Chapter 72 Raising an Ungrateful Child
Chu Yunjin turned to look at her fourth sister, Chu Yunyao.
The three Chu brothers are still unmarried, not because they are not old enough, but because the eldest brother, Chu Mingxiu, had harassed a young girl before the new year and was recently jilted by his fiancée's family. His mother is now looking for other women for him.
The eldest sister, Chu Yunli, married the runner-up from three years ago. The couple had a good relationship and lived a peaceful and warm life.
Chu Yunjin has been married to Yan Cang for two years, and her life has been... well, as everyone knows, a complete mess, with chaos and turmoil every day. Only recently has things started to improve.
Chu Yunshan is sixteen years old this year. Her fiancé is the son of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites. The wedding date is set for the beginning of next year. However, judging from her attitude towards the heir of the Princess's mansion, she is probably not very satisfied with this marriage and wants to find another better match.
After all, they were sisters. Chu Yunjin married a prince, while she didn't even become a marquis. She must have felt a bit resentful. Although the original owner didn't know how lucky she was, it was an objective fact that she attracted envy.
The only remaining daughter of the Chu family in the hall was Chu Yunyao, the fourth sister of the Chu family, who was standing next to Chu Mingran.
Looking at her, Chu Yunjin genuinely thought the girl was charming and adorable, with a plump face and a lot of baby fat, full of collagen, making her very likable.
A smile appeared on her face as she waved: "Fourth Sister."
Chu Yunyao looked at her in surprise, not expecting her second sister to be so friendly to her. She cautiously stepped forward and said, "Second sister."
Chu Yunjin asked, "You're fourteen years old this year, aren't you?"
Chu Yunyao nodded: "Mm."
“It’s time to discuss marriage.” Chu Yunjin said gently, but in her heart she couldn’t agree with the idea of women getting married at an older age. “What are your requirements for your future husband? Tell me, and your second sister will definitely find you a satisfactory one.”
Fourteen is still a child. Marriage can be considered slowly. There's no rush. I'll definitely find a husband who suits my taste.
Chu Yunyao blushed slightly and lowered her head, saying, "Thank you, Second Sister. My mother will decide my marriage. I dare not think about it."
Chu Yunjin turned to look at Madam Chu.
Madam Chu's expression was not good.
Meeting Chu Yunjin's gaze, she forced a smile: "Jin'er, could you... could you let your older brother get up first? He's never been punished like this before, don't let him hurt his knees..."
Chu Yunjin really wanted to say, "A doting mother spoils her son."
As the eldest son of the Chu family, Chu Mingxiu is neither good at literature nor martial arts. If he is spoiled too much and has no sense of propriety in his words and deeds, he will not only fail to support the Chu family in the future, but may even drag the Chu family into hell on his own.
So many people outside were eyeing Yan Cang covetously.
If we can't find a starting point in the Prince of Yan's mansion, we might as well start with that spendthrift son of the Chu family. If we make a big mistake, it might be too late to regret it then.
But never mind, if Madam Chu could listen to reason, Chu Mingxiu wouldn't be in this state.
Chu Yunjin frowned slightly.
She had originally intended to come back and have a private chat with her mother, but seeing Madam Chu's attitude, she had lost all interest and didn't even want to stay for a meal.
Chu Yunjin turned to Yan Cang and said, "Your Highness, let's go back first."
Yan Cang nodded: "Mm."
Madam Chu breathed a sigh of relief.
She couldn't wait for Yan Cang and Chu Yunjin to leave so that Chu Mingxiu wouldn't have to continue being forced to kneel as punishment.
Originally, having a daughter marry into the royal family and become a noble princess was a glorious thing for the family. The mother would also be proud and could walk with impunity among the noble ladies of the capital.
But not only did Chu Yunjin's previous actions embarrass her, but in the two years since she married into the Yan Prince's mansion, she has never brought any benefits to the Chu family.
Knowing that her brother was not good at studying, she didn't even bother to arrange a good job for him. Every time the siblings met, they were at each other's throats, like enemies from a past life.
When she returned today, she was shocked to see her brother being punished by kneeling and slapping himself without doing anything. Madam Chu felt both aggrieved and angry, feeling that she had raised an ungrateful child who was not as considerate as Yun Shan.
No wonder Mingxiu always favors Yunshan a little more.
Lady Chu, fulfilling her duties of etiquette, led her children and servants to respectfully see the Prince of Yan and his consort off at the gate, where they lined up with their heads bowed as they watched the carriage depart.
After the Prince of Yan and his wife boarded their carriage and left in a grand procession surrounded by guards, she straightened up and turned back to her residence.
"What is that?" Chu Mingxiu gritted his teeth in hatred. "The Chu family has produced such an ingrate. He finally came back for a visit, and he arrogantly gave me a hard time. He's really something."
Madam Chu frowned: "Mingxiu, be careful what you say."
“Elder brother, Mother is right,” Chu Yunshan said timidly. “Second sister is now the Princess Consort of Yan, a royal wife. We must be careful with our words in the future, otherwise…”
"What's there to be afraid of?" Chu Mingxiu said angrily. "She can't possibly kill me, can she?"
Chu Yunshan lowered her eyes and hesitated for a moment: "Yesterday, when I went to Princess Ning'an's residence, my second sister offended the princess of the residence."
Madam Chu was startled: "What did you say?"
“It’s true.” Chu Yunshan nodded, her face showing some worry. “Yesterday, my second sister went with the sixth princess. As soon as they arrived at the gate of the eldest princess’s residence, they got into a fight with the princess. The princess was even punished by the eldest princess to kneel and copy the ‘Classic of Filial Piety’. I’m afraid this feud has been formed.”
"She really is a troublemaker." Chu Mingxiu's face was icy. "Relying on her status as the Princess Consort of Yan, she doesn't take anyone else seriously. Little does she know that the Princess is the Empress Dowager's most favored daughter and the Emperor's most favored sister. The Wen family is also the Prime Minister of the court. She has offended Princess Ning'an. She won't have a good life in the future."
Can the Prince of Yan protect her for the rest of her life?
Once the Prince of Yan goes to the border, whether it's Princess Ning'an or the Wen family, they can easily kill her without a burial place with a flick of their fingers.
Does she really think that marrying a prince means she can do whatever she wants?
"Mother," Chu Yunshan walked to Madam Chu's side and spoke softly and timidly, "The heir of Princess Ning'an's residence wishes to..."
Madam Chu turned to look at her: "What's wrong?"
"He said he wanted to marry me."
Madam Chu asked in surprise, "The heir of the Princess's residence wants to marry you?"
Chu Yunshan nodded shyly, "Mmm."
"Are you sure?" Madam Chu frowned.
"What's there to be uncertain about?" Chu Mingxiu said. "If someone like Chu Yunjin can marry the Prince of Yan, then my third sister is more than qualified to marry into the Princess's household as the heir apparent."
“But Shan’er is already engaged,” Madam Chu said, troubled.
Chu Yunshan and Chu Mingxiu have a good relationship. If she can marry into a high-class family, she will naturally be able to help Mingxiu in the future.
But Chu Yunshan's engagement was arranged by the master himself, and the engagement is set for next spring. What should we do?
Chu Mingxiu said, "If there is a more suitable engagement, what's wrong with breaking off the previous engagement?"
“I’ll discuss this with your father when he returns tonight,” Madam Chu said thoughtfully. “If Prince Wen really has such thoughts, I will go to see the Princess and see if we can reach an agreement on this marriage.”
Chu Yunshan was delighted: "Thank you, Mother."
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