Chapter 14 Chapter 14 Do you like Chen Lingan? ...

The rain was a little lighter than before, falling densely and slantingly. The Liu family's garden was covered with a thin layer of smoke. Mist lingered over the lotus pond, and the green lotus leaves were hazy and dim. Zhang Xiaoman looked at them, feeling a sense of unreality.

The two ladies were talking in the flower hall and asked Liu Jinshu to take her for a stroll in the garden.

The two of them walked slowly along the corridor, and Liu Jinshu explained in a gentle voice, "My garden is modeled after the gardens of Suzhou. Even in the rain, it has a unique charm. Look here..."

Zhang Xiaoman agreed absentmindedly, his mind full of Chen Ling'an's lonely figure, and after a while he didn't know what Liu Jinshu was talking about.

"Do you like Chen Ling'an?"

Zhang Xiaoman was taken aback by the sudden question. "What did you say?"

"I want to know your feelings towards Chen Ling'an," Liu Jinshu looked over at him seriously, "I hope you can tell the truth."

Zhang Xiaoman was a little at a loss. Her stepmother and Jinxiu had asked her the same question before. At that time, she gave the answer without hesitation, but now, she actually hesitated!

The gardenia bushes beside the veranda swayed gently in the breeze. The rain gradually subsided, but the sky became darker.

The cool raindrops fell on Zhang Xiaoman's warm face, and she slowly calmed down.

Liu Jinshu's question was undoubtedly abrupt, but both families were willing to promote their marriage. As a blind date, it was understandable that Liu Jinshu was suspicious of her relationship with other men.

However, including today, they had only met three times, and she was really embarrassed to talk about her girlish thoughts with him.

After a moment's silence, Zhang Xiaoman met Liu Jinshu's gaze calmly and asked, "Do you like me?"

Liu Jinshu didn't expect her to be so bold. In a moment, his fair face turned red.

Before he could say anything, Zhang Xiaoman followed up with a second question, "I've always wondered why you chose me."

Liu Jinshu pondered for a moment and replied cautiously, "You...are lively and generous, beautiful and intelligent. Our family backgrounds are well matched, and we are also closely related..."

"Stop spouting these empty words," Zhang Xiaoman interrupted with a smile, "I hope you can tell the truth!"

The same words were returned word for word.

Liu Jinshu was stunned for a moment, then laughed out loud, "Yes, your appearance is so-so, your etiquette is so-so, and your skills in music, chess, calligraphy and painting are even worse. You can't even be considered a lady from a noble family."

They said they wanted to hear the truth, but the truth is the most hurtful. Even though Zhang Xiaoman was open-minded, he couldn't help but force a smile.

"As for your natal family's attention... you've been separated from your family for fifteen years, without the affection of daily companionship. Just look at the Fourth Young Lady's sudden appearance at the Four Seasons Banquet, and you know the family's treatment of you is nothing special. Furthermore, Master Zhang is a son of a humble family, with a weak foundation. Although he is a second-rank minister, he has no say in important matters at court."

"If we marry, all the benefits will go to the Zhang family, and it won't help the Liu family at all." Liu Jinshu tilted his head and looked at Zhang Xiaoman carefully. "What's so special about such an ordinary little girl who has a ties with my sworn enemy?"

This time it was Zhang Xiaoman's turn to blush. She turned her body awkwardly and avoided the sight of the opposite side.

"It's a living person." Liu Jinshu said in a low voice.

Zhang Xiaoman laughed: "What kind of advantage is this? Who isn't a living person?"

Obviously don't believe the reasons he gave.

Liu Jinshu looked at the innocent smiling face and the corners of his mouth curled up.

The aristocratic families have strict rules. On the left, they want virtuous and obedient women; on the right, they want talented and graceful women. Even the size of their steps is strictly limited, making it so that the embroiderers in the boudoir look like they were cut from the same mold.

Even those who are born smart and lively will have their edges and corners worn down by long-term discipline, lose their spirit, and turn from unpolished jade into lifeless stone.

It's really a pity!

Although this is the world situation, such a woman does meet the standards of a mistress of a wealthy family.

He doesn't hate it, but he doesn't like it either.

Maybe this is what is called "difficult to accept"...

Once interrupted, the previous topic could no longer be brought up. After the laughter died down, the two of them were at a loss for words for a moment.

The rain gradually stopped, a breeze blew, and the rainwater accumulated on the trees fell like beads.

The corridor had reached the end, and the flower hall was across the hall. Zhang Xiaoman said "sorry" as he stepped over the threshold.

Liu Jinshu paused, shook his head and smiled bitterly, "I never thought that there would be a day when I would be rejected by a girl."

Zhang Xiaoman turned around and smiled, "How does it taste?"

Liu Jinshu sighed and put on a sad expression.

"Stop pretending." Zhang Xiaoman laughed heartily. "I know you don't care at all! You've never seen a girl like me who smells of dirt. It's just a temporary novelty, it won't last. You're like a banished immortal. Only a girl with extraordinary talent and talent, carefully raised by a wealthy family, is suitable for you."

Liu Jinshu was stunned again. Looking at her back, the sadness on his face seemed real.

In the flower hall, there was a lot of laughter and conversation. Zhang Xiaoman and Liu Jinshu came in one after another, sat down in silence, and there was no eye contact at all.

The laughter gradually died down, and Mrs. Qin looked at her son in confusion.

Liu Jinshu shook his head.

Madam Qin's face darkened, and her smile faded. She picked up her teacup and said, "I have to deliver a festival gift to the Marquis' Mansion later, so I won't keep you for dinner."

Liu Jinshu didn't expect his mother to be so direct. It was too late to stop her, so he had to stand up with Jiang's mother and daughter and said, "I'll see my aunt off."

Mrs. Jiang came out confused and pulled Zhang Xiaoman into her sedan chair - fortunately, the sedan chair was spacious and could sit two people without being crowded.

Zhang Xiaoman did not dare to hide anything and explained in detail why he rejected Liu Jinshu.

"You..." Mrs. Jiang didn't know what to say. She was angry that she didn't obey, but also felt sorry for her being too insightful. Finally, she patted her on the back, neither lightly nor heavily, and sighed, "Forget it. A forced melon is not sweet. I just hope you won't regret it in the future."

Zhang Xiaoman leaned against Mrs. Jiang and gently shook her arm. "I don't want to be honored in front of others and suffer behind their backs. What I want is for us to understand each other and be in harmony with each other."

"It's up to you, whatever you want. Just one thing: you're not allowed to have any contact with Chen Ling'an anymore." Perhaps knowing her words were useless, Mrs. Jiang quickly moved on and began to ponder Mrs. Zhou's situation. "It's as if she knew we were going to the Liu family today and was waiting here on purpose."

Xiaoman also felt strange, "He called my name as soon as he rushed out, and I didn't even show my face!"

Someone must have tipped her off.

Mrs. Jiang immediately guessed it was Concubine Yao, gritting her teeth and angrily saying, "It must be Yao Shunxiu. I didn't see Mrs. Zhou the day before yesterday, and she took the opportunity to curry favor and invited me to the gatehouse for tea. The two of them whispered for a while, and they must have been holding back their farts! I'll deal with her when I get back."

Xiaoman advised, "With such a big commotion, the family must have heard the news long ago. Although the master favors Aunt Yao, the old lady's dignity and respect must still be maintained."

The old lady had once ordered Aunt Yao to concentrate on copying scriptures and not leave the courtyard, but before the words had even died down, she had already started to interfere and do something malicious behind the scenes.

You don't take the old lady seriously at all.

"Besides," Xiaoman said with a sly glint in her eyes, "the Liu family's marriage proposal fell through. How could we know it wasn't affected by this incident?"

Mrs. Jiang was startled, "But..."

Xiaoman smiled. "Can they confront the Liu family? That would be too embarrassing. We can't be too honest. The gentleman's way won't work when dealing with villains."

Aunt Yao and her daughter plotted against her time and again, and this time they even dragged Chen Ling'an into the mix. Originally, she was catching corrupt officials to eliminate harm to the people, but they almost slandered her as abusing her power for personal gain!

People already have deep prejudices against Chen Ling'an. If they are allowed to confirm the stigma this time, their situation will become even more difficult in the future.

Xiaoman felt a dull pain in his chest when he thought of people pointing fingers at him.

She heavily exhaled the anger in her heart, her eyes rarely stained with coldness, "Mother, you must not take the lead, the master always likes to oppose you, the more you want to punish Aunt Yao, the more he protects her, it's better to leave it to the old lady."

Mrs. Jiang felt that this was not right. "The old lady has never been very involved in matters and doesn't stay at home for long. Even if she takes action to discipline Aunt Yao, once she's gone, it will be the same as before!"

Xiaoman smiled and said, "She will take care of it."

Mrs. Jiang didn't quite believe it, but seeing Xiaoman's confident look, she swallowed the words that were about to come out of her mouth.

The old lady's help was a pleasant surprise to her. No matter what, she didn't lose anything. She would just have to face a few complaints from the old lady about her "bad housekeeping".

Mrs. Jiang sighed deeply and suddenly felt that such a life was so boring.

-

What they expected was correct. Zhang Wen rushed home in anger.

"They're arguing with others in public. How can they be like the ladies and girls of a scholarly family? They've brought shame upon our Zhang family!"

He was even more dissatisfied with Jiang. "I married her because of her family background. I thought she would be well-educated, but she turned out to be superficial and rude. It's really a shame to marry an unvirtuous wife and ruin three generations."

Aunt Yao was worried. "There were already rumors that Lord Zhou's imprisonment was related to our family, and now Madam Zhou has been implicated as well. If Lord Chen believes that Master and Chen Ling'an have a close personal relationship, Master will definitely be targeted and ostracized. Not to mention further advancement, I'm afraid even his current position as Shangshu will be in jeopardy. Master, we can't wait and see any longer."

Zhang Wen twisted his beautiful beard one by one.

Prime Minister Yang Dongxing had been sick for many days. Although no one said it, everyone knew in their hearts that he was not sick at all, but was forced to be "sick" by Chen Shao.

Judging from the current situation, Chen Shao's ascension to the position of Prime Minister is just around the corner. He and Chen Ling'an have an irreconcilable relationship, and both uncle and nephew cannot tolerate anyone who is indecisive.

Yao is right, it's time to make a decision.

Zhang Wen took a deep breath, his face livid. Just as he was about to call for the servants, he saw Aunt Sun come in with her head bowed, kneeling and bowing. "Master, the mistress is back. She asked you and Aunt Yao to go to Songhe Hall to talk."

Zhang Wen asked what was going on, and Aunt Sun whispered back, "It seems the Liu family's marriage proposal is no longer valid... I was called in unexpectedly to pass on the message, so I only overheard it and didn't dare listen carefully."

When she heard the first sentence, Aunt Yao's eyes lit up, but she still pretended to be extremely anxious. "You've offended the Liu family too. What if Lord Chen makes things difficult for you and there's no one to intercede for you? What will you do? Third Miss is really something. She's always entangled with that evil star. Alas, Madam is so indulgent and doesn't care."

With the fanning and adding firewood, Zhang Wen's anger suddenly rushed to the top of his head.

Aunt Sun moved her lower lip as if she wanted to say something, but she glanced at Aunt Yao carefully and then held back.

Zhang Wen rushed to Songhe Hall in anger. Old Lady Bian was sitting on the right side of the Eight Immortals Table against the north wall with a very unhappy look on her face. Sitting below her was Jiang, who also had a sad look on her face.

The wild girl who always caused trouble for him was standing next to Jiang, wiping her tears with her head down.

Zhang Wen shouted, "Give it to me..."

"Kneel down!" Old Madam Bian suddenly picked up the teacup and threw it at Aunt Yao, shocking her so much that she stepped back repeatedly, which made Old Madam Bian even more furious. "You still dare to hide?"

Before she finished speaking, she picked up the teacup next to Jiang and threw it at Aunt Yao.

Aunt Yao didn't dare to hide. Fortunately, the old lady's attack was not accurate enough and only splashed water on her head and face.

She hesitated for a moment before slowly kneeling down, sobbing, "Old Madam, I know I've done nothing wrong. I wonder what has caused you to be so angry? A little injustice doesn't matter to me. Your health is the most important thing. If you get sick from anger for no reason, I'll be blamed even if I die!"

Zhang Wen was completely baffled. He sat down on the left side of the Eight Immortals Table and assumed the dignity of the head of the household. "What's going on? Who's stirring up trouble again?"

Xiaoman quietly stopped Jiang who wanted to speak.

"Ask her!" Old Lady Bian continued to rage. "She instigated Madam Zhou to stop the sedan chair in the street, saying that Chen Ling'an arrested Master Zhou to vent his anger on the Third Girl. She then forcibly tied our family to Chen Ling'an, and then happened to run into Liu Jinshu. How could the Liu family not misunderstand? How could they not sever ties with our family? She ruined a perfectly good marriage!"

Aunt Yao cried softly, "It's unfair, I..."

"The concierge has told me everything, and you still want to deceive me?" Old Mrs. Bian slammed the table.

"I told you not to leave the compound until you finish copying the Buddhist scriptures, and you, a bitch, turned around and ran to the gate to whisper with Mrs. Zhou. Are you saying that everything I say is bullshit?"

Old Madam Bian pointed at Aunt Yao's nose and cursed, "Ms. Jiang is a noble lady from an aristocratic family. She doesn't even dare to say a word when I scold her, and she obeys everything I tell her to do. What a filthy thing you are, you're just my son's entertainment. You think you're such a big shot, but you don't even take a piss and look in the mirror to see if you're worthy enough!"

Since entering the Zhang family, Aunt Yao had never been insulted like this. She felt all the blood in her body rushing to her head, her face turned red, and her palms were almost pinched to bleed.

But he gritted his teeth and could not utter a single word.