Cheng Chi laughed and said, “How can Shaotang compare with me? He’s still a young man, while I’m already an adult. Father-in-law naturally trusts me more!”

Zhou Shaojin thought about it and agreed.

Her brother-in-law still relied on family wealth to support his wife and children, while Cheng Chi had already shouldered the expenses of the First Branch and even the original Jiuru Lane. Father naturally trusted him more.

She took Cheng Chi’s arm and giggled.

Cheng Chi then saw the servant woman leading them to the guest room quickly lower her head, her face completely flushed.

Looking around again.

The maids and servant women on duty all had eyes on noses, noses on hearts, pretending not to see. Meanwhile, that silly girl Shaojin noticed nothing and continued talking softly with him, chattering like a happy little bird.

He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

This silly girl was still best kept at home where it was safe.

As for Father-in-law’s place—they should come as infrequently as possible!

At noon they had a simple lunch, rested all afternoon, and in the evening Zhou Zhen invited several of his good friends in Baoding to accompany them and welcome Cheng Chi. Lady Li spoke privately with Zhou Shaojin in the inner room: “…Does your husband treat you well?”

Zhou Shaojin nodded with a red face. “Very well!”

All along the way he chatted with her, buying her interesting things he saw. Though the journey was a bit tiring, she found it sweet.

Lady Li’s tone paused slightly as she asked hesitantly, “Shaojin, has your husband… has he consummated the marriage with you?”

Zhou Shaojin’s face flushed red as if it could drip blood. She mumbled for a long while, not knowing what to say.

After all, they weren’t birth mother and daughter, and there had been no nurturing bond. Some words were awkward for both of them.

But Lady Li had been entrusted by Zhou Zhen and had to ask.

She also felt somewhat embarrassed.

She lowered her head to drink tea.

The room immediately became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Zhou Shaojin was extremely embarrassed, starting to speak several times but stopping.

Just as she was gathering courage to speak, a young maid reported through the curtain, “Madam, the fruit has arrived.”

To receive Zhou Shaojin and Cheng Chi for their return visit, Zhou Zhen had specifically asked a trading company to obtain some apples and pears.

Both of them couldn’t help but feel relieved, simultaneously letting out sighs. The sound of their exhaling was so clear in the quiet inner room that Zhou Shaojin and Lady Li couldn’t help but laugh.

The atmosphere immediately changed from uneasy to cheerful.

Zhou Shaojin said shyly, “Madam needn’t worry about me. Fourth Master treats me extremely well. Being able to marry him, I have nothing more to ask for in this life.”

These words made even Lady Li blush, too embarrassed to continue asking.

When Zhou Zhen returned to the room, she only said that Zhou Shaojin was very gratified to have married Cheng Chi, and said nothing else. Zhou Zhen was a father—how could he inquire about his daughter’s intimate affairs? He simply assumed everything was as Cheng Chi had said before the marriage and didn’t pursue it further. Later, thinking about Cheng Chi’s respect toward him at today’s banquet, his extensive learning, and his easygoing yet sincere social skills, he became even more satisfied with this son-in-law. He pushed aside all his other affairs—today going with him to tour the Great Compassion Pavilion, tomorrow to browse antique shops, later to meet friends and compose poetry. It wasn’t like receiving a son-in-law but like encountering an old friend of many years. So much so that Lady Li had to privately remind Zhou Zhen, “They’re here for a return visit, not to socialize. You should at least let the couple go out and about together, shouldn’t you?”

Zhou Zhen disagreed. “Doesn’t Shaojin dislike going out? Besides, the places Zichuan and I go aren’t suitable for bringing her. Isn’t it just right for her to stay home keeping you company and doing needlework for Youjin?”

Lady Li didn’t know what to say. She thought it was fortunate they were only staying five days before leaving, otherwise with newlyweds, instead of the groom accompanying the bride, he’d be accompanying the father-in-law!

She consoled Zhou Shaojin, “Never mind them. I had people buy many cloisonné blue and white small jars for you to bring back some braised dishes from the Great Compassion Pavilion as gifts. Isn’t Old Madam from Jinling? Your Uncle Li and I helped get some salted fish, cured meat, sausages and such… Remember to get along well with Old Madam. When Fourth Master goes to Jining, you’ll be the only one at home. If anything happens, you won’t have anyone to stand up for you. If you don’t win Old Madam over to your side, you’ll have no place to seek redress if you suffer any wrongs…”

These were all things her mother had told her before, but having married into a family without parents-in-law above her, she hadn’t used them. Now she shared them with Zhou Shaojin.

Zhou Shaojin smiled with pressed lips, thanked Lady Li, and said, “When will you give birth? Tell me before you do. If there’s nothing urgent, I’ll come keep you company.”

“A married daughter is like spilled water,” Lady Li felt very touched inside but said reproachfully, “How can we have you return to your natal family to care for me? You just live your own days well. I have Master here!”

The two chatted about this and that for a long while, both feeling closer than usual.

Cheng Chi didn’t return until the second watch. He first chewed tea leaves for quite a while before washing up and getting into bed, apologizing somewhat sheepishly, “I originally wanted to come back early, but I ran into an examination classmate who absolutely wouldn’t let me leave. Father-in-law also showed no intention of leaving, so I ended up drinking a couple more cups.” As he spoke, he warmed his hands and feet with a bed warmer before getting into bed. “I haven’t had time to pay attention to you these past two days. What did you do today?”

Zhou Shaojin actually very much liked seeing her father and Cheng Chi close like friends.

This was something she had yearned for in her previous life but couldn’t obtain.

She leaned over to help Cheng Chi tuck in the quilt corners and said with a smile, “It’s rare for Father to be so happy. You should keep him company properly. I was in the inner quarters doing needlework with Madam, preparing New Year things and gifts to take back, playing with beanbags with Youjin—it was quite fun.”

Cheng Chi nodded. Feeling hot, he stuck his feet outside the quilt, closed his eyes and took Zhou Shaojin’s hand, carefully caressing it.

Zhou Shaojin smiled slightly.

In the lamplight, Cheng Chi’s features appeared deep and distinct, yet softer and more handsome than usual.

She hesitated, reaching out several times only to pull back, finally resting her hand lightly on the pillow beside his face after a long while.

Cheng Chi’s eyes were tightly closed, his breathing long and even.

Looking deeply asleep.

Only then did Zhou Shaojin grow bolder, her finger lightly touching his cheek.

Cheng Chi frowned.

Zhou Shaojin was startled, her hand whooshing back.

Cheng Chi’s brow relaxed as he fell back into deep sleep.

Zhou Shaojin propped herself on the pillow watching him.

His eyebrows were black and thick, yet his eyelashes were long and curled… just like him… scheming against the Second Branch’s ancestors while keeping a straight face and lying that it had nothing to do with him… truly a bad person!

Zhou Shaojin let out two soft huffs. She bit her lip with a smile and boldly reached out to touch his eyebrows again.

Thick and hard, making her fingertips tingle.

She lifted her head to study him.

Sleeping soundly.

She traced along the contours of his eyebrows.

Cheng Chi still showed no reaction.

He was naturally an aloof person. These past two days accompanying Father eating and drinking heavily must have exhausted him.

Zhou Shaojin’s heart immediately softened. Her lips pressed softly against Cheng Chi’s cheek.

Cheng Chi didn’t move.

She pressed them to the corner of his mouth… then his brow, his eyelids, his forehead, the top of his head… never enough… lying there obediently, letting her do as she pleased… creating a sweet feeling that he was hers.

Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help covering her mouth with a smile.

Cheng Chi flipped over like a leopard, pinning Zhou Shaojin beneath him. He laughed, “Well now! Daring to bully me while I’m asleep—let’s see how I deal with you!”

Zhou Shaojin screamed in fright. When the cry escaped her throat, she realized something was wrong and abruptly stopped, though a short sound still escaped.

Fan Liushi, on duty outside, hadn’t yet retired and quickly asked, “Fourth Madam, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing, nothing!” Zhou Shaojin hurried to say. “I think I saw a mouse run past the bed.”

“A mouse?!” Fan Liushi said puzzled. “There are mice in the Prefect’s yamen? Fasten your bed curtains tight and make do for tonight. First thing tomorrow morning I’ll go tell Madam and have her get a cat…” Then she muttered as she went to bed.

Only then did Zhou Shaojin realize Cheng Chi was pressing heavily on top of her. Half her body had gone stiff.

“Get up quickly!” she said urgently. “Be careful the nannies don’t notice something!”

Whether because they were at her natal home or because Cheng Chi had been drinking these past few days, he hadn’t been constantly “pawing at her” as he liked to do in the capital.

But Cheng Chi didn’t move. He looked at her with a half-smile. “A mouse? You saw a mouse? Where is it? How come I don’t know there are mice in this room? Let me look…”

His hand slipped into her sleeve and grasped her fullness.

Zhou Shaojin grew anxious.

The day she returned, Lady Li had asked if she and Cheng Chi had consummated their marriage. He had also promised Father to wait until she was older before consummating. If Lady Li and Father found out about this… Cheng Chi would surely leave a bad impression on Father.

Zhou Shaojin grabbed his wrist. “Don’t, don’t do this…”

Cheng Chi just smiled and released her, lowering his head to kiss her.

The lingering, entwining kiss made Zhou Shaojin’s body gradually soften.

Cheng Chi’s hand moved to caress her waist.

She twisted her body with ticklish laughter.

Cheng Chi bit her ear.

Her heart stirred as she pushed him away with a red face.

He kissed her collarbone.

Zhou Shaojin couldn’t stop laughing, beginning to understand somewhat.

Unlike those explorations filled with passion and desire, at this moment Cheng Chi was just intimately teasing her playfully.

The defenses in her heart came crashing down all at once.

Zhou Shaojin giggled and tried to tickle Cheng Chi.

Cheng Chi laughed and bit the pink bud on her chest.

Zhou Shaojin’s eyes widened.

Cheng Chi bit her again.

Zhou Shaojin then did something she had wanted to do but hadn’t—she messed up his hair.

Cheng Chi laughed lowly, holding Zhou Shaojin as he rolled on the bed, tenderly kissing her… playing with her… the temperature gradually growing heated…

Zhou Shaojin gradually relaxed, no longer having any guard against him…

Cheng Chi sighed.

Such a good atmosphere—why did it have to be at Shaojin’s natal home!

He held Zhou Shaojin tightly and whispered fiercely in her ear, “When we get home, I’ll see how I deal with you!”

Zhou Shaojin froze, then couldn’t help laughing softly.

That laughter was bright and cheerful.

A carefree, light feeling she had never had before!

Cheng Chi’s heart grew happy along with hers.

This was the Shaojin he hoped to see.

No more shadows, no more hardship.

Like a worldly-inexperienced young girl, laughing cheerfully, living freely.

He held Zhou Shaojin tightly once more.