Zhоu Shаоjin's hands twisted tоgеthеr аgаin.
She said worriеdlу, "But what аbout Aunt Lu..."
Сhеng Сhi bаrеlу restrainеd himself from rubbing his forehead. Не said, "Тhat wоuld still rеquirе Сheng Zhеng's аgrееmеnt!"
Chеng Zheng's agreеmеnt?
Why wоuldn't he agreе?
Zhou Shaоjin suddenly undеrstооd.
Сhеng Zhеng wаs a schоlаr. Schоlаrs рursued оfficiаl сareеrs thrоugh impеrial exаminations—what usе wаs thеre in mаrrying into the imреriаl familу? Соuld оnе rеallу еxрeсt in-laws to lеnd a hеlрing hаnd in an оffiсiаl сareer? Тhe emperor wаs most wary оf imperiаl relаtivеs interfеring in court politics, so imperial sons-in-law could only receive stipends and idle at home...
"Right! How did I not think of that!" Her eyes sparkled like stars, her face glowing faintly. "The third branch is still counting on Cousin Zheng to pass the imperial exams and bring honor to the family! If Cheng Jia marries Zhu Pengju, and as a second wife at that, just the spittle from the censors would be enough to drown Cousin Zheng..." Thinking of this, she felt as if a great burden had been lifted, her whole body lightening with relief. She jumped up excitedly, "I'll go tell Cousin Jia right away... Anyway, no matter who Zhu Pengju has his eye on, he won't be able to marry her!" As she spoke, she grew uncertain again and hesitantly asked Cheng Chi, "Uncle Chi, my, my father definitely wouldn't agree either, right?"
Even if her father agreed, her maternal grandmother and aunt from the fourth branch wouldn't agree, right?
What if, just what if, they all agreed—could she beg Uncle Chi to ruin this matter?
She didn't dare ask this last question, afraid that speaking too frankly when their relationship wasn't deep might yield a completely opposite answer.
How could he possibly guarantee such a thing?
But seeing Zhou Shaojin's cautious manner, his heart softened slightly. Not wanting to discourage her, he smiled and said, "Probably not!"
Zhou Shaojin then laughed.
Her eyes curved into crescents as she smiled, bending her knees in a curtsy to him, saying, "Uncle Chi, I'll take my leave now. I'll come another day to thank you properly!" Then, like a cheerful little bird, she lightly skipped out of the small Pure Sound Pavilion.
Cheng Chi was stunned.
Just like that, she left... Did she truly believe his words so completely?
Cheng Chi looked puzzled, gazing at the faint green mountains and forests, silent for a long while.
Huaishan lowered his head, lips pressed tightly into a thin line, though his shoulders shook lightly twice.
※
Zhou Shaojin headed east all the way to Ruyi Pavilion.
Cheng Jia was flipping through the menu sent over from the third branch's small kitchen. Seeing Zhou Shaojin arrive, she happily welcomed her into the inner room to sit, pushing the menu in front of Zhou Shaojin and asking, "Will you stay here for dinner? I'll have Cui Huan go inform Jia Shu Hall. What would you like to eat? The kitchen has crystal shrimp, steamed turbot, three-cup chicken, squirrel fish... I'll have Cui Huan check the kitchen, so it's not like last time when we ordered crystal shrimp and the shrimp were smaller than river snails..." she grumbled.
The third branch was different from the fourth branch. The third branch had the kitchen send menus daily for each household to order dishes, while the fourth branch had unified arrangements. For example, Zhou Shaojin and her sister, along with Madam Mian, had four dishes and one soup, while the Cheng Gao brothers had six dishes and one soup. Old Madam Guan had three dishes and one soup. Zhou Shaojin and her sister shared meals with Madam Mian, the Cheng Gao brothers were boys with bigger appetites, and the old lady ate less, so one dish was reduced—nothing went to waste.
The eldest branch seemed different again. At least when she had eaten at Cold Green Mountain House that time, not only were the meat and vegetable dishes well-balanced, but the chef's skills also seemed particularly distinct, with an especially wide variety of dishes, likely emphasizing refinement.Zhou Shaojin nodded absentmindedly and said, "I actually do have something to tell you today. I'll stay here for dinner. Have Cui Huan go and inform them."
In the past, they often ate together, but it was usually Shaojin staying at Ruyi Pavilion for meals, while Cheng Jia rarely went to Fragrant Garden Residence for dinner—the Fourth Branch's meals were predetermined, while the Third Branch's dishes could be ordered on the spot, making Ruyi Pavilion feel more relaxed and free.
Cui Huan smiled and replied, "Yes," then withdrew without needing further instructions from Cheng Jia.
Cheng Jia pulled Zhou Shaojin onto the couch and whispered, "What do you want to tell me?"
Zhou Shaojin told Cheng Jia about testing A Zhu with the pouch but kept her visit to Cheng Chi a secret. She felt uneasy, sensing that the relationships among the First, Second, and Third Branches were intricate, so she preferred not to mention Cheng Chi unless necessary.
Cheng Jia was shocked and asked, "Is what you said true?"
After asking, her expression grew momentarily dazed, shifting between joy and worry.
Zhou Shaojin watched with deep concern.
Most young ladies in Jinling likely dreamed of marrying into the Liangguo Duke's household and becoming the city's foremost lady.
But this matter was not within her control.
If Cheng Jia felt the same way, even if Shaojin managed to keep her from leaving, Cheng Jia might resent her for ruining her happiness.
Her tone softened as she spoke slowly, "Why would I lie to you? No matter what the Liangguo Duke's household is planning, I've made up my mind to discuss it with my grandmother when I return... Just think, because the eldest son's wife hasn'tt borne children, the duke's household refuses to petition for her title, all for the sake of future heirs. Such a family, no matter how prestigious, I wouldn't marry into! Especially not as a second wife."
Cheng Jia didn't understand.
Zhou Shaojin explained, "Without the petition, she can't be recorded in the family genealogy. If the second wife bears a child, that child would rightfully become the legitimate eldest son."
Cheng Jia shuddered and quickly said, "I... I wouldn't want to marry into such a family either." Then, frowning, she added worriedly, "But if it really is me, what about my mother..."
Her gaze was clear now, no longer dazed as before.
Zhou Shaojin breathed a sigh of relief, feeling warmth in her heart.
This was her true good sister.
Not blinded by power and prestige.
She shifted closer to Cheng Jia and sat beside her, bringing up Cheng Zheng: "...He's pursuing an official career and might not see this as a good thing either."
When it came to scholarly families, Cheng Jia understood without needing further explanation.
She hugged Zhou Shaojin tightly and laughed, "Shaoji, you're still my younger sister, but when did you become so clever? You make me seem like a fool!"
Zhou Shaojin's face flushed with embarrassment.
Would Uncle Chi think the same of her?
He had sent someone to tell her a few words, yet she had personally gone to ask him twice. Only then did she figure things out... In Uncle Chi's eyes, she probably seemed like a fool too...
※
After dinner, Zhou Shaojin returned to Jia Shu Hall.
Her aunt and elder sister were still chatting and drinking tea with Old Madam Guan.
After paying her respects to the elders, her sister pulled her to sit beside her and chided, "If you were staying at Ruyi Pavilion for dinner, why didn't you say so earlier? The meal was already served when you suddenly sent Cui Huan to say you wouldn't be back!"In her past life, her sister had also nagged her like this, and she had only felt panic. Now, hearing it again in this life, she realized there was a deeper meaning behind it—by scolding her preemptively like this, her sister made it difficult for their grandmother and aunt to get angry with her.
She wrapped her arms around her sister's arm and giggled, coquettishly saying, "I had urgent matters to discuss with Cousin Jia!"
Madam Mian looked at her charming appearance and laughed, "What urgent matters could a child like you have? And 'discuss'? I think you were just playing around together!"
In the past, her aunt had never joked with her like this.
Zhou Shaojin's eyes grew slightly moist. She told everyone in the room everything—how she had been tidying up at home and found two seasonal pouches, how she had Madam Fan Liu deliver them to the Liangguo Duke's residence, and how she reported back afterward... She attributed all of Cheng Chi's warnings to her own discoveries, pouring out the entire story.
The listeners were both shocked and delighted. They were shocked because the Liangguo Duke's heir had indeed confirmed their suspicions, and delighted because they had all kept it from Zhou Shaojin, yet she had managed to deduce the Liangguo Duke's heir's intentions from just a few clues.
Old Madam Guan took Zhou Shaojin's hand and sighed to Zhou Chujin, "Now you can rest assured! Even without you watching over her everywhere, Shaojin won't be unable to manage! She's just pure-hearted. Some things, she doesn't think about them, but she's not foolish!"
Zhou Chujin nodded repeatedly, tears glistening in her eyes.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Shaojin's heart sank, and she wished she could take back every word she had said.
She knew herself well—even if she lived another ten years, she could never be as shrewd and capable as her sister... If her sister really stopped looking after her, what would she do?
Zhou Shaojin instinctively reached out to tug at her sister's sleeve.
But as the soft silk of the lake gauze slipped into her hand, her heart tightened again.
When she was reborn, she had sworn to herself that she would never cause trouble for her sister again. Instead, she would protect her sister, honor her grandmother, aunt, uncles, and father... How could she have forgotten all that in an instant?
Even if her sister stopped caring for her in the future, she still had two years—her sister wouldn't marry for another two years. In that time, she was sure she could manage her own affairs!
Zhou Shaojin secretly clenched her fist.
Old Madam Guan asked her, "...What did that Jia girl say?"
Zhou Shaojin smiled and replied, "After the meal, Cousin Jia went to find Cousin Zheng. She said it's better to discuss it with Cousin Zheng than to alert the enemy and argue until we're hoarse with Aunt Lu. If that doesn't work, we can tell Cousin Shi from the second branch—he definitely wouldn't want a cousin to marry into the Liangguo Duke's residence as a second wife."
Old Madam Guan nodded and said to Madam Mian with a smile, "Who would have thought these two children actually came up with a plan! This is a good idea. Our Cheng family can't afford to lose face like this."
Madam Mian nodded with a smile and gently agreed, "Yes."
Zhou Shaojin quickly added, "Grandmother, what about... what about my father..."
Before she could finish, Old Madam Guan's face darkened, and she snapped, "How dare he! I'll break his legs if he tries!"No matter what, Zhou Zhen was still their father. Afraid that Old Madam Guan's words would embarrass Zhou Shaojin and her sister, Madam Mian quickly smiled and said, "Don't worry. Your father respects your grandmother the most. Since she has spoken, he will surely listen." She added, "Shao Jin, don't worry about this matter. Just act as if you know nothing. Your grandmother and Uncle Mian will handle it for you."
Only then did Zhou Shaojin finally feel at ease.
She then thought to herself: It's better to stay at home from now on. A trip to the Gu family led to meeting A Zhu. Meeting A Zhu brought about Zhu Pengju. Fortunately, the elders at home are reasonable. If she had encountered those who seek power and status, even crying her eyes out would likely be useless.
She felt a lingering fear.
She also thought: Uncle Chi is truly capable.
If it weren't for him, she would probably still be kept in the dark, being sold while helping count the money.
If given the chance, she must properly repay Uncle Chi.
※
Sisters, here is today's update.
ps: I find that I'm still quite diligent... o(n_n)o haha
※ (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
!!
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