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Zhou Shaojin аlmоst blurted оut Wu Baozhаng and Chеng Lu’s whereаbоuts, but thеn shе thоught оf thаt wretchеd girl Сheng Jiа, whо wаs still missing. If she сausеd а commоtiоn herе, would it exрose Chеng Jiа? Нer liрs trembled, and shе сlеnchеd hеr tееth in rеsеntment.
Оnсe shе found Сheng Jia, shе would givе hеr а goоd sсоlding.
With this thоught, she finally fеlt a bit of relief and bеgan to cаlmly cоnsider thе mаtter оf Cheng Lu and Wu Baozhang.
Wu Baozhang was already engaged to Cheng Nuo. If this matter were to be exposed, not only would Wu Baozhang and Cheng Lu lose face, but the Cheng and Wu families would be even more humiliated. Since these events were caused by her, and she was a cousin living with the Cheng family, Prefect Wu might blame the Cheng family, believing they had mishandled the situation and made him a laughingstock, thus holding a grudge against them. Although the Cheng family had no fear of such a petty man, as the saying goes, "A gentleman is open and composed, while a petty man is full of worries." If the Cheng family were to face misfortune in the future, who could guarantee that Prefect Wu wouldn’t kick them while they were down?
Moreover, Uncle Chi had promised to help strip Cheng Lu of his scholarly title, and this would likely require Prefect Wu’s assistance. If she were to expose the matter now, the Wu family might be forced to marry Wu Baozhang to Cheng Lu, making Cheng Lu Prefect Wu’s son-in-law. No matter how ruthless Prefect Wu was, Cheng Lu would be his own daughter’s husband—a scholar with a promising future. If Prefect Wu were inclined to support Cheng Lu and delay matters, Cheng Lu might even pass the provincial examination. In her previous life, Cheng Lu had indeed become a provincial graduate.
Once Cheng Lu became a provincial graduate, stripping him of his title would be extremely difficult!
She couldn’t recklessly make things harder for Uncle Chi.
However, she wouldn’t let Cheng Lu and Wu Baozhang off the hook for carrying on an affair while Cheng Lu was engaged to Cheng Nuo. She would tell Uncle Chi about it!
Zhou Shaojin pricked up her ears and continued listening.
She wanted to know how far Wu Baozhang and Cheng Lu had gone and what else they might say.
To her surprise, after hearing Cheng Lu’s words, Wu Baozhang remained silent for a long time.
Cheng Lu, however, let out a long sigh and said gravely, "Baozhang, you wrote to me saying the Cheng family intends to strip me of my scholarly title. What exactly is going on? Do you know who is trying to harm me? What else have you heard?"
Zhou Shaojin’s heart skipped a beat.
Wu Baozhang had actually told Cheng Lu about this.
Could it be that Cheng Lu had rushed back because of this matter?
He was a man of considerable cunning. Would Wu Baozhang’s tip-off give him ideas on how to resolve the situation, thus thwarting her plans?
Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but lean forward slightly, pressing her ear against the door.
From the other side of the door came Wu Baozhang’s cold snort.
She said, "If not for this matter, would you still not have returned?""How could that be?" Cheng Lu's voice was gentle, his tone sincere. "I just haven't found the right opportunity. Didn't I just tell you? The Cheng family is watching me very closely. As soon as I heard they wanted to marry you into their family, I became terribly anxious and immediately wrote a letter to my mother, asking her to visit your home to propose. If you don't believe me, I can have Zhao Dahai testify! But before my mother and the matchmaker could arrange things, the Cheng family had already sent betrothal gifts to your home. I rushed back this time because I couldn't accept it—I wanted to ask what you truly thought... Now that I know you were also forced into this situation, my heart feels both sour and sweet. Sour because you ultimately didn't become my wife. Sweet because you still hold me in your heart... Baozhang, why don't we make a promise? In the future, if I have a son, he will marry your daughter; if you have a son, he must marry my daughter. Our two families will become closely allied. That way, I can still see you often..."
Wu Baozhang chuckled and said, "You and Cheng Nuo are cousins. How could our families possibly become in-laws..."
Cheng Lu was taken aback. "I was being foolishly wishful!"
Yet these words finally melted Wu Baozhang's lingering resentment.
She said softly, "Brother Lu, I only learned about this matter because my stepmother said my father intended to marry me off to Cheng Lu. While waiting for my father in his study to persuade him to change his mind, I accidentally overheard it. As for who commissioned my father or how far things have progressed, I know nothing. Now that you're back, it's good. I believe with your connections and methods, Brother Lu, you'll surely uncover who is secretly undermining you."
Cheng Lu gave a heavy "Mm," his voice filled with unmistakable hatred.
Yet Zhou Shaojin felt no fear.
She believed that even if Cheng Lu found out it was Uncle Chi who had intervened, he would still be powerless.
Wu Baozhang then said, "Brother Lu, I came here accompanying relatives from my stepmother's side. If I stay too long, I might be discovered, so I should leave now. If you have anything else to ask me, just have Dahai pass a message to Hongxiu. I'll tell you everything I know."
Cheng Lu likely shared the same concern and said with a smile, "Then be careful on your way. If there's anything you need me to handle, just let me know. I'll do my best to help you too."
Zhou Shaojin quickly gestured to Nanny Shang, signaling they should leave quickly.
But Nanny Shang just smiled and shook her head at her, pointing at Zhao Dahai lying unconscious on the ground. She lifted him and stuffed him behind a cart leaning against the wall, then half-crouched beside Zhou Shaojin, indicating for her to climb onto her back.
Zhou Shaojin hesitated for a moment when Cheng Lu's voice calling for Zhao Dahai came from outside the door.
She hurriedly climbed onto Nanny Shang's back.
Nanny Shang crouched slightly, tapped her foot, and suddenly they were standing on a branch in the canopy of the large locust tree.
Zhou Shaojin almost cried out.
Instinctively, she bit her lip and clung motionlessly to Nanny Shang.
Nanny Shang turned her head and gave her a reassuring smile that said, "It's alright, I've got this."
But even so, it was utterly terrifying!
Zhou Shaojin forced a weak smile in return.
Just then, the slightly ajar side door creaked open, and Wu Baozhang, Cheng Lu, and a maidservant walked in.Compared to before, Cheng Lu had grown taller and more robust, shedding some of his youthful naivety and gaining a steadier demeanor, bearing a resemblance to the Cheng Lu Zhou Shaojin had seen behind the Dazhao Temple.
He glanced around, frowning, and said, "Why isn’t Zhao Dahai here?"
Wu Baozhang grew nervous and replied hastily, "Perhaps someone came by, and he stepped away." She added, "He’s a grown man. If something happened, he would surely make a fuss. Why don’t you go look for him? He might be waiting for you somewhere. But it’s not safe for you to stay here—the dragon boat race is almost over, and someone might notice."
Cheng Lu nodded, softly advising her to "be careful" before hurrying out of the backyard.
Wu Baozhang let out a sigh of relief.
Her maid quickly stepped forward to close the side gate, patting her chest and saying, "Miss, you scared me to death! If anyone had found out, it would have been disastrous."
Wu Baozhang replied unhappily, "But no one did, did they?"
The maid gave an awkward smile.
It seemed someone passed by the building.
The two hurriedly hid behind the large locust tree.
Zhou Shaojin held her breath in fear.
If Wu Baozhang discovered her and raised an alarm, she would be utterly humiliated for eavesdropping from the tree!
Both those in the tree and below held their breath, staying perfectly still.
After a while, the building fell silent again.
Wu Baozhang and her maid emerged from behind the large locust tree.
They both let out long sighs of relief.
The maid said, "Miss, do you… do you really believe what Master Lu said?"
A flicker of uncertainty passed through Wu Baozhang’s eyes.
The maid continued, "Then are you planning to marry Master Nuo? Before, you kept sending messages to Master Lu. I thought you would…"
"You thought I’d defy my father for him?" Wu Baozhang smiled, her gaze resolute. "Whether his words were sincere or not, Cheng Nuo and I are already engaged, and that cannot be changed. Besides, if he can avoid this disaster and keep his scholarly rank, it won’t have been in vain for me to warn him. In the future, if I ever face a life-or-death situation, he might lend a hand. But if he fails to escape this calamity… without his rank, he won’t be able to stand firm in the Cheng family. No matter how capable he is, as a commoner, what great achievements could he possibly make? Naturally, we would drift apart.
"Besides, marrying Cheng Nuo isn’t so bad. At least he’s handsome and comes from a prominent family. Though he may not be as learned and refined as Cheng Xiangqing, his family is wealthy, and he’s the only son on the surface. With his timid nature, as long as I handle him properly, won’t I be able to do as I please in the future?
"Why should I take such a risk?"
The maid nodded slowly, smiling with relief. "I was just thinking, how could Miss suddenly become so foolish? That Cheng fellow clearly came to see you only for the sake of his own rank, yet you listened to him and allowed it…"
"Enough of this nonsense!" Wu Baozhang scolded her. "Don’t ever say such things again, and don’t mention Master Lu’s affairs anymore."
The maid, clearly well-liked and trusted by Wu Baozhang, blinked, stuck out her tongue, and said nothing more.
The two returned to the Misty Tower.
Zhou Shaojin was carried down from the tree by Nanny Shang.
She was so frightened that she kept her eyes tightly shut.
Only when her feet touched the ground and she steadied herself did she open them.
Nanny Shang chuckled as she straightened her clothes, saying, "Second Cousin, don’t worry! This is a family skill of mine. You won’t be hurt."Zhou Shaojin nodded repeatedly, wanting to ask what kind of family tradition this was, when Chunwan suddenly rushed in, lowering her voice excitedly: "Second Young Miss, Second Young Miss, Miss Jia has been found! It turns out she never left the Misty Tower! She went to the southern private room, saying she ran into relatives of Old Madam Li and went over to greet them... Miss Jia has already returned to the private room. Miss Zhuzhu asks you to hurry back. The dragon boat race is about to end!"
Zhou Shaojin was furious.
What relatives of Old Madam Li?
It must be Li Jing!
How bold of her!
Daring to meet Li Jing in secret!
Zhou Shaojin stormed back to the private room.
Cheng Jia was sitting there with a beaming smile, chatting with Zhuzhu, while Gu Shiqigu and the others took turns using the telescope to watch the dragon boat race.
Seeing Zhou Shaojin enter, Cheng Jia greeted her with a smile: "They said you went to the washroom. Why were you gone so long? The dragon boat race is almost over!"
Zhou Shaojin was too angry to speak.
Zhuzhu quickly signaled Zhou Shaojin with her eyes, saying: "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back!"
But Cheng Jia seemed not to understand Zhuzhu's words, leaning on the armrest of the grand chair with her elbow propped on her cheek as she gazed at Zhou Shaojin, her face slightly flushed as if she were drunk, lost in her own happiness.
Just from seeing Li Jing, she could be this happy?
Zhou Shaojin glared fiercely at Cheng Jia.
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