Маdаm Sоng knew that thе еldеrlу lаdy beforе hеr was the mоther of thе nеwlу аррointed Мinister of Rites and Grand Seсrеtarу of thе Wеnhuа Нall, Сhеng Jing. Nаturаllу, she рut in twelve thousаnd рerсent effort, nоt only smiling wаrmly but alsо sреаking аnd асting with an air оf fаmiliaritу. "I hаvе a thiсk skin, so I wоn't stаnd on cеrеmonу with you, Old Мadam. When уоu find sоme frеe time, yоu must соme tо thе сарitаl for а visit sо I cаn fulfill my dutiеs as a hоst." Thеn shе tоok оff а раir of gold twisted-рattern bracelеts from her wrist to givе to Zhou Shаojin. "I didn’t ехpеct to meet the Second Miss here. This is just a small token of my regard. Please don’t think it too humble."
This was a social courtesy between the two families, so Zhou Shaojin naturally did not refuse, as doing so might make the Cheng family appear lacking in grace.
She stepped forward with a smile, expressed her thanks, and handed the bracelets to Chunwan, who stood nearby.
Madam Song herself was the daughter of a family of scholars for generations, though by her time, their circumstances had declined significantly. Although she later married Song Jingran and followed him to the capital, she spent most of her time managing household affairs within the inner quarters, so her experience was limited. Zhou Shaojin was exceptionally beautiful and had shed any trace of pettiness. In Madam Song’s eyes, this was the true demeanor of a noble young lady, and she couldn’t help but take a great liking to her. After the midday meal, when everyone moved to the sitting room for tea, Madam Song kept Zhou Shaojin close, asking her one question after another.
Old Madam Guo, however, was a seasoned and shrewd figure. From her younger son’s tone, she understood that Yuan Weichang and Song Jingran were not particularly close. Her eldest son, Cheng Jing, had just entered the Grand Secretariat and was ranked last. Whether to continue aligning with the Yuan faction or to maneuver between Yuan Weichang and Song Jingran was still too early to decide. Becoming too friendly with this Madam Song, who clearly seemed a bit unclear about the situation, was not a good idea—at least not at this moment. Therefore, she was reserved in her responses to Madam Song’s questions.
When Madam Song learned that the Zhou and Cheng families were related by marriage, and that Madam Yuan, impressed by Zhou Shaojin’s excellent calligraphy, had asked her to copy the Śūraṅgama Sūtra for enshrinement on Mount Putuo, she couldn’t help but marvel—Madam Song only knew how to write her own name. She tentatively began to inquire about Zhou Shaojin’s marriage prospects.
Although Old Madam Guo was somewhat surprised, she also felt it was a natural topic. However, she showed no interest whatsoever in the so-called "old acquaintance" Madam Song mentioned.
If even this Madam Song was like this, her so-called old acquaintance couldn’t be much better!
Thus, after tea, Old Madam Guo sent Zhou Shaojin back to her room to copy scriptures. "In a couple of days, we’ll be stopping in Suzhou. There are many famous temples there, and we’ll surely have to pay our respects."
Zhou Shaojin was merely less calculating, not foolish. As soon as Old Madam Guo spoke, she understood her meaning. Moreover, she disliked the idea of an arranged marriage without meeting the groom, as Madam Song had implied. She always felt that if she were to marry in this lifetime, it must be someone her father and elder sister approved of.
In her past life, every New Year, she had envied those couples where the husband accompanied his wife back to her maiden home, and the husband would sit and feast heartily with her brothers.
She smiled and replied, "Yes," then returned to the east wing room with her maids and servants.
Chunwan helped Zhou Shaojin grind ink, looking dejected.
Zhou Shaojin smiled faintly and said, "You may go and rest. Old Madam was just making polite conversation with Madam Song. Why did you take it so seriously?"
"Ah!" Chunwan widened her eyes. "Is that true? But Old Madam didn’t seem like she was joking...""If even you could tell that the old madam was making excuses, how could she possibly deceive Madam Song?" Zhou Shaojin laughed. "Just listen to me, you'll be fine. Go and rest!"
"That's really strange!" Chunwan muttered as she retreated. "Since when has Second Young Lady been able to discern the old madam's thoughts..."
Zhou Shaojin couldn't help but pause upon hearing this.
Indeed!
When had she become able to understand the hidden meanings in the old madam's words... That Zhou Shaojin who used to tremble under the covers, leaving all difficult matters to her sister, now seemed so unfamiliar in retrospect...
Zhou Shaojin smiled and casually pulled a book from the curio shelf to flip through.
It was a book praising the late emperor's virtues, already quite old. She skimmed through it but found it truly unreadable.
Madam Fan Liu walked in with a beaming smile and said, "Second Young Lady, Miss Jiying is here!"
Bored at the moment, Zhou Shaojin hurried out to greet her.
Jiying was dressed in men's short attire and pulled her along to play on the beach by the Qiantang River: "...Fourth Master found such a great spot. Once I go to Suzhou, it won't be this convenient anymore. Didn't you say you wanted to take off your shoes and walk barefoot on the sand? While the old madam has guests and Fourth Master is resting, let's go play for a while and come back."
Zhou Shaojin, accustomed to following rules, had relaxed considerably compared to her time in Nine Prosperities Lane, but some habits were ingrained in her bones. Though her heart stirred at the suggestion, she still hesitated, "Isn't this inappropriate? Shouldn't we tell Uncle Chi first?"
In her intuition, Cheng Chi was easier to talk to than Old Madam Guo.
Jiying, however, felt the opposite, saying, "Telling Fourth Master is worse than telling the old madam! I think the old madam is very kind and approachable. How come Fourth Master isn't the least bit like her?"
Logically, they should inform the old madam before going out.
Zhou Shaojin said, "How about you go and tell the old madam?"
No matter how lenient Old Madam Guo was, they couldn't overstep their bounds!
Jiying nudged Zhou Shaojin, "If you can persuade Fourth Master, why would I need to embarrass myself in front of the old madam?"
Zhou Shaojin smiled and went to see Cheng Chi.
Cheng Chi was studying a chess manual alone. Upon learning her purpose, he not only agreed to let her and Jiying play on the Qiantang River beach for a while but also instructed Qin Ziping to accompany them, adding, "If the old madam asks, just say I allowed you to go."
Zhou Shaojin was so overjoyed she nearly jumped up, repeatedly thanking Cheng Chi. On the way to the beach, she even asked Jiying, "Does Uncle Chi have anyone important he needs to flatter or curry favor with? After I return, I can embroider a Guanyin painting for him. He can use it when attending birthday celebrations or weddings at others' homes."
Chunwan wholeheartedly agreed and quickly added, "Second Young Lady, I'll help you sort the threads!"
Jiying, exasperated, said disdainfully, "So Fourth Master just agreed to let you go out and play for a while. Do you really need to be this grateful, as if he were your savior? And embroidering a Guanyin painting for him? I think you could just buy him a box of pastries from the street. No need to be so obsequious, right?"
To this, Zhou Shaojin actually nodded very seriously and said, "I think we should buy two boxes of pastries and also embroider a Guanyin painting." After saying this, she turned and asked Qin Ziping, who was following them at a distance, "Do you know what kind of pastries Fourth Master likes? We could even learn to make some!"Jiying indignantly tugged at Zhou Shaojin. "Can't you have a bit more ambition?"
"What does ambition have to do with making pastries for Uncle Chi?" Zhou Shaojin asked, puzzled.
Jiying was left speechless.
Qin Ziping barely managed to stifle a chuckle.
Jiying had always been somewhat gloomy, but ever since meeting Zhou Shaojin, she had gradually become more cheerful, lively, and active, slowly resembling the rumored "Miss Ji of the martial world."
He said gently, "Fourth Master eats anything, as long as it tastes good."
Zhou Shaojin frowned. "That's the hardest part! Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to what tastes good. Can't you give an example? Like enjoying flaky pastry, or liking the scent of osmanthus..."
Qin Ziping smiled. "I really don't know about those things you mentioned, but I'll pay attention from now on."
Zhou Shaojin suddenly realized that Qin Ziping's ability to become a steward at such a young age was not without reason.
She thanked Qin Ziping with a smile and went to the beach with Jiying and the others.
The river, which had been turbulent in the morning, now gently lapped against the shore.
Zhou Shaojin looked around and saw Qin Ziping with a few attendants guarding the embankment. Aside from their group, there was no one else, so she relaxed. She took off her shoes and stepped onto the sandy ground.
A wave surged over, and even though Zhou Shaojin ran toward the shore, she couldn't avoid it, her skirt getting soaked.
The chilly river water seeped through her socks.
She turned around with a smile and saw Chunwan and the others holding hands as they walked along the beach.
Jiying laughed. "Aren't you going to take off your socks?"
"Later," Zhou Shaojin replied, perhaps because there were no elders present, she felt less urgency and smiled. "I'll walk on the beach for a while before taking them off."
Jiying nodded and began taking off her socks without hesitation.
Zhou Shaojin hurriedly said, "Can't you find a secluded spot to take them off? Steward Qin is watching from the shore!"
"It's so far away. What can he possibly see?" Jiying paid no mind, took off her other sock, and stepped into the river water, exclaiming, "This feels so good! You should take off your shoes and come in too!"
Zhou Shaojin glanced toward the embankment.
Qin Ziping was sitting leisurely by the embankment, chatting with his attendants.
Chunwan and the others were already playfully building walls with sand.
Zhou Shaojin discreetly took off her socks, using her skirt to shield herself.
Bare feet on the sand felt ticklish and unfamiliar, but also quite interesting.
Zhou Shaojin dug her toes into the sand, creating a small hole. Water seeped in, forming a tiny pit like one made by raindrops.
Fascinated, she moved to another spot and continued.
Another wave surged over, and she couldn't avoid it in time. Her skirt was completely soaked, leaving her in an awkward state.
Zhou Shaojin laughed heartily and went to wring out her skirt.
Her trousers clung tightly to her legs, long and slender, while her feet on the sand looked as if carved from mutton-fat jade, with graceful lines. Paired with the slightly coarse sand, they evoked a sense of tenderness in anyone who saw them.
Qin Ziping quickly lowered his gaze and said to Cheng Chi, "Should I call Second Cousin and Jiying..."
"No need," Cheng Chi replied calmly, watching Zhou Shaojin's face, which shone as brightly as sunlight. "They rarely get out. Let them enjoy themselves. As for Mother, send someone to inform her that I've taken Second Cousin and the others to the nearby estate to inquire about farming matters."That Madam Song, upon hearing that the trim on her mother's skirt was both dignified and bright, and knowing it was embroidered by this girl, insisted on having her draw a floral pattern. That's why her mother sent someone to look for her... However, given her mother's temperament of disliking others ordering her people around, it was merely a search—if she couldn't be found, her mother might even be happier.
Qin Ziping sent someone to deliver the message.
Meanwhile, Zhou Shaojin, who in Cheng Chi's eyes was foolishly chasing and being chased by the waves, happened to turn her head and caught sight of Cheng Chi.
※
Sisters, here's today's bonus update.
The evening update will still be around eleven o'clock.
※ (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
!!
OpenNovel