Wоrds аrе wаsted on thоsе whо dо nоt understand.
Zhou Shаоjin left Pаn Qing and returnеd tо thе studу.
Неr mood hаd been completеlу ruined bу Pаn Qing.
Ноwеver, it wаs bеttеr tо bе safе than sorry. Sinсе her еlder sister had аlreadу spokеn tо thеir grаndmоthеr аbout Chеng Lu, аny роssibilitу of а marriаgе betweеn hеr and Сheng Lu was now оut of the questiоn. Аs fоr what Рan Qing had mentiоnеd, shе neеdеd tо givе hеr sistеr and grаndmоther а heаds-up, lest thеy misundеrstаnd аnd try tо раir hеr with Pan Zhuo!
Вut when she returned to Jiа Shu Hall and sаw Cheng Хian сhаtting and lаughing with her grandmother, she was stunned for a long moment before pulling Si'er aside and whispering, "Do you know why Aunt Xian came?"
"No," Si'er replied softly. "Right after you and the eldest young lady left, the aunt arrived and has been talking with the old madam until now."
Zhou Shaojin's heart stirred as she recalled the relationships among the various branches of the family.
The eldest and second branches were locked in open and covert struggles, with one gaining as the other declined. The third branch had always wanted to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the eldest and second branches but lacked capable sons to support the household. The fourth branch upheld principles over personal ties, always maintaining a neutral stance. The fifth branch was muddle-headed, like mud that couldn't be plastered onto a wall.
If Cheng Xian wanted to marry Pan Qing into the eldest branch, her grandmother would be the best matchmaker.
No wonder Cheng Xian had been particularly courteous to the fourth branch since her return.
She asked Si'er, "Did Grandmother invite Aunt to stay for lunch?"
"She did," Si'er said with a smile. "But Aunt said that guests from Old Madam Li's maternal family in the third branch, who came to offer birthday congratulations to the second branch's matriarch, are departing for Songjiang this afternoon. Aunt needs to help Old Madam Li see them off, so she can't stay for lunch. However, Aunt mentioned that she would visit again next time when she brings her son and daughter to pay their respects to the old madam."
Relieved that she wouldn't have to entertain Cheng Xian, Zhou Shaojin relaxed.
After lunch, when everyone moved to the sitting room for tea, Zhou Shaojin pretended to be curious and asked Old Madam Guan, "Grandmother, did Aunt Xian come to ask you to propose a marriage between Cousin Qing and Cousin Xu?"
Old Madam Guan was quite surprised. "Who told you that?"
Zhou Shaojin replied, "Cousin Qing attended class with us at Jing'an Zhai today. I heard it from her."
Upon hearing this, Old Madam Guan's expression grew serious. "How did Qing'er tell you? Did she say the Pan family wants to form a marriage alliance with the Cheng family?"
"She didn't say that. I guessed," Zhou Shaojin said with a smile. "Today, Cousin Jia argued with Cousin Qing again. Cousin Jia said, 'Do you think you can stay in the Cheng family forever?' Normally, Cousin Qing would just snort coldly and ignore her, but today her face flushed red, and she jumped up to argue with Cousin Jia. Afterward, she came to me specifically and asked me not to tell anyone about their quarrel. She also said that whether she stays or leaves is something only the elders can decide... That day when Wu Baozhang mentioned Cousin Xu, I noticed Cousin Qing seemed very concerned, so I wondered if the elders intended to 'strengthen family ties through marriage.' Since Aunt Xian returned, she has been closest to the eldest branch and our family. And Grandmother has always been known for her 'fairness' within the clan. I thought if Aunt Xian wanted to keep Cousin Qing in the Cheng family, she would surely ask Grandmother to intervene." Here, she blinked her clear, bright eyes. "When I saw Aunt Xian earlier, I somehow became suspicious. I don't know if I'm right or wrong?"Old Madam Guan laughed upon hearing this and said, "You sly girl, when did you become so sharp? This matter hasn’t even taken shape yet, and I haven’t decided whether to help them plead their case. You mustn’t speak carelessly."
Zhou Shaojin quickly pursed her lips, miming a "sealed" gesture, then smiled and said, "Don’t worry, I’ll be as tight-lipped as a clam."
Old Madam Guan, Madam Mian, and Zhou Chujin all laughed.
On the way back to Fragrant Garden Residence, Zhou Shaojin was in high spirits.
It seemed that some things didn’t need to be kept hidden; one should speak when it was time to speak and act when it was time to act. Like with Wu Baozhang—in her past life, she would have feared damaging her reputation, hesitated, and dared not move, which would have made Wu Baozhang think she had a guilty conscience and seize her weakness, turning nothing into something. And like this matter of Pan Qing’s marriage—by boldly asking her grandmother, she had uncovered Cheng Xian’s intentions.
In the future, she should be even bolder.
Hadn’t her sister often said in her past life that no matter what the problem, as long as one used their wits, there was always a solution?
Even if she made a mistake, there should be a way to resolve it, right?
Lost in thought, Zhou Shaojin unconsciously began humming a tune.
Zhou Chujin smiled and asked, "What are you mumbling about so happily?"
This was a tune Zhou Shaojin had heard the young maidservants on the estate humming in her past life.
Such trivial matters didn’t need to be explained to her sister, and even if she tried, it wouldn’t be clear.
She linked arms with her sister and said, "Sister, shall we cook porridge for dinner? Savory porridge? With some scallions and greens."
"Can that even be eaten?" Zhou Chujin exclaimed in surprise. "Which book did you read that in?"
Zhou Shaojin loved reading and enjoyed trying out whatever strange things she came across. Of course, most attempts ended in failure, but she never tired of it. In the past, Zhou Chujin had seen her staying home all day, hardly interacting with anyone except Cheng Jia, and worried she might grow dull. Thinking it was just a waste of silver and wouldn’t disturb others, she let her be.
"People in Guangdong eat it this way," Zhou Shaojin replied confidently this time. In her past life, she had hired a chef from Guangdong for her estate. "The weather is so hot—eating sweet things all the time only makes one more prone to internal heat. Why not switch to savory porridge?"
"As you wish, as you wish," Zhou Chujin said good-naturedly. "Just don’t force me to eat it with you!"
Zhou Shaojin giggled.
She felt that, through her own efforts, her life would gradually become the way she liked it best. Knowing that Cheng Xu had been excused from evening greetings, she felt even more lighthearted when she went to Cold Green Mountain House that afternoon to copy scriptures. Even Biyu, seeing her glowing face, couldn’t help but smile and ask, "What has made Second Young Miss so happy? Share it with us so we can rejoice too."
Was she being that obvious?
Zhou Shaojin blushed and could only say, "Grandmother served ham and bamboo shoot soup at noon."
As it happened, Old Madam Guo was just coming out of her room and overheard every word. She couldn’t help but laugh and say, "This child, so overjoyed just from eating something she likes—what a carefree heart."
Was that a polite way of saying she was a bit foolish?
Zhou Shaojin blushed, curtsied, and greeted, "Madam."Old Madam Guo patted her head and instructed Biyu, "Later, pack a box of the pastries Second Master sent from the capital for Second Miss. Young ones are still growing and always hungry, unlike us old folks—everything’s worn out, can’t eat much, can’t sleep well either."
"Don’t say such things," Zhou Shaojin couldn’t bear hearing this, as if flowers were withering and trees dying; even amidst splendid blooms, what she’d see wouldn’t be the same blossoms and branches as before. She hurriedly added, "You haven’t even held your great-grandchild yet!"
Old Madam Guo could hear the urgency and sincerity in her words. She was somewhat surprised, then smiled.
No wonder Madam Guan was unwilling to return these two children to the Zhou family. If it were her, she wouldn’t be willing either.
Old Madam Guo’s smile held a touch more gentleness than usual, and her tone became much more amiable. "Great-grandchildren are beyond my concern. If your Uncle Chi could let me hold a grandchild, I’d be perfectly content, with no regrets left."
Zhou Shaojin was at a loss.
In her past life, she had known very little about this uncle.
Especially after leaving the Cheng family, she had deliberately avoided matters and people related to the Chengs, so she didn’t even know whether this uncle had married or had children... She didn’t know how to offer words of comfort.
But to Old Madam Guo, this made Zhou Shaojin seem too earnest—either saying nothing at all or speaking only heartfelt truths.
She sighed inwardly.
No wonder this child suffered.
In Nine Prosperities Lane, everyone was shrewd and formidable, subtle and unreadable.
Only Cheng Xu, this child, had been led astray by Madam Yuan.
Old Madam Guo’s expression turned wistful. She patted Zhou Shaojin’s head again and entered the main room without another word.
Zhou Shaojin was left flustered by Old Madam Guo’s display of "affection." Fortunately, she had no particular desire to win Old Madam Guo’s favor, so she remained somewhat "unmoved by honor or disgrace." Returning to the prayer hall, she began preparing to copy the scriptures.
Xiao Tan happily helped her spread paper and grind ink, even taking over Shi Xiang’s tasks.
Though young, Xiao Tan had a snow-white face with a beauty mark at the corner of her mouth, making her charming and adorable. Zhou Shaojin liked her very much and teased her into conversation.
Xiao Tan, who served in Old Madam Guo’s rooms, was naturally clever and sharp. She had never met a woman as delicate and harmless as Zhou Shaojin, which made her feel relaxed and fond, so she was also willing to chat with her.
The two chatted cheerfully, rambling about what flowers were grown in Cold Green Mountain House and who usually tended them; whether the meals were good and who liked to eat what... Only after this did Zhou Shaojin begin copying the scriptures.
With a clear mind, she immersed herself in the sutras more quickly than usual.
She didn’t know how much time had passed. Though it was silent all around, she inexplicably felt a prickling sensation on her back, as if needles were pressing against her.
Zhou Shaojin shuddered and abruptly turned around.
A drop of black ink from the wolf-hair brush dripped onto her snow-white Hangzhou silk embroidered skirt.
A tall, graceful man stood behind her.
"Did I startle you?" The man wore an indigo-blue fine cloth Daoist robe and had warm, bright eyes. "I saw you writing so seriously and didn’t want to disturb you," he explained gently, his eyes filled with apology. "I didn’t expect to frighten you after all!""It's nothing... I wasn't paying attention..." Zhou Shaojin recognized the person before her and couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief, her tense emotions gradually easing. Remembering her sister's words, she stammered, "Uncle... Uncle Chi... about last time... thank you..."
"Last time?" Cheng Chi's smile was faint, yet carried a clarity and tolerance that saw through everything. "What happened last time? I don't recall anything!"
Hearing this, Zhou Shaojin nearly burst into tears.
She hurriedly said, "I must have remembered wrong, I remembered wrong. Uncle Chi, please don't take it to heart."
Cheng Chi smiled and turned to leave.
But just as he was about to step out of the Buddha hall, he suddenly looked back and said with a smile, "Your calligraphy is quite good. Practice a bit more, and you'll be able to write Spring Festival couplets!"
Really?
This was the first time anyone had ever praised Zhou Shaojin's calligraphy.
She immediately felt thrilled.
If she could write Spring Festival couplets, that would be wonderful!
For a young woman, having her calligraphy displayed publicly, becoming the face of the family—that would be the highest honor.
Liao Zhangying once said that she began her calligraphy journey by writing Spring Festival couplets.
Later, Liao Zhangying published a calligraphy copybook.
Although it circulated mainly among women's quarters, it gained great fame among scholars in Jiangnan. Many people invited her to instruct the women in their families, allowing her to live comfortably without relying on the Liao family.
If only one day she could be like Liao Zhangying!
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The story will be available for purchase tomorrow. There's still one public chapter owed to everyone, which might be posted around midnight. You can check it out tomorrow morning!
o(n_n)o~
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!!
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