Chapter 51 Chapter 51 It didn’t come earlier or later, but this…

Chapter 51 Chapter 51 It didn’t come earlier or later, but this…

Cheng Yiqiao did everything based on her feelings. At this moment, the feeling came and she decided to marry into the Meng family.

The next day, the two families exchanged engagement letters. Considering that the Governor of Sichuan would return to Sichuan in half a month, the betrothal gifts were decided to be given on January 14th, and the wedding date was set in August of the second half of the year.

On the 14th, Cheng Yian and Cheng Yixin both went back to their parents' home for dinner. He Qingyun and Meng Ruchuan also met formally. Cheng Yiyan looked at Cheng Yian's side and said regretfully, "It's a pity that my third brother-in-law is absent."

He was looking forward to the three brothers-in-law gathering at Cheng's house. The eldest and second brothers-in-law were very obedient in front of his sister, but the third brother-in-law was a troublemaker.

It's not that Lu Xusheng didn't give him face. He would go south the day after tomorrow. At this critical juncture, two generals in the Governor's Office had a dispute. One was a former general of Governor Qin, and the other was Shi Heng's man. The emperor could only let him, the Deputy Governor, to handle the matter.

Cheng Yian didn't even see him during this day. She only vaguely felt someone crawling into her bed in the middle of the night, holding her in his arms, and throwing her out before dawn.

Cheng Yian was sleeping comfortably in his arms, but the fever suddenly subsided and his brows wrinkled in his sleep.

Today is the Lantern Festival.

Cheng Yian spent money from the government to buy a hundred or so beautiful lanterns and told the servants to hang them up. She sat in the flower hall with her maids, watching everyone busy in the yard. The big red lanterns hung on New Year's Eve were replaced with new colorful gauze lanterns. The yard soon looked brand new.

The maid Dan'er held up two big red lanterns and asked her, "Madam, what should we do with these old lanterns?"

Cheng Yian asked the manager beside him, "How was it handled in the past?"

The steward smiled and replied, "Send it to the back streets and give it to those poor families."

Cheng Yian didn't believe it. He said that he would give it to the poor people, but he was afraid that these managers would secretly sell it.

Cheng Yian knew that the housekeepers of wealthy families loved to do these things in private. They would sell the unused items of the masters if they could, and would sell some of them secretly if they were not given money. Cheng Yian gave red envelopes to the housekeepers before the New Year. This year, there was money from the public, and it was her first year as a housekeeper, so she was quite generous. The housekeepers were very happy, and seeing that she was not

In order to make up for past grudges, she asked Liu and Bai to help manage the household, and privately said that she had a kind heart.

Once they are labeled as having a bodhisattva's heart, they will turn against you if something does not go to their liking in the future.

Secondly, everyone thought she was easy to bully.

Alternating between tension and relaxation is the way to last forever.

So Cheng Yian called another second-class maid named Dingxiang. Since Ruhui was sent to the treasury and planned to marry Rulan off, Cheng Yian intended to train new head maids, and Dingxiang and Dan'er were her favorite candidates.

These two people were neither brought by the Cheng family nor born in the Lu family. Instead, they were maids that Ming's wife bought and placed in the villa when she was preparing to go out and live alone last year.

Dan'er and Dingxiang had no one to rely on in the Lu family, and she was the only one they recognized.

"Dingxiang, you will personally count all the lanterns taken down from the mansion, have the maid clean them up, and have the Ming family take them to the shop outside to sell. I will set a time for you. You must deliver them to the shop on the lower street at 3 p.m., do you understand?"

"As you command."

Dingxiang called a few maids and old women to do the chores, and assigned each of them a courtyard to take inventory and make arrangements.

The managers around him couldn't help but feel regretful after hearing this.

This is a huge loss of income.

In my heart, I somewhat resent Cheng Yian for being too harsh.

Cheng Yian took in their expressions and suddenly called Ding Xiang.

"Oh, go to the cashier's office and check the purchase order from before the New Year. If there is one item missing, ask the corresponding manager to compensate for it according to the price."

Now, the managers were all panicked.

Because all these lanterns were sold to the managers in the past, without waiting for Cheng Yian to give any order, these managers had already occupied their own territory and hidden the best and most beautiful ones. Now that Cheng Yian wants to catch them in the act, shouldn't he hurry back and inform his trusted aides to stop?

So they left in a hurry, making excuses that they had things to do.

It is not easy for a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl to be the head of the family and to win everyone's support. Years ago, Cheng Yian took care of the Cheng family's affairs, leaving the Lu family to Liu and Bai. Everyone thought that she was indifferent to worldly matters and easy to fool. But after today's incident, everyone realized that this young lady is very knowledgeable.

Cheng Yian always kept his word and followed through on his orders. In the end, he caught two people and fined them their monthly salary, using both kindness and force.

At 3 p.m., the lanterns were cleaned, neatly loaded onto trucks and sent to the lower street for sale.

At the same time, two guests arrived at the gate of Lu Mansion.

Cheng Yiqiao brought Cheng Yike to visit Cheng Yian.

Cheng Yian first took the two of them to the backyard to meet the elders. The old lady's illness had not yet recovered and she refused to see guests, so they came to the second wife's yard to pay their respects. The second wife remembered that Cheng Yian had handled many things smoothly before the New Year, so this time she gave him face and gave Cheng Yiqiao and the others a generous gift for the meeting.

Afterwards, Cheng Yian took them back to Ningji Hall and was about to ask the maids to serve tea and snacks.

Cheng Yiqiao blocked the way and said,

"Hey, we're not here to have some leisurely tea. Hurry up and pack up and accompany us to Liang Garden to view the lanterns."

Cheng Yian was stunned when he heard this and glanced at her.

"What day is it today? You're going to accompany me to view the lanterns? What about my future second brother-in-law?"

Cheng Yiqiao was embarrassed by what she said and had to pull her up.

"I can't just ignore my sister because I'm engaged."

Cheng Yian staggered as she pulled him, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

"I don't want you to care about me. Besides, I still have Ke'er..."

Cheng Yike also said, "Sister Qiao, you can go play with Master Meng. I'll accompany An An. An An said she would take me to the store today."

Cheng Yiqiao pouted and said no, "Are you guys going to abandon me?"

Cheng Yian was helpless, "Okay, okay, let's go together."

Liangyuan is located near Sanshan River, southeast of Zhengyangmen Street. This area covers a vast area with beautiful lakes and mountains. Sanshan River is one of the canals entering the city. This place is adjacent to Liangyuan, the largest water park in Beijing, in the south and Tongluo Street in the north. It is one of the most prosperous areas in Beijing.

Liu didn't feel like going out for a stroll as there were several sisters-in-law at home, so the second wife asked Cheng Yian and Bai to take them out together.

So several carriages from the Lu residence and two carriages from the Cheng residence headed all the way to Tongluo Street.

Liang Garden is also the property of the Imperial City Bureau. Two towers were built on both sides of the lake, one named Zhaixing Tower and the other named Zhuyue Pavilion. In the past, the Imperial City Bureau always set up lantern towers here to celebrate with the people. This year is no exception. All the prefectures have received invitations from the Imperial City Bureau. Cheng Yiqiao originally planned to go here to play, but when they arrived near Tongluo Street, there were too many people and the carriage was forced to split up. The fifth lady Lu Shuzhi, the third lady Lu Shuyin, and the fourth lady Lu Shuling were led to Liang Garden by Mrs. Bai, while Cheng Yian and the other two were blocked under a stone bridge on Tongluo Street.

The three sisters got off the car and looked at each other in bewilderment at the bustling crowd.

By this time it was dark.

The restaurants and shops on both sides of Tongluo Street were hung with all kinds of lanterns, and even the willow trees by the river were not spared. The whole street was illuminated like a river of colorful lights.

The three of them, escorted by their maids, followed the flow of people to the center of the street.

As they walked along the road, Cheng Yian asked Cheng Yiqiao, "Have you ever been to the Lantern Festival with your elder sister?"

Cheng Yiqiao shook her head. "No, she is always very busy. When she was in the palace, she was busy helping her grandmother with housework. After she left the palace, she had children, quarreled with her mother-in-law, and took care of the housework. She was even busier. How could she turn around?"

Cheng Yian was also worried about Cheng Yixin.

Yesterday, Cheng Yixin told her privately that they had discussed going to Taihang Mountain to look for Mr. Lao Ba in the first month of the lunar year. Cheng Yian hoped that their trip would go smoothly.

I didn't feel it when I was with Fan Yulin in my previous life, but now that I'm with Lu Xusheng, I'm taken good care of at night. If it really wasn't there, it's not Jing's fault.

If sexual intercourse is not harmonious, the relationship between husband and wife will easily change over time.

Cheng Yian has five shops on Tongluo Street. Two of them were given to her as dowry by her eldest son-in-law when she got married, and the other three were secretly given to her by her father after they became relatives. These five shops run different businesses and are among the most profitable shops on Tongluo Street.

Moreover, these five shops are all managed by the Cheng family's steward, and she only needs to collect the money. The Cheng family's industries are spread all over the country, and the Cheng family has a set of skills to train stewards privately. Instead of doing it themselves, it is better to use experienced people. These stewards still go to the Cheng family's steward's room for training on weekdays to learn new and progressive business concepts, but all their business contracts were given to Cheng Yian, and they are all considered Cheng Yian's people.

This shop is a restaurant with two floors that are very large. The downstairs is for dining and the upstairs is for private rooms.

After much deliberation, Cheng Yike finally decided to start a food business, and Cheng Yian then left her to the stewardship.

Cheng Yian was afraid that Cheng Yiqiao would be bored, so he planned to go shopping with her. After listening for a while, Cheng Yiqiao realized that this was the dowry shop that her father gave to Cheng Yian. "I suddenly realized that getting married also has an advantage."

"What's the benefit?"

"That means having a dowry can make money make money."

Cheng Yiqiao can't just sit back and enjoy all the savings.

It is impossible for the Cheng family to withhold the betrothal gift, and they have to prepare an additional dowry, which means that both the betrothal gift and the dowry belong to the girl.

When Cheng Yiqiao and Cheng Yian went out, she said with emotion,

"An An, I found that I became so rich after getting married once."

Cheng Yian smiled and chatted with her, "Tell me how you became rich."

Cheng Yiqiao began to count the details, "In addition to the 100-liang betrothal gift, the Governor's Office also gave an additional 30,000 taels of silver as a reserve."

Cheng Yian was taken aback, "This move is really very generous."

"Dad and grandma have already started to plan my dowry. Apart from the money I have spent, I only have 5,000 taels of silver left in my savings. They also have to buy me some land, paintings, etc. I will have money to earn from now on. I don't have to rack my brains to go to the government office to force dad to sign the bill for me."

"But Daddy is also very stingy. He knows that I spend a lot, but he won't give me more money when I want to save up. He says that it's my eldest sister and third sister's money, and I'll have the same amount. He won't give me a penny more."

Cheng Yian burst into laughter, "Then I'll just go with you to ask Daddy for money. Everyone wants it, so Daddy has to give it to us even if he doesn't want to."

"Good idea!" Cheng Yiqiao took it seriously.

Cheng Yian patted her forehead.

After walking for less than a quarter of an hour, we arrived at a wide street. Here the street was connected to a long bridge. The ground was wide like a square. A group of people were performing a circus here.

As luck would have it, one of the monkeys jumped through the fire circle and was somehow startled by the crowd, and rushed towards the weeping willows on the shore. Cheng Yian and her sister happened to be standing in this area. The people in front of them retreated, and they were forced to retreat as well. With so many people around, trampling was inevitable. As an older sister, Cheng Yiqiao subconsciously protected her younger sister. She put her hands under Cheng Yian's waist and leaned back herself.

At this moment, a black shadow came leaping over from a row of willow trees behind him. He pulled out a bamboo pole from somewhere in his hand, raised his hand and pushed it forward, stopping the people in front who were about to be trampled, avoiding the risk of everyone falling. Then he stretched out his slender arm and held Cheng Yiqiao's body from behind. When she stood firm, he immediately let go, stepped back, and saluted her.

"On a holiday like this, it's better not to go to crowded places. Accidents are bound to happen." The boy said seriously.

Perhaps because he noticed that Cheng Yiqiao's brows were furrowed, he immediately added, "If you want to come, you have to call me to follow you, so that it will be safer." After saying that, he smiled at Cheng Yiqiao, revealing a row of small white teeth.

Cheng Yiqiao couldn't help but chuckle, "Thanks to you for arriving in time..."

Shy.

The monkey in front had already sneaked down to the river bank. After this incident, the crowd gradually dispersed. Meng Ruchuan saw a chicken with a Chuanzi brand on the opposite side, showing an excited look.

"Qiao Qiao, there's a chicken shop over there, do you want to eat some?"

Cheng Yiqiao could see that he really wanted to eat it, "Do you like spicy food?"

"I love spicy food." The boy stroked the back of his head.

He could stay with her in the capital, so how could she not accompany him to eat an authentic Sichuan dish?

"Okay, I'll go with you."

Just as she was about to call Cheng Yian, she saw Cheng Yian had already walked to the bridge pier, smiling and waving at her, signaling her to go.

Cheng Yiqiao no longer insisted, threw her a few apologetic looks, and walked across the street with Meng Ruchuan and the maids.

Cheng Yian remembered that Lu Xusheng was going south tomorrow and he had to go back to check his luggage, so he planned to return home.

There were few people on the other side, so she simply crossed the bridge and told Qiu Qing to drive the carriage over to pick her up.

When we reached the top of the bridge, we saw a cloud of fireworks rising in the sky in the direction of Liangyuan, like peonies in full bloom. We could not help but stop and admire it. There were cheers all around us.

At this time, a couple across the street noticed her. The woman let go of her husband's hand, looked at Cheng Yian and said,

"Wait for me here. I'll be back soon."

Cheng Yiqing carried the lantern her husband bought for her and crossed the bridge to Cheng Yian's side.

“An An…”

Cheng Yian was facing the river. He was brought back to his senses when he heard her voice. He was surprised to see his cousin looking at him with a smile.

After all, her cousin had never smiled at her since she got engaged to Lu Xusheng.

"Cousin, is here to see the lanterns too?" Cheng Yian bowed as usual.

Cheng Yiqing returned the greeting and pointed at her husband across from her.

"My husband came with me."

Cheng Yian followed her line of sight and saw an elegant man standing there. He was neither tall nor short, with a kind face. He looked like a very gentle and considerate man.

He is the young master of Lord Chu, the doctor of the Ministry of Justice.

A few years ago, Cheng Yiqing got married. Her grandmother took her to the banquet and she met Master Chu once during the wedding.

She nodded, and the other party also bowed to her.

Cheng Yiqing glanced around her.

"Why don't you see your brother-in-law?"

As he spoke, he seemed to have forgotten the unpleasant past.

Cheng Yian smiled and said, "He is busy with official business."

Cheng Yiqing studied her expression quietly, and said with a smile, "Ah, I used to envy you for marrying a powerful husband, but after getting married, I realized that the inside is worse than the outside. Although my husband doesn't have much ability, he accompanies me every day, and I am very satisfied."

Cheng Yian looked at her smug expression and immediately understood that she was showing off.

The more unwilling a person is, the more he or she hopes to soothe his or her own shortcomings by finding the shortcomings of others.

Cheng Yian replied in a gentle voice, "Cousin, I am happy for you from the bottom of my heart."

Seeing that Cheng Yian didn't look annoyed at all, Cheng Yiqing felt as powerless as if she was punching cotton.

"Lu Xusheng is so busy, do you regret marrying him?"

Cheng Yian smiled and shook his head, "Why would I regret it? There's nothing wrong with him. I want a husband who is powerful and influential, but I also want him to be gentle and considerate and always accompany me. Isn't this a contradiction? How can you be powerful and influential without merit? How can you get merit without going out to make achievements? When I ask him for something, shouldn't I also think about what I can provide?"

Of course, she also wants someone to accompany her.

But Lu Xusheng went south because of her. She felt sorry for him now, so why would she blame him for not accompanying her?

"Cousin, if your husband treats you well, you should cherish him instead of comparing him with other men."

Cheng Yiqing felt uncomfortable when she saw through her thoughts.

"Cheng Yian, why are you so good-tempered? I thought you were trying to show off to me."

Cheng Yian smiled and said, "There's no need... After all, you are my cousin, and we grew up together."

After experiencing her past life, she deeply knows that nothing is more important than living a good life.

There is really no need to keep unimportant people and things in mind every day.

Cheng Yiqing suddenly lost her temper, looked at her husband across from her, and said to Cheng Yian,

"After I got married, the Chu family treated me very well. I should be content. Comparing with others will only make things difficult for myself."

As she spoke, she saw that Cheng Yian was alone, so she gave her the lantern in her hand.

"Although Lu Xusheng is busy, it is not an excuse. Today is the Lantern Festival, and I should buy you a lantern. How about this, I will give this one to my sister. Thank you for your words that enlightened me today."

Cheng Yian would not accept other people's flowers, and shook his head with a smile.

"This is a gift from my brother-in-law. It's not nice to give it to someone else. Besides, it's not that my general didn't give it to me. He knows that I have poor eyesight and I'm afraid of bright lights, so he didn't prepare it today..."

Cheng Yiqing no longer insisted, "It seems that I am judging others by my own standards..."

Just as he finished speaking, he saw a man with an imposing manner walking towards him from the bridge ahead. He was dressed in a black robe and was tall and slender. He was very conspicuous in the bustling crowd. In his hand he held an exquisite glazed palace lantern. The light was colorful and dazzling.

Cheng Yiqing cast a dim glance at Cheng Yian.

Cheng Yian looked at the man with deep brows and his smile was uglier than crying.

Why didn’t you come earlier or later, but you came at this moment to slap me in the face?