Hearing the young maid say this, not only Qiu Shi but also Old Madam Guo was very pleased.

In the future, Cheng Rong and Cheng Meng would be living with the junior second branch. If everyone in the junior second branch could treat the two children kindly, it would naturally be better for them.

Before Qiu Shi could speak, Old Madam Guo was already smiling and saying: “Please show her in, quickly!”

Qiu Shi and Zhou Shaojin thought the same way. When Old Madam Guo said this, both their eyes carried smiles.

Before long, Cheng Sheng walked in.

Perhaps because her in-laws cared for her too well, even though Rui Ge’er was already nearly six months old, Cheng Sheng had not only failed to recover her former slender figure but seemed to have gained a bit more weight than before giving birth. Fortunately, her features were outstanding, and this plumpness didn’t make her look bloated. Rather, with her crystal-clear skin like frost and snow, she gained an additional rounded dignity.

She smiled and came forward to pay her respects to everyone, then had a maid bring over a large bundle, saying: “I only heard from Mother about this two days ago. I didn’t have time to prepare anything special for my two nephews, so I just had the seamstress shop make some clothes, shoes, and socks. When I have some free time later, I’ll make a few more garments for my two nephews myself.”

Old Madam Guo nodded with satisfaction.

Qiu Shi also gave her daughter face in front of Old Madam Guo, smiling: “I was just worried there wouldn’t be enough clothes. Now that you’ve sent these, I don’t need to worry about this matter.” She called a maid to fetch Abao and Aren, who had now been renamed Cheng Rong and Cheng Meng.

Abao was older and obediently understood that Aren was now his younger brother. Though he still didn’t talk much, he knew to look after Aren’s eating and dressing, and wherever they went, he knew to hold Aren’s hand.

Aren was still at an innocent age—eating then sleeping, sleeping then eating. He only knew this place was much better than where they’d been before, and that Big Brother Abao, who had always looked after him at the charity hall, was still with him. Every day he was cheerful.

Abao respectfully kowtowed to Cheng Sheng and thanked her.

Aren followed suit, copying him.

Everyone in the room couldn’t help but smile. Cheng Sheng then put a pair of jade pendants she’d prepared in advance on the two children, also instructing them to come play at her house in a few days, where there was a younger cousin.

Aren giggled and nodded, looking up hopefully to ask Abao if they could go.

Abao nodded calmly, but his slightly moist eyes still revealed the emotions stirring in his heart.

Old Madam Guo and Zhou Shaojin both felt somewhat moved, pulling Abao and Aren over to talk with them.

Aren’s childish words made everyone in the room laugh heartily.

More maids came in to report that Cheng Zheng and Cheng Xiao had sent servants over to pay respects to the two young masters, also bringing some food, toys, and writing implements.

Qiu Shi invited them in to greet Abao and Aren.

Cheng Sheng then pulled Zhou Shaojin aside and said in a low voice: “Were Abao and Aren their previous names? Why did they keep their old names?”

Zhou Shaojin whispered to her: “It was Second Uncle’s idea. Second Uncle said that though they’ve inherited the Cheng family’s ancestral line, there’s no need to make the two children not even know where they came from. Rather than having them hear nonsense from others when they grow up, it’s better to let them know early. As for how the two children turn out in the future, we’ll just do our best.”

Cheng Sheng couldn’t help saying: “Second Great-Uncle’s heart is truly magnanimous. That these two children could come to the Cheng family is their good fortune.”

Zhou Shaojin felt the same way, but couldn’t help being curious—if what Cheng Chi deduced was correct, what matter could have made Cheng Shao willing to offend the Fourth Prince, who was already heir apparent?

Returning home, she told Cheng Chi about this matter.

Cheng Chi didn’t speak, but secretly made his calculations.

A few days later, Madam Song suddenly came to visit Zhou Shaojin.

Zhou Shaojin was shocked.

Madam Song hadn’t come to visit Old Madam Guo, but to visit her… This made her somewhat uneasy. She carefully recalled recent events but couldn’t think of any reason why Madam Song would need to see her. She hurriedly dressed up and went to the flower hall to receive the guest.

Madam Song took her hand and smiled as she looked her up and down, saying warmly: “They say it’s been over three months, almost four—you don’t show at all. Are you eating well? Is the baby troubling you?”

Zhou Shaojin exchanged pleasantries with her. After a few more words, they went to Tingxiang Courtyard to pay respects to Old Madam Guo.

Since it was already mid-October, some New Year preparations needed to begin. Several women from the greenhouse were gathered around Old Madam Guo discussing flowers—what flowers to place where during the New Year, what new varieties had come from Fengtai, which flowers their own greenhouse could grow, and which ones they’d need to add from Fengtai.

Knowing Madam Song had come for Zhou Shaojin, Old Madam Guo smiled and waved her hand: “I’m not some harsh mother-in-law. You two go find somewhere to have your private chat. I have my own matters here.”

Hearing this, Madam Song laughed: “Everyone in the capital knows you’re kind to your daughters-in-law. Though you’ve divided the household, look at Master Cheng and his brothers—they visit each other constantly, so much closer than those who live together on the surface but secretly scheme against each other. There’s just one inconvenience—the one at Xinglin Lane is Master Cheng, the Second Master nearby is also Master Cheng, and the one at Chaoyangmen is also Master Cheng. People don’t know which Master Cheng they’re calling!”

Cheng Jing was a Grand Secretary—when he went out, people respectfully called him “Grand Secretary Cheng.” But Cheng Wei and Cheng Chi, both living near Chaoyangmen, were truly hard to distinguish.

Madam Song wasn’t skilled at social pleasantries, so these few sentences were especially sincere.

Old Madam Guo couldn’t help but be pleased, insisting Madam Song stay for lunch: “I know you’re busy, but today you absolutely must stay and eat before going back!”

Madam Song smiled and agreed, taking the opportunity to speak privately with Zhou Shaojin. She said: “Though I came today to see Shaojin, I also wanted to take this opportunity to have a private word with her. If the Old Madam could help make a decision, that would be even better.” She then told Zhou Shaojin and Old Madam Guo about how Grand Secretary Song intended for Cheng Chi to go to Kaifeng Prefecture as a Supervising Censor from the Censorate to work with Vice Minister of Works Zhang Hui, who was also serving as River Governor, to dredge the Yellow River, but Cheng Chi had repeatedly refused: “…My husband guesses that Master Cheng is probably worried about the Old Madam and Shaojin. But my husband also said this is truly a rare opportunity.

“Because of Minister Qu’s matter, His Majesty now wants to re-dredge the Yellow River. The newly appointed Minister of Works Huang Li and Grand Secretary Cheng are famously compatible. He’s just taken office—even if he wanted to give Master Cheng trouble, with everyone watching at this time, not only won’t he act against him, but will actually help Master Cheng everywhere to ensure the Yellow River dredging proceeds smoothly.

“The Ministry of Revenue won’t dare withhold funding for the river works either.

“And with Minister Zhang, who’s diplomatic yet capable of achieving real results, taking charge, this Yellow River dredging will definitely succeed.

“Once he has this achievement, Master Cheng can use it whenever he needs advancement.

“With such a good opportunity, Old Madam and Shaojin must persuade Master Cheng.”

Zhou Shaojin and Old Madam Guo looked at each other.

Neither had heard about this matter before.

Madam Song could see this too.

Knowing the two needed to digest this information, she didn’t press them. Smiling, she changed the subject to Song Mu’s marriage: “He’s betrothed to the eldest daughter of the fourth branch of the Li family of Lujiang… His uncle’s family has complained about me to death. Their words imply I look down on their family for being impoverished, so I’m unwilling to let their daughter marry in… I couldn’t clear my name even if I jumped into the Yellow River…”

Every family has its difficult scriptures to recite.

Old Madam Guo and Zhou Shaojin comforted Madam Song, and naturally the topic veered far off course.

But after seeing Madam Song off, Old Madam Guo asked Zhou Shaojin: “What do you think about this matter? Though it’s a good opportunity, this is your first child… You husband and wife should discuss it. In this world, fortune and misfortune often depend on each other. Don’t take it too seriously.”

But Zhou Shaojin, upon hearing these words, made up her mind to let Cheng Chi go.

She was pregnant, not ill.

Even if she were ill, Silang wasn’t a doctor—staying by her side wouldn’t cure her illness.

What others could do, she could do too.

She would definitely nurture the pregnancy well and safely deliver this child. She would also be Silang’s virtuous helpmate.

Thinking this, Zhou Shaojin felt full of courage.

Cheng Chi was very surprised to hear her decision. He gently held her in his arms, touched her slightly protruding belly, and smiled: “If I leave, can you sleep?”

Zhou Shaojin’s face turned bright red.

How could she admit that she wanted to act coquettish with him, that seeing him made her want to cling to him?

“Just tell me—if you go to Kaifeng, will it be bad for you in any way?” She said bashfully, “If not, then go. I can take care of myself, our child, and Mother too.”

Going certainly had no disadvantages.

However, he felt things might not go as smoothly as Song Jingran suggested.

Thinking of Old Master Song who came to the office every day looking for him, Cheng Chi smiled: “Do you know why Grand Secretary Song is working so hard to push this matter forward?”

Zhou Shaojin thought for a moment and said: “Is it to fulfill Old Master Song’s wish? But I think, since these matters don’t affect you negatively, why should you care how they think about it? If the Yellow River can be dredged, the common people on both banks should benefit, right? We just need to do what we ourselves should do.”

Cheng Chi paused slightly, then laughed heartily.

Regardless of what others say, do what I myself think should be done, and do it well… He liked Zhou Shaojin perhaps precisely because of this bit of foolishness in her?

Cheng Chi cupped her face and kissed her with a smack, gazing at her with smiling eyes, saying warmly: “Alright! I’ll listen to my wife. If my wife says I should go dredge the river, I’ll go. If my wife says not to go, I won’t go!”

“Nonsense!” Zhou Shaojin said coquettishly. Though she clearly knew he was coaxing her, she couldn’t help feeling overjoyed: “I’m going to tell Mother, let her be happy too!”

Cheng Chi smiled: “Let’s go tell Mother together!”

Though Mother was generous, if she knew Shaojin was interfering in matters of his career, she might feel slightly displeased. He didn’t want Zhou Shaojin to be his shield, nor did he want her to suffer such grievances.