Hanbì Mountain Villa was even larger than she had imagined. To the east of the bamboo grove, there seemed to be another courtyard—she spotted several bright red pomegranate flowers peeking out from behind a flower wall.
Who could be living there?
Zhou Shaojin had no intention of prying into the First Branch’s affairs. She turned and followed the small path through the bamboo grove toward the main house.
But as she wound her way through, all she could see before her eyes were bamboo, nothing but bamboo. The pebble-paved paths led in all directions, and she had no idea which path went south or which went north. Every scene looked identical—all exactly the same.
She had gotten lost!
Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help breaking into a sweat. She lowered her head and searched for a while longer, but still couldn’t see any other colors.
She’d search for another quarter hour.
If she still found nothing, she’d have to swallow her pride and call for help!
Gritting her teeth, she chose a path that seemed to lead east.
The path twisted and turned, seemingly without end. In the bamboo grove where green shade covered the ground, her ears were filled with the rustling sound of wind blowing through branches and leaves, with no human voices to be heard.
Zhou Shaojin’s hands were covered in sweat.
Just how large was this bamboo grove?
Why had she never known that the First Branch had such an enormous bamboo grove?
How much longer would it take to get out?
Was she walking farther away? Or getting closer?
Zhou Shaojin grew so anxious that tears nearly fell.
She tried calling out loudly, “Hello!”
Her slightly panicked voice echoed through the bamboo grove, only startling several unknown birds that fluttered overhead as they flew past.
Ahead was a three-way intersection.
Should she continue straight? Go left? Or right?
Zhou Shaojin stood there unable to make up her mind, rising on her tiptoes to look around.
To the right, the bamboo grove faintly revealed a section of pale white wall and half a window lattice with large red ice-crack patterns covered with tender yellow gauze.
All the window lattices at Hanbì Mountain Villa were large red with ice-crack patterns, covered with tender yellow gauze.
Overjoyed, she lifted her skirt and hurried toward that direction while calling out loudly, “Is anyone there?”
Suddenly someone leapt out from behind her and covered her mouth.
Zhou Shaojin shrieked in terror, swinging her fists and kicking.
“Don’t scream, don’t scream!” Someone walked toward her—in brocade robes and fine clothes, with a face like jade, tall and handsome, with a clear, bright voice. “I’m not some bad person! I was just passing through the bamboo grove. Don’t scream, I’ll have Da Su release you right now!”
Zhou Shaojin felt as if struck by lightning.
How could she suddenly encounter him?
Shouldn’t he be at the clan school at this time?
Where exactly was she?
Zhou Shaojin trembled, as if plunged into an icy cave.
The person covering her mouth, seeing she had stopped struggling, first tentatively and slowly released his hand. Seeing she didn’t move, he finally let go of her completely.
Only then did Cheng Xu clearly see Zhou Shaojin’s appearance.
His face full of amazement, he let out an “Oh!” and said in astonishment, “I don’t know which branch this young lady is from? I’m Cheng Xu from the First Branch. This is Hanbì Mountain Villa, my grandmother’s place of quiet cultivation. May I ask what young lady is called? I don’t recall having seen you before…”
Zhou Shaojin couldn’t utter a single word.
Every bone in her body ached.
Although she had decided that when she saw Cheng Xu again she would definitely smile and greet him as if nothing had happened, when she actually saw Cheng Xu again, she found herself completely unable to do so. The way Cheng Xu looked at her made her feel even more horrified, and she instinctively wanted to flee.
Seeing her face turn pale, Cheng Xu couldn’t help feeling embarrassed. After casting a reproachful glance at his attendant Da Su, he smiled at Zhou Shaojin and said, “Young lady, I’ve frightened you, haven’t I? This is all my fault. I didn’t expect someone to suddenly pop out in the bamboo grove either. I apologize to you here.” As he spoke, he bowed deeply to Zhou Shaojin. “Young lady, please don’t be angry anymore!”
But Zhou Shaojin was so frightened that she retreated several steps, until the sound of branches breaking under her feet brought her back to her senses.
Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid!
Nothing has happened!
I can definitely save the Cheng family!
She kept comforting herself, hurriedly said, “I was also just passing through the bamboo grove,” then took off running toward the path on the right, not even asking for directions.
“Hey!” Cheng Xu called after her retreating figure. “Take the middle path—turn the corner and you’ll reach the back door of the main house.”
Zhou Shaojin’s steps faltered slightly. She thought for a moment, then finally chose the middle path.
Cheng Xu watched, smiling with the corners of his mouth curved upward.
After walking less than a bow-shot’s distance, Zhou Shaojin indeed saw a corner. Past it was the back door of the main house, with bamboo planted all around as well.
Zhou Shaojin didn’t dare wander about and went forward to knock on the door.
A woman wearing an embroidered ball hairpin came to answer the door and, upon seeing her, opened her eyes wide in surprise.