Greetings, Ninth Uncle

Chapter 92: No Affection (III)

Cheng Yujin lowered her head and said nothing. When she heard the last sentence, she whispered: “Yes, it is very difficult being the Crown Princess.”

Qingfu Junzhu was elated. But the next moment, she saw Cheng Yujin raised her head and smiled very gently: “Since this is the case, then of course I have to accept my fate. To worry before the common people worries and to enjoy only after the people can enjoy are part of my duties. Naturally, I am not qualified to meddle in the affair of governing the country, but what I can do is sharing the burden together. Crown Princess bears such a heavy responsibility and is put in such a difficult situation. How can I let other people suffer? Naturally, it’s my turn to step in.”

Qingfu Junzhu didn’t expect the matter to develop in this direction. She was totally suffocated. Qingfu Junzhu stared blankly for a while, but in the end, her face was still thicker than Cheng Yujin, so she finally released her killing move: “The rules of imperial clan is different than noble family’s rules. If you intend to take lessons from Cheng Yumo and Cheng Min’s experiences, then you are very wrong. Her Majesty the Empress is the mother of the country. She won’t base herself on doing something like embarrassing her daughter-in-law with her own hands. She will just send a Gugu¹ to discipline you, which is enough to make you suffer.”

“I know.” Cheng Yujin smiled very sincerely, “Her Majesty sends a Gugu to teach me the rules. This is for my own good. Why should I be afraid?”

Qingfu Junzhu’s expression sank: “You don’t know how to appreciate good things. It’s my kindness that I come to offer you helps. Don’t pretend to be a fool in front of me. The methods of female officials in the deep palace are totally incomparable to noble families’ mamas. Countless imperial concubines and palace maids suffered a loss in their hands. As long as you promise to protect my Bao’er and let him live worry-free, then I will teach you how to handle those people. Are you really not going to accept my offer?”

“Mother, since he is the son you gave birth to, then you should teach him yourself. If you are not willing to discipline him, then you should accept the fact that your son will be a good-for-nothing for the rest of his life. You don’t want to discipline but also don’t want your son to be a good-for-nothing, so you transfer the responsibility to me. On what basis should I accept?”

When Cheng Yujin finished speaking, she looked straight into Qingfu’s eyes and said, “I refuse.”

Anger rose from the bottom of Qingfu Junzhu’s heart. Her Bao’er was lively and active. It was just normal for boys to be naughty. How dare Cheng Yujin says that her Bao’er would grow up a good-for-nothing? But another weak, desperate voice came from her heart, saying that Cheng Yujin was right.

In the future, her Bao’er might really grow into a dude who only knows to eat, drink, and have fun. Just like his father Cheng Yuanxian, he would amount to nothing. But Cheng Yuanxian had a good father and a good daughter. In the first half of his life, his father paved the way for him. His father’s death left the marquis title to him. In the second half of his life, he would be backed by his daughter. As long as Cheng Yujin sat in her position, Cheng Yuanxian, as the Crown Princess’ father, would never be taken lightly by others.

Cheng Yuanxian had no abilities in his life, but his luck was very good. However, what about his son? The title of Marquis Yichun ended in Cheng Yuanxian’s generation. Unless the later Emperor granted Cheng Enbao grace, he wouldn’t even be able to live off his ancestors’ merits. As for Ning Wang, he was even more undependable. Once a prince went into his fief, he couldn’t return to the capital, presumably forever. In Ning Wang’s lifetime, he probably would never be able to meet Cheng Enbao, this outer grandson² of his, let alone planning for the boy’s future.

Qingfu Junzhu thought hard, but found that the only person she could depend on was Cheng Yujin, this adopted daughter of hers. Fate was truly ironic. The only life-saving straw Qingfu Junzhu could find was the daughter of that bitch Ruan-shi.

However, even after Qingfu Junzhu abandoned her pride and lowered her head to ask Cheng Yujin for help, Cheng Yujin refused. Cheng Yujin was not willing to support Cheng Enbao.

Qingfu Junzhu was flustered. How dare Cheng Yujin? As an older sister, she refused to support her younger brother. As a married daughter, she refused to support her natal family. How could Cheng Yujin do such a thing?

Cheng Yujin listened to Qingfu’s long talk calmly, but she had long been bored. Cheng Yujin drained her teacup and said: “Mother, a deal is an exchange of equal value. If Cheng family cannot help me in the future, I also won’t give my help. We are on each other.”

Draining the teacup was a disguised gesture to send off the guest. Qingfu Junzhu’s face stiffened. She got up from her seat and walked out quickly.

Ruan-shi and Qingfu Junzhu left Cheng Yujin’s place in a dejected manner one after another. After that, no one dared to disturb Cheng Yujin again.

Before long, Old Madam Cheng also heard about Cheng Yujin’s attitude. Although Cheng Yujin became the Crown Princess, she didn’t have the intention to help her natal family. She clearly expressed her attitude: if Cheng family couldn’t be her help, then she also wouldn’t care about Cheng family’s life and death. Everyone traded equally, and no one owed the other.

To be able to say such a thing, one must be completely hard-hearted. Cheng family’s illusion of gaining glory and benefits for nothing broke into pieces. One by one, they had their head cleared, and no one dared to provoke Cheng Yujin.

How ridiculous. When Cheng Yujin hadn’t shed the pretense of cordiality with them, Cheng family dared to be so roguish and arrogant. Once Cheng Yujin said those cold words which totally cut off familial affection, these people suddenly respected and feared her.

This was human nature, ironic and ridiculous.

Yichun Marquis Manor had a rare period of peace and tranquility, and no one dared to make trouble.

After the spring flower bloomed in the third month, the Ministry of Rites and Court of State Ceremonials held a grand ceremony in Yichun Marquis Manor. The guard of honor winded from Fengtian Gate all the way to Cheng family’s manor. Solemn music followed the procession as people watched the ceremony.

Along with imperial bestowment were four palace Gugus.

After a long time of waiting, Empress Yang finally made her move.

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1. Gugu: Literally means ‘aunt,’ but in this context, it is how a female official (a senior palace lady in charge of management) is called.
2. Outer relatives: Relatives by blood with different surnames. I.e. mother’s family, daughter’s children, etc.