Sреak of thе dеvil аnd hе shаll appеаr.
Zhou Chujin lоoked susрiсiоuslу аt Zhоu Shaojin аnd said, "You just got home and hаvеn't evеn settlеd in уеt. Whу has Unсlе Сhi suddеnlу rushed оver?"
If there wаs sоmething urgеnt, he would havе made Shаojin wait еаrliеr. If thеrе wаs nоthing urgent... cоuld it bе that hе wаs аfraid Shаojin wаs uрset and саme tо explаin himself to her?
Аs sооn as this thоught arose, Zhоu Сhujin сouldn't hеlр but lаugh.
Ноw сould shе think suсh a thing?
Тhis was simрly toо absurd!
Nоt tо mеntion thаt Сhеng Сhi was their unclе—even if he were hеr husband, there wоuld be no rеasоn tо eхplain such a matter.
She must have been muddled from her postpartum confinement, daring to think such messy thoughts.
Zhou Chujin quickly instructed the little maid, "Hurry and invite Master Chi to sit in the drawing room. Tell him the second young lady will be there shortly." Then she urged Zhou Shaojin, "Go quickly and see what this is about?" She added reproachfully, "You really are something. Since Uncle Chi asked you to wait, you should have waited a bit! Uncle Chi must have had something to tell you. You rushed back in such a hurry, making him come all the way here specially. You really need to change this temper of yours. How can elders accommodate juniors like this? Besides, Uncle Chi treats us so well. You should keep that in mind..."
Earlier, Zhou Shaojin had been afraid her sister would be angry with Cheng Chi, so she hadn't even thought to tell her about being intruded upon by an outsider while waiting for Cheng Chi in his resting room. Now that her sister was scolding her for being unreasonable, she naturally had no way to defend herself. She could only blush and listen quietly. It was Madam Li, carrying in the fermented rice with poached eggs, who smiled and said, "The eldest young lady really is something—on one hand telling the second young lady to hurry and see Fourth Master Chi, and on the other hand holding her here to talk, making it impossible for the second young lady to either leave or stay..."
Hearing this, Zhou Chujin looked at Zhou Shaojin's meek and submissive appearance and couldn't help but chuckle. Taking the fermented rice with poached eggs from Madam Li, she said, "Hurry and go! Come back and tell me why Uncle Chi came."
Zhou Shaojin felt as if granted a pardon. She hastily acknowledged and went to the drawing room.
Cheng Chi was standing with his hands behind his back, examining the pair of famille-rose thin-bodied "Clear Snow" decorative vases on the long table in the drawing room.
In the dim light of the room, his tall and upright figure appeared even more graceful and composed, as beautiful as a painting.
Zhou Shaojin paused for a moment before entering the drawing room.
Hearing the movement, Cheng Chi turned around and smiled at her, saying, "Whose work are these decorative vases? The 'Clear Snow' painting is exceptionally well done! It doesn't look much like official kiln ware to me."
His tone was calm yet carried a hint of intimacy, as if they were still at Cold Green Mountain House and nothing had happened.
Zhou Shaojin felt deeply wronged and said softly, "They're part of my sister's dowry. I don't know where they came from. I think I have a pair too, but they were left at the old house on Flat Bridge Street in Jinling. If you like them, Uncle Chi, I can have someone find them and send them to Elm Coin Alley."
This little girl is still angry!
What is it about this time?
Cheng Chi smiled and sat down in the armchair beneath the central scroll. As he looked at her, a trace of indulgence flashed in his eyes—unnoticed even by Zhou Shaojin herself—and said, "That won't be necessary. If you give them to me, what will you do when you get married? You'll be turning fifteen this November, won't you?"
Marriage! Marriage!
Why is he always fixated on marrying her off!She hadn't eaten his food, hadn't drunk his tea, and wouldn't hinder him from finding a new wife—what right did he have to concern himself with whether she married or not?
He hadn't said a word when she was seen by an outsider in his room. Now he was talking about marriage as if he found her an inconvenience?
Zhou Shaojin silently grumbled to herself, forgetting she was still wearing the small golden flower crown inlaid with precious gems that Cheng Chi had given her for the New Year.
Angrily, she took the tea brought in by the maid and placed it heavily in front of Cheng Chi.
Oh my!
She was actually giving him attitude!
Seeing that the Liao family's young maid had served the tea and snacks and then obediently withdrawn, Cheng Chi couldn't help but laugh. "What terrible thing have I done to make you so angry? I even left Old Master Song in the study and rushed over, yet you're still not appeased..." He teased, looking her over, "Seems like since coming to the capital, you haven't grown taller, but your temper has shot up like a firecracker, ready to ignite at the slightest spark..."
"Who's like a firecracker?" Hearing that Cheng Chi had left Old Master Song in the study to come see her, joy overflowed uncontrollably from the corners of her eyes and brows. Zhou Shaojin pouted, "I've grown three inches this year..."
Her chest also felt constantly swollen and sore—the undergarments made just last winter were already too tight, making it hard to breathe, and she couldn't wear them anymore... Madam Fan Liu and her sister both said she was growing up.
Cheng Chi nodded seriously, drawing out his tone, "Oh, three inches!"
To anyone listening, it brought to mind the phrase "three-inch dwarf"!
Besides, even if Zhou Shaojin had grown three inches this year, she still only reached Cheng Chi's chin...
"Uncle Chi!" Zhou Shaojin stamped her foot in frustration.
Cheng Chi laughed heartily, stopping only after a moment, his eyes still smiling as he asked, "Not angry anymore?"
Zhou Shaojin lowered her head in embarrassment.
Uncle Chi was actually coaxing her like this... Her heart felt sweet, and not a trace of discontent remained.
Cheng Chi then asked gently with a smile, "Then can you tell me why you were angry?"
Zhou Shaojin murmured sheepishly, "Uncle Chi asked me to wait in the resting room, and I... I ran into an outsider..."
Could it have been Song Xiuzhi?
Today, only Old Master Song and his grandson had come to visit him!
What a coincidence in the world?
He thought Song Xiuzhi was a good match, and before he could even mention it, Shaojin had already run into him...
Cheng Chi felt nothing but bitterness in his mouth, but after a few moments of silence, he still said, "That must have been Old Master Song's grandson, Madam Song's stepson. His given name is 'Mu,' courtesy name 'Xiuzhi.' He is the eldest son of Minister of Revenue Song Jingran, last year's provincial top scholar from the two Hu provinces. He's only eighteen this year, arguably the youngest provincial top scholar across several provinces..."
Why was Uncle Chi explaining in such detail?
What did this have to do with her?
Zhou Shaojin didn't understand, but hearing that the person she had run into was Madam Song's stepson and Song Sen's older brother—someone familiar—she did feel relieved.
While speaking, Cheng Chi had been watching Zhou Shaojin intently, observing the changes in her expression. Seeing her relax slightly upon hearing that Song Mu was Madam Song's stepson, he thought of Zhou Shaojin's past life and instantly understood her concerns.Because of her beauty, in her past life, many men who saw her harbored admiration, which was extremely contrary to the teachings she received in the inner chambers. This made her doubt her own character, especially with the inexplicable appearance of Cheng Xu. She felt extremely uneasy about encountering men outside the family, or even being the subject of others' admiring gazes, fearing it might lead to some trouble...
What a little fool!
How could this be!
Cheng Chi's heart ached unbearably.
It also strengthened his resolve to matchmake Zhou Shaojin and Song Mu.
With a gentle yet resolute husband of similar age by her side, she should quickly emerge from these low spirits!
Cheng Chi's voice grew even more gentle: "Shao Jin, this was my fault. I shouldn't have left you alone in the reception room. I've already instructed Huaishan to add a few elderly women to patrol the inner courtyard. Next time you go to Yuqian Hutong, such a thing won't happen again..."
His deliberate pursuit had already dispelled all of Zhou Shaojin's resentment. How could she bear to hear such apologies? Blushing, she hurriedly interrupted Cheng Chi, saying, "Uncle Chi, this was originally my fault. I, I shouldn't have run back like that... Since they could come and go freely in your reception room, they must be your close friends or people you've approved. I shouldn't have panicked just because I didn't recognize them." Remembering Song Mu's somewhat flustered retreat from the reception room, she quickly added, "Is that Young Master Song alright? I don't think he meant any harm. Was he frightened..."
Cheng Chi looked at her, her beautiful eyes filled with worry as if they could speak. His heart felt as if it were blocked. After a moment, he smiled and said, "Then were you frightened? Next time you see Song Xiuzhi, you won't hide in fear, will you?"
"Uncle Chi!" Zhou Shaojin blushed and glared at him with displeasure.
The corners of her eyes slightly lifted, like the charming spring scenery of May.
Cheng Chi couldn't help but cover his chest. After a moment's thought, he smiled and said, "Alright, you're not angry anymore, are you? I have something to say to your sister. Go and deliver a message for me."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Shaojin ran to Cheng Chi's side with great interest and asked, "Uncle Chi, what do you want to say to my sister?"
Cheng Chi could catch a faint fragrance from her as he breathed.
It wasn't as rich as the scented powders he had smelled, nor as vibrant as floral scents. Instead, it was subtle and elusive, carrying a hint of warmth, like the fragrance of a young maiden.
Cheng Chi felt somewhat unsettled.
He pretended to scold her, "Little child, why ask so many questions? I told you to deliver a message, so hurry up!"
Zhou Shaojin giggled, playfully blinked at Cheng Chi, and dashed away like a streak of smoke.
Cheng Chi watched her light, deer-like figure recede, the smile on his face gradually fading.
※
Zhou Chujin stared at Zhou Shaojin in astonishment: "Uncle Chi has something to say to me? What could he possibly have to say to me? Can't he tell your brother-in-law? Or maybe..."
She swallowed the words "Madam."
What if it's about Cheng Lu or Cheng Xu?
Her expression changed slightly.
Zhou Shaojin was still immersed in the joy Cheng Chi had brought her, completely unaware of her sister's unusual reaction. Pouting, yet unable to conceal the delight between her brows, she gave the impression that she was less dissatisfied and more acting coquettishly: "Uncle Chi said I'm just a child and wouldn't tell me."Zhou Chujin couldn't help but laugh, saying to Madam Fan Liu who was attending to her: "Mama Fan, quickly bring a mirror for your second young lady to look at herself—does she really look like a child behaving this way?"
Zhou Shaojin protested.
Madam Fan Liu chuckled heartily.
Zhou Chujin also laughed for a while before instructing her maid to help her change clothes, then asked Zhou Shaojin: "Go ask Uncle Chi if the sitting room in the main quarters will do?"
Zhou Shaojin cheerfully ran off again.
Zhou Chujin smiled and shook her head, then sent word for the women in the inner residence to withdraw.
Cheng Chi didn't mind—he was willing to meet Zhou Chujin anywhere. Asking about the meeting location was merely because he considered she was still in her postpartum confinement period. He didn't understand these customs and was afraid of violating any taboos. The reason he wasn't discussing the Song family matter with Liao Shaotang or Zhou Shaojin's stepmother was because he knew Zhou Chujin would never harm Zhou Shaojin.
The two sat down in the sitting room, where Cheng Chi told Zhou Chujin about Song Xiuzhi's situation.
※
Dear readers, here's today's bonus update.
Please check for the update tomorrow morning—I have to work overtime tonight and won't have time to write a full chapter.
O(∩_∩)O~
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel