Love Like the Galaxy

Chapter Thirteen:
The Cheng Family Brothers (Part 1)

About ten days before New Year’s Day, General Wan and the Cheng family’s four sons finally arrived in the capital city with a huge army of luggage. The two families split, and the Cheng family retrieved the ‘luggage’ of seventy or eighty carts. Cheng Shaoshang shook her head; no wonder her brothers had stayed behind to help.

According to Eldest Brother Cheng Yong, as soon as General Wan saw the capital, his tiger eyes were filled with tears and he shouted, “Mother, I’m coming!” He didn’t even stop to say hello to anyone and flew his carriage towards the new home. As the responsible eldest son of the Cheng family, he had to escort the Wan family’s supplies first before returning home.

“My weary grandmother has been waiting for a long time.” Eldest Brother was described as calm, broad-minded and the resembled Cheng Shi the most. He was eighteen years old.

“Not tired, not tired! Not tired at all” Old Madam Cheng said, almost incoherent with joy.

According to Second Older Brother, Cheng Song, they were already the last of the generals who returned to the capital for debriefing. Some people thought they were not pleasing to the eye and wanted to say a few things, but General Wan went to the door as soon as he heard the news, hugging his legs in front of them, crying bitterly ‘Oh my legs, my legs, my miserable legs…’ with a thick voice, and it went straight to the Three Mile Camp. Cheng Song remembered it so vividly that everyone laughed, even Madam Xiao couldn’t help but smile, not to mention Old Madam Cheng who laughed so much her back rows of teeth could be seen.

“Is General Wan’s leg really injured that badly?” Second Uncle Cheng asked.

“If you hurt your hamstring, you can walk the road, play cuju, or slowly walk the horse. You can’t gallop.” Riding a horse at high speed on the battlefield required both legs to tighten the horse’s belly.

Second Uncle Cheng caught the key point and said, “You can play cuju, but can’t run a horse?” Cheng Shi glared at his son, and Madam Xiao shook her head and smiled bitterly.

Cheng Song knew he had made a mistake and quickly made a serious effort to make amends. “It’s just a matter of taking a break and walking slowly. However…” He suddenly lowered his voice and said to his parents, “Just now, Uncle Wan was in a state of excitement. He was about to mount his horse, and so many soldiers and school officials were at the entrance of the city watching. Fortunately, I quickly shouted for the Wan family’s carriage to come over.”

Cheng Shi let out a groan and said to Madam Xiao, “Let’s go talk to the old lady later.” Madam Xiao nodded slowly.

Off to the side, Cheng Zhu, a first grade aged child, slapped his little palm against the table imposingly. “Second Brother, really!” he yelled. “I was still in the carriage! He pulled me out and threw me away. If Third Brother hadn’t caught me, and I fell to the ground, I would have lost my teeth! How would I be able to eat then?!”

Cheng Song pointed at him and smiled. “Is it possible that if I don’t throw you away, you won’t lose your teeth?! Those teeth on your left were thrown away by me?”  Cheng Zhu, who was in the period of tooth replacement, covered his mouth with anger, his chubby face turning red. He wished he could throw his chopsticks in his hand as a hidden weapon and poke his older brother with four holes in one go!

Everyone laughed loudly, and even Second Uncle Cheng trembled with laughter, leaning on the table. Old Madam Cheng dropped her chopsticks with a smile, and hugged Cheng Zhu into her arms. Among Cheng Shi’s children, he was the only one who had been born outside and so Old Madam Cheng had never seen him. When they met, she called out with a kiss and a heartful embrace and had him sit beside her for dinner.

Actually, Cheng Ou had been around her since childhood and should have the better relationship. However, Madam Ge’s son was not easily conceived, and she protected him like a glass cover. Cheng Ou was arrogant and stingy, and Old Madam Cheng didn’t really like that. Cheng Zhu was easy-going and lively.

So, Old Madam Cheng secretly argued to herself. She would not argue with Madam Xiao, not because she was afraid of her eldest son, but because of these good grandchildren. Her ability to raise children was still good.

The spacious main hall, whether it was the Wan family or the Cheng family before it, had no place to play. Today, everyone laughed heartily, and their laughter flew, giving them a sense of prosperity. On the wall of the hall hung thick candles of animal fat more than a foot long, with fireworks burning high. Three rounds of the banquet were held, except for the young Cheng Ou who went to bed early. Everyone had a table in front of them, which was one circle larger than usual and much richer than usual in terms of wine and vegetables.

Cheng Shaoshang looked down and saw that the black painted wooden table was directly made with straight raised lines, with exaggerated and eerie animal patterns painted in heavy vermilion along the edge. Suddenly, she felt eyes scanning her. She looked up to her right and saw a fair and delicate young man surveying her.

“Shaogong, why aren’t you talking today?” Madam Xiao looked over at her son with a smile.

“Mother, I am looking at my sister,” Cheng Shaogong said. “We’re twins, how come Shaoshang doesn’t look like me at all?”

The smile on Madam Xiao’s lips froze.

“I just now saw Niao Niao and was really surprised,” Cheng Song said. “You look better than all us brothers combined. I haven’t seen you in so long. Eldest Brother has brought many delicious and fun things for you…”

Cheng Shaoshang noticed Madam Xiao’s discomfort and snorted softly. She sat up. “Recently, Mother has been advising Shaoshang to read and practice more and play less,” she said.

“Don’t pay attention to your Second Brother,” Cheng Yong smiled. “He just wants to play around. I brought you many excellent things for calligraphy and ink, including a piece of rosin ink.”

“That ink is good!” Cheng Shaogong quickly interrupted. “It was given to me by Eldest Brother during his apprenticeship that year. It’s been hidden away for many years; I can’t bear to use it on a regular day. Please, use it for me.”

“Third Brother, you’re using it?” Cheng Zhu was quick to call his older brother out. “If it weren’t for Eldest Brother’s attention, you would have just gotten rid of it!”

Second Uncle Chen, who was taking a sip of liquor, choked and almost spat it out. Amidst the laughter Cheng Shaogong grumbled bitterly. “Yellow mouthed child, where is your conscious? If I knew you would be like this, I would have let you fall face first into the mud!” He turned to look at his sister. “Shaoshang, don’t listen to A’Zhu. I wanted to keep it for you!”

Although the four brothers had different temperaments, they all looked at Cheng Shaoshang with a look of longing for intimacy. Her heart softened and she put away her joking expression, thanked him softly, and said mischievously, “Actually, I love to play. I just hope that in the future my brothers will not think I am causing trouble.”

The girl had beautiful skin, a sincere tone, and clear eyes. Speaking these words had double the effectiveness. Indeed, from Cheng Shi to Cheng Zhu, everyone smiled happily, thinking that this sister was as beautiful as a white jade doll, so small, and had a better voice than others (big mistake).

“Don’t worry, Sister,” Little Cheng Zhu said, not to be left out. “No matter how much trouble you cause, you can’t compare to me. If you don’t believe me, ask Father!”

Old Madam Cheng next to him wanted to say, ‘Good grandson, you have misread that evil little creature.’ She held her tongue.

“Every time Father scolds A’Zhu, we all have to sit with him,” Cheng Shaogong whispered. He obviously held some grudges. “After he’s done, he instructs us to have brotherly harmony! We all wish we could crush A’Zhu, how can that be considered harmonious?”

Madam Xiao couldn’t help but laugh and fell against Cheng Shi, who was almost drunk. Old Madam Cheng burst into tears, smiling, and hugging Cheng Zhu to her. The rest of them were all overjoyed, laughing.

Cheng Shaoshang was smiling when she noticed something moving around her skirt. She looked down and saw a plate full of candies gently moved by her knee on the floor. To her side, she saw her twin smiling.

Cheng Shaogong took advantage of everyone’s laughter and pushed the plate over from under his wide sleeves. Cheng Shaoshang looked up and saw her already empty plate of candied fruits. She picked up a large candy and tossed it into her mouth, bulging out her cheeks. Cheng Shaogong smiled with curved eyebrows and sparkling pupils. He had discovered that he had flowers in front of him, and realized that his twin sister was indeed hundreds of times better than his younger brother.

The action was only seen by Cheng Yang, who was sitting across from them. She couldn’t help but feel envious as she watched. This made her think of the Ge family’s cousins, who used to dote on her when she was a child. However, Cheng Shaoshang had only tasted this for the first time today, and Cheng Yang felt pity for her.

Cheng Yong was observant and caught a glimpse of Cheng Yang’s lost expression. He smiled and said, “I almost forgot… Yang Yang, we didn’t know you had come back and weren’t prepared.  After accepting your handmade shoes and socks, this stupid brother is ashamed to not have anything ready. I will have things prepared for you as soon as I can.”

Cheng Yang quickly returned to her senses, waved her hands in front of her and said awkwardly, “It’s okay, it’s okay! Just be careful, brothers, don’t worry about it.”

Madam Xiao was satisfied when she saw this.

After a few more rounds of drinking, Second Uncle Cheng, who wasn’t used to drinking, was the first to lie down on the table. Madam Xiao advised everyone to stop drinking, saying, “You can’t drink too much today. In a few days, Third Younger Brother will arrive and there will be a big family banquet.”

Upon hearing that her beloved little son was about to arrive, Old Madam Cheng reluctantly let go of the wine and was helped back to her residence by Old Lady Hu. Cheng Yang quickly told her maidservants to carry her own father away.

Madam Xiao helped Cheng Shi up to leave the table. Cheng Shaoshang, who was supposed to follow along, felt her sleeve being tugged. She turned to see her brothers preparing to leave. Cheng Zhu was swaying and unsteady due to being fed a small amount of wine by Old Madam Cheng. Qing Cong touched the little boy’s flushed cheek and angrily ordered someone to bring hangover soup to each residence. Cheng Yong skillfully picked up the little boy and adjusted him in his arms, beckoning his younger brothers back to their respective residences.

“Brothers, please wait.”

Cheng Shaoshang rushed forward and pulled out a bunch of insects made of twine from her sleeve. There were small grasshoppers, praying mantises, and small bats. The weaving was not exquisite, and it was obviously done by an amateur. Cheng Shaoshang stuffed it into Cheng Zhu’s sleepy arms, pretending to be shy like she had once been in junior high in her previous life. “I only know a few words, and don’t know how to embroider or do needlework. I just learned this when I was in the countryside. Wait for me to learn more and I will make something better.”

Cheng Song and Cheng Shaogong were heartbroken when they heard those words, and kept saying, “No need, no need,” “Take your time and don’t worry,” “Why are you so polite to your brothers?” and “Don’t be too tired, your health is important.”

Although Cheng Yong didn’t speak, he looked at his younger sister, who was nearly two heads shorter than himself with the appearance of a young girl and felt a rush of father-like protectiveness. Silently, he reached out and touched the round bun on Cheng Shaoshang’s head, smiled, and bid farewell.

Cheng Shaoshang bowed and bid farewell, with a sweet smile on her face that persisted all the way to her own residence. As Lian Fang took out her hairpin ring, she smiled and said, “Young Mistress is looking happy today.”

Cheng Shaoshang smiled and said, “I’m happy to see my brothers.” She turned her head to look at A’Zhu, who was holding a charcoal pot to warm her bed and quilt, and said, “Nanny, the brothers are treating me very well.”

A’Zhu straightened up, smiled, and said, “Good.”

Cheng Shaoshang’s cheeks hurt from all the smiling and laughter that evening. She rubbed her cheeks, wishing that Vice President Bai Yu, who always looked down on her acting skills, could come and see how to laugh in the face of tragedy. How to turn three weak points into five speechless grievances – Vice President Bai Yu always thought she could become the female protagonist because President Xian Yu was obsessed (in fact, she also thought so at the beginning, and secretly rejoiced that she could take the path of beauty to the top), but now it seems her potential had not gone to waste.

The effort was not in vain. Before she could finish drinking her medicine, the gifts promised by the Cheng brothers were carried in overnight, with a half person tall box containing three or four pieces. Upon opening, it was a dazzling array of colors, including several pairs of smooth and flawless jade discs, seven or eight boxes of rare but very precious hairpins and pendants (straight men didn’t understand matching jewelry, no matter the time period), dozens of exquisite and soft brocades, several calligraphy and ink stones packed with precious sandalwood boxes, as well as many children’s toys like gyroscopes, stuffed chess pieces, slingshots… even various Po Bo’s tools.

“The larger items are still tied up within the carriage,” the attendant who delivered the boxes said. “They will be delivered when dismantled.”

A’Zhu smiled and led people over to organize the boxes.

Cheng Shaoshang was holding a gold silk jade pendant in her hand and took a closer look. The jade was translucent in color and shone brightly in the candlelight, reflecting half of her cheeks with an unclear expression and didn’t know what to think.

Lian Fang knelt down on the floor and unbuttoned Cheng Shaoshang’s thick stockings to prepare for foot washing. She carefully looked up at her Young Mistress.

Whenever the Young Mistress showed such an expression, she always exuded an aura of respect and fear. Before coming here, whether it was Qing Cong or someone else’s words, the underlying meaning was the Cheng family’s Fourth Young Lady was afraid of strength and bullied the weak. Her expression was domineering but not assertive.

But these days, Lian Fang felt that none of the rumors were true. First of all, why had no one mentioned the beauty of the little girl and just focused on her bad temper? Lian Fang felt that the jade pendant was not as good as her Young Mistress’s cheeks.

Cheng Shaoshang looked at the jade pendant for a half day, and then a strange smile appeared at the corner of her mouth, sweet and adorable, but also somehow mocking. Lian Fang smiled cautiously and said, “Why is the Young Mistress smiling?”

Cheng Shaoshang smiled innocently. “I have a good family.” Impishly, she tossed the jade pendant into the air.

“My parents are loving, elder brothers cherish each other, and the family is harmonious.” Smiling, she clapped her hands together as she caught the jade pendant. She didn’t know what Madam Xiao thought of her but tried not to be too bothered.

She knew from a young age that it took a lot of effort to change the prejudices people had against her.

She had been admitted to a key high school and prestigious university and no one in her whole town squinted and said some nonsense like, “I’ve seen her differently for a long time.” She was quite happy to make her once pale uncle, Mayor Yu, look up and flush with embarrassment, while also making other parents nag to their children, “She doesn’t have a mother or father, yet she can do better than you in exams.” She had become a nightmare for those children who had given her cold looks.

The question was now, how should girls in this world work hard? If she couldn’t get ahead in her studies, should she go into business? She didn’t know if her father passed on a bit of profiteering talent or not. When she had the opportunity, she would have to investigate carefully.

…

Next Chapter: The Cheng Family Brothers (Part 2)