Chapter 26: So Rich and Radiant Just Like That?……

Chapter 26: So Rich and Radiant Just Like That?……

Cheng Yian had just returned from the fourth branch, and it wasn’t even noon yet, not yet time for lunch. At this moment, the distribution of shares was still ongoing outside, and many female relatives had gathered in the inner quarters. Some were sitting in the flower hall, while others were amusing themselves in the Ningjin Hall of the matriarch.

Cheng Yian was pulled down by the matriarch to sit for less than half a moment when a matron rushed in and announced, "Matriarch, the second branch's old master and mistress were having a spat and are heading this way."

The second branch usually resides in Hongnong. They had come to the capital for the Winter Solstice Feast and, after receiving their shares, planned to stock up on New Year supplies in the capital before joyfully returning home for the New Year. This was a common practice for the clan members living in the old Hongnong residence.

Quarrels between the second branch's old master and mistress were a regular occurrence. It was said that their marriage was hastily arranged, and they had always disliked each other. It was thought that after having children, they should have mellowed out, but unexpectedly, these two had been quarreling from their late teens to their early sixties, a level of persistence that was truly impressive.

Hearing this, the matriarch felt a headache coming on.

The matriarch could mediate disputes in any branch of the Cheng family, and no one dared to cross her. However, the second branch was an exception. Decades ago, the Zhou family in Qingzhou was a prominent local family. After her coming-of-age ceremony, her father arranged a marriage for her. Both the eldest and second sons of the Cheng family came forward. The second son took a shine to her at first sight, but her father had his eye on the eldest son, who was Cheng Mingyu's father. The Cheng family was quite pleased with her and eventually betrothed her as the clan's matriarch. Later, the second son, now the second old master, hastily arranged a marriage, but this matter eventually reached the ears of the second old mistress, who frequently stirred up trouble over it. If there was anyone the matriarch least wanted to see, it was these two.

So she immediately took Cheng Yian's arm and headed inside,

"Just say I have a migraine and can't receive guests..."

Without waiting for the matron's reaction, she made a quick escape.

From a distance, they could hear the second old mistress dragging the second old master's arm inside,

"Come, we must make this clear with your sister-in-law. I know you, you don’t listen to me, but her words are more effective than an imperial decree."

The matriarch's vision was filled with stars, and she even let go of Cheng Yian, rushing inside in a hurry,

"An An, your sister-in-law and sister are distributing furs and jewelry to the women in the flower hall. You should go and take a look too."

It wouldn’t be proper to watch the elders' spectacle, so Cheng Yian had to step back. Just as she exited the main hall, she indeed saw the second old master and mistress arguing at the front corridor. The second old master's face was flushed red, refusing to budge,

"Enough, you just want to subsidize your natal family, go ahead and do it."

The second old master cursed and left.

The second old mistress, embarrassed by his words, started to cry. Fortunately, the second mistress arrived in time to persuade her to leave, averting the crisis.

Cheng Yian knew the matriarch was feeling awkward, so she braved the wind to head to the flower hall.

It was indeed packed with people.

The distribution of jewelry and furs was always left for last, and there was a reason for this. After the shares were distributed, some branches inevitably felt dissatisfied. For instance, if a young master or lord from a certain branch caused trouble outside, affecting the women of the household, the distribution of jewelry and furs could slightly favor them, ensuring the women were not wronged.

In the past, close relatives of the main branch had the opportunity to personally select items from the storeroom. This year, due to a remark from Cheng Yiqiao, everyone's opportunity was cut off. Some good furs and jewelry were kept in storage, and the rest were distributed among the clan members.

The distribution was entirely decided by the young mistress, Lu Shi, with no interference from the matriarch or Cheng Mingyu. Their intention was to give Lu Shi a chance to establish her authority.

This was a full trust in Lu Shi.

Every clan leader and matriarch of the Cheng family was carefully selected and trained in this manner.

After dozens of seamstresses worked overnight, Cheng Yiqiao was already wearing her sea otter fur cloak today. The sea otter fur was used as the outer layer, with peacock feathers intricately woven into a pattern, lined with camel wool satin. The collar was also fur, embroidered with phoenix and cloud patterns in the same color. She also wore a newly crafted kingfisher feather hairpin from the gold and silver treasury, sitting elegantly in the left pavilion of the flower hall, radiant with jewels.

Cheng Yian arrived to see several young ladies gathered around her chatting. Upon seeing her, Cheng Yiqiao beckoned her over to sit beside her,

"I heard you're planning to go back?"

Cheng Yian was much more low-key, using the sea otter fur as the lining, with silver rabbit fur embroidered on top, without any patterns. At first glance, it looked like an ordinary silver fur coat, but it was indeed lightweight and warm when worn.

"I do plan to go back. If not today, then tomorrow."

Cheng Yiqiao said, "What's the rush? Stay a few more days. You still have seven or eight fur pieces that aren't finished yet."

Hearing this, Cheng Yian grew concerned, "That's why I told you to make fewer for me."

Cheng Yiqiao leaned in mysteriously, "It's not just for you. This year, my father accidentally visited my courtyard and saw my trunks placed outside. He reprimanded me for being too extravagant and forbade me from making more clothes and jewelry. Now, with you as my shield, he doesn't dare to reprimand me."

"I see. Then, when they're ready, have someone deliver them."

The Cheng Yian sisters sat in the east hall, while Jiang Ruomei and Cheng Yiqian were seated in the west hall opposite. Most of the people gathered here were relatives. Every year at the winter solstice feast, anyone related to the Cheng family would come to join the fun. If the family head and the Matriarch were in high spirits, they might even distribute generous rewards.

Naturally, Jiang Ruomei took the lead here. She felt a pang of envy when she saw the Cheng Yian sisters adorned in the newly made furs.

"Sister Mei, you are the Matriarch's own granddaughter. You didn't even get a chance to access the storeroom. That Cheng Yiqiao really has no regard for appearances."

Jiang Ruomei said coldly, "Don't bring it up. I don't care. Our Jiang family lacks nothing."

The Jiangnan Governor's residence held a prestigious position in Jiangnan, and many sought to curry favor with them.

But deep down, she still felt a sense of unease.

Not only the furs, but she also couldn't access the jewelry storeroom. The Cheng family didn't distribute everything indiscriminately. Gold and silver jewelry, as well as antiques, weren't distributed. At most, they received some freshwater pearls from the docks, a few boxes per branch. Although her grandmother promised to let her choose from her private storeroom before she left, it still paled in comparison to the new items in the storeroom.

If it weren't for waiting to collect her mother's share of the dividends at the evening banquet, she would have returned to Jinling by now.

By evening, all the dividends had been distributed, except for those within the main branch of the family.

The entire family gathered in the Matriarch's Ningjin Hall. Cheng Mingyu also made a rare appearance. Due to an unpleasant incident in the past where a branch family woman attempted to get close to him, Cheng Mingyu had avoided family banquets to prevent any suspicion. Now, he only attended the Lantern Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, Winter Solstice, and New Year's Eve banquets to share a drink with everyone.

At tonight's dinner, he and the Matriarch sat at the head of the table, with the Second Master's family on the left and the Third Master's family on the right. To the south sat Cheng Yiyan and his siblings, along with Jiang Ruomei, the granddaughter.

After the banquet, during tea, under Cheng Mingyu's instruction, Uncle Chen presented a box containing silver notes to Second Master Cheng Mingjiang. The amount was clearly written: twenty thousand taels. The Second Master's family received more than any other branch, so naturally, there was nothing to say.

"Thank you, elder brother."

The Second Master and Second Mistress had only one son, the seventh son Cheng Yijun. The couple had no daughters and lived with this only son. In essence, this money would eventually belong to Cheng Yijun. Cheng Yijun's wife, Xu Shi, looked delighted.

Third Master Cheng Mingjing also received twenty thousand taels. He and the Third Mistress had one son and one daughter: the ninth son Cheng Yikang and daughter Cheng Yiqian. The son was unmarried, and the daughter was not yet married, so they didn't need the money yet. The Third Mistress held onto the silver tightly.

Next was the portion for the Matriarch's daughter. Jiang Ruomei accepted it on her behalf and kowtowed to the Matriarch and Cheng Mingyu.

"Thank you, grandmother. Thank you, uncle."

The amount was clearly written: three thousand taels. For a married daughter, this was the top portion.

This portion was for her mother. Additionally, there was another portion for herself: five hundred taels.

Jiang Ruomei returned to her seat and glanced at Cheng Yian beside her. Cheng Yian was the youngest in Cheng Mingyu's branch and sat at the very end, so they naturally ended up next to each other.

Cheng Yian accidentally caught a glimpse of her amount and thought she would probably receive the same.

After all, she was a married daughter. Married daughters were different from unmarried ones. Married daughters had already received a dowry from their parents upon marriage and couldn't receive equal shares like unmarried daughters.

In essence, the dividends for unmarried daughters were also for saving up for their future dowries.

Even three hundred taels would satisfy her. Cheng Yian had received so many furs and jewelry these past few days, each piece of considerable value. Getting any more would make her feel guilty.

Next, it was Cheng Mingyu's own children's turn.

The first was Cheng Yiyan, but Cheng Yiyan received nothing.

As the heir, Cheng Mingyu has access to all the funds on the Cheng family's accounts, so he doesn’t need any extra money.

However, Cheng Mingyu gave Lu Shi a share.

Ten thousand taels.

The matriarch smiled beside him and said,

"This is your personal allowance, you’ve put in a lot of effort this year."

The matriarch had seen Lu Shi's diligence and capability firsthand. Having been the matriarch of the clan herself, she understood the intricacies of the role well, knowing that not just anyone could handle being the wife of the Cheng family's leader.

What else could Lu Shi say? With both her in-laws trusting and cherishing her, she had nothing to complain about. Many people in the world envied her position.

"Grandmother, you flatter me, this is my blessing," she said, then bowed to Cheng Mingyu, "Thank you, father."

With that, she withdrew.

Cheng Yixin was absent, so Cheng Mingyu reserved a portion for her, also ten thousand taels, which he handed to the steward,

"Have it sent to Hezhou."

Along with the specially reserved furs and jewelry, and some festive supplies, all were to be sent over.

When it came to Cheng Yiqiao, before the matriarch even called her, she had already stood up boldly and eagerly stepped forward, glancing at the brocade box in the steward's hands,

"Still ten thousand taels? Won’t you add a little more for me?" she complained.

Cheng Mingyu scolded his second daughter, "Ten thousand taels every year, isn't that enough for you? If I were you, I’d have saved a fortune with bank interest, but you just squander it all, with no thought for the future."

Cheng Yiqiao had no other faults, but she spent money lavishly, always wanting the best, rivaling Princess Minglan’s tastes.

Without waiting for the steward to hand it over, Cheng Yiqiao took the box herself and said lazily,

"Didn't you say you would provide for me all my life? As long as the Cheng family exists, I have money to spend."

Cheng Mingyu sighed in frustration, "As the saying goes, mountains may crumble, and people may fail, everything ultimately depends on oneself."

Cheng Yiqiao looked indifferent, "If the Cheng family is here, I live well; if the Cheng family is gone, then I won’t survive either."

Cheng Mingyu was at his wit’s end with her.

Hearing this, Cheng Yian suddenly remembered in her past life when the Cheng family cut off her allowance, she felt like a kite with its string severed, without any support.

This life, she must not let anything happen to the Cheng family.

Lost in thought, Cheng Yiqiao had already returned with the brocade box, winking at her, "Hurry up, go get your lucky envelope."

Compared to Cheng Yiqiao's brash behavior, Cheng Yian appeared obedient and serene, gracefully bowing,

"Greetings to grandmother, greetings to father."

Hearing her call out to her father, the matriarch's eyes widened in surprise, stealing a glance at Cheng Mingyu.

With the experience from last night, Cheng Mingyu appeared extremely calm now.

"An An, this is for you."

He took it from the steward's hands and handed it directly to Cheng Yian.

Cheng Yian glanced at it,

Ten thousand taels of silver.

She was taken aback.

She hesitated to accept it.

Seeing her hesitate, the matriarch and Cheng Mingyu felt their hearts soften.

"Dear, take it quickly. Your elder sister, also married out, gets the same amount. Take it quickly," urged the matriarch.

Cheng Yian glanced at the elders, blushed, and accepted it.

"Thank you, grandmother, thank you, father."

As she returned to her seat, her eyes met Jiang Ruomei's directly.

Jiang Ruomei felt a pang of envy, immediately lowering her eyes.

She had nothing to say; her mother's three thousand taels were already the highest among the married-out daughters.

As for Cheng Yian... well, she's the family head's daughter.

She could only envy her.

The rest was none of Cheng Mingyu's concern. He stood up and walked out, but as he passed by the children, he looked at Cheng Yian,

"An An, come with me."

Cheng Yian was momentarily surprised, thinking Cheng Mingyu had something to tell her, and followed him out with the brocade box.

Jiang Ruomei, quick-witted, almost guessed Cheng Mingyu's intentions, suddenly nudging Cheng Yiqiao beside her,

"Second cousin, do you know why Uncle is calling An An?"

Cheng Yiqiao, busy counting the banknotes, replied indifferently, "Whatever it is, it's none of your concern, right?"

Jiang Ruomei choked, sitting down with her, "I bet Uncle will give An An something extra."

Cheng Yiqiao stopped, lazily looking at her, "So?"

Jiang Ruomei smiled, "I thought Second Sister would feel it's unfair."

Cheng Yiqiao covered the brocade box, expressionless, looking at her,

"Ruomei, what Cheng Yixin has, I have; and what I have, An An should have too."

Her gaze then flicked to the brocade box in Jiang Ruomei's hands, "Too much? Give me some." She reached out to grab it.

Jiang Ruomei, afraid she would take her share, quickly ran to the matriarch's side,

"Grandmother, save me, Cheng Yiqiao is greedy and trying to take my money."

Cheng Yiqiao lunged, covering her mouth.

Meanwhile, Cheng Yian followed Cheng Mingyu through the Chuihua Gate, along a long, winding corridor, they finally arrived outside his study.

Cheng Mingyu opened the door, led her inside, and personally told the steward to bring a stove, gesturing for Cheng Yian to sit across from him.

Cheng Yian sat on the brocade stool in front of the long desk, holding the brocade box. Not long after, she saw him bring out another brocade box from the inner chamber, which was several inches larger than the one she held.

Cheng Mingyu handed the brocade box to her and sat down at the desk.

"An An, this is also for you."

Cheng Yian set aside the original box and opened this one. With just one glance, her eyes widened in shock, and she quickly closed it, pushing it away while covering her face.

"I don't want it, I don't want it..."

Ten thousand taels was already enough to make her hands tremble. Taking more would truly make her feel overwhelmed.

"I still have older brothers and sisters ahead of me. You can't use your private savings to supplement me. It's not about scarcity but about fairness."

Cheng Mingyu looked at her innocent expression, both amused and exasperated, and said gently,

"Silly girl, open it and take a look. Inside are the annual shares you should have received over the past seventeen years. Your father has been putting them aside for you each year. In the early years, the amounts were small, but later it became ten thousand taels a year. Over time, it accumulated to this amount. Your two older sisters have theirs, and An An, you shouldn't miss out."

In other words, this was money saved for her since her birth. Cheng Yian looked at him in confusion.

Cheng Mingyu explained to her, "The reason I didn't give it to you before your marriage was because I was worried that the fourth branch of the family might embezzle or misuse it. Although I have supported them, there is a limit. Yours, I have always set aside separately, waiting for you to marry and become the head of your own household before giving it to you."

Cheng Yian suddenly remembered her previous life. When she first married Lu Xusheng, her dowry was substantial, but it was only slightly more than what the daughters of the Cheng family from the South Mansion received. Later, when she remarried into the Fan family, Cheng Mingyu added several more shares, reasoning that she had suffered grievances marrying into the Lu family. Everyone criticized her for being ungrateful and ruining the Cheng-Lu alliance, but only he and her second brother stood by her. Later, after she moved to Yizhou, he sent her monthly stipends, and all her difficulties were resolved by her second brother.

Now, looking back, that money must have been saved by her father long ago. In her previous life, it was given to her in that way, but in this life, because they had reconciled, it was given more directly.

Cheng Yian recalled their quiet support in her previous life, and her eyes reddened.

Cheng Mingyu, however, thought she was upset about the fourth branch and, feeling heartbroken, reached for a handkerchief to give her.

"An An, your father has let you down."

Cheng Yian sniffled, held back her tears, and opened the box again to look.

Inside were indeed silver certificates of various shapes. Some of the certificates were quite old, their surfaces even turning yellow.

"Huh, these silver certificates... did you deposit them in a bank for me?"

The certificates were all inscribed with her name, the bank's name, the amount, and the date, clearly showing that they had been saved year by year.

Cheng Mingyu smiled, "The Cheng family owns a bank. Your father has been saving it for you and earning interest."

Cheng Yiqiao spent her own money, while Cheng Yian, unable to spend hers, was forced to save it, and now it had turned into a mountain of gold.

Such a thick stack of certificates was truly a heavy burden.

Cheng Yian felt dizzy from the shock.

Cheng Mingyu, seeing her extreme discomfort and sadness, said,

"An An, you went to the fourth branch and rightfully demanded your mother's dowry. You took your mother's money comfortably and happily. Why can't you take your father's?"

He seemed to grow more upset as he spoke, "You carry half of my blood. You are not only your mother's child but also mine. I have the duty and responsibility to take care of you. If you can take your mother's, you can take your father's. You can't favor one over the other."

As expected of the head of the Censorate, with just a simple sentence, he managed to confuse Cheng Yian.

What did he mean by favoring one over the other? Now it was about favoring one over the other.

Cheng Yian had to admit that deep down, she was indeed closer to her mother.

"Am I really supposed to carry these back like this?"

Cheng Yian stared blankly at the two brocade boxes, feeling somewhat at a loss.

Cheng Mingyu laughed softly. His eldest daughter was shrewd and capable, his second daughter was domineering and spoiled, but when it came to his youngest daughter, she had a bit more of a sweet and obedient nature, which was precisely why Cheng Mingyu doted on her a little more.

"Just carry them back," Cheng Mingyu said with a warm expression, knowing what she was worried about. "If Lu Xusheng can't even protect this amount of silver, he doesn't deserve the title of War God of the Great Jin Dynasty."

Cheng Yian placed all the silver notes in one brocade box, and Cheng Mingyu had someone escort her back.

That night, holding the box of treasures, she still felt a bit dizzy. She quietly counted them and found there were a total of one hundred and fifty thousand taels, not including the interest from the bank.

Had she just... become wealthy?

She instructed Ru Hui to securely lock the silver notes in an important box.

Ru Hui, even more nervous than her, came to her side with a racing heart, squatting by the bed to advise,

"Miss, once we return to the Lu family, we might be watched closely. What I mean is, you must not be swayed by sweet talk and end up subsidizing the Lu family. That family is a bottomless pit."

Cheng Yian wasn't foolish. Hearing this, she grew anxious, "Dream on! Not to mention others, I won't give even a single tael to Lu Xusheng."

What had been the result of her subsidizing Fan Yulin in her past life?

Betrayal was the result!

The painful lesson was still fresh in her mind.

How could she repeat the same mistake?

Loving a man is the start of misfortune.

The next morning, Cheng Yian went to the ancestral courtyard for breakfast and brought up returning home again.

The matriarch didn't try to stop her this time,

"We were hoping you'd stay a bit longer, but young couples like you really shouldn't be apart for too long. If you wish to leave, grandmother won't stop you."

Unexpectedly, Cheng Yiyan, who had come to pay his respects, raised his hand in protest,

"No, Lu Xusheng must come in person to pick her up."

Only then would it show how valuable the young lady was.

His sister must not be mistreated, no matter where she was.

Hearing this, the matriarch smiled, "That makes sense. We brought you here with all due respect, so it wouldn't be proper for you to return alone. The Lu family must send someone to pick you up."

She then directed the matron at the door,

"Go and send a message to the son-in-law, telling him that the Cheng family's winter solstice banquet has ended, and he should come to pick her up."