Сhеng Сhi wаs furiоus.
With Huang Li's inсidеnt аs а рrecedеnt, аnd Zhou Shaоjin's acсоunt рinроinting thе exаct year, month, and dау, he simрly соuldn’t bеliеve thаt аnуоnе within the Сheng family оr thеir in-laws сould possеss such cаpabilitiеs. Еvеrуthing hе hаd sаid, from start tо finish, wаs merеlу аn attеmpt tо hеlp Zhou Shаоjin let gо of her worriеs and reveаl thе truth tо him. Evеn if she couldn’t disсlоsе the full truth, hе hореd tо сoах a fеw words frоm her.
But hе nevеr imаginеd that thе nаmе hе would coаx out was Cheng Хu!
This nephеw, on whom hе had рlаcеd boundless hope.
For this nephew, he had even declined his mother’s suggestion to mentor Cheng Yu.
This wretched little beast!
Cheng Chi tightly gripped Zhou Shaojin’s arm, doing his best to make his voice sound as gentle as a spring breeze: "Shao Jin, don’t be afraid, I am Cheng Zichuan!"
But Zhou Shaojin, as if possessed by a nightmare, screamed and kicked at him.
Nanny Shang rushed in: "Fourth Master..."
Cheng Chi’s gaze swept over her like a blade: "Get out!"
Nanny Shang retreated, trembling with fear.
Zhou Shaojin struggled even more fiercely.
Left with no choice, Cheng Chi restrained her in his embrace, his voice low as he reminded her: "Shao Jin, I am Cheng Zichuan, your Uncle Chi..."
The scent of "Thus Have I Heard" was delicate and fresh, like nameless wildflowers blooming at the edge of a mountain field, carrying both the fragrance of blossoms and the crispness of grass.
Zhou Shaojin gradually calmed down.
Cheng Chi breathed a sigh of relief, gently patting her back as if soothing a small child: "Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid!"
Zhou Shaojin came back to her senses and realized she was helplessly nestled against Cheng Chi’s chest.
She shuddered, pushing against Cheng Chi.
But Cheng Chi was stronger than she had imagined. Not only did she fail to push him away, but Cheng Chi misinterpreted her actions as renewed agitation, holding her tightly and whispering comforting words: "Don’t be afraid, I am Uncle Chi! Don’t be afraid..."
So Uncle Chi was only trying to comfort her.
Zhou Shaojin relaxed completely.
Cheng Chi’s anxious heart finally settled.
Slowly, he loosened his grip on Zhou Shaojin.
This little girl looked soft and delicate, but when she stirred up trouble, she was like a kitten, scratching and clawing. If she continued like this, he truly wouldn’t know what to do.
"Shao Jin!" Cheng Chi couldn’t help but stroke her head as if soothing a small animal, whispering: "You said you trusted me. Do you still trust me now?"
Of course, she trusted Uncle Chi’s abilities.
Otherwise, in her past life, he wouldn’t have been able to rescue Cheng Xu from the execution ground, and in this life, she wouldn’t have sought his help to pass a message to Cheng Jing!
Zhou Shaojin nodded.
That was good!
Cheng Chi pursed his lips, his voice gentle: "Alright, Shao Jin, tell me, besides Cheng Xu, were Cheng Lu and Cheng Ju also involved?"
Zhou Shaojin was horrified.
She hadn’t said anything yet, but Uncle Chi had already guessed almost everything.
If she were to reveal everything about her past life, what could possibly remain hidden from Uncle Chi!
Her body stiffened.
Cheng Chi, holding her, immediately sensed her emotions.
A flicker of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes, but his voice grew even softer: "Shao Jin, don’t be afraid, just tell me the truth... Did Cheng Xu take something of yours? Is that why you couldn’t escape..."
Zhou Shaojin was stunned.
Why would Uncle Chi think in that direction?
But what happened back then was indeed similar to this. Only it was far more severe!But even so, would Uncle Chi still think she wasn't at fault?
Would he still stand by her side and help her?
Zhou Shaojin tightly grasped Cheng Chi's lapel.
In other words, she had guessed correctly!
Cheng Chi felt a surge of anger rising within him, leaving him speechless for a long moment, afraid that if he spoke, he might frighten Zhou Shaojin, who was already as skittish as a startled bird.
After a while, he gently stroked Zhou Shaojin's hair and said softly, "Shaoji. Don't worry, I'll help you get your things back. I promise no one else will know. But you have to tell me what it is..." Then he felt it might not be appropriate and added, "Or, you could write it down for me..."
Zhou Shaojin's eyes immediately welled up with tears.
After she had spoken such alarming words and acted so hysterically, Uncle Chi not only didn't treat her like a monster or push her away but instead cared for and protected her just as before... Perhaps in this world, no one treated her better than Uncle Chi!
She clutched Cheng Chi's lapel and began sobbing.
Soon, his lapel was soaked with her tears.
Cheng Chi's expression darkened slightly.
The little girl had always been guileless, and being threatened like this, she must have suffered countless grievances in secret. No wonder she seemed much more cheerful after Cheng Xu left, and when she followed him and his mother to Mount Putuo, she was as joyful as a little bird... She must have been delighted to temporarily leave the Cheng family and Nine Prosperities Lane!
However, no matter how outrageous Cheng Xu was, he shouldn't have threatened a young girl...
Cheng Chi thought of Cheng Lu.
For a while, Cheng Xu and Cheng Lu had been very close—perhaps it was during that time that Cheng Xu changed!
Could Zhou Shaojin's targeting of Cheng Lu also be related to this matter?
But even so, who told Zhou Shaojin about the Cheng family being executed and the Fourth Prince eventually ascending the throne? What were their intentions? He still knew nothing about it.
Looking at Zhou Shaojin, who was crying so sorrowfully, Cheng Chi decided it would be better to resolve this matter slowly.
After all, this information could only benefit the Cheng family, not harm it!
He quietly comforted Zhou Shaojin, "Alright, don't cry anymore! If you keep crying, this robe of mine will be ruined. It's a new robe I had made this year—at least let me wear it a few times!"
Hearing Cheng Chi say this, Zhou Shaojin's mood inexplicably lifted.
She wiped the corners of her eyes and said tearfully, "My needlework is also very good. At most, I'll make a new robe for Uncle Chi!"
A child's tears were truly like March rain—they came and went quickly.
In just these two sentences, she had already started acting as casually as before in front of him.
But this was also good.
At least she was easy to coax.
If it were someone as difficult as Cheng Sheng, he would have to put on the airs of an elder.
Cheng Chi was in high spirits and released Zhou Shaojin, asking, "Not sad anymore?"
If Uncle Chi could believe what she said, she would be completely free of sadness.
Zhou Shaojin still nodded.
Cheng Chi began referring to Cheng Xu by his courtesy name: "I know Cheng Jiashan's character better than anyone. Your matter was likely instigated by Cheng Lu. You must tell me exactly what happened!"
Zhou Shaojin stared at him blankly, her eyes filled with admiration, and answered irrelevantly, "Why don't you think it was Cheng Ju?""He doesn't have the ability or influence to command Cheng Jiashan," Cheng Chi said calmly. "Although Jiashan may be somewhat naive about worldly affairs, he possesses deep-seated pride. How could someone like Cheng Ju—a low-born, frivolous young man—ever manage to speak meaningfully with Jiashan, let alone incite him?"
If in her past life she had possessed even half of Uncle Chi's intelligence, perhaps things would have turned out differently.
Zhou Shaojin fell silent.
Cheng Chi, thinking she was dwelling on her grievances with Cheng Lu, said, "Shaoji, it's all right. He will never threaten you again—I've already spoken with Prefect Wu and Instructor Lin. He will certainly fail today's annual examination. Before Prefect Wu leaves, he will surely strip him of his scholar's robe. After that, he'll have no means to stir up trouble."
Surprised by how quickly Cheng Chi had acted, Zhou Shaojin hurriedly expressed her gratitude.
Cheng Chi smiled and pointed to the writing brush and inkstone on the desk, whispering, "Write down what you want me to find."
Zhou Shaojin lowered her head.
Cheng Chi asked softly, "What's wrong? Is there something you want to tell me?"
Zhou Shaojin took a deep breath and said, "Uncle Chi, I don't know how to explain this to you. They didn't take anything from me, and I wasn't threatened by them. I... I just don't know how to tell you..." She looked up at Cheng Chi, her face filled with confusion. "I don't know if I'm dreaming now, or if what happened before was a dream. Or perhaps neither is a dream..." She paused, her tone growing solemn. "It's as if... I've lived my life all over again."
Cheng Chi stared at Zhou Shaojin in shock, his gaze turning sharp.
Zhou Shaojin bit her lip and finally recounted a selective portion of her past life experiences, naturally omitting her affairs with Cheng Lu and Cheng Xu.
Cheng Chi listened quietly, his expression shifting between coldness, seriousness, and brief contemplation. Only after Zhou Shaojin finished speaking did he frown and ask, "Are you saying you know what will happen over the next eleven years?"
Not wanting Cheng Chi to misunderstand, Shaojin explained, "I only know things related to myself. I don't know about other matters."
She observed Cheng Chi's expression.
Cheng Chi pondered calmly for a moment before murmuring, "What would you call this? Prophecy? Foresight? I once met someone who claimed to understand the principles of Yangming and could see spirits... Are you like that?"
Zhou Shaojin's mouth fell open.
Uncle Chi... just accepted her strangeness like that?
Without surprise, doubt, panic, or fear, he had naturally accepted what she said.
Could this be considered belief?
Overwhelmed with emotion, Zhou Shaojin quickly said, "It's not prophecy or foresight. Whether prophecy or foresight, they involve knowing certain important events. But for me, it's like flowing water—days passing one after another. The pain of pricking my finger while doing needlework, the sensation of burning my tongue on hot soup, the cold of winter in the capital... I can feel all of it vividly."
Cheng Chi glanced at her and asked, "Then, what is your relationship with the Mu and Lin families? What kind of connection?"
Zhou Shaojin felt she could answer this. "Mu Shisheng was my husband in my past life!"
Cheng Chi raised an eyebrow. "Your ex-husband?"
"I suppose so," Zhou Shaojin replied after a moment's thought.Cheng Chi said, "Was he very good to you? So you want to repay him in this lifetime?"
Zhou Shaojin gave a soft "mm" but dared not say more to Cheng Chi.
She was afraid of digging up her past.
But as they say, fear often brings what you dread. Cheng Chi hinted with a smile, "What kind of favor could make you remember it so deeply? Could it be that you snatched Miss Mu's marriage in your previous life?"
"How could that be!" Zhou Shaojin retorted. "Miss Mu and Lin Shisheng were engaged since childhood. If not for this misfortune, they would have married smoothly. But Lin Shisheng has always been fixated on Miss Mu, so she could only become a concubine... Naturally, I had to help her!"
※
Dear friends, I’m really sorry today. One thing led to countless others, including my updates being pushed back again and again. It’s a bit like a snowball effect...
Here’s today’s update.
Tomorrow’s extra update is tentatively scheduled for around 5 p.m. to be safe.
Also, I’d like to thank Qingtian Moyun for rewarding me with six Heshibi; algelvivi for rewarding me with two Heshibi; and sisters and brothers like Amber Niu Niu, Xiang Mumu, Che Qian, Shuo Yi, Black Oolong Tea, Cat Team Leader, Lemon Yao’er, Cowherd Wheat, Kinka, Feilai Feihui2, and others for rewarding me with Heshibi.
Thank you all!
o(n_n)o~
P.S.: There are typos, which I might not be able to fix until noon.
※ (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to...)
OpenNovel