Zhou Shaojin felt that he should be nicer to Mrs. Guo.
Cheng Chi and Cheng Xu have arrived at Tingyu Pavilion.
Just like the family reunion dinner, Tingyuxuan was divided into two parts by a twelve-panel agarwood screen, with the women sitting inside and the men sitting outside.
They went neither early nor late.
The younger generations with the character “言” (meaning “speak”) in their family name had all arrived, including Cheng Shi, who brought his five-year-old eldest son Geng Ge’er, and his uncles who were not married were playing with Geng Ge’er. The younger generations with the character “水” (meaning “water”) in their family name had all arrived, including Cheng Yi from the second branch, Cheng Lu from the third branch, Cheng Mian from the fourth branch, and Cheng Wen from the fifth branch.
The corner of Cheng Chi's mouth curled up almost imperceptibly.
This old man always shows up the same way, always arriving late after everyone is gathered. Is it because he knows the time well? Or did he send someone to tip him off so that he can arrive on time to show his special status in this family
Cheng Chi stepped forward and greeted his cousins.
Cheng Yi and Cheng Lu nodded slightly, both sitting still. Although Cheng Mian did not move either, he smiled and greeted Cheng Chi, "Chi cousin is here." Only Cheng Wen came over anxiously and complained, "Why did you come at this time? You are the only one missing! Come sit over here, my chair is still empty!" Then he greeted Cheng Xu, "Jiashan, you have lost a lot of weight since you left. Are you studying too hard? You should take care of your health."
There was a flash of disdain in the eyes of Cheng Yi and Cheng Lu, but Cheng Mian smiled kindly.
Cheng Xu stepped forward and saluted his uncles, while Cheng Shi brought his cousins over to pay their respects to Cheng Chi.
Cheng Chi's gaze fell on Cheng Yi, who was following his cousins in a dusty manner.
He walked with a slight limp.
It seems that the injury has not healed yet.
Cheng Chi turned his eyes away from him with satisfaction.
Feeling Cheng Chi's gaze, Cheng Yi shrank his shoulders, appearing even more inconspicuous.
Cheng Shi carried Geng Ge'er to Cheng Chi, smiled gently and said to his eldest son, "This is your great uncle Chi, go and greet him!"
Geng Ge'er bowed to Cheng Chi like an adult, called him "Uncle Chi" in a baby voice, and said, "My grandson greets you!"
Cheng Chi couldn't help laughing and waved to Geng Ge'er.
Geng Ge'er was not afraid of strangers and ran over with a smile on his face.
Cheng Chi touched his head, thought for a moment, and told Huaishan: "Send the jade token of immediate promotion that I bought in the capital a few days ago to Liuting Pavilion later."
Huaishan responded respectfully, “Yes.”
Cheng Zheng gently patted Gengge'er on the shoulder and said with a smile: "Your Uncle Chi has given you something, why don't you thank him quickly?"
Gengger opened his big eyes with distinct black and white and thanked Cheng Chi in a baby voice.
Cheng Chi felt that this pair of eyes was very familiar, as if he had seen them somewhere before. He liked them very much and was thinking about whether he should give Gengge'er a few more things. At the corner of his eye, he inadvertently glanced at Cheng Yi from the second room and Cheng Lu from the third room.
Cheng Yi's expression was somewhat smug, but Cheng Lu's eyes were somewhat displeased.
Cheng Chi couldn't help but sigh secretly in his heart.
If you read little, your vision will be limited.
Among the "Yan" generation, only Cheng Shi got married and had two sons. Cheng Shi brought his eldest son to the front hall, as if to show off that he had a successor.
But having successors does not only refer to the inheritance of bloodline, but also the inheritance of family business and family reputation.
The two children of the second wife are still young, so it’s too early to talk about this now.
The two cousins also have narrow minds.
No wonder they wanted to plot against Cheng Jiashan and Shao Jin.
If this continues, even if the Cheng family is not confiscated and exterminated in ten years, it will be difficult for them to stand among the prominent families in Jiangnan.
Thinking of this, the idea of giving Gengge'er a few more gifts faded.
Cheng Yi asked Cheng Xu about his homework: "How many times have you read the Four Books Annotations? How many pieces of crafts do you write every day? A few days ago, Wende Pavilion and Deyi Bookstore jointly published a book called Crafts Collection. I flipped through it and found that some of the crafts were pretty good. You should buy a copy."
Cheng Xu said respectfully, "When I came to Kyoto before, I studied with my second great uncle. According to my second great uncle's instructions, I have memorized the Four Books Annotations three times. I write one article every two days. It is said that the "Collection of Zhiyi" was published by the retired cabinet minister and chief minister Shen Minzhi. My second great uncle asked someone to buy it and bring it back, saying that he wanted to read it carefully. I haven't flipped through it yet. I was in a hurry when I came back and forgot to ask my second great uncle for it. After hearing what Uncle Yi said, I will ask someone to go to the bookstore to buy a copy tomorrow."
Cheng Shi and Cheng Zheng both pricked up their ears to listen.
When in Kyoto, although Cheng Shi lived in Xinglin Hutong like Cheng Xu, because of Mrs. Yuan, Cheng Xu either visited the Yuan family at their house in Ertiao Hutong, or was called by Cheng Shao who lived in Shuangyu Hutong not far from Xinglin Hutong to ask about homework. The time he spent with Cheng Xu was even less than when they were in Jinling.
He really wanted to know how Cheng Xu was progressing.
Cheng Zheng's mood was very complicated.
He knew that without the approval of the eldest and second wives, he would not be able to become an official even if he studied well, unless he had an extraordinary talent that the eldest and second wives could not stop him. But from now on, he was just a little smarter than ordinary people.
Seeing that Cheng Xu had so many resources, he felt both envious and jealous.
If Cheng Xu passed the imperial examination in this subject, he might be the youngest juren in the Cheng family.
No, the second old man of the eldest house, Cheng Shao, passed the imperial examination at the age of 18 and was finally selected as the third place in the imperial examination. Could it be that Cheng Xu will also have such talent in the future
wrong.
Cheng Zheng thought again.
Uncle Yi from the second branch also passed the imperial examination at the age of eighteen, but he failed repeatedly and finally had to become the headmaster of the Cheng clan school.
It can be seen that nothing is static.
Maybe Cheng Xu has Cheng Shao's life but only Cheng Yiyun
Cheng Zheng thought about it and finally felt better.
Cheng Yi had also heard that the "Arts and Crafts Collection" that was highly praised by Jiangnan scholars was published by Shen Minzhi, but it was not confirmed. Now, after hearing what Cheng Xu said, his expression became more serious and he asked, "Is this news reliable?"
Cheng Xu had sensed the delicate relationships among the several branches of the Cheng family since he was very young. At that time, he knew that he could not keep silent or say everything in front of his uncles. Moreover, Cheng Chi had just spoken to him, so he would say even less.
"I don't know either!" He smiled apologetically, "I was so focused on getting back that I didn't have time to tell my second uncle about it."
It is said that one of the examiners presiding over the spring examination was a student of Shen Minzhi. He was not the kind of student who presided over the imperial examinations, but a student who studied with Shen Minzhi and was considered a disciple.
Cheng Xu is going to take part in this year's provincial examination, while his son Cheng Shi is already a juren and will take part in next year's spring examination.
If this book was published by Shin Min-ji, it is very likely that the style that Shin Min-ji's students like is included in it.
Cheng Yi felt very angry when he thought about it.
This is the difference between the first house and the second house now!
Apart from their ancestors, they had no way to distinguish the authenticity of an article, but in addition to Cheng Jing, the eldest son of the family also had Cheng Shao, and even Cheng Wei and Cheng Chi.
The things they had worked so hard to get were effortless for the eldest son.
Cheng Yi was wondering whether he should ask Cheng Chi a question.
Who knew that before he could even open his mouth, Cheng Lu had already said, "Jiashan, write a letter to your second great uncle. I have a confidant who will also participate in the Spring Examination next year." He added, "Jiashan, Uncle Shao was the third place winner that year. He asked you to make some crafts. Show me. I want to try this year, too."
Cheng Xu couldn't ask for more.
Although Uncle Lu is a bookworm, he is a nice person. He has the pride and integrity of a scholar. He will directly express his likes and dislikes, good and bad things. Although it may sound uncomfortable sometimes, it is not as difficult as talking to Uncle Yi, and you will be misled if you are not careful.
"I will give you a copy of the craft assignment that my second uncle asked me to do after I return..."
The two of them immediately started talking heatedly.
Cheng Shi lowered his head silently.
He really didn't know what to say.
This is what Cheng Wen hates to hear the most.
If Cheng Yi was not the elder brother, and had not always been aloof, liked to pay attention to hierarchy, and was afraid of Cheng Xu, the ancestor of the second house, he would have spoken long ago.
Now it was Cheng Lu's turn to ask Cheng Xu. He couldn't hold back any longer and came up to Cheng Chi with a smile and whispered, "Chi Congdi, I have something to ask of you..."
Cheng Chi glanced at him calmly, picked up the teacup and drank a sip of tea slowly, then said: "If it's for that woman outside, you'd better not say anything. My mother is usually alone at home, and she can't stand the commotion of Sister-in-law Wen."
Cheng Wen's face immediately flushed red, and he said hurriedly, "That bitch is ill-mannered, don't bother with her. I'm going to apologize to my sister-in-law in person."
Cheng Chi said nothing.
Cheng Wen laughed dryly twice, and said with a drooling face: "Brother Chi, I heard that you have a good relationship with the people in the Thirteenth Line. This time the Thirteenth Line formed a fleet to go to sea, and you also bought a share. Brother Chi, you also know the situation here. That woman not only likes to make a scene, but also is a spendthrift. Your nephew is about to get engaged, but the family is short of money. If I don't think of a way to make some money, when the new daughter-in-law comes home, she will not even look at me, and I will lose face in front of my in-laws. Please help me with this favor no matter what! I beg you as your brother!" By the end of his words, he was already in tears.
Cheng Chi smiled and said, "Brother Wen, the investment in Thirteen Hongs came from the public. It has nothing to do with me. You can also get a share when the time comes, so why do you need to invest privately!"
Cheng Wen's face turned purple, and after a while he said, "I, I have no other choice. Brother Chi, how about you help me think of a solution? I'm still short of several thousand taels of silver! In a few days, Brother Nuo will be engaged to the eldest daughter of Magistrate Wu!"
Cheng Chi thought for a moment and said, "How about you move to the one outside. I heard from someone that you gave four thousand taels of silver to the three shops outside. If you transfer it from the left purse to the right purse, it's your money after all."
※
Sisters and brothers, today’s update.
I will update the content about the spirit beast eggs tomorrow.
O(∩_∩)O~
※(To be continued)