Chapter 247 The Jade Locusts Belong to Our Cheng Family

The Cheng family had already heard about Lady Sui's affair.

But they never imagined that Lady Sui would be Cheng Wanwan, who had already married out of the Cheng family.

Later, when more detailed versions of the rumors reached Chengjia Village, they suddenly realized that the scholar who presented the locust eradication method to the county magistrate was none other than their own Zhao'er.

I heard that His Majesty bestowed upon me a jade locust.

I heard that this jade locust is entirely green and worth a thousand taels of silver.

I heard that the jade locust was given to Lady Sui, a ninth-rank official.

Upon hearing this, the Cheng family members could no longer remain seated.

Grandma Cheng immediately led her eldest son and daughter-in-law to Dahe Village.

A casual question at the village entrance reveals that the person who received the jade locust reward was indeed Cheng Zhao from their family.

Receiving a reward from the Emperor is an immense honor. That jade locust belongs to the Cheng family; how could they possibly give it to Cheng Wanwan?

Cheng Wanwan has already become a ninth-rank lady, how could she still be thinking about the Cheng family's treasure!

"Zhao'er, bring out the jade locust!" Old Madam Cheng said in a deep breath, "This belongs to the Cheng family."

Cheng Zhao frowned coldly: "The method of eliminating locusts was proposed by Second Aunt. This jade locust belongs to Second Aunt, and I have already given it to her. It no longer belongs to the Cheng family. Grandmother, Father, Mother, you should go back."

"She's just a country bumpkin, how would she know how to kill locusts? This was clearly your idea!" Old Mrs. Cheng said through gritted teeth. "You've lived in Dahe Village for a few months, and you've forgotten who you are, haven't you?"

Sister-in-law Cheng glared and said, "Your second aunt is really shameless! She dares to take her nephew's things. Isn't she afraid of being struck by lightning by God?"

Zhao Sanniu rushed out of the house and roared, "Auntie, try saying that again!"

Sister-in-law Cheng said coldly, "How dare you talk to your elders like that? Just like mother, son is just like mother."

Zhao Sanniu was truly enraged.

He could no longer contain himself and charged forward, raising his fist.

Sister-in-law Cheng screamed and hid behind her husband.

Brother Cheng picked up a stone from the ground and threw it at Zhao Sanniu's forehead.

Shen Zheng and Afu rushed over to help, one on each side.

Chunhua was so frightened that she quickly went back to Old Zhao's house to call for help.

Seeing this, Cheng Zhao's temple veins throbbed.

He remembered what his second aunt had said. About four months ago, her rice jar was empty, so she went to the Cheng family to borrow some rice. Not only did she not get any rice that day, but her father also hit her on the forehead with a brick. It was this incident that made his second aunt's attitude towards the Cheng family change drastically.

Half a year has passed, and his father still shows no remorse whatsoever!

"stop!"

Cheng Zhao let out a wild roar.

The refined scholar, who always spoke softly, suddenly erupted in anger, startling everyone.

There was a moment of quiet in the courtyard.

Cheng Zhao walked over and snatched the stone from Brother Cheng's hand.

His cold gaze fell upon the three members of the Cheng family, and he spoke slowly and deliberately: "I said a long time ago that I would return to the Cheng family before the Lunar New Year, and I hoped that you would not come again. However, you have repeatedly come to cause trouble for my second aunt's family."

His gaze startled Old Madam Cheng, who moved her lips to explain, "Zhao'er, we made this special trip because we were worried that your second aunt would trick you out of the jade locust bestowed by the Emperor..."

"Bang!"

Cheng Zhao smashed the stone directly on the ground.

There was a loud noise.

The three members of the Cheng family were all stunned; they had never seen Cheng Zhaofa so angry.

"I'll pack my things and go back with you!" Cheng Zhao said slowly. "However, from today onwards, I will no longer study, and I will not participate in next year's academy examination. That's all."

He's caused my aunt so much trouble by staying here; he should have known better and left long ago.

But the Cheng family gave him flesh and blood, raised him, and did everything they could to support his education; he could not sever ties with the Cheng family.

Then, the only option is to leave.

"Zhao, Zhao'er, what did you say?" Old Mrs. Cheng was stunned. "How can you not study? You've studied for so many years, just waiting to make a name for yourself in next year's imperial examination, and you..."

"I said I'm not going to study anymore!!"

Cheng Zhao let out a low growl.

He's incompetent!

He didn't know how to handle the situation!

"You bastard!" Brother Cheng raised his hand. "All the family's money has been spent on you. You think you can just say you don't want to study? Do you even have the right to say you don't want to study...?"

Just as that hand was about to slap Cheng Zhao across the face.

He's been caught.

It's Cheng Wanwan!

She jumped off the carriage, walked quickly over, and grabbed Brother Cheng's hand.

A cold smile played on her lips: "Big brother, you're really quite the big shot, causing trouble in the home of a ninth-rank lady. Do you even know what crime that is?"

Brother Cheng turned his head and saw Cheng Wanwan's face. He was immediately furious: "Our Zhao'er is such a good child, and you've corrupted him! You shameless little whore, it's you who instigated Zhao'er not to study. You can't stand to see the Cheng family doing well, can you..."

“Insulting a court lady is an even more serious crime!” Cheng Wanwan said with a smile. “Xiao Zheng, tell me, how will the government handle these two charges if they are brought to justice?”

Shen Zheng was already furious.

Cheng Zhao was such a gentle and refined person, yet he was forced into this state. As his brother, he couldn't bear to see him like this, but this was a private matter for the Cheng family, and he couldn't interfere too much.

When his name was called, his fighting spirit was immediately ignited.

He said coldly, "If Madam Sui reports this to the authorities, and there are witnesses and physical evidence, the crime will be established. The offender will have to pay ten taels of silver in compensation, have his face tattooed and inked, and be forced to serve at least one year of forced labor away from his hometown..."

Sister-in-law Cheng's face turned deathly pale instantly. She forced a smile and said, "It's a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding. It's not that serious..."

"Hehe, we heard everything!" Aunt Wang said, standing at the gate of the courtyard. "I can be a witness!"

The loach walked in and hugged the stone on the ground to his chest: "This is physical evidence. I'll help keep it safe and hidden!"

The witnesses and physical evidence are all complete.

Brother Cheng's eyes were filled with disbelief as he pointed at Cheng Wanwan's nose: "You, how dare you..."

“Brother, watch your words. Pointing your finger at a court lady is another crime you could be charged with.” Cheng Wanwan said with a forced smile. “San Niu, call the village head and have these three taken to the county government!”

She usually speaks softly and cheerfully, and even when dressed in a lady's dress, she remains approachable.

But now, she put on the airs of a Confucian scholar, her tone sharp, her gaze like a knife, her aura completely natural.

It was only at this moment that the three members of the Cheng family truly realized that the second sister-in-law of the Cheng family was really different. After being personally bestowed the title of Lady Sui by the Emperor, she spoke with an official tone, turned her back on people, and used her position to settle personal scores. She was utterly despicable!

How could the three members of the Cheng family swallow this insult when someone who was once trampled underfoot had now risen to a position of great power and influence?

Sister-in-law Cheng immediately pointed at Cheng Wanwan's nose and scolded, "Sending your own mother, elder brother, and sister-in-law to the authorities, you are disobeying filial piety and disregarding family ties. How can you be so cruel to your relatives? What right do you have to be a low-ranking lady? You..."

"Enough!"

Cheng Zhao let out a weak growl.

He knelt down in front of Cheng Wanwan with a thud: "I am willing to take the punishment in her place!"

Shen Zheng suddenly became anxious: "If you go to the government for trial, it will be difficult for you to participate in the imperial examinations in the future. You are playing with your future!"

"Zhao'er, don't do anything reckless!" Old Mrs. Cheng quickly grabbed her eldest grandson's shoulder. "You are the most important person in our family, how can we let you be punished! Get up, you are not allowed to kneel!"

Cheng Wanwan sat in the chair and smiled: "When elders make mistakes, juniors should indeed bear the consequences on their behalf. Zhao'er, go to the county government office and confess yourself."

Cheng Zhao replied, "Yes!"

He stood up to leave.

Grandma Cheng tried to pull the person away, but she couldn't stop them at all.

She watched her eldest grandson's resolute back as he walked away, her heart pounding with anxiety.

After living for so many years, she finally bowed her head to her second daughter, who was already married, for the first time: "Tell me, what do you want for me to let Zhao'er go?"