Chapter 132 Chapter 132 Chapter 132

After passing the imperial examination, Zhao Ge'er had to attend the Qionglin Banquet, also known as the Enrong Banquet. Now, as a third-place scholar and young, he didn't need to wait as long as a junior scholar; he immediately received the official position of compiler. Naturally, he was riding high, and even his maternal uncles from his father-in-law's family frequently visited him.

Miaozhen was not a spoilsport mother, but she still reminded her son: "So many eyes are on you, so many high-ranking officials are watching you. If you make a mistake, they will probably think you are nothing special."

"Mother's advice is right, I know," Zhao Ge'er said with a smile.

Miaozhen nodded: "You've always been sensible, your father and I both know that. However, the officialdom is a place where one wrong move can lead to utter ruin. The more successful you are, the more you surpass others, and the more you've already gained benefits, the more cautious you need to be."

This is her consistent principle: people who are too high-profile usually don't stay high-profile for long and are easily targeted.

After listening attentively, Zhao Ge'er bowed again and said, "I understand, son."

This day was, of course, the most glorious day for Han Ruozhen. She was born into a family of prime ministers, and her husband was already a third-place scholar in his early twenties. He was also very likely to enter the cabinet in the future and possibly become the prime minister's wife. Naturally, she was very proud of herself.

But after the Xiao family held a three-day banquet, things returned to normal. Patients even came to the house for treatment, and the mother-in-law received them as usual. The visitors were female relatives of the Marquis of Xinyang, and she was accompanying them. She heard them ask, "Madam is truly blessed."

"Of course I'm happy for him, but this isn't my achievement, so I'm not lucky." Miaozhen thought this was her son's achievement, the highly anticipated third-place scholar, and although she was happy, it wasn't her achievement after all.

Han Ruozhen thought her mother-in-law was quite special.

It is also said that after the New Year, Xu Kun and his wife found a house with three storefronts and three floors. After making some minor renovations, they moved out.

After they moved out, Miaozhen had the empty courtyard renovated, preparing it to be Zhengge'er's wedding room in the future. It was an exquisite courtyard next to the flower pavilion.

However, Xiao Jingshi's term has expired, and he has not yet been transferred elsewhere. I wonder what the reason is.

Just then, the page boy came over and said, "Madam, the letter to the family has been sent back."

"Okay, I understand. You can go now." Miaozhen breathed a sigh of relief. Xu Jian had returned home with his fellow villagers ahead of time because he failed the imperial examination. She would have to send someone back with the news of Xu Jian becoming the third-ranked scholar in Zhaoqing.

The daughter-in-law is still young and thinks that everyone will be happy for her husband because he has become the third-ranked scholar in the imperial examination. In reality, apart from very close family members, most people feel sour and jealous.

By the time Miaozhen's letter arrived in Suzhou, it was almost May. Xu Erpeng knew that his son had returned early after failing the imperial examination, but he couldn't blame him. After all, the feeling of failing the exam was not pleasant, especially since his nephew, who was more than ten years younger than him, had passed with flying colors.

Upon seeing that his grandson Zhaozhi had actually become the third-ranked scholar, Xu Erpeng, seemingly quite knowledgeable, said to Madam Mei, "Zhaozhi is handsome and excels in his studies; he is undoubtedly the third-ranked scholar."

Madam Mei laughed and said, "That's really good. What do we have to be afraid of? Even if the Xiao family's son-in-law treats her badly in the future, we still have our son to back us up."

Many women believe that their husbands are not as reliable as their sons.

Xu Erpeng disagreed: "That's not right. With the son-in-law around, the daughter is undoubtedly the head of the household. But if the son-in-law is gone, she will no longer be the head of the household."

Ms. Mei shook her head: "I don't see anything different."

"Forget it, I'm not going to talk to you anymore. It feels like a dream. I used to be someone who could never compare to others no matter how hard I tried. Now my book is a hit, and many bookstores are buying out my old books. My grandson even became a third-place scholar in the imperial examination." Xu Erpeng sighed to himself.

Compared to the Xu family, Master Xiao was even happier. The local government even sent over a plaque, and the Xiao family also prepared several memorial archways. Madam Chao also had a plaque made and hung up. Now that the eldest patriarch had passed away, her health was actually better than before. Her grandson was more sensible than his father, spending his days either studying or managing clan affairs. Her granddaughter-in-law was also a dignified and virtuous woman.

Her grandson, Renge'er, came over and said, "Grandma, my eldest brother's memorial archway is all built. Many people have to dismount and pay their respects when they walk over."

Madam Chao smiled and said, "Our family can now be considered to have shed its previous identity and become a family that values ​​poetry and literature."

Ren Ge'er said, "Yes."

Looking at her grandson, who was mature beyond his years, Madam Chao beckoned to her: "Come here, I have something to tell you."

Although Renge'er didn't understand, he still stepped forward: "Grandmother, is there anything you need?"

Madam Chao then said, “Our eldest son’s family is small, and you are the only son in three generations. Your father had no family or father, never listened to me, and left us, a widow and her orphan, alone. Your grandfather has passed away, and your grandmother is old. Have you thought about how you will live in the future?”

Ren Ge'er was frightened when he heard this. He was only a teenager and was very scared. He immediately stepped forward and said, "Grandma will be alright. Grandma will definitely be alright."

Madam Chao reached out to stop her: "No matter how good Grandmother is, she can't escape birth, aging, sickness and death. Come, let me teach you today. In this clan, our family is closest to the second and third branches. It's just that the third branch has been an official for a long time, and they put on airs and always have grudges against the clan members, while the second branch is quite good."

“My grandson and Li-ge’er have always had a good relationship,” Ren-ge’er said hurriedly.

Madam Chao shook her head: "Li Ge'er was spoiled and pampered growing up. His father didn't discipline him much, only knowing how to take him out to socialize. He's not a bad person, but he hasn't been tempered properly. His mother is rather dull-witted, and his father is too shrewd. In the future, after your second great-uncle and second great-aunt are gone, his father may not be like your second great-uncle."

Back then, the second wife supported the third wife, who was an official, without any complaints. Even when the second wife's own son became an official, the money never stopped. It was only after the third wife resigned from her official post that the second wife stopped.

Master Xiao the Second was considered to have a broad vision, but Xiao Jingheng might not be.

“Besides that, there’s your sixth uncle. He’s a good man, but his abilities are limited. Your mother and Miao’er’s mother had a very strained relationship before, so that’s not an option either. The only person we can really rely on in our family is your fourth aunt,” said Madam Chao.

Ren-ge'er asked, puzzled, "Shouldn't it be Fourth Uncle?"

“Your fourth uncle is willful; he has a fire in his heart and always strives to achieve his goals. Many people and things are thorns in his path, and he will flatten them if he can. Such a person is vengeful and sometimes cannot even control himself. But your fourth aunt is different. She is a person of great principle. As long as you treat her well, she will treat you well in return. Look at your Ting-ge'er; isn't he going to the capital now?” From the beginning, Madam Chao thought Miao-zhen was a good person, and later, from Ting-ge'er's affairs and her personal development, it was further confirmed that she had a good eye.

Ren Ge'er nodded thoughtfully: "Grandson understands."

But he was still a boy, so he pleaded with Madam Chao, "I have rarely seen Fourth Aunt since I grew up. What do you think I should do to befriend her?"

Madam Chao smiled and said, "Just guard this land well. Back then, our eldest branch managed the land for the third branch, so the third branch even helped your father get an official position. In the future, your fourth uncle and your eldest cousin will definitely be officials outside. After the second branch divides the family property, won't their land be handed over to the clansmen to manage? When that time comes, you should try to get it, study hard, and at least pass the imperial examination to become a scholar. Becoming a wealthy man is better than anything else."

**

On the Dragon Boat Festival in May, Miaozhen couldn't resist eating a bag of the crispy rice crust that Fu Jie'er brought her. Her headache worsened, and a large boil appeared on her head. She made mung bean soup to detoxify herself, but her headache still persisted even after she leaned back on the couch.

Xiao Jingshi said irritably, "I told you to eat pork chop noodles before, but you wouldn't. You insisted on eating rice crust instead, saying that you could only choose one of two options at the indulgence meal. Now it seems that you would have been better off eating pork chop noodles."

"I just really wanted to eat something that I could chew." Miaozhen regretted it too.

He loved seeing her childlike side. She hadn't changed at all over the years, but there was always a sense of unease in her. If things had gone slightly wrong back then, he might not have been able to marry Zhenzhen.

The twists and turns of fate in life are truly wondrous. He looked at Miaozhen and said, "I plan to take a day off tomorrow to go hiking. I haven't been out for a long time, and I feel like my bones are rusty."

Her husband was always active and incredibly bold, while Miaozhen was conservative and cautious, but she didn't interfere with him: "Then you go ahead, I won't wait for dinner tomorrow."

Xiao Jingshi smiled and said, "Do as you please."

The next day, after her husband left, Miaozhen summoned Han Ruozhen and said to her, "Your father-in-law and Tingge's wife, Zhengge, are not here today. I called you here for no other reason than that I know that women who have been in the inner quarters for many years are easily anxious if they are not pregnant within a year of marriage. I wanted to say that if you feel you are young and don't want children for the time being, I have contraceptives here that won't harm your bodies. But if you want to get pregnant, please don't take any fertility remedies. Just come to me for treatment."

Han Ruozhen was indeed very anxious. She was not young when she married into the family. Although her father was a Grand Secretary of the Wuying Hall, both the father and son of the Xiao family were officials, and her husband was now a third-ranked scholar. Her advantages had become much smaller. Moreover, her family had been asking her questions ever since she married into the family a year ago.

Unexpectedly, her mother-in-law was so open and honest. Han Ruozhen looked at Miaozhen and said, "You really understand your daughter-in-law. Your daughter-in-law is indeed a little anxious."

"It's alright, I'm here. If you feel unwell anywhere, just tell me. Don't worry, I'll treat any unusual symptoms you experience just like I would with any other patient," Miaozhen said.

Although Han Ruozhen found it somewhat difficult to say, she still said, "My daughter-in-law doesn't have any other illnesses, but ever since we got married, she's always had a stinging pain when she urinates, and once she even had blood in her urine..."

Miaozhen immediately recognized it as a urinary tract infection. She said, "This is gonorrhea. Do you tend to hold your urine after intercourse?"

Although it wasn't appropriate to say these things to her mother-in-law, Miaozhen didn't look at her after she finished speaking, so she said, "Yes, because my husband reads very late, and he always comes back too late. We still need to talk for a while and then ask for water. Sometimes we're even too tired to ask for water."

“That won’t do. You must wash before and after intercourse. If you can’t wash immediately afterward, you must urinate. It’s alright. I’ll prescribe some medicine for you now. You’re in an emergency situation right now. Since you’re also urinating blood, take Xiaoji Decoction first. But you also need to drink plenty of water.” Miaozhen instructed her one by one.

She was about to give her acupuncture. Although Han Ruozhen often came to the clinic, she had never treated anyone personally before and was a little shy. But when she saw the clean bed behind the curtain of the clinic, which was scented with jasmine and had a particularly elegant furnishing, she thought to herself, "No wonder so many noble ladies in the capital go to their mothers-in-law for treatment."

While Miaozhen had the young apprentice prepare the medicine, she also inserted needles, first targeting acupuncture points such as Zhongji, Pangguanshu, Sanyinjiao, Yinlingquan, and Taixi. Han Ruozhen was surprised to see that it didn't hurt much when she inserted the needles, and asked in amazement, "Mother, it doesn't hurt at all when you insert the needles."

"If it hurts a lot, wouldn't that mean my medical skills are bad?" Miaozhen laughed.

Han Ruozhen wasn't sure if it was just psychological, but after the acupuncture, she felt much better. Her mother-in-law also mentioned giving her acupuncture every few days, to which she replied, "I should have told you sooner."

Miaozhen shook her head: "I can understand even if you don't say it. Sometimes, things that are normal are found out by others and they gossip about them. That's not good. Besides, you're a new bride, so it's not good for you to expose your shortcomings in front of me. It's okay. Just come to me if you have any problems in the future."

She never expected her mother-in-law to be so kind. Han Ruozhen was a smart and sensible person. Not only did she not have any conflicts with her mother-in-law, but her mother-in-law also understood her so well.

Han Ruozhen was deeply moved, and Miaozhen affectionately squeezed her hand.

Xiao Jingshi didn't return that night either. Zheng Ge'er came over to have dinner with Miao Zhen and said, "Father has also learned to stay out all night?"

"You have no manners! How dare you talk about your father like that? He'll beat you up if you don't listen. Your father has been an official for so many years now, he's much better now. I remember before, he could go out to see the snow whenever he wanted, or hunt wolves whenever he wanted, he was so unpredictable now," Miaozhen laughed.

Zhengge sighed, "Father is really something."

"Don't even mention your father. There are still three months until the Grandmaster's selection, and you'll be taking the academy exam. September is also your wedding day. If you don't pass, it will be a real shame. Isn't that right?" Miaozhen said.

Zheng Ge'er said, "If I had taken the academy exam last year, I would definitely have been scared, but I have studied for more than a year this year and have gained some experience, so you can rest assured."

Miaozhen laughed and said, "Don't be sad if you didn't pass the test. I'm just afraid you'll lose to Miss Liu in poetry and prose. I wonder if you'll be ashamed then."

"Hehe." Zheng Ge'er chuckled foolishly.

"Alright. It's getting late, you should go back now, your mother needs to rest too." Miao Zhen was reading the middle volume of "Xu Nüxia's Detective Stories". It felt so good to read such a book after a busy day.

Miao Zhen read until past midnight, and Qiu Chan and Xia Yun urged her several times before she reluctantly put down the book, her mind still filled with images of sword fights, towering mountains, and dense forests.

Before she was even fully awake in the morning, she suddenly heard someone banging on the door. When Miaozhen lifted the bed curtains, she found that Xiao Jingshi had returned, reeking of alcohol. She couldn't help but say, "You've been drinking all night?"

“I slept in the mountains at night and heard the howling of the mountain wind. On a whim, I had a barbecue and wine with my friends and even wrote a lot of poems.” Xiao Jingshi was excited when he thought about it and wanted to show the poems to Miaozhen. Miaozhen yawned and quickly went to bed. “You can put it there. I want to sleep for a while first.”

After Miaozhen fell asleep, Xiao Jingshi only wanted to share with her: "My wife..."

"Go take a bath first, and I'll listen to you after you're done." Miaozhen wanted to take this opportunity to sleep a little longer.

Xiao Jingshi sniffed himself and realized it was indeed inappropriate. He quickly had someone boil water and arrange for him to bathe. After he finished, he took out his poems from his poetry bag and insisted that Miaozhen appreciate them. Fortunately, Miaozhen was already awake. She yawned and looked at them, saying, "They are indeed well written, quite good."

"Right? The howling of the mountain wind is really fierce." Xiao Jingshi liked this feeling.

Miaozhen glanced at him: "I bet you'll have a headache today."

Xiao Jingshi didn't take it seriously and went to the yamen after finishing his breakfast. Unexpectedly, he started to have a headache on the way. He did regret it a little. He should have asked Zhenzhen to apply a hot compress for him.

On the other hand, there were also people who were troubled. In fact, Lou Qiongyu was living a very successful life in Fengyang Prefecture. After all, the people here knew that Xiao Jingtang's brother was Xiao Jingshi, so they naturally thought of him for any merits. This time, they even recommended him as a judge of the seventh rank.

But unfortunately, Miao Ge'er failed the provincial examination and was already quite old. What should be done?

Xiao Jingtang also said to her, "You should also find a marriage partner for Miao-ge'er. Zheng-ge'er is getting married this year."

"But there aren't any girls I like in Fengyang Prefecture. For example, that daughter of Magistrate Xu, she can't read a single word, and the way she speaks at home is quite ridiculous." Lou Qiongyu didn't think much of her at all.

Xiao Jingtang couldn't help but say, "Then how about we ask Fourth Sister-in-law to help arrange a marriage?"

Lou Qiongyu shook her head: "Ting-ge'er also grew up under Fourth Sister-in-law's care, but in the end he only got married to a merchant. I'm not saying this to be mean, but he's not her own child, so she wouldn't care about him as much. Besides, your official position has already troubled them a lot. If you rely on them for everything, they might not be willing."

That makes some sense, but Lou Qiongyu thought that Zhao Ge'er had become a third-ranked scholar and married the prime minister's daughter, while even Zheng Ge'er, who had no official rank, could marry the daughter of the former Imperial Academy Chancellor and the current Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies. Yet her own son had failed the provincial examination and could only marry the daughter of a prefect, who was not even a concubine.

Or they are the kind of spineless scoundrels who, even if they are daughters of officials, would complain that their husbands suddenly came from a family that did not follow the proper path of the imperial examinations, even though their dowry was only twenty loads.

Doesn't she have a headache?

After the Dragon Boat Festival, Han Ruozhen's condition improved considerably. Miaozhen then helped Zhao Ge'er and her with their treatment, since the couple wanted to have a child and needed to be treated together.

Fortunately, Zhengge'er passed the imperial examination in August, and Han Ruozhen became pregnant when Liu Heniang entered the household in September.

Liu He Niang actually knew about Old Madam Zhan's behind-the-scenes efforts to break up her marriage, and she was afraid that the Xiao family would hold a grudge. Unexpectedly, her mother-in-law held her hand and praised her, saying, "Look how lucky you are. As soon as you entered the family, your sister-in-law became pregnant."

This put Liu He Niang at ease. She had just gotten married last night. Although her husband was a year or two younger than her, he was warm, honest, and exceptionally brave. Her mother-in-law and sister-in-law were also very kind, so she felt reassured.

Little did Miaozhen know that even if sisters-in-law couldn't be best friends, they should still get along peacefully; otherwise, internal strife would be the source of family discord.