The next morning, when Zhou Shaojin opened her eyes, Cheng Chi was no longer beside her pillow.
Her body felt warm and cozy—she didn’t want to move.
Chun Wan, who was on duty, heard the movement and came in. She helped raise the bed curtains and said with a smile, “Before dawn today, Fourth Master was called away by Master, saying they were going to the countryside to inspect the farming. Fourth Master told us not to wake you, saying whenever you woke up, we would help you wash and dress then…”
Zhou Shaojin thought of last night’s scenes, her face slightly flushed. She rolled around several times in the bedding before sitting up, letting Chun Wan and the others help her dress.
Lady Li’s maid came to invite her to breakfast, saying, “Madam has been waiting for Second Miss!”
Tomorrow they would be returning to the capital—perhaps Madam had something to instruct her about?
Zhou Shaojin pondered this, having Chun Wan casually help her tie up her hair. She found a red coral pearl flower hairpin from her makeup box, put it on, and went to Lady Li’s quarters.
Lady Li indeed had things to tell her: “…Your Uncle Li sent a batch of wine into the palace. Within a few days, the Imperial Household Department settled the payment and ordered four more batches at once. Your Uncle Li said that even doing business with government offices isn’t this efficient. It’s mostly thanks to Second Son-in-law’s connections. But personal favors are personal favors, business is business. They gave us face—if we don’t even say thanks, over time this favor will fade. Your Uncle Li’s thinking is that with New Year approaching, someone from the household should pay New Year respects to those on duty at the Imperial Household Department. The Wine, Vinegar, and Noodle Bureau is easy—he can handle that himself. But for those higher up, I’m afraid we’ll need to trouble your husband.” As she spoke, she took out a small box. “There are twenty thousand taels of silver here. Please give it to Second Son-in-law on our behalf. If it’s not enough, please ask him to advance the funds first. When your Uncle Li comes to the capital, he’ll make it up to him.”
Twenty thousand taels?
For Cheng Chi?
Zhou Shaojin’s eyes widened. “I can’t accept this silver. Please take it back! Among relatives, when helping each other, there’s no reason to take money. That Uncle Li can continue doing business with the Wine, Vinegar, and Noodle Bureau is because Uncle Li’s wine is good. Fourth Master only connected them, that’s all.”
Lady Li thought she didn’t understand. “Silly child, if I’m giving it to you, just take it. There are many fine wines in this world. Why would only your Uncle Li’s wine be sent into the palace? Moreover, even without our silver, Second Son-in-law would still need to maintain relationships with those people. With our silver, Second Son-in-law can be more generous. It’s killing two birds with one stone—why can’t you see this? I think you should discuss this matter with Second Son-in-law!”
Was she saying that with this silver, they could save the expense of sending gifts to those at the Imperial Household Department themselves?
“There’s no need to discuss this with him!” Zhou Shaojin insisted on refusing. “Fourth Master definitely won’t accept it.”
Originally it was relatives helping each other. If they took the silver, it would become an obligation. She believed Cheng Chi wouldn’t be willing to run around busy for the Li family’s affairs just for this bit of silver.
She refused to accept it no matter what.
Lady Li had no choice but to temporarily give up, thinking of finding another opportunity to give the silver to Cheng Chi—that wouldn’t be too late.
Outside, a young maid came running in breathlessly. “Madam, Second Young Madam, Grand Secretary Song from the capital has sent someone to find Second Son-in-law, saying it’s extremely urgent. They want us to quickly bring Second Son-in-law back!”
Zhou Shaojin and Lady Li looked at each other in bewilderment.
Lady Li hurried to say, “Quick, quickly invite the secretary from Master’s staff to entertain the person Grand Secretary Song sent. Have people from the yamen quickly go invite Second Son-in-law back.” She also instructed her personal maid to attend to the guest reception hall.
There were so many counties and villages under Baoding Prefecture’s jurisdiction. The people in the inner quarters had no idea where they had gone!
The young maid hurried off to the front office in a panic.
“Why would Grand Secretary Song’s people be looking for Second Son-in-law?” Lady Li murmured.
Zhou Shaojin nervously clutched the handkerchief in her hand.
Grand Secretary Song knew that Cheng Chi was accompanying her on her return visit. What urgent matter would make him send someone all the way to Baoding Prefecture?
Could something have happened at Jining Prefecture?
But even so, it should be Cheng Jing who sent someone to find Cheng Chi, not Grand Secretary Song who sent someone to find him.
Zhou Shaojin and Lady Li waited anxiously for news.
Before long, Lady Li’s personal maid returned. She said, “No matter how the secretary inquired, the person Grand Secretary Song sent just wouldn’t speak. He only said he must see Second Son-in-law, and once he saw him, all would be clear.”
Lady Li quickly asked, “Is there any news from the people sent to find Second Son-in-law?”
The maid shook her head. “They said the Vice Magistrate personally led people to search…”
Perhaps because the person looking for Cheng Chi was sent by Grand Secretary Song?
Zhou Shaojin was pondering this when a young servant came running in, exclaiming joyfully, “Madam, Madam, Master and Second Son-in-law have returned!”
Everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Lady Li quickly instructed the maid, “Hurry to the reception hall and serve tea!”
The implication was for the maid to go listen to what Grand Secretary Song wanted with Cheng Chi.
The maid hurried toward the reception hall in three steps instead of two.
Zhou Shaojin and Lady Li sat there waiting uneasily again.
Soon, the maid came running back swiftly. “The person from Grand Secretary Song borrowed Master’s study to speak with Second Son-in-law privately. Even Master is waiting outside the study.”
Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but exchange a shocked look with Lady Li. How could Zhou Shaojin sit still? She stood up and headed outside. “I must go see!”
Lady Li and the maid hurried to follow.
The group went to the study.
Zhou Zhen’s senior attendant Li Changgui was guarding the door. Seeing Zhou Shaojin and the others, he was greatly startled. Just as he was about to report to Zhou Zhen, the study door creaked open.
Everyone’s gazes involuntarily looked toward the study entrance.
They saw a tall, imposing man walk out with Cheng Chi, one after the other.
Both men’s expressions were very grave. The tall man even bowed respectfully to Cheng Chi. “Brother Zichuan, then I’ll go give Grand Secretary Song your reply as you said.”
Cheng Chi nodded without speaking.
The man respectfully bowed to Zhou Zhen and his secretary waiting outside the door. “I must rush back through the night, so I won’t disturb Lord Zhou further. Please forgive any breach of etiquette, Lord Zhou. Another day when Lord Zhou returns to the capital to report, I’ll treat you to wine.”
Zhou Zhen bowed slightly to the man with a smile. “Many thanks, many thanks! Since Master Tian has business to attend to, I won’t force you to stay. Whenever you have time, come visit Baoding Prefecture. Though it can’t compare to the capital, there are still a few interesting places.”
“Not at all, not at all!”
The two exchanged pleasantries before Cheng Chi saw Master Tian out.
Zhou Shaojin and Lady Li quickly hid behind a large tree nearby. Only after Master Tian left did they emerge from behind the tree.
Cheng Chi heard the movement and turned back, seeing Zhou Shaojin.
His originally stern face immediately softened a bit, and his eyes showed a smile. “How did you come here? Did you hear that Grand Secretary Song sent someone to find me?”
Zhou Shaojin nodded.
But before she could speak, he said, “It’s not anything serious—some river workers got into a fight, causing a brawl between two villages. Although no one died, the river embankment construction has stopped. A retired high official at home reported Minister Yang to the Court of Judicial Review. The Emperor is furious. He sent a censor to investigate. Grand Secretary Song wants me to set out for Jining immediately. When the censor arrives, he’ll probably question everyone.”
Though Cheng Chi had taken leave, he was still serving in the River Governor’s Office. With such an incident, he bore responsibility too.
Zhou Shaojin grew anxious hearing this. “Then you should quickly return to Jining! I can return to the capital by myself—didn’t Qin Yang escort me to Baoding last time? This time he can surely deliver me safely back to the capital!”
Only during her return visit did she learn that Qin Yang, who had escorted her from Jinling to Baoding, was actually Cheng Chi’s man. After Cheng Chi established his household at Chaoyang Gate, Qin Yang became the head guard of the Chaoyang Gate residence.
Cheng Chi hesitated for a moment, then decisively made his decision. “Alright! Then let Qin Yang accompany you back. I’ll set out for Jining right away.”
Zhou Zhen looked at his daughter, wanting to speak but hesitating.
Cheng Chi turned around and, with his back to Zhou Shaojin, gave Zhou Zhen a meaningful look. Then he said to Zhou Shaojin, whose attention was entirely on him and who hadn’t noticed Zhou Zhen’s unusual expression at all, “Shaojin, go pack a few changes of clothes for me. I’ll leave after lunch.”
It was only about two quarters of an hour until lunchtime, and she still had to pack Cheng Chi’s luggage…
Zhou Shaojin said “Oh” and hurried back to their room.
Zhou Zhen lowered his voice. “What happened?”
Cheng Chi looked around. Seeing that Li Changgui and the secretary had distanced themselves far away, he whispered, “Yang Shoushan forcibly conscripted laborers and embezzled their food and lodging allowances. During the heavy snow a few days ago, people froze to death, triggering a popular uprising. A Vice Magistrate was killed. The court doesn’t know yet. Grand Secretary Song wants to suppress this news for a few days and have me rush over to find a way to pacify the people’s grievances. When the news reaches the court, at least there will be something to report to the Emperor.”
Zhou Zhen gasped. “A Vice Magistrate was killed?”
A Vice Magistrate was of the fifth rank—someone who counted in the Ministry of Personnel.
Now that he was dead, it would likely cause a huge uproar.
Cheng Chi acknowledged with a sound.
Zhou Zhen asked worriedly, “Can you handle this?”
Cheng Chi smiled. “Don’t worry. I used to help manage the household’s general affairs—dealing with this kind of messy situation was an everyday thing.”
Zhou Zhen had a delayed realization.
Since Grand Secretary Song had specifically sent someone to ask Cheng Chi to go to Jining Prefecture to handle this matter, he must believe Cheng Chi could manage it. He had been negligent.
“I need to use your study,” Cheng Chi said. “I accompanied Shaojin on her return visit but am letting her return alone. In the eyes of those with ulterior motives, it might seem I’m slighting her. I need to write a letter to my mother, asking her and my eldest sister-in-law to meet Shaojin together when she returns home. I’ll also need to trouble you to use the official post station to deliver the letter to my mother before Shaojin arrives in the capital.”
His son-in-law’s consideration was very thorough.
Zhou Zhen was extremely gratified and personally accompanied Cheng Chi to the study.
After Cheng Chi wrote the letter, he immediately returned to the guest room.
Since they had planned to leave tomorrow anyway, most things were already packed. Zhou Shaojin didn’t take much effort to pack all of Cheng Chi’s belongings.
Cheng Chi dismissed the servants in the room, held Zhou Shaojin in his arms, and said guiltily, “Shaojin, I didn’t expect something would happen at Jining Prefecture…”
Zhou Shaojin didn’t want Cheng Chi to apologize to her for these matters.
Before he could finish speaking, she smiled and said, “You’re going to your post, not to play. Just be careful on the road. Even if the court punishes you, it’s nothing serious. At worst, we just won’t be officials anymore.”