Сhеng Сhi hаd nоt ехpeсtеd thаt thе gеntle and obеdiеnt Zhou Shaоjin, besides bеing kind аnd lоvеlу, аlso pоssessed such a thoughtful and соnsiderаte sidе.
Оvеr sо manу уеаrs, hе had еxperiеnсed сountless oрen and hiddеn attaсks, уеt hе hаd nеvеr fearеd аnyоnе оr anуthing. If therе wаs anything hе wоrried аbout, it was his mothеr, who apреаred strоng and resilient оn thе surfаcе but wаs lоnеlу аnd isolаtеd deеp dоwn.
He hаd not givеn а singlе instructiоn, аnd shе didn’t еven know what еxactly had hаppenеd at Listening tо Rain Раvilion. Yеt, simply by sensing the change in his mother’s emotions, she was able to comfort her and keep her company…
Cheng Zheng, raised by his mother herself, should have been capable of this.
But she was not the exceptionally clever, cunning, and intelligent Cheng Zheng.
She was the gentle, obedient, and even somewhat naive Zhou Shaojin.
Cheng Chi’s mind was in turmoil.
How had she managed it?
Was it out of filial respect for his mother? Or was it because of her inexplicable understanding of him? Knowing that his greatest concern was his mother, she had focused all her attention on her after he left to attend that family banquet, which felt like a trap…
Cheng Chi was somewhat uncertain.
He began to chatter idly with Zhou Shaojin about everyday matters.
Zhou Shaojin, however, answered with great enthusiasm.
As if the tea-scented chicken served at lunch was particularly delicious, as if making clothes for his mother was especially fun, as if discussing the popular patterns for this year’s tribute items was a matter of great importance… No matter what he said, she found it all incredibly interesting.
Was it because she had only been to Mount Putuo once in her life?
In a few days, he would be going to Jinan Prefecture. Should he take her along… or choose another time? This trip to Jinan was to visit the Mountain Sect Hall there, and there might be some disputes, making it not entirely safe. Besides, she didn’t know how to protect herself, and if he couldn’t look after her properly, what if she got hurt? It would be better to wait until after Cheng Jiashan’s autumn examinations, when he would go to the capital, and take her along then. That way, she could also return to Baoding to visit her father. She could even stay in Baoding for a while, and he could bring her back when he returned from the capital. This would allow him to focus on his affairs with peace of mind, and she could spend quality time with her family.
By then, Cheng Jiashan’s marriage should be settled… wouldn’t Shaojin also be getting married?
At this thought, Cheng Chi was taken aback. His mood suddenly soured.
Then his mother… would be alone again!
Cheng Chi could imagine that the household would become even quieter than before—when Cheng Sheng was around, her constant chattering could always make his mother smile, but when Zhou Shaojin was present, she could soften his mother’s heart and bring out a gentle warmth from deep within. That was why Cold Green Mountain House could feel as warm and lively as it did now.
Cheng Chi frowned.
He couldn’t keep Shaojin by his mother’s side forever, could he?
Shaojin was slowly growing up and needed a life of her own.
The scene he had just witnessed flashed through his mind.
The quiet inner chamber. The little girl’s face, fair as jade, her slender and graceful figure, as soft as willow branches in spring, had grown noticeably taller without him realizing it.
Cheng Chi’s gaze fell on Zhou Shaojin.
She was still wearing a goose-yellow robe edged with scallion-green trim, paired with a moon-white pleated skirt. Her jet-black hair was loosely tied into a bun, adorned with a lilac flower and gem-studded hairpin. Her well-fitted clothes now revealed her delicate curves.
He felt somewhat stifled.Zhou Shaojin noticed that although the two of them had been chatting pleasantly just moments before, Cheng Chi's mood had suddenly turned somber. She couldn't help but ask with concern, "What's wrong? Does Uncle Chi have something urgent to attend to?"
She knew she was delighted to see Cheng Chi and had been talking more than usual, even rambling a bit, afraid that he might grow impatient.
This little girl—he had only intended to rest here for a while, yet she was practically shooing him away.
"I have nothing urgent!" Cheng Chi chuckled, then asked, "Why aren'tt you wearing the southern pearl hairpin I gave you?" The words slipped out before he could stop them, and he immediately felt it might have been inappropriate. He quickly added, "I saw you wearing it often these past few days and thought you liked it!"
Zhou Shaojin's face flushed inexplicably.
She hadn't expected Uncle Chi to be so observant.
He had even noticed what she liked.
"I do like it very much!" she replied, instinctively touching the lilac flower and gem-studded hairpin on her head. She explained in detail, "It's almost the end of April now, and the chrysanthemums have fully grown. A few days ago, I went to the greenhouse to divide the chrysanthemum plants, and without realizing it, I left the hairpin there. Later, when I returned to Floating Emerald Pavilion, I searched for it for a long time but couldn't find it. I was so frantic that I nearly turned Cold Green Mountain House upside down. If the greenhouse attendant hadn't found it and returned it to me, I would have surely alarmed the elderly madam... I've been afraid of losing it again, so I haven't worn it these days."
There was one more thing she didn't mention.
The southern pearl hairpin was crafted too solidly—it was actually solid throughout, making it a bit heavy for her to wear. That was why it had slipped from her hair.
If anything, it was her own fault for having too little hair.
If only she could have thick, lush hair like her sister!
But Mama Fan had told her she was still young and that in a few years, her hair would grow as beautifully as her sister's.
Cheng Chi had never dreamed this would be the reason.
His heart suddenly felt as though something warm was flowing through it, a sensation so intense it made his heart tremble, yet it was indescribably soothing. Unable to help himself, he said, "It's fine," and added, "If you lose it, just let me know. I'll have the silversmith make another one for you."
How could she keep accepting gifts from Uncle Chi?
Zhou Shaojin felt embarrassed and thanked Cheng Chi, saying, "I'll be more careful in the future."
Cheng Chi considered this a trivial matter.
When it came to shiny jewelry and gems, whether it was his dignified mother, his flamboyant eldest sister-in-law, or even his quiet second sister-in-law, none of them disliked such things. He could simply invite the silversmith to craft a few more pieces.
He didn't dwell on the matter—Zhou Shaojin's words reminded him that the Dragon Boat Festival was approaching soon. He wondered if Jinling City would hold dragon boat races this year.
Of course, the dragon boat races he referred to were those officially organized by the government. Jinling City had folk dragon boat races every year, organized by prominent families within and outside the city, where their clansmen competed against one another. The Cheng family, with its few descendants and emphasis on scholarly pursuits and official careers, had long ceased to participate in such competitions. It was back in the previous dynasty, after his ancestor Cheng Zhi passed the imperial examination, that he personally took charge, organizing the family's servants to participate once. Since then, the family had never taken part again.
Given his current circumstances, of course, he wasn't suited to join the dragon boat races.
Moreover, due to financial constraints, the government couldn't organize dragon boat races every year.
In a few days, he would go ask Prefect Wu about it.If the local authorities had no such plans, then he would simply sponsor them to organize a dragon boat race.
By then, he could take his mother and Shaojin to watch.
Since his father passed away, his mother had moved into Cold Green Mountain House and rarely went out anymore.
Moreover, with the local authorities organizing the dragon boat race, those troublemakers and ruffians wouldn’t dare cause any trouble, making it much safer—privately organized dragon boat races saw countless pretty young girls go missing every year.
Once Cheng Chi made up his mind, he couldn’t wait to finalize the matter as soon as possible.
After exchanging a few words with Zhou Shaojin, he stood up to take his leave.
Zhou Shaojin had sensed earlier that Cheng Chi must have something to attend to, so naturally, she didn’t say much. She just quietly told him that she would stay with Old Madam Guo, listen to him, and obediently stay put without going anywhere, so he could rest assured—she would never cause him any trouble.
Cheng Chi found her demure and submissive manner particularly pleasing to the eye, and her words struck a chord in his heart, making him feel exceptionally comfortable.
What worried him most now was that something might happen to the old and the young at home while he was busy outside.
Unable to resist, Cheng Chi patted Zhou Shaojin’s head and said with a smile, “Be good, and I’ll bring you something tasty when I return.”
Zhou Shaojin’s face flushed hot.
She wasn’t a child anymore, so why did Uncle Chi always treat her like one, coaxing her this way?
Telling her to be good and promising to bring her something tasty when he returned…
She really didn’t know what to say.
But this feeling… this feeling of being cherished… was actually… quite nice… making her reluctant to let go of it… and even more reluctant to argue back…
Blushing, she lowered her head and escorted Cheng Chi out of the main room.
Seeing that she intended to accompany him all the way out of the main courtyard, Cheng Chi noticed that the sky had unknowingly become overcast with dark clouds, signaling an impending downpour. He said, “Go back quickly! No need to see me off! Be careful of the rain.” He added, “Even though it’s early summer rain, it still carries a chill. Make sure to close the doors and windows tightly later. Don’t get so caught up in watching the rain that you end up drenched and catching a cold.”
Zhou Shaojin nodded, smiling sheepishly. “It’s just a few steps away—I won’t get caught in the rain. The rain won’t start that quickly.”
Cheng Chi was displeased.
Zhou Shaojin quickly said, “Then I’ll just stand here and watch.”
Seeing that she agreed not to step beyond the covered corridor, Cheng Chi nodded slightly and strode out of the main courtyard.
Zhou Shaojin didn’t return to the main room until Cheng Chi’s figure had long disappeared from sight, feeling a touch of melancholy.
Suddenly, lightning flashed and thunder rumbled across the sky.
Biyu and the others hurriedly closed the windows and doors.
Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but inwardly exclaim, “Oh no!”
Earlier, she had been so focused on seeing Cheng Chi off that she had forgotten to remind him to take an umbrella.
This wretched weather—it was almost the plum rain season in Jiangnan. Once it started raining, it would pour continuously for days. If Uncle Chi was just going out to attend to some business, it would be fine, but if he was embarking on a long journey, it would be troublesome.
How could she have been so careless?
Zhou Shaojin urgently called for Chunwan and said, “Go to the Listening Oriole Pavilion and ask whether Uncle Chi is just going out on business or embarking on a long journey. The weather these next few days is likely to be quite…”
Upon hearing this, Chunwan covered her mouth and chuckled. “Second Miss, Fourth Master is surely just going out for a while. If he were embarking on a long journey, wouldn’t he bid farewell to the Old Madam?”
That’s right!
Why had she thought Uncle Chi might be embarking on a long journey?Moreover, Uncle Chi was constantly traveling outside, so if even she could tell it was about to rain, how could he not know to bring an umbrella? Even if he didn’t know, his attendants Huaishan and Qin Ziping were both so capable and sharp-witted—they would surely have brought one for him.
Zhou Shaojin felt rather disgruntled.
A deafening clap of thunder rumbled through the sky.
Chunwan reminded Zhou Shaojin, saying, “Second Miss, you should hurry back inside! The thunder is so loud—I’m afraid Old Madam Guo might be startled awake. Biyu and the others are checking the doors and windows, and I need to go to the greenhouse to check on your flowers.”
How could she have forgotten the flowers that had just been repotted a few days ago?
Zhou Shaojin returned to the inner room in a daze.
Sure enough, Old Madam Guo had been startled awake and was sitting up in bed, clutching her quilt.
Seeing Zhou Shaojin walk in looking utterly lost, she was greatly alarmed and asked with concern, “What happened?”
※
Dear readers, here is yesterday’s update.
I’ve been trying to adjust the schedule, but it just hasn’t worked out. Please bear with it for now(>_<)
PS: These past few days have mostly been drafts. If you refresh the page the next day, you should be able to see the corrected version with typos fixed.
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel