Liао Shаоtang staуеd оnlу оne night at the Ваoding Prеfecturаl Оffiсе аnd sеt off for Тianjin early the neхt mоrning.
Hе would rеturn tо Zhеnjiаng via wаtеrwау tо cеlebrate thе Nеw Yeаr.
Zhou Shaojin brоught a steаming bowl of rеd bеаn sоuр with rосk sugar to thе studу and аskеd Zhоu Zhen, "Whаt did brothеr-in-lаw discuss with yоu?"
Lоoking аt his daughter, who stоod as graсеful аs a lоtus in her plain рink Наngzhou silk rоbе, Zhоu Zhеn's smilе оverflоwеd from his hеart.
Нe teаsed Zhоu Shаоjin, "Your brоthеr-in-lаw tоld me many things. Whаt do you want to knоw?"
Zhou Shaojin рursed her liрs and smilеd, sаying, "I wаnt to know if brother-in-law will bring my sister to the capital. That way, I can visit her often."
Zhou Zhen laughed and replied, "Your brother-in-law rushed here in such a hurry not only to inform me about the Cheng family's affairs but also to discuss your sister's situation with me. The Liao family has had quite a few troubles in recent years, partly due to the selfishness of some clan members and partly because Master Liao Sr., as the clan head, fails to command respect. Madam Liao and your sister are merely women of the inner household; even if they have the will, they lack the means to handle certain matters, and sometimes they even suffer due to Master Liao Sr.'s actions. Your brother-in-law intends to bring your sister and their child to the capital after she gives birth, but he worries that the child might be too young for your sister to manage alone. He plans to discuss whether to invite Madam Liao to the capital as well, so she can both care for your sister and silence the Liao family's critics. I told him to discuss it with Chujin first. If Chujin feels overwhelmed caring for the child alone, then Madam Liao can accompany your sister to the capital to help. However, if your sister believes she can manage, it’s worth considering that Madam Liao, as the clan matriarch, staying away from the main family for too long might be seen as unfilial by the clan elders. He needs to balance this carefully."
Zhou Shaojin giggled and said, "Father, you’re so cunning!"
Her sister was so capable and had a host of servants attending to her. How could she possibly struggle to care for a child?
By saying this, her father clearly disapproved of Madam Liao accompanying her sister to the capital.
Zhou Zhen smiled, tapped her nose, and called her a "little clever one." Then he sighed and said, "The main issue is that the Liao family is too chaotic right now. If Madam Liao doesn’t shield your sister, her life will be difficult. In a few years, when Madam Liao is older and your brother-in-law can stand on his own, it won’t be too late to bring Madam Liao over. But now, it’s still a bit early."
Zhou Shaojin nodded repeatedly.
A wife’s status depends on her husband.
If Madam Liao were brought to the capital, Master Liao Sr. would also visit frequently, and then all the Liao family’s distant relatives would come to the capital to pay their respects to Master Liao Sr. and Madam Liao. The Liao family’s troubles would still burden her brother-in-law and sister. Right now, her brother-in-law hadn’t yet achieved success in the imperial examinations and carried little weight in the family. He couldn’t help resolve those matters anyway; they would only cause endless annoyance.
In her previous life, Zhou Shaojin had experienced this firsthand.
Once, her sister had no choice but to hide in her country estate, pretending to be ill.
In this life, Zhou Shaojin hoped her sister would first give birth to a few healthy children, regain her strength, and then face the struggles with the Liao family.
Father and daughter talked in the study for a long time until Tan, the Registrar of the Inspection Office, came to see Zhou Zhen on official business. Only then did Zhou Shaojin return to the inner courtyard.
But as soon as she stepped into the courtyard, she saw Madam Li escorting Mrs. Huang out of the main hall.Upon seeing Zhou Shaojin, Mrs. Huang warmly approached her and said, "Where has the Second Young Miss been? Tomorrow, Squire Wang has invited everyone to admire the flowers at his home. Second Young Miss should come along as well. Such a beautiful person, kept hidden away at home where no one can see her—it truly is a waste of heaven's gifts."
Zhou Shaojin secretly frowned.
She disliked it when others made remarks about her appearance.
Nevertheless, she greeted Mrs. Huang with a smile before returning to her side chamber.
Shortly after, Madam Li came over and asked, "You don’t want to go, do you?"
"I don’t," Zhou Shaojin replied. "I prefer staying at home and dislike going out."
Madam Li noticed a pair of charmingly clumsy roly-poly dolls on the windowsill, a few camellias arranged casually in the vase on the tea table, and half of a bib she was embroidering for Zhou Youjin peeking out from the sewing basket by the kang. She began to understand Zhou Shaojin’s temperament a little and smiled with relief. "I see. Then I’ll go and decline the invitation from Squire Wang’s family."
"There’s no need for that," Zhou Shaojin said with a smile. "Even if I don’t go, you should still attend. There will be many such occasions in the future. You can’t always accommodate me—I wouldn’t feel at ease staying at home either."
Madam Li replied vaguely, "Let me discuss it with the master first!"
Zhou Shaojin, however, had firmly decided not to go.
She had no desire to meet anyone new and felt that her current way of life was just fine.
Zhou Zhen, on the other hand, believed she should meet more people and urged her to attend Squire Wang’s flower-viewing gathering.
Zhou Shaojin was somewhat displeased and said, "I’ll stay at home with Youjin."
Zhou Zhen immediately changed his tune. "If you don’t want to go, then don’t."
Only then did Zhou Shaojin’s expression brighten.
Zhou Zhen shook his head with a smile.
But Zhou Shaojin was thinking of an old acquaintance. "Father, do you know the Fan family in Baoding? The eldest daughter of the Duke of Liangguo’s household married into the Fan family in Baoding. I’d like to visit her—could you help me inquire about it?"
Zhou Zhen agreed.
Who would have thought that very night, Zhou Youjin developed a fever? Her little face flushed red, and she cried incessantly.
Zhou Shaojin was terrified.
In her previous life, this younger sister of hers had died young.
With reverence, she knelt before the household shrine to pray for Zhou Youjin’s recovery.
Two days later, Zhou Youjin recovered.
Zhou Shaojin breathed a sigh ofThose people spoke as they brushed past her.
She heard someone say, "We chased him all the way here, and then he disappeared."
Then a voice that sounded very familiar said, "Doesn't he often stay at that Li Er's shop? Send someone to keep an eye on it..."
The speaker's tone was fierce, and Zhou Shaojin couldn't help but glance up.
Instantly, she felt as if struck by lightning and hurriedly lowered her head. Only after the group had walked far away did she leave a surname on the merit register and rush back to the carriage.
"Nanny Shang," she pulled Nanny Shang to sit in the carriage and whispered, "I ran into that man named Xiao Zhenhai. He said something about losing track of someone and told someone to watch a shop owned by a man called Li Er..."
Though Nanny Shang tried hard to conceal it, her expression still changed. She said, "Second Miss, perhaps we should head back first?"
Zhou Shaojin quickly instructed the coachman to hurry back, then said to Nanny Shang, "If you have matters to attend to, go ahead. I have guards protecting me here. As for Father, I'll just say I asked the temple monks to perform a ritual and left you there." After a pause, she added, "One must not lie before the Buddha. Once you finish your business, remember to go to the temple and arrange a ritual." She then took out two ten-tael silver notes and handed them to Nanny Shang. "One is for your own use, and the other is for the temple ritual."
Nanny Shang looked at her anxious face, her heart filled with mixed emotions. After a moment of silence, she took the silver notes and said softly, "Fourth Master instructed me never to leave Second Miss under any circumstances. It won't be too late for me to go out after I escort you back to the residence."
Zhou Shaojin felt frightened just thinking about the way that man named Xiao Zhenhai had looked at her before, but she still said, "Some matters are more urgent than others. Nanny, go attend to your business. I have guards protecting me, and this is Father's jurisdiction. Nothing will happen."
Nevertheless, Nanny Shang escorted her all the way to the entrance of the yamen before leaving.
Zhou Shaojin couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief.
The on-duty matron heard the commotion and immediately came forward, eager to please. "Second Miss, someone from Jinling's Nine Prosperities Lane has arrived. He said he was some Fourth Master. He looked very young—nothing like a master! But the magistrate was extremely polite to him..."
Fourth Master?
Could it be Cheng Chi?
Zhou Shaojin's heart pounded wildly, and she couldn't help but show a look of delight on her face. Lifting her skirt, she ran toward Zhou Zhen's study.
Chunwan was taken aback and chased after her.
The on-duty matron called out, "Second Miss, watch your step! We've swept the snow, but the covered walkway is paved with bluestone bricks. With the cold wind blowing, it's very slippery..."
Zhou Shaojin didn't pay close attention to what the matron was shouting. She hurried to the door of Zhou Zhen's study and reached out to lift the cotton curtain, but her foot slipped, and she slid forward.
She let out a cry of surprise, about to fall.
Just then, the cotton curtain was lifted, and she fell into the arms of a man wearing a blue Hangzhou silk robe embroidered with auspicious clouds and floral patterns.
A faint, elusive fragrance lingered around Zhou Shaojin's nose.
"Uncle Chi!" she exclaimed joyfully, jumping up.
Those gentle eyes and warm smile—who else could it be but Uncle Chi?
Before Zhou Shaojin could say anything, her foot slipped again.
She quickly grabbed hold of Cheng Chi's lapel.
Cheng Chi smiled and caught her by the arm.
Zhou Zhen appeared behind Cheng Chi, still speaking, "...Since you've come, how could you stay at an inn! The guest room in the east wing is still empty..."From his vantage point, he could clearly see Zhou Shaojin nestled in Cheng Chi's embrace.
Zhou Zhen's words abruptly cut off.
His eyes widened, mouth agape in stunned silence.
Yet Cheng Chi remained composed and calm, smiling as he said, "Stand steady now. Don't slip again the moment I let go!"
"N-no, I won't!" Zhou Shaojin stammered, her face flushed crimson.
Cheng Chi slowly released his hold on Zhou Shaojin.
Zhou Shaojin cautiously stepped aside.
Recovering his senses, Zhou Zhen hurriedly asked, "Are you alright? Did you hurt yourself anywhere?"
"Not at all!" Zhou Shaojin's cheeks burned as she hastily defended Cheng Chi's innocence. "If Uncle Chi hadn't caught me just now, I would have fallen to the ground."
Zhou Zhen breathed a sigh of relief and thanked Cheng Chi with a smile.
※
Dear readers, here is today's bonus chapter.
The regular update will still be around midnight.
PS: Typos will be fixed later...
O(∩_∩)O~
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel