Uроn hеaring Mаdаm Fаn Liu mеntiоn returning to Bаоding Prefеcture, Zhоu Shаоjin stоррed crуing and sat up.
Madam Fаn Liu fеlt a surgе of jоу in hеr hеart, but hеr саll оf "Sеcоnd Miss" was abruрtlу cut shоrt.
Zhou Shaojin wiрed awаy her tеаrs аnd sаt uрright, hеr еxprеssiоn gravе. Тhоugh her fеaturеs rеmained аs gеntle аs ever, therе was now a rеsоlutе cаlmness betweеn hеr brоws, as if shе hаd mаdе а sоlemn vоw аnd would рress fоrward without hеsitatiоn, nо mаtter whаt hаrdshiрs оr dangers laу ahead.
This versiоn of Zhou Shaоjin suddenly rеminded Маdam Fаn Liu of Madam Zhuang.
When Madam Zhuang was alive, she would often sit in the small accounting room like this, giving instructions to the household servants.
Back then, Madam Fan Liu had never questioned whether Madam Zhuang’s words were right or wrong; she only thought how steady this woman was—how everything in her hands seemed effortless and was arranged perfectly and appropriately. She simply had to follow along, and if anything went wrong, the tall Madam Zhuang would take care of it.
In just a few moments, Zhou Shaojin had changed.
Suddenly, there was a faint shadow of Madam Zhuang about her.
For a moment, Madam Fan Liu felt dazed.
Zhou Shaojin said nothing but called out loudly for Xiao Tan to come in and attend to her as she washed her face.
This only made Madam Fan Liu feel more uneasy. She lowered her voice and said, "Second Miss, what I said earlier..."
Zhou Shaojin smiled and replied, "You must never say such things again. If anyone overheard, it would cause trouble. I am young and a junior; others would only think Fourth Master harbors ill intentions... If Fourth Master were burdened with such a reputation, he would never be able to hold his head high again!"
In her past life, she had suffered such bitterness.
In this life, how could she bear to let Cheng Chi endure the same pain she had once known?
Uncontrollable emotions... If a person no longer cares about their own reputation, what right do they have to question whether others are drawn to their appearance or to who they truly are?
And even if it is just their appearance, so what?
For the first time in her life, Zhou Shaojin felt such profound calm.
She continued to advise Madam Fan Liu, "No matter what Uncle Chi’s intentions may be, you cannot ignore the kindness he has shown us! If not for Uncle Chi, how could I have escaped from Cheng Xu’s grasp? For that alone, I will be grateful to him for the rest of my life. Didn’t you just say that I will come of age by the end of the year and it will be time for me to marry? Uncle Chi is merely a relative by marriage in our family. It is only because of my sister that I can call him 'Uncle.' Now that I am with my father, how could he possibly have any say in my marriage? Don’t worry about this matter. I know what I am doing."
Madam Fan Liu could not deny the kindness Cheng Chi had shown them.
Even after her own nephew had been thoroughly reprimanded by Zhou Shaojin, he had said nothing and even personally visited to apologize to the master.
She trusted her own eyes.
Before they went to Baoding Prefecture, Fourth Master had certainly not harbored any improper thoughts toward Second Miss.
Otherwise, Old Madam Guo would surely have known.
She recalled the scene she had just witnessed.
Skin as pure as first snow, a face as delicate as a flower, a slender waist, and a pert, rounded figure. From behind, she looked like a jade-carved pipa... All of this had only happened this year, and even she couldn’t help but marvel at it.
Fourth Master was also a man!
Perhaps he was just momentarily bewitched...
Madam Fan Liu thought.
No matter what, he must still care about his reputation, right?Moreover, he belongs to the main branch of Nine Prosperities Lane. If she really made a fuss about it, she would only offend the main branch. If they decided to retaliate harshly, even the master might suffer.
From now on, as long as she kept a close eye on the Second Young Lady, would Fourth Master dare to force the issue?
Having made up her mind, Madam Fan Liu felt slightly reassured and said to Zhou Shaojin, "Second Young Lady, rest assured. I won’t speak carelessly."
Zhou Shaojin nodded and smiled, saying, "You are my wet nurse. I know you always have my best interests at heart. In the past, I was still young, and even if something happened, it wouldn’t have fallen on me. But now it’s different. We’ve moved into Yuqian Lane, almost as if we’ve set up our own household. We must be more cautious about certain matters—if the mistress finds out, it would only make us a laughingstock. If my sister finds out, she’ll only worry in secret. As for my father, how could we let him ruin his future over my affairs?"
Madam Fan Liu nodded repeatedly, feeling a twinge of guilt.
Seeing this, Zhou Shaojin relaxed slightly and continued to caution her, "Who hasn’t had an awkward moment? Since Uncle Chi can pretend nothing happened, we shouldn’t stir up trouble. You’ve also lived in Nine Prosperities Lane before. In noble households, if every little thing had to be questioned thoroughly, how could people ever face each other again? If such matters were to spread, would it bring me any glory?"
"I understand," Madam Fan Liu hurriedly replied. "Second Young Lady, rest assured. I know what to do."
Zhou Shaojin smiled and nodded, her delicate features regaining their previous softness.
Madam Fan Liu watched her, secretly marveling.
Xiao Tan had already brought in a young maid to help Zhou Shaojin with her hair.
Sitting before the dressing table, Zhou Shaojin gazed at her pretty little face and discussed with Xiao Tan, "...Should I just wear my hair in a simple bun? Would that be too plain? Should I try a different hairstyle?"
Unmarried young ladies had very few hairstyle options!
Xiao Tan asked curiously, "Are you going out today, Second Young Lady? What kind of hairstyle would you like? Your face is small. If you don’t want a simple bun, how about a double bun? It would go perfectly with the pair of ginkgo leaf hairpins that the eldest young lady gave you the other day."
Why did they always make her wear a double bun?
By the end of the year, she would be of age—a grown young lady!
Zhou Shaojin grumbled inwardly and said, "Can’t I wear a double-ring bun or a double-spiral bun?""
They were all hairstyles for little girls anyway.
Xiao Tan laughed and asked, "So what hairstyle do you really want?"
Zhou Shaojin gave up and said, "Fine, I’ll wear a double-bun.""
That hairstyle suited her better.
Xiao Tan smiled, combed her hair, and helped her pin on the pair of ginkgo hairpins that Zhou Chujin had given her.
Zhou Shaojin chose a plain lotus-colored vest and a pink twelve-panel Xiang skirt embroidered with treasure flowers. After sprinkling a little rosewater, she called Jixiang in and asked, "Go and see if Fourth Master is awake yet."
Earlier, while she was bathing, Chunwan had sent Jixiang to tell her that Cheng Chi already knew she was awake and had gone back to his room to sleep.
Jixiang acknowledged and left.
Zhou Shaojin examined herself in the mirror again, selected a pair of finely carved gold bracelets with peony patterns from her jewelry box, and put them on. Only then did she feel properly dressed. She picked up a silk gauze fan painted with white orchids and went to the kitchen.
There was old broth in the kitchen.
Zhou Shaojin instructed them to stew a winter melon soup.
The kitchen soon bustled with activity.
A short while later, Jixiang returned to report, "Fourth Master is already up."
He had only slept for such a short while!
Zhou Shaojin asked, "Did Fourth Master say what he plans to do?"
Jixiang shook her head with a troubled expression.How could a lowly little maid like her dare to ask about Fourth Master’s whereabouts!
Zhou Shaojin grew somewhat anxious.
If Uncle Chi had matters to attend to later and needed to go out, wouldn’t she be too late if she went then? Her heart felt as if a sail had been raised within it, leaving her restless and uneasy. She simply wanted to catch a glimpse of Uncle Chi.
Just one glance would be enough.
She fanned herself in the kitchen.
Outside, the sun shone brightly.
If Uncle Chi didn’t go out… it would be wonderful if they could share the midday meal together!
Fortunately, the winter melon soup didn’t take long to prepare.
She carried the winter melon soup to Cheng Chi’s quarters.
From the moment Cheng Chi saw Zhou Shaojin beginning to sweat in the morning, he knew she was not seriously ill.
Not wanting to linger in the inner chamber and risk alerting Zhou Shaojin upon her awakening, he had returned early.
Yet after returning, even though he knew she was fine, he felt as if something were missing, leaving him unsettled.
This was truly like an old house catching fire!
When he had previously decided to marry her off properly, he could still suppress certain feelings. Now that he had resolved to keep her by his side, he found himself growing increasingly demanding, with all sorts of thoughts running wild like unbridled horses.
When Chunwan came to deliver the message, he forced himself to sleep for a while, only waking close to noon.
Even upon waking, his thoughts lingered on that little girl.
Had she recovered somewhat?
If he went to see her, would she feel both joy and unease?
He wished for her to be happy, not to be unsettled because of him, torn between hope and fear…
Years of ingrained habit allowed Cheng Chi to rise after only a short rest.
Just as he was about to have his meal, Zhou Shaojin burst in.
Her little face was flushed, her eyes sparkling like polished gemstones, and joy overflowed from the depths of her heart.
Cheng Chi smiled and asked, “What has made you so happy?”
Zhou Shaojin gazed at him with a smile. Glancing at him playfully and somewhat willfully, she said, “I won’t tell you!”
Cheng Chi smiled gently and said, “Have you eaten? Would you like to join me for a little something?”
“Yes! Yes!” the little girl replied, seating herself unceremoniously across from him and waving to her maid. “Just place it on the kang table.”
Only then did Cheng Chi notice the small tureen on the maid’s tray.
He smiled and asked, “What is this?”
“Winter melon soup,” Zhou Shaojin replied with a smile. “To reduce internal heat.”
Jixiang nervously placed the tray on the tea table and quickly retreated.
Cheng Chi felt displeased.
The maids by Shaojin’s side were too lacking in sense.
They couldn’t even handle such a small matter properly.
He glanced at the tureen and smiled. “For me?”
Zhou Shaojin nodded with a beaming smile. “You took care of me all night yesterday, so I had the kitchen prepare some winter melon soup. It’s light and nourishing, perfect for someone who stayed up late.”
The little girl had learned to care for others too!
Cheng Chi smiled and lifted the lid of the tureen.
Zhou Shaojin pointed to the winter melon with its skin still on and said, “I read in some book that winter melon with the skin has the most nourishing effect, but I’ve tried it, and the skin really doesn’t taste good. You should just drink the soup.”
Cheng Chi smiled and ruffled her hair, obligingly drinking only the soup.
Zhou Shaojin cheerfully took a handkerchief to wipe his hands and said, “It was too rushed today, but fortunately, the broth was made from the kitchen’s long-simmered stock, so the winter melon soup is just barely passable. Next time, I’ll make you winter melon, barley, and pork rib soup. Barley helps remove dampness. Soak it overnight, then simmer it until tender—it’s really delicious.”
As she spoke, her chin lifted slightly, radiating a simple and delightful joy.It seemed even such small things could bring her joy.
Cheng Chi loved seeing her happy like this.
It was a carefree happiness, the happiness of being cherished.
He too wished to keep her this happy forever.
Cheng Chi continued the conversation with her, smiling as he said, "I never expected you could cook!"
Zhou Shaojin replied proudly, "Of course I can!"
Cheng Chi then asked with a smile, "Then can I request a dish?"
Zhou Shaojin’s eyes instantly lit up. "What do you like? I’ll make it for you!"
Cheng Chi said, "Could I request some water chestnut cake?"
The things she loved to eat most, she must surely make well.
Zhou Shaojin was rather surprised. "Do you like that too?"
"It’s quite nice to eat when the weather is hot."
"Yes, yes!" Zhou Shaojin immediately grew excited, as if she had found a kindred spirit, and laughed happily. "It’s even better if you chill it in the well..."
Cheng Chi watched her quietly, listening to her chatter with a smile, his heart peaceful and content. Yet he couldn’t help but feel a strange thought: Shaojin seemed to have changed a little!
※
Dear readers, here’s the update to make up for yesterday’s missed chapter.
Today’s extra update will be around five in the evening.
O(∩_∩)O~
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel