"What's there to be proud of, mother? His Majesty is expecting you to return to the court. You should go to the palace first to thank the emperor for his grace!"
Lu Lingjun said this, unable to suppress the smile on his face. "His Majesty has only been expecting me for a month, but mother has been expecting me for ten years. I want to let mother know that I am safe first." Lu Lingjun felt warm in her heart when she heard his words.
She thought of Cheng Binghao, who was only seven years old ten years ago. She sent him to General Wang to follow them to Jiangnan. In the blink of an eye, he has grown up so big. "Still talking nonsense!" Lu Lingjun scolded. "By the way, where are Suying and big brother?" Cheng Binghao looked left and right. "Your big brother went to the Xuguogong Mansion to dig a well for Suying."
"Digging a well?" Cheng Binghao was puzzled. "Suying will marry into the Xuguogong Mansion tomorrow." Lu Lingjun looked at him with a smile. Cheng Suying's marriage was a little urgent, so Lu Lingjun didn't tell him.
Cheng Binghao heard this, "Why are you in such a hurry?" "Your grandmother is not in good health, so I want to arrange her wedding as soon as possible." Hearing this, Cheng Binghao became worried again, "How is your grandmother?"
"Your grandmother is getting worse, but she will be happy to see you today." "I'll go see her now!" Cheng Binghao said and hurried to Ningxin Court to meet Qin. Qin's spirit and energy improved because Cheng Suying was getting married, and she was able to see Cheng Binghao today, and her spirit increased significantly.
Just when she was holding Cheng Binghao and couldn't let go, a young man dressed as a military advisor spoke from behind Cheng Binghao, "Binghao, it's almost time." "I know, Qi Song." Cheng Binghao turned his head and responded, "Grandmother, I will go to the palace to report first, and I will reunite with you and mother when Binghao comes back." Qin listened to this, nodded, and asked Lu Lingyun to personally send Cheng Binghao out of the house.
Lu Lingjun didn't need her instructions at all. She pulled her son along and happily sent him out. She saw him and his companions climb onto the horses with her own eyes. The young general rode away from the mansion with great vigor. In the distance came the sound of gongs and drums and the sound of firecrackers lining the streets to welcome the victory.
The Wang family army, which had won the battle, returned to the city in triumph. Her mouth couldn't close. Lu Hanyi looked at Lu Lingjun who was sending her son to the palace to report and receive the reward, and fell silent again. That day, a piece of news caused an uproar in the capital.
The Wang family army, which had returned from the victory, was rewarded with three armies by the emperor, and the emperor even awarded two marquises. One was General Wang who was awarded the title of Yongyi Marquis. The other was Cheng Binghao who was awarded the title of Changsheng Marquis.
In the ten years since the Wang family army pacified the Japanese, Cheng Binghao had made outstanding military achievements. His three unique methods of pacifying the Japanese repeatedly made extraordinary achievements and won consecutive battles. This time, his military achievements directly led to his being awarded the title of Changsheng Marquis. It was amazing that Cheng Binghao, who was only seventeen years old, was awarded the title of marquis.
And the Ningyang Marquis' Mansion became the only family with two marquises after Cheng Binghao was conferred the title of Marquis! Supreme honor! "Madam! Madam!" Shuang Hong excitedly ran to Lu Lingyun's yard, "It's conferred, it's conferred!" "Aunt Shuang Hong, don't get excited." The young maid in the yard said, "You've been more impatient than us all day, why can't you talk slowly?"
"It's conferred, it's conferred." Shuang Hong was still very excited, she gasped heavily, "The second young master was conferred." "Don't be crazy, the second young master is fine, how could he be crazy!" "No, it's conferred!" Shuang Hong let out a long breath, "Our second young master was conferred the title of Changsheng Marquis!" "What!"
A group of new little girls in the yard widened their eyes, and the little maid who just talked to her was so excited that her eyes rolled up and she fainted. "Cui'er!" "The second young master was conferred the title of Changsheng Marquis, so our Marquis' Mansion is a family with two marquises!"
"My mother, I'm going to faint too!" The news that Cheng Binghao was conferred the title of Changsheng Marquis quickly spread throughout the Marquis' Mansion. At this time, Cheng Suying's courtyard. She is going to get married tomorrow and cannot leave the courtyard today.
She was very excited when she heard that her brother, who was born of the same mother, had returned for a while. She was just looking forward to his return in the courtyard. Before Cheng Binghao came back, the news of his title of marquis came back. "My second brother has been titled a marquis!" Cheng Suying was so excited that she stood up directly.
"Yes, yes, Miss! Our second young master, he has been titled a marquis and returned!" Caihe was so excited that tears fell. The second young master of Ningyang Marquis's Mansion had been away from home for ten years, and when he returned again, he was full of glory. At this time, Ningxin Courtyard. After Cheng Binghao left, Lu Lingjun waited for him to return in Qin's courtyard. She waited until Cheng Binghao was left in the palace for a celebration banquet today, and also waited for the news that Cheng Binghao was titled Changsheng Marquis. She was prepared. Lu Kuan had revealed to her before that His Majesty intended to title Cheng Binghao, who had made outstanding military achievements, a marquis. Now, he really has been titled a marquis. Their Ningyang Marquis Mansion, one family has two marquises! "Binghao, he was made a marquis!" Qin was stunned when she heard the news, and then she started to cough violently. "Mother!" Lu Lingyun hurried forward and calmed her down, "Slow down, don't get excited!" "Cough cough hahaha, made a marquis!" Qin's breath slowly came back to normal. She held Lu Lingyun's arm tightly with both hands, and her eyes looked at her like torches, "Yun'er! Yun'er! Really!" Lu Lingyun looked at her mother-in-law, she was as calm as before, she nodded, "Binghao has made progress, and brought honor to our family." After she said this, Qin's eyes burst into tears. "Promising, really promising" "Good boy." "Really a good boy." Qin recovered little by little, and after her tears fell drop by drop, she looked at Lu Lingyun and said, "Yun'er, we have made it." Her words were full of thousands of emotions. The great changes ten years ago were just seen as excitement by outsiders. The old marquis died in the war, and Cheng Yunshuo left home at the most critical moment. The Ningyang Marquis's Mansion lost his man, and the family was left with orphans and widows. In the past ten years, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law supported each other. Those ups and downs, those inexplicable pressures, outsiders still thought they were relaxed. No matter who they were, they used double the effort to support the high lintel and prevent it from collapsing. Especially Qin herself, no one knew how sad she was at that time, how painful her heart was, she wished she could go with the old marquis at that time, but she knew that she couldn't fall down again. If she fell, leaving Lu Lingyun alone, she would have a hard time. She is the wife of Xueguo, she has a title, she can support this family again! This support is ten years. At this moment, they finally made it. Ningyang Marquis's Mansion has two marquises in one family. Cheng Bing'an can inherit Ningyang Marquis when he is twenty years old, and Cheng Binghao can get Changsheng Marquis again by himself. From today on, no one will dare to provoke or bully Ningyang Marquis Mansion anymore! Their family has survived! "Mother, life will definitely get better and better."
"That's right, our life in Ningyang Marquis's Mansion will only get better and better!" Qin's eyes sparkled as she listened to Lu Lingjun's words.
But after that dazzling brilliance, she seemed to have let go of a big obsession, and fatigue appeared in her eyes. "You should go and rest quickly. Tomorrow, Siying will get married, and you will be busy." Qin stretched out her hand and touched Lu Lingjun's head lovingly as if she was touching her own daughter.
"Mother, you have to rest well too." Lu Lingjun tucked the quilt for her, "Siying will get married tomorrow, and you, the old grandmother, have to support her." "You don't have to say that. I must let Siying get married in a grand manner, and we must see that our Ningyang Marquis' Mansion is getting better day by day." Qin said with a smile, her eyes relaxed and vicissitudes.
Lu Lingjun stayed by her bed and talked with her for a while, and then told her to rest early. When she left Qin's room, the relaxed smile on her face faded a lot, and there was heaviness and sorrow between her brows. At this time, Cheng Bingan came over. "Mom! Is Binghao back?" "Your brother is back and is still in the palace now."
Lu Lingyun forced a smile. Cheng Bing'an was very happy, but he had already keenly captured Lu Lingyun's emotions at this time, "Mom, Binghao is back and has been made a marquis. What else are you unhappy about?" Lu Lingyun glanced at her eldest son who had been caring since childhood. She sighed lightly and walked out with Cheng Bing'an, saying as she walked, "It's your grandmother. I'm worried about her health."
When Cheng Bing'an heard this, a trace of worry also appeared on his joyful face, "Grandma has been very worried about us these years." "But mother, my brother and I have grown up. In the future, my brother and I will support the family. You and grandma don't have to worry at all."
Cheng Bing'an looked at Lu Lingyun with firm eyes. When Lu Lingyun heard this, she looked at her eldest son in front of her, who had been taller than her without knowing when, and a big smile appeared at the corner of her mouth. That night, Cheng Binghao was left in the palace for a welcoming banquet and came back very late.
On the second day, there were music and drums at the gate of Ningyang Marquis's Mansion, and the dragon and lion dances and drum teams all gathered. Today is the big day for the eldest daughter of Ningyang Marquis's Mansion to get married! The wedding procession of Duke Xu's Mansion went around two streets, and the streets were full of wedding money. Most of the people in the capital came to see this grand wedding. Cheng Binghao personally carried Cheng Suying out of the mansion, and Lu Lingyun and Qin all changed into their best clothes to preside over the wedding procession at Ningyang Marquis's Mansion.
The heavy dowry was carried out of the mansion one by one. Qian, the housekeeper of Ningyang Marquis's Mansion, sang the dowry list at the door, including agate pearls, amber coral, silk and satin, screens, tables and chairs, and the best. The Ningyang Marquis's Mansion gave all the betrothal gifts sent by Duke Xu's Mansion to Cheng Suying intact, and also gave her 60 loads of money as a gift. Among them, there were 18 shops, 80 farmers, 30 loads of copper coins, and 300 taels of gold!
One third of these were given according to the Ningyang Marquis Mansion's regulations for marrying off a daughter, one third were given extra by Qin to Cheng Suying, and the other third were given by Lu Lingjun to Cheng Suying. They only had one eldest daughter in the Ningyang Marquis Mansion, so how could they not treat her with all their might! A full 188 loads of dowry were carried out of the Ningyang Marquis Mansion in a grand manner, and it was really a ten-mile red dress, all the way to the Xu Guogong Mansion.
Everyone around was stunned. Everyone slapped their thighs and shouted that the Ningyang Marquis Mansion was rich and powerful! This grand and solemn wedding of a daughter also told the people of the whole capital that their Ningyang Marquis Mansion was officially alive! On the day of the wedding, Cheng Binghao carried Cheng Suying out of the mansion. A team of his personal soldiers followed and escorted her personally.
The Marquis of Changsheng, who had just returned from a victory, sent his own sister to marry with great power and domineering. This also told the Xu Guogong Mansion that their daughter must not be bullied! Now the Ningyang Marquisate has two marquises, so powerful, who dares to provoke it! Originally, Cheng Suying married into the Duke's Mansion, which was considered a high marriage, but now the Ningyang Marquisate has two marquises, and the Xu Duke's Mansion's hiring of a new bride is not considered a low marriage, this is a perfect match!
Cheng Suying entered the Xu family, and no one in the Xu family dared to neglect her! Lu Lingyun stood at the wide-open door of the Ningyang Marquisate and watched Cheng Suying crying as she was sent to the bridal sedan.
"Mother!" At the last moment before entering the bridal sedan, Cheng Suying turned back and hugged Lu Lingyun tightly, crying loudly under the cover of joy. Lu Lingyun touched her back, "Suying, mother and family will always be behind you." Cheng Suying cried and shook all over when she heard this. Amid the music and drums of a group of people, she said in Lu Lingyun's arms, "Mother, I am lucky to have you in my life." Lu Lingyun felt sweet when she heard her words. Not many people remember that Cheng Suying was stillborn.
That night, her mother died of dystocia and her father was in a brothel outside. She stayed with her all night and saved her life. Cheng Suying was the child she had raised for the longest time. Among the three children, Cheng Suying was the one who loved her the most, stuck to her the most, and looked like her the most. Lu Lingjun touched Cheng Suying lovingly and sent her out to the sound of trumpets.
"As long as mother is here, our Suying will always be loved." "Yes!" Cheng Suying nodded heavily. She was helped down by the maids and kowtowed to her along with Xu Zhengqian who came to pick her up. They walked away in the eyes of everyone with music and drums. Cheng Suying's wedding was very lively. All day today, there was a constant stream of people outside the Ningyang Marquis' Mansion. For a big event of marriage, the man's wedding banquet is the main event, and the woman's wedding banquet is relatively secondary.
But today, the Ningyang Marquis's mansion is as lively as the Xu Guogong's mansion. Many people went to Xu Guogong's mansion to drink and give gifts, and then came to Ningyang Marquis's mansion to say congratulations. This is a lively scene that has not been seen in the past ten years. In the past ten years, during the holidays, Ningyang Marquis's mansion mostly sent people to other families to give gifts. The number of people coming to their mansion has been decreasing year by year, and in the end, only those from Lu Lingyun's family are left.
From now on, after Cheng Suying gets married, Ningyang Marquis's mansion will be in everyone's eyes again. And this time, the topic of Ningyang Marquis will no longer be those who spend a lot of money to redeem prostitutes and keep mistresses, which are criticized and ridiculed. Ningyang Marquis's mansion has sprouted new buds and grows towards the sun.
Lu Lingyun smiled after feeling the changes in the mansion she managed. This is far from over. After her daughter got married, she also wanted to find new wives for her two sons, so that the Ningyang Marquisate would be strong from the inside out. She was welcoming guests and presiding over the wedding, while the family was staring at the fiery Ningyang Marquisate with burning eyes.
"Oh my God! This is too grand!" In Tongluo Alley, a group of people walked towards the inner courtyard. One of the women, who was well-dressed but not too outstanding in appearance, sighed, "Third Young Master, it is too grand for the host family to marry off the eldest daughter!"
"I have never seen so many and so valuable dowries since I was a child, with gold, silver, jewelry, land and property, my god, there are thirty loads of copper coins alone!"
The maid Xiaoying said in shock. "You have to tell me, our Ningyang Marquis' Mansion is already very rich!" Cheng Bingzhi glanced at her, his tone was proud and his eyes were greedy. He felt itchy just thinking about the dowry that just passed by him. His eldest sister got married, and the Marquis' Mansion gave so many things. How rich must their Marquis' Mansion be!
"Third Young Master, Third Young Master," Xiaoying took his arm at this time and said affectionately, "If you get married, will the mansion give so many betrothal gifts?" Cheng Bingzhi heard this and his eyes could not help but drift, and this drift was to his mother.
But his mother Li Bijie did not answer. "Third Young Master, if you ask me, you are also the young master of Ningyang Marquis' Mansion. Ningyang Marquis' Mansion should not give you nothing!" Xiaoying continued. "Of course, I'm the young master of the Marquis' Mansion. If I get married, the Marquis' Mansion will definitely give me about the same, no, more money than Cheng Suying!"
Cheng Bingzhi was proud at this time. The more he thought about it, the more so it was. He is also a descendant of the Ningyang Marquis' Mansion. Cheng Suying can get so many things when she gets married. As a man, the Ningyang Marquis' Mansion should give him more! These are the basic quotas of the Ningyang Marquis' Mansion!
It's impossible for him to have less than Cheng Suying! After he finished speaking, the plain-clothed woman who was walking half a step behind rolled her eyes, said nothing, and walked forward quickly. "Second Miss, Second Miss!" Wei Dahai saw her pace quicken, and hurried to catch up, "Don't worry about carrying water, leave those chores to me!"
As he said, he caught up with Cheng Lanying's footsteps. Cheng Bingzhi looked at the two people who were so active in their work, and didn't care at all. He continued to calculate with his maid Xiaoying how much money the Marquis' Mansion would give him if he got married. Cheng Lanying went back to the yard first. Work?
Of course, she didn't come back to work. She went into her room alone with her head down, and closed the door with a bang. After closing her small and damp west wing, Cheng Lanying's mind was Cheng Suying, who was carried out of the mansion by Cheng Binghao today and got into the sedan chair at the Xuguogong Mansion with a ten-mile red makeup.
It turned out that when they were still living together in Ningyang Marquis Mansion, she was not much better than her. They ate almost the same and used almost the same things. What Cheng Suying had, she also had. But now. She, Cheng Suying, was covered in silk and satin, with boxes of gold, silver and jewelry, and was carried on the back of her brother, the newly-appointed Marquis of Changsheng, to marry her to the Xuguogong Mansion in a grand manner.
But her fate was completely different! She was a cloud high in the sky, but now she was just mud on the ground! When Cheng Suying said goodbye to her mother Lu Lingjun, the red veil on her head shook a little, and she looked at her from below.
When Cheng Suying met her eyes, she was obviously startled. When the bridal sedan passed by Cheng Lanying, Cheng Lanying saw her sitting inside, under the half-covered wedding veil, she smiled at her. But at that moment, an indescribable feeling and gap spread in her heart. The two sisters met again, one was dressed in jewels and was married to the young master of the Duke's Mansion.
The other stood in the crowd, just like an ordinary village girl, wearing a plain cloth dress and thin-soled Baina shoes, looking at her eagerly. The pearls on the phoenix crown on her head were more expensive than the pearls on her body. Cheng Lanying just looked at Cheng Suying passing by her. At that time, two wedding coins were thrown to her, and the coins turned over, and the two sides were completely different lives.
Cheng Lanying in the room silently shed two lines of tears. It was impossible not to be jealous. She was so jealous that her heart was sour! She was jealous that Cheng Suying could marry into a wealthy family with fine clothes and a gorgeous makeup. She was jealous that she had two brothers who were ambitious and doted on her.
She was even more jealous that her mother was Lu Lingyun! Obviously, she was not her biological daughter, but she was held in her palm and doted on like a pearl! Everything good was given to her, and she tried her best to find a good marriage for her. At this time, Li Bie's shout came from outside her thin door. "Where is Lanying!" "Cheng Lanying, where have you been!" She listened to her mother's voice and kept her mouth shut. Her silence was replaced by more urgent shouts outside, "What are you doing in the room! Come out quickly! Your brother wants to eat, come over and pick and wash vegetables to help me!" Cheng Lanying remained silent.
Just when Li Bie was dissatisfied and was about to knock on the door, a heavy male voice responded for her. "Madam, the second young lady is not feeling well and is resting in the house." After Wei Dahai answered for her outside, Li Bixiang stopped calling her. She snorted in disdain,
"She is not a rich lady, why are you so delicate!" Cheng Lanying heard her mother's mumbling outside the house, and her tears flowed even more fiercely. She is a rich lady! She was also a lady of the Marquis's Mansion back then, and her status was not inferior to Cheng Suying! She was also a young lady who was worshipped by the servants in the mansion! Picking vegetables, washing vegetables, sewing and mending are not jobs she does!
How come she became a servant completely after she was separated from the mansion! Cheng Lanying cried and regretted. She couldn't help but think. If she had chosen to live with the mistress back then, would she be the same as Cheng Suying now! When she was sad, Li Bixiang had already fried a few fresh dishes outside. She sent the fresh dishes to her son's room first and served them to him first.
Anyway, Cheng Lanying didn't come out, so she could just ask her to eat the leftovers later. She entered Cheng Bingzhi's room, and as soon as she entered, she winked at the maid Xiaoying, "You go out first." Xiaoying was imagining with Cheng Bingzhi how much the Marquis' Mansion would give him after he got married, and what kind of status they would give her after they had money.
Listening to Li Bi'e's words, Xiaoying collected her thoughts. She was a shrewd person. She usually ordered Cheng Lanying around because she saw that she had the lowest status. She didn't dare to be too presumptuous in front of Li Bi'e. Even though she was loved by Cheng Bingzhi. She left the room tactfully.
After she left, Cheng Bingzhi looked at his mother and asked impatiently, "Mom! If I get married, the Marquis' Mansion will definitely give me something decent, right?" Li Bixi listened to him and blinked, "Have you ever been to the Marquis' Mansion these days?" "Mom, stop talking. I went there several times with my things, but was always driven out! I don't want to go!"
Cheng Bingzhi was lazy, "You go for me!" Li Bixi heard this, "Son! What's the point of me going? Didn't you say that you wanted more things when you wanted to get married? If you want, you must go!"
"You want me to go over again? I won't go!" Cheng Bingzhi was very unhappy. "Anyway, I'm getting married, so there's no way the mansion won't have anything for me!"
Ten years ago, Lu Lingyun allocated a house to Cheng Bingzhi and drove the three of them out to live alone. But after all, he and Cheng Lanying were both unmarried, and it was reasonable for them to get married, so the Ningyang Marquis' Mansion would definitely give them something.
Once this is done, both parties are clear.
As Li Bijie listened to her son's words, she had already calculated everything in her mind ninety-nine and eighty-one times!
"Son! Even though you are the young master of the mansion, the mansion will definitely give you something when you get married, but isn't it up to that person to decide how much to give?"
Cheng Bingzhi is still dreaming that he can get the same treatment as Cheng Suying, Cheng Bingan and Cheng Binghao. Li Bixiang is not stupid!
Not even one tenth, no, one percent, of the grandness of Cheng Suying's wedding today will be given to her son or daughter!
It is said that there are allowances, but allowances also have high and low standards! For example, eight wedding quilts are prepared for the wedding of descendants. Eight top-quality mulberry silk quilts worth a hundred taels are quilts, and the simplest linen quilts worth a few coins of silver are also quilts!
If Lu Lingyun was kind-hearted, she would give a hundred taels of silver; if she was cruel-hearted, she would just throw in some broken tables, chairs, benches, pots, pans, quilts and fabrics.
How could she count on the bottles and jars in the mansion by then?
She needs Cheng Bingzhi to take the initiative to get the biggest share!
She tried to persuade Cheng Bingzhi, but Cheng Bingzhi said, "What I took was what my father and grandfather left for me. Why does she deduct it?"
"Son!" Li Bixi sighed, "You know who that person is! Your grandfather died in battle, your father became a monk, and she immediately kicked us out of the mansion! What can't she do!"
When she said that, Cheng Bingzhi's face fell.
"You still have to go to the Marquis' Mansion more often! You don't have to hang around in front of her and just go and beg your grandmother!" Li Bi'e's eyes sparkled.
"Always asking people for help is so annoying!" Cheng Bingzhi looked like a big shot.
Li Bixi sighed and advised, "Who told us that we are weak and have no one to support us? We can only beg people everywhere to help us, but son, things will change over time, and there will always be a day when our fortunes will change! When they come to beg us, we will never give them a compliment!"
Cheng Bingzhi asked his mother to persuade him again, "Okay, I'll go."
—
Lu Lingjun was busy for three whole days preparing for Cheng Suying's wedding.
She didn't feel done until she got home.
It was not known whether it was because of the effectiveness of Doctor Zhang's medicine or the series of happy events in the Marquis' Mansion, but Qin's health gradually recovered after Lu Lingjun's worry that day.
On the day of visiting parents' parents, she could even stand up and talk to Cheng Suying and Xu Zhengqian who were coming and going in her yard for an hour or two.
Seeing that she was in high spirits and in a good mood, Lu Lingjun let go and dealt with other things.
Cheng Binghao just came back from Jiangnan, and he brought a lot of people with him.
In addition to helping to settle the people who followed him, Lu Lingjun also had to welcome a young lady properly.
"Xianxian, how is your mother?"
In front of Lu Lingjun was a young girl of about fourteen or fifteen years old. She had her hair braided into a bun, and her long hair, which was half loose behind her, was decorated with small braids tied with playful colorful ropes. Her big watery eyes blinked at Lu Lingjun, and she was holding a pastry in her hand. She bit the snack with her silver teeth and gave Lu Lingjun a very sweet smile.
"Aunt, my mother is very good, but she always talks about my father. She reminds him of food, drink, clothes, and she wants to stick to him like a pendant!"
When Lu Lingjun heard this, he burst out laughing.
At this time, a cheerful male voice came from outside the house, "Okay, you said bad things about my Aunt Qiluo, I will tell her when I get back!"
The girl with long braided hair stood up immediately after hearing this, "Brother Binghao!"
"My Aunt Qiluo is the best to me. I will remember everything anyone says bad about her. Liu Xianxian, you're done!" Cheng Binghao strode in from outside.
"No, no!" Liu Xianxian ran up to him and stuffed the biscuit in her hand into his mouth, half acting coquettishly and half threateningly, "Brother Binghao, I'm treating you to biscuits, but you are not allowed to tell my mom!"
"This is the cake from my house. Am I asking you to treat me?" Cheng Binghao half lowered his head, his brows full of the vitality of a young man.
"Then I'll treat you to a meal. Anything is fine."
"Finally I've managed to extort money from you, a miser! Please treat me to a meal at the Eight Immortals Restaurant!"
Liu Xianxian's face immediately fell, "No way, Brother Binghao, the Eight Immortals Restaurant is very expensive, a plate of dim sum there costs two coins!"
"I'm not happy about it. Then I'll have to tell Aunt Qiluo later."
Liu Xianxian stomped his feet in dissatisfaction, "Alright, alright, alright! You win!"
When Lu Lingjun saw this, a slight smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
Cheng Binghao followed General Wang to Jiangnan for ten years. During these ten years, he lived and ate with the Wang family, and grew up with Wang Qiluo's daughter Liu Xianxian as childhood sweethearts.
She looked at the two of them and turned to look at Shuanghong who was standing next to them. There was the same smile in Shuanghong's eyes as hers.
Seeing that Liu Xianxian was unhappy, Lu Lingjun said, "Binghao, how could you bully Xianxian!"
"Mom, you've only been with her for a short time, you don't know what kind of person she is. She's fierce and stingy, who can bully her!"
"Cheng Binghao!" Liu Xianxian glared at Cheng Binghao who was exposing her shortcomings.
"Binghao." Lu Lingjun glared at Cheng Binghao and stretched out her hand towards Liu Xianxian, "Xianxian."
Liu Xianxian immediately threw herself into her arms aggrieved, "Aunt! Look, Brother Binghao is bullying me!"
"Aunt has seen it," Lu Lingjun hugged the soft Liu Xianxian. She took off a top-quality full-green jade bracelet from her hand and gave it to her. "Our Xianxian is a good girl and she has never been wronged."
"Oh my God! Auntie, your bracelet is made of top-grade jadeite with full green color. It's so valuable!"
"No matter how valuable it is, it's not as valuable as our Xianxian." Lu Lingjun smiled and put the bracelet on Liu Xianxian's wrist.
Liu Xianxian looked at the bracelet on her wrist, her eyes lit up with joy.
Cheng Binghao, with a smile on his face, sat on the chair below and looked at her and said, "Mom, look, that miser's eyes are wide open!"
"Cheng Binghao you!"
Just then, the servant came to report.
"Madam, the Third Master is here."
Third Master, Cheng Bingzhi is here.
When Lu Lingjun heard the name, he remembered that there was something he hadn't dealt with yet.
She waved at her men and said, "Tell him to come in."
"yes!"
After a while, Cheng Bingzhi was brought in by the servants.
As soon as Cheng Bingzhi came in, he knelt down in front of Lu Lingyun.
"Bingzhi greets his wife!"
Lu Lingjun looked at the person kneeling on the ground, and the corners of his lips curled up slightly, "Bingzhi, what are you doing here again?"
"I just got some pears the other day, and I thought the summer heat was unbearable, so I specially gave them to my grandmother to cool her down."
Lu Lingjun looked at the souvenir he brought this time.
A basket of small green pears of poor quality.
Cheng Bingzhi was a smart kid since he was young. He thought that the wealthy family in the Marquis' Mansion would definitely not eat the food he sent, and the bag of peach cakes last time was wasted. So he simply secretly picked a basket of unripe sour pears on the side of the road this time.
Anyway, they are just for show and just a formality.
If Lu Lingjun asked, then the gift may be small but the sentiment is great!
Now that he has this intention, what can she, as an elder, say!
Just when Cheng Bingzhi was feeling complacent and had prepared a basket of souvenirs for himself without spending any money, a strong hand with distinct joints, which looked like it had been holding a gun for many years, reached into the basket he had brought.
When Cheng Bingzhi turned around, he saw the imposing young general Cheng Binghao taking a pear from him, wiping it casually, and biting it with a crunch.
Immediately, his teeth were so sour.
"Binghao!" Lu Lingjun called nervously.
She refused to eat anything Cheng Bingzhi sent her, not because she was worried that she would poison him, but because she knew that he would not give them anything good!
Cheng Bingzhi is the man who follows his mother's will the most. Even if it means asking others for help through connections, he is not willing to make more efforts.
They like to get big things from small things, and it would be even better if they can do it without spending any money but just spending some nice words.
How could he give them anything good!
"Hiss—" Cheng Binghao yelled at Cheng Bingzhi, his face turning pale because of the sourness of the pear. "Pah, pah, pah!"
He quickly spat out the sour and bitter pear in his mouth, "Cheng Bingzhi, you bad guy, you haven't changed in ten years. You gave this sour pear to my grandmother to eat. Do you want to make all her teeth sour and make her eat porridge all day long?"
Cheng Bingzhi: "…"
Liu Xianxian in Lu Lingyun's arms burst out laughing.
Cheng Bingzhi never thought that his cleverness would be exposed so quickly, especially at this time. He immediately felt ashamed and annoyed, "Second brother, what are you talking about? These pears were carefully selected by me... They are all good pears!"
"Good pears? Who sells these crappy pears? Take me there right now and I'll overturn their stall!"
"I'm going too, I'm going too!" Liu Xianxian stood up happily, not minding the fun.
When Cheng Bingzhi heard this, his face fell, "Second brother, this pear, this pear is not sour..."
"If it's not sour, eat one!"
Cheng Bingzhi couldn't let them know at this moment that he had found the tree by the roadside and plucked the fruits secretly!
If they knew that he didn't even buy the pears but picked them, they would definitely ridicule him.
He looked at the basket of pears, made up his mind, picked one up and took a big bite.
When he took a bite, the sour pear that was big enough to break an old lady's teeth made the flesh on his face tremble. The sourness in his mouth went straight to his gums, just like acupuncture on a numb tendon.
Sour—
"Brother, don't be sour, I think it's pretty good."
Cheng Bingzhi took big bites of the sour pear, saying it was delicious as he ate.
Liu Xianxian, who was standing by, saw this and burst out laughing again.
Her smile was as bright as a flower, which immediately brightened Cheng Bingzhi's eyes and made him stare at her.
Cheng Binghao didn't notice his look. He just watched him eating the sour pear in big mouthfuls. He waved his hand in disgust, pulled Liu Xianxian out, and stopped talking nonsense with him.
He has hated his third brother since he was a child.
He is stupid and mean, always hiding behind his aunt and cowering in fear. After so many years, it seems that he has not changed at all.
He took Liu Xianxian out to play, and Cheng Bingzhi's eyes followed them, all he had in his eyes was Liu Xianxian.
At this time, a voice was heard.
"Bingzhi, what are you doing here?"
Lu Lingjun, who was sitting on top, asked.
Her voice immediately brought Cheng Bingzhi back to his senses. The sour pear in his mouth made him drool. "Madam, I, I got some pears and wanted to give them to grandma to cool her down."
He was still repeating what he said when he came.
After all, this was what his mother taught him, and he doesn't know anything else!
Lu Lingyun: "..."
She looked at the basket of sour pears and said, "Bingzhi, I think you are thoughtful, but forget about the pears. Your grandmother has been feeling unwell recently, and the doctor said she can't eat a lot of food. There are pears in the basket, so you can take them back."
Lu Lingjun gave him some face and gave him a decent way out and asked him to go back.
Cheng Bingzhi heard this and said, "Madam, you are not disgusted with me and my pears! As the saying goes, a gift of goose feathers from a thousand miles away is more valuable than a token of love. Although my pears are simple, they are also a token of my heart."
Lu Lingjun looked at the stupid and stubborn Cheng Bingzhi with a hint of impatience between her brows, and her maid beside her spoke for her.
"Didn't Madam say that you are grateful for my kindness, Third Master? And Third Master, even our Second Master finds this pear too sour. How dare you give something like this to our Madam?"
"What nonsense are you talking about? I've eaten this pear before, and it's not sour!"
The maid snorted coldly, "Third Master, you can hardly hold back your saliva. Don't you know whether it's sour or not?"
Seeing that the maid didn't give him any face and directly exposed his thoughts, Cheng Bingzhi immediately became dissatisfied, "How can you talk like that!"
Lu Lingjun was too lazy to listen to him at this time, "Bingzhi, since you said it's not sour, take it back to your aunt and sister to eat. I'm tired, you go back first."
"Ma'am, I..."
Lu Lingjun went straight into the inner room.
Cheng Bingzhi did not see Qin again.
He walked back angrily with a basket full of pears, cursing all the way.
After leaving the mansion, he was so angry that he found the back door, hid himself to the side, and smashed the pears in his basket against the back door one by one.
Tell them to look down on others!
Ask Cheng Binghao to tear him down!
Let Lu Lingjun look down on him!
Just as he was having fun smashing them one by one, the back door in front of him suddenly opened with a creaky sound.
A pear he was throwing hit the person who opened the door right on target.
"oops!"
Liu Xianxian was hit by a pear. The maid behind her screamed when she heard her being hit.
Cheng Bingzhi, who was hitting someone, ran away subconsciously, but his feet slipped and he fell flat on his face.
Liu Xianxian's maid immediately shouted, "Catch the thief! Catch the thief! A thief hurt our young lady!"
Seeing that the servants of the Marquis' Mansion were about to be called over, Liu Xianxian recognized Cheng Bingzhi, "It's you? The one who sent the sour pears?!"
"Yes, yes, it's me!" Cheng Bingzhi immediately climbed out from behind the tree.
When Liu Xianxian saw that it was him, she told the maid not to call anyone else, "I remember you are the Third Master of the mansion?"
"Yes, my name is Cheng Bingzhi." Cheng Bingzhi smiled foolishly.
At this time, a horse-beating sound was heard, "Xianxian, don't you want to visit the capital? Why don't you leave!"
At the street corner, Cheng Binghao appeared on horseback.
When Liu Xianxian saw him, she no longer cared about Cheng Bingzhi and waved at him, "Here I come!"
Cheng Bingzhi stood by the tree, staring at Liu Xianxian as he ran away with a silly smile on his face.
Cheng Bingzhi returned home with nothing.
When he arrived in the yard, Li Bixi hurried forward and said, "Son, how are you today? Did you see your grandmother?"
When Cheng Bingzhi heard about the progress, he immediately thought of being turned away again today, "Stop talking, you won't even let me see you!"
Li Bixi heard Cheng Bingzhi say this and asked, "So you have entered the Marquis' Mansion today and met that person?"
"Yes, not only her, but also my second brother." Cheng Bingzhi couldn't help but feel envious when he thought of Cheng Binghao riding a tall horse today.
If only he could be like Cheng Binghao, dressed as well as he could, and ride a big horse, how majestic and cool he would be!
"Bingzhi, today I can invite you to the Marquis' Mansion, which means there is a chance. If you go there a few more times, that person will let you meet your grandmother."
"Mom, I have no money. If you want me to go, give me some more money." Cheng Bingzhi stretched out his hand to her mother.
When Li Bijie saw her grown-up son asking her for money again, she thought, "Never mind, just give it to him!"
"When you go to their house, bring something decent. Don't try to fool them! We can't afford expensive things, and the Marquis' Mansion won't look down on them. So we can just buy some food. If the Marquis' Mansion really doesn't want it, you can bring it back and eat it yourself!"
Li Bixi is calculating carefully.
"Okay, I got it." Cheng Bingzhi responded.
The next day, he carried his things into the Marquis' Mansion as planned.
He had just arrived at the Marquis' Mansion today, and before he could wait for anyone to report, he heard a voice behind him.
"Cheng Bingzhi, you brought sour pears to see grandma again?"
When Cheng Bingzhi turned around, he saw Cheng Binghao striding in with a girl.
"Binghao, he is your brother after all. Why do you always talk like that?" Liu Xianxian followed behind Cheng Binghao and spoke in a coquettish voice.
When Cheng Bingzhi heard Liu Xianxian speaking for him, his eyes immediately widened. He stared at Liu Xianxian and smiled foolishly at her.
Seeing his silly smile, Liu Xianxian couldn't help but say something for him, "Your brother always brings things to see Madam Xue, which shows that he is filial. There aren't many children who are so filial these days."
"Yes, yes," Cheng Bingzhi nodded hurriedly, "I miss my grandmother so much. I haven't seen her for many years."
"In that case, come with us. We are going to visit Mrs. Xue." Liu Xianxian waved his hand and asked him to go with them.
Cheng Binghao, who was standing by, frowned slightly when he heard this, but his eyes fell on Cheng Bingzhi and the basket full of peaches in his hands, so he didn't say anything and let him follow them in.
He hasn't been back to the Marquis' Mansion for ten years, and his memory of Cheng Bingzhi still remains from his childhood.
Even though he knew that Cheng Bingzhi was later separated from the main branch of the Ningyang Marquis Mansion, in his eyes, they were all brothers, so it was nothing for him to come to the mansion to visit his grandmother.
He simply waved his hand and told the servants not to inform Lu Lingjun.
Cheng Bingzhi didn't expect to have such good luck today. He came in directly. He followed Cheng Binghao and Liu Xianxian closely all the way.
Along the way, he kept trying to interrupt and chat with Liu Xianxian, but Liu Xianxian was only concerned with bickering with Cheng Binghao. The two of them were arguing fiercely with each other, and Cheng Bingzhi was like a supporting actor, responding to Liu Xianxian's words the whole time.
"Yes, yes, Miss Liu is right."
"Yes, yes, that's right."
"Right! I think so too!"
He praised her so much that Liu Xianxian burst out laughing.
"Brother Binghao, did you hear that? Your brother also said that I am right, and you are just an idiot."
"Yeah, yeah, you're a big idiot!"
Cheng Binghao's face suddenly darkened. He turned to look at Cheng Bingzhi with annoyance, "What does it have to do with you?"
"Cheng Binghao, why do you bully your brother? You can't just vent your anger on him just because he has a pair of wise eyes and is good at finding out who is right!" Liu Xianxian said proudly because someone always praised her and it was rare for her to win an argument with Cheng Binghao.
Cheng Bingzhi on the side nodded repeatedly, "Yes! Yes!"
Cheng Binghao was so angry when he saw this that he kept scolding Liu Xianxian, "You are just an idiot!"
"You are the big fool!"
At this time, the door of Ningxinyuan opened.
"Second Master, you are here!" The maid of Ningxin Courtyard said happily, "Come in, come in."
Cheng Binghao no longer wanted to see Qin, "I won't go. I'll come back in the afternoon."
"What?" The maid looked at their second master in surprise as he turned and walked away.
Liu Xianxian shouted from where he was, "Brother Binghao!"
Seeing that Cheng Binghao didn't stop, she followed him and said, "I'll come this afternoon too!"
Both of them left, leaving only Cheng Bingzhi.
Cheng Bingzhi was also a little impulsive and followed Liu Xianxian, but he was not that confused.
The little maidservant had seen that the Second Master and Miss Liu, whom their old lady had been waiting for, had left and were about to close the door, but Cheng Bingzhi rushed over.
"I'm seeing my grandmother! If they don't see me, I will!"
Ningxinyuan.
Qin was waiting for her promising second grandson Cheng Binghao to come and see her. She sat in the yard waiting and waiting, and finally the maid led people in.
"Binghao, you're here."
She smiled widely on her wrinkled face and said to the person who came. As soon as she finished speaking, the person who came over knelt down in front of her with a thud.
"Grandma! I finally see you!"
"Who are you..."
Qin was not feeling well, but her eyesight was still good.
She looked at the short and fat young man in front of her, who was not her handsome and imposing second grandson at all.
I just think that face looks somewhat familiar.
"I am Bingzhi! Grandma!"
By the will...
Qin remembered, "It's you!"
The smile on her face faded, the corners of her mouth lowered, and she looked at Cheng Bingzhi in front of her and asked leisurely, "How is your sister and aunt?"
"Everything is fine!"
"That's good." Qin said, "I haven't seen you for a long time. I didn't know you had grown so big."
"Grandma, these are the peaches I bought. I think they taste great, so I bought them specially to honor you!" Cheng Bingzhi took a look at the peaches at hand and hurriedly handed them over.
Fortunately, he listened to his mother today and spent some money to buy some peaches.
This is where it comes in handy.
Qin was stunned for a moment when she saw the peaches presented by Cheng Bingzhi.
"Grandma, try it. You can definitely eat the peaches this time! I only picked the rotten ones. Pah! The ripe ones!"
Ripe and big, cheap.
But his accidental move hit Qin's heart.
As people get older, they tend to eat softer food. Cheng Bingzhi specifically picked up rotten and ripe peaches. In her opinion, this was too thoughtful.
The old lady was particularly touched by this kind gesture from her offspring. She asked the maid to wash the peaches, picked up one to taste, and while eating this really soft peach, she smiled and said, "Bingzhi, you are thoughtful."
Cheng Bingzhi won a great victory today.
Not only did he meet Qin, but he also got Qin's permission to come to the Marquis' Mansion to visit her anytime in the future.
After learning about this, Li Bixi was delighted, "Son! You made it! You are so capable!"
She knew that when people get old they just like to have many children and grandchildren around them.
As long as Cheng Bingzhi goes there more often and sees her, she will eventually develop a better impression of him.
Sure enough, it finally worked this time!
With Qin's support, they will definitely have a good life in the future!
Cheng Bingzhi listened to his mother's words, "I have the ability!"
He was filled with pride.
"Son, please your grandmother as much as possible. When the time is right, ask her to arrange a marriage for you! What she arranges will be perfect!"
"I understand!" The image of Liu Xianxian flashed through Cheng Bingzhi's mind.
Well, this one is better than the previous one, Xu Yinyin.
He had already found out that Liu Xianxian was the daughter of Wang Qiluo, the daughter of Marquis Yongyi, and Liu Shuhui, the current governor of the grain transport system in Jiangnan.
The family background is first-class!
It's far from what Xu Yinyin, the seventh-rank county magistrate of Beijing can compare to!
A woman like this would not be a loss of status for him!
It was already late when Lu Lingjun learned that Cheng Bingzhi had met Qin today and had obtained her permission to visit her in the Marquis' Mansion at any time.
She frowned when she heard the news, raised her hand to call someone, and knocked on the doorman. From then on, no matter who brought someone in, or whether Cheng Bingzhi came to ask for a meeting himself, she would stop him.
After all, Qin's words are hers, but she has the final say in the Marquis' Mansion.
Lu Lingjun issued an order, telling Cheng Bingzhi not to see Qin again. Even if Cheng Bingzhi shouted himself hoarse outside, Qin would not know.
She wouldn't care much about Cheng Bingzhi, and as time went by, she would naturally forget about him.
But after Lu Lingjun thought for a moment, he put his hand down again.
Forget it.
Qin didn't know how long her body could last, maybe half a year, or maybe just one or two months. If she saw that Cheng Bingzhi was happy, there would be no harm in asking Cheng Bingzhi to come.
He and his mother just wanted to get some more benefits from the Marquis' Mansion.
In her opinion, these benefits are insignificant, and it is more worthwhile to make Qin happy.
She called Shuanghong and asked Cheng Bingzhi to come back, and sent someone to keep an eye on him, only allowing him to hang around Qin's place and not to go anywhere else, lest he cause more trouble.
Shuanghong responded repeatedly.
Lu Lingjun asked about some other things.
Knowing that Cheng Binghao and Liu Xianxian had a quarrel today and Liu Xianxian was sulking and refusing to eat, she called Liu Xianxian over.
"Aunt." Liu Xianxian came in front of Lu Lingjun.
"I heard from the servants that you didn't have dinner tonight?"
"No appetite." Liu Xianxian sat in front of Lu Lingjun.
"Is it the hot weather? Or is the food in my house not to your taste?" Lu Lingjun looked at her gently.
"Neither." Liu Xianxian blinked, "Aunt, you don't have to worry about me. I'm fine."
"I know, someone is mad at you." Lu Lingjun's face turned serious, "I have to call that person over and give him a good beating to vent your anger!"
"No, Brother Binghao is very nice to me!" Seeing that Cheng Binghao was about to be scolded, Liu Xianxian hurriedly spoke for him.
Seeing her like this, Lu Lingjun burst out laughing, "I didn't know who made you angry, it turned out to be your brother Binghao!"
Liu Xianxian listened to Lu Lingjun's words, and after a moment of shock, she immediately blushed, "Aunt, you are not nice! You are trying to trick me!"
"Then tell your aunt what you think of your brother Binghao?" Lu Lingjun pulled her over.
"I won't tell you." Liu Xianxian pouted slightly. "If he knew I was talking about him behind his back, he would definitely be mad at me. He's the most petty person!"
"You two, one of you says the other is stingy, and the other says the other is mean. I think you two are really a pair of little enemies!"
Liu Xianxian laughed at this time, "Aunt, my mother said the same thing. She said that Brother Binghao and I are natural enemies and we always quarrel when we meet."
Lu Lingjun's eyes turned, "So do you want to be a pair of happy enemies with your brother Binghao?"
Hearing this, Liu Xianxian's face turned red, "Aunt, what are you talking about!"
"Just tell me how you feel. If you are not willing at all, I will not force you." Lu Lingjun looked at her seriously, "I only treat you as Siying. You are my daughter, and I want you to find a man who suits your heart."
Lu Lingjun felt a little emotional.
When she was a daughter, she did not have the right to decide her own marriage. Now that she is a mother, she wants to give them as many choices as possible.
It won't work to just marry someone blindly based on their family background. It depends on their intentions. If they have someone they love and are very much in love with, then it's okay to lower their family background appropriately.
Of course, it is impossible to ignore family background and just go with one's heart.
In the first half of Lu Lingjun's life, she sent away many of Cheng Yunshuo's concubines. They all held on to love and wanted to change everything with love.
But love has never been a panacea to overcome everything, and love cannot solve problems.
On the contrary, love needs to avoid tests and difficulties as much as possible and is a luxury that two people maintain with all their heart.
Lu Lingjun didn't think it was right to give up everything for love, and at the same time she despised the idea of marrying into a wealthy family and having a bad life.
The rules of a rich family are strict. It is hard and tiring to marry a rich man and become a daughter-in-law. But you can give up everything and marry a poor man and start over. There are more rules for being a daughter-in-law of a poor family! It is even harder and more tiring!
Therefore, Lu Lingjun wanted to ensure that her children had the most basic living conditions.
If there is a person she likes and he has good character, her requirements can be lower, but if he has no requirements, then she wants them all to marry high and marry high!
The higher you go, the higher the quality is! The lower you go, the lower the probability of winning the bet is!
Of course, what she was asking about now was Liu Xianxian's feelings. If she didn't want to, she wouldn't force her.
Liu Xianxian listened to Lu Lingjun's intimate words. She lowered her eyes slightly and said shyly, "Aunt, don't ask me, go ask Brother Binghao."
"oh?"
Liu Xianxian felt a little proud and arrogant, "I don't know what he feels. If he doesn't like me, then I don't like him!"
Lu Lingjun listened to this and smiled softly, "Then I understand. I still have to ask that brat in my family what he is thinking!"
"Then please don't say anything about me, Auntie!"
"I know."
Lu Lingjun rubbed her head heavily, "Does our Xianxian have an appetite now?"
"Got it!" Liu Xianxian said lively.
The second day.
Lu Lingjun wanted to find Cheng Binghao to have a chat, but heard him and Cheng Bingan go out together early in the morning.
Lu Lingjun came up empty-handed, but she was not in a hurry. She invited Liu Xianxian's grandmother, her godmother Jiang, to come over for a small gathering and chat.
"Godmother, Binghao has worked hard for you over the years."
In the small garden, Lu Lingjun smiled at Jiang.
"Of course, Binghao is a capable and worry-free kid. His uncle Wang and I both love him very much!"
Jiang's hair was half white at this time, and her face was covered with wrinkles. She smiled with narrowed eyes, just like a kind old person. It can be seen that she had a pretty good life in these years.
How can it be bad!
She followed General Wang to Jiangnan to suppress the Japanese pirates. The first few years were a bit dangerous, but as they became more familiar with the movements and capabilities of the Japanese pirates, they became more and more adept at suppressing the Japanese pirates and won many great victories.
After Jiang followed Wang to Jiangnan, she initially lived in the home of Wang Qiluo and Liu Shuhui. She was worried for a few years, but as time went on, she heard more and more good news, and seeing that General Wang was safe and sound, she gradually felt relieved.
My children are by my side and my husband is having a safe and smooth journey. How can this life be good?
Now, her husband has been conferred the title of Marquis Yongyi, and now in his old age, she has also become the lady of the Marquis's mansion and received an imperial decree. How lucky she is in this life!
Jiang said this to Lu Lingjun, watching her eyes gradually light up.
It can be said that most of the happiness and joy in her later half of life were given by Lu Lingjun.
It was Lu Lingyun who acted as a matchmaker for her daughter and her son-in-law. She met such a good son-in-law who not only had outstanding political achievements but also had excellent character. Her daughter has been married to him and the couple has lived in harmony ever since. Liu Shuhui has not even taken a concubine! Later, he even helped his father-in-law a lot in suppressing the Japanese in Jiangnan!
After her daughter got married, she had no children, so she brought her niece Jiang Qianzhu to live with her. It was Lu Lingjun who made her see the true face of the ungrateful Jiang Qianzhu! She and the Wang family were spared a great disaster!
Jiang Shi has recalled the past from time to time over the years, and she is terrified when she thinks of Jiang Qianzhu. If it weren't for Lu Lingyun's vigilance and repeated reminders, she would have been ruined in her life! Their Wang family would have been implicated and their careers would have been ruined, and there would be no chance to defeat the Japanese in the future!
The fact that Jiang can now become the Marquis' wife is due at least half to Lu Lingjun!
She loved Lu Lingjun, her goddaughter, very much!
"Come to think of it, if you hadn't been so far-sighted and asked me to tell your godfather that the Japanese pirates in Jiangnan could be pacified, and if you hadn't taken the initiative to ask His Majesty to help us pacify the Japanese pirates, our Wang family wouldn't even have been granted the title of marquis!" Jiang said with a smile.
"That's wrong, godmother. It's all because of the Marquis's bravery that he defeated the enemy thousands of miles away. You all deserve the military merits. But Binghao is a child who deserves your care." Lu Lingjun smiled.
Jiang listened to her words, "You are being modest again. Binghao doesn't rely on us, he relies on himself! He is a really good kid. He is never afraid of fighting in battle. His uncle Wang said that if Binghao was his grandson, it would be worth it even if he died in battle!"
"Your Excellency is talking nonsense."
"Really, we like Binghao very much." Jiang's old eyes turned, and she looked at Lu Lingjun with a smile, "Speaking of which, I just wanted to find you to discuss something with you."
"What's up?"
"What do you think of our Xianxian?" Jiang looked at Lu Lingjun, "She and Binghao have been childhood sweethearts. Her grandfather and I both want to bring the two children together. Although Binghao can't be our grandson, it would be great for him to be our grandson-in-law!"
Lu Lingjun observed Liu Xianxian and Cheng Binghao, and Jiang Shi and Yongyi Hou saw them both early on.
The relationship between these two children is extraordinary.
When Lu Lingjun heard this, she smiled slightly, "Godmother, I have the same idea, but has Binghao met many girls in Jiangnan?"
"Binghao is a very self-disciplined child. He only wants to hang out with Xianxian and never looks at other girls!" Jiang praised Cheng Binghao constantly.
After hearing this, Lu Lingjun felt even more satisfied. At this moment, the maids came to her in a hurry to report.
"Madam! Oh no, oh no, something happened!"
What's wrong?"
"Second Master was fighting outside! He even brought back a woman!"
"What!"
The maid was breathing heavily and speaking quickly to Lu Lingjun.
It turned out that Cheng Binghao and Cheng Bing'an went out to visit the capital together today, and they happened to see the courtesan from the Music Bureau throwing a bouquet, which hit Cheng Binghao right on the spot. Cheng Binghao didn't want it, but threw it to someone else. The other person was a fat old man in his fifties. He happily hugged the courtesan, but the courtesan felt humiliated and swore that a woman would not marry two husbands, and she wanted to commit suicide!
When Cheng Binghao saw this, he immediately tried to rescue the woman. The old man in his fifties refused to give in, and the two started fighting in the street. In the end, Cheng Binghao beat up the man and actually rescued the courtesan!
When Lu Lingjun finished listening to the servant's words with a frown on his face, he heard crying coming from the yard outside.
"Aunt!"
Liu Xianxian ran in crying.
"Xianxian!"
"Xianxian!"
Lu Lingjun and Jiang both stood up. When Liu Xianxian saw that her grandmother was also here, she threw herself into her arms and cried breathlessly.
"Grandma!"
"Xianxian, don't cry, tell your aunt what happened first!" Lu Lingjun asked.
At this time, hurried footsteps were heard outside again. It was Cheng Bingan who came back.
"Xianxian, please listen to our explanation. Binghao didn't mean to make you angry! He had a reason for it, and he was trying to save someone at the time!"
Liu Xianxian hugged Jiang tightly and cried heartbrokenly, "He asked me to give up my seat in the street for that woman. How could he care about my face at all!"
"Xianxian, isn't that girl's clothes torn..." Cheng Bing'an said this with an apologetic tone, "I apologize to you on behalf of Binghao, please don't be angry with him."
At that time, Cheng Binghao was fighting with someone and rescued the girl. Half of the girl's clothes were torn by someone.
But Liu Xianxian had a carriage, and when Cheng Binghao saw her carriage, he wanted to send the girl into her carriage. How could Liu Xianxian agree to that!
The woman was a prostitute. She was the daughter of an official family. Liu Xianxian grew up in Jiangnan, and even if the rules were relaxed, he could not ride in the same carriage with a prostitute.
If this gets out, her reputation will be ruined!
But she was unwilling, so Cheng Binghao actually asked her to get off the carriage and give it to the prostitute.
This made Liu Xianxian so angry that she ran back crying.
When Lu Lingjun heard this, she slammed the table angrily, "Where is Cheng Binghao!"
"Binghao is behind. He just returned to his yard and sent the woman to his yard first."
Lu Lingjun was furious, "He dared to bring people back!"
"Let's go! Let's all go! Xianxian, auntie will definitely give you justice today!"
Lu Lingjun led everyone straight to Cheng Binghao's yard.
After a while, Lu Lingjun led everyone to Cheng Binghao's yard.
As soon as she arrived, she ran into Cheng Binghao walking out of the house.
When Cheng Binghao saw Lu Lingjun, he immediately said, "Mom!"
"Cheng Binghao," Lu Lingjun said to him with a serious look for the first time, "What ridiculous things did you do today!"
When Cheng Binghao heard his mother's question, the youthful vigor on his face immediately disappeared.
After ten years of hard work, he was fearless, but when Lu Lingjun got angry, all his courage was thrown aside.
"Mom, I..." He was about to explain in a gentle voice when a weak voice came from behind him.
"Little General..."
A woman who had just changed into plain clothes and had her hair half uncovered ran out of the house. She fell to her knees between Cheng Binghao and Lu Lingjun.
The girl looked about fourteen or fifteen years old, with a pretty face and springy eyes. She knelt on the ground and kowtowed to Lu Lingyun, "Madam, all the mistakes are made by Ye Niang alone! Please don't blame the young general!"
Lu Lingjun looked at the pretty girl who was kowtowing in front of him, a determined light flashed in the depths of her fragile and helpless eyes.
The little fox of the past ten years has been playing tricks in front of her!
Lu Lingjun hates people who kowtow all the time.
Apart from those specific occasions and backgrounds, kowtowing to beg for mercy is extremely utilitarian, and at the moment the person kowtowing kneels down, every bang of the head is filled with suppressed resentment and the expectation of revenge.
They are all waiting for the day when they can make those who have been hit pay back a thousand times.
Kowtowing is not begging for mercy, it is kidnapping the person you are kowtowing to.
Sure enough, someone spoke up for her.
"Mother, Ye Niang is also a pitiful person." Cheng Binghao looked at the woman who was kowtowed until her flesh and blood were blurred, and said with a heartless heart, "She was originally a daughter of an official, but her family was in trouble and she fell into the music bureau. Today is her wedding day, and it was my son who caught her embroidered bouquet first. If you want to punish someone, punish me!"
Cheng Binghao straightened his chest and stood up with a responsible look on his face.
Liu Xianxian, who was behind Lu Lingjun, let out a whimper, covered her face with tears, and ran away.
"Xianxian!"
"Xianxian!"
Jiang called out first and then chased after him.
Cheng Binghao also screamed and wanted to chase, but his feet were grabbed by someone.
Ye Niang, kneeling on the ground, looked at him sadly and helplessly. He struggled for a while and then stayed.
When Lu Lingjun saw this, she became furious, but she knew that she couldn't be angry. If she got angry and quarreled with Cheng Binghao, or used her status as a mother to oppress him, then she would really fall into this woman's trap!
The more intense she was, the more Cheng Binghao would rebel. The more she suppressed him, the more he would sympathize with Ye Niang and the closer they would get.
When it comes to children, you have to treat them as men and stay calm at all times.
She forced herself to suppress the anger in her heart. After watching Jiang and Liu Xianxian leave, she said to Cheng Binghao slowly, "Binghao, mother knows that you are a good child. You do things for a reason."
As expected, as soon as Lu Lingjun calmed down and spoke in a gentle voice, Cheng Binghao's face immediately showed grievance and guilt. He immediately pulled his legs away from Ye Niang's embrace and kept a distance from her.
"Mom, I was wrong today. I admit it."
He bowed his head and admitted his mistake.
As soon as he admitted his mistake, Ye Niang, who was kneeling on the ground, panicked.
The determination and confidence in her eyes immediately disappeared, and she hurriedly said, "Madam! It's all my fault!"
Lu Lingjun glanced at her, turned his head and didn't even look at her, and didn't respond to her words at all, "Binghao, mother knows you are a kind person. You are the kindest person. Did you see that this girl was in trouble today and you had no choice but to come out to save her?"
Cheng Binghao nodded hurriedly after understanding her. "Yes, I saw that old man trying to force Ye Niang. After all, Ye Niang threw the embroidered bouquet to me the first time. I threw her to that old man, so I should be responsible for her."
Lu Lingjun almost laughed out of anger when he heard this.
This clumsy and stupid thing can only fool Cheng Binghao, a young man with little experience and a kind heart!
This Ye Niang has already fallen into the music bureau, how can she still have any clean reputation to speak of!
She revealed her plan to Cheng Binghao in the first throw. Seeing that Cheng Binghao did not accept the challenge and gave the hydrangea to someone else, she wanted to kidnap him to death.
In other words, Cheng Binghao was young, kind-hearted and morally upright, so she really kidnapped him.
He felt that he was the one who pushed Ye Niang into the fire pit with his own hands, and he wanted to rescue her from the fire!
Lu Lingyun quickly let the matter go. Ye Niang's little tricks were all in her mind. Lu Lingyun's face was even more tolerant and loving. "I know my son has a kind heart. If so, we in Ningyang Marquis Mansion will send the Buddha to the west. I will give this girl some money to redeem her and set her free."
Lu Lingjun didn't bother about Ye Niang's matter in front of Cheng Binghao and just paid her off. When Cheng Binghao heard what his mother said, he felt warm and bright in his heart. His mother was really sensible!
Her mother is so virtuous, the best mother in the world!
"Thank you, Mom!" Cheng Binghao hurriedly thanked her.
When Ye Niang, who was kneeling on the ground, heard this, her eyes became extremely anxious!
"No, I won't leave!" Ye Niang blurted out.
Lu Lingjun was just worried that she would not do something stupid. When she got anxious, Lu Lingjun snorted coldly, "What's wrong with you, woman? My son saved you once and even gave you money to redeem you. Are you trying to rely on my son?"
"No!" After Ye Niang said what was in her heart, she quickly tried to make amends. She looked at Cheng Binghao and said, "Young General, you accepted my embroidered bouquet. From now on, you will be my master. I will work like a slave to repay you!"
"Oh!" Lu Lingyun sneered, "How come I didn't know that the embroidered ball in the Jiaofangsi was looking for its master? Could it be that it was a human trafficking center, and you were asked to be sold as a slave?"
Lu Lingjun exposed all of Ye Niang's cover-ups with just one sentence.
She was a girl from the Jiaofangsi, and she was looking for a one-night-lover by throwing the ball! She was not looking for a master!
What she said just now about being a slave is ridiculous!
"And according to what you said, whoever accepts your bouquet is your master, then why are you unwilling to serve the second master?!" Lu Lingjun gave her another fatal blow.
She always says that Cheng Binghao saved her life, but no one killed her at all!
The person who accepted her bouquet is her benefactor, and according to her he should be served. But why is Cheng Binghao her master and others want to kill her?
Cheng Binghao, who was stubborn and inexperienced, figured out what was going on and felt that it was absurd for him to stand up for her today...
Seeing how smart Lu Lingjun was, Ye Niang was speechless after hearing a few words from him. She could only cry and beg Cheng Binghao, "Young General, I beg you! Please take me in! If you saved me once, you can save me a second time. Please keep me by your side to serve you! I will definitely serve you well!"
Cheng Binghao felt extremely uncomfortable when he heard her words.
"You can leave on your own." Cheng Binghao said.
"Young General! If you don't take me in, I will have no choice but to die!" Seeing that she couldn't fool Cheng Binghao, Ye Niang threatened to commit suicide.
This really angered Cheng Binghao.
Cheng Binghao kicked Ye Niang away, who was about to throw herself into the well and die.
"Go die outside!"
At this moment, he was extremely disgusted with this woman.
Originally, when she tried to commit suicide the first time, shouting that a woman should not marry two husbands, he just thought that this girl was extremely chaste.
In addition, he was indeed the first one to catch her bouquet, so he had a sense of responsibility to tie her up. Seeing that she swore to never obey the second old man, he felt pity and guilt and tried to rescue her.
But how did it become that he owed her?
He was threatened with death at every turn.
He had nothing to do with her from beginning to end!
Cheng Binghao suddenly felt disgusted as if he was being blackmailed.
After he stopped Ye Niang who was trying to commit suicide, he waved his hands at the servants, "What are you waiting for! Get her out now!"
The maids behind Lu Lingjun quickly stepped forward, picked up Ye Niang from the ground, and threw her out of the mansion.
This time, Ye Niang even saved the money that Lu Lingjun was originally going to give her.
After being thrown out of the Marquis' Mansion, Ye Niang, covered in blood and in a dishevel, kept cursing Cheng Binghao for being heartless and ungrateful, having no mercy on women, and calling him not a real man!
Her forehead was bruised and bloody, her body was delicate, and she was a very popular courtesan. When she was thrown out like this, a lot of people came to watch.
"Madam, that courtesan who is trying to get close to a rich man is talking nonsense outside and spreading rumors about our Second Master!" Shuang Hong came to Lu Lingyun to report, "Should we beat her away or tell her to shut up!"
Lu Lingjun glanced at the nervous Shuanghong and blinked her eyes. "Don't let anyone stop her. Tell her to continue scolding."
"It's time for Binghao to grow up."
She dealt with the little courtesan who wanted to cling to the wealth of the Marquis's mansion and use tricks to get to the top, and she also had to deal with Cheng Binghao, who was stupid and unaware of the treacherous nature of human nature!
This idiot son only knows how to fight outside, and has no other thoughts. Outsiders can easily trick him with some tricks. Who knows what kind of loss he will suffer in the future! It's really infuriating!
Let's teach him a good lesson today.
With Lu Lingjun's tacit approval, the courtesan scolded Cheng Binghao for more than half an hour outside. Only after the sedan chair from the Music Bureau came to take her away did she hesitantly and tearfully go away.
When she was taken away, she thought of Cheng Binghao who had saved her today, and her eyes were full of resentment.
She went back to the Music Bureau feeling unwilling to give up and continued to scold Cheng Binghao. This time she spread rumors that he was impotent, saying that he looked tall and handsome but was actually impotent!
Cheng Binghao learned about these rumors the next day.
Compared to the fight in the street yesterday where he snatched the courtesan, the fact that he, the newly-appointed Marquis of Ever-Victory, was impotent was even more of a hot topic. When Cheng Binghao heard these rumors about him spread from the Music Bureau, he was extremely furious.
In this case, he was really like a farmer saving a snake. He was kind-hearted and ended up being bitten back!
Cheng Binghao was furious and hateful. He really wished he could go back to yesterday when Xiuqiu took the lead. He would first give himself two bangs on the fist, then listen to that Ye Niang trying to commit suicide by refusing to obey the old man, and then watch her hit her head against a wall and die, and then buy her some firecrackers to set off!
Cheng Binghao was angry, and Cheng Bingan came over.
"Binghao."
"Brother." Cheng Binghao frowned, "Am I stupid enough to save such a person?"
Cheng Bing'an looked at him inexplicably, "You have been away for ten years, and you are not often in Beijing. People's minds are unpredictable, and it is inevitable that you will be tricked."
He is different from Cheng Binghao. He has stayed in Beijing for the past ten years and grew up with Lu Lingjun. What Lu Lingjun taught him most through words and deeds is that it is difficult to guard against people's hearts and he must be cautious at all times.
He became more cautious and careful, especially because his father left home for the love of his aunt. He was very self-disciplined when it came to women and always kept himself clean. He still didn't have a concubine.
And he thought of only marrying a wife in the future and not taking concubines!
The roots of their family were almost ruined by female sex, and he would never follow his father's old path!
Cheng Binghao frowned and said after a while, "I understand."
Cheng Bingan looked at him with a smile, "By the way, mother wants you to come over."
"good."
Cheng Binghao came up to Lu Lingyun.
"Mom." Cheng Binghao greeted Lu Lingjun respectfully when he saw her.
"Binghao." Lu Lingjun put down the teacup in her hand, "Mother called you here today to punish you."
Hearing this, Cheng Binghao fell to his knees with a plop, "Mother, it is I who brought shame to the Marquis' Mansion!"
The news of his impotence spread in the streets and alleys, which really brought discredit to the Ningyang Marquis' Mansion.
Seeing him respectfully admitting his mistake in front of her, Lu Lingjun curled his lips slightly, "Bringing shame to the Marquisate is not a big deal. You have earned most of the reputation of our Marquisate, so what if you lose a little?"
She first exposed the matter, affirmed Cheng Binghao's achievements, and then gave Cheng Binghao a light reprimand.
Cheng Binghao is not young anymore and he has made great contributions. If Lu Lingjun only has good expectations of him and punishes him for a small matter, he will not say anything this time, but he will inevitably feel uncomfortable.
He has brought honor to the Marquisate and his family. It would be too alienating if his family punished him for just the slightest mistake.
Lu Lingjun told Cheng Binghao what he was thinking in advance, and she would not punish him for this matter.
When Cheng Binghao heard Lu Lingjun say this, he just felt warm in his heart. He was also very angry about the rumors outside. He was blind and inexperienced, and he suffered the consequences after his reckless behavior. He felt aggrieved and regretful. If Lu Lingjun punished him again, he would accept the punishment but would inevitably feel a little rebellious, thinking that Lu Lingjun was bullying him in collusion with outsiders.
But Lu Lingyun's thoughtful words and affirmation of his achievements only helped him regain his face and confidence.
Just because you do something stupid doesn't mean you will be completely rejected.
And after this incident, he has learned his lesson and will not do it again.
He looked up at Lu Lingyun and said, "Mom, I won't do that again! I must be careful with what I say and do!"
Lu Lingjun looked at Cheng Binghao who asked her to lead him to the road, and finally smiled, "My son is really a good son of the Cheng family."
"But mother still has to punish you."
"mother..."
"It's your own business to save that courtesan, but how could you humiliate Xianxian because of that courtesan?" Lu Lingjun looked at him seriously, "Xianxian has never owed you anything, but you humiliated Xianxian in public yesterday and bullied her like that, what are you doing!"