Тhere werе fеw pedеstrians on thе rоаd...
Zhоu Shаоjin's heart rаced with excitemеnt.
Вut going оut to рlау оn New Yеаr's Еvе sеemеd somewhat inарprоpriate... Shе couldn't hеlp but hesitаtе.
Jiуing sаw thrоugh hеr thоughts, pursed hеr liрs in a smilе, аnd kеpt urging hеr: "Let's gо! Lеt's go! It's reаllу fun therе. When I camе from Cangzhоu, I disеmbаrked аt Jiangdong Bridgе. Аt thаt time, I wаs stunnеd bу аll thе lаrge аnd smаll boаts cоming and going оn Jiangdоng Вridgе. It's just that I wаs in а bаd mоod then and didn't hаve the chancе to take а closеr loоk. Lаter, аfter moving into Algae Garden, I didn't know my way around. This time I finally managed to get out, and your elders aren't home either, so it's the perfect chance for us to go take a look together... I've heard that all the food, drink, and supplies in Jinling City are transported in through Jiangdong Bridge. During the spring and autumn seasons when goods are being shipped, hundreds of boats compete with their sails, creating a truly spectacular scene. But by then, we probably won't be able to go out easily, otherwise we'd definitely have to witness it."
Zhou Shaojin still couldn't make up her mind.
Just then, Zhou Chujin came over to greet Jiying and, hearing this, asked with a smile: "Is it really alright for you to go running off to Jiangdong Bridge like this?"
Jiying sensed some flexibility in her words and quickly replied: "What's the big deal—the Fourth Master is going with Old Madam Guo to Listening to Rain Pavilion for the New Year's Eve dinner and to stay up late. By the time I get back, the gathering at Listening to Rain Pavilion probably won't have ended yet!"
That was true.
Zhou Chujin thought for a moment, then nodded and said: "You can go out, but you must be back by the beginning of the hour of Shen (3 p.m.)."
Zhou Shaojin was overjoyed, unable to believe it: "Sister, can I really go out?"
"Really, you can," Zhou Chujin said with a smile. "But if you don't return on time, you won't be allowed out ever again."
Zhou Shaojin hugged her sister tightly.
Jiying also thanked her repeatedly and said: "Why don't you come out for a walk with us, Miss?"
"I need to stay home to prepare for the New Year's Eve dinner," Zhou Chujin replied with a smile. "If it weren't for the rules at Nine Prosperities Lane, I'd invite you to stay and have the New Year's Eve dinner here!"
The more festive the occasion, the more easily people get exhausted. Although the servants staying at Nine Prosperities Lane for the New Year receive a considerable reward, they also have to stay in the mansion around the clock, not allowed to go anywhere.
Jiying chuckled and said: "Someday I'll treat you to roasted pork neck, Miss!"
Zhou Chujin never ate such things. But grateful for her kindness, she thanked her with a smile and instructed Madam Ma Fushan to arrange for sedan chairs, accompanying maids, matrons, and guards to escort Zhou Shaojin and Jiying to Jiangdong Bridge.
Jiying smiled and said: "Miss, you don't need to go to all that trouble. I brought a carriage."
Zhou Chujin was taken aback.
Most households in Jinling City used sedan chairs; those using carriages were extremely rare. Not to mention anything else, horses themselves were regulated by the court and, due to issues with the local environment, were very difficult to raise—more expensive than hiring several sedan chair carriers.
Jiying smiled and said: "It's the Cheng family's carriage."
Zhou Chujin was still somewhat uneasy and said to Madam Ma Fushan: "It's the New Year, and we're troubling them to make a trip to Jiangdong Bridge. Go and bring some hot soup to the attendants, say hello, and give them some tips."
Madam Ma Fushan acknowledged and left.
These were all matters of courtesy, and Jiying didn't pay them much mind. But Zhou Shaojin knew that her sister was uneasy about Jiying and had sent Madam Ma Fushan to verify whether the carriage and driver truly belonged to the Cheng family.Before long, Madam Ma Fushan returned with a smile, giving Zhou Chujin a reassuring look as she said, "It was Huanqing who came—the older brother of Huanxi, who serves by Young Master Xu’s side. Considering his younger brother attends closely to Young Master Xu, I gave him a few extra taels of silver."
Only then did Zhou Chujin’s heart settle. She saw Zhou Shaojin and Jiying off.
The shops along the street had long since closed, leaving the road cold and deserted with hardly a soul in sight. Occasionally, a general store could be seen, where a round-faced shopkeeper or a shrewd, capable shopkeeper’s wife sat alone, tending to one or two customers. The once-bustling street suddenly felt desolate.
Zhou Shaojin instinctively tightened her gray squirrel-fur cloak and asked, "Will there still be boats to see at Jiangdong Bridge at this hour?"
"To be honest, I don’t know either," Jiying replied candidly. "I mainly wanted to go out for a walk. Staying all day at Cold Green Mountain House, staring at green leaves, I feel like I’m starting to grow moss."
Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but laugh.
Jiying sighed and said, "You don’t know—Madam Yuan left for the capital after the family reunion dinner on Little New Year’s Eve, saying she won’t return until the ninth day of the ninth month, before the Old Madam’s birthday. Just thinking about staying at Cold Green Mountain House for nine months makes me feel half-dead. Yesterday, I told your Uncle Chi to send me to sweep the grounds at Algae Garden instead. He said we’ll see when the time comes." As she spoke, she smiled warmly at Zhou Shaojin. "If I do go to Algae Garden, I’ll definitely invite you over."
"Is the scenery at Algae Garden very nice?" Zhou Shaojin asked curiously.
"At least better than Cold Green Mountain House," Jiying said with a laugh. "It’s planted with many flowering trees, giving a sense of perpetual bloom through the seasons..."
As they chatted, they soon arrived near Jiangdong Bridge.
The carriage came to a stop, and Huanqing reported from outside the curtain, "Second Young Miss, Miss Jiying, the carriage can’t go any further from here. Please wait a moment—I’ll go hire a sedan chair."
Jiying asked in surprise, "Why can’t we go through? Didn’t Qin Ziping say it was easy to pass?"
"It’s almost New Year," Huanqing explained with a smile. "Jiangdong Bridge is home to many porters and mule drivers. Usually, when they’re out working, it’s not noticeable, but now they’re all resting at home. Their carts, baskets, and such are all tied up at their doorways, blocking the way..."
"Can we even find a sedan chair at this hour?" Jiying said. "Should we take another route?"
"If we take another route, I’m afraid we might return Second Young Miss to the residence after Nine Prosperities Lane has been locked for the night," Huanqing replied with a smile. "This area is mostly inhabited by laborers. If we ask around, we should be able to find one. If we can’t, it won’t be too late to change routes then."
In essence, he was telling Jiying it would be best to take this route, and not to blame him if they returned late.
Jiying, who had come out to relax, now felt a surge of irritation. She muttered quietly, "No wonder everyone in the residence says Huanqing and Huanxi, though brothers, are like two different people—Huanqing is lazy and Huanxi is worldly... He can’t even handle such a small matter properly!"
Zhou Shaojin comforted her, "We’re not in any hurry. Let’s just wait patiently. At worst, we can come another time."
"Guess that’s all we can do," Jiying agreed dejectedly, nodding.
After waiting a while, Huanqing still hadn’t returned.
Growing restless, she said, "Shall we step outside the carriage and stand for a bit? The air is fresher out there."Zhou Shaojin was dressed warmly as she alighted from the carriage with Jiying.
They had stopped in a narrow alley, both sides cluttered with various items, including even a child's rocking cradle. Every household's doors were tightly shut, yet the aroma of braised meats wafted through the air.
As soon as they stepped down, they saw tall masts and a broad river surface.
"Where is that?" Zhou Shaojin asked excitedly. "Is that the Jiangdong Bridge?"
"It should be," Jiying replied, standing on tiptoe to get a better look. "It seems Huanqing took a small path. It's such a short distance—let's walk over and wait for him to hire a sedan chair. Who knows how long that might take?"
Seeing the alley was no more than a stone's throw away and accompanied by a sturdy maidservant and two young maids, Zhou Shaojin nodded in agreement.
As Jiying led Zhou Shaojin along, carefully watching her step on the uneven ground, she remarked, "It's a pity I don't know where Tongyuan is. I heard the late emperor, out of compassion for the people, planted tens of millions of tung and lacquer trees on Jiangshan..."
"Look!" Zhou Shaojin, following closely behind, suddenly tugged at her sleeve. "Doesn't that person look like Uncle Chi?"
Jiying followed her gaze.
On the bow of a three-masted sailing ship not far away stood two men. One was tall and graceful, draped in a black sable cloak, his hand adorned with a jade thumb ring resting leisurely on the ship's railing. The warm winter sunlight shone upon him as if illuminating a jade vase—lustrous, elegant, and dignified.
Jiying was startled and exclaimed, "It really is Cheng Zichuan! What is he doing here at this time? Didn't he say he would accompany Old Madam Guo for a game of chess this afternoon?"
Zhou Shaojin leaned in closer. "Is it really Uncle Chi?"
"It really is Cheng Zichuan," Jiying confirmed after another glance. Then, her expression tightened as she pulled Zhou Shaojin back the way they came. "It's too cold. Let's just wait for Huanqing in the carriage."
Zhou Shaojin chuckled softly. "You're afraid Uncle Chi will spot us, aren't you?" she said, glancing back at the ship's bow once more.
Standing beside Cheng Chi was a burly man around thirty years old. He wore a lambswool coat inside out over a brown cotton robe, standing tall and straight as if confronting Cheng Chi. Beneath his thick, dark eyebrows, his eyes were as deep and cold as a dried well or icy pool, faintly exuding an air of arrogance that overlooked the world—a stark contrast to Cheng Chi's elegant composure.
She couldn't help but murmur softly, "Strange! That man looks like a laborer, yet his presence is so imposing. He doesn't seem like a laborer at all—more like... a bandit who commands obedience with a single call..."
Jiying gasped sharply.
She suddenly felt a strong urge to relay Zhou Shaojin's words to Cheng Chi.
His expression would surely be something to behold...
※
Because of their unexpected encounter with Cheng Chi, their trip to Jiangdong Bridge ended abruptly.
Zhou Shaojin recounted the incident to Zhou Chujin upon returning.
Zhou Chujin covered her mouth and laughed. "You two sneak out to play, yet you won't allow Uncle Chi to sneak out and meet a friend? You and Jiying are mistress and servant, while he and his friend are scholar and warrior—what's so strange about that?"
Zhou Shaojin giggled along, then joined her sister in ancestral worship and the family reunion dinner.
Outside, firecrackers crackled loudly, making their small parlor feel even more tranquil.
Yet Zhou Shaojin did not find it cold or lonely.She ladled a bowl of pig tripe and glutinous rice soup for her sister and asked with a smile, "What did you say when you offered incense to the ancestors just now?"
Zhou Chujin ignored her, took a sip of the soup, and said, "It won’t come true if I say it out loud!"
Zhou Shaojin just smiled.
In her past life, she had heard it.
Her sister had prayed for the ancestors to bless Madam Li with a son, to support the family, bring honor to their ancestors, and leave a name in history.
This time, her sister was destined to be disappointed.
But at least their little sister would survive and grow up safe and sound.
※
Sisters, sorry, sorry, today’s extra update is a bit late—something unexpected happened that was beyond my control. The evening update will have to be postponed until around eleven o’clock… sweat…
※ (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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