Маdаm Qiu stammerеd, "Моthеr, hоw could Mоthеr lack silvеr? She has аlwауs bееn оne to sрeak decisively... Shе еven sаid she wоuld givе аnоther fiftу thоusаnd tаеls to Еldest Brothеr аnd his familу..."
Cheng Wei fеlt a lingering unеase in his hеаrt.
In tеrms оf glоrу, hе could nоt сomраrе to his еldest brоthеr; in terms of соntribution, hе was inferior tо his younger brоthеr. Yеt, he hаd receivеd а hоuse аnd а hundrеd thоusаnd tаels оf silvеr out оf nowhеre... It felt likе a bаrriеr hаd beеn рlасed in his heart, оne he could not оvercomе.
Seeing his wifе so аstоnished, hе could not help but hesitate.
Should he keep it from his wife? Or should he tell her the truth?
But this matter involved the Seven Stars Hall. The more people who knew, the harder it would be to keep the secret, and the greater the danger for the Cheng family.
Since the topic of dividing the family had come up, why not persuade Mother and his younger brother to disband the Seven Stars Hall?
The Seven Stars Hall was like a sharp sword. Those who could wield it naturally conquered all before them, but those who could not were like children playing with a sword, only harming themselves. Moreover, the money from the Seven Stars Hall came too easily. Since ancient times, evil has never triumphed over righteousness. The family had already received many favors from the Seven Stars Hall. They could not let future generations abandon the broad path of imperial examinations and official careers for this crooked shortcut, all because of the word "greed"!
For the sake of their descendants, the Seven Stars Hall could not remain.
And it had to be disbanded while his younger brother still had the ability to control it.
After pondering for a long while, he finally decided to keep it from his wife.
After all, his mind was made up. No matter what, he would persuade Mother and his younger brother to disband the Seven Stars Hall. If Mother and his younger brother disagreed, then he would no longer involve himself in family affairs. He would simply close his door and live his own quiet life. As for the matter of the Seven Stars Hall, he would not speak of it to future generations. He would neither take silver from the Seven Stars Hall nor allow his descendants to take over its affairs. Why should he let his wife know and worry over this matter?
Seeing her husband frowning in deep thought for a long while without speaking, his expression growing increasingly grave, Madam Qiu could not help but ask softly, "What's wrong? Did I say something inappropriate? I was just speaking casually..."
Cheng Wei shook his head, no longer hesitating, and said thoughtfully, "You know Mother's temperament is strong-willed. When it comes to dividing the family, she is even more unwilling to let any son feel wronged. Otherwise, look at Si Lang's house!"
Madam Qiu was taken aback. "What about Uncle's house? I thought it looked quite nice!"
Cheng Wei said, "Si Lang's house was bought before we separated from the Nine Prosperities Lane branch, wasn't it? Three rows of houses were bought at once, and all the furnishings were completely renovated. What a grand gesture. But look now: Eldest Brother received seventy thousand taels in silver, we received a hundred thousand, plus the twenty thousand promised to Rang'er, that makes a total of one hundred and ninety thousand taels... And when we buy a house, it won't cost more than ten thousand taels extra, will it? I'm afraid all of this was prepared for Si Lang's marriage before the family separation..."
Since ancient times, providing money for a son's marriage was a responsibility, while providing money for a grandson's marriage was a favor.
When they had married, Father-in-law and Mother-in-law had never treated them unfairly.
Madam Qiu's heart skipped a beat, and she blurted out, "Could it be that the money we are using now is all Uncle's?"
"Most likely, that's the case," Cheng Wei said, rising with great distress. He paced back and forth in the room twice, hands clasped behind his back.Seeing her husband so troubled, Madam Qiu hesitated and said, "Perhaps... we should forgo that silver. Let Mother buy us a house instead—a small one, just two courtyards will do... But I still want the funds for Rang-ge's wedding... Firstly, it was a gift from Grandmother, so he should understand its value. Secondly, my dowry was meager, and after the family division, we truly have no money left. We can tighten our belts, but we can’t let Rang-ge suffer alongside us... If it really comes to it, we could discuss this with Rang-ge as well. Whether to accept these twenty thousand taels of silver—let him decide for himself... No, better not tell Rang-ge. Even if he wants it in his heart, he won’t say it aloud, and it would only put the child in a difficult position..."
Cheng Wei listened, then stepped forward and wrapped an arm around his wife’s shoulders, saying softly, "With a wife like you, what more could a husband ask for? That our children are so well-behaved is all thanks to you!"
For a woman in the inner household, what more could she seek in life?
Madam Qiu’s eyes instantly welled up with tears, and she hurriedly replied, "Husband, you flatter me too much. Since I married into this family, whether it’s Mother, Eldest Uncle, or Younger Uncle, everyone has treated me well—especially Mother, who treats me like her own daughter. If the family encounters difficulties, how could I only think of myself..."
Cheng Wei nodded and decided to call their son over to ask his opinion: "Since it’s a family division, we shouldn’t let our son resent us in the future."
Madam Qiu couldn’t bring herself to stop her husband, though she secretly regretted having spoken those words.
Whether because of his youth and lack of understanding of life’s hardships or because he was filled with hope and anticipation for the future, Cheng Rang said sincerely, "I don’t want Grandmother’s silver. If Grandmother wishes to leave me something to remember her by, let her pass down a few calligraphy scrolls and copybooks to me. They can become family heirlooms in the future."
Cheng Wei was deeply gratified. He patted his son’s head and said, "A true man’s aspirations lie beyond the four walls. Our Cheng family ancestors started with nothing and only reached where we are today through great effort. You have a father who is a twice-ranked imperial scholar, an uncle who serves as a Grand Secretary, and another uncle who is an expert in water management. You are already better off than many. I believe you can revive and prosper our family."
A spirited expression appeared on Cheng Rang’s shy face.
Cheng Wei smiled faintly and patted his son’s shoulder as if he were a peer and friend, saying, "Very well. Tomorrow, after I return from the yamen, we’ll go to Chaoyang Gate to pay our respects to Mother!"
Madam Qiu and Cheng Rang nodded with smiles.
※
Meanwhile, Zhou Shaojin and Cheng Chi were packing their belongings.
Early the next morning, they would set off for Baoding Prefecture. Besides gifts for Zhou Zhen, Madam Li, and Youjin, they also needed to prepare local specialties for Zhou Zhen’s colleagues and old acquaintances of the Cheng family, lest others accuse them of being impolite.
Cheng Chi, however, was concerned about Zhou Shaojin’s discomfort and urged her to rest early: "Madam Fan Liu can help with packing these things, and Fan Qi is here to assist as well. You don’t need to worry about it. If anything is missed, we can always buy some tea or other items locally to make up for it."
It would just mean spending a bit more silver.
But he couldn’t say this in front of Zhou Shaojin.
The little girl had just resolved to manage the household well, and if he said such a thing, she would surely think he doubted her abilities.
Truth be told, Zhou Shaojin really wasn’t feeling energetic.
Although she hadn’t been able to attend to Cheng Chi these past two days, he was always restless—pinching her here, touching her there—so she hadn’t slept well. It was even more exhausting than actually serving him...She couldn't help but yawn, blushing as she tugged on Cheng Chi's sleeve and whispered, "Then don't tease me today, let me sleep well, alright?"
Cheng Chi looked surprised and said, "Are you not sleeping well? I see you don't even toss and turn at night..."
That's because I'm exhausted, alright?
Zhou Shaojin glared at Cheng Chi.
Cheng Chi chuckled and said, "I understand, I understand."
Zhou Shaojin felt relieved.
But who knew that once in bed, he would strip her down to only her undergarments, suckling on her fullness without letting go, stirring waves of heat within her that grew higher and higher until she finally begged softly for him to release her... Yet his hand remained on her chest, caressing and playing with that spot... She truly had no strength left to resist him, and in the end, she didn't even know how she fell asleep. She only knew that when she woke the next morning, her eyes were bright and alluring, her lips red and dewy, looking like a peony bathed in favor, which made her inwardly curse Cheng Chi enough before finally getting up and leaving the inner chamber to bid farewell to Old Madam Guo with Cheng Chi.
Old Madam Guo carefully gave them many instructions. She asked them to convey her regards to Zhou Zhen on her behalf and invited Madam Li to visit the capital when she had time... It wasn't until Qin Ziji came to report that the hour had arrived that Cheng Chi helped Zhou Shaojin into the carriage and drove off under Old Madam Guo's gaze, clip-clopping toward Baoding Prefecture.
Only after the carriage had disappeared into the distance did Nanny Lu step forward to support Old Madam Guo. Smiling, she said, "Fourth Master and Fourth Madam are sure to have a smooth journey. You've been so busy these past few days, hurry back and rest!"
Old Madam Guo followed her advice and returned to her room with Nanny Lu. She chatted with the female relatives who had stayed behind to attend Cheng Xu's wedding, passing the time with meals and opera, and soon it was sunset.
Cheng Wei and his family arrived.
Old Madam Guo had someone arrange dinner for them while she called Nanny Lu over and asked, "Has the message been delivered to Xinglin Alley?"
Nanny Lu smiled and replied, "Don't worry, Madam. I sent someone over yesterday. However, Madam Yuan was entertaining the aunt and uncle of Miss Min yesterday—I heard that Miss Min's uncle has been appointed as the Surveillance Commissioner of Shanxi, and her uncle has been promoted to a Supervising Secretary in the Ministry of Rites. They likely haven't had the leisure to listen to their personal maids yet."
If they didn't know yesterday, they would surely know today.
Old Madam Guo asked, "Did the Eldest Master leave the office on time or earlier today?"
Nanny Lu, knowing Old Madam Guo would ask this, had already sent someone to inquire. She smiled and said, "Half an hour earlier than usual."
Old Madam Guo sneered.
※
Madam Yuan, however, was furious. She said to Cheng Jing, "What does Mother mean by this? Not only did she call my sister-in-law, but she even called Zhou Shaojin over to discuss matters, yet she kept me completely in the dark! I am the eldest daughter-in-law, the matriarch of this household! Where does this leave my dignity? Mother has gone too far this time!"
Cheng Jing looked utterly exhausted and said, "You're just listening to the gossip of maids and servants. Why get so angry? Mother isn't the type to whisper behind people's backs. If she really intended to divide the family, she would surely call us over to discuss it. Don't always jump to conclusions at the slightest rumor; even good things turn bad in your eyes. If you have this much free time, why not visit Chaoyang Gate more often and show some filial piety in front of Mother? That would be better than harboring suspicions from several streets away."
Madam Yuan's face turned pale and then flushed with anger.She couldn't very well say she had planted someone at Chaoyang Gate and that the information was highly reliable.
Cheng Jing, thinking his tone had been too harsh, quickly added, "I'm not blaming you, I'm just telling you not to meddle in these matters anymore. Even if the family divides its assets, it's only Mother's private property. She can do as she pleases, and we have no say in it. If you want her to leave you a larger share, you'll have to work harder to win her favor... I shouldn't have to explain this to you."
Madam Yuan understood, of course.
But why did Old Madam Guo always look at her with such icy eyes?
She simply couldn't accept it!
※
Dear readers, here's tomorrow's update in advance!
O(∩_∩)O~
PS: Today's bonus chapter will be posted around 10 PM.
※ (To be continued ~^~)
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