Zhou Shaojin’s response was within Old Madam Guo’s expectations, but hearing her say it still made Old Madam Guo very happy.
She patted Zhou Shaojin’s hand and said, “Good child, others see me buying such a large residence for you and think you’ve received so much from me, wronging you. But of these three children, Silang is the best at business. Even starting from nothing, he could build a fortune. Your elder uncle and second uncle don’t have this ability. Just consider it me being partial to those two.”
Zhou Shaojin guessed that Old Madam Guo probably didn’t realize she already knew about the Seven Stars Hall.
When the second branch divided from the first branch, they had demanded such exorbitant terms precisely because the Seven Stars Hall was in Cheng Chi’s hands, hadn’t they?
Now that Old Madam was dividing the family, on the surface it appeared that Cheng Jing and Cheng Wei were getting the advantage, but in reality, as long as the Seven Stars Hall remained in Cheng Chi’s hands, Chaoyangmen would continue earning abundantly.
She quickly said, “Mother, we don’t feel wronged. Over these years, Silang’s business ventures have received considerable support from Elder Uncle and Second Uncle. This division is fair.”
Though Zhou Shaojin didn’t understand much about external affairs, she knew that Cheng Chi’s early success in opening the money exchange and securing the contract to transport grain to the Nine Borders was in no small part due to his two brothers serving as officials at court.
She spoke with great sincerity. Seeing her obedient and sensible demeanor, Old Madam Guo nodded repeatedly. “Most of my trunks and chests are here. Such a large residence needs to be arranged according to the seasons throughout the year. Whatever is lacking or needed, go speak directly with Nanny Shi and open my chests to take what you need.”
This was her way of secretly subsidizing them.
Zhou Shaojin obediently replied “Yes,” though she had no intention of touching Old Madam Guo’s belongings.
But when Cheng Chi returned home and she was helping him change clothes, she told him about this matter and asked, “So does that mean the Seven Stars Hall will be yours alone from now on?”
Since Cheng Chi and Zhou Shaojin were newlyweds, Zhou Shaojin personally attended to Cheng Chi’s changing. The maids naturally kept their distance, and in the vast inner quarters, only the two of them remained in quiet solitude.
After changing into clean clothes, Cheng Chi embraced Zhou Shaojin and kissed her, saying, “If Elder Brother and Second Brother agree to this division, then the Seven Stars Hall will belong to our family. Are you happy?” Seeing her cheeks pink and white like peach blossoms, he couldn’t help kissing her again.
Zhou Shaojin had something on her mind, and besides, they had already shared far more intimate moments than this. She didn’t find it particularly shocking and let him kiss her, murmuring, “I… I’m just wondering, since it’s now ours, could we disband it? Or give it up…”
Cheng Chi froze.
Zhou Shaojin quickly continued, “Look, you gave me so many things for my dowry. I calculated carefully—it’s worth about twenty or thirty thousand taels of silver, which yields over two thousand taels in annual interest. When Mother lives with us, not only do we not spend a single coin, but we have surplus. Aside from this large residence, we have no other expenses. You know how to do business—I’ll take out my dowry as your capital. We can do some small business to get by. There’s no such thing as a free meal in this world. To earn that much money requires risking your life. I… I’m afraid… I don’t want anything to happen to you… Please don’t manage the Seven Stars Hall anymore, all right? Though it was left by our ancestors, water can carry a boat but also capsize it. Can’t we just live a peaceful, simple life?”
As she spoke, her gaze involuntarily revealed a hint of pleading.
Cheng Chi remained silent, his face expressionless as he looked at her.
Zhou Shaojin recalled the image of him that day, wielding a great bow to pursue and kill Xiao Zhenhai… What man could bear to give up such a foundation?
But it meant gambling with his life.
She wanted him safe and sound, living peacefully in this world. She didn’t need those fine clothes and precious jewels, didn’t want those things he risked his life to obtain.
Zhou Shaojin’s eyes grew moist.
She said quietly, “Silang, I only need you. It doesn’t matter if you become a high official or have silver. I’m fine living on an estate. I just beg you not to put yourself in danger anymore. I’ll worry. I won’t have peace day or night…”
A smile slowly emerged from the depths of Cheng Chi’s eyes.
He was tall and strong—he lifted Zhou Shaojin in one motion and set her sitting on the kang table.
Zhou Shaojin cried out in surprise.
Cheng Chi lowered his head, pressing his forehead against hers, and smiled. “You said it yourself—you don’t want silver, only me. Don’t let me catch you feeling resentful later when you see other families buying residences and giving estates when their children marry.”
“I won’t, I won’t.” Zhou Shaojin deliberately said, “I come from a modest family and only know how to live a modest life. Such extravagant spending actually makes me uneasy.” Then she added, “I… I’ll study household management properly with Mother.”
A wife who managed the household well could save quite a bit of silver in a year.
From now on, she would work hard together with Cheng Chi.
As this thought flashed through her mind, her heart felt like it had hoisted a sail, and the future seemed bright and promising.
Cheng Chi chuckled. “Good, I’ll be watching!”
Zhou Shaojin made a fist. “I’ll definitely succeed!”
Perhaps having found something to dedicate herself to, Zhou Shaojin appeared full of fighting spirit, her little face flushed, her eyes bright and sparkling—she seemed much more spirited than usual.
Let her find something to occupy herself with!
Cheng Chi ruffled her hair.
“Oh my!” Zhou Shaojin protested. “You’ve messed up my hair.”
“If it’s messed up, we’ll just comb it again!” Cheng Chi said nonchalantly.
Zhou Shaojin’s face reddened.
The maids and servants would surely think she and Cheng Chi had done something again…
She wanted to jump down from the kang table, but her feet dangled in midair, unsure what to do.
Cheng Chi laughed heartily, finding this Zhou Shaojin quite amusing. He stood before the kang table, wrapped her arms around his neck, and continued talking with her like this: “I used to always complain that the Seven Stars Hall was troublesome, but now thinking carefully, they’re also people born to parents, people with sons and daughters. The Seven Stars Hall has been rooted in the martial world for a long time. If it’s suddenly disbanded or someone else takes over, I’m afraid some people won’t be able to resist temptation and will band together again to commit crimes. Not only would this fail to achieve the goal of disbanding the Seven Stars Hall, but it would also provoke widespread resentment and cause many troubles. I think rather than abandoning it completely, why not use this opportunity when we need people to investigate the Fourth Prince’s affairs to guide those willing to legitimize themselves onto the right path, while letting those who can’t let go leave the Seven Stars Hall and find their own way.”
“That would be wonderful!” Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help clapping for Cheng Chi. “After all, you’re from Duke Zhi’s household. Having such a proper beginning and end is the bearing of a gentleman.”
Cheng Chi smiled and tapped her nose. “Are you happy now?”
“Happy, happy!” Zhou Shaojin’s eyes curved with her smile, letting Cheng Chi tap her nose.
Cheng Chi laughed heartily.
Zhou Shaojin’s expression showed hesitation.
Cheng Chi smiled. “You still have something you’re too embarrassed to tell me?”
Zhou Shaojin blushed and said quietly, “I want to be a good wife too, don’t I?”
“Oh?!” Cheng Chi raised an eyebrow. “Tell me, what kind of wife do you think is a good wife?”
“Like Mother, of course!” Zhou Shaojin answered without hesitation. “And like my elder sister.”
Cheng Chi smiled. “I don’t think my mother or your sister are the type to be excessively cautious about everything!”
Zhou Shaojin pouted. “But one shouldn’t look at improper things or speak improper words… I should be a person who observes propriety.”
Cheng Chi looked around deliberately. “Where? When have I ever seen you observe such proprieties?”
Zhou Shaojin was coaxed into laughing and softened in his embrace.
Without knowing who initiated it, the two kissed.
For a long while, until Zhou Shaojin couldn’t breathe, she pushed against Cheng Chi. Only then did he reluctantly leave her lips, giving her a chance to catch her breath.
“What did you want to say?” He caressed her flushed cheeks, kissing her eyes that were bright and clear as if washed by autumn waters, and smiled. “If you miss this opportunity, it won’t come again…”
He only wanted to carry her to bed and thoroughly cherish her.
But thinking of her current condition… he restrained himself.
Zhou Shaojin smiled with pursed lips. “I wanted to ask you, what did Shi Kuan want?”
Cheng Chi smiled. “Do you remember me telling you that Shi Kuan has a younger brother whom he’s secretly raising with a family named Zheng in Yiqian Lane? The Zhengs run a rice shop. I had Steward Xiang interact frequently with the Zhengs, and they’ve established a rapport. A few days ago, while Shi Kuan’s brother was helping his adoptive father mind the shop, he got into an argument with some street loafers and was beaten by them. Shi Kuan serves at the Fourth Prince’s residence and couldn’t come out—even if he could, he wouldn’t dare openly stand up for the Zheng family. The Zhengs knew that Steward Xiang works for our family and sought his help. Steward Xiang took Second Brother’s calling card to the magistrate’s office… When Shi Kuan learned of this, he specifically came to thank me.”
In other words, Cheng Chi had formally established contact with Shi Kuan.
Zhou Shaojin breathed a sigh of relief. “I remember that after the Fourth Prince ascends the throne, the Longevity Festival will be on the twelfth day of the twelfth month…”
She wondered if they could make use of that.
Cheng Chi smiled. “We don’t need to interact with the Fourth Prince just yet. We’ll figure out some things first before deciding.” Then he asked about the bride’s family visit. “…Is everything prepared?”
Zhou Shaojin blushed. “Nanny Fan is preparing it. I haven’t asked yet.”
She had just said she wanted to be a good wife!
But Cheng Chi smiled gently. “Come, let’s go prepare gifts for Father-in-law together.”
He lifted Zhou Shaojin down from the kang table.
***
At Xinglin Lane, Qiu Shi was whispering to Cheng Wei, “…Do you think Mother is testing us or truly wants us to divide the family? My heart is still racing—it scared me to death!”
Cheng Wei thought of the Seven Stars Hall.
Though it was a treasure trove, it was also a calamity.
Given the Cheng family’s current status and position, if they were still controlling a martial world force and even the slightest hint leaked out, the Cheng family would be finished.
Could Mother be trying to cast off the Seven Stars Hall?
But Zichuan had already entered official service—he should focus properly on his career. Getting involved in such troubles again would be unwise!
He remained silent for a long while.
Qiu Shi pushed him anxiously. “Give me an answer! If Mother summons me again to talk, how should I respond?”
She had grown up reading the Admonitions for Women and the Biographies of Exemplary Women. She was a proper young lady from a scholarly family who followed rules—she couldn’t talk back to or disobey her elders.
Cheng Wei tried to deflect her. “I’m just worried that Mother doesn’t have that much silver on hand. What if after buying us a residence, she can’t produce that one hundred thousand taels?”