Cheng Wen became anxious and grabbed Cheng Chi, wanting to go outside to talk.

A young servant ran in and loudly announced, “The Old Ancestress is coming!”

The various sounds in the room came to an abrupt halt, and everyone rustled as they stood up.

Cheng Xu was surrounded by several young servants and walked in with a smile on his face, full of vigor and vitality.

“Old Ancestress!” Geng Ge’er somehow broke free from Cheng Shi’s hand and ran toward Cheng Xu on his little legs, going “thump thump thump.”

His clear voice sounded particularly loud in the silent Listening to Rain Pavilion.

Cheng Xu took no offense and happily picked up Geng Ge’er, saying gently, “Has Geng Ge’er finished the homework Great-Grandfather assigned you yesterday?”

Geng Ge’er nodded repeatedly and said in his childish voice, “‘Choose what is good and follow it, change what is not good.’ This speaks of ‘Those who love their own parents dare not hate the parents of others; those who respect their own parents dare not slight the parents of others. When love and respect are fully devoted to serving one’s parents, and moral teachings are extended to the common people and spread throughout the world, this is the filial piety of the Son of Heaven. The Book of Documents, Punishments of Fu, says: When one man has goodness, the myriad people rely on him.'” He paused, then with his round bright eyes asked Cheng Xu, “Old Ancestress, did I say it correctly?”

This was a passage from the Classic of Filial Piety.

Cheng Chi listened with a trace of disapproval flashing in his eyes.

Every time using this roundabout way to remind him to be filial to his parents—didn’t Cheng Xu get tired of it?

Cheng Lu looked thoughtful.

Although he didn’t manage family affairs, he had sensed that the Second Branch had become increasingly wary of the First Branch in recent years.

Was the Old Ancestress having Geng Ge’er recite this passage from the Classic of Filial Piety unintentional or intentional?

He glanced at Cheng Chi.

Cheng Chi stood casually to the side, as if all this had nothing to do with him.

Cheng Lu sighed inwardly.

It was fortunate that Cheng Zichuan could endure it. If it were him, he would have jumped out long ago to argue with Cheng Xu! He had both scholarly achievements and the ability to make money—why should he suffer Cheng Xu’s petty tyranny? Every time they met, he made sarcastic remarks that made people uncomfortable to hear.

Zichuan’s temperament was truly good!

But Cheng Xu’s face bloomed with smiles.

“Correct, correct, correct.” He praised repeatedly, “Our family’s Geng Ge’er is truly clever.”

Geng Ge’er raised his little face toward his father Cheng Shi with a triumphant smile.

There was unmistakable joy in Cheng Shi’s eyes, but he kept a stern face and said, “Don’t get conceited—the Old Ancestress is praising you especially because you’re young. There are many in this room who can read better than you! Now quickly thank the Old Ancestress.”

Geng Ge’er then thanked Cheng Xu.

Cheng Xu nodded slightly and handed Geng Ge’er over to Cheng Shi who had followed him over.

Seeing the good atmosphere and that Cheng Xu was in high spirits, Cheng Wen attentively stepped forward to pat Geng Ge’er’s head and said with a fawning smile, “No wonder they say ‘The emperor loves his eldest son, common people love their youngest.’ The Old Ancestress truly loves you! Even personally teaching you to read the Classic of Filial Piety. Filial piety comes first in all matters! You must properly discipline the Old Ancestress in the future!”

Hearing this, Cheng Shi felt as if he’d been slapped across the face and wished he could step forward and cover Cheng Wen’s mouth.

If you can’t speak properly, then don’t speak.

If you want to praise Geng Ge’er, what couldn’t you say? Why use “The emperor loves his eldest son, common people love their youngest” as a comparison? Was Cheng Wen some illiterate old village woman?

And saying that after Geng Ge’er read the Classic of Filial Piety, he should properly discipline the Old Ancestress.

If he didn’t know that Cheng Wen was an unlearned, straightforward person, he would almost think Cheng Wen was insinuating that Geng Ge’er was undisciplined toward the Old Ancestress, which is why the Old Ancestress had to personally teach Geng Ge’er to read the Classic of Filial Piety… If this reputation spread, could Geng Ge’er still establish himself among scholars in the future? No, could he still establish himself in society?

Truly someone who achieves nothing but ruins everything!

No wonder no matter how much Cheng Wen fawned over the Old Ancestress, the Old Ancestress looked down on him.

Cheng Xu acted as if he hadn’t heard, his expression mild as he said to his grand-nephews and juniors, “Everyone sit down and talk!”

Everyone respectfully acknowledged and took their seats.

Cheng Wen’s face alternated between red and white, looking quite aggrieved.

What had he done wrong now?

Could even praising Geng Ge’er be a mistake?

He had only kept a mistress outside and disciplined the old hag at home—surely the Old Ancestress wouldn’t keep giving him such cold looks because of that?

This was being too petty!

Cheng Wen felt embarrassed and murmured “Old Ancestress” in a voice that sounded like a resentful woman from the inner chambers.

Someone in the room gave a “pfft” of laughter.

Everyone simultaneously looked in that direction and saw the smile that hadn’t yet faded from the corners of Cheng Chi’s mouth.

Cheng Xu couldn’t help but frown.

When Cheng Chi first took over managing the household affairs, he would still hold different opinions from him, but gradually Cheng Chi wore a mask in front of him, always smiling and responding “good.” If their opinions aligned, that was fine. But if their opinions differed, Cheng Chi would treat his words as wind past the ears. Just now smiling and responding “good,” then turning around to do whatever he wanted anyway…

For this matter, he had already admonished Cheng Chi several times, both openly and subtly.

But Cheng Chi’s wings had grown full. Especially with Cheng Jing—he hadn’t expected that even without Yuan Weichang’s support, Cheng Jing could find a way to enter the cabinet. Now he no longer had any strong means to restrain the First Branch and Cheng Chi. Verbal posturing was ultimately not a long-term strategy. But Cheng Chi had never challenged his authority like today, actually laughing at him in front of the clan.

This trend must not continue.

Otherwise, who in Nine Wishes Lane would still respect him or the Second Branch!

“Zichuan.” Cheng Xu stared fixedly at Cheng Chi and said, “Do you find your Cousin Wen very laughable?”

With these words, he immediately redirected the matter to Cheng Wen.

Cheng Wen startled with a shudder. Just as he was about to say “it doesn’t matter,” Cheng Chi was already smiling and saying, “The Old Ancestress speaks too heavily! We were just looking at the Old Ancestress and Cousin Wen like this and suddenly thought of my late father.” As he spoke, he let out a long sigh, his expression becoming somewhat wistful. “Speaking of which, my father has been gone for twenty years now. If he were still alive, he would have reached the age of ‘acting according to one’s heart’s desires without overstepping the bounds’…”

For a moment the room fell silent.

When Cheng Xun died, he had already ranked among the Nine Ministers.

If Cheng Xun were still alive, he would certainly have become a chief minister and entered the cabinet.

Then the First Branch would have two cabinet grand secretaries.

Where would there be room for Cheng Xu to boss people around in Nine Wishes Lane?

Cheng Xu knew he should maintain even more composure than usual at this moment, but Cheng Chi’s words were like a knife stabbing into his heart, making his expression change slightly despite himself.

The air in the room immediately became somewhat stagnant.

Cheng Lu feared that Cheng Chi and Cheng Xu would have a complete falling out.

Then it would be a case of immortals fighting while little devils suffer.

He hurriedly said, “If Cousin Chi hadn’t mentioned it, I would have forgotten that Uncle Xun has been gone for twenty years. In a few days it will be the Ghost Festival. I think we should hold a proper Buddhist ceremony for Uncle Xun.”

“I was thinking the same thing,” Cheng Chi said. “When Mother went to pay respects at Father’s grave during the Qingming Festival, she mentioned this matter to me. I was thinking that there are still elders in the family and felt somewhat hesitant. Just now when I heard Geng Ge’er reciting the Classic of Filial Piety and mentioning the Punishments of Fu, I realized that I’ve been remiss toward my father. I was just thinking about finding time to discuss this matter with the Old Ancestress. But with Cousin Wen’s commotion, I actually forgot about it.” By the end of his words, he was smiling.

But Cheng Yi and the others couldn’t smile.

They were all scholars.

Most adept at citing classics.

The Punishments of Fu were criminal decrees from the time of King Mu of Zhou, promulgated at the request of Marquis Lu. Later, because Marquis Lu’s descendants were enfeoffed as Marquis Fu, they were called the Punishments of Fu. During the Eastern Han Dynasty, when someone killed in anger after his parents were insulted, violating the Punishments of Fu, and appealed to the emperor, the emperor pardoned him with “filial piety comes first in all matters.” This legal precedent had been followed ever since.

Cheng Chi was not Cheng Wen.

He couldn’t possibly mention the Punishments of Fu for no reason and say he had been remiss toward his father.

Cheng Xu’s eyes narrowed, shooting out a cold light like blades.

What did Cheng Chi mean by this?

Did he think Cheng Xun’s death was related to him? Was he seeking revenge for his father?

Or did he think the First Branch was now in power and was hinting to everyone that he was old and they needn’t respect him anymore, wanting to seize the opportunity to make trouble?

Cheng Xu sneered coldly in his heart, but his face remained calm as he said lightly, “Although this is a welcome banquet for Youyi and Jiashan, it’s also meant for everyone to gather and talk. Zichuan’s suggestion is good. The Cheng family ancestral graves haven’t been renovated for some years. Just as Grand-Nephew Lu said, in a few days it will be the Ghost Festival, and we’ll all need to go worship our ancestors. Since there’s not much happening these days, Zichuan, you arrange for people to properly renovate the ancestral graves. This can be considered our filial respect to our ancestors.”

If they were going to renovate graves, then they would renovate all the Cheng family ancestors’ graves together. If he wanted to renovate only Cheng Xun’s grave—not a chance.

Cheng Xu’s chest felt as if pressed by a large stone.

Cheng Chi smiled but neither agreed nor disagreed.

Cheng Xu’s heart beat erratically a couple of times.

Seeing things weren’t right, Cheng Yi smiled and stepped forward several paces, standing between Cheng Xu and Cheng Chi, saying, “Today is a welcome banquet for Youyi and Jiashan. Especially Jiashan, who will take the provincial examination in August. We’re all counting on him to become the provincial top graduate! Jiashan is the first top county candidate our Cheng family has produced! So I think renovating the ancestral graves doesn’t need to be so urgent. Let’s focus on Jiashan’s provincial examination first. When Jiashan succeeds in the examination, then renovating the ancestral graves and worshipping the ancestors—that would be true filial piety! Cousin Mian, wouldn’t you say so?”

Cheng Mian truly couldn’t avoid it and had to smile and say, “Cousin Yi knows me—I never have any opinions. However the brothers discuss it, I’ll do accordingly. Whether contributing money or effort, I’m at your service.”

Cheng Yi chuckled several times and invited everyone to take their seats. “Everyone’s here. Whatever matters there are can be discussed after we eat.”

Thinking of the earlier scene, Cheng Wen was so frightened his whole body broke out in cold sweat. Hearing this, he hurriedly said, “Yes, yes! Let’s eat first and talk later. Heaven is vast, earth is vast, but eating is the most important.”

Cheng Mian smiled and said, “Cousin Wen is still the most carefree!”

“That’s why I’m the fattest!” Cheng Wen joked self-deprecatingly and called Cheng Shi and the other juniors to take their seats.

Cheng Gao secretly clenched his fists.

Fourth Uncle Chi and the Old Ancestress were having a verbal sparring match—what did it have to do with their Fourth Branch? Yet Cheng Yi dragged Father into it. When all was said and done, wasn’t it just because the Fourth Branch had no one of consequence!

He absolutely must pass the metropolitan examination, absolutely must rank among the Nine Ministers, and let the people of Nine Wishes Lane see whether their Fourth Branch was so easy to bully.