Hearing that they were going to divide the family property, everyone in the room quieted down. Old Lady Cheng took the lead and walked in. Cheng Yujin followed behind Princess Qingfu. When she entered the room, she happened to be standing next to Cheng Yuanjing. Cheng Yujin immediately stopped and took a step back. She said in a very filial manner, "Ninth Uncle, please."
Cheng Yujin wished that she could worship Cheng Yuanjing as if he was her ancestor. Cheng Yuanjing glanced at Cheng Yujin and entered the room before her. Cheng Yujin followed closely behind. When she entered Marquis Cheng's room, her eyes unconsciously fell on the mahogany closet. Then she looked away as if nothing had happened.
The room was quickly filled with people. Marquis Cheng was lying on the bed. Seeing that everyone had arrived, he said, "I don't have many days left to live. While I'm still in good spirits, let's divide the family property."
Cheng Yuanhan said, "Father, what are you saying? Your body is still strong."
Marquis Cheng felt that these words were funny. His sons wanted him to die the most. The eldest son would at least say what was right. However, at this time, the second son still wanted to wrangle and pretend. Marquis Cheng didn't want to bicker. He said, "Blood brothers settle accounts clearly. While I'm still alive and can still control you, let's divide the family property. Otherwise, when I'm dead, you'll fight over a little bit of money and become a joke to outsiders. "
Cheng Yuan-hsien and Cheng Yuanhan were embarrassed. Marquis Cheng coughed and continued, "Our family's title is the second generation. When I die, the eldest son can inherit the title. When it comes to Bao 'er's generation, it will depend on the Emperor's grace. I've done all I can. The rest is up to you. After the eldest son inherits the title, the ancestral land will belong to him. The second son's family will continue to live in the Marquis Household, but the eldest son's daughter-in-law will be in charge of the household. "
Cheng Yuan-hsien quickly nodded and said, "Father, I know. Second Brother and I will be filial to Mother in the future. "
This was a common understanding. As long as the Old Lady Cheng was still alive, the two brothers could not separate from the family. Cheng Yuan-hsien had long known that the title of nobility of the Marquis Household belonged to him, the land belonged to him, and the parents' pension belonged to him as well. What everyone really cared about was the division of property.
Sure enough, Marquis Cheng paused for a moment before continuing, "In addition to the Marquis Household property, the public's cash will be divided into three portions. The Eldest, Second, and Ninth Masters will each receive one portion. Large items can be converted into silver and divided equally among the three of us. "
Cheng Yuanhan panicked when he heard that. "Split into three portions?"
Cheng Yuanhan and the Nguyễn Clan originally thought that the family property would be divided into two portions. The eldest son's family owned the land under the name of the Marquis Household, so they already received the lion's share. Whether it was divided into two or three portions did not affect them much. However, for the second son's family, the difference was huge.
Cheng Yuanjing almost immediately said, "No need, let's divide it into two portions."
Cheng Yujin cursed these idiots in his heart. How much difference could there be between two portions and three portions? Of course, the Crown Prince did not care about the Marquis of Yichun's money. However, if the Crown Prince took one portion, it would be equivalent to admitting that he was a part of the Marquis Household. With this relationship, how much could he repay the Cheng Family in the future? However, if it was divided between the eldest son and the second son's family, then Cheng Yuanjing would have no relationship with the Marquis of Yichun.
Unfortunately, the Cheng Family did not know Cheng Yuanjing's identity. Cheng Yujin had a lot to say, but she couldn't say it out loud. She could only cough lightly and pretend to say unintentionally, "We don't dare to refuse an elder's gift. Since it's grandfather's wish, as the younger generation, we naturally have to obey."
Cheng Yuanjing lowered his head and swept a glance at Cheng Yujin. Cheng Yujin immediately lowered her head. Cheng Yuanhan looked at Cheng Yujin with displeasure. In his heart, he muttered, "She's obviously my daughter, but she's been raised by the eldest son's family to be an ingrate. At this time, she's still making sarcastic remarks. She really doesn't know what's good for her."
Marquis Cheng, on the other hand, looked at Cheng Yujin with some surprise. Cheng Yujin lowered her head and pretended to be a filial daughter. Qingfu frowned and said in a low voice, "Don't interrupt your elders when they're talking."
Cheng Yujin replied in a low voice, "Yes."
Cheng Yuanjing thought to himself, "She really knows how to calculate." He had no intention of meddling in the Cheng Family's property. In Cheng Yuanjing's eyes, their thousands of taels were not even considered money. Cheng Yuanjing gently kicked the ball back, "Cheng Yujin is right. I don't dare to refuse an elder's gift. Let's put my share together and consider it my niece's dowry."
Cheng Yujin immediately agreed in her heart. She struggled and said, "How can I …"
"It's fine." Cheng Yuanjing said as he glanced at Cheng Yujin, "I don't dare to refuse an elder's gift. This is my intention as an uncle."
Cheng Yuanjing used Cheng Yujin's words to block her. What else could Cheng Yujin say? Cheng Yuan-hsien and Qingfu quickly calculated the abacus. Cheng Yuanjing gave his share to Cheng Yujin, which was equivalent to 30% going into the first branch's pocket. This was much more cost-effective than splitting it equally. Cheng Yuan-hsien beamed with joy, "Eldest Miss is really sensible. One is filial and the other is kind. It's really our Cheng Family's blessing. Then this matter is settled. "
The Nguyễn Clan wanted to object, but Cheng Yuan-hsien spoke first. The Nguyễn Clan's expression was very ugly. However, in front of everyone, she couldn't say anything. She couldn't help but blame Cheng Yujin in her heart for being meddlesome.
Marquis Cheng was shocked to see that His Highness the Crown Prince had such a leisurely mood. However, it was a good thing that the Crown Prince was willing to take care of the Cheng Family. Even if it was just a granddaughter, it was better than being completely separated. Marquis Cheng saw Cheng Yuanjing's attitude. When he spoke next, he changed a little at the last minute, "You all know how much of the family's property is. I think you all know how much each family can get. In addition to the family's property, I have also accumulated some private property over the years. "
The Cheng Family members and Old Lady Cheng's ears perked up. The Marquis Household's public account flowed under everyone's eyes every day. There was only so much money in it, and they were tired of counting it over the years. The Marquis of Yichun's public property was easy to calculate, but it was hard to say how much private property the two elders had. In addition, Marquis Cheng had been generous in spending money over the years. He had raised two families and provided for scholars. The amount of money under his hands was simply unfathomable. Now that they had to divide Marquis Cheng's personal property, this was what everyone was most concerned about.
Marquis Cheng took a deep breath and said, "In the future, the Marquis Household belongs to the eldest son. The second son has a son and a daughter. It won't do if he doesn't have a stable residence. Under my name, I have a residence with three entrances in Chong Jiafang. I'll leave it to the second son's family. As for the eldest son's family, I won't leave a residence for you. I have two fields in Wanping. One is about four hundred mu, and the other is about two hundred mu. The smaller one is for the second branch, and the larger one is for Bao 'er to use for his studies in the future. "
Chong Jiafang was next to the Imperial College. The residences here were convenient, and the environment was good. It had always been difficult to find a residence here. It was not easy to find a residence with three entrances. The second branch had two sons, and being allocated a residence like this would solve their urgent needs.
Qingfu was also very satisfied. She had no use for a new residence. Instead, she had to give up the land for the farmstead. This was the foundation of her life. Qingfu silently calculated. The four hundred mu of farmstead was rented out for farming every year. By the end of the year, they would have at least six to seven hundred taels. This did not include the rice, grains, chickens, ducks, and other things that were offered as tribute from the farmstead. The second branch's residence was dead, but the farmstead's income was alive. The things they were allocated were much more practical than the second branch's. Princess Qingfu immediately revealed a smile.
Marquis Cheng suddenly looked at Cheng Yujin and said, "Eldest Miss, come here."
Cheng Yujin was startled. She slowly walked forward and said, "Grandfather."
Marquis Cheng looked at her carefully. After a long time, he sighed and said, "You have been obedient since you were young. It's a pity that when you reached the age of marriage, your engagement was broken off. It's not easy to talk about marriage after breaking off an engagement. Fortunately, you received a reward from His Majesty. You have more money to rely on. Perhaps your future husband's family will value you more. I have two shops in Zhengxi Fang, a glazed shop in Xuanbei Fang, and a manor in Daxing County. I will give them all to you. Since there was a share for the eldest miss, the second miss will not be left behind. She will give Yumo a thousand taels of silver and a box of gold and silver utensils as a dowry. The first branch and the second branch will each take half of the shops in Yangzhou. The remaining ten mu of land in Jinling will all be given to the Ninth Masters. I have four boxes of paintings, pearls, and jade that I have accumulated over the years. The eldest, the second, and the Ninth Masters will each take one box. The remaining box will be divided equally among you children. The remaining five thousand taels of silver notes will be given to the Old Madame. "
At this point, Marquis Cheng's farmland, business, collection, and cash were all settled. The old servant who had served Marquis Cheng for many years took out the land deeds and account books and handed them to each family.
Cheng Yuan-hsien picked up the book that was given to her. She wanted to quickly open it to see how much income she could earn in a year. But Princess Qingfu quietly pinched her. Cheng Yuan-hsien looked up and saw Princess Qingfu giving her a meaningful glance. She wanted her to quickly look at the four boxes of Old Marquis' collection, so that the second branch would not be the first to snatch away all the valuable things.
The Nguyễn Clan was very scheming. She ordered her two sons to pick the boxes. The children were ignorant, so naturally they were more willing to lose face than the adults. As soon as Qingfu saw this, she cursed in her heart. She quickly signaled the wet nurse to carry Cheng Enbao, while she also went to look at the boxes.
The people who were crowded in the room just now immediately dispersed. Cheng Yujin was not interested in Marquis Cheng's collection. Gold, jade, calligraphy, painting, and other things were all dead. No matter how much she took, it was not as practical as having cash in her hands. Cheng Yujin had suffered enough from being able to see but not be able to spend. She was more curious about the income from the three shops that Marquis Cheng gave her.
Seeing this, the old servant asked in surprise, "Da Xiaojie, among the four boxes of treasures from Old Marquis, one of them is for you and the other young masters. Da Xiaojie, don't you want to take a look?"
Cheng Yujin laughed and said, "I am the older sister, I must give way to my younger brothers and sisters. Let them pick first. When they pick something they like, I'll take the rest. "
The old servant looked at Cheng Yujin in surprise. The person who picked first would have an advantage. This was a principle that even a three year old child would understand. Cheng Yujin actually generously gave the box to her younger brothers and sisters. The old servant was very impressed and sincerely praised, "Da Xiaojie is really sensible. You are worthy of being the older sister."
Cheng Yujin smiled modestly, "You are too kind. It is grandfather who taught me well."
She subconsciously complimented the elders, but after she finished speaking, she realized that she had missed out on someone. Thus, she very smoothly continued, "It is all thanks to Ninth Uncle's teachings. I am deeply pitied by the elders. Every day, I see how grandfather treats people and how Ninth Uncle is upright and strict. I am also fortunate to be able to learn a thing or two from grandfather and Ninth Uncle. "
Cheng Yuanjing couldn't help but glance at Cheng Yujin again. Cheng Yujin's ability to take advantage of any opportunity was something that he had seen firsthand. Cheng Yujin meekly smiled at Cheng Yuanjing. She clasped her hands and stood to the side in an unusually well-behaved manner.
Marquis Cheng heard Cheng Yujin's words and was very moved. He couldn't help but think of his two sons and even Old Lady Cheng. When they heard that his collection would be divided, they impatiently ran over to snatch it. Only Cheng Yujin continued to stand guard in front of him. Her filial piety and sensibility far exceeded that of the other Cheng Family members. Marquis Cheng sighed with emotion. Since there was no one else around, he signaled to the old servant and said, "Go get my red sandalwood box."
The old servant was shocked, "Marquis, that is your emergency money. Keep it just in case."
"It's fine." Marquis Cheng didn't mind, "At my age, I don't have long to live. What 'just in case' is there? It's better to leave it to the younger generation. In any case, it can come in handy. "
The old servant couldn't dissuade Marquis Cheng, so he sighed and left. After a while, he came back from the inner room and carried out a heavy wooden box. The box was made of fine red sandalwood. It didn't look light at all. Cheng Yujin was curious about what was inside when she heard Marquis Cheng call her name, "Eldest Young Lady."
Cheng Yujin was really surprised, "Grandfather, you called for me?"
"Yes." Marquis Cheng smiled and nodded. He signaled to her, "Go get it."
Cheng Yujin stepped forward and took the box. As soon as the box entered her hands, it sank. Cheng Yujin almost had a hard time holding it. Marquis Cheng took out a key from under his pillow and said, "This is the gold I prepared in case of an accident. It's useless now, so I'll leave it to you. "
Cheng Yujin quickly glanced at Cheng Yuanjing and said, "How can this be? I'm only a granddaughter. These things should be left to my three younger brothers … "
"In the future, their parents will help them plan. Besides, they have hands and feet. Men should rely on themselves to fight for their future. What good is it to always rely on the ancestors and elders?" Marquis Cheng said, "But you are different. First, you are a girl. You will eventually get married. Once you get married, you will become someone else's person. It will be very different from being in your mother's family. Second, although you are the eldest daughter, you are still adopted. In the future, if you are wronged in your husband's family, it won't be easy to find someone to stand up for you. I don't think I can take care of you for long, so I'll leave more money for you to fulfill my duty as an elder. "
So much heavy gold. Once it entered Cheng Yujin's hands, she didn't want to give it away. Now that Marquis Cheng had said so, she pretended to be in a difficult position and accepted it half-heartedly, "Thank you, Grandfather, for your understanding."
Marquis Cheng had said so much that he was already exhausted. He had been hanging on by his breath until now. Cheng Yujin could see that Marquis Cheng was tired. Moreover, Marquis Cheng must have something to say to Cheng Yuanjing. She was very tactful and said, "I've disturbed Grandfather for a long time. Granddaughter won't disturb Grandfather's rest. Granddaughter will take her leave. Ninth Uncle, Niece will take her leave first. "
As soon as she turned around, Cheng Yujin gave Dugeaux a look, telling her to carry the food box that was sent over earlier. When Cheng Yujin went out, she deliberately closed the door for the people inside. Her thoughtfulness was beyond words.
After closing the door, Cheng Yujin's expression immediately changed. She took Dugeaux to a compartment and said in a low voice, "Open the inside of the food box and put the sandalwood box inside. When you carry it, don't reveal anything. Just pretend it's empty. "
Dugeaux also understood the importance of this and nodded repeatedly. However, she had just been injured in the waist by Cheng Enbao today. When she lifted the food box, she was a bit stiff. When Cheng Yujin saw this, she said, "Forget it, give it to me."
"Miss, how can this be!"
"Why not?" Cheng Yujin said, "Give it to me. If you insist on holding it, it'll be worse if others see through it."
Dugeaux understood the importance of this matter. Marquis Cheng originally did not intend to give the gold to Cheng Yujin. However, because Cheng Yujin had left it at the end, she had more or less touched Marquis Cheng's feelings. That was how he obtained this unexpected wealth. However, having too much money in a big house was not necessarily a good thing. If Princess Qingfu or Old Lady Cheng found out that Marquis Cheng had left the life-saving money to his granddaughter, Cheng Yujin, and bypassed his two sons and three grandsons, it would be bad. At that time, Cheng Yujin would have to give these things to her elders to protect herself.
Therefore, this gold could not be known by Qingfu or the Nguyễn Clan no matter what. Dugeaux did not insist. She was a bit worried, "Miss, this food box is not light. Can you carry it?"
"Why can't I carry it?" Cheng Yujin chuckled, "As long as there's gold inside, I can carry it no matter how heavy it is."
Dugeaux was suddenly speechless.
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