Cheng Chi laughed heartily, caressing Zhou Shaojin’s flower-like face as he said, “How could I ever leave you behind!”

Zhou Shaojin breathed a sigh of relief.

Then there was nothing to worry about.

The two went to see off Old Madam Guo.

Old Madam Guo had a lilac-colored cut silk cloak with gray squirrel fur placed beside her. As if preparing for a long journey, she held Zhou Shaojin’s hand and instructed Cheng Chi: “Though socializing with colleagues is important, if you lose your composure from drinking, the losses will outweigh the gains. You should visit the several Grand Secretaries regularly. Don’t forget to send gifts to your mentor and fellow examination graduates either. Come over early on New Year’s Eve to keep your second uncle company and talk with him. On the second day of the new year, the sons-in-law from the Gu family, Yuan family, and Peng family will all come over. You should come too to help entertain the guests…”

Cheng Chi respectfully nodded in agreement.

A young maid reported through the curtain: “Old Madam, Second Master, Madam, and Second Madam have arrived.”

This time it was Cheng Wei who came to fetch Old Madam Guo.

Cheng Chi and Zhou Shaojin went out to welcome them.

The brothers had their reunion, and the three sisters-in-law politely exchanged greetings. Everyone then proceeded to the main hall of Tingxiang Courtyard.

After paying respects to Old Madam Guo and learning they had all eaten breakfast, Old Madam Guo stood up decisively and said, “Then let’s go!”

Cheng Chi and the others surrounded Old Madam Guo as they left. Yuan Shi helped Old Madam Guo into the carriage. Qiu Shi took the opportunity to give Zhou Shaojin a meaningful look and whispered, “Come with us!”

Zhou Shaojin was slightly startled.

Cheng Chi knew she had reservations and had already prepared an excuse to tell Old Madam Guo – that today he would escort Old Madam Guo there while she stayed home. But she also knew that Qiu Shi had always been kind to her, so if she said such things, there must be a reason.

After thinking for a moment, she nodded slightly. She quickly walked to Cheng Chi’s side and quietly told him about this.

Cheng Chi immediately said, “Then you should go. We’ll see Mother to the door.”

This way, wouldn’t Cheng Chi only be able to see Old Madam Guo to the door as well?

Old Madam Guo would surely be unhappy about this!

Thinking of this, Zhou Shaojin took a deep breath and said, “It’s fine. I’ll keep Mother company for a chat and then return with you.”

Since she was going, it probably wouldn’t be just a matter of chatting before she could leave. At the very least, she would have to stay for lunch.

Cheng Chi voiced his concern.

Zhou Shaojin suddenly felt something wasn’t right about her attitude.

It was Yuan Shi who had wronged her. Why should she be the one avoiding, and even dragging Cheng Chi into hiding with her?

Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help straightening her back and said, “Silang, then let’s stay for lunch. The private dishes from Jiuru Lane are very delicious. Unfortunately, I never got to taste them many times back then. Since Xinglín Alley is the old estate of Jiuru Lane in the capital and frequented by official families, surely the kitchen there can also make the private dishes from Jiuru Lane. We can learn a few of our favorites to take back and serve to guests.”

Cheng Chi studied Zhou Shaojin’s expression. Though her manner was gentle, her eyes showed a certain resilience. Thinking of her quiet tenacity, he smiled and said softly, “Then we’ll follow Madam’s instructions and have lunch at Xinglín Alley!”

Some things Shaojin couldn’t avoid forever.

Facing them directly was the best way to forget.

Old Madam Guo and Yuan Shi rode in one carriage, while Cheng Chi personally helped Zhou Shaojin into Qiu Shi’s carriage.

Qiu Shi smiled slightly and had the accompanying servant lower the curtain.

Zhou Shaojin said, “Second Sister-in-law, thank you for reminding me.”

Seeing that she could follow her advice without hesitation, Qiu Shi was very pleased and felt even more affection for Zhou Shaojin. She said quietly, “These past few days, Elder Sister-in-law has been telling everyone that Mother is returning to Xinglín Alley today. I’m afraid when neighbors come to visit Mother, if you’re the only daughter-in-law absent among the several, others will notice and remember. First impressions are formed this way.” She added, “Don’t think I’m being too talkative – you’re even younger than Asheng!”

The implication being that at her age, she could have raised Zhou Shaojin herself.

Zhou Shaojin was grateful for Qiu Shi’s guidance. She hugged Qiu Shi’s arm and said, “I’m young and don’t understand anything. If I do something wrong, Second Sister-in-law, just tell me. If I hadn’t married Fourth Master by coincidence, I would be calling Asheng ‘cousin,’ wouldn’t I?”

Qiu Shi laughed softly, patted Zhou Shaojin’s hand, and accepted her explanation.

Zhou Shaojin then asked about Qiu Shi’s move: “Have you set a date? When the time comes, we should bring some firecrackers over to congratulate Second Uncle and Second Sister-in-law!”

Even though they would be living separately, visiting each other warmly was the proper upbringing and affection of a family that passed down scholarly traditions.

How could Qiu Shi refuse?

“It’s set for the twenty-second of the first month,” Qiu Shi said with a soft laugh. “Originally I thought it wouldn’t be good to move during the first month. But Jiashan’s wedding is set for the tenth of the second month. I was afraid everyone would be too busy then and wouldn’t have time when I invited them over, so I set the date for the twenty-second of the first month. This way we can vacate the rooms early so Elder Sister-in-law can arrange the guest rooms.”

Zhou Shaojin nodded, and the two chatted about household matters all the way.

When they arrived at Xinglín Alley and got out of the carriage, neighbors indeed came forward to greet them.

“Old Madam has returned!”

“Old Madam, are you here to spend the New Year? I heard your eldest grandson’s wedding is set for February. Are you staying to attend his wedding before going to your younger son’s home?”

“Old Madam, do you still recognize me? I’m from the Li family next door.”

Some people also looked toward Zhou Shaojin.

Qiu Shi introduced Zhou Shaojin to them: “This is my newly married younger sister-in-law. She specially came to escort Mother here.”

“She’s truly beautiful!” someone came forward to chat with Qiu Shi.

Old Madam Guo smiled and exchanged pleasantries with everyone.

One could tell that the surrounding residents were mostly ordinary common folk, yet the neighborly warmth was strong. They spoke with goodwill, and the Cheng family had good relations with their neighbors.

In her previous life, Zhou Shaojin had never been to Xinglín Alley.

She had thought it would be like Chaoyang Gate, where the residents were either noble or wealthy, surrounded by aristocratic ladies who never left their homes, living next door to each other yet seeing each other only twice a year.

After a few words, everyone dispersed.

Zhou Shaojin followed behind Old Madam Guo as they entered. Looking up, she saw Cheng Xu standing by the auspicious gate.

He seemed to have been watching her for a while. He had been standing there straight, but when she looked up and saw him, he quickly lowered his head and hurried over to pay respects to Old Madam Guo.

Old Madam Guo helped Cheng Xu up affectionately and said, “This child, how have you gotten thinner again? I heard you’ve been studying with Minister Wu these days? You must take care of your health. Though the civil examinations are important, without good health, the three examination sessions, plus the palace examination and the Hanlin Academy examination – you won’t be able to endure it!” She added, “Didn’t they say you had to go to school? Why did you come back?”

Cheng Xu quickly smiled and said, “Grandmother, I’m fine. Minister Wu usually tells me the same thing and even has me walk to his place every morning. I came back early from Minister Wu’s today because I heard Grandmother was coming. Minister Wu knows about this and agreed to it.”

Old Madam Guo nodded.

Cheng Xu stepped forward to greet Cheng Wei and Cheng Chi. When it came to Zhou Shaojin, he hesitated for a moment before quietly calling out “Fourth Aunt.”

Zhou Shaojin curtsied and stood behind Cheng Chi.

Old Madam Guo smiled and extended her hand to Cheng Xu, saying, “Well then, let’s not all stand here. It’s so cold. Let’s hurry inside to talk.”

Everyone smiled in agreement.

Cheng Xu helped Old Madam Guo into the main hall.

Naturally, the steward assisted Nanny Lü in placing Old Madam Guo’s trunks.

Yuan Shi served Old Madam Guo by removing her cloak and helping her sit on the large heated platform by the window.

Everyone sat around Old Madam Guo.

Young maids came in to serve tea and refreshments.

Yuan Shi took the tea from a young maid’s hand and presented it to Old Madam Guo.

Old Madam Guo drank two sips of tea. Only then did her expression soften as she said to Cheng Wei and Cheng Chi, “I know you’re both filial. But you both have duties now. If you have business, go attend to it. With your eldest sister-in-law here, I’ll be fine.”

Cheng Wei smiled and said, “Elder Brother couldn’t come fetch you, so we agreed I’d take a day off. I’ll just stay and chat with you.”

Cheng Chi also said, “I’m already an idle person anyway. Missing a day or two won’t matter.”

Hearing this, Yuan Shi quickly said, “How could there be such a thing as passing by one’s own door without entering? Fourth Uncle should stay for the meal. I’ve already given instructions to the kitchen.”

“Yes!” Qiu Shi then smiled and said, “We’ll help you get everything organized properly, otherwise Shaojin won’t feel at ease!”

Zhou Shaojin nodded repeatedly.

Old Madam Guo said nothing more. After the trunks were unpacked, a stewardess came in to get the wine jug from Yuan Shi. Qiu Shi and Zhou Shaojin accompanied Old Madam Guo to the main room in the back courtyard to wash up and change clothes. Seeing Zhou Shaojin standing beside Qiu Shi like Qiu Shi’s daughter, Old Madam Guo couldn’t bear to have Zhou Shaojin do these tasks, so she made an excuse to send her out to look around: “Go see what the kitchen is preparing. It’s so cold – have them make some lotus seed, lily, and white fungus soup to warm us up.”

Zhou Shaojin cheerfully agreed and asked a young maid from Xinglín Alley to take her to the kitchen.

Who knew that when she left the room, she would see Cheng Chi and Cheng Wei standing in the passageway between the front and back courtyards talking.

Cheng Chi had his back to her, so she couldn’t see his expression clearly. But Cheng Wei faced her, his expression serious and stern, his lips pressed tightly together, with some anger in his eyes. Not knowing what Cheng Chi had said, he suddenly became agitated and said, “A gentleman acts on principle. I think your idea is right. Just go ahead and do it – I support you! If Elder Brother blames you, I’ll speak to him! Back then when Lord Lie did that, was it merely to leave a good reputation for the Cheng family’s descendants?”

Zhou Shaojin sighed quietly to herself, yet also felt a hidden sense of pride.

After quietly asking the maid for directions, she went to the kitchen via another passageway.

After returning to Chaoyang Gate, their home with just the two of them, Zhou Shaojin thought Cheng Chi would be affectionate with her, but he only kissed her cheek before burying himself in the study without coming out.

Zhou Shaojin waited by the stove, simmering rock sugar lotus seed soup to bring to Cheng Chi.

Cheng Chi looked up from a desk full of case files, his expression resolute.

Zhou Shaojin placed the powder-colored small bowl by his hand, walked behind him to massage his shoulders, and asked softly, “Silang, are you thinking of impeaching Grand Secretary Qu?”

Truth be told, Grand Secretary Qu’s relationship with Cheng Chi should be quite good. Especially when Cheng Chi was in Jinling and Grand Secretary Qu’s son-in-law Gao Yao brought his wife to Jiuru Lane to celebrate the second branch’s patriarch Cheng Xu’s birthday, he had clearly shown favor toward the main branch.