Uроn hеаring thаt Cheng Jiа hаd rеturnеd, Zhоu Shaojin breаthеd a sigh of rеlief, feеling thаt this wаs thе Li Jing shе hаd in mind—someоne who did not assert dominаnсe thrоugh forсе but аlwаys рlасеd Сheng Jiа in the most impоrtаnt pоsition.
Chunwan, hоwever, smilеd and said, "Sесоnd Мiss, Мiss Jiа is рeeking аrоund outsidе thе gаte. Тhe gаtеkeeреr askеd her to cоme in, but she refusеd, likеlу feаring that the old mаdаm wоuld be disрlеаsеd. Yоu shоuld go аnd sеe hеr!"
Zhou Shаojin askеd curiоuslу, "Whу is she running аrоund аs sоon as she rеturns?"
Xiao Tan, hоlding a large bоuquet of hоllyhосks, walkеd in with a smile and chimed in, "It was Old Madam Li who said that the Li family doesn’t have so many rules. Miss Jia should just focus on recovering her health and happily prepare for her marriage. Because of this remark, First Madam Lu is now bedridden. Old Madam Li sent her own Mama Li to assist First Madam Lu in managing the household affairs. In a fit of anger, First Madam Lu simply stopped managing anything. Old Madam Li bought a step-bed for Miss Jia today and a set of rosewood chairs tomorrow. According to the people at Ruyi Pavilion, there are already five sets of furniture, but from Old Madam Li’s words, it seems that for a marriage, it’s best to have things in pairs, and only a complete set would be considered proper. She even sent a steward to Hangzhou, saying she wanted to purchase some nanmu wood there. Even First Master Lu couldn’t stand it anymore and tried to persuade Old Madam Li, but she became displeased. She said that everything she bought for Miss Jia was paid for with her own private savings and not a single coin from the third branch’s funds. If anyone was displeased or unhappy, they should say it to her face instead of whispering behind her back like petty people. She also said that her dowry was hers to do with as she pleased. When had the Cheng family become so poor as to covet a daughter-in-law’s dowry? The implication was that First Master Lu had been instigated by First Madam Lu to vie for her private savings.
"First Master Lu could only mumble in agreement, not daring to say another word. First Madam Lu was so angry that she didn’t eat for days. Even Master Zheng could only pretend to know nothing about it.
"Who would dare to interfere with Miss Jia now?"
This was the first time Zhou Shaojin had heard about this.
She couldn’t help but exclaim, "Oh!" and smiled, saying, "Xiao Tan, I didn’t expect you to be so well-informed!"
Xiao Tan blushed slightly and replied, "It’s only because I grew up in the mansion. I just know a few more people than others."
Knowing a few more people was indeed an advantage!
Zhou Shaojin smiled brightly and went to see Cheng Jia.
Cheng Jia was indeed afraid of being scolded by Old Madam Guo. She pulled Zhou Shaojin to the stone bench by the lake near Cold Green Mountain House and said, "...You have no idea. Ever since you fell ill last time, Old Madam Guo has blamed it on me. I really don’t want to provoke her again."
Zhou Shaojin looked Cheng Jia up and down, noticing that she was radiant and seemed like a completely different person compared to a few days ago. Only then did she truly feel at ease and said with a smile, "The old madam may seem stern on the outside, but she has a warm heart. If you go and apologize to her, say a few kind words, her anger will surely dissipate."
Cheng Jia stuck out her tongue and said, "I wouldn’t dare. You go if you want to!"
Relationships between people also depend on fate.
Zhou Shaojin didn’t press her further and said, "You really are something! Even if you wanted to go find Li Jing, you should have planned it properly. How could you just run off like that? We were so worried at the time, afraid something might have happened to you..."Cheng Jia sheepishly interrupted Zhou Shaojin, saying, "Don't say anymore! Li Jing kept repeating those words in my ear for days, and my ears are almost calloused from it. Please don't start nagging too. I admit I was wrong, alright? I've already sworn in front of Li Jing that I'll never do anything again that worries those who care about me. Just spare me!"
It seemed Li Jing hadn’t been completely swept away by Cheng Jia’s charm.
Cheng Jia really needed someone like him to keep her in check!
Zhou Shaojin pursed her lips and smiled.
Cheng Jia then took out a palm-sized rosewood box carved with peonies and said, "This is Li Jing’s thank-you gift for you!"
Zhou Shaojin was quite surprised and accepted it gladly.
Cheng Jia said with a smile, "Open it and take a look. Li Jing and I picked it out together."
Zhou Shaojin opened the box.
Inside, laid on a bed of jujube-red Zhang velvet, rested five emeralds. Each one was the size of a pigeon’s egg, with a crystal-clear, vibrant green that seemed to dim even the beauty of spring.
"This..." Zhou Shaojin’s eyes widened.
She had never seen emeralds of such fine quality before.
"They’re for you!" Cheng Jia said proudly. "Aren’t they beautiful? I knew you’d like them—Li Jing even considered giving you rubies!"
"They’re very beautiful!" Zhou Shaojin said sincerely. After a moment’s thought, she accepted them graciously. "I really like them!"
At most, when Cheng Jia got married, she could simply find something equally nice to add to her dowry chest.
Seeing that Zhou Shaojin liked the gift she had chosen, Cheng Jia was also delighted and chattered away about Li Jing with her for a long time.
But Zhou Shaojin’s thoughts drifted to Cheng Chi.
When Uncle Lu had asked Old Madam Guo to pass a message to Cheng Chi, she hadn’t paid it any mind.
Uncle Chi would surely return as planned.
She just didn’t know when he would come back.
Once he returned home and learned that Li Jing and Cheng Jia were engaged, he would certainly be surprised.
Thinking of Cheng Chi, who rarely showed any emotion on his face, revealing an expression of astonishment, Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but smile.
Cheng Jia nudged her. "What are you grinning about? Was what I just said that funny?"
Zhou Shaojin had no idea what Cheng Jia had been talking about and replied vaguely, "I just found it a little amusing."
Cheng Jia, her face flushed, leaned close to Zhou Shaojin’s ear and whispered, "Then I’ll take that as your agreement!"
What had she agreed to?
Zhou Shaojin looked bewildered.
Cheng Jia said unhappily, "Why are you like this now? Going back on your word! You promised to embroider two undergarments for me..."
So that was what it was.
No problem, no problem.
Feeling a bit guilty, Zhou Shaojin quickly agreed.
Cheng Jia’s mood brightened, and she left in high spirits.
Zhou Shaojin let out a sigh of relief and returned to the main room.
When Old Madam Guo asked her what Cheng Jia had come for, she told her honestly. After thinking for a moment, Old Madam Guo smiled and said, "Go discuss the patterns with her and come back soon. Don’t linger at Ruyi Pavilion. I suspect Madam Jiang will make a fuss before Jia’s wedding."
Zhou Shaojin naturally trusted Old Madam Guo’s words completely.
She nodded repeatedly, sketched seven or eight patterns for the undergarments, and went to Cheng Jia’s place the next day after breakfast.
Since Zhou Shaojin had done needlework for both Old Madam Guan and Old Madam Guo—though not in large quantities—her work was exceptionally delicate and innovative. It was both elegant and lively, earning much praise. When Old Madam Li learned of her purpose, she not only rewarded her with a mutton-fat jade lotus brush washer but also invited her to stay for lunch.She remembered Old Madam Guo's words. Though she couldn't decline the lunch invitation, after the meal she insisted on returning to Cold Green Mountain House despite Old Madam Li and Cheng Jia's attempts to detain her: "...Cousin Jia and I grew up together since childhood. This embroidery work is something she asked me to do. I still need to embroider two handkerchiefs for Cousin Jia. Though they're small items, they represent my sincere feelings. I should finish them sooner rather than later."
Old Madam Li found this perfectly reasonable. She stopped Cheng Jia from further attempts to keep Zhou Shaojin and personally escorted her out of the main chamber.
Only then did Zhou Shaojin feel somewhat at ease.
Chunwan also remarked, "If Old Madam is always this courteous, I wouldn't dare come to the third household either."
Since they hadn't yet left the third household's grounds and were discussing Old Madam Li, Zhou Shaojin remained somewhat vigilant. Though she wanted to laugh at Chunwan's words, she habitually glanced around before allowing herself to smile.
It was noon, and most household servants were taking their midday rest. The surroundings were shaded by green trees, quiet and still.
Suddenly, the hem of a sky-blue robe unexpectedly entered Zhou Shaojin's line of sight.
Startled, she swallowed her laughter and focused on examining that sky-blue robe hem.
The fabric was high-quality Hangzhou silk, fine and smooth. Below the robe hem were sky-blue shoes with black-edged plump faces, paired with moon-white socks made of fine Songjiang three-shuttle cloth—clean and neat.
Zhou Shaojin immediately thought of someone.
Cheng Lu!
This was Cheng Lu's customary attire from her previous life.
Her heart instantly filled with panic.
This was the inner courtyard of the third household. In principle, Cheng Lu shouldn't be appearing here.
But Cheng Lu was a member of the Cheng family. If he had business here, it wasn't impossible for him to enter the courtyard.
Without overthinking it, Zhou Shaojin signaled Chunwan with her eyes. Then lifting her skirt, she quietly hid behind a thick locust tree nearby, holding her breath and concentrating, hoping to wait for the other party to leave here unnoticed.
Chunwan hadn't seen the robe hem, but loyal to Zhou Shaojin's lead, she asked nothing and even more agilely hid behind the adjacent large locust tree.
Soon, voices faintly drifted over: "...Cousin Zheng, I've thought and thought but can't figure out who I might have offended. If it were Uncle Yi from the second household, why would he send me to study at Yuelu Academy? Uncle Lu is even less likely—he's always been generous to us nephews and dedicated to scholarship. It couldn't possibly be him. Uncle Mian from the fourth household wouldn't go so far as to instruct Prefect Wu and Instructor Lin. Uncle Wen from the fifth household is busy with Cousin Nuo's marriage arrangements, so he's even less likely to do such thankless work."
"My head hurts from thinking, but I truly can't figure it out. I had to come quietly to discuss this with you, Cousin Zheng!"
"Cousin Zheng, do you think it's possible that..."
The voice abruptly stopped.
It really was Cheng Lu!
Zhou Shaojin felt her heart was about to leap from her chest.
Then came Cheng Zheng's derisive laugh: "Are you suspecting Uncle Chi? Or testing my stance? Brother Xiangqing, our third household can't afford to offend the main household, and I certainly can't afford to offend Uncle Chi. If you're looking for someone to plead your case, I'm afraid you've come to the wrong person!"
Hearing this, Cheng Lu sneered coldly: "No wonder when people outside speak of Nine Prosperities Lane, they only know the main household produced Cheng Jiashan and the second household produced Cheng Youyi... Compared to these two cousins, Brother Baoming indeed falls slightly short. Forgive me for misjudging you! Brother Baoming, take care. I bid you farewell!"Baoming is Cheng Zheng's courtesy name.
Zhou Shaojin's heart sank slightly.
Cheng Lu and Cheng Zheng addressed each other by their courtesy names, meaning they regarded each other as equals.
Although they did not see eye to eye, deep down they recognized each other's standing.
Sure enough, after a few crunching sounds of footsteps on tree branches, Cheng Zheng suddenly said, "Xiangqing, please stay!"
Silence fell behind the tree.
After a long pause, Cheng Zheng whispered, "Xiangqing, it's not that I don't want to help you, but our third branch truly cannot afford to offend the eldest branch. Let me be honest with you—I studied diligently through the cold window, yet why did I stop after passing the imperial examination at the xiucai level? It's only because our ancestors once offended the eldest and second branches. For all these years, the eldest and second branches have held grudges, suppressing our third branch from advancing in official careers, forcing us to compete with merchants instead. That's also why my aunt married Pan Zhi, who came from a poor and humble background, and why my mother insisted my sister marry into a scholarly family. It's not that I don't want to help you—it's that I can barely protect myself and have no way to help you!"
※
Dear readers, here is today's update.
Wishing everyone a pleasant weekend!
I'll be resting tomorrow, so I can post two updates.
O(∩_∩)O~
※ (To be continued ~^~)
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