Оn the day оf thе Laba Fеstival, the wеаthеr suddеnlу сhanged, аnd a biting cold wind began to blоw fiеrcеly.
Сhеng Jiа аrrived wеаring а grау squirrel fur сoat, her fасe flushеd red. Instead оf entering thе house, shе stооd undеr thе соrridor, gazing аt thе witherеd роmegrаnatе brаnches swауing wildly in thе wind and burst into laughtеr. She asked Zhоu Shаоjin, who hаd come оut tо grеet hеr, "Dо уоu think it will snоw this уeаr?"
Zhоu Shaоjin’s memоries werе still lingering in thе snоwу winters оf thе саpital, and shе couldn’t help but pаuse at the quеstion.
Chеng Jia sighеd, "It didn’t snоw last уear. I hope it snows today. Then we can build a snowman!"
How old was she, still thinking about such things?
Zhou Shaojin quickly invited her inside to sit, "...It’s too cold outside."
"The cold is just right," Cheng Jia said with a laugh. "It’s perfect for drinking porridge." Then she asked, "What did you use to make your porridge?"
"Lotus seeds, peanuts, red beans, longan, barley..." Zhou Shaojin replied as she walked inside with Cheng Jia. "Why do you ask?"
Two braziers were lit inside the room, and the warm air rushed toward them, making Cheng Jia gasp for breath.
She exclaimed, "Why did you light so many braziers?"
"It’s too cold," Zhou Shaojin said. "It takes half a day under the blankets to feel even a little warmth."
Cheng Jia widened her eyes and said, "You don’t use a hot water bottle?"
"Even a hot water bottle doesn’t help much," Zhou Shaojin replied. "I just feel too cold."
Unlike in the capital, where the heated floors kept everything warm to the touch.
Cheng Jia was speechless. "When is Jiying coming? When I left, Sister-in-law Shi happened to be delivering Laba porridge. She said it was made with glutinous rice, millet, red fragrant rice, black rice... eight kinds of rice in total. It was lighter than the usual Laba porridge. I wanted to try a bite before coming, but I was afraid you’d be waiting, so I rushed over without even taking a look. If I’d known Jiying wasn’t here yet, I would’ve come later."
Zhou Shaojin was exasperated.
Zhou Chujin walked in, untying her apron, and said with a smile, "I’ve already simmered the porridge on the stove in the tea room. We can eat as soon as Jiying arrives."
Zhou Shaojin nodded.
Cheng Jia jumped up and said, "Didn’t you say you made the Laba porridge? How come it was Cousin Chujin who cooked?"
"Do you even know how to make Laba porridge?" Zhou Shaojin shot Cheng Jia a glance. "Things like lotus seeds, red beans, and barley need to be soaked a day in advance... I got up at six in the morning today and have been stirring the porridge with a spoon to keep it from sticking. If I’d known this, I would’ve worn an apron to greet you!"
Cheng Jia chuckled and tugged at Zhou Shaojin’s sleeve, whispering, "At most, I’ll treat you to some water chestnut cake from Qifangzhai."
Zhou Chujin couldn’t help but laugh at this.
Just as the room was bustling with activity, Shi Xiang came in and announced, "Miss Jiying is here."
"Please invite her in quickly," Zhou Shaojin said. As soon as she spoke, the door curtain was lifted, and Jiying walked in on her own.
She wore a rose-purple embroidered vest over a willow-yellow Hangzhou silk-lined jacket, her dark hair casually tied into a bun. She had a pair of pearl earrings on her ears and was carrying a gift box, looking as if she were visiting someone for the New Year.
Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
Jiying looked at her, puzzled.Zhou Shaojin feared Jiying might misunderstand her as mocking, and quickly explained, "You look as if you're visiting neighbors. It's not even New Year yet! Even if it were, sisters living in the same alley needn't be so formal."
Only then did Jiying understand.
She immediately gritted her teeth and said, "Qin Ziping, just you wait. I'll deal with you properly when I get back!"
Zhou Shaojin asked curiously, "What does this have to do with Steward Qin?"
"This is what he prepared for me?" Jiying pointed at the gift box. "The eight-piece set from Qifangzhai. I said it wasn't necessary, but he insisted on giving it to me. He even said it's the custom here!"
Everyone laughed.
Zhou Chujin gently told her, "One can never fault too much courtesy. But today is just a small gathering among sisters, so there's no need to be so formal. If you really want to bring something, just pick what you like to eat or what looks nice to share with them."
Jiying repeatedly expressed her thanks.
Now Zhou Chujin saw clearly.
Despite Jiying's cold and stunning appearance, she was just like Zhou Shaojin—someone who didn't overthink things.
She instructed Shi Xiang to bring in the porridge, and the group sat around the round table in the hall.
As Shi Xiang brought in the porridge and was offering auspicious greetings, Cheng Yi arrived.
"It smells wonderful!" He sniffed the air. "You're hiding here drinking porridge without even calling me." As he spoke, his gaze fell on Jiying, shifting from admiration to a fixed stare.
Jiying frowned.
Zhou Shaojin quickly coughed and said, "Cousin Yi, did you need something from me?"
"Can't I come see you without a reason?" Cheng Yi's eyes seemed glued to Jiying as he replied absentmindedly, "You surely didn't cook just this little porridge, right? Serve me a bowl too! Let me see how it differs from my mother's."
Cheng Jia couldn't stand it any longer and simply kicked Cheng Yi.
Cheng Yi clutched his calf, his eyebrows furrowing as he was about to say something to Cheng Jia. But a glance from the corner of his eye made him swallow his words. He then released his calf, brushed off his clothes nonchalantly, and said, "A gentleman doesn't fight with a lady. I won't stoop to your level."
Cheng Jia's expression changed.
Zhou Shaojin felt very awkward.
Having experienced such situations herself, she naturally understood Jiying's irritation. But the one causing trouble was her cousin, whom she had grown up with. Even if she tried to chase him out, he'd likely stubbornly refuse to leave.
Zhou Shaojin gave Shi Xiang a meaningful look and whispered, "Later, say that Grandmother is looking for him and send him away."
Shi Xiang understood. She set down the bowls and chopsticks, lingered outside for a moment, then came back in and said, "Second Young Master, Old Madam Guan wants you to come over!"
Cheng Yi, who had been quietly asking Zhou Shaojin who Jiying was, replied suspiciously, "What a coincidence!"
Shi Xiang said aggrievedly, "Why would I lie to you? Madam Shi has come to deliver Laba porridge."
Usually at this time, Old Madam Guan would share the porridge with them.
Reluctantly, Cheng Yi had to leave.
Jiying sighed in relief and said, "If he weren't your cousin, I would've slapped him long ago."
Zhou Shaojin and Cheng Jia both smiled awkwardly.
Zhou Chujin couldn't help but smile as well, thinking Jiying was indeed as unique as her sister had described.
Someone lifted the curtain and entered.
Jiying and the others looked displeased, but when they turned to see who it was, they found it was Chixiang.
All three of them let out a sigh of relief.Chixiang reported, "Chief Steward Ma has sent word that the boat of cotton from Jingzhou Prefecture will arrive at East River Bridge in another hour. He asks whether the eldest and second young ladies will wait at Flat Bridge Street or go over when they have time."
The Zhou sisters stood up simultaneously.
Zhou Chujin turned and pressed Zhou Shaojin back into her seat, saying, "Go tell Ma Fushan that I will go wait at Flat Bridge Street right away."
Zhou Shaojin anxiously called out "Sister" and tried to rise.
Zhou Chujin exerted more force with her hand, pressing Shaojin down again, and said, "You stay at home. When the time comes, just help me write a letter to Father."
Zhou Shaojin knew she could not go.
Not to mention Cheng Jia and Jiying were here, even if they weren't, if the sisters frequently returned to Flat Bridge Street like this, it would surely attract others' attention.
She needed to stay behind to cover for her sister.
Besides, today was Laba Festival. Later she still had to go pay respects to their grandmother. They couldn't both be away from home!
"Sister," Zhou Shaojin looked up at Zhou Chujin, her clear, bright eyes full of concern, "Go and come back quickly. When Madam Shi sends over the porridge, I'll save some for you."
A flicker of surprise passed through Zhou Chujin's eyes.
She hadn't expected her younger sister to understand her meaning.
Zhou Chujin couldn't help but smile, saying softly, "I know. You all drink the porridge, no need to wait for me. I'll try to return as early as possible."
The three of them stood up to see Zhou Chujin out the door.
Cheng Jia then said, "Does your family also deal in the cotton business? How come I haven't heard of it before? Shouldn't such matters be handled by the stewards? Why does Cousin Chujin need to go personally? Should I mention it to my brother? Have him send a steward to check?"
Jiying, however, seemed thoughtful.
Zhou Shaojin knew Jiying had grown suspicious. Looking at her, she answered Cheng Jia's question: "It's just a temporary issue at home. My sister going over is enough; no help is needed for now. If help is needed, we'll definitely ask you."
Cheng Jia nodded and sat down at the round table.
Jiying gave Zhou Shaojin a relieved smile.
※
By the time Zhou Chujin returned, lanterns were already lit.
Unlike the joy when they received Ma Ci's letter last time, she appeared both furious and exhausted.
Zhou Shaojin firmly supported Zhou Chujin.
"It really was Xinlan who did it!" Her face was pale, yet her cheeks were flushed as if rouged. "Cheng Bai instructed her to do it... She thought Mother should have married Cheng Bai. That way she could also serve Cheng Bai... Cheng Bai promised to take her in after the deed was done, so she did it... I want to skin her alive..."
Zhou Shaojin remained silent.
Her heart felt heavy like soaked cloth, suffocating. Her legs were weak as if treading on cotton.
Just because she liked Cheng Bai, she could help him harm others!
She thought of Cheng Lu.
The hatred from her past life seemed to burn through time in her heart.
How could someone be so despicable and shameless? After causing her mother's death, now coming to harm her!
And Lanting, since she discovered Cheng Bai and Xinlan's plot, why didn't she tell Father? And kept pretending not to know. Did Mother ever scold her without reason? Or punish her without distinguishing right from wrong? She showed no regard for past affection, actually able to watch Xinlan escape punishment with a clear conscience?
What are their hearts made of!"Sister," Zhou Shaojin heard her own voice sharp and piercing, "we must make sure the authorities sentence them properly! We can't just let them off like this! Mother died so unjustly!"
Thinking of the mother she had no memory of, Zhou Shaojin couldn't help but feel her eyes grow moist with tears.
"I know, I know," Zhou Chujin replied, returning to her own room and collapsing onto the bed as if all her strength had been drained. "If we repay evil with kindness, what then do we repay kindness with? If murderers can be forgiven just by putting down their blades, by reforming themselves, by crying out a few times 'I was wrong,' then who would bother to abide by the law? I'll go see Uncle Mian tomorrow. Father is too far away—this matter will require the Cheng family to step in."
Zhou Shaojin immediately said, "I'll go write the letter now."
※
Sisters, this is an extra update for Mengxian66.
o(n_n)o~
PS: Considering how hard I'm working to repay my debts, everyone, please cast a few pink votes for me!
※ (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to cast recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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