Zhou Shaojin nodded obediently and walked toward the door, still feeling rather dejected inside.

When she was nearly at the doorway, she remembered there was still one matter she hadn’t asked about. She turned back around and said somewhat cautiously, “Uncle Chi, about that ship from the Thirteen Hongs—is everything all right?”

Two hundred thousand taels… how much silver was that?

She remembered that in her previous life, Duke Dingguo had been ordered to lead a distant expedition to Goryeo. It lasted three years, with military provisions totaling one hundred thousand taels.

In other words, the silver Uncle Chi had lost could fund two expeditions to Goryeo.

Even if the Cheng family wouldn’t be completely ruined, they would surely suffer a severe blow.

That was secondary.

What she worried about most was that the ancestor of the second branch, Cheng Xu, would jump out to make things difficult for Uncle Chi, and might even seize control of the Yutai Bank.

In her previous life, Cheng Jia had once mentioned that her older brother Cheng Shi was extremely envious of Yutai Bank.

It was just that at the time, she hadn’t taken it to heart.

In this life, how could she stand by and watch Uncle Chi fall into trouble?

Seeing her bring up this matter again, Cheng Chi surmised she must have heard some gossip. Afraid she would worry and be frightened, he simply explained to her in detail: “The Thirteen Hongs sent out a fleet of ships to sea. Right now, only one ship has had an incident. Although it will affect profits, as long as they can return safely, there will still be gains. Right now, all sorts of things are being said outside. Some are worries from merchants who invested, but some might also be rumors spread by the Thirteen Hongs’ competitors, specifically to undermine those who invested in the Thirteen Hongs fleet—this voyage is the largest of any dynasty in history. If something goes wrong, the Thirteen Hongs could lose their dominant position in southern trade. But similarly, if it succeeds, the Thirteen Hongs will rise to an even higher level and influence northern trade. That would encroach on many interests.”

Zhou Shaojin understood.

She didn’t care whether the Thirteen Hongs could become industry leaders. She only worried about whether Uncle Chi’s money could be recovered.

The reason maritime trade was so profitable was precisely because of its high risks, which kept people from getting involved.

Right now, only one ship had capsized. But what if another ship capsized?

As the thought flashed through her mind, she mentally spat at herself and silently recited several times “bad omens don’t work, good omens do.” Only then did she say, “Uncle Chi, can we return part of what was bought today? It’s too much. There are many things we won’t use. Like those bowls and dishes—I noticed there are twelve sets. We’re only living here temporarily and won’t be entertaining guests. What do we need so many sets of bowls and dishes for? Even if we did entertain guests, we wouldn’t host the same group of guests twelve times in a row! I think two or three sets would be enough. At most, we’ll only entertain once when Grand Madam Liao comes. And then those decorative vases—I saw there are both Snow Scene and Plum Blossoms Braving Cold patterns. I think we only need to keep one pair. Next year when there are new designs, it won’t be too late to buy more…”

Household decorations were supposed to be changed according to the four seasons. Snow Scene and Plum Blossoms Braving Cold were both for winter use. Particular households would display Plum Blossoms Braving Cold during the coldest days and switch to Snow Scene when it snowed. But if they didn’t change them, it wouldn’t be considered rude—it would still be acceptable.

Putting Zhou Shaojin’s words together, Cheng Chi understood.

The little girl was indirectly helping him save money?

If something really did go wrong for him, how much could be saved from returning a few sets of bowls and dishes and a few decorative vases? But the little girl’s thoughtfulness made him happy.

Cheng Chi thought for a moment and said, “You should keep them for me for now. I’ve given the Elm Money Alley residence to you, so it’s yours. Including the things in the house. I’m also planning to send over some calligraphy and paintings in a few days—all authentic works by masters from previous dynasties. You must keep them safe too…”

What was Uncle Chi planning?

Zhou Shaojin’s heart pounded. After a long while, she said, “Uncle Chi, is the residence near Chaoyang Gate part of the family estate?”

In large families, private property was not allowed before the family division.

So although Uncle Chi managed the general affairs of Nine Blessings Alley, what belonged to him personally might not even be as much as her private savings.

This little girl—she was quite sharp when it mattered!

Cheng Chi smiled and said, “It belongs to the main branch.”

Zhou Shaojin felt she had learned the truth.

She immediately became somewhat indignant.

Business naturally had times of profit and loss!

Although it might be wrong to encourage Uncle Chi like this when the Cheng family might be facing great disaster, Uncle Chi had earned so much silver for the Cheng family. They couldn’t strip away his right to manage affairs just because he lost money, could they?

Then what would Uncle Chi do in the future?

Would they really make him act according to others’ wishes for just a few taels of silver?

Zhou Shaojin bit her lip and said timidly to Cheng Chi, “Whatever else Uncle Chi needs to give me, bring it all over! You can also arrange for a few skilled guards. I promise not to lose any of those valuable things.”

This little thing—was she encouraging him to acquire private property?

Cheng Chi suddenly had the feeling that if he killed someone, she would help hand him the knife.

But this feeling… really suited his temperament.

He hated those who, under the banner of doing what was good for him, constantly watched him and made him act according to their intentions.

Cheng Chi pulled Zhou Shaojin into his embrace. Lowering his chin against her head, he sighed and called out “Shaojin.”

Zhou Shaojin’s body went rigid.

She felt somewhat displeased.

Just as she was considering whether to push him away, she heard that sigh.

Long and drawn out, filled with melancholy and loss.

Uncle Chi must feel very distressed inside, mustn’t he?

When such a thing happened, there wasn’t a single person who could help him.

In her previous life when he left home, could it have been related to this matter?

Zhou Shaojin’s heart instantly became as soft as water.

When she was sad, she also wanted someone to hold her.

Although Uncle Chi was a man, the feeling of sadness was the same.

It was naturally understandable that he wanted to hold her.

Thinking this way, Zhou Shaojin’s entire body softened.

Cheng Chi suddenly understood why the ancients said longing from a thousand miles away was not as good as fragrant softness in one’s arms.

Shaojin… was truly made of sugar.

Both soft and sweet…

Cheng Chi had a flash of inspiration.

A problem that had been troubling him ever since he decided to have Zhou Shaojin move in was now solved.

He tilted his head slightly and said softly by her ear, “Shaojin, later have Madam move to the east wing room.”

“Why?” Zhou Shaojin looked up in surprise.

Li Shi was her stepmother. Even if this residence was her dowry, according to propriety she should still arrange for Li Shi to rest in the main hall.

Just like when Grand Madam Liao was coming to the capital, Sister had to vacate the main room for her to live in.

Cheng Chi continued speaking by her ear, “I didn’t want you to know originally—I invited you out to play chess because I want to place some things in the main hall tonight. If Madam is resting there, it will be very inconvenient.”

She could actually help Uncle Chi!

Zhou Shaojin instantly became excited.

She nodded repeatedly and promised, “I understand. I’ll have Madam move to the east wing room.”

But Cheng Chi didn’t want Zhou Shaojin to take the blame. He said gently, “If Madam asks, you can say I have things stored in the main hall. She definitely won’t argue with you, but she’ll certainly feel uncomfortable inside. When I go to place things tonight, I’ll let her vaguely see something. That way she won’t overthink it.”

Uncle Chi was so thorough in his thinking.

Zhou Shaojin nodded with smiling eyes and curved brows.

Cheng Chi could finally openly pat her head.

Zhou Shaojin really liked it when Cheng Chi patted her head. It was as if she were a child and Cheng Chi was doting on her. Naturally, she didn’t develop any unusual feelings.

Cheng Chi then held her tightly for a moment, released her, stepped back several paces, and stood at a distance from her that was neither too far nor too near. He smiled and said, “Remember to come play chess after the evening meal!”

Zhou Shaojin smiled and agreed cheerfully, leaving the study with bouncing steps.

In the inner residence, the large items had all been moved to their designated places. The young servants withdrew. Li Shi sat under the covered corridor of the main hall drinking tea, while Nanny Shang directed the rough-work servants to move things to the rear section.

Seeing Zhou Shaojin enter, she quickly stepped forward to greet her. Smiling, she curtsied to Zhou Shaojin and said, “Second Young Miss wasn’t here, so I took it upon myself to designate the three westernmost rooms in the rear section as storage. What do you think?”

“You can make the decision.” This was how ordinary households arranged things. Zhou Shaojin had no objections. It was just the allocation of living quarters… Although she had readily agreed to Cheng Chi just now, facing Li Shi she still felt very embarrassed. She murmured, “Madam, I want to live in the main hall…”

Li Shi was stunned, then smiled indifferently and said, “All right! It’s the same whoever lives in the main hall. Besides, this is your dowry.”

Nanny Li and the others serving Li Shi all appeared somewhat resentful.

Sure enough, those who weren’t one’s own children weren’t truly one’s own. Madam had been so good to Second Young Miss, yet Second Young Miss wanted to drive Madam to live in the east wing room. If there were no outsiders, it would be one thing, but if Grand Madam Liao came to visit Madam, what face would Madam have left? Even Grand Lady would be equally shamed before Grand Madam Liao!

Fortunately, Uncle Chi had already thought up an explanation for her.

Zhou Shaojin secretly felt relieved and whispered a few words in Li Shi’s ear.

Li Shi was quite surprised but ultimately felt somewhat reassured.

Zhou Shaojin breathed a sigh of relief.

After the evening meal, she went to play chess with Cheng Chi.

Her chess skills were already worlds apart from Cheng Chi’s—one in heaven, one on earth. Added to her curiosity about what exactly Cheng Chi had placed in the main hall, she was even more distracted and played miserably. Even when Cheng Chi tried to go easy on her, he couldn’t continue.

He simply pushed away the chess pieces, pulled Zhou Shaojin to her feet, and said, “Let’s go see how they’re doing.”

“Huh?!” Zhou Shaojin said uneasily, though her brows and eyes couldn’t hide her excitement. “Can I go look?”

Cheng Chi scraped her nose and, holding her hand, walked outside. However, the moment they left the door, he released Zhou Shaojin’s hand and walked ahead of her.

Zhou Shaojin felt as if she had returned to the time at the Floating Emerald Pavilion.

She didn’t need to worry about anything or think about anything. Uncle Chi would naturally arrange everything.

She smiled with pleasure, following two steps behind Cheng Chi.

After thinking about it, she jogged two steps to follow just one step behind Cheng Chi.

Cheng Chi pretended not to notice and smiled as he entered through the hanging flower gate.

Li Shi should have retired for the night by now, but thinking about tomorrow’s matters, she couldn’t quite fall asleep.

Nanny Li kept hesitating to speak in front of her, pacing back and forth for nearly an hour.

Li Shi was both amused and touched. Just as she was about to relay Zhou Shaojin’s words to her, there was a faint sound from outside.

She couldn’t help but push the window open a crack and peek outside while pressed against the wall.

Cheng Chi and Zhou Shaojin entered the main hall one after the other.

The Elm Money Alley residence had three courtyards of three bays each with two side rooms. The main hall was in the center, with Zhou Shaojin’s inner chamber on the east side and a study on the west side.

At this moment, the floor tiles in the inner chamber had all been pried up. Several burly men were laying gold bricks one by one where the floor tiles had been removed.

Huai Shan stood to the side with clasped hands, watching.

Next to him was an open trunk filled entirely with gold bricks.