Chapter 96 Chapter 96 Two Chapters in One

Ruyan took off her former fancy clothes, changed into an ordinary blue cloth shirt, and followed Jiang Liujie to another murder scene early in the morning. The deceased was the proprietress of a steamed bun shop. It was said that a thief broke into her house and chopped off her head after she discovered the thief. Now her body was in pieces.

Because it was a female, Sister Jiang Liu was specially asked to come over. Originally, Sister Jiang Liu was only responsible for examining pregnant women, but later on, almost all female corpses were handed over to her for examination.

Jiang Liujie took a rough look at it first, asked Ruyan to write it down, and then asked the yamen runner to carry it back.

On the way back, Jiang Liujie talked about some business, and then joked with Ruyan: "Finally, no one is following us today."

Ruyan had heard from Mother Fang yesterday that although the matter was difficult, Madam Wei would help her solve it even if it meant offending Madam Shangguan. I haven't seen the county magistrate yet, so he should have helped her solve the problem.

Originally Ruyan was very afraid of seeing the dead, but with the company of Jiang Liujie, and the daily contact over the past six months, she began to feel that the responsibility of a coroner was huge and that she was completely speaking for the victims.

Naturally, she also learned some medical skills from Jiang Liujie. She was smart and knew everything. She was respectful to Jiang Liujie and was doing better and better here. She did not want to break the deadlock.

That young master was somewhat interested in me and was a nice person, but so what?

How can a bird that flies out of the cage be willing to return to the cage? Are you going to be a concubine again and depend on others for your livelihood all day long? It’s better to come now.

It was already spring, and Mr. Fan came with his son to pay the first quarter's rent, which was 75 strings of silver coins, a basket of eggs, two baskets each of shepherd's purse, leeks, artemisia selengensis, and spring bamboo shoots, six baskets of white clams, and two baskets of mandarin fish.

Jinniang asked them to hand it over to the kitchen and looked through the external accounts. The external accounts referred to Jiang Xian's salary. Jiang Xian's current salary was converted into silver, which was seven strings of money and two stone of rice and wheat per month.

Jinniang used the seven strings of cash to pay the servants' monthly wages and household expenses. Although she seemed to be very generous, she was actually very frugal.

At the end of last year, Gu Qingru's ready-made clothing and embroidery shop opened for business. Jinniang went to help her, so that Gu Qingru's shop could run smoothly. She knew that Jinniang would definitely not accept gold, silver, silk or other materials, and that people would not accept them if she gave them shares, so she paid for one share in Jinniang's name.

Officials themselves cannot engage in business, but their family members can.

Therefore, after Fan Zhuangtou and his son left, the Gu family also sent them a season's bonus, a total of fifty strings of cash.

Jinniang sent the seasonal vegetables and fish sent from the farm to Madam Wen and Madam Tian. Since she had already fallen out with Madam Bao, she naturally would not send any more.

I don't know how Jiang Xian persuaded the county master. Jinniang thought that Wen Niang would be angry, but she didn't expect that Wen Niang would pull Jinniang and say, "I am useless, thanks to the county lieutenant who told me."

Jinniang smiled and said, "I was afraid you would blame me. I was the one who rescued Ruyan from the water. I felt sorry for her and wanted to settle her down first. But what is her status? Your Excellency comes from a family of scholars and officials. You cannot tarnish your reputation because of a little girl."

These words were openly meant to belittle Ruyan, but in reality they were meant to help her exonerate herself. Otherwise, she would be targeted by the county magistrate and his wife, and it would be difficult for Ruyan to stay there.

Madam Wen tried her best to deny that her son liked a woman of low status: "No, he just likes to read some criminal lawsuit books and likes to solve cases. But it is not the right thing to do to dwell on these trivial matters. It just so happens that we are planning to send him to the White Deer Cave Academy."

This was probably Jiang Xian's idea. Jinniang thought to herself that it was a good idea. Jiang Xian's term would end next year, and the two would never meet again.

So, Jinniang said with a smile: "The White Deer Cave Academy is one of the four great academies. If Yan Ge'er can achieve success in his studies, you will have endless imperial decrees in the future."

Madam Wen naturally thought so too. It took a lot of effort for her husband to be transferred to Wu County, but he was a mediocre official. In the future, he would have to rely on his son.

In fact, Madam Wen didn't dare to act like she did at the beginning because she found out that Jiang Xian and Jin Niang had strong backgrounds and she didn't dare to act rashly.

After delivering it to Madam Wen, Jin Niang passed by Madam Bao, but only gave it to Madam Tian. Madam Tian responded as usual: "Why did you deliver it personally? Just send someone else."

"Anyway, I have nothing to do today, and it just happened to be delivered to me. It's not a good thing." Jinniang said with a smile.

Madam Tian asked someone to serve tea, and the two of them talked for a long time before Jinniang came out of her house. Mrs. Bao didn't send anything from her, so of course she felt resentful. Unfortunately, it was useless for her to feel resentful.

Because the Mei County Magistrate didn't know where her gossip came from, people in the county government had complaints about her and her husband, so they naturally ignored her for a long time. Madam Bao was still a bit stubborn at first, but was later neglected for a long time. Even the return gift at the beginning of spring was prepared by the concubine of Meixian Wei. She had been completely ignored and was now thinking about how to regain his favor.

As for Mrs. Bao, she was clearly helping her with things, but now she is not even allowed to come near the door. This year she fell ill, and Mrs. Bao did not help her at all, and she fell seriously ill.

That's why Mrs. Bao gave ten strings of coins to buy a coffin.

Now seeing that Jinniang ignored her, she could only be angry inwardly.

Jinniang came back after a walk and saw Yunjie coming over. She turned six last month and in her previous life she would have been old enough to attend the middle class. Jinniang also taught her many common characters and also taught her needlework.

Look, the little girl can even sew a purse.

"Let's go to your aunt Gu's house later, okay?" Jinniang said with a smile.

Sister Yun nodded: "Okay."

Because Gu Qingru was a single woman, Old Madam Gu was worried about her and let her niece live with them. But Gu Qingru did not agree, so she lived in the nearby Magpie Lane. On the one hand, she had her own private space, and on the other hand, it also made Old Madam Gu feel at ease.

After divorce, many women may be remarried or sold again by their families when they return home. But Gu Qingru herself was extremely wealthy, and she was on good terms with her relatives, so she lived a pretty comfortable life.

When the mother and daughter arrived, Gu Qingru was welcoming them in and said happily, "I was just worried that you wouldn't come."

"Sister Gu, what are you saying? I'd love to come here more often, but I have two evil stars at home, so I can't leave." Jinniang said with a smile.

Gu Qingru led them in. The room was elegantly furnished, with only seven or eight mahogany boxes on the table, some of which were open and some closed. This was not like Gu Qingru's style.

Seeing Jinniang looking over there, Gu Qingru said, "It was sent by the Xiang family."

"What does the Xiang family mean?" Jinniang asked.

Gu Qingru shook her head: "It was sent by Zhong Ge'er's father."

Jinniang heard that Xiangmu had given birth to eight sons in total, and Gu Qingru's husband was the seventh son and also the most talented in the family. However, the couple's relationship was too good, and Xiang Qilang failed the imperial examination, so Xiang's mother simply put the blame on Gu Qingru. Now that Gu Qingru's parents have passed away and her relationship with her brothers and sisters is not very good, she is so angry that she wants to divorce Xiang Qilang when she learns that he has secretly met the woman arranged by her mother-in-law.

Xiang's mother also said that if Xiang Qilang did not divorce, she would sue him for being unfilial and disobedient. The conflict between the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law could not be reconciled, so Xiang Qilang had to divorce his wife first. However, he was reluctant in his heart and even sent someone to deliver some things.

"What does Sister Gu want to do?" Jinniang wondered if she was going back home.

Gu Qingru sneered: "He is getting married soon, so sending these here is not because he misses their old relationship."

Jinniang thought that these men just loved to have their fill while keeping an eye on what's in the pot, and they just claimed to be affectionate.

However, she was worried about Zhong Ge'er, "Sister, Zhong Ge'er..."

"That's nothing. Brother Zhong is very much loved by my mother-in-law." Xiang's mother just disliked her, but she was still very good to her son. This was why Gu Qingru was relieved.

Jinniang comforted her, "Sister Gu, since it's already a foregone conclusion, there's no need to think about the past. Just focus on your business. Don't worry, I'll be here for a day and help you resolve any difficulties you may have."

Because Gu Qingru said that her background came from a lady-in-waiting in the palace, Madam Wen, Madam Bao and others did not know her depth and instead became afraid of her, thus eliminating the influence brought by Madam Rong. Also, because of Gu Qingru's recommendation, she, a person with no background, was able to become the embroidery head, and she had to repay the kindness. Of course Jinniang cares about her affairs and helps her if she can.

Gu Qingru thought of what his father once said when he was alive: do not expect anything in return for a favor, but if one or two people you helped reciprocate, you will benefit greatly. This is indeed the case now.

"Jinniang, I don't know what to say." Gu Qingru felt warm in her heart.

Jinniang quickly smiled and said, "That's as it should be. If it weren't for Sister Gu's recommendation, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to do embroidery, and how could I learn the skills later."

The two chatted for a few more words, and Jinniang ate with her. After the meal, she gave Yunjie a string of tourmalines as a gift.

Yun Jieer looked at Jin Niang first, and when she saw Jin Niang nod, she bowed: "Thank you, Aunt Gu."

"This child is so sensible." Gu Qingru's heart melted when she saw this.

Jinniang is also proud of her daughter.

It's the Cold Food Festival again this year, and Gu Qingru's business has become busy. After all, there are more people going out for spring outings, and many of them need to have clothes made. Jinniang also helps with the promotion.

Jinniang had also prepared the gifts for the Cold Food Festival. Even Ruyan got one and came to express her gratitude.

Jinniang smiled and said, "Why thank me? It's not worth anything."

"After all, you are always thinking about me." Ruyan is now in a much more refreshed mood without the entanglement of the county magistrate. Talking about the headless female corpse case: "It turned out that her husband and she had an argument, and the couple fought. The man was angry and forced the woman to drink boiling soup. Later, he cut off her head and threw it somewhere else because he was afraid that someone would find out. Her children saw it, but they were afraid that their father would be arrested and the family had no livelihood, so they helped to give false testimony. Fortunately, County Magistrate Jiang could tell the truth from the false at a glance and brought him to justice."

Jinniang was horrified when she heard this: "How could there be such a cruel and mad person?"

Ruyan has been exposed to the dark side of human nature in this line of work, and she feels the same way: "Yes, how can ordinary people know the truth? Even their own children help to hide it from the government. People's hearts are really not as they used to be."

But Jinniang also said to Ruyan: "There are still a few people like this in the world, so you don't have to be discouraged. There are yin and yang in the world, and people are divided into good and evil. In the end, there are still more good people."

"You're right." Ruyan knew that Jinniang was comforting her.

Didn’t she meet a good person? Madam Wei saved her and cultivated her, took good care of her, helped her solve problems, and even respected her very much, allowing her to be independent.

Jinniang smiled again and said, "I heard there will be a dragon boat race next month on the Dragon Boat Festival. If you have nothing to do, come and have a look. It will be fun."

"Okay." Ruyan also hopes to have her own life.

The two chatted for a while before dispersing. Jinniang started doing needlework again, this time helping Ning Ge'er. When he was little, he always wore his sister's clothes. Now he is over two years old, and Jinniang has never done anything for him.

It is April now and it is not too hot yet, so the child's clothes cannot be too thin. Therefore, Jinniang made a light blue double-breasted shirt with a green waist band and a pair of white trousers underneath for her son.

If we talk about the places where embroidery is done, it is mostly on the cuffs. Children have sensitive skin, and they will feel uncomfortable if there is embroidery on the collar.

But what kind of flowers should I embroider for the children?

When Jiang Xian came back, Jinniang asked for his opinion: "What do you think I should embroider for Ning Ge'er?"

Jiang Xian was quite jealous: "My wife doesn't even ask me what kind of embroidery I want now?"

Jinniang covered her mouth and laughed: "I'm not afraid of being laughed at by others if I tell you that I'm jealous of my own son."

"Madam, don't be too tired. Don't we have people who can do needlework? Just let them do it." Jiang Xian said seriously.

Juxiang is in the kitchen and Minzhi is in sewing, and now their wages are the same. But making clothes for her own children was also her own wish. Jinniang shook her head and had already thought about what to embroider for her son.

The embroidered swallow holds a peach blossom in its mouth. The peach blossoms are in full bloom in spring, which gives a unique sense of vitality.

After dinner, Jinniang went for a walk in the garden at the back, then immediately began to draw flower patterns and started looking for silk thread to prepare for embroidery. Jiang Xian had a day off today, so he lay on the couch and watched her do needlework. Jinniang would not completely ignore him, and asked, "I heard that Yan Tuiguan will be transferred to another place. Is that true or not?"

"You are well-informed. It is true. Tui Guan Yan's family has already bought a house in Wu County. I heard that he is going to take up an official post elsewhere and his family will stay behind." Jiang Xian said.

Jinniang smiled and said, "Our family has also bought a farm in Wu County. If there comes a day in the future, we two won't have to worry about having no place to live when we grow old."

Jiang Xian covered his face and said, "My dear, I don't dare to think about getting old. It would be great if people could stay young forever."

Only when you are young can you do whatever you want. When you are old, even if your children and grandchildren are filial, you can easily be bullied. He thought of his mother, who was so capable and decisive when she was young, but after her death, she had nothing.

If it were someone else, they would certainly say that birth, aging, sickness and death are all normal, but Jinniang herself did not want to grow old. After she turned 25, she found that her body was no longer comparable to that of her teens.

"Xianlang, although I am also afraid of getting old, but now that we are together, I don't feel afraid anymore. Really, sometimes I still feel like I am dreaming. I actually found such a good husband like you. Every day is like a dream." Jinniang seemed to have realized something.

After making her husband happy and stopping worrying about it, Jinniang began to embroider.

Three days later, the clothes were ready. Jinniang had them washed and ironed before letting Ningge'er try them on. As expected, Ning Ge'er didn't want to take it off after trying it on, and Jinniang couldn't stop laughing.

It was Ma Yangniang who said, "I'm afraid that even if we hide them in the closet, our brother will have to find them out and wear them."

Speaking of Ma Yangniang, now that Ning Ge'er has stopped breastfeeding, her monthly allowance is the same as that of older maids like Aying, which is two cents a month. Jinniang also asked her that if she wanted to go back to Bian Jing, she could take the Gu family's boat back, but Ma Yangniang volunteered to serve in the Jiang family, so Jinniang kept her.

Ma Yangniang also had a private conversation with Jinniang: "After I go back, the money will definitely be taken away by my mother-in-law or my husband. Then they will force me to have a baby. After I have the baby and have milk, I will go to another family. I don't want to go through this again."

Hearing this, Jinniang felt very sympathetic.

Ma Yangniang stayed and she and Peilan took good care of Ning Ge'er, which made Jinniang very satisfied. As for Yunjie, during the Dragon Boat Festival, she had learned to make ropes made of five-colored silk threads according to Jinniang's instructions, and she could also make a purse and embroider simple patterns.

During the Dragon Boat Festival, Jinniang took her daughter to visit the statue of Guanyin because she had some affinity with Mrs. Shen. She also asked her daughter to help with needlework, which was also a way to socialize with the child, just like modern children going to kindergarten. It doesn't necessarily mean they learn any knowledge, but it can help them exercise their self-independence.

How to talk to people and how to make friends are all up to you to figure out.

Jinniang did not have such conditions when she was a child. Her father was just a member of the imperial guards. He had to work hard all the time. He was a loner and not good at making friends. She just hopes that her daughter can be more confident and live more freely than her.

The youngest granddaughter of Old Madam Shen is ten years old, but she is not a traditional little girl. She covers her lips with a fan and marvels at Yun Jie'er's needlework: "Grandma, my granddaughter is not as good as she is at embroidery now."

"Don't be surprised, madam County Lieutenant. This granddaughter of mine is the youngest. Her father has been holding her on his knees to read to her since she was little. She is quite cunning and weird." Old Madam Shen had no choice. Although her son was honest and upright, he had allowed his children to develop their personalities as they pleased. Everyone of them studied and had unorthodox ideas.

Jinniang naturally noticed the difference, and she quickly praised: "I think your Fifth Lady is very well-spoken at such a young age."

Shen Wuniang asked Yun Jie'er, "Has Sister Jiang ever been to school?"

"My mother taught me to just finish reading The Book of Filial Piety and The Analects of Confucius." Sister Yun said with a smile.

Jinniang said to Madam Shen: "We plan to hire a teacher to teach her after she turns six. We don't want her to become a female scholar, but to teach her some principles."

Old Madam Shen agreed: "It is always beneficial for girls from official families to read more."

"You are right." Jinniang said with a smile.

Then she asked Yunjie and Shenwujie to play together. Shenwujie asked Yunjie what she usually did. Yunjie smiled and said, "At home, I read books and do needlework with my mother, or I go out to play on the swings and plant flowers and grass with my mother."

"Can you play chess?" Shen Wuniang got a headache when she heard about needlework. She was really not good at it.

Sister Yun nodded: "My father taught me."

She can also play backgammon and toss pots, but she has just started learning it, so it is difficult for her to speak out.

Yun Jie'er went to play in Shen Wu Niang's boudoir. Jin Niang asked her two maids to follow her while she chatted with Old Madam Shen.

It was Yun Jie'er's first time leaving her mother, and she was a little scared. Shen Wu Niang was a grown-up girl, so naturally she didn't want to play with a little girl. She played chess with her for a while, then had someone bring some snacks for Yun Jie'er to eat, and she read a book on the side.

Yun Jie'er didn't quite understand why Shen Wu Niang talked to her a lot in front of her mother, but ignored her behind her back? But she didn't know how to express it, so it was Xiqiu and Jiaoxing who told Jinniang.

"In that case, we don't have to let Sister Yun play with her next time we come to the Shen Mansion." Jinniang didn't blame the Fifth Sister Shen. After all, she was also a big kid.

Yun Jie'er snuggled in Jin Niang's arms and said, "Mother, I only want to play with you."

"Okay, Mom will be with you every day." This can be regarded as the daughter's first lesson in facing the society. Not everyone loves you as much as your family.

But as a mother, she must let her daughter know that she has support, so that if anything happens, she will tell her parents first.

After arriving home, Sister Yun’s reservedness was gone a lot, and she was jumping around happily.

After everyone had dinner together, the children were tired and went back to sleep. Jinniang was wearing her pajamas and rolling dice with Jiang Xian, with notes being put on the faces of the losers.

For some reason, Jinniang had bad luck today, and there were seven or eight pieces of paper stuck on her face. She tore off the paper strips on her face and said to Jiang Xian, "Then I will be responsible for making you laugh today."

Jiang Xian said seriously: "I can bear it very well."

Jinniang pointed at him and said, "Okay, today I really want to make you laugh."

She first walked up to him, turned up her nose with a finger, snorted twice, and then said, "I am a piglet, please don't eat my meat, sir..."

Jiang Xian almost failed, but still held back.

Seeing that this trick didn’t work, Jinniang used her old trick again and tickled him directly. Sure enough, it failed in a second. Jiang Xian complained, “It’s the same trick every time.”

"It doesn't matter if the trick is new, as long as it works." Jinniang climbed onto the bed with a giggle.

He has to deal with many shady cases outside every day and has no motivation to do anything. Fortunately, his wife is always there to make him happy. Jiang Xian held her down and said, "I'll wash your hair tomorrow."

"Well, I'll wait for you." Jinniang said with a smile.

However, Jiang Xian came back very late the next day, because his patron Liu Jixiang resigned from his post as the Three-Division Envoy after his attempt to offer advice to the new emperor failed, and was sent to Quanzhou as the Governor of Rites and Academician of Duanming Palace.

"It seems that there is no hope for me to return to Beijing now." Jiang Xian sighed.

He understands better than anyone that even if you have outstanding political achievements, it will be difficult if you don't have a backer to speak for you. This is why the choice of son-in-law under the love list of this dynasty is based on in-laws.

But he did not regret it, and was afraid that Jinniang would worry, so he just said: "Shen Zhijun appreciates me, my evaluation must be good, my lady, please don't worry."

Jinniang said, "I won't say much about those things that are said to be a great mission bestowed upon a man. I just think it would be better to wait a few years before going back. I haven't saved enough money yet and can't afford a big house."

Jiang Xian was stunned for a moment, and then thought that his wife always had different ideas from others, but what she said was also true. Although Tianshui Lane was very good and the study was still his favorite, there were more people there now, and he was afraid that they would have to live in a crowded place. In this case, he accepted it calmly.

Seeing how calm he was, Jinniang thought that she had good eloquence and had convinced Jiang Xian.