However, Old Lady Cheng only scolded casually and didn't seem to care. Seeing Old Lady Cheng like this, no one else dared to say anything.
Cheng Min came into contact with people of higher status in the Duke's Estate than in her maternal family. She didn't think much of it before she got married, but now that she was in her maternal family, she suddenly felt that her eldest brother was too unreliable. Her mother was the same. She was always protective and spoiled from a young age. She always blamed outsiders for leading men astray. As a result, her eldest brother, who was 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 came back to her maternal family as a guest, so she couldn't 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. Just bear with him and don't have any more conflicts. Besides, I heard from Father-in-law that the Ninth Masters reached the fourth rank 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? "
These words made everyone silent. Cheng Min sighed and tried to persuade again, "Mother, Big Brother, it's good to fight for a moment, but the Marquis Family 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 get into the Hanlin Academy. The future returns will be great. "
Cheng Yuan-hsien immediately shouted, "Hanlin Academy? Him? "
"Why not?" Cheng Min glared at her eldest brother. She expected better from him. "Don't forget that he's a proper Jinshi. His first two rankings were very good until the court examination."
When the court examination was mentioned, everyone in the Cheng Family was silent. Not to mention the court examination, their family hadn't even seen the provincial examination. It was precisely because of his ignorance that he had no idea what it meant to become a Grand Scholar at the age of sixteen.
When her mother-in-law and sister-in-law were talking, the Nguyễn Clan didn't dare to interrupt. When she heard 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 had no intention of stepping forward, 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. All right, each of her brothers in her family thought highly of themselves, and her sister-in-law was still unclear. If she continued to persuade her, her good intentions would be hated by her sister-in-law. Cheng Min was no longer thankless. Instead, she stood up and said, "I'm an outsider. It's not appropriate for me to say these words. Mother, think about it carefully. I'm going to check on Big Miss. "
In the cupboard, Cheng Yujin weakly leaned on the arhat bed. When she saw Cheng Min come in, she hurriedly stood up to greet her, "Auntie."
"Sit down, sit down. You're still injured. Why bother with these formalities?" Cheng Min hurriedly stopped Cheng Yujin. Cheng Yujin shook her head and said, "Formalities can't be abolished."
Cheng Min sighed as she watched the child perform the family etiquette in an orderly manner. 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 outstanding. Just look at her eldest brother's son, Cheng Enbao. He was spoiled by Qingfu to such an extent that he would be laughed at if he was taken out. The two boys in the second branch were also slightly narrow-minded.
After counting, the most outstanding members of the Cheng Family were actually the two girls. Big Miss was quiet and beautiful, and Second Miss was naive and cute. One was liked by a rich family's mother-in-law, and the other was liked by her husband. Both of them 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, and her husband's 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 show it to her. She rolled up her sleeve and revealed the pale gauze inside. Then she put down the 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 it 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 by Consort Shu. I'll have someone send it to you later. At night, let the servant take off the gauze and apply the ointment. "
The ointment given by Consort Shu? The eldest daughter of the Xu Family was a consort 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 court. Cheng Yujin's thoughts turned. Finally, 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's engagement had been broken off. The Huo family was simply inhumane. Cheng Min's heart was filled with regret. 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 just 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 has its own destiny. Who knows, maybe it's a blessing in disguise. "
Cheng Yujin knew that Cheng Min was comforting her about breaking off the engagement. Judging from her tone, it was still far from moving 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 shouldn't be alienated from her elders. Cheng Yujin sneered in her heart. However, she still obediently agreed on the surface. She looked like she was deeply convinced and loyal.
Cheng Min and Cheng Yujin talked for a while. Then, she asked her mammy to 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 looked so focused that he was more attentive than reading a book.
Cheng Min felt powerless. She deliberately cleared her throat and asked, "Where's 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, Cheng Yumo still had injuries on his body. Could he still walk? She couldn't say these words. She could only say with a sullen face, "Since Old Ancestor loves you, then stop playing. Hurry up and wash up. Don't disturb Old Ancestor's sleep."
"Yes." Cheng Yumo climbed out of bed and went to wash up with Xu Nianchun, hand in hand. 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. Sister Mo said that Sister Jin is very particular about her manners. If she doesn't tidy up properly, she definitely won't see anyone. I even said that I'll ask her when she's done tidying up. Why did she leave just like that? "
Cheng Min glared at Xu Zhixian and couldn't help but laugh in the end. Although this son of hers was covered in makeup, he was a sincere person with a good heart. If he had a powerful wife to watch over him, his future days might not be bad.
Cheng Min suddenly reacted. "What Sister Jin and 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 the two of you 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 indebted to the Crown Prince. 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 the family. He didn't calculate now. When he died, the last link between His Highness the Crown Prince and the Cheng Family would be gone. What would the Cheng Family do? Marquis Cheng could only endure the shame and continue, "Today, I'm sorry to Your Highness. 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 dark night. The night wind blew, and the withered branches made 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 was stunned, "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."
Therefore, it was very lively when her great-aunt returned to the fu. Old Lady Cheng had been talking for a long time. Princess Qingfu was always tense, afraid that she would do something wrong. Offending her great-aunt was the same as offending her mother-in-law.
Cheng Yuanjin changed into her new clothes early in the morning. She wore a jade red jacket with four horse-faced skirts. Because she wasn't married yet, her hair couldn't be too gorgeous, so she wore a pair of silver and gold lace hairpins. The top was inlaid with white and red jade to form a pattern of butterflies playing with flowers. A sparkling and translucent ruby was embedded in the flower stem. A hairpin was inserted into the top of her hair. It was the same style, but the red and white colors were switched. When Cheng Yuanjin changed into this outfit, she really looked like a beauty from a painting.
Cheng Yuanjin went to pay her respects to her aunt. Cheng Min returned to her maternal home this time and brought back all the children from her room. The thirteen to fourteen year old girls and youths all gathered together. Even from a distance, one could hear the cheerful sounds. The servant girl at the door reported, "Eldest Miss is here." Cheng Min turned around and saw the girl walking in through the door. Her eyes lit up.
Cheng Yuanjin came in to pay her respects to Cheng Min. Her voice was neither fast nor slow, and her movements were very standard. When she crouched down, the corners of her skirt and the hairpins on her head didn't sway at all. Cheng Min was amazed. She turned to Princess Qingfu and said, "How did eldest sister-in-law teach this girl? I'm so envious. If the one in our family can be half as sensible as Sister Jin, I'll be happy even if I have to live a few years less. "
Princess Qingfu smiled and declined. Xu Nianchun, who was compared to Cheng Min, snorted and said, "Mother, you're always teasing me. If you like Eldest Cousin so much, you can just take her back as your daughter. "
Old Lady Cheng laughed and pointed at Xu Nianchun. She said to the others, "Look, this is a jealous person."
Cheng Min pinched Xu Nianchun and pretended to scold, "You talk too much. No one will think you're mute if you don't talk. I want to take your Eldest Cousin back as my daughter, but I'm afraid your Eldest Aunt won't agree. "
Qingfu smiled and said, "It's her fortune to be valued by eldest sister-in-law. In my opinion, Nianchun is lively and delicate. I'm very willing to have a daughter like her."
Xu Nianchun immediately ran to Princess Qingfu and acted coquettishly. Old Lady Cheng was so amused that she couldn't close her mouth. The other ladies also covered their handkerchiefs and laughed. Shou 'an Hall was filled with joy.
Cheng Yujin also laughed, but when she saw this scene, she couldn't help but feel jealous. Xu Nianchun could quarrel with her aunt without restraint and run to Princess Qingfu to act coquettishly. Cheng Yumo could also fall into the arms of the Nguyễn Clan and laugh.
What about her?
The hall was lively, but it had nothing to do with her.
However, even so, Cheng Yujin couldn't show the slightest disappointment. She still had to laugh and joke with everyone to please Old Lady Cheng. Cheng Min laughed for a while. She casually turned around and suddenly saw Cheng Yujin standing in the warm room, gently looking at everyone and laughing.
Cheng Min didn't know why, but her heart was moved. She carefully looked at Cheng Yujin and found that her niece's appearance was extraordinarily good. Her clothes were red, and her jewelry was gold and rubies. If it were someone else, it would be tacky. However, when Cheng Yujin wore it, it was bright and beautiful. It was as if the world's most precious jewels and gems should be used to match Cheng Yujin.
The only regret was that Cheng Yujin was still young. This dress looked very formal on her. If a few more years passed, when Cheng Yujin was seventeen or eighteen years old, her eyebrows would have bloomed and her figure would have become more slender. She would be overflowing with radiance and peerless elegance.
After Cheng Min finished looking, she couldn't help but ask Princess Qingfu, "Eldest Sister-in-law, Eldest Miss's dress is beautiful. I've never seen that set of gold and jade jewelry on her head. Did you give it to her?"
Princess Qingfu glanced at it and replied, "It's the dowry that Mufei prepared for me when I got married. I'm old and don't need it, so I gave it to the girls to wear. "
Cheng Min said, "Aiyo!" Her voice was filled with envy, "Eldest Sister-in-law is so kind to the children. Eldest Miss was able to reincarnate as your daughter. She must have accumulated several lifetimes' worth of good fortune."
Actually, when Cheng Yujin entered the room, the Nguyễn Clan had already noticed her headwear. Now that Cheng Min had started, she could openly look at it. After carefully looking at it, the Nguyễn Clan's mood became even more complicated.
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