“I just tested them a little,” said Hong Gu, who was good at housekeeping. “The Huang family members, even the women and children, are all literate and good at housekeeping. Three-year-old children have already learned to read with the adults and have memorized most of the Three Character Classic.”
"She doesn't know much about music, chess, calligraphy, and painting," Yun Gu added, sharing her observation. "But the young lady in the family is learning medicine from someone else, which is something not everyone can do."
"The Huang family exudes an air of extraordinary character, unlike the kind of family that's easy to manipulate," the old scholar said thoughtfully. "Let's not put on airs and just get along well with them."
“You’re the ones trying to put on airs,” the instructor shook his head. “I’ve never had such thoughts. The monthly allowance given by the Huang family is considered high even in the prefectural city. Don’t be ungrateful.”
"Vulgar," the old scholar sneered, "all you know are these gold and silver things."
“Old scholar, stop pretending,” the instructor shook his head. “We’re all in the same circle, everyone knows each other. If you weren’t short of money, would you be here?”
Some people just love to deceive themselves.
He was just a student who hadn't even passed the county-level imperial examinations, and he struggled to make ends meet. That's why he dared to act arrogantly in the countryside.
The instructor felt that even if the old scholar wanted to put on airs, the Huang family wouldn't tolerate it.
This family seemed very polite and made thoughtful arrangements, but they weren't the kind of people who had never seen the world. Their eyes didn't show the awkwardness of country folk, nor did they show any respect for them.
In other people's eyes, we are nothing more than hired workers who can be replaced at any time if they are not satisfied.
“You crude and uncouth wretch,” the old scholar sneered, “I won’t bother with you.”
"Stop arguing," the accountant coughed lightly. "Before we came, the steward specifically reminded me to be respectful to the master. There must be a reason for this. You should not harbor any contempt for him."
“We wouldn’t dare,” Hong Gu shook her head. “Even if the Huang family doesn’t seem simple, they wouldn’t do something like deceiving their master.”
They weren't like those brainless men; earning money wasn't easy, and they couldn't afford to lose their job when they encountered such a generous employer.
“That’s right,” Aunt Yun nodded. “If we can get along, it’s fine to retire here.”
"I also wanted to warn you not to cause trouble. Since you all understand, I won't say any more."
Jiang Nuan was unaware of the discussion among the masters.
"I'm going out for a bit. You all stay home and watch the house. If there's nothing else, go to the fields and plant rice seedlings."
"Mother, I'd like to come along," Xie asked cautiously. "Is that alright?"
After a moment's thought, Jiang Nuan replied, "Alright, let me broaden your horizons."
The second daughter-in-law is the most clever in the family. If her horizons also broaden, who knows how much she will grow in the future.
"Thank you, Mother," Xie said happily, then tentatively asked, "Where are we going? To Grandma's house?"
"No, go to the pharmacy to find Ji Xuan."
Upon hearing this, Madam Xie's eyes widened, and her voice trembled slightly, "You, you have to go to see the Emperor?"
"Yes, some things are difficult for us to do, but it's different for him."
At the pharmacy, Ji Xuan had just finished acupuncture when Qi Yong brought her a bowl of porridge. "Master, have some porridge to fill your stomach. It's been simmering for two hours."
"Hmm," Ji Xuan took the drink, drank a couple of sips, and then put it down. "Did Yang Qing make any progress?"
"Commander Yang has met with the Qian family's daughter, and she has agreed to help, but on the condition that the Qian family's case be overturned."
“The Qian family’s case can’t be overturned,” Ji Xuan frowned. “Has Yang Qing agreed?”
"Commander Yang has stalled for the time being and hasn't given his full consent yet."
“That’s not right,” Ji Xuan shook her head. “It’s really unfair to bully an orphan like this.”
"Then what should we do?" Qi Yong was very troubled. "The Qian family's case is too complicated; we absolutely cannot overturn it."
"Find a way to get her to come here," Ji Xuan said in a deep voice. "I will speak with her personally."
“Yes,” Qi Yong lowered her head, “This servant will inform Commander Yang.”
Have they found any leads with the Huang family?
Upon hearing this question, Qi Yong perked up. "Your Majesty, we didn't know until we investigated that Lady Jiang is being held back in the small town of Huangjiakou. It's truly a shame."
"How so?"
"Madam Jiang has a very good destiny and is extremely lucky for her husband. She is also capable herself. She and the second son of the Huang family are deeply in love. She attempted suicide several times but was saved. She has only recently recovered."
"He was so badly hurt that his personality changed drastically, and he became one of the three scourges of Huangjiakou."
“Starting this spring, he first sold recipes to help his son get rid of his debts, then helped villagers during his corvée labor, and sponsored the Huang family to build a school and repair roads. In just two months, he completely cleared his name.”
"Later, the eldest grandson's wife of the Huang family was sold by her own family, which led to the death of the Huang family. She then decisively joined forces with two villages to storm Qingfeng Temple, wiped it out in one fell swoop and obtained many spoils of war, and only sent ten knives to the county government."
"In addition, the professor taught the villagers how to compost, propagate by cuttings, apply fertilizer, and guarantee a yield of 500 jin per mu when planting winter melons..."
"Furthermore, the Han family's business in the capital, and the alcohol that Doctor Liu treasures, all have her behind them."
If Jiang Nuan heard these words, she would definitely break out in a cold sweat.
Except for those top secrets known only to their own people, almost everything has become transparent.
As he spoke, Qi Yong lowered his voice, "Master, this is only what we have found out. She must have many more secrets."
For example, the melon that shouldn't have appeared, the exquisite plum blossoms, and the wine that's practically heaven-defying...
“I know,” Ji Xuan asked, “but is there any powerful force behind it?”
“No,” Qi Yong explained, “If the Huang family had any power, they wouldn’t be in such a bad situation before. Master doesn’t know, but in the first month of the lunar year, the Huang family was still drinking wild vegetable soup to fill their stomachs and was almost starving.”
"Hmm?" Ji Xuan asked in confusion, "Her in-laws are still alive, doesn't she have anyone to help her?"
“Speaking of this, I can’t help but feel a bit emotional,” Qi Yong said with a very complicated expression. “I thought that ordinary farming families wouldn’t have so many complicated matters, but I never imagined that they would be just as powerful as the wealthy families.”
"Less than half a year after Jiang Niangzi's husband passed away, her parents-in-law separated the second wife's property, giving her 40% of the family property on the surface, and then offered no further assistance. Jiang Niangzi was in a daze and her health was poor. Her sons struggled to support the family. Her third son went to work as an apprentice in a restaurant because the family was in dire straits."
"Hmm?" Ji Xuan paused for a moment. "The two elders of the Huang family didn't offer any help?"
“It’s not just that they didn’t help,” Qi Yong said in a low voice, “the secret guards also found out that these people were secretly suppressing the second son’s offspring, but because of Madam Jiang’s bad reputation, no one noticed.”
"Suppressing his own grandson?" Ji Xuan smirked. "Interesting, very interesting!"
Lady Jiang is someone who isn't even afraid of the king himself; she's not someone to be trifled with. This old man is truly audacious.
“They’re really courting death,” Qi Yong shook his head. “Jiang Niangzi has only been sober for a short time. First, she was busy trying to reverse her reputation, and then she was distracted by Qingfeng Temple. Once she comes to her senses, she will definitely notice something amiss.”
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