Qiu Shi was dumbfounded. “Mother… Mother wouldn’t have no silver, would she? She’s always been true to her word… Mother even said she would give Elder Uncle and his family another fifty thousand taels…”

Cheng Wei felt uneasy in his heart.

In terms of honor, he couldn’t compare to his elder brother; in terms of contribution, he fell short of his younger brother. To receive a residence and one hundred thousand taels of silver out of nowhere… his heart felt like it had encountered an insurmountable obstacle.

Seeing his wife so astonished, he couldn’t help hesitating.

Should he keep it from his wife, or tell her the truth?

But the matter involved the Seven Stars Hall. The more people who knew, the harder the secret would be to keep, and the more dangerous it would be for the Cheng family.

Since they were discussing the family division, why not persuade Mother and younger brother to disband the Seven Stars Hall?

The Seven Stars Hall was a sharp sword. Those who could wield it naturally conquered in all directions, invincible. But those who couldn’t were like children playing with swords—they would only hurt themselves. Moreover, the money from the Seven Stars Hall came too easily. Since ancient times, evil could never triumph over righteousness. The family had already benefited greatly from the Seven Stars Hall. They couldn’t let the word “greed” cause future generations to abandon the broad road of the civil service examinations for this crooked shortcut!

For the sake of their descendants, the Seven Stars Hall couldn’t be kept.

And it should be disbanded while younger brother still had the ability to control it.

He pondered for a long while and finally decided to keep it from his wife.

In any case, his mind was made up. No matter what, he would persuade Mother and younger brother to disband the Seven Stars Hall. If Mother and younger brother disagreed, he would simply stop meddling in family affairs and close his door to live his own small life. He wouldn’t tell future generations about the Seven Stars Hall, wouldn’t take the Hall’s silver, and wouldn’t let his descendants take over the Hall. Why should he let his wife know and worry about this?

Seeing her husband frown and remain silent in deep thought for quite a while, his expression growing increasingly grave, Qiu Shi couldn’t help asking gently, “What’s wrong? Did I say something inappropriate? I was just speaking casually…”

Cheng Wei shook his head, no longer hesitating. He said thoughtfully, “You know Mother’s resolute temperament. When it comes to dividing the family, she’s even less willing to wrong any of her sons. Otherwise, just look at Silang’s residence!”

Qiu Shi replied blankly, “What about Uncle’s residence? I think it’s quite nice!”

Cheng Wei said, “Silang’s residence was bought before we separated from Jiuru Lane, wasn’t it? Buying three connected properties in one go, completely renovating all the houses and furnishings—what a grand undertaking! But now look. Elder Brother’s family received seventy thousand taels in cash. On our side, it’s one hundred thousand taels, plus the twenty thousand taels promised for Rang’s wedding—a total of one hundred ninety thousand taels… Yet even if we buy a residence, at most it won’t exceed ten thousand taels, right? I’m afraid all this was prepared for Silang’s wedding before the family separation…”

Since ancient times, providing money for a son’s wedding was a responsibility, but providing money for a grandson’s wedding was a favor.

When they married, his parents hadn’t treated them poorly either.

Qiu Shi’s heart skipped a beat. She blurted out, “Could it be that we’re now using Uncle’s silver?”

“Most likely that’s the case.” As Cheng Wei spoke, he rose in great distress, pacing back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back.

Seeing her husband so troubled, Qiu Shi couldn’t help saying hesitantly, “How about we don’t take that silver? Let Mother buy us a residence—a small one, a two-courtyard house would be fine… But I still want to keep the wedding expenses for Rang… First, because it’s a gift from Grandmother, so he’ll know to be grateful. Second, my dowry was meager, and after the family division, we really won’t have any money. We can manage frugally, but we can’t make Rang suffer with us… If it really doesn’t work, we could discuss this with Rang and let him decide whether to take the twenty thousand taels… Actually, let’s not tell Rang. Even if he wants it in his heart, he won’t say so out loud—it would just trouble the child…”

Listening to this, Cheng Wei stepped forward and embraced his wife’s shoulders, saying quietly, “Having a wife like you, what more could a husband ask for? That the children are so obedient is entirely your achievement!”

For a woman of the inner quarters, what more could she desire in life!

Qiu Shi’s eyes immediately filled with tears. She quickly said, “Husband, you flatter me. Since I married into this family, whether Mother, Elder Uncle, or younger uncle, everyone has treated me well. Especially Mother—she treats me like her own daughter. If the family encounters difficulties, how could I only think of myself…”

Cheng Wei nodded and decided to call their son over to ask his opinion. “Since we’re dividing the family, we can’t let our son resent us later.”

Qiu Shi couldn’t stop her husband but secretly regretted having spoken these words.

Whether because he was young and didn’t yet know life’s hardships, or because he was full of expectations and aspirations for life, Cheng Rang said very sincerely, “I don’t need Grandmother’s silver. If Grandmother wants to leave me something to remember her by, she could pass down some paintings and calligraphy to me. They could become family heirlooms.”

Cheng Wei was greatly gratified. He patted his son’s head and said, “A good man has ambitions in all directions. Our Cheng family ancestors also started with nothing and worked hard to reach where we are today. You have a father who’s a two-time imperial examination graduate, an uncle who’s an Elder Statesman, and an uncle who understands the Water Conservancy Bureau. You’re already better off than many people. I believe you can revitalize our family.”

A spirited expression appeared on Cheng Rang’s shy face.

Cheng Wei smiled slightly and patted his son’s shoulder like treating a peer, saying, “Good. Tomorrow after I leave the office, we’ll go to Chaoyangmen to pay respects to Mother!”

Qiu Shi and Cheng Rang smiled and nodded.

***

Zhou Shaojin and Cheng Chi were packing.

They would depart early tomorrow morning for Baoding Prefecture. Besides gifts for Zhou Zhen, Li Shi, and young Jin, they also needed to prepare local specialties for Zhou Zhen’s colleagues and the Cheng family’s old friends, lest others say they were impolite.

But Cheng Chi felt sorry for Zhou Shaojin being unwell and had her go to bed early. “Fan Liushi is helping pack these things, and Fan Qi is there coordinating. Don’t worry about it. If anything is forgotten, we can just buy some tea or other items locally to make up for it.”

It would just cost more silver.

But he couldn’t say this in front of Zhou Shaojin.

The little girl had just resolved to manage the household well. If he said this, she would definitely think he didn’t believe in her abilities.

Indeed, Zhou Shaojin really had no energy.

Though she couldn’t attend to Cheng Chi these past two days, he was always restless—pinching this, touching that, preventing her from sleeping well. It was even more exhausting than serving him…

She couldn’t help yawning and, blushing, tugged at Cheng Chi’s sleeve, saying quietly, “Then don’t tease me tonight. Let me sleep well, all right?”

Cheng Chi was surprised. “You haven’t been sleeping well? I see you don’t even turn over at night…”

That’s because I’m exhausted, all right?

Zhou Shaojin glared at Cheng Chi.

Cheng Chi chuckled. “I understand. I understand.”

Zhou Shaojin felt reassured.

But who knew that once they were in bed, he stripped her down to just her undergarment, suckling at her fullness relentlessly, making waves of heat surge through her body one after another. She finally begged for mercy in a low voice before he released her… But his hand remained on her chest, caressing and playing with that spot… She really had no strength left to resist him, and ultimately didn’t even know when she fell asleep. She only knew that when she woke the next morning, her eyes were hazy with allure, her red lips dewy and full, looking like a peony that had received imperial favor. Embarrassed, she complained about Cheng Chi thoroughly in her heart before rising from the inner chamber to bid farewell to Old Madam Guo with him.

Old Madam Guo carefully instructed them at length, asking them to send her regards to Zhou Zhen and inviting Li Shi to visit the capital when she had time… Until Qin Ziji came to report that the hour had arrived, Cheng Chi helped Zhou Shaojin into the carriage. Under Old Madam Guo’s watchful gaze, he drove the carriage with a “clip-clop, clip-clop” toward Baoding Prefecture.

Only after the carriage had traveled far out of sight did Nanny Lü step forward to support Old Madam Guo, smiling. “Fourth Master and Fourth Madam will surely have a smooth journey. You’ve been so busy these past days—please go inside and rest!”

Old Madam Guo readily agreed and returned to her room with Nanny Lü, chatting with the female relatives who had stayed to attend Cheng Xu’s wedding to pass the time, eating meals and listening to opera. Soon it was sunset.

Cheng Wei’s family arrived.

Old Madam Guo had someone arrange dinner for them while she called Nanny Lü over. “Has the message been delivered to Xinglin Lane?”

Nanny Lü smiled. “Old Madam, rest assured. We sent word yesterday. It’s just that yesterday Madam Yuan was entertaining Young Mistress Min’s maternal aunt and uncle’s family—apparently Young Mistress Min’s uncle was appointed Provincial Surveillance Commissioner of Shanxi, and her cousin was promoted to Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Rites. She probably hasn’t had time to hear what her personal maids have to say.”

If she didn’t know yesterday, she would certainly know today.

Old Madam Guo asked, “Did Grand Master leave the office on time or early?”

Knowing Old Madam Guo would ask this, Nanny Lü had already sent someone to inquire. She smiled and said, “Half an hour earlier than usual.”

Old Madam Guo sneered coldly.

***

Yuan Shi was furious, saying to Cheng Jing, “What does Mother mean by this? Not only did she call Second Sister-in-law, she even called Zhou Shaojin over to discuss it, but deliberately kept me in the dark! I’m the eldest daughter-in-law! I’m the principal wife of this household! By doing this, where does Mother leave my face? Mother has gone too far this time!”

Cheng Jing’s face was full of fatigue. “You’re just listening to those maids and servants gossiping. Why get so angry? Mother isn’t the type who likes whispering behind people’s backs. If she truly wanted to divide the family, she would certainly call us over to discuss it. You always jump to conclusions at the slightest rumor, turning good things into bad. If you have this spare time, why not visit Chaoyangmen more often and show filial piety before Mother? That would be better than making these suspicious guesses from several streets away.”

Yuan Shi’s face alternated between pale and flushed.

She couldn’t very well say she had planted informants at Chaoyangmen and the information was quite reliable.

Cheng Jing assumed he had spoken too harshly and quickly said, “I’m not blaming you. I just want you to stop meddling in these matters from now on. Even if the family is divided, what’s divided is Mother’s private property. She can do as she pleases—we can’t control it. If you want her to give you more, you need to visit often and win her favor… You should understand this principle without me saying it.”

Yuan Shi certainly understood.

But why did Old Madam Guo always look at her with such cold eyes?

She was truly unwilling to accept this!