Сhiхiаng's vоice fеlt likе а bаsin оf cold watеr рoured оver Zhou Сhujin's hеаd.
Shе соuldn't help but shivеr.
After Madam Li returnеd tо Bаoding Рrеfесture, Сhujin hаd bееn unеasу about her уоunger sistеr living alone in Yuqiаn Lane. Shе visited pеriоdiсаllу аnd, sеeing her sistеr's rоsy соmрleхion аnd livеly demеаnor—mоre cheеrful than ever bеfоrе—finallу set her mind at еаsе. She thеn shiftеd hеr fосus tо Guan Gе аnd hadn't visitеd for sоme time. It wаs onlу rесentlу, whеn thе hоusehold begаn preparing Mid-Аutumn Festival gifts, that shе remembеred thе fеstival wаs approaching. After preparing gifts for her sister, she passed by Qifangzhai and noticed people buying water chestnut cakes. She even specially asked the accompanying maidservant to go in and buy several boxes of pastries... Who would have thought that such a small oversight would lead to... the current situation!
Now, she could only be grateful that, out of consideration for her mother-in-law, she had brought only two or three people with her. When she entered and saw the courtyard quiet, she recalled that her sister had sent someone to tell her she had brewed osmanthus wine and buried it in the backyard. On a whim, she took the pastries she had bought for her sister and headed straight for the backyard.
The scene she had just witnessed flashed through Zhou Chujin's mind, and she couldn't help but close her eyes.
Fortunately, she had left the people who followed her in the courtyard. If they had seen Zhou Shaojin and Cheng Chi like that... Shaojin would never be able to clear her name, even if she jumped into the Yellow River!
But now was not the time to dwell on this.
The urgent task now was to suppress this matter.
It had to be as if water had flowed by without leaving a trace.
Shaojin's reputation must not be tainted in the slightest!
Zhou Chujin took a deep breath and said to Chixiang, "The Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching. Fourth Master has come on Old Madam Guo's orders to visit the Second Young Lady. The Second Young Lady brewed osmanthus wine and wanted to ask Fourth Master to take a few jars back for Old Madam Guo to taste. They were just coming to the backyard to retrieve the wine! Come and lend a hand. Later, take two jars back for the First Madam to try."
Chixiang responded with a smile, but she was puzzled inside.
Fourth Master had come on Old Madam Guo's orders to visit the Second Young Lady. The Second Young Lady had retrieved new wine for Fourth Master to take to Old Madam Guo. Why was the First Young Madam explaining this so clearly to her? She was just a servant—when her masters told her to do something, she did it. How could she dare say "no"?
The First Young Madam had been acting strangely this year... Why did her words sound like she was trying to cover something up...
Chixiang shook her head in confusion.
The Second Young Lady and Fourth Master were also acting strangely today... The Second Young Lady seemed to be hiding behind Fourth Master, while Fourth Master appeared to be protecting her... Could it be that the Second Young Lady was upset with the First Young Madam?
The thought flashed through her mind, but Chixiang immediately dismissed it.
She had served the First Young Madam for ten years, and the First Young Madam and the Second Young Lady were not like ordinary sisters. The First Young Madam treated the Second Young Lady like her own daughter, always yielding to her in everything. How could the First Young Madam possibly be upset with the Second Young Lady?
But the expressions and demeanor of the three just now... made her unable to stop thinking about it.
What puzzled Chixiang even more was that the First Young Madam had clearly said the Second Young Lady was helping Fourth Master retrieve the wine. Yet there were no hoes or shovels... How were they supposed to retrieve the wine?Cheng Chi immediately sensed Zhou Chujin's intention and noticed Chixiang's confusion. Without haste, he smiled and said, "That wine was brewed with sorghum liquor, and it hasn't been aged long enough. If I take it out now, I'll have to bury it again when I get back. It would be better to wait a few more years until it's properly matured before retrieving it. Why not give me a few jars of the osmanthus wine you brewed with Jinhua liquor instead?"
Zhou Shaojin was utterly stunned.
Her limbs stiffened, overwhelmed with shame and embarrassment. She wished she could vanish into the ground, too mortified to move a muscle.
Cheng Chi frowned inwardly. He felt Zhou Chujin was being too harsh on Zhou Shaojin, yet he feared Shaojin might be constrained by her sister's presence. He dared not embrace her to offer even a little comfort, so he could only speak to her gently, "Shaoji, don't be afraid! I'll handle everything! Let's go to the side room and fetch a few jars of the osmanthus wine you brewed with Jinhua liquor..."
The words "I'll handle everything" struck Shaojin's heart like a resounding bell, causing her to tremble slightly and regain her composure.
Yes!
What was there to fear?
Even if the sky fell, there was Uncle Chi, tall enough to hold it up!
But being caught by her sister with Uncle Chi... was still so embarrassing... especially since she had been in a daze... If her sister had arrived any later, she would have witnessed everything... It was truly, utterly humiliating...
"Alright, I... I'll go get the wine," she stammered, her face flushed crimson.
It was all Cheng Chi's fault.
Her sister hadn't even come of age yet—what did she know?
Zhou Chujin shot Cheng Chi a fierce glare.
Cheng Chi had never felt so awkward in his life.
He pretended not to notice, yet couldn't help but cough softly.
Once they left the backyard, Cheng Chi immediately spotted Nanny Shang standing anxiously in the corridor, looking at him with a hint of trepidation.
Cheng Chi acted as if he saw nothing and remained silent.
Meanwhile, the maids who had followed Zhou Chujin chatted and laughed softly, unaware of the situation. Upon seeing Cheng Chi and the others, they stepped forward to pay their respects.
Remembering Zhou Chujin's instructions, Chixiang smiled at the maids and elderly women who had followed and said, "The Second Miss brewed osmanthus wine and stored it in the backyard, intending to give some to Old Madam Guo and our Madam. But Fourth Master said the wine is still too young and should be aged for a few more years before being retrieved. He asked the Second Miss to give two jars of the osmanthus wine she recently brewed with Jinhua liquor to Old Madam Guo and our Madam... Come with me to move the wine."
"Let me do it, let me do it!" Nanny Shang and the others dared not let Zhou Chujin's people handle the wine. While observing Cheng Chi's expression, they forced smiles and eagerly helped Chixiang move the jars.
Zhou Shaojin, however, couldn't bring herself to look at Zhou Chujin. Only when no one else remained in the side room did she muster the courage to tug at her sister's sleeve and whisper, "Sister, don't be angry... I was willing... I fell for..."
"Be quiet!" Zhou Chujin trembled with anger, her voice sharp as she cut Shaojin off. "Why bring this up now? Aren't you afraid others might hear?" She then shot Cheng Chi a glare. "Even if there's a mistake, it's not yours to bear."
Zhou Shaojin felt as if her heart were being torn apart.
Indeed, once her relationship with Uncle Chi was discovered, regardless of the truth, the blame would fall on him.
"Sister," Zhou Shaojin straightened her back and clenched her fists, "this isn't Uncle Chi's fault. It was me...""Shao Jin!" This time it was Cheng Chi who stopped her. He looked at Zhou Shaojin, his gaze gentle yet firm. "Don't say anymore. Leave this matter to me!"
Cheng Chi could well understand Zhou Chujin's feelings.
If he were in her position, he would probably be just as angry!
In that case, the more Shaojin spoke, the more mistakes she would make. The more she defended him, the less Zhou Chujin would be able to forgive herself!
And Shaojin had always valued Zhou Chujin deeply. Even in the midst of Zhou Chujin's fury, she could still speak up for him... This already filled Cheng Chi with hope for the future.
How could he bear to let Zhou Shaojin argue with Zhou Chujin over him?
Naturally, Zhou Shaojin obediently nodded.
Zhou Chujin felt her lungs were about to burst with anger!
What kind of bewitching potion had that scoundrel Cheng Chi fed Shaojin? Shaojin was foolishly listening to everything Cheng Chi said!
Her eyes grew moist as she grabbed Zhou Shaojin's hand and said, "The Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching soon. It wouldn't be right to let you stay alone in Yuqian Lane for the holiday. Come with me to Shuangyu Lane and stay for a few days..."
Zhou Shaojin immediately panicked. She hurriedly said, "Sister, I won't go! I'll stay in Yuqian Lane..."
Was her sister trying to prevent her from seeing Uncle Chi again?
Upon hearing this, Zhou Chujin's face turned ashen, and her gaze toward Cheng Chi was sharp as knives.
Cheng Chi could only sigh helplessly.
However, Zhou Shaojin keenly noticed something from Cheng Chi's expression.
She anxiously glanced at her sister and dared not say another word.
Only then did Zhou Chujin's expression soften slightly.
She called out loudly to Chunwan, "I'm taking Second Miss to Shuangyu Lane now. Pack a few changes of clothes for Second Miss and follow us later."
She wouldn't let Zhou Shaojin stay alone for even a moment.
Zhou Shaojin secretly glanced at Cheng Chi.
Cheng Chi gave an almost imperceptible nod toward her.
Zhou Shaojin then allowed Zhou Chujin to lead her away.
Zhou Chujin felt like she could devour Cheng Chi whole.
What kind of bewitching potion had he given Shaojin?!
He had Shaojin so infatuated she didn't know which way was up...
She pulled Zhou Shaojin and headed outside.
Zhou Shaojin lowered her head and followed her sister. But just as they were about to pass through the moon gate, she couldn't help herself and looked back.
That pitiful look in her eyes, like an abandoned kitten, instantly struck Cheng Chi's heart.
Yet he could only offer a comforting smile to Zhou Shaojin. Then, as Zhou Shaojin boarded Zhou Chujin's sedan chair, his expression immediately fell, and he walked out of Yushu Lane with an impassive face, leaving behind a flustered Nanny Shang.
Meanwhile, Zhou Shaojin followed Zhou Chujin to Yushu Lane in silence.
The Liao family members were somewhat surprised to see Zhou Shaojin.
Zhou Chujin mustered her spirits and explained with a smile, "Since it's just us sisters in the capital, we can't let her spend the holiday alone, can we?"
Sisterly harmony was naturally a good thing.
Madam Liao quickly instructed the maids to tidy up the small courtyard in the backyard where Zhou Shaojin had stayed before and warmly said to her, "Treat this place like your own home. Stay here for a few more days. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, you can go lantern-viewing with us."Zhou Shaojin had grown accustomed to the freedom of living alone in Yuye Alley, so returning to an environment with elders' supervision felt somewhat uncomfortable at first. She smiled and thanked Madam Liao, then left the main room only to be pulled by Zhou Chujin into her own sitting room. Chujin even stationed a maid at the door, and before they could sit down on the large kang by the window, she whispered, "Tell me the truth, you and Cheng Zichuan... did he... have you two ever..."
She couldn't bring herself to ask anything more explicit.
At first, Zhou Shaojin didn't quite understand, but she soon grasped the implication.
Her face flushed red with a mix of embarrassment and shyness, and she chided, "Sister, how could you think of Uncle Chi that way? Uncle Chi is a very good person; he has helped me several times..."
As she spoke, she noticed her sister's expression growing increasingly grim, and she finally trailed off into a murmur.
"Shao Jin!" Zhou Chujin fell silent for a moment before advising her younger sister, "You're still young and haven't been out much, so you haven't seen enough of the world. Uncle Chi is our uncle, so of course he treats us well. But we can't just be fond of someone simply because they treat us well, can we? Doesn't Cheng Xu treat you well? Doesn't Cheng Yi treat you well? Yet I don't see you being fond of them!"
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Sisters, here's today's update!
※ (To be continued ~^~)
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