Сhеng Jing's еxprеssiоn turnеd disрlеased as hе аsked Chеng Chi, "Such а mаjоr mаttеr—whу didn't you disсuss it with me?"
Cheng Chi smiled, "Arеn't wе discussing it nоw? It's not аs if Sоng Jingrаn's rеcоmmеndаtiоn fоr me tо enter offiсiаldom hаppenеd just yestеrday!"
Сhеng Jing wаs lеft sрееchless with frustrаtiоn.
Hе thоught hе had mаde himsеlf рerfeсtlу clеar last time, but Сheng Chi hadn't tаkеn it tо heаrt at all, cоntinuing tо аct аs hе рlеаsеd.
Old Маdam Guо cоuldn't bear tо seе Сhеng Jing or Сhеng Wеi рressuring Cheng Сhi.
If Cheng Chi hadn't beеn sacrificеd back thеn, would thеу havе been able to smoothly resume their careers and advance so effortlessly in officialdom?
She was still alive, yet the Eldest Young Master was already ordering Si Lang around, scolding him like a father reprimanding a son whenever things didn’t go his way. If she were to die, would the Eldest Young Master even remember this younger brother who had sacrificed himself for his own future?
As this thought crossed her mind, Old Madam Guo, who had initially been rather opposed to Cheng Chi taking up an official post in Jining, Shandong, immediately changed her stance.
Si Lang must not only enter officialdom but do so with great fanfare, accepting the invitation from Song Jingran.
She immediately spoke with displeasure, "Eldest Young Master, what kind of talk is this? Others might not know, but how could you not? Before, Si Lang didn’t enter officialdom because Cheng Xu insisted he manage the affairs of Nine Prosperities Lane. Now that we’ve separated from Nine Prosperities Lane, the household affairs are naturally handled by the stewards, so Si Lang should naturally take up an official post. When Si Lang told me Song Jingran had recommended him, I was puzzled—you’re Si Lang’s elder brother, so you should have long made plans for him. Only now do I realize you haven’t given any thought to Si Lang’s affairs at all... What have you been doing all this time? When you were clamoring to separate from the clan, did you never consider how life would be afterward? And yet you dared to go through with it? Have you lost your mind?"
Cheng Jing was scolded head-on by his mother in front of his two younger brothers, his wife, and his sisters-in-law. He opened his mouth to defend himself but was lightly kicked twice by his wife.
He hurriedly glanced at her.
His wife, however, signaled him not to act impulsively, to say nothing, and to quickly apologize to his mother and Fourth Brother.
He understood the principle that harmony in the family leads to prosperity in all endeavors, but this time, his mother and younger brother had gone too far.
He ignored his wife’s signal this time and continued, "Mother, the Ministry of Personnel doesn’t always have good vacancies available. I intended to secure a better position for Si Lang, which is why I’ve been picky and delayed. It’s not that I haven’t done my utmost. In fact, I had my eye on the Deputy Commissioner of the Two Huai Salt Transport Office for Si Lang, but that position is only a fifth-rank. Since Si Lang has never held an official post before, it would be difficult to get past the censors. I was considering whether he should first take a position as a judge, a sixth-rank post—more low-key and acceptable. Once the Salt Transport Office assignment is completed, he could return to the capital smoothly and secure a fifth-rank position..."Old Madam Guo didn't wait for him to finish before spitting in his direction, saying sharply, "Who doesn't know that our Cheng family rose to prominence through the salt trade? Back when the Lianghuai Salt Administration helped the River Governor repay silver, your youngest brother ran between Huai'an and Jinling for two whole years. I didn't sleep peacefully for those two years, constantly fearing something might happen at the Lianghuai Salt Administration that would implicate your brother. Even Xiang Zhiyong, the registrar in Huai'an who helped your brother back then—your brother found a way to transfer him to Songjiang as a county magistrate. To this day, Xiang Zhiyong still sends people to pay respects to me during festivals. Do you think your brother spent those two years carrying money bags to collect silver? He was risking his life to earn money for all of you to spend! Are you looking at how the family's vitality is severely damaged now and still thinking of profiting from the salt trade again? In the past, your brother was a merchant. Merchants seek profit—that's understandable. But now you want your brother to become a judge at the Lianghuai Salt Administration and then funnel silver back home? That's embezzlement! Are you trying to secure a future for your brother? It seems to me you want him dead sooner!"
With things said to this extent, not only Cheng Jing but even Cheng Wei, who was listening nearby, was greatly startled. Cheng Jing immediately fell to his knees with a thud before Old Madam Guo, urgently saying, "Mother, please don't be angry! Listen to me—we are three brothers; how could I let Si Lang come to harm? I was only thinking that since Si Lang is familiar with the salt trade, it would be better for him to start there..."
Once Cheng Jing knelt down, Cheng Wei couldn't remain standing and also knelt.
Seeing this, Madam Yuan and Second Madam Qiu, wife of Cheng Wei, had no choice but to kneel as well.
Second Madam Qiu couldn't help but wipe the sweat from her forehead.
Having been in the capital for over a decade and having little contact with the old madam, she had only known that the old madam was a strong-willed person. But she never expected that in her old age, for the sake of Fourth Uncle, the old madam would throw a tantrum like a child.
It seems those old sayings hold truth.
Parents always dote on their youngest child.
The old and the young—when people grow old, they become like children.
Madam Yuan, however, couldn't help but grumble inwardly.
The old madam's favoritism is just too extreme.
Eldest Young Master didn't even say anything, yet the old madam is carrying on like this... She had long experienced this, but Eldest Young Master wouldn't listen. Now, everyone has been humiliated.
Still, the old madam's words reminded her.
The Cheng family rose through the salt trade—what kind of business was that? It's said that the salt merchants in Yangzhou had silver piled up like small mountains in their storerooms... No wonder the Cheng family has been wealthy for so many years. When Jiashan got married, the old madam gave twenty thousand taels of silver without hesitation... Once the eldest daughter of the Min family marries in, she must be reminded—not a single courtesy can be omitted when dealing with the old madam!
After venting her anger by scolding her son, Old Madam Guo felt somewhat better.
Seeing his mother's expression soften slightly, Cheng Chi quickly poured a cup of tea and handed it to Old Madam Guo, advising, "Mother, Eldest Brother doesn't have as many schemes as you think. Please don't be angry. I'm not a child anymore—wherever I go, I have my own plans. Don't force Eldest Brother to run around for me anymore. He's now a Grand Secretary, with countless eyes on him. Some matters still require avoiding suspicion. It's just as well that Lord Song recommended me—it prevents gossip, and I can adapt more quickly once I take up my post."Old Madam Guo still harbored resentment, saying coldly, "I think he didn't look down on the position that Lord Song helped secure; he felt that your appointment was recommended by Lord Song, which hurt his pride, didn't he?"
"How could that be, how could that be!" Cheng Jing explained awkwardly, "If I cared about face, I would have forbidden Si Lang from associating with the Song family. I'm afraid Si Lang's actions might be seen by those with ulterior motives as being instigated by me..."
After all, he was still afraid of being misunderstood.
Old Madam Guo no longer wanted to speak with her eldest son and bluntly interrupted Cheng Jing, turning to her second son, Cheng Wei, "Keep an eye on Si Lang's matter. Find out what kind of person Yang Shoushan is, where he's from, what his hobbies are, who his family members are, and whether there are any marriageable relatives among them... Help gather all this information so that when Si Lang goes there, he'll know how to conduct himself. As for Madam Song, I'll personally go and thank her. No matter what, we’ve troubled their Lord Song!"
Cheng Chi, however, was thinking about Song Mu.
Rather than letting him find out about his and Shaojin's marriage from others, it would be better to tell him himself, so Song Mu could feel better about it.
The three brothers lingered in Old Madam Guo's room for quite some time. Seeing that she was growing weary, they finally rose to take their leave.
As they stepped out, Madam Yuan tugged at Cheng Jing's sleeve.
Understanding her meaning, Cheng Jing slowed his pace, falling behind Cheng Wei and Cheng Chi.
Cheng Wei paid no mind and continued discussing with Cheng Chi the backgrounds of those sixth- and seventh-rank officials in the court who held substantial power and key positions.
Seeing that Madam Yuan and her husband seemed to have something to discuss, Madam Qiu intended to step ahead of Madam Yuan and Cheng Jing to give them space. Just then, from the opposite covered walkway, a group of maids and elderly women surrounded a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old girl walking toward them.
Madam Yuan paused in her steps.
Madam Qiu nearly bumped into her.
Then they heard Madam Yuan exclaim in surprise, "Ah Xuan, what are you doing here?"
Cheng Jing and the others couldn't help but turn around.
They saw the girl walking briskly over, curtsying to Madam Yuan, "Aunt, my mother asked me to learn calligraphy from the Old Madam. I'm here to submit my homework!"
The Fang family was also a renowned scholarly clan, a prestigious family of long standing. If it was just about calligraphy, why would they need to seek guidance specifically from Old Madam Guo?
Madam Yuan was astonished.
Cheng Jing and his brothers had already turned back and continued walking—many relatives admired Old Madam Guo's character and wanted to send their daughters or nieces to her for guidance. However, Old Madam Guo often declined; those she accepted... could be counted on one hand... Even so, it was merely a way for their mother to pass the time when she was bored. The brothers didn't pay it much mind.
But Madam Yuan couldn't help chatting with her for a few moments: "How is your mother? I just returned from Jinling and haven't fully settled at home yet. It'll be a few days before I can visit your mother... It's only been a little over a year, but you've grown even more beautiful..."
Fang Xuan responded gracefully.
Cheng Chi, who had already walked some distance away, suddenly stopped and turned to glance at Fang Xuan.
Madam Yuan found it somewhat strange.
No matter their personalities, the Cheng brothers shared one trait when it came to women—they never showed undue interest. Why would he today...
A thought suddenly crossed her mind.
Cheng Chi was still unmarried!
Over the years, Old Madam Guo had been excessively picky for him, to the point where even if a princess were matched with Cheng Chi, the old lady would likely feel he was being shortchanged.
But sometimes, fate has its own plans!Cheng Chi was already in his late twenties, approaching thirty. Even if he were in perfect health, with such pickiness, families who cherished their daughters might not be willing to form a marriage alliance with the Cheng family.
Now, even the usually aloof Old Madame had taken an interest in guiding the unmarried young ladies of the Fang family!
Madam Yuan’s lips curved into a smile. Originally just standing and talking, she now took Fang Xuan’s hand, warmly and sincerely inviting Fang Xuan and her mother to visit their home: “…Once October arrives, I’ll be busy with your cousin Jiashan’s wedding preparations. Even if I wanted to, I wouldn’t have the time to gather!”
Fang Xuan didn’t notice anything unusual about Madam Yuan.
These Jiangnan-born official families in the capital often gathered for social events.
Fang Xuan smiled and accepted the invitation on her mother’s behalf.
Only then did Madam Yuan let go and glance toward Cheng Chi.
Cheng Chi had already turned and left with Cheng Wei.
It was as if nothing had just happened.
After seeing off his elder brother and sister-in-law, he returned to his room, changed clothes, and decided to go to Yuqian Lane.
If this assignment really came through, he had to let Shaojin know.
Moreover, if he were to go, he would have to stay in Jining for at least four or five years. He couldn’t bear to leave Shaojin alone in the capital, but he also couldn’t bear to have her suffer with him in Jining. Yet, if he didn’t take up an official post or make achievements in his career, he would have a hard time explaining himself to Zhou Zhen.
For the first time in his life, Cheng Chi felt torn.
※
Sisters, according to reliable news, pink votes can now be cast!
Please vote for July’s pink votes!
O(∩_∩)O~
PS: I’ll be setting off early tomorrow morning to attend the annual conference in Lijiang. Thank you all for your continuous support, which has given me the qualification to attend the conference. Thank you!
Also, thank you for your pink votes—we ranked first again in June!
I’ll add extra updates after returning from Lijiang!
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel