Unсlе Сhi hаd kерt vigil bу her side аll night!
Zhоu Shаоjin's еyes lit up uроn hearing this.
Вut then theу dimmеd аgаin.
Shе wаs staying аs a guest at Cold Greеn Мountаin Hоusе. If shе fеll ill, the еldеst brаnсh оf the fаmily bore sоmе resрonsibility. Thеy cоuldn’t very wеll hаvе Оld Маdаm Guo pеrsоnallу tаkе cаre оf hеr, could thеу? Naturаlly, it had to bе Uncle Chi whо kерt watсh over her!
Тhоugh shе told hеrsеlf this, hеr hеаrt still сouldn’t hеlр but flutter wildlу.
Why hаd Uncle Сhi keрt vigil bу hеr side аll night?
Не сould have simрly instructed Mamа Fan.
Could it bе... Uncle Сhi alsо likеd her а little?
But this kind of liking was probably just the affection of an elder for a younger relative!
Then what was the liking between a man and a woman?
Giving gifts?
Care? Consideration?
Having endless things to talk about when together?
Always indulging and doting?
Thinking of all the times she had spent with Cheng Chi, Zhou Shaojin felt a restless stirring in her heart.
Was this how Li Jing treated Cheng Jia too?
Unable to contain herself, she said to Madam Fan Liu, "Has Cousin Jia been confined again? What did First Madam Lu confine her for this time? I’ll go see her! Anyway, First Madam Lu confines her every other day, and she’s confined every other day too..."
Cheng Jia would definitely know!
Madam Fan Liu naturally couldn’t say it was because Cheng Jia had caused Zhou Shaojin to fall seriously ill, so she vaguely replied, "It would be good for you to visit her, Second Miss. Bring some snacks and pastries, keep Miss Jia company and chat with her. Though Miss Jia’s temper isn’t the best, she has a broad heart. She’ll surely be happy to see you."
And so the matter was brushed aside.
Zhou Shaojin nodded repeatedly and slipped on her shoes to get out of bed.
But she was immediately struck by dizziness.
Madam Fan Liu hurried forward to support her, anxiously saying, "Where do you feel unwell, Second Miss? I’ll go call the doctor right away! As for Miss Jia, it’s not too late to visit her another day when you’re feeling better."
This would also prevent the third branch from thinking the eldest branch was making a fuss over nothing—that Second Miss had merely caught a common cold, yet they were openly and subtly blaming Miss Jia for being too mischievous, forcing First Madam Lu to confine her.
But Zhou Shaojin’s mind was preoccupied with the matter of Li Jing and Cheng Jia. She insisted, "I’m fine. I’ve just been lying in bed for a few days, so I’m a bit weak. A little walk will do me good." She insisted that Madam Fan Liu call in the maids to help her freshen up. After washing up, she would first go thank Old Madam Guo, then... to Uncle Chi’s place, and finally to Ruyi Pavilion.
Old Madam Guo had visited Zhou Shaojin every day these past few days. Now that Zhou Shaojin was awake, it was only proper, both in sentiment and reason, for her to go express her gratitude and pay her respects.
Madam Fan Liu tried to dissuade her a few times, but seeing Zhou Shaojin’s determination, she didn’t press further and called in Biyu and the others to help her freshen up.
Just as Zhou Shaojin finished styling her hair, Old Madam Guo arrived.
Zhou Shaojin hurriedly had the maids serve tea while she hastily threw on a robe and went to the main hall.
Seeing that Zhou Shaojin had grown thinner, yet appeared even more delicate and graceful, like a willow swaying in a gentle breeze, Old Madam Guo couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
No wonder Si Lang was so captivated!
Someone so beautiful—not to mention Si Lang was in the prime of his youth—even she, a widowed old woman, couldn’t help but feel tender affection for her.
Without waiting for Zhou Shaojin to bow, Old Madam Guo took her hand and said gently, "You’re not fully recovered yet, don’t push yourself. If you fall ill again, I’m afraid it might harm your constitution, and then it won’t be so easy to treat."
Zhou Shaojin blushed and murmured words of gratitude.
This child, fortunately, was not one for smooth talk. If she had been more cunning, I’m afraid even Cheng Xu, Cheng Gao, and the other young masters wouldn’t have been able to escape her grasp.
As this thought crossed her mind, Old Madam Guo sighed inwardly once more.If that were truly the case, Si Lang wouldn't have looked at her differently. Since childhood, Si Lang had been cleverer than others and disliked anyone surpassing him. If you behaved honestly and modestly before him, he might still show you some consideration. But if you tried to show off your cleverness in front of him, he would either treat you as if you were invisible or crush you underfoot to teach you a lesson, making you avoid him at all costs from then on.
For a moment, Old Madam Guo almost wished Zhou Shaojin were more cunning and adaptable.
Even if Cheng Xu and Cheng Gao couldn't escape her grasp, it would still make for a good story.
But when it came to her youngest son, that was different.
Suppressing her emotions, she smiled and took Zhou Shaojin's hand, offering advice like "take good care of yourself while recovering," "don't come to my place for now, it's fine to accompany me in chanting scriptures after you've recovered," and "when I visit you again, there's no need to dress so formally—you shouldn't overexert yourself now." She then asked Madam Fan Liu to help Zhou Shaojin rest.
Madam Fan Liu obediently agreed.
But Zhou Shaojin smiled and said, "I haven't thanked Uncle Chi yet!"
Old Madam Guo immediately became alert.
However, when she looked into Zhou Shaojin's clear, watery eyes and saw her frank and sincere expression, she couldn't help but chuckle to herself.
The young girl was simple and transparent. Some matters were overthought by adults like them.
The girl might not even be aware of Si Lang's unusual behavior.
Why should she expose it, making Si Lang resent her and causing the girl to overthink?
Wouldn't it be better to see what Si Lang planned to do first?
But she couldn't allow the two to meet as openly and without restraint as before.
"Your Uncle Chi went out early this morning," Old Madam Guo said with a smile. "He's so busy all day that he's hardly ever around. Don't worry about him—he's not the petty type. He'll be very happy to know you've woken up. As for thanking him, it's unnecessary. You can just mention it to him if you happen to meet him someday."
Zhou Shaojin couldn't help feeling a little disappointed.
But remembering how busy Cheng Chi had been recently, she quickly let it go and smiled sweetly, saying, "Then I'll have Mama Fan send some food over to Uncle Chi! It just doesn't feel right not to let him know I've woken up."
This was only natural.
Old Madam Guo nodded with a smile, then stood up to take her leave.
Zhou Shaojin went to Ruyi Pavilion.
Over at Old Madam Guo's place, Biyu said with a smile, "Someone from Floating Emerald Pavilion came to say that Second Cousin went to Miss Jia's place."
"This child, she just won't listen!" Old Madam Guo chuckled. "Tell the people following her to keep a close eye on her. Make sure she doesn't argue with Jia again—she's only just recovered from a serious illness."
Biyu smiled and replied, "Yes," adding, "Madam treats Second Cousin as if she were your own granddaughter."
Old Madam Guo laughed heartily.
Cheng Chi also received the news: "Second Cousin has woken up! Old Madam has visited her. She even placed someone by Second Cousin's side, so any movement from her will be reported to Old Madam. After that, Second Cousin went to Miss Jia's place."
"Understood," Cheng Chi said indifferently, rising from the stone bench in the pavilion and gazing into the distance at Steady Boat Lake.
Shi Kuan would board a boat here today to return to the capital. Cheng Chi had come to see him off.He did not mention his identity to Shi Kuan, nor did Shi Kuan bring up his own. But he was certain Shi Kuan already knew who he was. As for the Fourth Prince, he was still a cold stove—Shi Kuan must be racking his brains trying to figure out how they had "coincidentally" met and why he had taken such a liking to Shi Kuan's "literary talent."
If the Cheng family ever gained merit by supporting the right prince, it would all be thanks to Shaojin!
These past few days, he hadn’t gone to see that little girl. How was her health, really?
Having lain in bed for several days, her body must have grown stiff. Instead of resting properly in her room, why did she run off to Cheng Jia’s place?
Truly still a child.
Just a couple of days ago, she was quarreling with Cheng Jia. Now that she’s better, she’s gone looking for her again.
Typical—once the wound heals, the pain is forgotten!
Who knows when she’ll ever change this habit?
It seems the conflict between Cheng Jia and her wasn’t anything serious.
As for the house arrest… he’d talk to Cousin Lu and let it go…
As Cheng Chi pondered this, Shi Kuan’s sedan chair slowly came into view.
He collected his thoughts and stepped out of the pavilion with a smile.
※
Cheng Jia turned her back on Zhou Shaojin, ignoring her.
Zhou Shaojin awkwardly offered an apologetic smile. “Cousin Jia, please don’t be angry with me! How could I have known I’d fall ill? And how could I have known Uncle Chi would have Aunt Lu place you under house arrest… I came to see you as soon as I woke up!”
Inwardly, however, her heart felt as sweet as if she’d eaten honey.
Uncle Chi had actually reprimanded Aunt Lu because of her illness.
In all her life, aside from her elder sister, Uncle Chi was the second person to stand up for her.
And he had been so forceful… In Uncle Chi’s heart, she must be somewhat special, right?
But it was hard to say.
She still knew too little about Uncle Chi’s affairs.
Perhaps Uncle Chi was simply acting out of an elder’s care for a younger relative?
Zhou Shaojin’s mood instantly sank again. She sat to the side, twisting her handkerchief, and let out a soft sigh.
Seeing Zhou Shaojin grow serious, Cheng Jia didn’t dare to keep up her tantrum.
Ever since Zhou Shaojin had woken up after that fall, her temperament had grown more resilient. Sometimes, Cheng Jia even felt a little afraid to provoke her.
“Anyway, it’s all your fault!” She sprang to her feet, complaining, “I want to marry Li Jing. What were you crying about? Not only did you cry yourself sick, but you also made me break my promise to Li Jing… If you don’t find a way to make it up to me, I’ll never forgive you for the rest of my life!” As she spoke, her eyes grew moist.
Zhou Shaojin was startled. “What happened?” she asked hurriedly.
Cheng Jia sobbed, “I originally promised Li Jing that I’d see him off at Steady Boat Lake on the day he left for Guangzhou. But because of your illness, not only did I fail to go, I couldn’t even send him a message. When Li Jing saw I wasn’t there, he must have been worried sick!” She murmured, “I wonder if Li Jing has left the city yet? Or if he sent someone to inquire about me.” Then she glared at Zhou Shaojin. “Everyone in our family treats him like a fool. If he wants news of me, who knows how much silver he’ll have to spend?”
Zhou Shaojin was dumbfounded. After a long pause, she said, “How about… I try to find out for you?”
Cheng Jia, feeling she had the upper hand, threatened her, “You’d better help me find out! If you don’t, I’ll… I’ll just stay in Floating Emerald Pavilion and never leave!”
What kind of threat was that?
Zhou Shaojin giggled.Cheng Jia glared and scolded, "You're still laughing! Look at yourself—you're so thin you're practically skin and bones. Be careful, or people might think Uncle Chi has been mistreating you."
"You just can't say anything nice!" Zhou Shaojin pushed Cheng Jia unhappily.
"I'm not a dog, so of course I can't spit out ivory!" Cheng Jia retorted, pushing back at Zhou Shaojin.
The two of them began to playfully tussle with laughter.
After all, Zhou Shaojin had just recovered from an illness, and after only a few moments, she was left breathless and dizzy.
She collapsed onto Cheng Jia's bed, closing her eyes to rest, but couldn't help saying, "Cousin Jia, how did you know Li Jing liked you? If someone liked me but didn’t make it clear, I definitely wouldn’t be able to tell."
In her past life, if Cheng Lu hadn’t clearly stated his intention to marry her, she wouldn’t have dared to believe he liked her.
But now it seemed that even if someone said it clearly, it might not necessarily be genuine affection.
※
Dear readers, here’s today’s bonus update.
The evening update will be around midnight, but I’ll try my best to write quickly and post as soon as it’s ready.
O(∩_∩)O~
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel