Cheng Chi couldn't help but carefully look at the girl in front of him to see what kind of transformation Zhou Shaojin had undergone.
Her eyes are bright, her face is rosy, the corners of her mouth are slightly upturned, her expression is gentle and peaceful, and she exudes the brightness of spring.
If I had to say what was different about her from usual... Ever since he kissed her, she had been a little panicked when facing him, just like the cowardice a weak woman would show in front of a man who was much stronger than her and who could decide her life or death. But now, she seemed to have returned to the state before he kissed her, appearing very safe in front of him, as if nothing had happened between them, he was still the good uncle who doted on her, and she was still the niece who trusted and relied on him.
Is this change good or bad
Cheng Chi frowned secretly.
If the little girl took his words to heart and thought that he treated her like that day just because he couldn't help himself, it would be best for both of them to forget about it. This situation is possible.
That's kind of bad.
There is a chance that he and she will be back to square one.
But is it possible that the little girl suddenly came to her senses
He wiped her body yesterday because he felt sorry for her sudden illness and he was worried about leaving her to be taken care of by others. Furthermore, he wanted to take advantage of the fact that Zhou Dacheng and Zhou Chujin were not around Zhou Shaojin to test the reactions of the maids around Zhou Shaojin, so that they could gradually adapt to his attitude towards Shaojin and pave the way for their future.
The maids around her didn't make any movement, but the little girl seemed to have suddenly become a different person.
Even though Cheng Chi was as wise as the sea, he couldn't figure out what had happened.
It looks like we can only take one step at a time!
For the first time in his life, Cheng Chi felt that things were somewhat out of his control and direction, and he had a strange sense of powerlessness.
But his personality quickly made him put these confusions behind him - instead of guessing here, it would be better to verify it immediately.
He smiled and ate a late breakfast with Zhou Shaojin, but it was not yet time for lunch. He stood up, patted Zhou Shaojin on the head, and said, "Go change your clothes. Let's go to the temple fair!"
"Ah?!" Zhou Shaojin opened his eyes wide.
Clear black and white, pure and clear.
What beautiful eyes!
Cheng Chi smiled and said, "Today is Buddha's Bathing Day, don't you want to go out on the street?"
How could I forget such a day
Zhou Shaojin blushed and said, "Don't we have to go early in the morning? I'm afraid the masters in the temple have already preached..."
The implication is that it is already too late, we have already missed the most important thing, so what else can we do
Cheng Chi smiled and said, "Are you going to listen to those masters' lectures on Buddha's Birthday? I thought you were going to visit the temple fair! In the past, when Zheng Jie'er and Sheng Jie'er heard that the master was going to give a lecture, they all found excuses to sneak out and play..." He saw Zhou Shaojin's eyes getting bigger and bigger, as if a good child who was always late and left early suddenly found that someone who skipped class would not be punished if the adults knew about it. He suddenly thought that he should not let Cheng Zheng and Cheng Sheng affect his little girl, so he simply hugged Zhou Shaojin and whispered in her ear, "My Shaojin is the best. I'll take you to the temple fair!"
My Shaojin...
The cherishing tone made Zhou Shaojin's face flush red as if blood was about to drip out, but his heart felt as sweet as if he had secretly eaten honey, yet a little panicked.
Cheng Chi had already stepped back and said with a smile, "Go change your clothes quickly, and then tell your wife, take Miss Third with you, and we'll go to Daxiangguo Temple for a stroll. In the evening, we'll go to Fuchunjiang Restaurant to eat squirrel fish—their boss is from Songjiang, and the chef is an expert at cooking Hangzhou cuisine."
Zhou Shaojin was still immersed in the shock just now. Her consistent obedience to Cheng Chi made her say "Oh" in a trance and walked out obediently.
After taking a few steps, she came back to her senses.
Why is Uncle Chi hugging her again!
Is it also involuntary
It would be better if I didn't hug her.
Just talking to her like that... She really liked it.
But if Uncle Chi hadn't been unable to help himself, he certainly wouldn't have said such words to her.
It shows that nothing in this world is perfect... Didn't she also stay there with a smirk on her face and have a meal with Uncle Chi
As Zhou Shaojin thought about it, he couldn't help feeling sweet in his heart, his face turned even redder, his pace became faster and faster, and he soon left Jixiang behind.
"Second Miss, Second Miss!" Jixiang ran up, panting, and said, "Please slow down..."
Zhou Shaojin smiled, feeling his heart bubbling with joy that seemed to be about to burst out.
"Hurry up!" she said, and went to Li.
When Li heard that Cheng Chi was still planning to take them to the temple fair at this time, and that they would have dinner at a restaurant, she was surprised and eager to try it.
The Li family had planned to marry their daughter off to a wealthy family from the beginning. They kept her under strict control when she was at her parents' home. After she got married, she married a local official who was a dozen years older than her. Her words and deeds became even more regular and strict. Even when she went out to play, she mostly had to attend social events. She had never had an outing like this before.
She only thought for a few breaths before making a decision: "Okay! Let's go to the temple fair together, and bring Youjin with us."
Zhou Shaojin smiled with curved eyebrows.
She likes going out as a family like this.
How affectionate!
After a while, Zhou Shaojin and Li had packed up, and the carriages and horses in the outer courtyard were also ready. They got on the carriages and headed for Daxiangguo Temple.
The people you meet along the way are either strolling tourists or people returning from worshipping Buddha. Shops on the street have set up stalls in front of their doors, with hawkers shouting, young wives bargaining, old ladies looking for a bargain, friends who are tired of walking and buy tea in groups of three or five under the roadside awnings, and children carrying magnolia and peony flowers to sell. The whole street is packed with people, yet it is also bustling.
Zhou Shaojin was still worried that the carriage would not be able to pass.
Who knew that Nanny Shang would come in with a few cups of limu water (note: limu means lemon) and a small basket of various fruits in her hands.
There are a few crystal clear ice cubes floating in the bright yellow water, which makes people feel cool just by looking at them.
Lee exclaimed, “What is this?”
Zhou Shaojin had seen him in his previous life.
It is a popular drink in Beijing, made from limu fruit. It tastes sour and sweet, and is more refreshing and delicious than the sour plum soup in the south.
Very expensive.
Sixty cents for such a small cup.
But she couldn't explain it at this time.
Then I heard Nanny Shang laughing and saying, "When I was in Guangdong, I saw some wealthy families entertaining guests like this. But people in Nanjing don't eat it very much. There are people selling it in Beijing. The Fourth Master asked me to buy some for the Madam and the two young ladies to try. It also helps them avoid being stuck in the carriage and making the Third Young Lady unhappy."
Zhou Youjin was still a little child, had no patience, and would cry easily.
Li showed gratitude and thanked Nanny Shang. She carefully took the wood water and tasted it.
Her eyes suddenly lit up and she said, "It tastes good!" Then she urged Zhou Shaojin, "You should try it too! It will make you feel refreshed after drinking it." She fed Zhou Youjin another sip.
Zhou Youjin was looking unhappy. After taking a sip of the fruit water, she seemed to like it very much and wanted to hold a cup to drink. Li coaxed her for a long time before finally coaxing her to stop. She handed her to the wet nurse, took a fruit and stuffed it into Zhou Youjin's hand. Then she said to Zhou Youjin who was sipping the fruit water carefully, "Fourth Master is really considerate! If we had known this earlier, we should have brought some snacks with us to avoid letting Fourth Master spend so much money."
Nanny Shang, who was about to get off the carriage, laughed and said, "The fourth master specifically told us that since we are out, we should try some local snacks and walk around to have fun. If we still eat and play the same things at home, what's the point of coming out?"
"That makes sense!" No one had ever said such a thing to Li. Li kept praising Cheng Chi and finally said with a smile, "Such a good man, I don't know who has the blessing to marry him!"
Zhou Shaojin blushed.
Li thought it was because the weather was too hot, so she didn't take it seriously. She handed over the small basket of fruits and said, "Try it quickly. There are also freshly washed mulberries." She added, "The capital city is indeed the foot of the emperor. There are all kinds of rare things. Aren't the mulberries there from Guangdong? My eldest brother is doing business abroad all year round. Let him find a way to bring some for us, and we can make mulberry water at home."
Zhou Shaojin smiled and said "OK", then he slowly ate mulberries while holding a handkerchief, hoping that this road would never end.
※
Because Cheng Chi had sent someone to deliver ice drinks and fruits, the carriage's stops and starts did not affect Zhou Shaojin and the others' good mood. When they arrived at Daxiangguo Temple, they were shocked to see the rows of stalls and the crowds of pilgrims in front of the temple, but they also became excited. The young Zhou Youjin did not know how to hide, and twisted his body in the nurse's arms to get off the ground.
Cheng Chi came over.
He was wearing a royal blue Hangzhou silk gown with a sash tied around his waist, a purse and a small seal hanging from it. He stood there with his tall and graceful figure, like a dragon among men, standing out among a flock of chickens. Zhou Shaojin spotted him at the first sight.
Cheng Chi said, "Zhang San, you follow the Madam, Li Si, you follow the Second Miss, Wang Wu, you follow the Third Miss, and Chen Liu, stay behind to guard the carriage. If anyone gets separated, there's no need to look for each other. Since we're out here to have fun, we should have fun. Don't waste time looking for people. Just wait in the shed under the big locust tree in front of the Daxiangguo Temple." He pointed to the east and said, "I've already requested a private room. We're going to Fuchun River at 5 p.m. on the twelfth hour of the twelfth month. Everyone, remember, you must be under the big locust tree before 5 p.m. We have to stay at Fuchun River for at least an hour. If you're later, we'll run into curfew."
Everyone responded in unison.
Li was also very satisfied with this arrangement.
Everyone started shopping.
At first, the few people could still go in and out together. Finally, Zhou Shaojin stopped at a stall selling Miao embroidery. Li wanted to go and see the stall selling peach wood combs and hairpins not far away. The two greeted each other and said they would meet later. When Zhou Shaojin bought a few Miao embroidery patterns with satisfaction and went to find Li, Li was no longer at the stall selling peach wood combs.
Zhou Shaojin stood on tiptoe and looked around.
But someone grabbed his hand.
She was so frightened that she looked up and saw Cheng Chi's smiling face.
"It's so scary!" Zhou Shaojin patted his chest.
She said, there was clearly Nanny Shang and a guard with her, so how could a stranger grab her hand
Zhou Shaojin couldn't help but look up.
Nanny Shang and the guard named Li Si had disappeared long ago.
Cheng Chi smiled and took her hand and said, "I'll accompany you to the temple fair."
※
Brothers and sisters, today’s extra update.
The update is a bit late, please check it out tomorrow morning!
O(∩_∩)O~
※(To be continued)