Ji Ying didn't notice Zhou Shaojin's gaze at all.
She is very panicked!
When she returned home, she looked like she had escaped death. She was so happy that she didn't even go to say goodbye to Cheng Zichuan. However, a few days after she went back, she came back dejectedly and hid in the house like she was trying to cover up her crime. She didn't even meet Cheng Zichuan.
Most of the matters concerning the Cao Gang could not be hidden from Cheng Zichuan. With his fickle personality, whether he would take her in or not was not something that she, or even her father, was sure about. He just repeatedly reminded her, "Just grit your teeth and say that you came back to visit. After visiting your parents and brothers, you will naturally go back. If he doesn't admit it, he and I still have a ten-year agreement. It's okay, you don't have to be afraid."
How could she not be afraid
If her father was sure, would he have repeatedly reminded her like this
What should she do if Cheng Zichuan doesn't take her in
Zhou Shaojin had never seen such an expression on Jiying's face, as if he had committed some serious mistake.
She hurried forward and held Ji Ying's hand, whispering to comfort her: "It's okay, Uncle Chi is a very good person, remember not to lose your temper later, and talk to him nicely..."
But before she could finish her words, the maid outside the door called out "Miss Jiying" in an urging tone.
Zhou Shaojin's hands were very soft and warm, and Jiying's heart slowly calmed down.
Anyway, there is no turning back. The worst that can happen is that we fight to the death. What’s the big deal
No, even if she could turn back, she would not regret cutting off Jiao Ziyang's arm with a sword.
Then what is there to regret or be afraid of
Ji Ying was suddenly filled with courage. He smiled and nodded to Zhou Shaojin, then went to open the door.
The old woman outside the door had a pair of vicissitudes of life eyes. She looked to be in her fifties, tall and thin, with black hair neatly tied behind her head. She was wrapped in an indigo-colored coarse cloth scarf with a white double lotus pattern, and wore a peach wood hairpin. She wore an indigo-colored plain coarse cloth magpie robe. She looked clean, tidy, capable and sharp.
"My second cousin." She greeted Zhou Shaojin respectfully, but her expression was neither humble nor arrogant, as if she was the wife of a master of a family, not like a servant at all.
Ji Ying pointed at the old woman and said, "This is Nanny Shang who serves the Fourth Master."
Zhou Shaojin smiled and greeted her. After thinking for a moment, he pulled Jiying aside and whispered in her ear, "Don't be afraid. My cousin Gao is getting married and has asked Uncle Chi to be the matchmaker..."
There was originally nothing between me and the matchmaker, but now this person has been changed to Cheng Chi... Why is it so ridiculous!
Jiying couldn't help but burst out laughing.
She knew that this would definitely make Jiying feel more relaxed!
Zhou Shaojin smiled and said, "Then go quickly! Don't keep Uncle Chi waiting for too long."
"Thank you!" Jiying thanked her sincerely and went to the main courtyard of Liyin Pavilion with Shang's mother.
Zhou Shaojin went to the Buddhist temple to copy scriptures.
When the light in the room gradually dimmed, she put down the pen in her hand and wondered if she should stop being so diligent. If she continued like this, she would be able to finish copying by the end of April at the latest.
She sighed as she flipped through the small stack of scriptures that was left.
Chun Wan heard the noise and walked in, saying, "Second Miss, Miss Jiying has been waiting for you outside all afternoon!"
Zhou Shaojin's heart skipped a beat and he stood up and left the Buddhist hall.
The afterglow of spring was a little short. Ji Ying was sitting under the veranda of the Buddhist temple, staring at the sky full of sunset in a daze. The orange glow fell on her face, making her facial features soften.
Zhou Shaojin smiled and said, "Why don't you come in now?"
Ji Ying smiled and turned back, saying, "Have you finished copying the scriptures? I was afraid to disturb you. I heard from Shi Xiang that you are almost done. I think you must want to finish copying early so that you can go back to Wanxiangju. I came to see you for no other reason. Cheng Zichuan, well, the fourth master is a pretty good person. He called me over and only told me to listen to Nanping in the future. Hanbi Mountain House is not as good as Zaoyuan. If I dare to make a mistake again, send me back home." As she spoke, she pursed her lips and smiled, with an indescribable joy between her brows, "Maybe I will really learn needlework from you in the future!"
"Okay, okay!" Zhou Shaojin was also happy for her and said, "I told you, Uncle Chi is not a heartless person. If he has the ability, he will definitely take you in."
Ji Ying found it impossible to agree with this statement, but she was still very grateful that Cheng Chi had given her a break this time, so when she heard Zhou Shaojin say this, she nodded with a smile.
Zhou Shaojin said, "This is something worth celebrating... Well, why don't you come to my place for dinner? No, you should go back and tell Nanping first whether you will be on duty later. If not, you can have dinner at my place; if you are, we can change it to a day when you are not on duty. Anyway, you have already stayed, so there is no need to rush for one or two days. I just think this is a good thing and we should celebrate it!"
Ji Ying laughed when he heard this and said, "Si Ye didn't mention anything about my duty, so I think it shouldn't matter."
"Is it really okay?" Zhou Shaojin confirmed, "This is your first day back, don't make a mistake on the first day."
"Oh! You're so nagging." Ji Ying pulled Zhou Shaojin away, "Let's go to your place for dinner! Ask the kitchen to make me something delicious. I've been so scared these past few days that I haven't been able to sleep well or eat well..."
Zhou Shaojin giggled, waited for Chunwan to pack up, and then went back to Wanxiangju together.
※
Cheng Chi was looking at the account book when he saw Huaishan come in and asked, "Did Jiying go to Wanxiangju?"
"Yes!" Huaishan said, "The second cousin of the Zhou family said that this is something worth celebrating, so she invited Jiying to have dinner at Wanxiangju."
Cheng Chi nodded and continued to look at the account book.
Huaishan stood there without moving.
Cheng Chi looked up and asked, "Anything else?"
Huaishan's mouth twitched, and he mustered up the courage to say, "Fourth Master, the Ji family is plotting against us like this, can we just let it go?"
Cheng Chi said: "You know that the Ji family is plotting against us. Don't the Ji family know it themselves? Don't the Cao Gang know it?"
Huaishan didn't understand.
Cheng Chi was too lazy to waste words with him and said, "If you don't understand, go ask Qin Zian."
Huaishan lowered his head and left the study.
Cheng Chi stroked his forehead and continued to look at the account book.
Huaishan found Qin Zian.
Qin Zian was talking to Qin Ziping. After hearing Huaishan's intention, he said, "The reason why the Fourth Master let Jiying come back is mainly because the Ji family has always been respectful to the Fourth Master. No matter what, compared to the Cao Gang, the Ji family can barely be considered as the Fourth Master's people. The reason why the Cao Gang wants to take Jiying is also for the Fourth Master. The Fourth Master can't let outsiders step on his own head, right? This is also for others to see, to let others know that as long as they are loyal to the Fourth Master, the Fourth Master will never let them be bullied.
"Besides, the Ji family sent people here without saying anything. They just didn't show their disrespect like the Cao Gang when the Fourth Master asked them to borrow the road. Otherwise, the Ji family would not have sent their legitimate son as a hostage. Although a legitimate daughter was sent later, Jiying is the most talented in martial arts in the Ji family. The Ji family wants to continue to dominate the Central Plains in the future, and Jiying's martial arts is one of the important guarantees for the Ji family. Now the Ji family and the Cao Gang are in a mess. It can be said that the Ji family can't take care of it for a while. It was Jiying who ran back by herself. But when the matter between the Ji family and the Cao Gang is over, can the Ji family still pretend not to know? Since they lost courtesy before, should they make up for it later? The Central Plains does not produce salt, and they occupy the entire Central Plains. Whether it is Huai salt, Zhejiang salt or Sichuan salt, if you want to enter the Central Plains, you have to look at the face of the Ji family. Should they consider giving a share to the Fourth Master?" Then he said, "Don't worry, Jiying is very valuable, and the Fourth Master will not kick her out."
"I'm not worried about Jiying. I know what you said." Huaishan said, "I just think the Fourth Master is very strange now. Why did he suddenly become so easy to talk to..."
Qin Zian pricked up his ears and listened.
Huaishan said unhappily, "I've heard that there's no one outside."
Qin Zian's expression relaxed slightly, and he whispered, "The Fourth Master said he was leaving, but he never said where he was going. A great hermit is in the court, a small hermit is in the city. I think this matter should be related to where the Fourth Master is going..."
Huaishan nodded in agreement and said, "Do you have any idea in mind?"
"No!" Qin Zian said very simply, "Anyway, I have made up my mind to follow the Fourth Master. Wherever he goes, I will go." His eyes fell on Qin Ziping, "Anyway, my father still has a son."
Qin Ziping, who had been looking a little dazed, immediately came to his senses after hearing this and said, "I'm also going to go with the Fourth Master, so don't try to take advantage of me." Then, regardless of Qin Zian's expression, he said, "Fourth Master... do you really think Jiying is valuable and that's why you took her in? What if the Ji family sacrifices a pawn to save the king? Wouldn't Jiying be in great danger?"
"Why are you worried about Jiying?" Qin Zian asked, his eyes burning, as if he wanted to see into Qin Ziping's heart.
"No, nothing!" Qin Ziping felt uncomfortable for a moment, but he recovered quickly and said, "I just feel that Ji Ying has been with us for a few years. Thinking about her experience, I feel that she is quite pitiful."
Qin Zian didn't say anything.
Huaishan blinked but said nothing.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the room became a little stagnant.
Qin Ziping hurriedly said, "By the way, have you heard? Master Gao from the Fourth House is getting engaged. The Fourth House has asked the old lady to come forward and ask the Fourth Master and the eldest master of the Gu family to be matchmakers. In a few days, the Fourth Master and the eldest master of the Gu family will go to Pukou to propose marriage to Master Gao!"
"We all know it." Qin Zian said calmly, "The Fourth House just wants to take advantage of the Fourth Master's status as a Jinshi. The Fourth Master just needs to sit there like a clay Buddha. But do you have anything to say to me?"
"I have something to say to you." Qin Ziping muttered softly, but he didn't dare to look his brother in the eye.
Huaishan smiled and said, "Will the Fourth Master really go there that day? Should I go with him? To be honest, I really can't imagine the Fourth Master being a matchmaker. I wonder what the eldest master of the Gu family is like? It would be bad if he is as quiet as the Fourth Master..."
The two Qin brothers ignored him and stared at each other like cross-eyed cocks.
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Hey sisters, today's update!
O(∩_∩)O~
※(To be continued)