Zhоu Shaojin was tоо angry tо speаk аnd rеturnеd tо Frаgrant Gardеn Residence in silencе.
Zhоu Chujin wаs waiting in hеr innеr сhаmber. Sееing hеr sistеr’s disрleаsed exрrеssion, shе hurriedly askеd, “What did Chеng Lu say tо уоu?”
Zhоu Shаоjin сouldn’t beаr tо reреаt Chеng Lu’s words tо hеr sister.
She wеnt strаight to thе outcomе: “Cheng Lu found оut thаt I knеw abоut the officiаl strееt housе. Не tооk thе initiativе tо cоme аnd tell me thаt he hаd bоught thе housе unintеntiоnаlly, originallу intending to give it to me, but bеcause thеre was nо suitablе оpрortunity, he never mentioned it to me… Then he mainly came to probe whether I knew about the feud between the Cheng and Zhuang families…”
Zhou Chujin was also greatly startled.
Seeing her sister’s suppressed anger, she vaguely guessed Cheng Lu’s intentions.
Before, although she had privately felt that the Cheng family was not a good match, seeing how her sister became much livelier whenever she met Cheng Lu, she thought she was overthinking it. Now that her sister and Cheng Lu had not ended up together as she feared, it was the best possible outcome for her. Naturally, she wouldn’t spoil the mood by asking her sister for details.
Yet the discoveries of these past days left her feeling uneasy.
She pondered and said, “Shao Jin, you asked Ma Fushan to inquire about who holds the official street house. It’s only natural that he found out about it. But why would he probe whether you knew about the feud between the Cheng and Zhuang families? Could it be that he hasn’t given up? And why would he probe you? Even if you don’t take this matter to heart, how could Father and Grandmother possibly agree to marry you into the Cheng family?”
If those who knew the inside story heard this, they would likely secretly mock the Zhou family’s daughters for being unable to marry and having to cling to the Cheng family!
Although Zhou Chujin didn’t say this outright, Zhou Shaojin understood it clearly.
Her heart skipped a beat.
In her previous life, Cheng Lu had successfully deceived Grandmother and her eldest aunt.
That is to say, Grandmother and her eldest aunt either didn’t know the truth or were persuaded by Cheng Lu.
Cheng Lu had encountered that old beggar two years ago and had also begun approaching her two years ago.
The old beggar had said that Cheng Lu’s mother, Madam Dong, knew nothing about this matter.
Was it a spur-of-the-moment decision back then? Or did he start acting only after discovering that Grandmother and her eldest aunt knew nothing about it?
Zhou Shaojin recalled how, in her previous life, Grandmother had arranged her engagement with the Cheng family, and Father had strongly opposed it. Later, she didn’t know what Grandmother had said to Father. Although Father no longer objected afterward, he had written to her privately, asking if she would be willing to follow him to his official post. Because she had never lived with her father before, and at that time, her half-sister Zhou Youjin had died young, while Tinglan, the maid her mother had left for Father, had seized the opportunity of Father’s urgent desire for an heir to successfully become pregnant and give birth, only to have the child taken away by her stepmother while she herself was dismissed—she was afraid of her stepmother and unwilling to follow Father to his post… As a result, before Father agreed to the marriage between the two families, Cheng Lu had become engaged to Wu Baozhang.
In her previous life, everything had left traces.
She just hadn’t noticed them.
Did Cheng Lu become engaged to Wu Baozhang because he knew Father would oppose her marriage to him? Or was Wu Baozhang involved from the start?
Zhou Shaojin decided to investigate all of this thoroughly.
Otherwise, the so-called “saving herself” would be nothing but a joke.
Because of this, a surge of resentment welled up in her heart.
Cheng Lu had gone too far!
Zhou Shaojin gave her sister a few perfunctory replies.Zhou Chujin noticed her insincerity. Thinking she was still grieving over the Cheng Lu matter and unable to accept it, Chujin pretended not to notice and casually chatted for a while before heading to Madam Mian’s place.
On the way, she sent a message to Madam Ma Fushan, asking her to come to the mansion immediately.
When Madam Ma Fushan arrived, Chujin pulled her aside and whispered, "From now on, whatever Second Young Lady orders, just follow her instructions. But afterward, whether she buys a hairpin or a needle, report every detail to me." Then she solemnly warned Madam Ma Fushan, "Make sure Second Young Lady doesn’t find out about this."
The matter concerned the reputations of Madam Zhuang and Zhou Zhen, and Ma Fushan was tight-lipped, so Madam Ma Fushan had no idea what was going on. Though puzzled, she faithfully relayed every word to Ma Fushan without alteration.
Meanwhile, Zhou Shaojin, left alone in the inner chamber, tried doing some needlework but soon grew restless.
She wanted to know whether her grandmother was aware of the feud between the Zhuang and Cheng families.
Shaojin sent Chunwan to find out what Old Madam Guan was doing.
Chunwan returned and reported, "...Old Madam is speaking with the wives of several estate managers."
Shaojin patiently waited until noon, only to learn that Old Madam Guan had invited the estate managers' wives to stay for lunch, excusing the sisters from serving, and kept a few elderly ladies to play cards.
The sun hung brightly overhead, heat waves shimmered over the stone-paved courtyard, and cicadas chirped louder and louder.
Even with Chunwan fanning her, Shaojin felt unbearably hot and restless, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.
Chunwan suggested, "Second Young Lady, shall I bring you a bowl of chilled bayberries?"
Unlike the capital, where ice was stored in winter for summer relief, Jinling had no such luxury. Having spent her last ten years in the capital, Shaojin found Jinling’s heat particularly hard to bear.
Or perhaps it wasn’t the heat but her own agitation?
Shaojin wondered silently and asked Chunwan, "Is there any lotus seed soup? Not chilled with well water."
Her health had deteriorated later in life, and she had long stopped eating bayberries, mung beans, and similar foods.
Chunwan went to the kitchen and brought back a bowl of still-warm lotus seed soup, vigorously fanning it.
Shaojin grew even more restless and decided to go to Cold Green Mountain House to copy scriptures.
Chunwan glanced at the blazing sun outside and hesitated, "Now?"
Shaojin nodded.
Perhaps walking under the scorching sun and working up a sweat would ease her mood.
Chunwan called a young maid, brought an umbrella, handkerchiefs, Ren Dan pills, honeysuckle water, and other items, then accompanied Shaojin to Cold Green Mountain House.
Though shaded by green trees, sunlight still pierced through the branches like golden arrows.
Gradually, Shaojin’s body warmed, and her heart seemed to gain warmth from the sunlight as well.
By the time they reached Cold Green Mountain House, she was drenched in sweat but felt a sense of cathartic relief.
Cold Green Mountain House was shaded by trees, filled with the sound of cicadas, yet quiet and devoid of human chatter.
At this hour, everyone was likely taking an afternoon nap.
Shaojin made her way familiarly toward the prayer hall.
A young maid, rubbing her eyes, hurried out. Seeing them, she yawned, curtsied, and mumbled, "Second Young Lady, you’ve come," before rubbing her eyes again as if about to fall back asleep.Zhou Shaojin smiled and said, "You should go rest! I'll go to the prayer hall to copy scriptures. When Biyu comes, just let her know. There's no need to disturb Old Madam Guo."
The little maid nodded.
Suddenly, a series of clattering sounds came from the main room—porcelain crashing to the floor.
The little maid jolted awake, and she and Zhou Shaojin, who had widened her eyes, stared at each other in shock.
From inside the room came Old Madam Guo's cold, sharp voice: "He despises Si Lang for associating with eunuchs? Why doesn’t he think about it—without Si Lang, would he be living such a comfortable life today? Go and tell him: whether he wants to keep living this way or not is up to him! The ancestors divided the family property long ago. If he wants to keep the clan register, fine—our eldest branch will split from the clan. Otherwise, let him hand over the clan register. Don’t think that without Cheng Xu, the Cheng family can’t go on! If he wants to shirk his responsibilities, he’ll have to see if the eldest branch agrees or not..."
What should not be seen, do not look; what should not be heard, do not listen.
Zhou Shaojin and the little maid fled in panic—one to the prayer hall, the other hiding in the tea room.
Even after sitting down in the prayer hall, Zhou Shaojin’s heart continued to pound wildly.
She instructed Chunwan and the little maid, "You must keep your mouths tightly shut. If I hear any gossip, I won’t ask anyone else—I’ll come straight to you."
Both swore solemnly.
Only then did Zhou Shaojin realize she had fled to the wrong place.
She should have returned to Fragrant Garden Residence—what was she doing running to the prayer hall?
If someone from Cold Green Mountain House asked, how should she answer?
Zhou Shaojin couldn’t wander around now. Fortunately, she often copied scriptures in the prayer hall, so everything she needed for washing up was there, along with a few spare clothes. Chunwan and the little maid brought in water, and Zhou Shaojin hastily freshened up and changed into a light robe. As the cool breeze filled the room, her emotions finally settled.
For the moment, she had no mind to copy scriptures. Sitting there, enjoying the breeze, she decided to wait a little longer. Old Madam Guo’s business should be finished soon, and then it wouldn’t be too late to return to Fragrant Garden Residence.
But as she sat there, the words she had just overheard drilled into her mind like an awl, making her unable to stop her imagination from running wild.
The "he" Old Madam Guo referred to was clearly the patriarch of the second branch, Cheng Xu. For Old Madam Guo, as a niece-in-law, to address him so bluntly by name showed the depth of her resentment... "Si Lang" must be Uncle Chi. He is the fourth in line. Last time, during the Bathing the Buddha Festival, when Old Madam Guo invited her grandmother to worship, she had also mentioned this title, asking Uncle Chi to exchange copper coins... What exactly is the grudge between the eldest and second branches? The Cheng family’s clan register is actually in the hands of the second branch... Cheng Xu despises Uncle Chi for associating with eunuchs, likely referring to Wan Tong... Scholars often look down on eunuchs, unlike the nobles and imperial relatives in the capital, who enjoy associating with them... But Wan Tong is stationed in Jinling, and the Cheng family is known as the foremost family in Jinling. Uncle Chi manages the Cheng family’s affairs—it’s impossible for him not to interact with Wan Tong! Cheng Xu once held a high-ranking official position; he should know this. Why, then, would he despise Uncle Chi for associating with eunuchs?
Could it be that Uncle Chi did something that harmed the Cheng family’s reputation or interests?
Zhou Shaojin recalled the image of him lazily leaning against a large pillow, drinking tea!
It didn’t seem like it!
But appearances can be deceiving—perhaps something really did happen...
Old Madam Guo’s tone was truly bold, daring to shout about splitting the clan... What did she mean by saying Cheng Xu was shirking his responsibilities? Didn’t Cheng Xu stop managing affairs long ago?Zhou Shaojin felt as if she had glimpsed something... and was deeply unsettled.
The seemingly harmonious Cheng family of Nine Prosperities Lane was, in truth, already caught in turbulent waves, with undercurrents swirling beneath the surface.
Could her mere words truly save the Cheng family?
For the first time since her rebirth, Zhou Shaojin realized how naive her previous thoughts had been!
She felt somewhat at a loss.
She decided it would be best to copy a few pages of scripture.
In the past, whenever she was troubled or restless, she would copy scriptures.
This time was no exception.
Amid the chirping of cicadas, her heart gradually settled into calm.
※
Sisters, it seems that with one more update, I can switch to single updates... o(n_n)o haha
※ (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
!!
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