Three days later, Cheng Zhi’s family finally arrived. Before the people had even arrived, Shaoshang knew this Third Uncle Father must be Mother Cheng’s most beloved son.
While completing her daily task (paying respects to Mother Cheng), she was delighted to discover Mother Cheng had no time to make things difficult for her. Accurately speaking, even if she didn’t come to pay respects, Mother Cheng wouldn’t notice. Because Mother Cheng was busy subjecting Madam Xiao to a barrage of eighteen consecutive questions: from the fermented milk Cheng Zhi loved to drink all the way to foot-washing water, from the filling of the flatbread Cheng Zhi loved to eat all the way to pillow stuffing. The richness of her associations, the boundlessness of her divergent thinking – truly international-level competition commentator standards!
Madam Xiao couldn’t take it anymore. One glance later, Nanny Hu quickly stepped forward, leading Mother Cheng to reminisce about ‘my Ah Zhi’s’ past – from how the patterns when he wet the bed in infancy were different from others, all the way to how as soon as his Adam’s apple showed its tiny tip, village girls (or their mothers) came to seduce him. This exhausted Nanny Hu until her mouth was dry and tongue parched before Mother Cheng had expended about eighty percent of her energy.
In this situation, Shaoshang became vulgar again – those who knew understood she was about to see her son, but those who didn’t might think she was about to see an old lover separated for many years.
However, upon seeing Third Uncle Cheng in person, Shaoshang immediately reflected that she had been too narrow-minded.
Cheng Zhi was a beautiful man whose appearance made one forget worldly concerns. Looking at him he appeared no more than thirty-something, with a few strands of scholarly beard under his chin. His complexion was fair and clean, his features handsome and elegant, bright and lofty like verdant green mountains. When he smiled, it was like spring breezes brushing one’s face. Since Shaoshang came to this place, among women the most beautiful in appearance was naturally Madam Xiao, but among men there had yet been no such figure who made her eyes brighten like this.
Shaoshang had just been infatuated in her heart for less than two seconds when she heard Mother Cheng ahead already give a delicate “Aiya” sigh, one hand covering her violently heaving chest, her old eyes full of tears. Then accompanied by repeated cries of “my son” she rushed over, touching Cheng Zhi’s chest asking “have you gotten thinner?” and grasping his arms while laughingly scolding “you heartless little thing, taking so many years to come back.” Nanny Hu couldn’t even stop her, completely treating the wife Sang Shi standing at Cheng Zhi’s side as nonexistent.
Shaoshang stumbled, so amused she nearly opened her governing and conception vessels – her narrow-mindedness lay in always fixing her thinking on old mother-in-law drama mode. This wasn’t an old lover at all – it was practically an older sister who spent money and effort cherishing her precious oppa at the tip of her heart!
Cheng Shaogong lightly stepped forward, leaning close to Shaoshang’s ear: “Restrain yourself – Mother is watching you.” Shaoshang’s eyes turned. Sure enough, Madam Xiao was looking at her with displeasure. She quickly flattened the corners of her curved mouth, standing solemnly. Fortunately Sang Shi came over and drew Madam Xiao away. The two smiled and chatted about something, and only then did Madam Xiao stop paying attention to Shaoshang.
Taking advantage of everyone walking toward the main hall, Cheng Shaogong leaned over again to whisper in her ear: “Your facial expression changed too stiffly.” Shaoshang said with a distressed expression: “Why does Mother always stare at me? I know my conduct isn’t careful – I’m slowly changing.” Cheng Shaogong smiled quietly: “Mother fears that if we become too accustomed to being casual, when we go out in the future people will inadvertently catch improper behavior. Back when she had no time to watch us, she specially had people come to watch us.”
“So later the elder brothers all practiced being the same in public and private.” Shaoshang’s eyes were full of doubt.
Since that day of recognizing relatives, the two elder brothers ahead were fine, busy seeking teachers and visiting friends, socializing and entertaining. But this twin brother came to find her three times a day – even if they weren’t familiar, they became so.
“No, we bribed the people who came to watch us.” Cheng Shaogong had his hands tucked in sleeves, smiling very properly, very cultivated.
Shaoshang: …
She put on a stern face, refusing to speak anymore with this middle schooler. The pride of a prestigious university student must still be maintained.
The twins followed behind everyone, walking slowly. Cheng Shaogong glanced sideways at Shaoshang – if this twin sister of his were truly as foolish and domineering as the rumors claimed, he might not be this enthusiastic. However, he hadn’t initially thought his youngest sister would actually be this interesting. With such a childlike appearance, yet frequently putting on airs of an old person, full of worries. Her words sometimes understanding and obedient, warming your heart, sometimes sharp and caustic, making you vomit blood.
As for when she was obedient and when caustic? According to her own saying, ‘either depends on mood or depends on weather’… At the time Cheng Shaogong had wanted to press down this young child who was a head shorter than him and give her a beating.
These past days meeting, she constantly asked him about outside situations – things like ‘which places have cleared out bandits,’ ‘can women go out to travel and play,’ ‘how many bushels does farmland yield,’ ‘what merchant businesses can common people do’… Various matters, scattered east and west like random hammer and axe blows. Sometimes even the most ordinary matters she had to ask about, like an infant, or like a mountain savage just come to this mortal world, truly completely ignorant.
Such contradictory peculiar circumstances – one could imagine what Ge Shi’s upbringing of Shaoshang had been like. Cheng Shaogong couldn’t help feeling gloomy, which is why until now he hadn’t struck out to beat her.
…
At the grand feast, all kinds of dishes were complete. Madam Xiao brought out the roasted bear paws she had prepared for most of the day. Shaoshang was fortunate enough to receive half of one. She felt it was rich and fatty upon entering the mouth, fresh, sweet, and tender, more flavorful the more she chewed.
Eating this rare delicacy for the first time in her life, Shaoshang ate with focused concentration. When she raised her head again, she saw Third Uncle Cheng had already been pulled to Mother Cheng’s side, continuing to be touched and shown affection. Cheng Zhi finally couldn’t maintain his carefree manner anymore, couldn’t even hold his chopsticks properly. Making several “ai ai” sounds, he kept sending eye signals to his elder brother for rescue. Who knew Cheng Shi would just laugh heartily sitting before his table, putting on a gratified smile. However, Shaoshang still saw clearly in his eyes was schadenfreude.
Madam Xiao seemed very close with Sang Shi. The two had already moved their food tables together, drinking face to face, conversing very happily. Compared to Third Uncle Cheng’s elegant handsomeness, Sang Shi’s appearance was truly ordinary – at most counting as upper-middle. However, her brows were refined and scholarly, her manner natural and approachable, surpassing seventy or eighty percent of beauties.
Cheng Zhi and his wife had two sons and one daughter. The eldest daughter was about the same age as Little Cheng Zhu, having just changed her canine teeth. Her appearance resembled her father – a little beauty in the making. The second son was also twins, the same age as Little Comrade Cheng Ou, refined and dignified like Sang Shi. Hmm, perfectly conforming to the laws of genetics. The three children, tired from the journey, had already been carried by Foster Mother to their quarters to eat and rest.
Mother Cheng’s enthusiasm was like a fire, but only burning for Cheng Zhi alone, completely unaware there were others. Aside from indifferently grunting acknowledgment when Sang Shi paid respects to her, afterward it was as if this daughter-in-law didn’t exist.
Shaoshang’s gossipy heart surged. She subtly nudged her table a few inches toward Cheng Shaogong’s side, saying quietly: “Does Grand Mother also not like Third Aunt Mother?”
Cheng Shaogong looked around and, seeing no one paying attention to them, moved his table over a foot and more, directly leaning close. First he cleared his throat pretentiously twice, then said quietly: “Why does Fourth Sister use the word ‘also’?”
Shaoshang rolled her eyes at him: “If you’re going to say Mother and Grand Mother have deep affection, tender feelings, and bonds stronger than gold, then consider that last sentence unasked!” Putting on airs again!
Cheng Shaogong sighed, while pushing his half bear paw in front of Shaoshang, saying: “Third Aunt Mother was someone Third Uncle Father sought to marry himself, but Grand Mother always felt Third Uncle Father could marry someone better. In Third Uncle Father’s youth, his beautiful reputation was unmatched throughout the township.”
Shaoshang looked joyfully at the bear paw before her, cupping her hands into a snow-white round little fist to thank him, smiling quietly: “Third Uncle Father is so good-looking, completely unlike Father and Second Uncle Father. Does he resemble Grandfather?”
Cheng Shaogong just loved his little sister’s charming innocent appearance, and proceeded to tell everything.
Grand Father Cheng was naturally a handsome man. In the last years of the previous dynasty, people’s livelihoods were in ruins. The Cheng family was exploited to the point of family ruin and death. As a mere scholar with no skills aside from music and rhythm, he was fortunately proud enough not to do disgraceful work like being a kept man. Finally he drifted to the countryside, caught Mother Cheng’s eye at first sight, and they settled into marriage.
From then on, Grand Father Cheng had a place of warmth and sustenance. In chaotic times he wouldn’t suffer displacement and hunger-cold. At leisure he could still touch silk and bamboo instruments, write musical scores. Mother Cheng obtained a beautiful man like a flower. Although she mostly didn’t understand what he said or did, just looking at her handsome husband daily she could eat two more bowls of rice. At night sleeping together was even like being amidst clouds and flowers – she was beside herself with joy.
“Truly a good marriage match!” Shaoshang didn’t dare raise her voice high, only lightly tapping the table.
Cheng Shaogong stared at her, feeling either her understanding had problems or his explanation just now had problems. This couple in their later years could barely speak three sentences a day – no matter how one looked at it, they were resentful spouses. The brothers had grown up watching their parents’ mutual affection since childhood, naturally not agreeing with this icy-cellar couple model.
“What do you mean good marriage match? If each gets what they need, it’s a good marriage match.” Shaoshang lowered her voice, patiently instructing the middle schooler. “In future when you grow up and marry, you’ll know.”
The reason Second Uncle and his wife couldn’t get along well was that Ge Shi wanted things Second Uncle couldn’t give, which is why she became a resentful woman. While Cheng Shi and his wife could precisely obtain from each other what they wanted, naturally harmonious and satisfying.
Cheng Shaogong looked at her sideways, just about to retort sarcastically ‘if I’m to marry, don’t you also need to,’ who knew Mother Cheng at the head position suddenly raised her voice, angrily saying to Sang Shi: “…Let me ask you – I entrusted Ah Zhi to you all these years, how did he become so thin?!”
The twins quickly stopped their conversation to look over. It turned out Cheng Zhi had finally couldn’t endure the ‘maternal love’ and struggled free from Mother Cheng to sit back at his own seat. Mother Cheng, seeing her youngest son treat her this way, couldn’t help venting her anger on Sang Shi – though Cheng Zhi clearly had a rosy complexion, appropriate physique, and very good health.
Facing this obviously difficult question, Sang Shi calmly put down her ivory chopsticks, smiling: “Outside naturally isn’t as good as home. If not for having to serve as an official outside, I wish I could have Zigu daily bringing joy at Mother’s knee, raised white and plump. How about…” Her eyes glanced at her husband, unhesitatingly kicking the ball out: “This time Mother comes with us to take up the post – what do you think?”
This time Cheng Zhi panicked, laughing nervously a few times: “I naturally couldn’t ask for more, but how can the eldest son be perfectly fine while elderly mother has to suffer hardship outside following the youngest son? Wouldn’t this be slapping eldest brother’s face?”
The ball was kicked to melon-eating spectator Cheng Shi. He said calmly: “No matter. If Mother truly can’t feel at ease about Zigu, following along to live for a while is good. Just…” He deliberately drew out his voice, sighing: “Outside doesn’t compare to the capital. As long as Mother can endure it.”
This time Mother Cheng softened.
In her early years she had been frightened by suffering. These years in the deep residence and large courtyard, though somewhat lonely, the days had become accustomed to ease. Although she loved her youngest son, she wasn’t willing to suffer hardship again – thus this topic was left unresolved.
Shaoshang looked at Sang Shi with interest. Who knew Sang Shi would also look over, smiling faintly at her. Shaoshang was instead startled. When everyone was drinking heartily and conversing freely again, she quickly lowered her head to ask about Sang Shi’s background.
Cheng Shaogong said: “Third Aunt Mother is the daughter of White Deer Mountain’s mountain master. At that time Father’s official rank wasn’t high, Third Uncle Father was still studying, his reputation not prominent. This match was considered our family marrying up. However, Grand Mother still felt Third Aunt Mother wasn’t worthy of Third Uncle Father.”
Shaoshang scoffed: “Forget it. Even if we found a celestial beauty to match Third Uncle Father, would Grand Mother be happy? Moreover…” She smiled mockingly: “Was Grand Mother herself well-matched with Grandfather?”
Cheng Shaogong looked at his sister, suddenly realizing: “Shaoshang, you seem to have no respect for Grand Mother.”
Shaoshang held a knife in one hand and chopsticks in the other, slowly dismantling that half bear paw: “Look at Second Uncle.”
Cheng Shaogong didn’t understand. Turning to look, he saw Cheng Cheng silent and speechless, always keeping his head down drinking cup after cup of wine, his whole being cold and isolated. If not for Cheng Shi still occasionally greeting and speaking with him, it would almost count as drinking in depression. At the end seat, Cheng Yang was the same, keeping her head down sitting quietly, occasionally softly urging her father to drink less wine – only then did Cheng Shaogong remember that from the time Cheng Zhi returned to the residence today, Mother Cheng had almost acted as if she didn’t see this son, not saying another word to Cheng Cheng since.
“I heard from Aunt Qing that Second Uncle Father’s leg became lame for the family’s sake.” Shaoshang’s face smiled sweetly, but her eyes were very indifferent, continuing to divide the bear paw. “He buried himself for over ten years, also for the family’s sake. With Father and Third Uncle Father outside, the capital couldn’t be without people – even being ears and eyes to pass messages quickly was necessary. But of everything he did for the family, does Grand Mother have half a bit of pity?”
Cheng Shaogong’s throat made a gulping sound, unable to speak.
“Everyone says worldly people are snobbish. Who knew – parents toward their children are also snobbish. Grand Mother relies on Father, loves Third Uncle Father, but these ten years has ignored Second Uncle Father completely.”
The little girl’s voice was very sweet, but her words were as sharp as the silver knife in her hand: “She clearly knows Second Aunt Mother is bullying Second Uncle Father. With her authority, sternly suppressing Second Aunt Mother – what difficulty would there be? But she doesn’t. She only cares about her own comfortable days, completely ignoring everything else. Second Aunt Mother can please her, can help her do this and that, so Second Uncle Father’s suffering she just pretends not to see.”
Shaoshang put down knife and chopsticks, dividing the dismantled bear paw in half and pushing it back to Cheng Shaogong: “Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. If parents also judge their children by power and appearance, then why should the younger generation respect them?”
Cheng Shaogong held the plate in a daze. Shaoshang had already started eating her quarter of the bear paw, eating with great relish, as if those sorrowful words just now weren’t spoken by her at all.
Shaoshang ate for a while, suddenly raising her head to say to him: “Don’t spread these words. Later I’ll be scolded by Mother again.”
Cheng Shaogong woke as from a dream, repeatedly saying: “Our words – I absolutely won’t say them out. You must know, we stayed together in mother’s womb for nine months. Aside from parents, even among siblings, we two are closest!”
Shaoshang beamed with joy. For the sake of candied fruit and bear paws, she decided to trust this thick-browed, big-eyed middle schooler. However, many years later, she wished she could slap herself several times…
That night, in Cheng Shi and his wife’s quarters, two half-person-high branched beast-fat copper lamps stood on left and right, illuminating the lacquered wooden floor bright as black jade. With a guilty expression, Cheng Shaogong knelt before his parents, quickly recounting the important parts of his younger sister’s words from during the day, thinking that if Shaoshang were here, she would definitely curse him out!
Hearing this, the husband and wife’s expressions were completely different.
Cheng Shi stroked his beard, sighing: “Niaoniao values righteousness and loyalty. All these years the suffering her Second Uncle Father endured – she saw it all with her eyes and kept it in her heart.” Speaking of this, even his eyes moistened: “In this household, there’s still someone who remembers the hardship Second Brother ate!”
But Madam Xiao frowned: “A young child without knowledge – how can she criticize elders?!”
Having said this, the couple glared at each other.
Cheng Shaogong ignored his parents’ eye battle, wiping his forehead with his sleeve: “Father, Mother, you absolutely mustn’t sell me out, otherwise I’ll never tell you things again! Mother, don’t go scold Shaoshang either, otherwise she’ll know everything!”
Before Madam Xiao could open her mouth, Cheng Shi waved his hand: “Rest assured! Niaoniao won’t know. Now you go back.”
Cheng Shaogong bowed to take leave. While walking he kept turning back repeatedly to urge ‘absolutely don’t reveal it,’ only hurrying away after being impatiently scolded by Madam Xiao.
Seeing her son leave, Madam Xiao glared at her husband: “She’s criticizing your mother!”
“So what?” Cheng Shi said unconcernedly. “I also criticize my mother.”
Madam Xiao: …
“Moreover…” Cheng Shi took the sobering soup from the table and drank it in one gulp, setting it down heavily: “Which of Niaoniao’s words was wrong?! Mother wishes she could keep Ah Zhi circled at her side daily – marrying any celestial beauty would be the same. Also, Mother is indeed snobbish! Since childhood she hasn’t taken Second Brother seriously, constantly saying he’s incompetent, but ordering him around is so convenient!”
Madam Xiao was indignant and just about to speak when Cheng Shi seized the conversation again: “Don’t start with that ‘elders’ wrongs are also not wrongs’ line!”
“I just can’t stand those Confucian scholars’ tune! Elders are also people, not immortals who never make mistakes for all eternity. If elders are wrong, should juniors just let them be wrong? This is called filial piety?” Cheng Shi complained: “According to your reasoning, if Mother wanted to bully you, should I just watch? Our family could get to where we are today precisely because Ah Zhi and I didn’t listen to Mother’s words, separately went out to seek livelihoods, doing what we should do – that’s why we have today’s good days!”
This example was too powerful. Madam Xiao couldn’t refute either. After a long while, she sighed: “The reasoning isn’t wrong, but Shaoshang is still so young, yet so boldly commenting on elders – it’s truly inappropriate. Also Shaogong – the informant habit still hasn’t changed. Looks like his two elder brothers didn’t beat him hard enough back then! These two will eventually ruin themselves with their mouths in future!”
Cheng Shi laughed instead: “After all they’re twins – there are still similar aspects!” Speaking of this he sighed again: “I understand your meaning, but Niaoniao’s thoughts are too heavy. She won’t easily share inner thoughts with people. Originally I was counting on Yang – if young sisters became familiar, they could say anything. Who knew when Yang sees Niaoniao, she’s like a cat avoiding a mouse. Fortunately there’s Shaogong. Shaogong also cares about Niaoniao – he did nothing wrong in this matter!”
“Fine, you’re the loving father, I’m the strict mother-!”
Madam Xiao feigned anger. Thinking about it, she added: “Don’t blame Yang either. In my view, this is exactly what understanding propriety and recognizing etiquette looks like. She can distinguish right from wrong in her heart, knows her own mother is wrong, but ‘a child doesn’t speak of a parent’s faults’ – should she tell Niaoniao ‘I’m sorry, I know these ten years my mother had vicious thoughts, externally bullying subordinate troops and family members, exploiting tenant farmers, internally spreading gossip and sowing discord, repeatedly blocking Uncle and Aunt from bringing you to their side – truly doing evil to the utmost’?”
Cheng Shi stared: “Why can’t she say it?! Right is right, wrong is wrong. Get the reasoning clear and the family can continue living well together. Haven’t I criticized Mother’s improper behavior less? But should I be filial, I continue being filial. Does the mother-son affection become thin? You people – you just read too many books, that’s why you make things so difficult.”
Madam Xiao was so angry she fell backward, turning her head away refusing to speak.
Who knew Cheng Shi would suddenly change the subject, saying leisurely: “According to me, you should learn from me, occasionally ‘criticize’ your own mother. Then you’d be calm and peaceful, wouldn’t accumulate resentment deeper and deeper in your belly, wouldn’t constantly find fault with Niaoniao…”
Madam Xiao’s turned-away body trembled slightly. After a long silence, she said: “You noticed.”
“I’m not blind.” Cheng Shi slowly moved his tall body closer, saying softly: “In early years I saw your mother from afar. At first I didn’t think of it, only felt that though Niaoniao is beautiful she doesn’t resemble either you or me. Later I slowly remembered.”
He placed his hand on his wife’s shoulder, his large palm stroking again and again, saying gently: “Back then Ge Shi made you suffer quite a bit, but when you speak of Yang you’re so tolerant, knowing ‘a mother’s faults don’t extend to her children.’ Yet toward Niaoniao you’re critical in many ways…”
The husband and wife both didn’t speak, only quietly leaning against each other. After a very long time, Madam Xiao finally let out a long breath, smiling: “You’re right. I’ve entered a mental demon. In future I must change.”
Cheng Shi was greatly pleased, forcefully kissing his wife’s face: “My wife is a magnanimous person – naturally should be like this!”
Madam Xiao pushed away her rough-handed husband, laughingly scolding: “Just pass down your rule of criticizing elders. In future there will always be a day when it’s your turn!”
Cheng Shi said seriously: “Not so, not so. Three generations make a noble family. We’ve just escaped the grasslands now, naturally can criticize. But after three generations it won’t do. That is to say, by our grandchildren’s generation they can’t speak of our rights and wrongs anymore! If they dare, my wife can bring out those sage’s great principles – whatever filial piety classics and canons – smash them over, make them copy until they die!”
Madam Xiao couldn’t help laughing, finally bursting into loud laughter.