Zhou Shaojin opened her mouth wanting to expose Wu Baozhang and Cheng Lu’s whereabouts, but then thought that wretched girl Cheng Jia still didn’t know where she was. If she caused a commotion here, would it expose Cheng Jia? Her lips moved as she bit down hard on her teeth in resentment.

After finding Cheng Jia, she had to scold her severely.

Thinking this, her heart finally felt somewhat appeased, and she began calmly considering the matter of Cheng Lu and Wu Baozhang.

Wu Baozhang was already betrothed to Cheng Nuo. If this affair was made public, not only would Wu Baozhang and Cheng Lu lose face, but the Cheng family and Wu family would be even more disgraced. These matters arose because of her—she was a cousin miss lodging at the Cheng family. Prefect Wu might well blame this on the Cheng family, thinking they handled things improperly and made him a laughingstock, thus harboring resentment toward the Cheng family from then on. Although the Cheng family didn’t fear such a petty person, as the saying goes, “The gentleman is open and poised; the petty person is always anxious.” If the Cheng family faced disaster in the future, who could guarantee Prefect Wu wouldn’t kick them when they were down?

Moreover, Uncle Chi said he would help strip Cheng Lu of his scholarly status. This matter would likely require Prefect Wu’s assistance. Once she made this public, the Wu family would be forced to have Wu Baozhang marry Cheng Lu, and Cheng Lu would become Prefect Wu’s son-in-law. No matter how vicious Prefect Wu was, his own daughter and son-in-law—especially a son-in-law with student status—if he had the heart to help Cheng Lu succeed, by delaying matters, Cheng Lu might pass the provincial examination. In her previous life, Cheng Lu had passed the provincial examination.

After Cheng Lu became a provincial graduate, trying to strip him of his status would be very difficult!

She couldn’t rashly create difficulties for Uncle Chi.

However, Cheng Lu and Wu Baozhang clearly had an affair yet became betrothed to Cheng Nuo—she wouldn’t let them off for this. She would go tell Uncle Chi!

Zhou Shaojin pricked up her ears and continued listening.

She wanted to know how far Wu Baozhang and Cheng Lu’s relationship had progressed, what else they would say?

Who knew that after Wu Baozhang heard Cheng Lu say this, she remained silent for quite a long time.

Cheng Lu let out a long sigh and said in a deep voice: “Baozhang, you wrote me saying the Cheng family wants to strip me of my scholarly status. What exactly is going on? Do you know who wants to harm me? What else have you heard?”

Zhou Shaojin’s heart shook as she listened.

Wu Baozhang had actually told Cheng Lu about this matter.

Could it be that Cheng Lu rushed back because of this?

He was also someone quite resourceful. Might Wu Baozhang’s tip-off help him think of some solution, causing her plan to fail?

Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but lean forward slightly, pressing her ear against the door panel.

Wu Baozhang’s cold snort came from the other side of the door.

She said: “If not for this matter, you still wouldn’t have come back, would you?”

“How could that be?” Cheng Lu’s voice was warm, his tone sincere. “I just hadn’t found a suitable opportunity. Didn’t I just tell you? The Cheng family watches me very closely. As soon as I heard the Cheng family wanted to marry you as a daughter-in-law, I became extremely anxious and immediately wrote a letter to my mother, having her go to your household to propose marriage. If you don’t believe me, I can have Zhao Dahai testify! But before my mother could negotiate with the matchmaker, the Cheng family had already delivered betrothal gifts to your family. I rushed back this time precisely because I was unwilling to accept it, wanting to ask what you truly thought… Now knowing you were also forced into this against your will, my heart feels both bitter and sweet. Bitter that you ultimately didn’t become my wife, sweet that you still have me in your heart… Baozhang, why don’t we make an agreement? If I have a son in the future, I’ll definitely marry your daughter as his wife. If you have a son, you must marry my daughter to him. Our two families will maintain close relations in the future. That way I can often see you…”

Wu Baozhang laughed with a snort and said: “You and Cheng Nuo are cousins. How could we possibly become in-laws through marriage…”

Cheng Lu was stunned and said: “I was being foolishly romantic!”

But these words ultimately melted Wu Baozhang’s resentment.

She said softly: “Brother Lu, I only knew about this matter because my stepmother said Father wanted to marry me to Cheng Lu. I wanted to persuade Father to change his mind. While waiting for Father in his study, I learned of it by chance. As for who entrusted this to Father and what stage it has reached, I know nothing at all. Now that you’ve returned, I believe with Brother Lu’s connections and methods, you’ll surely discover who’s been making things difficult for you behind the scenes.”

Cheng Lu heavily grunted in agreement, his voice containing unmistakable hatred.

Zhou Shaojin felt no fear.

She felt that even if Cheng Lu discovered Uncle Chi was behind this, he could only be helpless.

Wu Baozhang then said: “Brother Lu, I came here accompanying my stepmother’s relatives. If too much time passes, I might be discovered. I’ll leave first. If you have anything else to ask me, have Dahai pass word to Hongxiu. I’ll definitely tell you everything I know.”

Cheng Lu probably shared the same concern and said with a smile: “Then be careful on your way. If there’s anything you need me to help with, just tell me. I’ll do my best to help you.”

Zhou Shaojin quickly gestured to Nanny Shang, indicating they should leave quickly.

Nanny Shang smiled and shook her head at her, pointed to Zhao Dahai lying unconscious on the ground, lifted him with one hand and stuffed him behind a handcart leaning against the wall. She then half-crouched beside Zhou Shaojin, signaling for Zhou Shaojin to get on her back.

Zhou Shaojin hesitated for a moment. Cheng Lu’s voice calling for Zhao Dahai came from outside the door.

She quickly climbed onto Nanny Shang’s back.

Nanny Shang crouched down, tapped her foot, and she and Zhou Shaojin were standing on the branches in the canopy of the large scholar tree.

Zhou Shaojin almost cried out.

She instinctively bit her lip and remained motionless while holding onto Nanny Shang.

Nanny Shang turned her head back and showed her a smile saying “It’s fine, I’ve got everything.”

But even so, this was too terrifying!

Zhou Shaojin smiled at her with difficulty.

She saw the half-closed side gate creak open, and Wu Baozhang, Cheng Lu, and a maid walked in.

Compared to before, Cheng Lu had grown taller and more robust, with less innocence and more composure, somewhat resembling the Cheng Lu Zhou Shaojin had seen behind Dazhao Temple.

He looked around and frowned: “Why don’t I see Zhao Dahai?”

Wu Baozhang seemed somewhat nervous and said hurriedly: “Perhaps someone came and he avoided them.” She added, “He’s a grown man—if something happened, he’d surely make noise. Go out and look. Maybe he’s waiting for you somewhere! But it’s not good to keep you here. The dragon boat race will soon end. Be careful not to be discovered.”

Cheng Lu nodded, tenderly instructed her to “be careful” and such, then hurriedly left the back courtyard.

Wu Baozhang breathed a sigh of relief.

Her maid quickly came forward to close the side gate, patting her chest: “Young Miss, you scared me to death! If someone discovered this, it would be terrible.”

Wu Baozhang said with displeasure: “But no one discovered it, did they?”

The maid gave an awkward laugh.

It seemed someone was passing through the building.

The two quickly hid under the large scholar tree.

Zhou Shaojin was so frightened she held her breath.

If Wu Baozhang discovered her and made a fuss, hiding in the tree eavesdropping like this—she’d lose all face!

The people above and below the tree all held their breath.

Before long, the building side quieted down.

Wu Baozhang and the maid emerged from behind the large scholar tree.

The two let out long sighs of relief.

The maid said: “Young Miss, do, do you truly believe Young Master Lu’s words?”

A trace of confusion flashed through Wu Baozhang’s eyes.

The maid then said: “Then are you prepared to marry Young Master Nuo? Previously you kept having people send messages to Young Master Lu. I thought you would…”

“Thought I would defy my father for him?” Wu Baozhang smiled, her eyes showing resolve. “Regardless of whether his words are sincere or false, I’m already betrothed to Cheng Nuo. There can be no change. Moreover, if he can escape this calamity and keep his scholarly status, my tip-off won’t have been in vain. In future life-or-death situations, there’ll be someone to lend a hand.

“If he can’t escape this calamity… without his scholarly status, he won’t be able to maintain his position in the Cheng family. No matter how capable he is, as a commoner, what kind of career can he make? We’ll naturally drift further and further apart.

“Besides, marrying Cheng Nuo isn’t bad either. At least he’s handsome and a son of a prominent family. Although he doesn’t have learning and cultivation like Cheng Xiangqing, his family is wealthy. Openly he’s the only son, his personality is weak—as long as I can prescribe the right medicine, won’t I be able to do as I please in the future?

“Why should I take that risk?”

The maid slowly nodded, smiling with relief: “I was wondering why Young Miss suddenly became confused. This man surnamed Cheng clearly came to see Young Miss for the sake of his scholarly status, yet Young Miss let him have his way…”

“What nonsense are you spouting?” Wu Baozhang scolded her. “Don’t say such things again in the future, and don’t mention Young Master Lu’s affairs anymore.”

The maid clearly enjoyed Wu Baozhang’s favor and trust. She blinked and stuck out her tongue, saying nothing more.

The two returned to Qingyan Tower.

Zhou Shaojin was carried down from the tree by Nanny Shang.

She was so frightened her eyes were tightly shut.

Only after her feet touched the ground and she stood steady did she open her eyes.

Nanny Shang cheerfully put on her clothes and said: “Second Cousin Miss, it’s fine! This is my family’s inherited technique. It won’t hurt you.”

Zhou Shaojin nodded repeatedly. She wanted to ask what kind of inherited technique this was when Chun Wan suddenly came running in, excitedly lowering her voice: “Second Cousin Miss, Second Cousin Miss, Miss Jia has been found! She never left Qingyan Tower at all! She went to the southern private room, saying she encountered relatives of Old Madam Li’s side and went over to greet them… Miss Jia has already returned to the private room. Miss Zhu Zhu asks you to hurry back. The dragon boat race is about to end!”

Zhou Shaojin was furious.

What relatives of Old Madam Li’s family?

It was definitely Li Jing!

She had such nerve!

Daring to secretly meet Li Jing!

Zhou Shaojin returned to the private room in a fury.

Cheng Jia was sitting there with a smile on her face talking with Zhu Zhu, while Gu Seventeenth Aunt and the others took turns using the telescope to watch the dragon boat race.

Seeing Zhou Shaojin enter, Cheng Jia greeted her with a beaming smile: “They said you went to the privy. Why were you gone so long? The dragon boat race is almost over!”

Zhou Shaojin was too angry to speak.

Zhu Zhu quickly gave Zhou Shaojin meaningful looks and said: “Good that you’re back, good that you’re back!”

Cheng Jia, however, acted as if she hadn’t understood Zhu Zhu’s words. Propping her elbow and resting her chin, she leaned sideways in the armchair looking at Zhou Shaojin, her face slightly flushed as if drunk, completely absorbed in her own happiness.

Just from seeing Li Jing, she was this happy?

Zhou Shaojin glared fiercely at Cheng Jia.