Chapter 155: Separation

Madam Ming believed in Buddhism and wanted to have a vegetarian meal at the Jokhang Temple before returning. When it was almost time for dinner, people from the Duke of Zhen's mansion came to the vegetarian room one after another.

Madam Ming was the last to arrive. She was supported by Madam Ming San and slowly walked to the main seat. After Madam Ming sat down, she said calmly, "Now that everyone is here, let's have dinner."

Everyone agreed and picked up their chopsticks one after another. Jokhang Temple was used to entertaining royal relatives, so the vegetarian meal was very exquisite. Everyone ate from separate tables, and only the slightest rustling sound could be heard in the dining room.

Although the great families all pay attention to not talking while eating or sleeping, the opportunity to meet Prince Yong is rare. If not now, when will it be? Madam Ming took the initiative to ask Li Huazhang: "Prince Yong, how are you doing recently?"

When Li Huazhang heard the old lady's question, he put down his chopsticks and replied, "Everything is going well for me. Thank you for your concern, old lady Ming."

He even called himself a junior and said that he appreciated the good things about the Duke of Zhen's Mansion. Old Madam Ming smiled and asked, "It is not my responsibility. How is the cleaning of Prince Yong's Mansion going?"

In front of everyone, Li Huazhang gave Madam Ming face and said, "The palace is almost finished, and we can move in a few days. Although the palace will send people, this is the first time I live here by myself, and I don't know how to manage many things in terms of manpower. I hope Madam Ming can give me more advice."

Li Huazhang knew that Madam Ming was not kind to Ming Huashang. When he was in the mansion, he and Ming Huashang were known as the twins of a dragon and a phoenix, and Madam Ming would at least treat them equally. Now that he was gone and Su Yuji did not go back, Madam Ming no longer had any scruples and treated Ming Huashang more differently.

Li Huazhang certainly felt sorry for Ming Huashang, but venting his emotions would not solve the problem. He could use his status to teach Madam Ming a lesson, but then what? Would Ming Huashang's life be easier after she returned home?

No, his heroism is meaningless except for forcing Ming Huashang to confront her family. The most important thing is always to make Ming Huashang live a more comfortable life, not to act out of impulse.

Old Madam Ming is Ming Huashang's grandmother, and the blood relationship cannot be severed. He cannot let Shangshang be accused of being unfilial, nor can he encourage her to stop communicating with her natal family. He can only try his best to increase Ming Huashang's bargaining chips and let Old Madam Ming see that the better he treats Ming Huashang, the greater the benefits will be. Only in this way can he fundamentally solve the problem of Old Madam Ming's favoritism.

Mrs. Ming was very satisfied after hearing Li Huazhang's words, but she also knew herself. Li Huazhang's surname was Li anyway, and naturally he had Princess Taiping to help him in his mansion. It was not Mrs. Ming's turn for a minister with a different surname to show off as an elder. Mrs. Ming said: "I have little knowledge and dare not give advice in Prince Yong's Mansion. However, there is no mistress in the inner house. After all, it is not a long-term solution. Prince Yong might as well consider marrying a princess."

Mrs. Ming San was afraid that Mrs. Ming Lao was pushing too fast and would annoy Prince Yong, so she quickly said, "Mother, Prince Yong is young and promising. It is the time for him to make achievements and establish his career. There is no need to rush to get married."

Li Huazhang had clearly refused to marry before, and everyone in the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion subconsciously thought that he was still the same now. Unexpectedly, Li Huazhang picked up the teacup and took a sip of water, and suddenly said: "Madam Ming is right, first get married and then start a career, and it's time to consider marriage. When I propose to the person I like in the future, I hope Madam Ming will not hesitate to give me advice."

Ming Huachang was eating and almost choked when she heard this. She raised her eyes in surprise and found that everyone else in the room had the same expression.

Even Madam Ming was greatly surprised. She chewed over Li Huazhang's words in her heart and asked tentatively, "From what Prince Yong said, do you have an idea of ​​the candidate for the princess?"

Li Huazhang smiled and said, "Of course I like her, but whether it can be successful depends on her willingness."

Madam Ming smiled softly, with a subtle and complex smile. She was unsure of what Li Huazhang meant. While observing Li Huazhang's expression, she half-seriously sighed, "Prince Yong is a rare talent. If you propose marriage, how could any woman be willing to refuse?"

This statement was a compliment, but it was not an exaggeration. The incident at Furong Garden during the Flower Festival was not publicized. Except for a few royal relatives, most people did not know what happened that day. They only knew that the former Jingzhao Yin Liao Yushan was suspected of causing trouble and had been detained. The curse of Jingzhao Yin not being able to serve for more than two years continued again.

The new Jingzhao Yin's appointment documents have not yet been issued, but the real power of Jingzhao Prefecture has been gradually taken over by the former Shao Yin, now the Prince of Yong. The Queen gave Li Huazhang such an important fiefdom and let him hold the real power of the internal affairs of the capital, which shows how much the Queen values ​​Li Huazhang.

You have to know that Li Huazhang's biological father, Li Xian, was also a crown prince, and was more legitimate than the crown prince and the prince of Xiang. It was not impossible for the empress to bypass her son and pass the throne back to the line of Crown Prince Zhang Huai.

During this period, the court was full of speculations, and Prince Yong suddenly became very popular. Li Huazhang had been famous for his talent and good reputation. When he was in Luoyang, he and Xie Jichuan were known as the two beauties of the capital. Now that Li Huazhang had the blessing of royal status, his popularity quickly surpassed all the men of the same age, and he became the well-deserved first son-in-law in Chang'an.

She is of noble status, young and handsome, and holds real power. If such a prince extends his hand, let alone becoming a princess, even as a concubine, there are probably few women in Chang'an who would refuse.

Li Huazhang did not comment on what Madam Ming said. He turned around and asked Ming Huashang, who was eating hard at the table next to him: "Shangshang, what do you think?"

Everyone's eyes turned to Ming Huashang, who was eating so well that she almost choked to death on her own saliva. She quickly picked up the teacup to suppress her surprise, not daring to raise her eyes to look, and said, "How should I know about your affairs?"

Li Huazhang just smiled and reached out to pick up some food for Ming Huashang: "Drink slowly, be careful of the heat."

No one spoke in the meditation room, but the women exchanged glances quickly, with the same surprise and uncertainty in their eyes.

What did the King of Yong mean by this? Did they understand what he meant?

The Duke of Zhenguo, who was sitting at the head of the table, could not bear to watch any more and said, "You are still young, why are you thinking about these things? Just eat your meal and don't think about those nonsense."

Li Huazhang noticed that the Duke of Zhen was a little unhappy, so he stopped talking tactfully and stopped being presumptuous. Old Madam Ming was very dissatisfied, and glanced at the Duke of Zhen and said, "What do you mean by young? Second Mother is already seventeen years old. Men should get married when they are old enough, and women should get married when they are old enough. This is the law of nature. Now that the saint is in power, the age limit for women has been much more relaxed. If it were when we were young, if a girl had not married after the age of sixteen, the official matchmaker would come to force a marriage. Second Mother has been fooling around for so long, it's time to consider the most important thing in her life, but since her sisters are not married, it's not easy for her to talk about marriage. Why not pick an auspicious day to open the ancestral temple, let Yu Ji change her surname, and move back to the Duke's Mansion."

Su Yuji ate very quickly and finished all the dishes in a short while. She was wiping her hands when she heard her name and was startled.

The Duke of Zhen was afraid that Su Yuji would think they were forcing her, so he quickly said, "It's okay. Everything has a process of adaptation. Let the child take his time."

Madam Ming spoke slowly but firmly, not allowing for arguments: "The hurdle must be overcome. If you keep doing it, you will only suffer the consequences. Besides, it is not proper for your wife to live out here by herself. Let her come back early and learn the Book of Filial Piety from the elders. Then it will be easier to talk about marriage."

Su Yuji quietly placed the handkerchief on the table and asked, "Learn the Book of Filial Piety from the elders? From whom should I learn it?"

Madam Ming glanced at her and said calmly, "There are so many foster nannies in the Ming family. Your second aunt and third aunt are here. Are they afraid that they can't teach you?"

Su Yuji sat up straight and said, "If I want to be filial, I should be filial to my biological mother. You didn't give birth to me, nor did you raise me. What right do you have to dictate to me?"

Ming Huashang bit her chopsticks, stared with wide eyes, and was full of admiration. Old Madam Ming had never been confronted like this before, and her face fell immediately. Duke Zhenguo hurriedly said, "Okay, don't talk while eating or sleeping. Eat first, and we'll talk about the rest after you finish eating."

Madam Ming was full of anger but was blocked by Duke Zhenguo. She glared at him unhappily and kept a sullen face the whole time. Everyone had lost their appetite long ago and ate the remaining half of the meal in silence, which tasted like chewing wax.

After everyone put down their chopsticks, Duke Zhenguo's face darkened and he said solemnly, "I have lived up to the reputation of Crown Prince Zhang Huai, and have been loyal, righteous, benevolent, and filial. The only thing I have failed is my family. I am not a responsible father, and I am especially sorry to Yu Ji. I promised Yu Ji that I would not force her, and that she could come back whenever she wanted, but she would always have a place at home. I am already so old, and it would be too shameful if I couldn't keep my promise."

Everyone was stunned. Ming Huashang said, "Father..."

Duke Zhenguo raised his hand to stop Ming Huashang from speaking, and said, "Don't worry about me. I know what I am doing, and now I have to bear the price. I am already half buried in the ground. I spent the first half of my life for loyalty and justice, and the second half of my life is just for myself. I am ashamed to ask my children to fulfill their filial piety. They can live the way they want, and they don't need to stay by my side. As a father, I can't make up for the absence of the past few years. I can only do what I can for them. So, while everyone is here, let's divide the family property."

This time it was Old Madam Ming who was shocked. Her face suddenly changed and she scolded, "Ridiculous! I'm not even dead yet, and you want to divide the family?"

The Duke of Zhenguo looked at the second and third wives, who had different expressions on their faces, and said calmly, "Mother, this is a long time coming. I don't believe that my third brother's wife hasn't mentioned it to you in private. Instead of hiding it from others, why not bring it out and let us all discuss it together. As the eldest brother, I have the responsibility to set up a household on the top of the family, and I will say a few more words about the division of the family property. The cash in the public treasury is divided into three parts, and the second and third wives each take one part. The gold, silver, jade and other valuables in the warehouse are converted according to the market price and divided into three parts. The second and third wives go first, and the rest is left to the eldest wife."

Old Madam Ming had a strong reaction to the division of the family property, but Second Madam Ming and Third Madam Ming remained silent and listened attentively to what the Duke of Zhenguo had to say.

Everyone knows how much money is in the public accounts, and they will balance it out on the surface. There is nothing to say. The real water is private property.

The eldest wife's money could not be given to them, and Mrs. Ming II did not expect it at all. She was concerned about the old lady's private money.

Duke Zhenguo took a sip of water and continued, "As the eldest son, it is my duty to be filial to my mother and I will support her for the rest of her life. If my mother wants to go to my second and third brothers' homes to relax, I have no objection. Your monthly allowance and dowry over the years are your pocket money. I dare not touch them. You can give them to whoever you want. Yulan's dowry is not our Ming family's money. Divide it into two parts for Yu Ji and Shang Shang. I will not interfere. As for the shops, farms, rewards, cloth and other things under my name, they will be divided into four parts according to the market value. Yu Ji and Shang Shang will each get one part, and the other two parts will be given to Prince Yong and Su Xingzhi respectively."

Li Huazhang and Su Xingzhi were both taken aback. Su Xingzhi had never thought that he was involved in this matter, so he hurriedly said, "Duke, I don't deserve it. I have no relatives or friends with the Ming family, so how can I accept your property?"

Li Huazhang also said: "Yes, you are like a father to me. I can't thank you enough for raising me. How can I accept your money?"

Duke Zhenguo waved his hands and said, "To be disrespectful, I watched Prince Yong grow up. In my heart, he is like my own child. Of course, you should have a share of the things I have left after my death. What I gave to Su Xingzhi is a thank-you gift. If it weren't for him and Nanny Su, Yu Ji would not be alive today. Yu Ji is a priceless treasure in my heart. In comparison, what is a family fortune?"

Madam Ming had been listening reluctantly before, but she couldn't stand it anymore. It would be fine to give it to Prince Yong. Prince Yong had received a lot of rewards recently and didn't care about money at all. He couldn't accept the Duke of Zhenguo's things for free, but why give one to Su Xingzhi?

How much does it cost to raise a child in the countryside? The Duke of Zhen actually wants to use a quarter of his estate to thank him. Is he crazy?

Madam Ming said slowly, "The Su family raised Yuji, and we should thank them. But there are other ways to express our gratitude. Repaying them with money is too vulgar."

The Duke of Zhenguo waved his hand and gave the first house's property to outsiders. The most anxious person was Madam Yu Mingsan. She also agreed: "Yes, Uncle is in his prime, it's too early to divide the family property now. Second Lady and Yu Ji are young and ignorant. If they rashly take such a large sum of money, it will easily cause disaster."

Duke Zhenguo said calmly but firmly, "I am just an ordinary person, I can't say nice things, I always feel that it is not enough to express my feelings without money. The children are unwilling to accept it because they are filial, but as an elder, I have to set the bar right. I have thought it through. I have been mediocre all my life. My biggest wish is to raise Prince Yong and live up to the trust of Crown Prince Zhang Huai, and to have my two daughters back to my side so that the whole family can have a reunion dinner. Now these two wishes have been realized, I have nothing else to ask for. If the title of Duke Zhenguo can be inherited, it will be inherited. If the court does not show mercy, it will be gone. In the future, I will go to apologize to my father in the underworld."

When Mrs. Ming II heard this, her eyelids jumped. She glanced at the old lady and the third wife without making a sound, thinking that they were waiting here. Duke Zhenguo had said so much before, but what he really wanted to say was just this: he would rather let the title of the Ming family be lost than pass it on to someone else's son.

Madam Ming II almost laughed out loud, but she had to hold it back to maintain her dignity in front of everyone. Madam Ming Lao and Madam Ming San looked very unhappy, and they both realized that the Duke of Zhenguo had deliberately told them that their conversation in the incense room today had been overheard.

Duke Zhenguo seemed not to notice the strange atmosphere and continued, "There is one more thing I would like to ask mother. I would like to place Su Mama's tablet in the Ming family's ancestral temple."

Madam Ming's eyebrows jumped, and she thought she had heard it wrongly: "What?"

Zhenguo Gong admitted the truth and said, "Madame Su took care of Yulan and raised her, and later brought up Yuji. She has done a great favor to the Ming family, just like an elder in our family. The Ming family should offer her incense. Let's put the tablet next to Yulan, so that when Yulan feels lonely, she can still talk to Madame Su."

Duke Zhenguo poured a cup of tea and looked at Su Xingzhi, saying, "Thank you for taking care of Yu Ji all these years. I'll use tea instead of wine to toast you and Madam Su."

Su Xingzhi immediately raised his glass to respond. Li Huazhang glanced at the others calmly, poured a cup of tea, and said with a smile, "Duke Zhenguo is right. I am disrespectful to your sincere heart, so I will accept your gift with shamelessness."

After Li Huazhang accepted a quarter of the first wife's private property, Old Madam Ming could not say that she disagreed. This meant that she tacitly agreed to this division. In fact, the second and third wives did not get anything less, but compared to what the third wife had expected, it was much less.

The meal ended unpleasantly. Old Madam Ming had no mood to worship Buddha at the Jokhang Temple anymore and went home with a sullen face.

I don't know whether it was intentional or not, but I happened to hear Li Huazhang and Ming Huashang talking: "Shangshang, I'm not good at managing the business, but I don't want to waste the Duke of Zhen's kindness. Can I give my share to you and help me manage it?"

After Su Xingzhi heard this, he also said, "Yuji, I am not a member of the Ming family, so it is unreasonable for me to take over the private property of Duke Zhen. I will return my share to you."

Su Yuji glanced at him and said, "You haven't even kept accounts, so you can't manage it. Then let me do it. I will send you the dividends every month."

Ming Huashang heard this and whispered, "Actually, I don't know how to keep accounts either. I used to only spend money and never worried about making money."

Li Huazhang laughed when he heard this, and pretended to be distressed and said, "What should I do? I won't care."

Ming Huashang looked innocent and said, "Sister Yuji, could you please take care of ours as well? Give us the same amount of dividends as you gave Brother Su. If it's too much trouble for you, I can go get it myself."

Su Yuji frowned when she heard this. She had not expected that Su Xingzhi would accept it. They had always spent their money together. Su Xingzhi gave her things to take care of, and Su Yuji was used to it. But Ming Huashang and Li Huazhang also gave her their share. Wasn't that too bold?

Su Yuji said cryptically, "It's about money, and there are a lot of complications. We don't live together, so it might not be convenient."

Ming Huashang said seriously, "Wouldn't it be convenient for you to move back to the Duke's Mansion?"

Su Yuji was slightly startled, and suddenly realized that Ming Huashang had been playing dumb for so long just for this sentence. Li Huazhang behind him smiled and said nothing, obviously he had expected it the moment Ming Huashang opened her mouth. Su Yuji glanced at Ming Huashang who seemed to be speaking unintentionally, the angry and unwilling third wife, the Ming family servants who were ambiguous, and the Duke of Zhenguo who was not far away and was clearly expecting but deliberately pretending not to care. Suddenly, he felt that life was short and it was a waste of time to get entangled in those trivial things.

Su Yuji nodded lightly, also in a nonchalant manner, and said, "Okay."

Ming Huachang was stunned for a moment, then her eyes lit up, as if the sky had just broken after the rain, and the first ray of sunlight shone on the lake, generously waving happiness and joy: "Great. We'll leave now. It will take a long time to pack up and move, so hurry up before it gets dark!"

Upon hearing this, Duke Zhenguo was overjoyed and hurried over to say, "Shangshang, you guys just go back home. I'll go to Yuji's yard to move things."

"No need." Ming Huashang said disdainfully, "Girls' things are so delicate, how would you know how to move them? You've ruined them. Go away, I'm going to help Sister Yuji at her house. It just so happens that I brought Jinbao and the others with me today, one to pack, one to escort the car, and one to check the list, it's just perfect."

Speaking of this, several maids immediately discussed how to clean up, and their voices were so noisy that not even a needle could be heard. Li Huazhang tried to join the conversation at first, but later he gave up and just listened without expressing his opinions, content to be a tool man who could move things.

Su Yuji walked away in the crowd, and Su Xingzhi fell behind. Looking at Su Yuji's gradually smiling face in the crowd, his eyes were filled with both relief and loneliness.

She would gradually integrate into the new environment. In half a year at most, she would be no different from the ladies who were born and raised in Chang'an. The little girl in her youth no longer needed him to help her tie her hair.

The star that accidentally entered the mortal world seventeen years ago finally returned to where she belonged.

He should be happy for her.