Zhou Shaojin felt she should treat Old Madam Guo even better.

Cheng Chi and Cheng Xu had already arrived at Listening to Rain Pavilion.

Like the family banquet for the New Year reunion dinner, Listening to Rain Pavilion was divided in two by a twelve-panel sandalwood screen. The female family members sat inside while the men sat outside.

They arrived neither early nor late.

The younger generation with the “yan” radical had all arrived. Cheng Shi had even brought his five-year-old eldest son Geng Ge’er. Cheng Shi and several unmarried uncles were playing with Geng Ge’er. From the “water” generation, there were Cheng Yi from the Second Branch, Cheng Lu from the Third Branch, Cheng Mian from the Fourth Branch, and Cheng Wen from the Fifth Branch.

The corners of Cheng Chi’s mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.

This Old Ancestress always made the same entrance every time—waiting until everyone arrived before arriving fashionably late. Was it because his timing was impeccable, or had he specifically sent someone to report when everyone had gathered so he could arrive right on cue to display his special status in this family?

Cheng Chi stepped forward to greet his cousins.

Cheng Yi and Cheng Lu nodded slightly, both remaining seated without moving. Although Cheng Mian also didn’t move, he smiled and greeted Cheng Chi, saying “Cousin Chi has arrived.” Only Cheng Wen hurriedly came over, complaining, “Why are you only arriving now? We were only waiting for you! Come sit by me—the chair next to me is still empty!” Then he exchanged pleasantries with Cheng Xu. “Jiashan, you’ve lost quite a bit of weight compared to when you left. Have you been studying too hard? You need to take care of your health.”

Both Cheng Yi and Cheng Lu’s eyes flashed with a trace of disdain, while Cheng Mian’s smile remained genial.

Cheng Xu stepped forward to greet his uncles, while Cheng Shi brought his younger cousins over to greet Cheng Chi.

Cheng Chi’s gaze fell on Cheng Yi, who was following disheveled behind his cousins.

He walked with a slight limp.

It seemed his injuries hadn’t healed yet.

Cheng Chi contentedly shifted his gaze away from him.

Sensing Cheng Chi’s gaze, Cheng Yi shrank his shoulders, making himself even less conspicuous.

Cheng Shi brought Geng Ge’er before Cheng Chi and said to his eldest son with a gentle smile, “This is your Great-Uncle Chi. Quickly pay your respects to Great-Uncle Chi!”

Geng Ge’er bowed to Cheng Chi like an adult, calling out in his childish voice “Great-Uncle Chi” and saying, “Your grandson pays his respects to you!”

Cheng Chi couldn’t help but smile and beckoned to Geng Ge’er.

Geng Ge’er wasn’t shy at all and ran over with a smile.

Cheng Chi patted his head, thought for a moment, and instructed Huai Shan, “Send that jade pendant with the ‘immediate enshrinement as marquis’ design that I bought in the capital the other day to Lingering Sound Pavilion later.”

Huai Shan respectfully acknowledged.

Cheng Zheng then gently patted Geng Ge’er’s shoulder and smiled, “Your Great-Uncle Chi has given you something. Why don’t you quickly thank Great-Uncle Chi?”

Geng Ge’er, with his large bright eyes, thanked Cheng Chi again in his childish voice.

Cheng Chi felt these eyes were very familiar, as if he had seen them somewhere before. He liked them very much in his heart and was considering whether to reward Geng Ge’er with a few more items when the corner of his eye inadvertently swept past Cheng Yi of the Second Branch and Cheng Lu of the Third Branch.

Cheng Yi’s expression showed some smugness, while Cheng Lu’s eyes held a trace of displeasure.

Cheng Chi couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

With little education, one’s vision becomes limited.

Among the “yan” generation, only Cheng Shi had married and had even fathered two sons. Bringing his eldest son to the front hall, Cheng Shi clearly meant to show off that he had heirs to continue the line.

But having heirs to continue the line referred not only to bloodline inheritance, but also to the inheritance of family property and family reputation.

The Second Branch’s two children were both young. It was too early to talk about this now.

The two cousins’ minds were also somewhat narrow.

No wonder they schemed against Cheng Jiashan and Shaojin.

If things continued like this, in ten years even if the Cheng family wasn’t raided and exterminated, it would probably be quite difficult for them to stand among the ranks of Jiangnan’s prominent families.

Thinking this way, his thoughts of rewarding Geng Ge’er with several more items also faded.

Cheng Yi then asked about Cheng Xu’s studies: “How many times have you read through the ‘Annotations on the Four Books’? How many examination essays do you write each day? Some time ago, Wende Pavilion and Deyi Publishing House jointly published a ‘Collection of Examination Essays.’ I looked through it and several essays were written quite well. You should buy a copy too.”

Cheng Xu said respectfully, “When I went to the capital earlier, I studied under Second Great-Uncle. According to Second Great-Uncle’s instructions, I’ve already memorized the ‘Annotations on the Four Books’ three times. One examination essay every two days. I heard the ‘Collection of Examination Essays’ was published by the retired cabinet minister, Chief Grand Secretary Shen Minzhi. Second Great-Uncle sent someone to buy it to bring back, saying he wanted to examine it carefully. I haven’t looked through it yet. When I returned, I was in such a hurry that I forgot to ask Second Great-Uncle for it. Hearing Uncle Yi mention it this way, I’ll send someone to the bookshop tomorrow to buy a copy.”

Both Cheng Shi and Cheng Zheng perked up their ears to listen.

When in the capital, although Cheng Shi lived in Apricot Grove Lane like Cheng Xu, because of Madam Yuan, Cheng Xu was either visiting the Yuan family’s residence on Second Lane or being called by Cheng Shao, who lived in Double Elm Lane not far from Apricot Grove Lane, to be questioned about his studies. He and Cheng Xu spent even less time together than when in Jinling.

He very much wanted to know about Cheng Xu’s progress.

Cheng Zheng’s feelings were quite complex.

He knew that without the First and Second Branches’ approval, no matter how well he studied, he couldn’t enter officialdom unless his talent was so extraordinary that the First and Second Branches couldn’t suppress it. But from current appearances, he was only somewhat more intelligent than ordinary people.

Seeing Cheng Xu with so many resources, he felt both envy and jealousy in his heart.

If Cheng Xu passed the provincial examination this time, he might become the youngest successful examination candidate in the Cheng family.

No, wait. The First Branch’s Second Grand Old Master Cheng Shao had passed the provincial examination at eighteen and was eventually ranked third in the palace examination. Could Cheng Xu have such talent in the future?

No.

Cheng Zheng thought again.

The Second Branch’s Uncle Yi had also passed the provincial examination at eighteen, but he repeatedly failed subsequent examinations and finally had no choice but to become the headmaster of the Cheng clan school.

This showed that nothing was set in stone.

Perhaps Cheng Xu had Cheng Shao’s fate but only Cheng Yi’s luck?

Thinking this, Cheng Zheng finally felt somewhat better.

Cheng Yi had also vaguely heard that the “Collection of Examination Essays” highly praised by Jiangnan scholars was published by Shen Minzhi, but hadn’t received confirmation. Now hearing Cheng Xu say this, his expression couldn’t help but become somewhat grave. “Is this news reliable?”

Cheng Xu had sensed the subtle relationships between the various branches of the Cheng family from a young age. At that time he already knew that in front of his uncles, he couldn’t know something without speaking of it, nor speak without being complete. What’s more, Cheng Chi had just lectured him, so he certainly wouldn’t say more now.

“I don’t know either!” He smiled apologetically. “At the time I was single-mindedly rushing to return and hadn’t yet had time to discuss this matter with Second Great-Uncle.”

It was said that one of the examiners presiding over this spring’s metropolitan examination was a student of Shen Minzhi—not the kind of student who took the examination under him, but one who studied under Shen Minzhi and was recognized as his disciple.

Cheng Xu would participate in this year’s provincial examination, while his son Cheng Shi was already a successful provincial candidate and would participate in next year’s metropolitan examination.

If this book was published by Shen Minzhi, then very likely the style that Shen Minzhi’s student preferred was contained within it.

The more Cheng Yi thought about it, the more frustrated he felt.

This was the difference between the First Branch and the Second Branch now!

Apart from the Old Ancestress, they had no way to verify the authenticity of an essay, but the First Branch had not only Cheng Jing but also Cheng Shao, and even Cheng Wei and Cheng Chi.

What they worked very hard to obtain was merely a casual acquisition for the First Branch, effortlessly achieved.

Cheng Yi was considering whether to ask Cheng Chi for some advice.

But before he could open his mouth, Cheng Lu had already said, “Jiashan, quickly write a letter to your Second Great-Uncle. I have a close friend who will also participate in next year’s metropolitan examination.” He added, “Jiashan, Uncle Shao was that year’s third-ranked palace examination graduate. What kind of examination essays does he usually have you write? Show them to me. I’m thinking of taking the examination this year too.”

Cheng Xu couldn’t have asked for better.

Although this Uncle Lu was someone who read books rigidly and studied rigidly, he was actually quite decent, possessing the pride and straightforwardness of a scholar. What he liked or disliked, what was good or bad, he would express directly. Although sometimes it was uncomfortable to hear, it wasn’t as exhausting as talking with Uncle Yi, where one slight inattention could lead to being trapped.

“After I return, I’ll copy out the examination essay topics that Second Great-Uncle assigned me for you…”

The two immediately began talking animatedly.

Cheng Shi quietly lowered his head.

He truly didn’t know what to say.

What Cheng Wen least liked hearing was these things.

If Cheng Yi weren’t the elder brother and hadn’t always been aloof, fond of emphasizing hierarchy and superiority, and fearful of the Second Branch’s Old Ancestress Cheng Xu, he would have spoken up long ago.

Now that it was Cheng Lu questioning Cheng Xu, how could he still hold back? He smiled and moved before Cheng Chi, saying in a low voice, “Cousin Chi, your brother has something to ask of you…”

Cheng Chi glanced at him lightly, unhurriedly picked up his tea cup for a sip, then said, “If it’s about that woman outside, you’d better not speak. My mother is alone at home usually and can’t withstand a commotion from Sister-in-law Wen.”

Cheng Wen’s face immediately flushed bright red. He hurriedly said, “That shrew has no manners. Don’t hold it against her. As for eldest sister-in-law, I’m preparing to go personally apologize.”

Cheng Chi said nothing.

Cheng Wen gave an awkward laugh and said with a fawning expression, “Cousin Chi, I heard you’re very close with people from the Thirteen Hongs, and when the Thirteen Hongs organized a fleet to go to sea this time, you also invested a share. Cousin Chi, you also know my situation. That woman not only likes to make scenes but is also a spendthrift. Your nephew Nuo is about to get engaged, but the family is strapped for cash. If I don’t find a way to get some money, when the new daughter-in-law enters the door, she won’t give me any respect, and I’ll lose face with my in-laws. You must help me with this favor no matter what! I’m begging you as your elder brother!” By the end of his words, there was almost a tearful quality to his voice.

Cheng Chi smiled and said, “Cousin Wen, the investment in the Thirteen Hongs comes from the public funds. It has nothing to do with me personally. When the time comes you can also get a share. Why must you invest privately!”

Cheng Wen’s face turned purple-red. After a long while he said, “I, I have no other choice! Cousin Chi, can’t you think of a way for me? I’m still short several thousand taels of silver! Nuo will be getting engaged to Magistrate Wu’s eldest daughter in a few days!”

Cheng Chi thought for a moment and said, “How about you transfer some from that woman outside? I heard from someone—I think it was that you gave that woman outside three shops and four thousand taels of silver. Moving money from the left pocket to the right pocket, it’s still your money after all.”