Cheng Yuanz was tall and handsome. He stood at the door and waited for Cheng Yujin. Everyone else secretly looked at him. After Cheng Yujin dressed up, the two of them left together and lifted the curtain to leave.
After the two of them 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 saw that Old Lady Cheng was tired, so 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 woman. 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 that 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 paused for a while and persuaded in a low voice, "Old Lady, don't worry. No matter how much you dote on 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 a man dotes on her, no matter how promising her son is, she still needs to be alive to enjoy it. "
Old Lady Cheng snorted coldly and opened her eyes. Her eyes were filled with hatred. "I'm just angry. At that time, the Xue family had a good reputation, while my family was just a nouveau riche. If the Xue family hadn't been involved in the struggle of the imperial court and 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 are all fake. Giving birth to a son quickly is the most important thing. After we got married, although he was neither cold nor warm to me, he still gave me face and didn't bring those girls home. Two sons and one daughter crawled out of my womb. That's enough. I didn't want to compete with his childhood sweetheart. However, I didn't expect that after twenty years, he actually found Xiao Xue and brought 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 even wanted to add the child to the family tree. When Old Lady Cheng saw this, she was very suspicious. The child was very good-looking. There were no 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 rarely stubborn. He insisted that the child was his child. He 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 Marquis Cheng's identity for so many years. He was Xiao Xue's son, but it wasn't certain that he wasn't Marquis Cheng's. Xiao Xue was good-looking. A weak woman who was exiled to a place like the border couldn't have had a good encounter. Who knew whose son this was? Madam Xue Junior had planted this on Old Marquis Cheng. However, Marquis Cheng was stupid. He 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. Because of jealousy and suspicion, Old Lady Cheng refused to let Xiao Xue live in the Marquis Household. Marquis Cheng could only raise the mother and son in the outer residence. All the expenses were from his own private account. Old Lady Cheng had been desperately embezzling Marquis Cheng's money these years. She had seen a ghost. Xiao Xue's son was still raised in an open and upright manner. He had the temperament of a rich man. He even hired a tutor and became a Jinshi in the imperial examinations.
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 pressuring him to study since he was seven years old. He usually beat and scolded him. In the end, he couldn't even pass the imperial examinations! "
Old Lady Cheng was scolding Heir Cheng Yuan-hsien. Mammy Chang couldn't say much, so she could only comfort her. "Old Lady, why are you so anxious? The imperial examinations are prepared 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 of our ancestors. Why should we turn to literature? "
"You are not good at literature 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 but scold her eldest son. However, Mammy Chang just listened. Don't be fooled by Old Lady Cheng's fierce scolding. Qingfu was a dignified Junzhu. How could she have so many concubines? Wasn't it because Old Lady Cheng felt sorry for her son and gave them to her?
Mammy Chang smiled and said, "Heir Shizi is still young and playful. When he grows older, he will be more sensible. Besides, don't you still have Second Master? "
"Second Master is indeed diligent. He has been more obedient than his older brother since he was young. He has also been diligent all these years." Old Lady Cheng smiled when she mentioned her second son. However, she quickly frowned. "That wife of his, she walks softly and weakly. She also speaks weakly. She doesn't look presentable. Even the daughter she raised is the same. Look at Eldest Miss. They are identical 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 will most likely be 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 didn't know how to respond to this. Eldest Miss had been the benchmark for all these years. As long as Eldest Miss was 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, whether it was Eldest Miss or Second Miss, they were all existences that she couldn't 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 Yuanz will really become the pillar of the Cheng Family? He is just a mistress … "
Old Lady Cheng became angry when she thought of this. However, whether a child was promising or not could be seen as soon as they appeared. Cheng Yuan-hsien was already middle-aged, and her official position wasn't even as high as the nineteen-year-old Cheng Yuanz. Even Second Master Cheng, who was often praised by the Nguyễn Clan for being outstanding in his studies, paled in comparison to Cheng Yuanz.
All the men in the Cheng Family combined couldn't compare to Cheng Yuanz. Old Lady Cheng was naturally unwilling, but what could she do? Mammy Chang earnestly advised, "Old Lady, you're not young anymore. Your granddaughter is about to get married. Why are you still so hung up on the things that happened when you were young? Xiao Xue has already died of illness for many years. Her former mistress has also become the person with the highest official position in the Cheng Family. Even if you don't win him over, you can't push the Ninth Masters away. "
Old Lady Cheng sighed, "How could I not know? Xiao Xue died of illness in the ninth year of Jianwu. She was also able to endure. She stubbornly held on until she saw Cheng Yuanz become a Grand Scholar before she was willing to let go. Coincidentally, that was the year that the Xue family's case was overturned. Before Xiao Xue died, she heard that her son had become a Grand Scholar and that her family had been overturned. She truly died without regrets. If my two sons could have Cheng Yuanz's luck, I would be willing to die. "
"Aiyo, Old Lady, what are you saying!" Mammy Chang hurriedly spat on the ground 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 still hasn't married yet. No matter how unbearable he is, 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 speaking of which, it's strange. Marquis dotes on this son of his, who was born out of nowhere, like the apple of his eye. Why hasn't he arranged for him to marry a wife? He's already nineteen this year. Other people at his age should already have sons. "
Speaking of this, Mammy Chang didn't know either. Old Lady Cheng found it 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 Young Lady?"
Old Lady Cheng stared at the incense burner to 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 any good families come to propose marriage to Eldest Young Lady. If not … then we can only treat this granddaughter as if she was raised for nothing. "
It was truly cruel. She had been treated as the eldest legitimate granddaughter for so many years, but now she had collapsed just like that. However, other than sighing in her heart, Mammy Chang didn't plan on doing anything. Everyone in a noble family had their own future. In the end, what did Eldest Young Lady have to do with her?
Cheng Yujin was told that she had something to do and left early. She walked behind Cheng Yuanz. 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 Yuanz faintly glanced behind him, then said, "You look smart, but from what I can see, your brain isn't working very well."
These words provoked Cheng Yujin so much that she wanted to curse. She remembered that the person in front of her was her Ninth Uncle. In any case, he was still an elder. She could only force herself to hold back, "Thank you Jiushu for your praise. But Ninth Uncle, what right do you have to say that my brain isn't working well? "
Cheng Yuanz 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 Yuanz'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 by staying in the house?"
In just a short meeting, Cheng Yuanz already had a good understanding of the Cheng Family's inner residence. Princess Qingfu didn't care about the matter, 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 Yuanz 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 Yuanz's meaning. Cheng Yuanz 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 Yuanz 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 extraordinarily dazzling. Cheng Yujin turned her head and smiled at Cheng Yuanz, "Ninth Uncle probably can't understand. Although you're a bastard, 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 way out, but having to find a way out? "
Cheng Yuanz heard the faint sound of something shattering in his heart.
There was no way out, but you had to go.
How could he not understand?
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