Inform the main branch?!

Zhou Chujin couldn’t help but look toward Zhou Shaojin.

Zhou Shaojin said without hesitation, “Then I’ll go directly and speak with Uncle Chi! Why disturb Uncle Mian—isn’t this the kind of thing where the fewer people who know, the better? If Uncle Chi knows what Cheng Lu has done, he definitely won’t feel sorry for him.”

Zhou Chujin felt that her younger sister had a better relationship with the main branch than she did. Seeing her agree so readily without difficulty, she secretly nodded in approval and said, “Should I go with you?”

“No need.” Zhou Shaojin smiled. “You’re about to get married. It wouldn’t be good for you to go out at this time. I can go by myself.”

Master Li’s heart thumped twice as he listened.

According to Master Zhou’s description, his eldest daughter was shrewd and capable, while his younger daughter was obedient and sensible. For the matters he’d come to Jinling to handle, it would be best to get the Cheng family’s assistance. Even if he couldn’t get the Cheng family’s assistance, he shouldn’t create conflict with them. After all, the Cheng family producing even a xiucai scholar was no simple matter—and this was a stipended xiucai at that, the kind of material that could go on to pass the provincial examination and become a jinshi. If push came to shove, he should ask the eldest daughter to request Fourth Branch’s Grand Master Mian to help deal with the Cheng family, and discuss matters more with the eldest daughter—she handled her relationship with the Cheng family very well.

But from the current situation, it seemed the second young miss’s relationship with the Cheng family was even better.

Especially with the main branch.

He wondered if he could take this opportunity to enter the mansion and kowtow to Fourth Master of the main branch, thereby obtaining a recommendation from the First Master or Second Master through Fourth Master…

This thought flashed through his mind, and he laughed self-deprecatingly.

He was truly being like a snake trying to swallow an elephant—greedy beyond measure. Master Zhou treated him quite well. Following Master Zhou, though he might not achieve great success and fame, the host-guest relationship was harmonious and quite carefree. Yet now, for the sake of fame and profit, he’d had greedy thoughts about climbing up the Cheng family’s high branch, not realizing that the Cheng family had many retainers and that high branch wasn’t so easily climbed. Instead of reaching the high branch, he might fall and break his neck.

He’d better properly follow Master Zhou and plan for him. Given Master Zhou’s generosity, not only would he have no worries about food and clothing, but when Master Zhou became illustrious in the future, he himself might not be unable to obtain some official position.

Master Li gathered his thoughts and said respectfully, “Master Zhou’s meaning is that stripping a xiucai of his title comes down to examination fraud, improper conduct, or the year-end examination. Examination fraud is the simplest, but it’s a method that kills a thousand enemies while losing eight hundred of your own—once an examination scandal appears, officials high and low in Jinling and numerous scholars would all be implicated.

“The Ministry of Rites and the Censorate would send people to investigate, and Jinling’s officials would band together to deal with the Ministry of Rites and Censorate in order to clear themselves. If the Ministry of Rites and Censorate can’t produce strong evidence proving that Cheng Lu cheated in the examination he took, Jinling’s officials might even counterattack. The matter would only escalate from small to large, and might even end up benefiting Cheng Lu.

“Next is improper conduct.

“Master Zhou says that given Cheng Lu’s extreme caution and eloquence, this would probably be even harder than examination fraud.

“That leaves the year-end examination.

“Cheng Lu’s father Cheng Bozhi’s case has already been decided by the authorities. Although there’s the saying ‘misfortune doesn’t extend to descendants,’ there’s also ‘rats’ children know how to dig holes.’ Master Zhou’s meaning is that we might as well quietly inform the main branch about this matter, then have the main branch hint to the authorities and the school instructor… If all the officials high and low in Jinling have the same view on this, that would be even better.”

While Master Li was speaking, Zhou Shaojin kept carefully pondering in her mind. By the time Master Li finished, Zhou Shaojin was breaking out in cold sweat.

This move was truly ruthless!

Having Cheng Lu’s own clan come forward to say he had talent but no virtue and request the school instructor strip him of his xiucai title—Cheng Lu would never be able to become an official in this lifetime. Even if he wanted to become a reclusive sage, he could never gain others’ respect. Even his descendants couldn’t possibly marry into families with good standing or deep foundations. This family would decline because of this and struggle forever at the bottom of society.

But this was also what Cheng Lu had brought upon himself.

Setting aside what happened in the previous life, in this life they hadn’t pursued the things he’d done, yet he repeatedly refused to let go. If they let things be, they would be the ones who suffered in the future.

Zhou Shaojin hardened her heart and said, “Then I’ll enter the mansion tomorrow to find Uncle Chi. With this kind of matter, delays breed complications. Moreover, that Cheng Lu has already returned to Jinling, and before the New Year he even personally came to bring New Year’s gifts to us sisters as if nothing had happened. He’s too good at pretending.”

Zhou Chujin nodded repeatedly and had Chi Xiang go prepare a calling card.

Zhou Shaojin laughed softly. “Sister, how should we prepare this calling card? Should we prepare Father’s card? If Father’s people go to Jiuru Alley not to visit Uncle Mian of the fourth branch but to visit Uncle Chi instead, others will surely find it strange. Should we prepare my calling card instead? Uncle Chi passed both the provincial and palace examinations!”

As an unmarried woman, her calling card could only be used within the inner quarters.

Zhou Chujin slapped her forehead and laughed. “Look at me, I’m all confused. Then let’s just have Chi Xiang enter the mansion to inform them, to avoid being impolite.” She added, “If you rashly enter the mansion to find Uncle Chi like this, won’t it attract others’ attention?”

Zhou Shaojin thought this made sense and discussed with her sister, “How about tomorrow we ask Madam to enter the mansion to pay respects to Grandmother, and I can take that opportunity to visit Cold Jade Mountain Retreat?”

“That’s a good idea!” Zhou Chujin said, then looked toward Master Li. “What does Master think?”

Master Li also thought it was a good idea and smiled. “Then I’ll trouble the two young misses!”

Zhou Chujin and Zhou Shaojin went together to the study quarters.

Li Shi had just finished washing. Several young maids were wringing out her hair when she heard that the Zhou sisters had come. She came out of the inner chamber with her still-wet hair tied up.

Since she had already submitted, Zhou Chujin became courteous toward Li Shi. She quickly smiled and said, “If we’d known Madam’s hair was still wet, we should have come later.” Then she called for a young maid to bring some dry towels. “Let me wring Madam’s hair for you!”

How could Li Shi dare let her do it? She repeatedly demurred.

Zhou Shaojin also advised, “The south isn’t like the north. In the north there are heated kangs—even if your hair is slightly wet, it’ll dry if you sit in the room for a while. The south has damp cold. You’ll catch a chill like this.” As she spoke, she instructed Bitao, “Go help Madam get some dry towels.”

Li Shi hurriedly thanked them.

After the young maids brought tea and refreshments, Bitao brought in the towels. Nanny Li quickly took them and, together with Li Shi’s other senior maid Yulan, helped wring out Li Shi’s hair dry before withdrawing.

Only then did Li Shi say, “Is there something the eldest and second young misses need from me?”

She had heard that Master Li had gone to see the two sisters as soon as he entered the mansion.

Zhou Chujin didn’t mention Cheng Lu at all. She only said that when they’d dealt with Lanting, the Cheng family had helped them. Now that she’d returned to Jinling, both emotionally and logically she should go thank Old Madam Guan.

Zhou Zhen hadn’t told Li Shi what had happened back then either. He’d only said that Lanting had been disrespectful to Zhou Chujin, Zhou Chujin had been very suspicious and investigated some old matters, and discovered that Lanting had spread false words. Madam Zhuang hadn’t actually told her to stay at the Zhou residence before she died, much less serve Zhou Zhen.

Li Shi thought all this was Zhou Chujin’s doing, which was why she was so wary of Zhou Chujin. Therefore, when Zhou Chujin asked her to enter the mansion to pay respects to Old Madam Guan, she didn’t think in any other direction and immediately agreed.

Chi Xiang took Li Shi’s calling card to Jiuru Alley.

A bit later, she returned and told Zhou Shaojin, “Fourth Master has been at home these days keeping Old Madam company and hasn’t gone anywhere!”

Zhou Shaojin smiled and nodded. Early the next morning, she accompanied Li Shi to Joyful Tree Hall.

Old Madam Guan was very happy to see Zhou Shaojin and was also very warm toward Li Shi.

She asked about Zhou Chujin’s situation. Learning that Zhou Chujin was well, she began discussing Zhou Chujin’s wedding with Li Shi. “…You’ve had a hard journey! The Liao family is one of the foremost great households in Zhenjiang, and the Zhou family isn’t without foundation in Jinling either. On the day Chujin marries, several of the maternal aunts from Jiuru Alley will go over to see the festivities. We’ll have to trouble you then!”

The implication was that Li Shi should marry Zhou Chujin off in grand style.

Li Shi respectfully agreed and talked about what the Zhou family had prepared.

Zhou Shaojin had something on her mind. With great difficulty, Li Shi finished speaking and Grand Madam Mian received word and came over to keep them company. Zhou Shaojin stood up and said, “Since I’ve entered the mansion, I should still go pay my respects to Old Madam!”

Old Madam Guan also felt this was appropriate and urged her, “Go quickly and come back quickly! We’re waiting for you for lunch.”

Zhou Shaojin went to Cold Jade Mountain Retreat with a smile.

Biyu and the others were very pleasantly surprised to see her. They held her hands and asked how she’d come.

Zhou Shaojin explained that Li Shi had entered the mansion to pay respects to Old Madam Guan, and said, “I thought I’d come over to see you all and Old Madam. Where is Old Madam? She hasn’t gone to the Buddha hall, has she?”

If she’d gone to the Buddha hall, she’d just have to wait!

“No, no.” Biyu smiled. “The newly appointed Censor Song is a clan brother of Grand Secretary Song. Madam Song asked Censor Song’s wife to bring some things for Old Madam, and Old Madam is talking with Censor Song’s wife right now!”

Hearing this, Zhou Shaojin smiled with pursed lips. “The mountain doesn’t turn but the water does—who would have thought our mansion and Madam Song would be so connected!”

Everyone laughed softly.

Zhenzhu said, “Second Young Miss, why don’t you go to the tea room for some tea first! As soon as Censor Song’s wife comes out, I’ll go inform you.”

“Wonderful!” Zhou Shaojin said happily. “Old Madam’s tea room always has excellent tea and delicious refreshments.”

When she used to copy scriptures at Cold Jade Mountain Retreat, she’d eaten her fill many times.

Zhenzhu accompanied her to the tea room, opened the cabinet and asked what tea she wanted to drink, saying, “Second Master sent some newly marketed Da Hong Pao tea before the New Year.”

Da Hong Pao autumn tea was the best.

Zhou Shaojin was very interested and said, “Then Da Hong Pao it is.”

Zhenzhu went to boil water.

Zhou Shaojin asked her, “How did you spend the Spring Festival? Are Ji Ying and the others well?”

“We’re all doing well.” Zhenzhu boiled the water, used a red lacquered gold-traced box to hold the refreshments and brought them to Zhou Shaojin, then sat down to chat with her. “On New Year’s Eve, Old Madam rewarded each person with fifty wen, and those of us who serve close to her each received a pair of four-fen silver ingots. Since Madam Yuan didn’t come back for New Year’s, there was very little to do. After keeping the New Year’s vigil, Old Madam only kept Nanny Lü to serve her and gave us time off. We even followed Manao to visit her home and went to the temple fair—it was very interesting! But the Oriole-Listening Pavilion had too few servants. Ji Ying and Miss Nan Ping were both on duty at the mansion the whole time. Early this morning they went out visiting with Fourth Master!”