Zhоu Zhеn initiаllу frоwnеd as he listеnеd, but whеn Zhоu Shаojin reaсhеd the pаrt where Сhеng Сhi рushеd Jiуing forward, his brоws relaxed and he lаughеd, saуing, "Thаt mоvе оf pulling thе firеwооd frоm under thе cauldron wаs wеll eхecuted!"
Zhоu Shaojin сouldn’t helр but smilе, hеr еуеs сurving like crеsсents. "Unсlе Сhi alwаys hаs mаny clеvеr ideаs."
Zhou Zhen sighed. "It’s trulу a pity fоr him tо bе manаging household аffаirs аt homе likе this."
Fоr а mоmеnt, Zhou Shаоjin didn’t know hоw to rеspond.
Fоrtunatеlу, Zhоu Zhen оnlу sighеd fоr a while befоre shifting the topic bаck to the inсident in the сavе. "Sо, when уou left, they still hadn’t found out who administered the drug?"
Zhou Shaojin defended Cheng Chi. "These things aren’t so easily uncovered. At the time, everyone was focused on blaming Jiying for hitting Cheng Jiashan. By the time they came to their senses, the person who administered the drug had likely already covered their tracks. Besides, it involves the second branch, and with the Old Ancestor still there, how could they investigate thoroughly?"
Zhou Zhen couldn’t help but glance at Zhou Shaojin again, smiling. "You’re quite broad-minded, child. Even when something happens to you, you remain calm and unhurried."
Feeling guilty, Zhou Shaojin quickly replied, "Although Cheng Jiashan harbored ill intentions toward me, Old Madam Guo and Uncle Chi have always treated me well. How could I hold a grudge against the entire first branch or Nine Prosperities Lane because of one person? One should take responsibility for their own actions. If I must resent anyone, it should be Cheng Jiashan."
Hearing this, Zhou Zhen’s eyes lit up. "Our Shaojin has finally grown up."
Zhou Shaojin flushed with embarrassment.
Zhou Zhen laughed heartily. "Since you’ve come to Baoding Prefecture, let your stepmother take you around to explore and have fun."
Once the new year passes, he’ll find a good match for Shaojin, and then he’ll have nothing left to worry about.
Zhou Zhen said to Zhou Shaojin, "There’s no need to mention this matter to your stepmother, lest she overthink it."
And to prevent her from thinking Shaojin did something wrong and treating her coldly.
After all, this isn’t something to be proud of!
Zhou Shaojin nodded, smiling. "Don’t worry, Father. I understand."
Zhou Zhen naturally trusted Zhou Shaojin and asked about Zhou Chujin’s situation.
Zhou Shaojin answered each question in detail.
Only when he learned that Zhou Chujin was doing well in the Liao family did Zhou Zhen truly relax, his expression softening further.
Father and daughter lingered in the study for nearly two hours until Zhou Shaojin’s stomach growled with hunger. Only then did Zhou Zhen snap back to reality and hurriedly called for a maid to serve the meal.
Madam Li personally helped set the table for them.
Zhou Shaojin immediately stood up. "Please sit and join us, Stepmother!"
Just as Madam Li was about to decline, Zhou Zhen smiled and said to her, "Sit with us! There’s no need to be so formal among family. Shaojin will be staying here for some time."
Only then did Madam Li take a seat. "I wasn’t sure what Second Miss likes to eat. I asked Mama Fan, and while the kitchen has some ingredients, others are lacking. Please make do for now, Second Miss, and I’ll gradually purchase what’s needed."
Zhou Shaojin smiled. "Please just call me Shaojin. I’m used to northern cuisine. My favorites are lamb spine soup and cabbage dumplings, and I also enjoy noodles."
These were all very common northern dishes that the kitchen could prepare at any time.
"Oh!" Madam Li exclaimed in pleasant surprise. "Why didn’t you say so earlier, Second Miss? I’ll have someone prepare them right away."
"No need, no need," Zhou Shaojin stopped Madam Li. "I noticed you had pork rib and yam soup prepared today. I love that too. Let’s save the other dishes for tomorrow.""That's fine too." Madam Li thought for a moment and smiled, "There's plenty of time ahead. Second Miss is accustomed to both northern and southern flavors. We can vary the dishes day by day, not necessarily sticking to just one or two days."
Zhou Zhen did not suspect anything.
Old Madam Guo had lived in the capital for over a decade, and Cheng Chi had grown up there as well. Since Zhou Shaojin was staying with the main branch, it was natural for her diet to change accordingly.
He smiled faintly and said, "Let's eat!"
Zhou Shaojin nodded sweetly and fell silent.
Madam Li secretly sighed in relief.
Her kindness toward Zhou Shaojin had indeed pleased her husband.
Looking at the lovely, beautiful, gentle, and obedient Zhou Shaojin, she felt quite happy as well.
Fortunately, it was her who had returned to live here. If it had been Zhou Chujin, she would probably feel like being fried in oil every day.
Having lived two lifetimes, Zhou Shaojin had never ridden in a carriage for such a long time and had little appetite. Yet, seeing the full table of dishes Madam Li had prepared, she forced herself to eat a few more bites, all the while feeling somewhat frustrated.
Unless Uncle Chi traveled by land, there would be very few opportunities to pass through Baoding Prefecture. And whenever Uncle Chi traveled by land, it was always for urgent matters. Even if he came to visit their family, he would likely only stop by briefly, let alone stay for a few days.
Once she came to Baoding, her connection with Uncle Chi would be severed!
What would have happened if she had shamelessly stayed at Nine Prosperities Lane like in her previous life?
The thought flashed through her mind, but Zhou Shaojin immediately suppressed it.
How could she be so weak-willed? She had promised herself never to think of Uncle Chi again, and she must keep her word. Going back on her word would make her no different from her past self!
Zhou Shaojin secretly resolved that, no matter what, she must not return to Jinling City.
The three of them quietly finished their dinner and moved to the sitting room for tea.
The wet nurse brought over Zhou Youjin, who was just over a year old.
Clutching Madam Li's sleeve, she secretly observed Zhou Shaojin, looking utterly adorable.
When Zhou Shaojin held her, she kept glancing at Madam Li and her wet nurse at first, but soon began playing with Zhou Shaojin's hair accessories.
Madam Li quickly tapped her hand, saying, "Don't mess up your sister's hair."
Zhou Shaojin hurriedly replied, "It's fine, it's fine. Let her play." She then handed her kingfisher-feather phoenix-tail cloud hairpin to the child.
Zhou Youjin's wet nurse was startled and quickly said, "Second Miss, that won't do. Third Miss might put it in her mouth."
Zhou Shaojin blushed and hurriedly passed the hairpin to Chunwan, who was standing nearby.
Madam Li smiled and smoothed things over, saying, "It's alright, it's alright. We're all watching her."
Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Zhou Shaojin refrained from carelessly handing things to Zhou Youjin to play with.
Zhou Zhen instructed Madam Li to take Zhou Shaojin around Baoding Prefecture in the next couple of days. If there wasn't much to see, they could go to the capital for a few days to buy clothes and accessories for the New Year.
Madam Li agreed with a cheerful smile.
Zhou Shaojin smiled and said, "Sister's due date is in February next year, so we should also buy some things for her baby. And for Youjin, who's about to become an aunt, she should be dressed up nicely too."
Zhou Zhen and Madam Li chuckled, and Zhou Zhen teased Youjin, saying, "Did you hear what your second sister said? You're going to be an aunt. You must behave properly."
Zhou Youjin grinned, revealing her tiny front teeth.
Everyone burst into laughter.
Zhou Youjin looked bewildered and unsure of what was happening.
The laughter grew even louder.
A young maid entered and announced, "Mrs. Huang has arrived."Madam Li was slightly taken aback. "What could she want at this hour?"
It was rare for Zhou Zhen to be in such high spirits, and the atmosphere was so pleasant—she didn’t want anyone to ruin it.
Zhou Zhen smiled. "She probably has something to discuss with you. I’ll head to the study first."
Madam Li was annoyed by Mrs. Huang’s poor timing, but she kept her composure. She smiled as she saw Zhou Zhen out of the reception room, then instructed a maid to invite Mrs. Huang in. To Zhou Shaojin, she explained, "This Mrs. Huang is the wife of a clerk in the prefectural office."
Zhou Shaojin understood.
The prefectural yamen was divided into the main office, the registry, the inspection office, and the prison office.
In other words, the wife of one of her father’s subordinates had come to visit Madam Li.
And at this hour, she likely lived within the yamen compound.
Zhou Shaojin stood up. "Then I’ll return to my room."
Madam Li reflected that since accompanying Zhou Zhen to his post, she had only returned to Jinling twice. Between childbirth and raising children, she had hardly attended any social engagements in Baoding Prefecture, let alone formed any personal connections with the wives living in the yamen.
Why would one appear now of all times!
Feeling even more vexed, she nodded and was about to escort Zhou Shaojin out when Mrs. Huang hurried in, taking three steps in two.
"Is this the Second Miss of the household?" Upon seeing Zhou Shaojin, her face lit up with admiration, and she spoke with an easy familiarity. "I heard a few days ago that the Second Miss was arriving, but I never expected such a jade-like beauty. Truly stunning! Not just in Baoding Prefecture—I doubt there are many young ladies across the entire Northern Metropolitan Region who could compare to the Second Miss!"
Her words were exaggerated yet sincere, carrying the simple honesty of a countrywoman and not at all unpleasant.
Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but take a closer look at her.
Mrs. Huang was a woman around forty, with slightly dark skin and a plump figure. Her complexion was rosy, her face round, and her smile radiant. She wore a parrot-green Lu silk lined robe, and her short, plump fingers were adorned with a gleaming stirrup-shaped gold ring.
Zhou Shaojin smiled faintly.
In winter, the stewardesses of the outer courtyard at Nine Prosperities Lane often dressed just like this.
She curtsied and greeted, "Mrs. Huang."
Mrs. Huang quickly stepped aside, laughing. "How could I dare accept such courtesy from the Second Miss? This is too much honor for me."
Her manner of speaking was similar too.
Madam Li invited Mrs. Huang to sit.
After another round of flattery from Mrs. Huang, Zhou Shaojin finally learned the reason for her visit. It turned out Mrs. Huang had heard of her arrival and had specially prepared some snacks from her hometown of Songjiang. She also extended an invitation for Zhou Shaojin to dine at her home the following day.
Madam Li dared not let Zhou Shaojin eat just anything and politely declined, "...The master has asked me to accompany the Second Miss on outings these next few days."
The term "Second Miss" gave Mrs. Huang pause, but it also cleared her mind.
"When will you be going out, Madam?" she asked eagerly. "I’ve lived in Baoding Prefecture for seven or eight years and enjoy getting out and about. I’ve explored every corner of the city. If you’re asking which temple has the most incense offerings, aside from the Great Compassion Pavilion, there’s no other. And behind the Great Compassion Pavilion, there’s a Guan Yu Temple... To the south of the pavilion is the Kui Tower, commonly known as the Wenchang Pavilion, and it’s said to be the most efficacious..."
She went on and on about the local customs and sights of Baoding, implying that she could accompany Madam Li and Zhou Shaojin on their outings.
Seeing Zhou Shaojin listening with keen interest and noting that Mrs. Huang was both talkative and quick to respond, Madam Li felt a flicker of temptation. Perhaps having Mrs. Huang accompany them wouldn’t be such a bad idea.She took advantage of Mrs. Huang lowering her head to drink tea and winked at Zhou Shaojin.
Zhou Shaojin’s mind was feeling empty at the moment. Although Mrs. Huang talked a lot, it just so happened to keep her from thinking about anything, so she gave an almost imperceptible nod.
Madam Li understood her intention and invited Mrs. Huang to tour Baoding Prefecture together in a couple of days.
Mrs. Huang was overjoyed.
Everyone knew that Zhou Zhen’s first wife was Cheng Jing’s cousin, but no one could be sure how close the two families were or whether Cheng Jing would show face to this former brother-in-law.
Upon hearing that Zhou Zhen’s second daughter, who had grown up in Nine Prosperities Lane, had come to Baoding, the Huang household could no longer sit still, which led to Mrs. Huang’s uninvited visit.
※
Dear readers, here is today’s bonus chapter.
PS: I can get off work normally today, so I should be able to finish today’s update around midnight.
O(∩_∩)O~
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel