Transmigration: Lady Chi Woos The Ice cold Professor Jun
Chapter 510: The hierarchy in a family.

Chapter 510: The hierarchy in a family.

She passed by her parent’s house, needing to see them and her brother Chi Wei who she was fully aware of was home. The minute she saw her father, Chi Lian used her childish voice to call, "Father."

"Eh, Chi-Chi, you are back." Papa Chi quickly hugged her. "Why didn’t you make a call? We would have told the chef to prepare for you something to eat. Is your husband coming too?"

"No father, I came alone because I missed you. I have not seen you and mother for two weeks now. I feel like I have been a very bad daughter."

"Eh," Papa Chi scratched his newly grown beard. Ever since he started growing one he enjoyed acting pretentious about it by closing his eyes and scratching it. Chi Lian was giving it one more week before her mother made him trim it off.

"Nice beard father, it has grown significantly longer since I last saw you." she laughed softly.

"Thank you my good daughter, your brothers are of the opinion that it doesn’t suit me but I knew you would side with me. By the way, we saw each other at your tea shop last week so why are you saying that it has been two weeks?"

"Right." Chi Lian nodded, "We saw each other briefly. Father, is grandfather around? I have some things I would like to discuss with him."

Papa Chi shook his head, telling her no. "Your grandparents are living in their home, it will look like favoritism if they spend all their time here without ever visiting your uncles and aunts. Are you looking for him because you want to speak to him about your brother’s marriage?" Papa Chi had the feeling that either old tiger or spider had told his daughter about it. They told her about everything that occurred at home faithfully.

"Mmm," she nodded. "I was so surprised to hear that he is discussing Chi Wei’s marriage. Why is grandpa in a hurry to see Chi Wei marry? Is there a special reason?" Until now, she had failed to think about what kind of reasoning the old man was using.

Papa Chi sighed and asked Chi Lian to sit down. Seeing him sigh like this, she wondered how much this issue was weighing on him.

"What is it father? Is the issue serious?" she pressed him for answers.

"It’s not that it’s serious but your grandfather is not a man that can easily be dissuaded once he makes his mind up about something. According to him, even in families there must be a hierarchy. Wei is the oldest son and future patriarch, his wife will be the matriarch. Your grandfather says that before Chi Rui marries Wei should marry first in order for the family to have proper order in future. This is the kind of thing that used to be done in the ancient days, I did not think that it could still be applied today.

In a way, I understand what worries your grandfather a little bit. Rui is marrying a princess. In most of these aristocratic families the first son’s wife carries more responsibility and respect than the second or third son’s wife. The others look up to her for problem solving, they ask her for help when it comes to the children and she is in charge of all family events. But since Rize is a princess, our worry is if she will be able to respect Wei’s wife in the least bit. Will they be able to get along or will Rize dominate over her?"

"Father," Chi Lian put her hand over her father’s hand and stopped him from talking. "These are modern times, respect goes both ways. I admit that Rize can be quite a handful but she is a good person, she also knows when to draw the line now. I also know that Rui and Rize do not plan to live here after marriage so the possibility of conflicts between Wei’s wife and Rui’s wife will be minimal."

"It’s more than that," her father continued on to say, the emperor suddenly made up his mind and told your brother take up an official position. There are specific ministerial positions of power and influence that are saved specifically for the husband of the princess to be given at the emperor’s discretion. His majesty is insisting that your brother chooses one before the meeting of both families. Your grandfather is worried that Rui becoming a minister will create some kind of weird power imbalance between both brothers."

"Grandfather worries too much!!" Chi Lian laughed dryly. "Our family is peaceful, we do not have power struggles."

"I know," her father said and he sighed. "I tried explaining it to him but he says that he has seen these things happen to many families. To be slightly honest, your mother and I treat Rize really well, we love her. But in the back of our minds, we have to remind ourselves to be careful with her because she is the princess. We don’t even discuss anything palace related in this house unless we are praising the royal family. It’s not her fault all, we are just wired in a way to respect those that rank higher than us. The girl your grandfather got for your brother is a good person, from a good family and she likes your brother. We have decided to go ahead with the marriage."

"What?" Chi Lian was surprised. "Father, have you all considered Chi Wei’s feelings in all this?"

She would stand on the side of her brother, if he said no to the arrangement then she would stand with him. No one should be forced into a marriage. No wonder her grandfather was not supportive of her relationship with Jian Yu. He wanted Chi Wei to have a bride that was equally impressive to match up with Rize. There were other reasons but that had to be at the top of the list.

"Your brother says that he likes the girl, he has met her and communicated with her for some weeks now. Apparently they get along perfectly well. I can’t very well tell him not to marry a girl he likes. He even agreed to allow your grandfather handle everything because he is ready to settle down and start a family and so is she. We have spoken extensively about it and he is adamant, their is nothing else we can do. I don’t know much about this aristocracy world or how to navigate these powerful and wealthy families, your grandfather is knowledgeable so maybe he knows what he is talking about. I have taken a step back completely in this situation and I know that your first instinct is going to be to head into your brother’s bedroom and discuss this but please don’t. He is older than you, both of your brothers are, they can handle themselves. Worry more about Chi Zimo that live streams every night. I don’t know if he has time for books anymore. I am so anxious when it comes to that brat, none of you ever gave me headaches like he has done."

She had never seen her father talk a lot or go to great lengths to explain something this much. It must have been eating him up inside to speak his honest thoughts to someone.

"Father," Chi Lian held his hand and laid her head on his shoulder. "Maybe this is for the best, as long as neither Rize nor Manchu look down on my brothers then everything will be alright. Wei is very patient and understanding so the things grandfather is worrying about will not happen. As for Rize, when she gets married into the family she will be a daughter-in-law, your daughter-in-law. Do not worry about her dominating anyone, if any of my sisters-in-law misbehave I will be here to whip them into shape, especially Rize. Father don’t be so so anxious, I bought you some gold."

Papa Chi laughed and ruffled Chi Lian’s hair. "You still give me little gifts when I am unhappy just as you used to do when you were younger. One time you brought me a frog because I was sulking over a business deal that went wrong."

"Really?" Chi Lian laughed. "I touched something slimy?"

"Mmm," Papa Chi nodded, "The older you grew the more afraid you became of bugs and insects. I have a picture somewhere let me look for it."

She smiled to see him happy right now, hopefully this family would stay smiling always.