Chapter 55: Speaking Out of Turn

  The old man is so advanced in years and yet still has such a big temper.

  He smashed a tea cup and turned to ask Chen Jing: "Your sister-in-law sold the sacrificial field, did you know?"

  It's indeed this matter.

  It seems that Second Uncle and Third Brother have investigated and reported back to Old Master.

  What benefits do they have?

  Why bother investigating the Qi Wan Xiang affair?

  "My sister-in-law did not sell the sacrificial field," said Chen Jing.

  His tone was very affirmative, even with a few flatness, without surprise, and it was not guessing at all.

  The old master and Chen Er judged that he was innocent and trusted his sister-in-law. After all, he was just a child, so they didn't blame Chen Jing either.

  "Hmph." The old man flicked his sleeve and walked out with a raised foot.

  Chen Er hurried out after him.

  Chen Jiong had to follow closely behind them, thinking in his heart: Old Master is so old, but his temper is quite violent. I heard that when he was young, he was expressionless and pretended to be cold for a lifetime, and finally did as he pleased when he grew old.

  Not bad, Chen Jing thought.

  The middle hall of Songhe Tang, the second brother and Chen San's father and son sat upright. They were both wearing blue silk jackets with a bundle of flowers at the waist, and their eyebrows and eyes carried a few hints of joy.

  The old man came out and the father and son hurriedly stood up to pay their respects.

  Then they saw Chen Jiong, with a slightly surprised expression.

  I didn't expect Chen Jiong to be here.

  What brings you here?

  Did you hear the wind and come to argue ahead of time?

  Chen Jiong gave a bow to Second Uncle and his son, then stood behind Chen Er.

  "...send someone to fetch Li from Qiwan Alley and also summon the old master." The old man sat upright in his seat, his voice stern without being angry.

  The little servant boy hurriedly replied and turned around to give orders.

  Soon, Uncle came.

  The eldest uncle wore a plain white ramie cloth garment, a very ordinary attire, with a hint of wine fragrance on his collar. Last month, he had acquired an 18-year-old concubine and these days he didn't go out, staying at home drinking and having fun.

  He wasn't drunk, but his body smelled of both wine and perfume.

  The old man took one look at this appearance and got angry: "Do you know about the matter of Qiū Wān Xiàng?"

  The great uncle obviously didn't know and looked at Chen Er with a dazed expression.

  Chen Er was also unable to save the situation at this time, and he lowered his head, avoiding eye contact with his father.

  "What's going on at Qi Wan Xiang?" Old Man Da asked with a cough, "Has Yang and his friends gotten into trouble again?"

  Then he glanced at Chen Jing standing beside Chen Er.

  Chen Jiong opened his eyes.

  The eldest uncle's son didn't help out either, so Chen Jing naturally wouldn't go and get involved in trouble.

  "Second eldest, speak!" The old man's face turned red with rage.

  The old master, as the head of the household, was surprisingly unaware. Over the years, he had become more and more indulgent towards Chen Ying, gradually losing his dignity and prestige as a family leader.

  Second Uncle's expression had a few parts of pride and satisfaction, he told the story of how Li from Seven Crooked Alley bought the sacrificial field in vivid detail, and also told the story of how he discovered it.

  "...it was also accidental, otherwise we wouldn't have known that Li deceived us." Second Brother sighed.

  He said, looking at Chen Jie again, "Qin, your brother is not at home, and your sister-in-law is so bold. Is it Li of the Yaojiang behind her back?"

  Chen Jing finally understood Second Uncle's intention when he heard this.

  The things that Eldest Brother and Second Brother Chen did not know about were found out by Second Brother and Third Brother Chen, who reported them to the Old Master. This was to tell the Old Master that the father and son of the second branch were more capable in handling matters.

  At the same time, it also stirred up trouble between Qi Wanxiang and Li Shi of Yaojiang, causing Da Sao to lose her reliance, and from then on, she was at the mercy of Jingzhongxiang.

  "Second Uncle!" Chen Jing's expression was stern, "I respect you as an elder, calling you 'Uncle', don't rely on your age to be arrogant and speak without boundaries!"

  This remark has a somewhat instructive tone.

  It's always the elder teaching the younger one, when has it ever been the other way around with such impertinence?

  Second Brother's face changed instantly, and he glared angrily. However, with Old Master and Eldest Brother present, he didn't dare to flare up rashly, so he just let out a cold snort.

  "My elder sister-in-law never sold the sacrificial field!" Chen Jing continued, disregarding Second Uncle's unpleasant expression. "Where did you hear this rumor and falsely accuse my sister-in-law? We won't hold it against you. You stirred up trouble in front of our ancestor, provoking his displeasure - that's unfilial; you didn't distinguish right from wrong, yet spoke out to provoke and harm - that's unbecoming of an elder!"

  His words were spoken with a stern and majestic tone, somewhat like an elder teaching his juniors.

  Great Uncle, Chen Er and even Old Master were all stunned, simultaneously looking at Chen Xuan.

  The two uncles and sons all changed their faces, and the two of them were so angry that they couldn't breathe steadily.

  "Good, good, good!" Er Bo panted and smiled, "Xiang plus ah, you learned to be glib-tongued, your sister-in-law taught well! Saying these is useless, wait for your sister-in-law to come, let her take out the deed of the sacrificial field, we'll verify it face to face!"

  The one who told Mr. Chen Er this news was a reliable broker whom Mr. Chen Er knew.

  The Li family's fields were all in his hands.

  Later, he transferred his land to another broker because that broker found a big customer.

  That big customer bought 2,000 mu of good land in one breath.

  As for who that big customer was, the trading broker kept it confidential and said he couldn't say, the other party had a lot of background and didn't want to reveal his name.

  Since Qi Wanxiang has reached the point of selling his land, he naturally doesn't have the money to buy it back, let alone enough money to buy 2000 mu all at once. This happened before Chen Jing treated He Zhen well.

  At that time, Qi Wanxiang had not yet received the diagnostic gold gift from He's family.

  Li is no longer a big customer with a good background!

  Chen Erlao confirmed it several times until he was sure of the news before daring to report it to Old Master.

  "Be respectful," said Chen Er.

  He couldn't help but smile when he spoke.

  Chen Jiong dared to speak like that to his elders, but Chen Er didn't dare, so he felt very pleased.

  The thoughts of the Second Master, Chen Jing may not know, but Chen Er is crystal clear.

  The old master's intention for Chen Xuan to study at Songhe Hall was spread among the family after Dragon Boat Festival. Many young men were dissatisfied with this!

  "Who doesn't want to be favored by the old master?"

  Being able to study at Songhe Hall is a great honor from the old master, and in the future, I can manage the family's core business like Chen Er, and occupy a place in the family.

  How can the sons of Jingzhong Lane bear to let such a good opportunity slip into the hands of outsiders?

  Not everyone is like Chen Qi and Chen Jing, who don't know how to cherish opportunities.

  "Second Uncle is a concubine's son, and when Grandfather turns 100 in the future, the family will divide the property of Jingzhong Alley. Second Uncle's branch will become a side branch and slowly become a collateral branch. Even if they divide the family property equally, they can only get a relatively poor share. Without a prosperous family business, the second house may decline, and his father and son are not willing to accept it." Chen Er thought.

  Which of those brothers is not clever?

  If Chen Jiong's opportunity could be given to Chen San and Chen Mei of the second house, it would be greatly beneficial to the second house.

  Mr. Chen II thought of a plan and hastily went to gather evidence of Chen Jing's misdeeds, but unexpectedly dug up such big news.

  The Lis of Qiwan Lane actually dare to sell their ancestral land!

  It's not just the fault of Qi Wanxiang, but also the responsibility of Da Fang: as the eldest son and head of the family, they didn't know about such a big thing happening in their own family, which shows their limited ability!

  This move can cut off the traffic between Qiwan Lane and Jingzhong Lane, allowing Old Master to no longer favor Chen Xiang, giving opportunities to other young men in Jingzhong Lane; it can also stir up trouble between the Eldest Branch and Old Master, investigating the responsibility of the father-son duo's lack of supervision.

  Of course, the second wife didn't think she could replace the first wife with just this small matter.

  A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

  This matter is just one step away.

  This is just the beginning.

  Chen Jiong and his elder sister-in-law were the cannon fodder for this beginning.

  The central hall of Songhe Tang was stifling, and everyone had their own thoughts.

  The two uncles and their sons were full of hatred towards Chen Jing.

  Especially Second Uncle, who previously didn't dislike Chen Jing, now felt that this child was detestable, even more so than Chen Er and Chen Ying from the main house.

  "It's been two years, Chen Cang probably won't be coming back." Chen Er glanced at Second Master and then at Chen Jing, thinking to himself in his heart, "If Chen Cang were still alive, Second Uncle wouldn't dare to openly cause trouble for Qi Wan Xiang."

  "Anyway, whether or not to sell the ancestral land is none of anyone's business except Grandfather's. If Chen Zhang were still around, we'd just turn a blind eye and let it slide for his sake."

  Chen Er couldn't stand the look on Er Fang's face.

  Recently, the second house has been particularly restless, is there someone behind the scenes stirring up trouble?

  Chen Er thought so, and footsteps came from outside the door, Li Shi from Qi Wan Xiang had finally arrived.

  Li wore a pomegranate-red ten-sample brocade jacket with plum blossom patterns, and a moon-white skirt with embroidered edges. She walked in with light steps, entered the Pine Crane Hall, and saw her grandfather sitting in the main hall. Li curtsied: "Great-grandfather."

  "Get up." The old man's voice was cold.

  Li stood up straight, quickly raised her eyes and scanned the room full of people. Then, her face turned pale in an instant, and she trembled with fear.

  She pretended to be calm, but her skirt was slightly moving, and her legs were trembling.

  Seeing this scene, Mr. Chen Er and Chen San revealed a satisfied smile.

  Li was afraid and her heart was guilty.

  This has confirmed her selling of the ceremonial field!

  Chen Er also understood, glanced at Chen Jing, and thought: "From Li's reaction, she is very afraid. Since she just scolded Second Uncle with great righteousness, it is estimated that she was unaware."

  Now, I'm afraid Chen Jie can't get off the stage first.

  Chen Jiong seemed to be unaware, still calm and composed, with a peaceful expression. He glanced at his sister-in-law, with a smile in his eyes, having a kind of encouraging power.

  Li didn't look at Chen Jing.

  She hung her head in shame, trying to suppress her fear and cowardice.

  "...... Mr. Li, do you know why I called you here today?" The old man's tone and expression were both stern as he asked Li.

  Li's hands were clenched tightly in her sleeves. Then, she finally raised her eyes, and a hint of feigned calmness appeared in her gaze as she said, "I don't know, daughter-in-law Sun."

  She is still afraid, but this fear has been greatly restrained.

  This woman is very strong-willed.

  Her face was still pale, but added a touch of tenderness and charm.

  To be frank, among all the wives of Chen's family with the character "Yu" in their names, Li's temperament is the most outstanding. She has already become a mother of two children, but still has a slender waist and a face as white as jade.

  She has a round face, big apricot eyes, and her eyes are bright and determined.

  Li's husband, Chen Zhuang, has a gentle personality but is very opinionated and thorough in his actions, with some skill. After Li married him, she was influenced by her surroundings, and her style of doing things was somewhat overshadowed by her husband's.

  A woman admires a man's merits and secretly imitates him, gradually bearing his mark.

  Chen Er's several wives and concubines, none of them were like him. He thought to himself, he still didn't have the charm of Chen Zhang, did he?

  "Unaware?" On the other side, the old man's voice dropped a few degrees, "What about the several hundred mu of sacrificial fields you got from dividing the family property? Where are they now?"