Zhоu Сhujin соvеrеd hеr facе аnd wерt, "Yоur brother-in-law оffеred to rеlinquish the pоsitiоn оf сlаn hеir when the Сheng family was in trouble, hорing to рrotесt mе аnd yоur nерhеw. In thе end, it wаs the Old Anсеstor whо spoke uр, saying thе Liao fаmilу wаs nоt а shаmеless housеhоld, so thе mаttеr was drоpреd... Even if I wоrkеd like аn ox or а horse, I cоuld nеvеr reрay yоur brоthеr-in-law's kindnеss..." Аt lеаst hеr sistеr was sаfе.
She fеlt much bеtter, but she сouldn't hеlр thinking оf the Сhеng fаmilу and the daуs she had spent therе. Espeсially Сheng Gао—steаdy, reserved, generous, and kind. Back when she was in trouble, the second and third branches of the family remained silent, and only the fourth branch stood up for her. Cheng Gao even went so far as to give Cheng Xu a severe beating. In the seventeenth year of Zhide, Cheng Gao passed the imperial examinations with honors, entered the Junior Scholar Candidate Academy, observed governance at the Ministry of Justice, and even brought his wife and children to visit her.
Such a good man, with such a bright future ahead—how could he be gone just like that?
And then there was Cheng Yi, always grinning and carefree, yet he had stood up for her against Cheng Jia's mother, Madam Jiang, and even fell out with Cheng Ju.
What wrong had they done?
Nothing more than bearing the surname Cheng.
And just like that, they were all gone.
Whenever she thought of these things, her tears flowed like a river, unstoppable.
Later, when Cheng Lu came to see her, she could no longer hold back.
Why did all the good people die, while someone like Cheng Lu—who had been expelled from the Cheng family and removed from the clan register—only prospered from misfortune and grew better off?
Heaven was too unfair!
That was what led to the assassination attempt later on.
Thinking of this, Zhou Shaojin's tears began to fall uncontrollably again, but she quickly wiped them away.
Since she had vowed not to cry anymore, she must not shed tears over matters in the future.
It was hateful how muddled her previous life had been—she had cared about nothing but her own affairs. Now, when she wanted to use what she knew from her past life to help the Cheng family, she had no idea where to start.
Zhou Shaojin couldn't help but wonder: What would her sister do if faced with such a situation?
Tell their grandmother?
Probably not.
She had been acting as if possessed, and her sister had gone to great lengths to conceal it for the sake of her reputation, let alone something as grave as the Cheng family's downfall—a matter of family extermination without any evidence!
Try to solve it herself?
The Cheng family's downfall was clearly tied to court politics. Not only were women like them, who rarely left their inner chambers, unqualified to get involved, but even officials like her father—a fourth-rank official praised as a "capable administrator"—were not influential enough to participate, much less change the situation.
At this thought, Zhou Shaojin had a sudden inspiration.
She might not be able to change the Cheng family's fate, but she could tell someone who could influence the Cheng family's fortunes and let that person prevent it! However, "telling" didn't seem quite right either.
Her experiences these past few days had taught her one thing deeply—if there was too great a disparity in status, ability, or knowledge between two parties, one's words would carry no weight in the other's eyes and would not be taken seriously enough.
This was what people often called "words from the lowly carry little weight."
And in the Cheng family, she was exactly such a person!
Born and raised in the inner chambers, in the eyes of her elders, she was someone who hadn't even fully learned her characters, let alone possessed any knowledge or cultivation. How could she be qualified to discuss matters of family rise and fall? The moment she spoke, her words might be dismissed as "madness," and she would be handed over to her father for discipline. Or, like her sister, they might think she was possessed and summon Taoist priests or monks to perform rituals. Then her words would be even less believed, much less capable of saving the Cheng family!But if she could gain the trust of an elder who held sway within the Cheng family, and then issue a timely warning, wouldn’t it be possible to help the Cheng family avoid misfortune without sacrificing herself?
Zhou Shaojin immediately grew excited, and the more she thought about it, the more feasible this idea seemed!
If the Cheng family remained safe and sound, her sister wouldn’t lose her support, her father wouldn’t be implicated, her grandmother and uncles and aunts would all be well, and Cousin Gao and Cousin Yi could also realize their ambitions and revive the family’s fortunes… Perhaps they could even surpass the eldest branch!
When that time came, the eldest, second, third, and fifth branches of the Cheng family would all have to defer to the fourth branch!
Thinking about how the fourth branch might suppress the other branches, Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but smile. Leaning against the headboard, she pondered whom she should warn.
The most suitable candidate was undoubtedly the second branch’s patriarch, Cheng Xu. Not only did he hold prestige, but his experience, perspective, and knowledge far surpassed that of ordinary scholars. No one in the Cheng family would dare defy his words.
However, he had passed away peacefully at the age of eighty-eight, while the Cheng family’s misfortune occurred in the second year of Tianshun, four years after his death… The second branch’s patriarch… No, that wouldn’t work!
Then there was only the eldest branch’s Great Master Cheng Jing.
Not only was he the eldest son of the Cheng family’s eldest branch, but he also held the highest official position in the family at the time. He was already showing signs of replacing Cheng Xu, and after Cheng Xu’s death, he naturally became the Cheng family’s decision-maker. He even entered the Grand Secretariat and served as Assistant Grand Secretary.
But he was far away in the capital and hadn’t returned home for nearly ten years. She had only seen him from a distance as a child and couldn’t even remember what he looked like, let alone find a way to speak with him or gain his trust.
The eldest branch’s Second Master Cheng Wei?
He was also in the capital, serving as a Hanlin Academy scholar. Although he later rose to the position of Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, overshadowed by his elder brother Cheng Jing, she had no impression of him at all. She knew nothing about his temperament or character, and the Cheng family’s downfall was triggered by exploiting his vulnerabilities… Seeking him out would be even less effective than approaching his brother Cheng Jing!
The second branch’s Great Master Cheng Yi?
He earned his provincial scholar qualification at eighteen but repeatedly failed the imperial examinations. Even after his own son passed the imperial examination and became a jinshi, he remained stuck in place. It was said he was sensitive about the situation of “the father being a provincial scholar while the son is a jinshi” and decided never to take the imperial examinations again, taking over as headmaster of the Cheng clan school instead.
In her memory, he never left Jinling again after that.
The Cheng family’s reputation and fate were tied to the imperial court. Since he wasn’t an official, how could he influence the Cheng family’s future?
He wasn’t suitable either.
The third branch’s Great Master Cheng Lu?
Everyone said he had become foolish from studying too much, unable to even distinguish leeks from daffodils. His son Cheng Zheng was already a provincial scholar, while he remained a county scholar. The third branch’s patriarch never consulted this son about anything, instead discussing matters directly with Cheng Zheng… He could be completely disregarded within the Cheng family.
Someone like that… naturally wouldn’t work either!
Uncle Mian?
Better forget about him!
If even her sister didn’t believe her words, Uncle Mian would be even less likely to believe them. A single misstep could alert her sister and grandmother, leading to more losses than gains!
As for the fifth branch’s Great Master Cheng Wen, aside from indulging in pleasure-seeking, he had never accomplished anything worthwhile. Relying on him would be worse than relying on Cheng Gao.
Thinking of Cheng Gao, Zhou Shaojin’s eyes lit up.
Cheng Gao might actually believe her!Then let him go speak with Lord Jing... but after all, he and Lord Jing are from different branches of the family, and as a junior, it seems difficult for him to even get an audience with Lord Jing...
Well, then it might be better to go find Cheng Xu!
At the thought of that person, Zhou Shaojin's feelings grew complicated.
Madam Yuan had given birth to two daughters in a row and only after passing thirty did she finally have this son, whom she treasured like a jewel, wishing she could present every good thing in the world before him. Moreover, Cheng Xu was also ambitious, having passed the imperial examination at a young age and even achieving the top rank. Madam Yuan treated him as her very heart and soul; not only did she hang on his every word, but even a mere sigh from him was treated like a sacred decree. If he were to step forward, Madam Yuan would undoubtedly side with him without question. And Lord Jing, who both respected his wife and doted on his children, would certainly not ignore Madam Yuan's words, even if he found them absurd. That would already be half the battle...
As this thought flashed through her mind, the joy on Zhou Shaojin's face gradually faded.
She... did not want to seek out that person.
In her previous life, she had only met him twice and spoken fewer than ten words with him, yet Cheng Xu repeatedly claimed to like her, and Madam Yuan incessantly slandered her, accusing her of seducing Cheng Xu... If she were to speak with him now, things would surely turn out even worse than in her past life.
The Min clan of Fujian had produced two chief grand councilors, one top scholar, one second-place scholar, and over a dozen jinshi, not to mention countless juren and xiucai. They were a prominent official family, no less distinguished than Madam Yuan's maternal family—the Yuan clan of Tongxiang.
Madam Yuan was wholeheartedly intent on forming a marriage alliance with the Min clan!
Wasn't that also why she had been so furious when the incident occurred?
In this life, she absolutely did not want to have anything to do with Cheng Xu again.
Zhou Shaojin forcibly pushed that name to the back of her mind. She thought of the cold and aloof demeanor of Cousin Shi from the second branch, the sharp gaze of Cousin Zheng from the third branch... None of them were easy to deal with.
Who else would be suitable?
Zhou Shaojin's mind raced like a revolving lantern, but she couldn't find a suitable person.
She furrowed her brows.
Did she really have no choice but to deal with Cheng Xu?
What difference would that make from offering herself up to be humiliated by him? It would also confirm Madam Yuan's accusations from her past life...
Zhou Shaojin felt deeply unwilling.
Shi Xiang came in to report, "Second Miss, Master Lu heard that you've fallen ill again and was very concerned. He sent Songqing over with a few newly published travelogues to help pass the time."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Shaojin grew even more agitated.
"Tell him to take them back!" she said with a frown. "Men and women should not share the same mat after the age of seven. If something like this happens again, you don't need to report it to me—just send the person away directly."
"Yes!" Seeing her in a bad mood, Shi Xiang lowered her head and obediently replied, then withdrew.
Zhou Shaojin paced around the room a few times before calling Chunwan in: "Go find some translucent paper for me. I want to sketch a few floral patterns."
Since her mind was unsettled, it was better to find something to do.
Just like in her past life, when she focused intently on her needlework, her thoughts would gradually calm down, and those troubling matters would slowly fade away.
But that wasn't entirely true either.
At first, it was Mama Fan who took care of her daily needs, and Mama Min, sent by her sister, managed the household. Later, when Mama Min grew old and retired to enjoy her remaining years, her sister tacitly allowed Mama Zheng, sent by Lin Shisheng, to take over the household management. Whenever she had something troubling her, Mama Zheng would report it to Lin Shisheng, and then matters would be resolved smoothly.
Thinking of this, Zhou Shaojin's mind wandered.
Lin Shisheng... to be honest, he had treated her quite well!I wonder what he's doing now?
Without her, I wonder if he can find someone else to help him and Concubine Mu!
In her previous life, there were people like Cheng Lu and Cheng Xu, but also those like Lin Shisheng. Only after meeting him did she believe there were truly good people in this world.
Zhou Shaojin wanted to find an opportunity to give Lin Shisheng a warning.
If nothing happened to Concubine Mu's family, she could smoothly marry Lin Shisheng. That would be a good deed, repaying Lin Shisheng for his ten years of protection in her past life.
Zhou Shaojin decided to make a few summer dresses for herself and her sister. When their grandmother's birthday came in summer, the sisters could wear them together—it would surely look beautiful.
When Zhou Chujin returned, she was greatly startled.
Pointing at the embroidery patterns on the table, she asked hesitantly, "Did... did you draw these?"
The designs were bright, intricate, and lavish—unlike anything she had ever seen before, and not resembling the popular styles in Jinling either.
"Yes," Zhou Shaojin looked up, smiling brightly at her sister. "Are they pretty?"
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The simplified Chinese edition of "Blossoming Splendor," published by Zhejiang Literature and Art Publishing House, has begun pre-sales on Dangdang. Interested sisters can go take a look.
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