Сhеng Сhi аnd Song Min wеrе соnvеrsing pleasаntlу.
In the main rоom of thе innеr соurtуаrd, Madаm Song was enthusiasticallу рraising Zhоu Shaоjin whilе hоlding а florаl раttеrn Shаojin hаd just drawn for her: "...I mеrеly mеntioned it in pаssing, and who wоuld have thоught shе соuld skеtсh it оut. Truly wоrthу of а wеll-rеad уoung lаdу from a рrоminent fаmily, so clеver. When I was уоung, I аlso lоved studying. Whenеvеr mу brothеrs wеnt tо thе рrivаte sсhоol, I wоuld seе them off аt the dооr. Аs soоn аs thеу returned, I cоuldn't wait to carry thеir book bags fоr them. When thеy did thеir hоmewоrk by the lamp, I would stay nearby, serving them tea and water, hoping they would teach me a few characters in their spare time. The reason I can read account books now is because I secretly learned a few words from my brothers back then. I swore at the time that if I ever had a daughter, I would definitely make sure she studied and learned to read, unlike me."
Old Madam Guo chuckled and said, "Customs vary from place to place. Most girls in our hometown are literate. Shaojin is just average in this regard."
Madam Song covered her mouth with a smile and said, "Madam, please don't be modest with me. I've seen many young ladies from official and scholarly families in Jiangnan while in the capital, but I've never encountered one like Miss Cheng, with such character, appearance, and knowledge..."
Zhou Shaojin pretended not to hear, sitting with her head bowed as she casually embroidered a daylily on a piece of satin fabric she had found nearby.
Meanwhile, Song Sen sat at the round table laden with dishes, being fed by his wet nurse while his eyes darted around, occasionally stealing glances at Zhou Shaojin. It wasn't until a maidservant came in to report that Old Mr. Song and Cheng Chi had decided to go out for a walk and told them to retire early without waiting for them that the atmosphere in the room suddenly shifted.
"At this hour?" Old Madam Guo frowned, her face full of concern. "What matter is so urgent that it can't wait until tomorrow morning?"
The maidservant couldn't provide a clear answer either, saying, "Fourth Master went with Old Mr. Song and Young Master Huang. Steward Qin is accompanying them with a few guards, so there shouldn't be any trouble. Please rest assured, Madam."
How could Old Madam Guo possibly rest assured?
Madam Song said apologetically, "Madam, I'm truly sorry. Our family's old master has always been like this. He once got up in the middle of the night to stargaze for no reason, and during the busy farming season, he suddenly went to Bashan to visit a friend. He ended up caught in a heavy rainstorm that washed away the mountainside and nearly lost his life there. Another time, he was transporting a shipment of fresh fruit to Zhenjiang. He abandoned the stewards and workers and went alone to Jinan Prefecture, nearly ruining the entire cargo. I heard that when my mother-in-law was alive, she often argued with Father-in-law over such matters. After she passed away, Father-in-law refused to remarry precisely because he didn't want anyone controlling him..." She stood up anxiously and said, "I never expected he would drag Fourth Master out with him... I, I'll send someone to look for him right away..."
Old Mr. Song's temperament was indeed somewhat eccentric. However, Zhou Shaojin believed that Cheng Chi was not the type to act on a whim, easily swayed by every passing thought. Since he had decided to go out for a walk with Old Mr. Song, he must have felt it necessary to do so. There was no need for them to worry excessively."Old Madam," Zhou Shaojin gently persuaded Old Madam Guo. "Please don't worry. Uncle Chi has always handled matters properly. Perhaps they simply drank a bit too much and wanted to stroll along the Qiantang River, or perhaps they were inspired by poetic sentiments and wished to reminisce about the past. If you're truly uneasy, we can call in the servants from the outer courtyard and ask them."
Old Madam Guo nodded slightly and said, "You make sense. Your Uncle Chi is no longer a child. He knows his own affairs. Since he sent a maidservant to inform us, there's no need to summon the servants from the outer courtyard. Everything will be clear once they return tomorrow morning!" She then comforted Madam Song, "You should rest assured and go to bed. Si Lang is accompanied by stewards and guards. The guards in our household are all highly skilled. For nearly ten years, Si Lang has traveled for business under their protection, and nothing has ever gone wrong."
Madam Song's main concern was that Cheng Chi might have been coaxed by her father-in-law. Hearing Old Madam Guo and Zhou Shaojin's words, she couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief.
Meanwhile, Song Sen, young but acting beyond his years, burrowed into his mother's arms and loudly exclaimed, "Uncle isn't sleeping with me, I'm scared!"
Madam Song's face flushed crimson as she scolded, "How old are you already! Stand up quickly! How can you expect your uncle to sleep with you every day? If your father sees this, he'll punish you again."
Song Sen twisted like a pretzel in Madam Song's arms, refusing to sleep alone.
Unable to persuade him, Madam Song had no choice but to compromise, coaxing him, "If you behave today, I'll grant you one request. Even going to Chashi Lake to play on the ice is fine!"
Song Sen's eyes sparkled with excitement, and he sprang up from his mother's arms. "Really?"
"Of course," Madam Song assured him.
"Alright then," Song Sen pointed at Zhou Shaojin. "I want to sleep with this older sister."
Everyone in the room was stunned.
Madam Song's face turned from red to purple as she said, "What nonsense are you spouting? That's your Sister Zhou, not someone who serves you. How can you ask Sister Zhou to sleep with you? When we return to the capital, I'll take you to Chashi Lake to play on the ice!"
But Song Sen wouldn't relent, crying and fussing, insisting on sleeping with Zhou Shaojin.
A flicker of displeasure flashed in Old Madam Guo's eyes.
Having lived two lives, Zhou Shaojin had only ever encountered well-behaved, lovely, and sensible children. She had never met one so unreasonable and stubborn. Stunned, she didn't react at first. By the time she regained her composure, Song Sen was already sitting on the floor, wailing loudly.
Madam Song, both embarrassed and furious, hurriedly explained to Old Madam Guo and Zhou Shaojin, "He's not usually like this. I don't know what's gotten into him today." She then threatened Song Sen, "If you keep making such a fuss, I'll definitely tell your father when we return. If you anger your father in the future and he decides to enforce family discipline, I won't plead for mercy on your behalf..."
But Song Sen continued to cry and fuss without end.
Zhou Shaojin felt extremely awkward. Since this matter involved her, she thought that if she didn't step in to resolve it, it would only put Old Madam Guo, as the host, in a difficult position.
Hesitating, she took a few steps forward, about to agree to let Song Sen sleep with her. However, before she could speak, Old Madam Guo's stern voice calling out "Shao Jin" startled her, causing her to swallow the words that had been on the tip of her tongue.Song Sen suddenly broke free from his mother and threw his arms around Zhou Shaojin, crying, "Sister, pretty sister, I want to sleep with you. I promise I'll listen to you, be good and won't make noise or bother you..."
"You naughty child!" Madam Song looked flustered and tried to pull her son away from Zhou Shaojin.
Zhou Shaojin felt embarrassed. Remembering Old Madam Guo's displeased call and sharp gaze earlier, she was in a difficult position. She could only soothe Song Sen gently, saying, "Since you said you'll listen to me, then stand up properly now and stop crying."
Song Sen seized the chance to bargain with her: "Then you have to promise to sleep with me."
Zhou Shaojin didn't dare agree.
Old Madam Guo stood up with a smile and said to Madam Song, "It's an honor that Sen-ge'er likes our Er Ya, but Er Ya is no longer a child—she's long reached the age where boys and girls should sit separately. It's only because your husband and our eldest master both serve in the Grand Secretariat, and our Si Lang gets along so well with Old Mr. Song, that we haven't stood on ceremony, treating each other as close family friends. Other matters are fine, but Sen-ge'er wanting to sleep with Shaojin is rather inappropriate."
"You are absolutely right, Old Madam. Absolutely right." Madam Song couldn't face Old Madam Guo.
Old Madam Guo chuckled and said to Song Sen, "Sen-ge'er, you come from a scholarly family. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
As she spoke, she gazed at Song Sen with a smile, yet her eyes were as cold as frost, like a sharp blade gleaming with icy light, piercing straight to the heart.
Zhou Shaojin shivered, inexplicably reminded of Cheng Chi.
How alike this mother and son were!
She couldn't help lowering her gaze, only then noticing that Song Sen, who was clinging to her, had stiffened slightly, his little face showing a hint of fear.
Zhou Shaojin inwardly let out a silent "Ha!"
Old Madam Guo was truly formidable—just a cold glare was enough to intimidate Song Sen.
Old Madam Guo gave Song Sen a slap, then offered him a sweet date, saying, "Do you like Sister Zhou very much?"
Song Sen nodded repeatedly.
Old Madam Guo smiled and said, "Well then, your Sister Zhou has to attend to me every night. You can sleep with us!" Then she turned to Madam Song and said, "I see this child is quite mischievous. If you're comfortable with it, I'll take care of him for the night, and you can take the chance to rest properly."
"How could that be!" Madam Song waved her hands repeatedly.
But to everyone's surprise, Song Sen shouted, "Mother, I want to sleep with the old madam and sister!"
Madam Song stepped forward with a stern face to pull Song Sen away, but he nimbly dodged behind Zhou Shaojin.
Zhou Shaojin looked toward Old Madam Guo.
Old Madam Guo nodded.
Zhou Shaojin then smiled and said, "Madam Song, just let him stay with us! Earlier, I was only afraid of disturbing the old madam, so I didn't dare agree."
Song Sen insisted on following Zhou Shaojin, making a fuss, and Madam Song had no choice but to nod in agreement.
Old Madam Guo instructed the servants to bring a luohan bed into her inner chamber and found bedding to lay out.
Madam Song, along with Song Sen's wet nurse, took him to bathe and change clothes.
Only Old Madam Guo and Zhou Shaojin remained in the room.
Zhou Shaojin hung her head in shame and said, "Old Madam, it's all my fault..."
"Silly girl, what fault is yours?" Old Madam Guo interrupted her with a laugh. "If anyone is at fault, it's clearly Madam Song for failing to discipline her child properly. What does that have to do with you? There's no need for you to feel uneasy!"Zhou Shaojin looked up, carefully observing Old Madam Guo.
Old Madam Guo's eyes held a smile, her expression calm and composed.
The old madam truly hadn't blamed her!
Zhou Shaojin's eyes reddened slightly.
In the past, whenever something happened, everyone would always blame her, thinking it was her fault...
"Alright now, don't cry, don't cry!" Seeing this, Old Madam Guo sympathetically embraced her shoulders and said softly, "Good child, I'm old now, and I can't bear to see people sad and upset. I know this matter has wronged you, but Madam Song is a guest from afar, and I couldn't just turn her away. Please bear with it for my sake. Tomorrow our families will go our separate ways..."
Zhou Shaojin nodded repeatedly, but tears couldn't help falling in streams.
※
Sisters, today's extra update.
I hear tomorrow is Valentine's Day—I wonder what plans everyone has? I don't know if you'll be like me, continuing to write at home...
PS: With the New Year approaching, there's a lot going on both at work and at home. If there are any typos, I'll fix them later.
※ (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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