Before Cheng Shi could continue, Mother Cheng said: “This old body knows—my son has rendered meritorious service again, and the Emperor is going to raise your official rank!” Dong Lu Shi interjected with a smile: “Raising official rank is natural. The Master has worked hard and achieved merit—there will surely be great rewards of gold, silver, fields, and estates as well.”

Cheng Shi smiled: “His Majesty is benevolent and never lets meritorious officials down. What’s there to say about that? What I want to say is something else.” He looked around at everyone, his gaze falling on Cheng Shaoshang with a face full of affection: “Including Niaoniao, Yuan Yi and I have four sons and one daughter. Fortunately the four sons are traveling slowly with General Wan’s family members and didn’t return with us, otherwise with such a cramped residence, there would be nowhere to stay…”

Ge Shi quickly interrupted: “Elder Brother, you can’t blame me for this. Your letter said you wouldn’t arrive for another half month. Who knew you’d arrive as soon as you said, in an instant? How could I have time to prepare rooms for you…”

Mother Cheng shouted: “Shut up! There wasn’t time then, but now they’ve been back for several days—have you managed to prepare rooms yet? The eldest is the master of this household, yet you’re occupying the largest room and refuse to budge.”

Ge Shi defended herself: “When I originally moved there, Mother-in-law, you also agreed. The shaman said that residence was favorable for offspring. You see, not long after I gave birth to Ou’er…”

“What do you mean not long? That was years ago, and it’s just one Ou’er anyway.” Mother Cheng pointed at the plump white boy who was eating with his head down. Being able to bear and raise children herself, she naturally had the same requirements for her daughters-in-law.

Ge Shi was furious to the point of death. After the Cheng Shi couple took up their posts, Cheng Cheng blamed her for creating obstacles between them. Their marital relationship was poor—afterward he either refused to cooperate or contributed effort without heart. How could her offspring flourish?!

Thinking of this, her eyes rolled and she tearfully said to Madam Xiao: “I’m useless, not as blessed as my sister-in-law. But if you can’t consider a thousand things or ten thousand things, at least consider the face of your Second Brother-in-law. Pity him—past the age of establishment with only one son at his knee. The General already has flourishing offspring. That prophecy—better to believe it exists than not. Perhaps heaven will take pity…”

Mother Cheng disagreed: “Flourishing what? The eldest only has four sons. I heard that Captain Yu has thirteen sons—now that’s the grand manner of a great family with an established lineage! If that room truly has good feng shui, all the more reason the eldest couple should live there. You living there has no particular effect anyway…”

Ge Shi was unconvinced: “Captain Yu has a whole room full of concubines and beauties. Those thirteen sons weren’t all born to Captain Yu’s wife alone!”

Cheng Shaoshang was mortified: Dear ones, you’ve gone off topic.

“—Enough!” Cheng Shi shouted loudly: “Rambling nonsense about this and that! Are you going to listen to this happy news or not!” He was truly fed up with this bunch of troublesome women. A perfectly good discussion about houses—where had they dragged it off to? He looked again at Madam Xiao, afraid she might be displeased, but who knew Madam Xiao seemed not to have heard at all—even the jade earrings at her temples didn’t sway.

“What do concubines have to do with offspring? Does Cousin lack concubines? Yet the one bearing sons and daughters is still only Lu Shi.” Cheng Shi said.

Dong Yong quickly shrank his neck while Dong Lu Shi proudly puffed out her chest.

“As for concubines, those who want to take them take them, those who don’t want to don’t. I don’t want to, and I have plenty of children already…” Cheng Shi turned his head to glance at Cheng Cheng who was drinking with his head down. “…As for Second Brother, he might as well take a few. Third Brother married late, yet already has one daughter and two sons. It seems Ge Shi just can’t…”

Cheng Shaoshang was mortified again: Dear one, you’ve also gone off topic. And what do you mean “just can’t”? She vaguely had a feeling that before this General father achieved success and fame, he must have been a cheerful fellow with a loose tongue who loved gossip.

Ge Shi’s shrill voice rang out: “What does Brother-in-law mean by this? How can you slander like this…”

“—Master.” Madam Xiao finally couldn’t help but interrupt. She closed her eyes: “Let’s discuss the main business.” She hadn’t gotten used to this family’s quarreling atmosphere even after over ten years.

Cheng Shi stroked his beard and cleared his throat: “Mother, Third Brother sent word recently saying he’s returning to the capital to report on his duties and can spend New Year at home this year. It’s rare that we three brothers can gather completely and neatly at Mother’s knee—we must celebrate properly. I feel that with children and grandchildren multiplying in the family, this residence is truly insufficient…”

Mother Cheng wept tears of joy: “Third is also coming back—this is heaven’s blessing! Finally you three brothers can reunite. All these years with you two, one east and one west, I worried daily that something might happen to you. Now this is good! If the residence is small, so be it. Family living cramped together doesn’t matter—as long as people come back.”

Cheng Shaoshang noticed that when Third Branch was mentioned as returning, the usually half-dead Cheng Cheng also straightened up, his face showing joy.

Cheng Shi smiled: “Being cramped now doesn’t matter, but what about in the future when Second Brother and Third Brother have more and more children? Even if the girls can marry out, Yong and the others are grown. When they marry and have children in the future, with a whole group of little ones babbling away, Mother, you won’t be able to embrace them all, and the rooms won’t be able to fit them all…”

These words were exactly what Mother Cheng loved to hear most. Imagining a future houseful of tiny children rolling around crowded at her side in liveliness, she was so delighted she could nearly fly away. She nodded repeatedly: “Right, right.”

“Therefore, before the year’s end, I want to exchange our home for a larger residence.” Cheng Shi said. “Unfortunately, after searching high and low, most of the larger empty residences are far from the central government. Those close to the central government—the good residences are all occupied by other families. But in the future, whether I’m going to court or the children are going to the Imperial Academy to study, the closer the better…” In the past, family circumstances were tight—one coin had to be split in two. After ten years of campaigning, money was now abundant, but there was nowhere to buy a suitable residence. Those generals who followed the dragon, the many marquises, and imperial relatives—most were in high spirits and the prime of life. Which one would be willing to sell a good residence?

When Cheng Shi mentioned the Imperial Academy, Ge Shi’s expression shifted, but she didn’t dare interrupt.

Mother Cheng sighed: “Who says otherwise? First come, first claim. Who told us to arrive late?”

Cheng Shi smiled: “Who knew I didn’t need to search—a residence came to me on its own! Mother, do you know the Bu family on the front street? The one that rebelled at the beginning of the year!” Cheng Shaoshang’s mouth twitched: Father Cheng, you’re so happy talking about rebellion—does your Emperor know?

Mother Cheng was still somewhat confused, but Dong Lu Shi was quick: “I know, I know! Isn’t that the Bu family that escaped the capital with brothers, wives, and children while His Majesty was suffering through fierce battles at the front? I heard they fled to the sea and gathered their former subordinates all along the way.”

Madam Xiao looked at Dong Lu Shi with considerable appreciation: “Precisely that family. It was only after seeing Third Brother’s letter and learning that the Langya Prefect pursued and attacked their remnants that we knew they’d all been executed.”

Dong Lu Shi sighed: “Our Majesty is so good, so benevolent to his subjects. That family was truly—with such a high noble rank, why run? They threw away their entire clan’s lives for nothing.”

Cheng Shaoshang thought to herself: No matter how high the noble rank, it’s not as satisfying as being Emperor.

Cheng Cheng suddenly said: “Lord Bu Wengong was originally a hero of the realm. Defeated by His Majesty, he surrendered only out of desperation—naturally he was unwilling to accept it.”

Seeing Second Brother finally willing to speak, Cheng Shi was pleased: “He offered up the heads of his own allies before surrendering to His Majesty—what kind of hero is that? Second Brother, you’re in the capital—what else have you heard?”

Cheng Cheng said: “Not just Lord Bu Wengong—there were several families unwilling to accept their fate, either stirring restlessly or secretly communicating with external enemies. Recently His Majesty ordered the imprisonment of several enfeoffed ministers. His Majesty has it hard…”

This was a very familiar scenario: the realm in great chaos, heroes rising together—today this one declares himself king, tomorrow that one is acclaimed emperor, like competing poison kings. Very cruel and very scientific. The poison insect that kills its way to the end isn’t the strongest, or the luckiest, or both strong and lucky.

The Emperor that Father Cheng pledged allegiance to was initially just one of many small leaders in the realm. At the founding of the nation, enemies surrounded on all sides, but Madam Xiao’s vision was first-rate—she was as skilled at choosing a husband as choosing a boss. After these years of struggle, the momentum of unifying the realm was gradually showing. But there were still those harboring false hopes, wanting to try their luck again.

“But… what does this have to do with residences?” Mother Cheng looked utterly confused. Cheng Shaoshang silently praised: Good job getting back on track.

Cheng Shi smiled: “General Wan rendered meritorious service and was wounded this time. His Majesty has been particularly attentive in comforting him and has already bestowed the Bu family’s large residence upon General Wan. General Wan knew I was searching everywhere to exchange for a large house, so he offered the neighboring large residence.”

“Offered?” Mother Cheng’s voice trembled. “My son’s meaning is—they’re giving us the residence?” Without spending money?!

Maternal Uncle Dong was also greatly shocked. The Wan and Cheng residences together looked from above like a gourd with a small head and large body. The Wan residence was about four or five times larger than the Cheng residence, with only a wall separating the two families. Initially when the Emperor was merely one among many heroes with still weak power, though he established his capital here, many wealthy and powerful clans didn’t think highly of it, worrying there would be military chaos here. Thus they sold their residences and returned to their hometowns to avoid disaster.

The Wan family was wealthy. Upon arriving in the capital, they bought these two adjacent residences in one go, and half-sold, half-gifted the smaller residence on the side to the Cheng family so the two families could look after each other. Maternal Uncle Dong had also tried to curry favor with General Wan, but the man wouldn’t even lift an eyelid at him.

“Exactly.” Cheng Shi smiled. “The first day back, when I went to pay respects to Old Madam Wan, she said we should simply move over before New Year to worship heaven, earth, ghosts, spirits, and ancestors at the new residence. She also told me to move early too—that way the new year will be prosperous!”

Mother Cheng was so happy she didn’t know what to say and kept nodding.

Ge Shi quickly said: “Old Madam Wan is so generous—we must help. Brother-in-law, you must include your Second Brother when the time comes.”

Madam Xiao’s eyes flashed: “No need. General Wan has injuries—it’s not good to move him around. Actually, Old Madam Wan started gradually moving household goods over ten days ago. We haven’t really helped much. These past few days they’ve moved almost everything. When General Wan returns to the city, he can go directly to the new residence to recuperate. We’ll just go visit and drink to celebrate their move then.”

Mother Cheng was already so happy she could only say “good, good.”

Ge Shi said in surprise: “They started moving over ten days ago—how come I never heard anything?” She had servants watching the Wan family’s movements!

Madam Xiao looked at her meaningfully: “Old Madam Wan is a contemporary hero. She governs her household like commanding an army—appearing incapable when capable, appearing unused when in use. Her orders are like mountains. Clearly the household moved swiftly, but on the surface it appeared like a deep pool with no great commotion.”

Ge Shi felt chilled and quickly lowered her head, cursing Old Woman Wan inwardly as a damned old hag.

Cheng Shi smiled: “Mother, I’ve thought it all through. We’ll directly break through that wall and connect the two residences. Then Mother will live in Old Madam Wan’s current quarters, and Yuan Yi and I will live where General Wan is now. Doesn’t Second Brother like quiet study? Now there’s plenty of space—he can pick anywhere!”

Mother Cheng’s entire body trembled with excitement. The person she’d envied most in her later half of life was Old Madam Wan—so imposing and dignified, her word was law. General Wan was a filial son who gave his mother the residence’s best and most comfortable location with the finest scenery. Could she also live days like Old Madam Wan’s in the future?

She couldn’t help but shed old tears, her heart softening completely. She felt that although they’d quarreled for ten years, her son still kept this old mother in his heart. She immediately felt that heaven was good, earth was good, but nothing was better than one’s own son. Whatever brothers and nephews should stand aside—she’d truly been confused before and could never again hurt her son’s heart for the Dong family father and son.

Dong Lu Shi was very perceptive and quickly said loudly: “Congratulations to Aunt, felicitations to Aunt! From now on there will be endless blessings to enjoy.”

Everyone at the table straightened up to offer congratulations. Dong Yong was still befuddled, but Maternal Uncle Dong knew the tide had turned—his nephew was determined to separate Elder Sister from himself, not letting him take advantage anymore.

Ge Shi also smiled: “Every time I went next door, I was so delighted in my heart. I truly never imagined we could live there one day.”

Cheng Shi rolled his eyes and said ill-humoredly: “Sister-in-law need not go. Didn’t you say the room you’re living in now is favorable for you? Just live there properly—no one will interfere with your offspring.”

Cheng Shaoshang was laughing uncontrollably inside: You’re telling the husband to pick any place in the Wan residence as he pleases, but telling the wife not to move. How is the Ge woman supposed to flourish with offspring?!

Ge Shi’s face turned purple-sauce colored. Momentarily choked, she wanted to say how can one have children without husband and wife sharing a room, but was too embarrassed to speak it aloud. She could only stammer “You, you, you.” She had actually thought long ago that when Madam Xiao returned, she would probably demand back the household management authority and the main quarters. She couldn’t refuse the former, though she could make things difficult once or twice. As for the main quarters, she was determined not to yield—if pushed to extremes, she’d cry and make a scene.

Who knew that since returning, Madam Xiao hadn’t mentioned half a word about demanding authority or exchanging quarters. So she’d been waiting here all along! She had painstakingly cultivated the loyalty of the servants in this old residence, but Madam Xiao simply didn’t use a single one. Without even asking, she directly filled the new residence with her own trusted people. When the time came, what voice would she have?

Ge Shi’s mind was suddenly clearer than ever before: After several years as sisters-in-law, she had also experienced Madam Xiao’s methods initially. If she guessed correctly, Old Woman Wan had almost finished moving. Perhaps at this very moment, the ones guarding the new residence gates were the household troops Madam Xiao brought back—people she couldn’t command at all. If she moved to the new residence, Madam Xiao would at most let her bring a few servant women. Then what use would the ten years of effort she’d spent be?

Before Ge Shi could think of an answer, Dong Yong showed envy on his face and smiled: “Aunt, I haven’t been to the Wan family residence yet. Father and Mother went with you to see it. Could I…”

“Could what? No.” Mother Cheng refused outright. “We just said you’re not allowed to come to the Cheng family anymore. Do you think this old body said it for nothing? In the future, unless the Cheng family has major events or banquets, otherwise don’t come to the door.”

Madam Xiao’s eyes showed contempt. Though Maternal Uncle Dong was greedy, he was at least clever, knew how to read faces and maneuver. This Dong Yong had not a single merit. At his age, he still thought he could act coquettish and unreasonable before his aunt, only relying on thick skin like adhesive plaster. Later she’d find someone to properly tear at this adhesive plaster and let him know his place in heaven and earth.

Ge Shi desperately grasped at straws and quickly smiled: “I’m just a woman—I don’t understand outside matters. But we’re all family. Uncle and Cousin made mistakes—as their Elder Sister, Mother-in-law can punish them, but how can you cut off contact?” Maternal Uncle Dong was her good helper in confronting Madam Xiao. Only when he came would she have a chance of winning.

Madam Xiao smiled, glancing at her husband. Cheng Shi kept a stern face. Granny Hu smiled as she looked at Mother Cheng, her eyes’ meaning being “See how it is? Didn’t I tell you? Sure enough she’d say this.”

Mother Cheng immediately slapped the table and roared: “What business is Dong family matters to you? The eldest and I have already decided—how dare you keep nagging? What rank are you in this household? If you’re so reluctant to part with the Dong family, just roll on over to the Dong family! This old body won’t stop you from being happy!”

One had to say farmers were honest—when cursing people, they directly attacked the lower three roads. Cheng Shaoshang listened with eyes shining bright.

At these words, Ge Shi’s face swelled to pig-liver color. Though she grew up in the countryside, she was after all the treasured pearl in Ge Taigong’s palm, served by maidservants from childhood. Where had she ever received such crude abuse? Hearing her wail once, she shoved aside the low table and ran out of the room with her sleeve covering her face.

Cheng Shaoshang watched the excitement, never minding if things got bigger, and quickly peeked at Second Uncle Cheng. Who knew Second Uncle Cheng’s expression didn’t change one bit—he continued pouring and drinking by himself. Everyone in the room actually had no reaction. Those like Maternal Uncle Dong and Cheng Shi had long known Mother Cheng’s fighting power; those like Madam Xiao and Dong Lu Shi had long known today’s script.

Counting it all up, only the big-eyed girl sitting next to Cheng Shaoshang’s seat was flushed red all over, fists clenched tight, her face showing both embarrassment and shame. That plump boy had been gorging himself all along—he probably hadn’t understood what was happening at all.

Having sprayed her daughter-in-law, Mother Cheng was in high spirits. Granny Hu filled her cup with wine, smiling: “After talking so long, quickly moisten your throat.” She also used a food knife to cut chicken leg meat for Mother Cheng: “This is what I steamed in the kitchen today. Try it—is it the taste from when we were young?”

Mother Cheng took a big taste, both surprised and praising: “It’s exactly this taste! Fragrant and glutinous.” She smiled at Granny Hu: “You loved making food since childhood. I haven’t tasted your handiwork in so many years.” She turned to look at the dumbstruck Dong Yong: “What are you staring at? Eat!”

Granny Hu smiled: “Lord Dong and Young Master were born to lives of wealth and nobility—they probably can’t appreciate these rustic country dishes.”

Cheng Shaoshang secretly slapped her thigh: This old woman’s speech is truly skillful.

Hearing this, Mother Cheng saw Cheng Shi eating meat with relish, as if he hadn’t eaten in ages. Thinking that at the front there was no fine food or drink, her heart ached. She said loudly: “When Father was alive, Father watched over them. After Father passed, I watched over them. How have those father and son ever suffered hardship? All the suffering was eaten by my children!”

Maternal Uncle Dong on the side truly didn’t know whether to put down his chopsticks or pick them up—he could only smile apologetically.