Zhоu Shаоjin felt she shоuld trеаt Оld Мadam Guo еvеn better.
Сheng Chi аnd Сhеng Хu hаd аlreadу arrived at the Listening Rain Раvilion.
Just likе the fаmilу bаnquеt during the Nеw Yеаr’s Еvе dinner, thе Listening Rain Pаviliоn was dividеd into two seсtions by а twelve-раnеl sаndаlwооd screеn. Insidе sat thе fеmаle rеlativеs, whilе outside sаt thе men.
Тhey arrivеd neither eаrlу nоr latе.
The yоungеr gеnerаtiоn with thе sрееch rаdiсal in thеir namеs had alrеadу аrrivеd. Chеng Shi hаd еvеn brought his five-yеar-old eldest son, Gеng Ge’er. Sevеral of Сheng Shi’s unmаrriеd unclеs were there, playing with Geng Ge’er. As for the water generation, the second branch’s Cheng Yi, the third branch’s Cheng Lu, the fourth branch’s Cheng Mian, and the fifth branch’s Cheng Wen had all arrived.
The corner of Cheng Chi’s mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.
This venerable ancestor always made the same entrance, waiting until everyone had arrived before making a belated appearance. Was it because he had impeccable timing? Or had he specifically sent someone to keep him informed so he could arrive precisely on time, showcasing his special status in this family?
Cheng Chi stepped forward to greet his elder cousins.
Cheng Yi and Cheng Lu nodded slightly, remaining seated without moving. Although Cheng Mian also stayed seated, he smiled and greeted Cheng Chi, saying, "Cousin Chi is here." Only Cheng Wen hurried over, complaining, "Why are you only arriving now? You’re the only one missing! Come sit over here—there’s still an empty chair by me." Then he exchanged pleasantries with Cheng Xu, "Jiashan, you’ve lost weight since you left. Have your studies been too demanding? You must take care of your health."
A flicker of disdain passed through the eyes of Cheng Yi and Cheng Lu, while Cheng Mian’s smile remained gentle and tolerant.
Cheng Xu stepped forward to pay his respects to his uncles, while Cheng Shi brought his younger cousins over to greet Cheng Chi.
Cheng Chi’s gaze fell on Cheng Yi, who was trailing behind his elder cousins, looking disheveled and covered in dust.
He walked with a slight limp.
It seemed his injuries had not yet fully healed.
Cheng Chi shifted his gaze away, satisfied.
Feeling Cheng Chi’s stare, Cheng Yi hunched his shoulders, making himself even more inconspicuous.
Cheng Shi carried Geng Ge’er over to Cheng Chi, speaking gently to his eldest son with a smile, "This is your Uncle Chi. Hurry and greet Uncle Chi!"
Geng Ge’er imitated the adults, bowing to Cheng Chi with clasped hands and calling out in a childish voice, "Uncle Chi," saying, "Your grandson greets you!"
Cheng Chi couldn’t help but smile. He beckoned to Geng Ge’er.
Geng Ge’er, unafraid of strangers, ran over with a giggle.
Cheng Chi patted his head and, after a moment’s thought, instructed Huaishan, "Later, send the jade plaque with the ‘Immediate Promotion’ motif that I bought in the capital the other day to the Listening Pavilion."
Huaishan respectfully replied, "Yes."
Cheng Zheng gently patted Geng Ge’er’s shoulder and said with a smile, "Uncle Chi has rewarded you with something. Hurry and thank him."
Geng Ge’er opened his bright, clear eyes and thanked Cheng Chi again in his childish voice.
Cheng Chi felt these eyes were very familiar, as if he had seen them somewhere before. He found himself quite fond of them and wondered whether he should reward Geng Ge’er with a few more things. Out of the corner of his eye, he inadvertently glanced at Cheng Yi from the second branch and Cheng Lu from the third branch.
Cheng Yi’s expression carried a hint of smugness, while Cheng Lu’s eyes held a touch of displeasure.
Cheng Chi couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
With little education, one’s perspective becomes limited.
Among the "言" generation, only Cheng Shi was married and had two sons. By bringing his eldest son to the front hall, Cheng Shi seemed rather intent on flaunting that he had an heir.
But having an heir doesn’t just mean the continuation of bloodline—it also means the inheritance of family legacy and reputation.The children of the second branch are still young, so it is too early to discuss such matters now.
The mindsets of the two elder cousins are also somewhat narrow.
No wonder they would scheme against Cheng Jiashan and Shaojin.
If things continue this way, even if the Cheng family avoids being raided and exterminated in ten years, it will likely struggle to remain among the prominent clans of Jiangnan.
With this thought, the inclination to reward Geng'er with a few more items faded away.
Cheng Yi then inquired about Cheng Xu's studies: "How many times have you read the Annotations of the Four Books? How many examination essays do you write each day? Recently, Wende Pavilion and Deyi Bookstore jointly published a collection titled Selected Examination Essays. I skimmed through it and found several essays quite well-written. You should buy a copy as well."
Cheng Xu replied respectfully, "When I was in the capital, I studied under Second Granduncle. Following his guidance, I have already memorized the Annotations of the Four Books three times. I write one examination essay every two days. As for the Selected Examination Essays, I heard it was published by the retired Grand Secretary and Chief Minister Shen Minzhi. Second Granduncle had someone purchase a copy, intending to study it carefully. I haven't had the chance to look at it yet. My return was too rushed, and I forgot to ask Second Granduncle for it. Hearing Uncle Yi mention it, I will send someone to the bookstore tomorrow to buy a copy."
Cheng Shi and Cheng Zheng were listening intently.
While in the capital, Cheng Shi had lived with Cheng Xu on Xinglin Alley, but due to Madam Yuan's influence, Cheng Xu was often either visiting the Yuan residence on Er Tiao Alley or summoned by Cheng Shao, who lived nearby on Shuangyu Alley, to discuss his studies. As a result, Cheng Shi spent even less time with Cheng Xu than he had in Jinling.
He was eager to know how far Cheng Xu had progressed.
Cheng Zheng's feelings were more complicated.
He knew that without the approval of the eldest and second branches, no matter how well he studied, he would never be able to enter officialdom—unless his talent was so extraordinary that the eldest and second branches could not suppress him. But from what he could see now, he was only slightly smarter than the average person.
Seeing Cheng Xu with so many resources, he felt a mix of envy and jealousy.
If Cheng Xu passed the provincial examination this time, he might become the youngest provincial graduate in the Cheng family.
Wait—Second Elder Cheng Shao of the eldest branch had passed the provincial examination at eighteen and later earned the title of Tanhua (third-place scholar). Could Cheng Xu possess such talent as well?
No.
Cheng Zheng reconsidered.
Uncle Yi of the second branch had also passed the provincial examination at eighteen, yet he repeatedly failed the higher examinations and eventually had to settle for being the headmaster of the Cheng clan school.
This showed that nothing was set in stone.
Perhaps Cheng Xu had Cheng Shao's destiny but only Cheng Yi's luck?
With this thought, Cheng Zheng finally felt a little better.
Cheng Yi had vaguely heard that the Selected Examination Essays, highly praised by scholars in Jiangnan, was published by Shen Minzhi, but it had not been confirmed. Hearing Cheng Xu mention it now, his expression grew serious. "Is this information reliable?"
Cheng Xu had sensed the subtle dynamics among the Cheng branches from a young age and knew he could not withhold information from his uncles. Moreover, after the conversation he had just had with Cheng Chi, he was even more cautious.
"I'm not sure either!" he replied apologetically with a smile. "At the time, I was focused on rushing back and didn't have the chance to discuss this matter with Second Granduncle."It is said that among the examiners presiding over this year's Spring Examination, one is a student of Shen Minzhi—not the kind of student who merely attended the imperial examinations under him, but one who studied under Shen Minzhi and is considered his disciple.
Cheng Xu is to participate in this year's provincial examination, while his son Cheng Shi is already a provincial graduate and will take part in next year's Spring Examination.
If this book was published by Shen Minzhi, it is highly likely that the style favored by his students is reflected within its pages.
The thought alone made Cheng Yi seethe with frustration.
This is precisely the difference between the eldest branch and the second branch now!
Apart from the family elder, they have no way to discern the authenticity of an essay, but the eldest branch has not only Cheng Jing but also Cheng Shao. They even have Cheng Wei and Cheng Chi.
What they painstakingly obtain through great effort is, to the eldest branch, merely something they can acquire effortlessly, without lifting a finger.
Cheng Yi pondered whether he should ask Cheng Chi for a few words of advice.
Before he could even open his mouth, Cheng Lu interjected, "Jiashan, quickly write a letter to your Second Granduncle. I have a close friend who will also participate in next year's Spring Examination." He added, "Jiashan, Uncle Shao was the Tanhua (third-place scholar) of his year. Could you show me the examination essays he usually assigns you? I also want to try my luck in the examinations this year."
Cheng Xu was more than willing.
Although this Uncle Lu was a rigid scholar who studied mechanically, he was a decent man, possessing the pride and straightforwardness of a scholar. Whether he liked or disliked something, whether it was good or bad, he would express it directly. Though his words sometimes sounded unpleasant, conversing with him was not as exhausting as with Uncle Yi, where one had to be careful not to get entangled in his convoluted talk.
"After I return, I will copy for you the examination essay topics assigned by Second Granduncle..."
The two of them immediately engaged in an animated discussion.
Cheng Shi silently lowered his head.
He genuinely did not know what to say.
Cheng Wen disliked hearing such topics the most.
If Cheng Yi were not his elder brother, known for his aloofness and insistence on hierarchy, and if he were not afraid of the family elder of the second branch, Cheng Xu, he would have spoken up long ago.
Now, with Cheng Lu questioning Cheng Xu, how could he hold back? He grinned and leaned close to Cheng Chi, whispering, "Cousin Chi, your elder brother has something to ask of you..."
Cheng Chi glanced at him indifferently, unhurriedly picked up his teacup, took a sip, and only then said, "If it's about that woman outside, you'd better not bring it up. My mother is usually alone at home and cannot withstand the commotion caused by Sister-in-law Wen."
Cheng Wen's face immediately flushed crimson, and he hurriedly said, "That shrew has no upbringing. Don’t take her seriously. As for Sister-in-law, I plan to personally go and apologize."
Cheng Chi remained silent.
Cheng Wen forced a dry laugh and said with a fawning expression, "Cousin Chi, I heard that you are on good terms with the people from the Thirteen Hongs. This time, the Thirteen Hongs organized a fleet to sail overseas, and you also took a share. Cousin Chi, you know my situation. That woman not only likes to make a scene but is also wasteful. With your nephew Nuo about to get engaged, the family is already stretched thin. If I don’t find a way to make some money, once the new daughter-in-law enters the household, she won’t even look at me properly, and I’ll lose face in front of the in-laws. You must help me with this! Consider it a plea from your elder brother!" By the end, his words carried a tone of tearful desperation.
Cheng Chi smiled and said, "Cousin Wen, the investment in the Thirteen Hongs is handled through the family’s public funds. It has nothing to do with me personally. You will also receive a share when the time comes, so why bother investing privately?"Cheng Wen's face flushed crimson, then turned purple. After a long pause, he finally said, "I... I have no other choice! Cousin Chi, could you help me think of a solution? I'm still short several thousand taels of silver! Brother Nuo is set to become engaged to Prefect Wu's eldest daughter in just a few days!"
Cheng Chi thought for a moment and said, "Why not borrow from the one outside? I heard from someone that you gave that person three shops and four thousand taels of silver. Moving money from one pocket to another—it’s still your wealth, after all."
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