Нuаishаn аskеd сuriоusly, "Sincе уоu аrе not entering оffiсial serviсe, what dо уоu nееd а fourth-rank рosition for?"
Cheng Chi lеаned bаck wеаrilу in thе armсhаir аnd sаid, "Хiang Zhiуong, the registrаr оf Huаi'an, has helрed us a grеat deаl оvеr thе уеаrs. Now that I аm lеaving, I must аrrаngе for thеse реoplе. Нuai'аn has alwaуs been cоmрliсatеd, with the Grain Trаnsроrt Govеrnоr's Оffiсе аnd the Liаnghuаi Salt Аdministratiоn in front, and thе Huаi'аn Рrefесt аnd Нuai'an Cоunty Magistrate bеhind. I am considеring whether tо transfеr him tо Songjiаng or Huzhou. At least there, as a local official in charge, he would not be constrained by others."
These words, spoken as if arranging final affairs, saddened Huaishan deeply. He nodded slightly and said, "Fourth Master is very thoughtful. Xiang Zhiyong has been in the position of Huai'an registrar for nearly ten years; it is time for him to move."
Cheng Chi nodded and said, "The main issue is that his relationship with us has become too close. After I leave, I fear his days will be difficult. However, in Zhejiang Circuit, there is Song Xianming. Out of respect for me, as long as Xiang Zhiyong does not commit any wrongdoing, Song will ensure his safety. In a few years, when things have settled, he will be free to soar like a bird in the sky or leap like a fish in the sea."
Huaishan remained silent.
Cheng Chi smiled and said, "By the way, since Cheng Jiashan is not returning for the New Year, given my mother's temperament, she will surely send Madam Yuan to the capital to reunite with her husband and son. This year, Mother will be very lonely during the New Year. Go and inform the people at Cold Green Mountain House that I will stay with Mother to see in the New Year. Prepare some fireworks and firecrackers... Mother enjoys setting off firecrackers. I remember when Father was alive, he would buy many firecrackers every New Year, saying they were for me to play with, but in truth, he wanted to make Mother happy..."
As he spoke, he gradually drifted into memories, his expression turning somber.
※
At Fragrant Garden Residence, Zhou Shaojin looked at Shi Xiang in surprise and said, "What did you say? Li Changgui has returned!"
Li Changgui was Zhou Zhen's attendant.
"Yes!" Shi Xiang said. "They say the Master received the young lady's letter and was furious. He immediately sent Li Changgui back overnight. When the Mistress heard that Li Changgui had returned, she thought that the New Year was approaching and sent her personal attendant, Mama Li, to pay respects to the two young ladies."
Zhou Shaojin frowned and said, "By my calculations, the Mistress should be due to give birth soon, right? At a time like this, why send Mama Li? Any other attendant would have sufficed. Isn't this just unnecessary trouble?"
Shi Xiang remained silent but thought to herself that the new Mistress must have received the news and learned that the two young ladies had dealt with Lanting. She was likely pleased and sent her trusted attendant to thank the two young ladies.
Though it was said to be a gesture of thanks, it could not be phrased that way directly.
She wondered what Mama Li would say when she met the two young ladies.
She asked Zhou Shaojin, "The eldest young lady is currently speaking with Li Changgui, and Mama Li is waiting outside. What do you think..."
"Then let her in," Zhou Shaojin said, thinking that she should also help her sister with some trivial matters. Moreover, she was eager to know how her father was doing now.
Shi Xiang acknowledged and left, soon returning with Mama Li.
Perhaps due to traveling day and night, Mama Li, dressed in parrot green, looked somewhat weary.
As soon as she entered, she knelt and kowtowed to Zhou Shaojin.
Zhou Shaojin was quite surprised.
Although Mama Li had come to pay respects to the sisters, she served Madam Li. As their stepmother, Madam Li's status elevated Mama Li's as well. It was appropriate for Mama Li to show respect to the sisters, but this was too much reverence!
She instructed Shi Xiang to bring in a small stool.Mama Li kept her eyes lowered and repeatedly said she dared not, adding, "When I left, Madam instructed me not to forget my place in front of the two young ladies."
Zhou Shaojin did not press further. She first inquired about Madam Li, learning that everything was going smoothly for her. Then she asked about Zhou Zhen, "...Is Father well?"
"With such a major incident happening, how could the master be well!" Mama Li wiped her eyes. "He can't eat, drink, or sleep. In just one night, he looks noticeably thinner. Such a good man—even when he sees us servants, he's always kind and gentle. But now, he flies into a rage over the smallest things. We don't know what we've done wrong; everything was fine before, but suddenly nothing we do seems right... Madam says the master is unhappy and holding in his anger. Once he vents it, he'll feel better. But Madam is still worried about him. She's heavily pregnant and about to give birth, yet she waits in the tea room every day, afraid the master might need tea or water... Madam thought the two young ladies might also be feeling upset and concerned about the master, so she specifically sent me back with Li Changgui, saying that if the young ladies had any questions, I could answer them."
Madam Li had indeed considered everything thoughtfully.
Zhou Shaojin sighed and asked, "When will Li Changgui leave?"
Mama Li gritted her teeth and said, "He plans to wait until Lanting and Xinlan, those wretched maids, are sentenced before leaving. But I must hurry back tonight—Madam is about to give birth, and I dare not delay."
Zhou Shaojin nodded and said, "Please ask Madam to take good care of Father. And as for Madam, I’ll rely on you to look after her."
"This is my duty as a servant. I dare not accept such instructions from the Second Young Lady."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Mama Li took two pouches from her sleeve—one bright red, the other sapphire blue, both embroidered with intertwining floral patterns. "We left in such a hurry that Madam didn’t have time to prepare anything for the two young ladies. She only gave me these two pouches to bring, saying they could serve as early New Year’s money."
Zhou Shaojin had Shi Xiang accept them.
Zhou Chujin arrived.
Her expression was stern. After speaking with Mama Li and learning that she had only come to pay respects to the sisters, she rewarded her with a meal and ten taels of silver, then had Chixiang accompany her to the rear courtyard to dine.
Zhou Shaojin quickly sat beside her sister and asked, "What did Li Changgui say?"
But Zhou Chujin answered a different question, "Jiying isn’t a hereditary servant, is she? Do you know where her hometown is and who her family members are?"
"What’s wrong?" Zhou Shaojin was taken aback. "Why are you suddenly asking about Jiying?"
Zhou Chujin said, "Li Changgui came from the county jail. He asked how we sisters knew there was a jailer in the prison. He asked if it was Uncle Mian’s idea. He also said Father sent him to handle this matter and was surprised that we sisters had the same thought as Father. He even praised me, saying it was a mature approach, something only experienced old officials would know."
Although she usually told her sister everything, this matter concerned Jiying. Without Jiying’s consent, she couldn’t reveal it to her sister. Yet she also couldn’t bring herself to hide it from her.
Zhou Shaojin thought for a moment and said, "I’ll have to ask Jiying before I can tell you about her family."
She must have her own reasons for keeping it private!
But Jiying’s kindness toward her younger sister was undoubtedly sincere."Forget it then." A faint smile appeared on Zhou Chujin's face. "Someone gave us good advice, yet we... instead dig into their family background. Just thinking about it makes one feel disheartened. When there's a chance in the future, I'll ask her myself."
That might be for the best.
Zhou Shaojin asked, "What else did Li Changgui say?"
"Father told him to discuss with Uncle Mian whether Xinlan and Lanting could be executed after autumn," Zhou Chujin said with some dissatisfaction. "Wouldn't that let them live another year?"
It was already winter. Execution after autumn would have to wait until next autumn.
Seeing her elder sister unhappy, Zhou Shaojin guessed, "Is it because letting them wait for death in prison is more tormenting than sentencing them immediately?"
"I think so too," Zhou Chujin said. "That's why I'm quite grateful to Jiying. If not for her, how would we know such things exist?"
Zhou Shaojin said, "Our family has no criminals. Naturally, we wouldn't know about such matters!"
As she spoke, her heart skipped a beat.
Could it be that Jiying's family has criminals?
But even if that were the case, since Jiying treated her so well, she shouldn't distance herself from or fear Jiying.
Zhou Shaojin let out a long sigh.
Zhou Chujin then asked about Cheng Yi: "...I just heard. Cousin Yi seems determined this time. No matter whether Aunt scolds, hits, cries, threatens, or tempts him, he remains unmoved. He even took two slaps from Uncle without admitting fault. Grandmother cried over this. Do you want to tell Jiying? In such matters, it's usually the maidservant who suffers. If she could ask Uncle Chi to intervene, that would be even better."
Zhou Shaojin listened with trepidation.
She knew Cheng Yi was making trouble, but since she was the one who reported it, although she believed she wasn't wrong, Cheng Yi's loud accusations when leaving still made her feel somewhat guilty, so she hadn't inquired how much trouble he was causing.
She never expected Cheng Yi to cause such a commotion!
In her previous life, as an official's daughter and young lady, she was still blamed when such things happened, let alone Jiying who came from a servant background?
Zhou Shaojin stood up to leave: "I'll go tell Jiying."
Zhou Chujin stopped her, saying, "First talk to Jiying and hear her opinion. If Jiying thinks Uncle Chi should be told, then tell him... I don't think Jiying seems like a maid serving closely by Uncle Chi's side. With her looks, if Uncle Chi has arrangements for her, that's fine. If not, at most she'll marry a steward in the future. How could she stop others from having ideas? Don't get involved in this matter recklessly, understand?"
Zhou Shaojin thought for a moment before understanding her sister's meaning.
Her sister meant "beauty brings disaster"!
With Jiying's appearance, if Uncle Chi doesn't take her in, he should find her a good family that can protect her. Otherwise, it might be better to take this chance to follow Cheng Yi. Although Cheng Yi has various troubles, he is kind-hearted, and Grandmother and Aunt are reasonable people, so at least she'd have some support.
But ultimately, the choice must be Jiying's.
One person's honey is another's poison. After all, this is her own matter; they can't make decisions for her.
Yet for some reason, Zhou Shaojin felt a vague certainty.
She believed Jiying would absolutely not agree to follow Cheng Yi.This wasn't just a matter of age, experience, or status—Jiying would never allow herself to suffer such humiliation.
"I understand," Zhou Shaojin nodded and hurried off to the Hill of Clustered Cassia Courtyard.
Jiying stood under the covered corridor with a dark expression, venting her frustration: "...Is this the imperial palace or the Six Ministries? Moving house and not even getting a few people to help—with just us, forget about finishing by the twenty-second of the twelfth month, we probably wouldn't even be done by the second day of the first month. If Fourth Master is worried about the cost, go tell him I'll pay for it myself, alright?"
※
Thank you to Tianwaixianxian for the reward.
o(n_n)o
But I won't be able to add extra updates this week due to the rewards. The editor from the Taiwanese publisher handling my book is coming to Wuhan this Saturday, and I need to meet with them. I won't be able to write on Saturday, so I need to save up two chapters. The extra updates for the rewards will have to be postponed until next week.
I hope everyone can understand.
There will only be two updates today, at the usual times.
Apologies!
※(To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
!!
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