For Huo Dongting to come so late, there must be urgent business.

Zhou Shaojin helped Cheng Chi put on his shoes and went to the main hall.

Huo Dongting wasn’t surprised to see Zhou Shaojin. After hesitating a moment and seeing that Cheng Chi said nothing, knowing that Cheng Chi had no intention of hiding things from Zhou Shaojin, he couldn’t help glancing at her before saying, “Fourth Master, you had someone spread false news that the Crown Prince was ill. That Imperial Physician Wang from the Imperial Medical Bureau indeed rushed to the Eastern Palace. The Third Prince, Seventh Prince, and several other princes who haven’t been enfeoffed showed no reaction. Only the Fourth Prince’s residence and the Imperial Grandson’s residence had movements. From the Imperial Grandson’s residence, the Imperial Grandson went directly to the Eastern Palace. From the Fourth Prince’s residence, someone made contact with people from the Eastern Palace. The distance was too great—we couldn’t hear clearly what the Fourth Prince’s people and the Eastern Palace people discussed. But we recognized the person who contacted the Fourth Prince’s residence. We’ll find a way to contact him later to see what information he gave to the Fourth Prince’s residence.”

Cheng Chi nodded with a stern expression and said, “Be careful.”

He couldn’t let the events of his previous life repeat themselves. People who hadn’t experienced it didn’t know the inside story. He was now somewhat worried about alerting the enemy and causing changes in the events of his previous life—making dangers that should have appeared be delayed or hidden in corners he hadn’t noticed, emerging when he let down his guard to catch him off guard.

If it were just him alone, he naturally wouldn’t be afraid and could escape no matter what. But now he had Shaojin, his mother, and possibly children in the future… Thinking of children, he couldn’t help stepping forward to embrace Zhou Shaojin and kiss her cheek.

Cheng Chi had released false information, and among the princes, only the Fourth Prince and the Imperial Grandson had reacted. The Imperial Grandson was the Crown Prince’s son, so knowing about the Crown Prince’s situation wasn’t strange. But the Fourth Prince knew… and in his previous life, he had become Emperor, which inevitably made one think more deeply.

If the Cheng family’s affairs were truly related to the Fourth Prince, and the Fourth Prince was the destined Emperor, would they have any chance of winning against him?

Zhou Shaojin was also worried about the Cheng family’s future. She couldn’t help tightly embracing Cheng Chi back, comforting him in a low voice, “Now that Jiuru Lane has divided the clan, the fifth branch definitely has no problems. They’re not important enough to attract the Emperor’s attention. The fourth branch has always been cautious and only has Uncle Yuan serving as an official outside. They couldn’t possibly cause such a big incident…”

It was the main branch… especially Cheng Jing of the main branch who was most likely to implicate everyone!

She swallowed these words without saying them and continued, “Now we all live in the capital. As long as we act carefully, nothing should happen to make the imperial family wary.”

Living together?

This phrase reminded Cheng Chi.

He discussed with Zhou Shaojin, “Shaojin, I’ll keep an eye on Elder Brother. As for Second Brother, you should visit more often.”

Cheng Wei was at the Hanlin Academy, a close minister to the Emperor. It was also an easy place for incidents to occur.

Zhou Shaojin nodded and said, “What should I pay attention to?”

Cheng Chi said, “Just pay attention to whom Second Brother’s family associates with.”

At the Hanlin Academy, he could find people to watch Cheng Wei, but matters in the inner courtyard weren’t so easy.

But truthfully, he was more inclined to believe Elder Brother Cheng Jing would cause trouble.

Because this kind of disaster wasn’t something just anyone had the ability to provoke.

With Second Brother, he was just worried about him being used by others.

This was no problem.

Zhou Shaojin told Cheng Chi about Qiu Shi asking her to go see Miss Xie.

Cheng Chi was somewhat surprised and said, “The Xie family’s status isn’t high. Why would Second Sister-in-law take a liking to the Xie family’s daughter?”

“Perhaps she wants to marry a daughter-in-law from a lower-status family,” Zhou Shaojin said. “That way there would be fewer conflicts.”

Cheng Chi instructed her to bring more servants when the time came, “Don’t let anyone offend you.”

His little wife was beautiful—he didn’t want her to be coveted by anyone.

Zhou Shaojin had never been conscious of her own beauty. Hearing this, she only thought Cheng Chi was worried about her safety. She smiled in agreement and pulled Cheng Chi back to the inner chamber, “Rest early. Didn’t you say you have to enter the palace tomorrow?”

The Emperor had summoned Cheng Chi to the palace for an audience.

Making the decision had been difficult, but once it was made, he could only forge ahead.

Cheng Chi’s state of mind was very calm.

He smiled and let Zhou Shaojin pull him into the inner chamber. The two tumbled together in passionate intimacy. It wasn’t until he woke up the next morning that Zhou Shaojin was still sleeping soundly. He kissed her several times but she only mumbled twice, rolled over, and fell back asleep.

Cheng Chi smiled helplessly, got dressed, and entered the palace.

When Zhou Shaojin woke up, she didn’t move for quite a while.

She hadn’t known Cheng Chi could be so wild when he got started… She would never indulge him like this again.

Fortunately, it was Nanny Fan who came to lift the bed curtain to help her get up.

In her previous life, Nanny Fan had seen her in all states. In this life, she and Cheng Chi were a proper married couple. Cheng Chi loved her—Nanny Fan would only be happy to see it, right?

She studied Fan Liushi.

Fan Liushi’s face indeed couldn’t hide her smile.

Zhou Shaojin’s heart settled. She let the wet nurse help her wash and dress, then emerged from the bathing room fresh and clean. She had her hair done in a simple style, changed into casual home clothes, and went to Old Madam Guo’s quarters.

After the fifteenth of the first month, the weather became noticeably clearer.

Old Madam Guo was standing under the covered corridor watching several women loosen the soil, preparing to plant a row of hostas in front of her room.

Seeing Zhou Shaojin arrive, she smiled and said, “Are you trying to turn Tingxiang Courtyard into a flower garden!”

“What’s wrong with turning it into a flower garden?” The more Zhou Shaojin interacted with Old Madam Guo, the more she respected her and the more she liked being close to her. “I’ve also had people search for two Xifu crabapple trees. In a few days, we’ll plant one in front of your room. That will be lively!”

Old Madam Guo laughed heartily. Supported by Zhou Shaojin, she walked inside, saying, “Speaking of lively, it would be lively if you two quickly gave me a grandson or granddaughter.”

Zhou Shaojin’s face flushed with embarrassment.

But a few days later, her monthly period came.

She felt completely deflated. After returning from Qiu Shi’s new residence and hearing that Xiao Sheng was also pregnant, her legs felt like lead when she got out of the sedan chair.

Old Madam Guo comforted her, “Look at Qiu Shi—she was married into our family for several years before having a child. You’re still young. Don’t rush, don’t rush.”

How could Zhou Shaojin not be anxious?

She wanted to ask her sister for advice, but thinking of Cheng Chi saying he had promised her father not to consummate their marriage for two years, she changed her mind.

Just then, a letter arrived from Cheng Jia saying that her pregnancy was now stable. Li Jing’s intention was that the eldest son couldn’t be born away from home, so after attending Cheng Xu’s wedding banquet, they would return to Luoyang.

Receiving the letter, Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help biting her teeth. She said to Cui Huan, “I’ll go see her today. Go tell her.”

Cui Huan went to relay the message.

When Old Madam Guo heard about it, she also said, “It’s good to sit with Jia girl. Once she leaves, who knows when you’ll meet again.”

Zhou Shaojin brought some medicinal herbs over.

Cheng Jia welcomed her at the hanging flower gate.

Compared to last time, Cheng Jia had gained another circle of weight.

Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help widening her eyes.

Cheng Jia complained, “Li Jing makes me eat, eat, eat every day. How can I not get fat? The midwife hired in the capital tells me to eat less and move more. But the matrons who came from Luoyang tell me to eat more and move less. I think the capital’s midwife makes sense, but Li Jing says the several matrons from Luoyang are experienced. The several sisters-in-law at home were all attended by them… I’m currently angry with him about this! You came at just the right time. Keep me company and talk. Later we’ll go out to the streets.”

“Forget going to the streets.” Zhou Shaojin wasn’t in the mood for that now. She whispered privately in Cheng Jia’s ear.

Cheng Jia burst into laughter.

Zhou Shaojin was both anxious and annoyed, pushing her.

Cui Huan immediately rushed over, supporting Cheng Jia and even giving Zhou Shaojin a displeased look.

“It’s fine, it’s fine.” Cheng Jia waved at Cui Huan and said to Zhou Shaojin, “Then let’s go to Hongluo Temple tomorrow. I’ve wanted to go out for a walk for a long time.”

Zhou Shaojin nodded.

Cheng Jia instructed Cui Huan to send a message to Cheng Sheng, “Say that Shaojin and I plan to go burn incense and ask if she wants to go fulfill a vow. If she wants to, should we go together?”

Cui Huan went to make arrangements.

Cheng Jia then lounged on the large heated platform by the bed with Zhou Shaojin, talking, “Why are you in such a hurry? You’re still young!”

Zhou Shaojin couldn’t explain why clearly. She just really wanted a child, especially Cheng Chi’s child, preferably one that looked exactly like him. As she spoke, her words carried a note of longing.

Cheng Jia couldn’t stop laughing and teased her, “I never expected you to like Uncle Chi so much. Your eyes light up when you talk about him.”

“What nonsense are you talking about?” Zhou Shaojin blushed and playfully wrestled with Cheng Jia.

But after this playfulness, her mood improved considerably. When Cheng Sheng replied in the afternoon saying she wanted to go to Hongluo Temple with them tomorrow to burn incense, her mood became even better.

Returning home, she felt embarrassed to say she wanted to go to Hongluo Temple herself, so she said she was accompanying Cheng Sheng to fulfill a vow.

Old Madam Guo wasn’t the type to keep daughters-in-law confined at her side. Knowing Cheng Sheng’s personality, she approved of Zhou Shaojin growing closer to Cheng Sheng as sisters and naturally agreed readily.

But when she told Cheng Chi about this, his expression seemed somewhat awkward.

He quietly asked Zhou Shaojin, “You want to go, don’t you?” As he spoke, he held her and promised, “We’re both fine. I just think you’re still too young, and I promised your father not to consummate our marriage… In a few years, we’ll naturally have a baby.” Then he asked, “Did Mother say something to you? I’ll talk to her tomorrow. Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.”

Zhou Shaojin was stunned. After a long moment, she said, “You… don’t want children?”

That look in her eyes made Cheng Chi’s heart panic. He quickly said, “No, no. I just want to wait until you’re a bit older.”

Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help muttering quietly, “Others my age have already become mothers…”

Cheng Chi quickly said, “Others are others, we are us. I want to grow old with you!”

Did having children at this time mean they couldn’t grow old together?

Zhou Shaojin usually had no temper, and moreover, Cheng Chi was the person closest to her heart, so she followed his lead even more, practically taking his word as law… But this time, Zhou Shaojin didn’t want to listen to Cheng Chi.

She said nothing.

She decided to still go to Hongluo Temple tomorrow as planned.

In any case, she wanted a child!

At worst, she would be more proactive…

Thinking of this, Zhou Shaojin’s face burned.

Silang… should love her very much… If she took the initiative, it should work, right?

Zhou Shaojin lay anxious and uncertain for quite a while before falling asleep.