Chapter 83

While Cheng Yuwai spoke politely, his intention to show off was quite obvious.

Lin Qianqian couldn't help but feel anxious. She looked at Lin Yanchao and then at her father, worried that Lin Yanchao would be angry. At that moment, Lin Yanchao looked over and nodded to Lin Qianqian, signaling her not to worry.

Cheng Yuwai then said, "Sir, I wouldn't come here for nothing. To be honest, Qianqian's mother passed away just two years ago."

Everyone was slightly surprised. Lin Yanchao glanced at Lin Qianqian and saw that she was stunned, thinking that although she had come to the Lin family as an infant, it must still be very hard for her.

Lin Gaizhu said, "There is such a thing. If we had known, we would have certainly gone to pay our respects."

Cheng Yuwai smiled bitterly and said, "I dare not trouble you. In the past two years, I haven't had a single night of peaceful sleep. Others have advised me to take a few concubines, but in my heart, there is only Qianqian's mother. I have sworn that I will never welcome another woman into my house."

Cheng Yuwai's words earned him some goodwill from the others.

"My son is going to Zhejiang to do salt business with his uncle after the New Year. Now, I am alone and have no one by my side, so I have a request. I want to ask Sir to let Qianqian return to my home to live for two or three years."

The uncle laughed dryly and said, "Cheng Yuwai, are you joking?"

Cheng Yuwai said bitterly, "I know this is too abrupt, but my wife had a dying wish. She said that after her death, she would not hinder Qianqian and would let her return home and change her surname to Cheng."

Hearing this, Lin Qianqian couldn't help but shed tears.

Lin Gaizhu remained silent, and the uncle stepped in to support the situation, saying, "Qianqian is our Lin family's future daughter-in-law. Although she hasn't officially joined our family, we have raised her for over ten years. Cheng Yuwai, you can't just take her back with a word."

Cheng Gongzi snorted and said, "Originally, Qianqian was raised in your family, and my father and I shouldn't have made this request. But recently, my father sent someone to inquire about Qianqian's well-being. We heard that she is living a hard life, all because of the mistreatment by your main wife. She not only works hard every day but also gets scolded and beaten if she doesn't do well."

The main wife hurriedly said, "That's not true," but then lowered her head, knowing that she had indeed treated Qianqian poorly.

Cheng Gongzi's face darkened and said, "Qianqian is my sister. To be frank, even a servant in our Cheng family is not made to work for free. They receive a monthly salary, and their food, clothing, and housing are better than what she gets in your family."

Cheng Yuwai scolded, "How can you speak like that? Do you have any manners? Qianqian is already the Lin family's future daughter-in-law. Beating and scolding her is the Lin family's business. What right do we have to interfere?"

Everyone thought that this didn't sound right.

Lin Gaizhu said shamefully, "Cheng Yuwai, we did treat Qianqian poorly in the past, but we never beat or scolded her. That might be a misunderstanding."

Cheng Yuwai nodded and said, "I understand, but a father's heart is connected to his daughter's. I am not asking for her to break off the engagement and marry someone else. I just want to take her back to raise her for two or three years. When she reaches the right age, I will send her back to the Lin family for Yanchao to marry her. At that time, I won't ask for any dowry. Is that too much to ask?"

The main wife sneered, "Cheng Yuwai, you talk so nicely, but I'm afraid Qianqian won't come back once she returns."

Cheng Yuwai said seriously, "I am a businessman, and honesty is the foundation of business. How could I go back on my word?"

Seeing how serious he was, everyone was somewhat skeptical.

At this moment, Cheng Yuwai nodded, and Cheng Gongzi took out a silver note from his sleeve and placed it on the table. Cheng Yuwai said, "This is a fifty-tael silver note. You can take this money first. I will raise Qianqian for two or three years on behalf of your Lin family. When she reaches the right age, I will send her back to marry Yanchao. Whether you believe me or not, I, Cheng Liben, am a man of my word. I have done business worth thousands of taels with just a word, without any written agreement."

Cheng Gongzi added proudly, "This fifty taels is probably more money than anyone here has ever seen. Raising a daughter for free for two years and even paying for it, where else can you find such a good deal except in our Cheng family?"

At this moment, Lin Yanchao laughed coldly. Are you taking us for fools? If you really want to raise Qianqian, why bring out fifty taels? If we agree, we will fall into your trap.

Lin Yanchao asked calmly, "Cheng Gongzi, may I ask if you are married?"

Cheng Gongzi said, "Why ask that? I'll tell you anyway. My wife is the daughter of Scholar Huang from Jialaofang. She is also a person of influence in front of the current educational commissioner."

Lin Yanchao said, "I apologize, I apologize. May I ask, Cheng Gongzi, if Scholar Huang were to make a request. He misses his daughter and wants your wife to return to her parents' home for two or three years. He still loves you as a son-in-law, but he misses his daughter. Moreover, he offers you fifty taels. Would you agree?"

Cheng Gongzi laughed coldly, "Fifty taels is nothing to me."

Lin Yanchao's face showed a hint of mockery. His future brother-in-law was truly a fool.

Lin Yanchao smiled and said, "Yes, fifty taels is too little. What about five hundred taels? If Scholar Huang offers five hundred taels to break off the engagement, would you agree?"

Cheng Gongzi realized he had misspoken and said, "These are two different matters. Why are you mixing them up?"

Lin Yanchao nodded and said, "It seems that Cheng Gongzi's price is quite high. Five hundred taels is still too little. What if Scholar Huang offers five thousand taels? If five thousand taels is not enough, what about fifty thousand taels?"

"Nonsense, Scholar Huang doesn't have fifty thousand taels!"

Cheng Gongzi saw people around him laughing and realized he had fallen into a trap. He was secretly angry and also alarmed. Even if it wasn't fifty thousand taels, five thousand taels might have made him agree.

Cheng Gongzi looked at Lin Yanchao and thought he had underestimated this young man.

Lin Yanchao smiled and said, "Cheng Gongzi, I was just using an analogy. I know the relationship between you and your wife is unbreakable. How could it be measured by money? I apologize for my rudeness." This speech earned nods from everyone. Lin Yanchao had not pressed his advantage, but had maintained his dignity and given the in-laws a way out.

Lin Gaizhu nodded in satisfaction and said, "Cheng Yuwai, did you hear my grandson's answer? Do you need me to repeat it?"

Cheng Yuwai was in a difficult position. He knew the right was not on his side. If the Lin family refused, he had no choice.

"Dad, Big Brother," Lin Qianqian spoke up.

Cheng Yuwai turned to her and asked with a loving look, "Qianqian, what do you want to say?"

Lin Qianqian looked at Lin Yanchao, who nodded at her. She twisted the hem of her dress and said, "Dad, Big Brother, as the saying goes, the favor of raising is greater than the favor of giving birth. I have been raised by the Lin family for thirteen years and owe them more than the Cheng family. I have read some books and know the importance of repaying kindness. The Lin family has raised me, so even though I haven't officially joined the family, I am still a Lin. Why should I return to my parents' home?"

Seeing Lin Qianqian's determined look, Cheng Yuwai's tone softened. "You and your mother are both stubborn. Have you thought it through? Are you willing to endure poverty and not regret it?"

Tears streamed down Lin Qianqian's face, but she held her head high. "Moreover, I miss Dad and Mom, but I will not regret it for the sake of filial piety!"

Hearing Lin Qianqian's words, everyone in the Lin family nodded.

Just then, the sound of a carriage was heard outside. A steward-like person walked in with a large red envelope and asked, "Is Ambassador Lin of the River Office at home?"

Lin Gaizhu stood up and said, "That's me."

The steward said, "Our master has come to pay respects to Lord Lin."

"Which master?" Lin Gaizhu asked.

But Cheng Gongzi said from the side, "Isn't that the steward of the Xu family?"

The steward said, "Please forgive my poor eyesight. Who is this gentleman?"

"I am Cheng Gongzi from the silk shop. We met before the White Dew." The steward realized and said, "Ah, it's Cheng Gongzi. That's great."

Cheng Gongzi's face lit up, and he said to Cheng Yuwai, "Father, this is an elder I met through business. He is a major client of our silk shop."

Hearing that the visitor was important, the women in the room withdrew. Soon, two sedan chairs arrived at the door, and a man in his forties wearing a Dongpo hat got out.

Seeing the man in the Dongpo hat, Cheng Gongzi's face lit up, and he hurried forward to flatter him, "Isn't this Lord Xu? I visited your house yesterday, but you weren't there. It's great to see you today."

Cheng Gongzi bowed deeply, showing great respect. The middle-aged man looked at him and returned a half-bow, smiling, "It's the young master. Nice to meet you. Are you also a guest of the Lin family?"

The Lin family? Which Lin family?

Cheng Gongzi glanced back, thinking that this shabby house didn't deserve to be called the Lin family, or he would have to call the Forbidden City his home.

At this moment, an old man wearing a gauze hat and leaning on a cane got out of the sedan chair. The man in the Dongpo hat went forward to support him, saying, "Father, be careful."

Cheng Gongzi heard the address and was surprised, "Is this... Mr. Wangzhai?"

Cheng Yuwai's face also changed. He had heard of Mr. Wangzhai. When he was studying, Mr. Wangzhai was already a famous scholar in Minzhong, a disciple of Ma Zicui. After passing the imperial examination, he did not take office but traveled to Zhejiang, Huguang, and Minzhong to teach for over twenty years.

His disciples were spread throughout the south. Last year, on Mr. Wangzhai's seventieth birthday, even the governor of Fujian came to congratulate him in person.

Cheng Yuwai stepped forward and bowed to the old man, saying, "This humble student, Cheng Liben, pays respects to Mr. Wangzhai."