While Wu Baozhang was there scheming, Zhou Shaojin was happily chatting with Qiu Shi: “…Are you still going to help at the teacher’s house today?”
They were talking about Rang Ge’er!
Qiu Shi looked around and, seeing Wu Baozhang gazing in their direction, smiled and nodded at her, saying loudly, “Niece-in-law Nuo, it’s cold outside. Hurry back inside to rest!”
Wu Baozhang smiled, came over to greet them, and left.
Qiu Shi placed the polished incense burner on the altar table, then said quietly to Zhou Shaojin, “Rang Ge’er’s teacher is the retired Minister Xie from the Hanlin Academy. He only passed the imperial examination after fifty, but his son Xie Yi passed in his thirties and is now serving as registrar at the Court of the Imperial Stud. Minister Xie has taken a liking to our Rang Ge’er and wants to marry his granddaughter to him. Today he specifically called Rang Ge’er to his home to help. I was afraid he might be impolite, so I had Jiashan accompany him.”
Zhou Shaojin’s eyes widened as she said, “Then our family is about to gain another member?”
Qiu Shi smiled and said, “We don’t know if it will work out yet!” As she spoke, she changed the subject, her face unable to hide her joy. “Even if this matter doesn’t work out, Rang Ge’er has reached the age for marriage discussions.”
Zhou Shaojin smiled and asked, “Have you met Miss Xie?”
Qiu Shi looked around again and said quietly, “I haven’t met her yet, but their whole family consists of honest people. Minister Xie only teaches at the academy to supplement the household income. You know our family’s situation—now that we’ve separated and are living independently, Rang Ge’er is also honest. Your Second Brother and I have discussed it and feel that when finding a wife for our family, we should look for someone down-to-earth who can live a steady life.”
Zhou Shaojin didn’t know what to say.
Even so, shouldn’t they at least meet the person?
However, some things were a matter of fate. It wouldn’t be appropriate for her to oppose or support it at this time.
Qiu Shi also saw through her thoughts and smiled, “I think our Rang Ge’er is timid. If the other party is interested in us, it won’t be too late for us to go see the young lady then.”
Since Qiu Shi had already thought it through, Zhou Shaojin said no more. She and Qiu Shi finished arranging the offering table together and went to the kitchen.
Yuan Shi had everything ready there. Seeing them arrive, she said, “The Master just returned from Grand Secretary Yuan’s place and is talking with Mother in the hall. We can start the banquet as soon as Rang Ge’er and Jiashan return!”
Before her words finished, a young maid ran over, smiling and saying, “Madam, Second Madam, Fourth Madam, the Young Master and Second Young Master have returned!”
Yuan Shi’s face lit up with joy. She smiled at Zhou Shaojin and Qiu Shi, “Then let’s go to the hall too!”
Old Madam Guo was in the hall. When Cheng Xu and Cheng Rang returned, they naturally had to greet Old Madam first.
Zhou Shaojin and Qiu Shi agreed, and the three sisters-in-law went to the hall together.
Cheng Shao, Cheng Chi, and Cheng Wen had somehow emerged from the study and were all seated around Old Madam Guo. Cheng Rang and Cheng Xu stood side by side before Old Madam Guo. One was red-faced, shy, and somewhat at a loss, while the other spoke gracefully with Old Madam Guo: “…The academy’s director invited Minister Xie’s family for a reunion dinner, so we didn’t overstay. We chatted briefly, asked about his studies, and then Second Brother and I came back.”
Old Madam Guo smiled and nodded, saying to Cheng Xu, “It’s cold outside. Go change your clothes quickly. After you take your younger brothers to set off firecrackers, we’ll begin the banquet.”
Cheng Xu smiled in agreement.
Cheng Nuo quickly said, “I’ll go help too.”
Old Madam Guo didn’t stand on ceremony with him and said, “It’s New Year’s Eve—be careful.”
Cheng Xu and the others repeatedly agreed and filed out.
Zhou Shaojin stepped back a few paces.
But Cheng Xu still saw her.
His eyes immediately became clouded, and his steps faltered.
Zhou Shaojin instinctively wanted to avoid him, but then she thought—she had done nothing wrong, so why should she avoid him? Moreover, she was already Cheng Xu’s aunt now. They would inevitably see each other constantly. Rather than avoiding him now and making Cheng Xu think she felt uncomfortable, it would be better to face him head-on and let him know her attitude.
In an instant, she made her decision. Her clear eyes met Cheng Xu’s gaze directly without dodging or hiding.
Cheng Xu was startled.
Then, under Zhou Shaojin’s eyes that were as clear as a mountain spring, he became somewhat uncomfortable.
What happened back then was his fault… but was Zhou Shaojin not affected at all?
Or to her, was he simply not worth mentioning?
Cheng Xu’s heart grew turbulent.
Cheng Rang behind him, oblivious to the situation, bumped into him and exclaimed “Ouch!” saying, “Elder Brother… what’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing, nothing.” Cheng Xu came back to his senses and quickly said, “I was thinking about whether to get an incense stick from here…”
“There are some in the kitchen!” Cheng Rang smiled shyly.
Cheng Xu hurriedly left the main hall with Cheng Rang.
Zhou Shaojin’s heart lightened.
It seemed some things should indeed be faced directly!
She felt a gaze lingering on her.
Zhou Shaojin looked in that direction and saw Cheng Chi watching her with a smile.
His eyes were full of encouragement.
Cheng Chi must have seen what just happened, right?
Did he also think she had done the right thing?
Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help smiling back.
※※※
On the second day of the new year, they went to Xinglín Alley again. Zhou Shaojin accompanied Old Madam Guo along with Cheng Zheng, Cheng Xiao, and Cheng Sheng, playing leaf cards all day.
On the third day, Zhou Shaojin and Cheng Chi went to Zhou Chujin’s place.