Cheng Chi couldn’t help but laugh: “What happened?”

Zhou Shaojin’s face flushed completely red. She immediately stood up from beside Old Madam Guo and murmured “Uncle Chi.”

Old Madam Guo laughed heartily.

Biyu said from the side: “Second Cousin Miss lost money playing cards!”

“Oh!” Cheng Chi raised his eyebrows and said: “How much did you lose? I’ll make it up to you.”

“No need, no need.” Zhou Shaojin’s face was so red it seemed blood could drip from it.

Old Madam Guo took Zhou Shaojin’s hand, gave Cheng Chi a reproachful look, and said: “We’ll ignore him. Let’s wash our hands and go eat!”

Zhou Shaojin followed Old Madam Guo into the inner chamber with her head lowered.

Cheng Chi was completely bewildered.

Biyu and the others pursed their lips, not daring to laugh.

Cheng Chi felt embarrassed.

Had he done something wrong by offering to pay…

After seeing Zhou Shaojin off, Old Madam Guo couldn’t help but scold her youngest son: “Usually you’re quite resourceful in your dealings. How did you become so muddled today? A young lady playing leaf cards—how much money could she lose? Why did you have to act like a nouveau riche patting your chest like that?”

During the meal just now, Cheng Chi had already figured it out. At this moment, he could only smile awkwardly.

Old Madam Guo said: “Speaking of this matter, there’s something else I need to ask you.”

Cheng Chi said solemnly: “Please speak!”

Old Madam Guo said thoughtfully: “You and Zhou Zhen—is there something else between you?”

Cheng Chi was stunned: “Why would you think that?”

Old Madam Guo said: “I see that you treat Shaojin differently… You rarely used to pay attention to people around me.”

Because her son was unwilling to marry, she had previously invited several daughters of old friends whom she thought well of to stay at home briefly, yet Cheng Chi didn’t even know who was who.

“Really?” Hearing this, Cheng Chi’s expression showed some surprise. He said hesitantly: “I suppose it’s… all right?”

He used to really dislike several of his nephews and nieces in the family, especially the unworldly Cheng Jiashan and the lively and endearing Cheng Sheng. He always felt that since everyone shared the same branch and bloodline, flowing with the same blood, why was it that his life could only follow one path while they could live in the sunshine doing whatever they wanted? So for a period of time, nothing pleased him. He acted recklessly outside. But the more willful and domineering he was, the more others feared him, and the more he could do as he pleased. This kind of life both fascinated and confused him. He even participated in the imperial examinations—no one said that someone inheriting the family business couldn’t take the examinations, right?

But this also exposed his identity.

Many people had guessed he was from Jiangnan. Though wary, they constantly probed. It annoyed him endlessly.

His mother’s words made him involuntarily reflect on his own behavior.

Had he been very good to Shaojin?

No matter how Cheng Chi thought about it, he didn’t feel he had been particularly good to Zhou Shaojin.

He said somewhat pointedly: “Perhaps it’s because she’s the child from next door?”

Old Madam Guo fell silent.

How could she not understand her youngest son’s issues with the family?

This whole household of people only knew they wanted to eat well, use fine things, enjoy pleasures, but never thought about where this money came from.

If Silang hadn’t come back with a presented scholar degree, they wouldn’t even have given him a proper look. Including her eldest and second sons, all would have just played deaf and dumb along with everyone else.

Her Silang was such a proud person—how could he not have hatred in his heart? How could he not have resentment? How could he possibly like nephews and nieces close to his own age?

Old Madam Guo suddenly couldn’t hold it in anymore.

Her tears fell in a rush. Grasping Cheng Chi’s hand, she began crying in a low voice: “Zichuan, it’s Mother who has wronged you!”

Cheng Chi’s tears also fell uncontrollably.

His tough and strong mother was crying in front of him for the first time over his affairs.

He couldn’t help but tightly embrace his mother, choking up: “Mother, I’m doing fine. Don’t worry about me. Only if you’re well can my heart be at peace.”

Hearing this, Old Madam Guo became even more heartbroken and said: “It’s us people who have dragged you down. If not for your brothers, sisters-in-law, and nephews—this whole household—with your capabilities, where couldn’t you go?” Speaking to this point, Old Madam Guo stopped her sobbing. She lifted her head to wipe away her tears and said: “Zichuan, why don’t you still marry a wife and bring her home?”

This matter had been discussed many times between mother and son.

Each time could be said to have ended unhappily.

Seeing his mother’s tears, Cheng Chi didn’t want to upset her, but he wouldn’t change his mind either.

He said patiently: “Mother, I don’t want my son to walk my old path! But I also promise you that I will definitely marry and have children. Just give me some time to straighten out external affairs. So you must take good care of your health. I’m still counting on you to help me raise my children in the future! You helped Elder Brother and Second Brother raise their daughters. You must also help me raise my daughter!”

These words made Old Madam Guo’s heart bloom with joy, her face beaming as she repeatedly said “Good,” and laughed: “You just have children—Mother will help you raise them. I guarantee to teach them just like I taught you three, raising presented scholars, provincial graduates, and ladies with imperial honors.”

Cheng Zheng’s husband Gu Xu had previously served as a supervising secretary in the Ministry of Rites. He had originated from the Hanlin Academy. Later, though he had transferred to the Court of Judicial Review as Right Director to avoid suspicion after Cheng Jing became Minister of Rites—a sixth rank position—no one could deny that earning the imperial honor title of “Lady” for Cheng Zheng was only a matter of time.

Seeing his mother’s mood improve, Cheng Chi’s heart relaxed.

But Old Madam Guo went further down this path, envisioning: “Zichuan, why don’t you settle your marriage this year? Quietly bring her home.”

How could this be something done quietly?

Cheng Chi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

He hadn’t expected his usually rational and calm mother to say such unreasonable things for the sake of his marriage.

His heart warmed, and he smiled: “Mother, wouldn’t that wrong the other person?”

“That’s true!” Old Madam Guo said disappointedly, but in her mind floated the image of Cheng Chi as a small child, soft and tender. She couldn’t suppress her emotions and said: “Otherwise, after you have children, raise them under your elder brother’s name? Your elder brother won’t refuse.”

“I’ll raise my own son myself.” Cheng Chi went along with his mother’s words. “What would it mean to raise him under Elder Brother’s name? Have my son call me ‘Uncle’ and call Elder Brother ‘Father’? Even if I agreed, Elder Sister-in-law probably wouldn’t agree. Stop entertaining such wild thoughts. When have I ever not fulfilled what I’ve promised? You just need to take good care of your own health. Don’t let it be that when I do marry, you can’t even walk, let alone help me raise children.”

Old Madam Guo laughed heartily.

This moment was one of true joy.

Leaving the main hall, Cheng Chi couldn’t help but stop in the covered walkway.

Rain began falling from the sky again.

In the night, it seemed endless and unceasing.

Cheng Chi’s heart suddenly grew irritated.

The conflict between him and his mother, the rift between him and the family—it was like this rain, circling round and round, endless and unfinished.

Sensing Cheng Chi’s mood, Huai Shan carefully opened an umbrella over his head.

Cheng Chi walked casually out of the upper courtyard, deep in thought, wandering randomly through Cold Jade Mountain House.

Huai Shan held his breath, afraid to disturb Cheng Chi.

Daoist Master Zhongnan, hearing that Fourth Master had asked for his help, considered it a great honor and quickly contacted the head of the Northern Beggar Gang.

When he explained his purpose, the head of the Northern Beggar Gang was very pleased. He went back to discuss with several elders below. But most of the elders were unwilling. They felt that those who followed Fourth Master ultimately all became dishes in Fourth Master’s bowl. Rather than taking money to be ordered around, they might as well remain as carefree as they were now—their Beggar Gang had originally made their living by begging anyway. Those in favor and those opposed were evenly matched. Even now, there was no conclusion.

Given Fourth Master’s temperament, in a few days he would surely go personally to “talk” with the Northern Beggar Gang people.

Perhaps at this very moment Fourth Master was considering this matter?

At this thought, he couldn’t help but speculate in his heart whether Fourth Master would have a civil talk with them or a martial one.

But Cheng Chi wasn’t in such a mood.

He just wanted to walk around casually and dispel his unhappiness.

But when his mood calmed down and he stopped walking, he discovered he was standing in front of the moon gate of Floating Jade Pavilion.

Cheng Chi was astonished.

How had he walked here?

But Huai Shan said: “Fourth Master, do you need Second Cousin Miss for something? At this hour, Second Cousin Miss has probably already retired. Should I go forward and knock on the door?”

Though he didn’t know about Zhou Shaojin’s rebirth, as Cheng Chi’s personal attendant, he vaguely sensed that Zhou Shaojin had a secret, and moreover, this secret was very important to Cheng Chi.

Cheng Chi said “Oh,” his expression somewhat dazed: “If that’s the case, then we’ll come again tomorrow!”

Huai Shan held the umbrella and attended Cheng Chi back to Listening to Orioles Pavilion.

By the time Cheng Chi came back to his senses, he had already washed up, changed clothes, and gotten into bed.

Was he really that different toward Shaojin?

Cheng Chi thought of Zhou Shaojin’s innocent charm, thought of her playfulness, thought of her optimistic cheerfulness… and her gentle consideration.

Everyone who met such a young lady would like her, wouldn’t they?

But Mother wouldn’t speak without basis, saying he treated Zhou Shaojin better than others!

Could it be because Zhou Shaojin was very important to him?

It didn’t seem like that… She had already told him what she knew. He only needed to carefully verify it… So how had he handled such situations before?

Give money?

Promise high official positions and generous rewards?

Cheng Chi felt his mind was somewhat muddled.

But no matter how he tried to sort it out, he couldn’t make sense of it. Instead, lying on the bed, he felt languid and couldn’t muster any energy.

Perhaps he should find someone to help him sort this out?

As soon as this thought emerged, he pushed it down.

This was his private matter—why should he tell others about it?

Just thinking about it made him uncomfortable.

Then forget it!

After getting through this busy period, he’d think carefully about this matter.

Cheng Chi’s mind settled down, and he quietly drifted into sleep.

When Zhou Shaojin heard from the night patrol woman that Cheng Chi was right outside her door, her heart was both startled and delighted.

Startled because it was so late—if Cheng Chi came looking for her, there must be something very urgent. Delighted because she could have a good talk with Cheng Chi again—two people thinking of solutions together was much more reliable than her pondering alone, especially when that person was Uncle Chi. She felt there was nothing in this world that couldn’t be accomplished!

She had already gone to bed and quickly instructed Chun Wan to help her change clothes.

Chun Wan laughed: “Could it be that Fourth Master came specially to deliver silver to Second Cousin Miss?”

Zhou Shaojin scolded her and said: “Never joke about this matter again. Be careful or Uncle Chi will be displeased. He meant well. When you all lost silver, didn’t I also quietly make it up to you!”

Chun Wan said: “I just never expected that such a stern and serious person as Fourth Master would say such things.”

Zhou Shaojin glared at Chun Wan with displeasure.

Chun Wan quickly said: “I’ll never say it again, never again.” Her hands moved skillfully to help her change.

But before she could put on the vest, the night patrol woman came again to report that Cheng Chi had left.