Cheng Wen became anxious and grabbed Cheng Chi, wanting to go outside to talk.
A young servant ran in and loudly announced, “The Old Ancestress is coming!”
The various sounds in the room came to an abrupt halt, and everyone rustled as they stood up.
Cheng Xu was surrounded by several young servants and walked in with a smile on his face, full of vigor and vitality.
“Old Ancestress!” Geng Ge’er somehow broke free from Cheng Shi’s hand and ran toward Cheng Xu on his little legs, going “thump thump thump.”
His clear voice sounded particularly loud in the silent Listening to Rain Pavilion.
Cheng Xu took no offense and happily picked up Geng Ge’er, saying gently, “Has Geng Ge’er finished the homework Great-Grandfather assigned you yesterday?”
Geng Ge’er nodded repeatedly and said in his childish voice, “‘Choose what is good and follow it, change what is not good.’ This speaks of ‘Those who love their own parents dare not hate the parents of others; those who respect their own parents dare not slight the parents of others. When love and respect are fully devoted to serving one’s parents, and moral teachings are extended to the common people and spread throughout the world, this is the filial piety of the Son of Heaven. The Book of Documents, Punishments of Fu, says: When one man has goodness, the myriad people rely on him.'” He paused, then with his round bright eyes asked Cheng Xu, “Old Ancestress, did I say it correctly?”
This was a passage from the Classic of Filial Piety.
Cheng Chi listened with a trace of disapproval flashing in his eyes.
Every time using this roundabout way to remind him to be filial to his parents—didn’t Cheng Xu get tired of it?
Cheng Lu looked thoughtful.
Although he didn’t manage family affairs, he had sensed that the Second Branch had become increasingly wary of the First Branch in recent years.
Was the Old Ancestress having Geng Ge’er recite this passage from the Classic of Filial Piety unintentional or intentional?
He glanced at Cheng Chi.
Cheng Chi stood casually to the side, as if all this had nothing to do with him.
Cheng Lu sighed inwardly.
It was fortunate that Cheng Zichuan could endure it. If it were him, he would have jumped out long ago to argue with Cheng Xu! He had both scholarly achievements and the ability to make money—why should he suffer Cheng Xu’s petty tyranny? Every time they met, he made sarcastic remarks that made people uncomfortable to hear.
Zichuan’s temperament was truly good!
But Cheng Xu’s face bloomed with smiles.
“Correct, correct, correct.” He praised repeatedly, “Our family’s Geng Ge’er is truly clever.”
Geng Ge’er raised his little face toward his father Cheng Shi with a triumphant smile.
There was unmistakable joy in Cheng Shi’s eyes, but he kept a stern face and said, “Don’t get conceited—the Old Ancestress is praising you especially because you’re young. There are many in this room who can read better than you! Now quickly thank the Old Ancestress.”
Geng Ge’er then thanked Cheng Xu.
Cheng Xu nodded slightly and handed Geng Ge’er over to Cheng Shi who had followed him over.
Seeing the good atmosphere and that Cheng Xu was in high spirits, Cheng Wen attentively stepped forward to pat Geng Ge’er’s head and said with a fawning smile, “No wonder they say ‘The emperor loves his eldest son, common people love their youngest.’ The Old Ancestress truly loves you! Even personally teaching you to read the Classic of Filial Piety. Filial piety comes first in all matters! You must properly discipline the Old Ancestress in the future!”
Hearing this, Cheng Shi felt as if he’d been slapped across the face and wished he could step forward and cover Cheng Wen’s mouth.
If you can’t speak properly, then don’t speak.
If you want to praise Geng Ge’er, what couldn’t you say? Why use “The emperor loves his eldest son, common people love their youngest” as a comparison? Was Cheng Wen some illiterate old village woman?
And saying that after Geng Ge’er read the Classic of Filial Piety, he should properly discipline the Old Ancestress.
If he didn’t know that Cheng Wen was an unlearned, straightforward person, he would almost think Cheng Wen was insinuating that Geng Ge’er was undisciplined toward the Old Ancestress, which is why the Old Ancestress had to personally teach Geng Ge’er to read the Classic of Filial Piety… If this reputation spread, could Geng Ge’er still establish himself among scholars in the future? No, could he still establish himself in society?
Truly someone who achieves nothing but ruins everything!
No wonder no matter how much Cheng Wen fawned over the Old Ancestress, the Old Ancestress looked down on him.
Cheng Xu acted as if he hadn’t heard, his expression mild as he said to his grand-nephews and juniors, “Everyone sit down and talk!”
Everyone respectfully acknowledged and took their seats.
Cheng Wen’s face alternated between red and white, looking quite aggrieved.
What had he done wrong now?
Could even praising Geng Ge’er be a mistake?
He had only kept a mistress outside and disciplined the old hag at home—surely the Old Ancestress wouldn’t keep giving him such cold looks because of that?
This was being too petty!
Cheng Wen felt embarrassed and murmured “Old Ancestress” in a voice that sounded like a resentful woman from the inner chambers.
Someone in the room gave a “pfft” of laughter.
Everyone simultaneously looked in that direction and saw the smile that hadn’t yet faded from the corners of Cheng Chi’s mouth.
Cheng Xu couldn’t help but frown.
When Cheng Chi first took over managing the household affairs, he would still hold different opinions from him, but gradually Cheng Chi wore a mask in front of him, always smiling and responding “good.” If their opinions aligned, that was fine. But if their opinions differed, Cheng Chi would treat his words as wind past the ears. Just now smiling and responding “good,” then turning around to do whatever he wanted anyway…
For this matter, he had already admonished Cheng Chi several times, both openly and subtly.
But Cheng Chi’s wings had grown full. Especially with Cheng Jing—he hadn’t expected that even without Yuan Weichang’s support, Cheng Jing could find a way to enter the cabinet. Now he no longer had any strong means to restrain the First Branch and Cheng Chi. Verbal posturing was ultimately not a long-term strategy. But Cheng Chi had never challenged his authority like today, actually laughing at him in front of the clan.
This trend must not continue.
Otherwise, who in Nine Wishes Lane would still respect him or the Second Branch!
“Zichuan.” Cheng Xu stared fixedly at Cheng Chi and said, “Do you find your Cousin Wen very laughable?”