Chapter 132: Hello, Good Boy, Cheng Zhao

In the mid-afternoon, Cheng Zhao went to the Scarlet Cloud Court to wait for the evening meal.

Soon, her father-in-law and young brother-in-law Zhou Yuanqi returned.

The four of them chatted about trivial matters.

Zhou Yuanqi, still a child at heart, had recovered from his fright and reverted to his usual nature—pretending to be mature but unable to keep his mouth shut.

“...Can we go to Grandmother’s place to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival this year?” he asked Second Madam.

On the Dragon Boat Festival, married daughters could return to their maternal homes to avoid the midday heat.

Second Madam didn’t go every year.

Sometimes the Dowager Madame was in high spirits and wanted to watch the dragon boat races, so everyone had to accompany her.

Every year, the dragon boat races on the Grand Canal were attended by the Emperor and Empress, making it the grandest event of the year, comparable to the Lantern Festival.

Second Madam usually returned to her maternal home for a while in the late afternoon and occasionally stayed overnight.

This year, the Emperor and Empress would certainly watch the races again; it was a perfect opportunity for the Emperor to share joy with the people. But the Dowager Madame might not be in the mood.

“Wait and see what the Longevity Court decides,” Second Madam said, to avoid being caught in a trap.

The Dowager Madame was simmering with anger, and anyone who fell into her hands would come to no good.

“Has the Longevity Court mentioned it yet?” Zhou Yuanqi asked Cheng Zhao.

Cheng Zhao: “No. Today, the steward even asked about the pleasure boat.”

“Our family’s pleasure boat is especially large—three decks high, half a deck taller than Princess Fukangchang’s,” Zhou Yuanqi said.

Cheng Zhao: “...”

Such extravagance.

A picture of prosperity burning like oil.

She just smiled: “I haven’t seen it yet.”

“What were you doing before?” Zhou Yuanqi asked curiously. “Everyone in the capital knows about the Zhou family’s pleasure boat, and you’ve never seen it?”

The Zhou boat was launched on the river every year.

Second Madam also chuckled: “Yes, Zhao Zhao, you rarely socialize. People outside are very curious about you.”

Cheng Zhao then told them about her own situation.

She had lived with her father in Fengzhou for several years and had been forbidden by her mother to socialize, so during the time she should have been building her reputation, she remained obscure.

Then, because of her fourth brother Cheng Chao’s marriage complications, her mother planned to wait until she turned eighteen to arrange a match for her.

Just as they were preparing to build her up, the Empress granted her marriage to Zhou Yuanshen.

“...That’s what they call ‘a pearl hidden in the dust.’ Fortunately, our family was lucky enough to find you,” Second Madam said.

Zhou Yuanqi nodded.

Though his tongue was sharp, he had a high opinion of his sister-in-law, and calling her a “pearl” was fitting.

Cheng Zhao couldn’t help but smile.

Second Master asked Cheng Zhao: “Is Ah Shen still at the Capital Garrison Camp?”

“Yes.”

“Did he say he’d come back for the festival?” Second Master asked again.

Cheng Zhao: “He didn’t mention it.”

Zhou Yuanqi started showing off his “knowledge” again: “Festivals are the best time to share joy with the troops. He’s sure to celebrate at the Capital Garrison Camp.”

“But he’s also the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince will attend the dragon boat races, so he should be by his side like other Eastern Palace officials,” Second Master said.

Cheng Zhao responded: “The Lord Duke is never at a loss in official matters. He will have considered everything.”

After they said this, the next day—the first day of the fifth month—Zhou Yuanshen returned from the Capital Garrison Camp.

Early in the morning, he first came home to see his parents, met briefly with Cheng Zhao, and then hurried off to the government office.

“So busy—he’ll wear himself out,” Second Madam lamented about her son.

Cheng Zhao: “The Lord Duke looks quite energetic.”

Zhou Yuanshen was still young, and even after riding through the night to return to the city, his face showed no signs of fatigue.

Cheng Zhao went to the Bright Mirror Hall as usual to handle affairs.

First Madam, Lady Song, had already moved back. However, four maidservants and four sturdy serving women had been added to her courtyard.

The duties that Huan Qingtang had been managing were still handed over to First Madam.

The steward in charge of the storeroom asked again about the pleasure boat, because if no decision were made soon, it would be too late.

Launching a pleasure boat couldn’t be decided at the last minute; it required reporting to the authorities several days in advance and reserving a spot.

First Madam: “No pleasure boat this year.”

The steward agreed without glancing at anyone.

The atmosphere in the parlor was a bit tense, and First Madam noticed it.

During the midday meal, she kept a trusted stewardess behind and asked what was going on.

“...Is there something wrong with the pleasure boat?”

The stewardess repeated what had been said that day to First Madam.

After hearing it, First Madam gave a cold laugh and dismissed the stewardess.

She discussed it with her confidante.

“Lady Huan, during the concubine’s miscarriage, tried to ruin the Second Branch by kicking someone when they were down. That’s already known to everyone.”

When someone had a fault and had lost real power, their prestige took a major hit.

If Lady Huan had held seventy percent authority in the stewards’ eyes before, now it was only fifty percent.

She couldn’t suppress Cheng Zhao.

First Madam now found Lady Huan more annoying than Cheng Zhao.

“Madam, if you and the eldest daughter-in-law keep fighting like this, Lady Cheng will be the one to reap the benefits,” her trusted stewardess said.

“Don’t lose the big picture over a small matter.”

First Madam understood this well, but she had already made up her mind in her heart.

Hatred and favor are very intense emotions. In public, they can be hidden; in private, how can they be controlled?

Cheng Zhao was an outsider, and First Madam had never liked her.

But Lady Huan was originally one of her own, yet she had betrayed her. An ally turned enemy—that hatred burns much fiercer than hatred for a simple foe.

First Madam even thought that she would rather benefit Cheng Zhao than hand the Bright Mirror Hall over to Lady Huan.

After the midday meal, First Madam took a short nap and returned to manage affairs in the afternoon. Then Cheng Zhao’s maidservant arrived.

“...Third Young Mistress is feeling a bit unwell. She said that the day’s tasks at the main kitchen and the gatehouse are done, and she would like to have the afternoon off,” the maidservant said.

First Madam frowned.

She said nothing.

She didn’t even offer a perfunctory “Should we call a physician?”

Cheng Zhao returned to the Silk Clouds Court, because Zhou Yuanshen had come back to the mansion after lunch.

He said he hadn’t bathed in days and that the camp was inconvenient, so Cheng Zhao ordered the maids to prepare hot water.

In the bath chamber, he called Cheng Zhao in to help him, asking her to scrub his back and wash his hair.

Cheng Zhao was wary that he might get up to mischief, but he seemed tired and quietly closed his eyes to doze off.

After washing his hair, Cheng Zhao noticed the scar on his shoulder.

It looked like a wolf’s head without eyes.

She couldn’t help her curiosity and reached out to touch it, but Zhou Yuanshen caught her hand.

“It’s a bit ticklish,” he said in a slow, deep voice.

Cheng Zhao immediately pulled her hand back.

But she forgot he might strike unexpectedly. Before she could dodge, his long arm wrapped around her waist.

Cheng Zhao fell into the water, still fully clothed and wearing her shoes.

Warm water, a searing-hot man—she couldn’t help shivering.

“Zhou Yuanshen...”

Before she could finish, his lips covered hers.

Her wet clothes and shoes were thrown aside, and Cheng Zhao ended up sitting in his lap.

Zhou Yuanshen held her waist with one hand and cupped the back of her head with the other as he kissed her, nearly suffocating her.

Later, more than half the water in the wooden tub had splashed out.

Cheng Zhao lay limply in his arms, too exhausted to lift her head, leaning against his shoulder.

He turned his face slightly and kissed her lips again.

“You’re being so good, Cheng Zhao,” he murmured softly.

Cheng Zhao was so angry she wanted to jump up, but he held her fast.

It was only because, in the heat of passion, he had whispered to her, “Put in some effort too,” and she had complied, using the opportunity.

Yet this man wasn’t grateful and instead called her “good.”

He was taking advantage, pushing his luck!