Zhou Shaojin was so angry she didn’t want to speak, returning to Wanxiang Residence in silence the entire way.

Zhou Chujin was waiting for her in the inner chamber. Seeing her displeased expression, she quickly asked: “What did Cheng Lu say to you?”

Zhou Shaojin didn’t have the face to repeat to her sister everything Cheng Lu had said.

She directly stated the outcome: “Cheng Lu discovered I knew about the mansion on Official Street, so he came preemptively to tell me that he had bought that mansion by chance, originally wanting to give it to me, but because there was no suitable opportunity, he never mentioned this matter to me… Then mainly he came to probe whether I knew about the old grievances between the Cheng and Zhuang families…”

Zhou Chujin was also greatly shocked.

Looking at her sister’s suppressed anger, she vaguely guessed Cheng Lu’s intentions.

Previously, although she vaguely felt in her heart that the Cheng family was not a good match, seeing her sister become much more lively each time she met Cheng Lu, she thought she was being oversensitive. Now that her sister and Cheng Lu hadn’t gotten together as she had worried, this was the best outcome for her. Naturally she wouldn’t spoil the mood by asking her sister for details.

But the matters discovered these past days still left her heart somewhat uneasy.

She said thoughtfully: “Shaojin, you had Ma Fushan inquire about whose hands the mansion on Official Street was in. It’s natural that he learned about the Official Street mansion matter. But how would he probe whether you knew about the grievances between the Cheng and Zhuang families? Could it be he still hasn’t given up? And why would he probe you? Even if you don’t take these matters to heart, how could Father and Grandmother possibly marry you into the Cheng family?”

If those who knew the inside story heard of this, they would probably secretly mock that the Zhou family daughters couldn’t marry out and insisted on clinging to the Cheng family!

Although Zhou Chujin didn’t say this explicitly, Zhou Shaojin understood.

Her heart skipped a beat.

In her previous life, Cheng Lu had successfully deceived Grandmother and Eldest Aunt.

Which meant that Grandmother and Eldest Aunt either didn’t know about it, or were persuaded by Cheng Lu.

Cheng Lu had encountered that old beggar two years ago. He also began approaching her two years ago.

The old beggar had said that Cheng Lu’s mother, Dong Shi, knew nothing about this matter.

Did he conceive this plan on the spot? Or did he discover that Grandmother and Eldest Aunt knew nothing about this matter and then begin to act?

Zhou Shaojin recalled that in her previous life, when Grandmother decided on the engagement between her and the Cheng family, Father strongly opposed it. Later, she didn’t know what Grandmother said to Father. Although Father stopped objecting afterward, he had written to her alone asking if she was willing to go with him to his posting. Because she had never lived together with Father, and at that time her step-sister Zhou Youjin had died young, and the chambermaid Ting Lan that Mother left for Father had seized Father’s desire for offspring and successfully became pregnant and gave birth, but was kept while the child was removed by her stepmother, she feared her stepmother and was unwilling to go with Father to his posting… Before Father could agree to the marriage between the two families, Cheng Lu became engaged to Wu Baozhang.

In her previous life, there were signs of everything.

She just hadn’t noticed.

Did Cheng Lu become engaged to Wu Baozhang because he knew Father would oppose her marriage to him? Or had Wu Baozhang been involved from the start?

Zhou Shaojin decided to investigate all of this matter thoroughly.

Otherwise, this so-called saving herself was simply a joke.

Because of this, some resentment arose in her heart.

Cheng Lu had gone too far!

Zhou Shaojin gave her sister some perfunctory responses.

Seeing her speak insincerely, Zhou Chujin thought she couldn’t accept Cheng Lu’s matter for the moment and was secretly heartbroken. So she pretended to be confused, chatted casually for a bit, then went to Mian Grand Madam’s quarters.

On the way, she had someone send word to Ma Fushan’s wife to enter the mansion immediately.

When Ma Fushan’s wife entered the mansion, she pulled her aside and said quietly: “From now on, whatever Second Miss orders, you just follow her instructions. But afterward, whether it’s buying a hair ornament or buying a needle, you must tell me everything in detail.” Then she solemnly instructed Ma Fushan’s wife, “This matter absolutely must not be let known to Second Miss.”

This concerned the reputations of Zhuang Shi and Zhou Zhen. Ma Fushan was tight-lipped, and Ma Fushan’s wife didn’t know what had happened. Although she was puzzled in her heart, she still relayed the words to Ma Fushan without missing a word or changing a sentence.

Meanwhile, Zhou Shaojin alone in the inner chamber did needlework for a while but couldn’t sit still.

She wanted to know whether Grandmother actually knew about the grievances between the Zhuang and Cheng families.

Zhou Shaojin had Chun Wan go inquire what Madam Guan was doing.

Chun Wan came back and told her: “…The Old Madam is talking with several wives of estate managers.”

Zhou Shaojin patiently waited. Finally it was noon, but Madam Guan kept those several wives of estate managers for the midday meal, telling the sisters they needn’t come to serve, and even kept several old ladies to play mahjong.

The sun hung blazingly overhead. The courtyard paved with bluestone rolled with heat waves. The cicada cries grew louder and louder.

Although Chun Wan helped fan her, Zhou Shaojin still felt so hot her heart was in turmoil, tossing and turning unable to sleep.

Chun Wan said: “Second Miss, shall I bring you a bowl of iced yangmei?”

Unlike the capital where ice was stored in winter for summer refreshment, Jinling didn’t have such customs. Zhou Shaojin had spent her last ten years in the capital, so she was unaccustomed to Jinling’s heat.

Or perhaps it wasn’t being unaccustomed to Jinling’s heat, but rather an agitated mood?

Zhou Shaojin pondered silently and asked Chun Wan: “Is there lotus seed soup? Not chilled in well water.”

Her health had become very poor later, so she had long since stopped eating yangmei and mung beans.

Chun Wan went to the kitchen and brought back a bowl of lotus seed soup that was still somewhat hot to the touch, fanning it vigorously with a fan.

Zhou Shaojin’s mood grew even more restless. She decided to go to Hanbi Mountain Lodge to copy scriptures.

Chun Wan looked at the scorching sun outside and said hesitantly: “Now?”

Zhou Shaojin nodded.

Perhaps walking under the blazing sun and working up a sweat would improve her mood a bit.

Chun Wan called over a little maid, held an umbrella, brought handkerchiefs, rendan pills, and gold-silver water, and accompanied Zhou Shaojin to Hanbi Mountain Lodge.

Although there was green tree shade, the sunlight still shot down through the branches like golden arrows.

Zhou Shaojin’s body gradually grew hot, and her heart seemed to be warmed by this sunlight as well.

By the time they reached Hanbi Mountain Lodge, she was covered in sweat, yet felt a thorough sense of relief.

At Hanbi Mountain Lodge, tree shadows covered the ground. Though full of cicada cries, there was no human voice.

At this time, everyone must be taking their afternoon rest.

Zhou Shaojin went familiarly toward the Buddhist hall.

A little maid rubbed her eyes and ran out. Seeing them, she yawned, curtsied, and mumbled “Second Miss, you’ve come,” then rubbed her eyes again looking like she was about to fall asleep.

Zhou Shaojin smiled and said: “You go rest! I’ll go copy scriptures in the Buddhist hall. When Biyu comes, just tell her. No need to disturb Madam Guo.”

The little maid nodded.

Suddenly from the main room came a crash of porcelain falling to the floor.

The little maid startled awake and stared wide-eyed at Zhou Shaojin, both of them looking at each other.

From inside the room came Madam Guo’s cold, somewhat sharp voice: “Despising Fourth Brother for associating with eunuchs—why doesn’t he think that without Fourth Brother, would he have today’s comfortable life? Go tell him, whether he wants to live these days or not is up to him! Anyway, the old ancestor already divided the ancestral property long ago. If he wants to control the family genealogy, fine—we in the first branch will split off, or else he should hand over the genealogy. Don’t think that without him, Cheng Xu, the Cheng family can’t go on! If he wants to throw down his burden, he’d better see if the first branch agrees or not…”

See no evil, hear no evil.

Zhou Shaojin and the little maid fled in panic—one to the Buddhist hall, one hiding in the tea room.

Even after sitting down in the Buddhist hall, Zhou Shaojin’s heart was still pounding wildly.

She instructed Chun Wan and the little maid: “You must keep your mouths shut tight. If I hear any gossip, I won’t ask who—I’ll come straight for you two.”

The two swore to heaven.

Only then did Zhou Shaojin suddenly realize she had hidden in the wrong place.

She should have returned to Wanxiang Residence. What was she doing running to the Buddhist hall?

If the people at Hanbi Mountain Lodge asked, how should she answer?

Zhou Shaojin couldn’t very well move around carelessly now. Fortunately, she often copied scriptures in the Buddhist hall, so washing items were all complete, with even several sets of spare clothes. Chun Wan and the little maid brought in water. Zhou Shaojin hastily washed up and changed her inner garment. With the cool breeze blowing through the room, her mood finally calmed down.

For the moment she had no mind to copy scriptures. She sat there enjoying the breeze, planning to wait a bit longer. When matters on Madam Guo’s side were finished, it wouldn’t be too late to return to Wanxiang Residence.

But sitting there, the words she had just heard drilled like an auger into her brain, making her unable to help letting her imagination run wild.

The “he” Madam Guo mentioned was obviously the old ancestor of the second branch, Cheng Xu. For Madam Guo to directly call him by name without courtesy as a nephew’s wife showed how deep her resentment ran… “Fourth Brother” should be Uncle Chi. He ranked fourth. Last time on Buddha Bathing Day when Madam Guo invited Grandmother to worship Buddha, she had also used this form of address, asking Uncle Chi to exchange copper coins… What grievances existed between the first branch and second branch? The Cheng family genealogy was actually in the second branch’s hands… Cheng Xu despised Uncle Chi for associating with eunuchs—this should refer to Wan Tong… Scholars mostly looked down on eunuchs, unlike those meritorious nobles and imperial relatives in the capital who liked associating with eunuchs… But Wan Tong was garrisoning Jinling, and the Cheng family was called Jinling’s first family. Uncle Chi managed the Cheng family’s common affairs—it was impossible not to associate with Wan Tong! Cheng Xu was someone who once held the rank of nine ministers—he should understand these things. Why would he despise Uncle Chi for associating with eunuchs?

Could it be that Uncle Chi did something that damaged the Cheng family’s reputation or interests?

Zhou Shaojin thought of how he lazily reclined against the large welcoming pillow drinking tea!

It didn’t seem like it!

However, people couldn’t be judged by appearances—perhaps something really had happened…

Madam Guo’s tone was truly bold, daring to shout about splitting the branch… When she said Cheng Xu was throwing down his burden, what did that refer to? Hadn’t Cheng Xu long since stopped managing affairs?

Zhou Shaojin felt she had glimpsed something… and felt very uneasy in her heart.

The seemingly harmonious Cheng family of Jiuru Lane was actually already full of storms and undercurrents.

With just a few words from herself, could she really save the Cheng family?

For the first time since her rebirth, Zhou Shaojin felt how naive her previous thinking had been!

She felt somewhat at a loss.

She decided she might as well copy a few pages of scripture.

In the past, whenever her heart was troubled and confused, she would copy scriptures.

This time was no exception.

Amid the cicada cries, her heart slowly calmed down.