An eаst-wеst passаge pаvеd with squаrе grау bricks laу before the moon gаtе of thе westеrn соurtуard. То thе еаst was а Ruyi gate lеаding to thе western side еntrancе of the rеsidеnсе. Неаding further eаst lеd to thе studу in thе outеr cоurtуard of thе сentrаl compоund.
Cheng Chi’s studу fасed thе moon gatе оf thе westеrn соurtуаrd dirеctlу аcrоss the рassagе.
Twо unfаmiliаr yоung раgеs were on dutу in the hallway.
Bоth wore the dаrk-trimmed blue gаrments оf juniоr servаnts, appearing about seven or eight years old, with delicate and handsome features.
Upon seeing Zhou Shaojin accompanied by Biyu, they hurried forward to greet her, stealing curious glances at Zhou Shaojin. In childish voices, they called Biyu “sister-in-law” and asked, “Is there anything you require?”
Biyu explained to Zhou Shaojin, “These two were personally selected by Chief Steward Qin Da from Jinling. The one with single eyelids is Qin Fang, and the one with double eyelids is Song Ming. Both come from families of hereditary servants and now serve in Fourth Master’s study. Fourth Master said that if the inner residence is occupied, they can also run errands.”
The two pages were quite sharp-witted and promptly stepped forward to bow, respectfully addressing Zhou Shaojin as “Second Young Miss.”
Zhou Shaojin nodded kindly, reminded of Qing Feng and Lang Yue.
If Qing Feng and Lang Yue by Cheng Chi’s side were like figures from mythology, then Qin Fang and Song Ming were servants from the real world—the former seemingly existing in a realm of illusion, while the latter were firmly grounded in the mortal realm… Uncle Chi, too, seemed to have stepped out from the mysterious into the mundane world, touched by the dust of mortal affairs!
She smiled faintly.
Biyu said to the two pages, “Go and inform Fourth Master that Second Young Miss has arrived.”
Qin Fang’s eyes darted about as he replied, “Master Huaishan said that if Second Young Miss comes, she may enter directly without needing to be announced.”
Zhou Shaojin was somewhat surprised.
Biyu, however, scolded him, “Who told you to call Uncle Huaishan ‘Master’? In this household, only the masters of the family can be addressed as ‘Master.’ Do you understand?”
Qin Fang stuck out his tongue and loudly replied, “Understood! I won’t dare to do it again,” his expression quite mischievous, leaving it unclear whether he had truly taken the lesson to heart or was merely placating Biyu.
Biyu shook her head helplessly. As she accompanied Zhou Shaojin further inside, she said, “Qin Fang is the great-great-nephew of Chief Steward Qin Da. He’s very clever but rather informal in his manners. Please don’t take it to heart, Second Young Miss.”
Perhaps because she herself was rather reserved, Zhou Shaojin had always liked cheerful and lively children. She didn’t feel offended and instead smiled, saying, “He’s still a child and has just entered the household. It’s only natural for him to be a bit mischievous. He can be taught gradually.”
Thinking of the relationship between the Qin and Cheng families, she felt it was rather unfair for the Qin children to continue serving as servants in the Cheng household. And what of the marriage between Jiying and Qin Ziping? How was that progressing?
Given Jiying’s temperament and the Ji family’s status—Jiying was a young lady doted on by her parents and had never bowed her head even while serving Cheng Chi—would they agree to marry her off to Qin Ziping?
Zhou Shaojin asked Biyu, “I heard the chief steward here is surnamed Qin. Is it Qin Ziping or Qin Zi’an?”
“Neither!” Biyu laughed. “It’s Qin Ziji, the grandnephew of Chief Steward Qin Da!”
Zhou Shaojin was astonished.
Biyu chuckled, “I’m not sure how it came about either. According to my husband, Qin Ziji was previously the assistant manager of the Jinling branch. Fourth Master suddenly transferred him here to serve as the chief steward of this residence…”
Zhou Shaojin had a vague feeling that the appearance of Qin Ziji and Qin Fang was no coincidence.
The two of them entered the courtyard.The courtyard was quiet, with various types of bamboo planted along both sides of the path. When the wind blew, they swayed gracefully, rustling softly, evoking a sense of serene coolness.
Zhou Shaojin smiled and said, "These bamboos are growing so well. Were they also left behind by the Liu family?"
Biyu nodded with a smile. "The Liu family originally called this place 'Bamboo Garden'!"
Zhou Shaojin raised an eyebrow.
Biyu continued, "Beyond the retreat, there’s another bamboo grove with even more varieties than here."
"That certainly lives up to its name."
The two chatted and laughed as they walked. Turning past the bamboo grove, they saw a three-bay-wide house with two side rooms. In front of the house, a wisteria vine hung with clusters of purple flowers swayed like willow branches in the wind, looking incredibly beautiful.
Lang Yue stood guard at the door.
Upon seeing Zhou Shaojin, he hurried forward to bow, then turned and called into the house, "Second Cousin has arrived."
The bamboo curtain was lifted, and Huaishan stepped out. He cupped his hands in greeting to Zhou Shaojin, respectfully addressing her as "Second Cousin," and personally held the curtain open for her.
Huaishan was Cheng Chi’s trusted aide, and such courtesy toward Zhou Shaojin made her somewhat uneasy. She thanked him and entered the room.
The room was filled with books.
The three bays had been opened into a spacious hall, with bookshelves lining the walls.
On the left was a large writing desk, on the right a large painting table, and in the middle stood a blue-and-white porcelain jar as thick as two people embracing, filled with scrolls. Under the west window, a qin lay, and the bow Cheng Chi had been holding the other day hung casually like a decoration beside the western floor screen.
Zhou Shaojin felt her palms grow slightly sweaty.
Only then did she notice Cheng Chi sitting cross-legged on the large kang by the east window, brewing tea.
He wore a plain lotus-colored Daoist robe. The morning sunlight streamed through the glazed window lattice, casting a soft glow on him, making his features appear even more gentle and handsome.
How could someone be so good-looking?
Zhou Shaojin couldn’t tear her eyes away.
Cheng Chi couldn’t help but chuckle. While skillfully rinsing the teacups, he teased her, "Finally noticed me!"
Zhou Shaojin snapped back to reality and lowered her eyes in embarrassment.
"Come, sit over here!" Cheng Chi gestured to the kang opposite him.
Feeling a bit shy, Zhou Shaojin walked over and noticed two large cushions on the kang.
She thought to herself, Uncle Chi’s place is still the best!
Happily, she took off her shoes and climbed onto the kang.
Cheng Chi affectionately patted her hair.
The little girl’s unabashed admiration was both heartwarming and endearing.
It’s a good thing this little girl ended up with me… If she had followed someone else, she might have been devoured without a trace.
He also felt a bit curious about Lin Shisheng.
What kind of man could remain unmoved by the little girl’s beauty?
He must be quite an extraordinary person.
He should find an opportunity to meet this man.
He handed a cup of tea to Zhou Shaojin and said, "Try this. It’s jasmine tea given by Lord Zeng."
Zhou Shaojin took a sniff, and the fragrance of jasmine filled her senses.
Immediately intrigued, she said, "Uncle Chi, why don’t you plant a few osmanthus trees in the courtyard? You could make osmanthus dew, osmanthus wine, and even use osmanthus to scent tea.""If you think it's good, then it's settled," Cheng Chi said with a smile, his eyes filled with unmistakable affection. "I called you here to ask what you think should be planted in the garden. The craftsmen will bring the designs later—see if there’s anything you’d like to add or remove. Once it’s decided, they can start planting flowers and trees."
But this isn’t her house!
Zhou Shaojin was momentarily stunned.
Cheng Chi found himself both amused and exasperated.
He patted the cushion beside him and said, "Come here!"
Did he want her to sit next to him?
Zhou Shaojin hesitated.
Cheng Chi repeated, "Sit over here!"
Shaojin, accustomed to obedience, didn’t think much of it and moved to sit beside him.
Cheng Chi reached out with his long arm and pulled her into his embrace, seating her on his lap.
Zhou Shaojin’s face flushed crimson, and she struggled to get down.
Cheng Chi’s arm was firm yet gentle—unyielding to her struggles but not tight enough to feel constricting.
He buried his face in the crook of her neck and whispered softly, "Shaojin."
The distinct warmth of a man made Zhou Shaojin blush all the way down her neck.
Cheng Chi took her earlobe between his lips, sucking and nibbling gently.
Shaojin melted into a soft heap, silently cursing her own weakness as tears welled up in her eyes.
Yet Cheng Chi reluctantly released her and murmured, "Silly girl! Did you really think we’d just carry on like this indefinitely?" He gave her earlobe another firm bite and added, "I told you to wait for me for two years—within those two years, I’ll marry you properly, with all the honors. Why did you take my words so lightly? If not for marrying you, why would I go to such lengths to buy a house near Chaoyang Gate?"
This… was for her?
Didn’t Uncle Chi already give her the house on Yuqian Lane?
He even buried many things there.
Zhou Shaojin blinked, trembling from Cheng Chi’s bites, her mind too muddled to process anything.
Cheng Chi chuckled softly.
Shaojin was like a little rabbit.
Tenderness washed over him like a tide.
He kissed Zhou Shaojin.
Her lips and breath were filled with his pleasant scent, intoxicating like wine, making her dizzy and her thoughts even more confused.
Only when he released her and smiled while adjusting the hairpins in her hair did she snap back to reality, turning her flushed face away.
To make matters worse, Cheng Chi teased shamelessly, "I know you don’t want to stay in Jinling and don’t like Xinghua Lane, so I went through great trouble to buy this house. You have no idea how much effort it took, yet you act as if it has nothing to do with you… If you ever show such indifference to our matters again, I’ll punish you just like this!"
Zhou Shaojin glared at him, a mix of embarrassment and anger.
A beauty's anger held a unique charm.
Cheng Chi chuckled softly.
How had this person become like this!
Zhou Shaojin stood up indignantly and declared, "I want to go home!"
Cheng Chi couldn’t help but laugh heartily.
Furious, Zhou Shaojin did something she never imagined she would—she lightly kicked Cheng Chi twice with her foot.
Afterward, not only was she stunned, but Cheng Chi also looked utterly shocked.
Tears of grievance welled up in Zhou Shaojin’s eyes.
It was all his fault… otherwise, how could she have acted like a shrew…
How could she ever face Uncle Chi again?
Zhou Shaojin felt utterly humiliated.
She leaped off the kang as if fleeing and dashed toward the door.
But after just two steps, Cheng Chi caught her from behind and held her close."Shao Jin, it's my fault! It's my fault!" Cheng Chi coaxed her in a humble tone, "Don't be angry, don't cry... um... if you ever kick me again in the future, I'll definitely act like nothing happened, okay?"
Zhou Shao Jin was furious, tears falling even faster as she choked out, "I, I, I'm not that kind of bad-tempered person..."
"I know, I know," Cheng Chi quickly said, "I'm the one who pushed you too far... that's why you're angry..." As he spoke, he turned her around, resting his chin on her head and whispering softly, "But think about it, if you didn't feel I was your closest person, would you treat me like this? You have no idea how heartbroken I feel every time I see you being so cautious. I just want to pamper you, indulge you, spoil you like this... Don't I know what kind of person you are? Don't cry anymore, okay?!"
Cheng Chi's voice gradually grew lower.
Unlike the earlier playfulness, unlike the earlier lightness, it now carried a hint of heaviness.
※
An extra update for Tianxin-chan!
PS: I got so absorbed in drawing the layout for Zhou Shao Jin and Cheng Chi's new home that I lost track of time. Today's extra update is a bit late. The regular update will be even later, so everyone can check it out tomorrow morning!
O(∩_∩)O~
※ (To be continued ~^~)
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