Greetings, Ninth Uncle

Ch.14 - Taboo Name

Old Master Cheng's burst of anger made him so dizzy that he had to be supported back to rest. Cheng Yuanjing sent the Old Master back to his courtyard. The others stayed in the main hall and watched the two left.

After the Old Master left, Cheng Yuanxian angrily vented: "Dad only knows how to unscrupulously being biased towards an outside child. He even beats me today. Hah, fortunately, I am much older than him, and mother also made a wise decision at that time to secure me the shizi title. Otherwise, look at Dad, he can't wait to give all Yichun marquis manor to that bastard son of his."

"Eldest child." Old Madam Cheng stared at him harshly, "The juniors still here. Watch your words."

Women taken without proper ceremony could only be concubines, and children born out of wedlock were all bastards. Cheng Yuanjing was born outside, originally his status was even lower than a proper shu-born. Besides being born out of wedlock, he also only formally entered Cheng family at the age of six. This made the old Madam completely looked down on little Xue-shi, and didn't spare any effort to insult the other woman in front of her children. When the two were young, little Xue-shi was a noble young miss from a high-ranking family, while old Madam Cheng couldn't even be compared with her toes. After Xue family's downfall, Yichun marquis manor anxiously rushed to cut all ties, finding another engagement for their son. Thus a big bargain fell on the Old Madam's lap. The Old Madam's distorted hatred towards little Xue-shi slowly penetrated into the next generation. Cheng Yuanxian was a noble shizi, a future marquis. Yet, dirty curses like slut and bastard naturally flowed from his mouth.

When the hall plunged into chaos, the juniors all stood up. The younger ones were quickly taken away by their wetnurses, leaving only Cheng Yumo, Xu Zhixian, and several others who already old enough. Now they were also led by a mama to another room to avoid the elders' conversation. Although Cheng Yuanxian's curses couldn't possibly be heard that far, the juniors were still present after all. It was unacceptable for him to keep shouting such unsuitable words near his unmarried nieces.

However, old Madam Cheng just casually said, and her expression clearly showed that she didn't care much. Looking at the Old Madam's stance, other people didn't dare to speak.

Cheng Min's circle in the duke manor was of higher standing than her natal family. The things she never noticed before, she slowly came to understand after her marriage. And right now, Cheng Min suddenly felt that her eldest brother was really unreliable. Her mother, too, very short-sighted, only knew how to spoil her sons rotten, every bad thing was the fault of outsiders. And the result? Eldest brother was in his thirties, already a ripe age, yet still didn't have a decent official post. Her second brother also grew up to be a yes-man, yet had no ability. This family now had no dependable male masters.

The decline of the Cheng family was a foregone conclusion.

However, a married daughter was splashed out water. At her natal family, Cheng Min was a guest. It was hard for her to speak too much. She could only try to persuade the mother and son: "Mother, eldest brother. Father, after all, has raised the ninth boy for so many years. He is now old, and his health isn't good, you should be more patient with him, and don't start a conflict again. Besides, my father-in-law said that the ninth boy is already a fourth-rank official at such a young age, and his future is limitless. Even father-in-law told my husband to have a good relationship with the ninth boy. How could you reject a family member like this?"

Everyone became silent at her words. Cheng Min sighed and continued to persuade: "Mother, eldest brother, It may be okay of quarrel for a while, but have you think about this family's future? You shouldn't just think about yourself, but also for the grandchildren below. Ninth boy has just been transferred back, the Ministry of Personnel still hasn't given him a new appointment yet. You should find a way to let him enter the Hanlin Academy, the future benefit will be great."