Zhоu Shаоjin’s thоughts сhurned as shе suрроrtеd Old Madаm Guо back tо the main rооm.
Оld Маdаm Guo discussеd tomorrow’s temple visit with Nаnnу Lu: “...We usuаlly gо tо Gаnquаn Tеmрlе, sо lеt’s go thеre again this timе. Аlthough thеre are sоme mattеrs to attеnd tо, thеу аrеn’t tоo troublеsоme. Wе’ll dерart аt maо hоur, have а vеgetаrian meal thеre at noоn, аnd rеturn aftеrward.” She alsо аskеd Nannу Lu tо visit thе fоurth brаnсh to sее if Old Мadаm Guan and Мadаm Мiаn would likе tо jоin thеm for an outing.
Nаnny Lu smiled and agreеd, personаlly delivеring the mеssаge tо the fourth branch.
The weather had been particularly hot these past few days, and some craftsmen repairing Cheng Gao’s new residence nearly suffered heatstroke. Cheng Mian had halted the work for the craftsmen. Old Madam Guan had nothing pressing to attend to, but Madam Mian was busy purchasing maids and servants. Upon hearing the invitation, she sent someone to reply to Old Madam Guo: “...Old Madam is delighted to join, but Madam is occupied with preparations for Master Gao’s wedding and cannot spare the time.”
Old Madam Guo rewarded the servant and arranged a time with Old Madam Guan.
As for Zhou Shaojin, she treated it as an outing. Although she wanted to go, the absence of Cheng Chi made her feel as if something were missing, dampening her excitement for the trip.
After accompanying Old Madam Guo in reciting scriptures in the Buddhist hall, she began copying sutras.
Since this was to pray for Cheng Chi’s safety during his travels, it would be better to copy more sutras to show sincerity.
Old Madam Guo nodded inwardly.
This child was obedient, sensible, sincere, and courteous... What a pity!
Sighing, she instructed Biyu to attend to Zhou Shaojin, then returned to her room to lie down. As a young maid massaged her legs, she pondered.
In the afternoon, Cui Huan came to see Zhou Shaojin, saying she was sent by Cheng Jia to invite Zhou Shaojin over as a guest tomorrow.
Zhou Shaojin knew this was Cheng Jia’s way of thanking her for delivering the message to Li Jing. She smiled and declined: “...Tomorrow, I’m accompanying the old madam to the temple to offer incense!”
Cui Huan was very disappointed.
Cheng Jia had gone to great lengths to invite Zhou Shaojin, only for it to clash with Old Madam Guo’s plans. What a shame.
She left Cold Green Mountain House helplessly.
Zhou Shaojin didn’t dwell on the matter, thinking it wouldn’t be too late to visit Cheng Jia in a couple of days when she had free time.
Unexpectedly, before sunset, Old Madam Li came in person, saying she wished to accompany Old Madam Guo to Ganquan Temple to offer incense tomorrow.
Old Madam Guo found this rather strange.
Old Madam Li said awkwardly, “This is also for Jia’s sake—Madam Jiang keeps picking fights with that girl every other day. Jia was driven to her wit’s end and came crying at my place all afternoon. I thought this couldn’t go on. Coincidentally, I heard you were going to Ganquan Temple to worship Buddha, so I thought of taking the girl out for a change of scenery. She could also chat with Shaojin.”
Since it was a sweltering summer day with little else to do, Old Madam Guo agreed indifferently.
Old Madam Li complained about Madam Jiang for a while before leaving.
Old Madam Guo raised her eyebrows dismissively and said, “After all, she’s her own maternal grandniece. Madam Jiang’s relentless behavior reflects poorly on her as well, which is why she’s bringing Cheng Jia along with us to the temple to offer incense!”
Who would respond to such a remark?
Biyu was bold enough to change the subject with a smile: “Old Madam, Old Madam from the third branch will likely ride in the same carriage as Miss Jia. Will you ride with Second Cousin Shaojin or with Old Madam Guan tomorrow?”Old Madam Guo smiled and said, "I'd better ride in the same carriage as Old Madam Guan! Tomorrow, with Jia girl around, who knows how mischievous she'll be. And I won't even mention squeezing into the same carriage with Shaojin."
This was not entirely impossible!
Biyu pursed her lips and smiled.
The next day, at the hour of Mao, everyone gathered at the inner gate. Old Madam Guo and Old Madam Guan rode in one carriage, while Old Madam Li and Cheng Jia took another, leaving Zhou Shaojin alone.
Not only Zhou Shaojin, but even Old Madam Guo was quite surprised, saying, "Jia girl seems much more sensible today!"
Cheng Jia, supporting Old Madam Li with a respectful gesture, blushed and said with dignified composure, "I rarely have the chance to accompany my grandmother. Please don’t tease me, Madam."
Old Madam Guo nodded kindly and, with Zhou Shaojin’s assistance, boarded the carriage. They headed to Ganquan Temple.
The abbot of Ganquan Temple, Master Shi Hui, personally greeted them in front of the main hall.
The Cheng family had already sent stewards the day before to arrange accommodations, and Master Shi Hui was aware of their purpose. When Zhou Shaojin presented the transcribed scriptures, he couldn’t help but smile and say, "Second Young Miss’s calligraphy has grown even more elegant and refined. In a few more years, you’ll be qualified to teach students."
In the noble families of Jiangnan, young ladies were typically taught by their aunts or sisters-in-law. Being praised as capable of teaching students was the highest form of compliment.
Zhou Shaojin was still not accustomed to such social interactions. Blushing, she modestly replied with a few humble words.
Since Old Madam Guo had offered the scriptures transcribed by Zhou Shaojin during the Bathing Buddha Festival that year, Master Shi Hui had been deeply impressed. Over the past two years, whenever Old Madam Guo came to worship, Zhou Shaojin had accompanied her, leaving a lasting impression on him. He discreetly and carefully exchanged a few polite words with Zhou Shaojin before engaging in conversation with Old Madam Guo and the others.
Zhou Shaojin watched Cheng Jia standing respectfully and obediently across from her and found it very strange.
Cheng Jia had always been impatient with such matters, so why was she so quiet this time?
She tried to catch Cheng Jia’s eye.
But Cheng Jia acted as if she hadn’t noticed, remaining by Old Madam Li’s side the entire time.
Zhou Shaojin couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. Recalling how Cheng Jia had previously asked her to inquire about Li Jing... Had the matter been exposed? But if it had, why would Old Madam Li bring her to Ganquan Temple to worship?
She asked Xiao Tan to investigate.
Just before lunchtime, Xiao Tan quietly informed her, "It’s said that someone has come to propose marriage to Miss Jia. First Madam Lu is very pleased, and the matchmaker will visit in a few days. Miss Jia knelt before Old Madam Li, crying and making a scene. Old Madam Li, feeling sorry for her, took her out to clear her mind."
Zhou Shaojin was shocked and whispered, "Do you know who proposed to Cousin Jia?"
"It’s said to be the eldest son of the Magistrate of Jinhua," Xiao Tan replied. "Minister Sun’s wife acted as the matchmaker. Although he comes from a humble background, the eldest son is very studious. He passed the imperial examination at sixteen and became a provincial scholar at twenty."
This was exactly the kind of son-in-law the third branch favored.
Uncle Pan Zhi of the third branch had a similar background.
Zhou Shaojin felt somewhat sad for Cheng Jia.
Nothing is more sorrowful than a heart that has died.
Cheng Jia’s behavior suggested that her heart had likely died.
When they sat down for the vegetarian meal, Zhou Shaojin intentionally tried to sit next to Cheng Jia.
But Cheng Jia avoided her, as if there were some conflict between them.
Naturally, the elderly ladies paid no attention to this.
Zhou Shaojin ate the vegetarian meal feeling awkward and uncomfortable.Master Shi Hui urged them to rest a while before leaving: "The weather is too hot; it would be better to depart after noon."
Old Madam Guo, looking at the blazing sun, decided to return to Nine Prosperities Lane after noon.
Shi Hui promptly instructed the young novice to tidy up the courtyard reserved for the Cheng family women, while he himself kept the three elderly ladies company.
Cheng Jia could bear it no longer. After whispering a few words beside Old Madam Li, she left the side room.
Old Madam Li had no choice but to let her go.
After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the young novice came to report that the courtyard had been tidied up.
Shi Hui personally escorted them to the courtyard gate. After exchanging a few polite words, he finally turned and left.
Cheng Jia accompanied Old Madam Li to the western side room. Zhou Shaojin followed Old Madam Guo to the eastern side room. After directing the maids to attend to Old Madam Guo and Old Madam Guan and help them rest, she also yawned and lay down to sleep.
In her drowsy state, Zhou Shaojin felt as if someone was shaking her.
She opened her eyes to find Old Madam Guo and Old Madam Guan gathered around her, looking at her with concern.
Shaojin jolted completely awake. She sat up abruptly and said, "What happened? Is it..."
Is it something about Uncle Chi?
Fortunately, Shaojin reined herself in at the last moment and swallowed those words.
Old Madam Guo and Old Madam Guan didn't notice her odd behavior at all. Seeing she was awake, they got straight to the point: "Jia is missing, and Cui Huan is missing too. Did she say anything to you?"
Shaojin was stunned, taking a moment to regain her senses. She said, "What did you say? Cousin Jia is missing? What do you mean, missing?"
The Cheng family guards had the courtyard surrounded tightly; how could Cheng Jia have disappeared?
Upon hearing this, Old Madam Guan glanced at Old Madam Guo.
Old Madam Guo showed a hint of displeasure. She said, "I told you Shaojin has nothing to do with this, but you wouldn't believe me!"
Old Madam Guan replied awkwardly, "It's just that I see Shaojin usually gets along so well with Jia; I wanted to see if Shaojin had any information!"
Shaojin understood now and hurriedly asked, "Madam, Grandmother, what exactly is going on?"
Old Madam Guo remained silent.
Old Madam Guan thought for a moment and said, "Just now, Old Madam Li came over and said she didn't see Jia when she woke from her nap. She thought Jia had gone out to play. After she dressed properly and was about to come over to pay her respects to us, Cheng Jia still hadn't been found. Moreover, according to the maids and servants around Old Madam Li, they never saw Jia come out. Later, we found a stepping stone under the back window... Old Madam Li cried until her eyes were swollen, insisting that if Jia were gone, she wouldn't want to live either..."
Could it be that Cheng Jia and Li Jing had eloped?
Remembering that she was privy to this, Shaojin grew very uneasy.
Old Madam Guan was quite strict with people, so Shaojin naturally didn't dare to look at her.
Shaojin glanced at Old Madam Guo instead.
Old Madam Guo's expression remained unchanged, but she said to Old Madam Guan, "Regarding Third Sister-in-law, please go and reply to her. Seeing her like that gives me a headache."
Old Madam Guan shook her head and went to Old Madam Li's place.
There was no time to lose!
Shaojin told Old Madam Guo everything about Cheng Jia and Li Jing in detail.
As she listened, Old Madam Guo's expression gradually grew stern, but she never scolded Shaojin. Instead, she asked, "Does the Third Branch know about this?"“They should know!” Zhou Shaojin said guiltily. “But as for Cousin Jia meeting Li Jing at Misty Tower and asking me to deliver a letter to Li Jing, I don’t know whether the Third Branch is aware of it!”
Old Madam Guo thought for a moment and said, “Just act as if you know nothing about this matter. No matter who asks, just say you’re the younger sister and don’t know anything. I will handle Old Madam Li myself. For now, stay quietly in the side room and don’t come out. Our First Branch and Fourth Branch cannot take the blame for Jia girl, so we’ll have to invite Third Branch’s Master Lu and First Madam Lu over.” She then added, “We probably won’t be able to return today. Fortunately, we’re at a temple, so staying for a night or two won’t be a problem.”
※
Dear readers, here is today’s update.
Typos will be fixed later.
※ (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to…)
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