in2ebook Chapter 185 The Marquis Doesn't Have to Be Named Cheng
Chapter 185 The Marquis Doesn't Have to Be Named Cheng
Is this a case of them trying to freeload?
Cheng Yan's eyelids twitched, and Qin Yizhen blinked as well, looking at this Cheng Erniang, thinking to herself that she really dared to speak up.
Cheng Yan was somewhat annoyed. After a long silence, he asked her, "I remember that the Empress Dowager once gave some money to your families. I wonder if that's true or not?"
Cheng Erniang paused, then said somewhat awkwardly, "This...this is indeed true..."
"Since it's true, Second Aunt should know exactly what the money is for. So why are you saying all this today?"
Empress Dowager Cheng meant that the relationship between her and her two sons and Cheng He and Cheng Ergu was limited to this amount. She gave them the money so that both families could acquire some property, and from then on, they would be even and would not bother each other again.
Cheng Erniang was very distressed: "It's not that I'm greedy, it's just... it's just that I have no other choice."
"Yes, we have been doing quite well in the county town all these years. However, for some reason, your uncle has picked up some bad habits and started gambling. Since then, the family's situation has deteriorated day by day."
“Don’t be fooled by how well I dress compared to your aunt. I’m barely scraping by. Cheng Yan, you’re a member of the Cheng family, after all. You can’t just abandon us, your closest relatives.”
These words sound like a threat using blood ties, so Cheng Yan had no choice but to intervene.
"Second Aunt Cheng." Qin Yizhen's gaze turned cold. "What you're saying isn't quite right. You keep talking about the Cheng family bloodline, the Cheng family members, and your closest relatives, but when Mother and the Marquis were suffering, Second Aunt Cheng didn't seem to care about blood ties and save them from their misery."
"On the contrary, how can you use these excuses to ask the Marquis to save you from your suffering when you are in such a predicament today?"
Aunt Cheng's face turned somewhat unpleasant, but she didn't know how to refute it. She simply said, "But it's just arranging a task. For Cheng Yan, it's nothing more than lifting a finger. I didn't ask for much, did I?"
Aunt Cheng really didn't think it was a big deal.
"Even something as simple as lifting a finger depends on the person. As for your two families, I have given what I was supposed to give and paid back what I was supposed to pay back. You did not cherish it and did not live your lives properly. Now you have ended up in this situation, which is your own responsibility. We will not give you a second time."
"Moreover, why should Aunt Cheng mention that the Marquis's surname is Cheng? This is a matter for the Cheng family. If possible, the Marquis can choose not to have the surname Cheng."
At this point, Qin Yizhen's eyes lit up, her mind clear, and she suddenly said, "I think the surname Ming is quite good."
Upon hearing this, Aunt Cheng and Second Aunt Cheng's expressions changed drastically.
Cheng Yan was also stunned for a moment, and then a strange light appeared in his eyes.
He loathed the Marquis of Chengen. If he could, he would naturally not want to be surnamed Cheng, nor would he want to be a member of the Cheng family. However, he had never thought about this before. Now that he thought about it, it would indeed be very good if he took his mother's surname, Ming.
From then on, he was a member of the Ming family and no longer needed to pay homage to the Marquis of Cheng'en. Just thinking about it made him feel happy.
Aunt Cheng panicked and hurriedly said, "This is absolutely not allowed! Princess, Ayan is of Cheng family blood, and Cheng family blood flows in his veins. How can he change his surname? If our ancestors knew this in the afterlife, they would surely be furious."
Cheng Erniang chimed in, "That's right, that's right. Changing one's surname is absolutely out of the question. There's no one in the world who takes their mother's surname. It's simply... well, a fantasy. Yes, yes, yes."
"Why not?" Qin Yizhen smiled. "There aren't many examples of children taking their mother's surname in the world, but it's not without precedent. If a family only has one daughter and doesn't have a son-in-law, it's not uncommon for her to have a son who is included in her mother's family genealogy after marriage, taking her mother's surname and inheriting her maternal grandfather's business."
"But...but..." Aunt Cheng panicked, not knowing how to refute. She was just a peasant woman. Even though her family had acquired some assets and she had gained some knowledge, it was still limited. How could she know how to discuss these things with others?
Cheng Erniang was so anxious that she couldn't think straight. She hurriedly said, "But if that's the case, the ancestors of the Cheng family will not be able to rest in peace in the afterlife. Wouldn't that be letting down our ancestors? Princess, Marquis, this matter must not be mentioned again."
"Ancestors?" Qin Yizhen laughed. "When Mother and the Marquis were going through a difficult time, why didn't our ancestors open their eyes and strike that wicked villain dead with a bolt of lightning? Why didn't you talk to him and tell him that his actions were disrespectful to our ancestors?"
"Moreover, back then, you didn't stand up and say a few words of justice, saving them from their plight out of consideration for the fact that you are all of the Cheng family bloodline. Now that the Empress Dowager and the Marquis are doing well, you suddenly jump out and make demands of this and that, and even meddle in the Marquis's business."
"They've only chosen to bully the kind-hearted Marquis because he's easy to talk to. The Marquis is reluctant to turn against you because of past favors, but I have no past favors for the Cheng family. If you continue to spout nonsense, I will not forgive you easily."
Aunt Cheng, pale-faced, hurriedly said, "Princess, you misunderstand. I came here today only to inform the Marquis that his third son has passed away. Furthermore, I wish to fulfill his last wish and pay respects to the Lady of Ming."
"If that's the case, why should you say anything more?"
"Yes, yes, yes, I shouldn't have said so much." Aunt Cheng didn't know what to do with her hands and feet, and wished she could find a hole to crawl into.
The princess's royal presence is so commanding that even when she sits there looking down at you, she exudes an overwhelming sense of pressure.
Even Cheng Erniang was rendered speechless by her words and dared not utter a word to offend her. In the end, the two of them had no choice but to leave in a sorry state.
Qin Yizhen watched their departing figures as if they were being chased by ghosts, and shook her head: "With such meager skills, they dare to cause trouble at the Marquis of Pingxi's residence."
“You’re right,” Cheng Yan suddenly said.
"Huh?" Qin Yizhen blinked, looking at him with some confusion. "What did I say?"
“You said I could change my surname to Ming.” Cheng Yan looked at her. “I have hated the surname Cheng since I was born. If I could change it, that would be the best.”
“Then let’s change it.” Qin Yizhen smiled. “I also hate the Cheng family. They don’t deserve to be your relatives. Mingyan, Mingyan, that’s a good name. If your mother knew this in the afterlife, she would surely be happy.”
“From now on, Mother will be the only ancestor of the Ming family, worshipped by you, me and our descendants. No one else is worthy to be by her side.”
Upon hearing this, Cheng Yan felt a warm sensation in his heart, as if a warm current was flowing through him. What he loved most was that she believed in him and protected him, and stood by his side no matter what.
He said, "Then I'll go to the palace now. My third uncle is gone, so I need to tell the Empress Dowager and mention the matter of changing my surname."
"Okay, then go ahead." Qin Yizhen nodded with a smile. "You and Mother probably have a lot to talk about, so I won't go with you. Come back soon, I'll be waiting for you at home."