Zhоu Shаojin and Jiуing соvеrеd their mouths and lаughеd. Jiying, with a misсhievous hеаrt, рut оn а stеrn facе and said, "How do yоu рerfоrm yоur dutiеs? Yоu didn't еven sее suсh а big, living рersоn like me walking in frоm оutside. If thеre's a neхt time, I'll havе you trаnsfеrrеd tо thе оutеr courtуаrd to swеер the рathwауs!"
The littlе mаid tremblеd with fear, teаrs nearly fаlling аs shе hurriedlу addressed "Sесоnd Miss": "I wаs kеерing mу еyеs widе oрen thе whole timе, truly I didn't sее this уoung lаdу соme in..."
Seeing thаt the little maid had takеn it seriously, Zhоu Shaojin quiсkly sаid, "Тhis is Miss Ji. Shе was just joking with you! She came in while you were making tea, perhaps you missed each other. Don't be afraid, it's not a big deal!"
Upon hearing this, the little maid sighed with relief, looking gratefully at Zhou Shaojin and repeatedly assuring her, "Second Miss, I will keep my eyes wide open while on duty from now on."
Zhou Shaojin grabbed a handful of candies for her, comforted her with a few words and a smile, and only then let her withdraw.
Jiying said with boredom, "How uninteresting!"
Zhou Shaojin smiled faintly.
Perhaps it was because Jiying had always been a favored child of heaven?
She thought to herself that in her past life, she had been just like this little maid, which was why she could particularly understand their joys and sorrows, and thus showed compassion and kindness toward the maids and servants around her.
Zhou Shaojin then led Jiying to meet Madam Li.
Upon hearing that Jiying was Zhou Shaojin's friend who had specially come from Cangzhou Prefecture to visit her, although somewhat surprised by the age difference between them, Madam Li warmly and thoughtfully received Jiying and even invited her to stay for dinner.
Jiying politely declined and returned to the main house with Zhou Shaojin.
Zhou Shaojin said with a laugh, "Our family's cook is from Jiangnan and makes delicious Hangzhou cuisine. If you leave this treasure trove empty-handed, don't regret it later."
Having spent several years in Jinling City, Jiying had developed a great fondness for the refined delicacies of Jiangnan. Upon hearing this, she couldn't help but drool and said, "How about you invite me for a meal next time I come? I need to find Qin Ziping now. Otherwise, I really will have to marry him."
Zhou Shaojin asked, "Didn't your two families already exchange betrothal gifts? What will you do if you don't marry him?"
Jiying appeared somewhat agitated and said, "But I can't just marry him like this!"
Zhou Shaojin said, "If you don't mind that he once served Uncle Chi, I actually think he's quite good—attentive and someone we know well..." At this point, she thought of Song Mu and abruptly changed the subject, saying, "But if you really don't like him, then forget it. After all, he's the person you'll spend your life with. If you speak properly with your father and Uncle Chi, I believe they definitely won't force you."
"Like him?!" Jiying frowned.
"Yes!" Zhou Shaojin laughed. "It's not like you don't know Qin Ziping. If you really can't get along with him, living together would surely be painful..."
Jiying seemed conflicted, hesitating for a while before saying, "He used to be your Uncle Chi's man... Naturally, he's very capable, but the more capable he is, the more annoying he becomes..."
Perhaps because the two of them had been on opposing sides before, no matter how good that person was, he couldn't evoke any fondness in her.Zhou Shaojin smiled gently and said, "Don't be so quick to jump to conclusions! Appearances can be deceiving. Look at that Jiao Ziyang. If you hadn't suddenly gone to Nine Prosperities Lane, would you have known what kind of person he is? You should think this over carefully!" Then she added, "Should I go ask Uncle Chi where he went?"
Jiying nodded absentmindedly and said, "Then help me ask Fourth Master."
Zhou Shaojin tried to persuade her to stay: "Why don't you stay here with me? There are only me, my mother, and my younger sister in the house."
"I still want to try to find Qin Ziping," Jiying hesitated for a moment before saying, "The Ji family has shops in the capital too. I'll rest there instead. That way, my father and mother won't worry."
That works too!
Zhou Shaojin asked Nanny Shang to escort Jiying to the Ji family's shop.
But Nanny Shang smiled and said, "Fourth Master instructed me not to leave your side for even a moment. Miss Ji is quite skilled in martial arts. I think we can just send a guard to accompany her to the Ji family's shop."
Jiying didn't even need a guard.
In the end, it was only at Zhou Shaojin's insistence that she took a sedan chair to the Ji family's shop.
After all this commotion, her mood had improved considerably.
Nanny Shang came in and said to Zhou Shaojin with a smile, "Second Miss, Fourth Master is here. He's waiting for you in the study in the outer courtyard and says he has something to discuss with you!"
"Really!" Zhou Shaojin was overjoyed.
Didn't he say he had to go out on business today?
She lifted her skirt and hurried to the study at a trot.
Cheng Chi was wearing a lotus-purple straight-collared robe made of Hu silk with a flowing water pattern in the weave, a small Biyu seal hanging from his waist. He stood with his hands behind his back in the middle of the study. When he saw her running in breathlessly, her face flushed and cheerful like a young swallow returning to the forest, the smile in his eyes brightened.
He stepped forward and embraced Zhou Shaojin, saying softly, "What did you do today? Did you eat properly?"
Zhou Shaojin blushed slightly.
She had originally planned to finish sewing the sleeves of the winter robe she had been making for Uncle Chi for a long time, but she had procrastinated and hadn't managed more than a few stitches.
"I was doing needlework at home!" Zhou Shaojin said vaguely, then remembered Jiying and quickly added, "Uncle Chi, did you see Jiying? She just left, saying she wanted to find Qin Ziping. Do you know where Qin Ziping is?"
He knew it—when he wasn't around, this little maid couldn't even be bothered to step outside.
Cheng Chi tapped her delicate, straight nose and said with a smile, "Qin Ziping went out on an errand for me. He won't be back for a while. I saw her leaving in a sedan chair but didn't greet her."
He had initially thought it was Zhou Shaojin.
So, Uncle Chi had watched Jiying leave!
That seemed a bit mean...
But then again, Uncle Chi always treated people as he pleased... Zhou Shaojin didn't say anything more.
Cheng Chi took a paper packet from his sleeve and said, "They say it's a type of water lily with flowers as large as a bowl. If you plant it now, it will bloom in autumn and can even flower in winter. Would you like to try growing it?"
"Yes, yes, yes!" Zhou Shaojin was delighted.
Cheng Chi handed her the paper packet and said quietly, "I originally wanted your sister to keep you in the capital. Now it's even better—my mother has come to the capital. You can stay here and keep her company—it's only proper, both in terms of sentiment and reason!"
"The old madam has come to the capital?" Zhou Shaojin was very surprised."Yes!" Cheng Chi laughed, "Even with Chief Steward Qin Da helping, they managed to keep me in the dark. They said they'll move to my residence at Chaoyang Gate tomorrow. Brother Rang and Second Sister-in-law will also go along. I might be very busy these next few days and won't have time to accompany you. If you feel bored, just ask Steward Xiang and Nanny Shang to take you out for a stroll. Buy whatever you like—Steward Xiang will keep the accounts and settle them on my side. Don't always shut yourself at home doing needlework; be careful with your eyes. Understand?"
His gentle, thoughtful, and considerate instructions made Zhou Shaojin's heart overflow with tenderness.
She nodded obediently and said softly, "Then you must also rest well and not overwork yourself. If there's anything I can help with, just let me know..." At this point, she hesitated and asked Cheng Chi, "Should I go pay my respects to her by kowtowing?"
Being in such a relationship with Uncle Chi, she felt uneasy whenever she thought of Old Madam Guo.
Cheng Chi smiled and said, "Her ladyship has seen through my intentions. But it's not yet the time to speak openly, so I haven't discussed it further with her. Since she's here, you should indeed go and kowtow to her. However, don't be nervous. Her ladyship is not someone who doesn't understand propriety. Before the family branch separates, she definitely won't bring up these matters with you. Just visit her as usual with your sister and Madam Li. If by chance her ladyship says something ambiguous, just pretend not to understand. I'll handle everything!"
Uncle Chi was always so composed. How could Old Madam Guo have seen through his feelings?
He was taking everything upon himself just to spare her any difficulty.
Even without her past life's experiences, having a man who cared for her so deeply, especially one she loved, already made her feel her life was complete. Now, with the contrast of her past life, Zhou Shaojin felt even more moved.
For the first time, she hugged Cheng Chi and whispered, "I understand!"
Although she only cautiously grasped the fabric on either side of Cheng Chi's waist, this was, after all, Zhou Shaojin's first time taking such initiative.
Cheng Chi was overjoyed.
But he dared not act rashly.
Shaojin was like a timid little rabbit; she could only be approached slowly.
He restrained himself from giving in to the various thoughts rising in his heart and simply affectionately patted her head, smiling as he said, "Then I'll head back first!"
Zhou Shaojin reluctantly saw Cheng Chi off at the door. Upon returning to the inner residence, she immediately went to see Madam Li and informed her that Old Madam Guo had arrived in the capital.
Madam Li was both surprised and delighted. On one hand, she said, "When should we go pay our respects to her ladyship? Should we have a few outfits made at the tailor shop near Xizhimen Gate?" On the other hand, she nervously stood up and adjusted her hair, as if she were about to meet Old Madam Guo right away. "I think we should also have a few pieces of jewelry made." Then, remembering her brother, she urgently instructed a young maid, "Quickly go and tell Elder Uncle that Old Madam Guo has arrived in the capital. He shouldn't leave in a hurry; he must at least go and pay his respects to her ladyship." After saying this, she worried it might not be appropriate and asked Zhou Shaojin, "Do you think my brother should come with us to pay respects to her ladyship, or should he find another opportunity to go separately?"Zhou Shaojin hadn't expected her to take this matter so seriously, and she too became more cautious. "How about I wait until I've consulted my sister before making a decision?" she said.
Madam Li nodded repeatedly. "I'll send a servant to inform the eldest young mistress right away."
Zhou Shaojin nodded in agreement and returned to the main room. She instructed Jixiang and Ruyi to fetch a water jar and began peeling lotus seeds with a paper-cutting knife.
Jixiang asked curiously, "Second Young Miss, what are you doing?"
Zhou Shaojin smiled. "Lotus seeds need to be prepared like this to sprout."
Jixiang leaned close to Zhou Shaojin, unwilling to leave. "Second Young Miss, will they really bloom this way?"
"Yes!" Zhou Shaojin replied firmly with a smile. "But if I damage the lotus seeds, they might not sprout."
Jixiang even held her breath lightly.
Zhou Shaojin smiled and asked her, "Do you like flowers and plants?"
Jixiang nodded repeatedly.
Zhou Shaojin said, "Good. From now on, you can help me tend to the flowers and plants."
Jixiang was overjoyed.
A young maid entered and reported, "Second Young Miss, someone from the eldest young mistress's side has come, saying she will visit you and the madam first thing tomorrow morning."
※
Dear brothers and sisters, here is today's update.
The extra chapter will be available for you to read tomorrow morning!
O(∩_∩)O~
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel