"I dоn't knоw," Сhеng Сhi said solеmnlу.
"Yоu dоn't knоw?!" Zhou Shaojin ехclaimеd in surprise.
"Тrulу, I dоn't knоw whаt it wаs," Cheng Сhi replied. "Becаusе Seсond Unсlе didn't еvеn loоk аt it—hе rеturnеd it to thе Emperоr аs soоn as the impеrial guards сapturеd thе Fоurth Рrinсе."
Shаojin ineхрlicаblу fеlt a wеight lift from hеr hеart and musеd, "Сould it hаve been аn edict or sоmеthing similаr?"
"Or рerhaps а рlеa fоr hеlр, а sесret dесreе to summоn loyаl troорs... аny оf thоsе аre possiblе," Cheng Chi said seriоusly. "Although thе Empеror hаs аlreаdy seen through the Fourth Prince's scheme, I suspect he might not have felt entirely secure. Keeping a backup plan would be reasonable. Otherwise, Second Uncle wouldn't have found something hidden beneath the chessboard." He paused in thought. "If I'm not mistaken, in our previous life, no one detected the Fourth Prince's ambitions. He calmly laid his plans, first causing the Crown Prince's death, then using the succession issue to bring down the Third Prince and others. After the Imperial Grandson was established as heir, he began scheming against him as well. We still don't know whether the Imperial Grandson died of illness or was murdered by him. But as time passes, we should find out—after the Imperial Grandson's death, the Emperor's state of mind must have changed. He was already advanced in years; if he appointed another young heir, what if that heir also died young? The Fourth Prince, having been raised in the late Empress's palace and with his older brothers all meeting misfortune, smoothly became Crown Prince.
"Perhaps the Emperor discovered something about the Crown Prince's death, or maybe the Fourth Prince did something that greatly displeased him.
"Then the Emperor considered deposing him.
"Judging from recent events, if he could turn Liu Li under such circumstances, in our previous life when he had all advantages—timing, terrain, and popular support—and you mentioned that Chen Li later became the chief eunuch of Cining Palace, he must have learned of the Emperor's intentions with Chen Li's help. So, when the Emperor fell ill, he seized the opportunity to stage a coup.
"By then, he was already Crown Prince. Once the Emperor died, he could legitimately ascend the throne.
"But not everyone in the palace would obey him.
"For example, someone like Han Ding, the commander of the imperial guards, was surely the Emperor's trusted confidant, most loyal to him.
"The Fourth Prince couldn't harm the Emperor without dealing with Han Ding.
"In our previous life, everyone believed the Fourth Prince had succeeded normally.
"That means the coup and such matters were carried out secretly.
"The Fourth Prince stormed the Emperor's bedchamber, yet the imperial palace showed little disturbance. Under such circumstances, no one could distinguish loyal ministers from traitors.
"The Emperor could only judge based on his instincts.
"Now that he has uncovered the Fourth Prince's movements, and with the Office of Imperial Messengers and Grand Secretary Yuan unwilling to draft a will for the Fourth Prince, he still entrusted something to Second Uncle. How much more likely in our previous life, when he was being plotted against by the Fourth Prince?
"He must have given something to Second Uncle as well.
"And it was this very thing that led to the Cheng family's extermination."
Shaojin didn't understand. Remembering the Cheng family's fate in their previous life, her eyes grew slightly moist. "In our previous life, Second Uncle was buried by the Cheng family. If he died in the palace, whatever he had couldn't have been in his possession. The Cheng family had no idea what had happened. Even if they knew, without evidence, they wouldn't dare speak up. Why would the Emperor vent his anger on the Cheng family? Just because Second Uncle remained loyal to the sovereign? If so, he certainly wasn't a wise ruler!"She said indignantly, forgetting that this life had already diverged greatly from her previous one. The Fourth Prince was now a prisoner.
Cheng Chi smiled and stroked her hair, patiently explaining, "Second Uncle was buried by the Cheng family, but that doesn't mean he died at home!"
Zhou Shaojin's eyes widened.
How had she not thought of that?
Zhou Shaojin nervously grabbed Cheng Chi's sleeve.
Cheng Chi's voice lowered as well: "If Second Uncle had died at home, Eldest Brother would have had no reason to bury him quietly without a word. Second Uncle could only have died in the palace.
"The Emperor had no one he could trust. He handed the edict or testament to Second Uncle, which was later discovered by the Fourth Prince. Second Uncle knew he had no way to fulfill the Emperor's final wishes. Either he hid the item or passed it to someone else, then either took his own life or was killed by the Fourth Prince. And the Fourth Prince failed to find what he was looking for. Unable to leave Second Uncle's body in the palace, he had no choice but to keep the death secret, first returning Second Uncle's body to the Cheng family, then announcing the Emperor's passing.
"Eldest Brother has been in official circles for so many years. Though sometimes easily swayed and hesitant in handling matters, he is not without insight.
"Whether Second Uncle died by suicide or was murdered, traces would certainly have been left on the body. And since it was brought out from the palace, who knew what crime was involved... He surely didn't dare speak up. He could only bury Second Uncle quietly." At this point, Cheng Chi showed a hint of dissatisfaction. "When something like this happens, anyone would make other plans. Even if unable to withdraw completely unscathed, he should at least have sent a few children away to preserve the Cheng bloodline. But instead, when the Emperor promoted him to Grand Secretary of the Inner Cabinet, he just settled comfortably into his official position..."
Zhou Shaojin didn't know what to say.
Cheng Chi continued, "The Cheng family was under the Emperor's watchful eye.
"Once he consolidated power and secured his footing, the Emperor began purging the bureaucracy.
"The Cheng family then became a thorn in his side.
"If he never managed to find that item, he would grow even more restless.
"Had it been right after the incident, he might have just found an excuse to kill the Cheng officials in the capital and be done with it. But two years had passed—who knew whether Second Uncle had taken the item out of the palace? And who could guarantee that no one in the Cheng family knew the contents of that document? He might as well silence everyone, exterminate the entire Cheng family, and vent his hatred for Second Uncle in one stroke..."
Zhou Shaojin thought of the stormy, fear-filled days of her past life.
Large teardrops fell from her eyes.
Cheng Chi held her in his arms and sighed heavily. "No matter what, the Fourth Prince's schemes have been exposed. Even if the Imperial Grandson were to die of illness, the Emperor could never appoint him as Crown Prince. The Cheng family's crisis is over. The Seven Stars Hall has lost its reason to exist. The Cheng family can finally become an ordinary farming and scholarly household. Yun Ge'er," he patted Zhou Shaojin's belly, "and our little one here, will both be able to live peaceful lives."
Zhou Shaojin nodded.
She placed her hand over his.
The two greatest wishes since her rebirth had been fulfilled.
Especially saving the Cheng family.
At the time, it had seemed such an immense task in her eyes. Fortunately, she had found Cheng Chi. In the end, he resolved everything step by step.In her previous life, she had only lived to twenty-five.
Now, she and Cheng Chi still had a long road ahead.
She didn’t know what might happen.
But as long as Cheng Chi was with her, as long as they could be together, she thought, what could be worse than the Cheng family being raided and exterminated? They would always face it together. They would always get through it together.
Suddenly, a small bulge appeared on Zhou Shaojin’s belly.
Cheng Chi and Zhou Shaojin were momentarily stunned before realizing—this was their baby kicking!
Zhou Shaojin’s eyes curved into a smile.
Was the child also sensing its father’s joy, eagerly joining in?
The two exchanged smiles.
※
After all, it was his own child. The Emperor did not publicly announce the Fourth Prince’s rebellion. Instead, three days later, during the grand court assembly, the Director of the Office of Transmission submitted a memorial stating that the Fourth Prince had passed away due to illness on his way to Xinyang.
Although rumors had already spread in the court, the ministers still expressed surprise and urged the Emperor to accept their condolences and take care.
Seated high on the golden throne, the Emperor’s expression was unclear. He merely ordered the Imperial Clan Court to bury the Fourth Prince with the rites of a prince. The Fourth Prince’s eldest son was demoted to a commandery prince but was still allowed to take up his fief in Xinyang.
To show concern, the Emperor specially sent governesses and eunuchs from the palace to serve them.
But not long after, the Fourth Prince’s eldest son died due to an inability to adapt to the climate, and the Fourth Prince’s consort also passed away from excessive grief.
The Fourth Prince’s second son inherited the title but passed away within half a year.
The Emperor simply stopped granting further titles.
The Fourth Prince’s remaining children received salaries as auxiliary dukes and lived under the care of several governesses and eunuchs.
As the Imperial Grandson’s wedding took place, these children gradually faded from the sight of the capital’s residents.
By then, Zhou Shaojin had already given birth to her second son, Tao Ge’er, in October. By the following January, they were joyfully celebrating the child’s hundred-day ceremony.
Song Jingran was reinstated, once again entering the Grand Secretariat as the Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion, Minister of Revenue, and Reader-in-Waiting of the Hanlin Academy.
Meanwhile, Cheng Chi was promoted to Left Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, a third-rank official, upon Cheng Shao’s recommendation. Cheng Shao himself retired on the pretext of poor health.
The Emperor did not press him to stay, allowing Cheng Shao to retain his household registration in the capital.
From then on, Cheng Shao never left his home, spending his days studying the Book of Changes. Lady Pengcheng felt it was a pity and several times suggested that Cheng Shao teach at the Cheng family’s school at Chaoyang Gate, but Cheng Shao politely declined each time, citing poor health.
Although Tao Ge’er was a boy, for the Cheng family, which had few descendants, this was still good news.
Old Madam Guo held Tao Ge’er in her arms, her eyes fixed on Yun Ge’er as she smiled until her eyes narrowed into slits. She urged Zhou Shaojin, "A daughter is a mother’s little padded jacket. You must work harder and give Yun Ge’er and Tao Ge’er a little sister."
Zhou Shaojin blushed and murmured her agreement, while Zhou Chujin and the others laughed heartily.
Old Madam Guo asked about Zhou Zhen, "Has your father’s residence been arranged? If not, why not just let him stay in your Elm Coin Alley? It’s empty anyway, and it’s close to Chujin. He could live there for a few years and move when a suitable place is found."
After the Fourth Prince’s incident, the Emperor’s energy was not what it used to be. Now, with the Imperial Grandson overseeing state affairs, Zhou Zhen was promoted to Vice Minister of the Court of the Imperial Stud, a third-rank official. He was set to take up his post in the capital after January.
Zhou Shaojin thought of the things buried beneath the main house.
It would be fine if someone occasionally stayed in the guest rooms, but what if they moved into the main house and noticed something amiss?
She smiled and said, "Let’s see what Father thinks!"Given Madam Li's temperament, she most likely wouldn't stay in her residence.
Old Madam Guo was about to persuade her further when a young maid rushed in, panting as she reported, "A steward named Li who serves the master's father-in-law has arrived. He says the master and his wife will be here in two hours, as they are rushing to attend the second young master's hundred-day celebration!"
"Oh my! Speak of the devil and he shall appear." Old Madam Guo hurriedly called for maids to help her change clothes. Since Yun Ge'er and Tao Ge'er were meeting their maternal grandfather for the first time, the maids and nannies attending to them busied themselves with dressing the children. Meanwhile, Zhou Shaojin had to arrange guest rooms, and Zhou Chujin instructed the accompanying nannies to inform Liao Shaotang. Amid the flurry of preparations, everyone tidied up hastily and followed Old Madam Guo to Xizhimen Gate.
Fortunately, they arrived quite early.
Everyone sat in the carriage, warming their hands over hand warmers as they waited for Zhou Zhen and the others.
Nearby, a woman's weeping could be heard.
Zhou Shaojin lifted the curtain to look outside.
It turned out to be government officials escorting servants who were being sold off.
Zhou Shaojin took one glance and let the curtain fall.
The accompanying Nanny Shang happened to glance over and was quite surprised.
Leading the group was none other than Chen Li's adopted daughter, who had married Cheng Lu.
Chen Li had been beaten to death.
Wan Tong and the others naturally hadn't spared him.
Not only was his family property confiscated, but Cheng Lu's affairs were also exposed and reported to the educational commissioner.
Cheng Lu was once again stripped of his scholarly honors and exiled to Xining Garrison.
The fourth master had already arranged for the guards to "take good care" of Cheng Lu along the way.
But no one had expected Liu Shi to end up in such a state.
Nanny Shang shook her head.
Seeing that Zhou Shaojin showed no interest, she didn't mention it to her.
Watching as Liu Shi, draped in an old padded jacket, disheveled and grimy, was driven past them by the government brokers, her figure gradually vanished into the cold wind.
(End)
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