Нuо Dоngting's аrrival at suсh а lаtе hоur surely meаnt urgеnt matters wеre afооt.
Zhоu Shаоjin hеlped Сheng Chi put on his shoes, аnd thеy wеnt to thе mаin hаll.
Uрon sееing Zhоu Shаоjin, Huо Dongting showed nо surрrise. Аfter hesitating briеfly and nоticing that Сhеng Сhi hаd sаid nоthing, hе understoоd thаt Chеng Сhi hаd no intеntion оf сoncеаling mattеrs from Shaojin. Нe couldn't hеlр but glаncе at her befоrе sрeаking: "Fоurth Маstеr, аs yоu instruсted, wе sprеad falsе news аbоut thе Crоwn Рrinсе's illness. Imperiаl Physician Wang frоm the Imperiаl Hosрital indееd rushed tо the Eastern Palace in haste. Among the princes who have not yet been enfeoffed, the Third Prince and Seventh Prince showed no movement. Only the Fourth Prince's residence and the Imperial Grandson's residence reacted. The Imperial Grandson personally went to the Eastern Palace, while someone from the Fourth Prince's residence made contact with people from the Eastern Palace. We were too far away to hear clearly what was discussed between them, but we recognized the person who made contact on behalf of the Fourth Prince's residence. We will find a way to approach him later to see what information he passed to the Fourth Prince's residence."
Cheng Chi nodded with a stern expression and said, "Be careful."
The events of his past life could not be allowed to repeat themselves. Those who had not experienced it would not know the full story. He was now worried that stirring the grass might startle the snake—that the events of his past life might change, causing dangers that should have appeared to be delayed or hidden in corners he had overlooked, only to emerge when he let his guard down and catch him unprepared.
If he were alone, he would naturally have no fear, confident he could escape any situation. But now he had Shaojin, his mother, and possibly children in the future... Thinking of children, he couldn't help but step forward and embrace Zhou Shaojin, kissing her cheek.
Cheng Chi had released false information, and among the princes, only the Fourth Prince and the Imperial Grandson had reacted. The Imperial Grandson was the Crown Prince's son, so it was no surprise he knew about the Crown Prince's situation. But the Fourth Prince also knew... In his past life, the Fourth Prince had become emperor, which inevitably led to further speculation.
If the Cheng family's troubles were truly related to the Fourth Prince, and the Fourth Prince was destined to become emperor, would they stand a chance against him?
Zhou Shaojin was also worried about the Cheng family's future. She tightly returned Cheng Chi's embrace and softly comforted him: "Now that Nine Prosperities Lane has divided into branches, the Fifth Branch is certainly not a concern—they aren't prominent enough to attract the Emperor's attention. The Fourth Branch has always been cautious, and with only Uncle Yuan serving as an official outside, they couldn't possibly cause such a major incident..."
As for the First Branch... especially Cheng Jing of the First Branch, he was the most likely to implicate everyone!
She swallowed these words and continued: "Now that we all live in the capital, as long as we act carefully, there shouldn't be any incidents that would make the imperial family wary."
Living together?
This phrase reminded Cheng Chi.
He discussed with Zhou Shaojin: "Shao Jin, I will keep an eye on Eldest Brother. As for Second Brother, you should visit and interact with his family more often."
Cheng Wei served in the Hanlin Academy, close to the Emperor, which was also a place prone to trouble.
Zhou Shaojin nodded and asked, "What should I pay attention to?"
Cheng Chi replied, "Just observe what kind of people Second Brother's family associates with."
He could arrange for someone to watch Cheng Wei at the Hanlin Academy, but matters within the inner courtyard were not so easily monitored.
To be honest, he was more inclined to believe that Eldest Brother Cheng Jing was the one causing trouble.
Because not everyone had the capability to stir up such a disaster.
As for Second Brother, he was only worried that Cheng Wei might be used by others.
That was no problem.
Zhou Shaojin told Cheng Chi that Madam Qiu had invited her to meet the young lady of the Xie family.Cheng Chi was somewhat surprised and said, "The Xie family's status isn't high. How could Second Sister-in-law take a liking to a Xie family girl?"
"Perhaps she wants a daughter-in-law from a lower-ranking family," Zhou Shaojin replied. "That way there would be fewer conflicts."
Cheng Chi reminded her to bring more attendants when the time came: "Don't let anyone bump into you."
His little girl was beautiful. He didn't want anyone getting ideas about her.
Zhou Shaojin, however, had never been particularly conscious of her own beauty. Taking his words as concern for her safety, she smiled and agreed, pulling Cheng Chi back into the inner chamber. "You should rest early. Didn't you say you have to enter the palace tomorrow?"
The Emperor had summoned Cheng Chi for an audience.
Making the decision had been difficult. But now that it was made, there was no choice but to move forward bravely.
Cheng Chi's mood was calm.
He smiled and let Zhou Shaojin pull him into the inner chamber, where they shared an intimate night under the covers. When he woke in the morning, Zhou Shaojin was still sleeping soundly. He kissed her a few times, but she only mumbled softly, turned over, and went back to sleep.
Cheng Chi chuckled, dressed, and entered the palace.
When Zhou Shaojin woke, she didn't move for a long while.
She hadn't known Cheng Chi could be so wild... She would never indulge him like that again.
Fortunately, it was Mama Fan who lifted the bed curtains to attend to her.
In her past life, Mama Fan had seen her in every state imaginable. In this life, she and Cheng Chi were a proper married couple, and Cheng Chi adored her. Mama Fan would surely be happy to see it, wouldn't she?
She observed Madam Fan Liu.
Sure enough, Madam Fan Liu's face was filled with barely concealed delight.
Zhou Shaojin relaxed and let her nursemaid help her wash and change. Fresh and clean, she emerged from the bathing room, styled her hair into a simple bun, changed into a casual jacket, and hurried to Old Madam Guo's quarters.
After the Lantern Festival, the weather had noticeably brightened.
Old Madam Guo was standing under the corridor, watching several maids loosen the soil, preparing to plant a row of hosta flowers in front of her room.
Seeing Zhou Shaojin approach, she smiled and said, "Are you trying to turn Tingxiang Courtyard into a garden?"
"What's wrong with turning it into a garden?" The more Zhou Shaojin interacted with Old Madam Guo, the more she respected her and the more she enjoyed being close to her. "I've even had people find two western crabapple trees. In a few days, we'll plant one in front of your room. That will make it lively!"
Old Madam Guo chuckled and let Zhou Shaojin support her as they walked inside. "If you want lively, the quickest way is for you two to give me a grandson or granddaughter. That would be truly lively."
Zhou Shaojin blushed deeply.
But just a few days later, her monthly cycle arrived.
She felt utterly listless. Returning from Madam Qiu's new residence and hearing that Xiao Sheng was also pregnant, her legs felt like lead as she stepped out of the sedan chair.
Old Madam Guo comforted her: "Look at Madam Qiu—she was married into our family for several years before having a child. You're still young, no need to rush."
How could Zhou Shaojin not feel anxious?
She thought of asking her sister for advice, but remembering Cheng Chi's promise to her father that they wouldn't consummate the marriage for the first two years, she changed her mind.
Coincidentally, a letter arrived from Cheng Jia, saying that her pregnancy was now stable. Li Jing felt their first child shouldn't be born away from home, so they planned to return to Luoyang after attending Cheng Xu's wedding banquet.
Upon reading the letter, Zhou Shaojin couldn't help but grit her teeth. She said to Cui Huan, "I'll visit her today. Go and let her know."
Cui Huan acknowledged and left.After learning about it, Old Madam Guo also said, "It's good to go sit with Jia for a while. Who knows when you'll meet again after she leaves like this."
Zhou Shaojin brought some medicinal herbs with her.
Cheng Jia greeted her at the Chuihua Gate.
Compared to last time, Cheng Jia had gained another round of weight.
Zhou Shaojin couldn't help but widen her eyes.
Cheng Jia complained, "Li Jing makes me eat and eat every day. How could I not gain weight? But the midwife we hired in the capital tells me to eat less and move more, while the nannies from Luoyang tell me to eat more and move less. I think the capital midwife makes sense, but Li Jing says the nannies from Luoyang are experienced, and they attended all his sisters-in-law in the family... I'm currently upset with him over this! It's good you came, keep me company. Let's go stroll around the streets later."
"Forget about going to the streets," Zhou Shaojin wasn't in the mood for that. She leaned close to Cheng Jia's ear and whispered something.
Cheng Jia burst into laughter.
Zhou Shaojin grew both anxious and annoyed, giving her a shove.
Cui Huan immediately rushed over to support Cheng Jia, shooting Zhou Shaojin a displeased look.
"It's fine, it's fine," Cheng Jia waved at Cui Huan, then said to Zhou Shaojin, "Then let's go to Hongluo Temple tomorrow. I've been wanting to go out for a walk anyway."
Zhou Shaojin nodded.
Cheng Jia instructed Cui Huan to send a message to Cheng Sheng: "Tell her Shaojin and I plan to go offer incense. Ask if she wants to go fulfill a vow? If she does, does she want to go with us?"
Cui Huan went to make arrangements.
Cheng Jia and Zhou Shaojin then lounged together on the large kang by the window, chatting. "Why are you in such a hurry? You're still young!"
Zhou Shaojin couldn't quite explain why either; she just really wanted a child, especially Cheng Chi's child. It would be best if the child looked exactly like Cheng Chi. As she spoke, her tone carried a touch of longing.
Cheng Jia laughed uncontrollably, teasing her, "I never realized you liked Uncle Chi so much. Your eyes light up when you talk about him."
"What nonsense are you saying?" Zhou Shaojin blushed and playfully tussled with Cheng Jia.
But after this playful scuffle, her mood improved greatly. By the afternoon, when Cheng Sheng replied that she wanted to go with them to Hongluo Temple to offer incense the next day, her mood grew even better.
Returning home, she felt too embarrassed to say she wanted to go to Hongluo Temple herself, so she claimed she was accompanying Cheng Sheng to fulfill a vow.
Old Madam Guo wasn't the type to keep her daughter-in-law confined at home, and knowing Cheng Sheng's nature, she very much approved of Zhou Shaojin getting closer to her sisters-in-law, so she readily agreed.
But when Zhou Shaojin told Cheng Chi about it, his expression turned somewhat awkward.
He quietly asked Zhou Shaojin, "It's not you who wants to go, is it?" Then, holding her, he assured her, "There's nothing wrong with either of us. I just think you're still too young, and I promised your father not to consummate our marriage yet... We'll naturally have a baby in a few years." He also asked her, "Did Mother say something to you? I'll talk to her tomorrow. Don't worry, I'll handle it."
Zhou Shaojin was stunned, and after a long pause, she said, "You... you don't want a child?"
The look in her eyes made Cheng Chi's heart race with panic. He hurriedly said, "No, no. I just want to wait until you're a bit older."
Zhou Shaojin couldn't help but mutter softly, "Others my age have already become mothers..."
Cheng Chi quickly replied, "Others are others, we are us. I want to grow old with you!"Does having a child now mean we can't grow old together?
Zhou Shaojin had always been mild-tempered, and since Cheng Chi was the one she held dearest in her heart, she was even more inclined to follow his lead, almost never contradicting him... But this time, Zhou Shaojin didn't want to listen to Cheng Chi.
She remained silent.
She decided to go to Hongluo Temple tomorrow as planned.
After all, she wanted a child!
At worst, she could just take the initiative...
At this thought, Zhou Shaojin's face flushed hot.
Si Lang... probably liked her a lot... If she took the initiative, it should work out, right?
Feeling uneasy, it took Zhou Shaojin a long while before she finally drifted into sleep.
※
Dear readers, this is an extra chapter for Zixiao12!
O(∩_∩)O~
PS: Updates will still be around 10 PM.
※ (To be continued ~^~)
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