Сhеng Chi was grеаtlу аngеred upon hеаring this.
If he wantеd to stand uр fоr Shаоjin, whу hаdn’t he donе so earlier when she wаs bеing doubtеd and quеstiоnеd in thе cаvе? Nоw thаt Сheng Хu had been diаgnоsed with hаving taken somеthing similar to Fivе Minerаls Роwdеr, hе suddеnlу jumped оut, dеmanding tо dеtеrmine whо was right аnd whо was wrong—Сhеng Xu wаs not in his right mind, so evеn if he had donе sоmеthing wrong, it wаs unintentional!
Wоuldn’t thаt mеan Shаоjin’s griеvаnсеs werе suffеred in vаin?
No wоnder the mаin branсh hаd bеen sесrеtlу supporting thе fourth branch for so mаny yeаrs, yet thе fourth brаnсh remаined in such a state. It seemed Cheng Mian’s mind wasn’t quite sharp!
For the first time, Cheng Chi felt that his identity as an "uncle" was extremely inconvenient.
But he was already too weary to say much more to Cheng Mian.
Cheng Lu had persuaded his mother, Madam Dong, to feign illness and sell off their family assets in an attempt to connect with the education commissioner, but he found himself with nowhere to turn. In the midst of this turmoil, Cheng Gao got married. Cheng Lu not only attended Cheng Gao’s wedding but also showed up at the recognition banquet for Cheng Gao and his wife. Cheng Chi had known then that something was bound to happen, so he had Huaishan keep an eye on Cheng Xu while he himself never let Cheng Lu leave his sight. When he heard that Cheng Shi, Cheng Zheng, and a few others were drinking with Cheng Xu, he was already quite certain that the incident Shaojin had mentioned would occur.
He had thought that if Shaojin saw through those tricks, she would most likely avoid them; if she didn’t, with Huaishan following Cheng Xu, there was no way Shaojin would suffer the same pain as in her previous life. Moreover, this would be an opportunity to clarify matters and make Cheng Xu give up.
But he hadn’t expected that although Shaojin had seen through those tricks, she didn’t avoid them. Instead, she quietly called Jiying and gave Cheng Xu a beating.
Seeing such a resilient Shaojin, he felt an inexplicable surge of pride swelling within him!
Especially when she refuted Madam Yuan, the faint hint of pride in her brows made her shine brightly.
This version of Shaojin had a different kind of beauty!
He didn’t want anything that could be criticized to be associated with her.
Cheng Chi immediately made a decision.
First, let Shaojin leave this troubled place.
As for what would happen next, they could wait until Cheng Xu woke up.
Moreover, just by looking at Cheng Xu’s condition, he could tell he had taken hallucinogenic drugs. This also cleared up the doubt in his mind—no matter how confused Cheng Xu might be, he would never commit such a disgraceful act while drunk. There must be more to this story.
But he was afraid of upsetting the young girl, so he simply didn’t ask.
That was why he had leisurely followed behind the crowd, wanting to find out exactly what had happened.
Now it seemed this matter had likely been planned for a long time, with many people involved.
Cheng Chi’s gaze gradually turned cold.
Since no one took the young girl seriously, he would stand up for her.
Not only would he stir up trouble as they wished, but he would also make it a big commotion, one that would leave those who looked down on the young girl with no way to save face!
As Cheng Chi thought this, his expression grew even more gentle. He said, "Cousin Mian’s words have reminded me. However, none of us know exactly what happened. But I can promise you this: if Jiashan is at fault in this matter, our main branch will never shield him. As for Lord Zhou, I will personally visit to apologize and ensure the Zhou family’s second young lady does not suffer any grievances."
But what if Shaojin was the one at fault?
Cheng Mian suddenly realized.
Cheng Xu had been diagnosed with having taken something similar to Five Minerals Powder and was then beaten to such a state. Even if he had acted improperly earlier, could Zhou Zhen still hold him accountable?He regretted his words immensely and wanted to remedy what he had just said, but Cheng Chi had already shifted the topic, saying to everyone, "Cousin Mian's words have reminded me. Although we all believe Jiashan mistakenly consumed something similar to Five Minerals Powder, outsiders may not know or believe it. I think this matter cannot be left unresolved so hastily—it should be thoroughly investigated!"
Cheng Lu loudly praised, "Well said!" He added, "This should have been done long ago! If we let this go out of face-saving concerns, those who committed wrongdoing will only think their actions won’t be discovered. Tolerating evil breeds disaster. It’s better to get to the bottom of this. Who hasn’t been young and ignorant? If there’s a mistake, correct it!"
In his view, it was likely that Cheng Xu had been persuaded by someone to secretly take that kind of medicine and then accidentally encountered Zhou Shaojin... Cheng Chi had remained silent all along because he feared others would find out Cheng Xu had taken such medicine.
After speaking, he asked Cheng Yi, "Cousin Yi, what do you think?"
Cheng Yi was so angry his mouth nearly twisted.
This bookworm never spoke like a normal person.
And "well said" indeed!
If this investigation continues, your son used your daughter’s maid to lure Zhou Shaojin to the cave—do you think the third branch can wash their hands of it?
At this thought, he couldn’t help wondering: Could it be that Cheng Lu had no idea what had happened?
How interesting!
Let the investigation proceed then!
He had long made arrangements regarding the drugging—no one would ever discover it.
But Cheng Zheng’s act of luring someone to the cave would be exposed with a single investigation.
This would serve as a good lesson for Cheng Zheng.
Trying to escape by putting his own son on the fire? Not a chance!
Cheng Yi’s heart instantly bloomed with joy, but his expression remained grave as he said, "I think Cousin Mian’s words make perfect sense. Let’s investigate thoroughly then! This will also clear Jiashan’s name. I’ve always believed Jiashan couldn’t possibly act contrary to a gentleman’s principles. Others may not know, but Youyi and Jiashan have lived in Apricot Grove Alley for nearly two years—how could I not know?"
Seeing that everyone else agreed, Cheng Wen realized that if he objected, he wouldn’t change the outcome and might even arouse Cheng Chi’s suspicion. Before Cheng Chi could take any action, he hastily said, "I also think we should investigate thoroughly."
In his heart, however, he began planning to find an opportunity to have his personal servant return and quickly dispose of the hallucinogens he had hidden by dumping them into the lake to erase all traces.
Cheng Zheng was furious.
He had never seen anyone more troublesome than his own father.
With this investigation, even if he could explain why he instructed Cui Huan to go that way, it would still raise suspicions from the main branch. To clear those suspicions, he had no idea how many years of effort it would take!
Just thinking about it exhausted him.
He’d better discuss it with his mother and find a way to send his father elsewhere for a few years.
Otherwise, he truly couldn’t bear it.
Cheng Zheng glanced at Cheng Lu.
This guy was doing well for himself, keeping his hands clean.
He then glanced at Cheng Shi.
Cheng Shi’s expression remained unchanged. He thought his father’s plan wasn’t bad.
The third branch deserved a lesson—otherwise, they’d keep holding back the second branch in the future.
But should he drag Cheng Lu into this as well?
Back then, he had pretended not to know Cheng Lu’s intentions because the opportunity was too good to pass up.
But after using him as a pawn, Cheng Lu now wanted to watch from the sidelines—how could such a cheap deal exist in this world!Cheng Shi was pondering how to speak without implicating himself while dragging Cheng Lu into the matter when Cheng Chi suddenly addressed him by his courtesy name: "Youyi, the scream from Brother Nuo's wife earlier not only startled us, but the household servants are likely still unsettled. Since Jiashan has been confirmed to have mistakenly ingested hallucinogenic drugs, the servants must be reassured to prevent gossip. Otherwise, people might think something happened to Brother Nuo's wife. As the eldest among the cousins and having gained some experience outside, I entrust this matter to you."
He was being asked to clean up Cheng Jiashan's mess!
Cheng Shi struggled to conceal his astonishment.
Why would Uncle Chi assign this task to him?
Had he noticed something? Was this a test? Or was he overthinking, and Uncle Chi simply chose him because he was the eldest among the cousins...
He was also part of Nine Prosperities Lane. Though they divided into separate households within the inner courtyard, outsiders saw them as one family. He had no intention of letting the matter become widely known. That was why, when scheming against Cheng Xu, he had chosen the time after the wedding banquet guests had left, during the family recognition ceremony. He had only intended for Cheng Xu, in a befuddled state, to say or do something inappropriate to Zhou Shaojin, to frighten her. By the time they arrived, Shaojin would either accuse Cheng Xu or quietly weep. Unexpectedly, events had spiraled far beyond his imagination.
Zhou Shaojin remained unshaken, but Cheng Xu had been beaten up.
Then Zhou Shaojin returned to Cold Green Mountain House seemingly without any resentment, even tidying up Cheng Xu's green gauze cabinet.
If not for the reliable news he had received that the Cheng and Min families were about to formalize the betrothal, he would have thought Cheng Xu was to marry Zhou Shaojin... Wait, after Cheng Xu was beaten, Zhou Shaojin remained so composed. Especially with Uncle Chi's personal maid standing beside her... Could all this have been arranged by Uncle Chi?
But why would Uncle Chi do such a thing?
This matter was his own oversight. He should have asked his grandmother to come, which would have allowed him to gauge Zhou Shaojin's attitude.
Now that Zhou Shaojin had returned to Cold Green Mountain House, wouldn't she simply say whatever Old Madam Guo and Madam Yuan told her to say?
Cheng Shi had no time to ponder these matters carefully.
It seemed he could only take things one step at a time!
He had no choice but to reply, "Yes."
Cheng Chi nodded in satisfaction and instructed Cheng Zheng: "As the second eldest cousin, you are praised throughout Jinling City for being mature beyond your years, gentle, and courteous. I trust you are also methodical in your actions. Where did the hallucinogenic drug in the wine come from? I entrust this investigation to you!"
Cheng Zheng replied, "Yes," but his heart was in turmoil.
He was being asked to investigate Cheng Shi!
Was Uncle Chi doing this intentionally or unintentionally?
What if he found nothing?
Would Uncle Chi think he had framed Cheng Xu?
Remembering how readily Cheng Shi had agreed earlier, Cheng Zheng dared not refuse.
Cheng Shi's usually impassive expression momentarily cracked.
What was going on?
Neither dared to exchange glances, both lowering their heads.
Next, Cheng Chi said to Cheng Wen: "Regarding Brother Nuo's wife, I must trouble you, Cousin Wen. There are some questions I cannot appropriately ask. Have her come to Cold Green Mountain House later—I have something to ask her."
Cheng Wen was only too glad to comply.
This would give him a chance to have his personal servant dispose of the hallucinogenic drug.Seeing Cheng Wen agree, Cheng Chi called to the maid serving tea, "Summon Da Su and Huanxi from the young master's side."
The maid acknowledged and left.
Zhou Shaojin and Jiying sat drinking tea in the tea room.
When Biyu told her that Cheng Xu had taken something similar to Five Minerals Powder, it took Shaojin a long moment to process the information.
If this were truly the case, wouldn't her years of inner turmoil seem ridiculous!
Yet in her heart, she felt Biyu hadn't lied to her, and Physician Zhou hadn't misdiagnosed either.
She silently took a sip of tea.
Meanwhile, Jiying chattered on, "Shao Jin, I never imagined he had been drugged. Do you think I hit him too hard? I wonder if Fourth Master will come to settle accounts later. Shao Jin, I'll stay at Fucui Pavilion tonight. If Fourth Master asks, just say you were scared and dragged me along to keep you company!"
※
Dear sisters and brothers, my sincerest apologies for the delayed update.
Typos have been corrected!
PS: Working overtime again this weekend, so only one update...
※ (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to...)
!!
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