Shen Ning returned to the city discreetly, only to find the atmosphere in the capital unusually tense, with more than twice as many soldiers patrolling the streets.
Something new has happened in this city again?
Upon inquiring, it was discovered that a fire had broken out at Jinbaolou last night. Patrolling soldiers who were helping to put out the fire were attacked by assassins. Fortunately, reinforcements arrived in time and managed to kill the assassins.
After they helped extinguish the fire, they unexpectedly unearthed the underground treasure vault of Jinbaolou. More than a dozen boxes of gold were carried out, and when they were opened, they found that they were all gold bricks from the national treasury. The news shocked the court and the public.
The entire Liu family was imprisoned overnight, which enraged the emperor. A large number of officials in the Ministry of Revenue were dismissed and investigated. This morning, the arresting teams alone filled several streets.
Without a doubt, the execution platform on West Street will be washed with blood again after autumn arrives.
Shen Ning raised an eyebrow. This matter is even bigger than in her previous life. In her previous life, the Liu family was the aggrieved party. Although the Ministry of Revenue was also involved, the matter of embezzlement was not brought to light. Now, the entire Ministry of Revenue has been taken down.
Li Shaobai looks gentle and frail, but he acts decisively and strikes with deadly force. He is indeed a capable person and worthy of being her chosen friend.
The first thing Shen Ning did after returning home was to pay her respects to the old lady: "It's been many days since I last saw you, Grandmother must have missed me very much."
The old lady was so moved that tears welled up in her eyes: "What do you want to do now?"
Shen Ning then noticed that the old lady looked much weaker than she had seen in the past few days.
Shen Ning frowned: "How did you take care of her, Second Aunt? Sure enough, a mother-in-law is not as good as a biological mother. Second Aunt is not doing her best at all. But don't worry, Grandmother, I'm here. I've brought back some earthworms, silkworm excrement, and moon-gazing sand. These are all good medicines for dispelling wind and dampness, and promoting blood circulation. I'll stew them for you later. They will definitely make you get better quickly."
Silkworm excrement: the droppings of silkworms.
Moon-viewing sand: Rabbit droppings.
Earthworm: Dried earthworm.
Ugh~~~~ Although it's a bit disgusting, it's really good stuff. Who can deny that she's showing her filial piety?
Oh my, she's so filial, she's almost moved to tears herself.
Aunt Liu: "Ah, Madam... someone come quick! Madam's had another attack..."
In the chaos of Nan Song Hall, Shen Ning wiped imaginary tears from her eyes with a handkerchief and sighed, "The old lady must be so moved. She never liked me, her granddaughter, but I repaid evil with kindness and always thought of her. Then she turns around and thinks of her son and daughter-in-law, who are like debt collectors. How can she not feel bad? Alas... Grandmother is so pitiful..."
Firefly: "..." Uh, something seems a little off, but then again, nothing seems wrong.
Yu Zhu: The unfamiliar young lady is back again. As soon as the young lady changes, the old lady has to have a relapse. Tsk tsk, how wonderful.
“Chen Ning”.
Shen Ning was called to a stop. He turned around and saw that it was his cousin from the second branch of the family, Shen Ming.
Shen Ming was short, thin as a bamboo pole, with an average appearance and average skills. He was the kind of person who would be instantly lost in a crowd.
He was neither good at academics nor martial arts, and spent his days eating, drinking, and having fun with a group of bad friends, frequenting brothels. He was a complete hooligan.
A spoiled brat? Sorry, he doesn't deserve that title.
Unfortunately, he lacked self-awareness and always dressed like a scholar, carrying a folding fan all day long and pretending to be cultured and refined.
The only thing he could boast about was that his uncle was a posthumously conferred first-rank official of the imperial court. He used his father's name to flaunt and tarnish his father's reputation.
Shen Ning watched him stride towards her and clicked her tongue inwardly.
She didn't go after this scumbag, but he came to her door himself. She still has a score to settle with him.
"Shen Ning, you're finally back! How are you feeling?"
Chen Ming strode over, putting on what he thought was a friendly expression: "It's because Wei Congwen has no taste that he didn't want you. I have many friends, and I'll introduce you to them later."
Shen Ning lowered her eyes slightly, her eyelashes concealing the coldness within.
Introducing a friend? Or is he some scumbag trying to drug her, tarnish her reputation, and force her into marriage?
"Thank you, cousin, but I don't have that idea for now."
Shen Ming immediately disagreed: "You're not young anymore. In two more years you'll be an old maid. If you can't get married, you'll be laughed at by so many people. I'm doing this for your own good. The friends I've made are all well-read, ambitious, and have unlimited potential. Given time, they'll soar to great heights, and you'll be able to enjoy the good life with them."
Shen Ning gave a fake smile: "Really? Why didn't you save such a good candidate for your cousin? Your cousin is of marriageable age this year, it's a good time to find a husband."
Shen Ming waved his hand dismissively: "She's just a little girl, what's the rush? You're the priority, how about this, we have a poetry and painting gathering tomorrow, why don't you come with me?"
His eyes were full of ill intent, as if he was afraid Shen Ning wouldn't see it.
"No, I have things to do. Cousin, go see Grandma. She loves you the most."
Shen Ming: "Sigh, when are you free? How about I invite someone over for a visit?"
Shen Ning quickly left, afraid that if she stayed even a minute longer, she would be unable to resist killing him.
Yu Zhu said angrily, "This young master is just a bunch of scoundrels. He dares to introduce such scum to Miss. He has no good intentions."
It's obvious when the second wife has ever shown any kindness.
Regardless of the relationship between Shen Ning and Shen Shu, the second branch of the family was still concerned about when Shen Ning could get married.
On the first day, Shen Ming only made a suggestion, but on the second day, Zhao came to find Shen Ning, shamelessly putting on the airs of an elder and trying to persuade him with kind words.
“Shen Shu did go too far, but what’s done is done, and there’s no use in being angry.”
"There are rumors flying everywhere outside. The trouble you two sisters have caused has made our whole family miserable."
"If you ask me, the best thing to do right now is for you to find someone to marry as soon as possible. With a man protecting you, no one will say anything hurtful to you."
"Besides, you're not young anymore. If you don't get married soon, you'll become an old maid, and no man will want you then."
"Don't be too picky. The most important thing about a man is that he is considerate and thoughtful. Your cousin knows several young men from respectable families. They are all very learned and ambitious, and they are more than good matches for you."
Zhao spoke eloquently, every word and sentence sounding as if she were considering Shen Ning's best interests. Anyone who didn't know better would think that she was very close to Shen Ning.
Shen Ning wasn't angry. She just smiled and asked, "Second Aunt, I'm afraid it's not for me, but for the eldest son's property."
Zhao choked, and Shen Ning continued, "Second Aunt will be disappointed. I put the Shen family's most profitable shops and most valuable items into my dowry, along with those priceless treasures bestowed by the emperor. Now... they are all in the Wei family."
Zhao's hypocritical facade crumbled instantly, as if she were seeing her father's killer: "You gave it all to the Wei family?"
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