Whеn Zhоu Shaojin аnd Сhеng Zhеng аrrived at Elm Тrеe Allеy, Chеng Хiао аnd Сheng Sheng hаd already been wаiting fоr them thеre.
Sееing Zhоu Shаojin аnd Сhеng Zhеng stеp dоwn from the cаrriаge оne after thе other, Сheng Sheng соuldn’t hеlр but widеn hеr еyes аnd аsk, “Eldеst Sistеr, hоw did yоu two соme togеthеr?”
Chеng Zheng watchеd as the maids hеlреd the twо children down frоm thе сarriаgе bеfоrе smiling аnd reрlуing, “We didn’t just hаpрen to mеet. Sееing thаt it was still еаrlу, I wеnt to Yuqian Allеy and invited Shaojin tо come аlong.” Thеn she аddеd with a smilе, “When did you two arrive? Have you been waiting long? Have you had breakfast yet?”
Cheng Xiao, however, glanced at the carriage Zhou Shaojin had arrived in.
It was a black-lacquered, flat-roofed carriage with a simple design. Apart from a colorful tasseled bamboo curtain hanging at the door, there were no other decorations. Yet the chestnut horse pulling the carriage was tall, slender, and robust, with gentle, obedient dark eyes—clearly a rare and fine steed. The coachman, though not tall, moved with agile grace. The carriage appeared low-key and unadorned on the surface, yet it exuded an air of refined luxury from within, making Cheng Xiao’s own carriage seem utterly overshadowed in comparison.
There were likely fewer than ten such carriages in the entire capital.
This… must have been arranged for her by Uncle Chi, right?
Or perhaps it was even Uncle Chi’s own carriage?
Cheng Xiao’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
Was Uncle Chi being a bit too kind to the Zhou family’s second young lady?
She always felt her sister was hiding something from her.
Since Zhou Chujin’s child was still young, she hadn’t joined them for the trip to Fengtai. After meeting Cheng Zheng’s two children and giving them gifts, they exchanged a few pleasantries before preparing to take their leave.
Zhou Chujin saw them off at the main gate.
The Peng family lacked the deep-rooted heritage of the Gu and Yuan families, so Cheng Sheng usually traveled by sedan chair. Cheng Xiao hadn’t expected Yuqian Alley to have its own carriage. Thinking her sister would bring her two nephews along, she had used her carriage to pick up Cheng Sheng, planning for Cheng Sheng to ride in Eldest Sister Cheng Zheng’s carriage while she accompanied the Zhou sisters. Now that Zhou Shaojin also had her own carriage, things suddenly became much more spacious. Cheng Xiao suggested to Zhou Shaojin, “Why don’t you ride in my carriage? We can chat along the way.”
Zhou Shaojin’s carriage had been prepared by Steward Xiang.
She had told Steward Xiang she wanted to go to Fengtai to buy some flowers and asked him to make the arrangements.
Zhou Shaojin had assumed Steward Xiang would hire a carriage, but when she stepped out of the Chuihua Gate, she was surprised to see such a beautiful carriage waiting for her.
Steward Xiang smiled and explained, “This was arranged by Fourth Master before he returned to Jinling. He said that if you ever needed a carriage, just let the residence near Chaofuyang Gate know—it’s spacious there, with room to keep five or six horses.”
Zhou Shaojin noticed the carriage interior was paneled with walnut wood, carved with scenes like the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea and the Goddess of Longevity Paying Homage. Thick carpets covered the floor, and soft, plump cushions were placed inside. Though the teacups and teapot were made of purple clay, they could be securely attached to the tea tray. There was even a set of Go stones that could be fixed to the board.
She took an instant liking to it.
And so, she didn’t stand on ceremony with Cheng Chi.
Having her own carriage meant so much more freedom.
Besides, she didn’t have much to say to Cheng Xiao anyway!
Zhou Shaojin smiled and said, “I’m just worried we might need to carry flowers later, so why not take three carriages?”
Cheng Zheng thought this made sense and chimed in with a smile, “Then let’s take three carriages! Third Sister, would you rather ride with Second Sister, with me, or even with Shaojin?”Cheng Sheng smiled and said, "I'll continue following Second Sister."
The group boarded the carriage and headed toward Fengtai.
Zhou Shaojin felt a lightheartedness akin to "spring winds of success hastening the horse's hooves," and along the way, she lifted the carriage curtain to enjoy the scenery passing by.
Chunwan, who had accompanied her, couldn't help but sigh, "Miss, I never imagined it. Not only have I followed you to Putuo Mountain, but I also went to Baoding. Now that we’re in the capital..." She felt as though life would only get better and better.
Zhou Shaojin felt the same way.
She smiled softly, chatting and laughing with Chunwan, and soon they arrived in Fengtai.
In Fengtai, every household was adorned with green willows and red blossoms, buzzing with bees and dancing butterflies. The gardens were filled with spring colors, lifting one’s spirits as brightly as the weather.
Chunwan watched the carriages coming and going on the road, the vendors discussing flower prices, and the crowds of flower buyers with concern. "Do we have to go door-to-door asking like this?"
In her past life, Zhou Shaojin had visited Fengtai several times, always observing slowly from the carriage. When she saw flowers or plants that caught her interest, she would have the carriage stopped and go take a closer look...
"If we don’t go door-to-door, should we just stand in the street shouting what flowers we want?" Zhou Shaojin laughed as she saw the carriage stop in front of a fence adorned with wisteria flowers.
Cheng Zheng’s head maid hurried over, respectfully inviting Zhou Shaojin to step down from the carriage, and said, "This is the Wang family’s nursery. Our household’s flowers and plants have always been supplied by them. The eldest young mistress sent someone over a few days ago to inform them. Second Young Lady, you can just follow the eldest young mistress inside later."
Due to climate reasons, people in the south would place a few narcissus or wintersweet plants at home during the New Year, or perhaps some kumquat or plum blossom trees for good fortune. Nostalgia for one’s homeland runs deep. Those officials from Jiangnan still preferred to follow their hometown customs by placing flowers and plants indoors during the New Year. As a result, the more enterprising flower farmers in Fengtai built greenhouses and began cultivating southern flowers and plants. Families like the Chengs and the Gus became their important clients.
Before Zhou Shaojin could step down from the carriage, she saw a matron hurriedly emerge, accompanied by a girl in her early teens and a young woman in her prime.
Perhaps due to frequent dealings with the Wang family, the maid smiled upon seeing the newcomers and introduced them to Zhou Shaojin: "The one leading the way, wearing the lilac robe, is Madam Wang. The other two are her eldest daughter-in-law and her daughter. Sometimes they accompany Madam Wang to deliver flowers to our household."
Zhou Shaojin nodded and waited until Cheng Zheng was helped down from the carriage by a matron before following suit.
Madam Wang had already eagerly stepped forward to greet Cheng Zheng, saying, "I’ve been looking forward to your visit ever since I received word from your household’s steward a few days ago! How are you, Eldest Young Mistress? And how are the elder master and everyone in the household?" She then bowed to Gu Ning and Gu Zhong: "These two young masters have grown even more dignified in just a few months."
Cheng Zheng smiled and nodded, exchanging greetings with Madam Wang before introducing the people around her.
When Madam Wang saw Zhou Shaojin, she couldn’t help but pause for a moment, smiling as she said, "No wonder people say Jiangnan produces beauties. This young lady from your family is truly lovely!"
Zhou Shaojin modestly demurred.
Madam Wang lowered her head and led them toward her family’s greenhouse.
However, Miss Wang’s gaze kept drifting over from time to time.
Zhou Shaojin could only pretend not to notice.Cheng Zheng introduced the Wang family's nursery to them: "...As for out-of-season flowers, there's no need to even mention them. Old Master Wang once cultivated two-colored peonies in winter and black lotuses in summer! You can directly tell Madam Wang what flowers you want."
Zhou Shaojin had heard of black chrysanthemums and black orchids. She had even cultivated them herself, but she had never heard of anyone successfully growing black lotuses.
Moreover, the north was dry and water-scarce. For the Wang family to cultivate black lotuses, they must have invested considerable effort.
In her surprise, she couldn't help but feel full of anticipation for the Wang family's flower garden.
Cheng Zheng watched with a faint smile.
This young girl is quite simple-minded, getting happy over just a few flowers and plants. No wonder Uncle Chi treats her differently.
The group entered the greenhouse and were immediately captivated by the vibrant, colorful scene inside.
Cheng Sheng asked Madam Wang, "Where are your black lotuses? Let us broaden our horizons!"
"You flatter us, honored guests," Madam Wang replied cautiously with a smile. "They're just some ordinary flowers and plants! You've seen far more than we ever have—how could we say it's broadening your horizons? You're too modest." As she spoke, she gestured for them to follow and led them to the center of the greenhouse.
In a large blue-and-white porcelain vat floated green leaves shaped like round plates, dotted with several dark red, bowl-sized water lilies that were described as black.
"How beautiful!" Cheng Sheng circled around the water lilies, admiring them, and asked, "How much are these water lilies?"
Madam Wang apologized, "These water lilies are difficult to cultivate. Some people have bought them before, but they withered within three to five days, so we stopped selling them."
This was likely the Wang family's prized attraction to draw in customers.
Cheng Sheng smiled and didn't ask further.
Zhou Shaojin felt that these black lotuses weren't as beautiful as white or red lotuses, but cultivating such a variety was still quite intriguing.
She asked, "Were these cultivated from red lotuses? I wonder what variety of red lotus was used?"
Zhou Shaojin had never cultivated lotuses, but she had grown chrysanthemums.
Black chrysanthemums were typically developed through generations of breeding green chrysanthemums.
When Miss Wang heard Zhou Shaojin asking such an expert question, her expression grew wary.
Madam Wang also held back, saying, "Matters like these about flowers should be referred to our family's Old Master. I'm just good with words!"
Zhou Shaojin understood that the Wang family prized their secrets, and considering they made their living from this, she didn't want to press them. She smiled and changed the subject: "I wonder what other rare and exotic flowers and plants your family has?"
Just as Madam Wang was about to speak, a young maid came running in to report: "Madam, the Fang family's Sixth Young Miss has arrived with a relative. They said they want to buy a few precious flowers and plants to take back and plant..."
"The Fang family's Sixth Young Miss?" Before Madam Wang could speak, Cheng Sheng interjected, "Is it the Sixth Young Miss from the Fang family of Shucheng?"
The little maid nodded repeatedly, saying, "Last time, she bought two of our 'Eighteen Scholars' plants."
"To think we'd run into relatives here!" Cheng Sheng said to the little maid with a laugh, "Just tell her I'm here and have them wait!"
The little maid glanced nervously at Madam Wang.
Madam Wang smiled and said, "It's fine. Madam Peng and Miss Fang are relatives. You can go ahead and deliver the message."
Cheng Zheng then said to Zhou Shaojin with a smile, "Madam Liao is a daughter of the Fang family of Shucheng. You should know the Fang family members. They're all familiar faces!"Zhou Shaojin smiled and said, "I only met a few members of the Fang family during Guan Ge's third-day bath ceremony last time. I might not even recognize this Sixth Miss of the Fang family."
As soon as her words fell, a crisp voice chimed in, "I was wondering who was so impressive as to make me wait. Now I’ve found the mastermind!"
Zhou Shaojin turned around and saw two young women.
The older one appeared to be around sixteen or seventeen, while the younger one looked about fifteen or sixteen. One wore a rose-purple vest, her skin as smooth as fine jade, her face as radiant as the moon, exuding an air of grace and elegance. The other was dressed in a bright red vest, her eyebrows like distant mountains, her eyes lively and spirited, giving off a playful and adorable charm.
※
Dear brothers and sisters, here’s today’s extra update.
You can read the update tomorrow morning!
O(∩_∩)O~
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel