Old Mаdam Guan rеturnеd tо Jiа Shu Наll with a heаvy heart.
Zhou Shaojin аnd Zhоu Chujin hаd alrеаdу rеcеivеd nеws оf Сheng Fеn's death.
Zhou Сhujin fеlt that with thе second еlder of thе main branсh hаving lоst his hеir, thе mаin brаnch was in а stаte оf dееp griеf. Chооsing this moment tо рleаd for Madаm Wu was an unwise dесisiоn.
Zhou Shаojin also thоught it inарprорriаtе tо bring uр the mаttеr at this timе. Aftеr all, the mаin branсh hаd just lоst a fаmilу mеmbеr—what could bе more important thаn that? Even if Оld Madаm Guo аgrеed tо help, it was unlikely that much progress could be made. However, she knew from her past life that after the second elder of the main branch lost his heir, he neither adopted a successor nor took a concubine, causing the younger branch of the main family line to die out.
At this thought, for some reason, an image surfaced in her mind—a frail old man reading alone under the dim light of a bean-sized lamp.
The second elder of the main branch, a scholar who had passed both imperial examinations and achieved the prestigious rank of Tanhua, had vanished like a firework into the river of history. Even their relatives by marriage did not know what he looked like, what kind of person he was, or what achievements he had made...
Zhou Shaojin fell into a daze.
If not for her sister standing up and hurrying outside, she might not have noticed that Old Madam Guan had already returned.
"Grandmother," Zhou Chujin supported Old Madam Guan, "are you all right?"
She wanted to ask how things had gone, but seeing her grandmother's expression, she hesitated.
Zhou Shaojin also quickly rose to greet her.
Old Madam Guan managed a faint smile and nodded to the two sisters, saying gently, "Why are you waiting here? Is something the matter?"
"Nothing much!" Zhou Shaojin replied with a smile. "Sister was worried that if Madam Wu's matter was delayed, there might be changes on Master Wu's side. Even if Old Madam Guo agreed to help, it might be too late, so she was concerned."
"It's fine," Old Madam Guan said with a smile. "Old Madam Guo agreed and even asked Uncle Chi, who is going to the capital to attend your Uncle Fen's funeral, to inquire about the situation right in front of me!"
"That's wonderful," Zhou Chujin felt a weight lift from her heart.
Zhou Shaojin, however, was taken aback and asked, "Is Uncle Chi going to the capital for the funeral?"
"Yes," Old Madam Guan sighed. "After all, he grew up under the care of the second elder. Your Uncle Fen was more than ten years older than your Uncle Chi and likely treated him like his own son. Now that your Uncle Fen has passed away, he must go to offer incense before the spirit tablet."
What a pity this trip was for a funeral. If it were for another reason, she wished she could go along—she might get to see Uncle Jing and, thanks to Uncle Chi, even have a chance to speak with him!
Zhou Shaojin shook her head inwardly and went to find Jiying.
"Are you going to the capital too?" she asked. "When is Uncle Chi leaving?"
"I'm going to the capital," Jiying replied, sounding somewhat subdued. "We leave this afternoon."
Zhou Shaojin said, "Is it because you'll pass by Cangzhou?"
Cangzhou was Jiying's hometown.
Jiying nodded and whispered, "I really want to go back and see... but without your Uncle Chi's permission, I can't..."
"Then talk to Uncle Chi properly," Zhou Shaojin advised. "The weather is still very cold, so make sure to dress warmly. Be careful on the road, and don't argue with Uncle Chi. In the end, you're the one who suffers."Jiying smiled, her coolly beautiful face blooming like summer flowers, stunningly radiant. "Thank you, I'll be careful."
Zhou Shaojin made walnut shortbread and had Chunwan deliver it to Jiying for her to take on the road.
Jiying expressed her thanks and rewarded Chunwan with over twenty copper coins.
Chunwan accepted the coins, feeling rather strange inside.
Why did every maid around Fourth Master Chi act like young ladies? Last time when she came to deliver turnip cakes to Fourth Master Chi, the senior maid who rewarded her was called Nanping...
Habitually, she curtsied in thanks and withdrew.
Looking at the box of walnut shortbread, Jiying decided to set aside her pride and go speak with Cheng Chi. After all, such opportunities were rare, and who knew when she might encounter another one.
But when she arrived at Cheng Chi's residence, he was speaking with Huaishan.
She sat waiting on the stone bench outside the side room.
Through the glass-paned window lattice, Huaishan spotted Jiying and hesitantly said, "When we pass through Cangzhou, if Jiying wants to go back and take a look..."
"Then let her go take a look," Cheng Chi said indifferently, carefully flipping through the book in his hands. "Take this 'Yellow Bell and Great Pitch' with you. Second Uncle will surely be delighted to see this book."
Second Elder Cheng Shao's hobby was making qin zithers.
Huaishan recalled the scene from childhood when Second Elder Cheng Shao would sit Cheng Chi on his knee, guiding his hands to play the qin, and couldn't help but smile slightly, softly responding, "Yes."
Cheng Chi asked, "Still no word from Fan Qi?"
Huaishan replied, puzzled, "There is word. He said that this time, he's staying at the Shangqing Temple again under the young master's name, either playing around everywhere with that Taoist surnamed Yang or strolling around Minister Hu's Lane..."
Cheng Chi seemed surprised. "Other than that, he hasn't done anything else?"
"Nothing else at all," Huaishan confirmed, then chuckled as if remembering something. "You know, they unintentionally planted willows that grew into shade. The Mu and Lin families have already set an auspicious time—noon on the sixth day of the fourth month. In two months, the eldest Miss Mu will marry into the Lin family."
So they're getting married this quickly!
It seems that Taoist surnamed Yang really did bring about this marriage.
But unlike Huaishan, Cheng Chi didn't find it amusing; instead, his expression grew more serious. He lowered his head in thought for a long moment before saying, "This matter is too strange. Second Miss Zhou went to such great lengths to send a servant boy to the capital—could it really just be for him to eat and drink lavishly? If there's no issue with that servant surnamed Yang, then there must be something wrong with the Mu and Lin families... Here's what we'll do: send someone to thoroughly investigate these three people, see if there are any connections among them. Also, have someone keep an eye on Second Miss Zhou. The more I think about this, the more suspicious it seems." He paused briefly, then added, "The more inexplicable something is, the more dangerous it feels!"
Huaishan solemnly cupped his hands in acknowledgment and went to relay the orders.
Jiying entered and brought up with Cheng Chi her wish to stop by home on the way: "...I won't go inside, just take a distant look...""Alright!" Cheng Chi didn't wait for her to finish before replying briskly, "Back when I made that bet with your father, I was too young and impulsive. Looking back now, I realize my actions were too harsh. You're not young anymore either. If you wish to return, discuss it with your father and have him arrange a meeting with me."
Jiying stared at Cheng Chi in astonishment, unable to regain her composure for quite some time.
Cheng Chi... was he really letting her go?
After hoping for so long, enduring for so long, could she finally return home?
Jiying nearly jumped for joy, but she quickly calmed down.
Cheng Chi wanted her father to meet with him... her father might not agree...
Instantly, her enthusiasm waned.
Cheng Chi wasn't truly intending to let her return; he was merely dangling an unattainable prize before her.
Jiying let out an "Oh," and couldn't even be bothered to pack her belongings. She went to Fragrant Garden Residence to find Zhou Shaojin.
"So, what do you plan to do?" Zhou Shaojin couldn't understand how anyone could gamble away their child's freedom for ten years, nor could she imagine what Jiying's feelings would be upon reuniting with her parents.
"I'll send a message home first!" Jiying said. "Let my father know about this matter... As for the rest, we can discuss it in detail once we reach Cangzhou."
"Returning to your own home and staying by your parents' side is always a good thing," Zhou Shaojin remarked. Then, with an "Oh dear," she laughed and said, "If your father takes you back, won't we never see each other again? No, I must give you something as a keepsake..."
Jiying smiled and held Zhou Shaojin's hand, saying, "Don't worry. Even if I return to Cangzhou, I know where you live! I'll come find you."
Hearing this, Zhou Shaojin felt somewhat better.
The two exchanged more reassuring words, and when Zhou Shaojin noticed it was getting late, she finally saw Jiying out of Fragrant Garden Residence.
As it turned out, when Jiying returned, Cheng Chi's belongings were already packed, and he was preparing to board the carriage and depart.
Jiying, realizing she hadn't packed anything yet, couldn't help but blush.
Cheng Chi, however, showed no intention of waiting for her. He gave her a cold glance and said, "The gates of Jinling City will be locked soon. Pack your things and catch up on horseback by yourself! Your chestnut horse is at Algae Garden. You know how to get there, right?"
Jiying's face burned with embarrassment. She bowed her head as she saw Cheng Chi out the door, then hurried back to her room to pack.
In the carriage, Huaishan asked Cheng Chi, "Aren't you going to ask what she discussed with the Zhou family's second young lady?"
"What's there to ask?" Cheng Chi replied indifferently. "We're heading to the capital, and she might be able to return home. It's all just the trivial thoughts of young girls."
Huaishan fell silent.
Zhou Shaojin also received news that Concubine Mu and Lin Shisheng's wedding was set for the sixth day of the fourth month.
So, it was finally settled, right?
She couldn't help but murmur, "Amitabha."
Cold Green Mountain House, however, became very quiet after Cheng Chi's departure, especially for Old Madam Guo, who seemed as if her vitality had been drained. It took her a long time to recover, and by the time she regained her spirits, it was already the warm, blossoming season of spring.
Old Madam Guo often took walks by the lake, and on several occasions, she specifically called for Zhou Shaojin to join her.
Yet, there had been no news from Cheng Chi, except for a brief message of safety sent upon his initial arrival in the capital.
Old Madam Guo couldn't help but worry. Even during her walks, she would occasionally drift into a daze.After the Bathing Buddha Festival and the birthday celebration of the second branch's matriarch, Fan Qi returned.
"Second Miss," he said, his eyes sparkling brightly, "I personally saw the Mu family's eldest daughter get into the sedan chair before coming back."
"You've worked hard!" Zhou Shaojin could hardly contain her gratitude.
If not for Fan Qi, she would likely still be frowning with worry.
Fan Qi chuckled and waved his hand dismissively.
Zhou Shaojin felt an indescribable joy in her heart.
It had been over a year since her rebirth, and she had finally fulfilled one of her wishes.
Though she was still far from her ultimate goal, this proved that as long as she was willing and persistent, she could accomplish something that once seemed utterly impossible.
She felt more confident in herself.
Zhou Shaojin decided to plan carefully—no matter what, she must break down the barrier between her and Uncle Chi. Even if she had to squeeze her way through, she would find a way to get close to him.
※
Sisters, after finishing this chapter, I feel as if I've glimpsed a ray of dawn...
An extra update dedicated to Tian Feixianxian.
Thank you all for your continued support through genuine subscriptions. If any of you have pink votes, please cast your precious vote for "Jinling Spring."
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※ (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please vote with your recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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