CHAPTER 146: CHAPTER 146: THE SHENG FAMILY’S OLD HOUSE

The next day, the whole family had breakfast and set off for the Sheng Family’s ancestral home.

Father’s face still didn’t look very good.

Mother was driving and took the opportunity to pat his hand: "The children are all here, don’t look so glum. We’ll sit for a bit and then come back."

Father sighed: "The old man is sick now, we’re rushing over there, I can already imagine those people’s faces."

Sheng Tang, sitting in the back seat, leaned forward and teased, "What are they going to say, that we’re going to fight over the inheritance?"

Father forced a bitter smile: "It’s nothing but those kinds of words."

"Then they are admitting that you are also a legitimate heir," Sheng Tang said, "Dad, you are the eldest, show some spirit! When it comes to inheritance rights, you should be first; Grandmother and Grandfather were legally married back then."

Father forced another bitter smile: "You don’t understand..."

"I do understand, you don’t want to quarrel with them." Sheng Tang said, "It’s okay, my brother and I will help you. We’re just kids, would they really stoop to argue with us?"

Mother laughed uncontrollably.

"Tangtang is very clever," she said.

Father turned his hand over and patted his daughter’s head.

The car soon arrived at the Sheng Family’s ancestral home.

The Sheng Family did not live in the suburbs but in the bustling city center.

In a city where every inch of land is precious, there’s an old villa from the Republic era, a private residence that is also a government-protected heritage site, which can only be repaired and not demolished.

Across from it was a large shopping mall. Sheng Tang’s mother parked the car at a distance and led the children over.

An old banyan tree, with lush branches and leaves, had stood there for over a century, spreading wide like a canopy. In late autumn, the leaves had fallen, and sunlight streamed through the bare gnarled branches, casting dappled shadows on the ground.

Sheng Tang’s mother rang the doorbell.

Soon, a domestic worker came running over, smiling at the whole family and opening the door for them.

"The chairman asked about you this morning," the servant said to Sheng Tang’s father.

Sheng Sidong nodded.

Walking past the rain-flowered stone path at the entrance, they were greeted by a quaint little building. The stained glass, specific to the Republic period, and a full set of rosewood furniture in the house exuded an antique charm.

Sheng Tang glanced around, but the servant led them through a side corridor without entering.

Beyond the arched gate, there was another building with about twenty rooms upstairs and downstairs.

The living room was decorated in a Chinese style. As soon as you entered, there was a lacquered partition full of antiques; the complete set of solid wood furniture was covered with dark green cushions.

Near the window, there was a silk-embroidered screen with a pear wood base, consisting of six panels. It was embroidered with a depiction of Jiangnan in the rain, with delicate flowers, slender willows, small bridges, and flowing water, exuding tranquility.

Despite the heavy, antique tone of the furniture, the living room was very bright and spacious.

The servant brought tea: "Professor, please wait a moment, Secretary Cai will be here shortly."

Sheng Sidong nodded.

Sheng Tang picked up her tea, just as footsteps sounded from the staircase on the second floor.

She looked up and saw a woman in her forties. The woman wasn’t tall but maintained a slender figure, wearing a white sweater and a light-colored skirt at home, with a full and round pearl necklace around her neck.

Her eyes were sharp as she glanced at everyone downstairs, and she called out loudly: "Sister-in-law Qian, the house doesn’t receive visitors, how come you invited people again? Are you not doing your job?"

Sister-in-law Qian was the one who had opened the door for Sheng Tang and her family.

She came running over: "Second Lady, Secretary Cai..."

This woman was the wife of the Sheng Family’s second son, from a wealthy family herself, known for her high and proud demeanor.

"Secretary Cai, Secretary Cai!" The Second Lady interrupted Sister-in-law Qian, "Are you working for the Sheng Family or for Secretary Cai?"

Sister-in-law Qian looked troubled.