Wanjin Lady

Chapter 275 Separating the Two Families
Madam Yuan pursed her lips. "Yuan Qi...is not suitable either. He's currently in the process of seeking a marriage partner. The one I mentioned to you is the daughter of Madam Sun's cousin...the two families met at the Bozhou Wine-Drinking Festival."

"But my son heard that the family hasn't given us any definite information yet... maybe they don't like my fifth cousin."

The elder lady looked worried. "When it comes to marriage... we have to take our time. You know, your fifth cousin's previous fiancée died of illness, and the marriage has been bumpy ever since. The girl's family will have to consider this situation."

"Then, mother, who do you think can accompany your son to Kyoto?" Cheng Yunzhang asked slowly, a look of worry on his face. "This matter is of great importance. I'm in a place like Kyoto, where there are many powerful people, and I'm unfamiliar with the place. I have to find someone who is suitable and capable of handling things."

The elder lady's dry brow was furrowed.

Cheng Yunzhang's question hit the nail on the head.

The Yuan family is in a period of transition. After much calculation, only Yuan Qi from the third branch and Yuan Zhen from the second branch are capable.

But Yuanzhen is still young, and now he is preparing to take the examination for the scholar, so it is time for him to study hard.

In this case, Yuan Qi is the only one suitable for this trip.

Cheng Yunzhang spoke slowly, "Mother, Senior Brother Wei recommended Master Zheng in Kyoto for me, so you don't have to worry too much about my studies. It's a coincidence... I'm worried about this Spring Imperial Examination, so I asked a Taoist priest to read my fortune. The divination shows that if I want to pass, I must rely on the help of my brothers, preferably those with compatible zodiac signs. Otherwise, I wouldn't have insisted on my fifth cousin accompanying me to the capital."

Seeing the elder lady's eyes light up, he deliberately slowed down his speech, turning the words over and over in his mind. "But... this kind of weird and supernatural talk... I don't know whether I should believe it or not."

When Madam Yuan heard the immortal's words, she immediately made a decision without caring about anything else. "How can we disobey the immortal's will? It's settled! Let Yuan Qi accompany you to the capital."

The corners of Cheng Yunzhang's lips curled up almost imperceptibly.

As long as he takes Yuan Qi away and separates the two groups, the third branch of the Yuan family will no longer be able to harm Junior Sister Wen. Perhaps... as time goes by, the two families will be able to make peace.

"Thank you, mother, for your help."

"If you really want to thank me, then bring me the top scorer." Madam Yuan let out a turbid breath. She was afraid her son would slack off in his studies, so she never forgot to instruct him. "You must remember that the honor of the Cheng and Yuan families depends on you. As long as you pass the exam, what does it matter if we give up the winery? What does it matter if Wulang marries later? Once you pass the exam, you and Wulang can find any girl you want. Our family won't have to be picked and chosen by others."

As she spoke, the elder lady smiled, revealing her shriveled gums.

She was old, her whole body shrunken, her upper eyelids drooping, almost covering her cloudy eyes. But at the mention of the word "high school", the dry old tree seemed to instantly come alive.

At this moment, Cheng Yunzhang felt tired.

Junior Sister Wen...never speaks like this.

Even if he is not on the list, it does not mean that he has no way out!

After Cheng Yunzhang left, Yan Ma, who served him personally, poured the foot washing water into the dam in the yard. When she came back, she saw the old lady hunched over, curled up into a small ball, with drooping eyelids, staring blankly at the lamp in front of the table.

The matriarch is old and suffers from illness, but she is also strong-willed and never confides in anyone. The Cheng Family Winery, such a large ship... still needs the matriarch to steer it. Aunt Yan nudged her arm, about to ask the matriarch to rest early, but the matriarch suddenly opened her eyes, "Go and invite the third branch of the family over. Oh, and Yuan Qi too... tell him to come over as well."

"Now?" Mother Yan glanced at the sky outside. "I'm afraid the people in the third room have gone to bed by now."

The elder lady only urged, "Go ahead and tell them I have something urgent to do."

Madam Yan returned soon, accompanied by two people from the third room. She drew aside the curtain, walked quickly to the elder lady's ear, and whispered, "The third master was going to come, but that Concubine Chun was acting like a spoiled child. She thought you had something important to tell her, and she insisted on coming along. The third lady was so angry that they almost started a fight again. The third master had no choice but to stay and appease Concubine Chun..."

The elder lady snorted coldly, "The third brother is such a coward! As long as Concubine Chun acts cute and coquettish, he will definitely be soft-hearted every time. He is clearly a jerk who is played around by women!"

Yan's mother smiled bitterly.

It seems that the commotion in the third house was too loud, and even the elder lady got angry, and she actually jumped from being a "soft-hearted person" to a "cheap-hearted person".

But, to be honest, if you really want to tell it to Yan Ma, a concubine who is spoiled and arrogant is hateful, and a mistress who has no means is not worthy of sympathy.

That Jia has no tricks, she just has a bad temper.

As expected, only Jia and Yuan Qi entered.

Jia Shi couldn't hide her secrets. Her face turned pale. She sat down as soon as she entered the room. Seeing Madam Yuan was like seeing a savior. She started complaining: "Big sister, you really need to take care of our Third House's affairs! That Concubine Chun... is really hateful! A concubine actually wants to listen to the master's important affairs! Oh, Yuan Liulang is dead, why is she planning all this? Is it still useful?"

Her son is dead, and she's gone mad! Yet she keeps picking on her all day long!
And the master is even more indulgent!

Jia, who had thought she could live a peaceful life after Yuan Liulang's death, was now in great pain.

Yuan Wulang, realizing his mother's harsh words, hurriedly and secretly pulled Jia away. Then, he bowed to Madam Yuan and said, "Aunt, you called me here so late at night. What's the big deal?"

Madam Yuan Lao was quite pleased with Yuan Wulang, and her tone softened. "Wulang, among the younger generation, you are the one that gives your aunt the least worry. Right now, there is indeed something that is very difficult. After much thought, I can only trust you with it."

"As you know, the fourth son will be gone the year after next. The Marquis recommended a teacher to him in Kyoto. He will be leaving for Kyoto soon, and he needs a considerate and meticulous person to accompany him on the way and to help with the negotiations."

Jia Shi felt something was amiss. She had just had a fight with Concubine Chun and was naturally impatient. "Sister, Yuan Qi is currently discussing marriage, so it's not a good idea to go after him."

The elder lady sighed softly, "Then tell me... who is up to the task? My useless brothers? Or you?"

Jia couldn't refute, but she was angry in her heart at the tyranny of Madam Yuan. Yuan Qi's marriage was already bumpy, and now that it was time to discuss the marriage, why did she take the person away?

Could it be that Cheng Yunzhang is the only child in the family?
Cheng Yunzhang is studying, so does he have to let his son go with him? This will take at least a year or two, won't it delay all the family affairs?
Madam Yuan also knew what Jia was thinking, so she softened her tone and offered comfort. "Third daughter-in-law, don't overthink it. Yuanqi is my nephew, and it's impossible not to feel sorry for him. I know your only concern is the marriage proposal, but it's been less than half a year... the girl's family hasn't shown any interest in the matter, and hasn't given a firm reply. Do you want to be kept in suspense forever?"