My grandmother?
The capital city accent?
Could it be…
“When I returned, I met Zhou Liu-lang outside the door. I didn’t expect you to be relatives, so I came in with him,” Doctor Liao said with a smile. “I have stayed with the Zhou family for many days when I was in the capital.”
The butler and others came in, feeling a bit awkward.
The servants at the door all knew Doctor Liao, so they didn’t question his comings and goings. When they saw him chatting and laughing with a young man as they entered, they just assumed the young man was with him, never imagining he was a guest relative!
The young master of the Zhou family was really out of line. He didn’t say a word, just brazenly entered someone else’s home and silently watched the commotion in their inner courtyard!
The Cheng family members present felt a mix of shame and annoyance.
Families with military heritage truly were coarse and rude.
“Young master, are you from the old madam’s family?” Ban Qin asked in a trembling voice.
Zhou Liu-lang looked at her and nodded.
“That’s great, you’ve come to visit my mistress, right?” Ban Qin said joyfully.
Zhou Liu-lang didn’t speak; he looked at the previously ignored head of the Cheng family and bowed.
“I am Zhou Liu-lang from the Zhou family. I received the letter sent by your family, and my father ordered me to come and respond in person,” he said loudly.
Now this was how a junior should act. The Cheng family members felt somewhat relieved.
“Dear nephew, please speak in the main hall,” said First Master Cheng.
Zhou Liu-lang bowed again, turned, and followed the butler with big strides.
Ban Qin stared blankly at his departing figure.
“Alright, let’s put an end to this matter here,” said First Master Cheng, his mind completely occupied with the arrival of the Zhou Liu-lang. “Doctor Liao said that this is how Si-lang’s illness was cured. These two maids had good intentions, but their actions were improper. Their good intentions and mistakes cancel each other out, so let’s drop it and no one should bring it up again.”
“Thank you, Master. Thank you, Madam,” Chun Lan said, kowtowing in tears.
Ban Qin, coming back to her senses, simply bowed her head respectfully.
First Madam Cheng felt somewhat uncomfortable, but there was no other way. Since both the master and the doctor acknowledged that these two maids saved her son, if she insisted on dwelling on their sneaky actions, it would certainly dishearten the servants.
“Everyone, go back to your duties. If anything like this happens again…” First Madam Cheng began. She initially wanted to say that if anything like this happened again, she wouldn’t be lenient. But then she thought, if such a situation did arise again and these two maids didn’t step in, her son really would be dead…
“…you must inform me first. No matter how absurd the method, as long as your intentions are good, the master and I will trust you,” she said slowly.
With First Madam Cheng’s words, Chun Lan felt as if she had come back to life.
“Thank you, Madam. Thank you,” she said, kowtowing vigorously.
Ban Qin thanked them and hurriedly left, forgetting to bow. She was eager to go back and share the good news with her mistress. A daughter who had lost her mother now having the support of her maternal family was truly something to celebrate.
The maids all withdrew, and First Master Cheng and Second Master Cheng went to the main hall to meet Zhou Liu-lang.
First Madam Cheng and Second Madam Cheng talked in the back hall, speculating about the sudden visit from the Zhou family.
“It’s a good thing you reminded me earlier. Otherwise, if we had sent the child to the temple, and the Zhou family members came and asked to see her, we would have had a hard time explaining,” First Madam Cheng said, with a hint of relief.
Second Madam Cheng smiled.
She felt a bit regretful. Had she known the Zhou family would come, it might have been better to let First Madam Cheng send the child to the temple after all.
Meanwhile, Cheng Jiao-niang also learned about the arrival of Zhou Liu-lang, but unlike Ban Qin’s excitement, she seemed rather indifferent. Of course, even if she were excited, it would be difficult for her to show it.
Ban Qin knelt in front of her, holding her arm.
“Miss, this is good news. Even though the old madam is no longer here, your maternal uncles are still thinking about you. They surely won’t abandon you,” she said happily.
Cheng Jiao-niang responded with a slight “Oh.”
“It is the sixth young master who has come,” Ban Qin said, biting her lower lip and with bright eyes. “I have never seen the sixth young master before. I was bought as a maid by the old madam, so I am considered part of the Zhou family. But I don’t even recognize the sixth young master.”
Cheng Jiao-niang looked at her.
She said he was part of the Zhou family…
“How old is he?” Cheng Jiao-niang asked.
This was the first question she asked since Ban Qin came in.
“He looks about sixteen? No, no, maybe seventeen?” Ban Qin quickly answered, guessing the young master’s age based on his appearance.
“You said he came in quietly and just watched everything unfolding?” Cheng Jiao-niang asked.
Why was Miss asking this? Ban Qin nodded, recalling the sudden voice and what she saw when she turned her head, momentarily lost in thought.
“Sixth Young Master came just in time. I immediately felt no fear, just like when the old madam was still around,” she said gratefully.
Cheng Jiao-niang nodded quietly and said no more, focusing on the characters on the screen in front of her. This time, she switched to writing with her left hand, resting against the table.
Alternating between her hands allowed her to maintain flexibility and dexterity.
“Miss, should we go and meet Sixth Young Master?” Ban Qin asked, sitting upright beside her, then settling back down. “Or should we wait for him to come to us?”
“Let’s wait for him to come,” Cheng Jiao-niang replied calmly. “He will come.”
Ban Qin nodded in agreement.
“And also, your chance for revenge has come,” Cheng Jiao-niang said.
Ban Qin exclaimed in surprise, looking at her with some confusion.
Revenge? What revenge?
Cheng Jiao-niang picked up a small notebook that was beside the table, flipped to a page, and pointed at it.
“Yesterday, the maid stole another basket of fresh radishes, so the mistress couldn’t eat them.”
Zhou Liu-lang indeed arrived quite quickly with Second Master Cheng.
“She might find it unsettling with so many people around, so she’s staying here,” Second Master Cheng explained.
After speaking, he felt a twinge of regret. This boy in front of him was just a youngster. Why should he justify himself? Moreover, she was his daughter; she would stay wherever he decided, and no one could question that.
Second Master Cheng remained silent with a stern expression.
“As long as it’s home, anywhere is fine,” Zhou Liu-lang remarked. “As long as my cousin can come back home. A dog’s kennel is better than a golden nest.”
Second Master Cheng was greatly angered.
This young brat, how dare he insult someone like that!
“This is the first time I’ve been so far from home since I was young. I miss home a lot now,” Zhou Liu-lang turned to Second Master Cheng and said earnestly, “Uncle, you’ve been away from home since you were young for your studies and later for your official duties. It’s truly impressing.”
Second Master Cheng cleared his throat, his expression softened slightly.
“A brave man’s ambition extends beyond his hometown. When you grow up, you will be like this,” he said.
As they conversed, they had already crossed the threshold into Cheng Jiao-niang’s courtyard.
The maids, performing their duties, greeted them with respectful bows.
Under the eaves of the hall, Ban Qin happily greeted them as well.
Since his daughter’s return, it was the first Second Master Cheng set foot in her courtyard, but he hesitated to enter the room.
The scent of the room when the child was still little suddenly filled his nostrils, nearly overwhelming him.
“Is your mistress awake or asleep?” Second Master Cheng paused and asked Ban qQin.
Zhou Liu-lang also stopped, observing Ban Qin beneath the eaves.
“She’s awake, she’s awake,” Ban Qin promptly replied. “I’ll help her out.”
Without awaiting a response from Second Master Cheng, Ban Qin turned and entered. Shortly after, she emerged, supporting Cheng Jiao-niang.
“Miss, look, this is your cousin,” Ban Qin said, guiding Cheng Jiao-niang’s attention towards Zhou Liu-lang.
Upon seeing the young lady in front of them, both Second Master Cheng and Zhou Liu-lang were briefly taken aback. However, before they could form any impressions of her appearance, the young lady spoke up.
“I’m hungry,” Cheng Jiao-niang said.
Second Master Cheng was momentarily stunned, his pleasant thoughts dissipating instantly.
Zhou Liu-lang’s gaze remained unwavering as it swept over Cheng Jiao-niang, not pausing but instead settling on Ban Qin, who was supporting Cheng Jiao-niang’s arm. A faint smile briefly crossed his lips.
“Uncle!” His face hardened as he turned to Second Master Cheng, raising his eyebrows and demanding, “What does this mean?”
