The head of the Red Mansion

Chapter 148 Let's do it first and talk about it later

Chapter 148 Let's do it first and talk about it later
In the flower hall, Shen Ning and the others all fell silent.

Who would have thought that Cheng Luo would have such a wild idea as to ask the Jia family to help him follow the same path because of the time when Chen Tang changed his name to Liu Tang?

In this world, clan is highly valued, and many people prioritize clan interests over national laws.

Even in modern society, it was like this right after liberation.

Cheng Luo is the successor to the title of Marquis of Xinping. Although his father was able to obtain the title of Marquis of Xinping mainly because of the marriage of Princess Baofeng, the Cheng family would not agree with this. They would only insist on military merits.

This is too difficult.

"...Please, Uncle, please, Brother, help me."

Seeing that everyone looked troubled, Cheng Luo knelt down. "I really have no other choice. Just thinking about my mother being buried in the Cheng family ancestral cemetery, and possibly being bullied by those people after she dies, makes me, as her son... unable to sleep at night."

He originally intended to wait until he married Yuan Chun before discussing it with her and finding a solution together.

However, once the thought arises, one cannot wait even a moment longer.

I always felt that if he waited any longer, his mother would suffer even more.

"Get up! What are you doing?"

Jia Zhen tried his best to support her, "Mother~" His mother always had many ideas, perhaps she could come up with a solution, "What do you think we should do?"

"Auntie, please help me."

Cheng Luo noticed that everyone was looking at this aunt, so he quickly kowtowed to her again.

"...Stand up and speak first."

Shen Ning was speechless at her eldest son's behavior and said to Cheng Luo, "If you want to leave the Cheng family, you'd better talk to us properly."

"Yes, yes, get up quickly."

Jia Zhen, Jia Zhu, and the others helped Cheng Luo to sit down in a chair.

“Auntie, as long as you can let my mother and me get away from the Cheng family, I will do whatever you ask.”

Cheng Luo wiped away her tears, "You don't know, my mother... was so pitiful."

Yuan Chun silently slipped one of her handkerchiefs to him.

"She never had a good life. Knowing that he had someone else he liked, she didn't think about it. She just wanted him to live his life while she took me and started a new one."

He was very happy when his mother was all he had.

Both mother and son were very happy.

Eat whatever you want, play whatever you want.

If you want to catch sparrows, your mother can help you make the trap.

His mother was also his first teacher in reading and horseback riding.

Although his maternal grandfather ignored them, his mother would sit in a corner at every palace banquet, and he would be bullied as well. But how many palace banquets were there in a year?
According to his mother, just bear with it and it will pass.

Now that he's home, his mother can make it up to him even more.

The Cheng family was just like the imperial palace, but who would have thought that while the mother and son survived in such a dangerous place as the imperial palace, he was repeatedly plotted against in his own home and almost died?
Cheng Luo regretted it. If he had been more careful that time, he would have almost died, and his mother would not have taken such a desperate path.

"But they're all after a title..."

Cheng Luo knew that his presence was the original sin.

With him present, the Cheng family's title can only belong to him.

That's why those people couldn't tolerate him.

Cheng Luo was in great pain; her mother initially only wanted to leave the palace.

I got married, and I never thought I'd have him.

Without him, given his mother's indifferent nature, the Cheng family would simply provide for her without doing anything else.

But with him.

Although my mother said she was grateful to God for giving him to her, the thought of her mother dying because of him still bothered her...

"If I could, I would destroy this title."

Cheng Luo did not want to inherit this title. He looked at Yuan Chun and said, "But please believe me, I have the ability to earn another title for you." He had prepared everything and was just waiting for the Emperor Emeritus to pass away so that he could hand it over to his uncle, the Emperor.

If a prince is brought down, the emperor's uncle will certainly not be stingy with a marquis title.

"..."

Yuan Chun was shocked by his expression. "Auntie~" She couldn't help but look at Shen Ning, because if she were Cheng Luo, she wouldn't be able to accept this title.

But titles of nobility aren't something you can just earn whenever you want.
"What are you all looking at me for?"

Shen Ning had a headache. "And Cheng Luo, you shouldn't have told us that you wanted to ruin the title."

"..."

Cheng Luo lowered his head deeply.

He spoke to his uncle, the emperor.

However, this title was bestowed by the retired emperor.

The emperor's uncle could only say that if he didn't accept the title, he would be letting his mother down.

"...The Emperor Emeritus is busy arranging a marriage for you, don't you understand what he means?"

Shen Ning sighed, "Who was it that impeached the princess after her death, saying that she was unworthy to be a daughter of the imperial family and unworthy to be a role model for the world?"

In those years, the retired emperor was willing to sacrifice even the crown prince for his own face and power. What was Princess Baofeng, an unfavored daughter, compared to him?
"Whether it's a title or leaving the Cheng family, the first thing you have to get past is your maternal grandfather."

The emperor had no say in the matter.

"Since he is your maternal grandfather, what does it matter if you, as a junior, go and cry a few more times?"

He was willing to be killed and dared to pull the emperor off his horse.

Besides, it's just about crying.
"What do you mean by not being worthy of being a daughter of the imperial family? Does being a daughter of the imperial family mean you deserve to be bullied? Then go and wish that the person who impeached Princess Baofeng back then would have his daughter, his granddaughter and his great-granddaughter bullied after they get married."

From the very beginning, this child went in the wrong direction.

However, considering that he was almost dead from his illness at the time, yet still managed to hold on and not let Princess Baofeng be buried with that person, Shen Ning couldn't bring herself to criticize him. "What's the use of fighting against the Cheng family? They are naturally superior to you."

Your maternal grandfather and uncle ruled with the principle of filial piety. The old lady of the Cheng family used the word "filial piety" as a pretext, and because of certain events, your maternal grandfather and uncle had no choice.

"..."

Cheng Luo's face turned ashen.

The censors had the power to report rumors. After his mother's death, it was Censor Zheng who impeached her. The Prince of Nan'an sided with the Cheng family, which angered the emperor's uncle. However, it was precisely because of his stance that his maternal grandfather became dissatisfied.

Now, if they want to exonerate his mother, the first person they need to get past is his maternal grandfather. But how could his maternal grandfather admit his mistakes and contradict himself?

Although he found out a lot about the Prince of Nan'an, his maternal grandfather was old and suspicious. Even if he released him, it would only alert the enemy and would be of no use to his mother.

Does he think he can only let his mother be bullied at the Cheng family's ancestral grave?
“The princess is your maternal grandfather’s biological daughter. To mistreat her is to defy imperial authority.”

Seeing the boy's expression, Shen Ning could only offer one more word of advice: "The Cheng family bullied your mother; what do they think of the imperial dignity?"

"..."

Cheng Luo suddenly looked up, "Please teach me, Auntie."

"How could you suspect that your mother was bullied by the Cheng family underground?"

"I was dreaming~"

As he spoke, tears welled up in Cheng Luo's eyes, blurring his vision.

Shen Ning looked at him with great concern. "Today is your and Yuan Chun's wedding day. You are thinking of your mother and are even more heartbroken. We can feel sorry for you, and the Emperor Emeritus can feel sorry for you too."

You need to understand that some things don't need to be known to others before being done; you can do them first and then let others know.

What?
Cheng Luo's heart was pounding so loudly he could almost hear it.

He had considered stealing his mother out, but being in the Cheng family's household, he was constantly at risk of...

"Didn't you come here to beg my uncle and elder brother?"

There were some things that Auntie couldn't say outright, but Yuan Chun could. She said, "Your family has no one, but our family has people!"

Correct!
Yeah!
This was his goal. Cheng Luo stood up abruptly and bowed excitedly, "I beg you, Uncle, I beg you, elder brother, please help me, I beg you!"

"What are you asking for?"

Jia She was a filial son at heart and had long been unable to tolerate Cheng Luo's behavior.

But he couldn't think of a solution.

But now...
At worst, I'll just get another scolding from the Emperor.

"Zhen'er, lend me twenty guards."

He'll just take responsibility for this and call it a day.

Jia She said, "Anyway, I'm a notorious troublemaker in the capital."

"...What's the rush?"

Shen Ning was speechless. "Relocating a grave is a big deal. At the very least, we should ask for permission first..."

"Auntie, I have them all."

Cheng Luo trembled with excitement. "Today is an auspicious day. It is suitable for weddings, prayers, cleaning, moving objects, planting, setting up beds, consecrating, breaking ground, relocating graves, and praying for children."

Shen Ning: "..."

Everyone: "..." "I have already asked the Director of the Imperial Observatory to check the burial site. I can invite the Taoist priest right away."

"...Then what are we waiting for?"

Shen Ning stood up. "Go, all of you."

"Sister-in-law, I'm all alone..."

Jia She wanted to say that he would take the blame himself.

"What? You're all alone?"

Shen Ning ignored him. "Isn't Yuan Chun my niece? A son-in-law is like half a son. Zhen'er, you can all come along!"

"Yes!"

Jia Zhen loudly agreed.

He has never done anything so outrageous before.

No, he's done quite a few outrageous little things in the past.

Every time, I either get beaten by my father or scolded by my mother.

It's rare for his mother to fully support such a big event.

Jia Zhen felt his blood boiling, "Son, I'll go back and call for help right away."

"go Go!"

Shen Ning waved her hand dismissively.

In the blink of an eye, the men all ran away.

Only Yuan Chun and Shen Ning remained.

"Auntie, thank you!"

"...Don't you want Cheng Luo to be like half a son to you?"

"How can that be possible?"

Yuan Chun smiled.

"That's okay."

Shen Ning smiled and walked out, "The old lady is probably still worried about your father's official position. Go and talk to her about it to distract her."

"……Um!"

Yuan Chun admired her aunt, saying, "Aunt, I'll take you back to your residence first, and then I'll go and talk to my grandmother."

"Aren't you tired after a whole day?"

Shen Ning didn't want her to see her off. "Go ahead, go ahead! We're family, why be so polite?"

She sent Yuan Chun away, looked at the setting sun, and leisurely returned to her residence.

Tomorrow, the Jia family will probably become famous in the capital again.

But it doesn’t matter.

Without Prince Teng, the Jia family now has no royal family to fear.

As long as the transgressions aren't too outrageous, whether it's the retired emperor or the emperor himself, they'll only remember the merits of their ancestors and let it go leniently.

But outsiders...

Anyone with a brain should know that they shouldn't mess with the Jia family, that bunch of scoundrels.

After all, if they are pushed too far, there are some consequences they cannot afford.

Shen Ning suddenly felt that she could go home and have another glass of imperial wine to celebrate.

Having been inside the Red Mansion for so long, the air feels especially sweet today.

……

The Cheng family, young and old, in Beijing, were all exhausted today because of Cheng Luo's marriage.

"My lord, we've been so busy today, why hasn't the Marquis come over to thank us?"

The sixth old lady was very dissatisfied, "I think that child doesn't understand anything at all! It's only because of his good family background, otherwise..."

"..."

Chief Cheng remained silent.

He knew in his heart that Cheng Luo actually hated them.

But they kept these thoughts to themselves; none of them dared to say them out loud.

Now I only hope that the child gets married, has children, and gets older so that he can understand the helplessness of the clan.

The dead are dead, but the living still have to live their lives.

The clan has done its best to restrain that old woman, but there's nothing else they can do...

"But Ze'er..."

"you shut up!"

What is Cheng Ze anyway?
Cheng Luo is the future of the Cheng family.

The Emperor, like Princess Baofeng, was disliked by the Retired Emperor.

The siblings huddled together for warmth in the palace, and even now the emperor still thinks of the princess. Even after the princess's death, he still misses his nephew.

Otherwise, such a fine imperial estate wouldn't have been bestowed upon Cheng Luo.

"Is the one inside confused, and are you confused too?"

Clan Chief Cheng said sternly, "Cheng Ze shouldn't have come today." He's relying on the old lady; how many more years can she live?
"No matter how good he is, it's all for naught if he's not the emperor's nephew!"

"I was just saying it to your face!"

"You can't speak for anyone else."

Chief Cheng was furious and was about to reprimand him again when Cheng Ze's voice came from outside the door. He ran in breathlessly, "Sixth Grandfather, something bad has happened! The Marquis has taken a lot of people to the cemetery!"

what?
Chief Cheng frowned deeply. "Doesn't he often go to the cemetery?"

"No, this time I brought a lot of people from the Jia family with me."

Cheng Ze kept an eye on Cheng Luo. "Sixth Grandfather, is he going to move the princess's grave again?"

Relocating graves?

The clan chief and his wife both stood up immediately. "Quickly! Someone come here."

How many arguments did Cheng Luo have with them over the matter of relocating the grave?
He even threatened to kill himself to force the clan to comply.

It was only because his health was failing at that time, and the retired emperor did not support him, that he failed.

now……

Thinking of the rumors he had heard today, Chief Cheng was afraid that Jia She, that scoundrel, had been swayed by him.

"Hurry, someone come!"

With that, he ran out first.

Before long, the Marquis of Xinping's residence was bustling with noise.

Although most of the Cheng family members have developed their careers in other places, the capital city is their root.

However, there were many powerful and influential people in the capital, so the newly appointed Marquis of Xinping led his clansmen to follow the Prince of Nan'an and gradually grow stronger outside.

now……

The ancestral graves are the foundation of the Cheng family.

After the princess married, she even changed her residence several times.

They all belong to the princess.

If the princess's grave is moved...

"Quickly, please invite the old lady."

Chief Cheng doesn't want to be the ultimate villain.

It was only natural to invite Old Mrs. Cheng.

So, in the middle of the night, when the emperor had already gone to bed, he was woken up by Eunuch Liu.

"Your Majesty, it's not good."

Although Eunuch Liu said it was bad, there was a hint of joy in his voice: "The Jia family and the Cheng family have started fighting."

what?
The emperor sat up abruptly. "What happened?"