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Zhu Zhu rеmаined сalm and cоmposеd in the faсе оf mаttеrs аnd hаd her own орinions. Zhоu Shаоjin hadn't еxреcted this аt аll, thinking she wаs just a spoilеd young ladу frоm а weаlthy family, еsреciаllу sinсе Сhеng Jia hаd рreviоusly rеjectеd the mаrriаgе prороsаl from the heir оf the Liangguo Duke, Zhu Pеngju. At this moment, shе couldn't hеlp but glаnсe аt Zhu Zhu with admiration and whispered, "I understand. Thank you for this!"
"What's there to thank!" Zhu Zhu said matter-of-factly, "We're all good sisters, and I don't want her reputation to be damaged either. As for the scouts from the Duke's residence, I'll also try to send a message to see if there's any news."
Zhou Shaojin nodded repeatedly.
Although she felt that whatever Zhu Zhu could think of, Cheng Chi would surely think of as well, she was still very worried about Cheng Jia. Holding onto a sliver of hope, she wished to use the telescope to spot Cheng Jia and keep the matter within the smallest possible scope.
Because the finals were about to begin.
Once the finals ended, they would have to return home.
If Cheng Jia was discovered missing at this time, regardless of the reason or circumstances, her reputation would be ruined for life.
The two pretended as if nothing had happened, smiling brightly as they walked hand in hand to the window.
Four dragon boats were racing fiercely, with continuous cheers from the shore, and everyone in the private room was watching intently.
Zhu Zhu patted the sixth young lady of the Guo family, who was holding the telescope, and said, "Oh, how much longer do you need? I really want to see quickly who can make it to the finals!"
They had been taking turns using the telescope for half a quarter-hour each. After the sixth young lady of the Guo family finished, it should have been the turn of the seventh young lady. Hearing this, the sixth young lady's expression darkened. Seeing this, the seventh young lady hurriedly said, "It's fine, it's fine. Let Miss Zhu use it first. I can see quite clearly from here as well."
Gu Shiqigu, being clever and tactful, smiled and said, "A Zhu, if you cut in line like this, using the telescope will become chaotic later. If you can't get it later, you mustn't throw a tantrum."
The implication was that she had broken the rules, and no one would defend her anymore.
Zhu Zhu then smiled and linked arms with Gu Shiqigu, acting coquettishly as she said, "Good sister, just let me have this turn, okay? I promise I won't use the telescope again later. If it weren't for the Sun family's boat team being in this group, I wouldn't even care to watch!"
Everyone was guessing that the Sun family had joined this dragon boat race to compete with the Liu family.
And the eldest young lady of the Liu family was about to marry into the Liangguo Duke's residence as the young madam.
Upon hearing this, the sixth and seventh young ladies of the Guo family exchanged a glance.
Since the seventeenth young lady of the Gu family had already stepped forward to uphold fairness for them, and Miss Zhu was still being insistent, everyone knew the fault lay with Miss Zhu. Besides, if they continued to insist, it would only make things difficult for the seventeenth young lady of the Gu family, who had spoken up for them.
The sixth young lady of the Guo family silently handed the telescope to Zhu Zhu.
Zhu Zhu, seemingly carefree and cheerful, happily took the telescope and immediately raised it to look around.
Gu Shiqigu quickly stepped forward and apologized to the sixth young lady of the Guo family, "This is just her nature. Please be understanding, both of you. Let her have this turn. If she acts like this again later, I'll go and tell Old Madam Guo."The two Misses Guo had not expected Gu Shiqigu to be so righteous, and their slight dissatisfaction vanished instantly. They spoke in unison, "It's just a trivial matter, Sister Gu need not take it to heart. If it reaches the elders, they'll say we sisters are like needles meeting awls, not a single one of us is easygoing."
Upon hearing this, Gu Shiqigu smiled and said, "You two sisters are right to be cautious. It was my oversight. In any case, I will never let you two suffer any loss. Please bear with it for now."
The two Misses Guo were well-mannered and thanked her with smiles. Accompanied by Gu Shiqigu, they moved to another window to watch the dragon boat race with Gu's eighteenth and twentieth aunts. This left Zhu Zhu alone at the window.
Zhu Zhu waved to Zhou Shaojin and said, "Come quickly, come and see!"
Zhou Shaojin was startled, thinking Zhu Zhu had discovered something. She hurried over in three quick steps.
Zhu Zhu thrust the telescope into her hands and whispered urgently, "I've been looking for a while but haven't found anything. Take a closer look—maybe I missed something."
It had been nearly two quarters of an hour since Cheng Jia went to the restroom. If Cheng Jia had intended to slip away, by now she would likely be far off if she hadn't been spotted.
Zhou Shaojin's heart grew heavy. She took the telescope and slowly scanned the bustling street below.
Over at the other window, Gu Shiqigu glanced at Zhou Shaojin and Zhu Zhu before turning her attention to entertaining the two Misses Guo with even greater enthusiasm.
Zhou Shaojin paid no mind to this and focused intently on searching for women in red on the street.
Outside the Qing Song Pavilion was a wide avenue broad enough for three carriages to travel side by side. Willow trees were planted at intervals of about ten feet along both sides. Though lush and verdant, these willows, unlike locust or camphor trees, lacked umbrella-like canopies, making it impossible to see anything from above.
She spotted several young women in red among the street stalls and the bustling crowd, but none of them were Cheng Jia.
Zhou Shaojin grew anxious.
She couldn't just keep the telescope and not return it to the sixth Miss Guo, could she?
Zhou Shaojin began quickly scanning the passersby for women in red.
Suddenly, her gaze inadvertently swept past the side gate next to the Qing Yan Pavilion.
Under a large locust tree, a corner of a red skirt seemed to billow in the wind before quickly disappearing from sight.
Zhou Shaojin's heart pounded like a drum.
Sometimes, the most dangerous place is the safest.
Moreover, deep down, she still found it hard to believe that Li Jing would elope with Cheng Jia.
After all, a proper marriage makes one a wife, while elopement reduces one to a concubine.
If he had meticulously planned how to secretly meet Cheng Jia in the mansion, how could he recklessly do something that would harm her?
Zhou Shaojin carefully observed the area around the large tree.
The side gate faced away from Mochou Lake. Perhaps everyone had gone to watch the excitement, as the door was slightly ajar, quiet with no one coming or going. However, under a nearby willow tree, a maid-like figure was looking around furtively, as if keeping watch.
The maid was likely guarding against people heading toward Mochou Lake. With her back to the private room where Zhou Shaojin stood, her face was unclear.
Unfortunately, Zhou Shaojin couldn't remember what Cui Huan was wearing. Thinking back carefully, it seemed Cui Huan had never appeared in front of her.
This Cheng Jia—she had clearly planned this all along!
Zhou Shaojin was so angry she nearly stamped her foot.
She signaled Zhu Zhu with her eyes, handed her the telescope, and said with a smile, "I saw it. It looks like the Sun family's dragon boat is temporarily in the lead."Zhu Zhu's expression immediately relaxed a bit, and she casually handed the telescope to the Guo family's sixth young lady, saying, "Sixth Young Lady, I'm truly sorry for snatching your thing. You all can take turns watching later—I won't be joining in."
Hearing this, the Guo family's sixth young lady actually felt a bit embarrassed and said, "Since you're so concerned about the race, why don't you finish watching this round before returning it to me?"
Zhu Zhu did indeed want to know whether the Sun family would win or lose—if the Sun and Liu families ended up facing each other in the finals, regardless of the outcome, it would be quite a spectacle.
But she was also worried about Cheng Jia.
She glanced at Zhou Shaojin.
Zhou Shaojin seized the opportunity and said, "I need to use the restroom. You all go ahead and enjoy yourselves."
She signaled to Zhu Zhu not to worry about her, as she intended to go out and look for someone.
After all, this was the Cheng family's internal affair, and it wouldn't be appropriate for her to get too deeply involved.
She took the chance to smile and thank the Guo family's sixth young lady before continuing to watch the dragon boat race.
Zhou Shaojin, meanwhile, bid farewell to the others and left the private room with Bitao.
However, having experienced her past life, she had become cautious, even somewhat overly vigilant.
She had Bitao knock on Cheng Chi's door while she stood to the side.
Unexpectedly, it was Cheng Chi himself who answered the door.
He strode out and casually closed the door behind him, his expression somewhat displeased as he said, "Why have you come here? I've already sent someone to look for Cheng Jia. This matter has nothing to do with you. If the third branch asks, I'll handle it. If she isn't found before the dragon boat race ends, just say Cheng Jia wasn't feeling well and went back first, then quietly inform my mother. Hurry back to your room—be careful not to let others see you!"
If anything happened to Cheng Jia, who had been invited by Zhou Shaojin, neither Zhou Shaojin nor the main branch of the Cheng family would be able to avoid responsibility!
Cheng Chi had never spoken to Zhou Shaojin so sternly before.
Zhou Shaojin felt deeply wronged, but she still lowered her head and obediently replied, "Yes," adding softly, "I... I think I might have spotted Cheng Jia. I'd like to go check. Could you please have Jiying accompany me?"
Cheng Chi was taken aback.
He felt a pang of regret.
He hadn't been overly concerned about Cheng Jia's disappearance, but Shaojin must be feeling quite distressed.
Moreover, she lacked experience in such matters. For her to remain so calm, send someone to inform him, and then ask him to help find Cheng Jia was already quite remarkable. His tone earlier had been too harsh—though it wasn't directed at this matter or at her, she was the one who saw his expression and heard his words. How could she not feel hurt?
Cheng Chi softened his voice and said gently, "I was upset about something else, not about you coming to find me. However, since you've spotted Cheng Jia, I'll send someone to look. Don't get involved yourself, to avoid dragging you into this. Be good, listen to me, and go back quickly. I'll handle this!"
The word "good" was spoken with such tenderness.
Zhou Shaojin often heard Cheng Chi coax her like this, and it always felt like warm sunshine, soothing her heart completely. She loved it dearly.
Bitao, hearing it for the first time, blushed so deeply it seemed as if blood might drip from her cheeks, not daring to steal even a glance at Zhou Shaojin and Cheng Chi.
Zhou Shaojin pouted and said, "It would still be better if I went! In case Cheng Jia makes a scene, it wouldn't be good..."
Seeing her regain her spirited demeanor, Cheng Chi felt relieved and said, "I sent Jiying to look for Cheng Jia, but she isn't here right now..."
Zhou Shaojin was quite disappointed.Perhaps she wanted to find Cheng Jia not only out of concern for her, but also to make up for her own mistakes?
Cheng Chi guessed as much and immediately changed his mind, saying, "I'll have Nanny Shang accompany you! She worked as a laborer on the docks when she was young. Though she's older now, she still has plenty of strength—much more useful than the rough-handed maids. Catching Cheng Jia would be like catching a chick for her."
Zhou Shaojin pursed her lips and smiled.
Her face brightened.
Cheng Chi couldn't help but sigh, then called Nanny Shang over and anxiously reminded Zhou Shaojin, "Be smart about this. Don't make me have to go looking for you if you can't even find Cheng Jia."
"I'll definitely listen to Uncle Chi!" Zhou Shaojin promised, her face blooming like a flower.
Cheng Chi had no choice but to enter the private room.
Zhou Shaojin took Nanny Shang toward the backyard.
Along the way, she told Nanny Shang about her discovery.
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Sisters, here's today's update.
O(∩_∩)O~
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