Chapter 180: Not Wanting to Wait on Her Ladyship

The Duke of Chen's mansion had been busy preparing for the Mid-Autumn Festival these days.

For the festival, the Zhou family would hold a banquet under the night sky, and all the clan members would come—an enormous number of tasks.

Fortunately, Cheng Zhao handled it with ease. After straightening out the matters at the front gate and the main kitchen, she took her regular day off, as she did every fifth day.

On her day off, Cheng Zhao and the Second Madam went to visit the Jingnan Prince's mansion as guests.

The Princess Consort even specially asked her to visit Cheng Ying's courtyard.

Cheng Zhao had been there several times.

The sunlight was not harsh, and the tree shadows were thick along the path. Cheng Ying led the way, the two sisters strolling slowly hand in hand, chatting about trivial matters.

"...I've never heard anything about Fourth Brother and Guo Hanzhang," Cheng Zhao told her third sister.

Third Sister laughed. "Ah Chao did mention it, but he wasn't really keen on Guo Hanzhang; it was Guo Hanzhang who kept pestering him."

"Grandfather wouldn't agree."

"Ah Chao wouldn't agree either—he's not stupid," Third Sister said.

"Mainly it's because the political situation is too complicated. I always feel it's like a battered ship in a storm, about to capsize at any moment," Cheng Zhao said.

She lowered her voice and told Third Sister about how, during the hunting party, the Emperor had personally cut down a spy on the spot.

Cheng Ying said, "I heard about that. It was truly..."

Truly baffling.

What reason could a sovereign have for personally killing a spy?

Apart from earning a reputation for "bloodlust," what could he possibly gain?

"Sometimes he's mad in a chaotic way; sometimes he's mad in a very orderly way," Cheng Zhao said.

Cheng Ying remarked, "The Crown Prince, at least, is decent—gentle and refined. Unfortunately, he's frail and sickly, and his talents are too ordinary."

In such a situation, everyone was seeking balance; no household felt safe.

Grand Preceptor Guo seemed glorious on the surface, but who knew where he'd fall the next moment?

The Cheng family was a scholarly clan.

Grandfather commanded the respect of all scholars under heaven. The Cheng family had a good reputation, abundant wealth, and reliable marriage alliances, with deep roots.

No matter how much the imperial court swayed, the Cheng family's foundation was solid.

Governments came and went like flowing water, but powerful clans stood like iron. The Cheng clan was the most steadfast among them, because reputation was more enduring than wealth or status.

—Perhaps that was what Old Madam Zhou had been pursuing; she had always wanted to turn the Duke of Chen's mansion into a scholarly clan.

"...Guo Hanzhang has latched onto me again. She thinks I have some ability and that I can help her," Cheng Zhao said.

Cheng Ying chuckled. "She has good judgment—she knows to pick someone capable."

"You're teasing me too?"

"If Ah Chao were willing, I honestly can't think of anyone better suited than you to plead his case," Cheng Ying said.

Then she added, "But I'd advise you not to get involved. Ah Chao isn't enthusiastic about this matter. He often says he doesn't want to serve a young mistress."

Cheng Zhao's face immediately fell. "He must have been bad-mouthing me behind my back again."

"Yes, he said serving you is trouble enough; if Guo Hanzhang were added to the mix, he'd never have a moment's peace," Third Sister said with a smile.

Cheng Zhao: "..."

She really was wasting her worry on him.

Third Sister then shared a small secret with Cheng Zhao: "Last time during the Ullambana Festival, we ran into Princess Rong by the riverbank. She talked with Mother for quite a while; just a few days ago, she also arranged to go offer incense together."

Princess Rong was a close neighbor of the Duke of Chen's mansion, and Prince Rong's Heir, Helian Jian, had a good relationship with Fan Xiao.

"...The Rong Prince's mansion has a Seventh Miss who's just come of age. Last time, my eldest aunt had designs on her," Cheng Zhao said.

"I heard from Mother that Princess Rong intends to form a marriage alliance with the Cheng family."

Cheng Zhao: "What did Mother say?"

"The Rong Prince's mansion keeps a low profile, and Prince Rong doesn't scheme. It's relatively safe. But it would be somewhat of a climb for them," Cheng Ying said.

Cheng Zhao: "A marriage that climbs upward naturally requires more effort."

"The Rong Prince's mansion is also afraid of trouble. With the court situation as it is, they're uneasy too. If we form a marriage alliance, no matter what happens to that household in the future, the Cheng family would have to do everything in its power to help. If all is well, fine; if trouble comes, it would be a severe blow," Cheng Ying said.

Cheng Zhao sighed.

She couldn't help grumbling about Cheng Chao again. "His matters are the only trouble. All five of us siblings, the rest of us save the family from worry."

Cheng Ying patted her hand and smiled patiently.

Her courtyard was not far from the main residence, and they arrived soon.

In front of the courtyard gate was a large grove of spotted bamboo—Cheng Ying's favorite—and beside it a plum grove, lush and green at this time of year.

Cheng Ying's residence was elegant, from the gaps in the brick walls to the garden gate, everything refined.

Most of the maids and matrons in the courtyard were Cheng Ying's dowry attendants—much like the situation in Cheng Zhao's own courtyard.

When Cheng Zhao arrived, it was like the young miss of the house had come; everyone welcomed her warmly.

The two sisters sat in the side chamber drinking tea, still discussing the hunting party matters.

Cheng Ying finally said, "Only one Liu Zheng and one spy died—that counts as quite smooth. This time, several factions were plotting trouble. If even one thing had gone wrong, the Emperor himself might have met his end at the hunting grounds."

Cheng Zhao was shocked.

Being in the middle of it all, not knowing the full picture, she had never thought so deeply.

Zhou Yuanshen seemed afraid of scaring her, so he hadn't mentioned any of it.

It wasn't until Cheng Ying spelled it out.

"It's really possible. This unpredictable, mad Emperor is a genuine headache—better to have a weak, young new sovereign who's easy to manipulate. Before Grand Preceptor Guo has his hand over everything, it benefits everyone," Cheng Zhao said.

Then she added, "No wonder there was that stray arrow aimed at the Emperor's mount!"

It was like fishing.

The Emperor wanted to catch Liu Zheng.

That fish was too big, and the Emperor might be dragged under and drowned.

The way it all ended covered up almost every problem.

"Third Sister, the Prince of Andong is very ambitious. And unfortunately, Fourth Brother is close to him," Cheng Zhao said.

Cheng Ying said, "Ah Chao isn't a fool; rest assured on that point. In matters of right and wrong, he knows where the line is."

Cheng Zhao was about to say something more when someone called out from the courtyard: "A'Ying! A'Ying!"

Soon, a young gentleman in a white-apricot robe entered the side chamber, holding a bouquet of osmanthus.

It was Cheng Ying's husband, Zhang Yunqi.

Zhang Yunqi was strikingly handsome—rosy lips, white teeth, brows and eyes like dots of ink—and his figure was tall and elegant, his dress luxurious.

The osmanthus branches in his hand were very fragrant.

The floral scent, like the man himself, attracted attention easily.

Cheng Zhao turned away disdainfully, thinking: "A handsome exterior concealing a worthless fool."

She didn't call him brother-in-law.

No one in the Cheng family bothered to acknowledge Zhang Yunqi.

Zhang Yunqi didn't seem to mind. He smiled and said, "Fifth Sister."

Cheng Zhao slightly inclined her body as a form of acknowledgment.

"These are for you, A'Ying. They bloomed at Fahua Temple—they smell even better than the ones at home." Zhang Yunqi handed the flowers to Cheng Ying.

Cheng Ying took them. "Thank you."

She instructed a maid, "Put them in a vase in the main hall, not in the inner chamber. I can't bear such a heavy fragrance."

The maid acknowledged and left with the flowers.

"How are you free to come back at this hour?" Cheng Ying then asked.

Zhang Yunqi said, "As soon as I picked the flowers, I hurried back to show you."

"Thank you."

"I came back and heard Fifth Sister was here. I won't disturb you—I'll come back for dinner tonight," he said. "Fifth Sister, do visit often."

Cheng Zhao said nothing.

Zhang Yunqi turned and left.

Very lively, very cheerful.

Only after he was gone did Cheng Zhao ask, "Does he come back often?"

"Occasionally," Cheng Ying said.

"And that mistress of his—how is she now?" Cheng Zhao pressed. "Has he made a fuss about bringing her into the household?"

"She doesn't want to come into the household either. The prince's mansion, for all its wealth, is full of rules, and the servants are snobbish. Coming in wouldn't lead to a good life," Cheng Ying said.

Cheng Zhao: "And you?"

"I'm fine, Zhaozhao," Cheng Ying said. "Don't worry about me."

Cheng Zhao couldn't say anything more.