Shipin Dalizheng

He asked again, "How did the Jin family threaten you?"

Hearing this, the Third Master was furious. "That Jin guy is such a coward. He said Rongjia Village was originally the private property of the Jian'an Earl's Mansion. If I don't agree, once Jin Yaoyang gets the title, he will definitely take back all the land and drive all the people in Rongjia Village back to their hometown. Speaking of which, let me tell you about the family tree! The family tree of the Jian'an Earl's family is indeed separate. Ever since you were sent away for medical treatment, the lady's health has also been poor. About three years ago, she asked someone to send the Earl's family tree to me for safekeeping. I think she was afraid that she would become seriously ill and not check it for a while, so that the ruthless Jin Shizhao would steal the family tree and write his son's name on it without permission."

The third master took out the family tree from his arms. This family tree was indeed new. The first name was Rong Zheng, followed by his wife, and three sons and two daughters.

Unfortunately, none of the three sons survived and left behind any descendants.

The names of Concubine Rong and Madam Rong are also on the list, and below Madam Rong is Rong Tang.

It turned out that as soon as Rong Tang was born, Mrs. Rong entered him into the family tree.

The Third Master pointed at the name Rong Tang and said, "Jin Shizhao told me to cross out Tang'er's name, but I never listened to him. There was still Concubine Rong in the palace, and he didn't dare to force her. He just endured and persevered. We were almost in despair. Fortunately, you came back."

Rong Tang tapped his fingers lightly on the table, so his trip, in addition to protecting a mother's last wish, also had practical significance, which was to protect a village.

There was one thing he still didn't quite understand, and that was Concubine Rong's situation in the palace. Normally, if she was a favored concubine, she wouldn't be forced into this state by a third-rank minister of the Ministry of Rites.

"My aunt... Concubine Rong, how is her situation in the palace?"

Unfortunately, the Third Master was just an old farmer, and he couldn't see the intricacies going on in the palace.

"Empress Rong..." The Third Master also hesitated. He couldn't see Empress Rong often. About once every three to five years, Empress Rong might leave the palace to pay tribute to the deceased Earl of Jian'an. He was of low status and couldn't talk to her closely. Today, Empress Rong came to see her elder sister off as a younger sister. This was the time when the two were closest and talked the most.

"I have heard from Madam that Lord Bo has made great military achievements, and Concubine Rong is still respected in the palace."

Being respectable is the most basic requirement for a concubine, so it is estimated that she will not be favored much.

"Let me ask you this: is the prince born to my aunt valued by His Majesty?"

The Third Master was surprised and said, "A prince? The Queen didn't give birth to a prince!"

Rong Tang stood up in surprise, "Auntie, don't you have any children?"

It's not a good thing to be childless and not favored.

The Third Master said, "It's not that she doesn't have children. The Queen gave birth to the Seventh Princess, who is said to be very favored. His Majesty is currently selecting a consort for her."

Rong Tang slowly sat down again. Fortunately, although there was no prince, there was a princess. She would not be involved in the fight for the throne and could be a queen dowager in the future.

He couldn't stand the thought of a woman who had the same face as his mother and would be tortured in the cold palace in the future.

The Third Master continued, "Madam suffered injustice because she had no children, and she was unwilling to register the illegitimate son under her name, which displeased Jin Shizhao and Old Lady Jin. While your words scolding the Jin family today were satisfying, you must not do so again. No matter what Jin Shizhao says, he is still your biological father, and a son should not criticize his father. If you continue to say such harsh words, outsiders will hear them and accuse you of being unfilial."

Rong Tang found it ridiculous. From the Southern Dynasty to the Northern Dynasty, the word "filial piety" was like a mountain that made people breathless.

"Grandpa, as a son, there are some things I can't say, but as the elders of the Rong family, can't you also say them? Grandpa, your generation is old enough, right?"

The Third Master's eyes flashed. "I am of a higher generation, older than Jin Shizhao and Old Lady Jin. What do you mean, Brother Tang?"

Rong Tang sighed, "I've just arrived and have no foundation. It's going to be very difficult for me to fight the entire Jin family on my own. If they start to act like my father and grandmother, I'm afraid I'll suffer. It's hard to say whether Rongjia Village can be saved by then."

The Third Master could no longer sit still. Rongjia Village was the foundation of the Rong family's livelihood, and it was impossible to return it to the Jian'an Earl's Mansion no matter what. But the fatal point was that the title deed of Rongjia Village was still in the Earl's Mansion and had not been given to the village.

For the sake of survival of future generations, the people of Rongjia Village can only be tied to Rong Tang, there is no other choice.

"Tang'er, look at what you said. Protecting our homeland is certainly not a one-person job. Even three-year-old kids in our village know this. How could Third Master not know this? The title of Earl of Jian'an can only go to someone with the surname Rong."

I heard a few people talking outside the door. I turned around and saw two men and two women coming back carrying tools.

"Dad, we are back."

"Ah! Boss, second brother, come and meet the young lord."

Rong Tang hurriedly said: "No, not yet!"

Rong Dashan and Rong Erhe put down their tools and came to greet him, "Young Master."

Rong Dashan has a dark face, a slightly tall stature, and a pair of big hands covered with calluses. He looks like someone who has been doing farm work all year round.

Rong Erhe was slightly shorter and looked somewhat shrewd, and the two men were quite respectful in their attitude.

Rong Tang said gently, "No need to be so polite." He suddenly felt a little awkward. In terms of seniority, these two were grandfathers.

The Third Master seemed to see his embarrassment and waved his hand to the two of them, saying, "Take your wives and go to the big house to clean up. The young master wants to stay there."

Third Grandma poked her head out from the kitchen and said, "The meal is ready, eat first!"

Rong Dashan and Rong Erhe took out a few pieces of silver from their pockets and handed them to the Third Master. "This is from the Seventh Steward."

The Seventh Steward is Rong Qi’s temporary identity.

The Third Master's face turned ugly. "What's going on? You're asking for money to help?"

Rong Erhe said, "Dad, we didn't ask for it. The Seventh Steward gave it to everyone in the village. We've already eaten the bread, so we won't eat anymore. Let's go clean up."

The Third Master stuffed a few coins into Rong Tang's hand and said, "This is a family matter, I can't ask for money. Take it back quickly."

Rong Tang didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "Grandpa, there's no reason to give it to others and not to our own family. We still have this little money."

The third master no longer pretended to be polite. Four taels of silver for four people was enough for the whole family to live on for half a year.

"Old lady, set the table."

Third Grandma quickly served the dishes to the table under the tree, and Chuncao also brought a basket of flatbreads with four or five boiled eggs in it.

Rong Tang knew that even this was considered a pretty good meal in the village, and it seemed that Third Master's family was not living too badly.

The Third Master picked up his chopsticks and put a pancake in his hand. Just as he was about to greet Rong Tang, Chuncao brought a basin of water over for Rong Tang to wash his hands. The unnatural expression on his face froze, and he smiled awkwardly, "Well, everyone in the village does this. There's no such thing as too much etiquette."

Rong Tang smiled, "Master, please do as you please, but it is still necessary to wash your hands before eating to prevent you from getting sick."