Yin Wenxiao had no choice but to sit down.
The old lady frowned and said, "When Ah Sheng comes over later, you better keep a good face for me and have a nice meal together."
When Granny Shi arrived at Zhefang Courtyard, Qin Sheng's dinner had just been set out.
Qin Sheng sat at the table and asked, "I wonder if the old lady has something to ask me to do?"
Granny Shi smiled and said, "Isn't it because the Lord just returned? The Old Madam was thinking that the family hadn't eaten together for a long time, and since there was stewed pigeon in the kitchen today, she invited you to come and have a taste."
Qin Sheng didn't say anything.
She thought to herself that Yin Wenxiao had probably gone out today, and the mother and son would probably need her help again.
Qin Sheng was taking her time, which made Granny Shi anxious, but she didn't dare to urge her.
"So that's how it is." After a moment, Qin Sheng stood up and smiled.
"Please wait a moment, Granny, I'll change my clothes and then go."
After saying that, she went to the inner room, and soon Qin Sheng came out wearing a set of moon-white casual clothes embroidered with plum blossoms.
Along the way to Songliu Courtyard with Granny Shi, Qin Sheng made a few probing remarks.
However, Granny Shi was very tight-lipped, and her answer revealed nothing, which made Qin Sheng a little suspicious.
We arrived at Songliu Courtyard.
Dinner was just being served, and there was indeed a stewed pigeon dish. The oil on the surface of the soup had been skimmed off, and it looked very appetizing.
Granny Shi personally served them, serving pigeon soup to all the masters.
After the meal, the table was cleared, and a maid came in to serve tea. Qin Sheng noticed Yu Rou, who was dressed in a plain-colored dress, and couldn't help but take a second look.
At first, Madam Yin was talking to Qin Sheng about the harvest on the estate this autumn, but then she changed the subject and started talking about the Regent's plan to build an academy.
This is hardly a secret, so there's no need to be shy about it.
Madam Yin hinted that Qin Sheng should spend more time interacting with the ladies of various families so that she could be informed of any news in a timely manner.
Qin Sheng lowered her eyes and drank her tea. After a moment, she said, "The academy won't be completed until next year. It's too early to make any moves now. Besides, didn't you tell me, Mother, that I shouldn't associate with those gossipy ladies all the time?"
Old Madam Yin: "..."
She did say that.
But that was because Qin Sheng had become close to the young mistress of the Yongning Marquis's mansion. The old lady of the Yongning Marquis's mansion, Madam Wu, and the old lady Yin were at odds. After the Yin family declined, the young lady of the Yongning Marquis's mansion often made sarcastic remarks to the old lady Yin in public.
That's why Old Madam Yin said those words to Qin Sheng after seeing her getting close to the young mistress of the Yongning Marquis's mansion.
Madam Yin said somewhat awkwardly, "Leaving aside other families, your maternal family... I heard that His Majesty has been frequently summoning your father lately."
Qin Sheng looked up at her: "Mother, you don't mean for me to go back and talk to my father, asking him to help get a few members of the Yin clan into the academy, do you?"
Before Madam Yin could speak, Yin Wenxiao's face had already turned ugly.
That's what they meant, but why did it sound so unpleasant coming from Qin Sheng's mouth?
Yin Wenxiao felt that strange feeling again.
He always felt that something about Qin Sheng was different.
Qin Sheng didn't look at him, but looked at the old lady and said, "My husband is now in the Hanlin Academy because of his own ability, but some people still insist on distorting the facts and saying that he relies on his father-in-law. If my father helps with the academy's affairs, wouldn't people outside laugh at my husband, the dignified Marquis of Pingyin, for needing his father-in-law's help in everything? Mother, you usually pay a lot of attention to my husband's reputation, how come you didn't even think of this?"
Her words seemed to praise Yin Wenxiao at the beginning, but later they seemed to be something else entirely.
Madam Yin frowned and pondered, wondering if it was because of her age that she couldn't quite grasp the meaning.
However, Yin Wenxiao's expression changed from gloomy to sunny after he heard Qin Sheng say that he got into the Hanlin Academy because of himself rather than his father-in-law.
After thinking about it, Madam Yin still felt somewhat uncomfortable.
This was probably because this was the first time Qin Sheng had refused her since he entered the house.
Even when she tried to persuade Qin Sheng to allow Wen Xiao to take a concubine, Qin Sheng, though looking displeased, eventually nodded in agreement.
Qin Sheng said, "Don't worry about the future. The most important thing for you, Lord, is to take care of the present."
Mentioning this, Yin Wenxiao felt as if something had poked at his heart.
The Hanlin Academy sounds prestigious, but it doesn't hold any real power. If you want to achieve something, it's hard to say how likely you are to get promoted.
If you want to build up seniority, who knows how many years it will take.
Qin Sheng knew what he was thinking.
In his previous life, Yin Wenxiao felt hopeless about his promotion in the Hanlin Academy. Later, because it was a hereditary title, and the north suffered a series of natural disasters, the young emperor issued an edict appointing Yin Wenxiao, the Earl of Pingyin, to be in full charge of disaster relief.
Yin Wenxiao made great contributions to the disaster relief efforts and was rewarded upon returning to the capital. The young emperor then appointed him to the Court of State Ceremonial.
Qin Sheng thought about it carefully many times after her rebirth.
Eventually, she discovered the clue.
It was around the time that Yin Wenxiao was appointed to the Court of State Ceremonial by the young emperor for his meritorious service in disaster relief that his ambition and appetite gradually grew.
The voice of Old Madam Yin was in my ear: "Let's talk about the matter at hand first. The clan school is being renovated. I wonder what your thoughts are, Ah Sheng?"
Qin Sheng said calmly, "Naturally, the clan members will be responsible; we'll just provide the money."
That's what they say.
However, now that she knew the Regent would be selecting children from various families to attend the academy next year, Madam Yin dared not be careless about the renovation of the clan school.
After all, this is a major event concerning the entire family.
Madam Yin said, "Ah Sheng, I don't trust anyone else with this matter. You should take charge of it yourself."
In the end, isn't it just the fear that the money will be spent but not actually benefit anyone?
"But I have to take care of things at home," Qin Sheng said, not wanting to take on too much.
After a moment's thought, Qin Sheng said, "How about we leave this matter to Aunt Ye? She's also a member of the household, and she should do her part in the affairs of the household."
"..."
Madam Yin suddenly felt a headache.
Finally, she said she would think about it some more. Seeing that it was getting late, Qin Sheng got up to say goodbye, leaving the mother and son to think it over at their own pace.
Back at Zhefang Courtyard, Emerald had already arranged for hot water to be prepared.
After taking a bath, Qin Sheng lay in bed, thinking of the expressions on the faces of Old Madam Yin and Yin Wenxiao in Songliu Courtyard, and a cold smile crept across her face.
Upon hearing that the Regent was going to select children from various family schools to enter the academy, Yin Wenxiao and Madam Yin thought about how to ensure that their own family members could also be selected, so that they could make a name for themselves and bring glory to their ancestors in the future.
Little did they know that the Regent was preparing step by step to remove these parasites that were only feeding on the flesh and blood of the Great Xiang Dynasty.
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