Chapter 59: The Sister-in-Law Moves Away Again

Cheng Zhao was quite interested in the matter of the dual inheritance.

After all, Huan Qingtang had already moved into Chengming Hall.

From the implications of this event, Cheng Zhao could tell that the Old Madam was likely planning to arrange the dual inheritance soon.

This was directly tied to Cheng Zhao's own interests.

"...Nothing else was said." Zhou Yuanshen raised his eyes, his dark, quiet gaze falling upon her face. "And there is absolutely nothing else, Cheng Zhao."

Cheng Zhao lowered her eyelashes.

She murmured an acknowledgment and asked no more.

The couple had their dinner.

While playing chess after dinner, Cheng Zhao brought up her handkerchief.

"...How could you just take it? That was for Heng'er," Cheng Zhao said.

Zhou Yuanshen replied, "It looks very cute."

"You are the Duke of Chen, and now the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. It is inappropriate for you to carry such a handkerchief. If anyone were to see it, it would be utterly absurd," Cheng Zhao said.

She waited for Zhou Yuanshen to return it.

She knew that as long as she asked, Zhou Yuanshen would definitely give it back to her.

However, to her complete surprise, he said in a very mild tone, "I want it, Cheng Zhao. You can embroider a new one for your niece."

He added, "Your eldest brother-in-law needs a position in the Ministry of War, doesn't he? I will help with that. Consider it my gift to our niece."

Cheng Zhao was speechless.

It was true that the new year had just passed, and her eldest brother-in-law's position was still unsettled.

Trading a single handkerchief for such a great favor was certainly worth it.

Still, Cheng Zhao found it bizarre.

He possessed the noble elegance of an aristocratic scion, and when donning soft armor, the imposing majesty of a military general. Tucking away a handkerchief embroidered with a chubby butterfly was truly unfitting.

It was too weird. It didn't suit him at all.

"Let me embroider another handkerchief for you, with a color and pattern that suits you better. I'll also make you a sachet," Cheng Zhao offered. "As for my eldest brother-in-law's post, I will have to trouble Your Grace for your assistance."

Zhou Yuanshen replied, "Just the sachet will do. I already have a handkerchief."

He insisted on having that specific handkerchief.

Cheng Zhao was speechless again.

Seeing that he genuinely wanted it, she had no choice but to relent and agree to let him keep it.

However, the sachet would have to wait. She needed to embroider a new piece for her niece first; it was a promise made to the child, and she had to bring it back on her next visit.

Cheng Zhao stopped playing chess. She fetched her sewing basket and began cutting fabric.

This time, Zhou Yuanshen did not go to bed to read. He sat on the heated kang bed by the window, facing Cheng Zhao across the small table.

She busied herself with needlework while he read.

Occasionally, he would lift his gaze to glance at her before returning to his book.

After working for a while, Cheng Zhao's eyes felt a bit sore.

When she rubbed her eyes for the third time, Zhou Yuanshen put down his book. "Rest now. It is getting late."

Cheng Zhao agreed.

Inside the bed curtains, he pulled her into his embrace.

Thinking about how late it was, and how much time he usually spent on such matters, Cheng Zhao reached out and pressed her hands against his chest. "I want to sleep."

"Mhm," he murmured in response.

He gently kissed her lips.

The kiss gradually deepened, plundering her senses like a conquering army. His hand had already slipped under the hem of her inner garments, softly caressing her skin.

As his breathing grew heavier, the strength of his hands increased as well.

With a slight force and his palms burning hot, Cheng Zhao trembled softly. She wanted to pull away.

Zhou Yuanshen whispered to her, "You are very delicate, Cheng Zhao."

Cheng Zhao retorted, "You are being rough, yet you blame me for being delicate?"

The accusation carried no weight whatsoever, as her voice was trembling slightly.

It sounded less like a reproach and more like an endearing pout.

Frustrated, Cheng Zhao shut her mouth, but her reaction successfully amused him.

That night, Cheng Zhao did not get to sleep until midnight, her body feeling so soft it could melt.

Perhaps it was the excitement of his promotion to Grand Tutor, or perhaps Cheng Zhao's responses had pleasantly surprised him, but he completely let loose that night.

The gentle facade of an aristocratic gentleman was entirely gone, and his usual coldness was completely burned to ashes. He was like a fierce beast just awakening, ravenously devouring his prey with a hunger that had slumbered through the winter.

Much like the bed, Cheng Zhao felt as though she had almost been dismantled.

As she drifted into a hazy sleep, Cheng Zhao suddenly remembered Zhou Yuanqi's evaluation of him and mumbled softly, "Brute."

He seemed to have heard it. He cast a glance at her, but Cheng Zhao had already rolled over and fallen asleep.

He wrapped his arms around her from behind.

Lacking the strength to push him away, Cheng Zhao let him hold her.

The next day, Cheng Zhao woke up late.

She hurriedly ate her breakfast. While sitting before the mirror to dress up, she noticed her lips were a bit swollen.

She had no time to worry about it and rushed to Chengming Hall to attend to her duties, barely making it on time.

The morning's tasks concluded quickly.

At noon, Huan Qingtang went to Shou'an Courtyard for lunch, seemingly to help the Old Madam sort Buddha beans.

By mid-afternoon, as the duties wrapped up and the managers were about to disperse, Huan Qingtang smiled and said, "Mother's health is recovering. After a few more days of rest, the household management will be handed back to her."

The managers all voiced their acknowledgment.

Cheng Zhao listened quietly.

Huan Qingtang continued, "Since Mother is fine and no longer needs my care, I will move back to Cuiyun Courtyard tomorrow."

The managers exchanged various glances, looking at Huan Qingtang and then at Cheng Zhao.

However, the two young madams maintained completely normal expressions, revealing not a single hint of their true thoughts.

Still, the news spread, creating a far greater stir than when Huan Qingtang had originally moved into Chengming Hall under the pretext of nursing the sick.

That day, Zhou Yuanshen did not visit Nonghua Courtyard.

The imperial edict establishing the Crown Prince was proclaimed to the world today, and Zhou Yuanshen's appointment as Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince sent shockwaves through the court and the public. Aside from him, the Grand Preceptor and the Grand Protector to the Crown Prince were all veteran officials around fifty years old.

"If they absolutely must use him, they could have made him the Junior Protector to the Crown Prince."

That would have been a much more suitable position.

Not only would it fit his age, but the duties would align properly as well.

Yet, against all odds, he was made the Grand Tutor.

Zhou Yuanshen had previously handled a few matters for the Emperor, which had already provoked dissatisfaction among the court officials. In the streets and alleys, malicious rumors about him were also circulating.

It was as if he had been grouped together with those unforgivably wicked and treacherous ministers.

With the addition of this Grand Tutor title, his reputation worsened yet another degree.

Whispers of these rumors eventually drifted into the inner quarters of the Duke of Chen's estate, though the servants and managers dared not speak of them in front of their masters.

On this day, Huan Qingtang moved out of Chengming Hall.

The next day, a subtle shift occurred in the attitudes of the managers.

Both Huan Qingtang and Cheng Zhao sensed it.

After the daily duties were completed, the Second Madam sent someone to invite Cheng Zhao to Jiangyun Courtyard for a meal.

"...Quick, tell me what happened!" the Second Madam blurted out all at once.

Cheng Zhao asked, "Mother, which matter are you referring to?"

"Lady Huan, of course," the Second Madam said.

The Second Master had already informed her about the affairs of the royal court.

She was a bit worried for her son.

Zhou Yuanshen's reputation had grown quite unpleasant due to his ruthless killings and his unconventional promotion. However, the Second Madam could not afford to dwell on that; she had no control over matters outside the estate.

She was far more concerned with the affairs of the inner courtyard.

"Eldest Sister-in-law moved into the main chambers of Chengming Hall earlier, claiming she was there to nurse the sick. Eldest Aunt wasn't even ill, so naturally, it was just an excuse.

I suspect the imperial edict for the dual inheritance was about to be issued, and Grandmother was building up momentum for her in advance, intending for her to share Chengming Hall equally with Eldest Aunt.

However, the Duke has just been promoted. Perhaps during this critical juncture, it is inappropriate to stir up further rumors and add to the burden on His Grace's reputation.

Grandmother is thoughtful and prudent. The dual inheritance matter will likely be postponed, which is why Eldest Sister-in-law moved back out of Chengming Hall," Cheng Zhao explained.

The Second Madam was momentarily stunned.

"They... they actually..."

Cheng Zhao held her hand and smiled. "Mother, this is a good thing! Moving in and then moving back out—there's no way to pretend nothing happened. The managers and servants are all watching."

Moving into Chengming Hall might not have necessarily boosted Huan Qingtang's prestige, but moving out has utterly swept away her dignity.