Cheng Chi sneered: “Of course it’s to have Cheng Jiashan quickly become betrothed to the Min family’s young lady!”

Once the betrothal was set, the second branch’s old ancestor’s schemes would come to nothing.

The five branches of the Cheng family at Jiuru Lane prospered together and fell together. What they wanted to harm was the first branch’s prospects, not the Cheng family’s reputation.

After he could no longer serve in office, the first branch’s Rang Ge’er was still young. Cheng Jiashan already showed some promise and was the eldest legitimate grandson—the first branch’s hopes would mostly fall on Cheng Jiashan. Trampling Cheng Jiashan down would be equivalent to trampling the first branch down.

And Shaojin, who had always been on Cheng Jiashan’s mind, became the best tool for framing him.

But if Cheng Jiashan’s marriage to the Min family’s young lady was settled, breaking the engagement would involve the Cheng family’s reputation, and they would be dragged down too. Then if they wanted to frame Cheng Jiashan, they would have to think of other methods and wouldn’t target Shaojin anymore.

Of course, this might not avoid everything entirely.

Because Cheng Jiashan held the status of eldest legitimate grandson, creating some scandal to control him might be more useful to them than destroying him.

Shaojin absolutely had to stay in Jinling… Once Cheng Jiashan’s examination results were posted, they would immediately send him to the capital. Even if they still wanted to target Cheng Jiashan, it wouldn’t implicate Shaojin.

Having made up his mind, Cheng Chi said: “Then you can stay!”

“Really!” Cheng Shaojin’s eyes sparkled brightly, her face slightly flushed, as beautiful as a flower.

Cheng Chi hadn’t expected her to be so happy. His mood became cheerful too as he smiled: “Are you satisfied now?”

Zhou Shaojin nodded repeatedly, her eyes curving into crescents with laughter, both charming and innocent, like a child who hadn’t grown up.

Cheng Chi couldn’t help stroking Zhou Shaojin’s head: “Then I’ve fulfilled both my promises to you… I won’t have to worry about what requests you’ll make of me in the future!” He said the last sentence with great relief.

Zhou Shaojin’s eyes widened immediately: “I clearly only used one promise.”

Cheng Chi said seriously: “How could it be just one? I previously promised to help you with one matter. Just now I promised again to help you with one matter. But you used my second promise to demand I fulfill the first promise—you used two promises at once.”

“No, no.” Zhou Shaojin said hurriedly. “I never used the promise you gave me before. It was when you said this time you would promise me one more thing that I thought of the previous promise you gave me…”

“And you had me fulfill my first promise!” Cheng Chi had already spoken before she could finish. “So I agreed!”

“No, no.” Zhou Shaojin said urgently. “You promised me two things total. I used the first one, the second hasn’t been used yet…”

“How has the second not been used?” Cheng Chi said. “If you didn’t use the second promise, would I have agreed to your first promise? Think carefully. How could I have made a mistake!”

That’s right!

How could Uncle Chi have made a mistake!

But things clearly weren’t like this.

Zhou Shaojin’s mind went momentarily fuzzy.

Cheng Chi seized the opportunity to stroke her hair and said quietly: “Alright, let’s stop arguing about these things! Go freshen up quickly. Ninth Madam Gu is still visiting at Hanbi Mountain Lodge!”

Zhou Shaojin nodded, still wanting to clarify things with Cheng Chi, but who knew he would just wave his hand and walk out of the tea room.

“Uncle Chi!” She chased after him.

She would definitely need to ask Uncle Chi for favors in the future, so his promises were very important. She didn’t want to lose an opportunity in such confusion.

Cheng Chi didn’t look back and just waved at her.

Nanny Shang also emerged from the side with a smile: “Second Cousin Miss, let me help you fix your hair! Your eyes are swollen—should I go to the kitchen to get you two boiled eggs?”

Hearing this, Zhou Shaojin was startled.

So she looked this disheveled—it would be bad if Ninth Madam Gu saw her. After all, she might be living at Hanbi Mountain Lodge for quite a long time.

“Then quickly help me get a basin of water.” Zhou Shaojin instructed Nanny Shang. Looking up, Cheng Chi’s shadow was already gone.

She couldn’t help stamping her foot.

Cheng Chi kept a straight face until he reached his study, where he couldn’t help laughing.

This little slip of a girl was truly interesting!

In just a few moves he had confused her so she didn’t know east from west!

Especially when he said “how could I have made a mistake,” those clear black and white eyes showed such confusion and puzzlement… it was victory without a fight.

How could there be such an adorable little girl!

The corners of his mouth lifted high and wouldn’t come down. Not until Huai Shan entered and told him haltingly: “The second head of the Thirteen Firms says that you honor the Thirteen Firms by being willing to invest in their fleet, and the Thirteen Firms are very honored. But the rules were set by the ancestors and carved on rosewood plaques hung on the walls of each branch—surely you know this. So the investment silver must be calculated separately and cannot be deducted from the silver previously paid for your fleet…”

Cheng Chi’s mood was still excellent, so he said mildly: “Since it’s a shop rule, we’ll naturally follow it. Take two hundred thousand taels of silver to the Thirteen Firms as my capital investment.”

But Fourth Master, don’t you love breaking other people’s rules?

Huai Shan stared at Cheng Chi with his mouth agape. Only when Cheng Chi asked “Is there anything else?” did he come to his senses and quickly say: “No, nothing!”

Cheng Chi shot him a glance.

Huai Shan shuddered, his mind racing: “This time the Thirteen Firms’ Ping’an fleet’s twenty-one ships will probably only return in the autumn of the year after next…”

The risks of seafaring were great.

If the ships returned safely, they would naturally earn profits overflowing, but if the ships didn’t return, it would be a total loss.

Last time the Thirteen Firms’ ships went to Japan, the time was short, and with one word from Cheng Chi the Thirteen Firms acknowledged the account and sent over the profits afterward. This time was different—not only was the fleet larger and the time longer, but the risks were also greater, so the Thirteen Firms didn’t want to advance capital for Cheng Chi.

But by autumn of the year after next, they would have long left the Cheng family.

Was Fourth Master still planning to continue dealing with the Thirteen Firms?

Then why sell the fleet at all?

If looking purely at seafaring profits, the Thirteen Firms had previously been completely suppressed by them. If not for the Thirteen Firms’ chief manager having some foresight, how would the position of first shipping firm have fallen to the Thirteen Firms? Wasn’t Fourth Master throwing away the watermelon to pick up a sesame seed?

Cheng Chi smiled: “We’re temporarily not leaving the Cheng family. I’ll wait until I’ve sorted out the Cheng family’s affairs here before deciding.”

Huai Shan was so surprised he nearly showed it outright.

Usually at times like this, didn’t Fourth Master always dismiss him with “I changed my mind”? Why was he explaining to him today? What on earth had happened? Fourth Master seemed like a different person—his good temper made one feel… very uneasy!

Huai Shan quietly observed Cheng Chi: “Then the matter beyond the passes…”

They had sent people beyond the passes to scout locations, preparing to build an estate there.

“Let’s put that aside for now!” Cheng Chi said nonchalantly. “Even if we leave the Cheng family, beyond the passes is too far and too cold. If we go anywhere, let’s go to Guangdong instead. It’s warm there.”

But being too close to the sea, with either pirates or shipping firms, they would be easily recognized.

And who was it who said they liked how quiet and cold it was beyond the passes?!

Huai Shan grumbled internally. Remembering something, he said somewhat worriedly: “Fourth Master, you killed Jiang Qin, and Xiao Zhenhai is clamoring for revenge! You know that Xiao Zhenhai and Jiang Qin have been very close these days. Jiang Qin even invested one hundred thousand taels of silver in his wharf. With Jiang Qin’s death, the Canal Gang will most likely demand the silver back. How could Xiao Zhenhai bear to let go of meat that’s already in his mouth? Besides, Xiao Zhenhai was short of silver to begin with—even if he wanted to, he probably couldn’t come up with one hundred thousand taels immediately. The best way for Xiao Zhenhai to give the Canal Gang and the Jiang family an explanation is to clamor like this for revenge for Jiang Qin. After all, if Jiang Qin’s revenge hasn’t been taken, the Canal Gang and Jiang family can’t very well just sit down and arrange Jiang Qin’s funeral, can they? I’m afraid Xiao Zhenhai will come to Jinling…”

“Oh!” Cheng Chi responded with a smile: “I was just looking for an excuse to deal with him! Have someone relay a message to him—tell him Jiang Qin was killed by me, and he can come find me directly! Save him from running around aimlessly like a headless fly.”

Jiang Qin had a photographic memory, was greedy for money and women, and was meticulous as a hair. When Xiao Zhenhai was clamoring about how pretty that little girl was, he had worried she would catch Jiang Qin’s eye, which was why he used Jiang Qin to make an example this time. Since Xiao Zhenhai was courting death by barging in, and he was worried that being softhearted these past years and not “reasoning” with people much meant just killing a Canal Gang third boss wasn’t enough to establish authority—killing another Xiao Zhenhai as a warning wouldn’t be bad either.

Huai Shan observed a moment of silence for Xiao Zhenhai before saying: “I’ll handle it right away!”

Cheng Chi nodded.

Thinking that little girl was probably stamping her feet in anger right now.

And after thinking it through, she would definitely confront him again.

Cheng Chi decided to make himself unavailable to Zhou Shaojin.

That little slip of a girl would certainly be glaring with her almond eyes wide, her cheeks flushed red.

Thinking of this, his heart seemed to raise a sail, his emotions soaring.

He stood up and said to Huai Shan: “Arrange for Qin Ziping to deliver the message. You accompany me to the Brocade Workshop.”

That place was also called Academy Lane.

Jinling Prefecture’s academy was there, and the surrounding area was full of antique shops.

Huai Shan asked curiously: “Does Fourth Master want to buy something? You could have someone from Langlong Residence come over. I heard Langlong Residence acquired several treasures before New Year…”

How could a little girl like Shaojin enjoy things like jade landscape ornaments or purple-gold Maitreya Buddhas?

After teasing her like this, he should at least make her happy.

However, she seemed to really like Guanyin.

Langlong Residence should have excellent Guanyin statues… When she moved in and discovered a beautiful Guanyin Bodhisattva statue in her quarters, and moreover that it was hers, she would surely be delighted.

Cheng Chi immediately changed his mind: “We’ll go to Langlong Residence.”

If he couldn’t buy a good Guanyin statue, then he’d go to the Brocade Workshop to find some trinkets to give her.

Cheng Chi immediately strode out of Tingli Pavilion.

On the other side, Zhou Shaojin had finished freshening up and her mind had cleared. She was immediately angry enough to glare, and said to Nanny Shang who was directing young maids to pack things: “I’m going out for a bit and will be right back.”

Nanny Shang didn’t dare stop her and followed behind with a smile: “Where are you going? By the time, Old Madam Guo should be finished talking too. Don’t you want to wait a bit longer?”