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Cheng Ji laughed disapprovingly, took her hand and said, "Good sister, don't be angry. I can compensate you in any way you want!"
Zhou Shaojin said unhappily, "Then give me your maid Cuihuan?"
"That won't do!" Cheng Ji was not angry at all, and still said with a smile, "How about I give you my 'Qiutong'."
Qiutong is Cheng Ji's favorite zither.
She actually wanted to give this piano to herself!
Zhou Shaojin was very surprised, and then he looked at Cheng Ji seriously.
Cheng Ji's smile gradually faded, and his expression became serious. He let Zhou Shaojin stare straight into his eyes and said frankly: "Shaojin, I know I was wrong. You can ask me to compensate you in any way you want!"
She said it so seriously that Zhou Shaojin was very surprised.
For a moment, the two men stood facing each other and the atmosphere was tense.
Zhu Zhu hurried over, put her arms around Zhou Shaojin's shoulders and Cheng Ji's shoulders, and said with a smile: "Hey! I heard that the lotus flowers in your house are in bloom. I'm worried about having nothing to do at home. How about one of you send us an invitation to enjoy the flowers? Everyone here will get a chance to listen, how about it?"
Zhou Shaojin was very ashamed.
She is half the host today, and instead of entertaining her friends, she is here arguing with Cheng Ji. What's going on
Fortunately, there are Zhu Zhu and Gu Shiqigu, they are both true friends, and they always come to help her when she encounters difficulties!
She glanced at Zhu Zhu gratefully and said with a smile, "Then let cousin Fajia treat us! She has plenty of fine wine and delicious food. We must go and have a meal with her."
Zhu Zhu, Gu Shiqigu and others all laughed.
Cheng Ji patted his chest and said, "No problem, I'll take care of this matter. I'll send you a message as soon as I get back."
"Then we'll wait!" Gu Shiqigu joined in the fun, looking happy.
The two young ladies of the Guo family smiled and were obviously very interested in going out as a guest.
Zhou Shaojin watched and sighed.
The young lady from the Guo family is too reserved.
If Uncle Chi married the girl from the Guo family, how boring life would be for two taciturn people to live together!
In the end, the Shen family won the dragon boat race.
Shen Qingyun was so happy that he said he would treat everyone to a drink.
All these people refer to those who own private rooms in Qingyan Building.
Everyone congratulated him.
Zhu Pengju wanted to take Cheng Chi out for a drink.
Cheng Chi politely declined.
Zhu Pengju refused. He knew that Madam Guo was in the private room next door. He relied on the close relationship between the two families and ran over to greet Madam Guo with a playful smile, asking her to agree to let Cheng Chi go out for a drink with him: "Zichuan must be thinking about you. I will ask the chief official of our mansion to send you back personally. What else can Zichuan worry about!"
Madam Guo laughed, called Cheng Chi in, and said, "Silang, why don't you go out and play with them? I have Erya to accompany me!"
In front of outsiders, Mrs. Guo usually called Zhou Shaojin "the second girl".
Cheng Chi thought for a while and smiled: "It's not that I don't want to drink with Pengju, I just have something to do here. It won't be too late to come find you after I'm done." The last sentence was said to Zhu Pengju.
Zhu Pengju's eyes flashed with a strange look, and he smiled and said, "Do you have any guests? Why don't you invite your guests to join us for some fun? Could it be that Qingyun is reluctant to part with this little bit of wine?"
"That's not the case." Cheng Chi said with a smile, "We have business to discuss. It's a critical moment, so don't mess with me. Let's talk about it after I send the guests away."
Zhu Pengju didn't know what to say. He repeatedly reminded Cheng Chi "you must come" several times before leaving.
Madam Guo didn't expect Cheng Chi to have a guest, and said with a guilty look on her face, "Then you can go and do your own thing! I have Shao Jin to accompany me."
Cheng Chi smiled at Zhou Shaojin, said, "Take good care of your mother," and then got up and went to the private room next door.
Zhou Shaojin was very curious when she thought about Cheng Chi's action of closing the door when she went to find him just now.
When leaving, I couldn't help but take a look at Cheng Chi's private room.
The door of the private room was still closed, and Langyue was standing guard at the door.
Seeing Zhou Shaojin and Old Madam Guo approaching, he bowed respectfully and whispered to Zhou Shaojin: "The fourth master has gone to see the guests off and will be back soon!"
Zhou Shaojin's heart was shocked.
What kind of guest would make Uncle Chi act as if he was still entertaining guests in the private room
Since this person is so important, why did Uncle Chi bring him to Qingyan Tower
Zhou Shaojin was puzzled and couldn't help looking around when he went out from the side door of Qingyan Tower.
Suddenly, she opened her eyes wide, stretched her neck and looked at the busy street outside the alley, as if she saw something strange, which attracted Mrs. Guo to look over and asked, "Shaojin, what happened?"
Zhou Shaojin thought about it, but couldn't help but feel shaken, and said, "I think I saw someone I know. Wait for me for a moment, I'll go take a look!"
Having said that, she didn't care how Mrs. Guo would look at her and ran to the entrance of the alley.
There was a huge crowd of people outside.
Zhou Shaojin searched for a long time before he saw the familiar face in a green robe in front of a stall selling incense and candles.
It's really him!
After the Fourth Prince ascended the throne, Shi Kuan, the Chief Eunuch of the Imperial Household Department, was appointed.
Zhou Shaojin could remember him not only because he became the emperor's most trusted person, but also because he didn't look like a eunuch at all.
Shi Kuan not only had a scholarly appearance and eloquent conversation, but also had an elegant demeanor and excellent temperament. People who didn't know him would think he was a scholar who was well-read in poetry and books.
This is also the reason why Shi Kuan was criticized by the cabinet but was liked by the emperor.
How did he end up here
He will be someone who can influence the emperor's decision in the future!
Zhou Shaojin hurriedly called Chunwan, "Go find Uncle Chi! Hurry up!"
Chunwan didn't know what was going on, and answered "yes" in panic, then ran quickly into the Qingyan Tower.
Old Madam Guo frowned as she looked at him with a serious expression, but did not ask anything. Instead, she sent the servants around her back to the Qingyan Tower to wait, leaving only Madam Lu to serve her.
After a while, Chun Wan ran over and said, "Second cousin, didn't you see the fourth master?"
Shi Kuan also left the incense and candle stall and walked away.
Zhou Shaojin's shoulders drooped.
Shi Kuan was a member of the Fourth Prince's residence. In her previous life, she heard people say that many people saw that the Fourth Prince was a nobody and was also an honest and dull person, so they all tried to find a way to go to other princes' residences. Only Shi Kuan stayed.
Not only did he stay, he also took over the job of the Chief Secretary, helping the Fourth Prince to manage all matters big and small inside and outside the palace, like the Fourth Prince's chief steward.
It would be great if Uncle Chi could make friends with Shi Kuan at this time!
She lowered her head listlessly and said disappointedly: "Then let's go back!"
Chunwan nodded and went forward to help her.
Madam Guo asked softly, "What happened?"
Zhou Shaojin never dared to lie in front of Madam Guo, but she really had no way to explain this matter, so she had to pick up part of it and said: "I saw a person who seemed to be the important official in the court that my father mentioned, so I wanted Uncle Chi to meet him and see if he was really that person. If so, Uncle Chi can also be the host."
For a family to prosper, connections are very important.
Madam Guo was still a little surprised and asked, "How did you recognize it?"
Zhou Shaojin had no choice but to say, "I saw it when my father came back before."
Mrs. Guo nodded thoughtfully.
Zhou Zhen’s success today is not entirely due to the Cheng family’s connections. He must have made friends with other people as well.
Perhaps the person Zhou Shaojin was talking about was the one who supported Zhou Zhen behind the scenes.
Thinking of the reason why Cheng Chi wanted to keep Zhou Shaojin, Mrs. Guo accepted Zhou Shaojin's words.
She stopped asking questions and returned to Jiuru Lane with Zhou Shaojin with a smile.
After Zhou Shaojin waited for Madam Guo to rest, he returned to Fucui Pavilion to wash up, and waited to hear news from Li Pavilion.
It was not until the third watch that Chun Wan ran in breathlessly and said, "Second Miss, Second Miss, the Fourth Master is back!"
Zhou Shaojin hurriedly put on a bodice and went to Tingli Pavilion.
The lights over there were like stars, and Huaishan walked over with the tipsy Cheng Chi.
Everyone was stunned when they saw Zhou Shaojin standing at the door.
Cheng Chi even chuckled.
He laughed happily and said, "It's so late, what are you doing here? I have already discussed Cheng Ji's matter with Li Jing... He didn't expect Cheng Ji to come to him, he just said a few words to Cheng Ji..."
She wasn't looking for him for this!
Since he has taken over, he will naturally get things done properly.
Zhou Shaojin muttered to himself. Seeing that Cheng Chi's steps were a little weak, he wondered how much he had drunk outside. He couldn't help but feel a little distressed. After a little thought, he stepped forward and supported Cheng Chi's other arm, saying, "Uncle Chi, why did you drink so much today? Let's talk about it tomorrow! Go back to your room and have a bowl of sobering soup and a good sleep!"
Cheng Chi's body was a little stiff when Zhou Shaojin's hand came up to him, but he soon relaxed and let Zhou Shaojin help him. He put his center of gravity on Huaishan and said, "It's okay! I'm in a good mood today, so I drank a few more glasses. This little bit of alcohol won't make me drunk."
My brother-in-law Liao Shaotang is like this.
He doesn't usually drink, but if he drinks too much he will say that this amount of alcohol can't make him drunk.
Zhou Shaojin smiled with curved eyebrows and helped Cheng Chi into the house.
Further ahead is Cheng Chi’s inner room.
Zhou Shaojin hesitated for a moment.
Who knew Cheng Chi said to Huaishan: "Just put me on the Arhat bed. The air in the hall will be better."
Huaishan glanced at Zhou Shaojin, replied "yes" respectfully, and called someone in to serve him.
After a while, the mosquito repellent incense burner was lit, the cool mat was laid out, the water for washing face was fetched, and the hangover soup was served.
Zhou Shaojin couldn't help either. He just sat there and watched Qingfeng serve Cheng Chi sober soup. He helped him go to the inner room to wash his face, change his clothes, and lie down on the Luohan bed covered with a cool mat. He pointed to the embroidered cushion in front of the Luohan bed and said, "Come and sit!"
Perhaps the light was too bright, he put one arm on his forehead and closed his eyes.
Zhou Shaojin asked: "Do you want me to help you blow out the lights?"
He uttered a low "hmm".
Zhou Shaojin only kept the floor lamp in the corner.
Cheng Chi muttered, "It's too hot," and turned over.
Zhou Shaojin asked Huaishan for a fan and sat on the embroidered cushion to fan him.
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Sisters and brothers, today’s extra update!
O(∩_∩)O~
※(The novel "Jinlingchun" will have more fresh content on the official WeChat platform, and there will also be 100% lucky draw gifts for everyone! Open WeChat now, click the "+" sign "Add Friends" in the upper right corner, search for the public account "qdread" and follow it, hurry up!) (To be continued)