Now that Cheng Gao was married, Zhou Shaojin no longer had any excuse to stay at the fourth household for extended periods.
Today Cheng Xu was having lunch in the outer courtyard, and she had fortunately avoided him, but what about tomorrow? The day after?
Cheng Xu was Old Madam Guo’s legitimate grandson. His coming to pay respects to Old Madam Guo was filial duty—could she really stop him?
Even with Old Madam Guo, who was advanced in years and looking forward to having her children and grandchildren gathered around her in joy, over time she would likely develop some resentment.
It had truly reached the point where she had no choice but to leave.
After seeing off Cheng Gao and his wife, Zhou Shaojin noticed Yuan Shi had something to say to Old Madam Guo, so she rose and returned to Jade Emerald Pavilion.
Chun Wan smiled and said, “Second Young Miss, why don’t you take an afternoon nap? Otherwise you won’t have energy when you go to Joyful Tree Hall later.”
Since they were keeping Cheng Gao and his wife for lunch at Cold Jade Mountain House, Old Madam Guo’s side had sent someone to inform Old Madam Guan. Old Madam Guan then invited Old Madam Guo to have dinner at Joyful Tree Hall that evening, saying that the guests would all be gradually leaving in the afternoon. For the new daughter-in-law’s first meal after entering the household, she wanted to gather everyone from the first household together.
Old Madam Guo happily agreed.
Zhou Shaojin would also be going along later.
How could Zhou Shaojin possibly sleep? She sat in the grand armchair by the window and said quietly, “I’ll work on my netting for a while before sleeping.”
Chun Wan couldn’t help but say, “Who are you making this netting for? Is it urgent?”
Zhou Shaojin said half-truthfully, “It’s a fan netting I’m making for Uncle Chi. Miss Nan Ping asked me to do it, and I want to finish it early so I can start making small garments for my nephew.”
Chun Wan felt relieved and smiled, “Then shall I brew you a stronger pot of tea?”
Zhou Shaojin smiled in agreement.
Xiao Tan walked in cheerfully and said, “Second Cousin Miss, Cui Huan from Miss Jia’s side is here.”
What was she here for?
Zhou Shaojin pondered this as she had Xiao Tan bring her in.
She curtsied to Zhou Shaojin and said, “Second Cousin Miss, our young miss asks that you come to Full Fragrance Pavilion.”
Zhou Shaojin was surprised. “Go to Full Fragrance Pavilion for what?”
That was a pavilion not far from Cold Jade Mountain House, by the lake. In midsummer one could stand there and see endless green leaves with lotus flowers standing tall. But now it was autumn—the lake was full of withered flowers, and the wind that blew carried a chill.
Cui Huan smiled and said, “Our young miss says she’ll wait for you there. Then we’ll go to Apricot Pomegranate Garden together.”
Apricot Pomegranate Garden was Cheng Gao’s new residence.
Zhou Shaojin laughed. While tidying up her things, she asked, “Does Gao’s eldest wife know your young miss is coming?”
“She knows!” Cui Huan nimbly came forward to help her put away her needlework, saying, “The time was even set by Gao’s eldest wife. She said if we came any later, it would be time for dinner.”
Zhou Shaojin nodded with a smile. She changed her clothes, thought for a moment, and instructed Chun Wan to help her pack several boxes of pastries before following Cui Huan to Full Fragrance Pavilion.
They passed through a bamboo grove with winding paths leading to secluded places and headed west. After walking for about the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, Zhou Shaojin discovered that along the small path, one could occasionally see several distinctively shaped Taihu stones.
She couldn’t help but stop in her tracks.
In the gardens of Jiangnan, when such Taihu stones appeared along paths in bamboo groves, it usually meant that further ahead, one would see a stone forest or artificial mountain made of piled Taihu stones.
Cui Huan looked at Zhou Shaojin in confusion.
Zhou Shaojin asked, “Why did you think to come this way?”
Cui Huan said, “Zheng eldest young master said going this way is shorter!”
Zhou Shaojin suddenly felt her breathing stop.
After a moment, she said quietly, “Since it was Cousin Jia who invited me, why does Zheng eldest young master come into it?”
Cui Huan smiled and said, “When I was leaving, I ran into Zheng eldest young master. He had just returned from outside and said he had left some Chengxin paper in the outer courtyard study room. He asked me to get it from the servant in the outer courtyard study. Miss Jia was still waiting for me! I hesitated for a moment. Zheng eldest young master asked me what was the matter. I thought this wasn’t anything improper, and since I didn’t dare lie to Zheng eldest young master’s face, I told him. Zheng eldest young master then pointed out this path to me and told me to go and return quickly, and to send the Chengxin paper to Exquisite Hall for him.” As she spoke, her face showed confusion. “Second Cousin Miss, is something wrong?”
Yes!
What was wrong?
Cheng Jia’s decision to go to Apricot Pomegranate Garden was a spur-of-the-moment decision with her. Cheng Jia had always been afraid of Old Madam Guo, so she had Cui Huan ask her to meet at Full Fragrance Pavilion. Cui Huan had coincidentally encountered Cheng Zheng, and Cheng Zheng had pointed out a shortcut to her… Everything seemed so reasonable and natural… If she hadn’t seen the Taihu stones along the path, if she hadn’t seen this bamboo grove, if she didn’t have memories from her previous life…
Zhou Shaojin stood in the middle of the bamboo grove with its swaying branches and leaves, took several deep breaths, and said in a low voice, “Lead the way ahead.”
Cui Huan said “Alright,” but her face showed suspicion.
Zhou Shaojin didn’t want to say another word.
Some things that were meant to come would still come!
It was just that she was no longer the timid and weak Zhou Shaojin from her previous life, no longer the Zhou Shaojin who would first look for her own faults when something happened!
She whispered a few words in Chun Wan’s ear.
Chun Wan was shocked.
Zhou Shaojin looked at her without saying a word, her distinct black and white eyes as cold and clear as stars.
Chun Wan bit her lip and nodded fiercely, saying, “Young Miss, rest assured, I’ll go get it right away.”
Zhou Shaojin nodded and watched as Chun Wan left the bamboo grove.
After walking a few steps and discovering Zhou Shaojin hadn’t followed, Cui Huan quickly turned back. Watching Chun Wan’s disappearing figure, she couldn’t help but say, “Second Cousin Miss, what are you…”
“I remembered that the vest for the Madam is finished, so I had Chun Wan go back to get it to bring along.” Zhou Shaojin smiled, though her hands hidden in her sleeves were tightly clenched into fists.