice from outside the room."
"Sister, you're blaming me unfairly!" Zhou Shaojin laughed. "It was all Mama Fan talking. How can you put it on me?"
Everyone shared a laugh.
Zhou Shaojin and her sister took their seats according to seniority for breakfast.
Soft, glutinous white porridge accompanied by assorted pickled mustard tubers, stir-fried baby bok choy, and milk-scented steamed buns. Simple yet endlessly satisfying.
After putting down their chopsticks, Zhou Chujin carefully said to Zhou Shaojin, "I've already sounded out Lanting. From what she implied, she still wants to follow Father to his post."
If not for that, she wouldn't have taken advantage of Madam Li's grief over losing her daughter to conceive Father's child back then.
Zhou Shaojin asked, "What do you think, sister?"
Zhou Chujin didn't speak immediately, fiddling with the chopsticks before her. "I want her to stay."
Zhou Shaojin remained silent, quietly watching Zhou Chujin, waiting for her explanation.After a long while, Zhou Chujin finally said, "You probably don't remember what happened when we were young... but I do! Back then, when she wanted to stay, Mother asked her: if she stayed, she would have to take good care of you... Since that's the case, let her stay and serve you!"
Zhou Shaojin was very surprised. She asked, "Let Lanting stay at Fragrant Garden Residence?"
"Let her live in the Zhou family ancestral home," Zhou Chujin replied without hesitation. "Since she is a servant of the Zhou family, receiving Zhou family wages, she must abide by Zhou family rules. Mother allowed her to stay, so she must stay."
Perhaps, without any hope, Lanting would give up.
Zhou Shaojin offered no comment.
When she went to Cold Green Mountain House that afternoon to copy scriptures, Cheng Xu was also there.
Biyu told her, "The eldest young master said he wanted to host a chrysanthemum banquet at home for Young Master Min. The old madam agreed and even personally called the head gardener to have them build chrysanthemum towers, brew chrysanthemum wine, and buy crabs. Madam Yuan also brought out her own Purple Gold Plate, Buddha's Hand Yellow, and White Shark Silk for Young Master Min to admire. The old madam even ordered us to open her own storeroom and take out her twelve-panel black lacquer mother-of-pearl inlaid screen depicting the Twelve Scenes of West Lake to display in the Water Pavilion where the eldest young master is hosting the banquet..."
Purple Gold Plate, Buddha's Hand Yellow, and White Shark Silk were all names of chrysanthemum varieties.
Zhou Shaojin's brows almost imperceptibly furrowed.
Biyu asked curiously, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Zhou Shaojin quickly smiled and said, "I just get a headache thinking about all the guests that will come to the chrysanthemum banquet."
Biyu laughed, "It's a good thing Second Cousin encountered the fourth branch and our branch. Neither the old madam nor the ladies enjoy socializing much. It would be terrible if you had met Madam Shi—she hasn't even finished her month of confinement yet and is already planning flower parties!"
In her past life, it was also the second branch that had the most social engagements.
Zhou Shaojin smiled without saying anything.
Someone outside called, "Is Second Cousin Zhou here?"
It was Cheng Xu's voice.
Zhou Shaojin's brows knitted tightly.
She shook her head at Biyu, signaling her to say she was "not here."
Biyu looked momentarily confused.
But in that brief moment of confusion, Cheng Xu had already strode in.
"Second Cousin Zhou," he greeted her gracefully, wearing a dark purple Hangzhou silk robe with plum, orchid, and bamboo patterns. "I'm hosting a chrysanthemum banquet in a few days. I heard you have a Purple Robe Golden Belt plant. I wonder if I could borrow it for a couple of days so my friends can also seek some good fortune."
Purple Robe Golden Belt was also a chrysanthemum name. Its flowers somewhat resembled Wei Purple, with bowl-sized blooms and overlapping petals. Because the edges of the petals had a golden rim, it earned the name "Purple Robe Golden Belt." Since purple robes and golden belts were the attire of first-rank officials, it carried auspicious connotations and was quite popular among scholars.
When had she ever cultivated a Purple Robe Golden Belt plant?
Zhou Shaojin said indifferently, "Perhaps Cousin Xu remembers incorrectly. I only have a few common varieties like Curved Pink and Number One Scholar Red at home."
Cheng Xu rubbed his head and smiled awkwardly, "Perhaps I really did remember wrong."
Zhou Shaojin nodded.
Cheng Xu looked at Biyu and Shi Xiang standing on either side of her, seeming to want to say something but holding back. He left dejectedly.
Zhou Shaojin breathed a sigh of relief.
Who would have thought that the next day, Cheng Xu would send over a pot of National Beauty and Heavenly Fragrance and a pot of Golden Cream Water Green, along with a message from his servant: "...Although they aren't rare or precious varieties, they are of excellent quality. I'm sending them for the two young cousins to admire."Zhou Shaojin accepted the flowers, smiling as she rewarded the servant, then turned and reported the matter to Old Madam Guo: "...They said they were for my sister and me to admire. I happen to know a bit about gardening, so when spring comes, I'll propagate them. I'll pot one for you then."
Old Madam Guo chuckled but said nothing. Yet Zhou Shaojin could tell her smile didn't reach her eyes.
Zhou Shaojin seized the moment to take her leave.
The following afternoon, while she was copying scriptures in the Buddhist hall, Madam Yuan suddenly arrived, bringing along many fruits and pastries.
Uncertain of Madam Yuan's purpose, Zhou Shaojin respectfully invited her to sit in the nearby official's armchair.
Madam Yuan dismissed her attendants and began chatting casually with Zhou Shaojin.
She first spoke of Cheng Xiao's situation, then shifted the topic to Cheng Xu: "...Several friends came all the way from Hangzhou to visit him. Upon asking, I learned they were the sons of the Min family from Fujian. The younger brother of Min Xingjian, the top scholar in the Renchen imperial examination... He was in the same cohort as Eldest Young Master's fourth uncle... That year's policy essay was on flood control, extremely difficult. Much of the content involved interpretations of the 'Luo River Diagram,' yet only Min Xingjian understood the allusions... His knowledge is exceptionally profound... I heard he has already taken on duties at the Messengers Office... Though one is a provincial graduate and the other a county scholar, Min Xingqiang and our Eldest Young Master get along remarkably well. These days, they not only eat and live together but also visit friends together... Min Xingqiang even joked about having Eldest Young Master marry his sister, saying he could choose any of their six unmarried daughters..."
Why was Madam Yuan telling her all this for no reason?
And intentionally or not, she was praising Min Xingjian while belittling Cheng Chi!
This stirred a faint displeasure within her.
Madam Yuan sighed, "As soon as I saw the playful infant designs you made for Xiao's child, I knew you were a good girl. Later, I heard you excel not only in needlework but also in cooking. I wonder which family's son will have the fortune to marry you..."
Zhou Shaojin grew inwardly alert.
Was Madam Yuan advising her not to entertain improper thoughts about Cheng Xu?
Her fingertips trembled with anger.
The grievances of two lifetimes surged forth, nearly making her storm off in fury.
Fortunately, at the critical moment, she restrained herself, taking several deep breaths to gradually calm her emotions.
"You flatter me, Aunt Yuan. I'm not as accomplished as you say," she exchanged pleasantries with Madam Yuan. "I heard the 'Luòhé Diagram' is a book left behind by immortals in the mortal world, possessing miraculous abilities. I never imagined Scholar Min was so remarkable as to comprehend the 'Luòhé Diagram'? It truly shows, as the books say, 'there is always someone better, and skies beyond skies.' If only Nine Prosperities Lane could produce such a top scholar someday." After speaking, she added softly, "I thought all top scholars were alike, but it seems even among them, there are distinctions of rank."
She was indirectly criticizing Cheng Xu as nothing special.
Madam Yuan barely restrained herself from leaping up.
She gazed coldly at Zhou Shaojin.
Unexpectedly, Zhou Shaojin was also staring back with clear, innocent almond eyes. When their eyes met, Madam Yuan could even see her own reflection in Zhou Shaojin's gaze.
Madam Yuan smiled bitterly.Zhou Shaojin was still a child, and she had always been well-behaved and sensible, even walking carefully to avoid stepping on ants. How could she possibly be mocking herself? Perhaps she hadn’t even understood the meaning behind her words... Why was she getting so worked up over this?
Madam Yuan felt that coming to admonish Zhou Shaojin had been a mistake in the first place.
She should have told Zhou Chujin about the matter and let her discipline Zhou Shaojin instead.
Having made up her mind, Madam Yuan smiled and said, "That’s exactly the point. That’s why everyone thinks Min Xingjian is so remarkable."
After that, she chatted idly with Zhou Shaojin for a while before taking her leave.
Zhou Shaojin silently recited the Heart Sutra before the Buddha, and only then did her emotions gradually settle down.
※
Dear readers, here is the update for January 9th.
PS: Three updates a day are a bit too much to handle, so I’ve decided to alternate days with three updates. Tomorrow, there will only be two updates, same time, same place!
o(n_n)o~
※ (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please feel free to vote with your recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
!!
OpenNovel