Chun Wan asked strangely: “Second Miss, what’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing, nothing.” Zhou Shaojin said, cold sweat breaking out on her forehead. “Who came?”
Uncle Chi had just said she was not allowed to go to Hanbi Mountain Lodge anymore.
“It’s Feicui.” Chun Wan’s eyes still flickered with some confusion as she said, “She says the Old Madam is inviting you over to discuss matters regarding the Eldest Miss.”
Then she couldn’t even inquire why the Old Madam was looking for her!
Zhou Shaojin felt very dejected.
From Feicui’s side came urging: “The Old Madam is still waiting for Second Cousin Miss!”
Zhou Shaojin had no choice but to steel herself and change clothes, having Chun Wan arrange for a sedan chair.
Knowing she was going out, Zhou Chujin sent someone to ask: “Didn’t Uncle Chi just come over? Why is he suddenly inviting you over again?”
Zhou Shaojin said: “I don’t know either. I can only tell you after I return.”
But she felt uneasy inside, extremely flustered. Fortunately, Zhou Chujin didn’t ask further.
The Grand Lady of Mian in the study sent someone over saying: “I’m about to return to the mansion too. Wait for me, and we’ll go back to Jiuru Lane together.”
How could she go with the Grand Lady of Mian when her eyes were still swollen?
Zhou Shaojin had Bitao reply to the Grand Lady of Mian: “Feicui is still waiting in the entrance hall.”
Fortunately, she was usually obedient enough that the Grand Lady of Mian wasn’t displeased, only telling her to be careful on the road. These days many people were going out of the city for spring outings, and the roads were crowded with traffic—she shouldn’t collide with others.
Zhou Shaojin thanked her repeatedly, took a sedan chair from the sedan hall, and went to Hanbi Mountain Lodge.
But after getting out of the sedan at Hanbi Mountain Lodge, Feicui led her around the main house toward Tingli Hall.
Zhou Shaojin was frightened pale and stood there without moving, saying: “I’ll first go pay my respects to the Old Madam before visiting Uncle Chi.”
Feicui originally didn’t want to speak, but unexpectedly Nanny Shang’s gaze shot over like an arrow.
She had no choice but to smile and say: “The Old Madam is talking with Fourth Master at Tingli Hall right now!”
Over there, Nanny Shang was waiting with a beaming smile.
Zhou Shaojin had to follow Feicui to Tingli Hall.
But as soon as she stepped into Tingli Hall, she knew she had been deceived.
Tingli Hall was completely quiet—not a person could be seen, not a sound could be heard.
She immediately turned to leave: “I, I’m going to pay my respects to the Old Madam.”
Feicui wanted to step aside, but unexpectedly Nanny Shang pushed her. This push, as if by fate, pushed her right in front of Zhou Shaojin, making it look to others as if she had quickly moved to block Zhou Shaojin. Then Nanny Shang placed a hand on her shoulder, and her body immediately went numb with tingling pain, unable to speak for quite a while. Yet Nanny Shang said: “Second Cousin Miss, Feicui is just following orders. You should see Fourth Master first before paying your respects to the Old Madam. Otherwise it will be difficult for Feicui. Besides, Fourth Master’s Tingli Hall is only separated from the Old Madam’s main house by a flower wall. Whatever happens on this side can be heard on that side, and Fourth Master is not someone without propriety…”
Zhou Shaojin was very doubtful.
She feared that before she could make any sound, she would be restrained by Uncle Chi.
She didn’t know why, but she was just that certain, feeling that Cheng Chi definitely had such ability.
Seeing her unmoved, Nanny Shang didn’t dare use force. Her mind raced: “Second Cousin Miss, Fourth Master is not an unreasonable person. Why don’t you take this opportunity to explain things clearly to Fourth Master? Think about it—when has Fourth Master ever hurt anyone? When has he ever punished anyone…”
Standing opposite her, Zhou Shaojin saw her expression suddenly flash with relief as she spoke.
Zhou Shaojin’s heart sank. Looking back, she saw Cheng Chi standing with his hands behind his back at the entrance to Tingli Hall under the dripping eaves, though she didn’t know when he had arrived.
His posture was upright, as straight as a pine tree. His face was hidden in the shadow of the eaves, making it impossible to discern his emotions.
Zhou Shaojin felt extremely embarrassed.
Uncle Chi must think her very foolish—a few words from others and she had been tricked into coming here.
But for some reason, she also felt a hidden sense of relief, as if a huge weight had been lifted from her heart.
Only she had no time or energy now to carefully examine her emotions. Her face burned hot, and she mumbled, not knowing what to say.
“Come inside with me!” Cheng Chi said coldly, turning to enter Tingli Hall.
Feicui and Nanny Shang quickly stepped aside.
Zhou Shaojin’s legs felt as heavy as a thousand pounds. Only after Nanny Shang quietly called “Second Cousin Miss” to her twice did she reluctantly shuffle into Tingli Hall’s study.
The study door shut behind her with a “bang.”
Zhou Shaojin trembled in fright.
Inexplicably, she recalled what Cheng Chi had said the first time he went to Pingqiao Street.
She couldn’t help but grumble inwardly: Didn’t you say that standing in the courtyard to talk made eavesdroppers immediately obvious? How is it you’re not afraid of people listening now? You actually closed the study door…
When Zhou Shaojin stepped into Tingli Hall, Cheng Chi had already seen through the glass window her eyes that were still somewhat red and swollen. Now seeing her expression as panicked as a small rabbit fallen into a trap, the anger in his heart suddenly surged up again.
He was helping her—what was she afraid of?
Could he possibly eat her?
But as soon as this thought arose, he immediately took a deep breath and admonished himself: “Governing a country is like cooking a delicate fish, let alone these unclear domestic matters. I must stay calm, be patient, and not lose my temper.”
“Shaojin.” He said gently, walking forward a few steps and sitting on the daybed by the window in the study. His handsome, warm face came into Zhou Shaojin’s view. “We haven’t played chess in some time. Will you play a game with me?”
Zhou Shaojin took a small wary step backward.