Despite what Cheng Chi said, the news that “Second Miss Zhou is a go master who nearly beat Fourth Master Chi” spread throughout Nine Blessings Lane like it had grown wings. Even Zhou Chujin asked her sister with a smile, “When did you learn to play go?”

Zhou Shaojin was so anxious that sweat beaded on her forehead as she repeatedly explained.

Those who were close like Zhou Chujin just laughed it off, but there were also people like Grand Madam Shi of the Second Branch, Zheng Shi, who upon meeting her on the road smiled and took her hand saying, “Second Cousin Miss really doesn’t need to be so modest. In a few days I’m planning to host a poetry gathering at home. Second Cousin Miss must come. Seventh Miss of the Shen family is obsessed with chess. I’ll introduce you to her then, and you can have a good match together.”

Grand Madam Shi of the Second Branch was always hosting flower-viewing parties today and poetry gatherings tomorrow, never a quiet moment.

Previously, Zhou Shaojin thought Grand Madam Shi had a loving marriage, had a son to support her, was deeply favored by her parents-in-law, had no worries in life, and naturally had the energy and interest to enjoy entertainment. But seeing her planning flower-viewing parties before her son had even completed his first month, thinking about it now, it might not be as simple as just loving entertainment.

Like this Miss Shen she mentioned—Zhou Shaojin had never heard of her.

In other words, the people Grand Madam Shi associated with were not the usual acquaintances of the Cheng family.

Zhou Shaojin exchanged a few strained pleasantries with Grand Madam Shi and headed straight for Jiatree Hall.

After hearing this, Old Madam Guan’s expression grew grave. She called Grand Madam Mian and Zhou Chujin to discuss what to do.

Grand Madam Mian was unconcerned and smiled, “Just don’t go when the time comes.”

Zhou Chujin, however, guessed Old Madam Guan’s thoughts and said thoughtfully, “I’m afraid not going won’t work! We all live in the same lane. Whether Shaojin can actually play go or not, Cousin Sister-in-law Shi could find out with just a few questions. Doing this, I’m afraid she has deeper intentions.”

The phrase “Xiang Yu dances with his sword, but his intention is Pei Gong” immediately floated into Zhou Shaojin’s mind. She couldn’t help blurting out: “…Could it be they want to damage Uncle’s reputation?”

In the rumors, Zhou Shaojin was only slightly inferior to Cheng Chi. But if Miss Shen soundly defeated Zhou Shaojin… Cheng Chi, being male, would seem no better than that in others’ eyes. Even more so, others could play chess with Miss Shen. If they beat Miss Shen, then Cheng Chi’s level could be easily imagined.

Cheng Chi had passed the imperial examinations but hadn’t entered government service, which had already drawn criticism from many in scholarly circles. If his chess playing was also mediocre, then his supposed “considerable accomplishments in calligraphy and painting” would be quite questionable. Taking it further, if the Cheng family didn’t let Cheng Chi serve as an official, could it be because they knew Cheng Chi’s abilities were insufficient, that he couldn’t govern effectively, so they simply kept him hidden at home? Even someone who could pass the imperial examinations, no matter how mediocre, with secretarial assistance could handle simple administrative duties. Could Cheng Chi not even do that? Then how did he pass the examinations…

Just thinking about it made Zhou Shaojin’s palms sweat.

She said, “But doing this wouldn’t benefit the Second Branch either, would it? Everyone lives together—when one prospers, all prosper; when one suffers, all suffer!”

Old Madam Guan thought Zhou Shaojin was thinking too seriously about it.

In great families, after several generations, bloodlines thin, and naturally people divide into close and distant relations. With interrelated interests, there would be friction. Doing a few unsavory things was normal, as long as it didn’t affect the big picture. The Cheng family had come this far the same way—maintaining outward respectability was most important. Tearing off the facade benefited no one.

But Zhou Shaojin had memories of her previous life.

The Second Branch had an extraordinary obsession with controlling the clan.

She suddenly had a bold hypothesis.

Could it be that the clan’s public income was very high, high enough that the branch controlling it could gain enormous benefits?

Zhou Shaojin asked her grandmother, “How are the public income distributions in Nine Blessings Lane allocated?”

Old Madam Guan was startled.

Zhou Shaojin said bashfully, “I’m just a bit curious about what grudge exists between the First and Second Branches that can’t be resolved. Logically, the First Branch is currently thriving like a raging fire. There’s no blood feud or stolen wife. Even if the Second Branch were desperate to be in charge, they should be careful and patient, planning gradually. How could they so recklessly compete with the First Branch? If Cousin Shi and Cousin Yu were young prodigies it would be one thing, but Cousin Shi is just a scholar now, and Cousin Yu hasn’t even taken the examinations. What do they have to compete with the First Branch? This doesn’t make sense!”

Hearing Zhou Shaojin say “doesn’t make sense,” Zhou Chujin couldn’t help pursing her lips in a smile.

When had her sister, who always said “I feel” and “I think,” started paying attention to whether things were logical or not?

Old Madam Guan thought carefully and felt Zhou Shaojin’s words made sense. She said, “We branches separated long ago. The ancestral fields are with the First Branch. Out of consideration for being of the same clan, the First Branch gives the Fourth and Fifth Branches three hundred taels of silver each year. As for how much the Second and Third Branches receive, I don’t know. But it can be found out.

“When I first took charge of the household, if the weather was favorable, the ancestral fields would yield about five hundred taels annually. In disaster years, at most only one or two hundred taels, sometimes nothing at all. So since the First Branch gave us three hundred taels regardless of the year’s harvest, I felt too embarrassed to inquire further about the ancestral fields’ income. But I think, even if the First Branch later acquired more ancestral fields, the income from farmland is what it is—it couldn’t possibly reach a level that would make people envious. Unless they’re putting on a strong front while actually struggling.

“But a few days ago, the Second Branch’s old ancestor gave a piece of land to Zheng Shi for bearing children for the Cheng family. It didn’t look like they were short of silver.

“What actually connects the families now is the income from Taiyu Bank.

“But Taiyu Bank was established single-handedly by Fourth Uncle Chi. Even if the Second Branch seized it, who would manage it? Taiyu Bank doesn’t belong to just our family—the Li family of the Wei Group also holds shares!”

Hearing her grandmother say this, Zhou Shaojin again felt she might have been thinking in the wrong direction. Fortunately, her grandmother not only said nothing critical but also sent someone to investigate the ancestral fields and public income, saying, “Better safe than sorry. Being extra cautious is never wrong.” She even praised Zhou Shaojin for being “careful.”

Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

After leaving Jiatree Hall, she discussed with her sister, “Should we also inform Uncle Chi? Uncle Chi is a man—he might not notice these underhanded matters.”

Zhou Chujin thought it very appropriate, saying, “It would be even better if you could extricate yourself from this affair. However you look at it, you’ve suffered an undeserved calamity. Maybe the rumor that ‘you nearly beat Uncle Chi at chess’ was fanned by them into this frenzy.”

Zhou Shaojin hadn’t thought that far, but her sister’s agreement gave her more confidence.

She went to Oriole Sound Pavilion.

Cheng Chi was sitting in a drunken lord’s chair in the covered corridor reading. The cross-breeze occasionally blew his robe, adding a sense of coolness to the scene.

Seeing Zhou Shaojin approach, he smiled, “What’s this? Come to play chess with me?”

Zhou Shaojin knew without asking that he was fully aware of the recent rumors.

She suddenly understood Ji Ying’s feelings a bit better.

Having a master who was “you’re anxious but he’s not,” no wonder Ji Ying privately called Uncle Chi by his name directly.

However, since Ji Ying returned from Cangzhou, she had never again called Uncle Chi by his name directly, which was also a good thing.

Zhou Shaojin recounted the whole affair to Cheng Chi.

But Cheng Chi was unconcerned. He smiled, “It’s fine. As long as you don’t accept the challenge.”

Zhou Shaojin said awkwardly, “I can avoid the first day but not the fifteenth! If Cousin Sister-in-law Shi is truly determined, she’ll always find an opportunity. Besides, I don’t know how to play go at all. If word of this gets out… how embarrassing!”

Cheng Chi wasn’t concerned with the Second Branch’s intentions, but he offered her advice: “Aren’t you learning go from Grand Madam Shen? When the time comes, if you can play a game with that Miss Shen, won’t the name match the reality?”

“But I still can’t understand set patterns,” Zhou Shaojin lowered her head and said softly. “And deceiving people like this isn’t really good… I can’t be lucky every time, can I? What an exhausting way to live!”

Cheng Chi raised his eyebrows. “Then there’s nothing I can do!”

Zhou Shaojin nodded.

Her purpose in coming was to warn Cheng Chi. Since he already knew, her objective was achieved. As for herself, at worst she’d be mocked a bit. She might even be able to turn the tables on Grand Madam Shi, making many people who thought she played chess well stop seeking her out.

But living under a false reputation would make her sleep uneasy.

“Then you continue reading!” She rose to take her leave. “I’m going to the Buddhist hall to copy sutras.”

Cheng Chi watched her retreating figure and frowned slightly.

He had told her not to worry about this matter. Now it had been stirred up by the Second Branch until everyone knew. Logically, even if she didn’t confront him about it, she should ask him to help solve this trouble. Yet she only came to warn him… Was this little girl too naive? Or did she have a way to solve it herself?

Cheng Chi decided to wait and see.

When Grand Madam Shi sent her personal maid Hong Rui to deliver the invitation, Zhou Shaojin frankly refused: “Thank you for Cousin Sister-in-law Shi’s appreciation, but I truly don’t know how to play chess. Going would only mean I couldn’t keep Seventh Miss Shen company. Some things were jokes among family members, but your Grand Madam took them seriously without asking. I’m afraid I’ll disappoint your Grand Madam Shi.”

Hong Rui smiled and persuaded, “Our Grand Madam also said that Second Cousin Miss helps Old Madam Guo copy sutras in the First Branch and probably has no time to attend the poetry gathering.

“But our Grand Madam finds Second Cousin Miss’s character outstanding and truly wants to make her acquaintance, which is why she’s using the poetry gathering as an occasion to invite Second Cousin Miss over. As for playing chess, that’s just talk.

“Please don’t take it to heart, Second Cousin Miss.” She continued, “Our Grand Madam has invited people similar in age to Second Cousin Miss this time, and has even invited master chefs from North River Tower and Plum Blossom Tower to help prepare the banquet. Second Cousin Miss, please set aside the poetry gathering and chess playing for now, and just consider it going to taste the craftsmanship of the two restaurants’ chefs.

“Our Grand Madam hosts such gatherings simply to create a lively atmosphere. Second Cousin Miss will know after going once.” As she spoke, she took out another invitation from her breast and said, “Look, this is for First Cousin Miss. Our Grand Madam said that First Cousin Miss and Second Cousin Miss are like bright pearls and morning dew—without either one, the poetry gathering wouldn’t be splendid. Please, both cousin misses must honor us with your presence, so that our Grand Madam will know I’m not someone who just eats without working.” By the end, she was already joking with a smile.