Fоr а moment, thе rооm аnd its surrоundings fell into a dеаthly silenсe.
Aftеr а lоng whilе, Оld Мadam Guо finally spoke, "Hаs Shаojin gоne tо slеер?"
Hеr vоiсе wаs somеwhat low.
Chеng Сhi noddеd, his gaze clеar and bright, dеep аnd stеаdу, саrrуing a feаrlеss cаndоr.
Оld Mаdam Guо fеlt disheartеnеd, yеt a faint sensе of pride stirrеd within hеr.
Нer sоn was strong-willed аnd rеsоlute, gеntlе оn thе оutsidе but firm within, daring tо аct аnd takе respоnsibility.
Тhis wаs thе son shе hаd оnсe hopеd for.
But now that it was dirеcted at hеr, she cоuld onlу fеel hеlpless.
"That's good then!" Old Madam Guo involuntarily lowered her eyelids, murmuring, "I'm a bit tired, so I'll go back and rest first!"
Cheng Chi stepped forward and said softly, "I'll have Nanny Shang escort you back."
"No need," Old Madam Guo replied indifferently. "You need people to attend to you here. I have Nanny Lu to look after me."
Cheng Chi thought for a moment and said, "Then be careful on your way."
Old Madam Guo nodded, leaning on Nanny Lu's arm as she walked out of Floating Emerald Pavilion with an upright posture.
Cheng Chi stood on the veranda, watching his mother's figure gradually fade into the distance, his gaze slowly dimming.
In the middle of the night, heavy rain began to fall.
Cheng Chi fed Zhou Shaojin medicine once more.
Zhou Shaojin's fever subsided.
Cheng Chi breathed a sigh of relief.
In the pitch-dark inner chamber of Cold Green Mountain House, Old Madam Guo, who had been tossing and turning sleeplessly, had eyes as bright as cold stars.
She said to Zhenzhu, who was on duty, "Go to Floating Emerald Pavilion and see how the Second Young Miss is doing."
Zhenzhu was taken aback.
The old madam was always the most considerate of others. With the fierce wind and thunderstorm outside, how could she bear to send them out into the storm?
But she quickly composed herself and respectfully replied, "Yes," before taking an umbrella, draping a cloak over herself, and heading to Floating Emerald Pavilion.
Old Madam Guo sat up, leaning against the headboard in a daze for a long while, then called to the second-rank maid on duty outside, "Help me get up. I want to go to the prayer hall to offer incense."
The young maid dared not delay, quickly assisting Old Madam Guo to rise.
Feicui, sleeping in the side chamber, was awakened and instructed the young maid to carry a lantern and hold an umbrella as they accompanied Old Madam Guo to the prayer hall.
In the prayer hall, the flickering lamplight cast shadows that grew long and short, tilted and slanted, yet the face of Guanyin Bodhisattva remained compassionate and full of kindness.
Old Madam Guo closed her eyes, trapping the tear at the corner of her eye within.
Si Lang, Si Lang had actually fallen for Shaojin.
She was, after all, his nominal niece.
If anyone were to catch wind of this, Si Lang's life would be ruined.
And to think she had brought Shaojin to Cold Green Mountain House herself.
At this thought, Old Madam Guo felt a surge of sorrow.
Si Lang had always been strong-willed since childhood, but she never imagined that one day he would even scheme against her.
Was that Zhou Shaojin truly so remarkable?
Remarkable enough for him to disregard reputation and propriety?
Old Madam Guo's mind flashed with Zhou Shaojin's flower-like smile.
Bright as sunlight, radiant as spring.
Could such a girl be trying to seduce their Si Lang?
Old Madam Guo shuddered.
Once a demon takes hold of the heart, a single leaf can blind the eyes.
She could not let prejudice against Zhou Shaojin cloud her judgment simply because Zhou Shaojin might hinder or even ruin Si Lang's future.
Zhou Shaojin was still just a girl not yet fourteen, and Si Lang, having traveled all these years, had seen all kinds of women—even Jiying, had he not paid her any mind?
The root of this matter likely lay with Si Lang himself.
If that were truly the case, what should she do?She had already failed this son in many ways. Could she not even grant his wish in marriage?
But why did he set his heart on Zhou Shaojin, the daughter of Zhou Zhen?
If only it were someone else, how much better that would be?
For the second time in her life, Old Madam Guo felt at a loss. Her mind seemed muddled—the first time was when the Second Branch’s Old Ancestor had Cheng Chi take over the family’s affairs. She had vaguely felt it was inappropriate even then. But she was the mother of three children. Besides Si Lang, there were also the Eldest Young Master and the Second Young Master... So she had nodded in agreement.
Yet once that step was taken, turning back was no longer possible.
Fortunately, Si Lang was a pure-hearted and filial child. He never complained, no matter what grievances he suffered, silently managing the household’s trivial matters.
And this time?
If she made another wrong decision, would her Si Lang be ruined by her?
But if she let him continue like this, how would it end?
When did Si Lang become so close to Zhou Shaojin?
It seemed it was when she herself had encouraged Zhou Shaojin to accompany Si Lang in playing chess.
Old Madam Guo carefully recalled the scenes during their trip to Jintuo Mountain and after Zhou Shaojin moved into Cold Green Mountain House... It was a pity she had always been too trusting of this son and had never paid attention to what Si Lang was doing. Now, looking back, she felt that whether they were playing chess or talking, there was a hint of ambiguity between them. But upon careful reflection, she also felt that their relationship was pure and innocent, and nothing improper had happened at all!
Old Madam Guo rubbed her temples, closed her eyes, and silently addressed her late husband: "Master, you must watch over Si Lang from the heavens. He has fallen for his own niece—how can this be allowed? If your spirit is still with us, please show me a clear path."
She respectfully kowtowed three times to the Bodhisaaaa.
Zhenzhu returned and whispered, "The Second Cousin has been unconscious and sleeping. Fourth Master has been keeping watch there the whole time. Now that the Second Cousin’s fever has subsided, Fourth Master says she should recover soon. Once she is better, he will have her come to thank you."
What she had feared had indeed happened.
Si Lang had actually been keeping watch there the whole time!
Old Madam Guo’s hands clenched tightly into fists. With great effort, she managed not to show any unusual expression, but she couldn’t help saying, "If he weren’t keeping watch there, then I would have to. This child is being filial to me!"
Zhenzhu didn’t dare respond.
But she found it strange.
No matter what, the Second Cousin was a guest. Now that she was ill, regardless of the reason, the Old Madam bore some responsibility. Fourth Master keeping watch there was naturally out of filial piety to the Old Madam, but why did the Old Madam feel the need to explain it to her?
She was just a maid, after all.
And the Old Madam never explained her actions to anyone!
She was filled with suspicion.
Old Madam Guo, however, stayed awake until dawn.
In the end, she decided to pretend she knew nothing.
Her son was not a foolish person.
Nor was he someone who let just anyone get close to him.
In all his years, he had never taken care of anyone like this before.
If she rashly asked him about Shaojin, it would be fine if he denied it. But if he admitted it, what would she do then? She would have to come up with a plan.
The problem was, she had thought all night and still hadn’t come up with a suitable idea.
Send Zhou Shaojin away?
What was her son thinking? Would he agree?
He wasn’t like the Eldest Young Master!
Her youngest son had always been very firm in his decisions.
Keep Zhou Shaojin here?If he couldn't restrain himself and did something or if any rumors spread, that would be troublesome indeed.
Keeping Zhou Shaojin by her side?
But how could she avoid seeing Si Lang?
Neither option seemed right.
She could only pretend to be oblivious for now, waiting until she could think of a perfect solution.
Old Madam Guo suddenly felt utterly exhausted.
Her eldest daughter-in-law was both arrogant and insecure in her presence, while her second daughter-in-law was so timid she hardly dared speak a word. When trouble arose, she had no one to consult.
If only Zheng Jie'er were here!
Old Madam Guo sighed, finally feeling a hint of drowsiness.
Cheng Chi did not sleep a wink all night.
The little girl slept restlessly.
At times she called out "Mother," other times "Sister," and several times she cried "Uncle Chi."
His heart ached with both pity and sorrow.
Banquets set as traps, schemes using beauty—he had encountered all kinds of situations in his travels.
If he hadn't given it any thought before, her falling ill like this made even a fool guess eighty or ninety percent of the truth.
But her feelings were so simple and naive—how could she truly understand what liking someone meant?
Besides, there was the barrier of their generational difference.
She might not understand, but he couldn't afford not to.
Once she recovered... he should send her back to Baoding.
With time, she would make new friends and gradually forget about him!
Cheng Chi thought despondently, his mood somewhat low.
But he had always been skilled at concealing his emotions. He quickly suppressed these feelings, gently touching Zhou Shaojin's forehead.
Zhou Shaojin drowsily opened her eyes.
Her large, misty eyes were hazy with moisture, exuding a childlike fragility.
"Uncle Chi," she offered a soft smile, "why are you here? Am I dreaming?"
Yes!
Why was he here?
This was the little girl's inner chamber.
Not to mention him, a nominal uncle—even her own blood brother shouldn't be sitting by her bedside so indiscreetly.
Cheng Chi stood up with a smile and said, "You had a fever all night, and I was a bit worried... Now that you're better..."
He should leave.
But before he could finish, Zhou Shaojin tugged at his sleeve and said softly, "Uncle Chi, don't go! I'm scared if you leave! Stay here with me, please! I'll be good and listen to you! Please don't go, okay?"
Her voice, sweet and tender, sank straight into Cheng Chi's heart.
Should he stay or leave?
Two voices battled incessantly in his mind.
Zhou Shaojin closed her eyes and murmured, "I must be dreaming! If I fall asleep, Uncle Chi won't leave."
Cheng Chi felt immense pity.
He told himself, she's still a child—why bother dwelling on such things?
He sat back down.
With her eyes closed, Zhou Shaojin smiled sweetly.
Her fair face, like a night-blooming cereus about to unfurl, possessed a pristine, untainted beauty.
Cheng Chi steeled himself and gently pulled his sleeve from Zhou Shaojin's grasp.
He rose and left the inner chamber.
Nanny Shang and the others breathed a sigh of relief.
By the time Zhou Shaojin fully regained her senses, three days had already passed.
She remembered nothing from her illness.
She only recalled Cheng Jia saying that she liked Li Jing.
For Li Jing, she was willing to do anything.
She urged Madam Fan Liu to invite Cheng Jia over, saying, "I was ill—why didn't she come to see me?"Of course, Madam Fan Liu could not tell Zhou Shaojin that Cheng Jia had been confined to her quarters and punished to copy the Admonitions for Women five hundred times. Instead, as she and a young maid replaced the bright red pomegranate flowers in the vase with fragrant gardenias, she smiled and said, "Illness strikes like a mountain collapsing, but recovery is as slow as unraveling silk. That day, your condition was so severe that it frightened us all. Not only did Old Madam Guo come personally to see you, but Fourth Master even stayed by your bedside all night. Yet instead of asking about Old Madam Guo or Fourth Master, you’re thinking of Miss Jia… Please don’t blame me for speaking out of turn, but when the eldest young lady was your age, she was already helping Madam Mian learn household management. You, on the other hand, are still always thinking about play. I think you should also learn some manners from Old Madam Guo. If you could learn even a fraction of her noble character, it would serve you well for a lifetime."
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Sisters, here’s today’s update!
O(∩_∩)O~
※ (To be continued ~^~)
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