Upon hearing this, Min Jia’s expression immediately tightened.

Her mother-in-law’s implication was already very clear.

But could she produce a child by herself?

As this thought circled in her mind, a somewhat embarrassed smile appeared on her face as she said in a low voice to Yuan Shi: “Didn’t Mother say that Husband will be taking the examinations next year, and that he should study properly in his study? I don’t dare disturb him.”

Lest when the time comes, if he fails the exam, you’ll blame me for distracting him.

Thinking this, Min Jia couldn’t help wanting to needle her mother-in-law, saying: “Husband often tells me that he has what he has today entirely because Mother raised him well. I just married in and don’t understand anything. I thought what you said surely couldn’t be wrong. Forget about disturbing Husband—even the maids, women servants, and male servants, I haven’t dared change a single one. I only hope that in the next examination Husband can have his name on the honor roll, bringing glory to the Cheng family and honoring our clan.”

As for whether Cheng Xu could become the top scholar, that had nothing to do with her.

Because even if Cheng Xu did place first, given her mother-in-law’s nature, she would definitely claim all the credit for herself. Rather than fighting over an empty title when the time came, it was better to make things clear now.

Yuan Shi’s expression immediately became very ugly.

She knew the Fang family girl wasn’t some soft rice dumpling, but being contradicted so sarcastically by her own daughter-in-law, no one would be pleased.

Yuan Shi laughed coldly: “It seems this is all my fault. I should have instructed Jiashan not to neglect you.”

Saying it as if Min Jia had resentments because Cheng Xu was focused on studying and had neglected her.

Min Jia was so angry her fingertips trembled.

It wasn’t that she hadn’t anticipated her mother-in-law would scold her, but she hadn’t expected her mother-in-law to say such crude things.

However, in quarrels there are no kind words—this should have been expected.

Min Jia once again experienced Yuan Shi’s sharp tongue and mean spirit.

This was the first time since marrying in that she had such a direct confrontation with Yuan Shi.

Between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, it was always a matter of whether the east wind prevailed over the west wind or the west wind over the east. If she backed down today, she would never be able to speak up in front of her mother-in-law in the future.

Min Jia smiled: “Husband has always respected Mother. Whatever Mother says, he will certainly listen. Just like when we were in Jinling—without Mother, where would Husband be today?”

Recalling the resentment in Cheng Xu’s heart when he mentioned Zhou Shaojin that day, she couldn’t help but smile, reminding Yuan Shi once more.

She wondered if Cheng Xu would continue listening to his mother this time.

However, with Cheng Xu’s current state of mind trying for top scholar, it would probably be rather difficult, wouldn’t it?

She walked forward calmly while Yuan Shi’s gaze turned cold.

What did Min Jia mean by this?

Could it be… she knew about Jiashan having once liked Zhou Shaojin?

Yuan Shi immediately felt somewhat displeased.

Her son was cold toward his wife—she managed Xinglin Lane’s household affairs, how could she not know? But she had always felt that once her son married and had his wife’s tender care, his heart would slowly return.

If Min Jia knew there had once been someone in her husband’s heart, now that they were married, shouldn’t she be more gentle and careful, pulling her husband’s heart back? What was the point of saying such things and losing her temper here?

She couldn’t help saying: “You’re a Miss of the Min family. You’ve read the ‘Admonitions for Women’ since childhood. Your mother should have taught you the way of husband and wife. Jiashan is the eldest grandson of the main branch of the Cheng family. You are Jiashan’s wife. In the future, this family will be handed over to you and Jiashan. You should be learning to manage the affairs of your own courtyard now. How can you just rely on me?”

Min Jia was so angry she couldn’t speak for a long time.

Why should I clean up your mess?

Deal with the sins you’ve committed yourself!

She felt embarrassed even seeing Zhou Shaojin. Yet Yuan Shi could still sit at the same table eating with Zhou Shaojin as if nothing had happened. Wasn’t she afraid lightning would strike her down?

How hypocritical!

Min Jia laughed coldly: “Mother is right. I heard that Fourth Sister-in-law got her wish this time because she once burned incense at Hongluo Temple. Fourth Sister-in-law said that when her health improves, she must go to Hongluo Temple to fulfill her vow. Since that’s the case, when Fourth Sister-in-law goes to Hongluo Temple to fulfill her vow, I’ll accompany her. We can have Husband guide us and take this opportunity to go out and relax. What do you think?”

Her gaze was sharp, radiating coldness, her upturned lips carrying a mocking flavor.

Yuan Shi’s heart turned cold.

She realized Min Jia might have heard something.

She immediately became somewhat angry from embarrassment, scolding in a low voice: “What nonsense are you spouting? Jiaxi is a man—how can he accompany you to Hongluo Temple to burn incense…”

But before she could finish, she was interrupted by Cheng Zheng’s somewhat warning “Mother.”

Yuan Shi turned her head.

She saw her eldest daughter glance at her with a deep gaze, then smile and link arms with Min Jia, saying in a low voice: “Don’t quarrel with Mother. Though Mother is already a grandmother, with Grandmother’s affection, Father’s respect, and her children’s filial piety, her temper has grown accordingly, but her heart is good. Sister-in-law, you’ll see Mother every day from now on—please be understanding. If Mother does anything wrong, I’ll talk to her about it.” The last sentence was whispered in Min Jia’s ear.

Min Jia didn’t know whether this eldest aunt who was more than ten years older than her and lived permanently in the capital knew about Zhou Shaojin and Cheng Xu’s matter, but since she could speak to her so humbly, how could she not give her face? Moreover, this was Chaoyangmen—if she really quarreled with her mother-in-law here, wouldn’t she be giving Zhou Shaojin something to laugh at?

She immediately said: “Eldest Aunt, this matter was originally my fault! I can only blame myself for being young and unable to hold my tongue. With Eldest Aunt’s words, I will properly honor my mother-in-law from now on and not anger her.”

Cheng Zheng smiled and patted her hand, then said to Yuan Shi: “Mother, it’s getting late. You should go home and rest early too! I’ll come see you again tomorrow. After the Double Ninth Festival, it will soon be October and time for ancestral worship. We haven’t been back for several years. My mother-in-law wrote recently telling us to return home for the ancestral rites. There are some matters I need to consult with you about!”

As Cheng Zheng grew older, Yuan Shi felt increasing pressure facing this eldest daughter. Now that Cheng Zheng had spoken and given her a way out, though Yuan Shi was unwilling and her lips trembled, ultimately she said nothing.

Qiu Shi breathed a sigh of relief.

If Yuan Shi and Min Jia had quarreled here, she truly wouldn’t have known what to say, being no good at mediating.

Cheng Xiao glanced at Cheng Sheng and whispered: “Mother only said one sentence, but she replied with ten. Why such a temper?”

Cheng Sheng had long been dissatisfied with Yuan Shi bowing and scraping to form this alliance with the Min family. Hearing this, she whispered back to Cheng Xiao: “We can only blame Eldest Aunt for rushing this marriage.”

Thinking about it, Cheng Xiao realized this was true and couldn’t help but let out a long sigh. On the way back, she brought up this matter with Cheng Zheng.

Speaking of what Cheng Xu had done would only bring shame to the Cheng family. Of course, the fewer people who knew, the better.

Earlier, Min Jia had walked ahead supporting Yuan Shi, and Cheng Zheng had heard their conversation clearly.

She guessed Min Jia probably knew about the garden incident at Jiuru Lane in Jinling. Now hearing her sister mention this, she could only smile bitterly: “Though young ladies from prominent families have better virtue and upbringing than those from humble families, most also have strong personalities. You know Mother’s temper. I’m afraid sister-in-law hasn’t been taking things lying down either. You and I are both elder sisters—we must mediate between both sides. I’m going over tomorrow for this very reason. Not only does Mother need to change her temperament, but Jiashan needs to change his too. Otherwise, Xinglin Lane will only become more chaotic with no peaceful days.”

Cheng Xiao felt her sister’s words made great sense: “Should I accompany you back tomorrow?”

“No need.” Cheng Zheng said, “Both Mother and sister-in-law care about face. Too many people would make it worse.”

Cheng Xiao nodded: “Elder Sister, if you need anything, just tell me.”

“Of course!” Cheng Zheng agreed, but her mind was already racing ahead, thinking about tomorrow’s visit to her natal home.

※

At Chaoyangmen, after Zhou Shaojin saw off the guests, Old Madam Guo sent Zhenzhu to find Cheng Chi: “Have him come escort Shaojin back to their room together.” She also said to Zhou Shaojin: “He’s the host today—he couldn’t avoid drinking. Have him sleep in the reception room so the smell doesn’t make you uncomfortable.”

“It’s fine.” Zhou Shaojin smiled, “A cup of strong tea will do. The weather is getting colder—the heated platform in the reception room isn’t as warm as the inner chamber’s brazier.”

They were both kept burning all day—how would the inner chamber be warmer than the reception room? It was simply that she couldn’t bear to have Cheng Chi sleep alone.

Old Madam Guo chuckled and didn’t interfere in her son and daughter-in-law’s bedroom matters, only instructing Zhou Shaojin to be careful and not insist on coming to pay morning and evening respects: “You’re both good children. If you truly want to show filial piety, giving me a healthy grandson would please me more than anything.”

Zhou Shaojin blushed and agreed.

Cheng Chi came after seeing off the guests.

Just as Old Madam Guo had said, the smell of alcohol on him was quite strong. Zhou Shaojin felt somewhat uncomfortable, though not unbearably so.

The couple took leave of Old Madam Guo and returned to their room chatting and laughing.

Cheng Chi chewed some tea leaves and voluntarily went to rest in the reception room.

Zhou Shaojin indeed found the smell bothersome. Seeing Cheng Chi’s mind was made up, she didn’t insist. But after lying down, though clearly tired, she always felt something was missing. She tossed and turned unable to sleep, frightening Chun Wan who was on night duty until her face turned pale, repeatedly asking where she felt unwell.

“I’m fine, just want to turn over.” Zhou Shaojin comforted Chun Wan, telling her to go rest in the outer hall.

Chun Wan hesitated to leave. Zhou Shaojin had to say “I can’t sleep with you here” before she reluctantly went to the outer hall.

Even so, Zhou Shaojin still couldn’t sleep, and instead began vomiting from nausea.

The room fell into chaos. If Zhou Shaojin hadn’t scolded them, Fan Liu Shi would have gone to fetch Old Madam Guo to check on her.

After cleaning everything up, Zhou Shaojin’s head felt wooden.

She lay in bed pale-faced.

Cheng Chi was extremely distressed. Holding her hand, he sat on the brocade stool beside the bed rather than sitting on the bed edge talking to her: “What happened just now? Where do you feel unwell?” Seeing her in poor spirits, he said, “If you don’t want to talk, don’t talk. I’ll stay here with you—sleep quickly…”

Only then did Zhou Shaojin suddenly understand.

She wanted to nestle in Cheng Chi’s embrace, feel his warmth, smell his pleasant scent, be held by him like a treasure as she slept—as if returning to her own corner, a corner Cheng Chi had built for her, making her feel secure, at peace, and tranquil…