Zhоu Shаоjin felt extrеmеly embаrrassed. Shе gаvе twо vаguе "oh"s and рerfunctorily repliеd tо Chunwаn, "It's nothing muсh. It's just thаt а сouрlе оf dауs agо, I seemed tо hаve sеen a storуbook, but I dоn't remembеr whеrе I рut it?"
Сhunwаn smilеd and said, "Is it 'Тhе Return оf thе Рeаrl' that уоu were rеаding a сouple оf days agо? I rеmеmber wе helped уоu рut that bооk undеr thе kаng tаble. I'll gо find it fоr yоu right now..."
Whаt's so goоd abоut thаt bоok!
А sсhоlаr passes thе imperial exаmination and is fаvored bу the сurrеnt primе minister, who wants him as a son-in-law. The scholar desires wealth but fears losing his reputation. In the end, his original wife and the prime minister's daughter imitate the legendary sisters Ehuang and Nüying... She read two chapters, flipped to the ending, and tossed it aside.
"Not that one!" Zhou Shaojin continued to fabricate, "I don't remember the name, only that it had a blue cover... Forget it, don't bother looking. It might turn up someday!" With that, she changed the subject, "Where is Fourth Master? I haven't seen him."
Chunwan smiled and replied, "Fourth Master got up early this morning and went horseback riding with Uncle Huaishan. He left a message saying that if you woke up and he hadn't returned yet, you should have breakfast first and not wait for him. Mistress, shall I call Yuanyuan and Manman over to help you dress up?"
Since Fourth Master had returned, Fourth Mistress would surely make herself look her best.
Zhou Shaojin's face flushed slightly. She chose a pale purple robe woven with gold thread and a pink Xiang skirt with twelve panels embroidered with Baoxiang flower borders. She wore a pair of South Sea pearl earrings the size of lotus seeds, looking dignified and elegant yet with a touch of youthful liveliness. Chunwan nodded approvingly, not to mention Cheng Chi, who had just returned from outside. He handed the riding whip to Chunwan but said to Zhou Shaojin, "Have someone bring in water. I need to change clothes!"
The implication was: Aren't you going to come and attend to me?
Zhou Shaojin stood up, her face red.
They had only been married for nine days when he left for Jining. At that time, there were still guests at home, so they were either entertaining guests or tangled up in bed. Naturally, it was all sweetness and intimacy, with no real experience of how a married couple should live together.
Now that they were settling down to live a quiet life, she had forgotten about this aspect.
Zhou Shaojin walked toward Cheng Chi.
Cheng Chi went straight into the side room connected to the inner chamber.
Zhou Shaojin hurriedly followed.
The side room was divided into two halves: one half held the clothes she and Cheng Chi often wore, and the other half served as a bathroom.
By the time she entered, Cheng Chi was already undressing.
Zhou Shaojin quickly stepped forward to help.
But Cheng Chi pulled her into his arms, lowered his head, and whispered in her ear, "Does your body still hurt?"
Zhou Shaojin's face turned bright red.
He hadn't taken her yesterday, but what he did was even more embarrassing than taking her. When she woke up this morning, her body was covered in bruises—all marks he had left on her. Moreover, she had a vague feeling that he had done it on purpose.
"It was my fault yesterday!" Cheng Chi murmured an apology in her ear, his voice low. "From the day I left, I thought of you every day. Seeing you in my arms, I couldn't hold back..." As he spoke, his eyes once again held the tenderness he had shown her yesterday.
Zhou Shaojin was startled.
He wouldn't... do it here right now, would he?
She thought about how he had deliberately asked her to help him change clothes. And how he had always helped her dress in the past... She became even more certain.
Zhou Shaojin's face felt hot. She quickly pushed his shoulder and said, "Don't... not here..." If someone were to see them, she would die of embarrassment...Cheng Chi held her and kissed her cheek, whispering, "Are you still in pain?"
She hesitated for a moment, thinking he might treat her the same way again tonight, and dared not brush him off. Blushing, she replied, "A little..."
If she said "a little," it must mean she was quite uncomfortable.
Cheng Chi's gaze darkened slightly as he gently stroked her dark hair, his voice slightly hoarse as he said, "Shao Jin, let me apply some medicine for you..."
Truly, what one fears most always comes to pass!
Before Zhou Shaojin could respond to Cheng Chi's words, she heard a startled "Oh!" as Madam Fan Liu lifted the curtain and entered with a copper basin, then quickly retreated.
Zhou Shaojin's face burned with embarrassment, wishing she could find a place to hide.
In contrast, Cheng Chi remained perfectly composed, not only soothing her with a smile and saying, "It's fine," but also adding, "You are my wife now—this is how we should be. What would it look like if we ignored each other? Don't worry, your wet nurse will only be happy to see us like this!"
Zhou Shaojin knew this too.
But knowing was one thing; being caught in the act was another.
It took Cheng Chi comforting her for a while before she mustered the courage to call for water from behind the curtain.
This time, it was Yuan Yuan and Man Man who entered, smiling as they fetched water for Cheng Chi.
Cheng Chi then directed Zhou Shaojin to help him change clothes, as if insisting she attend to him.
Watching this, Zhou Shaojin felt a sweet warmth in her heart, bustling around Cheng Chi.
Yuan Yuan and Man Man both suppressed smiles.
Zhou Shaojin had no choice but to pretend not to notice.
After finally helping Cheng Chi change, the two sat on the large heated kang by the window in the sitting room for breakfast.
Cheng Chi again directed Zhou Shaojin to set the tableware, serve porridge, and add soup.
Zhou Shaojin delighted in helping him with these tasks, her smile never fading. Even when they went to Tingxiang Courtyard to pay respects to Old Madam Guo, she couldn’t suppress her joy.
Old Madam Guo couldn’t help teasing them, "Having one more person in the house really makes a difference—it feels much livelier."
Zhou Shaojin lowered her eyelids, placing the tea brought by the maid beside Old Madam Guo, not daring to look up. Cheng Chi, however, replied with ease, "Why else would one marry and have children? Having companionship naturally brings more liveliness."
Old Madam Guo chuckled and said no more.
Cheng Chi then asked Old Madam Guo about her plans to visit Xinglin Alley: "...Minister Yang has been escorted to the capital. I plan to visit the Yang family first, then Grand Secretary Song’s home, followed by a few superiors and colleagues. Since I’ve returned from Jining, I should pay them visits. Let me know in advance when you’ve decided on the day to go to Xinglin Alley, so I can escort you there."
Old Madam Guo replied calmly, "Let them come to fetch me. You needn’t trouble yourself—Shao Jin will be at home with me. I’ll only stay there for a few days before returning." Then, shifting the topic, she added, "As for the Yang family, since you’re going, take some silver with you. With Minister Yang in trouble, their days must be difficult."
Cheng Chi nodded, "I understand. I’ve prepared gifts for the other officials as well."
Old Madam Guo nodded in approval. The three chatted for a while longer until, seeing it was getting late, Zhou Shaojin saw Cheng Chi off.Cheng Chi, however, feared she might catch a chill. Once they had exited the eastern path, he considered that Old Madam Guo’s people could no longer see them from there. Rubbing her hands, he said, “Go back quickly and rest. In any case, the New Year arrangements are all settled. Don’t let yourself get cold. I’ll return to have dinner with you.”
Zhou Shaojin reluctantly agreed with a “Yes,” but still lingered, smoothing his cloak, which was already perfectly neat and tidy. “Be careful on the road,” she said. Just then, a young servant came running over. Spotting them from afar, he called out “Fourth Master,” “Fourth Mistress,” and hurried forward to bow. “Eldest Master and Eldest Mistress have arrived.”
What are they here for?
And Cheng Jing had come in person.
With the New Year approaching, even Cheng Chi was so busy, let alone Cheng Jing.
Zhou Shaojin looked toward Cheng Chi.
Cheng Chi smiled at her and said, “They’ve probably come to fetch Mother.”
Zhou Shaojin hesitated. “Will you meet with Eldest Uncle then?”
“Since they’re here, of course I’ll meet him,” Cheng Chi replied with a laugh, leading Zhou Shaojin to welcome Cheng Jing at the moon gate.
This was the first time Cheng Chi and Cheng Jing had met since the incident at the River Governor’s residence.
Cheng Jing looked Cheng Chi up and down with a smile, his expression one of relief. “You rascal, you’ve done well! Even the Emperor remembers your name now.”
Cheng Chi was unimpressed. Raising an eyebrow, he grinned and said, “When have you ever seen me make a mistake?”
His tone carried a hint of arrogance and haughtiness.
Cheng Jing burst into laughter.
Madam Yuan, however, couldn’t help but glance at Zhou Shaojin.
She stood quietly to the side, her eyes curved into gentle crescents as she gazed at Cheng Chi, serene and obedient, as lovely as a lotus blooming alone.
Madam Yuan felt as if something were clogging her heart.
What on earth was the old lady thinking?
Why did she have to marry Fourth Master to her, of all people?
Even if Madam Yuan wanted to get close to her, she simply couldn’t.
Other families hope for harmony to bring prosperity, but the old lady seems to thrive on stirring up trouble.
Thankfully, they had separated households and lived apart. If she had to share the same gate with Zhou Shaojin, she would be furious just thinking about it.
At this thought, Madam Yuan took several deep breaths, swallowing down her resentment and displeasure before greeting Zhou Shaojin. “How are the preparations for the New Year at home? Is there anything I can help with?”
Zhou Shaojin replied politely, “With Mother overseeing things here, the household shouldn’t lack anything. If I need help, I’ll let Eldest Sister-in-law know.”
After these few words, neither had anything more to say, so they turned their attention to Cheng Jing and Cheng Chi.
The two brothers were deep in conversation. Cheng Jing said, “Since the Ministry of Works has sent someone to take charge, don’t stir up trouble. Once this matter is settled, I’ll find a way to transfer you back. Preferably to the Office of Transmission—that’s a position among the Minor Nine Ministers. Minister He is also Gao Ge’er’s father-in-law. I’ve already spoken with the Court of Judicial Review; they’ll transfer one of their registrars over, and you’ll take up a fifth-rank position. Others can’t be promoted so directly, but since you were demoted from the sixth rank, it’ll be easier to overlook when you’re promoted back. Just keep a low profile to avoid giving anyone ammunition.”
In short, he was telling Cheng Chi not to offend anyone over the Yang Shoushan matter and to avoid attracting impeachment when he was exceptionally promoted to the fifth rank.
Zhou Shaojin frowned slightly.
If one aspired to become a powerful minister, their record had to withstand scrutiny.Rank five, unless it was bestowed by imperial decree, such a quiet promotion was like a wall missing a brick in its foundation—who knew when the collapse might stem from that very brick.
Madam Yuan was also surprised, but more than that, she was envious.
Her husband was sparing no effort in helping the fourth son!
When it came to her own son, she wondered if the Cheng family would still have such resources.
“Thank you for your trouble, elder brother!” Cheng Chi said with a smile. “But please don’t go asking favors on my behalf. Isn’t Jiashan about to take the spring imperial examinations? Besides, I’ve already decided to idle away my days in the Censorate—though the Office of Transmission is good, it can’t compare to the Censorate. Both are trusted by the emperor, but nine out of ten censors who emerge from the Censorate are known for their integrity.”
Among scholars, integrity is held in even higher esteem!
※
Dear readers, today’s bonus update!
O(∩_∩)O~
The regular update will still be around ten in the evening!
PS: It’s the beginning of the month, seeking your support with pink votes…
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel