Тhе imрасt оf events frоm thе рrеviоus life on the рrеsent onе is immeasurаblе.
Zhоu Shаоjin hеld unparаlleled trust in Old Madam Guо. Just аs she bеlievеd Сhеng Сhi cоuld еsсарe whеn the Cheng fаmilу cоllapsed—рroving he wаs no ordinаrу mаn—shе trustеd Оld Мadam Guо’s сharасtеr and wаs cеrtаin the old mаdаm would nоt casuallу reveal thеsе аristoсratic seсrеts withоut reаsоn. Тhоugh Shаоjin felt tоо dull-witted tо grasр Old Mаdam Guо’s intеntiоns immediаtеlу, shе knew that with time аnd careful refleсtion, the meаning would beсomе сleаr.
For now, she simply listened attentively and committed everything to memory.
The boat gradually drew closer to Zhenjiang.
It was only after solving a problem that Cheng Chi realized he hadn’t seen Zhou Shaojin for several days.
Hadn’t she been hovering around him every day before?
Could something have happened?
He summoned Granny Shang to inquire.
Granny Shang smiled and replied, “The Second Young Miss has been keeping Old Madam Guo company these days! She either listens to the old madam talk, does needlework, or plays with Young Master Song—just as before, rarely leaving the cabin.”
Cheng Chi was puzzled. Then why had she sought him out so frequently earlier?
Unfortunately, he had been too busy at the time to pay attention to other matters.
Cheng Chi vaguely felt he might have overlooked something.
He went to Old Madam Guo’s quarters.
Old Madam Guo was sitting cheerfully on the luohan bed, listening to Madam Song and Zhou Shaojin converse. “…You’re truly remarkable! I didn’t notice it when I watched you doing needlework earlier, but last night, when I saw the straps of Sen’ge’s bellyband were loose, I thought it would only take a couple of stitches—I could just sew them up casually. But when I picked up the needle and thread, I realized how much the boat was swaying. After struggling to thread the needle, I felt dizzy trying to sew the straps. It turns out you weren’t even looking closely at the fabric—you were sewing purely by feel! I’ve seen skilled embroiderers with such craftsmanship, but never a young lady from a noble family who could do the same.” Then, feeling she had spoken improperly, she quickly added, “I don’t mean to say the Second Young Miss resembles an embroiderer—I mean that few young ladies from noble families devote themselves so earnestly to needlework…” That didn’t sound quite right either, so she continued, “Even if some were as diligent as the Second Young Miss, they still couldn’t match her skill!”
Having traveled together for some time, Zhou Shaojin had come to understand Madam Song’s character quite well. She took no offense and instead smiled, saying, “I simply enjoy needlework. When something is done with ‘enjoyment,’ it usually turns out better than others’ efforts.”
“That’s true,” Madam Song said, turning to herself. “Like how I used to love reading. Even though I never attended school or had a tutor, I still learned to recognize a few characters.”
Just as Zhou Shaojin was about to respond, Biyu walked in with a smile and announced, “Fourth Master is here.”
Naturally overjoyed, Old Madam Guo was helped out of the inner chamber by Zhou Shaojin.
Cheng Chi hurried forward to pay his respects.
Old Madam Guo smiled as she looked her son up and down. Seeing him in good spirits, her smile grew even more delighted. “Have you finished your work?” she asked.
“Not exactly finished,” Cheng Chi replied with a smile, stepping forward to support his mother on the other side. “It’s just that Old Mr. Song and I have differing views. We decided to take a walk separately to clear our minds and get some fresh air. We’ll reconvene tomorrow afternoon.”Upon hearing this, Zhou Shaojin immediately showed a worried expression. Old Madam Guo directly asked, "What, have you had a rift?"
"A rift isn't quite the right word," Cheng Chi said, helping his mother sit on the luohan bed before taking a seat below her. He smiled gently and continued, "It's just that we have different views. He can't convince me, and I can't convince him, so we've temporarily gone our separate ways for a while. However, river engineering is different from other matters—it either works or it doesn't. It's not about who speaks louder being right. So, you don't need to worry. Once I calculate the relevant figures, Old Mr. Song will naturally be convinced. Similarly, if his calculations are correct, I will also be convinced."
Neither Old Madam Guo nor Zhou Shaojin understood these matters, but Old Madam Guo laughed according to her own understanding, saying, "So, you're having a battle of wits, not a physical fight. It's like observing the stars—if you say it will rain today and it does, you win; if it doesn't, you lose. No matter if you're the emperor himself, you can't turn falsehood into truth."
Cheng Chi laughed, "If you're the emperor, there is a way to turn falsehood into truth—if he says it will rain tomorrow, would the Dragon King dare not let it rain? If you bet against him, you'd surely lose."
Zhou Shaojin couldn't help but chuckle.
Old Madam Guo also laughed and said, "You child, you always like to amuse me."
Cheng Chi smiled, "Every time I tell the truth, you say I'm teasing you, and every time I tease you, you take it seriously. It really puts me in a difficult position!"
Zhou Shaojin and Old Madam Guo laughed so hard they nearly doubled over.
Cheng Chi glanced at Zhou Shaojin, exchanged a few pleasantries with his mother, and then stood up to take his leave.
Zhou Shaojin and Old Madam Guo saw him off to the cabin door before turning back.
Cheng Chi then calmly settled in his room to study chess manuals.
But even after the sand ship docked, Zhou Shaojin did not appear.
What was going on now?
If Zhou Shaojin had something to discuss with him, he had already said he was free in the afternoon. Based on his earlier probing, Zhou Shaojin didn't seem to hold any grudges against him, so she should have found an opportunity to see him. Why was there no movement?
Frowning, Cheng Chi set aside the chess manual and went to Old Madam Guo's cabin for dinner.
Zhou Shaojin was not there.
Cheng Chi was surprised and asked, "Why isn't Er Ya keeping you company?"
"She was pulled away by Madam Song to draw embroidery patterns," Old Madam Guo said, picking up a piece of wild duck for Cheng Chi. "Eat more. I think you've lost weight these past few days. Aren't we parting ways with the Song family once we reach Zhenjiang? Madam Song noticed Shaojin's excellent needlework and, thinking of their eldest daughter's coming-of-age ceremony at the end of the year, asked Shaojin to draw a few embroidery patterns for her as one of the gifts from her stepmother."
This Madam Song was indeed meddlesome.
He had initially objected to traveling with the Song family precisely because Madam Song didn't seem like someone who could read the room.
Cheng Chi gave an "oh" and didn't press further. He accompanied his mother for a meal, chatted for a while, and then returned to his cabin.
Meanwhile, Zhou Shaojin was kept by Madam Song for dinner and later helped her draw two simpler embroidery patterns before finally returning to her room.Chunwan told her, "Fourth Master is going to rest for two days, so Qing Feng and Lang Yue have nothing to do either. Lang Yue came to find us to play in the afternoon, and I decided to give him two packets of the Mingqian Longjing tea that Old Madam Guo rewarded you with the other day."
"Well done!" Zhou Shaojin hoped that her people could get closer to those serving Uncle Chi, so she could inquire about Uncle Chi's affairs. "If you encounter such matters in the future, just make decisions on my behalf."
Chunwan nodded with a smile, helping Zhou Shaojin change her clothes while gently saying, "Second Miss, Fourth Master has nothing to do these two days. Do you think you should go and apologize to Fourth Master again?"
Zhou Shaojin thought of the scene when she encountered Cheng Chi this morning, shook her head with a smile, and said, "I think it's better to forget it! I said before that Uncle Chi is broad-minded. Since he's no longer angry with me, why should I go and apologize to him?"
Anyway, Uncle Chi has already forgotten about this matter.
Chunwan was still a bit worried and said, "Will there really be no problem?"
"I think it should be fine," Zhou Shaojin replied carelessly with a smile. "If Uncle Chi ever brings up old accounts, I can apologize to him then. Now that he doesn't mention it, why should I remind him?"
Chunwan covered her mouth and laughed.
Their boat arrived in Zhenjiang within two days.
Cheng Chi never waited for Zhou Shaojin.
Perhaps he had misunderstood?
Cheng Chi doubted, but when he saw Zhou Shaojin hiding behind the boat window curtain, wearing a pink Hangzhou silk padded robe, he immediately felt relieved.
That little girl is straightforward; if she had something on her mind, she would definitely come to him repeatedly. How could she be so quiet?
Cheng Chi put the matter aside and went to visit Lord Shen.
Lord Shen had caught a cold a few days earlier, and his family wouldn't let him go out. He had been staying at home all day and happened to be found by Cheng Chi and Old Mr. Song.
One was a Jinshi scholar who had passed both imperial examinations, and the other was the father of a current cabinet minister. Lord Shen warmly entertained them. When the two mentioned their purpose and discussed flood control strategies in Lord Shen's study, referring to the map secretly copied from the Ministry of Works before Lord Shen's retirement, Lord Shen's face lit up. He insisted on keeping Cheng Chi and Old Mr. Song at his home for a few days.
Cheng Chi hadn't expected Lord Shen to be such a straightforward and sincere person.
He agreed to settle his mother and niece before troubling Lord Shen again.
Lord Shen urged him to return quickly and, fearing Cheng Chi might be distracted by this matter, sent his former assistant who had helped him with river engineering to assist him.
Cheng Chi was both amused and exasperated. Returning to the boat, he asked his mother if she would like to stay at the Cheng family's villa and said, "Old Mr. Song and I will probably stay at Lord Shen's home for three or four days."
Seeing that they would soon arrive in Jinling City, Old Madam Guo was eager to return and didn't want to delay further with trivial matters like packing. She said, "We'll just stay on the boat. When you return from Lord Shen's place, we can set off for Jinling immediately."
Cheng Chi understood his mother's implication and thought for a moment before saying, "How about you return to Jinling City first? I'll be back in a few days anyway!"
"How can that be?" Old Madam Guo shook her head like a rattle drum. "We came out to have fun together; it doesn't make sense to return separately. You go ahead with your business and don't worry about us. I've already written the invitation for Madam Gao. Since you'll be staying at Lord Shen's home, it’ll free up space for us."Cheng Chi smiled and had someone tidy up briefly before heading to the Shen family with Old Mr. Song.
Huang Yijun, meanwhile, was busy hiring a boat and making preparations for the journey to the capital.
Madam Gao and Madam Li arrived together.
Seeing that Madam Song, the wife of the current Grand Secretary Song Jingran, was actually on the same boat as Old Madam Guo and was so intimate with her, both women were inwardly surprised but maintained their composure as they exchanged pleasantries with Madam Song.
Old Madam Guo hosted a banquet in their honor, and Madam Gao and Madam Li each reciprocated by inviting Old Madam Guo and the others in return. They also accompanied Old Madam Guo and her party on a visit to Jinshan Temple. A few days later, the Liao family received word that Old Madam Guo was passing through Zhenjiang and promptly sent a maidservant with an invitation.
※
Sisters, this update is an extra for the spirit beast egg of the Zhi Alliance.
Tonight’s update will still be around 11 p.m.
PS: During the Spring Festival, updates will continue as usual. This is an exclusive serialization. Please support the official version of "Jinling Spring" if you enjoy it, and cast more pink votes.
Thank you!
o(n_n)o~
※ (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to...)
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