Chapter 151 Chapter 151 Two Chapters Combined
Jinniang wanted to go back, but Jiang Xian was worried about her going alone: "Don't you know that there was a big flood in Bianjing last year? A lot of grain was transported from Luoyang to Bianjing, and there were many robbers on the road."
"Then you have to go back." Jinniang said as a matter of course.
Jiang Xian pressed her down: "Jinniang, if you don't go back, the people on the Prime Minister's side will know that we are away because of party disputes, and they will be more compassionate to the younger generation. Don't you know that people who fight fiercely in the court may not have bad relationships in private? If you go back like this, it may be counterproductive."
Jinniang suddenly realized, but she was thinking about something else: "If my son is sent away, what about his marriage? So I have to go back."
"My wife, can you pick a satisfactory daughter-in-law in just two months? Obviously not. If you then pick someone who pretends to be good, like my sister-in-law, what will you do with the rest of your life? Let's write a letter to our in-laws first, asking them to look after our son. Who wouldn't want to do something that would add icing on the cake? If our son can stay in Bian Jing, you can choose a lady in Luoyang or Bian Jing. Isn't that the best of both worlds?" If Jiang Xian had asked his wife to come along as a ploy before, now he was really considering it for his eldest son.
As an adult in Beijing, it is not easy for outsiders to interfere. If you are not here, there are many people who are willing to add icing on the cake, hoping that the children will remember their kindness while they are young.
Jinniang understood, and she and Jiang Xian both wrote letters and sent them to Bian Jing.
However, she still said, "I have to go back once my son's appointment is confirmed. I have to see him."
Jiang Xian didn't say anything. His wife's safety came first in his mind.
Besides, after Ning Ge'er passed the provincial examination, he soon received a letter from his father. He knew that he could learn from his mother in how to be a good person, but he had to listen more to his father's advice in becoming an official. Although outsiders say that his father's ethics as an official are not very good, the family has been getting better and better since he was born.
After unfolding the letter, he sent it to the Wei family.
Originally, he was a little embarrassed to visit because he had passed the provincial exam, but his brother-in-law Wei Qilang had failed. This was not what he had expected. After failing the provincial examination, he had wanted to go to Luoyang to experience the ancient capital, meet some celebrities, and be with his parents. However, he did not expect that after failing the palace examination, he would probably be appointed an official.
On the contrary, my brother-in-law and my sister have been married for three years and have finally focused on their studies. Although he is only 21 years old, still very young, he is eager for fame and fortune, but now things are not going as he wished.
The key point is that I kept saying that I wanted to go to Luoyang, but my brother-in-law talked about how to be an official.
Little did Wei Qillang know that his brother-in-law was coming, and felt a little embarrassed, but he still told Yun Jie'er that he was going out to meet him. Yun Jie'er knew that her husband felt uncomfortable, not because of his younger brother, but because he was older and was not as good as those younger than him.
But she is the only one who can relieve such emotions, no one else can do anything about it. It was just like what happened to my uncle Wei Yang and Hao Erlang. My uncle passed the exam, but Hao Erlang, a son of an official family, did not.
It was not until several years later that Hao Erlang passed the exam this year. He was also at the bottom of the list, but at least he passed and was in the same class as his younger brother.
Ning Ge'er personally got a meeting with Wei Xiang, handed him a letter, and then came to Qixia Courtyard with Wei Qilang to talk.
"You don't come over either. Your sister is missing you." Wei Qilang has calmed down now.
Ning Ge'er smiled and said, "I'm here now, right? Mainly because my parents told me not to go anywhere else after the exam, in case something unexpected happens."
Wei Qilang agreed after hearing this: "That's right. After Donghua calls out your name, your sister and I will go to Jinliang Bridge to greet you first. Don't worry."
The two exchanged a few words before Ning Geer stood up and said, "I'll take my leave now."
"I'll take you there on the day of your palace examination." Wei Qilang raised his chin, the same as before.
Ning Ge'er said, "Grandfather said he would send me there."
"He was fine when he was young, but now those carriages are rushing around like crazy. I'd better take you there." Wei Qilang patted his shoulder.
Ning Ge'er was somewhat touched.
When I got home, my uncle Wei Yang came over and my grandmother was holding him and giving him some instructions. When Ning Ge'er saw this scene, he thought that he had always thought that his grandmother was good to his mother, but now it seems that she is obviously better to his uncle.
My mother had to do a lot to get the love of my grandparents, but my uncle didn't have to do anything and rarely even visited his own parents, but my grandparents still cared about their son the most.
His parents treated his sister and brothers the same way, just like now, he was taking the provincial and palace examinations in Bian Jing alone. Mother really wanted to come back, but father gave accurate advice, entrusting his future to the Wei family and asking the Wei family to do him a favor, which was more appropriate than asking mother to come back.
In short, he put himself in others' shoes, so it's no wonder that he remembered his mother and grandmother saying, "Every time you mention Yang Ge'er, you get angry and scold me when I mention him."
In fact, he only understood many things in his memory at this time, so his mother and father were the best to this small family.
There seems to be such complex feelings between relatives that are difficult to express. But no matter what, his grandparents were almost always available to him, and his uncle was also very concerned about him.
Coming back to his senses, Ning Ge'er saw Wei Yang walking towards him, and he himself looked a little depressed.
"Uncle, what's wrong with you? You don't look well." Ning Ge'er asked.
Wei Yang waved his hand: "Nothing."
Ning Ge'er thought it was probably something about officialdom. His uncle had been working in the Ministry of Industry. He was actually quite easy to get along with and had a very easy-going temperament. But when it comes to really working hard and making progress, I’m a little weak in this aspect.
In the past, my father was willing to use his connections for my uncle, but now that he is about to take the palace examination, my parents will most likely only use all their connections for themselves. There is still a difference here. His uncle's marriage was arranged in a hurry, but his parents were unwilling to compromise. He felt relieved when he thought about it, because people are biased.
Just like my mother, if I hang out with a few people from her mother's family all day long, I will never have real happiness.
Although Wei Yang had been away from the imperial examinations for many years, he was born in the Imperial Academy and had some skills, so it was enough for him to give his nephew some pointers. Grandma wanted to keep my uncle for dinner again, but he said, "No, I'm going back now."
After she left, she didn't mention sending Ning Ge'er to the palace examination. It was Luo Yu'e who understood the ways of the world a little and reminded Wei Yang that Wei Yang remembered it.
"Why bother uncle? My brother-in-law said he was coming."
Wei Yang felt a little embarrassed for a moment, he really couldn't think of these things. Before he got married, many things were handled by his mother and sister, but now that he is married, his wife handles them.
Having said that, everyone dispersed.
Ning Ge'er went to the library. He actually missed his parents very much, but what his father said was right. If his mother came back by land alone, it would be a disaster if she got robbed. If he could stay in Bian Jing this time, it would only be a matter of time before he could meet his parents.
Before Ning Ge'er's ranking in the palace examination was announced, Jiang Xian fell off his horse. Jinniang used to think that her husband was her amulet, but now that her husband was in trouble, she had to force herself to calm down and ask a doctor to come.
I have to decoct the medicine myself and also pay attention to his mood.
"The doctor said that your Dazhui point is not injured. You just need to take good care of yourself for half a month and just lie down like that. I will feed you medicine twice a day, boil some bone soup, and cook some shrimps. I guarantee you will get better soon." Jinniang said with a smile.
During the first three days that Jiang Xian was lying down, he could hardly sit up. During this time, Jinniang became his complete spiritual support.
"I've seen the prescription for this bowl of medicine. It's all for painkillers. I've copied down the prescription for you to take a look." Jinniang knew that Jiang Xian was afraid of revenge, so he would not eat anything from outsiders except the food he ate himself.
He had some knowledge of medicine, and after reading it, he drank it all in one gulp.
After he drank the medicine, Jinniang did needlework beside him. She sat there like a guardian angel.
"Madam, are you going out later?" Jiang Xian looked at her and said.
Jinniang smiled and said, "Well, I'll go to the study and get some books later. I also need to split some silk threads. You should have a good rest. Anyway, I won't go out."
"That makes me feel relieved. You know what? When I was little, I would say I wasn't feeling well every time I skipped school. Fortunately, my mother helped me cover it up, so I could sleep at home with peace of mind." Jiang Xian told a joke.
Jinniang also smiled when she heard this.
At noon, she first fed him some bone soup, then some rice, and then he rested on the couch next to her.
"If you want to pee later, I'll call Hutou and Liu Douer in. You have to tell me first." Jinniang said.
Jiang Xian nodded slightly.
Fortunately, Jiang Xian practiced martial arts and was in good health because of Jinniang's care. The couple used to suffer from back pain, but later Jinniang often applied hot salt compresses and took walks, and their back pain was cured.
But now this happened again!
Jinniang woke up from her nap and consoled him: "As the saying goes, good times come after bad times. Who knows, maybe we will have another happy event."
The couple talked for an hour before Jiang Xian smiled and said, "It must be our Ning who passed the exam, but Xuan who didn't. My sister-in-law is so angry."
"Don't be so proud. In my opinion, your official position will be further improved in the future." Jinniang smiled.
After half a month of hard work, Jiang Xian was able to stand up and walk, and took a sedan chair to the yamen to work every day. After a month, except for occasional aches and pains, he was back to normal and could even ride a horse on a daily basis.
Jinniang breathed a sigh of relief.
News from Ning Ge'er soon came in. He ranked 17th in the second class and was said to have performed exceptionally well. He was awarded the title of Jiang Shilang and served as the prosecutor of Xijing.
"So our son is coming to Luoyang." Jinniang thought that her adopted brother was really kind.
The avoidance system of the Song Dynasty mainly included avoidance due to kinship suspicion and avoidance due to place of origin and property. In other words, as long as the father and son did not serve in their place of origin or in the same government office, they would be fine.
Jiang Xian was also very happy: "Of course. I will go inform the Henan government office first and ask them to clean up the official residence. You can also take your time to choose a daughter-in-law."
"It's better than anything else for our family to be together." This is what Jinniang hopes for most.
Jiang Xian also felt the same way. In the past, he was the only one in his family working as an official outside the home, and he had almost no rights to act as he pleased. Now that my son has entered officialdom, I can finally rely on my family for the rest of my life.
While the couple was busy here, the capital was also extremely busy.
After Ning Ge'er passed the palace examination, the happiest person was Yun Jie'er, who had been waiting for the ranking. From the perspective of an elder sister, she was happy for her brother. From her perspective, her brother passed the examination and her mother's family could be trusted.
Her younger brother is only seventeen years old and has been an official for thirty years but is still less than fifty years old. Her father is not even forty years old and still has twenty or thirty years of official career to go. With a prosperous family, her life in her husband's family will be better.
But there were also many troubles. The matchmakers almost trampled through the threshold of the house, and some even fought.
Someone like Ning Ge'er, the eldest son of a third-rank official in the current dynasty, who is young, handsome, and has passed the imperial examination, instantly became a hot commodity in the eyes of many people. The most important thing is that he is not engaged yet.
Sister Yun told her mother-in-law that she wanted to go home to help.
Madam Wei smiled and said, "Go ahead. Your mother and the others are really stupid for not settling down earlier. It's a good thing that we can all go to Luoyang together now."
Sister Yun was unhappy when she heard this, but she still smiled.
It was because her mother was strict with her younger brother that he passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi at the age of seventeen. As for why her husband was always unable to study hard, it was because her mother-in-law doted on him too much.
If her mother were still in Beijing, she would be able to confide in her mother, but now she can only keep it in her heart and leave after greeting her mother.
When I went out of the main gate, I met Shen Qinnan. She seemed more and more aloof. Yun Jie'er felt a little sympathetic towards her. She was not liked by the Second Madam, and of course the First Madam was also quite indifferent to her. There was no place for them to talk in this house.
But Yun Jie'er thought, why should she carry someone else's coffin to her home and cry? She shook her head and asked someone to harness the carriage to go to Jinliang Bridge.
As soon as she arrived at her parents' home, she saw Madam Meng from the opposite door coming over, and then followed by Miss Sun. She knew that Madam Meng's eldest son had been sent out, and Lin had followed him to take up the post, and Meng Erlang's wife was often ill. However, Miss Sun often followed her around and was quite familiar with her expressions.
"Grandma Seven is back. Your house is very lively now. I came here to help." Mrs. Meng said with a smile.
Sister Yun said affectionately, "When my mother was in Luoyang, she always said that a distant relative is not as good as a close neighbor, and she has a good relationship with you. My brother is going to Luoyang soon, so I'll trouble you to take care of him during this period."
As Miss Sun listened to them talking, she recalled how her mother had only been concerned with urging her and her younger sister to study, but had been careful to balance her younger brother. In fact, what a family should urge most is the boys' studies. Look at Jiang Jun. Even though her father went to Luoyang and her younger brother became a Jinshi, everyone in the Wei family would look up to her.
If her younger brother had also passed the imperial examination, his future would certainly be different.
But it doesn't matter. She is waiting for her son to become educated and then she can teach him to read.
As they were thinking about it, someone outside said that Jiang Zhongcheng had arrived. Everyone knew that it was Jiang Yan and his wife who came.
When Yun Jie'er saw Xu, she felt that she had gained some weight. This aunt was really something. She ate vegetarian food all day long and got fatter and fatter. Her face, which was once tense, no wrinkles at all. "Sister Yun, how is your brother's marriage going?" Xu asked.
Sister Yun smiled and said, "How can I make the decision? When he goes to Luoyang, my mother will have to worry about him."
Xu snorted in her heart. Her son hasn't passed the imperial examination yet, but which merchant's daughter's son is so lucky that he actually passed the imperial examination? Some snobs from the Jiang family came here to join in the fun.
Fortunately, her son was going to enter the government through imperial favor, so she could feel a little calmer.
Jiang Yan and his wife came and left. Wei Qilang came to see his wife. He said, "Ning is reading the books left by his father-in-law when he was a local magistrate. He is very nervous."
"Of course. It would be strange if he wasn't nervous for a teenager who is still studying to be a magistrate in Xijing." Sister Yun could also understand her brother.
Wei Qilang suddenly had an idea: "It would be great if the two of us also went to Luoyang. It looks like Ning Ge'er is going to do something big."
Sister Yun glanced at her husband and said, "You can go, but you need your parents' consent."
"That's just what I said." Wei Qilang chuckled.
When he was young, he was in poor health and lived in Daming Prefecture. Later, he came to Beijing. Luoyang is his maternal grandfather's home and can be regarded as his second hometown.
Sister Yun shook her head: "Let's arrange tea and food first. You go to the second hall to entertain them. We'll deal with it today first."
"Okay." Wei Qilang hurried to the second hall.
When the food was almost ready, my uncle and aunt came over. Yun Jieer said quickly, "I was just wondering why you and uncle didn't come."
Zhang Pingjun said, "You and your husband can go back later, and your uncle and I will take care of them. We went to your uncle Shangguan's house this morning and were busy there for a long time."
"No need, I've told my mother-in-law and she wants me to stay and help." Sister Yun didn't care.
My parents wrote letters to my father-in-law for help on behalf of my younger brother, but my uncle had to go and talk about his affairs himself. The Wei family was related to the Wei family in Hebei, and my mother had brought my aunt and uncle to visit many times before.
Zhang Pingjun was anxious. Now that the prime minister had taken office, even if her husband had some talents in the Ministry of Works, nepotism was the norm in the party. Lian Ning'er was directly arranged to be the magistrate of Xijing because he was Jiang Yan's nephew and Wei Xiang's nephew, so they still had to find connections.
It's not that Yunjie'er was not approved, but Yunjie'er said that she didn't care about those things and let Wei Yang come directly. However, when Wei Yang came, Master Wei met with him and said that he was quite suitable for the position in the Ministry of Industry.
Who doesn't want her husband to have a good future? It doesn't matter if Wei Yang becomes a seventh-rank official, but she can't just sit there and do nothing.
It's obviously related, but I can't do anything...
Yun Jie'er didn't know about this, but Wei Qilang heard about it. On the way back in the carriage at night, he said to his wife: "My father told me about your uncle's affairs. He is an honest man. It would be bad for him to get involved in the party disputes. It would be good for him to do his work quietly."
Not everyone has the talent to become a high-ranking official. If one lacks the ability and still tries to climb up by force, it will be a disaster rather than a blessing.
Sister Yun waved her hand: "My uncle is content with the status quo, but my aunt always thinks that the relatives are unwilling to help. However, as my mother said, the master leads you to the door, but the practice is up to you. In the end, you still have to rely on yourself."
For example, the Liu family, the Fan family, and even the Wei family did not say anything when Jiang Xian was transferred to the post of Transport Commissioner. My parents can help my younger brother when he first starts his career, but whether he can move up in his career in the future depends on his own ability.
When my uncle first started his official career, he was able to go to a wealthy place like Xuanzhou. Later, after two years in office, he was transferred directly back to Beijing. But you can't always let others be responsible for your future.
…
After the Cold Food Festival, Jinniang went out to see flowers three times. Once she was invited to visit the garden of the Liu family, a local official. Naturally, she also met several daughters of the Liu family.
Liu Wensou, as well as his sons Liu Bing and Liu Ye, of the Liu family were all successful Jinshi scholars. However, after several generations, there were no prominent officials in the family.
For Jinniang, this is just an enlarged version of Zhang Pingjun. She will not consider the Liu family. Because such families are rich and well-off, but those in their family who have not been in officialdom for a long time may not have a clear view of the officialdom and themselves, not to mention that the Jiang family is not short of money now.
Zhang from Luoyang was a nice lady, and was very enthusiastic about Jiang Xian coming to Luoyang to be an official. When she learned that Jinniang's son had just passed the imperial examination, she even said that she could let Jinniang choose from any of his three daughters.
This made Jinniang flattered, but she couldn't limit the Zhang family to this because of their enthusiasm, so she naturally found an excuse saying that her son hadn't come yet.
In addition to the Zhang family of Luoyang, there is also the Fan family, a noble family in the Central Plains. This Fan family has nothing to do with Fan, the eldest daughter-in-law of Mrs. Wei, but the Fan family looks good.
Jinniang always has an idea in her mind about what kind of daughter-in-law she wants to marry for her son. The other party's family should at least have no burden, the children should be motivated, the family tradition should be good, and the girl should also be dignified and beautiful.
"Our son will come over after the Dragon Boat Festival, right?" Jiang Xian asked.
Jinniang nodded: "That's what she said. Have you found someone for him?"
When he first took office as a prosecutor, he had to be accompanied by a powerful criminal lawyer. Back then, Jiang Xian had a lawyer named Song by his side.
Jiang Xian smiled and said, "Don't worry, the troops are ready."
"That's good. Once he takes office, we'll feel relieved." Jinniang said.
The couple thought about it again. Jinniang has already started saving up the betrothal gifts for her son. No matter who he chooses, your things have to be here.
A few days later, in the evening, Jinniang was calculating the date when she suddenly heard someone outside shouting excitedly, "Madam, the eldest son is here, the eldest son is here."
When I suddenly saw Ning Ge'er, I found that he had lost a lot of weight in just half a year. He was wearing a robe made by Jin Niang. When he saw Jin Niang, he knelt down and kowtowed.
"My child, why are you so polite to your son? You blamed yourself for not returning from your provincial exam." Jinniang couldn't help but have tears in her eyes.
Ning Ge'er said: "I don't blame you at all. If it weren't for this, I wouldn't have been assigned to Luoyang to be an official this time."
Jinniang asked him to sit down and asked someone to serve tea. She then talked about her son's lifelong affairs: "I can't decide everything about your affairs by myself. Here are a few families for you to listen to..."
Sadness of separation is a minor matter. My son has taken up his post in Luoyang and has established his career. Now it is his lifelong event.
Sure enough, after hearing this, Ning Ge'er said, "My son is not shy in front of you. Zhang, Fan, and Lu are all recognized as famous official families. My son thinks they are all OK. Appearance is secondary. The most important thing is whether there is any hidden disease. The person should not be too competitive and have good character. If these three families don't have such a girl, I will choose a family with a lower status, as long as the person is good."
Ning Ge'er was not completely oblivious to what was happening outside. Miss Jiang, who lived next door to their family, married into the Ke family. The Ke family said that Jiang had a hidden illness but she didn't tell them. Later, they divorced and the two families had a very ugly quarrel. Furthermore, he had also heard that it was a good thing for some women to be ambitious, but if they ignored the facts and excessively pursued power and wealth, they might harm others and themselves in the future.
When Jiang Xian, who was standing outside the door and preparing to go in, heard these words, he couldn't help but think that his son really had plans for success. He was not like Dou Jia's eldest son who eloped with someone, nor was he ambitious. Only in this way could he go a long way.
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