Cheng Xu’s words struck Min Jia like a slap across the face, leaving her speechless for a long while.

After an indeterminate amount of time, her complexion turned deathly pale. In a dazed and confused state, she stumbled out of the study clutching the red lacquer tray decorated with golden crabapple flowers.

Cheng Xu slumped dejectedly into his armchair, tears falling silently from his eyes.

How had things come to this?

He had originally thought that since he had already wronged Zhou Shaojin, he couldn’t wrong another person as well. As his grandmother had said, he should shoulder the responsibilities he ought to bear—since he had married her, he should wholeheartedly live his life with her. But he hadn’t expected to bungle things once again, bringing them to this point.

Would she tell anyone about this?

If she did, how could Shaojin face anyone!

In this moment, he deeply regretted his actions.

Min Jia had no idea how she made it back to her room.

By the time she collapsed onto the bed, she felt she didn’t even have the strength to lift her hand.

How could the Cheng family do this?

They clearly knew Cheng Xu loved Zhou Shaojin, clearly knew he had almost… yet they acted as if nothing had happened and married her into their family!

How could they be so shameless!

Thinking this, Min Jia felt she couldn’t bear to stay in this household for even one more minute.

She struggled to get up.

Su Yue hurried forward to support her, asking with concern, “Young Madam, what’s wrong? Your face was frighteningly pale when you came back just now. Did the Young Master he…”

Which newlywed couple wasn’t affectionate and intimate? But their Young Madam and Young Master were different—one stayed in the inner chambers, you don’t come close to me and I don’t go close to you, while the other lived in the study. Every gesture conveyed “I need to read, don’t disturb me casually.” Where was even a trace of newlywed behavior?

The wet nurse had already mentioned it to her several times privately, telling her to remind the Young Madam when she had a chance.

Looking at today’s situation, the Young Madam and Young Master had likely argued again.

But she had barely begun speaking when Min Jia shouted loudly, “Don’t mention that person’s name in front of me anymore! It’s disgusting…”

Su Yue was startled. In her alarm, she cried out “Young Miss” and said in a low voice, “Although those serving inside this room are our people, those serving outside are all Cheng family people. If anyone were to overhear, it would be terrible. Whatever the matter is, endure it for now and go home to tell the Master about it. The Master is a top scholar—no matter what, the Cheng family has to give the Master some face, don’t they?”

That’s right!

She still had her natal family.

If the Cheng family bullied her like this, she should ask her family to intervene.

But even if her family intervened on her behalf, could she… could she actually divorce?

Never mind whether she could return home after divorcing—as long as she divorced Cheng Xu, the Min family’s reputation of “six generations without a remarried daughter” would be finished. Not only would it bring complete shame to the Min family, it would implicate her brother, making the Min family elders disappointed in his abilities. This might cause him to lose support from some of the elders.

Moreover, this kind of matter, if spoken of, would be an earth-shattering scandal.

Not only Cheng Xu, but Cheng Chi who had married Zhou Shaojin, and Cheng Chi’s elder brothers Cheng Jing and Cheng Wei would all be implicated. The Cheng family wouldn’t be able to hold their heads up for at least fifty years.

As the saying goes, cutting off someone’s livelihood is like killing their parents.

If she cut off the Cheng family’s official career path, it would be even worse than killing their parents.

The Cheng and Min families would become mortal enemies.

With the Cheng family’s capabilities, if they fought the Min family to mutual destruction, even if the Min family wasn’t dragged down by the Cheng family, they would be severely weakened and unable to maintain their position among the first-tier aristocratic families.

Thinking this, fine beads of sweat appeared on Min Jia’s forehead.

Not only could she not speak of this matter, she had to conceal it.

Conceal it completely.

When others mentioned this matter, she would even have to prove that Cheng Xu had never done such a thing…

Clearly recognizing the situation she faced, her anger swept through her mind like a passing whirlwind, making it impossible for her to endure any longer.

She did something crude she had never done in her life—she grabbed the large pillow beside her and flung it violently.

“Young Madam!” Su Yue was dumbstruck.

“Get out, all of you get out!” Min Jia shouted, unable to control herself, and only then did tears fall like rain.

Su Yue thought of Min Jia’s expression when she had emerged from Cheng Xu’s study, and worriedly exchanged glances with the other serving maids, leading them out one by one.

The room suddenly became deathly quiet and lifeless.

Min Jia buried her face in the large pillow and cried freely.

Why did Cheng Xu have to tell her?

If she didn’t know, she wouldn’t be suffering like this.

Did he think that rather than suffer alone, it would be better for two people to suffer together?

What should she do from now on?

Zhou Shaojin could marry Cheng Chi—perhaps the Cheng family wanted to silence Zhou Shaojin. Now that she also knew about this matter, how could the Cheng family possibly allow her to leave?

Thinking this, she suddenly remembered Wu Baozhang, remembered the expression on her face when she had hinted that Wu Baozhang should find a way to call Zhou Shaojin out.

Could she also be someone who knew!

If she could lead her to investigate this matter, might she also lead others to investigate it?

Min Jia thought of what Zhou Shaojin had said to her that day—to ask her mother-in-law if she had questions, not to run around everywhere… and now felt that Zhou Shaojin’s words had carried deep meaning.

Min Jia took out her handkerchief to wipe away her tears and carefully pondered the events of these past few days.

※※※

Meanwhile, at Chaoyang Gate, Zhou Shaojin sat under the lamp carefully reviewing account books.

Cheng Chi was practicing calligraphy nearby.

Looking up to see her using her index finger to point at numbers one by one as she worked the abacus, he couldn’t help but laugh, saying, “Do you need my help?”

“Yes, yes, yes!” Zhou Shaojin felt her eyes were going blurry. She looked at Cheng Chi with delight.

Cheng Chi couldn’t help but laugh again. He put down his brush and sat on the kang opposite Zhou Shaojin.

Zhou Shaojin immediately crawled over and attentively massaged his shoulders.

Cheng Chi laughed, “You should just sit properly. How can I work the abacus with you like this?”

Zhou Shaojin just wanted to be close to Cheng Chi.

Earlier, it was only because Cheng Chi wanted to practice calligraphy that she had looked at the account books.

So she changed to sitting beside Cheng Chi, smiling with curved eyes as she said, “Then I’ll massage your legs!”

Cheng Chi couldn’t help but smile, picking her up and setting her aside. “If you have nothing to do, go make me a pot of tea.”

Zhou Shaojin scurried off happily.

Cheng Chi finished calculating the accounts in no time. By the time Zhou Shaojin brought in the tea, Cheng Chi was already tidying up the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.

Zhou Shaojin knew he was capable, but to be this capable still left her somewhat dumbfounded.

Cheng Chi beckoned to her with a smile, asking, “Are the Mid-Autumn Festival gifts all prepared?”

Zhou Shaojin nodded, asking curiously, “How did you know?”

Cheng Chi took the tea tray from her hands and tapped her nose before saying, “I saw that this month’s expenses were much higher than last month, especially for flour and sugar. You probably had the kitchen staff make mooncakes to give to others, right?”

Zhou Shaojin giggled.

She particularly disliked using her brain when beside Cheng Chi, yet she found even such boring conversation fascinating.

“We’ll start sending festival gifts to various families tomorrow,” Zhou Shaojin said with a smile, fetching a list for Cheng Chi. “Look and see if we’ve missed anyone.”

“Did you decide this together with Ziji?” Cheng Chi glanced at it briefly and said, “He’s quite meticulous in his work. Since he’s already reviewed it, there shouldn’t be any problems.”

Zhou Shaojin nodded.

Cheng Chi then discussed with her, “I’m thinking of transferring Steward Xiang over to serve you, so you don’t have to worry about these daily necessities every day. Then I’ll have Fan Qi manage affairs at Yuqian Alley—he’s been following Qin Ziji and the others for some time now, so it’s a good opportunity to let him practice independently. And then there’s Biyu. From now on, she’ll be assigned to your side to serve you exclusively. As for kitchen matters, I don’t have a good candidate yet. If you think anyone is suitable, have them take charge. I’ve already told Mother about Chun Wan’s marriage. Mother thinks she’s quite capable and wants to keep her in the household, finding her a match from among the outer courtyard stewards who are acceptable in character and appearance…”

As he was speaking, he felt a weight on his shoulder. Looking back, he saw Zhou Shaojin leaning on his shoulder, dozing off!

Cheng Chi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He reached out to wake her, but seeing how exhausted she looked, his heart softened. He gently picked her up and carried her to the bed.

Who knew that as soon as Zhou Shaojin touched the bed, she woke up and burrowed directly into Cheng Chi’s embrace.

Cheng Chi laid her down properly, but she hummed and rolled back over to him.

Watching her with closed eyes and pouted lips, soft and tender like a glutinous rice dumpling clinging to him, he couldn’t help but smile wryly. He could only whisper in her ear, “I’ll be right there!”

Zhou Shaojin nodded without opening her eyes, saying sweetly to him, “Then hurry and come to bed.”

If not for her looking like a child acting spoiled, Cheng Chi would have thought she had ulterior motives.

But after he finished tidying up and got into bed, Zhou Shaojin clung to him like driftwood. After thinking it over, he still followed his own desires and made love to her once.

When Zhou Shaojin felt good, she would make soft humming sounds. When his movements were too vigorous, she would furrow her brow and call out “Fourth Lang.”

Cheng Chi couldn’t bear to see her uncomfortable, so most of the time he accommodated her. Only when his desire was truly strong would he follow his own wishes and take his pleasure freely.

But until the clouds dispersed and rain ceased, Zhou Shaojin kept her eyes closed the entire time, as if very sleepy.

Cheng Chi smiled helplessly, cleaning her up before holding her as they slept.

The next afternoon when he returned from the yamen, the maids told him Zhou Shaojin was embroidering in her room.

He walked in quietly, only to see Zhou Shaojin holding an embroidery needle while her head nodded continuously like someone fishing.

Cheng Chi stepped forward and quietly took the embroidery needle from her hand.

Zhou Shaojin’s eyes flew open, misty with moisture, as she said, “You’re back?” She called for the maids to bring water for him to change clothes, then covered her mouth and yawned several times in succession.

Cheng Chi laughed, “Are you very tired? If so, don’t follow Mother to practice calligraphy and painting anymore. Rest for a few days, and go back when you’re feeling more energetic.”

Zhou Shaojin nodded, saying vaguely, “Autumn drowsiness, autumn drowsiness—this autumn drowsiness is really severe! I’ve never been like this before. I don’t know why, but I always want to sleep…”

Always wanting to sleep?!

Cheng Chi was astonished.

Zhou Shaojin already had a dizzy, confused look, half-closing her eyes as she walked toward the bed. Yawning continuously, she leaned against the large pillow at the head of the bed, saying, “You change clothes yourself! I’ll sleep for a bit. When you’re ready and go to pay respects to Mother, wake me…”

Before Cheng Chi could respond, she had already fallen into a deep sleep.