Uncle Chi had kept watch over her all night!
Zhou Shaojin’s eyes lit up upon hearing this.
Then they dimmed again.
She was staying as a guest at Cold Green Mountain Estate. When she fell ill, the first branch also bore some responsibility. They couldn’t very well have Old Madam Guo personally care for her, could they? Naturally, they could only have Uncle Chi watch over her!
Though she told herself this, her heart still couldn’t help but race wildly.
Why had Uncle Chi kept watch over her all night?
He could have easily instructed Mama Fan.
Did Uncle Chi… perhaps care for her a little?
But that kind of caring was probably just an elder’s affection for a younger generation member!
But what was it like when a man cared for a woman?
Giving gifts?
Concern? Consideration?
Having endless things to talk about when together?
Always indulging and doting?
Zhou Shaojin thought about all those times she and Cheng Chi had spent together, and her heart stirred restlessly.
Was Li Jing like this toward Cheng Jia too?
She couldn’t help but say to Fan Liushi: “Cousin Jia is confined to her quarters? What did Madam Lu punish her for this time? I’ll go see her! Anyway, Madam Lu confines her every few days, and she gets confined every few days…”
Cheng Jia must know!
Fan Liushi naturally couldn’t say it was because her actions had caused Zhou Shaojin’s serious illness, so she said vaguely: “It would be good for Second Young Lady to go see her. Bring some food and pastries, and keep Miss Jia company. Though Miss Jia has a difficult temperament, she’s broad-minded. She’ll definitely be happy if you go see her.”
And so the matter was glossed over.
Zhou Shaojin nodded repeatedly and shuffled into her shoes to get out of bed.
But immediately felt dizzy and lightheaded.
Fan Liushi hurriedly stepped forward to support her, saying anxiously: “Where do you feel unwell, Second Young Lady? I’ll go call the physician right away! Miss Jia’s place can wait until you’re feeling a bit better—there’s no rush.”
This way they could also avoid having the third branch think the first branch was making a big fuss over nothing—that Second Young Lady’s ordinary cold was being blamed on Miss Jia being too mischievous, forcing Madam Lu to confine Miss Jia.
But Zhou Shaojin’s mind was preoccupied with Li Jing and Cheng Jia’s situation. She forced herself to say: “It’s nothing. I’ve just been lying in bed for a few days and have no strength. I’ll be fine after walking around a bit.” She insisted that Fan Liushi call the maids in to help her dress. After washing up, she would first go thank Old Madam Guo, then go to… Uncle Chi’s place, and then to the Ruyi Pavilion.
Old Madam Guo had come to visit Zhou Shaojin every day these past few days. Now that Zhou Shaojin was awake, both emotionally and logically, she should go thank and greet Old Madam Guo.
Fan Liushi tried to dissuade her a few times, but seeing Zhou Shaojin’s mind was made up, she didn’t dare obstruct her further and called Biyu and the others in to help her wash and dress.
But just as Zhou Shaojin had finished having her hair done, Old Madam Guo arrived.
Zhou Shaojin quickly had the maids serve tea while she hurriedly threw on a robe and went to the main hall.
When Old Madam Guo saw she had lost a whole circle of weight yet appeared even more delicate and graceful, like a willow swaying in a gentle breeze, she couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
No wonder Fourth Son had become infatuated!
So beautiful—never mind that Fourth Son was in the prime of youth. Even she, a widowed old woman, felt tender affection looking at her.
Before Zhou Shaojin could bow in greeting, she took Zhou Shaojin’s hand and said warmly: “You haven’t fully recovered yet. Don’t exhaust yourself. If you fall ill again, I’m afraid it will damage your constitution and become difficult to treat.”
Zhou Shaojin’s face flushed as she murmured words of gratitude.
This child—fortunately she was inarticulate. If she had a more smooth and sophisticated personality, even Cheng Xu and Cheng Gao and the other young masters probably couldn’t escape her grasp.
As this thought flashed through her mind, Old Madam Guo sighed inwardly again.
If that were truly the case, Fourth Son wouldn’t regard her differently—Fourth Son had been cleverer than others since childhood. He most disliked people trying to manipulate him. If you were honest and straightforward before him, he might give you some face. But if you tried to show off your cleverness before him, he would either treat you as nothing or step on you and teach you a lesson, making you avoid him from then on.
For a moment, Old Madam Guo almost hoped Zhou Shaojin were smooth and sophisticated.
Even if Cheng Xu and Cheng Gao couldn’t escape her grasp, that would be a fine match.
But when it involved her youngest son, that was different.
She suppressed her emotions, smiled, and pulled Zhou Shaojin close to give her various instructions about “taking good care of yourself while recovering,” “don’t come to my place—wait until you’re better before coming to chant scriptures with me,” “when I come to see you, you don’t need to be so formally dressed—you can’t handle exhaustion right now,” and so on, before having Fan Liushi help Zhou Shaojin go rest.
Fan Liushi respectfully agreed.
But Zhou Shaojin smiled and said: “I haven’t gone to thank Uncle Chi yet!”
Old Madam Guo immediately became alert.
But when she looked into Zhou Shaojin’s clear, water-like eyes and her frank, candid expression, she couldn’t help but smile wryly.
The young girl was pure and transparent. Some things—perhaps it was the adults who were overthinking.
Fourth Son’s unusual behavior—the young girl might not even be aware of it.
Why should she expose it, making Fourth Son resent her and causing the young girl to think wild thoughts?
Wouldn’t it be better to wait and see what Fourth Son’s intentions were?
But she also couldn’t let the two of them meet as casually and freely as before.