Chapter 168: Guiding Rumors

When Wen Yan arrived at the main courtyard, she saw Aunt Li holding tea and snacks and inviting several women into the yard.

When several women saw the fifth grandmother-in-law, they sat down beside her and chatted with her.

"Mrs. Xiucai specifically instructed that you accompany Mr. Ying to Lufu Village today, which was a great help.

I must invite you to my home and have dinner before you can go back."

These women were the ones who accompanied Ying Zhilin to Lufu Village during the day.

Aunt Li said as she stuffed a handful of candy into each of the children's mouths: "Take these candies home to sweeten the mouths of your children."

Aunt Li grabbed a huge handful, which weighed almost half a pound.

"You can't do that. You can't do that. Malt sugar is a precious thing. How can you just accept it?" The women waved their hands repeatedly but did not stop Aunt Li from stuffing sugar into their pockets.

These are all good things that they usually don’t want to spend money on.

It’s also good to bring it home to sweeten the children.

Aunt Li couldn't help laughing.

"As long as you do your job well, the scholar's wife is very generous. She is happy to share some sweets and snacks with everyone."

Aunt Li said, after stuffing them with candy, she stuffed them with cakes and poured them tea: "Hurry up and eat these, these are snacks that the scholar's wife bought from the capital. They are special snacks for the Dragon Boat Festival and you can't buy them at other times."

Everyone ate while looking around the yard.

One aunt sighed, "This yard has really changed a lot from before."

"Who says it isn't? Grandma Wu used to live here alone. Her eyesight was poor and she couldn't take care of the house. The yard was in such a state of disrepair.

If the village chief hadn't hired someone to renovate and maintain it, it would have collapsed long ago."

Now the yard is not only kept clean, but also planted with flowers and plants, which makes people feel happy just by looking at it.

"Fifth Granny looks better, and her face has gained some flesh."

"Fifth Grandma is also very lucky. You have Scholar Ying and his wife who are filial to you.

When Ying Zhilin passes the imperial examination and becomes a high-ranking official this year, you, old man, can become a noble official for once!"

After taking the benefits from the Ying family, everyone talked to each other and made the fifth mother-in-law very happy.

When Wen Yan saw this scene, he smiled knowingly and walked forward to greet everyone.

The aunts felt very embarrassed when they saw Wen Yan.

Wen Yan said to Aunt Li, "Aunt Li, I have something that only you can do."

Aunt Li was very happy when she heard Yan affirming her in public.

Immediately, he straightened his back and said, "Wen Yan, if you have anything to do, just tell me. I promise to do it beautifully."

Wen Yan took her to the old bedroom.

The window was closed and the two sat by the window talking.

"Today's case is over. Although Ying Zhilin has been cleared of all charges, Huang Ying'er's reputation will undoubtedly be damaged.

I would like you to speak up for her and try to draw everyone's attention to the rumormonger."

Aunt Li worriedly asked, "Will ruining the Jiao family's reputation have an impact on Ying Xiucai?

In terms of relationship, Mrs. Jiao is the great-aunt of Mr. Ying..."

Wen Yan said, "Huang Ying'er is already old, so it's hard to get married. If those rumors spread again, it will probably be even harder for her to get married.

As for the Jiao family...

I've inquired around, and the eldest child of the Jiao family won't get married until five or six years later.

By then, the hype will have long passed and won’t have much of an impact on the Jiao family.”

Aunt Li looked at Wen Yan, her eyes full of admiration: "The Huang family mother and daughter plotted against you and your wife, and you still considered them.

You are just too kind.”

Wen Yan smiled and said, "It's not that I'm kind, it's just that I've suffered a great loss in my reputation, and I can't bear to let others go through the pain I went through."

Moreover,

It's obvious that Huang Ying'er doesn't have any opinions of her own. I'm afraid these things are also instigated by her mother."

The more Wen Yan said this, the more Aunt Li felt that she was a good person.

He patted his chest and assured her: "Don't worry, I will do this beautifully."

Wen Yan might be suspicious about other aspects.

But when it comes to spreading the word and building momentum, Wen Yan still believes in Aunt Li.

outside the house.

Ying Zhixue stood by the window and heard everything that was said in the room clearly.

The expression on her face was unpredictable.

How could that be?

Wen Yan is obviously a delicate and calculative person, so how could she put aside past grudges and help her cousin Ying'er?

Her elder brother is not around, and now she is acting kind and generous. Who is she trying to show off to?

Ying Zhixue believed that Wen Yan was a person who was seeking fame and reputation. She curled her lips in disdain, said "hypocrisy" in her heart, and turned away.

Unexpectedly, when she turned around, she saw her eldest brother standing behind her.

She looked away guiltily: "Big...Big Brother."

"Come with me." Ying Zhilin glanced at her indifferently, turned and walked towards the study.

It’s over, I’m going to get scolded again.

Ying Zhixue shrank her neck and followed reluctantly.

The brother and sister came into the study.

Ying Zhilin asked her, "Do you understand?"

Ying Zhixue pretended to be confused: "Understand what?"

Ying Zhilin said, "Do you know what the biggest difference between you and Wen Yan is?"

"As for her face, she is beautiful and I am ugly. As for her family background, she grew up in the home of a third-rank official, while I am just a country girl." Ying Zhixue's tone was sour.

Ying Zhilin: "...Can you still speak properly?

Didn’t we make a bet before? Are you willing to take it and not admit defeat?

Ying Zhixue hummed reluctantly a few times and lowered her head to pick at her fingernails.

Ying Zhilin sighed deeply and continued, "If after you get married, another woman covets your husband, and your sister-in-law not only doesn't protect you, but instead brings that woman home every few days, creating opportunities for your husband to be alone with her, how would you feel?"

Just thinking about it made Ying Zhixue so angry that her eyebrows raised and she clenched her fists.

"Will you still be considerate and considerate to this sister-in-law and follow her wishes in everything?"

Ying Zhixue glanced at Ying Zhilin cautiously: "I wouldn't go that far...right!"

Ying Zhilin: "It will only get worse than before."

Ying Zhixue covered her face with her hands, "Ahhh, this is so embarrassing..."

"Fortunately, you haven't made a big mistake yet, and there is still room for recovery." Ying Zhilin laughed at her directly.

Ying Zhixue put down her hands and glared at him angrily: "Are you my big brother? Not only do you not want to help me, but you also laugh at me."

Ying Zhilin spread his hands helplessly: "Who told you to do what you want? Go to other people's homes and see who has a sister-in-law like Wen Yan.

You hate her and target her, but she just ignores you.

"You'll never be short of anything the rest of the family has, whether it's food, drink, or clothing. Ask yourself, if you were in my shoes, would you be able to do the same?"

Ying Zhixue suddenly asked, "Brother, did you know from the beginning that my aunt and cousin had evil intentions?"

Ying Zhilin patted the chair beside him and said, "Come and sit here."

Ying Zhixue pouted and walked over to sit down.

Ying Zhilin patted her head lovingly: "Aunt Jiao is about the same age as my mother, and they grew up in the same courtyard. If they were really close, why would they have not been in touch for more than ten years, and suddenly come to visit me after I passed the imperial examination?

As for later..."