Chapter 2429 - 20: Cheng Family Aftermath

The three of them had left Dongan Province heading south before Shu Yu, and naturally, they couldn’t travel together.

Shu Yu and her group quickly settled down at the guesthouse. Meng Han, with her big belly, found it inconvenient, so Shu Yu chatted with her for a bit before letting Gan Rui take her back to rest.

Shortly after they left, the people from the convoy began returning one after another.

Huohuo couldn’t stay put in the guesthouse and wanted to go out and play, and Little Mianmian was eager to join.

Shu Yu truly admired their boundless energy. Fortunately, the scholars from the academy were keen to experience the local customs and culture at every place they visited, and they were similarly spirited about going out for a stroll.

So Shu Yu let Xia Yan and Ying Xi take the two children to tag along with those scholars.

She herself picked up the account book that Jiang Fengshou had just handed over, but halfway through reading it, a hearty laugh came through.

Shu Yu put down the account book and looked outside, and sure enough, she saw Cheng Xian and Lord Cheng.

Oh, wait, he’s no longer called Lord Cheng.

Lord Cheng’s original name was Cheng Kangqi. After the southwest incident four years ago, the whole Cheng Family was escorted back to the capital.

He carried the crime of negligence, was imprisoned, and interrogated for several months, enduring untold hardship.

However, with Qi Lie speaking on his behalf, Meng Yunzheng truthfully reported his cooperation with Lord Cheng in capturing rebels. Added to that were his connections in the capital and Mister Qi’s pleas.

Ultimately, the Emperor only dismissed him from office, without ordering execution or exile.

Then, he returned to his hometown as a commoner.

The Cheng Family’s old home was in Changjin Prefecture.

Back then, Cheng Feng had participated in black market activities, with considerable involvement, so most of his family were either executed or exiled.

Most of his assets were confiscated.

When Cheng Kangqi returned, all that remained was a somewhat dilapidated old house.

But for Cheng Kangqi, not losing his head and being able to return home was an enormous stroke of luck.

What’s wrong with living in a shabby old house? With some tidying up, it could still shelter them from the wind and rain and life could go on.

Fortunately, Cheng Xian listened to Meng Yunzheng’s advice earlier and used his savings to buy property and shops in Changjin Prefecture. Although it was only a dozen acres of land and one shop, it was enough for the Cheng Family to establish themselves here.

Moreover, the current magistrate of Changjin Prefecture was Mister Qi’s nephew.

Back when Qi Chan was exiled to the southwest, Cheng Kangqi took care of him often, keeping him by his side and treating him with respect as a teacher to lessen his suffering.

Qi Chan reciprocated, not only doing his utmost to save him after the incident but also writing to his nephew to take good care of him.

If it weren’t for Prefect Qi’s attention, life for Cheng Kangqi’s family in Changjin Prefecture would have been tough.

Many who were implicated by Cheng Feng or bullied by the Cheng Family, seeing the family’s downfall, naturally sought retribution. They didn’t care whether Cheng Kangqi was involved with Cheng Feng or not, nor did they consider Cheng Kangqi suffered due to Cheng Feng; as long as they had the Cheng surname, Cheng Feng’s tyranny could have been supported by him during his official tenure.

The Cheng Family’s gate was truly splattered with mud and sewage for a day. If Prefect Qi hadn’t sent officers to intervene, the Cheng Family might have been beaten every time they stepped out.

Years have passed now, and the Cheng Family gradually improved, with Cheng Kangqi’s wife even arranging a marriage match for Cheng Xian.