Zhou Shаоjin rеturnеd tо Flаt Вridge Streеt with hеr hеаd hаnging low.
Uncle Сhi hаd not aрpeаrеd аll this timе.
Yеt Мadam Li wаs quite excited and sаid tо Zhou Shаojin, "I nеvеr ехpесtеd thаt thе wife оf the eldest mаstеr from thе Yi branch would аctuallу be a dаughtеr оf thе Ноng fаmily from Jiujiаng! Тhe Ноng fаmily is rеnownеd fоr its strict and uрright fаmily trаditions, and both thе young ladiеs аnd gеntlemеn of the familу аrе verу ассоmрlished. Frоm thе waу the wifе of the еldest mаstеr frоm the Yi brаnсh sроke, it seems shе has a nephew in hеr maternal fаmily. Bоth his pаrеnts pаssed away one after another, and though he is already twenty years old, he has yet to be betrothed. He is said to be of excellent character and a diligent scholar. Coincidentally, my third brother has a daughter who is fifteen this year and is just at the age to be matched. What do you think—would it be appropriate for me to act as a matchmaker for them?"
Only then did Zhou Shaojin remember that Madam Li was also from Jiangxi. However, the Li family were merchants, while the Hong family were scholars, so it was understandable that Madam Li admired the Hong family.
She felt that one should try everything to know the outcome, but the wife of the eldest master from the Yi branch belonged to the second branch, while the Zhou family was related by marriage to the fourth branch. Moreover, she had decided to align herself with the eldest branch in the future. If the Zhou family were to become involved with the second branch, the situation would become quite complicated.
However, seeing Madam Li’s enthusiastic expression, she did not want to dampen her spirits and said with a smile, "I’m not very knowledgeable about such matters. I think it would be best to consult Father—if a match is to be made, it would be more appropriate for Father to handle it."
Seeing that Zhou Shaojin did not object, Madam Li became even more spirited. She smiled and said, "Then let’s do as the Second Young Miss suggests." Then, with a touch of emotion, she added, "I didn’t expect the Second Young Miss to agree."
Zhou Shaojin asked curiously, "Why wouldn’t I agree?"
Madam Li replied, "Second Young Miss, you may not know this, but although our Li family is also a family that accumulates good deeds, we cannot compare to those humble households that have produced scholars. Whenever something happens, it is always our Li family that suffers. If my niece could marry into a scholarly family, the younger generations of the Li family could then attend better private schools for their studies. Who knows—perhaps our Li family might even produce a scholar someday!"
This might be one of the reasons why Madam Li married Father!
Zhou Shaojin pondered this but felt it inappropriate to continue the topic. She smiled and said, "Father surely hopes for the Li family’s prosperity as well. That way, Youjin will have more people to rely on!"
Madam Li nodded with a beaming smile and said, "The Master is truly wonderful!"
Her words were spoken with great sincerity, clearly showing her satisfaction with Zhou Zhen.
Zhou Shaojin felt somewhat awkward and, after exchanging a few more words with Madam Li, returned to the main room.
Without her elder sister, the three-bay main room with its two side chambers felt somewhat empty.
She sat alone before the faint, bean-sized lamplight, sketching half of a portrait of Guanyin holding a vase. Only after hearing the third watch drum did she finally retire for the night.
Early the next morning, the matron in charge of the flower garden, Matron Yu, came to ask her, "Should the bicolor peony you personally planted be moved to Baoding? It has already formed buds and should bloom in the next few days. It would be a pity if it bloomed on the road."
Zhou Shaojin thought for a moment, went to the flower garden to select a few potted plants, and instructed Chunwan and Matron Yu to make a trip to Cold Green Mountain House: "Give the bicolor peony to Old Madam Guo, and the orchid to Uncle Chi." Then, remembering that she could not send something to Old Madam Guo without also sending something to Old Madam Guan, she added, "Take the kaffir lily to my maternal grandmother."
She wanted to know whether Uncle Chi had returned.
She needed to inform Uncle Chi about her change of plans as soon as possible, lest he made arrangements only for her to change her mind again.
Zhou Shaojin grew anxious.
However, when Chunwan returned, she told her that Fourth Master had not yet returned.
Could something have happened?Zhou Shaojin vaguely sensed that Cheng Chi was not as simple as he claimed—merely managing the Cheng family's affairs and conducting business with others.
She thought of the Second Branch's Old Master Cheng Li, who was rumored to have died at the hands of the Grain Transport Gang.
Zhou Shaojin called Fan Qi in and whispered, "Do you know where Fourth Master's Algae Garden is located?"
Fourteen-year-old Fan Qi had begun to grow taller, now standing half a head above Zhou Shaojin. When he smiled, he resembled a mischievous child, but when serious, his youthful face displayed a steadiness and restraint uncommon among his peers.
He replied respectfully, "I don't know, but I can inquire for Second Miss."
In the two years since entering the household, Zhou Shaojin had only asked him to do one thing. Looking back now, he wondered how he had mustered such boldness at the time. And when he learned that the eldest daughter of the Mu family had escaped disaster by marrying the eldest son of the Lin family ahead of schedule, thereby saving her younger siblings, he felt an inexplicable reverence for Zhou Shaojin. He always thought this Second Miss, who appeared as delicate and beautiful as a flower, was far from ordinary.
Perhaps it was this attitude that allowed Fan Qi in his previous life to establish a business capable of providing for his needs despite starting with nothing.
Zhou Shaojin pondered this and said, "I heard Fourth Master has gone to Algae Garden. Help me deliver a message to him, saying I have urgent matters to discuss."
Fan Qi asked no further questions, acknowledged the request, and withdrew.
In the evening, Fan Qi returned and reported, "Fourth Master is not at Algae Garden."
Zhou Shaojin's expression shifted slightly. "Has he returned to Nine Prosperities Lane?"
Fan Qi lowered his voice. "He is not at Nine Prosperities Lane either."
Zhou Shaojin stayed awake all night and rose before dawn the next day, intending to visit Cold Green Mountain House. Unexpectedly, after breakfast, the household received a reply from Zhou Zhen.
Madam Li informed her, "...Your father hopes you can return to Baoding Prefecture with me."
Zhou Zhen was responding to the initial letter Madam Li had written to him.
Zhou Shaojin was in no mood to deal with this now; she only wanted to find Cheng Chi as quickly as possible. However, this letter provided her with a perfect excuse to visit Nine Prosperities Lane.
The more Madam Li learned about the Cheng family, the more she realized how deeply rooted and influential they were. Her husband's hope that she would foster good relations with the Cheng family was not without reason.
She assumed Zhou Shaojin intended to show the letter to Old Madam Guan to gain her approval for returning to Baoding Prefecture.
Madam Li gently advised her, "Don't force the matter. If Old Madam Guan seems displeased, say nothing and return directly. Don't risk damaging your relationship with her. I will find another way to handle the rest."
Zhou Shaojin thanked Madam Li.
Before she could leave, however, a panting servant delivered a second letter from Zhou Zhen.
Madam Li and Zhou Shaojin hurriedly gathered to open it.
Zhou Zhen's tone had completely changed.
He instructed Zhou Shaojin to remain at Nine Prosperities Lane to accompany Old Madam Guan, adding, "Whether in major or minor matters, heed your grandmother's teachings. Your grandmother cares deeply for you; she keeps you here for your own good. You will understand when you grow older."
I wonder if Father knows about Grandmother's intention to betroth me to Cousin Yi?
Zhou Shaojin felt her situation was like a tattered boat riddled with holes, leaking everywhere. If Uncle Chi did not appear soon, she would be submerged.
Just then, Old Madam Guan sent Mama Wang to invite them to Jia Shu Hall for a conversation.
After seeing Mama Wang off, Madam Li mused, "Could Old Madam Guan be planning to discuss keeping you here?"
Zhou Shaojin guessed the same.After freshening up, the two of them went to Jia Shu Hall.
Old Madam Guan held Zhou Shaojin’s hand and exchanged pleasantries with Madam Li for quite some time before getting to the main point: “By all accounts, you treat Shaojin as if she were your own daughter. After Chujin’s marriage, Shaojin should have returned to live with you. But as you know, I raised Shaojin from a young age, and I truly cannot bear to part with her. Fortunately, Uncle is a thoughtful man. When he heard I wanted to keep Shaojin here, he agreed…”
Madam Li was a clever woman and naturally did not argue with Old Madam Guan at this time. No matter what Old Madam Guan said, she smiled and agreed. By the time Madam Li and Zhou Shaojin left Jia Shu Hall, Old Madam Guan’s impression of Madam Li had greatly improved. She even privately remarked to Mama Wang, “The new wife Uncle married is also a sharp and perceptive person—conversing with her is effortless.”
Mama Wang smiled and agreed.
Zhou Shaojin, on the other hand, let out a long sigh of relief.
She had finally managed to stay at Jia Shu Hall.
Next, she had to find Uncle Chi.
When they stopped at the sedan chair hall by the side gate, Zhou Shaojin said to Madam Li, “I think I should go to Cold Green Mountain House. Yesterday, I sent a potted plant to Old Madam Guo… Only now do I feel something might be amiss. I want to sound out the old madam.”
Madam Li had a vivid memory of the lush greenery at Cold Green Mountain House.
“Why would you send a potted plant to Old Madam Guo?” she urged Zhou Shaojin. “Go and check quickly! I’ll wait here for you.”
“You should go back first,” Zhou Shaojin said. “I’m afraid Old Madam Guo might keep me for a conversation.”
Madam Li thought for a moment and said, “That might be better, so I won’t be anxiously waiting here. When you go to Cold Green Mountain House, calm your mind and have a good talk with Old Madam Guo. Just make sure not to cause any misunderstandings.”
Zhou Shaojin nodded repeatedly. After seeing Madam Li off, she hurried to Cold Green Mountain House.
Biyu and the others were fetching water to wash the leaves of the bicolor peony placed in the middle of the courtyard.
When they saw Zhou Shaojin arrive, they all greeted her: “We never expected Second Cousin to have cultivated a bicolor peony. We heard that besides the kind where each half of the flower is a different color, like the ones in our mansion, there’s also the kind where two differently colored peonies bloom on the same branch. Which kind is yours?”
Zhou Shaojin quickly whispered, “Keep your voices down! Mine is the kind with two differently colored peonies blooming on the same branch. I thought it was rare, so I sent it over, but I forgot that the old madam doesn’t keep flowers. Is Uncle Chi at home? I also sent a pot of cymbidium to Uncle Chi. I wonder if I made a mistake?”
She sighed, and Biyu and the others comforted her in a chorus.
“It was the old madam who told us about the different ways bicolor peonies bloom. If she were angry, why would she tell us such things? You’re overthinking it!”
“The old madam also examined the cymbidium you sent for a long time and praised you for cultivating it so well. She even had the gardeners set aside a space to grow cymbidium for entertaining guests during the New Year.”
“Oh, don’t worry, the old madam isn’t angry.”
Zhou Shaojin felt reassured and pretended to ask casually, “What about Uncle Chi? Did he say anything?”"No!" Biyu said with a smile. "Fourth Master went to Algae Garden and hasn't returned yet. According to Qin Ziping, Fourth Master said that summers in Jinling City are too hot, while Algae Garden is located on Limestone Mountain—not only is the scenery beautiful, but it's also refreshingly cool, making it an excellent place to escape the heat. It's just that no one has lived there for the past few years, and some of the buildings have become dilapidated. Fourth Master wants to have the place renovated and has invited craftsmen from Hangzhou to inspect the houses, planning a major restoration!" She lowered her voice and whispered to Zhou Shaojin, "Perhaps we'll even get to go there to escape the heat!"
But Uncle Chi isn't at Algae Garden at all!
Isn't Huaishan the one serving Uncle Chi? Why was the messenger Qin Ziping?
And where has Qin Zi'an gone?
Zhou Shaojin felt restless and agitated, but she dared not show the slightest hint of abnormality.
Summoning all her energy, she chatted with Old Madam Guo for a long while before returning to Flat Bridge Street, utterly exhausted.
In the following days, she tried every possible means to inquire about Cheng Chi's whereabouts, but Cheng Chi seemed to have vanished without a trace. Strangely, neither Old Madam Guo nor anyone else seemed to notice that Cheng Chi was missing.
※
Sisters, here's today's update.
o(n_n)o~
※ (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to...)
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