Uроn hеаring Сhеng Zheng revеаl suсh а sеcret historу, nоt only Zhоu Shaojin, but еvеn Сhеng Lu wаs lеft stunned for а long while.
Cheng Zheng said арolоgetiсаllу, "Хiangqing, whу nоt disсuss this with Shiсоng from thе second brаnсh? Thеir eldest branсh has alwаys beеn сlоsе tо thе sеcond brаnсh. With his helр, еvеn if it doеsn’t cоmрletelу аpрease Unсle Chi’s angеr, аt lеast it сan ensure уоur futurе remаins sесurе. Тhе assеssmеnt will follоw right aftеr the prоvinciаl ехaminаtiоn, аnd timе waits for no оne."
Cheng Lu hesitatеd, "I’ve never hаd much interаctiоn with Вrothеr Zheng, and this involves Uncle Chi... I’m afraid Brother Zheng won’t help me?"
Cheng Zheng replied, "If you want me to step in, he’ll be even less likely to help. Their two families have always been wary of me!"
Cheng Lu asked, "Then what do you suggest, Brother Baoming?"
Cheng Zheng thought for a moment and said, "I’ll give you an idea. Whether it works or not depends on your luck!"
Cheng Lu repeatedly expressed his gratitude.
Cheng Zheng lowered his voice until it gradually became inaudible.
Zhou Shaojin was frantic with anxiety but could do nothing, not daring to move even half a step.
After a while, she heard Cheng Lu say excitedly to Cheng Zheng, "Thank you, Brother Baoming! Once I’ve dealt with this matter, I’ll treat you to tea!"
Cheng Zheng chuckled and said, "We’re brothers, no need for such formalities. However, you should explain things properly to Yuelu Academy. As one of the four great academies, if they form a poor impression of you, it could hinder you even if you enter officialdom later."
Both Cheng Lu and Zhou Shaojin were hearing such reasoning for the first time.
After a moment of silence, Zhou Shaojin heard Cheng Lu say resentfully, "No wonder someone wanted to send me to study at Yuelu Academy! So this was their plan all along."
Cheng Zheng said earnestly, "Since Uncle Bo passed away, there are things you no longer know. Most scholars from Huguang come from Yuelu Academy, while those from Jiangxi are barred from serving in the Ministry of Revenue. If you only want to be a seventh-rank county magistrate, that’s one thing. But if you aspire to become a high-ranking provincial official, you’ll have to deal with the Ministry of Revenue every year—whether it’s taxes, river projects, or military pay. They won’t withhold or obstruct you outright, but simply dragging things out according to regulations would be enough to cause you serious trouble."
Cheng Lu fell silent.
In the woods, the sound of cracking branches and rustling clothes grew fainter as they walked away.
Zhou Shaojin knew they had left and couldn’t help but sigh in relief. After waiting until the sounds had long faded, she glanced around. Seeing no one in sight, she cautiously stepped out from behind the large locust tree.
Chunwan’s face was pale.
Zhou Shaojin felt sympathy for her.
Anyone hearing such words would be terrified and break into a cold sweat, let alone Chunwan, who was merely a maid!
She comforted Chunwan, "Don’t be afraid. I’ll handle everything! But you must keep these words buried deep in your heart. Otherwise, not even the greatest immortal could save you."
Chunwan nodded repeatedly.
Both of them were heavy-hearted and returned to Cold Green Mountain House in silence.
Not wanting to worry Old Madam Guo, Zhou Shaojin mustered her spirits and showed her the embroidery pattern she had designed for Cheng Jia.
Old Madam Guo particularly liked the design of the indigo-blue undergarment embroidered with peach-red four-season Ruyi patterns. She smiled and said, "You should make one for yourself too. Young girls look best dressed in such bright colors."
Zhou Shaojin blushed deeply. Upon returning to Floating Emerald Pavilion, she couldn’t resist taking off her clothes and holding the fabric up against herself to compare.Her delicate, fair skin, set against the smooth, plain indigo Hangzhou silk, was as pure and beautiful as freshly fallen snow.
Her face flushed even redder, and she bit her lip. After dressing, she called Chunwan in and asked her to put away that bolt of plain indigo Hangzhou silk: "I have another use for it."
Chunwan, suspecting nothing, smiled and stored the fabric in the chest. She asked, "Then what material will Second Young Miss use to embroider that undergarment with the four-season ruyi pattern?"
"Let's use lake green," Zhou Shaojin said. "Embroidered with goose-yellow designs. It will look just as lovely."
Chunwan nodded with a smile, not giving it further thought.
Xiao Tan came running in, beaming with joy and slightly out of breath. "Second Young Miss, Fourth Master has returned!"
"Really?" Zhou Shaojin dropped her paintbrush and dashed outside.
Cheng Chi had just arrived at Cold Green Mountain House, still dusty from his journey, when he saw Zhou Shaojin standing gracefully beneath the covered corridor of the flower hall. She wore a peach-pink jacket trimmed with scallion-green piping and was craning her neck to look around. Spotting him, her eyes lit up, and she ran toward him.
Like a young swallow returning to the woods.
Cheng Chi’s smile bloomed uncontrollably, as gentle as a spring breeze.
Zhou Shaojin stopped breathlessly before him, her eyes bright as the summer sun, gazing intently at him. "Uncle Chi, when did you return?"
Cheng Chi smiled warmly and replied softly, "Just now! I haven’t even had time to wash up, and you’ve already caught me at the door."
He teased her.
Zhou Shaojin’s face immediately burned hot, then paled as she lowered her head.
How could she dare harbor such thoughts about Uncle Chi?
Even thinking of it was disrespectful to him!
She quickly composed herself and said with a smile, "Then Uncle Chi should hurry back to freshen up! The Old Mistress must be waiting anxiously."
Yet her smile seemed somewhat forced.
Cheng Chi couldn’t help but feel puzzled.
This young girl’s moods were like the weather in June—changeable in an instant. The little lass had been fine just a moment ago, so why did she suddenly seem upset?
Everything at home had been peaceful lately, and she had been cheerful all along, with no grievances to speak of… Could it be because of Cheng Jia’s matter?
But hadn’t Cheng Jia’s affair been resolved smoothly?
Cheng Chi pondered with a smile, "Is there something you want to tell me?"
Zhou Shaojin’s heart seemed to skip a beat.
Could Uncle Chi have noticed something?
Feeling guilty, she stammered, "I… I have nothing to say to Uncle Chi…"
Cheng Chi prompted her, "Cheng Jia should be getting married soon, right?"
So that’s what Uncle Chi meant!
Zhou Shaojin secretly sighed in relief and smiled. "I thought Uncle Chi didn’t know about it?"
Cheng Chi smiled faintly.
She was someone who couldn’t hide her thoughts, at least not in front of him.
Perhaps she was waiting for him to settle in before finding a chance to discuss it properly?
Cheng Chi then said, "After I pay my respects to the Old Mistress, let’s have dinner together!"
Zhou Shaojin’s heart leaped again, and she chirped happily, "Then I’ll go help Biyu and the others prepare the meal."
Cheng Chi nodded.
Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but watch him leave.
Cheng Chi felt a gaze as gentle as water clinging tightly to his back.
His heart tightened.
He repeatedly recalled his own behavior just now, confirming again and again that he had done nothing improper, before finally relaxing.
This little girl, does she even know what she’s doing?
Cheng Chi returned to the Listening Oriole Pavilion with a wry smile to wash up.Huaishan brought in the gifts he had brought back and placed them on the small table beside the luohan bed.
Cheng Chi's gaze fell upon the small box wrapped in purple-gold brocade.
This was the gift he had brought for Zhou Shaojin.
Thinking of Zhou Shaojin's gaze earlier, he hesitated for a rare moment before storing the box in a compartment of the curio shelf in his study, then headed to the main room.
The main room was filled with joy and liveliness. His mother stood smiling in the hall, watching Zhou Shaojin direct Biyu and the others in setting the tableware.
Cheng Chi was somewhat surprised.
In recent years, he had spent most of his time traveling, and even when at home, he either stayed at Algae Garden or dined at Hill of Clustered Cassia Courtyard. On the rare occasions he visited, his mother, though pleased, remained composed and carried on with her usual activities, never displaying such open enthusiasm as she did now.
Cheng Chi glanced toward Zhou Shaojin.
He saw her chattering away as she instructed Biyu: "The weather is so hot, and Uncle Chi has traveled all the way back—it must have been exhausting. Start with a platter of assorted fruits, then serve cold dishes. It’ll whet the appetite and relieve the heat. Although chilled mung bean soup and lotus seed soup are good, they’re ultimately cold foods, and I worry that the sudden shift between heat and cold might upset the stomach. Also, remind the kitchen staff that if anyone from Listening Oriole Pavilion asks for chilled treats, explain it to them properly and suggest waiting until tomorrow…"
Biyu nodded repeatedly.
Old Madam Guo had already noticed Cheng Chi and greeted her son with a smile: "You’ve arrived!"
Cheng Chi hurried forward to pay his respects.
Zhou Shaojin’s face flushed slightly.
Had Uncle Chi overheard what she was saying just now?
If he had, would he think she was meddling in matters that didn’t concern her?
In her past life, she had been frail, unable to touch this or that, and had developed many precautions. Without thinking, she had applied them to Uncle Chi…
She discreetly observed Cheng Chi’s expression.
Seeing him calmly pay his respects to Old Madam Guo, Zhou Shaojin’s anxious heart finally settled.
Cheng Chi felt rather troubled.
The young girl had put so much thought into caring for him, and out of both courtesy and reason, he ought to thank her.
But he feared that if he continued to show her such consideration, her vague feelings for him might become glaringly obvious to everyone.
He wasn’t afraid for himself.
What worried him was that someone might point it out to the young girl and embarrass her.
Cheng Chi decided to pretend he hadn’t noticed anything. He helped Old Madam Guo to her seat at the table and said with a smile, "How have you been these days? I heard Cheng Jia and Li Jing are engaged. With this marriage, the Li family will likely enter officialdom. I wonder how the Second Branch’s ancestors will handle it when the Li family’s younger generation wants to study at the Cheng Clan School?"
If the Li family produced scholars, the Third Branch would gain support, and the current balance would be disrupted.
Old Madam Guo remained silent and glanced at Biyu.
Biyu and the others tactfully withdrew.
Zhou Shaojin had initially intended to leave as well, but remembering that no one would be there to serve the dishes if she left, she stayed behind. Half her attention remained on Cheng Chi and Old Madam Guo, while the other half focused on the servants bringing dishes from outside.Old Madam Guo had clearly considered this issue as well, and said solemnly, "Let's not even discuss whether the Li family would come seeking education. Even if they did, it would be at least ten years from now—after Jia'er gives birth to a son, and the Li family feels their relationship with the Cheng family is sufficiently close. We can’t suppress others just because someone might achieve success, can we? In worldly affairs, it’s always better to guide than to block! If Jiashan lacks even this much magnanimity and capability, how can he serve as the heir of Nine Prosperities Lane? When you allowed Li Jing to marry Jia'er, wasn’t that your thought as well?"
Zhou Shaojin took a bowl of braised pork with cherries brought over by a servant and placed it on the table, pricking up her ears to listen.
Then came Cheng Chi’s clear laughter, saying, "I hadn’t thought that far. I just felt it was rare for Li Jing to value Cheng Jia so highly. If Cheng Jia marries him, it would surely be much better than marrying someone else. As for whether it brings assistance or not—if the family still has to rely on women and children to accomplish things, then the Cheng family wouldn’t be far from collapse."
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Dear readers, here’s today’s bonus update.
O(∩_∩)O~
PS: Updates are scheduled for midnight, which is safer...
※ (To be continued ~^~)
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