While Wu Baozhang was there scheming, Zhou Shaojin was happily chatting with Qiu Shi: “…Are you still going to help at the teacher’s house today?”

They were talking about Rang Ge’er!

Qiu Shi looked around and, seeing Wu Baozhang gazing in their direction, smiled and nodded at her, saying loudly, “Niece-in-law Nuo, it’s cold outside. Hurry back inside to rest!”

Wu Baozhang smiled, came over to greet them, and left.

Qiu Shi placed the polished incense burner on the altar table, then said quietly to Zhou Shaojin, “Rang Ge’er’s teacher is the retired Minister Xie from the Hanlin Academy. He only passed the imperial examination after fifty, but his son Xie Yi passed in his thirties and is now serving as registrar at the Court of the Imperial Stud. Minister Xie has taken a liking to our Rang Ge’er and wants to marry his granddaughter to him. Today he specifically called Rang Ge’er to his home to help. I was afraid he might be impolite, so I had Jiashan accompany him.”

Zhou Shaojin’s eyes widened as she said, “Then our family is about to gain another member?”

Qiu Shi smiled and said, “We don’t know if it will work out yet!” As she spoke, she changed the subject, her face unable to hide her joy. “Even if this matter doesn’t work out, Rang Ge’er has reached the age for marriage discussions.”

Zhou Shaojin smiled and asked, “Have you met Miss Xie?”

Qiu Shi looked around again and said quietly, “I haven’t met her yet, but their whole family consists of honest people. Minister Xie only teaches at the academy to supplement the household income. You know our family’s situation—now that we’ve separated and are living independently, Rang Ge’er is also honest. Your Second Brother and I have discussed it and feel that when finding a wife for our family, we should look for someone down-to-earth who can live a steady life.”

Zhou Shaojin didn’t know what to say.

Even so, shouldn’t they at least meet the person?

However, some things were a matter of fate. It wouldn’t be appropriate for her to oppose or support it at this time.

Qiu Shi also saw through her thoughts and smiled, “I think our Rang Ge’er is timid. If the other party is interested in us, it won’t be too late for us to go see the young lady then.”

Since Qiu Shi had already thought it through, Zhou Shaojin said no more. She and Qiu Shi finished arranging the offering table together and went to the kitchen.

Yuan Shi had everything ready there. Seeing them arrive, she said, “The Master just returned from Grand Secretary Yuan’s place and is talking with Mother in the hall. We can start the banquet as soon as Rang Ge’er and Jiashan return!”

Before her words finished, a young maid ran over, smiling and saying, “Madam, Second Madam, Fourth Madam, the Young Master and Second Young Master have returned!”

Yuan Shi’s face lit up with joy. She smiled at Zhou Shaojin and Qiu Shi, “Then let’s go to the hall too!”

Old Madam Guo was in the hall. When Cheng Xu and Cheng Rang returned, they naturally had to greet Old Madam first.

Zhou Shaojin and Qiu Shi agreed, and the three sisters-in-law went to the hall together.

Cheng Shao, Cheng Chi, and Cheng Wen had somehow emerged from the study and were all seated around Old Madam Guo. Cheng Rang and Cheng Xu stood side by side before Old Madam Guo. One was red-faced, shy, and somewhat at a loss, while the other spoke gracefully with Old Madam Guo: “…The academy’s director invited Minister Xie’s family for a reunion dinner, so we didn’t overstay. We chatted briefly, asked about his studies, and then Second Brother and I came back.”

Old Madam Guo smiled and nodded, saying to Cheng Xu, “It’s cold outside. Go change your clothes quickly. After you take your younger brothers to set off firecrackers, we’ll begin the banquet.”

Cheng Xu smiled in agreement.

Cheng Nuo quickly said, “I’ll go help too.”

Old Madam Guo didn’t stand on ceremony with him and said, “It’s New Year’s Eve—be careful.”

Cheng Xu and the others repeatedly agreed and filed out.

Zhou Shaojin stepped back a few paces.

But Cheng Xu still saw her.

His eyes immediately became clouded, and his steps faltered.

Zhou Shaojin instinctively wanted to avoid him, but then she thought—she had done nothing wrong, so why should she avoid him? Moreover, she was already Cheng Xu’s aunt now. They would inevitably see each other constantly. Rather than avoiding him now and making Cheng Xu think she felt uncomfortable, it would be better to face him head-on and let him know her attitude.

In an instant, she made her decision. Her clear eyes met Cheng Xu’s gaze directly without dodging or hiding.

Cheng Xu was startled.

Then, under Zhou Shaojin’s eyes that were as clear as a mountain spring, he became somewhat uncomfortable.

What happened back then was his fault… but was Zhou Shaojin not affected at all?

Or to her, was he simply not worth mentioning?

Cheng Xu’s heart grew turbulent.

Cheng Rang behind him, oblivious to the situation, bumped into him and exclaimed “Ouch!” saying, “Elder Brother… what’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing, nothing.” Cheng Xu came back to his senses and quickly said, “I was thinking about whether to get an incense stick from here…”

“There are some in the kitchen!” Cheng Rang smiled shyly.

Cheng Xu hurriedly left the main hall with Cheng Rang.

Zhou Shaojin’s heart lightened.

It seemed some things should indeed be faced directly!

She felt a gaze lingering on her.

Zhou Shaojin looked in that direction and saw Cheng Chi watching her with a smile.

His eyes were full of encouragement.

Cheng Chi must have seen what just happened, right?

Did he also think she had done the right thing?

Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help smiling back.

※※※

On the second day of the new year, they went to Xinglín Alley again. Zhou Shaojin accompanied Old Madam Guo along with Cheng Zheng, Cheng Xiao, and Cheng Sheng, playing leaf cards all day.

On the third day, Zhou Shaojin and Cheng Chi went to Zhou Chujin’s place.

Grand Madam Liao went to the Fang family. Liao Shaotang and Cheng Chi drank wine in the banquet room while Zhou Shaojin and Zhou Chujin chatted in the inner chamber while playing with Guan Ge’er.

“Grandmother said they’ll set out for the capital after the Lantern Festival.” Zhou Shaojin pulled Guan Ge’er’s thumb from his mouth and smiled at Zhou Chujin. “When the time comes, let them stay at my place!”

Zhou Shaojin was Zhou Chujin’s half-sister, and Zhou Zhen was the fourth branch’s son-in-law—this was something that could not be avoided no matter what. After the Cheng family’s clan division, Zhou Zhen having Cheng Mian and others handle Zhou Shaojin’s wedding was itself a hint to the fourth branch to choose between Zhou Zhen and the Cheng family’s main branch. When Cheng Mian agreed to send Zhou Shaojin off in the capacity of maternal uncle, he actually accepted Zhou Zhen’s suggestion. So after Zhou Shaojin’s wedding, Cheng Mian returned to Jinling while Old Madam Guan and the others went to Baoding Prefecture and stayed with the Zhou family for the New Year.

Zhou Shaojin smiled and hugged Guan Ge’er, saying, “Why go to such trouble? Your mother-in-law isn’t easy to talk to either. Rather than staying at your place, it would be better to stay at Yuqian Alley.”

Zhou Shaojin had more or less guessed her father’s intentions.

So she didn’t invite Old Madam Guan and the others to stay at Chaoyang Gate.

Zhou Chujin smiled and said, “I’m just afraid Cheng Zichuan won’t agree!”

After all, he had been her uncle, and he had taken good care of her back then. She felt awkward calling Cheng Chi “brother-in-law” and couldn’t call him “uncle” anymore either, so she addressed him by his full name.

Zhou Shaojin smiled and said, “I can still make decisions about such small matters!”

It was just that the main room couldn’t be let to anyone.

After the sisters settled the arrangement, Zhou Shaojin asked curiously, “How did your mother-in-law end up going to the Fang family? Today is the third day!”

Zhou Chujin smiled and said, “The sixth young lady of the Fang family is having her betrothal ceremony today and invited my mother-in-law. When I said you were coming, I stayed behind.”

Zhou Shaojin said, “So soon!”

Zhou Chujin smiled with pursed lips and said, “They say the wedding date has already been set—for the sixth of the third month.”

Cheng Xu would marry in the second month, and Fang Xuan would wed in the third month.

This could be considered fulfilling the saying “the elder goes out, the younger comes in,” keeping good fortune in the family.

Zhou Shaojin smiled faintly.

Following Cheng Chi to visit relatives and friends, the Lantern Festival soon arrived.

Because Old Madam Guan had agreed to stay at Yuqian Alley, Old Madam Guo needed to move back. Arrangements had to be made at Yuqian Alley, and Tingxiang Courtyard also needed to be tidied up. Zhou Shaojin was busy on both ends.

Chun Wan reminded her, “I heard there are lantern displays at Xizhimen and Zhuque Street.”

However, Zhou Shaojin didn’t mention it to Cheng Chi—these days, even when visiting people, he often spoke with them in secluded places. She guessed he was investigating Grand Secretary Qu’s affairs.

On the day of the Lantern Festival, Cheng Chi not only didn’t mention taking her to see the lanterns, but left early in the morning, saying he wouldn’t return home for dinner that evening and telling her to rest early without waiting up for him.

The maids and servants at home didn’t know what was happening and were very cautious in their words and actions.

Zhou Shaojin found it amusing and said to Chun Wan, “Can’t the Fourth Master have business to attend to? You’re all being too much.”

Only then did Chun Wan and the others smile and say, “Usually the Fourth Master is so attentive to you! But this time he didn’t take you to see the lanterns!”

As she was speaking, Qiu Shi came over.

Seeing Zhou Shaojin alone at home, she was also surprised.

Zhou Shaojin quickly said, “The Fourth Master had business and went out. He’ll be back later!”

Upon hearing this, Qiu Shi’s expression immediately relaxed somewhat. She said, “Shaojin, the Xie family is pleased with Rang Ge’er. They’ve arranged to meet on the second day of the second month at Daxiangguo Temple. You and Asheng should accompany me then.”

Zhou Shaojin naturally agreed, and Qiu Shi left happily.

After the lanterns came down on the seventeenth of the first month, Zhou Shaojin and Cheng Chi went to bring Old Madam Guo back. News of Cheng Chi’s impeachment of Qu Yuan for embezzling river management funds and forcing a civil uprising in Jining Prefecture exploded both inside and outside the court.

After hearing the news, Old Madam Guo was silent for a long time before asking Cheng Chi, “Have you decided to stay at the Censorate for a long time?”

Cheng Chi nodded and smiled, “Originally I didn’t plan to stay very long, but it seems this time I won’t have a choice but to stay at the Censorate!”

His manner was composed and his smile relaxed, which made Old Madam Guo sigh deeply. After saying “You child,” she didn’t know what else to say.

Cheng Chi comforted his mother, “Second Brother also said ‘A gentleman acts on principle.’ This is what Mother often taught us when we were young. I don’t want to regret this matter one day when I think back on it.”

Hearing this, Old Madam Guo let out a long breath and said decisively, “Then follow through properly. Don’t betray your conscience.”

Cheng Chi bowed to his mother.

Old Madam Guo became cheerful again. She took Zhou Shaojin’s hand and said, “Come, let’s go eat.”

Zhou Shaojin took Old Madam Guo’s arm with a smile.

That evening, Cheng Jing and Cheng Wei both rushed over. The three brothers talked in the study for a long time. When Cheng Chi returned to the inner chamber, Zhou Shaojin prepared hot water for him to soak his feet and quietly asked, “What did Elder Uncle say?”

“He said he would personally visit Grand Secretary Yuan. He wants me to ask Grand Secretary Song to go see Li Jiangling, the Minister of Justice.” Cheng Chi smiled. “His thinking matched Grand Secretary Song’s—Grand Secretary Song wanted me to ask Elder Brother to personally visit Grand Secretary Yuan.”

At the critical moment, Cheng Jing didn’t wash his hands of the matter.

Only then did Zhou Shaojin’s anxious heart finally settle down.

Qingfeng reported through the curtain, “Fourth Master, Huo Dongting has arrived. He says he has urgent business with you.”