Zhou Shaojin was utterly embarrassed. She responded with a couple of “ohs,” brushing off Chun Wan with: “It’s nothing really, just that the other day I saw a story book somewhere and don’t know where I put it?”
Chun Wan smiled: “Are you talking about the ‘Story of the Pearl’ you were reading the other day? I remember we stored that book under the heated platform for you. Let me go find it for you…”
What was so interesting about that book anyway!
A scholar became the top graduate and caught the eye of the current Prime Minister, who wanted him as a son-in-law. He wanted wealth and status but feared losing his reputation, and in the end his first wife and the Prime Minister’s daughter imitated those legendary virtuous wives Ehuang and Nüying… She had read two chapters, flipped to the ending, and tossed it aside.
“Not that one!” Zhou Shaojin continued making things up. “I can’t remember the title, I just remember it had a blue cover… Never mind, don’t bother looking. It’ll probably turn up someday!” With that, she changed the subject: “Where is Fourth Master? Why haven’t I seen him?”
Chun Wan smiled: “Fourth Master got up early and went to exercise the horses with Uncle Huaishan. He left word that if you woke up before he returned, you should have breakfast first without waiting for him. Madam, shall I have Yuanyuan and Manman come help you with your toilette?”
With Fourth Master back, Fourth Madam would surely want to dress up nicely.
Zhou Shaojin’s face flushed slightly. She selected a light purple brocade jacket and a pink twelve-panel skirt embroidered with precious flower patterns along the hem, and wore pearl earrings and hairpins the size of lotus seeds. She looked dignified and beautiful yet with a touch of youthful liveliness. Chun Wan kept nodding in approval, not to mention Cheng Chi who returned from outside. He handed his riding crop to Chun Wan but said to Zhou Shaojin: “Have them bring in water. I need to change!”
The implication was: aren’t you going to come serve me?
Zhou Shaojin stood up with a flushed face.
They had been married only nine days before he left for Jining. At that time there were still guests at home, so they were either entertaining guests or entangled in bed—naturally it was honey mixed with oil. There was no question of how husband and wife should interact in daily life.
Now that they were settling down to live normally, she had forgotten about this.
Zhou Shaojin walked toward Cheng Chi.
Cheng Chi went straight to the side room connected to the inner chamber.
Zhou Shaojin hurried after him.
The side room was divided in half—one half held their commonly worn clothes, the other half served as a bathing room.
When she entered, Cheng Chi was already removing his clothes.
Zhou Shaojin quickly stepped forward to help.
But Cheng Chi pulled her into his embrace, lowering his head to whisper in her ear: “Does your body still hurt?”
Zhou Shaojin’s face turned bright red.
Although he hadn’t actually made love to her yesterday, what he had done was even more embarrassing than that. When she got up this morning, her body was covered with blue and purple marks—all traces he had left on her. Moreover, she vaguely felt he had done it on purpose.
“Yesterday was my fault!” Cheng Chi’s voice was low as he apologized in her ear. “From the day I left, I’ve been thinking of you every day. Seeing you in my arms, I couldn’t help myself for a moment…” As he spoke, his eyes once again showed the tender longing he’d had when looking at her yesterday.
Zhou Shaojin was startled.
He wouldn’t want to… right here, right now…
Thinking of how he had deliberately asked her to help him change, and remembering how he used to help her dress… her heart grew more and more certain.
Zhou Shaojin’s face burned. She quickly pushed at his shoulders: “Don’t do this. Not here…” If someone walked in on them, she would die of shame…
Cheng Chi held her and kissed her cheek, whispering: “Then does your body still hurt or not?”
She hesitated for a moment. Thinking he might treat her the same way tonight, she didn’t dare brush him off, saying with embarrassment: “Still… a little…”
If she said “a little,” she must be quite uncomfortable.
Cheng Chi’s gaze dimmed slightly. He gently stroked her black hair, his voice somewhat hoarse: “Shaojin, let me apply some medicine for you…”
Just when you fear something, it happens!
The moment Cheng Chi finished speaking, before Zhou Shaojin could respond, they heard an “Aiya!” Fan Liushi entered carrying a copper basin and lifting the curtain, then quickly retreated.
Zhou Shaojin’s face burned with embarrassment. She wanted to find somewhere to hide.
In contrast, Cheng Chi appeared completely composed. Not only did he smile and reassure her “it’s nothing,” he also said: “You’re my wife now. This is how we should be. If we ignored each other, what would that be? Don’t worry, your wet nurse will only be happy to see us like this!”
Zhou Shaojin knew this too.
But knowing was one thing, being caught was another.
After Cheng Chi comforted her for a long while, she finally had the courage to call through the curtain for water to be brought in.
This time Yuanyuan and Manman came in, smiling as they brought water for Cheng Chi.
Cheng Chi directed Zhou Shaojin to help him change clothes, as if he absolutely had to have Zhou Shaojin serve him.
Zhou Shaojin’s heart was sweet as she bustled around Cheng Chi.
Yuanyuan and Manman both smiled with pursed lips.
Zhou Shaojin could only pretend not to notice.
After finally helping Cheng Chi change, the two sat on the large heated platform by the window in the sitting room to have breakfast.
Cheng Chi again directed Zhou Shaojin to help him arrange bowls and chopsticks, serve porridge and ladle soup.
Zhou Shaojin very much enjoyed doing this and that for him. The smile on her face never faded. Even when they went to Tingxiang Courtyard to pay respects to Old Madam Guo, she couldn’t suppress her joyful mood.
Seeing them, Old Madam Guo couldn’t help teasing: “Having one more person in the house really makes a difference. Look how lively it’s become.”
Zhou Shaojin lowered her eyelids as she placed the tea brought in by a maid beside Old Madam Guo’s hand, not daring to raise her head. But Cheng Chi said quite naturally: “Otherwise why would anyone marry and have children? Having someone for company is naturally more lively.”
Old Madam Guo chuckled and said nothing more.
Cheng Chi then asked Old Madam Guo about going to Xinglin Alley: “…Lord Yang has been escorted to the capital. I’m planning to visit the Yang family, then go to Grand Secretary Song’s residence, and also several superiors and colleagues. Since I’ve returned from Jining, I should pay them visits. Once you’ve set the date for going to Xinglin Alley, let me know in advance so I can see you there.”
Old Madam Guo said lightly: “Have them come fetch me! You don’t need to worry about me. As long as Shaojin is home, that’s fine. I’m just going to stay a few days and will be back.” Then changing the subject: “As for the Yang family, since you’re going, take some silver with you! Lord Yang has committed an offense. Their family must be having hard times.”
Cheng Chi nodded: “I know. I’ve also prepared gifts for the other gentlemen.”
Old Madam Guo nodded. The three chatted idly for a while. Seeing it was getting late, Zhou Shaojin saw Cheng Chi out.
But Cheng Chi, fearing she would catch cold, walked to the east path and figured that people from Old Madam Guo’s side couldn’t see them here. He rubbed her hands saying: “Go back and rest. Everything for New Year’s has been arranged properly anyway. Don’t catch cold. I’ll come back and have dinner with you.”
Zhou Shaojin reluctantly agreed “alright.” Still reluctant to part, she helped straighten his actually perfectly smooth cloak, saying “be careful on the road.” A young servant came running over, and seeing them from afar called out “Fourth Master!” “Fourth Madam!” He came forward to bow, saying: “First Master and First Madam have arrived.”
Why had they come?
And Cheng Jing had come in person.
With New Year’s approaching, Cheng Chi was so busy, not to mention Cheng Jing.
Zhou Shaojin looked at Cheng Chi.
Cheng Chi smiled at her: “They’re probably here to fetch Mother.”
Zhou Shaojin hesitated: “Do you want to meet with First Uncle?”
“Since they’re here, we should certainly meet.” Cheng Chi smiled and brought Zhou Shaojin to receive Cheng Jing at the hanging flower gate.
This was the first time Cheng Chi and Cheng Jing met after the incident with the Grand Canal Administrator’s residence.
Cheng Jing smiled as he looked Cheng Chi up and down, revealing a gratified smile: “You arrogant brat, you did well! Now even the Emperor knows your name.”
Cheng Chi was indifferent, raising his eyebrows with a smile: “When have I ever made a mistake!”
His tone was rather arrogant and domineering.
Cheng Jing laughed heartily.
But Yuan Shi couldn’t help glancing at Zhou Shaojin.
She stood quietly to the side, eyes curved as she gazed at Cheng Chi, serene and gentle, as beautiful as a lotus blooming alone.
Yuan Shi felt as if something was blocking her heart.
What could the Old Madam be thinking?
Of all the people Fourth Brother could marry, why did it have to be her?
She couldn’t get close to her even if she wanted to.
Other families hoped for harmony and prosperity, but the Old Madam seemed to fear the world wasn’t chaotic enough.
Fortunately they had divided the household and lived separately. If she had to share a gate with Zhou Shaojin, she would die of frustration.
Thinking this, Yuan Shi took several deep breaths before swallowing down the resentment and displeasure in her heart. She exchanged pleasantries with Zhou Shaojin: “How are the New Year’s preparations at home? Is there anywhere I can help?”
Zhou Shaojin politely replied: “With Mother overseeing things, the house shouldn’t lack anything. If help is needed, I’ll tell you, sister-in-law.”
After these few sentences, they had nothing more to say. They could only turn their attention to Cheng Jing and Cheng Chi.
The two brothers were deep in conversation. Cheng Jing said: “Since the Ministry of Works has sent someone to select the main beam, don’t stir up trouble. Once this matter is finished, I’ll find a way to transfer you back. Preferably to the Office of Transmission. That’s a position for junior ministers of the ninth rank. Lord He is also Brother Gao’s father-in-law. I’ve arranged with the Court of Judicial Review to transfer one of their secretaries over there. When you go, you’ll be fifth rank proper—others can’t be promoted so directly, but since you were demoted from junior sixth rank, when you’re promoted back we can gloss over it, and it will pass. Just keep a low profile so no one uses this to criticize you.”
All in all, he was telling Cheng Chi not to offend people over Yang Shoushan’s matter, and when he was exceptionally promoted to fifth rank proper, not to provoke impeachment.
Zhou Shaojin frowned slightly.
To become a powerful minister, one’s record must withstand scrutiny.
Fifth rank proper—unless the Emperor issued an imperial decree, quietly being promoted like this was like building a wall foundation missing a brick. Who knew when the collapse might occur because of that brick?
Yuan Shi was also surprised, but more than that, she felt envious.
Her husband was sparing no effort to help Fourth Brother!
When it came to her son’s turn, who knew if the Cheng family would still have such resources.
“Thank you for your efforts, elder brother!” Cheng Chi smiled. “But elder brother shouldn’t trouble people on my account. Isn’t Jiashan about to take the spring examinations? Besides, I’ve already decided—I’ll just muddle through my days at the Censorate from now on. Though the Office of Transmission is good, it’s not as good as the Censorate. Both are close to the Emperor, but officials who come out of the Censorate, eight or nine out of ten, are from the Pure Stream faction.”
The scholarly community respected the Pure Stream faction more!