Don't go back to hometown

The Xie family is preparing for Xie Cheng's crowning ceremony.

On this day, Jiang Xianyu was helping write invitations in Xie Cheng's house.

Writing invitations is also particular.For those elders with high seniority and status, the invitations should be written by Xie’s father to show respect; the invitations for Xie’s relatives, neighbors, and business contacts can be written by Xie Cheng himself; only the invitations for the students in the academy It doesn't need to be too particular, the steward can do the writing instead, so Jiang Xianyu took over the job.

He and Xie Cheng learned enlightenment together in the Xie family since they were young. The master who taught writing is the same, and the copybooks they practiced later were also from the same master, and the handwriting is almost the same.

But Xie Cheng's strokes are more stable and correct, while some of Jiang Xianyu's strokes are more wild and unruly.But this time it was written correctly and decently.

The two sat across the desk and were immersed in writing when Shimo suddenly knocked on the door and came in: "Master, a letter from Jinling."

Jiang Xianyu was taken aback for a moment, and stopped writing. When Xie Cheng looked up, they happened to look over, and they both remembered the letter in the previous life that failed to reach Xie Cheng's hands.

Jiang Xianyu smiled at Xie Cheng: "Who sent it?"

Xie Cheng put down his pen, took the letter and opened it, and replied: "Father asked me to write a letter to the governor, asking him to be the guest of honor presiding over the ceremony."

Jiang Xianyu was surprised: "He agreed?"

In fact, apart from the princes and nobles, men's crowning is not as grand as women's Jiji.Just like Xie Chengjiaguan in the previous life, it is only held in his own ancestral hall, and Xie's father crowns and picks the characters.Unlike this time, distinguished guests and praises were specially invited to be held together with Zhongju's teacher appreciation banquet.

Xie Cheng: "Of course not. I just wrote to fulfill the courtesy of the invitation, and he will definitely not mobilize people for me."

"That's not necessarily true." Jiang Xianyu pointed at him with a pen, "He and the Nine Kings have plots against you, maybe they will deliberately show their closeness."

"No, he won't expose his relationship with me prematurely."

Having said that, Xie Cheng paused, turned to the second letter paper, and frowned.

"what happened?"

Xie Cheng handed the letter to Jiang Xianyu, "The Governor has found out about my brother-in-law's background."

"Birth experience?" Jiang Xianyu was startled, Brother Duan's life experience is really different?

He skipped the polite words on the first letter paper at a glance, and jumped directly to the second letter paper.

The handwriting on it is slightly different, perhaps it was written by the governor's spies.

[Duan Shiying, a Jinshi in Mingren's 32nd year, an official to the doctor of the Ministry of Rites.His first wife, You Shi, died of dystocia. The remaining son was raised by his concubine, Wang Shi.Later, the Wang family was restored to justice, and was demoted one after another in the same year, and finally resigned and returned to his hometown.

According to the old servant in his mansion, the Wang family has no children, and treats You's son as his own.However, according to recent investigations, the Wang family has a brother in Beijing who intends to adopt the child to the Wang family for the elderly.The Wang family moved and handed over part of the farm and shops of the Duan family to Wang Hui to take care of them.Wang Hui filled his own pocket and bought another property. 】

Jiang Xianyu was horrified, and squeezed the letter paper tightly, "She——she wanted to embezzle the Duan family's property?"

Was there something strange about the death of Big Brother Duan in the previous life?

Jiang Xianyu looked at Xie Cheng, because Shimo was present, he didn't ask about the past life.

But Xie Cheng also thought of this, and his face turned cold: "It was my negligence, before... I never thought of this possibility before."

When Father Duan returned home from the capital, he only brought Wang Shi, Duan Shuwen, and two or three servants with him. If he and Wang Shi didn't mention it on purpose, even Duan Shuwen would not know that Wang Shi was not his own mother, and even outsiders would have no way of knowing. .

In addition, after Duan's father died of illness, Wang raised Duan Shuwen alone, and even the strictness of teaching her children became outsiders' praise for her mother Zegang's excellence. No one doubted that she treated Duan Shuwen badly.

Therefore, when Duan Shuwen died of illness in the previous life, when Xie Cheng saw his sister and nephew being wronged, he only thought that Mrs. Wang didn't like Xie Sangrou, and even Duan Qixuan who was born by her. He never suspected that Mrs. Wang didn't even like Duan Shuwen, so he only sent sister He and Duan Qixuan took him home, but did not track down Wang's behind-the-scenes actions.

No wonder!No wonder Mrs. Wang was clearly happy with her brother-in-law's marriage with Sister A, but she didn't like Sister A later, and she always beat her up deliberately, saying that although their Duan family was down and out, they didn't need to rely on Xie's family.

She clearly wanted to get something out of Xie's family, but she found out that Sister A is not easy to deal with, so she became angry from embarrassment!Now, she even put her natal family into Duan's family to seek family property.

Jiang Xianyu stood up anxiously: "What should I do? Tell Brother Duan directly? Do you want to bring Sister Sangrou and Qixuan back first?"

Shimo was at a loss when he heard it, what happened to my uncle's life experience?Who wants to embezzle my uncle's property?Why do you want to bring Miss back? !

Xie Cheng's gaze fell on the invitation on the table, and he said in a deep voice, "I'll personally go to Duan's house to deliver the invitation tomorrow."

Jiang Xianyu: "I'm going too!"

Xie Cheng nodded, picked up the letter and said to him: "I'll go to the main courtyard."

Jiang Xianyu knew that he was going to discuss with Uncle Xie, so he didn't follow, and stayed to continue writing invitations.

……

In the small study in the main courtyard, Father Xie was also preparing invitation cards, and when he read the governor's letter, his brows furrowed into mountains.

Xie Cheng had already thought of a countermeasure, and discussed with Xie's father: "My son sent someone to go to the Duan's farm and shop to inquire again to see if this is true. Tomorrow my son will personally go to Duan's house to send invitations, and use it as a coronation ceremony. , take sister and Qixuan back to live for a while, and then talk to brother-in-law about it in private."

Father Xie nodded: "Just say it's your mother's intention, please come back to help your elder sister. Leave the rest of the matter to your brother-in-law. Xie Jiaming don't interfere in the face, so as not to lose the tongue."

In case those who don't know think that the daughter of the Xie family is at odds with her mother-in-law, and encourage her husband to fall out with her mother-in-law.

Xie Cheng: "My son understands."

Father Xie thought about it again, and said: "Your brother-in-law is soft-tempered, and I'm afraid it's uncomfortable. If you persuade him, you should stop, but you will be disturbed by it. He has to stand up to support the Duan family."

Xie Cheng nodded in response.

If it weren't for Wang's idea of ​​adopting a child from her natal family and embezzling the Duan family's property, even if she is not the brother-in-law's biological mother, she will actually raise her brother-in-law to adulthood, and there will always be kindness and affection.

Even if she was strict with her brother-in-law and picky with sister-in-law and Qixuan, sister-in-law and brother-in-law would still regard her as their mother and provide for her until the end of her life.

But now that she has moved the idea of ​​adopting a son, it is obvious that she has always been separated from her brother-in-law in her heart, and she feels that she is not as close as her mother's blood.

And brother-in-law has regarded her as his own mother since he was a child, and he must feel uncomfortable when he suddenly learns the truth.

I don't know if Duan's father knows, will he regret letting his brother-in-law recognize Wang as his mother...

After talking about this, Father Xie said again: "Since the governor is not free, then please invite the prefect to be the guest of honor, and please ask Lu Shanchang to be the crown of praise. Your father will discuss with the two of you for your name."

Xie Cheng had no objection, bowed his head and said, "Thank you, father."

……

On the second day, Jiang Xianyu accompanied Xie Cheng to Duan's house to deliver invitations and met Mrs. Wang.

Although she is over half a century old and has a slightly fatter figure, her facial features can vaguely show the delicateness of her youth, but she seems to be used to frowning and drooping mouth corners, and she looks a bit fierce when she gets older.

She heard Xie Cheng say that he would hold a crown ceremony and a teacher appreciation banquet, but she politely congratulated him.When she heard that Mother Xie wanted to take Xie Sangrou and Xiao Qixuan home, her face drooped, showing displeasure.

The tone also became ambiguous: "It's right to go back and help out, but I'm afraid it will cause people to gossip after staying for a long time. Earlier, my mother-in-law insisted on letting Qixuan go to the Xie family to learn enlightenment, and someone poked me in the back, saying that my Duan family has no men. As the head of the family, even the grandson must be taught by the grandparents."

Xie Cheng ignored her sarcasm, pretending to be serious and said: "Who is talking nonsense in front of my aunt? Naturally, the Duan family is a brother-in-law who is in charge of the family, and it is their turn to be criticized by others?"

"As for sending Qixuan to Xie's family to learn enlightenment, it's just that Xie's family happened to have a few good enlightenment teachers. Boss Liu and Li Yuan's juniors were all enlightened there. Why can't my grandson go? Tell my aunt Those who speak these words are probably not generally confused."

Mrs. Wang snorted lightly, and looked at Xie Cheng with a half-smile: "As expected of Xie Jieyuan, he is more eloquent than your sister."

Xie Cheng's face darkened, and Jiang Xianyu frowned.Wang's words are really ugly.

Duan Shuwen got up immediately, and said to Wang: "Son, let Ah Rou pack his luggage and take Qixuan to Xie's house for a few days."

Wang looked down at him, but Duan Shuwen was unmoved.

In the end, it was the former who turned away his face first, as a promise.

Duan Shuwen bowed to leave, and led Xie Cheng and Jiang Xianyu to see Xie Sangrou.

Xie Sangrou and Duan Qixuan had been waiting in the yard for a long time. As soon as he saw someone, Duan Qixuan rushed over: "Uncle! Little uncle!"

Xie Cheng smiled and hugged him, and handed the little guy to Jiang Xianyu.

Jiang Xianyu received his gaze, hugged Xiao Qixuan in his arms, and attracted his attention, "Let me see, has our Xiao Qixuan grown taller again?"

Duan Qixuan sat on his arm and straightened his back, with his little hands on his head: "I've grown so much taller!"

Jiang Xianyu smiled and praised him for being great, and asked the little guy to introduce him to this tree and that stone, and strolled in the yard.

Xie Cheng told Xie Sangrou that he would take her and Qixuan back to her mother's house for a few days. Xie Sangrou was very happy and quickly asked the maid to pack her luggage.

Xie Cheng looked at Duan Shuwen again: "Brother-in-law, I have something to say to you."

Seeing his serious expression, Duan Shuwen nodded and said, "Come to the study."

Jiang Xianyu took Xiao Qixuan to play for a while, but a maid came to interrupt and took Xiao Qixuan to change clothes when he went out.

In the bedroom, Xie Sangrou was packing clothes, Jiang Xianyu was not convenient to go in, so he stood outside Duan Shuwen's study.

About two quarters of an hour later, Xie Cheng came out of the study. Jiang Xianyu looked back and saw Duan Shuwen sitting in front of the desk with his head bowed, unable to see his expression clearly.

Xie Cheng closed the door and said to Jiang Xianyu, "Let's take Sister home first."

Jiang Xianyu knew that Duan Shuwen had to take some time to accept the truth, so he didn't ask any further questions.

When it was time to leave, Xie Sangrou carried Duan Qixuan in and said a few words to Duan Shuwen.

Later, Duan Shuwen came out of the study, together with Xie Cheng and Jiang Xianyu, sent Xie Sangrou and Duan Qixuan back to her natal home.

Then I went to see Father Xie again.

Jiang Xianyu didn't know what he was talking about with Xie's father, and at night he sneaked over the wall to ask Xie Cheng.

Xie Cheng: "Brother-in-law borrowed manpower from his father to check the account books of Duan's farm and shop."

Jiang Xianyu lay beside Xie Cheng, lying on his side, "If it is found out, what will Brother Duan plan to do?"

Xie Chengdao: "Brother-in-law shouldn't be too ruthless. I guess he just detained Mrs. Wang at home to eat fast and chant Buddha, and handed over the power of the family to Sister."

"That's right, the Duan family's family property is logically also belonged to the Wang family. The adoption has not yet been done, but a family member of the mother's family is arranged to help with the affairs. It is a trivial matter to be greedy for money. Brother Duan can't divorce his wife on behalf of his father—— "

Jiang Xianyu paused, "But what if Mrs. Wang gets into trouble? She doesn't look like someone who will eat fast and chant Buddha."

Xie Cheng: "Father gave advice to my brother-in-law. The condition for not pursuing false accounts is that Wang's safety is guaranteed. Otherwise, she and Wang Hui will be sent to court."

Jiang Xianyu agreed very much: "This is good, the Wang family has a good reputation, and I definitely don't want to make a big deal. Uncle Xie is great!"

Xie Cheng looked at him with a smile: "Amazing? Are you not afraid?"

Jiang Xianyu froze, twisted into his arms, nestled on his neck and murmured: "If uncle treats me like this in the future, I will be afraid."

Xie Cheng tightened his arms and restrained him: "What are you afraid of? If you are afraid, you want to run again?"

Jiang Xianyu hugged his waist: "That won't work! If I'm afraid, I can't let him see it, and I won't run away."

Xie Cheng smiled and kissed his forehead: "Don't be afraid, I'm here."

Jiang Xianyu was silent for a while, then hugged him tightly.

……

In the early morning of the second day, Xie father and mother had breakfast in the main courtyard.

The servants from the kitchen came to report, and the young master sent his breakfast to Xiuzhuyuan, but he didn't come to eat.

Father Xie paused as he stretched out his chopsticks, and asked Mother Xie, "Is Xiao Yu's child sleeping in A Cheng's again?"

Mother Xie picked up a shrimp dumpling for him: "Maybe, let the kitchen make an extra shrimp dumpling and send it over."

Father Xie put down his chopsticks and frowned.

"What's wrong?" Mother Xie asked.

Father Xie: "That kid Xiao Yu, is he too clinging to Ah Cheng?"

On weekdays, he always ran to Xie Cheng's house, Xie Cheng went to Jinling Township for an exam, and he followed him, stuck together all day, I don't know if he is studying or having fun, how can he look like a man who has made a big deal?

Mother Xie smiled: "What are you afraid of? It's not a man and a girl. They grew up together, so it's normal to be close."

Father Xie still felt that something was wrong, but he couldn't tell what the problem was, and finally said angrily: "It's better to be a girl, just marry him home, follow their wishes, love is as sticky as sticky—"

He suddenly froze and looked at Xie Mu.

Xie's mother was also stunned, with a forced smile: "It's not like... If Xiaoyu is a girl, she may not like Ah Cheng's boring gourd."

But Father Xie lowered his face, and said with a final word: "Speak to him immediately."