Zhou Shaojin smiled and said, “No, I bought it from Fengtai.”

This flattery had completely missed its mark.

A flash of embarrassment crossed Wu Baozhang’s expression, but she quickly recovered her composure and smiled, saying, “After I married into the Cheng family, I often heard the elders mention that you know how to grow flowers, so I thought you had grown them yourself. I didn’t expect you bought them from Fengtai. Are there many flower farmers in Fengtai? Do you go there often, Younger Sister Shaojin? It’s such a pity that you’re about to be married and won’t be able to move about freely. I also don’t know how long I’ll be staying in the capital, otherwise we could go to the flower market together. I really enjoy cultivating flowers too.”

But Zhou Shaojin had absolutely no interest in visiting any flower market with her!

She smiled and said, “Yes! I’m afraid when you have free time, I’ll be busy, and when I have free time, you won’t be available. It’s difficult for our schedules to align.”

There was rather a sense of conversation not clicking after half a sentence.

A young maid came in to report, “Master Wen is leaving.”

Wu Baozhang rose to take her leave.

Zhou Shaojin saw her out, but couldn’t help muttering to herself inwardly: Uncle Chi said the garden matter had been thoroughly investigated, yet Wu Baozhang suffered no consequences. Did Uncle Chi show mercy because she’s a woman and didn’t punish her? Or was her involvement not serious enough to warrant punishment? Or had things changed significantly between the previous life and this one, and Wu Baozhang hadn’t had a chance to make her move yet?

Her mind was in complete disarray.

However, the arrival of Old Madam Guan and the others still livened up the room.

Madam Liao, Second Madam Wei, Qiu Shi, Cheng Zheng, and various other relatives and friends in the capital came one after another to visit Old Madam Guan.

Zhou Shaojin and Seventeenth Aunt Gu then hid in the room having a private conversation: “Zhu gave birth to a son. Her husband is extremely devoted to her, but the Fan family has strict rules, so she’s had some troubles. However, her husband is willing to humble himself before her, and now she’s pregnant again, so she hasn’t had time for melancholy sentiments. I just never expected she’d be the first among us to become a mother. Some time ago I heard our family’s madam became pregnant. I sent some medicinal herbs over and specially had someone go check on Zhu. Although the Fan family has many descendants, their branch is rather sparse, so now her mother-in-law treasures her like she might melt in her hands—you can’t imagine how well they treat her!”

From her to herself.

Seventeenth Aunt Gu couldn’t help but sigh, “I wish I could have several children like Zhu someday!” After speaking, she remembered that Zhou Shaojin was still unmarried and immediately felt she’d been improper, her face flushing crimson.

Zhou Shaojin smiled with pursed lips and told her, “Cousin Jia and Cousin Sheng went to Hongluo Temple recently and said it’s the most efficacious place for seeking children. You could go offer incense there someday.”

This casual suggestion actually sparked Seventeenth Aunt Gu’s interest.

When Cheng Jia came to pay respects to Old Madam Guan, Seventeenth Aunt Gu pulled her into Zhou Shaojin’s room and asked about going to Hongluo Temple.

Since both hadn’t conceived since marrying, the two quickly found common ground and even included Cheng Sheng. The three decided to visit a very famous fortune-teller in the capital tomorrow to have their fortunes read and see if they had somehow offended any malicious spirits.

Hearing this, Zhou Shaojin just laughed and said, “Don’t go doing foolish things. The more you have your fortune told, the thinner your fate becomes.”

She who had believed in this the most suddenly said such words.

Seventeenth Aunt Gu was naturally mischievous. Hearing this, she couldn’t help but tease, “Someone taught you to say this, didn’t they? How is it that I remember someone who dismounts immediately upon seeing a Bodhisattva and is even more devout than I am?”

Zhou Shaojin’s face turned completely red as she stammered, “Who says someone else taught me? Can’t I think of it myself?”

Now not only Seventeenth Aunt Gu, but even Cheng Jia detected something suspicious.

Cheng Jia even whispered loudly, “I knew it! The Old Madam chose you as her daughter-in-law, it must be because Uncle Chi also finds you pleasing…”

Zhou Shaojin was stunned by the word “chose.”

Cheng Jia then smiled and said, “So you didn’t know! It’s already spread throughout the relatives’ circle, saying that originally Aunt Jing had her eye on the sixth young lady of the Fang family, Xuan, and wanted to matchmake her with Uncle Chi, but the Old Madam took a liking to you instead…”

Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but become anxious, saying, “It’s spread throughout all the relatives?”

Cheng Jia said nonchalantly, “Many people probably know by now!”

This kind of thing would likely be brought up and gossiped about at every wedding and funeral involving either Cheng Chi or Fang Xuan for the rest of their lives.

Zhou Shaojin fell silent.

But Seventeenth Aunt Gu was thinking: Shaojin is someone who deeply reveres deities and Buddha, yet now she’s advising against fortune-telling. These words were most likely said to her by Uncle Chi. Uncle Chi is probably worried that someone with ulterior motives might exploit Shaojin’s reverence for deities and Buddha to deceive her.

This shows that Uncle Chi not only finds her pleasing—he’s probably quite taken with Shaojin.

A person’s life is truly unpredictable.

Who would have known Shaojin would marry Uncle Chi?

While feeling moved by this thought, Seventeenth Aunt Gu still decided to go have her fortune read with Cheng Jia and Cheng Sheng.

Meanwhile, at the mansion near Chaoyangmen, Cheng Wen was wearing a sapphire blue cloak embroidered with auspicious cloud and treasure vase patterns as he walked into his guest residence courtyard with an air of triumphant satisfaction. Seeing his daughter-in-law directing several maids and servants in sweeping snow, he returned to his room where piping hot tea and delicious snacks were immediately served. His son stood respectfully to the side attending him as he changed clothes. No longer hearing Madam Wen’s shrill voice or seeing his mistress’s resentful gaze, he felt like he’d shed an old blanket covered in dust. He nodded with satisfaction, took a sip of tea, his brow showing some joy, and said to Cheng Nuo, “I’ve already made inquiries. Your Uncle Chi may return to the capital tomorrow. I’ve decided to sell off my shares in the Yutai Bank and have your Uncle Chi help me find something to do in the capital. I won’t be returning to Jinling for the time being.”

What was so good about that place?

Day after day it decayed and grew stale, with nothing but quarreling and more quarreling.

Cheng Nuo was stunned.

Cheng Wen continued, “I know Jinling is our hometown and our family elders are all buried there. But I’m not saying I’ll never return—I’ll go back after I’ve made some money in the capital! At least I won’t have to listen to your mother’s constant nagging every day.”

Cheng Nuo lowered his head.

Mother indeed talked too much, and some things she’d repeat over and over—things she’d just said one moment would start repeating the next. He always felt his mother’s behavior wasn’t quite right, but Doctor Zhou said mother’s was a heart ailment that could only be cured with heart medicine… He was also helpless.

Fortunately, there was a cousin keeping mother company and listening to her chatter.

He stammered, “But will Uncle Chi help us?”

“Why wouldn’t he help?” Cheng Wen said with complete confidence. “Your Uncle Chi is a very good person. Otherwise he wouldn’t have taken out such a large sum of money for the first branch’s division. Although that was the family’s communal money, didn’t it also include a third that belonged to your Uncle Chi?”

Cheng Nuo then asked his father how he planned to have Cheng Chi help him.

Cheng Wen smiled and said, “Previously in Jinling I was constrained by the family’s reputation and social status, so I didn’t dare do anything. This time I’ve seen clearly—our southern goods are nothing but silk or tea leaves. I’m planning to open a tea shop. Anyway, the residence on Jiuru Lane is one of the best in Jinling, with people constantly watching us. Here in the capital there are many such families, and anyone with eyes is watching the imperial palace and inner court. Who has time to watch us! This time I’ve decided to do something I actually enjoy. After your Uncle Chi’s wedding is over, you and your wife can return to Jinling to attend to your mother!”

Cheng Nuo felt very conflicted inside.

If this happened, would father bring his mistress to the capital?

He lay on the bed motionless.

Wu Baozhang came in and out several times. Originally she didn’t want to bother with him, but thinking that her father-in-law was staying next door, she finally approached with a smile and asked what was troubling him.

Cheng Nuo really disliked Wu Baozhang, and increasingly so.

When she shared his bed, the disdain she inadvertently revealed—she thought she concealed it well, but he wasn’t a fool. How could he not sense it? Moreover, the household servants were all spreading rumors that before Wu Baozhang married, she had developed feelings for Cheng Lu and had some ambiguous relationship with him… He was also too lazy to deal with her!

But Cheng Nuo had always been soft-eared and couldn’t withstand Wu Baozhang’s meek and obedient questioning. He still told Wu Baozhang his worries.

Wu Baozhang couldn’t help but inwardly curse Cheng Nuo for being an idiot.

This still needed saying?

Her father-in-law was definitely planning to bring his mistress to the capital.

Wu Baozhang said, “You need to ask Uncle Jing for help. He’s the only one who can control your father now.”

“Ask Uncle Jing?” Cheng Nuo shrank back, somewhat timid.

Not seizing such a good opportunity and still being afraid!

Wu Baozhang looked down on Cheng Nuo even more.

She said, “Otherwise, I’ll go plead with Aunt Jing. I hear the old lady is very kind and gentle.”

By rights, this matter should be taken to Old Madam Guo.

But Old Madam Guo’s gaze was sharp as a blade. Wu Baozhang always felt somewhat uncomfortable before her.

Besides, she had some selfish motives.

What was the real story with that Fang Xuan? If she could find out clearly, she’d have something to tell First Madam Shi when she returned.

She had married into the fifth branch through First Madam Shi’s matchmaking. This was like court officials currying favor with cabinet ministers—whoever you pledged allegiance to first, you belonged to them. Switching allegiances casually never ended well. Moreover, her father was the Jinling Magistrate. As long as her father’s official career went smoothly, and the second branch didn’t have as many officials as the first branch, she had capital to maintain her dignity before First Madam Shi. Why should she offer her warm face to the first branch’s cold backside?

Cheng Nuo never knew what Wu Baozhang was thinking. Hearing this, he only felt she’d solved a major problem for him and quickly nodded.

Wu Baozhang walked out with contempt in her heart.

As for Cheng Chi, who they’d been discussing for so long, he was currently sitting at a messy stand with a rain shelter and a few scattered tables and chairs in the back alley of a small tavern not far from Chaoyangmen. With Shi Kuan, over a bottle of crystal-clear grape wine, a plate of peanuts, and a plate of five-spice beans, he was saying, “Initially I only thought Brother Shi had substance in his conversation and extraordinary insights. I never imagined Brother Shi was actually someone close to the Fourth Prince… This shows that eight or nine out of ten things in this world don’t go as hoped! Since Brother Shi cannot attend my wedding, let Brother Shi and I celebrate in advance. If there’s an opportunity in the future, please do honor my humble home with your presence!”

Shi Kuan smiled reservedly.

He also felt quite fated to know Cheng Chi. He raised the glass cup Cheng Chi had brought, drained the blood-red grape wine in one gulp, and spoke about Cheng Chi’s mansion: “Everyone says it’s extremely grand. Brother Zichuan, what impressive means.”

Cheng Chi smiled bitterly and said, “I built it with money from my mother’s personal savings, so it’s not really any great achievement. Now I’m also managing river works, so I dare not make even half a misstep. I only hope I can be transferred back to the capital soon. I’m not young anymore, and I’m still hoping to let my mother enjoy grandchildren!”