Cheng Yi laughed coldly upon hearing this.

The Third Branch had always been fence-sitters. First they told them the news about Cheng Xu’s impending marriage to the legitimate eldest daughter of the Min family, then hinted that Cheng Xu liked Zhou Shaojin, and then led people to the cave… They took the risk of putting a hallucinogenic drug in Cheng Xu’s wine, wanting to make Cheng Xu take liberties with Zhou Shaojin while his mind was unclear, then they would catch them in the act and force the First Branch to give up the position of clan heir. Even if they couldn’t get the position of clan heir, they would at least have something on Cheng Xu to use for future purposes. Who would have thought that when the Third Branch saw things going wrong, they would wash their hands clean of the whole affair and stand here righteously pleasing both sides. Could it be that after doing business for so long, they only valued profit over family affection?

How hypocritical!

But who exactly beat Cheng Xu into this state?

Cheng Yi suspected it was that maid called Ji Ying who served Cheng Chi.

Hadn’t she injured Cheng Yi of the Fourth Branch before?

But why would Cheng Chi do this?

This made no sense at all.

If anything happened to Cheng Xu, the First Branch would be the most disgraced.

Moreover, even if Cheng Xu lost his position as clan heir, Cheng Chi was the youngest of the “Shui” generation – no matter what, it wouldn’t be his turn to become clan heir. This would bring him a hundred harms without a single benefit, and he was an extremely intelligent person…

Cheng Yi couldn’t figure it out.

But he disliked even more his former ally’s naked betrayal.

He opened his mouth to refute.

Someone tugged hard at his sleeve.

He looked in that direction and saw his son Cheng Shi constantly giving him meaningful glances, signaling him not to say anything.

How could this be acceptable!

If they missed this opportunity, there wouldn’t be another!

No matter what, they had to make Zhou Shaojin accuse Cheng Xu of impropriety toward her!

Cheng Shi hadn’t expected his father to lose control this time and actually expose all of the Second Branch’s intentions before everyone.

No wonder Great-Grandfather told him that for some matters, if he could speak plainly to Father he should, but if he couldn’t, he shouldn’t mention them at all.

Father had been in Jinling City for so long, accustomed to being flattered by those people in Jinling, that inevitably he had become somewhat arrogant when dealing with matters.

But in this room, except for Cheng Wen’s father and that branch family member Cheng Ju, who among them were easy to deal with!

If they pushed Zhou Shaojin too far and Zhou Zhen stepped forward, they would only be able to shamelessly apologize to Zhou Zhen.

That would be a huge loss of face!

Seeing that his father Cheng Yi hadn’t realized the seriousness of the situation at all and still wanted to argue with Cheng Lu, Cheng Shi could only steel himself and step forward, saying: “Father, right now Jiashan’s health is what matters. Whatever it is, let’s talk about it after the doctor arrives.” As he spoke, he tugged hard at his sleeve again.

For a moment, Cheng Yi still hadn’t realized that his words just now had been somewhat excessive, but Great-Grandfather had repeatedly instructed him to discuss matters with his son. He thought about it and finally swallowed the words he was about to say.

Cheng Mian breathed a sigh of relief.

If the Second Branch and First Branch really started fighting, it would be their Fourth and Fifth Branches who suffered – standing on either side wouldn’t be good.

He quickly scolded Cheng Gao and Cheng Yi, who had been standing silently beside him: “What are you two standing there stupidly for? Go see if the doctor has arrived yet! Then have someone quietly bring over a sedan chair to carry your cousin to Hanbi Mountain Lodge.”

Cheng Gao and Cheng Yi were both holding back their anger!

Clearly it was Cheng Xu who failed at taking liberties with Shaojin and got beaten up by Shaojin, so how did it become Shaojin’s fault when it came out of Madam Yuan’s mouth?

Fortunately, Uncle Cheng Chi and Old Madam Guo hadn’t said anything. Otherwise, even with elders present, they would have risked the accusation of being “unfilial” to say a few words.

Hearing their father’s instructions, although the two were reluctant, they still went their separate ways – one to urge the doctor, one to direct servants to bring the sedan chair.

Seeing this, Cheng Wen laughed a few times, feeling it was time for him to step forward and say something. He said: “Cousin Cheng Chi, don’t be unhappy. What kind of person is Jiashan – don’t we all know? If you say he did something immoral, I wouldn’t believe it even if you killed me. As for the Zhou family niece, we all watched her grow up too – she’s also a sensible and proper good child. There must be some misunderstanding here! Yes, a misunderstanding, definitely a misunderstanding! Once Jiashan wakes up and explains clearly, it’ll be fine.”

Another fence-sitter!

Cheng Yi’s eyes turned red with anger.

Cheng Chi glanced at him, then at Cheng Lu, his expression growing even colder as he said: “Since everyone thinks it’s a misunderstanding – how Jiashan became drunk to the point of unconsciousness and ended up sitting alone in the cave, and how the Zhou family niece just happened to run into Jiashan… I won’t dig three feet down to investigate. Everyone disperse! Crowding in this cave isn’t good for Jiashan’s condition either!”

What did these words mean?

Cheng Lu frowned.

But Cheng Yi, Cheng Shi, and Cheng Zheng felt their hearts skip a beat!

Was Cheng Chi threatening them?

Did he know what happened?

Cheng Shi and Cheng Zheng carefully thought through every action Cheng Chi had taken from when Wu Baozhang screamed to when they led everyone to the cave.

There didn’t seem to be anything unusual… or perhaps they were being too sensitive!

The two maintained their silence in tacit agreement.

When Cheng Wen thought about the thousand taels of silver he had promised his mistress and was still hoping Cheng Chi would show him a way forward, he immediately fawned: “Yes, yes! Cousin Cheng Chi is right. Since Cousin Cheng Yi says it’s impossible for outsiders to have come in, then it must be someone from the household. Everyone in this household has their place – who could run away? Once Jiashan wakes up and we know what actually happened, won’t we know everything! Let’s all disperse, disperse!” As he spoke, he pushed his son Cheng Nuo and said, “Why aren’t you taking your wife back? A woman who doesn’t stay properly at home but runs around the compound doing what?”

Wu Baozhang’s heart jumped when she heard this.

This matter was ending just like that?

After spending so much effort and using so many schemes, Zhou Shaojin hadn’t lost even a single hair and it was just ending like this!

She bit her lip and quickly glanced at Cheng Lu, full of unwillingness.

Cheng Lu kept his head lowered, his eyes and brows full of coldness.

Cheng Xu was truly fortunate to have escaped the schemes of the Second and Third Branches. However, after such an incident, Zhou Shaojin definitely couldn’t stay in Jiuru Lane anymore. The Second and Third Branches would naturally be jumping with rage, but for him, he had achieved his goal. As for Cheng Xu, it was easy to dodge an open spear but hard to guard against a hidden arrow. Even if he could escape this time, he might not be able to escape the next time.

Let’s just wait and see!

He clenched his fist.

Cheng Nuo was already pushing Wu Baozhang outside.

Although he wasn’t very bright, his parents’ constant quarreling over the years had given him an instinctive alertness.

This time he felt something big was going to happen.

Staying here was too unsafe!

Moreover, he needed to go back and properly question his wife – everyone was staying properly in their own rooms waiting for Cheng Gao and the new bride to come pay respects, so how did she end up running to such a remote place?

Cheng Ju had originally wanted to watch the excitement. Seeing Zhou Shaojin leave and with no beauty to look at, and the elders’ expressions being too serious, he too felt uneasy. He simply quietly followed Cheng Nuo out.

Cheng Wen also wanted to leave, but Cheng Yi brought servants carrying a sedan chair.

As an uncle, he should at least show some concern for his nephew whose condition was unclear, shouldn’t he?

What’s more, Cheng Chi was still standing there!

He pinched his nose and went to Hanbi Mountain Lodge.

Old Madam Guo’s inner chamber was inconvenient for Cheng Yi and the others to enter, so they all sat down in the reception hall with Cheng Chi.

Before long, Cheng Gao and a steward accompanied Doctor Zhou, who came in panting from his hurried run.

Cheng Yi and the others all stood up.

But Cheng Chi sat steady as a mountain.

Cheng Yi and the others sat back down awkwardly.

Doctor Zhou hastily performed a brief bow to everyone, then followed Biyu into Old Madam Guo’s inner chamber.

After about the time it takes to burn two incense sticks, Biyu came out to relay the message: “Doctor Zhou says he mistakenly ingested something similar to Five Stone Powder. Once the drug’s effects pass, he’ll be fine. He has now prescribed two doses of calming medicine and will come for a follow-up examination tomorrow.”

Cheng Lu said in surprise: “Such things still exist nowadays? I’ve only seen them mentioned in books.”

Only then did Cheng Zheng glance at Cheng Shi.

But he saw Cheng Yi looking toward his own son.

Cheng Zheng’s mood suddenly became somewhat complicated.

When Cheng Shi did things, he at least had a father who could help support him. What about himself? If his father didn’t hold him back, he’d already have to thank Buddha!

Thinking of this, his heart chilled again.

Cheng Shi had actually been able to obtain such a thing.

He had thought Cheng Shi had merely gotten Cheng Xu drunk.

Doctor Zhou being able to diagnose such things was quite impressive.

Right now, Uncle Cheng Yi and Cousin Cheng Shi must be feeling very anxious! Uncle Cheng Chi’s questions to everyone earlier had clearly been pointed! Good thing he hadn’t tried to steal the spotlight. If the First Branch started holding grudges against him, where would he have any way to survive!

Cheng Wen knew about this substance.

It was occasionally used for stimulation in pleasure houses.

Although the names varied, the substance was the same.

No wonder Cheng Xu had been mentally unclear just now.

He said dismissively: “I think there’s no need to ask anything more! It must be that Jiashan mistakenly ingested that thing, so he was in a daze and didn’t know what he was doing. Once he wakes up and explains clearly, it’ll be fine. The young people’s affairs – let’s not get involved!” He looked like he wanted to drop the matter and have everyone quickly disperse. After all, he still had a package of that stuff hidden in his room. If this drug turned out to be something stolen from his room and was investigated, even jumping into the Yellow River wouldn’t wash him clean.

Blue veins bulged on Cheng Yi’s forehead.

Cheng Wen, this waste, never did anything properly.

If they didn’t clear this matter up now, once they left, Cheng Xu would be completely blameless!

He really wanted to scold Cheng Wen, but thinking that the drug might have been administered by his son Cheng Shi, thinking of Cheng Jing who was far away in the capital likely holding a position among the Nine Ministers, he suddenly lost that courage… He forced a smile and said: “As long as Jiashan is fine! Fine is good! Then we’ll head back first.”

But Cheng Mian couldn’t let this matter be glossed over just like that.

He had heard Cheng Xu’s call of “Shaojin” very clearly.

If the two were just ordinary cousins, even if Cheng Xu liked Zhou Shaojin, he should have called her “cousin,” so how could he call Zhou Shaojin by her personal name?

Seeing everyone acting like they wanted to make peace, he suddenly stood up, cupped his hands toward Cheng Chi, and said: “Cousin Cheng Chi, how did Jiashan come to take such a thing? And how did he end up alone in the cave? Please investigate this matter thoroughly. Brother-in-law Zhou entrusted the children to us, so we must give Brother-in-law Zhou an explanation.”

He was quite certain that Zhou Shaojin couldn’t possibly have beaten Cheng Xu into that state, so he spoke with particular righteousness and confidence.