Chapter 7: Blade in Hand

Second Madam was straightforward and outspoken.

Seeing Cheng Zhao, she said, "He just left, and you just arrived. Did you run into him?"

"I saw someone walking away in the distance, heading towards the main courtyard. I figured it was the Duke," Cheng Zhao replied.

Second Madam regretted her words as soon as she said them.

She was afraid Cheng Zhao would complain to her about being neglected by her husband and bring up the Empress's bestowed marriage.

However, after saying that, Cheng Zhao naturally added, "My small kitchen made some sour radish duck soup. I brought some for Father and Mother to taste."

She then teased the child, "Fifth Brother is in for a treat today. Have an extra bowl."

Zhou Yuanqi lifted his head aloofly, ignoring her; Second Madam breathed a sigh of relief.

Second Master had always remembered others saying that a daughter-in-law and father-in-law should never cross paths. But this was his first time being a father-in-law, and his daughter-in-law was so neat and generous that they naturally became acquainted without any awkwardness, so he didn't bother avoiding her.

"What kind of duck soup is this?" he asked curiously. "We've never had it."

"It's a Wu Commandery recipe. My maiden family always cooks it in autumn and winter. It relieves dryness and is very nourishing," Cheng Zhao said.

A maid brought forward a large food box containing a covered jar.

Cheng Zhao served the food for her parents-in-law and brother-in-law.

Second Madam was not yet used to putting on the airs of a mother-in-law. Coming from a military family, she was used to freedom and despised the affectations of gentlewomen. She didn't impose many rules on Cheng Zhao either.

"Sit down and eat with us," Second Madam said.

Cheng Zhao complied.

The sour radish duck soup was delicious, much more savory than Second Madam had imagined, and the sourness was not too overpowering.

The picky Zhou Yuanqi quickly drank half a bowl and even picked out the duck meat to eat. One must know, he was always finicky and never ate the meat from a soup.

Following the rule of silence during sleep and meals, they finished their dinner quietly.

After dinner, Cheng Zhao served Second Madam to wash her hands and rinse her mouth, then stood up to take her leave.

She didn't mention a single word about Zhou Yuanshen.

Zhou Yuanqi also returned to his courtyard to review his studies.

As they rested for the evening, Second Madam said to her husband, "I must say, these well-bred ladies from scholarly families do have their merits."

Second Master replied, "If you want to praise our daughter-in-law, just say so. Did one bowl of soup buy you over?"

"Don't interrupt," Second Madam said in dissatisfaction.

"Alright, alright, go on."

"She can keep her composure. It's been a month since she married in, and Mu Jiang has openly become a presence, yet she hasn't cried or made a fuss. I haven't even seen a hint of panic in her. I truly admire this kind of temperament," Second Madam said.

Second Master remarked, "Women in the inner chambers are very good at enduring."

"It's the girls from these scholarly families who can endure. If she were my daughter, I wouldn't bear to let her suffer such grievances," Second Madam said.

Second Master sighed.

Second Madam continued, "You should talk to Yuanshen. You father and son can speak easily; tell him not to neglect his legal wife too much."

Second Master replied, "Yuanshen mentioned it last time: this matter concerns the political situation. It was the Empress's idea, and the underlying intentions are unclear. The Emperor has had a bad temper these past few years, and with no crown prince established, the court is extremely chaotic.

Yuanshen is a close minister to the Emperor; he is better at guessing the imperial will than we are. Since he neglects the person the Empress arranged for him to marry, he naturally has his reasons. Don't interfere."

"Aren't I just pitying Cheng Shi? With such beauty, she's left guarding an empty room."

"I don't think Cheng Shi is making herself miserable; she seems in good spirits," Second Master said.

How could someone wallowing in misery have the mind to order the small kitchen to stew such delicious duck soup?

Second Madam worried for Cheng Shi, but Cheng Shi seemed to have a clear head, neither fighting nor snatching, very well-behaved and suited for living a steady life.

If they had a daughter like Cheng Shi, it would seem quite nice.

Second Madam told him he didn't understand and urged him to help persuade Zhou Yuanshen.

Even if they couldn't be affectionate or mutually respectful, if he just made a token appearance at Nonghua Courtyard every month, the servants wouldn't dare bully her.

"...Alright, I'll talk to Yuanshen next time. But don't make a big fuss about it. Mother wants to support Miss Mu," Second Master said.

Uplifting Cheng Shi at this time would be going against Dowager Madame.

"Mother even calls Cheng Shi the eldest daughter-in-law. I don't believe she would reprimand me," Second Madam said.

Second Master: "She won't do it to your face, but she will drop hints with hidden meanings to point it out to you."

Second Madam turned over to sleep, saying lazily, "I won't understand."

If it wasn't a direct scolding to her face, she didn't have the patience to listen.

Anyway, Dowager Madame didn't like her, and she had lived through it for over twenty years.

Second Master: "..."

Later, Second Master found an opportunity and said a few words to his son.

Just as Second Master expected, Zhou Yuanshen indeed replied, "I know what I'm doing; Father doesn't need to worry."

He added, "I have made things clear between Cheng Shi and me. If she doesn't understand, I will tell her again next time."

"Don't be angry with her," Second Master said. "She has a good temper. It wasn't her complaining; it's your mother who is worried."

Zhou Yuanshen remained expressionless, and it was unknown whether he took the words to heart.

Returning to the estate that day, Zhou Yuanshen went straight to Nonghua Courtyard.

Nonghua Courtyard had a few servants from the Zhou family, but they only did rough work like sweeping and washing. Those who served in the main room were all Cheng Zhao's dowry servants.

Among the dowry maids was a thin and frail one who looked very inconspicuous. She answered in a low voice, "The Young Madam went to the Fifth Young Master's courtyard to deliver soup to him."

Zhou Yuanshen didn't say a word and turned to leave.

When Cheng Zhao returned and heard that Zhou Yuanshen had visited, she felt slightly surprised.

"...He didn't look too pleased," Qiubai said.

Cheng Zhao recalled her actions over the past few days. She paid her respects to her parents-in-law as usual, never neglecting them; she hadn't run into anyone else from the Zhou family; and the only other thing was delivering soup to Zhou Yuanqi.

She hadn't violated any taboos.

"Did he say what it was about?" Cheng Zhao asked.

Qiubai shook her head.

Cheng Zhao: "It shouldn't be anything important. If it were urgent, he would come back."

However, Zhou Yuanshen did not come again.

Several incidents had recently occurred in the capital, and Zhou Yuanshen's shadow could be seen in them: two marquis estates were raided and confiscated, both having meddled in the matter of establishing a crown prince and angering the Emperor.

In the imperial court, most officials pleaded for mercy, but only Zhou Yuanshen stood on the Emperor's side and even listed the crimes of these two families.

Cheng Zhao went to Second Madam: "I would like to make a trip back to my maiden home to see my mother."

Second Madam was free-spirited and undisciplined. She couldn't do anything harsh to others, so she merely asked, "Is my in-law alright?"

"I just dreamt of her last night," Cheng Zhao said.

Second Madam: "Then go ahead."

Cheng Zhao returned home. After seeing her parents, she went to her grandfather's courtyard.

Her grandmother had passed away over a decade ago, and the one serving her grandfather was an elderly concubine. She was gentle and kind, and had taken good care of Cheng Zhao.

"...Zhou Yuanshen, is he preparing to become the Emperor's blade?" Cheng Zhao asked straight to the point.

When the Emperor killed his officials, he feared leaving a bad reputation, so at such times, he needed a treacherous official to charge at the forefront.

The downfall of the two marquis estates was because the Emperor wanted to kill them, but many people in the streets were gossiping about Zhou Yuanshen.

"He has always had the Emperor's favor and is the Emperor's most trusted official," her grandfather said.

"The Zhou family doesn't need to seek wealth and honor through danger. What is he after?" Cheng Zhao asked.

"On the path of wealth and status, if you do not advance, you retreat. The Zhou family's heirs are sparse, lacking successors," her grandfather replied. "Every family has its own predicament. Zhou Yuanshen might not want to inherit the ancestral estate."

Cheng Zhao understood now.