Zhou Shaojin didn’t believe at all that Cheng Chi was heartbroken over the lost silver, but seeing him clutching his chest and groaning, her heart still softened. She couldn’t help but follow his wishes and gently rub his chest for him.

Cheng Chi felt as comfortable as drinking a bowl of iced mung bean soup on a dog day of summer.

He closed his eyes and let Zhou Shaojin rub here and there.

But very soon, he discovered something was wrong… all the blood in his body was rushing downward… if this continued, he was afraid he would make a fool of himself…

Cheng Chi awkwardly turned over, lying on his side on the kang facing Zhou Shaojin, and said, “I feel much better now. No need to rub anymore!”

Really?

But why did she feel he now seemed to be in even more distress…

“Really?” she said, puzzled. “But I think you look somewhat uncomfortable…”

Zhou Shaojin’s clear, bright eyes were wide open. Cheng Chi could even see his own reflection in her eyes.

He couldn’t help but feel embarrassed and quickly said, “It’s nothing, nothing. Really nothing anymore. I just feel quite vexed by this clan division matter—everyone acts as if I have no money left. This person and that person all came looking for me wanting to partner in business. Not a single one weighs their own status and position—they actually want to take money and have me run errands for them. No matter how poor I become, I haven’t fallen to that level, have I?”

Cheng Chi exuded an air of pride from his very bones.

Who knew what those people were thinking?

No wonder Uncle Chi was angry!

Zhou Shaojin thought this, and her heart melted like water. She consoled him gently, “Don’t be angry. Maybe everyone wants to help you! Besides, you were so capable before—they finally caught an opportunity to drag you into their affairs. They’d be fools to let it pass.”

Words from one’s beloved always sound more heartfelt than those from others.

Cheng Chi raised his eyebrows and smiled.

Afraid he didn’t believe her, Zhou Shaojin quickly said, “It’s true! When I was at Jiuru Alley before, I often heard them say you were excellent at business and always wanted to find an opportunity to partner with you.”

Although they probably also said he was aloof and cold, difficult to approach, didn’t they?

Cheng Chi snorted coldly in his heart but smiled at Zhou Shaojin and said, “That was in the past—why bring it up now? However, now that the Li family has split with Yutai Remittance House, and Yutai’s shares were valued at four hundred thousand taels and given to the second branch, I’m afraid Yutai Remittance House will have difficult days ahead. If I were Cheng Mian, I’d take this opportunity to sell all my shares in Yutai and do some other business.”

Zhou Shaojin was startled and said, “Will things become so terrible? But that’s a remittance house you built up with your own hands!”

She felt sorry for Cheng Chi!

But Cheng Chi was complaining inwardly.

Of course things wouldn’t immediately become so terrible.

Even living off its established reputation, Yutai Remittance House could maintain itself for five or six years.

However, if he interfered, that would be different.

If anyone was to blame, it was that among all the Cheng family’s marriage connections, why did Cheng Shi have to use Shaojin as a pawn…

But Shaojin didn’t need to know any of this.

He said, “Do you know how Yutai Remittance House got started? It took on the business of handling military pay for the court’s nine border garrisons. Now that we’ve divided from the second branch, we certainly won’t help Yutai do business anymore. Moreover, some merchants dealt with them entirely because of my eldest brother and second brother—they’ll lose another portion of their customers…”

Zhou Shaojin thought of Li Shi being questioned by Eldest Master Li about the Jiuru Alley division… Probably many people held the same thoughts, didn’t they?

She said, “I’ll write a letter to Uncle Mian right away to give him a heads-up.”

As for whether to sell the Yutai Remittance House shares, that was for the fourth branch to decide themselves.

Different positions meant different choices.

She had chosen Cheng Chi.

And the fourth branch had always hoped to establish their own household. Taking this opportunity to separate out would be a rare opportunity. She didn’t know whom the fourth branch would choose.

Zhou Shaojin said, “Does your chest still hurt? Let me rub it some more for you?”

Cheng Chi thought of that soft feeling of her small hand rubbing his chest and thought how wonderful it would be if they were married… But at this moment, he could only steel himself and refuse, “No need, it’s much better.” How could he dare to dwell on this matter? Remembering his purpose for coming here, he said, “Is the madam at home? I want to discuss with her about having you accompany my mother.”

“Accompany the old madam?!” Zhou Shaojin was somewhat surprised.

Old Madam Guo probably wouldn’t like having her as a companion!

Her eyelids lowered slightly.

Cheng Chi saw this clearly. It seemed that Mother’s words that day had still hurt Zhou Shaojin a bit.

He took Zhou Shaojin’s hand, smiled, and winked at her, saying, “Now the entire capital—no, everyone in all of Jiangnan—knows that my mother was ‘forced’ to relocate to the capital. She must be very sad. You served my mother before when you were in Jinling. This time you just happen to be in the capital. By reason and sentiment, shouldn’t you go see her? When you see her so sorrowful and despondent, you can’t bear it and serve by my mother’s side for a few days—isn’t that very normal? Then we as her children, hoping to make her happy, want someone to accompany her for some time—wouldn’t you be the best choice?”

This way, she could remain in the capital with proper justification.

Zhou Shaojin said after a long while, “Is it… appropriate for me to accompany the old madam?”

Cheng Chi smiled gently and asked her, “Don’t you want to go?”

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to go, but because what Old Madam Guo had said made sense, she felt a bit guilty.

But the old madam was Uncle Chi’s mother.

If she wanted to marry Uncle Chi, she not only had to get along well with the old madam but also needed to gain her recognition.

“Of course I want to go!” Zhou Shaojin gripped Cheng Chi’s hand back and said, “I’m just afraid I won’t do well. I’d like to bring Fan Liushi and Nanny Shang along too. Would that work?”

With the two nannies by her side, if she did something poorly, they could remind her. Especially Nanny Shang—she was not only socially adept but also came from Jiuru Alley and knew much about the first branch’s affairs.

Cheng Chi couldn’t help but pull Zhou Shaojin toward him.

Caught off guard, Zhou Shaojin tumbled onto the bed and was held in Cheng Chi’s embrace.

She immediately began to struggle—the maids on duty in the study and Chun Wan and the others were all waiting outside. If something happened and they burst in, her relationship with Uncle Chi couldn’t be concealed. But she didn’t dare make a sound either, saying anxiously in a low voice, “If you continue this mischief, I won’t pay attention to you anymore!”

Cheng Chi laughed softly, burying his head in her neck, closing his eyes, letting that faint fragrance linger in his breath as he mumbled, “How am I being mischievous? I just want to hold you for a bit. Be good, Shaojin, let me hold you! I haven’t seen you for several days. I’ve missed you so much. Have you missed me?”

Zhou Shaojin’s face burned. She was afraid that if she answered “I missed you,” she’d be indulging his unbridled behavior, but she was also afraid that if she answered “I didn’t,” she would hurt his feelings.

After struggling with this for a while, she discovered that when Cheng Chi said he just wanted to hold her for a bit, he really only held her like this with no other actions.

Zhou Shaojin’s body gradually relaxed.

She too had missed Uncle Chi very much and wanted to see him. But she was timid and didn’t dare hold him like this…

Zhou Shaojin’s defenses gradually loosened.

She closed her eyes and enjoyed the tenderness of being held by Cheng Chi.

Cheng Chi felt as if he were holding a piece of soft jade.

His blood rushed downward again…

This truly was reaping what he had sown!

Cheng Chi cursed himself inwardly, released Zhou Shaojin, and sat up.

Zhou Shaojin was startled. Then her face flushed so red it could drip blood. She jumped up, leaped off the bed, and was about to rush outside: “I, I’ll have Chun Wan bring in some more fruit. This weather is perfect for eating fruit…”

Cheng Chi smiled bitterly and grabbed Zhou Shaojin’s hand but didn’t dare get off the bed, afraid Zhou Shaojin would see his embarrassment. He said hoarsely, “Shaojin, don’t be angry! I heard someone moving around outside…”

Only then did Zhou Shaojin’s expression improve somewhat. Then she couldn’t help but complain, “You… you can never do this again!”

“Alright!” Cheng Chi had certainly learned his lesson—how could he dare not agree? “I’m not usually like this. It’s just that when I meet you, I can’t quite control myself…” Wanting to kiss her, hold her—even if he couldn’t, just teasing her with words made him feel incredibly happy.

Zhou Shaojin immediately understood.

Wasn’t she the same!

Since her rebirth, even when Cheng Jia pulled her hand she felt uncomfortable, yet now she let Uncle Chi embrace and hold her however he pleased…

She felt embarrassed and didn’t speak.

Cheng Chi looked at her and sighed, “This won’t do. I need to find a way to marry you soon. Otherwise, sneaking around like this, knowing I shouldn’t yet unable to restrain myself—something’s bound to happen sooner or later…”

Still talking about something happening!

Zhou Shaojin glared at him.

Cheng Chi laughed heartily.

He had truly fallen for this little girl.

Even just having her glare at him like this, he found it interesting, found it sweet as honey.

Cheng Chi took several deep breaths, drank several cups of cold water to suppress his improper thoughts, then said to Zhou Shaojin, “Come on, let’s go see the madam—I need to settle your matter quickly. Otherwise, if she takes you back to Baoding Prefecture, I’ll have nowhere to cry!”

That smug look!

Zhou Shaojin bit her lip and gave him a light pinch.

Cheng Chi dramatically cried “Ow!” and coaxed Zhou Shaojin into voluntarily kissing him once before leaving the study one after the other with Zhou Shaojin and heading to the east wing.

When Li Shi saw Zhou Shaojin and Cheng Chi arriving together, her heart tightened, thinking something had happened. She quickly invited Cheng Chi and Zhou Shaojin inside.

Cheng Chi didn’t stand on ceremony and stated his purpose: “…I’d like Shaojin to accompany my mother. I’ve already written a letter to Minister Zhou. As for the madam here, I’d ask you to put in a good word for me.”

He knew Li Shi couldn’t make decisions for Zhou Zhen, so he only asked her to assist from the side.

Li Shi didn’t know about Cheng Xu’s matter. Thinking it was just saying a few good words—while she couldn’t help with other things, this matter she was confident about.

Moreover, now that Jiuru Alley had divided, the relationship between the Zhou family and the first branch had become delicate. For Zhou Shaojin to continue attending to Old Madam Guo would be a good thing for the Zhou family!

Even her elder brother would probably be happy for the Zhou family when he heard about it.

She repeatedly agreed, and Cheng Chi stood up to take his leave.

Li Shi needed to avoid suspicion, so Zhou Shaojin saw Cheng Chi out in her stead.

Cheng Chi said, “Don’t worry about this matter. I also sent someone to speak to your sister. Your father might feel uncomfortable about it, but Cheng Xu isn’t in the capital. For your sister’s sake, he should agree to this.”

Since he had taken action, Zhou Shaojin wasn’t worried at all.

She only worried that Old Madam Guo wouldn’t like her.