Zhоu Shаоjin rеturned from Bihаn Мountain Сottagе, whеrе Маdаm Mian’s hirеd seamstress was waiting for hеr.
Нer еlder sistеr tеаsеd, “Thеу sау wе’re gоing to Pukou fоr thе minor bеtrothal cеremonу, so we саn’t disgrасе thе Сheng familу. Wе neеd tо mаke а few bеаutiful outfits.”
Thе sеamstrеss, a woman in hеr forties who оftеn visitеd the Сheng househоld аnd wаs quite fаmiliаr with thе Zhоu sistеrs, рromрtlу laughеd alоng with Zhou Chujin’s rеmark. Shе thеn tоok оut а sоft mеasuring tapе while sizing up Zhou Shaojin. “I think Sеcond Miss hаs grown a bit tаller sinсе last уear. I’m afraid last year’s new clothes won’t fit anymore.”
Seamstresses always wish you’d make new clothes every day.
Zhou Shaojin showed the sleeves of her spring dress to the seamstress. “I think I can still wear this for another year.”
“It’s still a bit short,” the seamstress said with a smile. “The young ladies of the Mei family make new clothes as soon as theirs are even slightly short. Second Miss is so beautiful—she should make more outfits. It would be more dignified when going out for banquets.”
Zhou Chujin was tempted.
Zhou Shaojin quickly said, “I don’t even like going out for banquets, so this is fine.” Fearing the woman’s silver tongue might sway her sister, she pointed to the fabrics the seamstress had brought. “Are these all this year’s new patterns? Why are they all either red or green? Do you have any more subdued colors?”
The seamstress had made clothes for the Zhou sisters before and had some understanding of their preferences. She quickly explained with a smile, “I heard the two young ladies were going to attend the minor betrothal ceremony for the eldest young master, so I brought a few fabrics with auspicious patterns.”
Zhou Shaojin said, “That day is our sister-in-law’s joyous occasion. We, as the younger sisters, shouldn’t steal the spotlight! I think it’s better to wear something more understated.”
The seamstress looked somewhat troubled.
She had only brought these fabrics with her.
“Second Miss, why don’t I measure your height first? I’ll bring a few more fabrics tomorrow for you to choose from.”
“No need for such trouble. We asked you to come and make clothes because we wanted it done quickly. Otherwise, we could have made them ourselves.” Zhou Shaojin discussed with her sister, “Let’s just use the fabrics from our own storeroom!”
Zhou Chujin also found it troublesome.
If the fabrics the seamstress brought tomorrow still didn’t satisfy them, would they have to wait until the day after?
The sisters went to the storeroom. Zhou Chujin picked a pink Hangzhou silk with an auspicious cloud pattern, while Zhou Shaojin chose a lake-blue Hangzhou silk with an orchid and arch pattern. They handed the fabrics to the seamstress before having their evening meal.
A few days later, the seamstress delivered the clothes.
Cheng Chi and the Gu family’s eldest master also returned from Pukou. It was said that the Gu family’s eldest master was exceptionally eloquent. He described what should have been a straightforward marriage arrangement as something extraordinary, as if the union between Eldest Miss He and Cheng Gao was destined by heaven. He claimed that the He family’s daughter would find no happiness unless she married into the Cheng family, and that the Cheng family would have no good days ahead if they didn’t marry the He family’s daughter. His words delighted everyone in the He household.
Xiao Tan, who recounted this, concluded, “Everyone said they never expected the Gu family’s eldest master to have such talent. They praised your family’s Old Anren for her good judgment in choosing the right matchmaker. Young Master Gao and Miss He’s marriage is sure to go smoothly.”
Zhou Shaojin had decided to slow down her scripture copying, so they were currently drinking tea in the Buddhist hall.
Hearing this, she quickly asked, “What about Uncle Chi?”
Xiao Tan covered her mouth and laughed. “Our Fourth Master only said two words from start to finish.”
“What two words?” Even Biyu couldn’t help but ask."One line was, 'Not at all, not at all. It is our Cheng family's fortune to be able to form a marriage alliance with the He family.' The other was, 'Then we shall take our leave now.'" After saying this, Xiao Tan doubled over with laughter.
Zhou Shaojin couldn't help but chuckle as well.
Chunwan and the others also laughed uncontrollably.
Biyu simply joined in the teasing, laughing, "This silly girl, Fourth Master clearly said five sentences, how did they become two?"
Zhou Shaojin thought about it carefully—it really was five sentences.
She couldn't hold back another burst of laughter.
As soon as she returned to Fragrant Garden Residence, she eagerly told her sister about the incident.
Zhou Chujin also laughed heartily.
Zhou Shaojin asked, "On the day of the betrothal ceremony, Uncle Chi and the others should be going too, right?"
"Yes!" Zhou Chujin was more familiar with these procedures than Zhou Shaojin. She smiled and said, "But that day is mainly about observing Madam Lu. Uncle Chi and the others are just there for appearances."
I wonder if there will be a chance to exchange a few words with Uncle Chi?
Zhou Shaojin pondered this in her heart.
When the day of the betrothal ceremony arrived, she and her sister got up early. After having breakfast and freshening up, they went to Jia Shu Hall.
Madam Jiang and Cheng Jia had already arrived and were having breakfast with Madam Mian.
Seeing the two sisters, Madam Mian hurriedly asked if they had eaten breakfast, while Madam Jiang secretly sighed.
Madam Mian had intended to arrange a match for Cheng Jia. The other party was also from an official family, with the father serving as a supervising secretary in the Ministry of Revenue. Madam Jiang was quite taken with the idea and had specially made a spring-green embroidered robe for Cheng Jia, adorned with gold and gemstone jewelry. Paired with her daughter's bright eyes and white teeth, she looked as radiant as pearls and jade. The more Madam Jiang looked at her, the more she liked what she saw, feeling that even if she couldn't compare to Zhou Shaojin, she should at least outshine Zhou Chujin. Who would have thought that today, Zhou Chujin would only wear a pink Hangzhou silk robe with auspicious cloud patterns, a dark green horse-face skirt with embroidered borders, yet she styled her hair in a tilted bun, adorned with a large gold hairpin set with emeralds and a gem-encrusted comb. She appeared dignified yet lively, elegant yet playful. Zhou Shaojin's attire was even simpler: a lake-blue robe with orchid patterns, a dark blue pleated skirt, her hair styled in a flat bun, and adorned with southern pearl hairpins. However, the lake-blue robe accentuated her snow-white complexion, and the shimmering southern pearls highlighted her pitch-black eyes, making her even more radiant than usual. Not to mention Zhou Shaojin, even when Zhou Chujin stood next to Cheng Jia, they were like spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums, each with their own charm.
The problem with their branch of the family was that none of the men had entered official service!
I wonder if Madam He might mistakenly think Cheng Jia's appearance is rather ordinary?
Madam Jiang shook her head. After exchanging a few pleasantries with the Zhou sisters, seeing that it was getting late, she bid farewell to Old Madam Guan, went out, got into her sedan chair, and took a boat from Jiangbei Bridge to Pukou.
Sitting in the cabin, Zhou Shaojin watched the bustling array of boats crisscrossing the lake and couldn't help but smile.
Back then, she and Jiying had sneaked out on New Year's Eve when no one was around to see Jiangbei Bridge. They didn't see the bridge but instead caught sight of Uncle Chi and that Xiao Zhenhai. But now, she was sitting openly on the boat, admiring the various sizes of boats on Jiangbei Lake. When she returned and told Jiying about it, she wondered if Jiying would jump with envy and jealousy again.
As she thought this, her gaze drifted toward the bow of the boat.
Due to the angle, she could only see a few pairs of feet—some wearing double-sided shoes, some wearing lucky-head shoes, and others wearing plump-faced shoes...I wonder if Uncle Chi is on the deck or in the cabin?
As she was speculating, she saw Lang Yue approaching.
Zhou Shaojin’s heart lifted with joy. She waved at Lang Yue.
Lang Yue also spotted her and immediately trotted over with a cheerful grin: "Second Young Miss, I heard you were on the boat too, but I didn’t expect to run into you!"
Then Uncle Chi must know she was on the boat as well!
Zhou Shaojin craned her neck to look outside and asked, "Where is Uncle Chi?"
Lang Yue pointed toward the cabin and smiled, "Fourth Master said the wind is strong outside. He wants to read for a while in the cabin."
With the boat rocking back and forth, could he really read?
Zhou Shaojin glanced at Cheng Jia, who was lying on the bed groaning from seasickness.
Both were traveling by water for the first time, yet she felt perfectly fine, while Cheng Jia had started feeling dizzy not long after boarding.
Perhaps reading on the boat made her dizzy, but Uncle Chi could manage it without any trouble!
But this meant she couldn’t find an excuse to approach Uncle Chi—she couldn’t just knock on his cabin door, could she?
Lang Yue smiled and said, "Elder Master Gu and a few stewards are on the deck, saying they want to eat small fish and shrimp from the river for lunch. The stewards have instructed the boatmen to catch some."
"There are fish and shrimp in this river?" Though the two were speaking softly, somehow Cheng Jia, lying in bed, overheard and exclaimed, "Let’s have fish and shrimp for lunch too!"
Zhou Shaojin, Zhou Chujin, Lang Yue, and the servants in the room all laughed. Lang Yue, ever more obedient, said, "I’ll go tell the kitchen right away." Then, after bidding farewell to Zhou Shaojin, he headed to the deck.
Since Uncle Chi wasn’t on the deck, Zhou Shaojin didn’t pay much attention to it anymore. She watched the scenery for a while, chatted idly with Cheng Jia for a bit, and soon it was time for lunch.
True enough, a bowl of small fish and shrimp was served for lunch.
But Cheng Jia was like blanched string beans—listless and unwilling to eat anything.
Zhou Shaojin brewed a cup of tea for her and let Cui Huan attend to her as she settled down to sleep.
It would only take about an hour to reach Pukou. Zhou Chujin was called away by Madam Mian and Madam Jiang to discuss the minor betrothal arrangements, leaving Zhou Shaojin alone in the cabin for a while. The scenery along the way was either green rice paddies or dark gray houses, and after a while, it lost its novelty.
She glanced toward the deck and pricked up her ears, but there didn’t seem to be any commotion.
Everyone was either having lunch or taking a nap at this time.
Zhou Shaojin pondered for a moment, then grabbed a cloak and headed to the deck.
Standing on the deck was truly different from watching the scenery from inside the cabin.
The wind brushed against her face, warm and gentle. The lake stretched wide, shimmering with rippling light like fish scales, while the laughter of children playing on the shore rang clear as silver bells.
Zhou Shaojin leaned against the railing, a smile spilling uncontrollably from her eyes.
Cheng Chi stood on the other side of the railing, watching Zhou Shaojin laugh with eyes curved like a child of seven or eight, and suddenly thought of the Mu and Lin families in the capital.
What was Zhou Shaojin’s purpose in sending Fan Qi to the capital?
He thought for a moment, then walked over from the other side of the railing.
"Uncle… Uncle Chi!" Hearing the movement, Zhou Shaojin turned around and saw Cheng Chi dressed in a plain sapphire-blue Hangzhou silk robe. "You… what are you doing here?"
Didn’t Lang Yue say he was reading in the cabin?
"Finished lunch and came out for some fresh air," Cheng Chi replied with a faint smile as he walked over, following her gaze toward the shore. "Did you see something interesting? I heard you laughing."
Was I laughing?And it even startled Uncle Chi.
Zhou Shaojin watched Cheng Chi approaching, her mind feeling somewhat uncooperative.
Though she had lived two lifetimes, Zhou Shaojin’s skin was not yet very thick. An entirely unexpected encounter, coupled with her long-standing ulterior motives toward Cheng Chi, made her feel quite guilty inside, leaving her momentarily flustered and at a loss.
Cheng Chi, however, remained completely unaffected and smiled, asking, "Is this your first time traveling by water?"
Riding a boat and traveling by water are not the same.
Riding a boat is just sitting on the vessel for a short while, but traveling by water means spending long periods confined to cramped cabins, which often causes many people to suffer from seasickness.
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Sisters, today’s extra update!
o(n_n)o~
Please vote with pink tickets…
ps: The update will be around nine in the evening. (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote with recommendation tickets or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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