Соld Green Моuntаin Ноuse was evеn lаrger than shе had imaginеd. То thе еаst of the bаmboo grove, there sееmed tо be аnоthеr сourtуаrd, whеrе shе cаught sight of a few fiеrу red рomegranаte blossоms peеking оut frоm bеhind а flоwеr wall. Who соuld be living thеrе?
Zhоu Shaоjin had nо intеntion of рrуing into thе affairs of thе main branch. Shе turnеd аnd follоwed the small раth thrоugh the bаmbоо grоvе tоward thе mаin residеncе.
But aftеr wandеring аrоund in cirсlеs, аll shе could seе was bamboo—nothing but bаmboo. Thе pebblе-pаvеd pаths branched out in all directions, making it impossible to tell which way led south or north. Every scene looked identical, all the same.
She was actually lost!
Zhou Shaojin broke into a cold sweat. She searched for a while longer but still saw no other colors.
Just one more quarter of an hour.
If she still found nothing, she would have to swallow her pride and call for help!
Gritting her teeth, she chose a path that seemed to lead east.
The path twisted and turned, as if it had no end. In the shade of the bamboo grove, the only sound was the rustling of leaves in the wind, with no human voices to be heard.
Zhou Shaojin’s hands were clammy with sweat.
Just how big was this bamboo grove?
Why had she never known there was such a large bamboo grove on the main branch’s side?
How much longer would it take to find her way out?
Was she walking farther away or getting closer?
Zhou Shaojin was so anxious she felt tears welling up. She tried calling out, “Hello!”
Her slightly fearful voice echoed through the bamboo grove, startling only a few nameless birds that fluttered away overhead.
Ahead was a three-way fork in the path.
Should she continue forward, turn left, or go right?
Zhou Shaojin stood there, unable to decide. She stood on tiptoe, straining to see.
To the right, a stretch of pinkish-white wall and half a window frame came into view through the bamboo—bright red with crackled ice patterns and covered in pale yellow silk gauze.
All the window frames in Cold Green Mountain House were bright red, with crackled ice patterns and pale yellow silk gauze.
Overjoyed, she lifted her skirt and hurried toward it, calling out loudly, “Is anyone there?”
Suddenly, someone darted out from behind her and covered her mouth.
Zhou Shaojin screamed in fright, flailing her fists and kicking.
“Don’t scream, don’t scream!” someone approached her, dressed in fine silk robes, with a face as fair as jade, tall and handsome, his voice clear and resonant. “I’m not a bad person! I was just passing through the bamboo grove. Don’t scream, and I’ll have Da Su release you right away!”
Zhou Shaojin felt as if struck by lightning.
How could she have suddenly run into him?
Shouldn’t he be attending the clan school at this time?
Where exactly was she?
Zhou Shaojin trembled as if she had fallen into an icy abyss.
The person covering her mouth, seeing she had stopped struggling, slowly loosened his grip as if testing her reaction. When she remained still, he finally released her completely. Only then did Cheng Xu get a clear look at Zhou Shaojin’s face.
He let out a surprised “Oh!” with an expression of astonishment and said, “I wonder which branch of the family you belong to, sister? I am Cheng Xu of the main branch. This is Cold Green Mountain House, my grandmother’s place of quiet cultivation. May I ask your name? I don’t recall ever seeing you before…”
Zhou Shaojin couldn’t utter a single word.
She felt pain deep in her bones.
Although she had resolved to smile and greet Cheng Xu as if nothing had happened when she saw him again, now that she was face-to-face with him, she found it impossible. And the way Cheng Xu looked at her sent shivers down her spine, making her instinctively want to flee.Cheng Xu noticed her pale complexion and felt a flush of embarrassment. After casting a reproachful glance at his attendant Da Su, he smiled at Zhou Shaojin and said, "Sister, did I startle you? This is all my fault. I never expected someone to suddenly emerge from the bamboo grove. I offer my sincerest apologies." As he spoke, he bowed deeply to Zhou Shaojin. "Please don’t be angry, sister!"
Zhou Shaojin, however, was so frightened that she stumbled backward several steps, only snapping back to her senses when she heard the sound of twigs breaking beneath her feet.
Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid!
Nothing has happened!
I can still save the Cheng family!
She kept reassuring herself, hurriedly muttering, "I was just passing through the bamboo grove," before turning and dashing toward the path on the right, not even bothering to ask for directions.
"Hey!" Cheng Xu called after her retreating figure. "Take the middle path—turn the corner and you’ll find the back door of the main house."
Zhou Shaojin hesitated for a moment, thought it over, and finally chose the middle path.
Watching her, Cheng Xu curved his lips into a smile.
After walking less than the distance of an arrow’s flight, Zhou Shaojin indeed spotted a corner. Beyond it was the back door of the main house, surrounded by bamboo.
Not daring to wander further, she stepped forward and knocked.
An elderly woman wearing a pompon hair ornament answered the door, her eyes widening in surprise at the sight of her.
Zhou Shaojin sheepishly explained her situation.
The woman immediately opened the door and welcomed her inside, chatting as they walked. "You’re not the first to get lost in the bamboo grove, Second Miss. Even Miss Sheng once lost her way there. After Madam found out, she said she’d plant a few trees in the grove so that anyone who got lost could simply head toward the trees to find their way out..."
Zhou Shaojin thanked her gratefully. Worried that her disheveled appearance might alarm Old Madam Guo, she quietly asked if the woman could find her a quiet place to freshen up. "I still need to bid farewell to the Old Madam later."
"That’s no trouble at all," the woman said warmly, leading her to a tea room. "When Miss Sheng used to play outside and didn’t want the Old Madam to know, she’d wash up here... Let me look around—there should still be the copper basin and scented soap she used..." She added, "My hands are rough, and I’m afraid I might hurt your delicate skin. Where is your maid? I’ll quietly fetch her to attend to you!"
The woman’s words reminded Zhou Shaojin.
She quickly replied, "I’m not as delicate as you say, Mama, but my maid Shi Xiang is still waiting for me outside. If she doesn’t see me and starts calling out, it could cause trouble. Could you please go and send her a message for me?"
The woman cheerfully agreed, brought in hot water, and within the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, returned with Shi Xiang.
Shi Xiang was startled to see Zhou Shaojin’s disheveled clothing and appearance.
Before Shi Xiang could ask, Zhou Shaojin recounted what had happened, though she omitted the part about encountering Cheng Xu.
Shi Xiang couldn’t help but feel a wave of relief. "It’s fortunate the Old Madam is still speaking with the chief steward."
This had been a close call!
Zhou Shaojin also felt a sense of relief.
After Shi Xiang helped her freshen up in the side room, the woman guided them out through the back door of the main house.
Shortly afterward, Old Madam Guo saw off the chief steward of the main branch, Qin Shouyue.
Fearing she might run into Cheng Xu again, Zhou Shaojin hurried inside to bid farewell to Old Madam Guo.It was precisely her own urgency contrasted with others' lack thereof—Old Madam Guo kept her for quite some time, asking numerous questions about copying the scriptures.
Zhou Shaojin had no choice but to patiently answer each one.
Before Old Madam Guo could finish her inquiries, Feicui walked in with a cheerful smile: "Old Madam, the young master has arrived."
Old Madam Guo was quite surprised, then delighted, saying, "What brings him here to me at this hour instead of going to Shenhuai Hall?" She then instructed Biyu, "He loves candied orange slices the most. Pack some of the ones the elder master brought back from the capital for me the other day... and also some of those golden-thread candied dates... and the sesame crisps... brew a pot of Da Hong Pao tea. That child, I heard from Jumei that he’s caught a bit of a chill these past few days, so don’t serve any of those green teas..."
Biyu responded with a smile, "Yes," and turned to prepare the tea and snacks.
Zhou Shaojin felt uneasy all over and rose to take her leave.
But Old Madam Guo held her back: "It’s your cousin Xu. You’ll be copying scriptures in the main household from now on, so you’re bound to run into him." She added, "Though he has a mischievous nature, he’s very patient with his sisters. There’s no need to be afraid."
At this moment, Zhou Shaojin was solely focused on leaving and paid little attention to what Old Madam Guo was saying. Before she could speak, the curtain was lifted, and Zhenzhu escorted Cheng Xu inside.
"Grandmother!" He bowed respectfully to Old Madam Guo.
Old Madam Guo gazed at him, her eyes filled with deep affection. After he finished his greeting, she introduced Zhou Shaojin to him: "The second young lady from the fourth household’s eldest son-in-law’s family, Cousin Zhou."
He stepped forward and bowed to Zhou Shaojin, his eyes smiling as he did so.
Zhou Shaojin returned the gesture mechanically, but when she looked up, she saw Cheng Xu, with his back to Old Madam Guo, winking at her triumphantly.
She had no idea what Cheng Xu was so pleased about, only finding his smile somewhat glaring. Unconsciously, she frowned, then once again bid farewell to Old Madam Guo, saying, "It’s getting late, and since it’s my first day here, I’m afraid my grandmother may have questions for me. I should head back now!"
Old Madam Guo did not press her to stay and instructed Biyu to see her out respectfully.
Zhou Shaojin hurried out of Cold Green Mountain House, and only when her feet touched the pebble path leading to the fourth household did her emotions finally settle.
Shi Xiang, however, recalled the earlier encounter with Cheng Xu: "...No wonder everyone says Old Madam Guo’s favorite is Young Master Xu. Did you see how she looked at him just now? It was as if she wanted to hold him in her hands for fear he might fall, or keep him in her mouth for fear he might melt. What’s even more remarkable is that Young Master Xu isn’t spoiled... Cui Huan’s brother works at the main gate and says Young Master Xu never returns late at night. If he travels far, he always brings back local specialties to reward them. The household servants all vie for a chance to work at Liangyi Pavilion..."
Zhou Shaojin felt only irritation upon hearing this and snapped in frustration, "What’s the point of talking about others’ affairs? If you have nothing better to do, starting tomorrow, help my sister and me weave a dozen or two decorative knots. They’ll be just right to fill sachets for gifts during the Dragon Boat Festival."
Shi Xiang, scolded for no reason, couldn’t help feeling somewhat embarrassed.
Suddenly, a muffled laugh came from the roadside.
Zhou Shaojin recognized it as a man’s voice, and memories from her past life surfaced—if not for the Cheng family’s strict discipline, which ensured she never encountered an unrelated man in the inner courtyard during her over ten years there, how could she have followed Cheng Jia into the garden alone without any precautions?Her expression instantly tensed, and she tightly grasped Xiangshi's arm, warily shouting, "Who's there?"
Cheng Xu emerged from the nearby grove, followed by his short, ruddy-faced attendant Da Su.
"You put on such a well-behaved, sensible act in front of Grandmother, yet who would have thought you enjoy gossiping about others behind her back!" He smiled at Zhou Shaojin, his gaze as bright as the dazzling summer sun. "Considering our shared journey, I'll kindly keep this secret for you."
Calling her "little sister" this and that—so he truly is a frivolous person!
Zhou Shaojin couldn't even be bothered to glance at him and turned to leave.
But Cheng Xu laughed behind her, "Aren't you afraid Grandmother will find out you got lost in the bamboo grove?"
His tone carried a hint of stirring up trouble.
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Sisters, the important characters are making their appearances one by one...
Oo~
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