“I don’t know,” Cheng Chi said solemnly.
“You don’t know?!” Zhou Shaojin was astonished.
“Indeed, I don’t know what it was,” Cheng Chi said. “Because Second Uncle didn’t even look at it. When the Imperial Guards captured the Fourth Prince, he returned the item to His Majesty.”
Zhou Shaojin inexplicably felt her heart lighten. She pondered aloud, “Could it have been an edict or something?”
“Or a letter calling for help, a secret decree summoning loyalist forces… anything’s possible,” Cheng Chi said seriously. “Although His Majesty had already seen through the Fourth Prince’s scheme, I think he may not have been entirely confident, so keeping something in reserve was also possible. Otherwise, Second Uncle wouldn’t have discovered anything under the chess board.” As he spoke, he reflected, “If I’m not mistaken, in your past life, no one detected the Fourth Prince’s ambitions. He deployed his plans methodically—first he harmed the Crown Prince, then used the matter of establishing an heir to bring down the Third Prince and others. After the Crown Prince’s heir was established, he began plotting against him as well.
“I just don’t know whether the Crown Prince’s heir died of illness or was murdered by him. But as time passes, we should find out—after the Crown Prince’s heir’s death, His Majesty’s state of mind certainly changed. He was already advanced in years. If he established another young heir and that heir also died prematurely, what then? Because the Fourth Prince had once been raised in Empress Yuan’s palace, and his elder brothers had all met with misfortune, he smoothly became Crown Prince.
“Perhaps His Majesty discovered something about the Crown Prince’s death, or perhaps he did something that greatly displeased His Majesty.
“Then His Majesty decided to depose him.
“Judging from this incident, if he could turn Chen Li under such circumstances, then in your past life when timing, location, and popular support were all in his favor—and you said that afterward Chen Li became a Grand Eunuch of Cining Palace—he must have learned of His Majesty’s intentions with Chen Li’s help. So when His Majesty fell ill, he decided to force the palace without hesitation.
“By that time, he was already Crown Prince. Once His Majesty died, he could legitimately succeed to the throne.
“But not everyone in the palace would obey his commands.
“For instance, someone like Han Ding, the Imperial Guard Commander, was definitely His Majesty’s confidant and most loyal to His Majesty.
“For the Fourth Prince to harm His Majesty, he couldn’t bypass Han Ding.
“In your past life, everyone thought the Fourth Prince succeeded normally.
“Which means in the past life, the palace forcing and such were all conducted quietly.
“The Fourth Prince attacked His Majesty’s bedchamber, yet the Forbidden City had no major disturbances. In such circumstances, no one could distinguish who was a loyal minister and who was a traitor.
“His Majesty could only make judgments based on his heart.
“Now he has already detected the Fourth Prince’s movements. When neither the Bureau of Receptions official nor Grand Secretary Yuan were willing to write a false edict for the Fourth Prince, he still gave Second Uncle something—how much more so in the past life when he was being schemed against by the Fourth Prince.
“He must have also given Second Uncle something.
“It was this item that brought about the complete extermination of the Cheng family.”
Zhou Shaojin was confused. Thinking of the Cheng family’s fate in her past life, her eyes immediately became somewhat moist. She said, “In the past life, Second Uncle was buried by the Cheng family. If Second Uncle had died in the palace, the item certainly wouldn’t have been in his hands. The Cheng family wouldn’t have known what happened at all. Even if they knew, without evidence, they wouldn’t dare say anything. Why would His Majesty still implicate the Cheng family? Was it just because of Second Uncle’s loyalty to the sovereign? If so, he definitely wasn’t any wise ruler!”
She said angrily, forgetting that this life had already changed greatly from the past, and the Fourth Prince was now a prisoner.
Cheng Chi smiled and stroked her hair, patiently saying, “Second Uncle was buried by the Cheng family, but that doesn’t mean he died at home!”
Zhou Shaojin’s eyes widened.
How had she not thought of that?
Zhou Shaojin nervously clutched Cheng Chi’s sleeve.
Cheng Chi’s voice also lowered, “If Second Uncle had passed away at home, Elder Brother wouldn’t have needed to bury him so quietly. Second Uncle could only have died in the palace.
“His Majesty had no one he could trust, so he gave an edict or testament to Second Uncle. Later the Fourth Prince discovered it. Second Uncle knew he had no way to fulfill His Majesty’s dying wish, so either he hid the item or handed it to someone else, then either committed suicide or was killed by the Fourth Prince. The Fourth Prince couldn’t find what he wanted and couldn’t leave Second Uncle’s body in the palace, so he suppressed the funeral announcement, first returned Second Uncle’s body to the Cheng family, then announced His Majesty’s death.
“Elder Brother has been in officialdom for so many years. Though sometimes his ears are soft and he’s somewhat indecisive when things happen, he’s not someone without discernment.
“Whether Second Uncle committed suicide or was murdered, his body must have shown traces. And having been brought out from the palace, not knowing what offense had been committed… he certainly didn’t dare speak out. He could only quietly bury Second Uncle.” At this point, Cheng Chi showed some dissatisfaction. “After such an incident, anyone would make alternative plans. Even if unable to escape unscathed, he should have sent some children away to preserve some Cheng family bloodline. Instead, when His Majesty promoted him to Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, he contentedly served in his official position…”
Zhou Shaojin didn’t know what to say.
Cheng Chi continued, “The Cheng family was right under His Majesty’s nose.
“After consolidating power and establishing a firm foothold, His Majesty began rectifying official administration.
“The Cheng family then became a thorn in his side.
“If he still hadn’t found that item, he would be even more unable to rest easy.
“If it had been right after the incident, he might have just found an excuse to kill the Cheng family officials in the capital. But two years had passed—who knew whether Second Uncle had taken the item out of the palace? And who could guarantee the Cheng family members didn’t know what was written in it? He simply decided to silence everyone by killing, completely exterminating everyone in the Cheng family, which could also vent his hatred toward Second Uncle…”
Zhou Shaojin thought of those bloody and turbulent days in her past life, those days of constant fear.
Her tears fell in large drops.
Cheng Chi embraced her in his arms and sighed heavily, saying, “No matter what, the Fourth Prince’s scheme has been exposed. Even if the Crown Prince’s heir dies of illness, His Majesty could never make him Crown Prince. The Cheng family’s crisis has been resolved. The Seven Stars Hall has lost its reason for existing. The Cheng family has finally become an ordinary farming and scholarly household. Whether it’s Yun Ge’er,” he touched Zhou Shaojin’s belly, “or our little baby here, they can all live peaceful and safe lives.”
Zhou Shaojin nodded.
She placed her hand over Cheng Chi’s.
Her two greatest wishes since being reborn had both been fulfilled.
Especially saving the Cheng family.
At the time, in her eyes, it had seemed such a daunting task. Fortunately, she had found Cheng Chi, and matters were ultimately resolved step by step by him.
In her past life, she had only lived to twenty-five.
From now on, she and Cheng Chi had a long life ahead.
She didn’t know what would happen.
But as long as she had Cheng Chi, as long as they could be together, she thought, nothing could be greater than the Cheng family’s confiscation and extermination, right? They would always be able to face things together and get through them together.
Zhou Shaojin’s belly suddenly protruded in one spot.
Both Cheng Chi and Zhou Shaojin froze slightly. After a moment, they realized—this was their baby kicking them!
Zhou Shaojin smiled with curved eyes.
Was the child also sensing its father’s joy and eagerly joining in?
The two looked at each other and smiled.
※※※
After all, it was his own child. His Majesty didn’t publicly announce the Fourth Prince’s treason. Instead, three days later at the grand court assembly, the Chief Transmission Officer memorialized that the Fourth Prince had died of illness on the road to Xinyang.
Rumors had already spread through the court, but the officials still showed expressions of surprise and urged His Majesty to moderate his grief.
Seated high on the golden throne, His Majesty’s expression was unclear. He only ordered the Imperial Clan Court to bury the Fourth Prince with princely rites. The Fourth Prince’s eldest son was demoted to Prince of Second Rank and would still go to his fiefdom in Xinyang.
To show care, His Majesty specially sent palace nannies and eunuchs from the palace to serve them.
But before long, the Fourth Prince’s eldest son died young due to inability to adapt to the climate. The Fourth Prince’s consort also passed away from excessive grief.
The Fourth Prince’s second son inherited the title, but within half a year he too was gone.
His Majesty simply stopped conferring titles.
The Fourth Prince’s several children received the stipend of auxiliary dukes and lived with several palace nannies and eunuchs.
With the Crown Prince’s heir’s grand wedding, these children gradually faded from the view of the capital’s residents.
By that time, however, Zhou Shaojin had already given birth to her second son, Tao Ge’er, in October. When the first month of the new year came around, she was happily celebrating the baby’s hundredth-day ceremony.
Song Jingran returned from mourning and resumed his position as Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion, Minister of Revenue, and Hanlin Academy Attendant Reader.
Cheng Chi, on Cheng Shao’s recommendation, was promoted to third-rank Left Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, while Cheng Shao himself retired on the pretext of poor health.
His Majesty didn’t try hard to retain him, keeping Cheng Shao’s household registration in the capital.
From then on, Cheng Shao never left home, spending his days only studying the Book of Changes. Lady Pengcheng thought it a pity and several times suggested Cheng Shao teach at the Cheng family’s clan school at Chaoyang Gate, but Cheng Shao politely declined, citing poor health.
Although Tao Ge’er was a boy, for the Cheng family with its sparse descendants, it was still good news.
Old Madam Guo held Tao Ge’er in her arms while her eyes focused on Yun Ge’er, smiling until her eyes became slits. She instructed Zhou Shaojin, “A daughter is mother’s little padded jacket. You must work harder and give Yun Ge’er and Tao Ge’er a little sister.”
Zhou Shaojin’s face flushed red as she murmured her agreement. Zhou Chujin and the others couldn’t stop laughing.
Old Madam Guo asked about Zhou Zhen, “Has a place been arranged for the in-law master? Otherwise, just stay at your Yuqian Alley residence. It’s sitting empty anyway, and it’s close to Chujin. Better to live there for a few years until a suitable place is found.”
After the Fourth Prince’s incident, His Majesty’s energy was far less than before. Now the Crown Prince’s heir supervised the state, and Zhou Zhen was promoted to third-rank Minister of the Court of Imperial Stud. He would take up his post in the capital after the first month.
Zhou Shaojin thought of the items buried underground in the main quarters.
It was fine for people to occasionally stay in the guest rooms, but if they moved into the main quarters and discovered the secret, what then?
She smiled and said, “Let’s see what Father thinks!”
With Li Shi’s temperament, she most likely wouldn’t live in her residence.
Old Madam Guo was about to persuade her further when a young maid ran in breathlessly, saying, “A Steward Li who serves the in-law master has arrived, saying the in-law master and madam will arrive in two hours. He says they’re rushing to attend Second Young Master’s hundredth-day celebration!”
“Oh my! Speak of Cao Cao and Cao Cao arrives!” Old Madam Guo quickly called maids to help her change clothes. Yun Ge’er and Tao Ge’er were meeting their maternal grandfather for the first time, so their attendant maids and women were primping them. Zhou Shaojin had to arrange guest rooms on her end, while Zhou Chujin instructed an accompanying woman to tell Liao Shaotang. Everyone scrambled to prepare, then, led by Old Madam Guo, headed to West Direct Gate.
Fortunately, they arrived fairly early.
Everyone sat in the carriages warming their hands with hand warmers while waiting for Zhou Zhen and his party.
Nearby came a woman’s crying.
Zhou Shaojin lifted the curtain to look outside.
It turned out someone was escorting servant women being sold.
Zhou Shaojin took one glance and lowered the curtain.
Nanny Shang, who was accompanying them, looked over casually and was quite surprised.
Leading the group was actually Chen Li’s adopted daughter who had married Cheng Lu.
Chen Li had been beaten to death with rods.
Wan Tong and the others naturally wouldn’t let him off.
Not only was his family property confiscated, but Cheng Lu’s affairs were also exposed and reported to the Educational Commissioner.
Cheng Lu was once again stripped of his scholarly credentials and exiled to Xining Guard.
Fourth Master had already arranged for those escorts to “take good care of” Cheng Lu on the road.
She just hadn’t expected Liu Shi would also end up like this.
She shook her head.
Seeing Zhou Shaojin wasn’t interested, she didn’t mention it to her.
She watched as Liu Shi, wearing an old jacket, disheveled and dirty, was herded past them by those official brokers, her figure gradually disappearing into the cold wind.
(End of Book)