Not likely!
Zhou Shaojin shook her head.
“Exactly.” Ji Ying said, “It was Qin Ziping who brought them back. He went to Huai’an with Cheng Zichuan. Cheng Zichuan returned first, and Qin Ziping came back yesterday.”
Qin Ziping?
Zhou Shaojin asked, “What’s his relationship to Qin Zi’an?”
Knowing that Zhou Shaojin had met Qin Zi’an, Ji Ying said with a smile, “He’s his younger brother. There are three Qin brothers—the eldest is called Qin Zining, the second is Qin Zi’an, and the third is Qin Ziping. They’re the grandsons of Chief Steward Qin, Qin Shouyue.”
Zhou Shaojin asked, “Have you ever heard of someone called Qin Da?”
Ji Ying thought for a moment and said, “I haven’t heard of him. But if you want to know, I can help you ask around.”
Zhou Shaojin thanked her repeatedly and said, “I didn’t expect Qin Ziping to be so thoughtful—going to Huai’an and still bringing food back for you all.”
“He didn’t bring it for us. He brought it for Nan Ping.” Ji Ying showed no appreciation and said, “He brought back four boxes. Two of them were for Nan Ping, and the other two were for the rest of us to share.”
Zhou Shaojin was very surprised and said, “How old is Qin Zi’an? If he’s giving things to Nan Ping, does Uncle Chi know?”
Ji Ying laughed with a “pfft” and said, “Where did your mind go? Nan Ping is Qin Zi’an’s sister-in-law.”
Zhou Shaojin was astonished.
Ji Ying sighed and said, “Nan Ping and Qin Zining were childhood sweethearts, but unfortunately, not long after they were betrothed, Qin Zining passed away. Cheng Zichuan and Chief Steward Qin’s intention was that after a few years, when the matter of Qin Zining had passed, they would find a good family for Nan Ping. But Nan Ping was unwilling. She said she would remain faithful to Qin Zining. Your uncle couldn’t very well force her, so it’s just been dragging on like this. When the Qin family sees this, they naturally have to take care of her to some extent… Sometimes when I think about it, I feel she’s quite pitiful too. I should give way to her, but I really can’t see eye to eye with her. At most, we last three quarters of an hour before parting on bad terms.”
No wonder Nan Ping was so old and still hadn’t married.
Zhou Shaojin sighed inwardly, thinking that Ji Ying was already eighteen when she entered the household… She couldn’t help asking, “What about you—were you betrothed when you were at home?”
Ji Ying’s expression tightened, and the hand holding the needle trembled slightly. She said with a smile, “You’re just a young girl—why concern yourself with such matters?” But her smile was somewhat forced.
Zhou Shaojin vaguely understood.
Ji Ying must have been betrothed when she was at home. But she had to serve as a maid by Uncle Chi’s side for ten years… Even if the other party didn’t break off the engagement with her, they probably couldn’t remain chaste and wait for her for ten years… Although Ji Ying had volunteered to enter the household in her brother’s place, rational thinking was one thing, and emotions were another. Could it be that this was why she seemed so restless? Was this why she so strongly rejected doing what a maid should do?
Zhou Shaojin said, “Can’t you go back to visit in the middle? Among the maids by my side, except for those who were sold by their parents when they were young and have no idea where their homes are, or those whose homes are too far away and no longer have any close relatives, everyone is given a few days off each year to go home and visit their parents. Who manages the Small Mountain Osmanthus Courtyard? You could talk to them about it! If that doesn’t work, you could also talk to Uncle Chi about it. I don’t think Uncle Chi is such an unreasonable person.”
“You really are a foolish girl.” Hearing this, Ji Ying smiled and tried to pinch Zhou Shaojin’s face. Zhou Shaojin tried to dodge, but Ji Ying’s hand was as quick as lightning and caught her immediately. “If I could go back to visit my father whenever I wanted, what kind of wager would that be! You’re not planning to plead with Uncle Chi on my behalf, are you? When you barged into the Clear Sound Pavilion last time, you seemed quite righteous and confident.”
Zhou Shaojin angrily knocked Ji Ying’s hand away and said, “If you pinch my face again, I won’t save any delicious food for you in the future.”
Ji Ying laughed heartily and said, “Every time you threaten me, it’s about not giving me food. Can’t you change it up a bit?”
Zhou Shaojin felt awkward and said, “I’m not going to plead on your behalf! Ever since Uncle Chi took charge of the household affairs at Nine Paths Lane, life there has gotten better day by day. He must be a very capable person. Since he made such a wager with your father, he must have had his reasons. I won’t fall for your provocation!”
“I can’t tell—sometimes you’re actually quite clever!” Ji Ying teased her again.
Zhou Shaojin ignored her.
Ji Ying laughed heartily again, with none of the coldness and aloofness she had shown when she first met Zhou Shaojin.
Shi Xiang came in to change their tea and replace the fruit plate.
Ji Ying picked an autumn pear to eat.
Zhou Shaojin then asked her, “Can your father and brother come to visit you?”
Ji Ying was silent for a while before saying, “That depends on whether Cheng Zichuan is in a good mood or not…”
Zhou Shaojin really wanted to say that she should be more obedient and well-behaved—perhaps Uncle Chi’s heart would soften and he would let her go home to visit her parents. But as the thought crossed her mind, she stopped herself in time.
With Ji Ying’s personality, to make her act meek and submissive like those gentle-natured maids would probably be more painful than killing her, wouldn’t it?
Zhou Shaojin could only say, “How about you write a few more letters to your family… Writing letters should be allowed, right?”