in2ebook Chapter 286 The Ming Family's Past
Chapter 286 The Ming Family's Past
Chapter 286 The Ming Family's Past
Since the couple had already put it that way, Ming Nianxue had no choice but to nod in agreement.
After the meal, it was already dark. The maids lit the lamps in the courtyard one by one, cleared the table, and served their master hot tea.
It was only at this point that Ming Nianxue brought up the matter of the Ming family.
Back then, Lanzhou was engulfed in war, and the Ming family traveled north from Lanzhou. On the way, Lady Ming was separated from the Ming family and continued north with the others. Eventually, she was adopted by the Cheng family and became their child bride.
The Ming family searched for a long time in the place where they were separated, and finally headed east and settled in a village near the sea.
Twenty years later, Lanzhou was under the control of the Eastern Qin. Ming's parents were old and missed their homeland and daughter, so the family set off again from there, intending to travel back to Lanzhou.
It's a pity that after being separated for twenty years, without a stroke of incredible luck, it would be very difficult to find them again.
After several years of searching, the Ming family still couldn't find the person. Instead, they returned to their hometown of Lanzhou and settled down again. Not two years later, Lady Ming's parents passed away.
Seven or eight years later, Lady Ming's brother and sister-in-law also passed away one after another, leaving only Ming Nianxue and her parents as a family of three.
Ming Nianxue's eyes reddened as she recounted the past: "Those years of exile were truly bitter. My grandparents also suffered greatly. In addition, life became difficult later on, and they damaged their health at a young age. They passed away when they were only in their early forties."
Upon hearing this, Cheng Yan asked, "What about your parents?"
Her great-great-grandmother and grandparents have passed away, but her parents should still be alive. How could she have come to Qindu alone?
Moreover, which parents would allow their daughter to travel far away alone?
“Father and Mother…Father and Mother are gone too.” Ming Nianxue wiped her tears with her sleeve. “Three years ago, in the winter, Mother was very ill, and we spent all our money.”
To earn money, Dad went to break ice with others and caught a cold. To save money, he endured it, but it got too serious, and... he couldn't be saved.
Chisel ice.
Most of the powerful and wealthy families had underground ice cellars. Every winter when the water froze, they would have people chisel ice into blocks and put them into the ice cellars. They would then use these blocks to cool off in the summer.
Not to mention other families, even the Pingxi Marquis's mansion has its own, and the money spent on ice every year is a huge sum.
Ice-breaking is hard work, and some conscientious families pay quite a bit.
If you really need money urgently, you can give it a try, but it's very cold and bad for your health. By the end of the day, your body will be almost stiff.
"If only my uncle had found us three years ago..."
Three years ago, Empress Dowager Cheng was already the Empress Dowager, and Cheng Yan was already the Marquis of Pingxi. He had married a noble princess of the Eastern Qin Dynasty and was extremely powerful and wealthy.
However, the Ming family, who were relatives, were poor and destitute, and were forced to do hard work like ice-breaking, which ultimately cost them their lives.
What happened next is unnecessary to recount. Ming Nianxue lost her father, and her mother must have passed away not long after. From then on, she was the only one left in the Ming family.
If they had been found three years ago, the Ming family probably wouldn't have suffered the tragedy that followed. Not only would Ming Nianxue's father have been spared, but Ming Nianxue's mother would have also been able to receive medical treatment.
But things in this world are just so unfortunate.
Cheng Yan lost his mother at birth and knew nothing about the Ming family. Empress Dowager Cheng had suffered too much in her early years, struggling to survive on her own, and had long forgotten about the Ming family.
If it weren't for Aunt Cheng and Third Aunt Cheng's visit to Qindu to pay respects to Lady Ming and mention it, the two siblings wouldn't have even thought to look for the Ming family.
Cheng Yan was silent for a moment when he heard Ming Nianxue crying so pitifully, but he didn't know what to say.
Qin Yizhen wanted to persuade her, but after glancing at Cheng Yan and seeing him shake his head, she didn't say anything and let Ming Nianxue sit there crying. She cried for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn before her eyes started to hurt and she wiped away her tears.
Qin Yizhen had a maid hand her a handkerchief.
"I'm sorry to have made you all laugh at me. I... I'm just too sad." Ming Nianxue said awkwardly.
"It's only human nature," Qin Yizhen shook her head.
They could probably understand Ming Nianxue's feelings. Actually, she didn't resent Cheng Yan for not appearing, but her parents had encountered such a calamity, and although someone could have saved them, it was too late, which made her sad and regretful.
"You cried today, but you must be strong from now on and live a good life. I believe your parents in heaven would also want you to be well," Qin Yizhen advised her, and then said, "Now that you're here with your uncle and aunt, this is your home."
Ming Nianxue has no parents and is all alone. Since she has come to the Pingxi Marquis's residence, the Pingxi Marquis's residence will naturally take her in.
“If you feel uncomfortable or unhappy, just tell us. If there is anything you want, you can also ask. Your uncle doesn’t have many relatives left in this world, and you are one of them.”
Cheng Yan has almost completely disowned the rest of the Cheng family. His only remaining relatives are these few close friends and the last bloodline of the Ming family.
It can be said that as long as she doesn't cause trouble, the Pingxi Marquis's mansion will arrange everything for her out of consideration for the Lady of Ming.
After chatting for a while, Qin Yizhen told Ming Nianxue to go back and rest, as she was already tired from traveling for so long.
After everyone left, Qin Yizhen said to Cheng Yan, "When you go to the palace, tell the Empress Dowager about this matter as well."
Compared to Cheng Yan, Empress Dowager Cheng has a deeper relationship with her mother. Since she is a member of the Ming family, it is indeed appropriate to talk to her. As for whether or not to meet her, let her make her own decision.
Cheng Yan nodded: "I will go to the court assembly tomorrow and talk to them then."
"And Young Master Xie," Qin Yizhen reminded him, "Young Master Xie helped us, you should also send a gift to express your gratitude, do you hear me?"
Cheng Yan was still not very happy when she mentioned Xie Zhan, but she nodded nonetheless: "Okay."
He had asked Xie Zhan for help back then without any 'grudge' between them. Now that Xie Zhan had taken care of things, he couldn't refuse to thank him because of their 'grudge,' as that would make him seem petty.
Besides, if he didn't go, Qin Yizhen might go herself.
Seeing that he was still somewhat unwilling, Qin Yizhen kicked his leg with the back of her foot: "I don't know what you still have to complain about now."
She's been married to him for so long, and now she's about to give birth, yet he's still clinging to that old issue.
Cheng Yan reached out and pinched her foot, not minding that she was wearing embroidered shoes and had stepped on the ground. He pinched it and said, "Don't kick it, be careful not to fall."
Finally, he compromised: "Alright, I was wrong. When I go to thank Xie Zhan, I'll definitely give him a smile. Is that alright, my wife?"
Qin Yizhen was finally satisfied with these words: "That's more like it."