Fang Weiyan handed these evidences to Gu Wangshu. Gu Wangshu took a look at the letter and found that the letter implicated almost all the officials involved, even the local gentry. It clearly stated who was the pimp and who benefited from it.

"Who delivered this?" Gu Wangshu couldn't help but ask.

Because it was written above that this person heard that Fang Weiyan was selfless and a good official, so he told him the truth and told him in a secret letter.

Fang Weiyan smiled and said, "Commander Gu, why don't you just check it out? If it's true, who sent it?"

It is true that Gu Wangshu knew that Fang Weiyan came here ostensibly for this scandal, but actually he wanted to vigorously develop his own political achievements and did not take this matter to heart at all.

However, after being in Dengzhou for so long, there has finally been some progress, Gu Wangshu pondered.

As for how Gu Wangshu would do it, Fang Weiyan didn't know, but he himself did not take the lead in this process.

Mi Niang asked him why?

Fang Weiyan smiled and said, "It is important to get along well with colleagues when being an official. Some people may not have good performance, but it is only temporary. However, if they get along well with their colleagues, they can continue to be officials. Otherwise, sometimes, no matter how well you do as an official, if you don't get along well with your colleagues and superiors, it will be difficult for you to survive in the officialdom."

Such words are very mundane, and to some extent are even the so-called rules agreed upon in official circles. If it weren't for Mi Niang, he wouldn't say what was in his heart.

Of course, Mi Niang only believed him.

"It seems that I am not cut out for a career in government." Mi Niang pouted.

She is good at competing, but also has a low patience. She likes to be the first in everything and cannot stand being bullied.

well.

Fang Weiyan snickered: "I think you're good like this. Many people like you for your personality."

"That's not necessarily true. It's all about appearance. How can you be like me? When I was jealous of my brother, my face was so swollen, but you could still kiss me. Anyway, I have chosen you, but you should not be complacent. If you are unfaithful to me, I will remarry. I want to marry someone better..." Mi Niang snorted.

Perhaps only Mi Niang could say such outrageous words.

Fang Weiyan was no longer as calm as usual after hearing this. Instead, he asked her, "Have you found a candidate? Who is it?"

"Why are you so nervous?" Mi Niang was shocked by his reaction.

He quickly explained, "I'm just kidding. I didn't look for anyone. I'm at home every day and you're the only one I know. Don't scare me. Why are your veins popping out?"

She really was just joking.

He just said stupidly: "My heart, don't you know it yet..."

This guy's reaction was too big, and Mi Niang coaxed him, "I know, I know, I know everything."

After a long while, Fang Weiyan finally hugged her and said, "We will definitely be able to stay together until old age, for sure."

Mi Niang agreed seriously again, and then sighed slightly: "You are still like a child."

In May, the weather became much warmer, and Mi Niang suffered from severe morning sickness. It was fine when she gave birth to her son, but whenever she felt uncomfortable, her parents' and in-laws' families would try to find a solution. Now that she was away from home, everything was not very convenient, so she had to find a solution herself. Fang Wei Yan went to the countryside, but she might not be able to help with many things.

Xia Lian brought a plate of sour apricots over and said, "Fourth Madam, please try them. These pickled apricots are very delicious. Eating some will whet your appetite. It's not good for your health if you keep vomiting."

"Yeah, okay." Mi Niang used a small fork to pick up a piece of food and put it in her mouth. Sure enough, she didn't feel nauseous anymore.

Seeing her eat it, Xia Lian was overjoyed: "Just put the dish here, but don't eat too much. I heard that eating too much will give you heartburn."

Mi Niang nodded.

Several of those who grew up with her are now respectable housekeepers. Moreover, Mi Niang never treats servants harshly, so the atmosphere at home is pretty good. In fact, Mi Niang knows that the most important thing is that she is the only mistress of the family, so there is no distinction between factions. Otherwise, if there are many wives and concubines, problems will easily arise.

Of course, it is difficult for a concubine to shake the position of the wife, but when there are too many people, confusion is likely to occur.

When there are many hostesses, it is easy to form factions, which is an unconscious behavior.

Just as I was thinking about it, someone outside came to say that the eldest aunt was here.

Eldest aunt? Fang Yazhen.

Mi Niang and Xia Lian looked at each other and suddenly realized, "She is here at this time."

Fang Yazhen was also a person who changed his attitude according to the situation. Denglai and Denglai were so close to each other, but he didn't even send a congratulatory gift before, probably because he saw the unstable situation. Now that he saw Fang Weiyan had secured his position and became the prefect, he came here immediately.

However, even though she was complaining in her heart, Mi Niang still behaved politely when she saw her.

Seeing her holding her belly, Fang Yazhen quickly asked, "Are you pregnant? Oh, it must be the blessing of the ancestors. Where is Envy'er? Why can't I see him?"

"Jian'er was reading in the morning. We haven't hired a good teacher yet, and he has nothing to do. Fortunately, his father left a few books when he passed away."

Fang Yazhen praised him again. Knowing that Fang Weiyan was not there, she did not care. She just said, "I have been married far away for so many years. It is so happy that you are here. In the future, when you give birth to this child, come to our Laizhou to play."

Mi Niang smiled and said, "Big sister is right. After all, we are a family, and this is what we should do."

For lunch, they asked Chuntao to send a banquet from Jiuru Tower. This was because they were away from home. Although they could not set up their own household, they were still a family of their own. This was different from the Marquis's Mansion. When the Marquis's Mansion entertained guests, there were wives and stewards, and they, as daughters-in-law, just accompanied the guests.

Besides, they don't manage the household, they just receive monthly salary.

In the mansion of the marquis, the expenses are very high. Even adding one more dish requires extra money. Therefore, those who are in charge of the main kitchen are all oil servants. They have more money than many masters outside. They usually work as slaves in the mansion, but when they go out, they are surrounded by people and served by many people.

Therefore, although Mi Niang had a mediocre relationship with Fang Yazhen, she was still very considerate in entertaining guests. Fang Yazhen had also seen big occasions before, and she casually saw that this was a top-notch meal. She knew in her heart that although this sister-in-law was indifferent, she was still very considerate in entertaining guests.

After dinner, the drama began. Fang Yazhen sighed, "Your sister is my only child. How pitiful! I don't know how she is doing in the palace now."

As soon as she started talking, Mi Niang probably wanted to say something, but she didn't expose her. Instead, she sighed, "After entering the palace, how can you be yourself? Even your parents and relatives, it's rare for you to see them again."

It is still possible to see her, but that is for high-ranking concubines, unless Fu Qianqian is pregnant now.

Once you enter the palace, you will be trapped in a deep sea. Fu Qianqian participated in the election at the age of 15. Normal families would have arranged a marriage at this age. I am afraid that the Fu family has already made plans, and now they are only thinking about their future.

Sure enough, Fang Yazhen said, "I heard that my sister-in-law and Concubine De are very close. As her aunt, you should take care of your niece."

She saw that although Mi Niang was banished and pregnant, she looked at most a little haggard, but not decadent. Although she was demoted, she was promoted so quickly. She came today, firstly for her daughter, and secondly to make friends.

After saying that, Fang Yazhen took out a piece of silver and said, "We won't make things difficult for you, my sister-in-law."

Mi Niang smiled and pushed the envelope aside. "It's not that I won't tell her, but now the emperor is far away and I can't do anything. Besides, you know that I am just a branch of the Ruan family and my relationship with Concubine De is superficial. Who can I ask to tell her?"

Some of the silver can be taken, but some of it will burn your hands.

As expected, Fang Yazhen said, "Sister-in-law, please help. It won't be like watching your niece stay in the palace with nowhere to go forever. If she has a son or a daughter, she will have someone to rely on in the future, and her fourth uncle will also have a backer."

Mi Niang thought to herself, look, you even want me to help give birth to a prince or princess, who would dare to take your money?

"Sister, I don't mean that. As an aunt, who wouldn't be willing to help their niece? But I'm on a mission now, and I don't know when I'll be back in Beijing. Even if I do, I don't know what the Fourth Master's official position is. I don't know if I'm qualified to enter the palace to pay respects to the ladies. Instead of that, you might as well ask someone else."

Fang Yazhen felt that she was being reluctant and was very unhappy, and she became angry.

Mi Niang is not afraid of her. She will not agree to other people's requests just to save face. Some people will blame you if it doesn't happen right away. In this case, there is no point in offending them.

If she really wanted to, she should have sent an invitation long ago. At least, it would be like she went back to the Marquis' Mansion by herself, and the Marquis' Mansion would have sent someone to pick her up at the dock.

There is no need for those hypocritical things, because some people are not worth it.

The two parted unhappily, although they still maintained their decency. But the next morning, Fang Yazhen saw that Mi Niang still refused to give in, so she left angrily.

Chuntao smiled and saw her off to the door, but when she came back, she didn't have a penny of the reward money.

"In theory, she married well, and I think she has the best clothes and accessories. I think she may think we are not worth making friends with, so she is not willing to put in the effort."

Chun Tao curled her lips: "You think we are not worth making friends with, but you come to my house so eagerly without even sending an invitation. Is that how you come?"

"She probably wanted to make friends, but she didn't think it was worth the effort. Just for her daughter, she did this. After all, no one is stupid. Who would really want to guarantee her daughter a prince or princess for two thousand taels of silver? The gatekeepers in the palace would just throw away five taels. The eunuchs wouldn't ask for anything less than two hundred taels. Who is Consort De? Even if she was the favorite, she wouldn't ask for her."

Fu Qianqian's father has a good status, but he is not very good-looking. Generally, the favorites will look for honest, good-looking and low-status men, so that they are easier to control.

Of course, Mi Niang had never been favored by anyone in her previous life. As long as she was around, no one could take away her favor.

Chun Tao smiled when she heard this: "The Defei just gave birth to a prince, and the emperor is very happy. Why would he need someone else to favor him?"

Palace

Nowadays, many of the masters go to Zhaoming Palace to flatter the emperor, and it is well known that Concubine De is favored.

Fan Yuzhen was not stupid. The more she was at this time, the more she could not get carried away. Especially since Zheng Douniang in the palace was pregnant, don't underestimate this woman. She was born charming. Often, she could do things that the ladies of the rich families could not do well in serving men. She had to serve food and snacks to the emperor with a big belly, and she drove the carriage back and forth without caring about the baby in her belly.

But the more she did this, the more the emperor felt that she cared about him, unlike the concubines in the palace who only thought about their own interests.

Therefore, when the Duke Hanhai's Mansion came in with a sign, she did not show any pride at all. Old Madam Ruan could not help but nod secretly in her heart, being unmoved by honor or disgrace, this is how she was raised.

Mrs. Ding, because of her imperial decree, was considered to be able to maintain her status and could go to the palace every time. Looking at Fan Yuzhen, she thought of her daughter. She also wondered how Mi Niang was doing over there.

She must have been thinking about her daughter. She had thought that marrying her into a marquis's mansion, even if not rich and powerful, at least she would have someone to take care of her in the capital. But she didn't expect that she would be sent away again. But sometimes she thought that as long as her daughter and son-in-law loved each other, it was better than anything else.

The son-in-law was promoted to prefect just a few days after he arrived. I heard that the mother-in-law was overjoyed. Her youngest son is now the crown prince. Although the eldest son was demoted, he has been promoted now. It is obvious that Jian is still in the emperor's favor.

At first, Xu was still thinking about Envy's son, but after Chang became pregnant, she focused all her attention on her youngest daughter-in-law and even rarely mentioned Envy's son.

Mrs. Ding had been there twice and had a general idea of ​​what was going on, so she decided not to stay in the mansion any longer.

She looked at Fan Yuzhen in front of her. It was said that Concubine De was favored, but outsiders didn't know. It was said that Zheng Zhaoyi was extremely favored and was also someone close to the Empress Dowager. Why didn't the wife of Duke Cheng'en come to see her niece, but went to her instead?

It seems that there will be no peace in this palace in the future.

Mi Niang naturally didn't know what was going on in the palace, but there was movement in Dengzhou. Gu Wangshu got the so-called secret report and began to investigate. He also asked the court to send a new envoy to investigate.

The Zhang family of Dengzhou was among them. In addition, the previous Magistrate Xu had his house raided. Many officials directly raided his house, and the silver that was seized was transported away by special people.

This made Mi Niang shocked: "They are really corrupt. But how did the Jinyiwei transport the money back?"

Fang Weiyan smiled and said, "Because the Jinyiwei will send all the money to the emperor's inner treasury. If it is an official, they will peel off the money at every level, and it will be difficult to spend the money in the Ministry of Revenue."

This is what Mi Niang likes about Fang Wei Yan. He is not that hypocritical and he means what he says.

Soon Jian Ningchu came to say goodbye to her. Her face had become much rosier. She was wearing a pink skirt and a pearl hairpin, looking like a young girl.

"We are about to return to Beijing. Thank you for taking care of us during these days in Dengzhou."

Mi Niang held her belly and couldn't help laughing: "How can you say that? I haven't taken care of you at all. I don't know when we will meet again. I have a gift for you to keep."

Jian Ning didn't think much of it at first, but when she saw that it was actually a household registration, she was very surprised.

Seeing her surprise, Mi Niang said, "I asked someone to do this for you. Since you are my sister, how can I let you suffer? There are refugees who need to be resettled, and no one will find out."

Jian Ningchu immediately knelt down and kowtowed. Mi Niang hurriedly stood up and helped her up: "What are you doing? We almost became sisters-in-law before. It would have been fine if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes. Now that I know you are like this, I can't place you. I can only do my best."

"Not everyone can think of these things. You are so nice to me. It would be great if we were really sisters." Jian Ningchu blamed herself for not being good enough. She was suspicious of Mi Niang when she first came, but she didn't expect her to be so nice.

It's not the people who make you stutter who are good to you. The people who truly care about you are good.

Seeing how sincere she was, Mi Niang felt a little embarrassed, and she just let it go.

Seeing that Mi Niang didn't care, he just told her to live a good life in the future.

Jian Ningchu seemed to be thinking about something. With her identity and face, she could not appear in the social circle of women in the capital. Gu Wangshu would never marry her, and she herself did not have that idea. In the past, when she had her grandfather and father and her family background was still good, she was always worried that her husband's family would not like her.

Especially now, she is in this position.

As long as she has a household registration, she will not be an illegal resident. In the future, she will not die and become a wandering ghost.

This is a list of female households, which states the amount of land owned, so there is always hope for the future.

Jian Ningchu also left. Although they didn't have a deep relationship, Mi Niang still helped her. It has been legitimate since ancient times, so this can be considered legitimate.

The servants, especially the maids who knew the inside story, thought it was right to follow Mi Niang because she was so kind.

The marriages of these maids were all good, unlike others who married servants in the mansion but were not loving enough. Even Shuxiang Moxiang and the other maids said that they would choose their partners carefully and would not match them randomly.

Unlike other people, Chuntao has heard that in many families in the Marquis' Mansion, men and women do not work in the same place. The men go out to find prostitutes, while the women only care about their inner world after giving birth. When the children grow up, they work in the same place.

However, here, Fourth Grandma does not allow couples to separate. They all live together, and married couples do not have to keep vigil inside at night and can go back to rest.

Little did they know that this is what Mi Niang was thinking. When the couple were together, they could work more at ease. Sometimes servants were also human beings. She herself had been a concubine and had not had enough food. She had also encountered many bad things because of her appearance. Now she was reborn, and she was in love with Fang Wei Yan, and had the lively and cute Xian Ge'er, and the child in her belly. Even if she couldn't accumulate blessings, at least she couldn't treat others as less than human beings.

How do you know that you will be superior all your life? Just like Jian Ningchu, she once had such a good reputation and good family background, and Jian Yuehua was even more of a darling of heaven, but what happened afterwards?

Not to mention anything else, Fang Weiyan himself has also been demoted. Will he be demoted again in the future?

She was thinking that she was kind to others, and if one day she became a bad person, and one of the people she had helped lent a hand, then it would be considered that she had done nothing wrong.

Of course, she was also picky about people, and would only help those who were really having a hard time, such as Yu, Jian Ningchu, and many servants. But if someone like Fang Yazhen was already living a good life and still made unreasonable demands, she would ignore him.

When Fang Weiyan saw what she did, he couldn't help but think to himself, he said Mi Niang was the best, but it was the palace that changed her.

On the day the Imperial Guard left, all the properties of the Zhang family were confiscated. There were many cries and shouts among them, but the third daughter of the Zhang family, Zhang Shunfang, was missing.

Her belly was already very big. This time, she changed into elegant clothes and touched her belly openly. Looking at the people in the Zhang family, her relatives, she did not feel pity for them. Instead, she smiled...

This time, she would not be sent back by Zhang's in-laws as soon as she went out. In addition to doing things for her brother, she also had to accompany people all the time. Now she was finally freed.

"Yuncheng, please do one last thing for me. Prefect Fang's wife, Ruan, has done me a favor. I have a gold and jade Guanyin statue with 10,000 taels of silver stuffed inside. Don't tell her. Just tell her to smash it when she is in a crisis someday."

Yun Cheng was puzzled: "Why? You sent this secret letter yourself."

Zhang Shunfang smiled and said, "You don't understand that."

The wedding pit is dug when the baby is about to be born. The reason why she dug it at that time was a hint to her.

Furthermore, she said Fang Weiyan was upright and specifically mentioned the fratricide, which was a reference to her.

It's just that not everyone can understand it. After today, she plans to go to Lingnan, where the climate is suitable and the lychees are delicious. She wants to live happily with her children.