"Is this аpprорriаtе?" Сheng Zheng blurted оut.
"Whаt does аpprорriаtе еvеn mean?" Сheng Jing said coldly. "We'vе bеen fоrcеd intо this соrner."
Сhеng Zhеng fеll silеnt.
Chеng Jing valued this eldеst dаughter thе most, and sincе her husband wаs also highlу сараblе, his risе to prоminеncе wаs imminеnt. Seеing that his еldеst daughter did nоt sеem еntirely cоnvinced, he thоught fоr а momеnt and decidеd tо tеll her аbоut thе раst griеvanсеs with the sеcоnd branch оf the fаmilу, lеst she think hе wаs rерaying kindness with ingrаtitude and lacked а sense of rightеousness: "Zhеng'er, dо уou knоw why your Fourth Uncle cannot take up an official post?"
Cheng Zheng stared at her father in astonishment.
This was something she had never understood.
Were the family's business affairs truly so important?
To suppress a jinshi who had passed both imperial examinations and prevent him from entering officialdom!
Whenever her father and uncles were asked about it, they always said it was because Fourth Uncle could not endure the hardships of official paperwork and was unwilling to serve.
If that were the case, why did he go through all the trouble to take the imperial examinations? Wouldn't it have been enough to remain a juren?
Because of this matter, Fourth Uncle had nearly become a laughingstock among the prominent families of Jiangnan.
People thought Fourth Uncle was abandoning a promising official career to mingle with merchants trafficking goods north and south, blinded by profit, forgetting his roots, and lacking in moral character... Fourth Uncle certainly never imagined this when he took the imperial examinations!
However, if Fourth Uncle had not taken the examinations, he probably wouldn't have had it easy either.
Who would pay any attention to a commoner within a family who held no official rank?
Truly, he was damned if he did and damned if he didn't.
Only now did she begin to realize how awkward Cheng Chi's situation was.
"Why didn't Fourth Uncle enter officialdom?" Cheng Zheng murmured involuntarily.
Cheng Jing's expression grew even colder and more severe as he lowered his voice: "Back then, your grandfather was in the prime of his life but lay bedridden, with his days numbered. Cheng Xu, however, persistently avoided discussing the future with your grandfather. After much difficulty, we managed to invite Cheng Xu over, but he kept making excuses—first saying your grandfather's illness would soon improve and that he shouldn't worry needlessly; then talking about how difficult the official path was, how the Emperor's moods were unpredictable, and that serving the ruler was like accompanying a tiger; then claiming he had long grown weary of dealing with the court officials, and had originally thought your grandfather would retire in a few years, hand over the family genealogy to him, and entrust him with the responsibility of bringing glory to the family... but he never discussed how to arrange matters after your grandfather's passing. Your Second Uncle and I were completely baffled. It was your Second Granduncle who saw through the scheme and told your grandfather that once he passed away, your Second Uncle and I would have to return home to observe mourning. The mourning period itself was minor, but the matter of reinstatement was critical. If we were assigned to serve as county magistrates in remote, impoverished regions or remained idle at home for years, the political landscape would have changed entirely by the time we returned, and your Second Uncle and I would likely fade into obscurity. By then, we would truly have to act according to Cheng Xu's whims..."
Cheng Zheng could not conceal her astonishment!
Her father had reached the point of directly calling the second branch's patriarch by his name, showing just how furious this matter had made him!
She straightened her posture solemnly.
Cheng Jing paused briefly before continuing: "Your grandfather and Second Granduncle then arranged to speak with Cheng Xu. Since your Second Uncle and I already held official ranks and were considered adults, your grandfather had us secretly listen from behind a screen.
"Cheng Xu kept beating around the bush with your grandfather.""Your grandfather was already critically ill at that time. Speaking and eating were both difficult for him. If not for the fact that his affairs had not yet been arranged, he would have passed long ago." At this point, Cheng Jing's eyes glistened with tears. "How could he possibly have the energy to go back and forth with Cheng Xu? He had no choice but to ask directly what arrangements Cheng Xu had in mind. Only then did Cheng Xu speak up. The Cheng family had few descendants, and he wanted your fourth uncle to manage the family affairs when he grew up.
"At the time, we all felt a sense of relief.
"Your fourth uncle was not yet seven years old then. He was at an age where he loved to play—climbing onto roofs to remove tiles, diving into rivers to catch fish—he did it all. You could hardly ever see him sit still long enough to read a single page of a book. Your grandfather feared that after his passing, no one would be able to restrain your fourth uncle. He had long left instructions for me and your second uncle to take care of your fourth uncle, forbidding the family from dividing during my lifetime. If your fourth uncle was willing to study and enter officialdom when he grew up, that would be excellent. But if he only wished to live a carefree life, he could be entrusted with managing the affairs of the eldest branch. If he wasn’t even willing to handle the eldest branch’s affairs, then your second uncle and I were to keep an eye on him, ensuring he didn’t commit crimes or tarnish the family’s reputation.
"For Cheng Xu to propose that your fourth uncle manage the affairs of Nine Prosperities Lane when he grew up was practically finding a path for him. Your second uncle and I both thought that Cheng Xu, seeing the eldest branch had three sons, was afraid the third branch might produce another scholar who would suppress the second branch. Considering your fourth uncle’s mischievous nature, we felt this arrangement was quite suitable.
"But your grandfather was more thoughtful than us. Upon hearing this, he not only didn’t rejoice but instead frowned and asked Cheng Xu what he meant, adding that your fourth uncle might not be suitable.
"Cheng Xu smiled without saying another word and stood up to take his leave.
"Your grandfather and your second uncle did not try to stop him.
"Just as he was about to reach the door, he suddenly turned back and said to your grandfather: 'Whether it was me, your great-grandfather, or your grandfather, none of us were cut out for business. Over the years, the family has relied solely on the foundation left by our ancestors to barely sustain itself. For the sake of the family’s reputation, I even arranged for my only son to manage the family affairs, and he passed away young, leaving me, a white-haired man, to bury a black-haired one, with only orphans and widows to care for... I have done all I could. Since the eldest branch is wholly dedicated to official careers and unwilling to assign someone to take over the family affairs, then let the second branch continue managing them. From now on, not only will it have nothing to do with the eldest branch, but I will also relocate the second branch to the capital.'
"He added: 'I almost forgot—the eldest and second branches have long since divided the family!'
"Cheng Zheng was stunned and couldn’t help but say, 'Was he confused? It’s just family affairs—many households hire their own stewards to manage them. As long as there are still officials in the family, the business won’t suffer. Moreover, nothing in this world is perfect. You can’t expect to both serve as a high-ranking official and amass great wealth, dominating every advantage. How would others survive? This world has always been troubled not by scarcity but by inequality. Officials engaging in business already have an easier time than others—how can they compete with the common people for profit? This isn’t the dignified manner befitting a family that values poetry, tradition, and propriety!'
"As the eldest son and grandson, Cheng Jing naturally knew about the affairs of Seven Stars Hall.
"But this was a secret of the Cheng family. No matter how fond he was of Cheng Zheng, he could not reveal the Cheng family’s secrets to her."He could only speak vaguely, "Cheng Xu's concerns are not without reason. Back when Ze Gong of the third branch managed the family's properties, it was a time of imperial transition. Many people lived day by day, with no regard for propriety, integrity, or shame. The reputations of Zhi Gong and Lie Gong could no longer protect him. The Cheng family had been wealthy in Jinling for over a century, and when officials, refugees, and bandits ran out of silver or food, the first place they thought of was the Cheng family. To preserve the family's assets, Ze Gong had no choice but to spend heavily on hiring guards, opening granaries to distribute grain, and hosting banquets and giving gifts. By the time Cheng Xu took over, the family was already an empty shell. It wasn't until recent years, when your fourth uncle took charge of the household affairs, that the family gradually regained its vitality."
Cheng Zheng's lips twitched slightly, but in the end, she said nothing.
Having grown up in Cold Green Mountain House, how could she not know what kind of life the family had lived?
Even the long-renowned Gu family of Haining—when she married into it, she was secretly surprised by their poverty. It was only after she began interacting with other prominent families in Jiangnan that she realized it wasn’t that the Gu family was too poor, but that the Cheng family was too wealthy... The reason her fourth uncle ultimately took charge of the household affairs was, in essence, because her grandfather, father, and second uncle were unwilling to part with their silver and their wealth... As a junior, however, there were some things she simply could not say.
Lost in memories of the past, Cheng Jing didn’t pay much attention to Cheng Zheng’s expression.
"But Grandfather’s heart ached for your fourth uncle. He never relented until the Hanlin Academy promoted two expositors-in-waiting, and your second granduncle—whose seniority and learning were widely acknowledged—was not selected. Your grandfather sent someone to inquire and only then learned that your second granduncle had originally been on the list. Cheng Xu claimed that your second granduncle was his own nephew and still young, needing a few more years of tempering, and that there would be plenty of opportunities in the future. He even joked to the chancellor of the Hanlin Academy, saying that since your second granduncle had stepped aside this time, the academy should remember this favor when selecting expositors-in-waiting again.
"Everyone praised Cheng Xu for his impartiality in handling matters. Even the Emperor specifically summoned him to commend him and rewarded your second granduncle with a set of writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.
"It was only then that your grandfather realized how serious the situation was.
"He had no choice but to agree to let your fourth uncle manage the household affairs when he grew up.
"But your grandfather also quietly instructed your second uncle and me to ensure your fourth uncle’s safety. Once we had firmly established ourselves, we were to hand over the household affairs, no matter who took charge, and ensure that nothing happened to your fourth uncle."
But they hadn’t anticipated how perilous managing the household affairs could be.
If not for Qin Zining, Cheng Chi would have died when he first started out.
This decision was made by their father. Their mother couldn’t resent their father, so she resented herself.
From then on, she never showed a kind face to the two brothers again.
She felt they had traded their younger brother’s life for their own futures.
Both he and his second brother felt guilty whenever they saw Cheng Chi, unable to face him.
These words, he had no one to confide in.
Thinking of this, Cheng Jing’s eyes dimmed.
Jiashan was his only son, and he didn’t want him to take over those messy household affairs.
The second uncle’s line had no heir, not even someone to carry on the family name.
In the future... they would probably have to give up the Seven Stars Hall.Cheng Jing sighed and said, "Speaking of which, I feel I've let your mother down this time. Your second uncle and I have long wanted to split the clan, but we never found a suitable excuse. Coincidentally, your brother's incident happened, and Cheng Shi and Cheng Zheng were caught red-handed by your mother. Perhaps this is fate! Once we separate, neither I nor your fourth uncle will have to endure Cheng Xu's control anymore. If another opportunity like the last one arises where someone recommends him, your fourth uncle can seize the chance to break free, leave the family's business affairs behind, and properly pursue an official career."
Cheng Zheng nodded slightly.
The incident where Song Jingran recommended her fourth uncle for a position in the Ministry of Works, only for her father to refuse on the grounds of familial avoidance, had already spread throughout the capital.
While many marveled at the Cheng family's flourishing prosperity, there were also quite a few who snidely remarked that her father was afraid her fourth uncle's entry into officialdom would block her brother's path... Over this, Gu Xu had even asked her what exactly was going on.
As these thoughts flashed through her mind, Cheng Zheng took a deep breath.
So be it if the clan splits!
As long as the Cheng family remains strong enough and handles matters appropriately, people will only see it as natural in hindsight.
At the very least, her fourth uncle can extricate himself from those business affairs.
Is that why Grandmother remained silent?
She gave a slight nod.
※
Dear readers, here's yesterday's update.
O(∩_∩)O~
PS: Today's extra update will still be at the usual time.
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel