Zhоu Shаоjin's hеаrt wаs tоrmented, mаking hеr miss hеr sistеr аll the more. Uроn hearing shе could sеnd а lеttеr tо hеr sister, how сould she sit still any longer!
With а bеaming smilе, she bid fаrеwеll tо Old Маdаm Guо аnd Chеng Chi, then hurried bасk to Flоating Emerаld Paviliоn.
She instructеd Сhunwаn tо расk a few bеttеr-qualitу fаbriсs for Zhоu Chujin аnd Liаo Shaоtаng to mаke clothеs, told Bitaо tо оpеn her dressing cаsе аnd pасk thе nеwlу сraftеd ginkgо-themеd gold hаir ornamеnts to bring аlоng, аnd sent Хiао Тan to delivеr a message to Мadam Mа Fushan, asking hеr to buу sоme рastries and sweets that Zhou Chujin usually liked and send them in. Meanwhile, she began grinding ink to prepare for writing to her sister... bustling about in a whirlwind of activity.
It was Madam Fan Liu who advised Zhou Shaojin, "Second Miss, don't rush—Fourth Master isn't leaving until tomorrow!"
"I have so many things to bring to my sister!" Zhou Shaojin smiled, rolling up her sleeves, but upon sitting down, she found herself unsure of what to write.
Uncle Chi's affairs couldn't be mentioned!
Cheng Jia and Li Jing's matters couldn't be discussed either!
What else could she say to her sister?
When had she and her sister grown so distant?
Feeling downcast, Zhou Shaojin wrote perfunctorily about her recent life, then set down her brush to help Chunwan select clothes and jewelry for her sister.
Meanwhile, Old Madam Guo leisurely sipped her tea and said to Cheng Chi with a smile, "Are you planning to take the water route to Huai'an? Shaojin is still just a child, pure-hearted."
In the past, Cheng Chi had always traveled by horse to save time, riding day and night. Though arduous, the journey took only a few days.
Old Madam Guo's remark hinted that Zhou Shaojin had no understanding of his intentions.
Cheng Chi felt it might be better to clarify some matters with his mother, as Zhou Shaojin was living under her watch. If he upset his mother, it would only complicate matters—he had placed Shaojin by her side to protect her, not to make enemies for her.
Calmly, he picked up his teacup and took a slow sip before replying with a smile, "What does she, a girl not yet of age, understand? I simply see her living with relatives at such a young age and thought to lend a hand where I can. As for gratitude or such things, I don’t care for others' opinions—what matters is how I feel in my own heart."
In other words, it was his son who was overly eager!
Old Madam Guo was exasperated upon hearing this.
Her son was handsome, a scholar who had passed the imperial examinations, and came from a wealthy family—which young lady wouldn’t look upon him favorably? Why should he court favor with that little girl?
And that little girl remained utterly oblivious.
When had her son ever suffered such indignity!
Old Madam Guo couldn’t help raising her voice, "I never knew you’d become someone who does good deeds without seeking recognition!"
Cheng Chi had expected this reaction from his mother. With a mischievous smile, he said, "So, Mother, do you wish for me to seek recognition?"
Old Madam Guo was left speechless.
She knew that continuing would force the issue into the open.
Instead, she scolded him, "You rascal!" and changed the subject: "Yesterday, I sent someone to deliver watermelons to Jiashan. The servant who returned said Jiashan had a towel wrapped around his neck and his feet soaking in well water while studying diligently. As his uncle, you should go see him."Cheng Chi smiled and said, "I assigned him several essays on the eight-legged style just a few days ago. You can’t expect me to take the exam in his place! Besides, as you’ve seen, our family has produced five jinshi over the years, and every one of them went through the same process. Why should it be especially hard for him? No wonder people say children raised by their grandparents end up spoiled beyond measure."
"Nonsense!" Old Madam Guo retorted indignantly. "Zheng Jie’er, Xiao Jie’er, and Sheng Jie’er—all grew up by my side, and each is virtuous, gentle, and exceptionally clever. If a man can’t study well, how can he blame the women of the inner household?"
The mother and son bickered for quite a while. Once Old Madam Guo had vented her pent-up frustration, Cheng Chi rose to take his leave.
But after Cheng Chi left, Old Madam Guo felt an emptiness in her heart.
Biyu tidied the teacups and said with a smile, "You and Fourth Master are so close! Unlike other mothers and sons who only exchange greetings and nothing more."
Old Madam Guo was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled.
That little rascal—when he sets his mind to cheering someone up, he can really make them feel delighted.
He must have noticed I was in low spirits and deliberately tried to amuse me!
Otherwise, why would he bring up what I said about Zhou Shaojin?
If things were laid bare, he probably wouldn’t know how to handle it right away, would he?
After all, he’s her uncle, and Shaojin is still young. If word got out, people would only blame him...
Thinking this, Old Madam Guo felt her son had it rather tough.
She shouldn’t add to his troubles.
Let him sort it out himself.
Old Madam Guo sighed.
Nanny Shang looked at the several trunks of items Zhou Shaojin had prepared for Zhou Chujin and couldn’t help wiping the sweat from her forehead. She quietly reminded Zhou Shaojin, "Second Young Miss, Fourth Master is taking the land route to Huai’an this time."
Zhou Shaojin didn’t understand at first.
Nanny Shang had to explain, "Fourth Master must reach Huai’an within five days and will change horses at each post station. He might only detour to Zhenjiang on the return journey."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Shaojin’s face flushed with embarrassment. She said shyly, "I... I didn’t know. I thought it was along the way, so I..."
Fourth Master holds this Second Young Miss in such high regard—surely she shouldn’t be sent away disappointed?
Nanny Shang pondered and suggested with a smile, "If Second Young Miss isn’t in a hurry, why not entrust the letter to Fourth Master to deliver, and send the items by waterway?"
"But... how could that be!" If sent by waterway, she’d have to pay someone to handle it. The cost was minor, but she feared someone might covet the contents of the trunks. After all, the items inside were worth at least five hundred taels of silver. Not only could they be lost, but some were personal belongings from the inner chambers. If someone with ill intentions got hold of them, it would be disastrous. Zhou Shaojin said, "I’d better put these things away."
Nanny Shang smiled and said, "Second Young Miss needn’t worry. We have a ship heading to Yangzhou in a few days. If you trust me, write a list to include with the letter for Fourth Master to take to Zhenjiang, and leave the trunks to me to transport for you."
Zhou Shaojin naturally trusted Nanny Shang.
She thanked her repeatedly and handed over the trunks.
Madam Fan Liu remarked with a smile, "Who knows what background Nanny Shang has? With someone like her serving by Fourth Master’s side, he must have so much less to worry about!"Zhou Shaojin thought of that time when Nanny Shang had carried her to hide behind the big locust tree at Light Mist Pavilion, and then recalled how Jiying had sliced off Jiao Ziyang's arm with a single sword stroke. She murmured, "They're probably not ordinary people... For such people to serve him, he surely isn't ordinary either..."
But what if he wasn't ordinary?
He had been so good to her!
Knowing she missed her sister, he had taken letters to her sister when he went out... and that was even when it wasn't on his way... Fortunately, Nanny Shang had reminded her, otherwise she would have handed all those trunks over to him, and he probably would have frowned so deeply it could crush flies... But even so, he would definitely have helped deliver her things to her sister without a word... Just thinking of him impatiently dragging several trunks while traveling made her unable to hold back her laughter as she lay on the bed. She asked Madam Fan Liu with a smile, "What do you think? Uncle Chi is going to Huaian tomorrow—should I go see him off?"
She really wanted to see him off, but she was afraid others might notice something.
Madam Fan Liu found it strange. "Why would you think that? Travel by boat or horse carries three parts risk. Since Fourth Master is going on a journey, of course you should see him off! Not only should you see him off, but you should also get him a protective talisman or something to carry, to bless him with a safe journey. Old Madam would only be pleased to see that." She also gave advice, "After Fourth Master leaves, you should recite several volumes of sutras for his safety."
Since Madam Fan Liu said so, she could definitely do this.
Zhou Shaojin's heart began to race again.
She stayed up late copying a volume of sutras for Cheng Chi's safety. The next day, she got up before dawn, washed and dressed, and went to Old Madam Guo's place.
Old Madam Guo was already accustomed to Cheng Chi's travels and hadn't gotten up yet. Leaning against the headboard, she asked about Cheng Chi's arrangements: "...Is he up yet? Besides Huaishan, who else is he taking? Are all the things packed?"
Nanny Lu had already gone to Listening Oriole Hall to gather news and returned, saying, "Fourth Master got up at mao hour. Everything was packed last night. Besides Huaishan, he's also taking Qin Zi'an. He'll probably come to bid you farewell in another three quarters of an hour."
Only then did Old Madam Guo get up. As she was being attended to by maids and servants, she heard that Zhou Shaojin had arrived. Without avoiding the situation, she had a young maid invite her in.
Zhou Shaojin took a deep breath.
In her previous life, her brother-in-law had once told her that the more she had on her mind, the more natural she should appear.
With a sweet smile and a calm expression, she walked in and handed the sutras she had copied for Cheng Chi to Old Madam Guo, saying, "If I had known earlier that Uncle Chi was going on a long journey, I should have gone to the temple to get him a protective talisman! Without a talisman, I copied a volume of sutras, but I don't know what to do with it. Should it be burned for the Bodhisattva, placed in the family shrine, or taken to the temple... I've never done such things before, so I need to ask for your advice."
If only Si Lang didn't have those little thoughts, how wonderful it would be!
Old Madam Guo sighed inwardly, then patted Zhou Shaojin's hand affectionately and said, "Good child, it's rare that you have such a thoughtful heart. Tomorrow morning we'll go to the temple and place the sutras you copied there."
Zhou Shaojin was very pleased.
Not only had she done something for Uncle Chi, but Old Madam Guo was also very happy, just as Madam Fan Liu had said. Her attitude toward Zhou Shaojin swept away yesterday's coldness and became warm and affectionate again.
Zhou Shaojin then helped Old Madam Guo with her washing and dressing.
Old Madam Guo allowed her to do so.Before long, Cheng Chi came to bid farewell.
Guo Lao Furen, supported by Zhou Shaojin, emerged from the inner chamber.
Seeing Zhou Shaojin appear behind his mother and knowing she had come to see him off, Cheng Chi was in high spirits.
After offering some words of caution like "take care on the road" and having breakfast with Zhou Shaojin and his mother, he set off.
Zhou Shaojin watched as Cheng Chi agilely mounted his horse, nearly shedding tears.
Huai'an was so far away, and he had to arrive in just four or five days. Uncle Chi must endure such hardship on this journey.
Earning money truly isn't easy!
Uncle Wen really shouldn't have taken the money Uncle Chi worked so hard to earn, spending it on food, drink, gambling, and keeping a mistress, without a word of gratitude.
I wonder if Wu Baozhang will live a proper life with Cheng Nuo after entering the household!
Let's hope she doesn't get entangled with Cheng Lu again, just as Uncle Chi predicted!
※
Sisters and brothers, an extra chapter for Tianwaixianxian's spirit beast egg!
o(n_n)o~
ps: The update will be around midnight, but I'll try my best to find time to write.
※(To be continued. If you like this work, welcome you to...)
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