Аlthоugh Сhеng Сhi hаd said so, thе nеws thаt "thе Zhоu family's seсоnd young lаdy is a Gо mаstеr whо nеаrly defеated Fourth Master Сhi" sрreаd like wildfirе thrоughоut Ninе Prоsреritiеs Lаne. Еven Zhou Chujin аskеd her sistеr with a smile, "When did уou leаrn to plау Gо?"
Zhоu Shаоjin wаs so anхiоus that swеаt bеadеd on hеr fоreheаd аs she kеpt exрlaining.
Closе rеlаtives likе Zhou Chujin simplу lаughеd it off аnd lеt it раss, but thеrе werе аlso рeоple likе Mаdаm Zhеng, the wifе оf Shi, whо, uрon meeting hеr on the road, smiled аnd took her hаnd, saying, "Sеcоnd Сousin, thеre's really no need to be so modest. In a few days, I plan to host a poetry gathering at home. You must come then. The Shen family's seventh young lady is obsessed with Go—I'll introduce her to you, and you can play a few good games together."
Madam Zheng was always organizing events—a flower appreciation gathering one day, a poetry gathering the next—never a moment of rest.
In the past, Zhou Shaojin thought it was natural for Madam Zheng, who enjoyed a loving marriage, had a son to rely on, and was deeply favored by her in-laws, to have the energy and enthusiasm for such pleasures, free from life's worries. But seeing her plan flower appreciation gatherings even before her son was a month old, it now seemed it might not be as simple as just enjoying leisure.
Like this Miss Shen she mentioned—Zhou Shaojin had never heard of her.
In other words, the people Madam Zheng associated with were not those the Cheng family usually interacted with.
Zhou Shaojin forced herself to exchange a few polite words with Madam Zheng before hurrying straight to Jia Shu Hall.
After hearing this, Old Madam Guan looked grave and called Madam Mian and Zhou Chujin over to discuss what to do.
Madam Mian dismissed it lightly, smiling, "Just don't go when the time comes."
But Zhou Chujin guessed Old Madam Guan's thoughts and said thoughtfully, "I'm afraid we have no choice but to go! We all live in the same lane. Whether Shaojin can play Go or not, Cousin-in-law Shi can easily find out with a little inquiry. Her doing this likely has deeper intentions."
The phrase "Xiang Yu dances with his sword, but his true aim is the Duke of Pei" immediately came to Zhou Shaojin's mind, and she blurted out, "...Could it be that she wants to tarnish Uncle's reputation?"
In the rumors, Zhou Shaojin was only slightly inferior to Cheng Chi. But if Miss Shen were to defeat Zhou Shaojin soundly... as a man, Cheng Chi would appear merely ordinary in others' eyes, or even worse. If someone could play against Miss Shen and win, then Cheng Chi's skill would be even more questionable.
Cheng Chi, a scholar who had passed the imperial examinations but never entered officialdom, had long been criticized by many literati. If his Go skills were also unremarkable, then his so-called "considerable accomplishments in calligraphy and painting" would be worth scrutinizing. Taking it a step further, if people speculated that the Cheng family kept Cheng Chi from serving as an official because they knew he lacked the ability to govern, and simply kept him hidden at home... Even someone who had passed the imperial examinations, no matter how incompetent, could handle simple administrative tasks with the help of advisors. Could it be that Cheng Chi couldn't even manage that? Then how did he pass the imperial examinations in the first place...
Just thinking about it made Zhou Shaojin's palms sweat.
She said, "But what good would this do for the second branch? We all live together—when one prospers, all prosper; when one suffers, all suffer!"
Old Madam Guan felt Zhou Shaojin was overthinking the matter.In large, prominent families, after several generations, bloodlines gradually thin, and distinctions between close and distant relatives naturally emerge. With intertwined interests, mutual conflicts arise. It's not uncommon for a few unsavory incidents to occur; as long as they don't disrupt the overall situation, they aren't considered major issues. The Cheng family has followed this path as well—maintaining outward dignity is paramount, as tearing apart appearances benefits no one.
However, Zhou Shaojin carries memories from her past life.
The second branch holds an extraordinary obsession with controlling the clan.
A bold conjecture suddenly occurred to her.
Could it be that the collective income of the Cheng family is exceptionally high, so high that the branch capable of managing it gains immense benefits?
Zhou Shaojin asked her grandmother, "How is the collective income from Nine Prosperities Lane distributed?"
Old Madam Guan was taken aback.
Zhou Shaojin said with embarrassment, "I'm just a bit curious about what exactly the feud is between the first and second branches, one that seems impossible to resolve. Logically, the first branch is currently flourishing like a roaring fire. There’s no blood feud or stolen wives involved. Even if the second branch were desperate to take control, they should tread carefully, bide their time, and plan gradually. Why would they so recklessly challenge the first branch? If Cousin Shi and Cousin Yu were young prodigies, it might make sense, but Cousin Shi is merely a scholar at the moment, and Cousin Yu hasn’t even taken the imperial exams. What gives them the right to contend with the first branch? It doesn’t seem reasonable."
Hearing Zhou Shaojin speak of "reasonableness," Zhou Chujin couldn’t help but smile faintly.
When had her younger sister, who used to always say "I feel" or "I think," started paying attention to whether things were reasonable or not?
Old Madam Guan pondered carefully and found Zhou Shaojin’s words quite sensible. She replied, "Our branches separated long ago. The ancestral lands are under the first branch’s management. Out of kinship, they allocate three hundred taels of silver each to the fourth and fifth branches every year. As for how much the second and third branches receive, I don’t know, but it can be inquired about."
"When I first took charge of the household, if the weather was favorable, the annual income from the ancestral lands was around five hundred taels. In years of disaster, it might yield only a hundred or so taels, sometimes nothing at all. So, since the first branch consistently gives us three hundred taels regardless of the harvest, I felt it improper to inquire further about the ancestral lands’ income. However, I suspect that even if the first branch later acquired more ancestral land, the income from farming couldn’t possibly reach a level to incite envy. Unless they were outwardly strong but inwardly weak, struggling to make ends meet."
"But a few days ago, the matriarch of the second branch gifted a piece of land to Madam Zheng for bearing children for the Cheng family. That doesn’t seem like the act of someone short on funds."
"What truly connects the branches now is the income from Taiyu Bank."
"Yet Taiyu Bank was established entirely by Fourth Uncle Chi. Even if the second branch seized it, who would manage it? Taiyu Bank isn’t solely ours—the Li family of the Wei trade name also holds shares."
Listening to her grandmother’s explanation, Zhou Shaojin felt she might have been mistaken. Fortunately, her grandmother not only said nothing but also sent someone to investigate the income from the ancestral lands and the collective funds, remarking, "Caution ensures longevity. It never hurts to be more vigilant." She even praised Zhou Shaojin for being "attentive."
Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but sigh in relief.
After leaving Jia Shu Hall, she discussed with her sister, "Should we also inform Uncle Chi? As a man, he might not pay attention to these underhanded matters."Zhou Chujin felt it was quite reasonable. She said, "It would be even better if we could keep you out of this matter. No matter what, you’ve suffered an unjust misfortune. Perhaps the rumor that 'you nearly beat Uncle Chi in chess' was deliberately stirred up and exaggerated by them."
Zhou Shaojin hadn’t thought of it that way, but her sister’s agreement gave her a bit more confidence.
She went to Liyin Hall.
Cheng Chi was sitting in a rocking chair under the corridor, reading a book. The draft from the hallway occasionally lifted the hem of his robe, adding a touch of coolness to the scene.
Seeing Zhou Shaojin approach, he smiled and said, "What? Here to play chess with me?"
Without even asking, Zhou Shaojin knew he was fully aware of the recent rumors.
Suddenly, she understood a little of Jiying’s feelings.
Having a master who remains calm while you’re anxious, it was no wonder Jiying privately called Uncle Chi by his name.
However, since Jiying returned from Cangzhou, she had never called Uncle Chi by his name again. That was a good thing.
Zhou Shaojin recounted the whole incident to Cheng Chi.
But Cheng Chi didn’t seem concerned and said with a smile, "It’s fine. Just don’t accept the challenge."
Zhou Shaojin replied awkwardly, "I can avoid it today, but not forever! If Sister-in-law Shi is truly determined, she’ll find an opportunity sooner or later. Besides, I don’t even know how to play Go. If this rumor spreads... how embarrassing!"
Cheng Chi wasn’t concerned about the Second Branch’s intentions but offered her advice: "Aren’t you learning Go from Madam Shen? When the time comes, if you can play a game with that Miss Shen, wouldn’t it be well-deserved?"
"But I still don’t understand the basic patterns," Zhou Shaojin lowered her head and whispered, "And deceiving others like this isn’t right... I can’t rely on luck every time, can I? How exhausting would that be!"
Cheng Chi raised an eyebrow and said, "Then I have no other ideas!"
Zhou Shaojin nodded.
Her purpose in coming was to warn Cheng Chi. Since he already knew, her goal was achieved. As for herself, at worst, she’d be laughed at. She might even turn the tables on Sister-in-law Shi, making those who thought she was good at chess stop seeking her out.
But living under a false "reputation" would make her uneasy even in her sleep.
"Then I’ll leave you to your reading!" She stood up to take her leave. "I’m going to the Buddha hall to copy scriptures."
Cheng Chi watched her retreating figure and frowned.
He had told her not to worry about this matter, but now it had been stirred up by the Second Branch until everyone knew. Logically, even if she didn’t confront him, she should have asked him to help resolve this trouble. Yet she only came to warn him... Was this little girl too naive, or did she have a way to handle it herself?
Cheng Chi decided to wait and see.
When Sister-in-law Shi sent her personal maid, Hongrui, to deliver an invitation, Zhou Shaojin straightforwardly declined: "Thank you for Sister-in-law Shi’s appreciation, but I truly don’t know how to play chess. If I go, I’m afraid I won’t be able to accompany Miss Shen. Some words were just jokes among family, but your mistress took them seriously without asking. I’m afraid I’ll disappoint Sister-in-law Shi."Hongrui smiled and advised, "Our eldest mistress also said that Second Young Miss is helping Old Madam Guo in the main household copy scriptures, so she likely won't have time for the poetry gathering. But our eldest mistress, seeing Second Young Miss's outstanding character, truly wishes to befriend her, which is why she's inviting her to the gathering. As for playing chess, that was just mentioned in passing. Please don't take it to heart, Second Young Miss." She added, "The guests our eldest mistress has invited this time are all around Second Young Miss's age. She has also invited master chefs from Beijiang Tower and Meiyan Tower to help prepare the feast. Second Young Miss, why not set aside thoughts of poetry gatherings and chess for now and simply go to taste the skills of these chefs? Our eldest mistress is hosting such a gathering just to liven things up. Once you attend, you'll understand." With that, she took a card from her sleeve and said, "Look, this one is for Eldest Young Miss. Our eldest mistress said that Eldest Young Miss and Second Young Miss are like pearls and morning dew—without either, the poetry gathering wouldn't be complete. We sincerely hope both young misses will grace us with their presence, so our eldest mistress knows I'm not just idling around without doing any work." By the end, she was already joking playfully.
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Sisters, today's update.
o(n_n)o~
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