Сheng Chi did nоt sреаk thеse words to Zhоu Shаojin, so nаturally shе rеmаinеd unаwаre, yеt she could sense his emоtiоns.
With a rift nоw betwееn thе Сheng аnd Yuаn fаmiliеs, Сheng Сhi appеаred sо compоsed—did this meаn that in his heаrt, thе Yuаn fаmilу wаs nоt so cruсiаl to thе Сhеng familу?
Zhou Shаоjin recаllеd that in hеr past life, whеn the Cheng fаmilу fаcеd trouble, the Yuаn fаmilу had аlsо stооd bу withоut offеring аssistanсe... Shе felt Chеng Chi wаs trulу rеmarkаblе; еvеn without being rebоrn, he possessed kеener insight than shе, a rebоrn soul, аnd а bettеr judge of character.
Unconsciously, she tightened her embrace around Cheng Chi’s arm and whispered, "Perhaps it’s for the better without the Yuan family—aren’t you on good terms with Lord Song? Sixth Master Gu and Lord Huang are also close... There’s no need to cling to a single tree!"
Cheng Chi chuckled softly, kissed Zhou Shaojin’s cheek, and teased her, "You even know about such things?"
"Isn’t it said that one takes on the color of their company?" Zhou Shaojin retorted, nestling into his embrace without a care.
Cheng Chi laughed heartily, greatly fond of her dependence on him. His hand slipped beneath her collar, gently caressing her slightly rounded belly as he asked warmly, "Was the baby well-behaved today?"
When his little girl had carried their first child, he had not been by her side. This time, with this child, he was determined to stay close and accompany her properly.
Zhou Shaojin smiled, wrapped her arms around Cheng Chi’s waist, and rested her head against his chest, listening to his strong, rhythmic heartbeat. Softly, she replied, "The baby was very good, not fussy at all today."
Cheng Chi said with a smile, "If she stays this well-behaved, I’ll reward her handsomely once she’s born."
"Wonderful!" Zhou Shaojin replied. "We’ll buy her beautiful pearl hairbands and kingfisher-feather hairpins."
Such a docile child led both Zhou Shaojin and Cheng Chi to believe it was a girl.
"Not only will we buy pearl hairbands and kingfisher-feather hairpins for her, but also for the baby’s mother," Cheng Chi whispered playfully, nibbling her ear. "The Dragon Boat Festival is approaching. Let’s invite a silversmith to our home to craft jewelry for you, alright? On the day of the festival, we’ll go watch the dragon boat races."
Zhou Shaojin melted into his embrace like water, nodding absently and completely forgetting her prior arrangement with Lady Pengcheng to watch the races together. The next morning, she woke feeling too languid to move, vaguely recalling something she needed to do but unable to remember what. Just then, Nanny Shang came to inquire about Dragon Boat Festival gifts, and Madam Fan Liu asked about Chunwan’s wedding. Thus, she pushed that fleeting thought aside and first settled the festival gifts. Then, she kept Madam Fan Liu to discuss: "The Fourth Master said Chunwan should depart from our residence on Yuye Lane. With the wedding day fast approaching, I thought you could go ahead and help her tidy the rooms—the double-happiness characters and wedding couplets should be put up."
Chunwan had entered the household at the age of seven, serving by Zhou Shaojin’s side ever since. Madam Fan Liu had watched her grow up, long regarding her as half a daughter. Now, not only was she marrying into the Qin family to a groom of handsome appearance and upright character, but she would also be departing from Zhou Shaojin’s own residence for the wedding. Such honor was unprecedented, not only in the current Cheng household but even in the former Nine Prosperities Lane of Jinling.
Overjoyed, Madam Fan Liu agreed and hurried to inform Chunwan, urging her, "No matter what, you must go and kowtow to the mistress."
Chunwan nodded, her face flushed with emotion.Cheng Chi now only retained his business with the Thirteen Hongs. The former chief stewards who had followed Cheng Chi were now in Guangzhou and Ningbo, helping him manage the dealings with the Thirteen Hongs. Since there were no longer as many branch stores as before, these stewards were ranked by seniority, with some becoming second or third stewards. Regardless of their rank, however, they possessed the insight and efficiency of former chief stewards. Although Cheng Chi's business in Wenzhou and Ningbo was far smaller in scale than before, its volume was no less than it had been. Many who were unaware of the background of this trading house advised the chief stewards to suggest to the owner to open branch stores. Yet they knew Cheng Chi was avoiding drawing attention and publicly claimed that the owner was of a simple nature, content with maintaining a modest livelihood and unwilling to expend too much effort.
There were also those who tried to poach employees from the shop, and while some clerks left, the stewards all remained in this small trading house.
Qin Ziji was sent to Guangzhou by Cheng Chi at the start of spring, with instructions to work diligently in the trading house as an apprentice. After he and Chunwan married, Chunwan would follow him to Guangzhou. Once they left, it was uncertain when they would return!
When Chunwan went to kowtow to Zhou Shaojin to express her gratitude, her eyes were red.
Zhou Shaojin also felt quite emotional.
She hadn’t expected Cheng Chi to send Qin Ziji so far away and could only comfort Chunwan, saying, "Don’t be sad. In a few years, I’ll speak with Fourth Master and have Qin Ziji brought back."
"Thank you for your kindness, Madam, but please don’t mention it," Chunwan tactfully replied. "I know Fourth Master is doing this for his own good. Others might not even have such an opportunity! I’m not someone who doesn’t appreciate what’s good for me. After we go, I’ll live well with Chief Steward Qin and help him manage the shop for Fourth Master."
After all, she was the Madam’s accompanying servant. While it was right to listen to Fourth Master in daily matters, if any disagreement arose between Fourth Master and the Madam, she would naturally side with the Madam.
One must listen to the meaning behind the words.
Zhou Shaojin understood Chunwan’s implication perfectly and couldn’t help but smile.
She believed Cheng Chi would treat her well for a lifetime. Yet she was also pleased that Chunwan would stand up for her in this way.
Since that was the case, there was no need to say more.
Distance tests a horse’s strength, and time reveals a person’s heart.
She had confidence in Cheng Chi and didn’t need Chunwan to believe it as well.
Zhou Shaojin personally helped Chunwan to her feet and said, "I won’t be able to see you off on your wedding day. If you need anything, go to Mama Fan. I’ve told her to set aside all other matters these days and focus solely on helping you prepare for your marriage. Return here three days after the wedding for the homecoming visit. Once your departure date is set, I’ll see you off properly."
Chunwan nodded, her eyes still red.
Zhou Shaojin reminded her, "Remember to bid farewell to your sister."
Chunwan agreed with a sob.
Zhou Shaojin had been with Chunwan since she could remember. Though they were master and servant in name, they were like family in reality. Seeing Chunwan so sad, Zhou Shaojin couldn’t hold back her own tears.
The two cried together for a while before Chunwan finally went to pack her belongings.
When it was time for Chunwan to leave, they embraced and wept once more.
Cheng Chi hurriedly comforted her, saying, "Be careful for the child’s sake. We don’t want her to be born a little crybaby."
Zhou Shaojin quickly wiped away her tears.
Old Madam Guo then discussed with her, "Zhenzhu is also of marriageable age. I see you’re quite fond of her. Why not keep her here as well? She could serve as a stewardess for you later and work alongside Biyu."
Zhou Shaojin was somewhat surprised.Old Madam Guo smiled and said, "Among the four senior maids I originally had in my chambers, Feicui and Biyu were the most capable. But I noticed you didn’t seem to like Feicui very much, so I decided to leave her in Jinling..."
Only then did Zhou Shaojin realize Old Madam Guo’s thoughtful gesture.
She felt a bit embarrassed and said, "I’ll follow your arrangement."
Old Madam Guo then smiled and said, "In that case, let’s keep Manao here as well." She then eagerly pulled Zhou Shaojin along to help select suitable matches for the two maids.
They wanted candidates who were both morally upright and good-looking, and also had to be long-time servants of the Cheng family. After much deliberation, they still couldn’t settle on anyone. They ended up involving Biyu in the selection process as well.
They remained busy with this until the end of the month, when the Earl of Pengcheng’s family sent an invitation for Zhou Shaojin to attend a flower-viewing event on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. It was only then that Zhou Shaojin remembered this matter.
She grew anxious and flustered.
She was the one who had suggested having Lady Pengcheng take her out for social engagements, but Cheng Chi had also asked her to accompany him to watch the dragon boat races... She didn’t know what to do. As the date drew nearer day by day, she had no choice but to seek Cheng Chi’s advice.
Cheng Chi was quite surprised and asked, "Why did you think of spending the Dragon Boat Festival with Lady Pengcheng?"
Afraid that Cheng Chi might be upset, Zhou Shaojin hesitantly explained her plans.
Cheng Chi found it both amusing and exasperating. He held her in his arms, gently patting her back, and said kindly, "I’ve told you before—you can attend social events if you want to, and skip them if you don’t. Look at Madam Song, she doesn’t go out for social engagements either. Gossip like this happens every day; only those involved take it to heart. If you ignore it, it’ll soon be replaced by new rumors... How about you come with me to watch the dragon boat races during the Dragon Boat Festival? As for Lady Pengcheng, send her a message saying you have guests at home and can’t leave. I’ve invited Gu Jiuniao and his wife, Yuan Bieyun and his wife, as well as the families of a few colleagues from the yamen to our home. We’ll all go watch the dragon boat races together."
Zhou Shaojin nodded eagerly like a chick pecking at rice.
Lady Pengcheng replied with a note that simply said, "Understood, understood," and teased her, "Come visit on a day when Cheng Zichuan isn’t bathing."
Zhou Shaojin pretended not to see the remark and meticulously arranged a banquet to entertain Cheng Chi’s colleagues and friends.
Cheng Chi’s colleagues were all older than him, and Zhou Shaojin was still young. None of them brought their wives, but Yuan Bieyun’s wife, Third Madam Yuan, brought all three of her sons. The eldest was twelve, the youngest six, each with handsome, striking features. They stood in a row to pay their respects to Old Madam Guo, who was delighted and nodded repeatedly, warmly inquiring about the children’s studies and daily routines.
Yun Ge’er was not shy at all. He toddled away from his wet nurse and stood beside Yuan Bieyun’s youngest son. With their varying heights, an outsider might have mistaken Yun Ge’er for one of Yuan Bieyun’s sons.
Everyone in the room couldn’t help but chuckle.
The three children quickly grew fond of Yun Ge’er.
Third Madam Yuan laughed and said, "What a pity he’s a boy, otherwise I’d take him as my daughter-in-law."
Old Madam Guo chuckled and joked, "If Shaojin gives birth to a daughter this time, she’ll be your daughter-in-law."
"Then I must thank you, Old Madam," said Third Madam Yuan, hugging Yun Ge’er and teasing him, "How about coming to Uncle Yuan’s house to play? Look, there are so many older brothers here!"Yun Ge'er responded loudly with "Okay!" and even made a request: "The brothers have to play hide-and-seek with me."
Yuan San Nainai smiled at her three sons and said, "Did you hear that?"
The three children, who took after who knows whom, were not particularly lively in temperament. They respectfully agreed and accompanied Yun Ge'er to the courtyard to play.
Yun Ge'er had a wonderful time playing, while Cheng Chi and the others also thoroughly enjoyed their drinks. In the afternoon, they went to the West Garden to watch the dragon boat races, and in the evening, they went to the Great Xiangguo Temple for vegetarian meals. After dispersing, they still wanted to take Yun Ge'er and Zhou Shaojin to see the lanterns.
If Yun Ge'er hadn't fallen asleep halfway, Cheng Chi would have truly dragged Zhou Shaojin and her son to Zhuque Street.
Zhou Shaojin had never seen Cheng Chi as enthusiastic as he was today. After returning and settling Yun Ge'er down, she fetched water to help Cheng Chi wash his face and feet, and couldn't help asking him, "Did something happen?"
※
Dear readers, here is today's update.
O(∩_∩)O~
※ (To be continued ~^~)
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