When Cheng Yujin heard this voice, she was stunned.
She suddenly stood up and looked at the door with wide eyes. A servant girl rolled the curtain on the door, and a tall figure walked in.
His face was cold, his eyes were without the slightest ripples, and there was no particular emotion on his face. Cheng Yuanjing's height was considered tall among men. Unlike Huo Changyuan's sturdiness, who looked like a military man at first glance, Cheng Yuanjing's figure was slender and straight. He looked elegant and handsome from afar, but when he walked closer, one could see his broad shoulders, slender legs, and thin waist.
His appearance was a bit too excellent to be a mere mortal. Although his tall and elegant figure was eye-catching, the most conspicuous part of Cheng Yuanjing was the indifference and majesty on his movements and gestures.
This was a temperament that was cultivated by someone who was born to stand and rule above others.
Standing inside a room full of womenfolks, Cheng Yuanjing, who was already taller than the average man, was even more eye-catching. After he came in, the people who were still aggressively eloquent until now suddenly were stifled. Those who had been sitting stood up unconsciously, while the servants standing on the side kept their eyes down on the ground and held their breath.
Cheng Yujin was too shocked upon seeing Cheng Yuanjing that she stood up quickly. Fortunately, others also reacted similarly to her. In a room of flustered women, Cheng Yujin's movement was not so abrupt. Cheng Yujin ignored Old Madam Cheng and the others and immediately walked towards Cheng Yuanjing. When she arrived in front of Cheng Yuanjing, she hesitated again: "This little girl pays respect to Ninth Uncle. Ninth Uncle, why are you here?"
Right after speaking, Cheng Yujin saw Du Ruo behind Cheng Yuanjing. Cheng Yujin's eyes blinked, and she figured it out in an instant.
Seeing that Cheng Yujin has figured it out, Cheng Yuanjing nodded and didn't say much. "I happen to met your servant girl halfway. Since I also have something to say to everyone, let say it now."
Cheng Yujin understood. Du Ruo indeed went to Qingfu Junzhu according to her instruction. However, Qingfu Junzhu refused to get involved in this muddy matter. Du Ruo had no choice but to run to Cheng Yuanjing for help.
Cheng Yujin winked at Du Ruo several times. Right now, she felt really miserable. Cheng Yujin could only tactfully apologize to Cheng Yuanjing: "Ninth Uncle, it's just a small matter. To disturb you over this, this little girl is really ashamed."
Cheng Yujin was indeed feeling embarrassed right now. She didn't expect that Du Ruo would go to Cheng Yuanjing. To have this kind of thing actually known to the crown prince, Cheng Yujin didn't know whether to blame Du Ruo or herself. In fact, she couldn't blame Du Ruo. Cheng Yujin knew Cheng Yuanjing's real identity. Thus, she dared not to offend or to step the boundary. Instead, she was meticulous in pleasing Cheng Yuanjing every time. But Du Ruo was ignorant. She didn't know the truth and only knew that her Miss was very close to the Ninth Master and often ran to his courtyard. Thinking this way, it was no wonder that Du Ruo would go to Cheng Yuanjing to ask for help.
It was such a great offense, but now Cheng Yujin had to face it...she felt embarrassed, but also equally puzzled. Du Ruo didn't know the truth, so her action was justifiable. But why did Cheng Yuanjing agree to come? He was the honorable crown prince. Sooner or later, he would leave the Cheng family. Why did he lower himself to meddle with the conflict between womenfolks?
"It's okay." Cheng Yuanjing didn't seem to care. "It's not just you, but I also have something to say. Since everyone happens to be here with the Marchioness today, let's talk about it now."
Helped by her servant girl, the Old Madam also stood up. Whenever she saw Cheng Yuanjing, the Old Madam would inevitably be reminded of little Xue-shi and couldn't have a good expression. However, her words were very polite. It was completely different from facing Cheng Yujin and Ruan-shi: "Ninth boy, why are you here?"
Cheng Yuanjing replied: "Just a small matter." After a pause, he continued nonchalantly: "I remember that right before the Marquis passed away, he made clear a lot of things. However, looking at Marchioness and the others now, I'm afraid that you still don't quite understand."
Old Madam Cheng and Ruan-shi's expression suddenly stiffened.
"That day, the Marquis said that seniority has to be put in order, and the younger generations are to be treated equally regardless of gender. Although Cheng Yujin's marriage contract was canceled, she has the right to the dowry. To move her belonging to someone else for an inexplicable reason is unacceptable. Second Madam Cheng has accepted the two thousand taels from the Marquis, which means you accepted his arrangement. But now you said that the Marquis' arrangement is not appropriate, on what basis?"
Cheng Yuanjing's tone was flat and calm, but it was even more imperious than a loud scolding. Ruan-shi looked embarrassed. She pursed her lower lip and said: "I did this, isn't it for the sake of Yichun Marquis manor? Besides, only our family members are present there at that time, and no one else would know..."
"Why wouldn't anyone know?" Cheng Yuanjing looked at Ruan-shi indifferently. "Even if no one else knows, what does second Madam plans to do?"
"Why wouldn't anyone know?" Cheng Yuanjing looked at Ruan-shi indifferently. "Even if no one else knows, what does second Madam plans to do?"
Ruan-shi's words seemed to be stuck in her throat, and she suddenly became speechless. It was the first time Cheng Yuanjing saw such an ignorant, yet fearless person. He no longer bothered to look at Ruan-shi again and directly confronted the Old Madam: "For a repectable person, one word is one promise. Let alone the last words of the Marquis. Marchioness, you are a lady with the honorary title conferred by imperial mandate, the person in charge of the whole Yichun Marquis manor. Could it be that Marchioness treats propriety as nothing?"
Cheng Yuanjing obviously ignored Ruan-shi, but Ruan-shi's face flushed with shame. At this age, Old Madam Cheng had seen many kinds of things, but she couldn't understand why this shu son had such a strong aura. However, the Old Madam still needed to maintain her prestige. She paused for a while and slowly said: "Naturally not. As long as it is the word from the Old Master, whether or not outsiders know, this old woman will do her best to follow his intention. Since the Old Master has made arrangements for his two granddaughters before his death, this old woman has nothing to say."
Seeing the scene before her eyes, Cheng Yujin blinked. She had spent so much effort and even made soft threats, but Old Madam Cheng refused to relent. Unexpectedly, Cheng Yuanjing only said a few words, and Old Madam Cheng immediately back off.
Cheng Yujin originally planned to find a chance to act, but now she found out that Cheng Yuanjing had arranged everything in an orderly manner, and she didn't need to do anything at all. Since she remembered things, it was the first and only time in her life that she didn't need to worry about anything, and didn't need to do anything either, because someone was here to protect her.
Cheng Yujin couldn't tell what kind of feeling she had now. She sighed softly. It seemed she owed Cheng Yuanjing once again.
"That's good." Cheng Yuanjing said, "Since it's so, let make it clear once and for all. Someone come, go and invite Shizi and eldest Madam here."
Cheng Yujin frowned and said softly, "Ninth Uncle, I'm afraid that my mother is currently busy and cannot come here."
"Use my name to invite them." Cheng Yuanjing didn't care at all. He added: "And the second girl, call her over too."
Cheng Yujin silently watched how Qingfu Junzhu, who was supposedly very busy, arrived quickly at Old Madam Cheng's courtyard. Afterward, the rest also came.
In front of everyone, Cheng Yuanjing said: "Before, I said that I have no intention to take a share of the manor's property, but the Marquis insisted. The eldest girl reminded me not to refuse an elder's kindness. Since I don't want to let down Marquis's intention, I decided to give this share to Eldest girl. Sooner is better than later, since everyone happens to gather here, I will do the transfer now."
Afterward, Cheng Yuanjing ordered the guard to bring out a brocade box. He then beckoned to Cheng Yujin. Cheng Yujin tentatively approached. Cheng Yuanjing put the box onto her hand and said: "I've ordered people to make a register. The items and quantities of gold and silverware, fabrics, porcelain, and other things are written clearly on the register book. In addition, there are land deeds and silver banknotes. You can check it yourself. If there is no problem, take it away."
Cheng Yujin clearly felt everyone's gaze condensed on the box in her hands. Qingfu Junzhu and Ruan-shi's eyes almost burst into flames. Before, Cheng Yuanjing said that he would give the one-third that was his share to Cheng Yujin, but Qingfu treated it merely as an excuse. Although it was under Cheng Yujin's name, wasn't it actually their first branch's property? Unexpectedly, Cheng Yuanjing really gave his share for Cheng Yujin publicly.
When Cheng Yujin got married, she would take those things with her. How could Qingfu be willing seeing so much money flew away?
Cheng Yujin felt the heaviness of the brocade box in her hand. The anxiety in her heart seemed to be suppressed. Cheng Yujin's brain quickly made clear of Cheng Yuanjing's intention. She smiled. Under Qingfu Junzhu's gaze, she handed the box to Ruan-shi and said: "Second aunt just said that there are many children in the second branch. Not only two younger brothers, but also second sister. Since second sister is going to marry high, it's only proper for the public account to distribute more money to the second branch, isn't it? I have never been involved with the public account and don't understand this kind of household management matters. But since second aunt isn't satisfied with the distribution and second sister's dowry is also not enough, then second aunt may take these things for the second branch."
Qingfu Junzhu was already suffocated with dissatisfaction. Hearing Cheng Yujin said that Ruan-shi complained about the unfair distribution and that the second branch demanded more money, she immediately became annoyed.
Just now, Qingfu simply didn't want to bother fighting for a dowry for someone else's daughter. But she didn't expect that Ruan-shi actually badmouthed her during this time. Seeing Cheng Yujin's tone, it seemed that the Old Madam also didn't object? Qingfu was seethed with anger. Ruan-shi, this bitch, even hinted that she wasn't fair when managing the public account and actually wanted to take more share.
Most particularly, the phrase 'many children' straightly poked Qingfu Junzhu's anger.
This bitch, who is she scolding at?!
Ruan-shi's expression changed, clearly moved by the content of the box. Qingfu was on the verge of exploding. Seeing Ruan-shi's reaction, she sneered sarcastically: "Eldest girl is filial, but does second sister-in-law really dare to take it?"
Having her mind exposed by Qingfu Junzhu, Ruan-shi's face turned pale. Immediately after, her cheeks were blushed in red: "This is supposed to be Ninth Master's share. Now that it has been given to the eldest girl, why does eldest sister-in-law think you have a say about it?"
"Why do I have a say?" Qingfu sneered. "I worked hard to manage this family, yet there are people who doesn't appreciate it. Since it's so, how dare I still manage other things? If second sister-in-law feels that I'm unfair, then just take the nameplate away. Anyway, my management is not good. What about you do it yourself?"
Qingfu Junzhu mocked Ruan-shi, who immediately retorted defensively. Both of them fought back and forth, and neither was willing to concede. Ruan-shi felt that Qingfu Junzhu was too overbearing, controlling the things that even wasn't hers. In contrast, Qingfu felt that Ruan-shi was shameless. Both of them were burning with rage. Each of their words was full of anger. Soon, no one paid attention to Cheng Yujin anymore.
Cheng Yujin secretly smiled. Coincidentally, when she raised her head, Cheng Yuanjing also lowered his gaze to look at her. The two looked at each other. Cheng Yujin was taken aback, but soon she curled her eyes and smiled at Cheng Yuanjing.
Cheng Yuanjing's expression also softened. The two of them didn't have any communication beforehand, but just now, they cooperated very well.
The real valuable things were already in Cheng Yujin's hands. There wasn't much property left in the manor's public account. The one-third share wasn't amount much, but taking it would put her into a precarious situation with both the first and second branches. The losses obviously overweighted the gains, so from the beginning, Cheng Yujin didn't plan to take it at all. But if she insisted on keeping the dowry she got from Old Master Cheng, Ruan-shi would get angered, Old Madam Cheng would lose face, and everyone was bound to stare at Cheng Yujin fiercely. Cheng Yujin was carrying a huge amount of secret wealth. It truly wasn't wise to make herself into everyone's target.
So, under the public's eyes, Cheng Yuanjing gave Cheng Yujin the one-third share that the Old Master left to him. He also deliberately made a register so everyone could see at a glance how many things were included in that share. Cheng Yujin reacted quickly and directly gave Ruan-shi all of it under the reason of 'helping the elder.' Sure enough, it immediately lit another conflict between Qingfu and Ruan-shi.
Cheng Yujin leisurely watched Qingfu and Ruan-shi biting each other. In her opinion, Cheng Yuanjing was actually quite audacious. What would happen if she didn't understand his meaning and really took the box as her possession?
Fortunately, Cheng Yujin guessed right. With this one-third property as bait, both Qingfu and Ruan-shi would be busy for a long time and wouldn't be able to pay attention to Cheng Yujin.
Cheng Yujin had a complex feeling. Seeing the matter was resolved, Cheng Yuanjing walked out without looking back. When Cheng Yujin saw that Cheng Yuanjing was leaving, she quietly put the brocade box down and followed him.
Cheng Yujin hurriedly ran across the roofed corridor and finally caught up with Cheng Yuanjing at the corner: "Ninth Uncle."
Hearing Cheng Yujin's voice, Cheng Yuanjing stopped in front of a pillar and waited for her. Cheng Yujin ran up quickly to him, panting slightly: "Ninth Uncle, thank you."
The adoptive mother, who had raised her for fourteen years, was unwilling to help her. Instead, it was Cheng Yuanjing, who had nothing to do with Cheng family and only knew her for a short time who came to protect her. After today's matter, no one would mention 'borrowing' Cheng Yujin's dowry again.
Cheng Yuanjing not only solved her problem, but also considered her situation and left a way out for her. This kind of kindness was truly incomparable to arbitrary help, and even a real uncle would hardly do this much for a niece.
Looking at Cheng Yuanjing, Cheng Yujin said in a rare sincerity: "Ninth Uncle, thank you for today's matter. You have helped me so much, and I don't know how to pay you back. Ninth Uncle, I owe you a favor. As long as I can do it, you can ask me for anything."
Cheng Yuanjing smiled softly: "No need."
"Ninth Uncle!" However, this time Cheng Yujin was very insistent. Regardless of propriety, she blocked Cheng Yuanjing's path with her body. She said again with even a more serious tone: "I know that my words are worthless, and Ninth Uncle has a low opinion on me. But up to you if you need it or not, and up to me to want to repay your kindness. I will always wait."
For the first time, Cheng Yuanjing saw Cheng Yujin being so serious. He stared at the girl's shiny eyes but couldn't say a word. After a moment, he turned his gaze away and said nothing.
Cheng Yujin was overjoyed: "If you don't refuse, I'll take it as acceptance. Ninth Uncle, I was sorry for troubling you with such a small matter. But why did you make that register book?"
Cheng Yuanjing has always looked down on Yichun marquis manor's wealth. Although the Old Master divided the property into three equal shares, Cheng Yuanjing never planned to take it. Therefore, Cheng Yujin was genuinely surprised seeing him suddenly took the topic out today.
When did he make the register?
Cheng Yuanjing retracted his gaze. He glanced at the lush leaves outside the roofed corridor and said: "The tea cools down as soon as the person is gone, that's how superficial a human relationship is. Your grandfather is the head of the house. It is only two months after he was gone, but below the surface, people already dare to act against his last words and refuse to obey his arrangements. I can speak for you now, but I'm afraid they will only get worse after I leave."
Cheng Yujin thought she had misheard, and subconsciously said, "Eh?"
Cheng Yuanjing finally turned his eyes and gazed at her deeply: "I'm about to leave."