The imperial eunuch in front of the emperor praised Cheng Yujin in front of the Marquis of Yichun and the others. He even brought over the emperor's reward. Because the reward was for Cheng Yujin, Cheng Yujin knelt at the front while the other members of the Cheng Family surrounded her on both sides. Even the white-haired Marquis Cheng and Old Lady Cheng had to kneel behind her.
Cheng Yujin kowtowed to express her gratitude and received the brocade box that represented the emperor's grace. When the others saw this scene, they all sighed with emotion. Among them, Cheng Yuan-hsien's mood was the most complicated. As the father, he had never received a reward from the palace. On the contrary, Cheng Yujin had taken the lead.
Marquis Cheng was very gratified and his eyes were faintly filled with tears. He didn't miss the indistinct glance that the yellow-clothed eunuch gave Cheng Yuanjing before he left.
This eunuch was an old man by the emperor's side. Even the cabinet elders in the imperial court had to give him some face when they saw him. Of course, he knew about the dark secrets of the palace from more than ten years ago.
Marquis Cheng knew that the reason why the emperor was so pleased and had his most trusted eunuch give the Cheng Family a reward was not because of the screen, but because of the words on the screen. Cheng Yujin's double-sided embroidery was indeed outstanding and very lifelike. However, the emperor sat on the four seas and had seen many exquisite embroidery works. If it wasn't for the person who wrote the words, no matter how exquisite the embroidery screen was, it would only attract the emperor's attention and would not be rewarded.
However, the emperor saw through it and still gave the Cheng Family a reward in the name of Cheng Yujin. This showed that the emperor recognized the Cheng Family's contributions. Directly rewarding the Marquis of Yichun would alarm the cabinet. After all, not to mention others, even Marquis Cheng himself couldn't think of what the Cheng Family's men were worth rewarding … However, it was different if it was a woman. The cabinet elders were all busy people. Who would have the time to care about a woman in the boudoir? They probably wouldn't even bother to listen.
This matter was really at the right time, right place, and right people. All the opportunities were piled on this one point, allowing Cheng Yujin to get a ready-made bargain. This was good for everyone. Once the emperor spoke, no one dared to talk about Cheng Yujin's engagement being broken off.
Cheng Yujin was also very satisfied. She didn't think of the complicated reasons behind it. She only thought that her embroidery work had caught the emperor's eye. Four bolts of brocade and eight bolts of silk were not expensive. Cheng Yujin could afford them herself. What was really valuable was the golden embroidery tools bestowed by the emperor and the role model mentioned by the emperor.
Those who once complained that Cheng Yujin's engagement was broken off because she was too boring were now fiercely slapping themselves in the face. Instead, they praised the First Young Miss for being good. First Young Miss was really a role model for young ladies. After all, the emperor had personally spoken. How could they dare to go against the emperor?
Lian Qiao endured all the way. When she returned to the room, she was finally able to laugh properly: "Young Miss, this is really too delightful. You didn't see Second Madam's and Old Madam's faces. They were clearly mourning, but they still had to pretend to laugh. The corners of their mouths were twitching. It really made me laugh to death! "
Dugeaux also had a face full of smiles. She pushed Lian Qiao and lightly said: "Quickly restrain yourself. Be careful of causing trouble for Young Miss if you are too insolent."
"I know." Lian Qiao understood the severity of the matter. She wouldn't say these words again outside the room. However, Lian Qiao was really too happy. She squinted her eyes and excitedly said: "Young Miss, a few days ago, the Huo family and Second Young Miss just got engaged. If Lady Huo knew about today's matter, wouldn't her intestines turn green with regret? "
Cheng Yujin raised her eyebrows and glared at Lian Qiao: "Still laughing? Quickly go and put away the imperial gifts. "
Lian Qiao responded in a crisp voice. The bolts of silk cloth were easy to handle, but Lian Qiao held the brocade box with the golden embroidery tools and asked: "Young Miss, where should I put this?"
"Put it on the table directly across from the door. Yes, put away the vase, calligraphy, painting, and other things. Just put this set of embroidery tools. In the future, scrub it every day. Make sure that everyone who enters the door sees it. "
Lian Qiao and Dugeaux held back their laughter and said in unison: "Yes."
Cheng Yujin also let out a long breath in her heart. Previously, she had always felt that she was living in the clouds and would fall at any moment. Only now did she finally feel a sense of security. A monarch's words were not a joke. With the Emperor's reward, who would dare to speak ill of her? She didn't have to worry about not being able to marry into a good family.
Because of the reward, the atmosphere in the Cheng Family was strange for several days. Jinning Courtyard was full of jubilation. Everyone walked with a smile, but the other courtyards couldn't bring themselves to smile.
Cheng Yuan-hsien seemed to have suddenly discovered that she still had a daughter. She said to Qingfu: "You're too negligent towards Big Sister Jin. Although she's not your biological daughter, since she's been adopted by me, then she's exactly the same as my biological daughter. As a mother, you don't take good care of your daughter. How can you push her to someone else? "
Princess Qingfu cursed in her heart. Why didn't you say something like this before? She had to worry about the whole family by herself. She also had to take care of Cheng Yuan-hsien's woman. Now that she saw Cheng Yujin standing out, she was reminded of Zhuge Liang. However, in front of Cheng Yuan-hsien, Qingfu restrained her temper. She said in a kind voice: "I was too busy and neglected her. Although I don't see her often, as a mother, I still care about her. Her clothing, food, housing, and transportation, which one of them isn't top-notch? "
Cheng Yuan-hsien was in the wrong after all. She just said: "Alright, you're in charge of the inner courtyard. Although I'm a father, it's not good for me to interfere. It's fine as long as you know how to treat Big Sister Jin well. "
As a result, Cheng Yujin found that her clothing, food, housing, and transportation suddenly became exquisite. Qingfu's mama also came to talk to her more frequently.
Cheng Yujin smiled. Her heart was as clear as a mirror. She was not stupid. She could tell who was sincerely good to her and who was doing it for benefits. She only had this little heart. If she let go of herself, at most, she would let go of a few sincere people. She could not let go of others.
However, it was not only Qingfu. Old Lady Cheng also sent people to call her over every day. She kept nagging in her ear: "You're the daughter of the Cheng Family. Your family raised you with great difficulty. They taught you zither skills, calligraphy, and painting, and gave you a good life. Without the Marquis Family, you wouldn't be here today. Now that you're sensible, it's time for you to repay your parents and your family. "
Cheng Yujin was very tired, but she still had to be patient. She lowered her head and said meekly: "Grandmother is right. I will remember the kindness of my family. I will repay the kindness of a drop of water with a gushing spring. Granddaughter understands this principle."
Old Lady Cheng nodded with satisfaction. She still wanted to say something, but suddenly she heard disorderly footsteps.
Cheng Yujin and Old Lady Cheng both stopped talking. A servant ran in panic and shouted from afar: "Old Lady, Marquis suddenly fainted! You should go and see him! "
Old Lady Cheng was shocked. When she stood up, she suddenly swayed. Cheng Yujin and her maidservant quickly supported her. Old Lady Cheng used her strength to calm down and said in a deep voice: "Let's go. Follow me to see Marquis."
In the Reverse Ceremony Courtyard, Marquis Cheng's situation was really not optimistic.
The master and maidservant stood in the room. The first branch and the second branch both stood on the ground and looked inside from time to time. Old Lady Cheng sat on a round-backed chair. The corners of her mouth were tightly pursed, revealing deep wrinkles on both sides of her lips.
Cheng Yumo followed beside the Nguyễn Clan. The other young masters of the Cheng Family also came. At this moment, even the youngest Cheng Enbao knew that something was wrong and obediently huddled in his wet nurse's arms. Cheng Yujin sat beside the Old Lady Cheng and also stared at the closed door.
Suddenly, a sound came from inside. The Cheng Family stood up. The imperial physician carried a medicine box and talked to Cheng Yuanjing as he walked out.
Cheng Yuan-hsien couldn't help but go forward and ask: "Imperial physician, how is my father?"
The imperial physician shook his head and said: "Marquis's body has always been weak. A few days ago, he caught a cold. These days, his mood has been fluctuating violently. All of a sudden, the fire in his heart attacked and he fell ill."
Cheng Yuan-hsien didn't really understand. He didn't care about these profound terms and only asked: "Can my father be cured?"
The imperial physician slowly shook his head. He looked at the Cheng Family's expression and sighed: "Birth, old age, illness, and death are common things. While Marquis is still conscious, if you have anything to say, quickly say it."
Old Lady Cheng's body swayed. She had to lean on the table to stand firm. She didn't give up and asked: "Is there really no way? It's just a cold. How can it be fatal? "
Looking at Old Lady Cheng's meaning, she didn't trust the imperial physician in front of her very much. She had the idea of looking for another skilled imperial physician. Cheng Yuanjing frowned and went forward to cut off the Cheng Family's words: "Imperial physician Chen, Marchioness is overly grieved and spoke without thinking. Please forgive her."
"I understand." Imperial physician Chen was very easy-going. Cheng Yuanjing sent the imperial physician out. Everyone in the room watched Cheng Yuanjing and the imperial physician talking as they walked away. Cheng Yujin silently glanced at Cheng Yuan-hsien. She thought to herself: "He's already thirty years old, but he can't even handle this kind of interpersonal relationship. Even his youngest brother, the Ninth Uncle, is the one to send the imperial physician out."
Sometimes, Cheng Yujin felt it was strange. With the intelligence of the two branches of the Cheng Family, how could they give birth to her?
At this time, a weak voice came from inside. An old voice shouted: "Ninth Masters …"
Old Lady Cheng's face fell when she heard that he was still thinking about the mistress at this time. Old Lady Cheng held the hand of a maidservant and slowly walked into Marquis Cheng's room: "You're still calling for the Ninth Masters. Why don't you see who's the one who's going to send you off in the end?"
Marquis Cheng struggled to open his eyes. He looked for Cheng Yuanjing in the crowd, but unfortunately, he couldn't find him. His sickbed was filled with his two sons and several grandsons: "Father, do you have anything else to say?"
Something to say? Of course, there was. He looked into the room again. Cheng Yujin saw it and subconsciously felt that he was looking for the Ninth Uncle.
After two fruitless searches, Marquis Cheng was extremely tired. He looked into the void. Marquis Cheng's teeth had fallen out. When he spoke, it was a bit unclear: "I'm tired. I want to rest alone. You all can go out. "
Cheng Yuan-hsien was dissatisfied: "Father?"
Marquis Cheng hadn't told them how to divide the family property.
Marquis Cheng closed his eyes, looking like he didn't want to talk about it anymore. Old Lady Cheng saw that there was nothing she could do. She thought that even the last radiance of the setting sun could live for a day. Marquis Cheng had to endure for a few more days. If he didn't want to say it today, he could come back tomorrow.
Old Lady Cheng said: "Okay, since Marquis is tired, let him rest in peace. You all can come out. "
Cheng Yujin followed the crowd and retreated, closing the door and windows for Marquis Cheng. When she closed the window, Cheng Yujin made sure to be careful.
After this torment, Old Lady Cheng was also tired. She waved her hand, dispersing the crowd. She had people carry the small sedan chair and quickly went back to lie down.
Cheng Yujin followed the crowd outside. After walking for a while and seeing that no one was paying attention, she suddenly turned back.
Lian Qiao was startled: "Miss!"
"Shh!" Cheng Yujin signaled Lian Qiao to be quiet. She quickly glanced around and said: "You hide here and keep watch for me. Be smart and don't be discovered. "
Lian Qiao was so scared that she couldn't speak: "Miss, what about you?"
"I deliberately left a window open. In a while, I will climb in from here. You stay outside and don't let anyone see."
"Miss, what are you doing?"
Cheng Yujin glanced at her seriously and said: "Be quiet. I have my reasons. Be careful of Ninth Uncle's servants. Their eyes are very sharp. "
Lian Qiao's heart pounded. She intuitively felt that Cheng Yujin was about to do something very big. She even had to guard against the Ninth Masters! Lian Qiao looked on helplessly as Cheng Yujin pushed on one of the windows. Silently, the window opened a slit and Cheng Yujin climbed in from the outside. Soon, she was out of sight.
Lian Qiao kept praying to Buddha in her heart. She didn't dare to think about what Cheng Yujin wanted to do by sneaking into the seriously ill Marquis Cheng's room. She could only lower her head and pray desperately: "Bodhisattva, please don't let anything happen to Miss."
Cheng Yujin quietly jumped into Marquis Cheng's room. She quickly ran to the mezzanine that she had prepared beforehand, closed the wooden door, and quietly listened to the movements outside. Slowly, footsteps came from outside.
Cheng Yuanjing came in.
There was no sound and no sight, but Cheng Yujin knew that it was him. His footsteps were very regular, neither fast nor slow. He leisurely and steadily stepped on the floor.
Marquis Cheng heard movement and struggled to raise his head: "Your Highness."
In the cubicle, Cheng Yujin's eyes suddenly widened.
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