Sоng Jingrаn's studу was loсаtеd in thе nоrthwest cornеr оf the Song fаmily's outеr соurtуаrd. Рushing opеn the window lattice, onе сould sеe twо Таihu stоnes in thе соrnеr, аmong а few clusters оf grеen bаmboo, with a рomegrаnate trее рlаntеd bеtwеen them.
It wаs nоw the fifth mоnth оf thе yеar. Тhе green bаmbоo wаs lush and verdant, аnd the pomеgrаnаte flоwers bloomеd brilliаntlу like firе, рrеsеnting а sсenе оf bright spring sсenеry.
Yet Сheng Сhi's hеаrt felt аs if а fivе-flаvored dish had bеen overturned inside him.
Нe had no dеsire to bеcоmе entаngled in the disputes over the establishment of the crown prince.
Aside from the Fourth Prince, it made no difference to him who became emperor.
But once he became the Imperial Grandson's tutor, his fate would inevitably be tied to the Imperial Grandson's. Moreover, there was Zhou Shaojin's "prophecy" that the Imperial Grandson would die young.
He couldn't help but fall silent for a moment before saying, "Is there no way to change this matter?"
Song Jingran was puzzled and said, "Zi Chuan, what exactly are you worried about? If it's your elder brother, you needn't be. There are many brothers who do not serve in the same court, and I believe Minister Cheng is not a narrow-minded person. If you're concerned about our Eldest Young Master, that's even more unnecessary—although he is only a few years younger than you, his methods and conduct are far from yours. Without at least ten years, he won't be able to stand on his own. And I have at most fifteen years left. By then, our Eldest Young Master will still need your support..." There was one more thing he didn't say.
Cheng Jing was about the same age as him, while Cheng Xu had been posted to a provincial office. Even with Cheng Jing working for him in the capital, it would take at least fifteen or sixteen years for him to return to the capital. By the time Cheng Xu returned, Cheng Jing would likely have retired. And after being away for so long, Cheng Xu would hardly be able to adapt immediately to the capital's official circles. If he wanted to establish himself in the officialdom, he might not even advance as quickly as Song Mu. Given Cheng Chi's age, he could serve as a capital official for at least another twenty years. If he remained healthy, thirty years was not impossible.
To whom would Cheng Jing entrust his connections?
To Cheng Xu?
Could Cheng Xu handle them?
To Cheng Chi?
By then, Yun Ge'er would have grown up and be in the prime of his life.
Unless Yun Ge'er proved utterly incapable, who would leave their connections to a nephew instead of their own son?
By that time, Cheng Xu would likely have no place in the court's official circles...
He understood this, and Cheng Jing understood it even better!
By helping Cheng Chi preserve his connections in the officialdom now, wasn't he also expanding Cheng Chi's own influence?
Moreover, Cheng Chi had already gained a reputation for integrity by impeaching Qu Yuan. If he added a reputation as a capable official, by the time Cheng Jing retired, he would have no choice but to hand over his connections to Cheng Chi, whether he wanted to or not!
Additionally, Cheng Chi had once defended the city for him. If Song Mu failed to rise to a high position, that would be one thing. But even if he someday reached great heights, he would have to show respect to Cheng Chi, and Yun Ge'er would need to support him when he entered official service.
For Cheng Chi, this offered countless benefits and not a single drawback.
Yet some things could only be hinted at.
Song Jingran gazed intently at Cheng Chi.
He believed Cheng Chi could understand his meaning.
Cheng Chi felt both amused and exasperated.
If one lost their life, what use was there in discussing becoming a minister or joining the cabinet?
But as things stood, even if he didn't teach mathematics to the Imperial Grandson, and given Cheng Shao's friendship with the Emperor, could he truly draw a clear line with the Imperial Grandson?
This truly was a case of man's plans being no match for heaven's designs.
He had no choice but to say, "I thank Minister Song for the recommendation. Has the Eastern Palace decided when the lessons will begin and how long they will last?"
This meant he had agreed.
But why did his tone sound so indifferent?Song Jingran couldn't help but say, "At least show some humility before the Imperial Grandson. This is an opportunity others could only dream of. Don't take it lightly—losing the position is one thing, but leaving the Imperial Grandson with an impression of arrogance and defiance would be troublesome. After all, he is the future crown prince!"
Only if he can ascend the throne.
Cheng Chi muttered to himself, responding to Song Jingran with indifference.
Song Jingran sighed.
Cheng Zichuan was excellent in every way, but he had obtained his official rank too easily and didn't know how to cherish it. Back then, Song Jingran had maneuvered for so long just to gain a moment of the Imperial Grandson's attention. Yet, before he could even teach the Imperial Grandson a single lesson, the opportunity had fallen into Cheng Chi's lap. From this perspective, Cheng Chi's luck was indeed remarkable.
He instructed Cheng Chi, "I already arranged the schedule with the Eastern Palace two days ago. You'll teach arithmetic to the Imperial Grandson for two hours every afternoon on the fifth day of each month. It's too late for today, so start on the fifth day of next month! The Emperor has personally instructed the Eastern Palace about this matter."
Cheng Chi nodded and inquired about the Imperial Grandson's situation.
A servant entered and reported, "Senior Grand Secretary Yuan and Senior Grand Secretary Cheng have arrived."
Song Jingran couldn't help but glance at Cheng Chi.
Cheng Chi said, "I informed my elder brother!"
He just hadn't expected Yuan Weichang to come as well.
The two could no longer continue their discussion and went together to the mourning hall.
After offering incense to the late Elder Song, Song Jingran invited Yuan Weichang, Cheng Jing, and others to his study for a brief rest.
Cheng Chi lingered a few steps behind and instructed Huaishan, "We'll be dealing with the Imperial Grandson. Investigate the situation there thoroughly."
Huaishan acknowledged with a hum and quickly disappeared from sight.
Zhou Shaojin had cried several times with Madam Song and returned with slightly swollen eyes.
Cheng Chi had someone boil eggs to help soothe her eyes, teasing her, "You're too easily affected. Birth, aging, illness, and death are part of life. Besides, Elder Song achieved all his lifelong wishes and passed away peacefully. What is there to cry about?"
"I know," Zhou Shaojin said, her face flushed. "But as soon as I saw Madam Song crying, I couldn't help but cry along."
Cheng Chi said, "Then don't go over for now, lest you cry every time you visit and your eyes become too swollen to open. Your second uncle is about to marry soon, and that matter is more pressing."
Zhou Shaojin nodded. Her throat felt parched from crying earlier, so she drank two cups of tea before asking about what Song Jingran had mentioned: "Are you really going to teach arithmetic to the Imperial Grandson? I've heard the Imperial Grandson is exceptionally intelligent—well-versed in astronomy, geography, and the teachings of various schools of thought. Before his death, he even oversaw the revision of the perpetual calendar at the Imperial Observatory. Everyone says the Imperial Grandson's wisdom bordered on the supernatural, which is why... why he fell ill and passed away so early."
"Oh?!" This was the first time Cheng Chi had heard such a claim. He raised an eyebrow and said, "Are you sure it's not just flattery from those people?"
"Probably not," Zhou Shaojin mused. "My brother-in-law also said the Imperial Grandson was exceptionally intelligent..."
In other words, the Imperial Grandson should not be treated as an ordinary child!
Cheng Chi decided to prepare an exam to test the Imperial Grandson's abilities.
Zhou Shaojin had another concern: "What if he really dies early?"
Cheng Chi laughed heartily and said, "If his wisdom truly borders on the supernatural, it wouldn't be a waste to teach him. Perhaps I could even discuss the Fourth Prince with the Imperial Grandson."
Let them fight like dogs.This allowed him to free up his hands to send Xu Mu of the Golden Sand Gang to Qiongzhou to arrange a residence for him there.
As for Xiao Zhenhai, who had been idle lately, he could send him back to Changbai Mountain. If the Cheng family could not avoid that calamity, retreating to Changbai Mountain for a while would be a good option.
Thinking of this, he felt somewhat grateful for Shaojin’s preference for quiet—no matter where they lived, as long as the home was arranged comfortably and warmly, she could adapt.
Cheng Chi suddenly became very busy.
The news that he would be lecturing the Crown Prince also spread.
Madam Yuan could not help but feel a bit sour: "There are so many Junior Scholar Candidates in the court, yet your Fourth Uncle has managed to establish himself in the imperial court with his merchant skills."
Cheng Xu pretended not to hear.
Min Jia, however, could not let it pass and said to Madam Yuan with a smile, "I heard they originally wanted Grand Secretary Song to go, but then the old master passed away. Do you think our Fourth Uncle might become a renowned financial minister like Grand Secretary Song?"
Madam Yuan’s face instantly changed color. "There has never been a case of brothers serving as grand secretaries together!"
Min Jia fell silent but inwardly disagreed.
Serving as grand secretaries together was certainly impossible, but what about one after the other?
When have things in this world ever remained unchanged?
Since she had already stung Madam Yuan enough, Min Jia had achieved her goal and did not bring up the matter again. Instead, she mentioned the Min family’s plans to see Cheng Xu off: "...It’s set for the fourth day of the fifth month, just as matters with Second Granduncle have concluded. The Sixth Madam would like to invite you to honor us with your presence and join us for the opera."
Min Jia still had her grandmother and great-grandmother above her. Her birth mother was in Fujian attending to the elders and not in the capital. The Min household in the capital was managed by Min Jia’s Sixth Aunt.
Madam Yuan absentmindedly agreed and went with Min Jia and Cheng Xu to Shuangyu Alley.
Chang-shi’s dowry was laid out in the middle of the courtyard. Though it consisted of only sixty-four loads, many items were bestowed by the inner palace, even by the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and the Emperor, making it quite respectable.
The Cheng family once again invited the Third Daughter-in-Law of the Wu family from the Hanlin Academy as the auspicious woman.
After seeing off the Chang family’s representatives who had come to prepare the bridal chamber, everyone had lunch the next day. Led by Cheng Chi, with music and fanfare, Chang-shi was welcomed into the household. The following day, relatives were acknowledged, and on the third day, the bride returned to her natal home. Shuangyu Alley returned to its usual tranquility. Cheng Xu and others began visiting various households, arranging carriages and horses in preparation to leave the capital.
Meanwhile, Cheng Chi went to the Eastern Palace to begin teaching mathematics to the Imperial Grandson.
Zhou Shaojin’s eyelids twitched incessantly. She feared the Imperial Grandson might look down on Cheng Chi’s lectures, and she also worried that Cheng Chi might develop an appreciation for talent and recklessly assist the Crown Prince in the struggle for succession.
Jiying, who had brought fresh water chestnuts and lotus seeds to see Yun Ge’er, rolled her eyes at this and said, "If Cheng Zichuan can’t even handle such matters, what use is he? Just stay at home peacefully and stop overthinking everything."
"I know," Zhou Shaojin said sheepishly, "but for some reason, I just can’t stop worrying."
Trusting him was one thing, but not worrying was another.
Seeing that Zhou Shaojin was not listening, Jiying ignored her and went straight to play with Yun Ge’er.
Yun Ge’er still remembered Jiying taking him up a tree to see a bird’s nest. When he saw her, he clapped his little hands and called out "Auntie," asking to be held.
Jiying was overjoyed. Holding Yun Ge’er, she said, "It’s so hot today. Let’s go water drifting."The servants in the room were so frightened that their faces turned pale, and they hurried to inform Zhou Shaojin.
Zhou Shaojin, however, felt it was nothing to worry about.
Jiying had always been steady and reliable in her actions. Cheng Chi had little time to play with Yun Ge'er, and Shaojin herself was gentle and compliant. If Yun Ge'er could learn some boyish skills from Jiying, it would be a good thing.
She rushed to the lakeside and arranged for several experienced female servants who could swim to wait nearby in boats, just in case.
Upon hearing this, Old Madam Guo chuckled and said to Nanny Lu, "I used to worry that Yun Ge'er's mother was timid and cowardly. Unexpectedly, though her nature is soft, her insight is high. Knowing her own limitations, she allows others to help discipline Yun Ge'er. This is a hundred, even a thousand times better than Madam Yuan, who insists on controlling everything and won't let anyone else lay a finger on matters."
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