In the Cheng family’s house, everyone sat together in silence, lost in thought ever since they had heard First Madam Cheng’s words.
Why was the Zhou family eyeing their family so covetously? Was it because they feared the Chengs would mistreat this fool?
No—it was because of the dowry.
Why had the Chengs been exhausting themselves in negotiations with the Zhous? Was it because they were fighting over custody of the fool?
No—it was because of the dowry.
If they wanted the girl, they had to take the dowry—the two were inseparable.
It had never occurred to them that these two things could, in fact, be separated.
But then again, if this fool remained unmarried, the dowry would always be hers. If she were to marry, of course, she would still need a dowry. How could a woman like her not have one? Even with a dowry, finding a willing family was difficult—who would take her without one?
“So it turns out nothing in this world is certain,” Old Madam Cheng murmured, turning her prayer beads in her hand.
Yes—it seemed there truly were no absolutes in this world.
The thought lingered in everyone’s minds.
“Then, does your sister-in-law truly intend to do this?” Old Madam Cheng pressed. “Do your father and mother agree?”
A shadow of conflict crossed First Madam Cheng’s face.
That child had been spoiled beyond reason—given the moon if he cried for the stars. What choice did they have, even if they disagreed?
But voicing that would only make the family seem utterly lacking in discipline.
“Like Second Madam, my natal family also wishes to share our burdens,” she replied evasively.
Now was the perfect moment to drag Second Madam Cheng into the matter.
Sure enough, Old Madam Cheng spat in disdain.
“What nonsense is that?” she snapped. “Share our burdens? She’s adding to my troubles!”
Since Second Madam Cheng was already under house arrest, the only target left for the scolding was Second Master Cheng himself.
“But your family’s Seventeenth Young Master… he’s different,” Old Madam Cheng mused with a sigh.
Though he was a wastrel, he was no penniless good-for-nothing. Besides, not just anyone could afford to be a wastrel in this world.
“Still, if they’re sincere, how can we act recklessly?” Old Madam Cheng sighed again. “He’s a decent boy—how could we ruin him?”
“I don’t think Jiao-niang is all that… simple-minded,” Madam Cheng forced a smile. “She just doesn’t talk or laugh much. After marriage, she wouldn’t need to socialize, nor would she…”
Nor would she need to bear heirs and continue the bloodline. To put it bluntly, she’d just be a decorative plaything.
“So… truly no dowry?” Old Madam Cheng coughed lightly and asked.
“Truly, none,” First Madam Cheng confirmed.
The old lady leaned back against the armrest, her prayer beads spinning faster and faster in her hand.
No dowry—just the girl.
This was nothing short of a merciful Bodhisattva descending to save them…
“Go and tell the Zhous,” Old Madam Cheng waved her hand dismissively.
This meant agreement.
First Madam Cheng gave another bitter smile—how could they possibly refuse?
First Master Cheng couldn’t hide his relief. “This is excellent, truly excellent.
Though Second Master Cheng still looked somewhat disheveled and ashamed, even he had to admit this was the best possible resolution.
No dowry? As her father, he would still do his utmost to secure his daughter’s future—quietly supplementing her marital assets as needed.
Both men bowed their heads and murmured their assent.
Upon hearing First Master Cheng’s words, Master Zhou looked as if he’d seen a ghost.
“What kind of joke is this?”
“Don’t think you can just palm Jiao-niang off on another fool and be done with it!” he snorted.
“Fool? Go ask around in Ting-zhou—the Wang family’s Seventeenth Young Master is quite the dashing figure,” First Master Cheng retorted with a sneer, eyeing Master Zhou sideways. “Not everyone raises simpletons like your Zhou family.”
Master Zhou flew into a rage, springing to his feet with a glare.
“Cheng Zizhou! Watch your tongue!” he bellowed, then added with a cold laugh, “That simpleton bears the Cheng name, not Zhou.”
“How… considerate of you, Master Zhou, to remember she’s a Cheng and not a Zhou,” Second Master Cheng remarked, his tone dripping with venom.
The three men stood locked in a six-eyed stalemate.
The air in the room grew thick with tension. Maids kneeling on both sides bowed their heads, not daring to make a sound.
“Thirty-seventy split,” Second Master Cheng suddenly declared.
“Deal. You take thirty, we take seventy,” Master Zhou immediately countered.
Second Master Cheng spat in disgust.
“Who the hell do you think you are? You’ve got some nerve!” he snapped, eyes blazing.
Master Zhou grabbed his arm.
“Cheng Dong!” he hissed, equally furious. “Out of respect that my Jiao Jiao bears the Cheng name, I’m being generous offering you thirty! And you dare demand seventy?!”
Second Master Cheng shook him off.
“Don’t push your luck! Let’s take this to the magistrate—let others judge! I found Jiao-niang a decent match, and they’re waiving the dowry out of goodwill, not obligation. And here you are, shamelessly trying to seize your niece’s dowry! What kind of uncle does that?!” he roared.
“Fine, let others judge! Just because they’re forgoing the dowry doesn’t mean we shouldn’t provide for Jiao Jiao. Every penny I take is for her sake. Hand it to you, and who knows if it’ll end up in the Peng family’s coffers?” Master Zhou shot back with a cold laugh.
“Forty-sixty,” First Master Cheng interjected abruptly.
“You forty, me sixty,” Master Zhou retorted without missing a beat.
“You forty, me sixty!” First Master Cheng barked, eyes narrowing.
Amidst the uproar, Master Zhou’s servant stumbled frantically into the room.
“Master! Master! A letter from Madam!” he cried.
Hearing this, the three men—who had been tangled together in a glaring, arm-grabbing standoff—immediately released each other and straightened their sleeves with a huff.
“We can’t just take your word for who this young master is. Since he’s from your wife’s family, who knows what shady dealings might be hidden there? Our household must investigate and discuss this further,” Master Zhou declared.
He reached out to take the letter.
Both First and Second Master Cheng snorted in unison.
“Investigate all you like,” they retorted, smoothing their robes before storming out.
Just as they reached the doorway, a sharp cry from Master Zhou made them whirl around. They saw him staring at the letter in shock, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
“How can this be?!” he exclaimed, voice strangled.
“What happened?”
Though inwardly wishing Master Zhou would drop dead on the spot, First Master Cheng still fulfilled his duty as host by feigning concern.
Master Zhou snapped out of his daze, shot him a look, and without a word turned to retreat into the inner chamber.
The Cheng brothers exchanged a glance, shrugged, and went their separate ways without another thought.
By evening, news came that Master Zhou was preparing to return to the capital.
This stubborn man who had clung like plaster to a sore suddenly decided to leave on his own accord – and with remarkable haste at that. By the time the Cheng family received word, Master Zhou had already boarded his carriage. Without even discussing the matter of Cheng Jiao-niang’s marriage arrangement further, he urged his servants to make haste and left the city before the gates closed for the night.
What major incident could have occurred?
The Cheng family was utterly perplexed.
Could this be some new trick to wear them down?
First Master Cheng immediately sent servants to investigate.
Though Master Zhou had brought his own people, after all he had been staying at the Cheng residence, and certain matters couldn’t be completely concealed. Soon enough, the servants returned with news.
“Demoted?” First Master Cheng exclaimed in astonishment. “How could he be demoted?”
For an official of Master Zhou’s rank—one who wasn’t aiming for great achievements but whose career had always been stable—promotions might come slowly with seniority, but demotions? Unless he’d committed some grave error, this made no sense.
“Master Zhou seemed completely shocked too. There was no prior indication at all,” the steward reported.
“Of course not. Had he known, he wouldn’t have lingered so long in Jiang-zhou,” First Master Cheng nodded.
Second Master Cheng’s expression shifted abruptly before he suddenly burst into laughter.
“Hah! He must have been stabbed in the back too!” he crowed, his face alight with gleeful schadenfreude.
Yes, it had to be a covert attack—just like what had happened to him.
Even now, nearly a year later, Second Master Cheng would still jolt awake at night, drenched in cold sweat. In his dreams, he’d be overjoyed to receive his official appointment papers, only to unroll them and find them blank.
He pressed a hand to his chest. The memory still festered like a hidden wound, but what galled him most was this—he still didn’t know who had sabotaged him!
Who had schemed behind his back? Who? WHO?!
