Fang Yaqing was busy here. Seeing Xu and Mi Niang coming over, she breathed a sigh of relief: "What a coincidence that you are here."

"We are here to see if there is anything we can help you with. Your brother is here too and is outside." Mi Niang smiled and congratulated Fang Yaqing: "Congratulations, Madam No. 1 Scholar. Now all the women in the world envy you."

The top scholar is the most popular one, and only one appears every three years. A young person like Su Ziqing can be considered a genius.

Fang Yaqing smiled happily, but a little embarrassed: "I still need to ask my sister-in-law for more advice. My sister-in-law will have to guide me in the future in the official circles."

The top scholar has a great halo, but once you enter the Hanlin Academy, everyone is judged based on their own abilities.

For example, Fang Weiyan, at a young age, had already been appointed as a professor in the inner study, while other top scholars might have to wait eight years to get the job.

Moreover, Fang Yaqing had always been surrounded by nobility, and she was sincere when she said she wanted Mi Niang to take care of her. After all, she had heard from her mother that her sister-in-law was very capable, valued by the wife of the Prime Minister, and the wife of the chief academician of the Imperial College had also sent her a proposal. She was also introduced to many people by Madam Lu. It was obvious that she had slowly gained a foothold.

When a man is away on business, a woman cannot stay at home doing needlework every day. There are many servants doing needlework at home, and the mistress is the housekeeper, not the one who does all the work of a slave.

Mi Niang smiled and said, "Of course, a sister-in-law is as good as gold. Even if you didn't say that, I would still help you."

This is also the reason why Mrs. Xu is very satisfied with her daughter-in-law. She is pretty, speaks nicely, and there is no need to worry about anything she does. Who wouldn't like such a person?

She just didn't help Fang Yaqing in private, but she said nice things and others thought it was a good thing.

The day of becoming the top scholar is probably the most glorious moment in a person's life. Soon all the in-laws came, including the Nanping Marquis's Mansion, the Hanhai Duke's Mansion, Aunt Xu, and even Second Madam Lian Ding came with her two sons.

There was a big banquet today. Mrs. Xu had a lot of experience because her son had passed the imperial examination. Mrs. Ding's husband was also a Jinshi. The two elders took care of it, and Mi Niang helped. Fang Yaqing instantly felt a lot more relaxed.

Naturally, seeing Aunt Xu's unnatural look again, Fang Yaqing felt that she was too lazy to slap her in the face, because she was getting further and further away. Her husband was already the top scholar, while Xu Jing couldn't even pass the provincial examination. The gap was too big, and she really didn't want to slap her in the face.

Mi Niang also walked forward with a smile and said, "My aunt is here. Please take a seat quickly. Shuxiang, bring some tea."

I heard that Jin Shuqin set fire to Xu's house because Xu Jing didn't have a partner in marriage and she was in a bad situation. Fortunately, Xu's aunt found out early. Because of this, I heard that Xu Jing's wedding room was burned down.

The wedding date was postponed, and Jin Shuqin and Aunt Jin were driven out. The relationship between the two families was very awkward, but Aunt Xu was afraid that Jin Shuqin would gossip, so she married her off to another place as a concubine. Aunt Jin's tears were in vain.

Although Aunt Xu solved the problem, she was embarrassed and felt very uncomfortable.

When bad things happen to your family, it is inevitable that you will feel annoyed when you see other families decorating their houses with lights and holding banquets for guests.

But no matter how annoying she is, no one will care about her.

Xu Jingze didn't come at all. He failed in the imperial examination and his former fiancée married the top scholar. These things seemed like a slap in the face to him. How could he have the nerve to come?

But deep down he blamed Jin Shuqin for ruining his life.

Fang Yaqing might have cared about the Xu family in the past, but now she has almost forgotten what Xu Jing looks like.

She was already striding forward, and Mi Niang was very happy for her.

During the banquet, she was too busy to eat, and only after most of the guests had left did the two of them dine together.

"I am so sorry for what happened today, sister-in-law. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be able to handle this."

Mi Niang laughed: "Why are you saying these things? You are doing well, I am just happy for you. Your brother also said the same thing. In the future, you will go further and further away, and those who have bullied you will no longer be in your heart."

"yes."

The Su residence was bustling with activity. Old Madam Weng and Fang Furong were happy, but they were not ecstatic, because no matter how well Fang Yaqing married, she had nothing to do with their grandmother.

On the contrary, Old Lady Weng felt that Xu and Fang Weiyan were cunning couples. They had found a mediocre man for Ye Jiayin before, and found a family as noble as the wife of the top scholar for Fang Yaqing, who had broken off her engagement.

Although Fang Furong stood on Fang Weiyan's side, she never had a good impression of Xu, so she said, "That's normal. Who says Jiayin is not her daughter?"

"Okay, that's all I'm going to say. Now her sons and daughters are all very successful, unlike before. I haven't been in good health recently. When I'm gone, you'll still have to rely on your brother and sister-in-law."

Fang Furong felt uneasy when she mentioned this. If the position of the crown prince was given to Fang Weiyan, she would have no objection. Fang Weijun was also okay. After all, Fang Weijun was a rascal and had no grudge against her. She could still get by. At the very least, she still had money, so she was not afraid.

But if Fang Weichang became the crown prince, he would definitely take revenge just for the sake of the second son.

"I understand, mother." Fang Furong was a little uneasy.

When she returned to Taohuayuan, a little girl ran over and said a lot of things in her ear.

Fang Furong frowned: "Is Shen really like this?"

The little girl nodded.

Since returning home, Fang Furong is no longer as stingy as before. She is generous and has hired many servants.

I didn't expect that she would hear such news.

"In the past, we couldn't get any information out of the Shen family's courtyard. Now it seems that she is really confused and has been traumatized. She can actually find out such private matters and use such a trick. She is really hurting the enemy 100 and hurting herself 80."

Madam Zhen said, "If she really succeeds, she will definitely drag the Fourth Master and his wife into it."

"Yes, there is also the Shen family. The court is already in turmoil, and the Shen family has been quite trusted recently. If the fourth son and his wife have any problems, the Shen family will take advantage of the situation. My brother is not really someone who loves his son. Now he seems to be good to the Xu family, but in the future he will go wherever the wind blows."

They were busy until late at night, so Mi Niang and Fang Weiyan stayed at Su's house. Fang Weiyan looked at Mi Niang who was yawning and chuckled, "You yawn so hard that tears are streaming down your face, just like a little cat."

"I miss my brother too. It's okay for us to rest here. I'm just afraid that my brother will miss me at home." It must be said that raising a child in a marquis's mansion is different from that in the palace. Children in the palace have to go to the prince's residence when they are five or six years old. The wet nurses and maids are usually very arrogant, and there are strict rules in the palace. Even if it is a biological son, one cannot get too close to him for avoidance.

It’s different in the folk society. Mi Niang can see her son every day and no one will say anything she wants.

When he grows up a little, you can let him sleep with adults.

Fang Weiyan rarely expressed his jealousy: "Don't worry, there are several wet nurses here, no one dares to go to our yard, and my mother has gone home."

"I know. Why are you still jealous like a child? I'm so tired today." She snuggled in his arms and acted coquettishly.

Fang Weiyan patted her shoulder: "I'll pat you to sleep."

"Am I a little baby?" Mi Niang smiled.

But despite this, she fell asleep quickly.

But it is said that Jin Shuhui also came today, and she came with her husband. Her husband is very satisfied with the marriage with the Jin family. His wife is well-read in poetry and books. Not only is she related to the Xu family, but she is also related to the Dong'an Marquis Mansion and the top scholar. Although he married her as a concubine, it is really a good deal.

Jin Shuhui looked happy on the surface, but she was extremely depressed on the inside. Her sister was suffering somewhere and her mother's eyes were blind from crying. In order to maintain her own dignity, she had to keep up a good relationship with her enemy, the Xu family.

Especially today, Fang Yaqing was being treated like a star by everyone, which made her feel that this world was unfair.

Apart from her family background, Fang Yaqing was average in everything. She was mediocre at needlework, could not write poetry, and was just average at playing the piano. Even the housekeeper relied on Xu. In fact, she had no skills at all. But someone like her could actually marry Jie Yuanlang, who later became the top scorer in the imperial examination.

Moreover, it was said that Su Ziqing was getting married for the first time and was only 25 years old.

She also heard from someone that no one was in Su Ziqing's room and that Fang Yaqing was very nice to him.

Thinking of this, she ignored her fatigue and secretly wrote quickly by candlelight.

But after I started writing, I felt bored after a while...

But it was said that Mi Niang had just gone home after helping her sister-in-law for a whole day. When she came back, she asked the wet nurse to bring Xian Ge'er over. Children are prone to illness, so when Mi Niang came back from outside, she would usually change her clothes before holding him.

"How about Envy Brother?"

The nurse quickly replied, "My son is fine, don't worry."

Mi Niang smiled and said, "You are his wet nurse. If you take good care of him, you will have good things in the future. For example, our fourth master's wet nurse Lian Mama is now a noblewoman at home."

The nurse smiled and said, "We just want to serve you well. We don't think about anything else."

"You said that, which shows that you are a humble person. Only with a person like you can I trust you to raise my son. Of course, you have to be more careful in your daily life. If you make any mistakes, I will not forgive you."

"yes."

The wet nurse was worried.

It is also said that a few days later, Fang Yaqing returned home with her husband. This was also a happy occasion for the in-laws, and the Dong'an Marquis's Mansion was honored. The Dong'an Marquis personally said that he would make good arrangements, and the female relatives were also ready to accompany the guests.

Mrs. Shen got up early, her face was as gloomy as water.

Mother Shen said, "Grandma, how about we forget it?"

She thought that Shen's move was too risky, but Shen said, "Mother Shen, do you think I'm confused? No, I'm not. I grew up in the Shen family. In our Shen family, men can only take concubines when they are 40 and have no children. They only have one wife in their life, and there are no concubines or maids in the room. People say that I'm jealous, but how can I give my husband to others?"

"I understand all the suffering that the Grand Madam feels in her heart." Mother Shen was Shen's wet nurse, so she naturally knew what kind of person her own young lady was.

In the past, she was very careful with Xu and never let her catch anything. But now, because of a man, she has become confused.

If a woman loses her chastity, she will die.

Now if the master doesn't touch her, it will be the biggest insult to her.

There are no secrets in this yard. The eldest master doesn't touch the eldest mistress and never asks for water. In the past, the eldest master only visited Aunt Fang and Aunt Lin a few times, but now he visits Aunt Fang from time to time. Aunt Fang's life has become much better than before.

Mother Shen thought that the grandmother had no other way out, and this was the only way to find a way out.

Maybe the grandfather will reconcile with the grandmother because of how hard she works. After all, they still have several children.

The autumn wind is cool, and the golden leaves in the sun cast mottled shadows on our bodies.

Fang Yaqing was very excited to see everyone in her natal family. In the past, she relied on her mother and brother at home, but because of the broken engagement, she did not live very comfortably at home. Now that she has returned home, she sees that Old Madam Weng is smiling at her and her sisters-in-law all have smiles on their faces, which is quite grand.

After everyone talked at Old Madam Weng's place, they all went to the waterside pavilion for dinner. This was not Fang Yaqing's residence, so they could just eat something casually. But since she was Guining's aunt, she was a guest and guests must be entertained, not to mention that there were arrangements made by the Dong'an Marquis' Mansion.

Shen secretly clung to Mi Niang, who didn't take it seriously until Shen fell down and shouted "there's a snake". Only then did Mi Niang take off her hairpin and stabbed the snake to death.

Just as Shen's mother was about to call for help as planned, she heard someone shout, "Oh no! Grandma is dead."

Mi Niang also shook her head and said, "Sister-in-law is really unlucky. This is a poisonous python. A bite from such a snake will definitely kill you. What are you still standing there for? Hurry up and find a doctor."

Dead?

Shen's mother still didn't believe it. It was clearly a non-venomous snake, so how could it die?

Could this also be part of the grandma's life?

Xu quickly sent Mother Fan to check on her. Mother Fan looked at Mother Shen with regret and said, "Go and tell the eldest master that the grandmother is dead."

Not only was he out of breath, but his entire body was covered in bruises.

Mother Shen was looking for the person who looked after the snake like crazy. This was also part of Shen's plan. She accused Mi Niang of asking him to release the snake and then commit suicide to atone for her crime.

Fang Furong jumped out and said, "I was wondering why the snake found her. It turns out that she had snake fruit hanging on her body..."

Because of this incident, Xu immediately had Shen's mother and several others arrested, and scolded them: "How did you serve the eldest grandmother? You had such bad intentions to hang this thing on her. Now that she is dead, you will suffer the consequences."

Mi Niang watched coldly from the side. Shen's mother trembled and touched Shen's nose to find that there was really no breath at all. This was definitely not a fake.

Shen's sudden death caught everyone off guard. Xu believed that it was all due to the poor care of Shen by those around her, so she immediately sold several of her children, except for Shen's mother.

Mrs. Shen cried and wiped her tears.

"Why is your life so miserable? You passed away at such a young age, leaving me, an old man, to see you off."

Shen's death was so unexpected that Fang Weiyan heard about it after he left the government office. He looked at Mi Niang and said, "What happened? Why did my sister-in-law pass away..."

"Why are you looking at me? I didn't do this. I was planning to do the same thing, but someone else did it for me." Mi Niang was a little unhappy with Fang Wei Yan's suspicious look.

"What does this mean?" Fang Weiyan was puzzled.

Mi Niang shook her head: "Shen's family manages the courtyard very strictly, and it is difficult for some information to leak out. I guess Fang Weichang deliberately told the aunt about this matter, and the aunt did it."

Fang Weiyan frowned: "Brother, why are you like this?"

Although they didn't like Shen, at least Shen was genuinely concerned about Fang Weichang.

"Because of what happened between her and He Tinglan, that's why she wanted to frame me. She knew in her heart that even if we had a good relationship, it would be difficult for ordinary men to accept it. She just didn't expect that she would be the one to be tricked. Now, her relationship with Fang Weichang is not good, and the position of the crown prince is nowhere in sight, while our family is rising steadily. In order to save her position, she just wanted to give it a try, but she didn't expect Fang Weichang to wish her to die first and to get rid of this stain of her as soon as possible."

"She calculated all the men in the world and thought she had a sure win, but she didn't expect that the one who betrayed her was her own man."

Fang Weiyan hugged her tightly and said, "I won't. I will like you no matter what you do."

Mi Niang just shook her head: "It's too early for you to say that."

"I mean it."

Fang Weiyan said this very seriously, he knew Xiao Mi Niang didn't know what it meant to live a second life, he was the one who had lived a second life, and he had only recognized her in his two lifetimes.

But saying these words would definitely scare her.