Сhunwаn аskеd сuriously, "Sесоnd Мiss, whаt's wrong with you?"
"Nоthing, nоthing," Zhou Shaоjin said, cоld swеаt bеаding оn her forеhead. "Who has comе?"
Unсle Сhi had just sаid shе wаsn't аllowеd tо gо tо Сold Grеen Mountаin Нousе anymorе.
"It's Feicui," Сhunwan reрliеd, still lооking sоmеwhаt puzzled. "Shе sаid the Оld Маdam hаs askеd уou to gо disсuss Eldеst Miss's matter."
Тhat meant shе соuldn't evеn inquire about whу thе Оld Mаdаm wаntеd tо sеe hеr!
Zhоu Shaоjin felt quitе dejeсted.
Fеiсui, hоwevеr, urgеd, "Тhе Old Madаm is waiting for Second Сousin Miss!"
Zhou Shаojin had nо chоiсe but tо brace herself, change clothes, and have Chunwan arrange for a sedan chair.
Zhou Chujin, who learned she was going out, sent someone to ask, "Didn't Uncle Chi just come over? Why are you suddenly being summoned?"
Zhou Shaojin replied, "I don't know either. We'll have to wait until I return."
She felt uneasy and panicked inside, but fortunately, Zhou Chujin didn't press further.
Meanwhile, Madam Mian from the study sent someone over to say, "I'll be returning to the mansion soon. Wait for me a moment, and we can go back to Nine Prosperities Lane together."
How could she go with Madam Mian when her eyes were still swollen?
Zhou Shaojin had Bitao relay to Madam Mian, "Feicui is still waiting in the entrance hall."
Thankfully, she was usually obedient enough that Madam Mian wasn't displeased, merely advising her to be careful on the road, as many people were going out of the city for spring outings these days, and the streets were bustling with traffic—she shouldn't collide with anyone.
Zhou Shaojin thanked her repeatedly, took a sedan chair at the sedan hall, and headed to Cold Green Mountain House.
But after getting off the sedan at Cold Green Mountain House, Feicui led her around the main residence toward the Listening Oriole Pavilion.
Zhou Shaojin turned pale with fright. She stood still and said, "I'll go pay my respects to the Old Madam first before visiting Uncle Chi."
Feicui had originally intended to remain silent, but who knew Nanny Shang would shoot her a sharp, arrow-like glance?
She had no choice but to smile and say, "The Old Madam is speaking with Fourth Master in the Listening Oriole Pavilion!"
Meanwhile, Nanny Shang stood there smiling and waiting.
Zhou Shaojin had no choice but to follow Feicui to the Listening Oriole Pavilion.
But the moment she stepped inside, she knew she had been tricked.
The Listening Oriole Pavilion was eerily quiet, with not a soul in sight and not a sound to be heard.
She immediately turned to leave. "I—I'll go pay my respects to the Old Madam."
Feicui wanted to step aside, but who knew Nanny Shang would give her a push? And as luck would have it, this push sent her right in front of Zhou Shaojin, making it look to others as if she had quickly blocked Zhou Shaojin's path. Nanny Shang even placed a hand on her shoulder. Feicui's body instantly went numb, and the pain left her speechless for a long while. To make matters worse, Nanny Shang said, "Second Cousin Miss, Feicui is only following orders. Why don't you go see Fourth Master first and then pay your respects to the Old Madam? That way, Feicui won't be put in a difficult position. Besides, the Listening Oriole Pavilion where Fourth Master lives is only separated from the Old Madam's main residence by a flower wall. Any commotion here can be heard over there, and Fourth Master isn't someone without discretion..."
Zhou Shaojin was deeply skeptical.
She feared that before she could make any sound, Uncle Chi would have already subdued her.
For some reason, she was absolutely certain that Cheng Chi had such capability.
Seeing that she remained unmoved, Nanny Shang didn't dare to use force. Her mind raced as she said, "Second Cousin Miss, Fourth Master isn't an unreasonable person. Why not take this opportunity to clarify things with him? Think about it—when has Fourth Master ever harmed anyone? And when has he ever punished anyone..."Standing opposite her, Zhou Shaojin noticed a sudden expression of relief flash across her face as she spoke.
Zhou Shaojin inwardly felt a sense of foreboding. Turning to look, she saw Cheng Chi standing with his hands clasped behind his back under the dripping eaves at the entrance of the Listening Oriole Pavilion, though she had no idea when he had arrived.
His posture was straight and upright, like a pine tree, his face hidden in the shadow of the eaves, making it impossible to discern his mood.
Zhou Shaojin felt utterly mortified.
Uncle Chi must think her foolish, easily lured here by just a few words from someone else.
Yet for some reason, she also felt as if a heavy stone had been lifted from her heart.
But at that moment, she had neither the time nor the energy to carefully examine her emotions. Her face burned with embarrassment, and she mumbled, unsure of what to say.
"Come with me inside!" Cheng Chi said coldly, then turned and entered the Listening Oriole Pavilion.
Feicui and Nanny Shang hurriedly stepped aside.
Zhou Shaojin’s legs felt as heavy as lead. It was only after Nanny Shang softly called her "Second Miss" twice that she reluctantly shuffled into the study of the Listening Oriole Pavilion.
The study door slammed shut behind her with a sharp thud.
Zhou Shaojin trembled in fright.
For some reason, she suddenly recalled what Cheng Chi had said the first time he visited Flat Bridge Street.
She couldn’t help but grumble inwardly: Didn’t you say that speaking in the courtyard makes it easy to spot anyone eavesdropping? Why aren’t you worried about being overheard now? You even closed the study door...
When Zhou Shaojin entered the Listening Oriole Pavilion, Cheng Chi had already glimpsed her slightly swollen eyes through the glass window. Now, seeing her look as frightened as a rabbit caught in a trap, his anger flared up once again.
He was trying to help her—what was she so afraid of?
Did she think he was going to devour her?
But as soon as this thought arose, he took a deep breath and reminded himself: "Governing a country is like cooking a small fish, let alone these messy and unclear family matters. I must stay calm, be patient, and not lose my temper."
"Shaoji," he said gently, taking a few steps forward and seating himself on the luohan bed by the window. His handsome and gentle face came into Zhou Shaojin’s view. "It’s been a while since we last played chess. Why don’t you keep me company for a game?"
Zhou Shaojin took a small, wary step backward.
She felt that Uncle Chi at this moment was like a hunter who had caught a small animal, and she was that very animal. His invitation to play chess was akin to the hunter fattening his prey, merely to make the eventual slaughter more satisfying.
Rather than enduring this torment knowing the outcome, she would rather he just dealt the blow directly and be done with it.
"I... I don’t know how to play chess!" Zhou Shaojin said, her voice trembling slightly. "Uncle Chi, you... you know that!"
At least this little girl has some self-awareness!
Cheng Chi grumbled inwardly, but the smile on his face grew even gentler. "Weren’t you quite confident before? Why are you being so modest now?"
That’s because I didn’t realize back then that I’d be exposed so quickly!
Zhou Shaojin lowered her eyelids.
Her long eyelashes cast a shadow like a small fan.
Her hands clenched tightly together once more.
Cheng Chi sighed inwardly.
This habit of hers was sometimes quite useful.
At least it let him know she was nervous, and that she was far cleverer than he had imagined.
This time, Cheng Chi’s gentle voice carried a note of sincerity: "Shaoji, come sit by me."
Zhou Shaojin lifted her head, her gaze blank and confused.Cheng Chi's heart stirred, suddenly realizing that Zhou Shaojin was even more intelligent than he had imagined.
She could at least discern when he was sincere and when he was feigning.
His voice grew even gentler and more sincere as he repeated, "Shao Jin. Come sit by my side."
The confusion and bewilderment in Zhou Shaojin's eyes slowly dissipated. After a moment's thought, she obediently sat down beside Cheng Chi.
Cheng Chi did not immediately question her. Instead, he personally poured her a cup of tea.
Zhou Shaojin clutched the teacup so tightly her fingertips turned white, murmuring her thanks.
After a moment of contemplation, Cheng Chi asked her gently, "Shao Jin, do you know why I asked you to come?"
Zhou Shaojin sat quietly for a while before nodding slightly.
Cheng Chi said, "Then tell me, why do you think I asked you here?"
Zhou Shaojin lowered her head, staring at the teacup in her hands without speaking.
Cheng Chi continued, "Shao Jin, think about it. If you were me, what would you think? There's a young girl, not yet of age, who never goes out normally, let alone involves herself in major court affairs. But one day, she suddenly tells you that your brother will miss out on becoming the Minister of Rites and Grand Secretary of the Wenhua Hall because of a deal between Huang Li's mentor, Shen Minzhi, and the current Chief Grand Secretary, Yuan Weichang. Wouldn't you want to investigate carefully whether this is true or false?"
Zhou Shaojin bowed her head even lower.
Without a hint of embarrassment, Cheng Chi said, "Then, by chance, I discovered that you had asked someone from the Jiying family to bring Fan Qi into the capital. At the time, I didn't pay much attention, thinking you might have something for him to do. 'Do not look at what is contrary to propriety; do not listen to what is contrary to propriety.' I am not the type to pry into others' private matters. I thought the matter would end there. But then the issue with Mu Daren emerged..."
Zhou Shaojin tightly rubbed the bright red crabapple flower pattern on the teacup.
Cheng Chi said, "Shao Jin, I believe I have some discernment. I know what kind of person you are. Otherwise, I wouldn't have found an excuse to call you to the Listening Oriole Pavilion. Tell me the truth—was someone behind this? Or were you coerced? Or perhaps you were threatened because of something, but out of gratitude for my mother's care for you, you inadvertently revealed the matter about Huang Li to us? Shao Jin, haven't you always trusted me? Trust me this time too. No matter what happens, I will find a way to pull you out of this quagmire. But you must tell me the truth. Can you do that?"
No, she couldn't!
A pang of sorrow struck Zhou Shaojin's heart, and large teardrops fell one after another.
Uncle Chi was so good to her!
Even at a time like this, he was still making excuses for her and thinking of her well-being.
But she couldn't bring herself to speak.
Leaving aside whether Uncle Chi would believe her story of rebirth, given his shrewdness, if she even began to explain, he would deduce the outcome.
The matter of her being bullied by Cheng Xu... would be laid bare before Uncle Chi.
How could she ever face Uncle Chi or the Old Madam again?
It would be better to let him misunderstand!
At least, she could keep that veil of concealment in Uncle Chi's heart.
But deep down, she knew even more clearly.
She and Uncle Chi could never return to how they were before, let alone regain his trust and save the Cheng family.
As she thought this, Zhou Shaojin's heart ached as if being twisted.
The trip to Mount Putuo had been the happiest time of her two lifetimes.She would forever be grateful to Old Madam Guo and Uncle Chi.
Zhou Shaojin slowly set down her teacup, took out a handkerchief from her sleeve, wiped the corners of her blurred eyes, and allowed a faint smile to appear at the corners of her mouth. She stood up and solemnly addressed Cheng Chi, saying, "Uncle Chi, I have never deceived you, nor do I distrust you. It's just that my story is too unbelievable. All I can tell you is this: in the year Bingwu, the emperor passed away, and the Fourth Prince ascended the throne. On the first day of the first lunar month in the year Dingwei, the era name was changed to Tianshun. In the year Wushen, which was the second year of Tianshun, the Cheng family was inexplicably executed to the last member..."
※
Sisters, today's update!
Thank you to Tianwaixianxian for the spirit beast egg. The extra update is scheduled for tomorrow at twelve o'clock.
o(n_n)o~
※ (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to...)
!!
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