Chapter 56: Kiss Her Bruises

The news of Eldest Madam Song’s illness spread through the Duke of Chen’s estate in no time.

The Dowager Madame summoned Huan Qingtang and Cheng Shi to the Hall of Chengming to oversee household affairs together.

“...Cheng Shi, you’ve been managing the main kitchen for some time now, and you’ve handled matters steadily—I’m satisfied.

Now that your eldest aunt-in-law has fallen ill from overwork and exhaustion, the capable shoulder more. You must share her burdens.” The Dowager Madame said this in front of all the household stewards and Huan Qingtang.

Huan Qingtang smiled as she watched Cheng Shi.

Cheng Shi stood up: “Thank you, Grandmother. I will not disappoint your expectations.”

The Dowager Madame then said: “The gatekeeping duties will be handed over to you.”

She asked further, “Do you know how to manage the gatekeeping?”

In some noble families, the inner and outer courtyards were managed separately. The inner court was run by the mistress, while the outer court was handled by an idle elder of the household overseeing administrative affairs.

Gatekeeping matters involved not just entry management, receiving guests, and relaying messages, but also handling all incoming and outgoing correspondence, as well as etiquette.

The personnel at the gate had to be sharp, intelligent, and absolutely loyal.

Because the gate essentially held the secrets of the entire mansion.

At the Zhou estate, the inner and outer courtyards were not separated. The Eldest Madam managed everything, though the chief steward shared much of the burden on her behalf.

Originally, the gatekeeping duties would never have fallen to Cheng Shi.

But Zhou Yuanshen had proposed it.

“...I’ve learned a little from my mother. For specific matters, if I’m unsure, I’ll consult the chief steward; for anything more important, I will always ask Grandmother first,” Cheng Shi said.

She showed no signs of timidity.

Eldest Madam Song gave her the opportunity, and through the contest between the Dowager Madame and Zhou Yuanshen, Cheng Shi once again benefited.

And Cheng Shi—she was not only skilled at seizing chances but also clever and sharp, with a bit of insight.

She was practically the spear in Zhou Yuanshen’s hand, striking wherever he pointed.

The Dowager Madame scrutinized her several times.

“Your mother raised you well,” the Dowager Madame said meaningfully. “The traditions of the Wu Commandery noble clans run deep—more impressive than I imagined.”

“Grandmother flatters me. When it comes to deep traditions, none rival our own Duke of Chen’s estate,” Cheng Shi replied.

The Dowager Madame smiled faintly.

The token for the gatekeeping duties was handed over to Cheng Shi.

Cheng Shi managed the gate the same way she had handled the main kitchen: she reviewed the logs and records daily, met with the minor stewards, listened carefully to their reports, but did not disturb the existing personnel.

When minor stewards tried to test her or overstep their bounds, she would point it out.

She avoided changing the overall framework, lest she cause trouble due to inadequate preparation. She didn’t yet have enough trusted subordinates to rely on.

But she remained vigilant, noting every subtle movement and calling attention to it when necessary, so the stewards knew she was aware of everything.

No one dared to deceive her.

In the following days, Huan Qingtang and Cheng Shi managed affairs in the small antechamber beside the Hall of Chengming, while Eldest Madam Song ‘recuperated’ in her main quarters.

Occasionally, sounds came from Eldest Madam Song’s bedchamber.

Sometimes a bowl was smashed, sometimes she cursed the maidservants.

Huan Qingtang paid no attention; Cheng Shi too was skilled at feigning ignorance.

“...She holds things together well,” Huan Qingtang’s senior maid said anxiously. “Cheng Shi has managed both posts competently.”

Huan Qingtang pondered: “It’s not just because she was well-bred by her family. It’s also because of her noble background.”

The stewards all knew that Cheng Shi came from a prestigious family.

A noble lady of a prominent clan had her own capabilities, and Cheng Shi was also aware that they instinctively respected her.

Even when they tried to test her or deceive her, she would quickly call them out, earning their increasing respect.

Respect from others—this gave her authority.

Cheng Shi’s authority wasn’t something she had built herself; it came from her family background.

In terms of pure lineage, the Huan family was second to none. But when it came to heritage and wealth, the Cheng family held the upper hand.

That was one reason why, despite Cheng Shi marrying late and not being particularly favored by the Dowager Madame, the stewards still feared her.

“Mu Jiang thinks she can take her place—she’s dreaming. She was a Secondary Wife; in the eyes of the stewards, she’ll never have that kind of prestige,” Huan Qingtang added.

Whether it was Mu Jiang or Cheng Shi, both were thorny issues.

Huan Qingtang had to stay fully alert to manage them.

Having taken on two responsibilities, and with the Eldest Madam claiming to be ill, Cheng Shi had to go to the Hall of Chengming almost every day.

One day, after finishing her duties, Cheng Shi was about to return to Ronghua Courtyard for the evening meal when she encountered Zhou Yuanshen at the crossroad leading to Chenhui Courtyard.

He was wearing soft armor.

The armor made him look tall and martial, sharpening his features into something more stern and imposing than usual.

Cheng Shi rarely saw him in soft armor, so she glanced at him in surprise.

“Just returned from the Capital Garrison Camp,” he explained.

He hadn’t been home for a few days.

Cheng Shi wasn’t familiar with his daily movements, so she said, “Then you should rest early, my lord.”

“Come play a game of chess,” he said.

Cheng Shi: “It’s almost time for the evening meal.”

“Eat at Chenhui Courtyard, then go back afterward,” he said.

Cheng Shi thought it acceptable and could also take a walk to aid digestion.

Since there was still time before dinner, Zhou Yuanshen changed into his everyday long robe and sat with Cheng Shi in the side chamber to play chess.

He told her, “The decree for establishing the heir apparent has been drafted. It will be announced to the court in a couple of days.”

Cheng Shi’s hand, holding a piece, paused.

“Lord Duke, will you be promoted again?” Cheng Shi asked.

If the Zhou family didn’t gain anything, the Guo family wouldn’t have it all to themselves.

This was the result of bargaining.

“His Majesty has appointed me as the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince,” Zhou Yuanshen said.

Cheng Shi: “Congratulations, Lord Duke.”

Zhou Yuanshen placed a piece, expressionless. Neither pleased nor disappointed.

She couldn’t tell what calculations were running through his mind.

But she knew that with the establishment of the heir apparent, Zhou Yuanshen’s power at court and his standing with the Emperor would greatly increase.

It would no longer be so easy for the Dowager Madame to suppress him.

But manipulating power—this path was still not easy.

While Cheng Shi’s mind wandered, Zhou Yuanshen won the game.

“I won,” he said.

“Oh.”

“I want to come to Ronghua Courtyard tonight,” he said, looking at her.

Cheng Shi: “...Alright.”

She agreed, and Zhou Yuanshen stood up and walked over to her.

He lifted her chin and placed a light kiss on her lips.

A gentle, unhurried kiss.

Cheng Shi’s eyelashes fluttered; it felt strange to her, a little uncomfortable, and she wanted to turn her face away.

He noticed and pressed his hand to the back of her neck, deepening the kiss.

Cheng Shi felt herself being pushed back, about to fall, until he finally let go, his breathing growing heavy: “Cheng Shi, let me check that injury you got the other day.”

Cheng Shi tried to dodge.

He pulled her onto the wide kang by the window.

“It doesn’t hurt.”

“Let me see,” he insisted.

Cheng Shi refused.

She had bumped her thigh, leaving a deep bruise that still ached. It had been a hard hit.

But how could she show him that spot?

This wasn’t a place for him to look.

His hand found the sash of her skirt again, just like that day in Ronghua Courtyard.

“Let’s go to Ronghua Courtyard first! I’ll show you there,” Cheng Shi said hurriedly, trying to stop his hand.

“It’s the same here,” he said, kissing her lips again. “Cheng Shi, I want to... take a look.”

His last few words came out with a burning breath.

Cheng Shi turned her head to the side.

He lowered himself and kissed the bruised spot. She couldn’t help trembling slightly.

When she finally put her leg down, her limbs felt weak.

She had no strength to move, held as she was in Zhou Yuanshen’s arms.

At some point, the chessboard beside them had been pushed to the floor, the pieces scattered all over. Cheng Zhao leaned over slightly to look, and her dark hair brushed against Zhou Yuanshen's chest.

He steadied her shoulders.

"Don't move," his voice came from his throat. "It tickles."

If she kept this up, he wouldn't even have time for dinner tonight.

Cheng Zhao immediately lay still, not daring to move an inch.