Zhou Shaojin said, “Nothing really. I just came to look around. Where did Uncle Chi and Miss Ji Ying go?”
Nan Ping smiled and had a little maid serve tea to Zhou Shaojin, saying, “Someone’s having a birthday celebration, so Fourth Master took Miss Ji Ying to pay respects. Should I send a little maid to Manager Qin to ask whose birthday Fourth Master went to celebrate…”
Zhou Shaojin felt awkward about inquiring and quickly said, “No need, no need. I was just asking casually.”
Nan Ping didn’t become suspicious but instead said with a smile, “Second Miss comes at just the right time. I want to trim Fourth Master’s daoist robe with piping, but I can’t decide what color to use. Second Miss, please help me look.”
Zhou Shaojin readily agreed.
The robe Nan Ping was making for Cheng Chi was in light gray Songjiang three-ply fine cotton. She was considering trimming it with either white or brown piping.
Zhou Shaojin said, “Could you use dark gray?”
“Dark gray?” Nan Ping was astonished. After thinking for quite a while, she couldn’t help but clap her hands, saying with delight, “Second Miss has excellent insight! Why didn’t I think of using the same color? I’ll go find some darker fine cotton right away to match the colors.”
Zhou Shaojin smiled.
This trimming method wouldn’t become popular in Yangzhou until seven or eight years later.
The two compared options for quite a while and finally decided to use dark gray fine gauze for a subtle trim.
“It will definitely look very good,” Nan Ping said with satisfaction. “I think it could also be used on women’s clothing.”
Zhou Shaojin really liked this kind of trim. Hearing this, she said with a smile, “Then I’ll try it too.”
Nan Ping was very interested and said, “When Second Miss’s clothes are made, let me feast my eyes on them too.”
Zhou Shaojin said with a laugh, “This isn’t anything difficult. When the time comes, just go ahead and look.”
As they were talking, there was a slight commotion outside. A little maid ran in saying, “Miss Nan Ping, Second Miss, Fourth Master has returned.”
Zhou Shaojin and Nan Ping went out to greet him.
The weather had turned somewhat cold, but Cheng Chi was still wearing autumn garments. Though a tight cloth belt at his waist outlined his fine physique, he looked rather cold.
Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help saying, “Why aren’t you wearing more clothes? This morning brought a north wind!”
Cheng Chi was somewhat surprised. “Why did you come over? Don’t you need to accompany Madam Song today?”
Zhou Shaojin said awkwardly, “Old Madam said she wants to hold a tea gathering and asked Sister and me to help organize it together. Sister has always been capable, so I can’t help much. I came over… planning to play a few games of chess with you, Uncle Chi…”
This little girl—what scheme is she plotting now!
As for this so-called chess playing, others might not know but didn’t he understand? Was that really chess? It was just acting for his mother’s benefit. Now that Mother was busy entertaining Madam Song, where would she have time to pay attention to him? Did they really need to play chess together anymore?
Cheng Chi said to Zhou Shaojin, “Come with me!”
He led the way toward the study.
Seeing his stern and cold expression, Zhou Shaojin felt somewhat nervous. She quietly asked Ji Ying, who had returned with him, “He didn’t get upset outside, did he?”
Ji Ying rolled her eyes and said, “I’ve only seen him upset others. I’ve never seen anyone upset him.”
“Oh!” Zhou Shaojin followed Cheng Chi to the study with trepidation.
Cheng Chi settled casually into the grand armchair behind the large writing desk and asked Zhou Shaojin, “Speak! What matter is it this time?”