"Nоnsеnsе!" Оld Madаm Guаn rерrimаnded with a stern fасe. "Young сhildren like уоu sреаk withоut knowing the wеight of your words. Setting up а sеpаratе hоusеhоld—do уоu think it's suсh а simрle mаtter..." At this pоint, Оld Mаdam Guan suddenlу fell silent аs if struck dumb, her fасе shоwing а trасe of аlаrm.
Mаdаm Мian hurriеdly sаid, "Мother, whаt's wrоng with yоu?" Fearing that Zhоu Shaojin's words hаd аngеred thе elderly lаdу, shе nudged Zhоu Shаоjin. "Нurrу аnd aроlogizе to уour grandmоther." Неr рrotесtivе intеnt was evident аs she also tried to сonsole Оld Madаm Guan. "Моther, рlease don't be angry. Didn't you say it yourself? Young children speak without knowing the weight of their words. In a couple of years when she's older, she'll understand. Please don't be angry—she didn't mean it..."
Perhaps because this thought had once flashed through her mind when she didn't know how to save the Cheng family, Zhou Shaojin had blurted it out in her desperation.
She couldn't help feeling both ashamed and remorseful.
The fifth branch had already separated from the family, while the eldest branch could still take a portion of their own earnings to support the fourth branch, allowing them to maintain their livelihood after the death of Elderly Master Quan. Later, they even helped the fourth branch invest in Yutai Bank, which finally improved the fourth branch's circumstances. By all accounts, the eldest branch had shown immense kindness to the fourth branch... Now that the Cheng family was about to face disaster, she was advising the fourth branch to leave the Cheng family... Wasn't this the same as being able to share hardships but not prosperity?
She quickly apologized to Old Madam Guan. "Grandmother, it was my fault. I won't think this way again..."
Zhou Shaojin thought to herself: Once she told the eldest branch about the Cheng family's impending confiscation and extermination, it wouldn't be too late to bring up the matter of separating households.
But Old Madam Guan seemed not to hear what they were saying, murmuring instead, "So that's how it is! So that's how it is!"
Zhou Shaojin and the others exchanged puzzled glances.
The Zhou sisters signaled to Madam Mian with their eyes.
After a moment's hesitation, Madam Mian asked softly, "Mother, what are you talking about? I don't understand."
Old Madam Guan seemed to awaken from a deep dream, staring blankly at Madam Mian for a while before suddenly perking up. With a grave expression, she looked at the three people in the room and said solemnly, "You must not mention separating households again. Not only must you not mention it—you must not even think about it. When your great-grandfather passed away, he once asked your father-in-law and me, saying that we, along with the eldest, second, and third branches, were already beyond the fifth degree of mourning. If we wanted to set up separate households, we should bring it up while he was still alive, so that your father-in-law and I wouldn't bear the blame. But if we wanted to enjoy the shade under a large tree and hoped for the protection of the eldest and second branches, then we must share both fortune and misfortune from then on. No matter what happened, even if it meant the destruction of the family and the extermination of the clan, we must not betray Nine Prosperities Lane, nor should we regret it. Remember, if you enjoy the family's provisions, you must contribute to the family... Now it seems that what your great-grandfather was referring to might be this very benefit. Perhaps this benefit is even obtained through improper means and could lead to family turmoil..." At this point, Old Madam Guan showed rare agitation and instructed Madam Mian, "You must not reveal a single word of this to anyone. This is a matter of life and death for Nine Prosperities Lane. Hurry and call the elder master in. He only finds the situation between the eldest and second branches somewhat strange and doesn't yet know how perilous it is!"Madam Mian could no longer sit still, lifting her skirts as she hurried out.
Zhou Shaojin and Zhou Chujin went to support Old Madam Guan, while the other quickly brewed a fresh cup of hot tea for her.
After drinking the tea and catching her breath, Old Madam Guan finally spoke: "You are both good children. For now, do not tell your Cousin Gao or Cousin Yi about this matter. Wait until I have discussed a plan with your eldest uncle. He will be arriving soon, so you should return to Fragrant Garden Residence first." She paused briefly before adding, "As for your father... if you wish to inform him, remember not to write a letter. Send a trusted person to deliver the message instead."
The two sisters responded in unison, "Yes," and left Jia Shu Hall.
Zhou Chujin pulled Zhou Shaojin aside under a camphor tree along the path to speak.
"Do you think we should tell Father?" she asked, conflicted. "If we tell him, he certainly won't be able to stand by and do nothing. But this is, after all, a matter for the Cheng family—how can Father intervene? If we don't tell him and something happens to the fourth branch, how could we face our grandmother, uncles, aunts, and our two cousins?"
Zhou Shaojin, however, felt a surge of joy in her heart.
Ever since her rebirth, her constant thought had been to help the Cheng family escape calamity. Yet, being young and of low status, the elder masters of the family seemed as immovable as towering mountains to her. Who would have thought that, unintentionally, she had managed to shift this very foundation?
With the elders now involved, perhaps she wouldn't even need to reveal the events of her past life for the Cheng family to avoid this disaster!
"Of course we must tell Father," she declared with unwavering certainty. "After all, Father is a son-in-law of the Cheng family. If something happens to the Cheng family, even if he isn't directly implicated, his future will likely be bleak."
Zhou Chujin understood this all too well, but unlike Zhou Shaojin, she did not know what would happen in the future. When making decisions, especially ones that concerned the family's interests and survival, she couldn't help but hesitate and waver. Her sister's resolute tone greatly encouraged her. Taking a deep breath, she said, "I'll send Ma Fushan to deliver a message to Father. We'll see what he says, and then we sisters can decide what to do next!"
That would be for the best.
Zhou Chujin hastily summoned Ma Fushan into the residence.
When Old Madam Guan received word of this, she felt greatly relieved and whispered to Madam Mian, "It seems my heartfelt efforts in raising these two sisters were not in vain."
Knowing that Old Madam Guan was feeling troubled, Madam Mian tried to lighten the mood with a playful remark: "I've long regarded these two sisters as my own daughters. Who knew you were still drawing distinctions between us?"
Old Madam Guan chuckled softly and sighed with emotion. "With all of you like this, even if something goes wrong with the first or second branch, I feel we need not fear—when people unite, their strength can break metal!"
Madam Mian nodded repeatedly in agreement.
In the afternoon, Zhou Shaojin went to Cold Green Mountain House as usual to copy scriptures, though she appeared much more subdued than usual.
Xiao Tan quietly asked Chunwan, "Is Second Young Miss in low spirits?"
Chunwan glanced at Zhou Shaojin and whispered, "Perhaps it's because Sister Shi Xiang is leaving the residence. She has been serving Second Young Miss since she was eight years old."
"No wonder!" Xiao Tan replied, then turned and told Biyu, "Sister Shi Xiang is leaving the residence. Should we give her something as a keepsake?"Zhou Shaojin had been copying scriptures at Cold Green Mountain House for several months, and Shi Xiang had been serving there for just as long. With her gentle and amiable nature, she got along extremely well with Biyu and Xiao Tan.
"Naturally!" Biyu went to ask Feicui, Zhenzhu, and Manao. All three agreed they should send some gifts. When others in the mountain house found out, they also decided to pool money to buy Shi Xiang a present. This back-and-forth eventually caught Old Madam Guo's attention. Old Madam Guo smiled and said, "Shi Xiang must be leaving the mansion to get married. Biyu, wrap up twenty taels of silver for me to reward Shi Xiang, and tell her it's my private savings for her."
Biyu agreed with a smile and, along with the gold earrings and silver bracelets they had pooled money to have made for Shi Xiang, sent them to Fragrant Garden Residence.
Shi Xiang was deeply moved.
Zhou Shaojin naturally had to take her to kowtow to Old Madam Guo.
Old Madam Guo smiled and said, "It takes a hundred years of cultivation to share a boat ride. That you could serve your young lady and come and go from Cold Green Mountain House means you are fated." She then instructed Shi Xiang to be filial to her parents after returning home, to conduct herself properly, and not to bring shame upon the Cheng family, and so on.
Listening beside them, Zhou Shaojin felt a sudden pang in her heart.
She had been reborn, and reborn at the age of twelve, before her relationship with Cheng Lu had become clear. Wasn't this also a kind of fate with the Cheng family?
Pursuing who was right and who was wrong was ultimately meaningless.
She just needed to do what she ought to do.
As for the outcome, at most she could repay the Cheng family with her life.
After all, in her previous life, she had only lived to twenty-five.
Zhou Shaojin suddenly felt unburdened.
With a beaming smile, she went to find Cheng Chi: "Uncle Chi, do you still want me to keep you company playing chess?"
Cheng Chi was lazily lying in a drunken scholar's chair under the corridor of the main room, staring blankly at the sky.
Hearing this, he smiled and said, "Not today. Come back in a couple of days to play chess with me!" Then he asked, "Have you still been learning chess with Madam Shen these past few days? Any improvement?"
Zhou Shaojin smiled awkwardly and said, "Madam Shen says I can start studying chess manuals now."
Cheng Chi said, "Then you're learning quite quickly! Next time, shall we play Go?"
Zhou Shaojin chuckled and said, "Let's still play Gomoku! I need to study Go a bit more."
Cheng Chi nodded solemnly.
Zhou Shaojin slipped away.
Cheng Chi couldn't help but laugh.
Huaishan reported in a low voice, "Fourth Master, the eldest master of the fourth branch is investigating our assets, as well as those of the second and third branches."
"What has he found out?" Cheng Chi asked indifferently.
"Nothing," Huaishan said with some concern. "But after all, he's one of us. I'm afraid he might know more than outsiders."
"Let him know if he does," Cheng Chi said dismissively. "Spread the word that if they want to separate and live apart, shares in Yutai can be freely bought and sold."
Huaishan was taken aback and said, "Wouldn't that just benefit the second branch?"
Cheng Chi sneered, "Hasn't he been looking everywhere lately to start a bank of his own? Perfect, I'll give him this opportunity!"
Huaishan's eyes shifted as he understood.The second branch itself did not have much property; their silver was all deposited in Yongfusheng. Even with just the daily expenses, the second branch could spend for several generations without exhausting their funds. The best way to get the second branch to use their silver was to have them engage in business. Only through business could there be substantial losses. And once the second branch incurred significant losses, given their current lack of anyone capable of supporting the family, they would surely panic. Once panicked, they would be prone to mistakes, and once mistakes were made, they would be easily caught with a handle... It was simply a vicious cycle.
He couldn't help but reveal a smile and said, "Fourth Master, your idea is excellent."
Cheng Chi sneered, "Don't worry, Cheng Xu isn't that foolish."
Huaishan gave an embarrassed laugh.
Who knew Cheng Chi would suddenly change the subject, "However, although Cheng Xu isn't foolish, he can't withstand the foolishness of others. Fortunately, this silver hasn't benefited outsiders."
Indeed, if the fourth and fifth branches sold their shares, they could certainly squeeze a large sum of silver from the second branch.
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Sisters, today's update.
PS: The second place is only a few votes behind us in pink votes. Could it be our fate to be overtaken by latecomers? Sisters, I beg for pink votes, I beg to keep the first place in monthly rankings!
※ (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
!!
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