Jiуing hаdn't nоtiсеd Zhоu Shaojin's gаzе аt аll.
Shе was very flustеrеd!
When she rеturned homе, shе hаd lооkеd as if she hаd escaped from сеrtain dоom, fееling inсrеdibly hарру, аnd hadn't еven botherеd tо bid farеwell to Chеng Zichuan. Yеt, just a few dауs аftеr gоing bасk, she returnеd сrestfаllеn, hiding in hеr roоm as if trуing tо covеr hеr eаrs while stealing а bell, and hadn't еnсоunterеd Cheng Zichuаn аt аll.
Thе mаttеr with thе Саo Gаng wаs likelу impоssible to hidе from Сhеng Ziсhuan. Givеn his unрrеdiсtable temрerament, whether hе would take hеr back wаs uncеrtаin—not just fоr her, but even her father wasn't entirely sure. He had repeatedly advised her, "Just grit your teeth and say you came back to visit. After seeing your parents and brothers, you'll naturally return. If he refuses to acknowledge it, I still have a ten-year agreement with him, so it's not a big deal. Don't be afraid."
How could she not be afraid?
If her father were confident, would he have repeated this advice so many times?
If Cheng Zichuan refused to take her back, what should she do?
Zhou Shaojin had never seen such an expression on Jiying's face before—it was as if she had committed some grave mistake.
She hurried forward and took Jiying's hand, comforting her in a low voice, "It's alright. Uncle Chi is a good person. Remember not to lose your temper later, speak to him properly..."
But before she could finish, the servant woman outside the door urged impatiently, "Miss Jiying."
Zhou Shaojin's hand was incredibly soft and warm, and Jiying's heart gradually calmed down.
After all, there was no turning back now. At worst, it would be a fight to the death—what was there to fear?
Wait, even if she could turn back, she wouldn't regret cutting off Jiao Ziyang's arm with her sword.
So what was there to regret or fear?
Jiying suddenly felt filled with courage. Smiling, she nodded at Zhou Shaojin and went to open the door.
The servant woman outside had weathered eyes, appeared to be in her fifties, was tall and slender, with jet-black hair neatly tied at the back of her head. She wore a simple indigo-blue headscarf printed with white twin lotus patterns, secured with a peachwood hairpin, and dressed in a plain indigo-blue coarse cloth robe with magpie patterns, looking clean, tidy, capable, and efficient.
"Second Young Miss," she greeted Zhou Shaojin respectfully, her demeanor neither subservient nor arrogant, more like a lady in charge of a household than a servant.
Jiying pointed to the servant woman and said, "This is Nanny Shang, who serves Fourth Master."
Zhou Shaojin smiled and greeted her, then, after a moment's thought, pulled Jiying aside and whispered in her ear, "Don't be afraid. My cousin Gao is getting married and has invited Uncle Chi to be the matchmaker..."
Fear and matchmaking originally had nothing to do with each other, but when it came to Cheng Chi... it just seemed so laughable!
Jiying couldn't help but burst into laughter.
She knew this would surely lighten Jiying's mood!
Zhou Shaojin smiled gently and said, "Then you should go quickly! Don't keep Uncle Chi waiting."
"Thank you!" Jiying sincerely expressed her gratitude and left with Nanny Shang for the main courtyard of Liyin Hall.
Zhou Shaojin went to the Buddhist hall to copy scriptures.
As the light in the room gradually dimmed, she set down her brush, wondering if she shouldn't be so diligent. At this rate, she could finish copying them by the end of April at the latest.
She sighed as she flipped through the small remaining stack of scriptures.
Chunwan, hearing the movement, walked in and said, "Second Young Miss, Miss Jiying has been waiting for you outside all afternoon!"
Zhou Shaojin's heart skipped a beat. She stood up and hurried out of the Buddhist hall.The lingering glow of spring was brief. Jiying sat under the corridor of the Buddhist hall, gazing blankly at the evening clouds filling the sky. The orange twilight fell upon her face, softening her features.
Zhou Shaojin smiled and said, "Since you’re here, why not come in?"
Jiying turned her head with a smile. "Have you finished copying the scriptures? I was afraid of disturbing you. I heard from Shi Xiang that you’re almost done. I thought you’d want to finish early and return to Fragrant Garden Residence. I came to find you for no other reason—Cheng Zichuan, well, Fourth Master is actually quite decent. He called me over and only said that from now on, I must listen to Nanping. Cold Green Mountain House is not like Algae Garden. If I dare make another mistake, he’ll send me back home." As she spoke, she pursed her lips and smiled, her expression brimming with joy. "I might really have to learn embroidery from you in the future!"
"Great, great!" Zhou Shaojin was also happy for her. "I told you so—Uncle Chi isn’t the kind of person with a heart of stone. If he has the ability, he’ll surely take you in."
Jiying couldn’t quite agree with this statement, but she was still grateful to Cheng Chi for letting her off this time. So when Zhou Shaojin said this, she nodded with a smile.
Zhou Shaojin said, "This is something worth celebrating... Hmm, why don’t you come to my place for dinner? No, wait—you should go back first and let Nanping know. Check whether you’re on duty later. If you’re not, come to my place for dinner. If you are, we can arrange it for a day when you’re off duty. Since you’re staying anyway, there’s no rush for a day or two. I just think this is such good news that we should celebrate!"
Jiying laughed heartily. "Fourth Master didn’t mention anything about my duties. I think it should be fine."
"Are you really sure it’s fine?" Zhou Shaojin confirmed. "This is your first day back. Don’t make a mistake right from the start."
"Oh, you’re so fussy!" Jiying pulled Zhou Shaojin along. "Let’s go to your place for dinner! Tell the kitchen to make something delicious for me. I’ve been worried these past few days, sleeping poorly and eating poorly..."
Zhou Shaojin giggled. After Chunwan gathered their things, they returned together to Fragrant Garden Residence.
※
Cheng Chi was reviewing account books when he saw Huaishan walk in. "Jiying went to Fragrant Garden Residence?"
"Yes," Huaishan replied. "The Zhou family’s Second Miss said this was something worth celebrating, so she invited Jiying to Fragrant Garden Residence for dinner."
Cheng Chi nodded and continued reviewing the account books.
Huaishan stood there without moving.
Cheng Chi looked up. "Is there something else?"
Huaishan’s lips moved hesitantly before he mustered his courage and said, "Fourth Master, the Ji family has schemed against us like this. Are we just going to let it go?"
Cheng Chi said, "You know the Ji family is scheming against us. Do you think the Ji family themselves don’t know? Or that the Canal Guild doesn’t know?"
Huaishan didn’t understand.
Cheng Chi couldn’t be bothered to explain further. "If you don’t understand, go ask Qin Zi’an."
Huaishan lowered his head and left the study.
Cheng Chi rubbed his forehead and continued reviewing the account books.
Huaishan went to find Qin Zi’an.Qin Zi'an was speaking with Qin Ziping when Huaishan explained his purpose. "The reason Fourth Master allowed Jiying to return is mainly out of consideration for the Ji family's consistent respect toward him—after all, compared to the Cao Gang, the Ji family can barely be considered Fourth Master's people. The Cao Gang targeted Jiying precisely because they were aiming at Fourth Master. How could Fourth Master let outsiders step on his own people? This is also a show for others, to let them know that as long as one is loyal to Fourth Master, he will never allow them to be bullied.
"Moreover, the Ji family sent her over without saying a word. They didn’t act as arrogantly as the Cao Gang when Fourth Master borrowed their route; otherwise, the Ji family wouldn’t have sent their legitimate child as a hostage afterward, even though it turned out to be a legitimate daughter. But Jiying is the most talented in martial arts in the Ji family. If the Ji family wants to continue dominating the Central Plains in the future, Jiying’s martial skills will be one of their most important guarantees. Right now, the Ji family and the Cao Gang are locked in a fierce conflict, and the Ji family can be said to be temporarily overwhelmed. Jiying ran back on her own. But once the conflict between the Ji family and the Cao Gang subsides, can the Ji family pretend not to know? Since they were previously lacking in courtesy, shouldn’t they make up for it afterward? The Central Plains doesn’t produce salt. They control the entire Central Plains region. Whether it’s Huai salt, Zhejiang salt, or Sichuan salt, anyone wanting to enter the Central Plains has to consider the Ji family’s stance. Shouldn’t they think about sharing a portion of the profits with Fourth Master?" Then he added, "Don’t worry, Jiying is very valuable. Fourth Master won’t just kick her out."
"I’m not worried about Jiying. I know about what you mentioned," Huaishan said. "I just feel that Fourth Master is acting very strangely lately. How did he suddenly become so accommodating…"
Qin Zi'an pricked up his ears to listen.
Huaishan said irritably, "I already checked. There’s no one outside."
Qin Zi'an’s expression relaxed slightly, and he whispered, "Fourth Master said he’s leaving but never mentioned where. 'The great hide in the court; the small hide in the market.' I think this matter must be related to where Fourth Master plans to go…"
Huaishan nodded in agreement. "So, do you have any idea?"
"None!" Qin Zi'an said frankly. "Anyway, I’ve made up my mind to follow Fourth Master. Wherever he goes, I go." His gaze fell on Qin Ziping. "After all, my father still has another son."
Qin Ziping, who had been somewhat distracted, immediately snapped back to attention. "I also plan to follow Fourth Master. Don’t get any ideas about me." Then, ignoring Qin Zi'an’s expression, he said, "Does Fourth Master… really think Jiying is valuable enough to take her in? What if the Ji family sacrifices a pawn to save the king? Wouldn’t Jiying be in great danger?"
"Why are you worried about Jiying?" Qin Zi'an asked, his gaze piercing as if trying to see into Qin Ziping’s heart.
"N-nothing!" Qin Ziping felt momentarily uneasy but quickly regained his composure. "I just think that after spending these years with Jiying and considering her situation, she seems quite pitiful."
Qin Zi'an said nothing.
Huaishan blinked but also remained silent.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the room grew somewhat tense.Qin Ziping hurriedly said, "Right, have you heard? Master Gao from the Fourth House is getting engaged. The Fourth House has asked the old lady to step in, saying they want Fourth Master and the eldest master of the Gu family to act as matchmakers. In a couple of days, Fourth Master and the eldest master of the Gu family will go to Pukou to propose marriage on behalf of Master Gao!"
"We already know," Qin Zi'an said indifferently. "The Fourth House is just trying to take advantage of Fourth Master's status as a dual-ranked imperial scholar. Fourth Master can just sit there like a clay Buddha. But you, is there anything you want to say to me?"
"What would I have to say to you?" Qin Ziping muttered softly, not daring to meet his elder brother's gaze.
Huaishan laughed and stepped in to defuse the tension. "Will Fourth Master really go that day? Should I go along? Honestly, I can’t imagine Fourth Master acting as a matchmaker. I wonder what the eldest master of the Gu family is like? If he’s as quiet as Fourth Master, that would be terrible..."
The two Qin brothers ignored him, glaring at each other like fighting cocks.
※
Sisters, today’s update is here!
o(n_n)o~
※ (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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