Cheng Chi hadn’t said these things to Zhou Shaojin, so naturally she didn’t know, but she could sense his emotions.

Now that there was a rift between the Cheng family and the Yuan family, Cheng Chi remained so composed—could it be that in his heart, the Yuan family wasn’t that important to the Cheng family?

Zhou Shaojin thought back to her past life when something happened to the Cheng family and the Yuan family seemed to have stood by without offering help… She felt Cheng Chi was truly remarkable. Even without being reborn, he had better judgment than her, someone who had been reborn—he knew how to read people.

She couldn’t help but tightly hug Cheng Chi’s arm and said softly, “Perhaps it’s better without the Yuan family—aren’t you on good terms with Minister Song? Lord Gu the Sixth and Minister Huang are also quite close… There’s no need to hang yourself on one tree!”

Cheng Chi chuckled softly, kissed Zhou Shaojin’s cheek, and teased her with a smile, “You even know about such things?”

“Isn’t it a case of being influenced by one’s company?” Zhou Shaojin said matter-of-factly as she burrowed into his embrace.

Cheng Chi laughed heartily. He was very fond of her dependence on him. His hand slipped beneath her clothing, gently caressing her slightly protruding belly, and he said warmly, “Was the baby well-behaved today?”

When his little wife was carrying their first child, he hadn’t been by her side. This time, with this child, he would definitely stay close to her.

Zhou Shaojin smiled as she wrapped her arms around Cheng Chi’s waist, resting her head against his chest. Listening to his strong, steady heartbeat—thump, thump, thump—she said softly, “The baby has been very good, not making a fuss all day.”

Cheng Chi smiled and said, “If she continues to be this well-behaved, after she’s born, I’ll reward her handsomely.”

“Wonderful!” Zhou Shaojin said. “We’ll buy her beautiful pearl hair clasps and kingfisher-feather ornaments.”

With such a docile child, both Zhou Shaojin and Cheng Chi felt it must be a girl.

“Not only will we buy her pearl hair clasps and kingfisher-feather ornaments, we’ll buy them for the child’s mother too,” Cheng Chi said with a soft laugh as he nibbled on her ear. “The Dragon Boat Festival is coming soon. How about we invite a master craftsman from the silver shop to come to our home to make jewelry for you? On the day of the festival, we can go watch the dragon boat races.”

Zhou Shaojin’s body melted like water as she nodded randomly, completely forgetting that she had made plans with Lady Pengcheng to watch the dragon boat races. When she woke up the next morning, she felt languid and didn’t want to move. She vaguely felt there was something she needed to do but couldn’t quite remember. Just then, Nanny Shang came to ask about the Dragon Boat Festival gifts. Then Fan Liushi came to ask about Chun Wan’s wedding, so she pushed those faint thoughts to the back of her mind. She first settled the matter of the festival gifts, then kept Fan Liushi to talk: “Fourth Master said to let Chun Wan depart for her wedding from our residence on Elm Leaf Alley. The wedding day is fast approaching. I was thinking you should go over first to help her tidy up the room. The double happiness characters and couplets all need to be put up.”

Chun Wan had entered the household at age seven and had always served by Zhou Shaojin’s side. Fan Liushi had watched her grow up and already regarded her as half a daughter. Now not only was she marrying into the Qin family, but the groom was also handsome and of good character. Moreover, she could depart from Zhou Shaojin’s own residence on her wedding day. Never mind the current Cheng family—even back in the Jiuru Alley days in Jinling, such an honor was unprecedented.

She was overjoyed and agreed immediately. She hurried to tell Chun Wan, instructing her, “No matter what, you must go kowtow to the Madam.”

Chun Wan nodded, her face flushed.

Cheng Chi now only maintained business with the Thirteen Hongs. The several head managers who used to work for Cheng Chi were now in Guangzhou and Ningbo helping him manage affairs with the Thirteen Hongs. Because there weren’t as many branch stores as before, some of the head managers had been ranked by seniority and became second or third managers. But regardless of which rank these managers held, they retained the insight and capability from their days as head managers. Although Cheng Chi’s businesses in Wenzhou and Ningbo weren’t as extensive as before, the profits were no smaller than in the past. Many people who didn’t know the true background of this trading house advised the head manager to suggest to the owner that he open branch stores, but these managers knew Cheng Chi was trying to avoid suspicion. To outsiders, they said the owner was of a modest temperament, only wanting to maintain a comfortable living without expending too much energy.

Some people tried to poach workers from the shop. Some clerks left, but the several managers all remained at the small trading house.

At the beginning of spring, Cheng Chi had sent Qin Ziji to Guangzhou, saying he wanted him to help out at the trading house doing odd jobs as an apprentice. After he and Chun Wan married, Chun Wan would follow him to Guangzhou. Once they left, who knew when they would return!

When Chun Wan went to kowtow to Zhou Shaojin in gratitude, her eyes were already red.

Zhou Shaojin also felt quite emotional.

She hadn’t expected Cheng Chi to send Qin Ziji so far away. She could only comfort Chun Wan, saying, “Don’t be too sad. In a few years, I’ll speak with Fourth Master about bringing Qin Ziji back.”

“Thank you for your kind intentions, Madam, but please don’t say anything,” Chun Wan said tactfully. “I know Fourth Master is doing this for his own good. Others would want such an opportunity but can’t get it! I’m not someone who doesn’t know what’s good for them. After we go, I’ll make sure to live well with Manager Qin and help Fourth Master look after the shop.”

No matter what, she was Madam’s dowry servant. Ordinarily, there was nothing wrong with following Fourth Master’s orders, but if there was ever a disagreement between Fourth Master and Madam, she would naturally listen to Madam.

Reading between the lines…

How could Zhou Shaojin not understand Chun Wan’s meaning? She couldn’t help but smile.

She believed Cheng Chi would treat her well for their entire lives. But that Chun Wan would protect her this way also made her very happy.

Since that was the case, there was no need to say more.

Distance tests a horse’s strength; time reveals a person’s heart.

She had confidence in Cheng Chi and didn’t need to insist that Chun Wan believe it too.

Zhou Shaojin personally helped Chun Wan to her feet and said, “I won’t be able to see you off on your wedding day. If you need anything, just find Mama Fan. I’ve told her to set aside all other matters these next few days and focus wholeheartedly on helping you prepare for your wedding. Come back here for the three-day return visit. Once the departure date is set, I’ll see you off then.”

Chun Wan nodded, her eyes reddening.

Zhou Shaojin instructed her, “Remember to take your leave from Elder Sister.”

Chun Wan sobbed in agreement.

Zhou Shaojin had been together with Chun Wan since her earliest memories. Though nominally servant and mistress, they were truly like family. Seeing Chun Wan so sad, her own tears couldn’t help but fall.

The two cried together for a while before Chun Wan finally went down to pack her things.

When it came time for Chun Wan to leave, the two embraced and cried again.

Cheng Chi hastily comforted her, “Be careful of the baby—don’t let her be a little crybaby from the moment she’s born.”

Zhou Shaojin quickly stopped her tears.

Old Madam Guo then discussed with her, “Zhenzhu is also of marriageable age. I see she’s quite fond of you, so why not keep her as well? Later she can become a steward’s wife for you. She and Biyu could work together.”

Zhou Shaojin was somewhat surprised.

Old Madam Guo smiled and said, “Speaking of the four senior maids who originally served in my quarters, Feicui and Biyu were the most capable. But I noticed you didn’t seem particularly fond of Feicui, so I took the liberty of leaving her behind in Jinling…”

Only now did Zhou Shaojin realize Old Madam Guo’s kind intentions.

She couldn’t help but feel ashamed and said, “I’ll follow your guidance.”

Old Madam Guo smiled and said, “Then let’s keep Manao as well.” She then pulled Zhou Shaojin along enthusiastically to help select husbands for the two maids.

They wanted men of good character who were also presentable in appearance and were hereditary servants of the Cheng family. After much deliberation, they still couldn’t settle on candidates. They simply brought Biyu along to look at prospects together.

They kept busy like this until the end of the month, when the Earl of Pengcheng’s household sent an invitation asking Zhou Shaojin to come appreciate flowers at their home on the fifth day of the fifth month. Only then did Zhou Shaojin remember this matter.

She couldn’t help but pace anxiously in circles.

She had been the one to say she wanted Lady Pengcheng to take her out for social engagements. She had nodded her agreement when Cheng Chi asked her to accompany him to watch the dragon boat races… She didn’t know what to do. Watching the days draw closer, she could only seek Cheng Chi’s help.

Cheng Chi was quite surprised and said, “How did you come to plan spending the Dragon Boat Festival with Lady Pengcheng?”

Afraid that Cheng Chi would be angry, Zhou Shaojin mumbled out her plans.

Cheng Chi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He held her in his arms, gently stroking her back, and said good-naturedly, “I’ve said that for social obligations outside, you can go if you want and skip them if you don’t. Look at Madam Song—doesn’t she also avoid going out for social engagements? Such gossip happens every day. Only the parties involved take it to heart. If you ignore it, it will immediately be replaced by new gossip… On Dragon Boat Festival, you should still come with me to watch the dragon boat races. As for Lady Pengcheng, send someone to inform the old lady that you have guests at home and can’t get away. I’ve invited Lord Gu Jiunie and his wife, Yuan Bieyun and his wife, as well as the family members of several colleagues from the yamen to come to our home as guests. We’ll all go watch the dragon boat races together.”

Zhou Shaojin nodded like a chicken pecking at rice.

Lady Pengcheng’s reply simply stated “Understood, understood,” and she even teased her, saying, “Come visit on a day when Cheng Zichuan isn’t bathing.”

Zhou Shaojin pretended not to see this and carefully arranged a banquet to entertain Cheng Chi’s colleagues and friends.

Cheng Chi’s colleagues were all older than him. Zhou Shaojin was young, so they hadn’t brought their wives. However, Yuan Bieyun’s wife, Third Madam, brought all three of her sons. The eldest was twelve, the youngest six. Each had prominent eyebrows and bright eyes. They stood in a row to pay their respects to Old Madam Guo, who was so delighted she kept nodding, warmly asking the boys about their studies and daily routines.

Yun Ge’er was not shy at all. He ran from his wet nurse’s arms and stood beside Yuan Bieyun’s youngest son. Standing there at different heights, anyone who didn’t know better would think Yun Ge’er was Yuan Bieyun’s son.

Everyone in the room couldn’t help but smile.

The three boys thus quickly grew close to Yun Ge’er.

Third Madam Yuan watched and laughed, saying, “What a pity he’s a boy, otherwise I’d take him as my daughter-in-law.”

Old Madam Guo chuckled and said half-jokingly, “If the child Shaojin is carrying is a girl, I’ll give her to you as a daughter-in-law.”

“Then I must thank Old Madam indeed,” Third Madam Yuan said as she gathered Yun Ge’er into her arms, teasing him with a smile. “Would you like to come play at Uncle Yuan’s house? Look, there are so many older brothers!”

Yun Ge’er loudly answered “Yes!” and even made a request: “The big brothers have to play hide-and-seek with me.”

Third Madam Yuan smiled at her three sons and said, “Did you hear that?”

The three boys, not knowing whom they took after, weren’t particularly lively by nature. They respectfully agreed and accompanied Yun Ge’er to play in the courtyard.

Yun Ge’er had a wonderful time. Cheng Chi and the others also drank merrily. In the afternoon, they went to the West Garden to watch the dragon boat races. In the evening, they went to Daxiangguo Temple for vegetarian dishes. After they dispersed, Cheng Chi wanted to take Yun Ge’er and Zhou Shaojin to see the lanterns.

If Yun Ge’er hadn’t fallen asleep halfway, Cheng Chi really would have dragged Zhou Shaojin and their son to Zhuque Avenue.

Zhou Shaojin had never seen Cheng Chi in such high spirits as today. After they returned and settled Yun Ge’er, she drew water and served Cheng Chi as he washed his face and feet. She couldn’t help but ask, “Has something happened?”