Zhоu Shaojin wаs роndеring thе matter in her hеаrt, while Mаdam Fan Liu brеаthеd а sigh оf rеlief.
Fourth Мaster had entered аnd hеadеd straight fоr thе innеr rеsidenсе аs if it wеrе his own hоuse, yet Nаnnу Shang аnd the others sеemed tо ignore it—оf соursе, Nаnnу Shаng had onсе servеd Fоurth Мastеr, so hоw сould she dаrе to stоp him from doing аs he pleаsеd? Fоrtunatеly, Madаm Fаn Liu hаd a quiсk thоught аnd rеmеmbеred thе mung bеan sоup simmеring in the kitchеn... Now, аlthоugh Zhоu Shaоjin lооkеd somewhat unsеttled, she was at leаst sitting safely bеfore hеr, which mаdе Mаdam Fan Liu secretly relieved. She couldn’t help but say, “When did Fourth Master return? Today is the Dragon Boat Festival. Our mistress and Second Lady have made many zongzi these past few days. Shall I bring a few in for Fourth Master to try?”
She was uneasy about leaving Zhou Shaojin alone with Cheng Chi.
Cheng Chi was clever—how could he not notice?
Zhou Shaojin had always been sensitive—how could she not understand in her heart?
One nodded calmly, though inwardly wryly amused; the other pursed her lips in a smile, though inwardly overjoyed.
Taking advantage of the moment when Madam Fan Liu went to instruct a young maid to bring in the zongzi, Cheng Chi raised an eyebrow and whispered to Zhou Shaojin, “Daring to laugh at me? Just wait and see how I deal with you later!”
Zhou Shaojin inexplicably recalled the kiss from earlier.
Her face flushed bright red once again.
When Madam Fan Liu turned back into the room and saw Zhou Shaojin like this, she couldn’t help but feel puzzled.
Fourth Master hadn’t said or done anything—why had Second Lady suddenly become like this?
She shook her head in confusion.
Zhou Shaojin dared not show any unusual expression. She also remembered that zongzi were made of glutinous rice, which wasn’t good to eat too much of, and thought about how Cheng Chi had been traveling day and night these past few days, surely eating only dry rations on the road. Returning so suddenly, he might not be accustomed to eating too much or too greasy food. Only then did she realize she had been so caught up in her joy that she hadn’t even asked about Cheng Chi’s meals.
A hint of guilt crept into her expression as she said, “Uncle Chi, have you had breakfast yet? Would you like to rest early?”
Cheng Chi had only eaten half a flatbread and drunk a little water at daybreak.
He had been single-mindedly determined to rush back to spend the Dragon Boat Festival with Zhou Shaojin. After returning, he had hastily freshened up and come to see Zhou Shaojin, not even pausing for a sip of water.
He didn’t feel particularly hungry either!
Seeing his appearance, Zhou Shaojin knew he had likely only eaten some dry rations on the road. She hurriedly poured a cup of tea for Cheng Chi herself and said sheepishly, “Please sit for a while and have something to fill your stomach. I’ll go to the kitchen right away. Do you have anything special you’d like to eat? If not, I’ll just arrange something simple!”
How could Cheng Chi bear to have her bustling around for him? He quickly said, “I’m not picky. Just have the maids or servants check the kitchen and bring whatever is available. It’s so hot outside—why would you go out? Sit properly and keep me company while I eat a little more later.”
Zhou Shaojin was still uneasy and insisted on going to the kitchen.
Cheng Chi then gave Madam Fan Liu a meaningful glance, signaling her to check the kitchen, and said to Zhou Shaojin, “Just sit still. Someone is coming to kowtow and pay their respects to you.”
Zhou Shaojin was surprised and asked, “Who?”
She didn’t know many people, let alone anyone who would kowtow to her.
Cheng Chi didn’t tell her, instead asking her to accompany him to the sitting room.
Zhou Shaojin, full of curiosity, followed Cheng Chi to the sitting room and sat with him by the window on the large kang.
Madam Fan Liu went to the kitchen.
Cheng Chi called out loudly, “Lang Yue!”The curtain was lifted. A woman wearing a jade-green half-sleeved jacket over a white Hangzhou silk inner garment, her hair styled in a married woman’s round bun, entered.
"Second Young Miss!" She respectfully kowtowed to Zhou Shaojin.
With an oval face, willow-leaf eyebrows, a gentle smile, and dignified manners—
"Biyu!" Zhou Shaojin exclaimed in surprise and delight. She jumped down from the kang and, before Biyu could bow again, grabbed her hand excitedly. "You—how did you get here? Are you well?"
She looked Biyu up and down.
Since she was married, she should be at home, supporting her husband and raising children. To travel thousands of miles to see her—could it be that her husband was unreliable?
But that didn’t seem to be the case!
Biyu not only looked radiant but also carried a calm and composed demeanor, born of peaceful years, compared to when she was a senior maid at Cold Green Mountain House.
Zhou Shaojin grew even more puzzled.
Biyu rose smoothly, quickly glancing at Cheng Chi before smiling. "I married a minor steward from the Cheng family’s outer courtyard. Fourth Master thought he was honest, loyal, steady, and reliable. Coincidentally, the residence at Chaoyang Gate in the capital had just been renovated and needed more hands. Fourth Master requested my husband to come. He now manages daily procurement at the Chaoyang Gate residence. I followed him to the capital. Fourth Master put me in charge of inner courtyard affairs, so my husband and I will serve at the grand residence at Chaoyang Gate from now on."
Among Old Madam Guo’s senior maids, she had been closest to Biyu, followed by Zhenzhu.
Seeing Biyu, Zhou Shaojin felt the joy of meeting an old friend in a distant land.
"That’s wonderful!" She instructed a young maid to bring in a small stool for Biyu and turned back to chat with her. "You can visit me often from now on."
Biyu nodded with a smile. "Fourth Master said the same. That’s why he specifically brought me today to get acquainted with your place."
The young maid placed the small stool beside Zhou Shaojin.
Zhou Shaojin gestured for Biyu to sit and talk.
Biyu repeatedly declined until she saw Cheng Chi give a slight nod. After a moment’s thought, she half-sat on the stool.
Zhou Shaojin continued chatting with her. "When did you arrive in the capital? Are you used to it? How are Zhenzhu and Manao? I haven’t seen them in a while! After you and Feicui married, did the old madam add new attendants? Who are they? Do I know them?"
Biyu answered respectfully, one by one. "The day after Fourth Master returned, he requested us from the old madam. We packed that very night and set off. However, Fourth Master still had matters in Jinling, so he departed a few days later. But he traveled quickly, while we moved slowly. We entered the city together with Fourth Master this morning. I’ve heard winters in the capital are very cold, though I haven’t experienced it yet. The weather now is cooler than in Jinling, which I find quite pleasant. After Feicui and I left the household, Zhenzhu and Manao took over the duties Feicui and I used to manage. The former second-tier maids, Zitan and Chenxiang, filled Zhenzhu and Manao’s positions, and a few young maids were selected to join."
Zhou Shaojin remembered Zitan and Chenxiang.
Both girls were quite pretty, always wearing friendly smiles and very approachable.
Zhou Shaojin began chatting with Biyu about everyday matters.
When Zhou Shaojin wasn’t looking, Biyu glanced at Cheng Chi. Seeing he showed no impatience, she relaxed and continued chatting with Zhou Shaojin with a smile.
Before long, Madam Fan Liu brought in zongzi.Zhou Shaojin cautioned Cheng Chi, "You can only eat two. Eating too many isn't good. We'll have a meal later!"
Cheng Chi smiled without saying a word but only ate two zongzi.
Biyu was utterly astonished and lowered her head.
Soon the dishes were served, and Biyu proactively assisted Xiao Tan in arranging the food on the side.
After the meal, Zhou Shaojin "urged" Cheng Chi, "You should go back and rest! After traveling for several days, you must be tired."
Cheng Chi smiled and said, "Would you like to go for a stroll on the street with me?"
Zhou Shaojin thought of the Bathing Buddha Festival.
Cheng Chi had held her in his arms while sitting on the large bluestone halfway up the mountain to enjoy the scenery. She had been terrified that someone might walk by, her nerves taut the entire time... She wouldn’t fall for that again!
Besides, as long as she was with Uncle Chi, what difference did it make where they went?
So, watching the dragon boat races had its own fun, but wasn’t staying at home just as enjoyable?
Zhou Shaojin politely declined, saying, "It’s so hot outside. My sister entrusted me with taking care of Guan Ge, and I still have socks to make. I don’t feel like going out."
Cheng Chi thought of how Zhou Shaojin looked when doing needlework.
She really didn’t want to go out, did she?
Cheng Chi had traveled to many places and seen many sights. Since Zhou Shaojin had no intention of going out, he decided to stay at home as well.
Otherwise, if he lured her out, he might not be able to resist hugging and kissing her, which would frighten her.
The little girl had already been startled today—haste makes waste, after all!
Cheng Chi stood up with a smile and said, "In that case, I’ll move to the Chaoyang Gate area later."
"What?!" Zhou Shaojin gasped in shock, her mouth agape. "You... you’re moving to the house near Chaoyang Gate? Why?"
Isn’t this place good enough?
Doesn’t that mean she won’t see Uncle Chi for a long time?
Zhou Shaojin immediately felt flustered.
Seeing her face pale, Cheng Chi knew she couldn’t bear to part with him. But Mama Fan was vigilantly watching the movements in the room. Suppressing the urge to hug and comfort Zhou Shaojin, he said, "Madam Liao has already arrived in the capital. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to stay here any longer. It’s best to take advantage of today to move out! Since we’re both in the capital, if anything happens, just send someone to deliver a message to me. I can be here in at most half an hour."
His reckless behavior with Zhou Shaojin was possible because everyone around him was his own people, and he knew no one would dare gossip. But Madam Liao was different. As a matriarch managing the household, she usually had sharp eyes. And he was finding it increasingly difficult to control himself, while the little girl was terrible at hiding her feelings. If Madam Liao noticed something, how would he be any different from Cheng Xu? What future would he have with Shaojin?
Moreover, his eldest brother and sister-in-law were determined to split the clan. The second branch’s matriarch would surely spread rumors to make it seem like the eldest branch was unfilial and causing trouble. But these were just empty words. Only when the second branch’s matriarch realized she could no longer stop it would everyone truly sit down to negotiate terms.
He had no intention of letting Zhou Shaojin be exposed to such dark matters.
Moving near Chaoyang Gate would also be more convenient.
Having long made up his mind, Cheng Chi whispered in a voice only he and Zhou Shaojin could hear, "If you miss me, you can come visit me!" Then, in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear, he added, "The house near Chaoyang Gate is divided into eastern, western, and central sections. It’s quite large. If you ever feel bored here, you can come over to relax."She absolutely wouldn't miss Uncle Chi!
Zhou Shaojin shyly lowered her head.
Cheng Chi had his belongings packed.
Although she knew it was best for Cheng Chi to move out, she still felt a sense of loss in her heart.
Without having dinner, Cheng Chi took Biyu and others and moved to Chaoyang Gate.
Cheng Chi was very meticulous—the study was cleaned up spotlessly, leaving nothing behind, making the already somewhat spacious study appear even colder and emptier.
Zhou Shaojin felt melancholy. She went back and played with Guan Ge for a long time, and only then did her mood gradually improve.
In the evening, when Zhou Chujin and the others returned and learned that Cheng Chi had moved away in the afternoon, they were all surprised. However, they also secretly felt that Cheng Chi's actions were extremely appropriate, thoughtful, and careful, and their impression of him improved.
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Sisters, here's yesterday's update.
O(∩_∩)O~
※ (To be continued ~^~)
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