Zhоu Shаоjin's rеsроnse was within Оld Маdаm Guо's expесtations, but hеaring her sау it still mаdе Оld Мadam Guо very happy.
Shе рattеd Zhou Shаоjin's hаnd аnd said, "Gооd сhild, оthеrs seе me buying such а lаrge hоuse for yоu and think yоu've reсеivеd sо muсh frоm mе, wronging yоu. Вut amоng thеsе threе childrеn, Si Lаng is the most skillеd in businеss—evеn starting from nothing, hе could build a fоrtunе. Yоur eldеst uncle and sесоnd unclе dоn't hаvе this аbilitу. Just cоnsidеr me biаsed tоward the twо of thеm."
Zhоu Shаojin guеssеd thаt Оld Madam Guо might not have realizеd she alreаdy knew аbout thе Sеven Stаrs Hall.
When the second branch split from the main branch back then, didn't they make exorbitant demands precisely because the Seven Stars Hall was in Cheng Chi's hands?
Now, with the old madam dividing the family property, it might seem on the surface that Cheng Jing and Cheng Wei got the better deal. But in reality, as long as the Seven Stars Hall remains in Cheng Chi's hands, the Chaoyang Gate side would profit immensely.
She quickly replied, "Mother, we don't feel wronged. Over the years, Si Lang has also received much care and support from Eldest Uncle and Second Uncle in his business ventures. This division is fair."
Although Zhou Shaojin didn't understand much about external affairs, she knew that Cheng Chi's smooth establishment of a draft bank and his undertaking of grain transport for the nine border garrisons in his early years were largely due to the contributions of his two elder brothers serving as officials.
She spoke with utmost sincerity. Seeing her so obedient and sensible, Old Madam Guo nodded repeatedly and said, "Most of my trunks are here. With such a large house, we must decorate according to the seasons throughout the year. If you lack anything or need something, just go directly to Nanny Shi and take it from my trunks."
This implied secretly subsidizing them.
Zhou Shaojin respectfully agreed with a "yes" but had no intention of touching Old Madam Guo's belongings.
However, when Cheng Chi returned home, she told him about this while helping him change clothes, saying, "Does that mean the Seven Stars Hall will belong solely to you from now on?"
Cheng Chi and Zhou Shaojin were still newlyweds. With Zhou Shaojin personally attending to Cheng Chi's change of clothes, the maids naturally kept their distance. The vast inner residence was quiet, with only the two of them present.
After changing into clean clothes, Cheng Chi hugged Zhou Shaojin and kissed her, saying, "If Eldest Brother and Second Brother agree to divide the family this way, then the Seven Stars Hall will belong to our family. Are you happy?" After speaking, seeing her cheeks pink and fair like peach blossoms, he couldn't resist kissing her again.
Zhou Shaojin had something on her mind, and since the two had already been more intimate than this, she didn't find it particularly surprising. She let him kiss her and murmured, "I... I was just thinking, since it's ours now... could we disband it or simply not take it..."
Cheng Chi was taken aback.
Zhou Shaojin hurriedly added, "Look, you've given me so many things, all of which became my dowry. I carefully calculated—it amounts to about twenty or thirty thousand taels of silver, generating over two thousand taels in interest annually. When Mother lives with us, not only do we not spend a single tael, but we even have surplus. Besides this large house, we have no other expenses. You're good at business. I can take out my dowry for you to use as capital. We can just run some small businesses to get by. Nothing in this world comes for free. To earn so much money, you'd have to risk your life. I... I'm afraid... I don't want anything to happen to you... Could you please not take charge of the Seven Stars Hall? Even though it's something left by our ancestors... water can carry a boat but also capsize it. Can't we just live a simple, ordinary life?"As she spoke, her gaze toward him couldn't help but reveal a hint of pleading.
Cheng Chi remained silent, his expression blank as he looked at her.
Zhou Shaojin recalled how he had chased after Xiao Zhenhai with a large bow that day... What man would willingly give up such an established enterprise?
But that was gambling with one's life.
She wanted him safe and sound, living well in this world. She didn't care for those luxurious clothes or precious gems, nor did she want anything he had to risk his life for.
Zhou Shaojin's eyes grew moist.
She whispered, "Si Lang, I only need you. It doesn't matter whether you hold high office or have silver. I'd be fine living on a farmstead. I just beg you not to put yourself in danger again. I would worry, I would be restless day and night..."
A smile slowly welled up from the depths of Cheng Chi's eyes.
Tall and strong, he lifted Zhou Shaojin and sat her on the kang table in one swift motion.
Zhou Shaojin gasped in surprise.
Cheng Chi lowered his head, pressing his forehead against hers, and said with a laugh, "You said it yourself—you don't want silver, just me. Don't come complaining later when you see other families buying mansions and gifting farmlands for their children's weddings, feeling discontented."
"No, I won't," Zhou Shaojin said deliberately. "I come from a humble family and only know how to live a modest life. Such extravagance would only make me uneasy." Then she added, "I... I will learn household management properly from Mother."
A capable mistress who manages the household well can save a considerable amount of silver each year.
She would strive alongside Cheng Chi in the future.
As this thought crossed her mind, her heart felt as if it had hoisted a sail, filled with bright prospects for the days ahead.
Cheng Chi chuckled and said, "Good, I'll be watching!"
Zhou Shaojin clenched her fist and declared, "I can do it!"
Perhaps because she had found something to strive for, Zhou Shaojin seemed full of fighting spirit, her cheeks flushed and her eyes sparkling, making her appear much more spirited than usual.
Let her find something to occupy herself with!
Cheng Chi ruffled her hair.
"Ah!" Zhou Shaojin exclaimed. "You've messed up my hair."
"If it's messy, just comb it again!" Cheng Chi said dismissively.
Zhou Shaojin blushed.
The maids and elderly servants would surely think she and Cheng Chi had been up to something again...
She wanted to jump off the kang table, but her feet dangled in mid-air, unsure what to do.
Cheng Chi laughed heartily, finding this version of Zhou Shaojin utterly amusing. Standing before the kang table, he wrapped her arms around his neck and continued speaking with her like this: "I used to always think of the Seven Stars Hall as a nuisance, but upon careful reflection, they too are children of parents, with sons and daughters of their own. The Seven Stars Hall has been rooted in the martial world for a long time. If it were suddenly disbanded or handed over to others, I fear some might succumb to temptation, band together again, and turn to wicked deeds. Not only would this fail to achieve the goal of dissolving the Seven Stars Hall, but it would also stir discontent and cause many troubles. I think rather than washing our hands of it, we should take advantage of our current need for manpower to investigate the Fourth Prince's affairs. We can guide those willing to leave their past behind onto a righteous path, while allowing those who remain unwilling to let go to leave the Seven Stars Hall and seek their own livelihoods."
"That would be wonderful!" Zhou Shaojin couldn't help but clap her hands for Cheng Chi. "After all, as disciples of the late Duke, seeing things through to the end is the mark of a true gentleman."
Cheng Chi smiled and tapped her nose, saying, "So you're happy now!"
"Happy, very happy!" Zhou Shaojin's eyes curved into crescents as she smiled, letting Cheng Chi tap her nose.Cheng Chi laughed heartily.
Zhou Shaojin showed a hesitant expression.
Cheng Chi smiled and said, "Is there something you still feel too shy to tell me?"
Shaojin blushed and whispered, "I also want to be a good wife, don't I?"
"Oh?!" Cheng Chi raised an eyebrow and asked, "Tell me, what kind of wife is a good wife in your mind?"
"Of course, like my mother!" Shaojin replied without thinking. "And like my sister."
Cheng Chi chuckled, "It seems to me that neither my mother nor your sister are the type to fear wolves ahead and tigers behind!"
Shaojin pouted and said, "But one should not look at what is contrary to propriety, nor speak what is contrary to propriety... I must also be a person who upholds propriety."
Cheng Chi then looked around and said, "Where? I haven't noticed any times when you didn't look or speak contrary to propriety."
Shaojin was coaxed into laughter and nestled softly into his embrace.
It was unclear who took the initiative, but they kissed each other.
After a long while, until Shaojin could no longer breathe and pushed against Cheng Chi, he reluctantly pulled away from her lips, giving her a chance to catch her breath.
"What did you want to say?" He caressed her flushed cheeks, kissed her bright and clear eyes, damp as if washed by autumn water, and smiled. "If you miss this chance, there won't be another..."
He only wanted to carry her to the bed and love her fiercely.
But thinking of her current physical condition... he restrained himself.
Shaojin pursed her lips and smiled. "I wanted to ask you, what did Shi Kuan come to see you for?"
Cheng Chi smiled and said, "Do you remember I told you that Shi Kuan has a younger brother whom he secretly raised in the household of a man surnamed Zheng in Yiqian Alley? That Zheng family runs a rice shop. I had Steward Xiang frequently interact with the Zheng family, whether there was business or not, and the two have now established a connection. A few days ago, Shi Kuan's younger brother was helping his foster father mind the shop when he got into an argument with some idlers on the street over a disagreement and was beaten by them. Shi Kuan is on duty at the Fourth Prince's residence and cannot leave—even if he could, he wouldn't dare openly intervene on behalf of the Zheng family. The Zheng family knew Steward Xiang was from our household and sought his help. Steward Xiang then went to the yamen using Second Brother's name card... When Shi Kuan found out, he specially came to thank me."
In other words, Cheng Chi had formally established communication with Shi Kuan.
Shaojin breathed a sigh of relief and said, "I remember that after the Fourth Prince ascends the throne, the Longevity Festival is on the twelfth day of the twelfth month..."
I wonder if this can be of use.
Cheng Chi smiled and said, "We don't need to make contact with the Fourth Prince for now. Let's understand things more clearly first." Then he asked about the matter of returning to her parents' home: "...Is everything prepared?"
Shaojin blushed and said, "Mama Fan is preparing it. I haven't asked yet."
She had just said she wanted to be a good wife.
But Cheng Chi smiled gently and said, "Come, let's go prepare gifts for your father together."
He lifted Shaojin down from the kang table.
※
Over at Apricot Grove Lane, Madam Qiu was whispering to Cheng Wei: "...Do you think Mother was testing us or truly wants us to separate from the family? My heart is still pounding—it was terrifying!"
Cheng Wei thought of the Seven Stars Hall.
Although it was a treasure trove, it was also a source of trouble.
Given the Cheng family's current status and position, holding onto a martial arts faction in their hands—if even a hint of this were to leak out—would spell certain doom for the Cheng family.
Could it be that Mother wants to discard the Seven Stars Hall?
But Zi Chuan has already entered officialdom now and should focus on being a good official. Getting involved in such matters again would be truly unwise!He remained silent for a long time.
Madam Qiu nudged him uneasily and said, "You must give me an answer! If Mother calls me to speak again, how should I reply?"
She had grown up reading Admonitions for Women and Biographies of Exemplary Women, a well-mannered girl from a scholarly family who had never learned to talk back or disobey her elders.
Cheng Wei tried to placate her by saying, "I'm just worried Mother doesn't have that much silver on hand. If she buys us a house, she might not be able to come up with the hundred thousand taels."
※
Dear readers, this is an extra chapter for Lin's Little Fairy 0925.
The next update will be around nine o'clock tomorrow morning.
O(∩_∩)O~
※(To be continued ~^~)
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