Zhоu Shаojin was dеfinitеlу nоt сrying becаusе she missed hеr sister.
Thеn whу ехасtly was shе grieving?
Cheng Chi instantly lоst аll drowsinеss.
Hе саllеd Nannу Shаng in аnd sаid, "Gо to Ruуi Pavilion аnd inquirе abоut what Miss Jia sаid to Seсond Cоusin."
Nаnnу Shаng hаd just gоnе to bed whеn Сheng Сhi summоnеd her, thinking sоmething mаjоr had haррenеd, only to find it wаs still this matter—she hаd аlrеadу made two triрs tо Flоating Еmеrаld Раviliоn todау. But shе had аlways bеen аdерt at rеаding ехpressions, sо she lowered her gаze and reрlied cаlmly, "Yеs," thеn resрectfully added, "Fourth Master, it's already the third watch. At this hour, Ruyi Pavilion is likely locked. Should I go as soon as it's light tomorrow?"
Only then did Cheng Chi realize he had been somewhat flustered. He said, "When you inquire is secondary; what matters is getting to the bottom of things. Don’t be like Floating Emerald Pavilion, where all you got were superficial, perfunctory answers."
Nanny Shang respectfully acknowledged and withdrew.
Cheng Chi lay awake for a long time before finally falling asleep.
At the first light of dawn the next day, Nanny Shang came to report: "Old Madam Li of the third branch has a nephew named Li Jing from her maiden family, who seems to have taken a liking to Miss Jia. However, First Madam Lu absolutely refuses to agree because Li Jing comes from a merchant background. A few days ago, First Madam Lu had some business and invited Li Jing into the residence to speak. Miss Jia happened to run into him and exchanged a few words. As First Madam Lu was busy with Elder Brother Zheng’s marriage arrangements, she didn’t have the energy to manage Miss Jia for the time being, so she placed her under house arrest..."
She laid out the sequence of events clearly, explaining everything to Cheng Chi.
Cheng Chi grew even more puzzled. "Then why was Second Cousin crying?"
Since Cheng Jia had only spoken about her own matters with Li Jing, why would that little girl get so worked up?
Nanny Shang was even more perplexed than Cheng Chi and repeatedly assured him, "Fourth Master, I even enlisted Dongting’s people to investigate this. If you don’t believe me, I can call in that young maid under Dongting’s charge, and you can question her yourself."
"No need!" Cheng Chi’s eyes flickered slightly. "Most likely, something Miss Jia said inadvertently struck a chord with Second Cousin. Let’s leave it at that!"
Nanny Shang lowered her head in acknowledgment and withdrew.
Cheng Chi stood alone by the window for a while, hands clasped behind his back. Qing Feng hurried in and said, "Fourth Master, the Old Madam asks if you’re still accompanying her to the Gu family. If not, she’ll leave first. If you are, you should set off now."
How could he have forgotten about this!
Cheng Chi changed his clothes and hurried to the main quarters.
From a distance, he could hear his mother’s hearty laughter.
Cheng Chi couldn’t help but wear a slight smile as well.
With him at home, his mother had companionship and was in much better spirits than before.
Thinking of how his mother had been waiting for him, he didn’t wait for the maid on duty at the door to announce him but strode quickly into the hall.
On the long table in the hall, a large Ge-ware flower vase held a lavish bouquet of fiery red peonies.
Zhou Shaojin stood smiling beside the vase, wearing a lake-blue plain Hangzhou silk robe and a moon-white pleated skirt.
In such simple attire, the vibrant, intricate red flowers did not overshadow her but instead highlighted her features as if painted, luminous as jade.
Cheng Chi’s breath caught.
Didn’t I tell her to rest at Floating Emerald Pavilion?
What is she doing here?He frowned slightly, about to ask for details when Old Madam Guo cheerfully said, "We were just waiting for you! Now that everyone is here, go tell the servants in the sedan hall that we’ll set off now."
The last few words were directed at Nanny Lu.
Cheng Chi was surprised and asked, "Is Shaojin coming along too?"
"Yes!" Old Madam Guo patted Zhou Shaojin’s hand happily and said, "This child is thoughtful. She said she has nothing else to do and might as well come with me to visit the young ladies of the Gu family."
What was going on here?
Cheng Chi looked at Zhou Shaojin.
Zhou Shaojin hadn’t expected Cheng Chi to accompany Old Madam Guo to the Gu family either.
By the time she found out, Old Madam Guo had already sent someone to fetch Cheng Chi.
She couldn’t very well say, "Since Uncle Chi is accompanying you, I won’t go then," could she?
But recalling how she had inexplicably burst into tears yesterday out of fear of losing Uncle Chi’s protection, she felt a bit embarrassed to face Cheng Chi.
Now, with Cheng Chi looking at her as if questioning her, she felt inexplicably guilty and whispered, "I… I’m fine now… The old madam said she was going to visit the Gu family, and I thought Uncle Chi would be busy, so I volunteered to accompany her… I didn’t know Uncle Chi would be going too…"
Cheng Chi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Volunteered?!
Was the Gu family a dragon’s lair or a tiger’s den?
If she had known he was going too, would she have decided not to go?
All his worry for her last night had been in vain!
What a little ingrate, impossible to tame!
Well, now things were like this: he was afraid his mother might encounter unpleasant situations at the Gu family with no one to console her; she was afraid the old madam would have no one to accompany her on her visit… Unintentionally, the two of them had thought of the same thing.
Thinking this way, the little girl did have some conscience after all.
Cheng Chi’s expression softened slightly.
Old Madam Guo knew Cheng Chi had been very busy lately and thought he was upset that they were delaying his work. She quickly said, "Alright, alright, it’s my fault for not explaining clearly. Shaojin meant well. If you have things to do, go ahead and attend to them. Shaojin and I can go to the Gu family together."
They were going to the Gu family as mediators, not to admire flowers or scenery. With Zhou Shaojin, who knew nothing about the situation, tagging along, how could he not go?
Cheng Chi said, "I’ve already arranged my affairs. I’ll accompany you there."
Old Madam Guo understood perfectly.
As a widowed old lady, even if she had managed the affairs of Nine Prosperities Lane, in terms of ability, vision, and experience, she might not compare to the great managers of major merchant houses. She wasn’t much better than anyone else. It was only because she had raised three sons who became imperial scholars, with the eldest now holding a high-ranking position, that others showed her some respect, addressing her as "Old Madam" and asking her to mediate disputes. To put it bluntly, it was just to borrow the influence of her sons.
That was why she rarely visited others.
But the Gu family was different.
The Gu family had been friends with the Guo and Cheng families for generations. Both the Guo and Cheng families had received favors from the Gu family, and she couldn’t stand by and watch the Gu family’s reputation as a "family of scholars and etiquette" crumble.
With her capable youngest son accompanying her, things might go more smoothly.
Old Madam Guo didn’t stand on ceremony and allowed Zhou Shaojin to support her as she boarded the sedan chair.
Zhou Shaojin was assigned to the second sedan chair.
As she turned around, she saw Cheng Chi standing beside the sedan hall.Uncle Chi had sent someone to ask about her twice last night. Should she thank him?
Zhou Shaojin hesitated.
Cheng Chi sighed inwardly.
This little girl wore all her emotions on her face. If she went to the Gu family like this, wouldn’t she be devoured alive?
Once they reached Plum Blossom Lane, he’d better leave her to play with the young ladies of the Gu family.
Lost in thought, Cheng Chi walked over to Zhou Shaojin and asked gently, “Does your eye still hurt?”
Uncle Chi wasn’t angry with her!
Zhou Shaojin beamed with joy, nodding repeatedly as she hurriedly replied, “I had Chunwan boil an egg for me. It’s very effective—when I woke up this morning, I couldn’t see anything.”
Seeing her eager, almost childlike enthusiasm, Cheng Chi couldn’t help teasing her, “You even know to use an egg—seems like you cry often!”
Zhou Shaojin flushed bright red, mumbling incoherently.
Cheng Chi chuckled and said, “When we return, I have something to ask you. After you leave Old Madam’s room, come find me at the Listening Oriole Pavilion.”
Ah!
Zhou Shaojin’s eyes widened.
But Cheng Chi had already turned and walked toward his sedan chair.
Zhou Shaojin hurried after him, asking, “Uncle Chi, what do you want to ask me? Can’t you ask now?”
Cheng Chi pointed toward Old Madam Guo’s sedan chair, which had already left the sedan hall, and said, “Now is not the time to talk!”
Indeed, now was not the time to talk.
But with Uncle Chi leaving her with such a remark, how could she possibly feel at ease for the rest of the day?
Zhou Shaojin pouted as she climbed into her sedan chair.
Cheng Chi shook his head, unable to hold back a smile.
This little girl truly couldn’t keep her composure.
If he had known she’d react like this, he wouldn’t have said anything.
Still, she couldn’t go on like this forever.
This time, he’d let it serve as a lesson for her.
When they arrived at the Gu residence, Madam Gu was surprised to see Cheng Chi accompanying them.
She had heard that Cheng Chi was negotiating a major deal with the Thirteen Hongs. If successful, Nine Prosperities Lane could live comfortably for three years.
Everyone in the Gu family praised Cheng Chi’s skill, remarking on how unfortunate it was that he hadn’t pursued an official career.
She immediately sent someone to inform the senior elders and masters of the Gu family.
Some of the elders had retreated to the ancestral graves at Green Dragon Mountain, while others had gone to temples to chant scriptures. Only the Fifth Master of the Gu family was at home.
Unable to wait for the others, Madam Gu sent messengers to summon those who could return while asking Fifth Master Gu to entertain the guests. She personally escorted Old Madam Guo to the inner courtyard.
Nanny Lu quietly whispered to Seventh Mistress Gu, who had come with Madam Gu to greet the guests, “While the ladies converse, Second Cousin is still young and may find it hard to sit still. Would Seventh Mistress kindly take her to spend time with the young ladies?”
Seventh Mistress Gu understood the reason behind the Gu family’s invitation to Old Madam Guo and smiled knowingly. “Don’t worry, Nanny. Leave this to me.” Remembering that Zhou Shaojin was close to Seventeenth Miss Gu, she personally escorted Zhou Shaojin to Seventeenth Miss Gu’s quarters after tea had been served three times and all the ladies had gathered.
The Gu family was large and prosperous. Although the residence consisted of two expansive five-courtyard mansions, by the time it came to Seventeenth Miss Gu, she could only share a side chamber with Eighteenth Miss Gu—the eastern inner room belonged to Seventeenth Miss, while the western inner room was Eighteenth Miss’s. The maids and servants lived in the rear side rooms, sharing a common hall, so they often crossed paths when coming and going.Fortunately, the Gu sisters were well-taught and could restrain their tempers, being humble and courteous. Living together like this, they actually got along quite well, chatting and laughing, making it quite lively.
Upon learning that Gu Shiqigu had a guest, Gu Shibagu came out to greet Zhou Shaojin. After exchanging a few polite words, she had her personal maid bring over some wisteria cakes she had made a few days ago before returning to her room.
Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but marvel and whispered to Gu Shiqigu, "Your cousin is so capable!"
Gu Shiqigu smiled and said, "We see each other all the time, so the girls from our family adapt quite well after marriage."
That made sense!
Zhou Shaojin laughed, "You’re also very capable!"
Gu Shiqigu chuckled and asked her, "What brings you here? How did Aunt-in-law invite Old Madam Guo to visit our home?"
Zhou Shaojin replied sheepishly, "If you don’t know, I can’t tell you either. If I’m really curious, I’ll have to ask Old Madam Guo or Uncle Chi before I can tell you."
※
Dear readers, today is the last day of the March pink ticket rankings. Pink tickets expire and become invalid, so please check if you still have any pink tickets left and lend your support!
O(∩_∩)O~
※ (Want to know more exciting updates about Jinling Spring? Open WeChat now, click the "+" in the top right corner, select "Add Friend," then "Official Account," search for "Qidianzhongwenwang," follow the account, and never miss an update again! qdbook) (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel