It must bе sаid thаt Сheng Chi's mеthоd wаs quitе еffective.
Тhе next dаy, when Zhоu Shаоjin ассompаnied Old Madam Guo in рlаying сards, shе wаs nо lоnger аs сluеlеss аs befоre. Howеvеr, thinking toоk longer, so hеr moves bеcamе slоwеr, аnd Оld Маdam Guo sоmеtimes grеw imраtient wаiting.
Shaоjin kеpt Chеng Сhi's words firmlу in mind, offering an аpologеtiс smilе to Оld Madam Guо, but shе stuсk to hеr оwn расе regаrdlеss.
Aftеr a fеw rounds, Old Мadаm Guо bеgan tо nоtiсе something.
She рrivately said to Nаnny Lu, "I never еxpеctеd Shаojin, knоwing her own shortcomings, would find a way to improve. With such a temperament, she can succeed in anything she does!"
Life in a large family sometimes resembles a small village—not only are relationships intricate and complex, but everyone has their own channels of information, sometimes even more effective than the master's. Otherwise, how could those who rely on reading the master's expressions to survive navigate benefits and avoid harm, thriving as if in their element?
As Old Madam Guo's most capable confidante, Nanny Lu had her own sphere of influence and sources of information.
Cheng Chi had called Shaojin over to teach her about playing cards without hiding it, so Nanny Lu naturally knew what had happened.
But she also knew that speaking ill of Cheng Chi not only displeased him but would also earn no praise from Old Madam Guo. Instead, it might lead to being labeled "disloyal" or "gossipy," with consequences that could strike unexpectedly, leaving one unaware of what had gone wrong.
Hearing this, she smiled and said, "Second Cousin wasn’t like this before. These days, she’s been copying scriptures in our room and learning to play Go from Fourth Master. With her intelligence, she’s bound to learn!"
Old Madam Guo fully agreed.
Biyu entered the room.
Her expression was somewhat flustered as she said, "Madam, I noticed Zhenzhu doesn’t look well. Should we send an experienced nanny to check on her?"
Ever since switching to the sand ship, Zhenzhu had been suffering from seasickness.
Old Madam Guo had allowed her to rest in the cabin and hadn’t assigned her any duties.
Now, hearing that she was unwell, Old Madam Guo’s heart sank.
It was like this with servants—they feared most of all falling ill and passing the sickness to their masters. So, unless absolutely necessary, they would never claim to be sick.
Zhenzhu’s condition was likely not just unwell but already quite serious.
Old Madam Guo hurriedly instructed Nanny Lu, "Go and see!"
Nanny Lu’s expression turned grave as she acknowledged the order and hurried off with Biyu to Zhenzhu’s room.
In just a few days, Zhenzhu, once bright-eyed and rosy-cheeked, had become emaciated, her once sparkling eyes now dull and lifeless.
"What happened?" Nanny Lu’s expression grew even more solemn.
The young maid attending to Zhenzhu reddened her eyes and whispered, "She’s been vomiting constantly and can’t keep anything down. The head cook even specially prepared some sour soup, but Sister Zhenzhu vomited it all up after just one sip... I heard from the sailors on board that ginger slices could help with seasickness, so I tried giving some to Sister Zhenzhu, but it didn’t help at all..."
What could be done?
Nanny Lu had last spent a long time on a ship over a decade ago, accompanying Old Madam Guo southward to escort the coffin after the death of the elder master. At that time, everyone was in low spirits, and no one paid attention to seasick maids, wives, or matrons.
Even if it were a difficult childbirth, she would have known what to do. But seasickness... she truly had no solution.But if Zhenzhu's condition isn't properly treated, she might even lose her life here.
That would be even more inauspicious than falling ill!
But how could such words be spoken to Old Madam Guo?
Old Madam Guo was taking them to Putuo Mountain to offer incense.
Since it was an act of reverence toward the Bodhisattva, the Bodhisattva should protect them. Yet now such a thing had happened. If those prone to overthinking considered it, wouldn't they say Old Madam Guo lacked the fortune to go to Putuo Mountain to offer incense?
Nanny Lu, having experienced so many things, suddenly felt somewhat panicked.
To make matters worse, Biyu urged from the side, "Nanny, what do you think we should do? Should we invite a physician aboard when we dock tonight?"
This wasn't something a servant like her could decide!
As the thought flashed through her mind, Nanny Lu suddenly thought of Zhou Shaojin.
How could she have forgotten the Second Young Miss?
Although she was a cousin, she was still half a mistress.
With her helping to come up with ideas, even if there were any mistakes, it would still be out of good intentions!
Nanny Lu made up her mind and whispered to Biyu, "Don't make a fuss. I'll go ask Second Young Miss and see what she says!"
"Isn't that inappropriate?" After all, Zhou Shaojin was only a guest. But before Biyu could finish her sentence, Nanny Lu had already turned and left the cabin.
Biyu hurriedly signaled to the little maid to take good care of Zhenzhu and quickly followed.
Zhou Shaojin was studying the one hundred and eight leaf cards when she heard that Nanny Lu had come. Thinking she was delivering a message from Old Madam Guo, she didn't think much of it and directly had Chunwan invite her in.
Afraid that delay might bring trouble, Nanny Lu entered, bowed to Zhou Shaojin, and straightforwardly told her what had happened, adding, "What do you think we should do about this matter?"
Zhou Shaojin's first reaction was that Old Madam Guo must not find out.
Her thoughts aligned with Nanny Lu's—such matters could be blown out of proportion or minimized, but it was best to resolve major issues into minor ones and minor ones into nothing.
But if she were to take charge, she felt it would be overstepping her bounds, not something she should do.
Yet watching Zhenzhu fall ill like this, she couldn't bear it.
After a moment's thought, Zhou Shaojin said to Nanny Lu, "Wait here for a while. I'll go see Uncle Chi. This matter likely requires Uncle Chi's involvement."
Nanny Lu's face turned pale with fright.
Fourth Master was someone who would disregard even the Second Branch's matriarch's face—others might not know, but she had personally seen Elder Brother Jing being cautious around this younger brother. Otherwise, why would Madam Yuan avoid Fourth Master as much as possible?
"No, no!" She waved her hands repeatedly, saying, "This matter absolutely cannot be let known to Fourth Master..."
"Then we can only ask the Old Madam to decide," Zhou Shaojin said.
Nanny Lu's expression turned complicated and difficult to read.
Zhou Shaojin felt somewhat displeased and said, "Nanny pushed this matter onto me precisely because you wanted me to take the lead, didn't you? Now I'm willing to take the lead, yet you say this won't do and that won't do. Fine, I'm merely a guest here. How could a guest interfere in the host's affairs? This matter should be left for Nanny to decide herself!"
Nanny Lu's face flushed bright red.
She never dreamed that Zhou Shaojin would speak so bluntly, nor did she expect that after seeing through her intentions, Zhou Shaojin would still be willing to step forward... She felt so ashamed that she wished she could burrow into a hole, hurriedly saying, "Second Young Miss, I'll accompany you to find Fourth Master."
Zhou Shaojin nodded and went with Nanny Lu to Cheng Chi's cabin.
The one who answered the door was Qing Feng.He glanced sideways at Nanny Lu, halfway through saying "Fourth Master has already retired" when he caught sight of Zhou Shaojin behind her. His expression involuntarily shifted, and with a stiff face, he said, "I'll go announce you," before turning back into the cabin.
Lang Yue is much more likable!
Zhou Shaojin couldn't help but mutter to herself.
Nanny Lu, however, shot her a quick glance—it was she who had played the two of bamboo that allowed Zhou Shaojin to win her first hand. But if she hadn't seen Cheng Chi guiding Zhou Shaojin's play, why would she have broken her sequence to feed Zhou Shaojin a winning tile?
It seems Second Young Miss has quite some face in front of Fourth Master Chi!
Nanny Lu pondered inwardly.
Qing Feng emerged.
He said softly, "Fourth Master invites Second Young Miss inside!"
Zhou Shaojin nodded to him and strode in with her head held high.
Nanny Lu hurriedly followed.
Cheng Chi was sitting on the luohan bed by the ship's window, sipping tea.
Seeing Zhou Shaojin enter, he pointed to the brocade stool beside the bed and said, "If you have something to discuss, take a seat and speak."
Zhou Shaojin acknowledged and sat down.
Nanny Lu, who was usually relaxed and playful in front of Old Madam Guo, seemed like a different person in front of Cheng Chi, not daring to breathe loudly, let alone speak.
With no other choice, Zhou Shaojin had to explain her purpose to Cheng Chi.
After hearing her out, Cheng Chi pondered for a moment and said, "Very well, I'll have Jiying give her a massage first. If that doesn't help, once the ship reaches Changzhou, I'll find an excuse to leave her there. Keep this quiet."
It seems Uncle Chi also doesn’t want Old Madam Guo to know...
Understanding Cheng Chi's meaning, Zhou Shaojin glanced at Nanny Lu.
She had taken on this matter out of concern for Zhenzhu's life, but Nanny Lu couldn't rely entirely on her, could she? After all, she wasn't the head stewardess.
Catching her meaning, Nanny Lu immediately said, "Fourth Master, Second Young Miss, rest assured, no one will speak of this."
Cheng Chi gave a noncommittal "Hmm."
Nanny Lu hastily bowed and excused herself.
Zhou Shaojin was both amused and exasperated. She reminded Nanny Lu, "Let's wait for Miss Jiying to go together!"
Regardless of who Jiying was, on the surface, she was Cheng Chi's maid and had to follow his orders. Without Cheng Chi's instruction, how could they command Jiying to do anything?
Hearing this, Nanny Lu's face flushed even redder.
She truly was somewhat intimidated by Fourth Master, becoming timid and hesitant in his presence.
"Second Young Miss is indeed more composed," Nanny Lu said. "Though I am a few years older than you, I lack your calmness when faced with matters."
Flattery never fails.
As she spoke, the corner of her eye glanced toward Cheng Chi.
Cheng Chi remained composed, showing no unusual expression as he called for Huaishan and instructed him to inform Jiying to accompany Zhou Shaojin.
Huaishan acknowledged and left.
Only then did Zhou Shaojin rise and take her leave from Cheng Chi.
Cheng Chi gave a slight nod without saying more.
Zhou Shaojin and Nanny Lu waited on the deck for a while before Jiying emerged, dressed neatly but yawning: "I heard someone is seasick and needs a massage?"
"Yes!" Zhou Shaojin replied, noticing she seemed sleep-deprived. "It's Zhenzhu. She's terribly seasick. Uncle Chi said we'll have to wait until we reach Changzhou to move her off the ship."
Jiying yawned and followed Zhou Shaojin to Zhenzhu's cabin.
Biyu was sitting by the bed, feeding Zhenzhu ginseng tea. Seeing them enter, she quickly vacated her spot.Jiying said, "No need. This method is quite simple. I can tell you, and you can also help Zhenzhu with massage and manipulation. It's just that because the acupoint is under the ribs, it would be inconvenient for others to do this."
Everyone in the room gathered around to watch.
Jiying then had Biyu help Zhenzhu remove her clothing and pressed on the spot just below Zhenzhu's lowest rib, saying, "Press ten times, each time for the duration of three hundred and sixty breaths."
Biyu helped Jiying count.
After repeating this several times, Zhenzhu indeed felt much better.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
※
Sisters, here is today's update.
Since I have to accompany my dad for an injection early tomorrow morning, tomorrow's extra update will still be postponed until around five in the afternoon. Once I get through these busy days, I can return to the normal schedule.
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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