Hearing Cheng Zheng reveal such secret history, not only Zhou Shaojin but even Cheng Lu took a long time to recover.

Cheng Zheng said apologetically, “Xiangqing, you might as well discuss this with Cousin Shi from the Second Branch. The First Branch has always been close to the Second Branch. With his help in coming forward, even if it can’t completely quell Uncle Chi’s anger, at least it can ensure your future prospects remain secure. The evaluation comes right after the provincial examination—time waits for no one.”

Cheng Lu hesitated, “I’ve never had much interaction with Cousin Shi, and it involves Uncle Chi… I’m afraid Cousin Shi won’t help me?”

Cheng Zheng said, “If you want me to come forward for you, then he definitely won’t help you. Those two families have always been guarded against me!”

Cheng Lu asked, “Then what does Brother Baoming suggest?”

Cheng Zheng thought for a moment and said, “I’ll give you an idea. Whether it succeeds or not depends on your luck!”

Cheng Lu thanked him repeatedly.

Cheng Zheng lowered his voice until it became inaudible.

Zhou Shaojin’s heart was anxious beyond measure, but she was helpless and didn’t dare move even half a step.

Before long, she heard Cheng Lu say excitedly to Cheng Zheng, “Thank you so much, Brother Baoming! Once I finish handling this matter, I’ll treat Brother Baoming to tea!”

Cheng Zheng laughed heartily and said, “We’re brothers—no need to be so polite. However, regarding Yuelu Academy, you need to explain things properly. Yuelu Academy is known as one of the Four Great Academies. If they have a bad impression of you, even if you enter official service later, it will hinder you.”

This was the first time either Cheng Lu or Zhou Shaojin had heard such a statement.

After a moment of silence, Zhou Shaojin heard Cheng Lu say bitterly, “No wonder someone wanted to send me to study at Yuelu Academy! So that was their plan all along.”

Cheng Zheng said earnestly, “After Uncle Bai passed away, you weren’t aware of certain things. Most scholars from Huguang Province come from Yuelu Academy, while scholars from Jiangxi Province cannot serve in the Ministry of Finance. If you only want to be a seventh-rank county magistrate, that’s fine. But if you want to be a provincial governor, every year’s tax revenue, river works, and military pay—which of these doesn’t require dealing with the Ministry of Finance? They won’t shortchange you or make things difficult for you—they’ll just drag things out by following regulations to the letter, and that alone will be enough to cause you endless trouble.”

Cheng Lu remained silent.

The sounds of gradually receding “creak” of breaking branches and “rustle” of robes rubbing together echoed through the forest.

Zhou Shaojin knew they had left and couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. After waiting a long while until those sounds could no longer be heard, she looked around. Seeing no one, she carefully emerged from behind the large locust tree.

Chun Wan’s face was pale.

Zhou Shaojin felt somewhat sympathetic toward her.

Anyone who heard such words would break out in a cold sweat, let alone Chun Wan who was only a maid!

She comforted Chun Wan, “Don’t be afraid. If worst comes to worst, you have me! But you must keep these words buried and rotting in your heart, otherwise even the greatest immortals couldn’t save you.”

Chun Wan nodded repeatedly.

The two felt heavy-hearted and returned to Hanbi Mountain House in silence.

Zhou Shaojin didn’t want to worry Old Madam Guo, so she pulled herself together and showed Old Madam Guo the flower patterns she had designed for Cheng Jia.

Old Madam Guo particularly liked the design for an indigo blue undergarment embroidered with peach-red Four Seasons Auspicious patterns. She smiled and said, “You should make one too. For a young girl like you, wearing such bright colors looks lovely.”

Zhou Shaojin’s face turned bright red. When she returned to Jade Pavilion, she couldn’t help but take off her outer garment and hold the fabric up against herself.

Her delicate, fair skin looked as pure and beautiful as fresh snow against the smooth indigo blue plain Hangzhou silk.

Her face grew even redder. She bit her lip, put on her clothes, and called Chun Wan in, telling her to put away that bolt of indigo blue plain Hangzhou silk. “I have another use for it.”

Chun Wan didn’t suspect anything and smiled as she stored the fabric in a trunk, asking, “Then what fabric does Second Young Miss plan to use for embroidering that undergarment with the Four Seasons Auspicious pattern?”

“Use lake green!” Zhou Shaojin said. “Embroider it with goose-yellow patterns—it will look just as beautiful.”

Chun Wan smiled and nodded without giving it much thought.

Xiao Tan came running in with a beaming smile, out of breath. “Second Young Miss, Fourth Master has returned!”

“Really?” Zhou Shaojin dropped the brush in her hand and ran out.

Cheng Chi had just entered Hanbi Mountain House, dusty from travel, when he saw Zhou Shaojin standing gracefully under the corridor of the flower hall, stretching her neck to look. When she saw him, her eyes lit up and she ran over.

Like a young swallow returning to the forest.

Cheng Chi’s smile became irrepressibly warm as spring breeze.

Zhou Shaojin stood before him with slightly labored breathing, her eyes bright as the summer sun, gazing at him intently. “Uncle Chi, when did you get back?”

Cheng Chi smiled gently and said softly, “Just now! I hadn’t even had time to wash up before you caught me at the door.”

He was teasing her.

Zhou Shaojin’s face immediately felt hot, then turned pale as she lowered her head.

Uncle Chi was not someone she could harbor such thoughts about.

Even thinking about it was disrespectful to Uncle Chi!

She quickly collected herself and smiled, “Then Uncle Chi should hurry back to your room to wash up! Old Madam must be waiting anxiously.”

But the smile was somewhat forced.

Cheng Chi couldn’t help but find it strange.

This little girl’s moods were like the weather in June. The little thing had been fine just moments ago—how had she suddenly become upset?

The household had been peaceful and tranquil these days, and she had been happy all along without suffering any grievances… Could it be because of Cheng Jia’s matter?

But hadn’t Cheng Jia’s matter been resolved smoothly?

Cheng Chi smiled thoughtfully. “Is there something you want to tell me?”

Zhou Shaojin’s heartbeat seemed to skip.

Had Uncle Chi noticed something?

Feeling guilty, her speech became stammering. “I, I don’t have anything to say to Uncle Chi…”

Cheng Chi reminded her, “Cheng Jia should be getting married soon, right?”

So Uncle Chi was referring to this matter!

Zhou Shaojin secretly breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. “I thought Uncle Chi didn’t know!”

Cheng Chi smiled slightly.

She was someone who couldn’t keep things hidden, at least not from him.

She probably wanted to wait until he had freshened up to find an opportunity to discuss this matter with him properly.

Cheng Chi then said, “After I pay my respects to Old Madam, let’s have dinner together!”

Zhou Shaojin’s heart leaped again as she said excitedly, “Then I’ll go help Biyu and the others prepare dinner.”

Cheng Chi nodded.

Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but watch him leave.

Cheng Chi felt a gaze as gentle as water clinging tightly to his back.

His heart tightened.

He repeatedly reviewed his behavior just now, and only after confirming multiple times that there was nothing unusual did he breathe a sigh of relief.

This little girl—did she even know what she was doing?

Cheng Chi smiled bitterly and returned to Listening-to-Orioles Pavilion to wash up.

Huai Shan brought in the gifts he had brought back and placed them on the bed table of the arhat couch.

Cheng Chi’s gaze fell on a small box wrapped in purple and gold carved silk.

This was the gift he had brought for Zhou Shaojin.

Thinking of Zhou Shaojin’s gaze just now, he hesitated for quite a while—a rare occurrence—before storing the box in a compartment of the treasure cabinet in his study. Only then did he go to the main room.

The main room was full of joy. His mother was standing in the hall with a beaming smile, watching Zhou Shaojin direct Biyu and the others in setting out bowls and chopsticks.

Cheng Chi was somewhat surprised.

Over these years, he had mostly traveled outside. Even when home, he either stayed at the Algae Garden or dined at Small Mountain Osmanthus Courtyard. On the rare occasions he came here, his mother would be happy but subdued, as if he had just eaten breakfast at Hanbi Mountain House and was now coming for dinner again. She would continue with whatever she was doing and had never shown such open emotion and enthusiasm as now.

Cheng Chi looked toward Zhou Shaojin.

He saw her chattering away as she instructed Biyu, “It’s so hot. Uncle Chi rushed back all this way—he must be exhausted. First serve a plate of assorted melons and fruits, then serve cold dishes. They’re both appetizing and cooling. Iced mung bean paste and lotus seed soup are good, but they’re cold foods after all. I’m worried that alternating between hot and cold might upset the stomach. You should also remind the kitchen staff. If people from Listening-to-Orioles Pavilion come asking for iced foods, explain things to them nicely and tell them to wait until tomorrow…”

Biyu nodded repeatedly.

Old Madam Guo had already seen Cheng Chi. She smiled and greeted her son, “You’re here!”

Cheng Chi quickly stepped forward to pay his respects.

Zhou Shaojin’s face turned slightly red.

Had Uncle Chi heard what she was just saying?

If he had, would he think she was meddling?

In her previous life, she had been weak and couldn’t tolerate this or that, developing many taboos. She couldn’t help applying them to Uncle Chi…

She quietly observed Cheng Chi’s expression.

She saw Cheng Chi greet Old Madam Guo with a composed expression. Only then did Zhou Shaojin’s anxious heart settle.

Cheng Chi felt quite troubled inside.

The little girl was taking such care of him—by all rights, he should thank her.

But he was afraid that if he continued to indulge her this way, she might unconsciously reveal her feelings for him, and everyone would know.

He wasn’t afraid for himself.

He was afraid that someone would enlighten the little girl and embarrass her.

Cheng Chi decided to pretend he hadn’t noticed. He helped Old Madam Guo to sit at the table and smiled, “How have you been these days? I heard that Cheng Jia and Li Jing are engaged. With this marriage connection, the Li family will probably enter official service. I just wonder what the old ancestor of the Second Branch will do when members of the Li family want to study at the Cheng clan school?”

If the Li family produced a scholar, the Third Branch would have support, and the current balance would be disrupted.

Old Madam Guo remained silent and glanced at Biyu.

Biyu and the others perceptively withdrew.

Zhou Shaojin had originally planned to withdraw as well, but thinking that if she left, who would serve the dishes, she stayed. However, she kept half her attention on Cheng Chi and Old Madam Guo, and half on the servants bringing dishes outside the door.

Old Madam Guo had obviously considered this issue before. She said solemnly, “Setting aside whether the Li family will come seeking education, even if they do, it will be at least ten years from now—after Miss Jia has borne a son and the Li family feels their relationship with the Cheng family is sufficiently close. We can’t suppress others just because they might rise to prominence, can we? In worldly matters, prevention is always inferior to guidance! If Jiashan doesn’t even have this much magnanimity and capability, how can he serve as the clan heir of Nine-As Lane? You allowed Li Jing to marry Miss Jia—weren’t you thinking the same thing?”

Zhou Shaojin took a bowl of cherry meat from a servant and placed it on the table, straining her ears to listen.

She then heard Cheng Chi’s clear laughter. “I didn’t think that much about it. I just felt that since Li Jing values Cheng Jia so highly, if Cheng Jia marries him, it will be much better than marrying others. As for support or assistance, if the family still needs to rely on these women and children to accomplish things, then the Cheng family won’t be far from falling apart.”