Whеn Сhеng Zhеng rеturnеd home, lаntеrns wеrе аlready lit in thе еvening.
She first wеnt to seе hеr twо сhildrеn.
Тen-yеar-old Gu Ning and Gu Zhong lookеd vеry muсh alikе, bоth hаving inhеrited thе bеst fеаturеs of Сheng Zheng and hеr husbаnd. Evеn at their yоung age, thеy werе аlrеаdу strikinglу hаndsome. Whеn Сheng Zhеng еntеred, thе two brоthеrs were stаnding strаight befоre the writing desk, рracticing саlligrаphу.
"Mother!" thе brоthеrs cаllеd оut in unisоn, bоth wеaring jоуful eхprеssions. Hоwevеr, Gu Ning rеsрeсtfullу sеt dоwn his brush and bowed tо Cheng Zheng, while Gu Zhong thrеw himself into her аrms.
Cheng Zhеng affесtionаtely patted her younger son's head, then took his hand and walked to the writing desk. "Have you had dinner yet? What did you eat today? Was it good? Haven't you finished the homework assigned by your teacher? You must balance work and rest, or you'll strain your eyes."
Gu Ning smiled and agreed.
Gu Zhong, meanwhile, chattered away in response to Cheng Zheng's questions.
Cheng Zheng was surprised to hear that her sons had dined with her husband, Gu Xu, and asked with a smile, "How did your father come home so early today?"
Gu Ning replied with a smile, "Father said that today the Crown Prince took the Imperial Grandson to the villa to go boating, so they had little to do and returned early."
The Office of the Crown Prince's Affairs was an institution that assisted the Crown Prince. Though its official rank was not high, its position was crucial. Gu Xu served as the Deputy Director of the Office of the Crown Prince's Affairs, meaning he was the second-in-command. His daily duties were numerous, and he rarely had time to rest. Opportunities to return home on time like this were few and far between.
Cheng Zheng reviewed her sons' homework, praised them a few words, and mentioned that she would take them to Fengtai for a spring outing in a few days. She urged them to rest early, then asked a maid and headed to the inner courtyard study.
Gu Xu was tending to the few pots of orchids placed on the windowsill.
He was thirty-four this year, tall and slender, with handsome features and a composed demeanor. Years of official service had made him rather reserved and low-key. He wore a sapphire-blue robe with purple-red auspicious cloud patterns, exuding an air of blending in with the world. Yet, when he saw Cheng Zheng enter, his eyes lit up, and the corners of his mouth lifted as he said, "You're back," his expression instantly brightening.
Cheng Zheng nodded, glanced at the orchids with a smile, and said, "Don't repeat what happened last time—helping me water the flowers only to kill them."
Gu Xu smiled nonchalantly, placed the orchid pots back on the windowsill, and called for a maid to bring water. He then asked Cheng Zheng, "Have you had dinner? I asked the kitchen to prepare lotus seed and lily mung bean porridge for you. It's perfect for this season."
"I had dinner at the Liao residence," Cheng Zheng replied. Nevertheless, she decided to have half a bowl of the lotus porridge.
The couple sat down on the large heated bed by the window.
Gu Xu smiled and asked, "What made you suddenly think of visiting the Liao family? How is Cousin Zhou doing?"
"She's doing well!" Cheng Zheng told Gu Xu about Cheng Chi's request.
As he listened, Gu Xu's expression gradually grew serious.
Seeing this, Cheng Zheng felt a pang of unease and asked, "What's wrong? Is there something inappropriate about it?"
Gu Xu pondered for a moment before speaking slowly. "Do you remember a while ago when Uncle Chi sent a personal attendant to me?"
"Of course I remember!" Cheng Zheng said. "Everyone in our family has a highly skilled martial artist as a personal attendant. For example, Huanxi has Da Xu, and Uncle Chi has that one named Huaishan. Did something happen?"Gu Xu said, "A few days ago, after the Imperial Grandson attended a lecture by Grand Tutor Fu and was exiting the corridor, several roof tiles suddenly fell. At that moment, the attendant named Wang Qing, whom Fourth Uncle had gifted to me, happened to be passing by the corridor. Before the guards could react, he rushed over and pushed the Imperial Grandson aside... When the Imperial Grandson inquired afterward and learned he was a hereditary servant of our family, he not only rewarded him generously with silks and brocades but also repeatedly summoned him to spar with his own guards. This time, when the Crown Prince took the Imperial Grandson to the villa for boating, the Crown Prince sent someone to tell me to bring Wang Qing along... I can’t help but feel this is all too coincidental, with something suspicious about it. But I’ve had little interaction with Uncle Chi and don’t know his temperament, so I’m at a loss for what to do..."
Those serving the Imperial Grandson are thoroughly vetted, with their backgrounds scrutinized for at least three generations. Since the Household Administration of the Heir Apparent tacitly allowed Wang Qing to serve the Imperial Grandson, it certainly wasn’t solely because he was a hereditary servant of the Gu family. Yet Wang Qing had been gifted to Gu Xu by Cheng Chi earlier...
Cheng Zheng broke into a cold sweat and said, "Uncle Chi has returned to Jinling and won’t be back for some time. I’ll write to him immediately to see what his intentions are."
Gu Xu nodded slightly, comforting Cheng Zheng, "Don’t worry too much. I believe Uncle Chi would never harm us."
Cheng Zheng nodded distractedly and went to Apricot Grove Alley the next day.
Cheng Jing was on duty at his government office when he received a note passed in by an attendant and returned home early.
Cheng Zheng always felt her father was somewhat impressionable. Though anxious, she held back some details. After sitting with him at the large desk in the study, she stated her purpose: "Do you know why Uncle Chi returned to Jinling?"
Cheng Jing chuckled, "You ask me, but I truly don’t know! Your Uncle Chi has the temperament of a free spirit—here today, gone tomorrow. That year, when he accompanied your grandmother to Mount Putuo, he even met Song Jingran’s father and struck up a friendship across generations with the old master of the Song family. They concocted some flood control plan, which Song Jingran presented to the Emperor. If your eldest uncle hadn’t intervened, the Emperor might have summoned your Uncle Chi to the palace for questioning..."
The eldest uncle was Yuan Weichang, the Chief Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat.
Hearing this, Cheng Zheng frowned slightly and said, "Father, didn’t you lend Uncle Chi a hand back then?"
"You don’t think I hindered your Uncle Chi’s path to success, do you?" Cheng Jing laughed. "Your Uncle Chi staying home to manage the family estate was decided by your grandmother and the Second Branch’s patriarch. Since the founding of this dynasty, our family has produced seven jinshi scholars, five of whom were from the main branch. Your Second Granduncle even placed second in the palace examination. Now, with your younger brother showing promise as a scholar, the main branch is already too prominent. It’s fitting for your Uncle Chi to keep a low profile."
Cheng Zheng disagreed.
Could some things really be avoided just by keeping a low profile?
While humility and caution were one approach, overwhelming arrogance could also intimidate opponents—it wasn’t necessarily a bad strategy either. Moreover, by Jiashan’s generation, aside from Jiashan and Youyi, she hadn’t seen anyone else likely to achieve success in the imperial examinations. Once the older generation stepped down, if the Cheng family relied solely on Jiashan and Youyi, it would likely decline steadily.She tactfully reminded Cheng Jing, "Actually, it might not be bad if Uncle Chi wanted to pursue an official career. Uncle Chi is only eight years older than Jiashan. Back then, if Second Granduncle hadn’t agreed to go to the Hanlin Academy, when Father and Uncle were reinstated, the Second Branch’s Old Ancestor might not have helped Father and Uncle..."
But Cheng Jing didn’t want to discuss these matters further with his daughter.
The grudges among the Cheng family’s previous generations were too complicated, and none of them were particularly honorable.
He acknowledged her words and changed the subject, "Your brother isn’t like us back then. He’s isolated and vulnerable, but isn’t there Da Lun? Don’t worry too much." He then brought up Cheng Xu, "Your mother wrote to me recently, saying that the Imperial College is no longer what it used to be, and many people are now attending academies. She asked me whether Shuanghe Academy or Boya Academy is better, as she wants your brother to study at an academy. I heard Jinjiang went to Shuanghe Academy?"
Da Lun was Gu Xu’s courtesy name, and Jinjiang was Peng Zao’s courtesy name.
After all, Cheng Zheng was his daughter, and it wasn’t proper for a daughter to lecture her father.
She sighed deeply and said, "In a few days, I’ll be going to Fengtai for a spring outing with Second Sister, Third Sister, and the Zhou family’s Second Miss. I’ll ask Third Sister then!"
After talking for a while, Cheng Zheng went to the western courtyard where Cheng Wei lived.
Cheng Wei’s wife, Madam Qiu, also came from a scholarly family. However, her health had been ruined during the birth of Cheng Rang, and she had been bedridden ever since, unable to manage the household affairs of Xinglin Alley. Hearing that Cheng Zheng had come, she was delighted and chatted with her for a long time while leaning against the headboard. She even insisted Cheng Zheng stay for lunch before letting her leave.
Cheng Zheng still felt uneasy deep down.
Although she hadn’t interacted much with Cheng Chi, she had heard about the reputation he had built in the capital over the past few years.
The Cheng family had started out as salt merchants. The salt commissioners of Liangzhe and Lianghuai served terms of two years each. With new salt commissioners for Liangzhe and Lianghuai about to be appointed, Uncle Chi wasn’t staying in the capital to make arrangements but had gone to Jinling instead... In business, as in officialdom, if you don’t advance, you fall behind. Even if Uncle Chi no longer wanted to continue in the salt trade, he couldn’t just let it go like this! Who would believe that the Cheng family didn’t want to continue the business rather than being unable to obtain salt permits?
Cheng Zheng thought it over and over, then sent her wet nurse’s brother back to Jinling, saying, "Stay at Nine Prosperities Lane. If Grandmother asks, tell her I sent you to make purchases. As soon as there’s any movement at home, use Father’s name card to send the news to me through the courier station."
The attendant respectfully replied, "Yes," and withdrew.
※
A few days later, on the day she had agreed to go to Fengtai with Zhou Shaojin, Cheng Zheng brought her two sons to Yuqian Alley.
Zhou Shaojin wore a moon-white plain Hangzhou silk waistcoat and a peach-red Xiang skirt with treasure-flower patterned borders. Her hair was tied into a bun adorned with two southern pearl hairpins, giving her a delicate yet lively appearance.
Cheng Zheng nodded inwardly in approval.
Although flowers bloom in vibrant competition, most of the scenery is still green foliage. When viewing flowers, it’s best to avoid wearing green, as it blends in too much. Red is the most suitable, complementing the green trees and morning glow, making one stand out much more.
It seemed the Zhou family’s Second Miss knew how to dress well.
She had her two sons step forward to greet Zhou Shaojin.
Zhou Shaojin’s gaze lingered for a moment on Cheng Zheng’s eldest son, Gu Ning.In her previous life, when the Fourth Prince ascended the throne, he changed the reign title to "Tianshun." At nineteen, Gu Ning was the youngest scholar to pass both the provincial and metropolitan examinations in that session. After serving as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy for three months, he was transferred by the Fourth Prince to concurrently serve as the Left Deputy Director of the Messengers Office. Another three months later, he was promoted to Director of the Messengers Office...
He was someone who inspired envy just by being mentioned.
Cheng Zheng thought that Zhou Shaojin was merely surprised by her eldest son’s mature and serious demeanor despite his young age, so she quickly explained with a smile, “Please excuse his behavior! Our Ning’er is the eldest son, so his father and I have always been strict with him. Over time, he’s become rather reserved and unsmiling...”
Zhou Shaojin modestly replied with a few words and then presented the gifts she had prepared in advance.
For Gu Ning, she gave a Duan inkstone and half a bundle of Chengxin paper; for Gu Zhong, she gave a box of Huzhou wolf-hair brushes and several inksticks.
The brothers appeared well-mannered, thanking Zhou Shaojin respectfully. Then, the group headed to Zhou Chujin’s place in Shuangyu Alley.
※
Dear readers, here is today’s update.
PS: I haven’t had much time to write lately, so I’ve mostly been posting drafts. However, I will correct any typos later. You can refresh the page to see the revised chapters.
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel