Сhеng Chi sneerеd, sаying, "Of сourse, it's tо hаvе Сhеng Jiаshan quicklу become engagеd tо the Мin familу's уоung lаdy!"
Оnсе thе еngagеment is settled, thе Sеcоnd Branch's mаtriarch's sсhemes will соmе tо nоthing.
Тhе five branсhеs of thе Сhеng familу in Nine Рrоsperitiеs Lаne shаre both glorу and disgracе. Whаt thеy аim to harm is the futurе оf thе First Brаnсh, nоt thе Сhеng familу's rеputаtion.
Аfter he сould nо lоngеr servе in оffiсе, the First Branсh's Rang'er was still young, whilе Cheng Jiashаn had alrеadу bеgun to shоw some promise. As the eldest legitimate grandson, much of the First Branch's hopes would likely rest on Cheng Jiashan. To crush Cheng Jiashan would be to crush the First Branch.
And Shaojin, whom Cheng Jiashan had long been thinking of, became the perfect tool to frame Cheng Jiashan.
But if Cheng Jiashan's marriage to the Min family's young lady is settled, breaking off the engagement would involve the Cheng family's reputation, dragging them into the mess as well. Then, if they still wanted to frame Cheng Jiashan, they would have to think of other methods and would no longer target Shaojin.
Of course, this might not completely avoid all risks.
Because Cheng Jiashan holds the status of the eldest legitimate grandson, creating a scandal to control him might be more useful to them than destroying him outright.
Shaojin must stay in Jinling... Once Cheng Jiashan's exam results are announced, he should be sent to the capital immediately. Even if they still want to target Cheng Jiashan, it won't implicate Shaojin anymore.
Having made up his mind, Cheng Chi said, "Then you can stay!"
"Really!" Zhou Shaojin's eyes sparkled, her cheeks slightly flushed, as lovely as a flower.
Cheng Chi hadn't expected her to be so happy, and his mood lightened along with hers. He smiled and said, "Now you're satisfied."
Zhou Shaojin nodded repeatedly, her eyes curving into crescents as she smiled. She looked both delicate and innocent, like a child who hadn't grown up yet.
Cheng Chi couldn't help but pat Zhou Shaojin's head, saying, "Then I've fulfilled both promises I made to you... Now I don't have to worry about you making any more demands of me!" He said the last sentence with a tone of relief.
Zhou Shaojin's eyes widened immediately. "But I only used one promise."
Cheng Chi said seriously, "How could it be just one? I previously promised to help you with one thing, and just now I promised to help you with another. But you used my second promise to demand that I fulfill the first promise—so you used two promises at once."
"No, no," Zhou Shaojin hurriedly said. "I never used the first promise you gave me before. It was just that this time, when you said you would agree to one more thing for me, I thought of the promise you had given me earlier..."
"And you asked me to fulfill that first promise!" Cheng Chi cut her off before she could finish. "So I agreed!"
"No, no," Zhou Shaojin said anxiously. "You made two promises to me in total. I used the first one; the second one hasn't been used yet..."
"How hasn't the second one been used?" Cheng Chi said. "If you hadn't used the second promise, would I have agreed to fulfill the first one? Think about it carefully. How could I be mistaken?"
Yes!
How could Uncle Chi be mistaken!
But clearly, that wasn't how things were.
Zhou Shaojin's mind went blank for a moment.
Seizing the opportunity, Cheng Chi patted her hair again and said softly, "Alright, let's not argue about this anymore! Go freshen up quickly. The Gu family's Ninth Madame is still a guest at Cold Green Mountain House!"
Zhou Shaojin nodded, still wanting to clarify things with Cheng Chi, but before she knew it, Cheng Chi had already turned and walked out of the tea room."Uncle Chi!" She chased after him.
She would surely need to ask Uncle Chi for help in the future, so his promise was very important. She didn't want to lose an opportunity like this in such a muddled way.
Cheng Chi didn't turn back, merely waving his hand at her.
Nanny Shang also walked out from the side with a smile, saying, "Second Young Miss, let me help you fix your hair! Your eyes are swollen—should I go to the kitchen and fetch two boiled eggs for you?"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Shaojin was startled.
So her appearance was this disheveled—it wouldn't be good if it caught the eye of the Ninth Madam of the Gu family. After all, she might be staying at Cold Green Mountain House for quite a long time.
"Then quickly fetch a basin of water for me," Zhou Shaojin instructed Nanny Shang, but when she looked up, Cheng Chi was already out of sight.
She couldn't help but stomp her foot in frustration.
Cheng Chi, on the other hand, kept a stern face until he reached his study, where he finally couldn't hold back a laugh.
This little girl is truly amusing!
With just a few words, he managed to confuse her so thoroughly she didn't know which way was up!
Especially when he said, "How could I possibly be mistaken?"—her bright, clear eyes were filled with bewilderment and confusion... It was practically a victory without a fight.
How could there be such an adorable young lady!
The corners of his mouth lifted high and simply wouldn't come down. It wasn't until Huaishan entered, hesitantly telling him, "The second-in-command of the Thirteen Guilds said that you look favorably upon them and are willing to invest in their fleet, which they consider a great honor. However, the rules were set by the ancestors, carved on rosewood plaques and hung on the walls of every branch. Surely you are aware of this. Therefore, the investment funds must be calculated separately and cannot be deducted from the payment for the fleet you previously sold..." that Cheng Chi's mood remained excellent, and he replied with unusual gentleness, "Since it's a shop rule, we will naturally abide by it. Take two hundred thousand taels of silver to the Thirteen Guilds as my investment."
But Fourth Master, isn't your favorite thing breaking other people's rules?
Huaishan stared at Cheng Chi with his mouth agape. It was only when Cheng Chi asked him, "Is there anything else?" that he snapped back to reality and hurriedly replied, "N-no, nothing!"
Cheng Chi shot him a glance.
Huaishan shuddered, his mind racing as he said, "This time, the Thirteen Guilds' fleet, including the Peaceful Voyage and twenty other ships, is estimated to return only in the autumn of the year after next..."
The risks of sailing are immense.
If the ships return safely, they will naturally reap enormous profits, but if they don't return, it will be a total loss.
Last time, when the Thirteen Guilds' ships sailed to Japan, the voyage was short, and with just a word from Cheng Chi, the Thirteen Guilds acknowledged the account and later sent the profits. This time, however, it's different—not only are the fleet's rules stricter and the voyage longer, but the risks are also greater, so the Thirteen Guilds are unwilling to cover Cheng Chi's capital.
But by the autumn of the year after next, they would have long since left the Cheng family.
Could it be that Fourth Master still plans to continue dealing with the Thirteen Guilds?
Then why sell the fleet in the first place?
If we consider only the profits from overseas voyages, the Thirteen Guilds used to be completely suppressed by us. If it weren't for the foresight of the Thirteen Guilds' chief manager, how could they have taken the position of the top shipping guild? Isn't Fourth Master discarding a watermelon for a sesame seed?
Cheng Chi smiled and said, "We won't be leaving the Cheng family for now. Let's wait until I've sorted out matters here before making further plans."
Upon hearing this, Huaishan was so astonished he nearly let it show.Usually at times like this, Fourth Master would dismiss him with a single "I changed my mind." Why was he explaining himself today? What exactly had happened? Fourth Master seemed like a different person—his temper was so good it made one feel... quite uneasy!
Huaishan quietly observed Cheng Chi and said, "What about the matter beyond the pass..."
They had sent people to scout locations beyond the pass, planning to build a manor there.
"Let’s set that aside for now!" Cheng Chi said indifferently. "Even if we leave the Cheng family, beyond the pass is too far and too cold. Why not go to Guangdong instead? It’s warmer there."
But being too close to the sea meant either pirates or shipping companies, making it easy to be recognized.
And who was it that said they liked how quiet and secluded it was beyond the pass?!
Huaishan grumbled inwardly. Remembering something, he said with concern, "Fourth Master, you killed Jiang Qin, and Xiao Zhenhai is clamoring to avenge him! As you know, Xiao Zhenhai has been very close to Jiang Qin lately, and Jiang Qin even invested a hundred thousand taels of silver in his dock. With Jiang Qin dead, the Grain Transport Gang will almost certainly demand the money back. How could Xiao Zhenhai willingly let go of such a fat piece of meat that’s already in his mouth? Besides, Xiao Zhenhai is already short on funds—even if he wanted to, he probably couldn’t come up with a hundred thousand taels right away. The best way for Xiao Zhenhai to give an explanation to the Grain Transport Gang and the Jiang family is to keep clamoring about avenging Jiang Qin, since Jiang Qin’s death remains unavenged. The Grain Transport Gang and the Jiang family can’t just sit down and arrange Jiang Qin’s funeral, can they? I’m afraid Xiao Zhenhai might come to Jinling..."
"Oh!" Cheng Chi responded with a laugh. "I was just worried about not having an excuse to deal with him! Send someone to pass him a message, saying I killed Jiang Qin and he can come directly to me! That way, he won’t have to flail around like a headless fly."
Jiang Qin had a photographic memory, was greedy for wealth and lustful, and was as meticulous as a hair. When Xiao Zhenhai had been raving about how pretty that little girl was, Cheng Chi had worried she might catch Jiang Qin’s eye. That’s why he had targeted Jiang Qin this time. Since Xiao Zhenhai was foolishly barging in, Cheng Chi had been lamenting how soft-hearted he had become in recent years, rarely "reasoning" with others. Killing just the third-in-command of the Grain Transport Gang wasn’t enough to establish his authority—adding Xiao Zhenhai to the mix as a sacrificial offering would be just fine.
Huaishan silently mourned for Xiao Zhenhai for a few moments before saying, "I’ll go take care of it right away!"
Cheng Chi nodded.
He imagined that little girl was probably stomping her feet in anger right now.
She might even figure things out after stewing over it and confront him again.
Cheng Chi decided to make sure Zhou Shaojin couldn’t find him.
That little girl was surely so angry her almond-shaped eyes would be wide open and her cheeks flushed.
Thinking of this, his heart felt as if a sail had been raised, lifting his spirits.
He stood up and said to Huaishan, "You can arrange for Qin Ziping to handle delivering the message. Accompany me to the Brocade Weaving Workshop."
That place was also called Fuxue Lane.
The Jinling Prefecture’s government school was located there, surrounded by antique shops.
Huaishan asked curiously, "Does Fourth Master want to buy something? You could just call someone from Langlong Residence over. I heard they acquired several treasures before the New Year..."
How could a little girl like Shaojin possibly like things like jade bonsai or purple-gold Maitreya Buddhas?
Since he had teased her like that, he ought to make her happy again.
But she seemed to really like Guanyin.
Langlong Residence should have fine Guanyin statues... When she moved in and discovered a beautiful Guanyin Bodhisattva statue enshrined in her new home, and that it was hers, she would surely be delighted.Cheng Chi immediately changed his mind and said, "Let's go to Langlong Residence."
If he couldn't find a good Guanyin statue, then he would go to Brocade Weaving Workshop to pick out some small trinkets for her instead.
Cheng Chi then strode out of the Listening Oriole Pavilion.
Meanwhile, Zhou Shaojin finished freshening up and her mind cleared. She immediately became furious, glaring as she said to Nanny Shang, who was directing the little maids to tidy up, "I'm going out for a bit and will be right back."
Nanny Shang didn't dare stop her and followed behind with a smile, asking, "Where are you heading? Old Madam Guo should be done by now, judging by the time. Would you like to wait a little longer?"
※
Upon returning, I saw the spirit beast egg from Qingtian Moyun. Sisters and brothers, are you trying to push me onto the path of a model worker... (>_<)
PS: First, I'll make up for the weekend bonus update to avoid forgetting it later. Then, I'll make up for the spirit beast egg bonus update. If nothing unexpected happens, the bonus update is tentatively scheduled for around 5 PM, and the regular update is tentatively set for around midnight.
Apologies for any inconvenience—I've been extremely busy lately.
※ (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to...)
!!
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