"Eldest Son." Old Lady Cheng sternly glared at him. "The younger generation is still here. What are you saying?"
A runaway was a concubine, and an unmarried child was considered adultery. Cheng Yuanjing was born outside, so he couldn't be compared to the son of a concubine. What's more, Madam Xue had an unmarried child. Her child only entered the Cheng family when he was six years old. Old Lady Cheng often mocked and ridiculed Xiao Xue. She spared no effort in insulting 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 heels. After the Xue family's accident, Marquis of Yichun hurriedly distanced himself from the blame, so Old Lady Cheng took advantage of it. Old Lady Cheng's twisted hatred for Xiao Xue slowly seeped into the younger generation. Cheng Yuan-hsien, a dignified heir, opened his mouth to call her a slut and an illegitimate child.
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 were already taken to another room by the wet nurse. They avoided 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. It was really improper.
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 the same. She had always been protective and spoiled since she was young. She always blamed outsiders for leading the men astray. As a result, her elder brother, who was in his thirties, didn't even have a proper official position. Her 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 decline of the Cheng Family was a foregone conclusion.
However, a married daughter was like spilled water. She had returned to her parents' home as a guest, so it wasn't appropriate for her to say too much. She could only persuade both sides, "Mother, Big 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 my father-in-law that the Ninth Masters is already a fourth-ranked martial artist at such a young age. His future is limitless. Even Father-in-law told the Second Master to build a good relationship with the Ninth Masters. How can you push your own family out? "
These words made everyone fall silent. Cheng Min sighed and tried to persuade again, "Mother, Big Brother, it's good to fight for a moment, but the Marquis Household is such a big family business. What will happen in the future? Even if you don't think for yourselves, you have to think for your Grandson. It just so happens that the Ninth Masters has just been transferred back. The Ministry of Personnel hasn't sent out the appointment letter yet. You might as well find a way for the Ninth Masters to be placed in the Hanlin Academy. The returns in the future will be great. "
Cheng Yuan-hsien immediately shouted, "Hanlin Academy? Him? "
"Why not?" Cheng Min glared at her elder brother, exasperated at his failure to live up to her expectations. "Don't forget that he has a proper Jinshi background. His first two rankings were very good. It wasn't until the court examination that his ranking dropped."
When the court examination was mentioned, everyone in the Cheng Family fell silent. Not to mention the court examination, their family hadn't even seen the provincial examination. It was because of their ignorance that they had no idea what it meant to become a Jinshi at the age of sixteen.
When mother-in-law and sister-in-law were talking, the Nguyễn Clan didn't dare to interrupt. Hearing that her sister-in-law wanted to find a way for Cheng Yuanjing, the Nguyễn Clan became anxious. She glanced at Qingfu again and again. When she saw that Qingfu didn't show any signs of standing up, she couldn't help but say, "Find a way for the Ninth Masters to enter the Hanlin Academy? But Second Master still … "
Cheng Min was completely speechless. Fine, each of her brothers thought highly of themselves, and her sister-in-law didn't understand. If she continued to persuade her, her sister-in-law would hate her for her good intentions. Cheng Min didn't want to waste any more effort. Instead, she stood up and said, "I'm an outsider. It's not good for me to say these words. Mother, think about it carefully. I'll go see Eldest Miss. "
In the cupboard, Cheng Yujin weakly leaned on the arhat bed. When she saw Cheng Min come in, she quickly stood up to greet her, "Auntie."
"Sit down, sit down. You're still injured. Why bother with these formalities?" Cheng Min quickly stopped Cheng Yujin. Cheng Yujin shook her head and said, "Formalities can't be abolished."
Cheng Min sighed and watched as the child obediently performed the family etiquette. She thought that her two brothers couldn't be relied on anymore. They would be like that for the rest of their lives. However, in the third generation of the Cheng Family, none of the brothers were worthy of being called out. Look at her eldest brother's son, Cheng Enbao. He was spoiled by Qingfu to such an extent that he would be laughed at when he went out. The two boys in the second branch were also a little petty.
Looking at it, the most promising members of the Cheng Family were actually the two girls. The Eldest Miss was quiet and beautiful, while the Second Miss was naive and cute. One was liked by her mother-in-law and the other was liked by her husband. They both had great prospects. Cheng Min sighed when she thought of this. If a family relied on women to become famous, it could be seen that the family's decline was close at hand. The Cheng Family was like this. Her husband's family, the Xu Family, was also like this.
Cheng Min sighed and pulled Cheng Yujin to sit beside her. She asked softly, "Does it still hurt? Let me see the wound on your hand. "
Cheng Yujin thought that she couldn't let her see it. She rolled up her sleeve and revealed the pale gauze inside. Then, she put down her sleeve and said, "Auntie, I'm fine. You don't have to worry."
Cheng Min felt a throbbing pain when she saw the dense gauze inside. However, Cheng Yujin said that she was fine with a relaxed expression. She avoided the important and dwell on the trivial, afraid that she would worry. Cheng Min's love for this niece almost overflowed from her chest. She didn't expose Cheng Yujin. Instead, she held her hand and said, "A girl can't leave scars on her body. I have a bottle of good Shuhen ointment. It was given to me by Consort Shu. I'll have someone send it to you later. At night, let the maidservants take off the gauze and apply the ointment. "
Consort Shu gave the ointment? The eldest daughter of the Xu Family was an imperial concubine in the palace. This was also the reason why the Xu Family had more power than the Cheng Family even though there was no one in the imperial court. Cheng Yujin's thoughts turned. In the end, she smiled shyly at Cheng Min and said, "Thank you, Auntie."
"Silly child, we're family. There's no need to thank each other." Cheng Min looked at Cheng Yujin now. She really liked her no matter how she looked at her. It was a pity that such a good girl had her engagement broken off. The Huo family was simply inhumane. Cheng Min felt pity in her heart. She suddenly thought of her family's rascal.
However, this thought flashed through her mind. A child's marriage wasn't a small matter. Cheng Min was only thinking about it. She was far from making a decision. Cheng Min held Cheng Yujin's hand and said, "You can focus on recovering. You don't have to worry about anything else. You're well-behaved, filial, and your appearance is one of the best I've ever seen. Life's fate is determined. Who knows, maybe it's a blessing in disguise. "
Cheng Yujin knew that Cheng Min was comforting her about breaking off the engagement. Based on her tone, it was still far from being able to move Cheng Min. However, it was a good thing that Cheng Min was moved. Cheng Yujin wasn't in a hurry. She smiled and said, "I understand."
Cheng Min comforted her for a while. She was trying to persuade Old Lady Cheng and Cheng Yuan-hsien that Cheng Yujin couldn't be separated from her elders. Cheng Yujin sneered in her heart. However, she still obediently agreed on the surface. She looked like she deeply agreed and was loyal.
Cheng Min and Cheng Yujin talked for a while. Then, she had her mama send Cheng Yujin back to her room. After they left, she went to find Xu Zhixian. She found that he was leaning against the kang table, watching Cheng Yumo and Xu Zhixian dance on the red rope. He had a look of concentration on his face. He looked much more attentive than when he was reading a book.
Cheng Min felt a strong sense of powerlessness. She deliberately cleared her throat and asked, "Where is your Old Ancestor?"
Cheng Yumo put away the rope and said, "Grandmother just went inside to rest. Grandmother said that it was windy outside. It was dark and cold. It would be too tiring to travel. She told us to sleep here tonight. "
Cheng Min thought that if it was dark and cold outside, then Cheng Yumo still had injuries on his body. Wouldn't he still be able to walk? It wasn't good for her to say these words. She could only say with a calm face, "Since Old Ancestor loves you, then stop playing. Hurry and wash up. Don't disturb Old Ancestor's sleep."
"Yes." Cheng Yumo climbed out of bed and went to wash up hand in hand with Xu Nianchun. Xu Zhixian also wanted to follow, but was stopped by Cheng Min. "You child, when your big sister went out, why didn't you send her off?"
"Ah? Sister Jin went back? When did that happen? " Xu Zhixian muttered, "She's applying medicine inside and doesn't let anyone see. Little Sister Mo said that Sister Jin is very particular about etiquette. If she doesn't tidy up properly, she won't see anyone. I was going to ask her when she tidied up nicely. Why did she leave? "
Cheng Min glared at Xu Zhixian and couldn't help but laugh in the end. Although this son of hers was covered in powder, he was a sincere person with a good heart. If he had a powerful wife to watch over him, his future days wouldn't be bad.
Cheng Min suddenly reacted. "What Sister Jin and Little Sister Mo? Aren't they the same age?"
Xu Zhixian scratched his head. "Aiyo, I forgot again."
Not to mention Xu Zhixian, even Cheng Min didn't react. She subconsciously thought that Cheng Yujin was the older sister. Cheng Min gave her son a push and said, "Alright, go and wash up. I'm going back to sleep in the courtyard where I was before I got married. I can't watch over you two at night. You're already grown up. Don't mess around with your younger sisters, understand? "
Cheng Min's words were to remind Xu Zhixian to keep a distance from Cheng Yumo. He was already fourteen years old and wasn't a child. She didn't know if Xu Zhixian understood first, but he immediately agreed and urged his mother to leave.
At this time, the lanterns in Marquis Cheng's courtyard were also brightly lit. Marquis Cheng and Cheng Yuanjing sat facing each other under the lanterns. Marquis Cheng said guiltily, "Your Highness, this old official didn't teach his son well and offended you. This old one asks for forgiveness. "
Marquis Cheng was about to kneel as he spoke, but Cheng Yuanjing supported him and said, "It's fine. Those who don't know are innocent. In their position, it's normal to think this way. "
Marquis Cheng originally had some unclear thoughts when he knelt. After all, the Cheng Family was the Crown Prince's benefactor. How could the Crown Prince pursue the matter when he knelt like this? Cheng Yuanjing did as Marquis Cheng wished and said words of forgiveness. However, he didn't know why, but after hearing this, Marquis Cheng's heart became even colder.
His Highness the Crown Prince saw everything clearly, but he saw it too clearly. It made Marquis Cheng often feel that his dirty thoughts were seen through by His Highness with a glance. He just didn't say it.
Marquis Cheng's old face couldn't hang on. However, he was about to die. The next generation of the Cheng Family didn't even have someone to support them. He didn't calculate now. When he died, the last connection between His Highness the Crown Prince and the Cheng Family would be gone. What would the Cheng Family do? Marquis Cheng could only endure his shame and continue, "Today, I've let Your Highness down. This old official apologizes to Your Highness on behalf of this unfilial son. Your Highness, this old official was negligent and didn't pay attention to the eldest daughter's name, which violated your taboo. How about I change the eldest daughter's name tomorrow? "
Cheng Yuanjing thought of the girl's bright and shocking eyes. To suddenly change her name at the age of fourteen, even if it was to avoid the elders, outsiders couldn't help but speculate. Cheng Yuanjing came back to his senses and lowered his eyes to hide his absent-mindedness, saying, "It's fine."
"Your Highness?"
"There's no need to change it. It's quite easy to say."
Marquis Cheng didn't quite understand, but the Crown Prince had spoken. How could he go against the Crown Prince? Marquis Cheng nodded, saying, "Yes."
After coming out of Fu Li Courtyard, Cheng Yuanjing slowly walked in the pitch-black night. The night wind blew, and the withered tree branches let out a whining sound. Cheng Yuanjing didn't speak, and the others didn't dare to disturb him. They silently followed behind their master. After a while, the master in front suddenly said, "Tomorrow, bring a bottle of ointment."
Liu Yi froze for a moment, "Your Highness, you're injured?"
Cheng Yuanjing glanced at him. Liu Yi remembered that the Crown Prince hated nonsense the most, so he quickly lowered his head, "Yes, this servant obeys."
The rules in the eldest daughter's room were particularly strict. The rough maids and older women could only move about in the courtyard. Only the second-ranked maids could enter the room, and the eldest daughter's bedroom could only be entered by the first-ranked maids who served close to her. As soon as Xiaoxiao entered the courtyard, the rules were heavy. Now, when Lian Qiao saw that Mama Zheng was about to enter the room, she immediately became angry and used force to block the door, "Impudent, there are no rules! Is the young lady's room a place you can enter? "
Lian Qiao was the most dignified person at the young lady's side. Usually, she was very awe-inspiring in the courtyard. Even Mama Zheng didn't dare to offend this little pepper. But today, for some reason, Mama Zheng actually dared to touch Lian Qiao. She pushed Lian Qiao's arm and said, "Aiyo, Miss Lian Qiao, this old servant really has an important matter …"
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