Although far from the capital, First Master Cheng was no stranger to those renowned noble families.
For instance, when someone was said to be a son of the Han family, that referred to the Han clan of Xiang-zhou — an old aristocratic family with generations of high-ranking officials. If it was the Su family, then it meant the Su clan of Fen-zhou, famed across the land for their literary achievements.
So when people spoke of the Qin family, especially the Qin family of the Princess’ residence, it referred to the Qin clan — a prestigious household in Sichuan.
The reason the Qin family became a family of such standing was not because they once married a princess; rather, it was precisely because they were the illustrious Qin clan that a princess would marry into them.
In all his life, First Master Cheng had never imagined that he would have any connection to the Qin clan.
“You’re overthinking it.”
The calm voice of First Madam Cheng sounded by his ear as he sat there holding a teacup in a daze, forgetting even to wipe the tea stains off himself.
“The Qin family is the Qin family, but not all Qin families are the Qin family.”
Just like with the Cheng family: the southern Chengs were from Jiang-zhou, and the northern Chengs were also from Jiang-zhou — but could one really say they were the same?
“Do you think it’s the Zhou family that can latch onto the Qin family, or that fool?”
First Master Cheng came to his senses, setting down the tea bowl while wiping away the spilled tea.
“It’s nothing but a trick played by the Zhou family. Who knows what benefits they promised, managing to coax some seemingly reputable families in the capital to put on a show.” First Madam Cheng gave a cold snort.
“What other benefits could there be? Nothing more than a dowry,” First Master Cheng said.
Even the most respectable families could lose their dignity in the face of a generous dowry. Back then, two high-ranking officials in the capital made such a scene fighting over a widow’s dowry of a hundred thousand strings of cash that even the emperor had to intervene.
Although Cheng Jiao-niang’s mother’s dowry wasn’t as large as a hundred thousand strings, after years of careful management, it amounted to at least fifty thousand.
Fifty thousand strings — enough to stir the greed of many.
First Madam Cheng nodded; she was thinking the same.
“My family says they want to hold the wedding next month.”
“Then let’s do it,” First Master Cheng replied. “We can’t make it too shabby — it’s still the Cheng family’s face we’re showing. And besides, it’ll keep the Zhou family from using this as an excuse to cause trouble…”
While that couple was discussing the marriage, over on the other side, Second Master Cheng and his wife were also talking about it.
“What you said is true?” Second Master Cheng’s face showed astonishment. “The Qin family!”
Second Madam Cheng nodded.
“I’ve already asked and confirmed,” she said, pressing a hand to her chest as if she were short of breath. “Do you know who they’re arranging the match with?”
“Who?” Second Master Cheng asked.
A family like that would hardly offer a match to someone from the main direct line — even a son from the collateral branch would be a fine connection already.
“The legitimate seventh son of the Qin household, thirteenth in the clan ranking,” Second Madam Cheng said, her eyes gleaming.
Second Master Cheng stared at her wide-eyed.
“Is he an idiot?” he asked.
She gave him a shove.
“What does it matter if he’s a fool or a lunatic?” she said. “It’s the Qin family! The Qin family!”
Second Master Cheng nodded.
“There are a few other families as well, all quite good,” Second Madam Cheng went on, thinking aloud. “I was wondering… perhaps we could take this chance to settle our Qi-niang’s marriage too…”
“Don’t just look at the surface,” Second Master Cheng said. “The Zhou family, after all, can’t be fully trusted. We can’t afford to be careless with our Qi-niang.”
Second Madam Cheng leaned against his arm, nodding, her smile carrying a touch of intimacy.
“I’m just thinking — from these families, whichever one we pick for her, the dowry and such… if the Zhou family wants a share, we can let them have some.” She smiled as she spoke.
“What’s made you so generous all of a sudden?” Second Master Cheng asked with a laugh.
“Sometimes, money isn’t the most important thing,” Second Madam Cheng said with a smile. “I feel the Zhou family isn’t bad. If we get closer to them, we might be better off than we are now.”
As she spoke, she gave a cold snort and cast a sideways glance toward the courtyard where the First Madam lived.
“…Over there, they get to eat meat, and we can’t even get a sip of the soup — and why should that be?” she said. “Besides, with Jiao-niang marrying over there this time — whether it turns out well or not — we’ll have forged ties with those families. Close or not, it depends on the visits. And once we have the chance to exchange visits, won’t our Qi-niang have the chance to choose someone even better in the future? And your own prospects might improve as well.”
Second Master Cheng stroked his beard in silence.
“With a fool like that, wouldn’t visiting other families be nothing but self-humiliation?” he said.
“What fool? She’s no fool at all,” Second Madam Cheng said with a smile. “You haven’t seen her yet. These days, she doesn’t look foolish in the least — in fact, the way she sits so still is rather striking. That’s why I say the Zhou family truly has some skill, to be able to dress her up like this.”
As she spoke, she turned toward the doorway to give instructions.
“Go and call First Lady, tell her Second Master has returned.”
“I don’t want to see her,” Second Master Cheng said, his expression darkening.
But the maid outside had already answered and gone to carry out the order.
Second Madam Cheng also had their son brought in. Second Master Cheng, having not seen his son for some time, was overjoyed. He personally took the boy in his arms and played with him. Just as the family was enjoying a warm, cheerful moment together, the maid returned — without bringing Cheng Jiao-niang.
“She says she’s gone to see the First Master,” the maid reported.
Second Madam Cheng immediately rose to her feet and gave Second Master Cheng a push.
“See that? You don’t want to see her, but someone’s in a hurry to!” she said. “Go quickly — she’s your daughter, and they mustn’t be allowed to take advantage.”
In truth, Second Madam Cheng was wronging the First Master. When First Master Cheng heard that Cheng Jiao-niang had come to see him, he was just as surprised.
“See me?” he said with a frown. “What for?”
“Oh, she said she wanted to see you on the very day she returned,” First Madam Cheng replied.
“I won’t see her!” First Master Cheng said darkly, his face hardening.
First Madam Cheng quickly stopped him.
“See her,” she said. “Seeing her is really just seeing the Zhou family — we can find out what exactly they’ve sent her to say.”
“The Zhou family can say whatever they like. Do I have to listen to them?” First Master Cheng snorted.
First Madam Cheng waved a hand to the maid, who hurriedly withdrew. Before long, she returned, leading Cheng Jiao-niang inside.
“Look at that girl,” First Madam Cheng murmured.
Only then did First Master Cheng reluctantly glance over — and once he did, his gaze could not move away.
A face like carved jade, dark robes, a poised and dignified posture, her garments fluttering lightly as she stepped forward.
What a beauty!
“…That girl is the one Old Madam Zhou sent over back then. Last time, she came back with us only to run off again with the Zhou family’s people. And now, here she is again…”
First Madam Cheng’s voice murmured in his ear, but First Master Cheng never once shifted his gaze.
That girl? Which girl?
With this girl walking toward him in such measured grace, even the world itself seemed to lose its color — how could he notice anyone else?
Such poise and beauty — worthy indeed of a marriage proposal from the Qin family.
The thought flashed through First Master Cheng’s mind so suddenly that it startled even himself.
“Greetings, Uncle.”
The young lady knelt before him, back straight, bowing in full form.
For an instant, First Master Cheng actually felt the impulse to return the courtesy.
“You…” He straightened in his seat, a little flustered, and gave a light cough to cover it. “Sit.”
Cheng Jiao-niang offered another formal bow of thanks before sitting properly.
First Master Cheng couldn’t help but sigh inwardly again.
The daughters in his household, though they had tutors specially hired to teach them, could not execute the courtesies with such ease and grace as this young lady before him.
Hiring teachers, and yet still not achieving what an unschooled “fool” could do?
In barely over a year, the Zhou family had managed to train her to this level? However much effort they had put in, as the saying goes, one who can be carved was never rotten wood to begin with.
Could it be… this “fool” was not foolish at all?
But how could that be possible?
“Jiao-niang, what business do you have with your uncle?” First Madam Cheng was the first to speak.
First Master Cheng came back to his senses and looked at the young girl sitting so properly before him.
Before she spoke, the young girl gave First Madam Cheng a slight bow.
“I would like to look at the family genealogy,” she said.
At those words, both First Master and Madam Cheng were taken aback.
They had considered all sorts of things she might say, but had never imagined it would be something so utterly unrelated and baffling.
“Why do you want to see that?” First Madam Cheng frowned.
Before Cheng Jiao-niang could answer, First Master Cheng spoke first.
“Did you know beforehand that someone from the capital came to propose a marriage?” he asked.
First Madam Cheng was startled again, looking at him in surprise. Why ask this all of a sudden?
Even First Master Cheng was a bit surprised at his own question — he didn’t quite know why he had asked it.
“They really came to propose?” Cheng Jiao-niang smiled faintly and nodded. “I knew.”
First Madam Cheng was not surprised by this answer; naturally, the Zhou family would have discussed such matters with her.
But First Master Cheng’s expression shifted subtly. That short reply carried a feeling he couldn’t quite put into words — it hovered on the edge of perception, almost palpable, yet elusively out of reach.
“Then Jiao-niang, what does your maternal uncle want?” First Madam Cheng asked. “Will you follow your uncle, or listen to your family?”
After speaking, she glanced at the young girl kneeling quietly by the door.
The girl remained still, not even lifting her head. It was clear that she had already been taught what to say and had no worry at all at this moment.
First Madam Cheng snorted softly in her heart.
“I will follow myself,” Cheng Jiao-niang said, looking at First Master Cheng. “So, Uncle, I want to see the family genealogy. I want to know who I am.”
This answer made First Madam Cheng frown in confusion, but First Master Cheng’s eyes brightened.
She wants to follow her own heart, and wants to know whose family she belongs to — naturally, she belongs to the Cheng family. If it were the Zhou family, the Chengs would never listen!
“As long as you have this intention, that’s enough,” he said with a nod, then looked toward the doorway. “Liuwen.”
Before long, an older, sturdy-looking man walked in briskly.
“What orders does Master have?” he asked respectfully, bowing.
“Take her to see the family genealogy,” First Master Cheng said. Then, realizing the young girl could not read, he added, “Read it aloud to her.”
The man acknowledged with a nod, casting a brief glance at Cheng Jiao-niang before stepping aside to wait.
Cheng Jiao-niang bowed in thanks and rose to follow him out.
“Ah, what is all this about? What does it mean? Why does she want to see the family genealogy?” First Madam Cheng frowned. “Why did you just agree to let her?”
“She said she wants to be a Cheng family member, so she wouldn’t listen to the Zhou family,” First Master Cheng said, stroking his beard and nodding.
First Madam Cheng looked at him.
“She said? When did she say that? How come I didn’t hear it?” she asked.
First Master Cheng paused, his hand on his beard.
“Just now… didn’t she say she wants to see the family genealogy to find out whose family she belongs to? She said she would follow her own heart…” he stammered.
Before he could finish, First Madam Cheng interrupted, clearly annoyed.
“She said? This is clearly what you decided!” she shouted. “You’re all muddled, thinking whatever pops into your head is reality!”
Yes, whatever he thought somehow became reality. Why would he interpret this young lady’s words this way?
Yet, hearing her speak, seeing her say that, he felt it meant exactly that…
Could it be that it didn’t really mean that, and he was overthinking? But why would he overthink? From the very first word she spoke, the conversation seemed naturally guided by her…
The strangest part was that it all felt completely effortless, as if it were natural. How could that be? A junior could never behave like this in front of him — especially a fool.
What exactly was wrong here?
First Master Cheng couldn’t help pressing his hand to his forehead.
“Let her see it if she wants… it’s not that important,” he muttered absentmindedly.
Then he paused, startled.
The family genealogy…
It seemed this was the second time in two months that someone wanted to look at it.
Was there some connection between the two occasions?
The thought flashed, and First Master Cheng hurriedly shook it off.
What connection? He was overthinking again! What could a minor official from the capital have to do with this fool?
Speaking of last time, what exactly was going on with those people from the capital? Could it really have been about verifying the examination dossier? Would a minor official’s examination dossier be so important that someone from the capital had to be sent personally to check?
And at this moment, First Master Cheng was not the only one who found the matter strange and had questions.
In the capital, within the palace, several people were sitting in the Empress Dowager’s chambers, chatting and laughing.
“Oh, by the way, Your Highness,” Gao Lingjun, wearing an official’s robe and a broad smile, suddenly turned toward the other side, where Duke Jin’an was playing chess with the Second Prince.
Duke Jin’an looked up with a smile.
“Guo Quan from the Ministry of Revenue — do you recognize him, Your Highness?” Gao Lingjun asked, still smiling.
Duke Jin’an nodded.
“I’ve heard of him… he’s a judge, isn’t he? I think someone mentioned him before?” he said, frowning slightly as he thought, then glanced at the First Prince sitting nearby. “Your Highness, didn’t you mention him during court? What was it about?”
Before the First Prince could speak, the Noble Consort beside him laughed.
“What do children like you know about state affairs? You mustn’t speak carelessly in private,” she said.
Although the First Prince attended court, casually discussing matters with others was indeed improper and risky.
Gao Lingjun clearly understood this as well, and immediately smiled, changing the topic.
Naturally, he would not continue discussing anything that could be harmful to the First Prince.
Duke Jin’an smiled faintly and lowered his head, resuming his chess game with the Second Prince.
“What’s wrong with that person?” The Empress Dowager, reclining on her couch, heard their conversation and asked.
“Nothing much. I heard someone recently secretly went to check a minor official’s examination dossier— quite a strange matter,” Gao Lingjun said with a smile.
“What’s strange about that? Examination dossiers cannot be handled carelessly. Isn’t that the Ministry of Revenue’s job — to manage people properly on behalf of His Majesty?” the Empress Dowager said, smiling.
Everyone laughed.
“Your Majesty, the Ministry of Revenue does more than just handle this,” Gao Lingjun said with a smile.
“Yes, it’s already good enough if they do this well,” the Empress Dowager replied, also smiling.
After discussing state affairs, the inner court did not offer criticism. Without waiting for anyone else to prompt her, the Empress Dowager smoothly changed the subject, chatted and laughed for a while, and then everyone rose to take their leave.
“Your Highness, slow down, don’t run.”
Stepping out of the Empress Dowager’s palace gates, the Second Prince immediately started jogging alongside Duke Jin’an, flustered eunuchs hurrying to keep up while trying to caution him.
“Hurry, hurry! I’m going to see Father!” the Second Prince said.
“Father is still busy with state affairs. Don’t disturb him,” the First Prince said, holding his hands formally.
The Second Prince turned back and smiled at him.
“Father asked me to go,” he said.
“You were the one pestering His Majesty first, and he agreed out of helplessness, right?” Duke Jin’an said with a laugh, taking his hand to slow his pace.
This comment improved the First Prince’s expression considerably, and he lifted his head slightly.
“I’m going to do my homework,” he said, glancing back at the Noble Consort and Gao Lingjun behind him.
The Imperial Noble Consort smiled at him.
“Good, go ahead,” she said.
“Your Highness is very diligent,” Gao Lingjun nodded in admiration.
Satisfied, the First Prince then turned and strode off.
Watching them leave, the smile on the Imperial Noble Consort’s face vanished, and her gaze shifted to the Second Prince walking off in the distance.
“The Second Prince is clever. The Emperor’s favor for him grows ever stronger,” she said slowly.
