Chapter 200: Cheng Zhao Strikes the Mountain to Startle the Tiger

The morning council proceeded as usual.

Huan Qingtang remained composed, and Cheng Zhao responded with equal ease.

During a brief break, the maidservants came to refresh their tea.

Huan Qingtang remarked, "I heard Second Mother went to Qingfeng Courtyard yesterday? She wasn't given a hard time, was she? Mother's temper hasn't been good lately." She added, "I had the main kitchen stew some pear syrup and sent it over to her—good for relieving the autumn dryness."

“My mother also felt the dryness of autumn, so she specifically had some clear beef soup stewed for Aunt. It’s nourishing and helps dispel heat as well,” said Cheng Zhao.

The fact that Second Madam had visited Qingfeng Courtyard—everyone knew. Everyone was probing her purpose. And there was considerable tension about it.

Cheng Zhao thought to herself that her mother-in-law was truly a lucky star. Even if she had blundered into it by accident, she had managed to muddy the waters.

"...Aunt also told my mother a secret," Cheng Zhao said with a smile.

Huan Qingtang smiled too. "A secret, is there?"

"However, my mother is reluctant to spread it around. It concerns the harmony of the household. Aunt really is reckless to have told anyone so casually," Cheng Zhao said.

Huan Qingtang paused.

Her expression shifted slowly, her smile seeming to freeze on her lips.

Cheng Zhao noticed her fingers tighten slightly.

She vaguely understood what secret Cheng Zhao was referring to. This matter was not merely confidential—it was her dignity. If First Madam were to lose all restraint and make it public, Huan Qingtang would be utterly humiliated.

When First Madam was in her right mind, she wouldn't casually divulge such a thing either—after all, it also concerned her deceased son.

Huan Qingtang seemed unable to believe that First Madam would have spoken of it.

Her expression flickered, but she still tested: "What did she say?"

"Mother didn't tell me," Cheng Zhao said with a radiant smile. "Only that it affects family harmony."

Huan Qingtang: "...".

They were speaking in private, with no stewards present—just the two sisters-in-law resting alone.

Then the stewards filed back in.

Cheng Zhao took another sip of tea and leafed through an account ledger, as if she'd suddenly noticed something. She said to Huan Qingtang, "I need to go to Shou'an Courtyard. To consult Grandmother."

Huan Qingtang said, "I'll accompany you. I was just about to go and have lunch with Grandmother anyway." Then she added with a smile, as if deliberately speaking for others to hear, "Grandmother's appetite has been poor these past few days. It's easier for her to eat when someone keeps her company."

The Mid-Autumn Festival incident had apparently affected the Dowager Madame, who hadn't been eating or sleeping well.

The assembled stewards understood that the Eldest Young Madam was favored by the Dowager Madame.

But they still looked at Cheng Zhao.

Cheng Zhao remained expressionless, saying nothing.

Huan Qingtang's face stiffened slightly, but she quickly recovered and put on a calm, faint smile.

The two of them went to Shou'an Courtyard.

Cheng Zhao had no major business, so she raised a matter about the gatekeepers.

"There are too many of them—wasted manpower. Better to transfer some to manage the rear garden," Cheng Zhao said.

She had only just gained control of the main kitchen, and now she was eyeing the gatehouse—trying to devour everything piece by piece.

The gatehouse was important. Even more important than the main kitchen.

The Dowager Madame immediately dismissed her suggestion: "The gatehouse staff aren't for ordinary use—they're for festivals, holidays, and important occasions. What does daily socializing matter? If the staffing proves insufficient on significant days, people will laugh at us."

Cheng Zhao then said, "Grandmother, since you see no harm in extra staff, may I place two of my dowry retainers there?"

The Dowager Madame gave her a smile. "Your retainers only arrived less than a year ago. They still have much to learn. We'll talk again after the New Year."

She refused without hesitation.

Cheng Zhao's true intention hadn't been the gatehouse in the first place, so she nodded submissively: "Grandmother is right."

Huan Qingtang's restless heart, in contrast, calmed with the exchange.

She felt that Cheng Zhao had grown too pleased with herself.

After Cheng Zhao dealt with Nanny Qin in the main kitchen and had the whole kitchen under her control, she'd started getting cocky.

She was riding on momentum, stretching her hand toward the gatehouse.

That was fine.

Let her be smug.

The higher she climbed, the harder she'd fall. That would be Huan Qingtang's opportunity.

"...Is Cheng Zhao always this shallow and lacking in patience? Or is it all an act?" Huan Qingtang wondered again.

Her gaze rested on Cheng Zhao.

After Cheng Zhao finished with the gatehouse, she said to the Dowager Madame, "Grandmother, I recall one of my retainers saying that this year's fortune doesn't favor me."

The Dowager Madame chuckled. "Why is it about fortune again? You, child."

"People born in the Year of the Goat are my lucky stars. In this household, I believe that's you," Cheng Zhao said. "Grandmother, I've been married without bearing a child—it must be that fortune is working against me."

The Dowager Madame: "..."

"Last time, Aunt said she'd copy sutras for me to offer to the Goddess of Fertility. Grandmother, could you gift me some of your own?" Cheng Zhao asked.

Huan Qingtang looked at Cheng Zhao again.

Usually, it was the younger generation who copied sutras for their elders. For an elder to copy for the young—Cheng Zhao was showing a lack of filial piety.

"Venerable Huining previously copied some sutras for me. Take them and offer them before the Bodhisattva," the Dowager Madame said after a pause, conceding.

Cheng Zhao beamed with joy: "Thank you, Grandmother."

Then she turned to Huan Qingtang: "Sister-in-law, will you also copy some for me? With Grandmother's sutras anchoring them, the more the better."

She trailed off after saying this, seemingly afraid Huan Qingtang would refuse.

Huan Qingtang, recalling what had been said earlier at Chengming Hall, glanced at the Dowager Madame, then smiled: "Of course. I certainly hope you'll soon bear children for the Zhou family. I'll copy them tonight when I return."

Cheng Zhao then asked the Dowager Madame, "May I also ask Aunt to copy some for me?"

The Dowager Madame: "That matter, you may discuss privately among yourselves."

"I'll have my mother ask Aunt," Cheng Zhao said. And added, "My mother and Aunt actually get along better now. Aunt even told her some private things."

The Dowager Madame showed little interest: "So long as you're all harmonious, the family will prosper."

By this series of remarks, Cheng Zhao was simply conveying one thing: she was worried about heirs, hoping to borrow the luck of the women of the household.

Second Madam's visit to Qingfeng Courtyard seemed to have been over just such a matter. And Cheng Zhao bringing up the gatehouse here—its purpose was also this.

"If she becomes pregnant, she'll propose moving into Chengming Hall? Is that her plan?" Huan Qingtang thought to herself.

Or perhaps she was already pregnant, and this grand show was merely laying the groundwork?

Huan Qingtang glanced at the Dowager Madame again.

The Dowager Madame's countenance was kind and gentle, revealing nothing.

At noon, Cheng Zhao did not stay at Shou'an Courtyard for lunch.

She said, "This morning, it seemed someone from Yujin Courtyard was looking for me. I had Nanny Li go handle it. I'll go check on the matter while I eat."

The Dowager Madame: "Go on then, see to your duties. Don't overwork yourself."

"Thank you for your concern, Grandmother," Cheng Zhao said.

Nanny Sun, one of the Dowager Madame's attendants, fetched a stack of sutras from the small prayer room and gave them to her. These had been copied by Venerable Huining and had been offered before the Bodhisattva for quite some time—said to be quite efficacious.

Carrying the sutras, Cheng Zhao walked slowly back.

She went to Chenhui Courtyard.

Suyue was waiting at the entrance, and said: "The Lord Duke has returned, and Nanny Li is also waiting to report."

"Bring in the meal," Cheng Zhao said.

With that, she stepped over the threshold.

Suyue and the young servant Nanfeng fetched the food box from the main kitchen.

Nanny Li had already summarized the affairs of Yujin Courtyard for Cheng Zhao.

Zhou Yuanshen sat quietly nearby, not interjecting, merely flipping through the sutras Cheng Zhao had brought back.

"...Young Madam, what should we do?" Nanny Li concluded, awaiting Cheng Zhao's decision.