Chapter 88 Transference

The Zheng family had a meat feast at noon, and everyone ate to their heart's content.

Li Qu was treated exceptionally well by Granny Zheng, who gave her two large chicken legs in her bowl.

Imperial Censor Zheng only received two chicken wing tips.

Enraged, he secretly glared at Li Qu.

She was caught red-handed by the quick-witted Granny Zheng and given a good scolding: "Why are you rolling your eyes while eating? If you're not going to eat, get out of here!"

Imperial Censor Zheng protested, "Old woman, when are you going to change your habit of judging people by their looks!"

"She is beautiful, but she is an outsider!"

"I am the head of this family!"

Li Qu silently placed the large chicken leg from her bowl into Granny Zheng's bowl, and said gently, "Thank you, Granny, you can have some too."

Granny Zheng glanced at Imperial Censor Zheng: "Did you see that!"

"Am I such a shallow person?!"

"There are always some people who are born to be pitied."

"And there are always some old men who are born to be annoying!"

"Even food can't shut you up!"

Granny Zheng placed the large chicken leg into Li Qu's bowl again: "Girl, you eat for money."

"Eat whatever we arrange for you, that's what we agreed on before."

After saying that, he glanced at the wives on the table and said, "The money has been distributed to each of you. Don't cause any trouble, or don't blame me for being impolite!"

The wives readily agreed.

The adorable child reluctantly transferred the meat he had been allotted from his bowl to Li Qu's bowl.

"Auntie has a little baby in her belly, so she needs to eat more meat."

Li Qu's heart was warmed.

Only Imperial Censor Zheng snorted, expressing his dissatisfaction with the behavior of his family members being close to their enemies.

"What are you humming about!" Granny Zheng picked up the chicken wing tips from Imperial Censor Zheng's bowl and put them into her own. "If you're not going to eat them, then eat them!"

Censor Zheng, heartbroken at losing the tip of a chicken wing, was in tears.

*

Autumn Cicada was also in tears.

Inside the Zhaoshan Residence of the Marquis of Weiwu.

Qiu Chan watched as her master changed into one outfit after another, admiring himself in the mirror, meticulously scrutinizing even the smallest detail of his hair.

He hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

Lin Xiaocong was finally satisfied with his outfit from head to toe, and turned to ask Qiu Chan.

Is that appropriate?

Is it pretty?

Will Rongrong like it?

One question, one knife.

The cicadas sing bitterly in autumn.

"Appropriate".

"Charming and dashing."

"Everyone would like it."

Lin Xiaocong finally hung the sachet that Li Rong had personally embroidered on his body: "Have you prepared the things I asked you to prepare?"

Qiu Chan shook the box in her arms: "The house deed, the silver notes, and the indentures of the servants in Chuntang Garden are all ready."

What about Chuntang Garden?

"Qiu Hui has made all the necessary arrangements as instructed by the young master."

"What about the Li family?"

The cicadas dared not approach the Li family's door. After much deliberation, they resorted to a delaying tactic.

"This servant thinks it would be better to ask the Second Miss's opinion before sending a gift to the Li family."

"To avoid giving something unsatisfactory that might displease the recipient."

"First impressions are very important."

Lin Xiaocong couldn't quite understand Qiu Chan's thought process.

Why would he need a mistress's family to have a good impression of him?

And it's not like it's the first time we've met.

They became quite familiar with each other while in Hezhou Prison.

"We won't mistreat her or her family, so it's fine if it's a little later."

He picked out a handy fan and opened it with a "pop": "I wonder if Rongrong's handwriting is ugly or not. There are still two lines missing from my fan."

It doesn't matter if it's too ugly.

He didn't mind.

Qiu Chan mustered up her courage: "Young Master, there is something..."

The maid Qiuju entered the room and interrupted Qiuchan: "Young master, the old lady wants you to go to Rong'an Hall before you leave."

Lin Xiaocong looked at Qiu Chan in a good mood: "What do you want to say?"

When Qiu Chan met her young master's eyes, which were full of spring water, she was speechless.

The truth is stuck in my throat, but I can't utter a single word.

Lin Xiaocong stepped forward and tapped his head with his fan: "After the young master's matter is settled, then we'll deal with your matter. Don't rush."

Having said that, he flicked his fan and stepped out.

To Rong'an Hall.

Old Mrs. Lin and her mother, Madam Lin, were together.

Lin Xiaocong stepped forward and bowed respectfully: "Grandmother, Mother, Mingxu greets the two elders."

Lin Xiaocong, courtesy name Mingxu.

Just like his name suggests, he is a person who makes people feel warm and comfortable.

Madam Lin knew that she could intercept her son at Rong'an Hall.

The purpose was clear: "Your father sent a message, recruiting you into the army as a military doctor, and asking you to leave the capital."

"We will choose an auspicious day to marry Mingyang."

During periods of national mourning, officials in the capital are required to observe a one-year mourning period and are prohibited from engaging in marriage.

The Lin family wanted to play it close to the line.

Lin Xiaocong sat down, and a maid served him tea.

Madam Lin continued, "The emperor's death lasts for seven months, and during the seven months that the emperor's body is laid in state, there are disturbances in the palace."

"If the Fourth Prince gains power, and the Fourteenth Princess forces the Lin family to marry, you will have to accept it whether you like it or not."

Lin Xiaocong wore a smile and was gentle and refined.

“Mother is right. It’s fine to leave the capital, but it’s not okay to marry Cousin Mingyang.”

The mother and son had a falling out yesterday after meeting over this matter.

Today, the old matter was brought up again, and Madam Lin refrained from getting angry out of consideration for Old Madam Lin.

She frowned: "If you don't marry Mingyang, who do you plan to marry?"

"Where can you find a suitable lady from a similar social class to propose marriage to you now?"

"Even if we were to arrange a marriage, it would take forever to complete the six rites!"

"Your cousin agreed to marry you hastily to solve your immediate problem; she's the one who suffered!"

"I'm telling you, once your cousin marries into the family, you must treat her well."

Lin Xiaocong still smiled and refused, repeating his previous statement: "Leaving the capital is fine, but marrying my cousin Mingyang is not."

Madam Lin took a deep breath: "Who could be better than your cousin! She and you grew up together as childhood sweethearts!"

"Everyone is better than my cousin."

Madam Lin slammed her cup down: "How dare you!"

Lin Xiaocong smiled, his attitude firm: "If Mother likes my cousin, she can arrange for her to be with whomever she wants."

"I will not marry."

"As for leaving the capital, whatever Father decides, I will do accordingly."

"As for marriage, I have my own plans."

"Mother thinks you've been bewitched by that vixen from Chuntang Garden!" Madam Lin lost her temper first.

"A mere poor girl dares to dream of becoming the wife of my Lin family's eldest son?"

"Absolutely impossible!"

Lin Xiaocong was a gentleman, showing no trace of anger.

"How did Mother learn about what happened at Chuntang Garden?"

"How did you find out?" Madam Lin sneered. "Not only do I know, but your colleagues at the Imperial Medical Academy also know!"

"He was blind to keep a mistress, and she was unfaithful."

"Mother!" Lin Xiaocong reminded, "This concerns a woman's reputation, please be merciful."

"You did something stupid, and you still complain about your mother's harsh words?"

Madam Lin snorted coldly.

"Let alone a proper daughter-in-law, we wouldn't even agree to let a promiscuous woman like her come into the household as a concubine!"

"Lin Xiaocong, it's a waste that you were a young prodigy with a far-reaching reputation, and few of your peers could match you."

In the end, he was cuckolded by his mistress!

There are more people in the capital who want to laugh at you than there are sunflower seed shells your mother has cracked!

"I'm so ashamed I don't even dare to go out!"

Lin Xiaocong said gently, "Miss Li is not Fei'er's mistress; she is completely innocent."

My mother is not one to speak without reason; if she uttered these words, there must be some truth to it.

"They are just guests staying at Chuntang Garden."

Regardless of the truth, this is the best way to minimize the damage.

The elderly woman, seated in the main seat, was already used to the way the mother and son communicated.

Upon hearing this, she glanced at her grandson.

A wise child is better than his mother.

Madam Lin chuckled coldly, saying sarcastically, "So you're willing to wear a green hat."

"He can tolerate much more than your father."

"Back then, when your father heard that his fiancée had fallen into the water and been rescued by another man, he immediately broke off the engagement and remarried."

Lin Xiaocong, seemingly immune to all poisons, maintained his previous gentle tone: "Mother, this concerns the young lady's reputation, so please be careful with your words."

Madam Lin lazily withdrew her gaze and looked at Old Madam Lin, who was in the main seat: "Mother."

"That woman behaved improperly."

"He only had one brother-in-law who was in charge of the expenditure department in the Ministry of Revenue."

“She’s not even qualified to be Mingxu’s concubine.”

"Please don't agree to let that woman into the manor."

"So as not to tarnish the reputation of all the women in my Lin family."

Clearly, Lin Xiaocong and Madam Lin had a more harmonious relationship.

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiaocong picked up his teacup and said, "Cousin Mingyang is indeed wonderful in every way, but the Lin family is not worthy of her. She should go to the royal family to bring glory to our family."

"How dare you! How can you so casually tarnish your cousin Mingyang's reputation!"

"Mother, when you recklessly implicate others, why don't you leave any room for maneuver?"

"Whether I'm just making baseless accusations or it's actually true, you know the answer in your heart!"

"Miss Li is innocent and not my mistress!"

"Then you should kiss someone at the city gate!"

"I like her, I couldn't help myself, it was my recklessness!" Lin Xiaocong looked at his mistress.

"How could a young woman like her possibly outmuscle a man?"

“Mother, if you go out and spread this matter and ruin her reputation, then we will have no choice but to marry her into the family with a grand ceremony to explain it to her.”

Madam Lin: "You're dreaming!"

"Then please don't bring up such things that damage someone's reputation again, Mother."

"you……"

Lin Xiaocong used the cup lid to skim off the floating leaves in the cup: "Do not do to others what you would not have them do to you."

"Mingxu, you mustn't be rude to your mother," Old Madam Lin said, taking over the conversation at the opportune moment.

Lin Xiaocong lowered his head and agreed.

Seeing this made Madam Lin feel extremely distressed.

Whose son is this anyway?!

Madam Lin had only one message: "Handle the matter of Chuntang Garden properly."

"The Lin family are military families; the men must go to the battlefield."

"The lineage must not be broken."

"Mingxu, Qiuju and Qiuhui, choose one to take possession of the house within a month, and try to add a new member to the household next year."

"Qiu Chan asked Qiu Hui for her, and her grandson has already agreed."

Madam Lin: "Then let's go with Qiuju."

"That won't work either."

"Why?"

"A rabbit doesn't eat the grass near its burrow, and even the grandchildren of the people living in Zhaoshan Village wouldn't touch it."

Grandma Lin chuckled: "If you're so capable, then get that woman you like in Chuntang Garden to give birth to your child."

"Anyway, Grandma will be holding her grandson next year."

"I'll acknowledge my grandmother once I give birth to her."

"Mother!" Madam Lin denied it.

Old Mrs. Lin: "Our family of military officers is different from the families of aristocratic civil officials."

"We are going to shed our blood on the battlefield."

"Life or death is unpredictable."

"The world situation has changed, making things even more difficult for us."

"The most important thing is to pass on one's lineage."

Madam Lin's face turned ugly.

"As for Mingxu's marriage, we will prepare it according to your wishes."

"The Lin family does not participate in factional struggles, and we must never allow the Fourteenth Princess to be sent to the Lin family."

Madam Lin's face instantly brightened: "Yes."

She looked at her son, but saw that he looked perfectly normal.

She became even angrier.

She said he would give her the cold shoulder, but his grandmother said she had no objection.

What is that?!

She had no desire to stay any longer and made an excuse to leave first.

When only the grandfather and grandson remained in the room.

Grandma Lin said, "Your mother is used to being domineering. If we don't give her some sweetness, she will keep clinging to it."

Lin Xiaocong put down his teacup: "Grandson understands."

"You don't need to worry about Sun Mingyang's matter. I will help you put an end to her hopes."

Lin Xiaocong laughed.

Do he and his grandmother blame him?

"Thank you, Grandmother."

"But your wife...?"

"My grandson doesn't want to get married for the time being."

Grandma Lin laughed: "Alright, whatever you want."

After a few words of small talk, Lin Xiaocong took his leave.

After leaving Rong'an Hall, I saw cicadas hiding under the trees, sighing and lamenting.

He understood the cicada's unspoken words.

He approached Qiu Chan with a smile and asked, "Are you trying to talk about Rong Rong's infidelity?"

It's much, much more serious than this!!

The cicada's body was numb on one side.

"Father-in-law, father-in-law..."

"So Rongrong is not focused at all."

The wind brushed past his smiling face, fading the mellow fragrance emanating from his dimples.

"How can you blame her for being a naive young woman who has never seen the world?"

"It's that man's fault for seducing her."