Chapter 31: Cheng Zhao Must Strive

The capital of Shangjing had seen several consecutive days of clear skies following the snow.

Cheng Zhao received some wonderful news.

Her mother had sent someone over with winter tonics, bringing along the message that her eldest brother-in-law was returning to the capital to report on his duties, and her eldest sister would be coming back with the children.

Her eldest sister, Cheng Han, was the person who treated Cheng Zhao best in this world.

"...Every time my fourth brother and I got into a fight, Eldest Sister always took my side," Cheng Zhao said.

Her eldest sister was twelve years older than her; they shared the same Chinese zodiac sign and the exact same birthday. Any gifts relatives gave to her eldest sister could easily be passed down for Cheng Zhao to use.

Out of the five siblings, because of this special bond, Cheng Zhao was closest to her.

Their mother was always too busy, so before her eldest sister married, she was the one who played with Cheng Zhao and taught her how to read. Because her eldest brother-in-law had to observe a mourning period, her eldest sister's wedding was delayed for three years, giving her three extra years to keep Cheng Zhao company.

Nanny Li couldn't help but laugh. "Are you still holding a grudge against the Fourth Young Master?"

"I'll hold it for a lifetime," Cheng Zhao said.

She added, "I need to make a trip home. Since Eldest Sister is back, Third Sister should be coming home too, right?"

Cheng Zhao's third sister, Cheng Ying, had married into the estate of the Prince of Jingnan four years ago.

The Prince of Jingnan was the only prince of a different surname in the current dynasty, wielding immense power and prestige. Third Sister had married Zhang Yunqi, the youngest son of the princely estate.

Elders naturally doted on their youngest sons, and marrying him meant she wouldn't have to manage the household chores. The Cheng family had been extremely satisfied with this marriage.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Yunqi ran away the very month after the wedding, his whereabouts unknown.

This matter was covered up for a long time, until a year later when he returned to the capital with the daughter of a condemned official, who was already pregnant.

The princely estate refused to let her enter the household but didn't force the issue too harshly, allowing Zhang Yunqi to settle the woman and child in an outer residence.

When this scandal broke, Cheng Zhao's third sister became the laughingstock of the entire capital.

Because of this, Third Sister lived in seclusion, rarely seen all year round. She didn't socialize or attend banquets, completely fading into the inner courtyard.

Their mother couldn't just run over to the princely estate to see her every single day.

Last January, in front of Cheng Zhao's parents, their grandfather asked Third Sister if she wanted a divorce. Third Sister refused and distanced herself even further from the Cheng family ever since.

It seemed she was afraid that her bad luck and misfortune would taint the family, bringing shame upon her grandfather, parents, and siblings.

At that time, Cheng Zhao made up her mind that she had to strive for excellence.

If she married well, bringing pride to her mother and glory to the family, perhaps Third Sister would be willing to divorce, return home, and escape her sea of bitterness.

Her own marriage was only average, and Zhou Yuanshen hadn't even accompanied her on the traditional third-day visit home. However, she wasn't as aloof and proud as Third Sister, who refused to fight for anything.

Less than four months into her marriage, Cheng Zhao had managed to secure the title of a first-rank Duchess. This alone put her above many others.

Nanny Li took the opportunity to say, "The government offices have been quite idle lately, and the Duke doesn't need to keep an eye on the Capital Garrison all day long. He is often at home."

She was hinting for Cheng Zhao to bring Zhou Yuanshen along when she visited her family.

Cheng Zhao remained silent for a long time.

Nanny Li probed gently, advising her again, "Young Madam, you cannot become arrogant over a single victory. The road ahead is still difficult to navigate, and you will at least need the Duke's support..."

"...Isn't the New Year approaching? We will go back in January to pay New Year's greetings. If he is willing, I will naturally ask him," Cheng Zhao said.

Nanny Li said no more.

Because Cheng Zhao was serving at Chengming Hall, she went to the Old Madam's Shou'an Courtyard to inform her of her visit home; she also told the Second Madam.

The Second Madam ordered someone to prepare gifts.

The Old Madam also arranged a few gifts, which were mostly for show; the Second Madam's gifts, on the other hand, were genuinely valuable.

Cheng Zhao took her maids, Qiubai and Suyue, and headed out early the next morning.

She even ran into Zhou Yuanshen at the door.

She curtsied in greeting.

"Where are you going?" Zhou Yuanshen asked.

Cheng Zhao told him truthfully.

Zhou Yuanshen gave a slight nod, didn't ask another word, and rode off on his horse.

Cheng Zhao hurried back to the Cheng family estate early, just as her parents had finished breakfast.

"Rushing like this, aren't you afraid others will laugh at you?" her mother scolded her. "Sit down first. I'll send someone to see if your eldest sister is up yet."

Upon returning to the capital, her eldest sister was temporarily staying at the Cheng family home.

Her eldest brother-in-law was not a native of the capital. He was the sole heir for three generations, his parents had both passed away, and he had no relatives or friends in the capital. He did own a residence, but it had been vacant for years with only one old servant looking after it, so returning there would be highly inconvenient.

Her grandfather had given the word for her eldest sister and her husband to stay at the family home until the New Year was over. Her mother had cleaned up her eldest sister's old maiden quarters for them to live in.

"She should be up by this hour," Cheng Zhao smiled.

Not wanting to wait, she turned to leave but was stopped by her mother's sharp command.

"Sit down, I have something to ask you," her mother said.

Cheng Zhao had no choice but to sit properly.

"I heard that Grand Tutor Wu offended Zhou Yuanshen and has been thrown into prison?" her mother asked.

Cheng Zhao replied, "With your background, how can you ask about such gossip?"

Her mother raised a hand as if to hit her.

Who was the Grand Tutor? He was the Emperor's teacher.

The Emperor had only been the Crown Prince for a year before ascending the throne, but his teacher had accompanied him for over a decade.

Now he had walked down his father's old path, growing annoyed with his nagging teacher and wanting to get rid of him.

What was the difference between killing one's teacher and killing one's father?

This matter definitely had to go through someone else's hands, and Zhou Yuanshen had become that blade.

This was already the third issue Zhou Yuanshen had handled for the Emperor.

"...How will the historians write about him? Which of those notoriously treacherous villains didn't leave behind a torrent of infamy after their deaths?" her mother worried. "You should advise him not to be too greedy."

He was already the Duke of Chen.

The highest rank of nobility—what else could he seek? The Zhou family was like flowers added to brocade, possessing both power and influence.

"I can't persuade him," Cheng Zhao said. "Mother, do you think that as a wife, I must constantly 'advise' my husband to do the right thing? If you feel that doing so is better for me, I will do it."

Her mother choked on her words, unable to speak for a long while.

Cheng Zhao stood up. "I'm going to see Eldest Sister and the children. I'll take my leave first."

Without waiting for her mother to stop her again, Cheng Zhao ran off.

Suyue was carrying a small bundle, which contained the gifts Cheng Zhao had personally prepared for her eldest sister and the children. When they arrived at the gate of her eldest sister's courtyard, Qiubai went to knock, and a maid quickly came to open the door.

Cheng Zhao didn't really recognize this maid, but the maid knew Cheng Zhao.

"Fifth Young Lady, please come in. Our Madam has been looking forward to seeing you," the maid said.

Cheng Zhao entered the courtyard.

Before even stepping through the door, she called out loudly, "Eldest Sister!"

A six-year-old girl, wearing a light green padded jacket and cotton trousers, ran out of the room. She was dressed so thickly that she looked perfectly round and plump.

"Fifth Aunt?"

Cheng Zhao scooped her up in her arms. "Heng'er still remembers me! She actually remembers me!"

Her eldest sister walked out of the room.

She looked at Cheng Zhao and smiled, but as she smiled, tears welled up in her eyes.

The wet nurse took the child away, and her eldest brother-in-law walked out from the inner bedroom.

Cheng Zhao exchanged greetings with him. He told the sisters to catch up and then took his leave.

"You've grown taller again," her eldest sister said with a smile.

The tears in her eyes rolled down her cheeks.

Cheng Zhao threw herself into her arms and cried too. "I missed you every single day. Are you going to leave again?"

"I'm not leaving. Now that we're back, your brother-in-law is going to secure a position in the Ministry of War. We won't be going away again." Her eldest sister cried as well.

The two sisters had endless things to talk about.

Her eldest sister was now a mother of three. Aside from six-year-old Heng'er, she also had a pair of three-year-old twin boys.

She had set off while pregnant back then, so Cheng Zhao had never even met her nephews.

However, she had already prepared gifts for them.

Mid-morning, Third Sister Cheng Ying also returned.

Second Brother, his wife, and Fourth Brother also arrived at the courtyard.

It had been a long time since the siblings had all gathered together like this.

"I've booked a private room at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion. Let's head out for a meal," said Second Brother, Cheng Yan.