Zhou Jiao calmed down and strolled back to the living room.
At this moment, Father Zhang finally started talking to Zhang Guoqing, and the father and son started whispering.
She glanced at Zhou Xiaozheng. Seeing her father wink at her, her eyes lit up. Finally, her father-in-law had left her father behind, leaving Zhang Guoqing and his son chatting.
She quickly walked forward and took her father's hand, and the two of them walked happily into the bedroom.
"I'm leaving this afternoon. Since there's no one around right now, I want to tell you something. Next time you go to the provincial capital, no matter who mentions your grandma, tell Dad. Safety comes first. This time when I go back, besides the usual letters, I'll teach you a way to pass on important news. Don't tell anyone."
After that, Zhou Xiaozheng took out a book and handed it to her, then read a few lines up and down, matching the page numbers. He explained how to send him an expedited telegram when there was an urgent matter that was inconvenient for outsiders to know. He also explained how to conceal words in a letter that was usually difficult for outsiders to know. After explaining, he saw that she nodded in understanding and told her to put the book away. He could buy a copy of these general editions when he returned to Beijing.
Zhou Xiaozheng then counseled her on how to get along with Zhao Chuangguang and his wife. Hearing Zhou Jiao's plan to make two sets of clothing and buy two jade pendants as a return gift, he felt both delighted and distressed. He was happy that his daughter had grown up and was now more capable. But he felt even more distressed. Making two sets of clothing by hand would surely strain his daughter's hands. He quickly stopped her, telling her to simply give the patterns to the tailor and pay her a bit more.
Zhou Jiao looked at her father's face, brimming with jealousy, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Luckily, she had managed to get her father's coat last night. It was exhausting to watch him talk all the time now. She could only wait until he left to tell him.
Zhou Xiaozheng stood up and squatted in the corner to continue sorting out the secret compartment from last night. After a while, he stood up and saw Zhou Jiao guarding the door. He was secretly proud of his daughter Jiaojiao's cleverness.
He beckoned her over, taught her, and whispered in her ear, "Don't even tell Xiaowu about this method. Dad put two thousand yuan in here for you as a backup. From now on, keep your private money here, and no one can open it."
Zhou Jiao frowned and muttered, "Why are you giving me so much? I have money. You have a lot of expenses when you are away from home, so you can't be without money. Who knows when Gu Ruyi will pay back the family savings."
Zhou Xiaozheng stood up, pulled her back to the table and sat her down, instructing her, "Spend as much as you want. Besides her money, Dad has a backup plan. From now on, no matter what you think, don't make any mistakes in addressing her. Grandma is just a code name. Don't call her Gu Ruyi all the time, or you might accidentally blurt it out." He watched his precious child laughing and blinking with her hands. He ruffled her hair with his hand and laughed knowingly.
"Dad, Grandpa probably knows something. He was a little strange last night."
Zhou Xiaozheng thought about his father-in-law's character and nodded. "Don't get involved in the Lin family's affairs. There will be trouble in the future. Your uncle inherited your grandmother's shrewdness and your grandfather's straightforward temper. Would such a person be manipulated by your grandmother?
Your second uncle is a bit of a wimp, afraid of his wife, and very soft-hearted. Your second aunt is overambitious, extremely vain, and opportunistic. Your grandmother initially strongly opposed this marriage, but within two years of the marriage, the relationship between the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law is like that of a real mother and daughter.
Dad got a promotion this time. The Lin family must have a lot on their minds. Last night, your grandfather saw Zhao Chuangguang and must have realized that the Cheng, Zhao, and Zuo families were linked together by us. But so what?
Zhou Jiao looked at her father's slightly raised lips and immediately smiled. She was worried, and it seemed her father knew what was going on.
Then, thinking of the unpredictable danger, she looked outside and whispered, "Dad, you must not stand in line. The Cheng family may have done you a favor, but my grandmother, the Gu family, gave my aunt two lives. Even if there has been an agreement for generations to form an alliance between the three families, that agreement was made in secret.
What use was Zuo Sen to the Zuo family? He was just a declining figure. The Zhao family and their in-laws, the Huang family, were both based in the provincial capital. Using an outstanding son as a vanguard allowed them to advance or retreat.
Now that you've been promoted as soon as you came back, how many people are secretly waiting for you to make a mistake?
Don't take sides. Stability is paramount right now. You have ample opportunities to revive the Zhou family. You're only forty now, and already living in a small courtyard. Steadily rising, maintaining a neutral position—this is your path.
Don't be so anxious to achieve merit. Think about it, even if you achieve more merit, can you be promoted several levels in two years? Our family can only seek stability. It seems that we have the Lin family and the Cheng family behind us, but you are alone, and our strength is too weak. You can't trust anyone, so don't trust anyone. Look, people's hearts are the most fickle. You must be careful when you are out there.
Zhou Xiaozheng raised an eyebrow and nodded with a smile. He understood his daughter's excellence. With just a few clues, he was able to connect the dots and gain a clear understanding of the situation.
"Then tell me what the Zhao family in the provincial capital will do next? Tell Dad, if it were you, would you choose to advance or retreat?"
Zhou Jiao narrowed her eyes slightly and said softly, "I can't guess which side they will decide to lean towards. At present, they should be in contact with all forces. In fact, the Zhao family has already contacted the Cheng family. It's expected that they would meet each other during the worship.
Uncle Guang made sure to tell his family about you and the Cheng family when he got home yesterday. Uncle Guang is a good man, always honest and upright. He looked at me with the same joyful eyes as a beloved junior. When his wife saw me, she didn't look at me with curiosity, but rather with a look of scrutiny. She must have been persuaded by her elders to adopt me as her godparents. He was a little surprised that she hadn't discussed the decision with Uncle Guang.
Unless Uncle Guang is genuinely surprised, the Zhao family's next move will be to tighten the ties between them and me, ideally making you owe them a favor. So far, it seems the Zhao family's head is being clever. He's quietly approaching the Cheng family, seemingly neutral, yet hesitant to make a decision. They're waiting for an opportunity. Uncle Guang's brother must still be observing the situation, still hesitating. If it were me, I'd act the same way. Let's wait and see what happens."
Zhou Xiaozheng was silent for a moment after hearing this. He looked at Zhou Jiao, who was looking at him nervously, and patted her head. "You have a good eye for people. But there is one thing: the Zhao family's influence is not enough. You lack some experience now. When you come home at the end of the year, Dad will take you to meet some people in the compound. With your intelligence, you will see it all at a glance."
Your Uncle Guang is a good guy. He secretly told me last night to ignore those things. As for your Uncle Guang, just follow Dad's instructions. Sometimes, owing favors is a form of strategy." After a pause, Zhou Xiaozheng looked at her, frowning in deep thought, his lips curled up slightly. "Don't think about it. Some things only become clearer after seeing them often and moving around in the upper class. This is the difference between children from aristocratic families and those from ordinary families. Children from aristocratic families see things from a high perspective. Children from ordinary families prefer to see things from a low perspective. You're already good enough."
After saying that, he saw Zhou Jiao blinking and burst into laughter.
After a while, Zhou Xiaozheng hesitated again and again, pondered for a while, and asked her carefully, "Jiaojiao, Daddy is asking you, don't feel burdened. Have you decided what you want to do in the future?"
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