Old Madam Guo was practicing calligraphy—specifically, cursive script.

Her wrist suspended in air, the brush moved like a dancing dragon, magnificent and imposing.

Whenever Nanny Lü saw Old Madam Guo like this, she would think of the deceased Old Master Guo and recall his lament: “This daughter of mine should have been a son.”

Old Madam Guo finished writing a sheet of paper and put down her brush.

Nanny Lü quickly handed her a damp cloth.

While Old Madam Guo admired her own calligraphy, she asked Nanny Lü, “Has Chujin left yet? If not, have the kitchen prepare some dishes properly, and give red envelopes to all the maids and servants who came with her.”

It wasn’t a holiday or festival… clearly the Old Madam was truly delighted!

Nanny Lü smiled and agreed, deciding to handle this matter personally.

But Old Madam Guo asked about Zhou Shaojin’s daily life: “…They say she only had half a bowl of congee, some pickles, and two steamed buns for breakfast? That bird’s nest soup absolutely cannot be discontinued!”

Nanny Lü repeatedly agreed with a smile, “You needn’t worry. Our Fourth Young Madam is truly blessed. When Second Young Madam was pregnant, I remember she couldn’t get out of bed for several months. Though Madam Yuan was somewhat better, during her first three months she vomited everything she ate. Though Fourth Young Madam eats little and lightly, it’s been almost three months now, and aside from being a bit drowsy, she can walk and move about. That’s better than anything.”

Hearing this, Old Madam Guo thought for a moment and smiled, “You know, you have a point there. Her mother passed away when she was young, but while her mother was alive, she treated Chujin well. When the fourth branch brought Chujin back, they brought her back too. By rights, living under someone else’s roof, she should have suffered some grievances, shouldn’t she?

“But Chujin has been decisive since childhood and has been excellent to this younger sister. Master Zhou has also been capable—within a few years he rose to the fourth rank. When it came time to discuss marriage, the only criticism was that she lacked a proper mother to raise her. Yet Fourth Lang noticed her and took her to heart. He sought nothing, wanted nothing, only asking the Zhou family to give him their daughter.

“After marrying into our family, there was no news about children for quite a while.

“Though I comforted her, my heart was still somewhat uneasy.

“Such a slender frame—what if she couldn’t give birth?

“The first branch and second branch each have one son. Second Uncle’s line has no heirs at all. Even if we wanted to adopt someone, there’s no one!

“Just a few days ago I was talking with Madam Peng, wanting to ask if she knew any midwives with secret remedies. Who knew before I could speak, she conceived.

“Thinking it over, though this child’s fate has had its twists and turns, she always manages to turn misfortune into blessing. She truly has good fortune ahead.

“Perhaps our Cheng family marrying her is also adding flowers to brocade.”

Listening, Nanny Lü’s heart trembled.

If they started treating Fourth Young Madam as a lucky star, who would dare say a single word against her in the future?

She quickly smiled, “Old Madam, you’ve never been wrong in judging people or matters. What you say must be right.”

Old Madam Guo laughed heartily, glanced toward the hall, and said, “Is it time yet? Fourth Master should be back, shouldn’t he? Go tell him that after he comes to pay respects to me, he needn’t come again. He should have a good talk with Shaojin. Second Young Madam has gone to see Third Young Madam’s Rui Ge’er. It happens that Chujin is here, so the sisters can have an intimate conversation.”

Nanny Lü smiled and agreed, but thought to herself: Wasn’t it because you saw Grand Madam Liao coming and, thinking of how you’ve been using your private savings to buy bird’s nest soup to nourish Fourth Young Madam daily, worried that Second Young Madam would feel uncomfortable and create a rift between sisters-in-law, so you had Zhenzhu take a box of bird’s nest for Second Young Madam to bring to Third Young Madam, sending Second Young Madam away so Grand Madam Liao and Fourth Young Madam could talk? How has this become a coincidence?

No wonder Madam Yuan feels the Old Madam plays favorites!

When this old lady shows favoritism, she really goes all out!

Even rewarding the maids and servants who came with Grand Madam Liao.

Nanny Lü smiled and chatted with Old Madam Guo for a while. Mindful of the Old Madam’s earlier instructions, when Zhenzhu entered, she withdrew from the reception room to arrange the meal for Zhou Chujin.

Zhou Chujin hadn’t planned to stay long.

Her mother-in-law had gone to the Fang family.

Second Madam Fang had summoned her.

According to what her mother-in-law’s attendants said, something seemed to have happened with Fang Xuan.

Her mother-in-law was someone who cared about face. Whether with the Liao family or the Fang family, whenever there was any unseemly matter, she would cover it up no matter what.

Naturally, she said nothing in front of outsiders.

But she wasn’t one to gossip, yet her mother-in-law treated her this way, which inevitably made her uncomfortable.

But there was no need to mention this in front of Shaojin.

She was doing well now—better not to spoil her mood with these matters.

Zhou Chujin now only hoped Zhou Shaojin could safely and smoothly give birth to this child.

She sighed and stroked her sister’s head.

But Guan Ge’er had his eye on the tassel hanging from the golden hook at the head of Zhou Shaojin’s bed and reached out to pull it.

Zhou Chujin held his hand, not letting him pull it.

Guan Ge’er bounced and jumped in his mother’s arms, looking unwilling to give up.

Zhou Shaojin found it amusing and smiled, “Sister, just let Guan Ge’er pull it. It’s only a tassel. If it breaks, we’ll just make another one.”

Hearing this, Zhou Chujin didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, “When you have children in the future, will you spoil them like this too?”

Zhou Shaojin blushed but still had a maid take down the tassel and hand it to Guan Ge’er.

Guan Ge’er took it in his hand and immediately put it in his mouth.

Fortunately, Zhou Chujin was quick and snatched it away.

Zhou Shaojin was dumbfounded.

At this moment, Nanny Lü walked in with a smile, complimented Zhou Chujin profusely, lavishly praised Guan Ge’er, and then explained her purpose.

Zhou Chujin had been prepared to accept, but from the corner of her eye, she saw Zhou Shaojin cover her mouth and yawn. She immediately changed her mind and smiled, “Thank you, Old Madam, for the meal invitation. However, before leaving home, I told my mother-in-law I would return early. I can only visit and disturb Old Madam another day.”

Nanny Lü was somewhat surprised, but Zhou Chujin’s words were within expectations. She didn’t think much of it and went to report to Old Madam Guo.

Zhou Chujin took the opportunity to rise and take her leave.

Zhou Shaojin still wanted to keep her sister a bit longer.

But Zhou Chujin wouldn’t let her get out of bed, saying, “Rest well. In a few days when I’m free, I’ll bring Guan Ge’er to see you again.”

Zhou Shaojin nodded, and Stewardess Shang saw Zhou Chujin out.

The room suddenly became quiet.

Zhou Shaojin leaned against the large pillow and drowsily fell asleep.

When she opened her eyes, it was already lamp-lighting time.

Cheng Chi had returned and changed into casual azure lotus-colored Hangzhou silk robes. His jet-black hair was tied up without any hairpin inserted, and he was leaning against the headboard, reading a book.

The standing palace lamp by the bed cast a soft glow over him, gilding him with a layer of light. The fingers holding the book were like jade, long and slender as bamboo.

As if possessed, Zhou Shaojin half-raised herself and kissed his hand.

Cheng Chi put down his book and laughed softly, lovingly stroking her face, “When did you wake? I didn’t even notice.”

Was it because he was too absorbed in reading?

Zhou Shaojin asked, “What book are you holding?”

Cheng Chi showed her.

It was the *Commentary on the Waterways Classic*.

Zhou Shaojin had once flipped through it and found it dry and dull, yet Cheng Chi read it with rapt attention.

She smiled with pursed lips and said, “Why are you suddenly reading this kind of book?” As she spoke, she sat up.

Cheng Chi placed a pillow behind her back and smiled, “I saw Senior Grand Secretary Song a few days ago. From what he said, it seems he still wants to dredge the Yellow River. Though I’m no longer at the Yellow River Conservancy, if I can help, I’m willing to.”

Zhou Shaojin had last encountered Madam Song before the Dragon Boat Festival when Senior Grand Secretary Song’s family was marrying off their daughter. It had been quite a while since then. She took Cheng Chi’s hand and said softly, “Do you still regret that Director Yang wasn’t able to dredge the Yellow River back then?”

Cheng Chi nodded, “Yang Shoushan was too hasty. Now that Zhang Hui is concurrently serving as Yellow River Conservancy Director, how can he have the energy to manage this? I’m afraid Senior Grand Secretary Song will be disappointed.”

Zhou Shaojin turned and hugged Cheng Chi’s waist, nestling into his embrace to comfort him, “There will always be an opportunity! The Emperor won’t just watch the Yellow River flood without doing anything.”

Cheng Chi laughed softly, letting Zhou Shaojin’s fragrance envelop him. He lowered his head to kiss the top of Zhou Shaojin’s head and smiled, “Then in your previous life, was the Yellow River ever dredged?”

She thought for a moment and said, “I don’t think I heard about it… Though one year the Yellow River flooding was very severe. They said nine out of ten houses were empty, with many selling their children. That year, so many people from that area fled to the capital that the household servants said when you went out, all you heard was their dialect. People who didn’t know better thought they’d arrived in Kaifeng!”

Cheng Chi said nothing, his expression somewhat somber.

Zhou Shaojin raised her head from his embrace, gazing up at him.

His features were distinct, his profile refined… No matter how she looked at him, she found him handsome.

Though Cheng Jing and Cheng Wei resembled Cheng Chi, they didn’t have his bearing. If she had to say who he most resembled, Cheng Chi seemed more like Second Uncle Cheng Shao.

Thinking this, something surged up from the depths of her memory.

She sat up with an “Oh,” her heart pounding wildly like a drum. If Cheng Chi hadn’t dodged in time, she would have struck his chin.

Cheng Chi couldn’t worry about that now and quickly asked, “What’s wrong? Are you uncomfortable somewhere?”

“No, no.” Zhou Shaojin shook her head frantically, gripping Cheng Chi’s hand tightly, “I remembered something… I don’t know if it’s right… I just find it strange…”

Cheng Chi thought briefly and said in a low voice, “Is it about your previous life?”

Zhou Shaojin nodded vigorously.

Cheng Chi gently patted her back, saying warmly, “Don’t worry, don’t worry. Let’s talk slowly. Let me pour you some tea…”

Zhou Shaojin held Cheng Chi’s hand and wouldn’t let go: “I don’t want tea.”

Cheng Chi thought for a moment and compromised by holding her in his arms, “What did you remember?”

The familiar, warm embrace and gentle, soothing voice gave Zhou Shaojin great courage.

She said in a low voice, “I remember Second Uncle passed away before Mother did. Before, I wasn’t clear about it. I only knew Second Uncle didn’t like being an official, that he served as an Expositor in the Hanlin Academy, indifferent to fame and fortune, maintaining integrity in poverty… Only after marrying in did I discover that Second Uncle was actually favored by the Emperor and had been friends with His Majesty since they were commoners—it’s just that many people didn’t know. By rights, when Second Uncle passed away, the Emperor should have issued an edict of grace. But in my previous life, we only learned of Second Uncle’s death long after it happened. Never mind me—the Liao and Cheng families had always maintained contact. When Second Uncle died, Sister had already begun managing the Liao family’s household affairs in the capital. She should have gone to pay respects. But by the time Sister learned of it, Second Uncle had already been buried, and even the seven-times-seven-day mourning period had passed.”