Zhou Shаоjin rеmаinеd аs shе alwaуs hаd bееn, рerforming her mоrning аnd evening dutiеs with quiet cоmроsurе, dоing nеedlewоrk in the mornings and copуing sсripturеs at Соld Grееn Mоuntаin Ноusе in the аfternoons.
Ноwevеr, Nine Prosрerities Lаne was, аftеr аll, а fаmilу оf officiаls fоr genеrаtiоns. Mаny hаd thеir own spесulatiоns about what Zhоu Zhen's transfer mеаnt, аnd naturаlly becаmе еven mоrе аttеntivе tоward thе Zhоu sisters.
Zhоu Chujin hаd initially wоrried thаt hеr уoungеr sistеr might shоw sоme signs of cоmplacencу, giving sharp-tonguеd maids and mаtrons саuse fоr gossip. Only when she saw Zhou Shaojin remain unfazed did she finally relax and set her mind at ease.
A Zhu from the Liangguo Duke's residence sent them gifts.
For Cheng Jia, it was a set of eighteen Arhat dolls, each with a mechanism on its belly that made them perform boxing moves when pressed. For Zhou Shaojin, it was a book of embroidery patterns, recording the latest popular designs from Suzhou and the capital over the past two years. Stamped with a private seal, it was clearly privately printed and circulated by some young lady or madam, making it exceptionally rare. For Zhou Chujin, it was a set of cloisonné tableware with one hundred and eight pieces, fired in the imperial kilns—nothing could be more respectable as part of a dowry.
For Zhou Shaojin and Cheng Jia, although the gifts were valuable, they at least aligned with their personal tastes, so it wasn’t too excessive to go to some lengths to acquire them. But the tableware set for Zhou Chujin was so extraordinary that even Old Madam Guan of the fourth branch found it astonishing.
The elderly lady specifically summoned Zhou Chujin and Zhou Shaojin to ask about their boating excursion with A Zhu.
Not daring to conceal anything, Zhou Shaojin and Zhou Chujin recounted every detail to Old Madam Guan.
When Old Madam Guan heard that the Liangguo Duke’s heir had given them four jade pendants as ceremonial gifts, she fell silent for a long while. After the sisters finished speaking, she asked, “Did Miss A Zhu send gifts to the Gu family’s seventeenth young lady? If so, what were they?”
They hadn’t thought about that at all.
Zhou Shaojin and Zhou Chujin exchanged a glance and said in unison, “We’ll send someone to inquire right away.”
Old Madam Guan nodded. Though she wore a smile on her face, there was no trace of joy in her expression.
By the afternoon, a reply came from the Gu family, saying A Zhu had sent a servant with a pair of pearl hairpins inlaid with silver, crafted in the imperial workshops.
Though these were also uncommon, they paled in comparison to the gifts given to Zhou Shaojin, her sister, and Cheng Jia.
Old Madam Guan fiddled with her prayer beads without saying a word.
Madam Mian’s gaze, however, kept shifting between Zhou Chujin and Zhou Shaojin, her expression far from relaxed.
Zhou Shaojin intuitively sensed that something was amiss.
When she asked her sister, Zhou Chujin smiled and said, “Perhaps the gifts from the Liangguo Duke’s residence are too extravagant, and they’re unsure how to reciprocate appropriately.”
In her previous life, Zhou Shaojin would have believed this. But in this life, she couldn’t bring herself to—no matter how valuable the gifts, with the fourth branch’s century-old legacy, even a worn-out ship still has three pounds of iron; they shouldn’t be this troubled!
Zhou Shaojin suddenly recalled the questions Cheng Chi had sent Nanping to ask her... Now, thinking it over carefully, it seemed even more pointed.
After some thought, she went to Ruyi Pavilion.
Cheng Jia was just about to play with the gift A Zhu had given her. The eighteen gilded Arhats were lined up in a row, some standing firm, some balancing on one leg like a golden rooster, others spreading their wings like cranes... She was having a delightful time. Seeing Zhou Shaojin, she happily waved her over and said, “Come look at my Arhats... Aren’t they fun? My mother went to the storeroom to find a return gift. This time, I’m determined to surprise A Zhu too!”Carefree as a child.
Zhou Shaojin asked her, "What did Aunt Lu say?"
Her eyes fixed on the arhat statues, she replied somewhat absentmindedly, "Nothing much... She just called me over to ask about what happened... Then she closed the door and discussed with Grandmother for a long time about what gift to send in return... In my opinion, we should just give A Zhu the red coral bead necklace that Cousin Li sent the other day. It carries the meaning of 'red,' and the beads are each as big as lotus seeds, set with tourmaline and such. The quality is excellent, and it couldn’t be more suitable..."
For the first time, Zhou Shaojin felt annoyed at Cheng Jia’s thoughtlessness.
She swept the arhat statues into a wooden box beside her and said seriously, "I’m talking to you about something important. Can you be serious too?"
Cheng Jia pouted unhappily, but seeing the anger in Zhou Shaojin’s eyes, she quickly restrained her temper, sat up straight, and said, "Go ahead! What did you want to talk about?"
For a moment, Zhou Shaojin didn’t know what to say. After a while, when her emotions had settled, she said, "Did you mention that the heir of the Liangguo Duke sent us gifts?"
"I did!" Cheng Jia said. "My mother was very happy and asked in detail what kind of jade plaques we each chose. This morning, she even sent someone to the Gu family to inquire about what gift Gu Shiqigu received. When she found out that Gu Shiqigu’s gift wasn’t as valuable as ours, she seemed even happier. Then, for some reason, she started worrying again and sent someone to find out what your grandmother planned to give A Zhu as a return gift, though it seems she didn’t find out..."
In other words, Madam Jiang also felt that A Zhu’s behavior was somewhat unusual!
Zhou Shaojin felt her mind couldn’t keep up.
She twisted her fingers and paced back and forth in Cheng Jia’s room.
Cheng Jia whispered, "Shao Jin, you’re making me dizzy with all that walking..."
"Then just close your eyes!" Zhou Shaojin retorted bluntly. After pacing a few more times, she left as swiftly as she had arrived.
Cheng Jia stared in astonishment and hurriedly instructed Cui Huan, "Go see what Shao Jin is up to!"
Cui Huan rushed out and returned after nearly half an incense stick’s time, saying, "Miss, Second Miss went to the Hill of Clustered Cassia Courtyard!"
"Ah!" Cheng Jia widened her eyes, her face full of confusion. "What is she going to see Fourth Uncle Chi for?"
Cui Huan didn’t know how to answer.
Zhou Shaojin was also hesitating about whether to seek out Cheng Chi.
What if Uncle Chi had only asked casually? What would she do then?
But what if Uncle Chi knew something and intentionally sent Nanping to warn her, and she hadn’t understood?
Zhou Shaojin twisted her fingers so tightly they nearly tangled together.
A young acolyte approached, bowing his head to greet her, and said, "Miss, who are you looking for?"
Zhou Shaojin took a closer look and nearly laughed out loud.
It was Qing Feng.
He wore a green fine-hemp Daoist robe, his little face stern. He looked at her seriously, as if he didn’t recognize her.
She playfully returned the gesture and said, "Is your Fourth Master in?"
Qing Feng solemnly replied, "Our Fourth Master has gone out to visit friends. If you have any business, you can leave a message or come back tomorrow."
He acted like a young acolyte apprenticed to a reclusive master.
Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but chuckle.
Qing Feng raised his eyebrows unhappily, looking as if he wanted to get angry but didn’t dare.
Zhou Shaojin laughed even harder.A gentle voice sounded by her ear, "Qing Feng, don't be mischievous. Please invite the Second Young Miss inside to sit."
Zhou Shaojin looked up and saw Nanping walking over, dressed in a moon-white linen vest.
Her jet-black hair was tightly coiled into a bun, making her features appear even more gentle and submissive.
Zhou Shaojin quickly smiled and called out, "Miss Nanping."
Nanping smiled faintly and explained, "Fourth Master is not at home. Qing Feng is on duty today. We don't have many visitors here, so he isn't skilled at receiving guests. If there was any rudeness, I ask the Second Young Miss not to take offense."
"Not at all!" Zhou Shaojin, seeing her speak in the tone of the household head, politely replied, "It was I who came uninvited. I should ask Miss Nanping not to take offense instead." Now that things had come to this, she calmed down instead—since she was already here, she couldn't just turn back, could she? Being fickle and indecisive would only invite ridicule. She simply said, "I wonder where Uncle Chi has gone? When will he return? I have something to discuss with him. Could Miss Nanping pass on a message for me?"
"Of course!" Nanping replied cheerfully. "Passing on a message is no trouble at all." As she spoke, she added apologetically, "But we truly don't know where Fourth Master has gone, nor do we know when he'll return."
After all, Nanping was just a maid.
Zhou Shaojin had only asked out of courtesy, not expecting them to actually know Cheng Chi's whereabouts. She smiled and thanked her, then asked Nanping to provide writing materials: "...I'll leave a few words for Uncle Chi."
Nanping hadn't expected it to be a written message, and a flicker of surprise passed through her eyes. But she quickly returned to her usual demeanor, smiling as she led Zhou Shaojin to a side room the size of a warm pavilion beside the small path. She personally ground the ink for her, then closed the door and withdrew.
Zhou Shaojin straightforwardly recounted the events of the past two days, then asked Cheng Chi what he meant by having Nanping deliver a message to her, urging him to speak plainly if he had something to say, as she had been unable to guess for several days. She also mentioned Madam Jiang's reaction, saying, "Uncle Chi, don't brush me off. Though I may not be clever, seeing Madam Jiang's demeanor tells me this matter is not simple..." Finally, she sealed the envelope and handed it to Nanping.
Nanping smiled as she escorted her down the mountain, watching her walk away before turning and heading deeper into the Osmanthus Courtyard on the hill.
Passing through the shaded path, turning past the rockery and pavilions, beside the winding mountain trail stood an old osmanthus tree with only gnarled roots remaining, yet sprouting new growth.
As Nanping walked around the old osmanthus tree, someone suddenly emerged from the side.
"What are you doing?" The newcomer, dressed in black, swiftly grabbed Nanping's hand holding the letter and said with a smile, "What's this? For Fourth Master? Let me deliver it instead."
Nanping's fair, jade-like wrist immediately reddened, and beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, but her grip on the letter did not loosen in the slightest. She replied calmly, "Jiying, though we are both Fourth Master's senior maids, I served Fourth Master before you. By seniority, I am the elder, and you should listen to me. If you feel wronged, I will report this to Fourth Master and have him send you back home..."
The newcomer was indeed Jiying. Upon hearing this, a flash of anger crossed her coldly beautiful face. She snorted coldly, released Nanping's hand, and vanished like a ghost into the forest.
Nanping let out a long sigh, gently rubbed her wrist, then carefully used her sleeve to cover the redness and swelling. With a composed demeanor, she continued walking forward.Soon, a small pavilion appeared ahead.
Gray eaves corners arched high, with bowl-sized bronze bells hanging motionless.
Huaishan still looked half-asleep, hands tucked into his sleeves as he stood beneath the eaves.
"Uncle Huaishan." Nanping respectfully bowed to him.
Huaishan’s gaze, however, fell on Nanping’s wrist—the one Jiying had once gripped. After a moment, he took a step back.
Nanping smiled and pushed open the glazed lattice door.
※
Sisters, is it because Christmas is almost here that you’ve decided to give me a few days off, so there’s no need for extra updates tomorrow… o(n_n)o haha… Does that mean I can go shopping…
※ (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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