Although Cheng Chi wanted to draw clear boundaries with the Cheng family, he was unwilling to see his blood relatives completely exterminated.

He watched as Huai Shan and the others filed out of the study and fell into deep thought.

The extermination of the Cheng family must have been the new emperor’s intention. Even if it wasn’t directly the new emperor’s idea but rather he’d been instigated by someone with ulterior motives, at the very least the emperor had been determined at that time to annihilate the entire Cheng family.

Government offices always worked rather slowly, especially in such cases involving family extermination—they all feared “wildfire cannot burn out the roots; spring winds blow and they grow again.” If someone from the executed family escaped and settled this score with them, creating an enemy in unseen places. Yet according to what Zhou Shaojin said, the Cheng family fell extremely quickly. Even before their family assets were completely confiscated, all the Cheng family men had already been beheaded.

This was somewhat contrary to normal procedure.

For complete family extermination, property should be confiscated before the executions.

Clearly, the new emperor wanted the Cheng family members dead.

What could make the new emperor so determined that the Cheng family members must die?

Cheng Chi stood up and paced back and forth in the room.

The future new emperor was the Fourth Prince.

This Fourth Prince had always been inconspicuous among the princes, and Cheng Chi had never had contact with him before.

This trip to the capital would likely require thoroughly getting acquainted with this Fourth Prince.

What was his temperament? What were his interests? How might the Cheng family have offended or angered him… Cheng Chi felt he should investigate all of this. Especially his eldest and second brothers in the capital—what had they been doing these years? What kind of people had they been associating with? Even the advisors and aides around them—everything needed thorough investigation.

Second Uncle’s side… also needed investigation.

This would require a large number of people.

Should he bring in the Beggar Gang as well?

Their information network was the most extensive.

The Southern Beggar Gang was led by Zhang Daniu. Who led the Northern Beggar Gang? This matter was best left to Qin Zi’an.

As for the extended stay in the capital… it would be best to wait until Cheng Jiashan was betrothed to the Min family young lady and Shaojin lost her usefulness. That way he could be more at ease in the capital.

Thinking this, he sat back down at his desk and wrote a letter for Qin Zi’an to deliver to Mount Zhongnan: “…Please ask Daoist Master Yunhezi to introduce you to people from the Northern Beggar Gang.”

Qin Zi’an silently tucked the letter into his sleeve.

Cheng Chi asked him: “How is Ji Ying’s injury?”

“Best not to engage in combat for the next six months.”

Cheng Chi nodded, indicating he could withdraw.

Huai Shan requested an audience outside the door.

Cheng Chi let him enter.

Huai Shan said: “Just now Nanny Shang told me that while we were away, Second Young Miss frequently came to Tingli Pavilion inquiring about your news. Since Second Young Miss is also naturally intelligent, Nanny Shang is somewhat concerned. She asked if we could keep Miss Ji Ying at home to keep Second Young Miss company, since Miss Ji Ying can’t engage in combat these days anyway…”

“Yes!” Before he could finish, Cheng Chi readily agreed. “When the River Transport Gang caused trouble for the Ji family, I didn’t approve of Ji Ying getting involved. But Old Master Ji insisted on testing Ji Ying’s skills, and I couldn’t very well stop him. Now that the Ji family knows Ji Ying’s capabilities, don’t let her get involved in those outside affairs anymore. Let her cultivate her mind and character at home—perhaps her swordsmanship might even break through to a new level.”

“Yes!” Huai Shan respectfully agreed and withdrew.

The room fell quiet.

Wind rustled through the leaves.

Cheng Chi walked to the window.

The trees at Tingli Pavilion had luxuriant branches and leaves—oil green, tender green, bright green, jade green… various shades of green interwoven together, a feast of refreshing color for the eyes.

His mind suddenly conjured the image of Zhou Shaojin blinking her bright black-and-white eyes, peering around at his doorway.

The corners of Cheng Chi’s mouth involuntarily curved upward.

He’d have dinner with that little girl tonight.

Then go see Fuicui Pavilion where she was staying.

He wondered if Nanny Shang had arranged Fuicui Pavilion according to his instructions.

Thinking this, he walked to the curio cabinet nearby and took out a rosewood box.

That day after finding this Guanyin statue on Brocade Street, he’d sent it to Ganquan Temple for blessing. He’d originally planned to place it directly in the small Buddhist hall, but unexpectedly Cheng Yi’s incident occurred, and Mother took the opportunity to bring the little girl over. He hadn’t had time to place it.

He’d give it to her later.

She’d definitely be very happy.

Cheng Chi gently brushed away nonexistent dust from the rosewood box.

※※※

Zhou Shaojin hurried back to Fuicui Pavilion in quick steps.

Before she even entered, she heard cheerful laughter from inside Fuicui Pavilion, mixed with melodious bird calls.

Zhou Shaojin was quite surprised.

Hanbi Mountain House didn’t raise flowers, much less birds.

Earlier when she went to Tingli Pavilion and heard bird calls, she’d thought it was just some passing bird and hadn’t paid attention… Now hearing bird calls again, her heart began pounding wildly, and she rushed over.

A cluster of maids surrounded the grape arbor.

Xiao Tan was first to notice Zhou Shaojin and called out joyfully “Second Young Miss,” saying: “Fourth Master brought you back a gift from his trip!”

Before her words ended, the surrounding maids scattered, making way for Zhou Shaojin.

Zhou Shaojin immediately saw the bright red lacquered birdcage on the stone table.

The sapphire blue brocade cage cover had been lifted. A pair of orioles hopped about inside the cage, calling incessantly—lively and adorable.

“This is the gift Uncle Chi gave me?” Zhou Shaojin’s heart felt soft and warm, almost unable to believe it as she asked.

“Yes!” Chun Wan smiled enviously. “Steward Qin personally delivered it—there’s no mistake.”

As Zhou Shaojin approached, both orioles chirped and fluttered toward her, landing on the perch in the middle of the cage, singing melodiously at her.

Xing Tao exclaimed in surprise: “Young Miss, they must be singing to you!”

Zhou Shaojin thought so too.

She loved this gift so much. She reached out to stroke the two birds’ heads through the cage bars, and the two birds hopped even more energetically.

Zhou Shaojin quickly asked: “Have you given them water and food?”

“Yes.” Chun Wan quickly pointed to two small containers in the cage. “One is for food, one is for water.”

Looking closely, Zhou Shaojin saw those two containers were actually carved from Hetian jade.

She couldn’t help but laugh self-consciously and asked: “Do any of you know how to raise birds?”

Chun Wan smiled with pursed lips: “Fourth Master not only gave you birds but also sent you a servant boy.”

Zhou Shaojin’s eyes widened.

A seven or eight-year-old servant boy fell to his knees before her with a thud, not daring to raise his head: “Second Young Miss, this humble one has been ordered by Fourth Master to serve these birds at Fuicui Pavilion from now on.”

Zhou Shaojin looked at the servant boy kneeling on the ground, then at the Hetian jade containers in the birdcage, and laughed dryly twice: “What’s your name? Stand up and speak!”

The servant boy stood up tremulously and reported: “This humble one is called Xiao Que. Fourth Master said this would be easy to remember!”

Zhou Shaojin was speechless.

Just as she was about to ask about Xiao Que’s background, Snowball suddenly bounded out from somewhere and barked frantically at the birdcage.

Zhou Shaojin was badly startled.

The two orioles were even more frightened and crashed about wildly.

Xiao Que quickly said: “Second Young Miss, dogs and birds are natural enemies. Let me take this dog away for you!”

“Never mind!” Zhou Shaojin picked up Snowball. “Just be careful in the future not to let Snowball frighten the birds.”

Xiao Que smiled and agreed.

Zhou Shaojin then had Chun Wan hang the birdcage by the window lattice in the inner chamber.

Chun Wan smiled: “Shouldn’t birds be hung under the covered corridor? I’ve seen people raise birds before—they always hang them under covered corridors.”

Zhou Shaojin had never raised birds before and didn’t know.

But she felt that with these two orioles in the room, it would seem more lively.

That Xiao Que was clearly quite good at reading expressions and quickly said: “Birds follow their owners—anywhere is fine. If Second Young Miss feels raising them in the inner chamber is good, then raise them in the inner chamber. It just means troubling the older sisters to feed them regularly.”

Since even Xiao Que, the bird keeper, said so, Chun Wan naturally couldn’t say anything more.

She smiled and exchanged a few polite phrases like “it’s no trouble” and “I’ll definitely feed them on time,” then hung the birdcage on the window lattice of Zhou Shaojin’s inner chamber.

Zhou Shaojin instructed Chun Wan to open the window: “This way it’s more airy, and the birds will be more comfortable.”

Chun Wan and the others went to open the windows with smiles.

Snowball had been lying quietly in Zhou Shaojin’s arms the whole time.

Seeing this, Zhou Shaojin put Snowball on the ground.

Snowball whimpered and rubbed against Zhou Shaojin’s skirt.

Zhou Shaojin giggled and took the branch from Xiao Que’s hand to play with the two orioles.

In the courtyard stood towering green trees, on the steps bloomed peonies in full glory, birds chirped cheerfully—Zhou Shaojin’s heart bloomed like flowers.

But Snowball rushed over and barked frantically at the birds again.

Zhou Shaojin had no choice but to pick it up.

It quieted down.

But whenever Zhou Shaojin went to play with those two birds, it would bark wildly, making people’s hearts race. Yet as long as Zhou Shaojin held it in her arms, it quieted down again.

Chun Wan and the others said curiously: “Could Snowball be jealous?”

Zhou Shaojin froze and put Snowball down.

It started barking again.

After repeating this several times, Chun Wan’s words proved true.

As long as Zhou Shaojin didn’t play with those two birds, Snowball would obediently squat to the side watching Zhou Shaojin. But whenever Zhou Shaojin played with those two birds, it would bark incessantly.

Everyone laughed heartily.

Laughter, bird calls, and dog barks filled Fuicui Pavilion continuously.

Old Madam Guo smiled: “What’s going on? All this barking and chirping? Did Fourth Son send something to Fuicui Pavilion? Otherwise Fuicui Pavilion wouldn’t be this lively.”

Biyu quickly smiled: “I heard he sent two orioles. They sing beautifully.”

“Oh!” Old Madam Guo’s interest was piqued. “Let’s go have a look too.”

Biyu and the others surrounded Old Madam Guo as they went to Fuicui Pavilion.

The people in Fuicui Pavilion were teasing Snowball, everyone laughing so hard they couldn’t straighten up.

Seeing Old Madam Guo arrive, Zhou Shaojin performed the proper greeting, then quickly told Old Madam Guo about Snowball and the two orioles: “…When others play with those two birds it’s fine, but I can’t. Whenever I do, Snowball barks wildly—quite frighteningly.”

“Such a thing!” Old Madam Guo chuckled and had Zhou Shaojin hold Snowball while she herself played with the birds.

Snowball kept its eyes lowered, completely ignoring Old Madam Guo.

But when Zhou Shaojin went to play with the birds, Snowball became restless.

“This is truly interesting!” Old Madam Guo repeatedly played with Snowball and the two orioles, laughing uncontrollably. “What a situation—your dog and birds are feuding.”

Zhou Shaojin smiled wryly and had no choice but to hand the dog to Xiao Tan: “Take it out for walks more often from now on.”

Xiao Tan smiled as she took the dog and withdrew.