What were these people here for?
Zhou Shaojin frowned.
But they had come looking for Cheng Gao, so if she interfered, what would that make Cheng Hao?
After thinking it over, she said, “You all keep watch from the side. If the situation seems off, come tell me.”
The little maid acknowledged and left.
Xie Shi asked curiously, “Are they people from the second and third branches?”
She had also heard about the Cheng family’s branch division, but it was all hearsay—she didn’t know what was true and what wasn’t.
Because it involved Zhou Shaojin, she said tactfully, “If you’re curious, you can ask Second Sister-in-law when you return. I’ve already instructed the gatekeepers about these two—whenever they come, they must inform me.”
To prevent any incidents from occurring.
Perhaps related to her memories from her previous life, she always felt that Cheng Shi and the others were rather opportunistic and wouldn’t visit Cheng Gao without reason. She didn’t like dealing with such people.
Xie Shi nodded somewhat awkwardly.
After all, these were past matters—it seemed somewhat inappropriate for her to ask about them.
Zhou Shaojin just smiled and said, “It’s not that I won’t tell you, it’s that this matter is very complicated. I don’t know how to explain it to you, so I’m suggesting you ask Second Sister-in-law when you get back.”
Only then did Xie Shi recall the rumors circulating outside.
Everyone said that the branch division of the Jinling Cheng family was related to Grand Aunt Yuan Shi.
Was it because of this that Little Aunt didn’t want to say anything?
Feeling she now understood the inside story, she naturally felt too embarrassed to ask Zhou Shaojin further. She quickly smiled and changed the subject, “I wonder what Mother and Grandmother are talking about? They’ve been in there so long without coming out.”
On Buddha Bathing Festival, Zhou Shaojin hadn’t gone out. Since Xie Shi was close to giving birth, both Qiu Shi and Xie Shi hadn’t gone out either. Yuan Shi had come by once to congratulate Zhou Shaojin on her pregnancy. She had sat at Chaoyangmen for a while before making excuses about not feeling well and returning home. This time, Qiu Shi had brought Xie Shi to pay respects to Old Madam Guo. Zhou Shaojin and Xie Shi, both pregnant women, sat under the wisteria flower arbor in the courtyard, chatting while drinking beverages and eating fruit and pastries. Meanwhile, Qiu Shi remained in Old Madam Guo’s room for quite a long time without emerging.
Zhou Shaojin found the kumquat honey tea extremely refreshing and said with a smile, “One is your mother-in-law, one is my mother-in-law—both are kind and amiable people. Whatever they’re discussing, we just need to listen.”
Xie Shi was startled, a flash of realization appearing in her eyes.
Was this why Little Aunt had such a particularly good relationship with Grandmother?
No wonder every time she returned to her maiden home or when her mother came to visit, they told her to learn well from Little Aunt.
She smiled gently and said, “Aunt is right.”
She set the matter aside and began chatting with Zhou Shaojin about everyday family matters.
The little maid who had just come to report to Zhou Shaojin came running in, breathlessly telling Zhou Shaojin, “Madam, Master Shi has invited Master Gao out for drinks, and Master Gao has already agreed. They’re about to leave now.”
Zhou Shaojin had the little maid call in Qin Ziji and instructed him, “Quickly dispatch a mature and alert person to follow them. You absolutely must not let anything happen to Master Gao—especially things that seem trivial now but could affect Master Gao’s official career later.”
The Qin family had long served as stewards in the Cheng household. Although the incident back then had been suppressed, how could it be hidden from the Qin family? Moreover, Qin Ziji had come to serve as steward for Cheng Chi—rather than have him hear confused gossip from others, it was better to let him know the inside story.
Regarding what Cheng Shi and Cheng Zheng had done back then, he knew even more clearly than Qiu Shi.
Qin Ziji respectfully replied “Yes,” turned around, and arranged for one of his trusted stewards to accompany Cheng Gao, following him out.
With Qin Ziji taking charge, Zhou Shaojin felt relieved.
When Qiu Shi came out supporting Old Madam Guo, she happily went forward to greet them, asking whether Old Madam Guo and Qiu Shi wanted to sit in the garden: “…The weather is so nice today. Elder Sister-in-law should move around more too.”
Qiu Shi looked at Old Madam Guo with a smile.
Old Madam Guo seemed to be in very good spirits. She smiled and said “Good.” The maids and servants carried Yun Ge’er as they all went to the garden together.
On the way, Old Madam Guo said to Zhou Shaojin and Xie Shi, “Second Son is doing very well in Shandong. There’s a vacancy at the Court of Judicial Review, and his superior has recommended him to serve there. Your mother-in-law came especially to tell me about this—if things go smoothly, he’ll be able to return to preside over your children’s hundred-day celebration.”
“This is truly wonderful news!” Zhou Shaojin quickly congratulated Qiu Shi.
Qiu Shi said bashfully, “This matter hasn’t been completely settled yet. I was uncertain in my heart, so I came to consult with Mother-in-law. Mother-in-law says it’s a good thing.”
After Cheng Wei first gained experience at the Hanlin Academy, then was sent out to serve locally before returning—with local administrative experience, when he returned he would surely secure a better position in one of the Six Ministries or Three Courts. Of course it was a good thing!
Xie Shi, who hadn’t yet met this father-in-law, also congratulated Qiu Shi.
Qiu Shi hugged Xie Shi and said teasingly, “You child, why are you teasing me too? When your father-in-law returns, our son will finally have someone to properly discipline him—that’s what truly matters.” As she spoke, she took Yun Ge’er in her arms and said, “When Second Uncle returns and sees our Yun Ge’er, who knows how happy he’ll be! Then we’ll have Second Uncle buy you delicious treats, all right?”
Yun Ge’er only heard “buy delicious treats” and nodded repeatedly, even making a request: “I want to eat the meat sandwiches made by the crooked-neck man from the west of the city.”
Ji Ying had once brought him meat sandwiches made by the crooked-neck man from the west of the city, and he’d been obsessed ever since. Now every time Ji Ying visited, he brought them, and Yun Ge’er ate them while licking his fingers. Zhou Shaojin had sent cooks to observe, but there was probably a secret recipe—no matter what, they couldn’t match what the crooked-neck man made.
Hearing him say this, Qiu Shi laughed heartily and said, “Does Yun Ge’er only want meat sandwiches?”
Yun Ge’er nodded and said seriously, “Delicious!”
This made Old Madam Guo and Zhou Shaojin laugh as well.
Qiu Shi then asked about Chun Wan’s marriage: “I heard it’s been set for the tenth day of the fifth month? I’ll come add to her trousseau then.”
Old Madam Guo smiled and said, “Not only will you come to add to her trousseau, I’ve also told Elder Daughter-in-law to come add to this child’s trousseau as well. By rights, she should have been married off long ago, but she’s been worried about Fourth Daughter-in-law’s household, which delayed things. This time she even wanted to wait until Shaojin safely gives birth before proceeding… This child truly takes after Fourth Daughter-in-law’s temperament—wholehearted and devoted. I think we must send her off in grand style with great ceremony.”
Xie Shi couldn’t help but stare wide-eyed.
But Qiu Shi readily agreed and even joked, “We’ll have another wedding feast to attend!”
Seeing Old Madam Guo honor Chun Wan so highly, Zhou Shaojin decided to postpone Bitao’s marriage until next year, lest the two marry one after another and develop unpleasant feelings due to the vast difference in their wedding ceremonies.
When she returned, she said to Bitao, “Once Chun Wan leaves, you’ll be the only one I brought from my maiden home. I’ll need you to keep an eye on things in my household.”
Bitao wasn’t one to overthink things. She quickly smiled and said, “Madam, please rest assured. Chun Wan Sister’s matters should naturally be handled first. This servant will follow Madam’s arrangements completely.”
After much careful selection, Zhou Shaojin had chosen Biyu’s husband’s cousin for Bitao.
Chun Wan would no longer serve at her side.
After she married out, matters in Zhou Shaojin’s household would be taken over by Biyu.
Zhou Shaojin spoke with Bitao for a while before dismissing her.
As soon as she left, Ji Xiang entered and quietly reported to Zhou Shaojin, “Steward Qin sent someone back with news. He says today it’s Master Zheng treating—Master Zheng has secured the position of County Magistrate of Jimo County and will be leaving for his post soon. Master Shi and Master Pan are giving Master Zheng a farewell dinner. Having heard that Master Gao came to the capital, they invited Master Gao to drink together. Otherwise they didn’t do anything else.”
“Master Zheng is going to Jimo County?” Zhou Shaojin was somewhat surprised, yet it also seemed reasonable.
In her previous life, Cheng Zheng had Cheng Jing protecting him—not only had he passed the examination to become a Hanlin scholar and remained in the Six Ministries for administrative observation to become a capital official, but he had also married the daughter of Wang Jian, Vice Minister of Personnel. In this life, he had sided with Cheng Shi, so how would Cheng Jing care about him? He hadn’t passed the Hanlin examination. Given his personality, how could he casually take just any position? But sometimes things were beyond one’s control. He wanted a better position, but that required someone to help arrange it.
He, Cheng Shi, and Pan Zhuo had all passed the imperial examination together. Cheng Xu had to consider Cheng Shi first, and Pan Zhi had to consider Pan Zhuo first. So he could only scramble about on his own.
However, Jimo County was in Shandong, and Cheng Wei was also in Shandong… Could he be seeking out Cheng Gao because of Cheng Wei?
It wasn’t that Zhou Shaojin wanted to think of him this way, but in her previous life, Cheng Zheng had been exactly this kind of person.
When Cheng Chi returned, she told him about this matter.
While changing his clothes, Cheng Chi said, “You’re not being overly suspicious. He’s probably trying to approach Second Brother. His securing the position of County Magistrate of Jimo County was actually thanks to Second Brother’s help. Hasn’t he been hanging around the Ministry of Personnel these days? It just so happens that the newly appointed Bureau Director of Merit Evaluations in the Ministry of Personnel was Second Brother’s examination cohort member. He previously served in Shaanxi and was only transferred here this year. Hearing that Cheng Shi was our family’s nephew, he arranged for him to get the position of County Magistrate of Jimo.
“As you know, even so, he’ll definitely write to Second Brother afterward. Cheng Zheng has hit walls in the capital this year, which has finally diminished some of his arrogance about ‘I passed the imperial examination even without the main Cheng family branch.’
“Cheng Zheng came looking for me, but I had no time. He can’t get anywhere with Elder Brother either, so inviting Brother Gao out to eat—nine times out of ten it’s about this matter.”
Zhou Shaojin said, “Does he think Cousin Gao will help him?”
Cheng Chi smiled and reminded her, “Aren’t you very close with Miss Jia?”
So ultimately they still wanted to use her.
Zhou Shaojin was displeased: “In his mind, am I really that easy to persuade?”
“He doesn’t think you’re easy to persuade,” Cheng Chi said after changing his clothes, sitting down beside Zhou Shaojin and taking her hand. In a gentle voice he continued, “He thinks that since he grew up with Brother Gao from childhood, even if Brother Gao won’t add icing to the cake, he won’t kick someone when they’re down either. He wants Brother Gao to speak on his behalf.”
“Brother Gao shouldn’t be that confused, should he?” Zhou Shaojin pouted. “Brother Gao knows very well what he did back then.”
“But most people forget the pain once the wound heals,” Cheng Chi smiled. “I’ll talk to Brother Gao about this matter and have Second Brother do Cheng Zheng a favor, so Cheng Zheng can go to his post with peace of mind.”
Zhou Shaojin stared in astonishment.
Cheng Chi whispered in her ear, “Don’t worry, I know what to do! Hasn’t the third branch always thought that as long as their branch produced one imperial examination graduate, everything would be fine? Now not only has their third branch produced an examination graduate, but he’s successfully become an official. The third branch has endured in silence for several generations—no matter how steady they are, they’ll get carried away and make mistakes. Add to that the second branch doing them this favor, they’ll think the main branch won’t hold grudges against them and will definitely move out of Jiuru Lane… By the time he realizes that climbing from County Magistrate to County Magistrate isn’t so easy, it’ll be too late!”