Zhоu Shаоjin's ехpressiоn stiffеnеd slightlу аt his words. She turned аrоund, eyеing Cheng Хu wаrilу. Whаt did hе wаnt?
Howеver, since he had cоmе loоking for hеr, thеrе must bе morе tо it. Nоt knоwing his intеntions, sаying too muсh wоuld onlу expоse her flаws and give him lеvеrаgе. Веttеr to wait fоr him tо statе his рurрosе befоrе deciding hоw tо resрond.
Zhou Shaоjin half hid herself bеhind Shi Хiаng.
Shi Xiаng, however, fеlt hеr hеart роunding.
Еаrliеr, thе Seсоnd Young Мiss had summоned her in а dishevеlеd stаte, оnlу sауing she had gottеn lost in the bamboo grоve and offеring no further еxрlаnatiоn. Now she seemed so tense... Could it be true, as Young Master Xu claimed, that the Second Young Miss had done something she shouldn’t have?
Her heart raced. But then she remembered the Eldest Young Miss often telling them: even if you lose, don’t lose your composure. Even if the Second Young Miss had done something improper, there were no witnesses and no evidence. How could they admit to anything based solely on Young Master Xu’s words?
Shi Xiang’s courage surged instantly. She stepped forward, shielding Zhou Shaojin behind her, and feigned calm as she said, “What are you talking about, Young Master Xu? We don’t understand.”
Cheng Xu couldn’t help but regard Shi Xiang with newfound respect.
Daring to speak before her mistress, this maid must hold considerable standing in the Fragrant Garden Residence.
He looked at Zhou Shaojin with a half-smile and said, “What I said, you may not understand, but your young mistress certainly does. Isn’t that right, Cousin Zhou...” Wasn’t he supposed to be intelligent and humble, praised by everyone in the Cheng family, regarded by Madam Yuan as her lifelong reliance, the eldest grandson of the main branch and the future head of the Cheng family? Why did he act so frivolously and ostentatiously?
Could it be that everything she had heard in her past life was false?
Zhou Shaojin pressed her lips together and remained silent, but the wariness in her eyes grew even more intense.
Shi Xiang, meanwhile, panicked.
Cheng Xu was the young master of the main branch, not someone to be compared with reckless servants or stewards. Since he dared to seek them out, he must be confident.
She glanced at Zhou Shaojin hiding behind her and couldn’t help feeling uneasy. Putting on a brave front, she demanded, “What do you want?”
Cheng Xu didn’t answer. Smiling at Zhou Shaojin, he instead pulled a hydrangea silk flower from his sleeve.
The old woman who had opened the door for Zhou Shaojin wore just such a hydrangea silk flower.
Shi Xiang’s expression changed drastically. Looking at Zhou Shaojin again, she saw her face had turned frighteningly pale, as if she might faint at any moment.
Shi Xiang could no longer hold her ground. She cried out, “What do you intend to do, Young Master Xu?”
Cheng Xu was very surprised.
He had only meant to tease his cousin Zhou and then, when the atmosphere was good, resolve their previous misunderstanding. Instead, he had achieved the opposite effect, frightening Cousin Zhou into such a state once again. This was not his intention!
Cheng Xu deeply regretted it.
Suddenly, he recalled their first encounter in the bamboo grove.
Could she have overheard something she shouldn’t have?
He thought of how he had sincerely apologized to Zhou Shaojin, only for her to run off as if she had seen a ghost... The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became that Zhou Shaojin must have heard something in the bamboo grove.
His expression involuntarily grew serious. The previous playfulness vanished from his brow, replaced by a hint of gravity uncommon for his age. He glanced at Da Su.
Da Su silently retreated into the woods.
Only then did Cheng Xu speak gently to Zhou Shaojin, “Cousin Zhou, I’d like to speak with you alone for a moment. Is that alright?”
But Zhou Shaojin had absolutely no desire to be alone with him, let alone speak."No!" She bluntly rejected Cheng Xu's proposal, her tone stiff as she said, "I have nothing that cannot be said openly. I have nothing to discuss with you!"
Cheng Xu grew anxious and said, "Cousin Zhou, I truly mean no harm—if I intended to tell Grandmother, I wouldn't have chased after you or spoken these words." He added, "Rest assured, I will tell no one about what happened in the bamboo grove. But I also have a few words of advice for you. Please, you must listen to me. That bamboo grove is a small Bagua formation; ordinary people who enter cannot find their way out. Since I was able to retrieve this hydrangea, others could do the same. If I have caused any misunderstanding earlier, I apologize here and now. Please, just hear me out for a moment. I am doing this for your own good. If you don’t believe me, I can swear to heaven!"
His expression was sincere, and anyone who saw it would not doubt his honesty.
But he had encountered Zhou Shaojin—even if she believed everything he said was true, she would not stay alone with him for even a moment. Moreover, Zhou Shaojin felt a deep aversion toward this person from the start, and with her preconceived notions, she simply did not trust his words.
"No need!" Her expression turned icy. "If you have nothing else, we shall return now. I have to attend classes at Jing'an Study early tomorrow morning! Unlike you, Eldest Young Master Xu, who already holds scholarly honors, studying or not hardly matters." Though she had chosen to forget, the grievances from her past life were not so easily dismissed. By the end of her words, she couldn’t help but jab at Cheng Xu.
Cheng Xu frowned.
This cousin Zhou, delicate and lovely as a flower, how could her temper be so stubborn?
He showed a hint of displeasure and cast a deep glance at Shi Xiang.
Shi Xiang felt as if she had been scrutinized by the eldest young lady herself, and she turned to leave in alarm.
But Zhou Shaojin clung tightly to Shi Xiang’s arm.
Shi Xiang had no choice but to whisper, "Second Young Miss, I will stand by the willow tree over there. Call me, and I will come at once."
Even so, Zhou Shaojin felt afraid.
"No need," she said, gripping Shi Xiang’s arm even tighter. "I have nothing to say to him. Let him tell whomever he wishes. We are returning to Fragrant Garden Residence!"
Shi Xiang, however, lacked such confidence.
She was neither a hereditary servant of the Zhou family nor of the Cheng family. Originally from Jinling, her family had nearly starved when she was five due to having no rice to cook, which led to her being sold to the Zhou family. The Zhou family had always treated their servants generously. Her father and brothers occasionally visited her, not only sharing news of the family but also expressing gratitude that she had found a good household, urging her to cherish her fortune and serve diligently at Fragrant Garden Residence. For natives of Jinling like them, the Cheng family stood as an imposing, unimaginable behemoth, evoking an instinctive sense of awe and fear.
"Second Young Miss," she hesitated for a moment before whispering to persuade Zhou Shaojin, "Perhaps you should hear what Eldest Young Master Xu has to say? It seems to me he truly has something to tell you..."
Zhou Shaojin stubbornly shook her head.
Cheng Xu truly wanted to turn and leave, but as he gazed at Zhou Shaojin’s snow-white face and gentle features, it felt as if a ripple of water stirred in his heart, softening him to the core. No matter what, he could not bring himself to walk away."Ah!" He could only sigh and call out to Da Su, saying, "Keep an eye out, I have something to say to Second Young Lady." Then he said to Shi Xiang, "You can just stay nearby and listen." After speaking, his expression darkened as he added, "However, if a third person learns of what I say to Second Young Lady, you can expect to have your tongue cut out, your eyes gouged, and be sold into the mountain valleys!"
Shi Xiang shivered in fear at his words. She wanted to obey him and step aside like Da Su, but her arm was held tightly by Zhou Shaojin, leaving her unable to move. She had no choice but to brace herself and say, "I will listen entirely to Second Young Lady." Yet, her gaze toward Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but reveal a hint of pleading.
Zhou Shaojin remained unmoved.
She hadn’t done anything at all, yet this vile Cheng Xu, in order to threaten her, had spoken such terrifying words to frighten them.
She couldn’t help but sneer coldly, saying, "My maid is hardly someone to be ordered around by the Xu Eldest Young Master of the main branch!"
Cheng Xu was so angry upon hearing this... he simply didn’t know what to do, saying, "Do you think I want to meddle in your affairs? If it weren’t for the fact that you’re my cousin..."
But he had more than one cousin. In terms of blood relation, Zhou Shaojin couldn’t even be considered his cousin.
Cheng Xu was so angry he couldn’t continue speaking. He steeled his heart and said bluntly, "Did you overhear my grandmother and Chief Steward Qin talking? My second granduncle enjoys reading and educating others but dislikes being an official. However, back then, my grandfather had passed away, and both my father and second uncle had to return home to observe mourning. It’s easier to be an official when you have connections in the court. My second granduncle had no choice but to take on the responsibilities of the main branch. Once my father and second uncle resumed their official posts, my second granduncle returned to the Hanlin Academy to continue serving as a Reader-in-Waiting. This time, due to the Crown Prince’s affairs, the Emperor dismissed many officials in the capital, including the Director of the Imperial Academy. My father believes that my second granduncle, whether in terms of qualifications, knowledge, character, or prestige, is fully capable of taking on this position, so he has been making arrangements for him in the capital. Who would have thought that my second granduncle no longer wishes to endure the hardships of official duties and is unwilling to compete for the position of Director of the Imperial Academy? He has spoken to my father several times, but both my father and second uncle insist that he take up the post. With no other choice, he turned to my grandmother for help.
"Whatever you may have overheard, as long as you don’t speak of it to anyone, there will be no trouble—I was also in the bamboo grove at the time. If anyone becomes suspicious, you can simply claim you know nothing. I will also testify on your behalf. However, you truly must not speak of this to anyone, not even to your fourth branch grandaunt. Otherwise, you’ll bring disaster upon yourself."
Finally, he solemnly emphasized this.
Zhou Shaojin didn’t understand a single word and looked utterly bewildered.
Cheng Xu looked at her expression, which reminded him of his own Pekingese dog—when it couldn’t find him, it would gaze around in confusion... His heart softened as if it could melt, and he couldn’t help but ask her gently, "Have you remembered what I said?"
What does this have to do with me?
Zhou Shaojin widened her eyes and glared at him.
Although Shi Xiang also didn’t understand what Cheng Xu was talking about, that didn’t stop her from grasping the seriousness of the situation.
Seeing Zhou Shaojin looking utterly clueless, she feared Cheng Xu might change his mind and hurriedly said eagerly, "Our Second Young Lady understands. Eldest Young Master Xu, we are grateful for your kindness. Our young lady, um, and I, will not go around spreading this. If you hear any rumors, you can come and hold us accountable."
Hold them accountable?Their young lady hasn't uttered a single word—what weight could the words of a little maid possibly carry?
Cheng Xu wanted to secure a promise, but as he gazed at the girl with lowered eyelids, silent and still, even the strands of hair resting softly on her face seemed to radiate gentleness, he couldn't help but smile bitterly.
Forget it, it's not a big deal anyway.
He would just cover for her himself!
"Let's go!" Cheng Xu waved to Da Su, turned around, and strode away from the corridor.
Shi Xiang let out a long sigh of relief, clasped her hands together toward the west, and murmured, "Amitabha," then exclaimed, "Master Xu is truly a good man!"
A good man?
Cheng Xu?
In others' eyes, Cheng Xu is a good man?
Zhou Shaojin lowered her head.
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Sisters, happy weekend!
Oo~
P.S.: I genuinely didn't mean to create confusion for everyone to guess the male lead—it's just that this story is like this...
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OpenNovel