Chapter 3 Northern Expedition

  Because the donkey cart was broken, when Cheng Jiaoniang rushed to Jiangzhou City, the city gate was about to close. Ban Qin took out the name card of the Cheng family, and the guards let them pass with suspicion.

  Inside the city of Jiangzhou, there is a river that crosses the city. This river was dug by the Cheng family with great effort during the flood disaster years ago. Since then, the floodwaters have been divided into two parts every year in the city of Jiangzhou, and there has never been a disaster that destroyed the city again. The imperial court appreciated the Cheng family's righteous act, not only erecting a monument and granting a plaque, but also giving one-third of the west bank of the river to the Cheng family as their own property, so the Cheng family is commonly known as the West River Cheng.

  The Cheng family lived here, a three-arch stone bridge divided the Cheng family into two parts. The south of the bridge was Nan Cheng and the north was Bei Cheng. The blood relationship between the two Chengs has been outside of three generations. Bei Cheng adhered to the ancestral teachings, did not divide the house or property, and continued to this day. Nan Cheng, on the other hand, had already become a mixed residence, with the north being rich and noble, and the south having become dependent.

  Cheng Jiaoniang's father is Bei Cheng, who is now the second master of the main house.

  So at the city gate, Banqian specially stated that he was a member of the Northern Cheng family, and the guard let him pass with a bit more ease. If it were Southern Cheng, it might not have been so easy to get through.

  The river water is no longer as turbulent and overflowing as it used to be, even in summer, the river water is shallow, not even a boat can pass through. At this time, under the night sky, the willows by the river are swaying gently, the cool breeze is blowing, and the scenery is quite pleasant.

  Standing on the opposite bank of the river, looking at a high green wall, half excitedly pointing.

  "My daughter, this is our home," she said.

  Jiangniang looked at the blue wall and white tiles, behind which was a black-tiled roof that seemed to stretch on forever. At a glance, she estimated it to be at least five courtyards deep.

  From here, a tall archway can be seen, but the words on it cannot be seen clearly in the dark night.

  "That's the main gate." Ban Jin led her across the bridge, excitedly saying, "I've followed Old Lady here twice, you were at home until you were three years old..."

  Even if he grew up to be thirteen years old, a foolish child would still remember nothing.

  Jiang Niang supported her hand and slowly crossed the bridge. Since it was the territory of the Cheng family, there were no idle people strolling around here. Along the riverbank sat men and women, old and young, some playing and laughing, while women washed clothes by the river, chattering and smiling, creating a lively atmosphere.

  Seeing them coming over, especially a woman wearing a veil from head to toe at night, everyone looked over curiously.

  "These are all people from Nan Cheng, most of whom rely on their clan for a living." Half Cabbage said in a low voice.

  The two of them walked without stopping, and after crossing the bridge, they headed north.

  What are these two women doing at this late hour? Are they from the Cheng family? Impossible, guests? Two female guests at this late hour?

  People here started discussing soon.

  The big gate of Cheng's house closed naturally, and the bright red lanterns illuminated the plaque of the Jishan House, which was particularly eye-catching. This plaque was awarded by the imperial court at that time, and it was usually not open here every day.

  Ban Jin led Cheng Jiaoniang to the west side of the second gate, which was a place where members of the Cheng family often entered and exited.

  "Daughter." Ban Jin raised his hand and looked back at Cheng Jiaoniang.

  The night wind blows, and Cheng Jiaoniang's clothes flutter as she stands in the lamplight.

  "Knock then." said Cheng Jiaoniang.

  Ban Jin nodded and knocked on the door of Cheng's house with a few points of excitement.

  Madam Cheng had not gone to bed yet, as she was going out tomorrow and was watching the maids choose clothes.

  "This dress is too gaudy, go get that purple one." she said.

  The maid from the big wardrobe immediately picked it out at the sound, but Mrs. Cheng was dissatisfied with being too dull.

  In the end, I still chose a dark brown cheongsam from Guixi's house.

  "It's still better this way, no flashy winking, stealing the spotlight, and not being too dull either." said Madame Cheng.

  A girl rushed in from outside.

  "Madam, the housekeeper has arrived," she said.

  Household manager?

  Madam Cheng was taken aback, it's so late and everyone has retreated to their quarters, what is the steward doing sneaking around here in the middle of the night?

  "Has the old man rested?" she asked.

  Cheng Da Lao Ye stayed in his concubine's room today according to the schedule.

  "The housekeeper said there's something that needs your decision first, madam," said the maid.

  Madam Cheng is also over 40 years old now. Her mother-in-law is getting on in years, and most of the household chores have been handed over to her. If that's the case, some dislikes can be tolerated.

  "Please come in." said Mrs. Cheng.

  Led by Yatou into the living room, the butler hastily paid his respects, with a worried expression.

  "What's wrong?" asked Madame.

  "A woman has come outside," said the housekeeper in a low voice.

  At this point, Madame Cheng's eyes jumped and she picked up her fan to gently wave it as a cover.

  The maidservant beside her knew what to do and hastily led a few young girls away, leaving only two personal attendants behind.

  "It's said that they're looking for Second Master," the housekeeper continued.

  The madam felt a slight relief in her heart, fortunately it wasn't her own family's, although the second master was also from her own family, but she still felt it was different.

  "It's been less than half a year since Second Master returned," she said, slowly putting down her fan.

  "It is said that he came from Pingzhou." The housekeeper hastily replied.

  Madam Cheng slammed her fan onto the table.

  The old master was soon invited over, and when he entered the door, he was still a bit unhappy, thinking that his wife was eating vinegar on purpose and not allowing him to be intimate with his concubine. When he saw the housekeeper also there, his face slightly eased up, and after hearing what the housekeeper had to say, his expression suddenly changed.

  "Preposterous!" he shouted, "Get out!"

  "Old master, since people can come from Bianzhou, let's first ask about the well-being of your second brother." The old madam said.

  "What are you asking? This absurd thing can't be done by him!" The eldest brother and the head of the clan, Cheng Da Lao Ye, was furious.

  Madam Cheng shook her head, trying to persuade him while sending someone to invite Second Master over.

  "Avoid the second mistress." she reminded.

  But the person who went returned quickly and said that Er Ye was not at home, he had gone out drinking with several colleagues and had not returned yet.

  "The second lady asked if it was an urgent matter, she would send someone to invite the second master back." The servant woman said.

  Cheng Da Lao Ye heard this and felt very indignant.

  "Drinking all day, what kind of behavior is this!" He said in an angry tone, "Call him back!"

  Madam Cheng thought of something else.

  "Where is that woman?" she asked.

  "It's still on the door," said the housekeeper.

  "Don't stand at the door, if you make a noise, it can't be hidden. First, bring him in and let people see." said Mrs. Cheng.

  "No way, don't even think about entering, take him away." Old Master Cheng said.

  The housekeeper was in a dilemma and didn't know whose advice to follow.

  The sound of the girls' voices came from outside the door.

  "The second mistress has arrived."

  The people in the house were shocked, and Madame Cheng stood up unconsciously. The door curtain had been lifted, and a woman of twenty-four or five years old walked in, with delicate features and sharp eyes, first paying respects to the master and mistress.

  "The imperial court has indulged him, and he's gathered with a few old classmates." The second lady said with a hint of a smile.

  This has come to bail out her husband. The old master was even more angry when he heard it, such a virtuous and gentle lady at home, yet causing this absurd affair outside.

  "Yes, nothing's wrong." The madam hastily smiled and said, "You've especially come over, hurry up and go, Xi Ge is sleeping, you quickly go rest too."

  The second wife had just given birth to her first son last year, and the second house could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

  The second lady smiled slightly, neither continuing the conversation nor taking her leave.

  The atmosphere in the house is somewhat strange.

  "Sister-in-law, now that the person is here, don't keep it from me anymore. Everyone else knows, and I'm the only one who doesn't know, which is even more embarrassing." The second lady suddenly said, taking up her handkerchief as her voice choked with sobs.

  A family lives together, and there is a bit of wind blowing through the grass, who can deceive whom.

  The old master and mistress had complex expressions on their faces.

  "Green girl, don't be in a hurry, haven't asked clearly, don't think too much." The madam could only hold her down and comfort her in a low voice.

  Just as they were talking, the sound of Second Master's arrival came from outside the door.

  "Big brother is looking for me?"

  The sound came in before anyone entered.

  Cheng Er Lao Ye wore a deep blue long gown, with a hint of wine on his breath, and smiled as he walked in, but was startled to see the room full of people.

  "What's all the fuss about?" he said, "What good news?"

  Before he had finished speaking, his wife rushed over.

  "What's going on? Cheng Dong, Cheng Er Lang, what have you done?" Mrs. Cheng Er reached out and grabbed him.

  Second Master Ye was caught off guard and didn't dodge in time, his face instantly sporting a red fingernail mark.

  No one expected that gentle Madam Cheng would be so ruthless. The old master stood up, and the big madam hurried to pull her back.

  The house was suddenly in an uproar.

  The maids outside were busy hurrying the young girls to quickly get out of the way.

  Indeed, knocking on the door in the middle of the night is never a good thing.

  Many years later some maids still remembered this disturbance caused by the knock on the door by Jingniang, and it was only just beginning.