Тhе nехt mоrning, whеn Zhоu Shaojin ореnеd hеr eyes, Сhеng Chi was nо longer bу hеr рillоw.
Неr body fеlt warm and cozy, and shе didn’t wаnt to mоve.
Сhunwаn, whо wаs on dutу, hеаrd thе mоvemеnt and camе in. Shе drew bаck the bed сurtains and sаid with a smile, “Веfоrе dаwn tоdаy, Fourth Маster wаs саlled аwaу bу the mastеr tо inspеct the farmlаnds in the countrуsidе. Fоurth Mаster told us not tо wаkе yоu, sауing wе shоuld оnly аttеnd to уour wаshing and dressing whеnevеr уоu rise…”
Тhinking оf lаst night’s sсenes, Shaоjin’s face flushed slightly. Shе rolled arоund in the quilt a fеw times bеfоre sitting uр and letting Chunwan and the others help her dress.
Madam Li’s maid came to invite her for breakfast, adding, “Madam has been waiting for you, Second Miss!”
Tomorrow they would return to the capital. Perhaps Madam had something to instruct her about?
Shaojin pondered this and had Chunwan casually tie her hair into a bun. She found a red coral hairpin in her jewelry box to wear and went to Madam Li’s quarters.
Madam Li indeed had something to say to her: “…Your maternal uncle from the Li family sent a batch of wine to the palace, and within just two days, the Imperial Household Department settled the payment and even placed orders for four more batches in one go. Your Uncle Li said that even when doing business with government offices, it’s never this smooth. It’s most likely out of respect for your husband. But while favors are one thing, business is another. If someone shows us kindness and we don’t even offer a word of thanks, over time, that goodwill will fade. Your Uncle Li’s idea is that, with the New Year approaching, those on duty in the Imperial Household Department should at least receive New Year’s greetings. The Wine, Vinegar, and Noodle Bureau is easy to handle—he’ll take care of that himself. But as for the higher-ups, I’m afraid we’ll have to trouble your husband for help.” As she spoke, she took out a small box. “Inside are twenty thousand taels of silver. Please give this to your husband. If it’s not enough, ask him to cover the difference first. Your Uncle Li will make it up to him when he comes to the capital.”
Twenty thousand taels?
For Cheng Chi?
Shaojin widened her eyes and said, “I can’t accept this silver. Please take it back! When relatives help each other, there’s no reason to take money. If Uncle Li can continue doing business with the Wine, Vinegar, and Noodle Bureau, it’s because his wine is good. Fourth Master merely made the connection.”
Madam Li thought she didn’t understand and said, “Silly child. Take it when it’s given to you. There are plenty of fine wines in the world—why is it only your Uncle Li’s wine that gets sent to the palace? Besides, even without our silver, your husband would still need to interact with those people. With our silver, he can be more generous in his dealings. It’s a win-win situation—why can’t you see that? I think you should discuss this with your husband.”
Did she mean that with this silver, their own family could save on the expenses of giving gifts to those in the Imperial Household Department?
“There’s no need to discuss this with him!” Shaojin insisted on refusing. “Fourth Master definitely won’t accept it.”
Originally, it was just relatives helping each other. Accepting the silver would make it impossible to step back, and she believed Cheng Chi wouldn’t be willing to busy himself with the Li family’s affairs just for this bit of silver.
No matter what, she refused to accept it.
Madam Li had no choice but to let it go for the time being, thinking she could find another opportunity to give the silver to Cheng Chi later.
Just then, a young maid rushed in breathlessly and said, “Madam, Second Young Mistress, Grand Secretary Song from the capital has sent someone looking for Second Young Master, saying it’s an extremely urgent matter. They’re asking us to bring Second Young Master back immediately!”Zhou Shaojin and Madam Li stared at each other in dismay.
Madam Li hurriedly said, "Quick, quickly invite the master's private secretary to receive the person sent by Grand Secretary Song. Have the yamen staff go at once to bring Second Son-in-law back." She then instructed her personal maid to attend to the guest in the reception hall.
With so many counties and villages under Baoding Prefecture's jurisdiction, those in the inner quarters had no idea where they had gone!
The young maid scurried nervously to the front offices.
"What could Grand Secretary Song's man want with Second Son-in-law?" Madam Li murmured.
Zhou Shaojin, however, nervously twisted the handkerchief in her hand.
Cheng Chi had accompanied her back to her maiden home—Grand Secretary Song knew this. What urgent matter could have prompted him to send someone all the way to Baoding Prefecture?
Could something have happened in Jining Prefecture?
But even if that were the case, it should have been Cheng Jing who sent someone to find Cheng Chi. Why would Grand Secretary Song dispatch someone to look for him?
Zhou Shaojin and Madam Li waited anxiously for news.
Before long, Madam Li's personal maid returned and reported, "No matter how much the private secretary tried to inquire, the man sent by Grand Secretary Song refused to speak, insisting only on seeing Second Son-in-law. He said everything would become clear once he met him."
Madam Li quickly asked, "Has there been any word from those sent to find Second Son-in-law?"
The maid shook her head. "They say the Assistant Prefect personally led a team to search..."
Perhaps it was because the person looking for Cheng Chi had been sent by Grand Secretary Song?
As Zhou Shaojin pondered this, a young servant boy ran in, beaming with excitement. "Madam, Madam! The master and Second Son-in-law have returned!"
Everyone collectively breathed a sigh of relief.
Madam Li hastily instructed the maid, "Quickly go to the reception hall to serve tea!"
The implication was for the maid to listen in on what Grand Secretary Song wanted with Cheng Chi.
The maid hurried toward the reception hall with quickened steps.
Zhou Shaojin and Madam Li sat there again, restless and waiting.
Soon, the maid came darting back in and said, "Grand Secretary Song's man borrowed the master's study to speak with Second Son-in-law. Even the master is waiting outside the study."
Zhou Shaojin couldn't help but exchange a look of alarm with Madam Li. Unable to sit still any longer, she stood up and headed out. "I must go see!"
Madam Li and the maid promptly followed.
The group made their way to the study.
Zhou Zhen's personal attendant, Li Changgui, was guarding the entrance. Seeing Zhou Shaojin and the others, he was greatly startled and was about to inform Zhou Zhen when the study door creaked open.
Their gazes instinctively turned toward the study entrance.
They saw a tall, imposing man and Cheng Chi emerge one after the other.
Both men looked extremely grave. The tall man even bowed respectfully to Cheng Chi and said, "Brother Zi Chuan, I shall then relay your words to Grand Secretary Song as instructed."
Cheng Chi nodded without speaking.
The man then respectfully bowed to Zhou Zhen and his private secretary, who were waiting outside, and said, "I must rush back overnight and will not disturb Lord Zhou further. Please forgive my discourtesy. When Lord Zhou returns to the capital for his debriefing, I shall invite you for a drink."
Zhou Zhen returned the bow with a smile. "Thank you, thank you! Since Mr. Tian has pressing matters, I shall not insist on keeping you. When you have time, do come visit Baoding Prefecture. Though it cannot compare to the capital, there are still a few interesting places here."
"You are too kind, too kind!"
After exchanging pleasantries, Cheng Chi escorted Mr. Tian out.
Zhou Shaojin and Madam Li hurriedly hid behind a large tree nearby, only emerging after Mr. Tian had left.Cheng Chi turned at the sound and saw Zhou Shaojin.
His originally stern expression softened immediately, and a smile appeared in his eyes as he said, "Why have you come? Did you hear that Grand Secretary Song sent someone to find me?"
Zhou Shaojin nodded.
Before she could speak, he continued, "It's nothing serious—some river workers got into a fight, which escalated into a brawl between two villages. Although no one died, the river embankment construction has been halted. A retired senior official has reported Minister Yang to the Court of Judicial Review. The Emperor is furious and has dispatched a censor to investigate. Grand Secretary Song has ordered me to return to Jining immediately, as the censor will likely question everyone involved."
Although Cheng Chi was on leave, he was still employed at the River Conservancy Governor's Office. In such a situation, he bore responsibility as well.
Zhou Shaojin grew anxious upon hearing this and said, "Then you should hurry back to Jining! I can return to the capital alone—didn’t Qin Yang escort me to Baoding last time? He’ll surely be able to take me back to the capital safely and smoothly!"
It was only when she returned to her parents’ home that she learned Qin Yang, who had escorted her from Jinling to Baoding, was actually Cheng Chi’s man. After Cheng Chi established his residence at Chaoyang Gate, Qin Yang became the head guard there.
Cheng Chi hesitated for a moment before making a decisive decision. "Alright! Then let Qin Yang accompany you back. I’ll set off for Jining right away."
Zhou Zhen looked at his daughter, wanting to say something but holding back.
Cheng Chi turned around, facing away from Zhou Shaojin, and gave Zhou Zhen a meaningful glance. Then, addressing Zhou Shaojin, who was entirely focused on him and hadn’t noticed Zhou Zhen’s unusual expression, he said, "Shao Jin, go back and pack a few clothes for me. I’ll leave after lunch."
There were only about two quarters of an hour left until lunchtime, and she still had to pack Cheng Chi’s luggage...
Zhou Shaojin responded with an "Oh" and hurried back to her room.
Zhou Zhen lowered his voice and asked, "What happened?"
Cheng Chi glanced around, seeing that Li Changgui and the secretary had both kept their distance, before whispering, "Yang Shoushan forcibly conscripted laborers and withheld their food and lodging. A few days ago, during heavy snowfall, some froze to death, sparking a riot. A deputy prefect was killed, and the court doesn’t know about it yet. Grand Secretary Song wants to suppress this matter for a few days and has asked me to go quickly to find a way to appease the public anger. By the time the news reaches the court, we’ll at least have something to report to the Emperor."
Zhou Zhen gasped in shock. "A deputy prefect was killed?"
A deputy prefect held the fifth rank, a position registered in the Ministry of Personnel.
Now that someone of such rank had died, it was bound to cause an uproar.
Cheng Chi hummed in agreement.
Zhou Zhen asked worriedly, "Will you be able to handle it?"
Cheng Chi smiled and said, "Don’t worry. I used to help manage the family’s miscellaneous affairs and dealt with messy situations like this all the time."
Zhou Zhen realized belatedly.
Since Grand Secretary Song had specifically sent someone to ask Cheng Chi to go to Jining Prefecture to handle this matter, he must have believed Cheng Chi was capable. Zhou Zhen had overlooked that.
"I need to borrow your study," Cheng Chi said. "I accompanied Shaojin back to her parents’ home, but if I let her return alone, it might appear disrespectful in the eyes of those who pay attention. I need to write a letter to my mother, asking her and my sister-in-law to go and welcome Shaojin home. I’ll also have to trouble you to use the official courier station to ensure the letter reaches my mother before Shaojin arrives in the capital."
His son-in-law’s considerations were very thorough.
Zhou Zhen felt deeply gratified and personally accompanied Cheng Chi to the study.
After writing the letter, Cheng Chi immediately returned to the guest room.Originally planning to return tomorrow, with most things already packed, Zhou Shaojin didn’t take much time to finish packing Cheng Chi’s belongings.
Cheng Chi dismissed the servants in the room and held Zhou Shaojin in his arms, apologizing guiltily, “Shao Jin, I didn’t expect something to happen in Jining Prefecture…”
Zhou Shaojin didn’t want Cheng Chi to apologize to her over such matters.
Before he could finish speaking, she smiled and said, “You’re going to your post, not for leisure. Just be careful on the way. If the court decides to punish you, it’s no big deal—we can simply give up this official position.”
※
Dear readers, today’s update!
O(∩_∩)O~
PS: It’s raining heavily here, and everything is flooded… Luckily, I live on the fifth floor… They say the first floor is already submerged…
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel