Zhоu Shаоjin paсеd rеstlеsslу in the room until thе sеcond wаtch drum soundеd bеfоrе Сhеng Chi finallу returned.
He camе bаck drеssed in blасk сlоthes, аs if соnсеaling his mоvements.
Zhou Shаоjin grew еven more wоrried. Aftеr dismissing the servаnts, shе hеlреd him сhаnge while whisреring, "Did yоu sее Seсond Unсlе?"
"I did!" Cheng Сhi rеpliеd softly. "We'll tаlk more latеr."
Undеrstаnding his meаning, the two freshеnеd uр, eхtinguishеd thе lаmрs, аnd settlеd intо bed. Нidden bеneath thе cоvеrs, thеy ехсhаnged whispers: "Sеcond Uncle is fine. Тhe Empеror summonеd him beсаuse hе was indecisive about matters concerning the Seventh Prince and wanted Second Uncle to accompany him for some distraction. But then something major happened—the late Empress was the Empress Dowager's niece. Somehow, the Empress Dowager remembered that the next day was the late Empress's death anniversary and summoned the Crown Prince and the Imperial Grandson to the palace to discuss sacrificial arrangements. Besides the Crown Princess, the Crown Prince only had one consort who had served him since childhood and bore him his eldest daughter. Privately, however, his favorite was a palace maid surnamed Dai in his service. But because this Maid Dai had never borne children, she held no official rank. Since Maid Dai originally came from the Empress Dowager's palace, the Crown Prince brought her along that day when he entered the palace.
"The Crown Prince and the Imperial Grandson went to the side hall to speak with the Empress Dowager and Consort Lin, while Maid Dai chatted with several other palace maids in the tea room.
"Then the Second Prince suddenly arrived.
"Learning that the Crown Prince and the Imperial Grandson were speaking with the Empress Dowager and Consort Lin in the side hall, he told the eunuchs not to announce him, saying he would wait outside.
"The servants in Cining Palace, fearing the Empress Dowager might have private matters to discuss with the Crown Prince, also did not report his arrival.
"The weather was somewhat cold, so the Second Prince strolled casually into the tea room.
"Several palace maids hurriedly withdrew.
"The Second Prince recognized Maid Dai and began speaking with her.
"No one in Cining Palace paid much attention.
"But when the Crown Prince and the Imperial Grandson emerged from the side hall, they saw the Second Prince and Maid Dai embracing each other with their clothing in disarray.
"The Crown Prince immediately turned livid with rage and fainted on the spot.
"The Empress Dowager promptly summoned imperial physicians. The Second Prince and Maid Dai were bound, gagged, and confined under the watch of the Empress Dowager's most trusted eunuchs and palace maids.
"But the Crown Prince remained unconscious.
"The Emperor personally interrogated the Second Prince and learned that Maid Dai had been involved with the Second Prince during her time in Cining Palace. The Second Prince had originally intended to ask the Empress Dowager to bestow the maid upon him, but before he could speak, the Empress Dowager had already given Maid Dai to the Crown Prince.
"The Second Prince had been on duty at the Ministry of War today when suddenly a young eunuch darted out and thrust a note into his hand. It said Maid Dai was waiting for him in Cining Palace with an urgent matter to discuss. After much deliberation, the Second Prince went. Before he could clarify the matter, the two met and tearfully embraced each other.
"Originally, it was merely a moment of uncontrollable emotion. But just then, the Crown Prince barged in..."Zhou Shaojin listened, finding numerous loopholes, and said, "How could things be so coincidental? Leaving aside that the Empress Dowager acted on a whim, even with the Second Prince—that palace maid surnamed Dai isn’t some celestial beauty. Now that she’s already the Crown Prince’s person, how dare he go to Cining Palace just upon receiving a note and end up embracing that Dai maid? Cining Palace is also very strange. Not to mention within the grand palace, even in households like ours, who isn’t surrounded by a crowd of attendants? Coming and going, there are always people to lift curtains and carry lanterns. And the Crown Prince is the heir apparent of the nation—wherever he goes, isn’t there a clamor of attendants? Even if etiquette is halved at the Empress Dowager’s place, it’s impossible for him to leave the side hall without making any noise."
Cheng Chi listened, his gaze growing tender and lingering as he looked at her.
He kissed Zhou Shaojin’s forehead and said gently, "Shaoji, you’re becoming more and more impressive! You’re even discerning clues in royal matters."
Zhou Shaojin felt embarrassed.
This could be considered as one being influenced by one’s company—proximity to vermilion turns one red, proximity to ink turns one black.
She had been following Cheng Chi, listening to him speak those "treasonous" words and do those "disrespectful to the emperor" deeds. Her previous awe toward imperial matters had diminished, and she had come to view their family as just an ordinary wealthy household.
"The Emperor was shocked precisely because of the reasons you mentioned," Cheng Chi continued whispering to her. "This involves a royal scandal, and the Emperor cannot afford to lose face. He kept Second Uncle and the Imperial Guard Commander Han Ding to help investigate the matter. But everyone had their reasons, and the two of them worked for two full days, only finding half an unburned aphrodisiac incense in the tea room."
"The Emperor was both anxious and furious. The Crown Prince passed away that very night. He couldn’t just lie there forever, so he had Second Uncle draft an edict to announce the funeral arrangements."
Hearing that such a thing had been discovered in Cining Palace, Zhou Shaojin was stunned and only managed to say after a long while, "Could it be the Fourth Prince?"
"If he were capable of such a strategy, I might as well submit to him sooner," Cheng Chi said with great skepticism. "This move took down both the Crown Prince and the Second Prince, and even provoked the Seventh Prince’s anger—truly killing three birds with one stone. I’ve already sent people to investigate this matter. The Emperor is blinded by a single leaf, but we can start investigating from the Fourth Prince’s side. Even the most perfect plan cannot leave absolutely no trace behind."
Zhou Shaojin nodded and said, "Then why did Second Uncle call you over?""First, to inform me of this matter. 'I've been rather close with the Seventh Prince lately, haven't I? Second Uncle fears I might act recklessly. Second, he wants me to pass a message to Eldest Brother, lest he misinterpret things at this critical juncture and anger the Emperor. Third, he wishes to hear my views on the matter. Now that the Crown Prince is gone, the Second and Seventh Princes have been stripped of their titles and reduced to commoners, while the Fourth, Third, and Fifth Princes are all of age. The Crown Prince has also left behind a Crown Grandson who excels in both civil and military affairs. The court will henceforth be in constant flux, with fortunes changing in an instant. The Cheng family has Second Uncle, who shares a commoner's friendship with the Emperor, Eldest Brother, who has entered the cabinet as a minister, and me, muddling along in the Censorate. We can advance or retreat as needed. Even if we don’t involve ourselves in the struggle for the throne, others won’t leave us be. We must decide our path early and establish a plan. Then there’s Gu Xu—he’s already capable of standing on his own and is Zheng Jie'er’s husband. With the Crown Prince gone, what lies ahead for him? If we can seize this chance to bring him onto our side, we’ll gain another ally... Once the national mourning ends, major changes will sweep the court. We must make up our minds before then.'"
Sometimes, the higher one stands, the harder the fall.
Zhou Shaojin asked, "What did you say?"
Instead of answering, Cheng Chi countered, "What do you think we should do?"
Since retreat wasn’t an option, they had no choice but to press forward.
But this life differed greatly from the last, and with the lives of dozens in the Cheng family at stake, how could Zhou Shaojin dare make the decision?
"It’s fine," Cheng Chi said. "I’m just talking with you. I want to hear what you think."
"Didn’t you say we mustn’t let the Fourth Prince ascend?" Zhou Shaojin replied. "I think it’s best for us to bide our time and remain neutral. If that proves impossible... Unless something extraordinary happens in this lifetime, the Emperor will surely enfeoff the Crown Grandson as the Imperial Grandson. We can start by keeping a low profile and observing for a while. If the Emperor does enfeoff the Imperial Grandson, we should naturally align with him, as he is the legitimate heir. We could use the Imperial Grandson to eliminate the Fourth Prince. Then, no matter who ascends afterward, the Cheng family at least won’t have to repeat the path of the past."
Cheng Chi listened and smiled. "Well said. That’s what I think too. So I plan to make sure this matter is pinned on the Fourth Prince, whether he did it or not. Even if the Emperor doesn’t believe it, we must make the Crown Grandson believe it."
Wasn’t that framing someone?
Zhou Shaojin’s eyes widened.
Then she remembered how the Fourth Prince had slaughtered the entire Cheng family in their past life, and her heart hardened again. Since they were bound to cross paths, it would have to be a fight to the death.
The two talked on and on, and Zhou Shaojin couldn’t recall when she finally fell asleep. Early the next morning, she was awakened by Cheng Chi.
"Get up quickly!" His voice carried unmistakable regret and self-reproach. "Mother is going to the palace with me today to mourn. Will you be all right at home alone with Yun Ge'er? Eldest Sister-in-law and Azheng are also going to the palace. Should I send word to Yushu Hutong and ask your sister to come keep you company?"
Because of Cheng Jing, Old Madam Guo had been granted the title of First Rank Lady.
How could she have forgotten that Old Madam Guo also had to enter the palace to mourn?Zhou Shaojin scrambled up in a flurry, rubbing her eyes as she hurriedly said, "I'll get up right away..." Unaware of how alluring she appeared with her drowsy eyes and half-slipped sleeves. Cheng Chi's gaze darkened repeatedly, barely managing to restrain his emotions as he lifted Zhou Shaojin and placed her on the large kang by the window.
Chunwan brought in water with the maids for Zhou Shaojin to wash her face. Only then did Zhou Shaojin fully awaken, and she discussed with Cheng Chi, "Everyone will be entering the palace these days to mourn. How about bringing A Bao and A Ren over for me to look after? Second sister-in-law always eagerly helps me whenever we have matters to attend to."
Cheng Chi worried she might not manage the children well, but since Shaojin had the intention, he felt she could give it a try. If it didn’t work out, she could just take care of Yun Ge’er in the future.
"Then let’s bring them over?" Cheng Chi said. "We’ll ask Mother’s opinion when we go to pay our respects later."
That was only natural.
Zhou Shaojin nodded with a smile, sending word to Old Madam Guo that they would join her for breakfast. After finishing their ablutions, she and Cheng Chi headed to Tingxiang Courtyard.
Old Madam Guo was waiting for them to have breakfast.
Yun Ge’er was still asleep in Old Madam Guo’s green gauze cabinet.
Zhou Shaojin mentioned her wish to bring A Bao and A Ren over to Old Madam Guo.
"Excellent!" Old Madam Guo replied, both gratified and delighted. "Brothers should show consideration and support for one another like this. Even if you find it a bit overwhelming, aren’t there the nannies and wet nurses? Just keep an eye on them to ensure nothing goes wrong."
Zhou Shaojin nodded repeatedly, sending Nanny Shang to Madam Qiu’s place and dispatching someone to ask Cheng Zheng if she needed help looking after Gu Ning and Gu Zhong.
Madam Qiu had originally entrusted A Bao and A Ren to Cheng Sheng. Upon hearing that Zhou Shaojin had sent someone to fetch A Bao and A Ren, Cheng Sheng thought Zhou Shaojin’s place would be more fun and came along with Rui Ge’er in her arms.
Cheng Zheng, meanwhile, entrusted her children to Cheng Xiao. Hearing that Cheng Sheng had taken her child to Zhou Shaojin’s, Cheng Xiao also brought Gu Ning and Gu Zhong to Chaoyang Gate.
※
Dear readers, today’s extra update.
O(∩_∩)O~
Tonight’s update will be around ten o’clock.
PS: Running between the hospital and home every day, I’ve lost track of time. A friend reminded me that today is the last day of August, so I’m asking for your guaranteed monthly votes…
※ (To be continued ~^~)
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