Zhan Chun

Kapitel 62

Cheng Mutian waited until she had driven Madam Yang away before coming out from the inner room, praising her with a smile, "My lady is quite impressive today." Xiao Yuan, while instructing the maids to pack up Chen Ge's "steamed eggplant with sugar," said, "I really don't understand the Yang family. They're poor, but instead of thinking about how to make money, they're always thinking about crooked ways." While the maids were bending down to tie knots, Cheng Mutian quickly leaned down and kissed Xiao Yuan, whispering in her ear with a laugh, "Do you think everyone is as capable as your husband?" Xiao Yuan reacted swiftly, stomping on his foot and laughing, "Shameless!" Cheng Mutian hurriedly said, "Yes, it's mainly because my lady is virtuous and good at managing the household..."

He had finally managed to praise his wife when Wu Ge burst in, interrupting him: "Father, Mother, I'm not going back." Cheng Mutian was furious and angrily asked, "Why don't you want to go back? Are you reluctant to leave the mountains where you can run wild, or are you reluctant to leave Su Niang of the Yang family?" Wu Ge didn't know his father understood him so well. He opened his mouth but couldn't say anything, so he could only slowly nod. Seeing that he had admitted it so readily, Cheng Mutian was so angry that he reached out to hit him. Xiao Yuan quickly pulled Wu Ge in front of her and coaxed him, "In the mountains, there aren't many people to play with. When you go back to the city and enter the academy, won't there be more friends there?" Wu Ge's eyes began to light up, and he asked, "Will there be enough to play football? Chen Ge has gotten fat and can't play anymore, and Uncle is clumsy. Only Xi Ge and I can't play."

Xiao Yuan smiled and nodded, "There are enough for you to hold a competition." Wu Ge became happy, hugged her waist, and began to plead, "Mother, then let's take Su Niang with us too." Cheng Mutian's hand reached out again, but Xiao Yuan stepped aside to block it and continued to coax Wu Ge, "Taking her away is no problem, but you have to sign a contract of servitude, making her our concubine before you take her away, otherwise the Yang family will sue us for kidnapping." Although Wu Ge thought concubines were a good thing, and Su Niang's life improved because the Yang family had a concubine, he could never forget the scene of Yin Jie being slashed by Madam Yang's teacup and bleeding profusely. So he lowered his head deeply and said dejectedly, "Then forget it." Xiao Yuan couldn't bear to see him too sad, so she comforted him, "Don't worry, when you're twenty, if you still want to be with her, Mother will arrange it for you, and bring her into the family with proper betrothal and marriage."

"Really?" Wu Ge raised his head again.

Xiao Yuan nodded and then instructed him, "You should keep this to yourself and never tell the Yang family, not even Su Niang."

Wu asked, puzzled, "Why?"

Chapter 189 Foot Binding

The reason for not letting the Yang family know was to prevent them from pestering her again; the reason for not letting Su Niang know was to prevent her from having any ulterior motives. But Xiao Yuan couldn't tell him these things, so she could only continue to coax him, saying, "Madam Yang is determined to make things difficult for Su Niang. If you let the Yang family know about these things, wouldn't she beat Su Niang? As for why we don't tell Su Niang, it's to give her a surprise later."

Wu Ge understood, happily agreed, grabbed a bundle, and ran out. Xiao Yuan guessed he was going to say goodbye to Su Niang, so she glanced at the wet nurse beside her. The wet nurse understood and quickly replied, "They're just some children's toys. I've already put away the jade pendant and other personal items." Xiao Yuan nodded, praised her a few times, and continued watching the maids take stock of the items. Cheng Mutian praised her, saying, "My wife is indeed meticulous. Otherwise, if he had carelessly given away the tokens of the Cheng family, it would have caused a lot of trouble later." Xiao Yuan thought to herself, "Your son is already attracting attention at such a young age. How can I, as his mother, not be careful? Otherwise, there would be a long line of betrothal suitors in the family."

The children were overjoyed to be returning to the city, especially Cheng Si Niang and Zhong Lang. The thought of seeing their mother more often made them jump into the carriage faster than Wu Ge, who was as lively as a monkey. Xiao Yuan, understanding their feelings, specially arranged another carriage for them. Once inside the city gates, they were taken directly to the villa in the east of the city to stay with their mothers for a few days before returning.

Cheng Mutian stood before the long-lost old house, gazing at it for a long time before finally uttering, "It's huge, truly huge." Xiao Yuan covered her mouth and chuckled. Compared to the small three-courtyard villa in the mountains, this five-courtyard mansion with its side courtyards was indeed much larger. She summoned the housekeeper and gave her detailed instructions: the last courtyard would be for Cheng Si Niang, the fourth courtyard for Zhong Lang, the third courtyard for Wu Ge and Chen Ge, while she, Cheng Mutian, and Xiao Rui Niang would stay in the second courtyard.

She stood in the courtyard, watching the servants move chests and trunks, and laughed, "It's better to have more people. Finally, the house is packed full." Cheng Mutian frowned, "Not many. When Rui Niang gets older, she still won't have her own courtyard to live in."

Xiao Yuan laughed and said, "Our family's courtyards are all quite large. We'll set up a separate little courtyard for Fourth Sister to live in with her." Cheng Mutian looked dissatisfied and muttered, "My daughter has been wronged." Just as Xiao Yuan was about to tease him, A Cai came to report that Aunt Ding had brought Fourth Sister Cheng.

Xiao Yuan asked curiously, "Didn't you say you missed your birth mother? Why did you come back after only one day?" A Cai glanced at the courtyard gate and replied, "I think she came looking for trouble. She looked very resentful and even cursed a few times when she got to the gate. I told the old woman to stop her outside." Cheng Mutian's face darkened, and he said angrily, "Who does she think she is, putting on airs in my house? Drag her to the woodshed and give her a good beating." Xiao Yuan scolded, "Your tone is almost like a stepmother's. You should at least give Fourth Miss some face." After saying that, she instructed A Cai, "Take Fourth Miss to her own courtyard. Adult matters are not for children to meddle in. Tell Aunt Ding to wait in the side hall. I'll go see her after I'm done with my work." A Cai agreed and left. Xiao Yuan continued to watch the servants arranging the furniture until it was in place and the utensils were set up. Only then did she take the little maid's hand and head towards the side hall.

Aunt Ding was extremely impatient waiting in the hall, but dared not show it. Finally, she saw Xiao Yuan's skirt appear at the door and quickly pulled Cheng Si Niang's hand to greet her. Xiao Yuan ignored her and scolded A Cai, "Didn't I tell you to take Si Niangzi back to the courtyard?"

Aunt Ding hurriedly said, "I came here because of Fourth Sister's matter, so I didn't let her leave." Xiao Yuan saw that Fourth Sister Cheng had her head down and wondered to herself. She walked to the main seat and sat down, asking, "What's wrong, Fourth Sister?" Aunt Ding replied, "The weather is getting colder, and it's time to bind her feet. She should have done it when she was four or five years old. She lives in the mountains, so I can't control her. But now that we're closer, I have to say a few words."

These words were extremely rude. For Cheng Si Niang's sake, Xiao Yuan suppressed her anger. It wasn't that she hadn't thought about binding Cheng Si Niang's feet, but they were going to go to sea in the future, and where could they go with bound feet? Seeing that she didn't speak, Aunt Ding became anxious: "You wouldn't be deliberately not binding Si Niang's feet, would you? You have big feet yourself, but you can't stand seeing others with bound feet?" Seeing that Xiao Yuan's face was getting more and more unpleasant, Cheng Si Niang kept tugging at Aunt Ding's clothes, but Aunt Ding was in a bad mood and didn't respond to her hints. Instead, she turned her head away indignantly.

Xiao Yuan gripped the teacup tightly and asked Cheng Si Niang, "Do you want to pester me too?"

Unsurprisingly, Cheng Si Niang nodded.

Xiao Yuan had initially intended to subtly tell her about the plans to go to sea, hoping to dissuade her from binding her feet. However, upon further reflection, she realized that going to sea was at least twenty years away, by which time Xiao Yuan would be married and living with her husband's family, and Xiao Yuan would have no say in the matter. Having come to this conclusion, she was no longer angry and calmly said, "Binding feet at seven is not too late, but binding too early is not a good thing either. A Cai, take Fourth Sister back to her room and call Sister-in-law Yu to bind her feet."

Aunt Ding hurriedly said, "I know how to persuade, I can do it." Xiao Yuan glanced at her and said coldly, "Show the guest out."

A-Cai ordered two maids to throw Aunt Ding out, but she was still furious. She asked Xiao-Yuan, "Young Madam, why didn't you tell me to hit her a few times? Fourth Miss's reputation is important, but Aunt Ding is really too hateful. She has no manners at all." Xiao-Yuan smiled bitterly, "She's from another family now. Unless Madam gives the order, how could I touch her? She thinks I deliberately didn't bind Fourth Miss's feet because I didn't want her to marry into a good family. She sees everyone as a petty person. Why bother with her?"

Although she was angry with Aunt Ding, she was still worried about Cheng Si Niang, whom she had raised herself, so she went to the fifth courtyard to see her. Cheng Si Niang was sitting on a low stool, and Sister-in-law Yu was washing her feet while laughing, "It's good for us rough people, we don't have to suffer the pain of foot binding." Cheng Si Niang's face was red, and she said softly, "Auntie said that bound feet make it easier to find a good family, but I'm not afraid of the pain." Xiao Yuan, who was standing at the door, heard this and, without going inside, asked, "Is Si Niang also upset that I didn't bind your feet?" Cheng Si Niang quickly got up, stood in the foot basin, and bowed to her, saying, "Sister-in-law, I absolutely didn't mean that. How would I know what age to bind feet?" Xiao Yuan secretly thought she had been too suspicious, went over and helped her sit down, saying, "It was my fault. I always thought I could take care of you for life, but I never thought you would eventually get married."

Sister-in-law Yu smiled and said, "When I first came to work for the Cheng family, I said that the young mistress was a kind person. In recent years, she has become even kinder. Kindness will surely be rewarded." Xiao Yuan smiled and said, "Thank you for your kind words." She then asked, "At this age, can one still bind their feet into three-inch golden lotuses?" Sister-in-law Yu said in surprise, "Seven years old is the perfect age for foot binding, but how can you bind them to three inches? Usually, it's four inches." It turns out that when people in the Song Dynasty bound their feet, they only aimed for "slender and straight" feet, without bending the arch of the foot, so naturally, they could not achieve the standard of three-inch golden lotuses.

Sister-in-law Yu washed Cheng Si Niang's feet clean, and while they were still warm, she twisted the four toes (excluding the big toe) towards the sole of her foot, then sprinkled powder between the toes, and finally loosely wrapped them with a cloth. Xiao Yuan saw that Cheng Si Niang did not have a pained expression on her face, and thought that it would not hurt unless the arch of her foot was bent. However, Sister-in-law Yu said, "This is just a trial wrap. We will tighten it in a few days, and the pain will begin then."

Sure enough, four or five days later, as the foot bindings gradually tightened, Cheng Si Niang's feet hurt more and more. Although she was patient and didn't cry out, she gradually stopped wanting to leave her room.

Before they knew it, it was harvest season. Xiao Yuan and Cheng Mutian went into the mountains to teach the villagers how to make wine yeast. They took the children along the way for an autumn outing. However, Cheng Si Niang's feet were hurting, so she missed out on this opportunity and had to stay at home.

When Madam Yang heard that they had returned to the manor, she was overjoyed and brought Zi Niang to greet them. Xiao Yuan used to live in the mountains and kept things as simple as possible to pretend to be poor, but now that she had no more scruples, she put on a full show, with a large group of servants surrounding her, giving Madam Yang no chance to get close to her at all.

Madam Yang was extremely annoyed and took her anger out on Yin Jie when she got home. Yin Jie, now pregnant, was quite assertive and immediately complained to Master Yang. Master Yang scolded Madam Yang, "Fool! They are wealthy people. If you want to see them, you need to present your visiting card." As he spoke, he personally wrote a card and handed it to her, instructing her, "If Zi Niang's matter doesn't work out, Su Niang will be fine too."

Madam Yang nodded in agreement and took both of her daughters with her as instructed. In her heart, she thought, if my own daughters cannot marry into the family, then the illegitimate daughters will have to step aside. Even if the Cheng family takes the initiative to propose marriage, I will stop them.

She walked to the Cheng family's gate and handed over Master Yang's visiting card. Unexpectedly, the gatekeeper took it, glanced at it, and handed it back to her, saying, "The master has instructed that no one from the Yang family is to be seen. Please go back." Madam Yang did not believe it and said, "I think you are just greedy for the gate's honor. How could a gatekeeper like you understand the words on the card?"

The servant laughed and said, "Oh, Madam Yang, everyone in our Cheng family, even the maids, can read a few words. Don't be offended, I can write a few strokes that are better than the scribbles on your post."

Madam Yang was furious. She pulled Zi Niang and turned to leave. When she got home, she threw the invitation in front of Master Yang, saying that the Cheng family thought his handwriting was too ugly and refused to accept his invitation. This made Master Yang so angry that he almost fell over.

Actually, Xiaoyuan and her husband weren't home at all. They were busy in the workshop teaching the villagers how to make yeast. The women were busy mixing noodles and filling jars, working enthusiastically. After supervising the last step of the process, Cheng Mutian pulled Xiaoyuan out and said with a smile, "You've almost mastered it. Let's go back. It'll be a while before it's truly finished. We'll just have Tian Da come and let us know when it's ready."

Xiao Yuan said, "We just arrived yesterday and are going back today. Are we in a hurry? The children have finally gotten out to relax. Let them play happily for a few more days before they go back." Cheng Mutian was reluctant, "Ruiniang is still at home..." Xiao Yuan smiled at him and said reproachfully, "You only have your daughter in your heart now. Aren't you afraid your sons will be jealous?" Cheng Mutian leaned close to her ear and whispered, "I still have you in my heart. As long as you're not jealous, that's fine." Xiao Yuan glanced at the maids and servants in the distance, then quickly touched his lips, making Cheng Mutian, who was finally able to say something sweet, blush.

They walked down the winding path home when a servant came to report that Madam Yang had come by but had been stopped at the gate. Cheng Mutian casually tossed her a few coins as a reward and laughed, "Good job stopping her."

In the evening, Wu Ge led a group of children back, drenched in sweat, carrying a coarse cloth schoolbag. Xiao Yuan called over and asked what was wrong. It turned out that Su Niang had sewn it by hand as a gift for him. Xiao Yuan secretly admired that a little girl of six could do needlework. She took the bag and examined it; the stitches, though not very fine, were neat. She asked Wu Ge, "Are you planning to take this to the academy after the New Year?" Wu Ge nodded. Xiao Yuan then called over Sister-in-law Yu to help him put the schoolbag away.

After staying for two more days, Cheng Mutian could no longer resist. He personally supervised the servants to prepare the carriage, crammed his entire family inside, and sped home to see his precious daughter.

As soon as they entered, they heard Rui Niang's earth-shattering cries. The couple rushed in to see what was happening, one trying to soothe the child while the other scolded the wet nurse. The wet nurse, head bowed, said, "It's all my fault. I shouldn't have taken her to see Fourth Sister." It turned out that Cheng Fourth Sister had started "toe binding" these past few days, her four toes tightly bound and forced into pointed shoes, causing her unbearable pain. Yet, she still had to walk around to keep her toes bent. When the wet nurse had taken Rui Niang to see her earlier, she was using the stone table in the courtyard to move around, her face covered in sweat, her expression contorted in pain, and she was groaning occasionally. This sight frightened Rui Niang, causing her to burst into tears.

Cheng Mutian still didn't believe it, so he went to the fifth courtyard to take a look. When he returned, he looked terrified and asked Xiaoyuan, "Wife, will our Ruiniang also have her feet bound when she grows up?" Xiaoyuan deliberately replied, "How would I know? Father decides." Cheng Mutian picked up Ruiniang and kissed her, saying, "There must be someone like me who doesn't mind your big feet." Seeing that he didn't seem to be planning to bind Ruiniang's feet, Xiaoyuan laughed and said, "Look at this list, you've crumpled it up, and you still haven't found a satisfactory academy." Cheng Mutian scratched his head, looking distressed, and said, "Either the teachers aren't prestigious, or the environment isn't very good." Xiaoyuan couldn't help but laugh, "Your son isn't cut out for the imperial examinations. Let him off the hook. Just choose one close to home, so he doesn't get out of control and become even more unruly."

Cheng Mutian disliked these words, but he understood the logic behind them. So he sat down at the table, holding Ruiniang in one arm and the list in the other, and said, "Good girl, let's choose an academy for your elder brother..."

Wu Ge rushed in from outside, collapsed to the ground, and cried out with his tongue lolling out, "I was so scared! Auntie scared me to death! Sister-in-law Yu was helping her bind her feet, and she was screaming like a pig being slaughtered." Xiao Yuan glanced towards the back yard, sighed, and pulled Wu Ge up, saying, "Get up and stand properly, don't make your father angry again." Wu Ge ran to Cheng Mutian and said, "Father, please don't bind my sister's feet anymore." Cheng Mutian grunted in agreement, his tone perfectly calm: "You have no manners, you have no manners, go stand in the corner for fifteen minutes as punishment."

Wu Ge, looking dejected, moved to the corner of the wall. After a while, he suddenly asked Xiao Yuan, "Mom, Su Niang gave me a schoolbag. What gift should I give back?"

Chapter 190 Madam Xin's Wish

"What gift should we send?" Xiao Yuan hesitated for a moment, then asked, "What are your plans?" Wu Ge scratched his head, about to turn around, but was glared at by Cheng Mutian and shrank back, facing the wall as he replied, "She's always hungry, let's send her a piece of mutton." Cheng Mutian picked up his pen and circled an academy on the list, saying, "Sending mutton is fine, but you'll have to pay for it yourself."

Wu Ge remained silent, seemingly deep in thought.

His silence made Cheng Mutian realize that his worries were unnecessary. He was still a child at heart. Although he kept saying he wanted to marry, he didn't understand the meaning of "marrying" at all.

Xiao Yuan found it strange and sat down next to Cheng Mutian, whispering, "Brother Wu is so stingy, doesn't he have pocket money?" Cheng Mutian shook his head and whispered back, "Who knows? Ask him." Xiao Yuan coughed twice and asked Brother Wu. Brother Wu replied, "My sister's birthday is coming up soon after the New Year. I saved up money to buy her a gift. I can't let Brother Chen outdo me..." Xiao Yuan chuckled. So Su Niang couldn't compete with him in terms of face. But this personality trait was just like his father's.

As autumn faded into winter, the New Year was fast approaching. With many children at home and having not returned to the city for years, Xiao Yuan was determined to have a bountiful and lively New Year. Large baskets of vegetables and meat were carried home in a continuous stream, along with Wu Gege's toys and Chen Gege's candy. As for Zhong Lang and Cheng Si Niang, at the request of Madam Qian and Aunt Ding, they were sent back to the villa in the east of the city and would return after the New Year.

After finishing the New Year's preparations and staying up all night, Cheng Mutian finally managed to book a place for Wu Ge at "Qiantang Academy" before the end of the first lunar month. After the Lantern Festival, he sent Wu Ge and happy Ge there together.

On his first day of school, Wu Ge came home in the evening, hurriedly greeted everyone, and then rushed into his room, rummaging through drawers and cupboards. Xiao Yuan quickly called Sister-in-law Yu to help him, asking, "Wu Ge, did you forget your books?" Wu Ge, who was rummaging through a large box, replied without looking up, "Mother, don't I have a schoolbag embroidered with 'Sun Wukong'?" Xiao Yuan opened the cupboard herself to get it for him, and asked in surprise, "Don't you have a schoolbag embroidered by Su Niang? Why did you think of this again?"

Wu Ge said angrily, "That's not embroidery, it's sewing." Xiao Yuan asked in confusion, "What's the difference?" Wu Ge stamped his foot, "Today, Xi Ge carried a satin satin bag embroidered with Calabash Brothers, but I carried a coarse cloth bag without any embroidery. They all say I'm a servant boy, here to accompany the young master in his studies." Sister-in-law Yu had taken care of him since he was a child and couldn't bear to see him looked down upon. She quickly emptied all the books from the coarse cloth bag and put them into the "Monkey King" bag, coaxing him, "We don't need this rough bag. Tomorrow, your nanny will embroider a complete set of Journey to the West for you."

Wu Ge smiled again, grabbed her arm and shook it: "Nanny, embroider now, embroider now..." Sister-in-law Yu answered three times in succession, asked Xiao Yuan, and took his hand to choose the fabric.

Xiao Yuan picked up the coarse cloth schoolbag that had been stepped on from the ground and sighed, "This is also a pitiful child, but it's a pity that we're not on the same path."

The next day, when Wu Ge returned home, he was carrying an extremely luxurious double-sided embroidered satchel. Even Xiao Yuan couldn't help but exclaim, "So extravagant! Sister-in-law Yu and the seamstresses must have worked all night!" Cheng Mutian disagreed, saying, "Money is meant to be spent. There's no reason to leave family wealth unattended while our children suffer." Xiao Yuan laughed, "Then you should teach him more money-making skills so he won't be poor in the future." Cheng Mutian replied, "He's been taught how to use an abacus, he's learning accounting, and he's even speaking a foreign language quite well. Even without our wealth, he won't starve." Wu Ge stood in front of them with a grin and said, "I can make money now." He pulled out a handful of coins and boasted, "I joined the academy's football club and won money in my first match!" Xiao Yuan was shocked, "You've only been at the academy for two days, and you've already started betting on football?"

Cheng Mutian said, "It's the Cuju (ancient Chinese football) club in the academy. Two groups of people play Cuju, while other students watch. The winning Cuju players also get a share of the winnings. This is reasonable and legal. When the teacher has nothing to do, he will even pay a few tuition fees to play a game."

Wu Ge nodded repeatedly, his face flushed with excitement, and he kept talking while holding Xiao Yuan's hand. It turned out that there were many folk societies in Lin'an, such as the Literary Society for playing lyrics, the Girls' Qingyin Society for singing Qingyue, the Jinbiao Society for archery, and the Yinglue Society for stick fighting. These societies were originally for adults' entertainment, but because they were so popular, the students in the academy also imitated them and formed children's societies.

Wu Ge pulled out a piece of paper, puffed out his little chest, and said, "When I grow up, I want to join the Qiyun Society." Xiao Yuan took the paper and saw that it was a "Qiyun Society Rules". It not only explained how to dribble the ball and coordinate hands and feet when playing Cuju, but also detailed how to tidy one's sideburns, take off shoes and boots, how to use one's breath, and how to change one's posture.

Cheng Mutian was also very interested in Cuju (ancient Chinese football). He watched for a while, praised Wu Ge for his ambition, and promised to buy him a better balloon. The family was chatting and laughing when A Cai came in and reported, "Young Master, Young Madam, we heard that Madam Xin of the Qian family is not well. We would like to ask you to come over."

It was not surprising that Madam Xin was old and nearing her end, but what did this have to do with the Cheng family? Cheng Mutian was very reluctant to visit a dying person and did not want to go. However, Madam Xin was very persistent this time and sent someone to urge him every now and then. He was so annoyed that he had no choice but to take Xiao Yuan to the Qian family.

Madam Xin was terminally ill, her face as withered as a walnut. Madam Qian was holding her hand and weeping by the bedside, with a matchmaker in a yellow vest standing beside her.

Xiao Yuan glanced at the matchmaker a few times, wondering to herself, "What's going on here?" Cheng Mutian was also puzzled but didn't dare to ask, only saying, "Madam Xin, are you short of medicine? Go to our pharmacy to get some." Madam Xin slowly shook her head, ordered someone to bring a heavy box and place it in front of them, saying, "This is a box of gold and silver, in exchange for my daughter's freedom." After saying that, she called the matchmaker closer and asked her to hand Cheng Mutian a completed draft form, saying, "If you agree, sign your name on it."

Cheng Mutian raised the gold and silver box high and slammed it onto the blue brick ground, making everyone tremble. "Once you've entered the Cheng family, you're a member of the Cheng family in life and in death. Don't even think about remarrying."

Madam Xin struggled to sit up and argued, "It is a righteous act for a widow to remarry. Your wife's birth mother can remarry, so why can't my daughter?"

Cheng Mutian sneered, "If my stepmother had behaved herself in the Cheng family, I might have spared her life. But she was not only unvirtuous, she also used crooked methods to kill my father. If it weren't for Zhonglang's sake, I would have sent her to the authorities for investigation long ago. She should just obediently remain chaste for my father. Don't even think about remarrying."

In her haste, Madam Xin began to cough violently. Madam Qian grabbed her hand and could only call out "Mother." It was only after Little Copper Coin helped her by patting her back and chest that Madam Xin was able to catch her breath.

Cheng Mutian kicked the scattered gold ingots on the ground, pulled Xiaoyuan and turned to leave. He remained silent with a dark face all the way. After entering the house, he went straight to the ancestral tablet of Master Cheng, locked the door tightly, and wouldn't even let Xiaoyuan in.

Xiao Yuan stood outside for a while, then sighed and went back to her room. She desperately wanted Madam Qian to remarry. How much trouble would Madam Qian have if she left the Cheng family? Just thinking about it made her happy. But Cheng Mutian's attitude was resolute, and he was in a very low mood. She couldn't persuade him, so she could only lie on the couch and sigh deeply.

A-Cai understood her thoughts and suggested, "Young Madam, you are a member of the Cheng family, so it's not appropriate for you to speak up. Why not ask your relatives to help persuade him?" Xiao-Yuan smiled bitterly, "Ask whom? His sisters are all afraid of him, and Zhong-Lang is still young." A-Cai asked, "Does Young Madam remember Cheng Dongjing?" Xiao-Yuan smiled, "He has been promoted to clan head, how could I not remember him?" A-Cai said, "Why don't you write to him and ask him to write a letter to persuade the young master?" Xiao-Yuan shook her head, "It's not proper to discuss family matters with others behind the young master's back. I'll find an opportunity to persuade him myself."

Cheng Mutian remained silent for several days before finally recovering, but he forbade anyone to mention the matter, otherwise he would throw a tantrum. Xiao Yuan had no choice but to suppress her thoughts of persuading him.

The head of the family was in a bad mood, and everyone was on edge. At the dinner table, the children all buried their heads in their food, except for Wu Ge, who was bold and kept talking about his club, occasionally spouting a few lines of poetry. Chen Ge asked him curiously, "Brother, didn't you join the Cuju (ancient Chinese football) club? Why are you talking about poetry?" Wu Ge shook his head and said, "That was a long time ago. I switched to the Literature Club a long time ago." Xiao Yuan almost choked on her rice with laughter: "If I remember correctly, five days ago you made a grand vow to make a name for yourself in Cuju so you could join the Qiyun Club."

Wu Ge, showing no shame, pointed at Cheng Mutian with his chopsticks and said, "Father doesn't want me to memorize more texts. Joining the literary society would surely please him." Cheng Mutian stared into his eyes and asked, "You really joined the literary society just to make me happy?" Wu Ge, seeing his guilt, lowered his head and said, "They've all switched to the literary society..."

"Why?" Cheng Mutian asked.

Wu Ge glanced at him quickly, then lowered his head again: "I heard that the headmaster's daughter enjoys writing lyrics and often goes to the literary society to exchange ideas with others..."

The headmaster's daughter is the daughter of the principal of a private school.

Cheng Mutian smiled and said, "Don't listen to their nonsense. Your headmaster is quite famous, how could he let his daughter show her face in public at the literary society?" Wu Ge muttered under his breath, "Who cares? Let's go and see."

Xiao Yuan almost spat out her rice again, and whispered to Cheng Mutian, "Your son really falls in love with every girl he sees." Cheng Mutian replied, "We're lucky to be married to the daughter of the headmaster of Qiantang Academy. Brother Wu has good taste." Xiao Yuan laughed, "You can't be sure what a child is thinking. Look at Su Niang, does he still remember her?" Cheng Mutian also laughed and said, "As parents, we're bound to be a little anxious. Oh well, let him do what he wants."

Seeing that his mood had improved, Xiao Yuan mustered up her courage and asked, "Erlang, have you reconsidered the matter of your stepmother remarrying?"

Chapter 191 Madam Qian's Remarriage

Cheng Mutian reacted strongly, slamming his chopsticks down and getting up to leave. Xiao Yuan looked extremely embarrassed under the children's curious gazes. Perhaps sensing the atmosphere behind him, Cheng Mutian reached out and touched the curtain, then turned back, saying, "Eat first." He placed a piece of fish in her bowl. Xiao Yuan breathed a sigh of relief, but dared not bring it up again.

Ever since Cheng Mutian smashed Madam Xin's gold and silver box, the Qian family has sent people to plead for her several times, but each time they were stopped by the doormen who had been instructed to do so.

At the end of February, Rui Niang turned one year old. Cheng Mutian, who had been bothered by the Qian family for many days, finally smiled and held a grand banquet for his guests.

Since it was her first birthday, the "first birthday test" was naturally indispensable. Unlike the previous two sons, there were no writing brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, abacuses, or scales on the brocade mat. Instead, there were fruitwood, colored satin, flowers, and needlework. Before the "test" even started, Wu Ge ran over and placed a small brown glazed dog with erect ears, round eyes, and a pouty mouth on the mat, saying, "This is my birthday gift for my sister." Chen Ge, not to be outdone, placed a box of "drama candies" next to the dog, saying, "Mine is better than yours." Xiao Yuan was about to praise them when Cheng Mutian scolded, "You only know how to buy things according to your own wishes. Don't you even consider whether your sister likes them?" Xiao Yuan asked him in surprise, "What does Rui Niang like?" Cheng Mutian smiled mysteriously, waved his hand outside, and the maids brought in a cage. Everyone looked and saw that it was a long-haired lion cat with yellow and white stripes. Xiao Yuan complained, "Raising these lion cats takes so much time and effort; I wish I could assign someone to take care of them." Cheng Mutian retorted, "You're being biased. You protect your sons, but you're careless with Rui Niang."

Gan Shier laughed and said, "There are many who favor their sons, but it's rare to see one who favors his daughter."

The couple still hadn't been able to have a son, and Cheng Mutian, fearing that if he brought it up, it would be misunderstood as boasting, changed the subject and brought Ruiniang over to "test for a son." Ruiniang had always loved fluffy cats and dogs. Although the dog Wu Ge had given her was also aloof, she was naturally delighted and smiled when she saw this cat that could run, jump, and meow, waving her little hands to grab it. Ruiniang couldn't walk very well yet, so Cheng Mutian quickly put one arm around her and grabbed a handful of cat food with the other, attracting the cat over, which made her giggle and call out, "Daddy, cat, cat, daddy..." Everyone laughed when they saw her juxtaposing Cheng Mutian with the cat, but Cheng Mutian wasn't offended at all. On the contrary, he thought his daughter was very clever, and he was very proud of her.

Sister Cheng hesitated before asking, "'Shi'er'...is this the cat she caught?" Cheng Mutian retorted, "Is that not allowed?" Seeing his displeasure, Sister Cheng leaned back in her chair, startled. Xiao Yuan quickly intervened, "Sister, you mean it's not serious enough. Does Rui Niangzi intend to keep a cat for the rest of her life?" Cheng Mutian kissed Rui Niangzi a few times and said, "My daughter, do whatever you want. What's wrong with keeping a cat?"

Cheng San Niang was also someone who doted on her daughter, so she said, "Girls should be pampered. If they are used to seeing rich and luxurious scenes, they won't be so easily swayed. Brother, where did you get this cat food? We also have a tabby cat at home, but it has never eaten this kind of thing before."

Cheng Mutian was very pleased with her words and said with a smile, "I bought cat food and cat beds at the morning market."

All the relatives were astonished, saying that even their cat was precious.

After the "testing" was over, the banquet outside was about to begin. Cheng Mutian got up and invited Gan Twelve and Jin Jiu Shao to go outside for a drink. Xiao Yuan and several female guests sat around a table inside, watching the shadow puppet show that was specially prepared for the children.

Several children stood in a row, all dressed in brand-new clothes, except for Jin's eighth brother, who wore a drab gray short-sleeved shirt and pants that were probably from last year, too short to show his bare legs. Xiao Yuan felt a pang of sadness and asked Sister Cheng, "You've doted on him for so many years, how can you treat him like this?" Sister Cheng looked at Xin Ge in the wet nurse's arms and asked her, "If you had a son born to a concubine, would you be willing to give him half of your inheritance?" Xiao Yuan remained silent for a long time before advising, "Whether you give him half or not is a matter for when he grows up. He's still young, and he's still Jin Jiu Shao's own flesh and blood. Don't treat him too poorly." Third Sister Cheng also chimed in, "Sister, raising a child doesn't cost much, just enough to eat and wear. If you treat him well, he'll always be grateful. When Xin Ge grows up, having an older brother to support him is always a good thing."

Sister Cheng was somewhat moved, but said, "I have thought about it, but I can't help getting angry whenever I see him in front of me." Xiao Yuan smiled and said, "That's simple. Just like my brother Wu, send him to the academy. You won't see him, so you won't be bothered." Sister Cheng thought about it seriously and thought it was a really good idea. She then inquired about the tuition fees and other matters and prepared to send her brother away on a chosen day.

From the shadow puppet show, bursts of children's laughter drifted over, especially Zhonglang's. Cheng Sanniang glanced at him a few times and said, "Sister-in-law, you've raised Zhonglang well." Xiaoyuan didn't reply, giving her a half-smile. Embarrassed by her gaze, Xiaoyuan finally finished her sentence: "I heard your stepmother wants to remarry?" Upon hearing this, Cheng Dajie also became interested, quickly swallowing the food in her mouth, and said, "Is it Madam Xin's idea? She wants to arrange her daughter's future while she still has breath?"

Neither of them knew that Madam Qian had indirectly caused Master Cheng's death, so they didn't see anything wrong with it. On the contrary, they thought Cheng Mutian would readily agree. When they heard that Cheng Mutian had angrily smashed Madam Xin's gold and silver box and refused to sign the note on the spot, Bi asked in surprise, "Getting this troublemaker out of the house would give you peace and quiet. What a good thing! Why didn't Erlang/Brother agree?"

Xiao Yuan didn't want to talk about the secrets of the previous generation, so she raised her glass to them, intending to change the subject. However, Sister Cheng, oblivious to the situation, kept pressing for the reason. Sister Cheng tried to signal to her several times, but to no avail, so she changed the subject, saying, "I heard the Xue family is having a dispute over dividing the family property? Sister-in-law Xue and Sister-in-law Xue haven't come to the workshop to work for several days." Sister Cheng, her attention diverted, said, "No wonder I didn't see Aunt Chen today. She's the richest member of the Xue family, and Xue Laosan has shares in the fitness center. She must be being watched by Xue Da and Xue Er."

Xiao Yuan sighed, "That's right. When we were poor, the whole family was very close and never argued. But gradually, when they found out my aunt had some money, they started to get restless." Cheng San Niang comforted her, "The Xue family elders have passed away, so dividing the family property is inevitable. As long as you don't suffer any losses, it's better to divide it sooner rather than later." Xiao Yuan nodded and said, "That makes sense. Their money is all in my aunt's name, so Xue Da and Xue Er won't get away with it."

When Sister Cheng and Third Sister Cheng finished their drink and left, they couldn't help but glance at Cheng Mutian a few more times because they still didn't understand why he wouldn't agree to Madam Qian's remarriage. Cheng Mutian noticed this and asked Xiaoyuan, "Why are you two acting so strangely, Sister and Third Sister?" Xiaoyuan didn't want to upset him on such a good day, so she made up a few lies to try and get away with it. But Cheng Mutian wasn't so easily fooled. He pulled her back to his room, and emboldened by the alcohol, kissed her until she was panting, then pushed her down onto the bed. As he did so, he asked, "What is it that you dare not tell me?" Xiaoyuan, with her eyes slightly closed, pinched him and scolded, "You spoil the fun." Cheng Mutian laughed and quickened his pace. Once he had satisfied her, he held her in his arms and gently caressed her before bringing up the question again.

Seeing his persistent questioning, Xiao Yuan asked curiously, "Why do you keep asking? Have you guessed what it is?" Cheng Mutian was silent for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "Madam Xin has passed away. I heard she didn't close her eyes before she died." Xiao Yuan stopped circling her hand on his chest and asked, "Is it about your stepmother's remarriage?" Cheng Mutian didn't answer. Xiao Yuan considered for a moment and said, "Eldest sister and Third Sister don't know about the conflict between your stepmother and father. They're wondering why you don't ask your stepmother to leave."

"You don't know?" Cheng Mutian murmured repeatedly, then suddenly asked, "You really want your stepmother to remarry?" Xiao Yuan hugged him and began to whine, "Who wants a mother-in-law to control them? Even though we've separated the family, she's still caused me a lot of trouble. You should marry her off, just to take pity on your wife. I've had enough of her tormenting me all these years." Cheng Mutian sat up, put on his clothes, and said, "I wonder what kind of family Madam Xin has chosen for her."