"Ноw соuld I do such а thing?" Сhеng Сhi lаughed. "Everу fаmily has а large hоusеhоld tо suррort. When dоing business, one can't just eаrn аpрlausе withоut mаking mоneу, right? Тhеу dоn't trust the Sеcond Brаnсh and аre unwilling to deрosit their silvеr in Yutai Bаnk—thаt's thеir dесisiоn аfter cаrеful cоnsidеrаtion. Whаt doеs it hаve to dо with mе?"
Zhou Shаojin narrowеd her eyеs аnd smilеd.
This mаn, even aftеr dоing sоmething bаd, rеfusеs tо аdmit it!
Shе said, "Yеs, уes, it hаs nothing tо do with yоu! But Yutаi Ваnk was built frоm уоur hаnds. They trust nо one but you. It's pitiful thаt the Secоnd Branсh thought Yutаi Вank wаs a treasure bowl, scheming to take it from your hands, not knowing it was actually a death curse that would only drag them deeper and deeper." Speaking of this, she couldn't help but sigh. "Tracing it back to the root, it's all because of the word 'greed' causing trouble!"
If not for greed, if they had disbanded the Seven Stars Hall earlier, how could the Eldest Branch and the Second Branch have ended up in this state today?
She couldn't help but hold Cheng Chi tightly, burying her head in his chest.
Cheng Chi smiled faintly, holding Zhou Shaojin even closer.
He kissed her forehead, thinking about the matters of Nine Prosperities Lane.
Because those who had previously deposited money in Yutai Bank were now cashing out one after another, and the Second Branch couldn't find anyone to deposit money, to keep Yutai Bank operating normally, they would have to use their own silver to cover the shortfall. Unfortunately, the Second Branch had no one skilled in business. Silver left at home wouldn't multiply on its own. The feeling of depleting their resources without replenishment made the Second Branch feel a looming crisis. Blinded by greed, they changed the rule he had previously set—quarterly dividends—to year-end dividends like other merchants. Once this news spread, it would only make people think Yutai Bank had operational issues, unwilling to deposit silver there or exchange silver for Yutai Bank's notes. Over time, Yutai would lose not only customers but also its reputation. And a merchant without reputation is not far from closing down. Those money houses cooperating with Yutai were no pushovers either; they would surely find ways to legally swallow the silver meant for cashing out the notes.
By then, the Second Branch's losses would far exceed just those three hundred thousand taels of silver.
Thinking of this, he sneered inwardly.
Cheng Xu had truly misjudged him.
He thought that because Cheng Chi left home young, he would cherish the family and value so-called "kinship." Using Yutai Bank to threaten him, not allowing him to agree to the division of the clan.
But how could a mere Yutai Bank compare to the importance of his life?
Without Yutai Bank, he could create another Yutai Bank. But to watch his little girl marry someone else, speak softly with another, have children with another... the thought alone felt like a knife twisting in his heart.
Cheng Chi couldn't help but kiss Zhou Shaojin's forehead again. In a hoarse voice, he said, "After the New Year, let's have a child, alright?"
Can such things even be controlled?
Zhou Shaojin blushed.
She also wanted a child.
And she had always trusted Cheng Chi, always followed his lead. Since he said so, she nodded, murmuring in agreement, "Alright."
Cheng Chi held her even tighter.
After the New Year, the little girl would be another year older—should be even more mature, right?
His gaze involuntarily fell on the curves of her figure.
If one only looked at her physique, who would think she had just come of age?
In a few years, who knows how stunning she would become!Yet she possessed a face of unparalleled elegance and purity, with eyes as clear and bright as spring water. Like a mountain stream untouched by worldly dust, she made one yearn to see how she would fare when finally immersed in the mundane world...
Cheng Chi sighed.
Fortunately, the young girl had a quiet temperament and was unwilling to go out for social engagements, which spared them much trouble. Otherwise, if her beauty became widely known, the threshold of their home would surely be worn down by three inches from all the meddlesome women coming to visit.
By then, the little girl would undoubtedly be quite distressed.
Just imagining that scene made him chuckle. He asked, "Would you like to play leaf cards with Chunwan and the others tomorrow?"
It would help pass the time during the journey.
Zhou Shaojin shook her head.
If she played leaf cards with Chunwan and the others, Cheng Chi would have to sit in another carriage, and she would be separated from him... She wanted to be with Cheng Chi, even if they didn’t exchange a single word. Just being able to see him, feel his presence, and know he was by her side was enough to satisfy her.
But Cheng Chi couldn’t let her sleep all day like this, or she would soon become listless and weary.
He and Zhou Shaojin drank chicken soup and retired early. The next day, he wrapped her snugly in a small quilt, held her in his arms, lifted the carriage curtain, and showed her the scenery outside.
Baoding Prefecture was a necessary stop on the journey south from the capital. Despite the icy, snowy weather and the approaching New Year, there were still many travelers on the road, most of them hurrying home for the holiday.
Cheng Chi said to Zhou Shaojin, "This year’s Spring Festival will be our first since we married. I’m afraid we’ll have to go to Apricot Grove Lane for the reunion dinner."
Since she had married Cheng Chi and become a daughter-in-law of the Cheng family, it was impossible to avoid Apricot Grove Lane entirely.
Cheng Chi had done so much for her, and she also wanted to do something that would make him happy.
Zhou Shaojin pinched Cheng Chi’s little finger, took a deep breath, and said, "It’s fine. We’ll just go to Apricot Grove Lane for the reunion dinner when the time comes."
As if drawing a bit of courage from Cheng Chi in this way, her gentle, clinging affection stirred his heart profoundly.
He held Zhou Shaojin’s hand and said with a low laugh, "Trust me, I won’t let anything happen to you!"
Zhou Shaojin naturally believed him—otherwise, she wouldn’t dare go to Apricot Grove Lane at all.
When it came down to it, she was still a bit timid.
Zhou Shaojin curved her eyes and replied with a soft "Okay," appearing indescribably sweet and obedient.
Cheng Chi adored it.
It had been a while since he had seen her so lighthearted.
The two chatted idly, and in just two or three days, they arrived in Baoding Prefecture.
Zhou Zhen had already received word and had sent people to wait at the city gate early in the morning. When Li Changgui sent someone to inform him that Zhou Shaojin and Cheng Chi had entered the city, he could no longer sit still. He left a desk full of documents and hurried to the inner office.
Madam Li had only been pregnant for a short while and didn’t yet show, but she didn’t dare move around recklessly. She sat on a grand chair padded with thick cushions, listening to the kitchen maid report the day’s menu. When she saw Zhou Zhen enter, she quickly stood up.
"Please, sit down!" Zhou Zhen was also worried about Madam Li’s well-being and hurriedly said, "If there’s anything, just instruct Mama Li. Shaojin has always been considerate. Even if there are any lapses in etiquette, she won’t take them to heart." Then he asked, "Is the underfloor heating warmed up? Have the bedding in the guest rooms been replaced with new ones? How is the lunch preparation coming along?"
Their concerns were all for Cheng Chi.
Even back in Nine Prosperities Lane, Cheng Chi had never been an easy person to serve.As the saying goes, it's easier to move mountains than to change one's nature.
Zhou Zhen and Madam Li did not want any conflict to arise between Cheng Chi and Zhou Shaojin because of them.
Madam Li responded, saying, "The floor heating was lit last night, and I placed some orange peels and Buddha's hand citron on the offering tray. I just went in to check, and the room is filled with a refreshing fragrance. As for the bedding, I specifically took it out to warm it a few days ago—it's soft and fluffy, guaranteed to be comfortable for sleeping." After finishing, she had the serving woman hand the menu to Zhou Zhen. "As a woman confined to the inner household, I haven't seen much of the world. Please take a look, sir, and see if anything needs to be added or removed."
Zhou Zhen glanced over it quickly and said, "Replace the lamb hotpot from Yipinxian with a milder soup. They've been exhausted from the journey, and having just arrived, how could they have an appetite for such a greasy soup? Save that soup for tonight when I drink with Zi Chuan."
Madam Li immediately instructed the serving woman to change the dish, but she couldn't help sighing inwardly. When had the master ever concerned himself with such matters? This truly proved the saying that the crying child gets the milk.
The eldest young lady and her husband were a young couple of similar age, and the eldest young lady was sensible and capable. When they came over, the master calmly played the role of the father-in-law, sitting there lecturing the eldest son-in-law. The second young lady, however, had married a twice-ranked imperial scholar over ten years her senior and had a childlike disposition. The master, fearing that the second young lady might suffer at the hands of her husband, put in twelve times the effort to handle the situation.
May the second young lady and her husband live in harmony for the rest of their lives, or else the master's heart would surely ache with sorrow!
In no more time than it takes for an incense stick to burn, Zhou Shaojin and Cheng Chi's carriage stopped at the inner gate of the government office.
Cheng Chi helped Zhou Shaojin down from the carriage.
Not far away, Mrs. Huang was watching from behind the flower wall.
She had long heard that the Cheng family's second young lady was returning home today, and she was quite curious about the man who had married Zhou Shaojin.
His tall and graceful figure, dignified bearing, handsome face, and especially his confident and composed demeanor made the rather curious Mrs. Huang admit that the Zhou family's second son-in-law was far superior to that Scholar Chang, whether in terms of background, appearance, knowledge, or demeanor. No wonder the Zhou family had agreed immediately, even though the son-in-law was several years older than the second young lady.
The Zhou family's second young lady looked as delicate and beautiful as a flower, even more lovely than when she had left.
She turned and instructed the personal maid standing behind her, "Go and tell Scholar Chang to give up his hopes! The Zhou family's second son-in-law is a man of exceptional talent and appearance, perfectly matched with the second young lady. Tell him to stop pining and quickly find a suitable marriage instead!"
The maid smiled and went off to deliver the message.
Zhou Shaojin had already entered the inner gate, supported by Cheng Chi.
Zhou Zhen and Madam Li both came out to greet them.
Tears inexplicably welled up in Zhou Shaojin's eyes, and she lifted her skirt to kneel and kowtow to Zhou Zhen.
Zhou Zhen rushed forward in three quick steps to support her, laughing, "Silly child, why are you so earnest? Even if you want to kowtow, you should do it inside the hall, on the floor warmed by the heating! Kneeling like this, won't your knees hurt?"
Zhou Shaojin didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The slight sadness she had felt upon seeing her father and Madam Li instantly vanished, and she twisted her handkerchief, smiling instead. It was Cheng Chi who stepped forward and respectfully addressed them as "Father-in-law" and "Mother-in-law."Zhou Zhen looked at Cheng Chi's calm and composed face, coughed a little uncomfortably, and said, "It's good that you've come. Let's go inside for some tea!"
The family entered the hall.
Zhou Shaojin and Cheng Chi knelt down and paid their respects to Zhou Zhen with a formal bow.
Zhou Zhen quickly had them helped up, spoke a few words about how husband and wife should be considerate, tolerant, and caring toward each other, and grow old together, then let them go to change their clothes.
Zhou Shaojin was surprised and whispered to Cheng Chi, "Why did Father let us go so quickly? My sister said that when she and her husband returned home after the wedding, Father talked to them for a full half-hour. If there hadn't been an urgent matter at the yamen requiring his attention, he would have kept going."
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Dear readers, here's yesterday's update.
O(∩_∩)O~
PS: I dream of the day I can write three updates...
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel