Аlthоugh Сhеng Сhi wishеd tо draw a сlеаr linе with thе Cheng familу, hе did not want his оwn clansmеn аnd blооd rеlаtives to bе executed to thе lаst man.
Нe wаtсhеd аs Huаishаn аnd thе оthers filеd out of the studу аnd fell intо deep thоught.
The Сheng familу’s ехесutiоn wаs undoubtedlу thе new еmреror’s will. Еven if it wаsn’t dirеctly his intеntiоn, and hе had been inсited by schеmеrs, аt the vеry least, thе еmрerоr hаd bееn dеtеrmined tо еxtеrminatе the entirе Chеng сlаn at thаt timе.
Gоvеrnment officеs were often slow аnd inefficient in hаndling matters, еspесiallу in cases involving the extermination of entire families. They feared that "wildfires cannot burn out all the grass, for it grows again with the spring breeze"—that someone from the condemned family might escape and later settle the score with them, creating an unseen enemy. Yet, according to Zhou Shaojin, the Cheng family fell with extraordinary speed. Even before their property was fully confiscated, all the male members of the Cheng family had already been beheaded.
This was somewhat unusual.
In cases of family extermination, property should be confiscated before the executions.
It was clear that the new emperor wanted the Cheng family dead.
What could have driven the new emperor to insist on the Cheng family’s death?
Cheng Chi stood up and began pacing back and forth in the room.
The future new emperor was the Fourth Prince.
Among the princes, the Fourth Prince had always been inconspicuous, and Cheng Chi had never had any contact with him before.
On this trip to the capital, he would likely have to engage extensively with this Fourth Prince.
What was his temperament? What were his interests? In what ways might the Cheng family have offended or angered him… Cheng Chi felt he needed to investigate all of these matters. Especially his eldest and second brothers in the capital—what had they been doing all these years? Who were they associating with? Even their advisors and aides needed to be thoroughly examined.
As for his second uncle’s side… that also required investigation.
This would require a large number of people.
Should he involve the Beggars’ Sect as well?
They had the most extensive information network.
The Southern Beggars’ Sect was led by Zhang Daniu. He didn’t know who led the Northern Beggars’ Sect. It would be best to entrust this matter to Qin Zi’an.
As for staying in the capital for a while… it would be better to wait until Cheng Jiashan was engaged to the Min family’s daughter, and Shaojin had lost her usefulness. That way, he could feel more at ease in the capital.
With this thought, he sat back down at the desk and wrote a letter for Qin Zi’an to deliver to Zhongnan Mountain: “…Please ask Taoist Yunhezi to introduce you to the people of the Northern Beggars’ Sect.”
Qin Zi’an silently tucked the letter into his sleeve.
Cheng Chi asked him, “How is Jiying’s injury?”
“It would be best if she avoids fighting with anyone for the next six months or so.”
Cheng Chi nodded and gestured for him to leave.
Huaishan requested an audience outside the door.
Cheng Chi allowed him to enter.
Huaishan said, “Just now, Granny Shang told me that while we were away, Second Cousin often came to the Listening Oriole Pavilion to inquire about your whereabouts. Second Cousin is exceptionally clever, and Granny Shang is somewhat concerned. She asked if Jiying could stay at home to keep Second Cousin company, especially since Jiying cannot engage in combat these days…”
“Agreed!” Before he could finish, Cheng Chi replied decisively. “I never approved of Jiying getting involved in the trouble the Canal Gang stirred up with the Ji family, but Old Master Ji insisted on testing her skills, and I couldn’t very well stop him. Now that the Ji family knows Jiying’s true capabilities, she should no longer be involved in external affairs. Let her stay at home, cultivate her mind, and refine her nature. Perhaps her swordsmanship might even reach a breakthrough.”
“Understood!” Huaishan replied respectfully and withdrew.
The room fell silent.The wind rustled through the leaves.
Cheng Chi walked to the window.
The trees around the Listening Oriole Pavilion were lush and dense, with shades of oily green, tender green, verdant green, and emerald green… all interwoven together, creating a refreshing sight.
Suddenly, an image flashed through his mind: Zhou Shaojin peeking curiously around the doorway of his room, her large eyes bright and clear.
Cheng Chi couldn’t help but let the corners of his mouth lift.
He decided to have dinner with the little girl tonight.
And then visit her at the Floating Emerald Pavilion where she was staying.
He wondered if Nanny Shang had arranged the Floating Emerald Pavilion according to his instructions.
Lost in thought, he walked over to the curio shelf and took out a sandalwood box.
After finding this statue of Guanyin on Brocade Street that day, he had sent it to Sweet Spring Temple for consecration. He had originally planned to place it directly in the small Buddhist shrine, but then the incident with Cheng Yi happened. His mother took the opportunity to bring the little girl over, and he hadn’t had time to put it in the shrine.
He might as well give it to her later.
She would surely be delighted.
Cheng Chi gently brushed away nonexistent dust from the sandalwood box.
※
Zhou Shaojin hurried back to the Floating Emerald Pavilion in quick strides.
Before she even entered, she heard cheerful laughter from inside, accompanied by melodious birdcalls.
Zhou Shaojin was quite surprised.
The Cold Green Mountain House didn’t keep flowers, let alone birds.
When she had visited the Listening Oriole Pavilion earlier and heard birdcalls, she had assumed it was just a passing bird and hadn’t paid much attention… Now, hearing the birdcalls again, her heart began to flutter. She quickened her pace and walked over.
Under the grape trellis, a group of maids had gathered.
Xiao Tan was the first to notice Zhou Shaojin and exclaimed joyfully, “Second Cousin!” She added, “Fourth Master brought back a gift for you from his outing!”
Before her words faded, the surrounding maids quickly parted, making way for Zhou Shaojin.
Zhou Shaojin immediately spotted the bright red lacquered birdcage placed on the stone table.
The sapphire-blue gold-woven cover over the cage had been lifted, revealing a pair of orioles hopping and chirping inside, lively and adorable.
“Is this a gift from Uncle Chi?” Zhou Shaojin’s heart softened, and she asked in disbelief.
“Yes!” Chunwan replied with an envious smile. “Chief Steward Qin personally delivered it. There’s no mistake.”
As Zhou Shaojin approached, both orioles chirped and fluttered toward her, landing on the perch in the middle of the cage and singing melodiously in her direction.
Xingtao exclaimed in surprise, “Cousin, they must be singing for you!”
Zhou Shaojin felt the same way.
She loved the gift dearly and reached out to gently stroke the heads of the two birds through the cage bars. The birds hopped even more energetically in response.
Zhou Shaojin quickly asked, “Have you given them water and food?”
“Yes,” Chunwan replied, pointing to the two small bowls inside the cage. “One is for food, and the other is for water.”
Zhou Shaojin looked closely and realized the bowls were carved from Hetian jade.
She chuckled softly and asked, “Does anyone here know how to care for birds?”
Chunwan smiled and said, “Fourth Master didn’t just give you the birds—he also sent a servant for you.”
Zhou Shaojin’s eyes widened in surprise.
A young servant boy, about seven or eight years old, knelt before her with a thud, not daring to lift his head. “Second Cousin,” he said, “I have been ordered by Fourth Master to serve these birds here at the Floating Emerald Pavilion from now on.”Zhou Shaojin glanced at the young servant kneeling on the ground, then at the Hetian jade food bowl inside the birdcage. She gave a dry laugh and said, "What's your name? You may stand and speak!"
The servant trembled as he rose, replying, "This humble one is called Xiao Que. Fourth Master said it's easier to remember this way!"
Zhou Shaojin was momentarily speechless.
Just as she was about to inquire about Xiao Que's background, Snowball suddenly darted out from somewhere and began barking wildly at the birdcage.
Zhou Shaojin was startled.
The two orioles inside the cage flapped about in panic.
Xiao Que quickly said, "Second Cousin Miss, dogs and birds are natural enemies. Let me help you carry the dog away!"
"Forget it!" Zhou Shaojin picked up Snowball and said, "Just be careful in the future not to let Snowball frighten the birds."
Xiao Que smiled and replied, "Yes."
Zhou Shaojin then instructed Chunwan to hang the birdcage by the window frame in the inner chamber.
Chunwan smiled and said, "Shouldn't birds be hung under the veranda? I've seen people raise birds before, and they always hang them under the veranda."
Zhou Shaojin had never kept birds before and didn't know.
But she felt that having these two orioles in the room would make it livelier.
Xiao Que was clearly someone skilled at reading expressions. He quickly added, "Birds adapt to people; they can be raised anywhere. If Second Cousin Miss prefers to keep them in the inner chamber, then let them stay there. It'll just be a bit of trouble for the sister to feed them regularly."
Since Xiao Que, the birdkeeper, said so, Chunwan naturally couldn't argue further.
She politely replied with a few words like "It's no trouble" and "I'll make sure to feed them on time," then hung the birdcage by the window frame in Zhou Shaojin's inner chamber.
Zhou Shaojin instructed Chunwan to open the window frame: "This way, it's more ventilated, and the birds will be more comfortable."
Chunwan and the others smiled and went to open the window.
Snowball remained obediently nestled in Zhou Shaojin's arms.
Seeing this, Zhou Shaojin placed Snowball on the ground.
Snowball whimpered and rubbed against the hem of Zhou Shaojin's skirt.
Zhou Shaojin giggled, took the twig from Xiao Que's hand, and began teasing the two orioles.
In the courtyard stood towering green trees, and blooming peonies adorned the steps. The birds chirped joyfully, and Zhou Shaojin's heart felt as if it were blossoming.
But Snowball rushed over and began barking wildly at the birds again.
Zhou Shaojin had no choice but to pick her up.
She quieted down.
However, whenever Zhou Shaojin went to tease the two birds, Snowball would bark incessantly, startling everyone. Yet as soon as Zhou Shaojin held her in her arms, she would calm down again.
Chunwan and the others remarked curiously, "Could Snowball be jealous?"
Zhou Shaojin froze for a moment and put Snowball down.
Snowball began barking again.
After repeating this several times, it truly seemed to confirm Chunwan's words.
As long as Zhou Shaojin didn't tease the two birds, Snowball would obediently squat nearby and watch her. But the moment Zhou Shaojin went to tease the birds, Snowball would bark nonstop.
Everyone burst into laughter.
The Floating Emerald Pavilion was filled with the sounds of laughter, birdsong, and barking.
Old Madam Guo smiled and asked, "What's going on? There's barking and birdsong all at once. Did Si Lang send something to the Floating Emerald Pavilion? Otherwise, it wouldn't be this lively over there."
Biyu quickly replied with a smile, "I heard he sent two orioles. Their singing is quite lovely."
"Oh!" Old Madam Guo grew interested and said, "Let's go take a look as well."
Biyu and the others accompanied Old Madam Guo to the Floating Emerald Pavilion.
The people in the Floating Emerald Pavilion were teasing Snowball, laughing so hard they could barely stand straight.When Old Madam Guo arrived, Zhou Shaojin paid her respects and then promptly recounted the incident involving Snowball and the two orioles: "...Others can tease those birds without any issue, but whenever I try, Snowball starts barking wildly—and it sounds quite frightening."
"Such a thing!" Old Madam Guo chuckled heartily, instructing Zhou Shaojin to hold Snowball while she went to tease the birds herself.
Snowball lowered its eyes, paying no attention to Old Madam Guo.
But when Zhou Shaojin went to tease the birds, Snowball grew restless again.
"This is truly amusing!" Old Madam Guo repeatedly teased Snowball and the two orioles, laughing uncontrollably. "How delightful—your dog and birds are at odds with each other."
Zhou Shaojin smiled wryly and handed the dog to Xiao Tan, saying, "Take it out for more walks from now on."
Xiao Tan, beaming, carried the dog and withdrew.
※
Dear readers, here’s the weekend bonus update!
The spirit beast egg will be postponed... (>_<)
P.S.: Better check for updates tomorrow morning!
※ (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to...)
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