Cheng Chi couldn’t help covering his forehead.
Truly a child—quick to change moods like the wind brings rain.
However, seeing that she’d already begun cultivating flowers, she must be getting along quite well at Fuicui Pavilion.
Cheng Chi’s heart settled, and he instructed Nanny Shang: “Second Young Miss has come over. Have someone prepare some pastries and send them to her.”
Nanny Shang smiled and agreed.
Cheng Chi returned to his study to attend to his own affairs.
Zhou Shaojin turned a corner into where Ji Ying and the others lived, and the surroundings quieted down.
She entered Ji Ying’s room without obstruction.
Two junior maids were helping Ji Ying freshen up, and her complexion appeared somewhat pale.
Traveling was exhausting work.
Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help silently laughing at herself, feeling she’d come at the wrong time and should have waited for Ji Ying to rest before visiting her.
No wonder Uncle Chi hadn’t invited her for tea just now.
Uncle Chi hadn’t even changed his clothes yet!
Thinking this, her heart inexplicably surged with joy again.
But Ji Ying had already seen her and turned around with a smile: “Your information network is excellent—you knew the moment I returned. It seems Old Madam treats you well.”
Zhou Shaojin didn’t understand at first.
Ji Ying laughed with a snort: “Truly blessed in your simplicity.” Then she explained: “Fourth Master, like Old Madam Guo, most detests people spying on their movements. So after we moved into Hanbi Mountain House, we all became rather constrained. Yet you can come and go freely. I can’t speak for Fourth Master’s side, but Old Madam definitely turns a blind eye where you’re concerned. Otherwise, how could you run around everywhere like this!”
Zhou Shaojin grinned sheepishly.
Ji Ying invited her to sit on the luohan bed nearby.
Zhou Shaojin smiled: “Perhaps I should come back later! Rest well—I noticed you don’t seem to be in good spirits.”
Ji Ying sat down across from her with a smile: “It’s nothing. Even if you told me to sleep, I couldn’t. Since you’re here, you might as well keep me company and chat.”
As soon as she finished speaking, a junior maid brought over tea and pastries.
Ji Ying helped arrange the tea cups and pastries in front of Zhou Shaojin.
Seeing Ji Ying’s right hand hanging down and only using her left, Zhou Shaojin’s heart stirred: “Your right hand…”
“It’s nothing,” Ji Ying said dismissively. “Got bumped.”
Zhou Shaojin didn’t believe her: “Let me see!”
Ji Ying wouldn’t let her, smiling: “The physician just finished bandaging it. If you open it up, I’ll have to see the physician again. Better not—it’s just superficial injuries. A couple days’ rest and it’ll be fine.”
“Is that so?” Zhou Shaojin said, raising an eyebrow.
Ji Ying looked startled, finding the gesture familiar. She couldn’t help saying: “What do you mean? Would I lie to you?” Then she changed the subject: “You’re staring at me like this and came looking for me the moment I returned—you want to ask about Second Master Yi, don’t you?”
Zhou Shaojin’s face reddened.
Right. How had she forgotten such an important matter?
Hadn’t she been constantly thinking about Ji Ying’s quick return? She’d even said she wanted to counsel her… yet upon seeing Ji Ying, all she wanted was to ask where she’d been and what she’d done…
She quickly gathered her thoughts: “What exactly happened that day? Why couldn’t you keep your composure?”
Ji Ying might still be dwelling on it, so when Zhou Shaojin brought it up, her temper flared and her willow-leaf eyebrows stood on end: “That Cousin Yi of yours is truly no good! When we met, he actually asked if I could serve him in the future. Your Uncle Chi is a decent person, so I thought the Cheng family must have excellent household discipline. For a moment, I didn’t think in other directions and explained nicely that I’m already serving your Uncle Chi and couldn’t possibly serve him as well. His kind intentions were appreciated. Who knew he’d say: ‘I know asking you to serve me is somewhat beneath you, but I truly like you. Although our family has a rule against taking concubines before forty without sons, didn’t my Uncle Wen still keep someone outside? The family hasn’t dared do anything to him. If you agree, I’ll ask Fourth Uncle Chi for you, return your contract of servitude, set you up in a residence outside with a few maids and servant women to attend you. That would be better than watching Fourth Uncle Chi’s moods here…’ How could I restrain myself? I kicked him to the ground on the spot…”
Zhou Shaojin wished for a crack in the ground to crawl into.
Cousin Yi… could he be any more foolish!
But what worried her more was the meaning revealed in Cheng Yi’s words—”didn’t my Uncle Wen still keep someone outside, and the family hasn’t dared do anything to him?” If the Cheng family members all thought this way in the future and followed suit, wouldn’t this household descend into chaos!
Her expression grew serious: “I’ll tell my grandmother about this.”
Seeing her like this, Ji Ying felt somewhat embarrassed instead: “I already beat him, and your grandmother didn’t say anything. You shouldn’t stir things up. No matter what, Cousin Yi is her beloved grandson. What grandmother wouldn’t feel distressed when her grandson is beaten? Your grandmother’s reaction already shows she’s very reasonable!”
Zhou Shaojin thought this matter should probably be discussed with Uncle Chi or Old Madam Guo so they’d understand her concerns. She said no more, apologized to Ji Ying on Cheng Yi’s behalf, comforted her a few words, then asked about her trip: “…Where did you go? I noticed you were away quite a while this time? It seems you left even before Uncle Chi? Were you together afterward?”
Ji Ying smiled: “Your Uncle Chi and I weren’t together. Your Uncle Chi went to Shandong, and I returned home for a visit. We came back together later.”
So Ji Ying had no idea what Uncle Chi had been doing?
Zhou Shaojin was somewhat disappointed but still asked: “What was Uncle Chi doing in Shandong?”
“Who knows?” Ji Ying said. “Perhaps with nothing to do, he went for a stroll. Come to think of it, he hasn’t been to Shandong in several years.”
It couldn’t have been idle wandering.
Zhou Shaojin pondered inwardly.
Uncle Chi already believed her words. With his temperament, he should have begun investigating the matter. How could it be idle wandering?
Was it possible Uncle Chi had discovered something?
Zhou Shaojin felt restless.
Just then, a junior maid brought over more pastries.