After the two left, Longevity Hall seemed to be half empty. The Nguyễn Clan and Princess Qingfu each had their own thoughts. They stood there for a while, and when they saw Old Lady Cheng looking tired, they took the opportunity to leave.
The two daughters-in-law left with their people, leaving only Old Lady Cheng in the warm room. Old Lady Cheng finally showed the weakness of an old person. She leaned on the pillow and closed her eyes tiredly.
Mammy Chang, Old Lady Cheng's dowry, quietly walked over and put a pillow behind Old Lady Cheng's waist. She asked softly, "Old Lady Cheng, what's wrong?"
After a long silence, just when Mammy Chang thought Old Lady Cheng wouldn't speak, Old Lady Cheng dragged her voice and said, "He's already nineteen years old. In the blink of an eye, it's been thirteen years."
Mammy Chang was also silent. Although Old Lady Cheng didn't say her name, Mammy Chang was an old woman of more than thirty years. How could she not know the knot in Old Lady Cheng's heart? After so many years, Xiao Xue had almost become Old Lady Cheng's sore point.
Mammy Chang stopped for a while and persuaded in a low voice, "Old Lady, don't worry. No matter how much you love her, you're still the wife. She'll be an outsider for life. Besides, Xiao Xue has been dead for four years. Why are you arguing with a dead person? No matter how much love a man has, no matter how promising a son is, he still needs to be alive to enjoy it. "
Old Lady Cheng snorted coldly and opened her eyes. Her eyes were full of hatred. "I'm just angry. At that time, the Xue family was famous all over the world, while my family was just a nouveau riche. If the Xue family hadn't been involved in the struggle of the imperial court and been exiled, the Cheng Family wouldn't have taken a fancy to me. Marquis and Xiao Xue were childhood sweethearts. They were engaged at the age of twelve or thirteen. They were only waiting for Xiao Xue to reach her marriageable age. However, on the eve of the wedding, something happened to the Xue family. My parents-in-law didn't dare to offend the Yang Family, so they had to break off the engagement with Xiao Xue and hurriedly sent the betrothal gifts to our family. I know that from the beginning, Marquis was unwilling. "
Mammy Chang knelt beside Old Lady Cheng and sighed, "Old Lady …"
"It's fine. It's been so many years. I've already gotten over it. These feelings of love were all false. The most important thing was to quickly give birth to a son and establish a foothold. After we got married, although he was neither cold nor warm to me, he still gave me face and didn't bring any other women home. Two sons and one daughter were born from my womb. That's enough. I won't fight with his childhood sweetheart. However, I didn't expect that after twenty years, he would actually find Xiao Xue and bring her home! "
Old Lady Cheng snorted coldly. In the ninth year of Jianwu, the twins, Cheng Yujin and Cheng Yumo, were born less than half a year ago. Old Lady Cheng was still immersed in the joy of being a grandmother. On one day in April, Marquis Cheng suddenly brought home a child from outside. He said that the child was his and Xiao Xue's child. The child was just six years old and he wanted to add the child to the family tree. Old Lady Cheng was very suspicious when she saw the child. The child was very good-looking and didn't have any calluses on his hands. His movements were even more well-behaved than her own son. How could Xiao Xue, who was exiled to the border and had no one to rely on, raise such a child?
Old Lady Cheng suspected that she had selfish motives. In addition, she was afraid that Marquis Cheng would fall into a trap, so she didn't want the child to be added to the Cheng Family's family tree. However, Marquis Cheng was unyielding and insisted that the child was his child. He had secretly raised the child outside for many years. Although the child didn't have to worry about food and clothing, he couldn't always wander outside. Therefore, he brought the child back to acknowledge his ancestors.
Old Lady Cheng had been suspicious of Cheng Yuanjing's identity for many years. He was Xiao Xue's son, but it wasn't certain that he wasn't Marquis Cheng's son. Xiao Xue was good-looking. A weak woman exiled to a place like the border couldn't have had a good encounter. Xiao Xue might have implicated Marquis Cheng as someone else's son. However, Marquis Cheng was stupid and really brought the mother and son to the capital to raise someone else's son.
After many years, Old Lady Cheng saw Xiao Xue again. Xiao Xue's cheeks and hands were no longer delicate, but the gentle and peaceful strength in her body was still the same as before. Old Lady Cheng was jealous and suspicious, so she refused to let Xiao Xue live in the Marquis Household. Marquis Cheng could only raise the mother and son in the outer residence and take all the expenses from his own private account. Old Madame Cheng had been trying her best to embezzle Old Marquis Cheng's money all these years. She must have seen a ghost. Madame Xue Junior's son was still open and aboveboard. He had the temperament of a rich man. He even hired a tutor and became a Jinshi in the imperial examination.
Old Lady Cheng gnashed her teeth in hatred when she thought of this. "This man with a conscience. I don't know where he got so much money these years. Not only did he support a mistress, but he also supported the mistress's son to become a Jinshi. My son has been studying under him since he was seven years old. He often beat and scolded him. In the end, he couldn't even pass the imperial examination! "
Old Lady Cheng was scolding Heir Cheng Yuan-hsien. Mammy Chang couldn't say much. She could only comfort her. "Old Lady, don't worry. The imperial examination is for poor children who have no social connections. Heir Shizi has a noble title. Why should he suffer? Besides, we are a noble family. We have the protection left by our ancestors. Why should we turn to education? "
"You are not good at education or martial arts. You only know how to fool around with those concubines every day. I am so angry." Old Lady Cheng couldn't help scolding her eldest son when she talked about him. However, Mammy Chang just listened. Old Lady Cheng scolded fiercely. Qingfu was a dignified Commandery Princess. How could she have so many concubines? It was Old Lady Cheng who felt sorry for her son and gave them to her.
Mammy Chang smiled. "Heir Shizi is still young and playful. When he is older, he will be sensible and motivated. Besides, don't you still have Second Master? "
"Second Master is really diligent. He has been more obedient than his elder brother since he was young. He has been diligent all these years." Old Lady Cheng smiled when she talked about her second son. However, she soon frowned. "It is that wife of his. She walks softly and weakly. She also speaks weakly. She does not look presentable. Even the daughter she raised is the same. Look at Eldest Miss. They are twins. However, under Qingfu's care, she is more mature than Second Master's wife. Ai, what a pity. Such a good chess piece. Once the engagement is broken, it is most likely ruined. I have supported her for so many years in vain. I was counting on her to have a good face and marry into a good family. In the future, she will be able to support her father and younger brother. Marquis Jingyong had such a good future. What a pity. "
Mammy Chang did not know how to respond. Eldest Miss had been the benchmark for all these years. Eldest Miss was always there. There was no need to think too much. Eldest Miss would definitely be number one. In contrast, Second Miss Cheng Yumo was much more approachable and was more popular with her brothers and sisters.
However, this had nothing to do with Mammy Chang, a servant. In her opinion, no matter if it was Eldest Miss or Second Miss, they were all people she could not reach. Old Lady Cheng thought for a while and said, "Relying on the daughter won't work. Could it be that in the future, Cheng Yuanjing will really become the pillar of the Cheng Family? He is just a mistress … "
Old Lady Cheng was angry when she thought of this. However, whether a child was promising or not, it could be seen as soon as he showed up. Cheng Yuan-hsien was already middle-aged. Her official position was not as high as the nineteen-year-old Cheng Yuanjing. Even the Nguyễn Clan's Second Master, who was outstanding in his studies, could not compare to Cheng Yuanjing.
All the men in the Cheng Family could not compare to Cheng Yuanjing. Old Lady Cheng was not willing to accept this, but there was nothing she could do. Mammy Chang tried to persuade her, "Old Lady, you are not young anymore. Your granddaughter is about to get married. Why are you still worried about the things that happened when you were young? Xiao Xue has been dead for many years. Her former mistress has become the highest official in the Cheng Family. Even if you don't win him over, you can't push the Ninth Masters out. "
Old Madame Cheng sighed, "How could I not know? Xiao Xue died of illness in the ninth year of Jianwu. She could endure it. She held on until she saw Cheng Yuanjing become a Jinshi before she was willing to let go. Coincidentally, it was that year that the Xue family's case was overturned. Before Xiao Xue died, she heard that her son had become a Jinshi and that her family had been cleared. She died with no regrets. If my two sons could have Cheng Yuanjing's luck, I would be willing to die. "
"Aiyo, Old Lady, what are you saying!" Mammy Chang hurriedly spat on the floor and said, "Old Lady, you don't like to say such depressing things. If you want this old servant to say, if you want to control the Ninth Masters, you have plenty of ways. Let's not talk about other things. The Ninth Masters hasn't married yet. No matter how difficult it is for him, he still has to rely on you to talk about marriage. "
Old Lady Cheng sneered, "That's not necessarily true. If I wanted to control his marriage, I'm afraid that Marquis would be the first to object. But it's strange. Marquis dotes on this son of his, who was born out of nowhere, like the apple of his eye. Why didn't he arrange for him to get married? He's already nineteen this year. At his age, other people should already have sons. "
Speaking of this, Mammy Chang didn't know either. Old Lady Cheng thought it was strange for a while, then said, "Forget it. When Marquis is around, I'll go test Marquis's intentions."
Mammy Chang made a sound of agreement. She was a bit hesitant, then asked, "Old Lady, then … what should we do about Eldest Miss?"
Old Lady Cheng stared at the incense burner on the side with a heavy gaze. After a while, she said, "Let's wait and see. First, spread the news that the Huo family broke the contract. See if there are any good families coming to propose marriage to Eldest Miss. If there aren't any … then we can only treat this granddaughter as if she was raised for nothing. "
It was really cruel. She had been treated as the eldest legitimate granddaughter for so many years, but now she had collapsed just like that. However, Mammy Chang only sighed in her heart and didn't plan on doing anything. Everyone in the noble family had their own future. In the end, what did Eldest Miss have to do with her?
Cheng Yujin was "busy," so she left early. She walked behind Cheng Yuanjing. She was really bored, so she raised her voice and asked, "Ninth Uncle, why did you call me out? What exactly do you want?"
Cheng Yuanjing faintly glanced behind him and said, "You look smart, but from what I can see, your brain isn't working very well."
This sentence provoked Cheng Yujin so much that she wanted to curse. She remembered that the person in front of her was her Ninth Uncle, who was still an elder. She could only force herself to hold back, "Thank you Jiushu for the compliment. But what right does Ninth Uncle have to say that my brain isn't working well? "
Cheng Yuanjing thought that she was really stupid. It was rare for him to be kind, but he didn't expect that Cheng Yujin still hadn't reacted to his words. Cheng Yuanjing's expression was indifferent, and even his tone was indifferent, "Those women all have the intention to get to the bottom of things. What else can you do if you stay in the house?"
In just a short meeting, Cheng Yuanjing already had a good understanding of the Cheng Family's inner residence. Princess Qingfu didn't care, the Nguyễn Clan had other thoughts, and Old Lady Cheng was still focused on buying her daughter. They didn't hide their malice at all. In this kind of situation, what was there to stay?
Cheng Yuanjing wouldn't say these words. He was a person who cared a lot about boundaries. In other words, he was born cold. What did other people have to do with him? The words he just said to Cheng Yujin were already the only support he had given her in many years.
Cheng Yujin immediately understood Cheng Yuanjing's meaning. Cheng Yuanjing could tell at a glance, so how could she not know?
Cheng Yujin lowered her head and watched as the snowflakes floated to the big red cloak and quickly melted. Cheng Yujin was quiet for a while, then suddenly said, "Sometimes I feel that I'm like this snow. It looks white and beautiful from afar, but when you get closer, there's nothing."
Cheng Yuanjing was surprised and stopped to look at her. Cheng Yujin turned her head to look at the mighty wind outside the corridor, blowing the snowflakes in all directions. The side of her face reflected the snow, and it was almost more sparkling and translucent than the snow, "Of course I know that it's very embarrassing to stay, but what can I do? If I don't win over Mother and Grandmother, I won't have a good time tomorrow. "
Cheng Yujin reached out to catch the snow. Her big red cloak was reflected in the gray corridor, and it was exceptionally dazzling. Cheng Yujin turned her head and smiled at Cheng Yuanjing, "Ninth Uncle probably can't understand. Although you're a bastard son, you've been loved by your parents since you were born, and they took care of everything for you. When you grow up, you can even change your fate through the imperial examinations. So how can you understand the feeling of having no road to walk, but having to find a way out? "
Cheng Yuanjing heard the faint sound of something shattering in his heart.
There was no road to walk, but you had to walk.
How could he not understand?
Marquis Cheng was tossed around like this, and his head was dizzy, so he was supported by someone to rest. Cheng Yuanjing sent Marquis Cheng back to his room. The others stood in the main hall, watching the two leave.
After they left, Cheng Yuan-hsien angrily cursed, "All day long, Father only knows how to be partial to an outsider. Today, he even hit me. Ah, fortunately, I'm much older than him. That year, Mother made a prompt decision and gave me a son. Otherwise, I think Father wanted to give Marquis of Yichun's entire family business to this bastard son. "
"Eldest." Old Lady Cheng sternly glared at him, "The younger generation is still here. What are you saying?"
Cheng Yuanjing was born outside the family, so he couldn't compare to a bastard son who had married into the family. Moreover, Xiao Xue gave birth to a child out of wedlock. When the child was six years old, she entered the Cheng Family's door. Old Lady Cheng often mocked and ridiculed Xiao Xue. She spared no effort to insult Xiao Xue in front of the child. At that time, Xiao Xue was a noble girl. Old Lady Cheng couldn't even reach Xiao Xue's heel. After the Xue family's accident, Marquis of Yichun hurriedly distanced himself from it, so Old Lady Cheng took advantage of it. Old Lady Cheng's twisted hatred for Xiao Xue slowly seeped into the next generation. She taught Cheng Yuan-hsien, a dignified heir, to constantly call her a bastard son and a bastard son.
When the accident happened just now, the younger generation all stood up. The younger ones were quickly carried away by the wet nurse. Cheng Yumo, Xu Zhixian, and a few other sensible ones had long been taken to another room by the wet nurse to avoid talking with the elders. Cheng Yuan-hsien's words couldn't be heard in the other room, but the younger generation was still there. Cheng Yuan-hsien said these things in front of his unmarried nieces and nieces, which was really improper.
However, Old Lady Cheng only casually scolded. Her expression didn't seem to care. Seeing Old Lady Cheng like this, no one dared to speak.
Cheng Min came into contact with people of higher status in the duke's fu than in her maternal family. Before she was married, she didn't feel this way. Now that she was in her maternal family, she suddenly felt that her eldest brother was too unreliable. Her mother was also the same. She was always protective and spoiled from a young age. She always said that it was outsiders who led the men astray. As a result, her eldest brother, who was already in his thirties, didn't even have a proper official position. Second brother was also raised to be a yes-man. He didn't have much ability, but he was good at scheming against his family.
The Cheng Family's decline was a foregone conclusion.
However, a married daughter was like spilled water. She returned to her maternal family as a guest, so she really couldn't say too much. She could only persuade both sides, "Mother, Eldest Brother, father has raised the Ninth Masters for so many years. He's old now and his health isn't good. It's fine if you can bear with him, but don't cause any more conflicts. Besides, I heard from Father-in-law that the Ninth Masters is a fourth-ranked martial artist at such a young age. His future is limitless. Even Father-in-law told Second Master to build a good relationship with the Ninth Masters. How can you push your own family out? "
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