Cheng Chi was greatly annoyed upon hearing this.

Since he wanted to stand up for Shaojin, where was he when Shaojin was being suspected and questioned in the cave? Now that Cheng Xu had been diagnosed with taking something similar to Five Stone Powder, he jumped out saying he wanted to investigate who was right and wrong between the two—Cheng Xu’s mind was unclear, so even if he was at fault, it was an unintentional mistake!

Wouldn’t Shaojin’s grievances have been suffered for nothing then!

No wonder despite the First Branch secretly helping and supporting the Fourth Branch for so many years, the Fourth Branch was still only at this level. It seemed mainly because Cheng Mian’s brain didn’t work very well!

For the first time, Cheng Chi felt that his identity as “uncle” was extremely inconvenient!

But he was already too lazy to say much more to Cheng Mian.

Cheng Lu had persuaded his mother Dong Shi to feign illness and sell off family property wanting to curry favor with the Education Commissioner but had no way to seek help—he was at his wit’s end. When Cheng Gao got married, he not only attended Cheng Gao’s wedding but also attended the recognition banquet for Cheng Gao and his wife. He knew then that something would definitely happen, so he had Huai Shan watch Cheng Xu while he himself never let Cheng Lu leave his sight. When he heard that Cheng Shi and Cheng Zheng and the others were drinking with Cheng Xu, he was already quite certain that the matter Shaojin had mentioned would happen.

He thought that if Shaojin saw through those schemes, she would mostly avoid them; if she hadn’t seen through them, with Huai Shan following Cheng Xu, they wouldn’t let Shaojin suffer the pain of her previous life again, and moreover would take the opportunity to speak plainly and make Cheng Xu give up hope.

But unexpectedly, although Shaojin had seen through those schemes, she didn’t avoid them but quietly called Ji Ying over and gave Cheng Xu a beating.

Seeing such a strong Shaojin, his heart inexplicably surged with a feeling of shared pride!

Especially when she refuted Madam Yuan, that faint pride revealed in her expression made her entire being brighten up.

Such a Shaojin had a different kind of beauty!

He didn’t want any matter that could invite criticism to be connected with her.

Cheng Chi immediately made a decision.

First, let Shaojin leave this place of trouble.

As for future matters, they could wait until Cheng Xu woke up.

Moreover, looking at Cheng Xu’s appearance, he could tell at a glance that he had taken a hallucinogenic drug. This also cleared up his doubts—no matter how confused Cheng Xu was, he couldn’t possibly do something immoral after drinking. There must be hidden circumstances in this.

But he was afraid of making the little girl sad, so he simply didn’t ask.

That’s why he had followed slowly behind everyone, wanting to know what exactly happened.

From the looks of it now, this matter had probably been planned for a long time, with many people involved.

Cheng Chi’s gaze gradually grew colder.

Since everyone hadn’t taken the little girl seriously, then let him back her up.

Not only would he make a scene of this matter as they wished, but he would make it big—big enough that those who looked down on the little girl would all be unable to save face!

Thinking this, the expression on Cheng Chi’s face appeared increasingly refined as he said: “Cousin Cheng Mian’s words reminded me. However, we don’t actually know what happened. But I can promise you this: if this matter is Jiashan’s fault, our First Branch will absolutely not shield him. As for Master Zhou, I will personally go to his door to apologize and won’t let the second young lady of the Zhou family be wronged.”

But what if this matter was Shaojin’s fault?

Cheng Mian suddenly realized.

Cheng Xu had been diagnosed with taking something similar to Five Stone Powder and then beaten into this state. Even if there had been any improper behavior before, could Zhou Zhen still pursue it?

He regretted deeply and wanted to remedy what he had just said, but Cheng Chi had already changed the subject, saying to everyone: “Cousin Cheng Mian’s words reminded me. Since we all think Jiashan mistakenly ingested something similar to Five Stone Powder, outsiders might not know or believe this. I think this matter can’t be dealt with so hastily—it should be properly investigated!”

Cheng Lu loudly praised this as “good,” saying: “It should have been done this way long ago! If we let this go because of concerns about reputation, those evildoers will only think what they did won’t be discovered. Tolerating evil breeds disaster. Better to investigate the matter thoroughly. Who hasn’t had moments of youthful ignorance? If there are mistakes, just correct them!”

In his view, it was probably that Cheng Xu listened to someone’s instigation, secretly took that kind of drug, then accidentally encountered Zhou Shaojin… The reason Cheng Chi had remained silent all along was fear that others would know Cheng Xu had taken that kind of drug.

After speaking, he asked Cheng Yi: “Cousin Cheng Yi, what do you think?”

Cheng Yi was so angry his mouth nearly twisted.

This bookworm never spoke sensibly.

Still saying “good”!

If they continued investigating this matter, your son used your daughter’s maid to lure Zhou Shaojin to the cave. Did you think the Third Branch could wash their hands clean!

Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but wonder: Could it be that Cheng Lu didn’t know what happened at all?

This was getting interesting!

Investigate away then!

He had already made arrangements regarding the drugging—no one would discover it.

But the matter of Cheng Zheng leading people to the cave would be found out for sure with one investigation.

This would be a good lesson for Cheng Zheng.

Trying to roast his son over the fire while escaping himself—no way!

Cheng Yi’s heart blossomed with joy, though his expression appeared very solemn as he said: “I think Cousin Cheng Mian’s words make a lot of sense. Let’s investigate it properly then! This will clear Jiashan’s name too. I’ve always felt Jiashan couldn’t possibly do anything against proper conduct. Others may not know, but Youyi and Jiashan lived in Xinglin Alley for nearly two years—don’t I know him!”

Seeing everyone agree, Cheng Wen felt that if he alone disagreed, not only could he not change the result but it might even make Cheng Chi suspicious. Before Cheng Chi could make any move, he hastily said: “I also think we should investigate it properly.”

In his heart, however, he began planning to find an opportunity to have his personal servant go back and quickly throw all his hidden hallucinogenic drugs into the lake to destroy the evidence.

Cheng Zheng was furious beyond measure.

He had never seen anyone more capable of ruining things than his father.

With this investigation continuing, even if he could explain why he had instructed Cui Huan to walk down that path, it would still make the First Branch suspicious. To eliminate that suspicion, he didn’t know how many years of effort it would take!

Just thinking about it made Cheng Zheng feel exhausted.

Better to discuss with Mother and find a way to get Father to stay elsewhere for a few years.

Continuing like this, he truly couldn’t take it.

Cheng Zheng glanced at Cheng Lu.

That fellow had it good, keeping himself completely clean.

He glanced again at Cheng Shi.

Cheng Shi’s expression was normal, feeling his father’s plan wasn’t bad.

The Third Branch did need to be taught a lesson, otherwise they would continue to hold the Second Branch back in the future.

However, should he drag Cheng Lu down with them too?

Originally he had thought the opportunity was rare, so he pretended not to know Cheng Lu’s intentions.

But after using him as a weapon, he wanted to watch from the sidelines? Where in this world were such convenient arrangements!

Cheng Shi was pondering how to speak up in a way that wouldn’t implicate himself while pulling Cheng Lu in, when Cheng Chi suddenly called his courtesy name: “Youyi, earlier Nuo’s wife’s screaming not only alarmed us, but the household servants’ hearts are probably still hanging in suspense. Since Jiashan has been confirmed to have mistakenly ingested hallucinogenic drugs, the household servants will need to be reassured, lest everyone gossip and think something happened to Nuo’s wife. You’re the eldest brother in the household and have trained outside for some time. I’ll leave this matter to you.”

Making him clean up Cheng Jiashan’s mess!

Cheng Shi couldn’t conceal his astonished expression.

Why would Uncle Cheng Chi entrust this matter to him?

Had he seen through something? Or was he testing him? Or was he overthinking it, and Uncle Cheng Chi simply chose him because he was the eldest among the cousins to do this…

He too was part of Jiuru Lane, with separate branch quarters within the inner compound. But once they went outside, others only regarded them as one family. He had no intention of making things known to everyone, which is why when plotting against Cheng Xu, he chose the time after the wedding banquet guests had left, during the recognition banquet. Moreover, he only wanted Cheng Xu to say some improper words or make some improper gestures toward Zhou Shaojin in his confused state, to frighten Zhou Shaojin. When they arrived, Zhou Shaojin would either accuse Cheng Xu or quietly shed tears. He hadn’t expected the situation to develop completely beyond his imagination.

Zhou Shaojin hadn’t been frightened, but Cheng Xu had been beaten up.

Then Zhou Shaojin returned to Hanbi Mountain Lodge looking completely unbothered, and even tidied up the alcove bed for Cheng Xu.

If he hadn’t received accurate information that the Cheng and Min families were about to exchange betrothal gifts, he would have thought Cheng Xu’s marriage alliance was with Zhou Shaojin… Wait, after beating Cheng Xu, Zhou Shaojin was still so composed, and especially why was Uncle Cheng Chi’s personal maid standing beside her… Could this all have been arranged by Uncle Cheng Chi?

But why would Uncle Cheng Chi do this?

This matter showed his lack of thorough consideration. He should have had Grandmother come over, so they could probe Zhou Shaojin’s attitude.

Now that Zhou Shaojin had returned to Hanbi Mountain Lodge, wouldn’t Old Madam Guo and Madam Yuan just have her say whatever they told her to say?

Cheng Shi didn’t have time to think carefully about these matters.

It seemed he could only take things one step at a time!

He could only respond with “Yes.”

Cheng Chi nodded with satisfaction and instructed Cheng Zheng: “You’re the second cousin, and people in Jinling City all praise you as mature beyond your years, mild and proper. You must be someone who acts with considerable method. Where did the hallucinogenic drug in the wine come from? I’ll leave this matter to you to investigate!”

Cheng Zheng responded “Yes,” but his heart was in tumultuous waves.

Making him investigate Cheng Shi!

Was Uncle Cheng Chi doing this intentionally or unintentionally?

What if he couldn’t find anything?

Would Uncle Cheng Chi think he had framed Cheng Xu?

Thinking of Cheng Shi’s ready agreement just now, Cheng Zheng didn’t dare refuse.

Cheng Shi’s face, which showed none of his seven emotions and six desires, cracked somewhat in that moment.

What kind of situation was this?

The two didn’t even dare exchange glances and lowered their heads.

Next, Cheng Chi said to Cheng Wen: “As for Nuo’s wife, I can only trouble Cousin Cheng Wen. There are some questions I’m not appropriate to ask. Have her come to Hanbi Mountain Lodge later—I have things to ask her.”

Cheng Wen was only too happy about this.

This way he could take the opportunity to have his personal servant dispose of that hallucinogenic drug.

Seeing Cheng Wen agree, Cheng Chi called to a maid who came to serve tea: “Call over Da Su and Huanxi who serve the Young Master.”

The maid acknowledged and left.

Zhou Shaojin and Ji Ying were sitting in the tea room drinking tea.

When Biyu told her that Cheng Xu had taken something similar to Five Stone Powder, she couldn’t recover her senses for quite a while.

If things were truly like this, wouldn’t the knot in her heart all these years be laughable!

But in her heart, she felt Biyu hadn’t deceived her, and Doctor Zhou hadn’t misdiagnosed.

She silently took a sip of tea.

Ji Ying chattered on: “Shaojin, I didn’t expect he’d been drugged. Tell me, did I hit too hard? I wonder if Fourth Master will come settle accounts later. Shaojin, I’ll sleep in Fucui tonight. If Fourth Master asks, just say you were scared and pulled me over to keep you company!”