The next day, Cheng Chi came to visit Li Shi.

Li Shi was very surprised. After seeing Cheng Chi off, she said to the Zhou Shaojin sisters: “I really didn’t expect to encounter Fourth Master Cheng here. He’s also going to the capital. We can travel together. He regularly travels between the capital and Jinling, so we’ll have someone to look out for us on the road.”

Zhou Chujin only had a shallow impression of this Uncle Chi, so naturally it didn’t matter much to her either way.

But Zhou Shaojin was secretly delighted in her heart. That evening, she had Nanny Shang go inquire about Xiao Zhenhai’s situation: “Has he really stopped opposing Uncle Chi?”

Nanny Shang had been present during yesterday’s events. She thought that since Fourth Master said he would tell Second Miss about the Seven Stars Hall matters when he had time, there was no need to hide certain things from Second Miss anymore.

She smiled and said: “The entire Xiao family has surrendered, only he escaped with a few Xiao family elders. Fourth Master’s temperament is known throughout the entire martial world—if you have backbone, then stand firm to the end, and if you die, Fourth Master will naturally erect a memorial tablet and build a tomb for you. But if you switch sides halfway through and then betray those who took you in, there won’t be any good ending.”

Zhou Shaojin asked curiously: “What does ‘no good ending’ mean?”

Naturally Nanny Shang wouldn’t tell her the truth.

If she told the truth, this girl who grew up in the inner chambers would probably be frightened and avoid Fourth Master from then on.

She smiled and said: “It just means giving them a good punishment, making an example of them to warn others, that sort of thing.”

Zhou Shaojin nodded, indicating she understood.

Nanny Shang continued smiling: “So Xiao Zhenhai shouldn’t try any tricks. You must know, martial world people care most about face—without face, how can you continue mixing in the martial world?”

Moreover, with the entire Xiao family vouching for him, he wouldn’t dare betray Fourth Master.

Zhou Shaojin was still somewhat worried and hesitantly asked: “No one will make things difficult for Uncle Chi in the future, right?”

Nanny Shang smiled: “Fourth Master has long been preparing to retire. Otherwise, why would he have intermittently sent away all the people serving by his side these past few years? Do you still remember Minghe? Her martial skills were also excellent—she grew up in the Qin family since childhood, learned the Qin family’s internal school boxing, and was married off to Seventh Master Shen by Fourth Master years ago. Otherwise, how would Fourth Master have no people at his side? Fourth Master only started dealing with these northern martial world families in the past two years—we always used to operate in the south.” As she spoke, she looked puzzled and said, “I also don’t know why Fourth Master would suddenly change his mind. Before, he was even selecting where to go into seclusion.”

Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but shrink her shoulders.

If it weren’t for her saying that the Cheng family would be raided, Uncle Chi would probably have already been living a carefree life like in her previous life. But now, because of one sentence from her, he had to deal with fierce people like Xiao Zhenhai… She felt both anxious and happy. Anxious that Cheng Chi had made such a big change and sacrifice because of one sentence from her, and happy that Cheng Chi trusted her so much.

She stopped asking about Cheng Chi’s affairs. Along the way, she chattered with her sister, played with Zhou Youjin, and felt they arrived in the capital very quickly.

Because the Liao family’s residence and the Cheng family’s residence were both in the western part of the city, they entered through Xizhimen Gate.

A steward had gone ahead to report the news.

Liao Shaotang was waiting for them at a teahouse not far from Xizhimen Gate.

Seeing Cheng Chi traveling with them, he hurriedly came forward to pay respects, calling him “Uncle.”

Cheng Chi merely nodded at Liao Shaotang and said: “My residence is in Elm Money Alley, not far from you. If you have any difficulties, you can come find me!”

Liao Shaotang respectfully acknowledged with “Yes.”

Cheng Chi then parted ways with Zhou Shaojin and the others at Xizhimen Gate and entered the city first.

Inside the carriage, Zhou Shaojin quietly watched Cheng Chi leave. Only then did her gaze turn to the white marble water-pattern stone carving in the urn city.

She had really arrived in the capital!

Arrived at the capital where she had lived for nearly ten years!

She wanted to visit Dazhao Temple, go to Daxing, see the courtyard she had rented back then…

Zhou Shaojin lowered the curtain. Her eyes felt somewhat moist.

In her previous life, she had suffered so much. But in this life, she had met Uncle Chi, and things were so sweet.

Disregarding Liao Shaotang’s objections, Zhou Shaojin squeezed into the carriage with Li Shi and Zhou Youjin, so that her sister and brother-in-law could speak intimately.

The residence that Grand Madam Liao had bought for Liao Shaotang and Zhou Chujin was located in Elm Tree Alley—a two-courtyard residence with a dozen rooms. It was fine for Zhou Chujin and her husband to live in, but now with Li Shi and Zhou Shaojin added, it seemed a bit small. Fortunately, there were only five or six proper masters, and the servants could squeeze together, so the small residence actually seemed quite lively.

Li Shi and Zhou Youjin were settled in the eastern wing room.

Zhou Shaojin was settled in the back screen room.

The person who led them to the wing rooms was a medium-built, plump and fair capital woman, neat and tidy in appearance. Her husband’s family name was Yang. Her son Yang Xiaojiu served as a page to Liao Shaotang, her husband Yang Sanlang served as Liao Shaotang’s coachman, and she was responsible for guarding the second gate and running errands for the inner residence.

She spoke with a pure capital accent. Within less than a quarter hour of meeting them, she had poured out her entire background like beans from a bamboo tube, and smiled at Zhou Shaojin: “Second Miss has just arrived. If there’s anything you don’t know, you can ask me—I’m a native born and raised capital person.” She was extremely warm and welcoming.

Zhou Shaojin smiled and nodded without saying much, looking around at where she would be living.

Blue stone floor tiles, with underfloor heating. Worried she wouldn’t be accustomed to it, across from the large heated platform by the window, they had also placed a small lacquered inlaid bed, delicate and adorable.

Brother-in-law was still like in her previous life—considerate and thoughtful, thinking of everything thoroughly.

She had Fan Liushi give Mama Yang a reward, had Chun Wan tidy up the room, and lay down on the heated platform to rest for a while.

Who knew that just as she was drifting between sleep and wakefulness, Zhou Chujin came over with her large pregnant belly.

Zhou Shaojin hurriedly went forward to help her sister sit down on the heated platform, playfully scolding: “Sister, if you have something, just call me over. Why did you come yourself?”

Zhou Chujin’s expression was somewhat serious. Zhou Shaojin’s heart began to pound. Not only that, Zhou Chujin sent away those serving in the room and said to Zhou Shaojin: “Sit down. I have something to tell you!”

Could it be that the post station matter had been exposed?

Zhou Shaojin sat down beside her sister somewhat uneasily.

Zhou Chujin whispered in her ear: “Your brother-in-law just told me that Cheng Lu had his scholar degree revoked by the provincial education commissioner for misconduct and will never be hired again. He also sold off all his family property to bribe the education commissioner’s brother-in-law, and now doesn’t even have a place to live. He abandoned his old mother in a nunnery and ran off without a trace. The Cheng family may expel him from the family…”

Zhou Shaojin was greatly shocked and couldn’t hide her astonishment. She asked urgently: “Sister, what exactly happened? How could Cheng Lu… abandon his mother in a nunnery and run away himself? Wasn’t he the most filial to his mother? And bribing the education commissioner’s brother-in-law—what’s that about? If he bribed them, why was his degree still revoked?”

“Keep your voice down!” Zhou Chujin hurriedly looked around, and after confirming again that no one was there, whispered: “They say Cheng Lu knew someone wanted to revoke his scholar degree, so he had Dong Shi pretend to be ill and requested leave from Yuelu Academy to return to Jinling. After several attempts to make connections failed, he wanted to remove the threat at its source. He found a way to get acquainted with the education commissioner’s brother-in-law, planning to bribe the education commissioner through his brother-in-law. Who knew that brother-in-law was a bottomless pit—he had to sell off family property again and again.

“Until he had sold off all the family property and could no longer produce any silver, the education commissioner’s brother-in-law finally relented and agreed to help him. Unexpectedly, he still had his degree revoked in the end.

“Cheng Lu refused to accept this and went to demand an explanation from the education commissioner. Who knew that upon hearing this, the education commissioner flew into a rage, saying he had no brother-in-law at all, and that if Cheng Lu wanted to ruin his reputation, he should at least find a reliable excuse. Then he had him thrown out, added ‘misconduct’ to the reasons for Cheng Lu’s dismissal, and reported it to the Ministry of Rites, permanently barring Cheng Lu from service.

“He was dumbfounded on the spot. He stumbled out of the Provincial Administration Commissioner’s Office and inquired around. That education commissioner really had no brother-in-law.

“Cheng Lu wouldn’t give up and finally managed to investigate clearly. Where was there any education commissioner’s brother-in-law? He had been deceived!

“When the Cheng family heard about this, they wanted to expel him from the family.

“When he heard this, he fled overnight.

“Dong Shi searched for him for several days without finding him, but instead people came to reclaim the property.

“It turned out Cheng Lu had secretly mortgaged even the house to others behind Dong Shi’s back. Before, people were reluctant to press too hard out of consideration for Nine Graces Alley. Now that Nine Graces Alley wanted to expel Cheng Lu, naturally those people had no more qualms.

“Dong Shi had no choice and went begging to Grandmother.

“With the contract in black and white, unless Grandmother came up with silver to help her redeem the house, what else could be done?

“Dong Shi wailed and made a scene, wanting Grandmother to take her in.

“Grandmother pushed her onto the fifth branch.

“Ever since Fifth Aunt transferred property under her name to the fourth branch, she’s been brooding over it. How could she be satisfied without taking the opportunity to step on Dong Shi a few times?

“Not only did Fifth Aunt not take her in, she actually sent Dong Shi to a nunnery.

“You must know, nunneries don’t take people in for free either.

“Now Dong Shi has to get up before dawn every day, then clean the nunnery together with other lay Buddhists. She’s accustomed to being the household mistress—how could she be as quick and nimble as those who are used to doing this work? She always has to wait until everyone else has finished their noon meal before she can eat. The nunnery also has the custom of not eating after noon, so she’s often so hungry she gets up in the middle of the night to drink cold water. In just a few days, Dong Shi has become haggard beyond recognition… Now people all over Jinling are gossiping about Cheng Lu’s unfilial behavior!”

“Truly, evil people have their own tormentors!” Zhou Shaojin clasped her hands together and said excitedly, “This is also Cheng Lu’s retribution!”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chujin hesitated for a moment, then lowered her voice: “Shaojin, do you think this could be Uncle Chi’s handiwork?”

Zhou Shaojin was stunned.

Zhou Chujin said carefully: “Look, Cheng Lu isn’t such a careless person. I heard that before he bribed the education commissioner’s brother-in-law, he had even spoken with the education commissioner a few times, and when people from the Provincial Administration Commissioner’s Office met the education commissioner’s brother-in-law, they all nodded and exchanged pleasantries with him. Otherwise, Cheng Lu wouldn’t have been deceived! I always feel this matter is too coincidental and not that simple.”

Zhou Shaojin unconsciously asked: “What does brother-in-law say?”

Zhou Chujin glared at her: “How could I discuss such matters with your brother-in-law? He just felt it was a pity about Cheng Lu, that he would do such things without raising any suspicion, and since he’s a member of the Cheng family, he told me about it.”

Zhou Shaojin smiled sheepishly.

She was still like in her previous life—whenever something happened, she would look to see what Liao Shaotang’s opinion was.

But she had forgotten that this life was already completely different from her previous life.

She sought Zhou Chujin’s opinion: “Should I go ask Uncle Chi?”