Chapter 23 Chapter 23 Don't show off to An An

Chapter 23 Chapter 23 Don't show off to An An

The maids were very excited when they heard that they were going back to the Cheng family. The New Year's Eve banquet in the Cheng family was even grander than the New Year's Eve. Not to mention the masters, even the maids like them received rewards. Cheng Mingyu has always been generous, and now that the girl is the youngest daughter of the eldest son, they are even more motivated.

Cheng Yian only gave one order, and Rulan and the others worked like a top, packing their travel clothes in less than two quarters of an hour.

A nanny also came with them. She looked at the maids and said with a smile,

"Ancestors, except for the ones that my aunt is used to, the rest are gone. My concubine has memorized all of them."

Rulan came over to me halfway through packing and asked with a smile, "Is there a room for our girl?"

The nanny rolled her eyes at her and said, "Look at what you're saying. When the girl was born, we reserved a courtyard for her and never let anyone else live there. Originally, my cousin wanted to live there, but our master didn't agree. Now, in preparation for my aunt's return, we cleaned the house three times inside and out, and the master himself had to review it before he felt at ease."

What kind of person is Cheng Mingyu? He is as busy as the emperor, but he can still take out his spare time to arrange accommodation for his daughter. It shows how cautious he is. Ru Lan suddenly felt confident. After all, the rules of the eldest house are very strict and she has never been there. She was afraid that her daughter would be looked down upon.

After hearing this, he felt even more depressed and packed up happily.

They set out at the beginning of the afternoon. Cheng Yian said goodbye to his elders and said he was going to the Cheng family to attend the Mid-autumn Festival banquet. The girls and wives of the Lu family all looked at him with envy. The Cheng family Mid-autumn Festival banquet was well-known in the capital, and it was a symbol of family honor. In the early years, officials from the Ministry of Revenue had gone to the Cheng family to ask for advice on how to make money. This time, my sister-in-law was going to get a share of the money.

After the social event, I returned to the main hall and got into the car with Cheng Yijun. I saw Lu Xusheng also got on the horse.

"Will you give it to me?" Cheng Yian asked in a good mood, looking at the handsome man.

"Dream on." Lu Xusheng's tone was calm, but his words were unpleasant to the ear. "I still have to enter the palace, so I don't have time to see you off."

Having said this, he turned his horse around and left.

Cheng Yian was so angry. When did this man become so petty?

Originally, I was going to return home after taking care of my mother's affairs, but seeing him like this, I might as well not rush back and just stay in another villa.

Now his mother's tablet is placed in the other courtyard. Cheng Yian goes there to pay homage every now and then. All the necessary utensils are available there.

The carriage started moving, and Cheng Yian was about to lower the curtains when he saw Cheng Yijun sitting on the horse's back, trying not to laugh.

"Why is Seventh Brother laughing?"

Cheng Yijun was the seventh among his peers and was known as Cheng Qillang.

Cheng Yijun was caught by his sister. Seeing that her face was still angry, he turned a blind eye and said, "No, my brother-in-law is so rude. I can stay at Cheng's house for a few more days. I am so happy."

We set out at the first quarter of the afternoon and arrived at Cheng's house two quarters of an hour later.

When Cheng Yian bent down to get out of the carriage, she was surprised to find that everyone in the main house, except the old lady, was standing in a row on the steps at the gate to greet her.

She was stunned.

The leader was naturally the handsome and elegant Cheng Mingyu. He was wearing a tea-white casual robe today, with his hair tied up with an ebony hairpin. He looked more friendly than the last two times.

Cheng Mingyu has been living in seclusion these years and rarely shows up. Even if there is a banquet in the mansion, he is not the one to entertain the guests. The last time he went out to greet people was three years ago when the old lady celebrated her 60th birthday and the emperor came to congratulate her.

Today is the first time that his little daughter has officially returned home. He came back from the government office early and waited here for her.

Beside him were Cheng Yiyan and his wife, Cheng Yiqiao, the second old master and his wife, the third old master and his wife, and others.

Such a scene.

Cheng Yian felt uncomfortable and got out of the car immediately. He stood on the steps and saluted the elders solemnly.

Cheng Mingyu waved to her quickly.

"It's windy outside, come in quickly."

The whole family surrounded her and brought her into the old lady's hut. The old lady knew she was coming when she heard the laughter outside. She got off the bed and opened her arms, "Child, come to grandma's arms quickly..."

An old woman brought a cushion and Cheng Yian kowtowed to the old lady.

"To the old..." He subconsciously wanted to say the old ancestor, but when he opened his mouth he changed his words and said, "To the grandmother."

“Okay, okay…”

Then she was carried to the old lady by the maidservant beside her, and the old lady held her in her arms.

"Your grandmother, my eyes have been sick these days and I can't see clearly. Let me touch my daughter and see that she has lost some weight..."

The old lady had an eye disease, and she would get sick sometimes when she ate something irritating.

Cheng Mingyu sat in the armchair next to the old lady, and the others sat on the brocade stools below.

When the Second Madam heard the old lady say this, she immediately stood up and came forward, holding Cheng Yian's shoulders and looking at him while saying,

"An An is wearing a pink red satin skirt with a butterfly pattern and a silver-red embroidered skirt today. She looks so pretty and has not lost weight, in fact she has gained some weight."

This is to tell the old lady that Cheng Yian is living a good life in the Lu family.

The old lady glared at her and said, "I won't listen to your nonsense. You have only met An An a few times. How can you remember her?

If you hadn't recognized her this time, you wouldn't even recognize her face."

Upon hearing this, the Second Lady immediately turned around and stood up to the crowd, looking helpless.

"See? As long as the ancestors don't push me aside, I won't be able to exert myself."

The third wife, who was sitting opposite, smiled and continued, "Only the second sister-in-law is smart and clever, and is favored by mother. It's us who are stupid, and we are not worthy of being praised by the old ancestor."

After a while of chatting and laughing, they saw that the old man's eyes had never left Cheng Yian, so they were afraid of disturbing the conversation, so they each found an excuse to disperse.

Cheng Yiqiao also stood up and walked out.

"Grandma, there will be a big banquet tomorrow. I will go and prepare some scripts for the opera."

Everyone in the room left, and in the end only the old lady, Cheng Yian and Cheng Mingyu were left.

Cheng Mingyu sat upright, flipping through the accounts, letting the grandparents chat.

The old lady could sense that Cheng Yian was still a little reserved, and she held her hand with a feeling of sadness.

"My child, you look at your grandmother as a stranger, but your grandmother and your father watched you grow up. They watched you secretly all these years, and your grandmother's heart was in pain. When your mother was about to give birth, I rushed back to Hongnong from the capital to wait for your birth. I was afraid that your grandmother would dislike you for being a girl, so I took care of you and your mother for a month. When you were out of the confinement period, I saw your grandmother quietly wiping away tears, so I made a decision to bring you and your mother back to the capital, and let your mother become the daughter-in-law of the eldest son..."

At this point, the old lady also sobbed, "Your grandmother knelt at my feet and refused to agree, saying that she would treat you like her life... and I agreed..."

She didn't really believe what the old lady from the fourth room said, but she was hesitant.

Why hesitate?

After all, it is to avoid the rumor that he is unlucky in marriage.

The two daughters-in-law were good wives who never had any quarrels or gossips between them. The first one stayed with her for a few years, but the second one died within three days after giving birth. She was also afraid that if she really brought Xia Fu over, her words would come true, so she was in a dilemma.

But Xia Fu still died in such a tragic way that whenever someone tried to matchmake with Cheng Mingyu, she flatly refused.

"Looking at you now, Grandma is both happy and sad. I am happy that you are finally back, but sad that your mother has suffered so much."

The grandparents cried for a while, and Cheng Yian suddenly asked her curiously, "Grandma, have you seen my mother? What did she look like?"

This question touched upon the old lady's sore spot.

Cheng Mingyu has four children, and none of them knows what their mother looks like.

She glanced at Cheng Mingyu on the side. Sure enough, the man who was relatively calm before suddenly became focused, and even his slender back showed a hint of loneliness.

The old lady wiped her tears and smiled, "My grandmother's eyesight is not good, so I don't remember much... I don't know if anyone still remembers it."

Cheng Yian realized belatedly that he had said something wrong and turned around to glance at his father quietly.

Cheng Mingyu ignored the old lady's words and stood up calmly, "Mother, please talk to An An for a while. I still have some things to take care of."

Cheng Yian stood up and watched him go out. When his footsteps faded away, the old lady suddenly pulled her into her arms and said mysteriously,

"Why don't I remember that your mother gave birth to a great beauty, who outshined all the other wives in the Cheng family. How could I not like her? If you want to know what she looks like, I'll tell you that you are 70% like her, even your temperament is the same. You are born gentle and weak, with eyes that seem to be filled with autumn water. One look at her will melt my heart."

As for Cheng Yian's other three points, they were naturally similar to Cheng Mingyu.

Even if it's only three points, she is the one who looks most like Cheng Mingyu among the three daughters.

Picking the best of parents.

"Your brothers and sisters were all raised by me, but you are the only one that your grandmother owes me. I will favor you more in the future, and they won't be able to say anything."

Cheng Mingyu was out for less than half a minute when he sent someone to invite Cheng Yian.

"The master of the house asked me to come over and said he would take you to see the yard."

The old lady did not stop her. "Go ahead. Your father treasures that yard. He carefully selected it for you and kept it until now. He is such a generous man, but he does not allow anyone to enter this place."

When her granddaughter came to live in the Cheng family, she took a fancy to the place and moved all her things in. Cheng Mingyu, with a stern face, ordered them to move out, and even the servants were reprimanded. From then on, no one dared to covet this yard anymore.

Cheng Yian stepped out and followed the old nanny to the east. There were members of several branches of the Cheng family living in the South Mansion, but only the eldest branch lived in the same large area. In the eldest branch, the old lady had three sons. The second and third sons lived in the West Garden, and the entire East Garden belonged to Cheng Mingyu's branch.

The old lady lives in the main courtyard on the central axis of the Cheng Mansion. Cheng Mingyu has no wife and has always lived in the study in the front courtyard. The main courtyard in the East Garden is now occupied by Cheng Yiyan and his wife. There are more than a dozen other courtyards, the largest of which was given to the eldest daughter Cheng Yixin. Cheng Yiqiao chose Hechun Garden, which was closest to the old lady. At that time, Cheng Yian was still in the South Mansion, and Cheng Mingyu privately chose Yining Garden, which had the most beautiful scenery, for her. Even the word Yining was named after her.

Cheng Yian walked through a long corridor, past a greenhouse, and came to a place with clear water. He smelled a fragrant smell and a fine and dense wave of heat surrounding him. The chill in his body disappeared immediately, and even his brows relaxed involuntarily.

Cheng Yian remembered that the North Mansion was built on a mountain with geothermal energy. There was a hot spring in the old lady's backyard, where she could soak to relax her muscles, relieve fatigue and prolong her life.

Cheng Mingyu was waiting at the white marble arch bridge. When he heard footsteps, he knew she was coming and turned around to wave at Cheng Yian.

The father and daughter crossed the bridge and walked through the stone path of the garden to the front of Yining Garden. It was almost dusk and two or three servants were hanging lanterns with ladders. On the top was a sheep-horn palace lantern, and on the bottom was a palace gauze painted lantern. There were also some glass lanterns hanging from branches near and far, competing for brilliance.

There were servants waiting at the door, and Ruhui and Rulan also brought in with her luggage. More than a dozen servants stood there with bated breath, all respectful and silent. The courtyard was extremely spacious, with a large entrance with three openings. The corridors were hung with colorful hangings and exquisite carvings. The main hall was connected to the backyard, and one could even see a corner of the water view in the backyard through the carved windows and screens. The three east rooms of the first five rooms were study rooms, and the two west rooms were reception rooms. Going back along the main room, through a water corridor, was the bedroom. The houses by the water nearby were cold, but not here. At night, the water was filled with fairy air, and several mansions stood side by side on it, as if one had come to the fairyland of Penglai.

Everywhere is decorated with golden windows and jade steps, and brilliant embroidery, which is very different from the low-key front yard.

"This yard is too big." Normally, families would not let girls live in such a large place.

Although Cheng Yian was grateful for Cheng Mingyu's love, she was married after all. With such a large piece of land, how could her sister-in-law have any say in the future? Although the second sister-in-law was a very good person, there should still be a sense of propriety between the sister-in-law and the sister-in-law.

Cheng Mingyu stood at the water corridor, quietly looking at his daughter. The evening breeze caressed him, his clothes fluttered, his eyebrows were warm,

"Pingping, do you like it? If you want to change or add anything, just tell daddy."

Cheng Yian thought that this house might be inhabited by gods, so what else could be added?

"I live here, where are my eldest sister and second sister?"

She couldn't afford to be blamed.

Cheng Mingyu looked at his timid little daughter and felt sad.

If Cheng Yiqiao was here, she would definitely hold her waist and look around, complaining that the bedding patterns were not diverse enough, and wondering if the jewelry box on the dressing table was big enough to hold her jewelry.

Cheng Mingyu knew what she was worried about, "Pingping, your two sisters each have their own courtyards, which are not inferior to this one." The only difference is that their sisters' courtyards were decorated according to their own preferences, while this one was just his guess, and he was afraid that his younger daughter would not like it.

"As long as you live, this place will always be yours. Even if you don't live here, no one will dare to set foot here."

As long as they are Cheng Mingyu's daughters, they will always have a place in her parents' home.

Cheng Yian accepted the offer without hesitation, and walked around the five-room building. He came out, holding onto the colorful pillars on the doorstep, and smiled at him.

"Is there a hot spring in the house?"

This was something she had always dreamed of. In the past, she had to go to the hot spring resort in Yanshan to soak in the hot springs. She had to submit a petition to the palace in advance and only go once after the emperor granted her permission. Now that she had finally gone, there were so many female members of the Lu family, and it was not certain that she would get a turn.

Now I have it in my own room, which is a great joy.

Cheng Mingyu finally saw the joy on that cute face, and he felt relieved. "Of course there is, the bathhouse is it."

The girl grew up to avoid her father, so he couldn't stay for long. Before leaving, he gave her a few instructions.

"An An, play for a while and then go to grandma's house for dinner."

From far away, I heard her reply, "I know..."

Soft and crisp.

It looked just like her, just like the last time they met.

"If you like Xijiangyue so much, I'll bring you the strings next time and play it for you."

"Well, I understand..." She stood quietly under the window, her beautiful eyes and eyebrows showing restrained expectation.

.

Unfortunately, after this time, they fell pregnant with An An and never met again.

Cheng Mingyu closed his eyes and left Yiningyuan.

*

Cheng Yian had just arrived and did not dare to wait for the host to urge him. He left Ruhui to clean up the house and took Rulan to the main courtyard early.

On the way, Rulan was still marveling at the luxury of Yining Garden, where the three aunts all lived.

"Girl, this place is much more spacious than Lu's house, and I am from my mother's family, so I don't have to worry about my husband's family. I really want to live here for the rest of my life."

Cheng Yian glared at her and said, "After you get married, you are just a guest in your parents' house. How can you really stay here and not leave?"

Rulan whispered, "Look at the way you look, Master, I wish you would stay here forever and not go back."

Ru Lan, looking at such an exquisite and luxurious courtyard, has already servilely replaced the "head of the family" with the closer "master".

Cheng Yian pinched her nose.

He felt sad in his heart that Rulan had been out for less than half a day and she already looked down on Lu Xusheng's one and a half acres of land.

The group arrived at Ningjin Hall.

I heard laughter like bronze bells coming from inside, as if there was a stranger.

Cheng Yian straightened his clothes, walked in slowly, and when he walked around the screen, he saw a strange woman leaning against the old lady.

The seat next to you will not be given up unless it is for someone you are very close to.

She had met Cheng Yiqiao and Cheng Yixin in the past, and she had also sat there today. So the person in front of her, who was wearing an orange double-breasted soft jacket with scattered flowers, thick-soled satin shoes, and had her face powdered and a shrewd look between her brows, should be the ancestor's granddaughter, Jiang Ruomei, the daughter of the Governor of Jiangnan.

Seeing Cheng Yian coming in, the maids said, "Grandma, the young lady is here."

Cheng Yiqiao, who was sitting at the head of the round table, heard this and immediately corrected him,

"What's the big aunt, little aunt, just call her the third lady."

Jiang Ruomei glanced at Cheng Yian, but her words fell on Cheng Yiqiao, "Second sister is unmarried, and she can't stand people calling her cousin aunt."

Cheng Yiqiao rolled her eyes, but Cheng Yiqiao was sitting with her back to the Luohan bed, so Jiang Ruomei didn't see it.

The old ancestor quickly waved to Cheng Yian, "An'an, come and sit next to grandma."

The old ancestor moved towards Jiang Ruomei and gave Cheng Yian a large area.

Cheng Yian sat down as she was told, and the old man hugged her and asked,

"Have you checked it out? Do you like it? If you find anything unsatisfactory, feel free to tell your father."

If she needed anything, she should tell the old woman, but the old lady asked her to tell Cheng Mingyu, obviously hoping that they could spend more time together.

Cheng Yian has always been a person who knows when to advance and when to retreat. He said shyly, "Grandma, everything is fine, just like I am at home."

The old man could tell that she was just being polite and felt sad.

The child is still too obedient. No wonder, after suffering so many grievances for so many years, how could he suddenly take charge of the house? He needs to be well watered so that he can take root and sprout. Our ancestors understood this principle.

Seeing that her grandmother was only concerned with talking to Cheng Yian, Jiang Ruomei simply let go of the hand that was supporting the old lady and moved down to sit next to Cheng Yiqiao. Just as she was about to sit down, Cheng Yiqiao suddenly called her,

"This is my third sister's place."

The meal will be served soon. The rules here are the same as those of the Lu family. The daughters-in-law will serve, and the girls are all guests who can sit and eat with the old lady.

There were only four seats at the table. Cheng Yiqiao sat at the north, she reserved the VIP seat at the east for Cheng Yian, the third elder's daughter Cheng Yiqian sat at the south, and the remaining seat was at the west.

This is also a guest seat, but the guest seats are divided into good and bad ones, and the east side is the most honorable.

Jiang Ruomei didn't say anything and just sat down in silence.

Soon the second and third wives arrived. Cheng Yiyan's wife, Lu, prepared the table, Cheng Yijun's wife, Xu, was in charge of serving the old lady. Cheng Yian sat at the table. The Cheng family adhered to the rule of not talking while eating or sleeping, so they had a very leisurely meal.

While drinking tea to rinse her mouth after the banquet, Cheng Yiqiao winked at Cheng Yian.

"You will come with me later."

Cheng Yian nodded naturally.

Seeing this, Jiang Ruomei asked with a smile, "What are the second cousin and the third cousin going to do?"

Cheng Yiqiao pretended not to hear and lazily put the teacup to his lips.

Cheng Yiqian answered the question rashly.

"What else could it be? The furs have all been put into the warehouse. Uncle said we have to wait for Sister An An to come back before we can open the warehouse. If Sister An An hasn't come back, Second Sister will definitely drag Sister An An to pick first."

Jiang Ruomei naturally knew how grand the Cheng family's annual New Year's Eve banquet was. Her mother would bring her to live with her grandparents at this time every year, but because she was sick this year, she asked her mother-in-law to send her alone.

Although the Jiang family is also wealthy, it is still far behind the Cheng family, the most powerful family.

Jiang Ruomei was almost the leader among the noble ladies in Jiangnan. In addition to the fact that her father was a second-rank governor, she was also the niece of Cheng Mingyu. All the officials in Jiangnan flattered her. When she came to the Cheng family, she was a distinguished guest and there was no reason for her to be neglected.

So she said calmly,

"That's great. Then Xixi and I can also benefit from cousin An'an's influence."

The Cheng family's mountains and forests are spread all over the area, and every year the most amazing furs are delivered to the Cheng family garden. Last year, she picked up several pieces of fur from the Cheng family and took them back. The fur in the Cheng family's warehouse cannot be seen on the market, so it must be that the girls took the ones they didn't want and sold them on the market.

It’s not like she doesn’t have some good things, but as a woman, there’s always a piece of jewelry or a piece of clothing missing from her cupboard.

This is why she comes to the Cheng family every year. Of course, she is invited by the invitation.

Cheng Yiqiao said, "Don't worry, wait until An An and I have chosen, then it will be your turn."

Jiang Ruomei's face froze slightly. She glanced at Cheng Yian, who didn't look at her. After enduring for a moment, she pretended to be curious and asked,

"I am an outsider, so it's okay if I am late. She is the fourth sister, and she is also the daughter of the Cheng family's eldest son. Why can't she be chosen first?"

Cheng Yiqiao has always been extravagant. Once she sees a style of clothing she likes, she will want one in every pattern and color. After she finishes choosing, what amazing items will be left for her?

Now Cheng Yiqian also felt wronged.

"Every year, my second sister picks the first one and then it's my turn."

Seeing that her foolish daughter was being sown into discord again, the third lady gently reminded her,

"Xixi, this is An'an's first time coming home. As her younger sister, you have to protect her."

Listen, it’s always the older sister who protects the younger sister, but when it comes to Cheng Yian, everyone has to protect her.

Cheng Yiqian responded with grievance.

Cheng Yiqiao was not used to seeing Cheng Yiqian pretending to be wronged, and said with a straight face, "How many times have you chosen in the past? Haven't I ever let you do it? The first time An An returned to Ning, she booked the entire warehouse, and Daddy didn't say a word of objection."

Cheng Yiqian was so frightened by these words that she dared not say a word.

"I understand, second sister."

She didn't dare talk to Jiang Ruomei anymore.

After drinking tea, Cheng Yiqiao pulled Cheng Yian up and saluted the old ancestor.

"Grandma, I'm taking An An with me."

The old man waved his hand and said, "Go ahead."

As a result, as soon as the two sisters left the house, Jiang Ruomei cried and leaned against the old ancestor, "Grandma, I want to go too. When my second cousin has chosen, how can there be a place for me?"

The old ancestor said unhappily, "Don't compete with An An."

The ancestor couldn't see it. In the past, Jiang Ruomei didn't dare to speak out in front of Cheng Yiqiao. After all, Cheng Yiqiao has always been domineering. Why is it that when Cheng Yian came today, she kept saying no to it? Isn't it because she saw An An moving into the courtyard she liked, and isn't it because she felt that Cheng Yian was raised in the Nan Mansion and was not as close to her at home?

If it was the former, the ancestor could still tolerate it, but if it was the latter, it would simply touch Cheng Mingyu's sore spot.

"An An is now the apple of your uncle's and my eye. If you can't figure it out, you know your uncle's temper."

Cheng Yiqiao had expected that the sisters would love to act up, so she stood at the doorstep and suddenly said,

"Uncle Chen, go tell daddy that An An and I both like the things in the warehouse, so seal them up."