Zhou Shaojin's answer was within Mrs. Guo's expectations, but she was still very happy to hear her say that.
She patted Zhou Shaojin's hand and said, "Good boy, others may think that I bought you such a big house because you got so much from me and that I wronged you. But among these three children, Silang is the best at business. He can start a business from scratch. Your eldest uncle and second uncle don't have this ability. Just think that I am partial to them."
Zhou Shaojin guessed that Mrs. Guo might not have expected that she already knew about the Qixingtang.
When the second branch separated from the first branch, the reason why they asked for such a huge sum was because the Seven Star Hall was in Cheng Chi's hands, wasn't it
Now that the old lady has divided the family property, it may seem that Cheng Jing and Cheng Wei have gained the upper hand, but in fact, as long as the Seven Stars Hall is still in Cheng Chi's hands, Chaoyang Gate will make a fortune.
She said hurriedly, "Mom, we are not wronged. Silang has been doing business for many years and has received a lot of care from his uncle and second uncle. This is the only fair way to divide it."
Although Zhou Shaojin didn't know much about what was going on outside, she knew that Cheng Chi was able to open a bank so smoothly in his early years and take on the business of transporting grain and fodder to the nine borders, thanks to his two brothers who were officials in the court.
She spoke with great sincerity. Seeing that she was well-behaved and sensible, Old Lady Guo nodded continuously and said, "Most of my boxes are here. Such a large house must be decorated according to the seasons all year round. If you need anything, just go and tell Madam Shi and open my boxes and take it."
This is what it means to subsidize them secretly.
Zhou Shaojin replied "yes" respectfully and had no intention of touching Mrs. Guo's things.
But when Cheng Chi returned home, she told him about this while helping him change his clothes, and asked, "So will Qixing Hall belong to you alone from now on?"
Cheng Chi and Zhou Shaojin were newlyweds, and Zhou Shaojin personally helped Cheng Chi change his clothes. The maids naturally walked far away, and the huge inner house was quiet with only the two of them.
Cheng Chi changed into clean clothes, hugged Zhou Shaojin and kissed her, saying: "If elder brother and second brother agree to divide the family this way, then Qixing Hall will be my family. Are you happy?" After saying that, he saw that her cheeks were as rosy as peach blossoms, and he couldn't help but kiss her again.
Zhou Shaojin had something on his mind, and since they had done more intimate things before, he didn't think it was a big deal. He let him kiss her and murmured, "I, I was just thinking, since it's ours, can we dissolve it or get rid of it..."
Cheng Chi was stunned.
Zhou Shaojin said hurriedly, "Look, you gave me so many things, all of which became my dowry. I calculated carefully, and it's about 20,000 to 30,000 taels of silver, and the interest is more than 2,000 taels a year. When mother followed us, we not only didn't have to spend a penny, but also had some savings. In addition to this big house, we have no other expenses. You can do business, I will give you my dowry as capital, and we can do some small business to make a living. There is no free food in this world. To make so much money, you have to risk your life. I, I'm afraid... I don't want anything to happen to you... You should stop caring about Qixing Hall, okay? Although it is something left by our ancestors, water can carry a boat but can also overturn it. Can we just live a simple life?"
As she spoke, a hint of pleading appeared in her eyes as she looked at him.
Cheng Chi said nothing and looked at her expressionlessly.
Zhou Shaojin recalled the day when he was holding a big bow and chasing Xiao Zhenhai... No man would be willing to give up such a foundation, right
But that's risking your life.
She wanted him to live in peace and tranquility, and to live well in this world. She didn't want those gorgeous clothes and jewels, nor did she want the things he had exchanged his life for.
Zhou Shaojin's eyes became moist.
She whispered, "Silang, I only want you. It doesn't matter if you become a high-ranking official or not, or if you have money or not. I'm fine with you living in the farm, but I just ask you not to put yourself in danger again. I will be worried, and I will be restless day and night..."
A smile slowly overflowed from Cheng Chi's eyes.
He was tall and strong, and he picked up Zhou Shaojin and sat him on the kang.
Zhou Shaojin exclaimed.
Cheng Chi lowered his head, rested his forehead against hers, and said with a smile: "You said you don't want money, but me. Don't feel unbalanced when you see other people's children getting married and being given houses and land as gifts."
"No, no." Zhou Shaojin said deliberately, "I come from a small family, and I can only live the life of a small family. I would be uneasy if I were to spend money like this." Then he added, "I, I will learn how to manage the household from my mother."
The wife who is in charge of the household can save a lot of money in a year if she is good at housekeeping.
She will work hard with Cheng Chi in the future.
As the thought flashed through her mind, she felt as if a sail had been raised in her heart, and she felt that the future was bright.
Cheng Chi laughed and said, "Okay, I'll watch!"
Zhou Shaojin clenched his fist and said, "I can do it!"
Or maybe he found what he wanted to do, Zhou Shaojin seemed very motivated, his little face was red, his eyes were bright, and he looked much more energetic than usual.
Just let her find something to do!
Cheng Chi rubbed her hair.
"Oops!" Zhou Shaojin said, "It messed up my head."
"Comb it right away if it gets messy!" Cheng Chi said disapprovingly.
Zhou Shaojin blushed.
Those maids and servants must have thought that she and Cheng Chi had done something again...
She wanted to jump off the table, but her feet were dangling in the air and she didn't know what to do.
Cheng Chi laughed out loud, thinking that Zhou Shaojin was very interesting. He stood in front of the table, put her arms around his neck, and talked to her like this: "I always disliked the Seven Stars Hall as a trouble before, but now think about it carefully, they are also raised by their parents, and they also have children. The Seven Stars Hall has been rooted in the martial arts world for a long time. If it is suddenly disbanded or let others take charge, I am afraid that someone will not be able to resist the temptation and twist it back into a rope to do evil. Not only will it fail to achieve the purpose of disbanding the Seven Stars Hall, but it will also cause dissatisfaction among the people and cause a lot of trouble. I think instead of letting it go, it is better to take advantage of this time when we need people to investigate the Fourth Prince's affairs, lead those who are willing to whitewash their wealth to take the right path, and let those who can't let go leave the Seven Stars Hall and find their own way out."
"That's great!" Zhou Shaojin couldn't help but high-five Cheng Chi, saying, "After all, he is a disciple of Master Zhi. It is a gentleman's style to be consistent and to the end."
Cheng Chi smiled and scratched her nose, saying, "That's so happy!"
"Happy, happy!" Zhou Shaojin smiled with her eyes curved and let Cheng Chi scratch her nose.
Cheng Chi laughed.
Zhou Shaojin looked hesitant.
Cheng Chi smiled and said, "Do you have anything else you're embarrassed to tell me?"
Zhou Shaojin blushed and whispered, "Do I want to be a good wife too?"
"Oh?!" Cheng Chi raised his eyebrows and said, "Tell me what kind of wife is a good wife in your mind?"
"Of course I want to be like my mother!" Zhou Shaojin said without thinking, "And also like my sister."
Cheng Chi smiled and said, "I think my mother and your sister are not the kind of people who are afraid of wolves in front and tigers behind!"
Zhou Shaojin pouted and said, "Don't look at anything inappropriate, don't say anything inappropriate... I also want to be a polite person."
Cheng Chi looked around and said, "Where? Why didn't I notice that you would not look at or say anything inappropriate?"
Zhou Shaojin was coaxed into laughing and softened in his arms.
The two of them didn't know who took the initiative, but they kissed each other.
It took a long time, until Zhou Shaojin couldn't breathe and pushed Cheng Chi away, and Cheng Chi reluctantly left her lips, giving her a chance to breathe.
"What do you want to say?" He stroked her blushing cheek, kissed her wet eyes that were as bright and clear as if washed by autumn water, and smiled, "If you miss this opportunity, you will never have it again..."
He just wanted to carry her to bed and make love to her mercilessly.
But thinking of her current physical condition... he held back again.
Zhou Shaojin smiled and said, "I want to ask you, why did Shi Kuan look for you?"
Cheng Chi smiled and said, "Do you remember that I said Shi Kuan had a brother who was secretly raised by him in a family surnamed Zheng in Yiqian Hutong? The Zheng family ran a rice shop. I asked Manager Xiang to visit the Zheng family as often as possible, and the two of them got to know each other. A few days ago, when Shi Kuan's brother was helping his adoptive father to look after the shop, he had a disagreement with some street gangsters and got beaten by them. Shi Kuan was working in the Fourth Prince's Mansion and couldn't go out - even if he could come out, he wouldn't dare to speak up for the Zheng family blatantly. The Zheng family knew that Manager Xiang was from our family, so they asked Manager Xiang for help, and Manager Xiang took my second brother's name card to the government office... Shi Kuan found out and thanked me for it."
In other words, Cheng Chi officially started talking to Shi Kuan.
Zhou Shaojin breathed a sigh of relief and said, "I remember that after the Fourth Prince ascended the throne, his birthday was on December 12th..."
I don’t know if it can be used.
Cheng Chi smiled and said, "We don't need to contact the Fourth Prince for the time being. Let's find out some things first." Then he asked about returning home: "...Are you ready?"
Zhou Shaojin blushed and said, "Mother Fan is preparing it, and she hasn't asked yet."
She just said she wanted to be a good wife.
Cheng Chi smiled gently and said, "Let's go and prepare a gift for our father-in-law."
Carry Zhou Shaojin down from the kang table.
※
Over at Xinglin Hutong, Qiu was whispering to Cheng Wei: "… Do you think Mother is testing us or does she really want us to separate? My heart is still pounding, it's so scary!"
Cheng Wei thought of Qixing Hall.
Although it is a treasure trove, it is also a disaster.
With the current status and position of the Cheng family, and the fact that they still control a large part of the underworld, if even the slightest bit of news leaks out, the Cheng family will be doomed.
Does my mother want to throw Qixingtang away
But now that Zichuan has entered the officialdom, he should do his job well. It would be unwise to get involved in trouble again!
He was silent for a long time.
Qiu pushed him nervously and said, "Just give me a word! If mother comes to talk to me again, what should I say?"
She grew up reading "Instructions for Women" and "Biographies of Remarkable Women". She was a well-behaved girl from a scholarly family and she never talked back to her elders, nor did she rebel against them.
Cheng Wei bluffed her, "I'm just worried that mother doesn't have that much money, and won't be able to pay the 100,000 taels of silver when she buys us a house."
※
Dear friends, here is an extra chapter for Lin’s Fairy 095.
The update is scheduled for around 9am tomorrow morning.
O(∩_∩)O~
※(To be continued)