The second old master of the Liao family naturally didn't believe it, but Cheng Chi didn't know anything about it, so he had to give up in embarrassment.
But families like the Liao family all knew about it. So did the Fang family, the Yuan family, the Min family, and Cheng Zheng's in-laws, the Gu family. There was no reason why they didn't know about it.
Yuan Weichang didn't say anything, but the Min family was happy to see it happen.
After the clan was divided, without Cheng Shi and Cheng Zheng who were older than Cheng Xu, Cheng Xu was the undisputed eldest master, the eldest son and grandson of the eldest house, and the future of the Cheng family should undoubtedly be in charge of him.
The Fang and Gu families felt that something was wrong. Especially the Gu family, the fourth old master in the capital even personally called Cheng Zheng to question her.
Cheng Zheng had no choice but to say, "I have sent someone to inquire about it. There should be news in the near future. I will report to the old master then."
The fourth old master of the Gu family was a bit old-fashioned. He stroked his beard and nodded when he heard this, saying, "Brothers fight tigers together, and fathers and sons fight together in battle. You all know the truth better than me, so I won't say it. Some things are like spilled water, and it is difficult to take them back. We need to be extremely careful."
In front of the elders, Cheng Zheng was obedient and loved to teach. But when she returned to the East Cross Courtyard where she lived, her heart was like a pot of fire burning. She walked back and forth in the house twice but couldn't calm down. She simply went to the house at Chaoyang Gate.
Who knew that everyone from Cheng Chi to the general manager Qin Ziji and even the housekeeper Biyu were not there.
The maid on duty at home said tremblingly: "General Manager Qin accompanied the old lady to the capital and arrived in Tongzhou the night before yesterday. The fourth master only received the letter early this morning. The second old master, the first master, the second master, the second wife and the second master all rushed to Xizhimen..."
Cheng Zheng was surprised and happy. She was happy that her grandmother, whom she had not seen for so many years, came to Beijing, and the grandparents and grandchildren were able to meet, so she could fulfill her filial piety. She was surprised because she didn't know whether her grandmother's visit to Beijing this time was related to the division of the Cheng family. The Gu family obviously felt that the eldest branch should not propose the division of the family... They were afraid that they would have some opinions about her as the grandson's daughter-in-law.
While sending people to Xinglin Hutong, she rushed to Xizhimen.
Cheng Zheng didn't meet anyone at Xizhimen, but the person she sent to Xinglin Hutong brought over Madam Guo's sidekick, Lu Ma.
"Aunt!" Aunt Lu didn't dare to act in front of Cheng Zheng. She knelt down in front of Cheng Zheng with a plop, tears streaming down her face. "You've missed our old lady so much! Come with me and pay your respects to her!"
When Cheng Zheng thought of her grandmother's teachings, tears began to fall. She hurriedly pulled Aunt Lu and rushed to Xinglin Hutong.
Xinglin Hutong is a house with five courtyards. It is home to Cheng Jing and Cheng Wei's family. There is a study room outside, and the living room is shared. Cheng Jing lives in the main house, and Cheng Wei lives in the back house. When Mrs. Guo came, the Cheng family opened the door and welcomed Mrs. Guo into the main house and sat on the Luohan bed in the living room. Cheng Jing, Cheng Wei, Cheng Chi, Wei's second wife Qiu, and Cheng Wei's son Cheng Rang all sat around Mrs. Guo after they kowtowed to her.
Seeing that the gentle and modest Cheng Rang was still as shy as before, Mrs. Guo couldn't help but sigh and pulled Cheng Rang aside to ask about his homework.
Knowing that Cheng Rang had read the Four Books, Old Lady Guo was very happy and said, "When your grandfather was your age, he also started reading the Four Books. Everything is more about precision than speed. You should read the Four Books carefully to understand their meaning. If you have any questions, you can ask your uncle Chi. Your uncle Chi is also very good at his studies and was praised by your grandfather."
Cheng Rang replied "yes" with a red face, and a little maidservant came through the curtain to announce that "the eldest aunt is here."
Mrs. Guo's eyes turned red, and she didn't even bother to greet her second daughter-in-law, and hurriedly said, "Please come in, please come in!"
As soon as Cheng Zheng came in, she knelt in front of Madam Guo. When she called out "Grandma", tears started to fall like rain.
Mrs. Guo also started crying.
Cheng Jing and others turned their heads away.
Mrs. Wei walked forward with red eyes to support Cheng Zheng, and said softly: "Don't cry, Aunt! You are making the old lady even more sad."
Cheng Zheng knew it, but she couldn't stop her tears from falling.
She wiped her eyes twice before her tears stopped and she called out "Grandma" with a smile.
Mrs. Guo also stopped crying after Cheng Chi's consolation. She smiled and pulled Cheng Zheng's hand, saying happily, "How did you know I came to the capital? I didn't tell anyone because I didn't want to delay your business!"
Cheng Zheng naturally couldn't say that it was the elders of the Gu family who knew about the Cheng family's plan to split up. She wanted to ask about the situation, so she smiled and said, "I was planning to visit my fourth uncle, and then I found out that you were in the capital!"
"It shows how fateful our great aunt is with mother!" Mrs. Wei Er said, "I just wanted to go out for a walk on a whim, and happened to meet mother coming to the capital... Is the great aunt going back today? Why not stay for dinner?"
Cheng Zheng nodded repeatedly, and sent the servants around to fetch her sons Gu Ning and Gu Zhong, and then sent a letter to Gu Xu who was on duty at the government office: "She said that grandma is coming!"
The servant responded repeatedly and left the main room.
Cheng Jing was busy making room for his mother.
"You don't have to go to so much trouble." Madam Guo said with a smile, "I just came to the capital to relax. I'll stay in the guest room today. Tomorrow I'll go to Silang's house in Chaoyang Gate and stay there for a few days."
Cheng Wei and his wife looked at each other.
Cheng Jing hesitated and said, "Mother has been traveling a long way, why not let her rest here for a few days before leaving?"
When Mrs. Guo came to the capital, she had to visit her relatives in the capital. He was the eldest son and should serve his mother. Mrs. Guo moved to Chaoyangmen, so relatives had to go to Chaoyangmen to visit Mrs. Guo. The Yuan family was making a fuss about dividing the clan in their hometown, and some suspicious people might think that Mrs. Guo and the Yuan family were not getting along.
As he said this, he glanced at Cheng Wei.
He signaled Cheng Wei to persuade his mother.
Cheng Wei didn't dare to say anything.
His mother came to Beijing without telling them, and brought along General Qin, most likely to discuss the matter of dividing the clan. He hadn't had time to talk to his mother about whether she agreed or opposed, so he didn't dare to say anything at this time.
He looked towards Cheng Chi.
Zichuan has been taking care of his mother in Jinling City for these years. As the youngest son, he should know best what his mother is thinking. Even if he doesn't know best, at least his mother will never get angry if he says something wrong.
Cheng Chi was full of confusion.
Why did mother suddenly want to live in Chaoyangmen
Could it be that he has something to say to him about Zhou Shaojin
Cheng Chi stood there with his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart, and ignored Cheng Wei at all.
When he went out, he asked someone to bring a letter to Zhou Shaojin, saying that he had something to do and would not be at home today, so that she would not come to the house disappointed.
The little girl has been playing in his study these days.
If I suddenly ask her not to come over, I don’t know if the little girl will feel bored!
Cheng Wei secretly complained, and had to pretend that he didn't see Cheng Jing's eyes, and told his wife: "Mother is coming, you have to send someone to tell Xiao Jie'er and Sheng Jie'er. You also have to go to the kitchen to check, and wait for Da Lun and the others to come and we will set the table. Mother, what do you think?"
Madam Guo nodded and said, "It's too late now. Xiao Jie'er and Sheng Jie'er should send a letter tomorrow. Just send the steward to tell them. I'll leave this matter to Rang Ge'er. Rang Ge'er, are you up to it?"
Cheng Rang hurried forward to answer, his face red as if blood might drip out.
Madam Guo laughed and said, "Rang'er is not young anymore. It's time for him to experience things."
Cheng Wei and others bowed and agreed.
Mrs. Guo said, "As for the kitchen, just let the maids in the mansion take a look. The second daughter-in-law is not in good health, so go back to her room and change her clothes. Come and talk to us in a loose manner. If you have anything to do, go and do your own things. When Dalun and the others come, we will set the table in the hall."
When Mrs. Wei heard this, tears welled up in her eyes.
She had been married for more than 20 years, and had difficulty giving birth. Her first few pregnancies did not survive, and she finally gave birth to Cheng Sheng and Cheng Rang. Perhaps because of this, Cheng Rang was weak and sickly since childhood, and was not as smart as Cheng Xu in studying. However, her mother-in-law was always kind to her and not only did she not complain at all, but also comforted her when she was feeling sorry for herself. After Cheng Wei became an official in the capital, she sent her and her son to the capital to reunite with Cheng Wei, and kept the lively and active Cheng Sheng by her side to take care of her...
"Mother!" Mrs. Wei pulled Mrs. Guo's sleeve and choked up.
Mrs. Guo smiled and said, "I'm very alive, please don't cry..."
Mrs. Wei was so frightened that she stopped crying and called out "Mother" anxiously.
Mrs. Guo smiled and patted her hands, saying, "Okay, okay, I know you are filial. You all can go down! I want to talk to Sister Zheng."
The sons and grandsons filed out of the banquet room in the main house.
As soon as they left the hall, Cheng Jing complained, "Mother wants to live in Chaoyang Gate, but you didn't help persuade her. It's empty over there, and it's full of new servants. How can they serve mother well?"
Cheng Wei just smiled.
Cheng Chi said lazily, "Didn't the eldest sister-in-law clamor for a division of the clan? I am doing this for the good of our eldest branch. Mother was forced into a corner by the second branch's ancestors, so she had no choice but to run to the capital. She was anxious and angry, and felt ashamed to see those relatives, so she quietly moved into the youngest son's house. When we pay the silver to the second branch, it will just confirm the second branch's reputation of being unkind and unjust. Isn't this good?"
The houses in Xinglin Hutong are indeed too small.
We also need to make room for Cheng Jiashan to build a new house.
His mother was a widow, so Cheng Jiashan definitely could not live in the main room on his wedding day.
Could we let her move to the back room
My mother had never suffered such injustice in her life.
It doesn't make sense that my sons, who are already grown up, still have to endure such trivial matters.
Cheng Chi said: "Mother, this is also for the sake of my elder brother and sister-in-law. Zheng Jie'er's in-laws value these the most."
Cheng Jing's face flushed, and he whispered, "The division of the clan is also the general trend."
"That's right!" Cheng Chi said, "The world will eventually divide after a long period of unity, let alone a family! I don't know what's bothering you, brother?"
Cheng Jing smiled awkwardly.
Cheng Wei hurriedly came out to smooth things over, and said to Cheng Chi: "Since you feel good about it, then let your second sister-in-law go with you to serve mother."
The second sister-in-law is also a gentle person, so let her get in touch with the little girl in advance so that the little girl will have a companion when she gets married in the future.
Cheng Chi smiled and said, "It doesn't matter whether Second Sister-in-law goes or not. It's more important to let my brother go and serve. Didn't mother say that it's time for my brother to have affairs? There are few servants there, so let my brother go and run errands for mother."
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Sisters, I'm sorry, the computer at home broke down, so I ran to the company to submit the document, and it's much late, and I can't ask for leave!
The extra update will be added tomorrow.
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