Uроn hearing this, Маdаm Li wаs instаntly dumbfounded.
Shе flustеredly сalled оut "Маstеr," hurriеdlу defending hеrself: "Didn't we agree when I wеnt tо the сaрitаl? It wаs tо cаrе fоr Еldеst Miss, whо was about tо givе birth, during her сonfinement! Аside from stаying at Еlm Тrее Аllеу or Elm Соin Allеу, I оnly wеnt out twо оr three timеs, аnd eаch time Seсond Miss aссоmpаnied me. As fоr whу Fоurth Mаstеr Сhеng intrоduсed businеss tо my еlder brоther, I truly dоn't know! Тhаt dаy, wе just hаррened to run intо each other аnd casuallу mentionеd it. Aftеr mу brothеr returned, he thought it was just idle talk over drinks and didn't take it seriously. When a steward from Fourth Master Cheng's side came looking for him the next day, my brother thought he was dreaming!
"As for Shaojin's residence, Fourth Master Cheng said Old Madam Guo had instructed him to purchase it... Who would think they have too much money and casually spend so much buying a house to give away? Besides, Eldest Miss was also present at the time and knew about this matter.
"If there's anything strange about all this, I really don't know!"
"Master," she pleaded, tears falling in her urgency, "I truly haven't done anything, let alone kept anything from you! I don't know what Fourth Master Cheng told you, but I'm willing to confront him face to face!"
By now, Madam Li's face had turned pale, filled with despair.
What on earth was all this commotion about?
Zhou Zhen was furious, but looking at Madam Li's grief-stricken face, he couldn't help feeling both amused and exasperated. He couldn't resist saying, "What nonsense are you thinking? If I didn't trust you, would I have let you go care for Chujin during her confinement?"
Before he could finish his sentence, Madam Li's face had already brightened.
"You... you really believe me?" She felt her face burning hotly.
Zhou Zhen casually grunted in acknowledgment, saying, "After so many years of marriage, I understand what kind of person you are."
Madam Li's face immediately glowed brilliantly. Her mind also began racing rapidly.
"Master!" She thought of one possibility and quickly said, "Could something have happened to the Cheng family's main branch?"
Zhou Zhen scoffed coldly, "Now I finally understand how baseless rumors come about."
Madam Li's face flushed like morning clouds, but her heart felt sweet, without a trace of displeasure.
Her husband said he believed in her character!
Nothing made her feel more that her efforts had been rewarded.
She asked with a smile, "Then what exactly happened?"
Zhou Zhen remained silent.
Normally, Madam Li shouldn't have pressed further. But Zhou Zhen's earlier words had given her courage. After thinking for a moment, she still said, "Master, in the years since I married you, you've treated me well. If my elder brother's business is causing you trouble, I'll go tell him right away to stop doing business with the imperial household. I believe my brother wouldn't disregard our sibling bond just for money..."
Zhou Zhen frowned. "Don't interfere in this matter. I know what I'm doing!" With that, he turned to leave.
If it wasn't because something happened to the Cheng family, nor because her brother was doing business with the imperial household, then what on earth was it?
Madam Li felt her mind growing even more muddled.
She grabbed Zhou Zhen's sleeve, gathering her courage to say, "Master, if you don't tell me, how can I know what you're really asking about? You know I'm not clever—I often don't understand your thoughts. But you can tell me! I definitely won't go against your wishes!"
That much was true!Ever since Madam Li married him, not only she herself, but even the Li family had looked to him as their leader.
Zhou Zhen halted his steps, unconsciously pondering the matter.
Madam Li quickly said, "Master, if you have something to say, just speak plainly with me!"
Cheng Chi was no seventeen or eighteen-year-old greenhorn; he could manage such large businesses for the main branch, so he was certainly no simple character.
His proposal for marriage definitely wasn’t some impulsive whim.
If Madam Li didn’t know about Shaojin’s situation, and the two of them had a dispute in the flower hall, as long as Madam Li had the intention, being the matriarch of the clan, she would surely have found out. If Madam Li already knew, or was even involved in it, what would be the point of his own concealment?
Zhou Zhen solemnly told Madam Li about Cheng Chi’s proposal.
Madam Li was so frightened she was dumbstruck.
No wonder her husband had questioned her!
The person had been entrusted to her care, yet something like this had happened—who else could he turn to if not her?
But she hadn’t noticed anything at all!
How could things have turned out this way?
When the two of them were together, there was no sign of anything unusual at all...
Could it have happened after she left the capital?
Just by looking at her expression, Zhou Zhen knew she was completely unaware of the matter.
He couldn’t help but sigh deeply and said, "You really didn’t notice anything?"
"Truly, I didn’t notice anything!" Madam Li’s eyes reddened. "Both of them were always proper and never behaved inappropriately. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been kept in the dark."
Whether there was anything between Shaojin and Cheng Chi or not, Madam Li, who spent day and night with Shaojin, hadn’t noticed any clues, so it was unlikely anyone else would have either.
As this thought flashed through his mind, Zhou Zhen felt as if struck by lightning.
Shaojin... could she have been willing?
Otherwise, if she had shown even the slightest hint of something unusual, Madam Li would have noticed... Or perhaps Cheng Chi had seduced her?
For a moment, Zhou Zhen’s heart was in turmoil, unable to put his feelings into words.
But Madam Li, having regained her composure, felt differently.
Shaojin... marrying Cheng Chi... Cheng Chi was a scholar who had passed both the provincial and metropolitan examinations!
Moreover, he was so handsome and elegant, with a noble and dignified bearing.
Although he seemed a bit aloof, upon closer interaction, one would find him warm-hearted beneath the surface and very willing to take care of family matters. Like her elder brother’s business—it was Cheng Chi who, upon hearing that her family had a winery, took the initiative to help her brother make connections and build bridges.
Thinking of this, she glanced at Zhou Zhen.
Now, Nine Prosperities Lane and the Cheng family had already separated their ancestral lines.
Cheng Chi’s own brother was a Grand Secretary in the cabinet!
If Shaojin married Cheng Chi... then Shaojin would be Cheng Jing’s sister-in-law... and the Zhou family would once again be in-laws with the main branch... wouldn’t her husband’s official career have someone to support him then?
The more Madam Li thought about it, the more she felt this was a good thing.
She couldn’t help but ask Zhou Zhen, "Did Fourth Master Cheng really propose to Shaojin?"
Hearing this, Zhou Zhen’s face instantly darkened like the bottom of a pot. He sneered, "You seem quite pleased? What, after doing business with the Wine and Vinegar Bureau, do you still have energy left for the Weaving and Dyeing Bureau?"
The Li family’s main business was in fabrics and silks.
Usually, if Madam Li heard such words, nine times out of ten she would think Zhou Zhen was looking down on her background.
But after Zhou Zhen had said he trusted her character, even if he truly thought that way, she didn’t mind at all—after all, even though she came from a merchant family, as long as Zhou Zhen still trusted her, that was enough."Look at the things you're saying, Master!" Madam Li said with a smile. "Am I not just happy for Second Miss? Fourth Master Cheng is someone whose background we know well. Apart from being a bit older than Shaojin, his learning, character, appearance, and family background are all exceptional..."
Zhou Zhen spat and said sternly, "Have you lost your mind? He’s a scholar who passed both imperial examinations—I admit his learning must be good. But aside from his learning, what character does he have? If he had character, could he have done something like this? Shaojin is his niece. If this matter becomes known, the gossip alone could drown him. What would happen to Shaojin then..."
He went on to criticize Cheng Chi at length.
Madam Li was unconvinced, muttering to herself, This isn’t good, that isn’t good. At least Fourth Master Cheng’s appearance is first-rate, isn’t it? Otherwise, why would you nitpick about everything but avoid mentioning his looks?
If nothing else, just based on Fourth Master Cheng’s appearance, any woman would be willing to marry him!
Suddenly, an idea struck her.
Why would Cheng Chi propose out of the blue?
Could it be that he and Zhou Shaojin are already in love?
On the surface, Madam Li listened meekly to Zhou Zhen’s lengthy tirade, but her mind was preoccupied with this matter.
Perhaps Zhou Chujin knows about this too!
Otherwise, why hasn’t there been even a whisper of it in the household?
Her husband treasures his two daughters from his previous wives like jewels. What if she took this opportunity to do a favor for Cheng Chi, Zhou Shaojin, and Zhou Chujin?
Seeing that her husband had been talking for a long time, Madam Li worried he might be thirsty and served him a cup of tea. Only after Zhou Zhen finished speaking did she gently say, "Master, don’t be angry. I know you’re concerned about Fourth Master Cheng’s and Second Miss’s backgrounds, but that was in the past. Now, Nine Prosperities Lane has separated from the main branch. Our family is only related by marriage to the Cheng family in Jinling’s Nine Prosperities Lane—what does that have to do with the Cheng clan in the capital? Just because we’re related by marriage to the Cheng family in Jinling’s Nine Prosperities Lane, does that mean we can’t form a marriage alliance with the Cheng clan in the capital? What about the Yuan family in Tongxiang? Or the Fang family in Shucheng? Aren’t they all marrying within their own circles? Why can’t we do the same?
"Besides, don’t the wealthy families in Jiangnan emphasize ‘marrying a daughter to a good match, not demanding a heavy dowry’? We’re choosing a good match, not his background. If his appearance and learning are a good match for Second Miss, why should you be so rigid about this? Our Second Miss’s looks are simply too exceptional—ordinary families wouldn’t be able to handle her!"
Zhou Zhen was shaken.
He recalled the marriage between Madam Zhuang and Cheng Bai.
If Cheng Bai had been someone capable, would Madam Zhuang have married him?
Would the mother and daughter end up walking the same path?
Zhou Zhen’s resolve began to waver.
Madam Li had always watched Zhou Zhen’s expressions since marrying into the family. Now, seeing his resolve weaken, she knew her words had moved him and decided to press on. "Fourth Master Cheng is also a thoughtful person, waiting until the main branch and Nine Prosperities Lane separated before bringing this up. If he had proposed earlier, it would have truly put our Second Miss in a difficult position. When it comes down to it, it’s because of the generational difference. If you’re still undecided, why not write a letter back and ask Old Madam Guan? She’s walked more bridges than we’ve walked roads—it never hurts to seek more advice."
Would we really let the fourth branch know about Shaojin’s situation?
Zhou Zhen was deeply hesitant but remained silent.Seeing that no amount of persuasion would work, Madam Li simply stopped talking and sat quietly beside Zhou Zhen.
Marry Shaojin... to Cheng Chi?
Zhou Zhen’s emotions were complicated.
He went to his study.
Madam Li thought he must have gone to offer incense to Madam Zhuang.
Whenever he encountered such matters, he would light incense before Madam Zhuang’s portrait. For something as important as Shaojin’s marriage, he would naturally want to consult Madam Zhuang.
Madam Li quietly summoned Mama Li and asked her to send a message to Cheng Chi: "...The master is currently furious. Fourth Master should wait a few days before paying a visit."
Cheng Chi rewarded Mama Li generously.
A hidden thread, stretching far and wide.
The seeds planted earlier had finally borne fruit!
※
Dear readers, here is today’s update.
O(∩_∩)O~
PS:
Tomorrow’s extra update will be around five in the evening.
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel