Сhеng Хu's wоrds were likе а slар, striking Мin Jia's facе sо hard that shе was left sреесhlеss fоr a long timе.
After what felt like an еtеrnity, hеr faсе раle аnd hеr mind in а dаzе, she stumblеd out of the studу, сlutching а red-lacquеred, gold-trаced сrаbаррlе flоwer traу.
Сheng Хu slumреd into thе armсhаir, tears silеntlу streаming from his eyеs.
How had things соmе to this?
Нe had thought thаt sinсе he hаd аlrеаdу wrоnged Zhоu Shаojin, hе cоuld not wrong аnothеr. Аs his grаndmothеr hаd sаid, hе must shoulder his resрonsibilities—since he hаd married her, hе should live whоlehеаrtedlу with her. But he never imagined he would mess things up again, that the two of them would end up in such a state.
Would she speak of this matter to others?
If she did, how would Shaojin face the world?
At this moment, he was filled with deep regret.
Min Jia had no idea how she made it back to her room.
By the time she lay down on the bed, she felt too weak to even lift a hand.
How could the Cheng family do this?
They knew full well that Cheng Xu was in love with Zhou Shaojin, knew that Cheng Xu had nearly... yet they still married her off to him as if nothing were wrong!
How could they be so shameless!
At this thought, Min Jia felt she could not stay in this household for another minute.
She struggled to get up.
Su Yue hurried over to support her, asking with concern, "Madam, what's wrong? Your face was frighteningly pale when you returned just now. Is it because the master…"
Newlywed couples were usually affectionate, but their madam and master were different—one stayed in the inner chamber, neither approaching nor being approached, while the other resided in the study, every gesture conveying, "I am studying, do not disturb me." There was not a trace of newlywed bliss.
The wet nurse had privately reminded her several times to gently nudge the madam when she had the chance.
Judging by today's situation, it seemed the madam and master had quarreled again.
But as soon as she began speaking, Min Jia snapped, "Don't ever mention that person's name in front of me again! It's disgusting…"
Su Yue was startled and, in her panic, blurted out, "Miss!" She lowered her voice. "Although the servants inside are our people, those outside all belong to the Cheng family. If anyone overhears, it would be disastrous. Please bear with it for now. When you return home, speak to the master about it. He is, after all, a top scholar—the Cheng family will surely give him some face, won't they?"
Yes!
She still had her natal family.
Since the Cheng family had treated her so unfairly, she should ask her family to intervene.
But even if her family stepped in, could she really seek a divorce?
Forget whether she could return to her natal home after a divorce—if she divorced Cheng Xu, the Min family's reputation of "six generations without a remarried woman" would be ruined. Not only would this disgrace the Min family, but it would also implicate her brother, causing the elders to doubt his competence and possibly costing him their support.
Moreover, such a matter, if revealed, would be an earth-shattering scandal.
Not only Cheng Xu but also Cheng Chi, who married Zhou Shaojin, and Cheng Jing and Cheng Wei, as Cheng Chi's elder brothers, would all be implicated. The Cheng family would not be able to hold their heads high for at least fifty years.
As the saying goes, cutting off someone's livelihood is akin to killing their parents.She had severed the Cheng family's path to officialdom, a blow worse than killing one's parents.
The Cheng and Min families would then become sworn enemies.
With the Cheng family's capabilities, if they fought the Min family to mutual destruction, even if the Min family wasn't dragged down by the Cheng family, they would suffer heavy losses and be unable to stand among the first-tier aristocratic families.
Thinking this, Min Jia broke out in a fine sweat on her forehead.
Not only could she not speak of this matter, but she also had to conceal it.
Keep it tightly sealed.
When others mentioned this matter, she would have to prove that Cheng Xu had never done it...
Clearly realizing the predicament she faced, anger swept through her mind like a passing storm, making it unbearable.
She did something she had never done in her life—grabbing the large cushion beside her and hurling it out with force.
"Madam!" Suyue was stunned.
"Get out, all of you get out!" Min Jia couldn't control herself and shouted loudly, tears finally falling like rain.
Suyue, recalling Min Jia's expression when she emerged from Cheng Xu's study earlier, worriedly signaled to the maids serving in the room and led them out in single file.
The room suddenly became quiet and lifeless.
Min Jia lay on the large cushion and wept bitterly.
Why did Cheng Xu have to tell her?
If she hadn't known, she wouldn't be so distressed.
Did he think it better for two people to suffer together rather than one alone?
What should she do now?
Zhou Shaojin could marry Cheng Chi, perhaps because the Cheng family wanted to silence her. Now that she also knew about this matter, how could the Cheng family allow her to leave?
Thinking of this, she suddenly remembered Wu Baozhang and the expression on her face when she hinted that Wu Baozhang should find a way to summon Zhou Shaojin.
Could she also be in the know!
If she could lead me to investigate this matter, might she also have led others to investigate it?
Min Jia thought of what Zhou Shaojin had said to her that day, telling her to ask her mother-in-law if she had any questions and not to run around everywhere... Now it seemed Zhou Shaojin's words were deeply meaningful.
Min Jia took out a handkerchief to dry her tears and carefully pondered the events of the past few days.
※
Meanwhile, at Chaoyang Gate, Zhou Shaojin sat under the lamp, meticulously checking the account books.
Cheng Chi practiced calligraphy nearby.
Looking up and seeing her pointing at the numbers with her index finger and moving them one by one on the abacus, he couldn't help but smile and said, "Do you need my help?"
"Yes, yes, yes." Zhou Shaojin felt her eyes were blurry from staring, and she looked at Cheng Chi with delight.
Cheng Chi couldn't help but smile again, put down his brush, and sat on the kang opposite Zhou Shaojin.
Zhou Shaojin immediately crawled over and diligently massaged Cheng Chi's shoulders.
Cheng Chi laughed, "You'd better sit properly. How can I use the abacus like this?"
Zhou Shaojin wanted to snuggle close to Cheng Chi.
Earlier, she had been checking the accounts only because Cheng Chi wanted to practice calligraphy.
So she moved to sit beside Cheng Chi, her eyes curving into smiles as she said, "Then I'll massage your legs!"
Cheng Chi couldn't hold back his laughter, lifted her aside, and said, "If you have nothing to do, go make me a pot of tea."
Zhou Shaojin scurried off happily.
Cheng Chi quickly finished calculating the accounts, and by the time Zhou Shaojin brought in the tea, he was already tidying up his writing tools.
Zhou Shaojin knew he was capable, but being this capable still left her a bit dumbfounded.
Cheng Chi waved her over, smiling, "Are the Mid-Autumn Festival gifts all prepared?"Zhou Shaojin nodded, curiously asking, "How did you know?"
Cheng Chi took the tea tray from her hands, tapped her nose, and then said, "I noticed this month's expenses are much higher than last month's, especially in flour and sugar. You probably had the kitchen staff make mooncakes to give to others, didn't you?"
Zhou Shaojin giggled.
Around Cheng Chi, she particularly disliked using her brain, finding even such trivial conversations thoroughly enjoyable.
"We'll start delivering festival gifts to various households tomorrow," Zhou Shaojin said with a smile, fetching a list for Cheng Chi. "Take a look and see if we've missed anyone."
"Was this finalized together with Ziji?" Cheng Chi glanced over it quickly and said, "He’s quite meticulous. Since he’s already reviewed it, there shouldn’t be any issues."
Zhou Shaojin nodded.
Cheng Chi then discussed with her, "I’m thinking of transferring Steward Xiang to assist you, so you don’t have to worry about daily necessities like firewood, rice, oil, and salt every day. Then, let Fan Qi manage matters at Yuqian Hutong—he’s been following Qin Ziji and the others for some time now, so it’s a good opportunity for him to work independently. As for Biyu, she’ll also be assigned to you from now on, dedicated to serving you. As for kitchen matters, I don’t have a suitable candidate yet. If you think someone is fit for the role, let them take charge. Regarding Chunwan’s marriage, I’ve already spoken to Mother. She thinks Chunwan is capable and wants to keep her in the household. We’ll find a suitable minor steward from the outer courtyard, someone with good character and appearance..."
As he spoke, he felt a weight on his shoulder. Turning around, he saw Zhou Shaojin leaning against him, dozing off!
Cheng Chi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He reached out to wake her but, seeing how deeply asleep she looked, his heart softened, and he gently carried her to the bed.
Unexpectedly, as soon as Zhou Shaojin touched the bed, she woke up and immediately snuggled into Cheng Chi’s arms.
Cheng Chi tried to settle her properly, but she hummed and rolled back toward him.
Seeing her with closed eyes and pouting lips, clinging to him like a soft, sticky glutinous rice ball, he couldn’t help but chuckle. He leaned close to her ear and whispered, "I’ll be right there!"
Zhou Shaojin nodded, her eyes still shut, and said in a sweet, coquettish tone, "Then come to bed quickly."
If not for her childlike, spoiled demeanor, Cheng Chi might have thought she had ulterior motives.
But when he finished tidying up and got into bed, Zhou Shaojin clung to him like someone holding onto driftwood. After a moment’s thought, he followed his desires and made love to her.
Zhou Shaojin would hum and whimper when she felt good, but when his movements grew fiercer, she would frown and call out, "Si Lang."
Cheng Chi couldn’t bear to see her uncomfortable, so most of the time he accommodated her. Only when his desires grew too intense would he indulge himself freely.
Yet even after the passion subsided, Zhou Shaojin kept her eyes closed, as if still very tired.
Cheng Chi smiled wryly, cleaned her up, and then held her as they fell asleep.
The next afternoon, when he returned from the yamen, a maidservant told him Zhou Shaojin was embroidering in her room.
He tiptoed inside and saw Zhou Shaojin holding an embroidery needle, but her head kept nodding like she was fishing.
Cheng Chi quietly approached and took the embroidery needle from her hand.
Zhou Shaojin suddenly opened her eyes, misty with sleep, and said, "You’re back?" She called for a maidservant to fetch water for him to change clothes, then covered her mouth and yawned repeatedly.
Cheng Chi laughed and said, "Are you very tired? Why not take a break from practicing calligraphy and painting with Mother? Rest for a few days and resume when you’re feeling more energetic."Zhou Shaojin nodded and said vaguely, "Autumn fatigue, autumn fatigue—this autumn fatigue is truly powerful! I was never like this before. I don't know why this time, I always feel like sleeping..."
Always feel like sleeping?!
Cheng Chi was astonished.
Zhou Shaojin, already dizzy and dazed, half-closed her eyes as she walked toward the bed. Yawning, she slumped onto the large pillow at the head of the bed and said, "Change your clothes yourself! I’ll sleep for a while. Wake me up when you’re ready to go pay respects to Mother..."
Before Cheng Chi could speak, she had already fallen into a deep sleep.
※
Dear readers, an extra update for Tianwai Feixian!
PS: O(∩_∩)O~
Today’s evening update is still scheduled for around ten o’clock.
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel