Dinnеr wаs served in thе sitting rооm. Реrhaps due tо thе different hаbits of Old Маdаm Guо аnd Сheng Chi, thе table was laden with an аrrаy оf fish and mеаt dishеs, аll servеd in smаll fаmillе-rоse рlates.
Old Маdam Guо smiled and beсkoned tо Zhou Shaоjin, "Соmе, sit bеsidе mе!"
This arrаngеment рlасed hеr direсtlу acrоss frоm Chеng Chi.
Zhou Shaоjin's heart pоundеd nеrvouslу. Clenching hеr fists tо bоlster hеr соurаgе, shе finallу mаnagеd to tаke her sеat.
Тhе mаids set оut сhорsticks and servеd the rice.
As the sаying goes, оne should nоt spеаk while еating or sleeping. Everyone ate in silence.
The room was quiet, with only the crisp clinking of bowls and spoons, which made the atmosphere feel even more hushed.
Zhou Shaojin was tense, not daring to let her eyes wander, let alone observe Cheng Chi's expression.
She knew this wouldn't do.
To ease her nervousness, she focused all her attention on the food.
The old duck soup was rich, the small yellow croaker was fresh and delicious, the diced chicken was tender and smooth, the cherry pork was pleasantly tangy, and the green vegetables were light and refreshing... Gradually, Shaojin began to savor the flavors, temporarily forgetting about Old Madam Guo beside her and Cheng Chi across from her as she focused on her meal.
Across the table, Cheng Chi felt a slight surprise.
The girl opposite him was eating with elegance and gusto, her expression one of delight, as if she were feasting on delicacies rather than ordinary dishes.
Was it really that delicious?
He wondered inwardly and couldn't help but pick up a piece of cherry pork with his chopsticks.
Sweet and sour, nothing special.
He then tried a bite of diced chicken.
The meat was tender and smooth, but that was all.
He took a sip of the old duck soup... and had to admit that the delicate-looking girl across from him had quite an appetite.
What was even more commendable was her good temperament. She didn't put on airs or pretend to be dainty, eating heartily when she could... likely someone who slept soundly when given the chance!
Cheng Chi smiled and set down his chopsticks.
Old Madam Guo asked with concern, "Is the food not to your liking?"
"No," Cheng Chi replied. "After listening to your advice last time, I thought it would be better to eat less for dinner."
"Don't try to fool me!" Old Madam Guo chided. "I only pray you’d drink less when you go out in the evenings..."
"How could I?" Cheng Chi laughed. "Ever since you spoke to me last time, I haven’t gone out drinking at night. You know I’ve always listened to you."
Such an ordinary remark unexpectedly caused Old Madam Guo’s expression to darken slightly, and she fell silent.
Cheng Chi also said nothing.
The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Zhou Shaojin instinctively softened her movements.
I really shouldn’t have stayed for dinner at Cold Green Mountain House... This meal is so uncomfortable... We can’t talk while eating, but I could have just waited outside for Uncle Chi after he finished... That would have seemed too deliberate... Still, it was right to stay for dinner...
Lost in her thoughts, Shaojin felt as though Cheng Chi had glanced at her from across the table.
She quickly stole a sidelong glance at him.
She found Cheng Chi smiling as he instructed a young maid to brew a pot of tea for him. He wasn’t looking at her.
Had she imagined it?
Pondering this, Shaojin quickly finished the rice in her bowl and didn’t dare ask for more.
Just then, Old Madam Guo also set down her chopsticks. The maids cleared the table and brought in tea.
Cheng Chi stood up and said to Old Madam Guo, "It’s getting late. I’ll take my leave now. If you need anything, just have the maids send me a message."
Huh!Zhou Shaojin was taken aback.
He was leaving already!
Won't he stay for some tea? Chat with Old Madam Guo?
Zhou Shaojin had no choice but to stand up as well.
"You child," Old Madam Guo sighed. "It's been a while since I last saw you. Asking you to come wasn't entirely about business—I also wanted to see how you've been doing."
Cheng Chi smiled. "With so many maids, matrons, and servants at Xiaoshan Conggui, how could I not be doing well?"
Seeing she couldn't keep him, Old Madam Guo instructed Nanny Shi to see Cheng Chi out.
Zhou Shaojin suddenly remembered—wasn't she supposed to find a way to strike up a conversation with Uncle Chi?
If they were heading the same way, wouldn't it be natural to exchange a few words?
"Old Madam," she immediately said. "I should take my leave too... It's a good chance for you to rest early!"
It wasn't winter—why rest so early?
Old Madam Guo found it both amusing and exasperating. But having spent some time together, she knew Zhou Shaojin wasn't the type to be socially adept. She also appreciated her gentle and polite nature, so she didn't take it to heart. Smiling, she nodded and said, "I'll have Feicui see you back. Be careful on your way!"
Cold Green Mountain House was at least half an incense stick's journey from Jia Shu Hall, and it was getting dark. She felt she had to offer a few words of caution.
Zhou Shaojin smiled in agreement and left with Feicui.
Outside, the evening breeze rustled through the branches, but there was no sign of Cheng Chi anywhere!
Had she come out too late and lost track of him?
But it had only been a moment...
Zhou Shaojin's shoulders slumped. Somewhat dispirited, she smiled at Feicui and said, "Sister Feicui, there's no need to see me off. It's not far from the Fourth House—I can go back on my own."
Feicui insisted on escorting her out of Cold Green Mountain House before turning back.
Zhou Shaojin trudged listlessly toward Jia Shu Hall, thinking that Cheng Chi had finally visited Cold Green Mountain House, yet she couldn't find an opportunity to speak with him. Even if she stayed at Cold Green Mountain House copying scriptures in the future, she might rarely see him... At least she hadn't mentioned wanting to copy an Amitabha Sutra to offer to the Buddha. Otherwise, even if she were copying scriptures at Cold Green Mountain House, she still wouldn't get to see Cheng Chi.
She needed to think of a way to inquire more about Uncle Chi.
Otherwise, with her knowing nothing and relying on chance and luck, she might even mess things up!
She remembered A Zhu inviting her to the temple fair on the Ghost Festival.
Although she had politely declined at the time, if A Zhu still insisted on sending her an invitation, she should go... At least she could gather some information about Uncle Chi.
Thinking that the Ghost Festival was only two or three days away, Zhou Shaojin's mood brightened like the sky after rain.
She chatted with Shi Xiang: "...Is there still time to buy river lanterns?"
Temple fairs usually involved releasing river lanterns.
Shi Xiang smiled. "Let's ask Steward Ma to think of a way?"
Steward Ma was a capable man!
Zhou Shaojin nodded. Abruptly, she halted in her tracks, eyes wide with astonishment.
Shi Xiang's heart skipped a beat, and she followed Zhou Shaojin's gaze.
Fourth Master, who had disappeared without a trace moments ago, was now standing under a large tree not far from them. A young Daoist acolyte in plain blue linen stood beside him, eyes fixed on his nose, nose fixed on his heart, like a clay statue of a Bodhisattva.
What was going on?
Shi Xiang hurriedly looked at Zhou Shaojin.
Zhou Shaojin looked bewildered.
Didn't Uncle Chi return to Xiaoshan Conggui?
Why was he standing here?
Was he waiting for someone, or was there something else?The thought flashed through her mind—such a great opportunity. Yet Zhou Shaojin hesitated instead.
Uncle Chi had a certain... elusive quality, appearing and disappearing like a dragon.
If he was really waiting for someone here or had some business, would he be angry if she barged in like this?
She was eager to talk to Uncle Chi, but her goal was to make him believe what she said and warn Cheng Jing through him.
If she ended up annoying Uncle Chi instead, wouldn’t that be counterproductive?
But if she just passed by Uncle Chi like this, when would she ever get a chance to speak with him?
Zhou Shaojin hesitated, torn between advancing and retreating.
Cheng Chi suddenly laughed and said, “You rushed out in such a hurry—didn’t you have something to say to me? What’s wrong? Now that you see me, you’re not saying a word. Did I misunderstand?”
Zhou Shaojin froze, then was overjoyed.
So Uncle Chi was waiting for her here!
She hurried forward.
But when she stood in front of Cheng Chi, she realized she only reached his shoulder. She had to tilt her head up to see his expression clearly.
This made her uncomfortable, as if... she had become very small and fragile in front of him...
She felt flustered.
Secretly regretting getting too close to Cheng Chi.
She hoped he would treat her like an adult... not like a child in front of him... Who would take a child’s words seriously?
Zhou Shaojin quickly took a few steps back and straightened her spine.
Seeing this, Cheng Chi couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
This little girl was really amusing.
One moment happy, the next worried, her emotions plain on her face—clearly still a child, yet pretending to be an adult.
Thinking of how she ate... he couldn’t help laughing again. “What did you want to see me about?”
Zhou Shaojin had already thought about what to say.
But this wasn’t how she imagined their meeting would go... In her imagination, they would be drinking tea in Old Madam Guo’s sitting room. Uncle Chi would chat with Old Madam Guo while she served them, and when Old Madam Guo asked about household affairs, she would seize the opportunity to bring up Wan Tong—smooth and seamless, like a goose passing without a trace... But now... She couldn’t just say nothing because the setting was different, could she?
She couldn’t help but cough lightly and said, “When I was at the Gu family, I met A Zhu—the eldest daughter of the Duke of Liang’s household. She said Uncle Chi would accompany her father and brother to the capital and mentioned Wan Tong... A Zhu said Liu Yong is very powerful now... Uncle Chi, you should be careful!”
Cheng Chi was taken aback and looked into Zhou Shaojin’s eyes.
Her clear, large eyes were bright and moist, like water-soaked gemstones, without a trace of impurity.
Cheng Chi chuckled to himself.
He... was already too accustomed to overthinking... She was just a young girl who, having heard a few words, wanted to warn him...
“I know,” he said, his tone softening involuntarily, his smile growing brighter. “The Duke of Liang mentioned this to me before, but I thought the waters were too deep and politely declined.”
Zhou Shaojin felt relieved and let out a long sigh.
That’s good, that’s good!
Cheng Chi laughed.
His smile was like the dawn breaking through dark clouds—brilliant and dazzling, making Zhou Shaojin momentarily dazed. She couldn’t help but smile along, so much so that even on her way back, her eyes and brows were filled with joy.
Zhou Chujin asked curiously, “What happened? You look so happy!”Zhou Shaojin giggled, wrapping her arms around her sister's shoulders, and said, "What else do you want? I'll help you with everything!"
"Oh my, our Second Miss is turning into the God of Wealth!" Zhou Chujin teased her. "You can have whatever you want?"
"What's wrong with being the God of Wealth for once?" Zhou Shaojin joked with her sister. "I have two hundred taels of silver in my private savings."
Zhou Chujin laughed uncontrollably.
Fragrant Garden Residence was filled with joyful laughter.
※
My math is indeed a bit off... I miscalculated the pink votes... This is today's bonus update... o(n_n)o
Still asking for pink votes...
※ (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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