When Zhou Shaojin heard that Cheng Ji was back, she breathed a sigh of relief. She felt that this was the Li Jing in her mind, who did not use force to oppress others and always put Cheng Ji in the most important position.
Chun Wan smiled and said, "Second Miss, Miss Jia is peeking outside the door. The gatekeeper asked her to come in but she refused. I'm afraid she's afraid the old lady will be unhappy. You should go and see her!"
Zhou Shaojin asked curiously, "Why does she run around as soon as she comes back?"
Xiao Tan, holding a bunch of hollyhock flowers, walked in with a smile and continued, "It was said by Mrs. Li An that the Li family doesn't have so many rules. Miss Jia just needs to take good care of her health and marry happily. Because of this, Mrs. Lu is now lying in bed. Old Man Li An sent Nanny Li to help Mrs. Lu manage the household affairs. Mrs. Lu was so angry that she simply stopped managing anything. Mr. Li An bought Miss Jia a step-out bed today and a set of mahogany chairs tomorrow. I heard from the people in Ruyi Pavilion that there are five sets of household items alone. But from what Mr. Li An said, it is best to get married in pairs, and a In order to be decent, the housekeeper went to Hangzhou, saying that he wanted to buy some nanmu there. Even Master Lu couldn't stand it anymore, and advised Mrs. Li, who was unhappy, saying that she used her own pocket money to buy things for Miss Jia, and didn't use a penny of the third room's money. If anyone couldn't stand it, if anyone was unhappy, they could say it in front of her, don't grumble and be mean behind her. She also said that she could do whatever she wanted with her dowry. When did the Cheng family become so poor that they had to calculate the dowry of their daughter-in-law! The implication was that Master Lu was instigated by Mrs. Lu to compete for her pocket money.
"Mr. Lu was so timid that he dared not say a word. Mrs. Lu was so angry that she didn't eat for several days. Even Mr. Zheng could only pretend that he knew nothing.
"Who dares to control Miss Jia?"
This was the first time Zhou Shaojin heard of this.
She couldn't help but exclaimed, "Xiao Tan, I didn't expect you to be so well-informed!"
Xiao Tan blushed slightly and said, "I just grew up in the mansion and know a few more people than others."
Knowing more people is also an advantage!
Zhou Shaojin went to meet Cheng Ji with a sweet smile.
Cheng Ji was really afraid of being scolded by Madam Guo, so he pulled Zhou Shaojin to the stone bench by the lake next to Hanbi Mountain House to talk: "... You don't know, ever since you got sick last time, Madam Guo has blamed me for it. I don't want to offend her again."
Zhou Shaojin looked Cheng Ji up and down, and seeing that she was in high spirits, like a different person compared to a few days ago, he was truly relieved and said with a smile: "The old lady is cold on the outside but warm on the inside. You go and apologize to her and say a few good words, and she will be relieved."
Cheng Ji stuck out his tongue and said, "I dare not. If you want to go, go ahead!"
There is also a connection between people based on fate.
Zhou Shaojin didn't force her, and said: "You are such a fool! Even if you want to find Li Jing, you should plan it carefully. How can you just run away like this? We were so worried at the time, afraid that something might happen to you..."
Cheng Ji interrupted Zhou Shaojin embarrassedly and said, "Don't say it! Li Jing has been whispering these words in my ears every day for the past few days. My ears are almost callused. Don't keep nagging me. Isn't it okay that I was wrong? I have already sworn in front of Li Jing that I will never do such things that will make my relatives worry. Please forgive me!"
It seems that Li Jing was not overwhelmed by Cheng Ji.
Cheng Ji needs someone like this to look after him!
Zhou Shaojin pursed his lips and smiled.
Cheng Jia took out a palm-sized red sandalwood box with peony flowers carved on it and said, "This is Li Jing's thank-you gift to you!"
Zhou Shaojin was very surprised and gladly accepted it.
Cheng Ji smiled and said, "Open it and take a look. Li Jing and I picked it together."
Zhou Shaojin opened the box.
In a box covered with reddish-brown velvet lay five emeralds, each the size of a pigeon egg, their brilliant green color eclipsed the spring scenery.
"This..." Zhou Shaojin opened his eyes wide.
This was the first time she had seen an emerald of such good quality.
"This is for you!" Cheng Ji said proudly, "It looks great, doesn't it? I knew you would like it - Li Jing is even going to give you a ruby!"
"Very beautiful!" Zhou Shaojin said sincerely, and after thinking about it, he accepted it generously, "I like it very much!"
At worst, I can just find a good item for Cheng Ji when she gets married.
Cheng Ji was very happy to see that Zhou Shaojin liked the things he picked, and he chatted with Zhou Shaojin about Li Jing for a long time.
Zhou Shaojin was thinking about Cheng Chi.
When Uncle Lu asked the old lady to take a letter to Cheng Chi, the old lady ignored him.
Uncle Chi will definitely come back as scheduled.
I just don’t know when he will come back
When she returned home and found out that Li Jing and Cheng Ji were engaged, she must have been surprised.
Zhou Shaojin couldn't help but laugh when he thought of the surprised expression on Cheng Chi's face, who had never given much thought to emotions.
Cheng Ji pushed her: "Why are you grinning? Was what I just said funny?"
Zhou Shaojin had no idea what Cheng Ji said, and said vaguely: "I think it's a bit funny."
Cheng Ji blushed and leaned close to Zhou Shaojin's ear and said, "Then I'll take that as your agreement!"
What did she promise
Zhou Shaojin looked a little confused.
Cheng Ji said unhappily: "Why are you like this now? You don't keep your word! I promised to help embroider two undergarments..."
So that's what it was.
No problem. No problem.
Zhou Shaojin felt a little guilty and quickly agreed.
The weather turned from cloudy to sunny and Cheng Jia left happily.
Zhou Shaojin let out a sigh and went back to the upper room.
Mrs. Guo asked her what Cheng Ju came to see her for, and she told him frankly. Mrs. Guo thought for a moment and said with a smile, "Go and discuss the design with her and come back. Don't stay in Ruyi Pavilion. I guess Jiang will make a fuss before Ju gets married."
Zhou Shaojin naturally believed what Mrs. Guo said.
She nodded repeatedly, drew seven or eight patterns of undergarments for Cheng Ji, and went to Cheng Ji after breakfast the next day.
Zhou Shaojin had done needlework for both Mrs. Guan and Mrs. Guo. Although her work was not much, it was very exquisite and novel, grand and bright, and was highly praised by everyone. Therefore, Mrs. Li knew the purpose of her visit and not only rewarded her with a mutton-fat jade lotus brush washer, but also invited her to have lunch.
She remembered what Mrs. Guo said and could not refuse lunch. However, after lunch, she insisted on going back to Hanbi Mountain House regardless of Li Laoan and Cheng Jia's detention: "… Cousin Jia and I grew up together. She asked me to do this needlework. I also embroidered two handkerchiefs for Cousin Jia. Although the things are small, they are my heartfelt gifts. It would be better if they were embroidered earlier."
Mrs. Li Laoan found it very considerate. She stopped Cheng Ji from trying to keep her there and personally escorted Zhou Shaojin out of the upper room.
Zhou Shaojin finally felt more natural.
Chun Wan also said: "If Lao An is always so polite, I won't dare to go to the third room."
Because they had not yet left the territory of the third house and were talking about Li Laoan, Zhou Shaojin was always a little alert. Although he wanted to laugh after hearing Chunwan's words, he habitually looked around before laughing.
It was noon at this time, and most of the servants in the house were taking a nap. There were green trees all around, and it was quiet and silent.
The corner of a sky-blue robe suddenly caught Zhou Shaojin's eye.
She was shocked and quickly swallowed her laughter, staring at the corner of the sky-blue robe.
The material of the clothes is top-grade Hangzhou silk, which is delicate and smooth. Under the corners of the robe are a pair of sky-blue fat-faced shoes with black edges, and moon-white socks made of Songjiang three-shuttle fine cloth, which are neat and refreshing.
Zhou Shaojin immediately thought of someone.
Cheng Lu!
This was the dress that Cheng Lu usually wore in his previous life.
She suddenly felt panicky.
This is the inner courtyard of the third house. Logically, Cheng Lu should not be here.
But Cheng Lu is a member of the Cheng family, so it is possible that he entered the yard if something happened.
Zhou Shaojin didn't think much about it. She just glanced at Chunwan, then lifted the hem of her skirt and quietly hid behind a big locust tree nearby that was as thick as a man's embrace. She held her breath and waited for the other party to leave without noticing.
Chunwan did not see the corner of the robe, but loyally followed Zhou Shaojin's lead without asking any questions. He even hid behind the big locust tree next to him more flexibly than Zhou Shaojin.
After a while, a voice came faintly: "… Brother Zheng, I think about it and don't know who I have offended. If it was Uncle Yi from the second house, why would he send me to Yuelu Academy to study? Uncle Lu is even more generous to us nephews and nieces, and he is also dedicated to learning. It can't be him. Uncle Mian from the fourth house would not instruct the prefect Wu and the teacher Lin. Uncle Wen from the fifth house is busy with Brother Nuo's marriage, so it is even more impossible for him to do such a thankless task.
"I've racked my brains, but I just can't figure it out. I can only come to discuss it quietly with Brother Zheng Cong!
"Brother Zheng Cong, do you think it is possible that..."
The sound stopped abruptly.
It turned out to be Cheng Lu!
Zhou Shaojin felt like his heart was about to jump out of his chest.
Cheng Zheng laughed and said, "Are you doubting Uncle Chi? Or are you testing my attitude? Brother Xiangqing, our Third House cannot afford to offend the First House, and I cannot afford to offend Uncle Chi even more. If you want to find someone to speak up for you, I'm afraid you've found the wrong person!"
Hearing this, Cheng Lu sneered, "No wonder people outside only know about Cheng Jiashan from the eldest branch and Cheng Youyi from the second branch when they talk about Jiuru Lane... Compared with the two cousins, Brother Baoming is indeed a little inferior. Forgive me for misjudging you! Brother Baoming, take care. I'm leaving now!"
Baoming is Cheng Zheng's courtesy name.
Zhou Shaojin felt a little depressed.
Cheng Lu and Cheng Zheng called each other by their courtesy names, which meant they put each other on an equal footing.
Although they didn't see eye to eye, they agreed with each other deep down.
Sure enough, after a few "squeaky" sounds of footsteps on branches, Cheng Zheng suddenly said, "Prime Minister, please stay!"
There was silence behind the tree.
After a while, Cheng Zheng whispered, "Prime Minister, it's not that I don't want to help you, but our Third Branch really can't afford to offend the First Branch. Let me tell you the truth, I studied hard, why did I stop after passing the imperial examination? It's because our ancestors once offended the First and Second Branches, and the First and Second Branches have been brooding over it for so many years, so that our Third Branch can't make a name for itself in the officialdom and can only compete with the merchants. This is also why my aunt married Pan Zhi, who was born in a poor family, and my mother insisted that my sister find a family of scholars. It's not that I don't want to help you, it's really because I can't protect myself and can't help you!"
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Sisters and brothers, today's update.
I wish you all a happy weekend!
I'll take a day off tomorrow, so I can update twice a day.
O(∩_∩)O~
※(To be continued)