When they got home that evening, Jiao's mother came in while Jiang Shan was giving Jiang Huai a bath.
Jiang Shan hummed an off-key tune as he bathed the child, making him giggle. After the bath, as Jiao's mother took the child to dress him, she couldn't help but say, "Shan'er, the shop's business is important, but you can't neglect the child. When you weren't here, this child cried so much, refusing to eat anything; he only recognizes his mother!"
Jiang Shan's heart softened. She reached out and patted her son's head, saying guiltily, "Mother, I didn't think it through. I'll take better care of the child in the future. I'll just bring the child to the shop tomorrow!"
After a moment of silence, Jiao's mother said, "The shop is a mixed bag, and the child is too young to be taken there."
Jiang Shan sighed softly and said seriously, "Mother, I don't know how you raised Erlang and Sanlang back then. In my opinion, although Jiang Huai has no father, he will receive just as much education as he should, and I want him to experience all the ups and downs of life. When you're on top, don't forget where you came from; when you're cold, don't covet the rich man's coat!"
Seeing that Jiao's mother remained silent, Jiang Shan continued, "My child, I will give him everything I have, but I will not spoil him! The social order is: scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants. His mother supported him through business; he had no choice in his birth. When he has the ability to change all of this, he must first learn to accept everything that his mother has to offer!"
Jiao's mother sadly placed the child on the bed, turned around, and left.
Jiang Shan bit her lip lightly and did not chase after him.
She also felt sorry for her child, and she was very tired! She knew what Jiao's mother wanted to express: she wanted her grandson to receive the best care and have everything go smoothly and as she wished, but that was impossible!
When Jiang Huai grows up and becomes more sensible, he will know that he is a special child! Although she can't tell the child anything now, she will tell him about his background in her own way!
Even she, as a mother, didn't complain about her tragic fate, so what right does her son have to be dissatisfied! If he's so capable, he should go and settle accounts with his biological father when he grows up!
Go to Beijing, Cheng Mansion.
Cheng Mu, the former Minister of Works, retired many years ago. His son, Cheng Ye, now manages all the affairs of his household, while his wife, Madam Cheng, still keeps the household affairs in charge.
After giving birth to a legitimate son and a legitimate daughter for Cheng Mu, Madam Cheng had no more children. Later, she arranged for Cheng Mu to take a concubine, who only gave birth to a daughter for him over the years.
Cheng Mu was once a favorite of the emperor and was admired by many. His wife, Cheng Pei, was an even more formidable figure. Within a few years of marrying into the Cheng family, she gained control of the household and firmly held the entire family in her hands.
Twenty years ago, Madam Cheng arranged for her beloved daughter, Cheng Lan, to marry Fu Ting, who was then the Vice Minister of Works and is now the Minister of Works. Madam Cheng's actions were swift and decisive, turning her nephew-in-law into her prospective son-in-law, which became a popular topic of conversation among the nobles in the capital.
Unexpectedly, this led to a series of changes in the second branch of the Cheng family. Cheng Mei, the only daughter of the second branch of the Cheng family, ran away from home in a fit of anger. Her mother, Jiang, was so angry that she fell seriously ill after her daughter ran away and passed away two years later. Cheng Mu's younger brother, Cheng Shuhuan, also resigned from his position as Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince and wandered around in search of his daughter.
The emperor was furious and issued an edict ordering the Cheng family to reflect on their actions. After two years of self-reflection at home, Cheng Mu chose to retire and support his son-in-law to take office. From then on, the Cheng family disappeared from the circles of nobles in the capital.
More than a decade has passed, and the Cheng family has maintained a secluded lifestyle. Cheng Ye obtained a leisurely sixth-rank official position in the capital at Guangyi Temple and married the daughter of a local official, keeping an extremely low profile.
Although they both lived in the capital, Cheng Lan, the wife of the Minister of Works, rarely returned to her parents' home. Instead, she maintained close ties with her maternal grandparents' family, the Pei family, who lived far away in Chongqing.
When Madam Cheng stepped into the Cheng residence again, she only paused for a moment at the gate before heading to Old Madam Cheng's courtyard without stopping.
Old Madam Cheng hadn't seen her daughter for a long time. When they met, she only exchanged a few routine words of concern before instructing the servants to prepare lunch.
"Mother!" Madam Cheng gripped Old Madam Cheng's hand tightly, her eyes flashing with an unreadable emotion.
Madam Cheng waved her hand, and all the servants in the room withdrew.
"Why are you here at this time? Have you taken care of Yuan'er's matter?" Old Madam Cheng finally asked, getting to the heart of her daughter's question.
Cheng gritted her teeth, flung the handkerchief in her hand, covered her face, and began to sob.
"Mother, Yuan'er has gone to Guyang County to take up his post. He doesn't listen to me, and even the master is on his side... Waaah."
Old Madam Cheng silently watched her daughter, listening to her cry like a child. "So what did you do to anger your husband this time? Hasn't he always ignored you?"
Her mother's words pierced her heart. Cheng bit her lip and said resentfully, "I don't know if I've offended him, but I haven't heard from the people I sent out, and he hasn't asked me anything either! This isn't right, Mother, please help me think of a solution!"
Madam Cheng's face darkened. "Have you contacted your uncle? How many times have I told you, before Yuan'er truly takes over the Ministry of Rites, keep your distance from Yuzhou!"
Cheng's face turned pale and then white, then pale and then pale again. "Yuan'er doesn't listen to me at all! Father doesn't care about me, and my brother can't help me either. Who else can I turn to if not my uncle? Now only the Pei family can help me!"
"Go find your husband!" Old Madam Cheng's eyes grew even colder. "I told you long ago that I sacrificed my reputation and the future of the entire Cheng family for you, and you have to walk your own path from now on! And what have you done! You finally got a trump card, but you're holding on to it so tightly! You fool, let me teach you that your future depends on your son, not the other way around! You have to let him go. Just remember, he's the card you hold!"
Cheng cried even harder, all her grievances turning into weak tears in front of her own mother.
Madam Cheng sighed heavily, handed over the clean handkerchief in her hand, and resumed her calm and composed demeanor.
"The Cheng family is no longer the Cheng family it once was. Your father and I have been keeping a low profile in the capital for over a decade, reflecting on our actions. Do you think that was easy? Do you think your husband appreciates the kindness your father showed him back then? You're wrong. He's keeping an eye on us for your second uncle. He's smarter and more ruthless than you think! If we want your eldest brother to be a stable sixth-rank official in the capital, we'd better keep a low profile and endure the sword hanging over our heads!"
"The reason your uncle has been able to develop his current power in Yuzhou over the years is because he remembered my words and didn't frequently associate with the capital! I just didn't expect you to be so stupid as to drag your uncle down with you. Not only have you dragged down the entire Cheng family, but you've also dragged down the Pei family!"
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