Xue Mei subconsciously looked at the lady with a hint of inquiry in her eyes, but she didn't dare to look for long and looked away after a moment.
The doctor came and then left.
Yin Wenxiao is not seriously injured, but it is already late autumn. Having fallen into the water, he will need to take some medicine and rest in bed for a few days.
...
A few days later.
After Yin Wenxiao recovered, his eldest aunt, Yin Wenxuan, who had married into the Zhang family and later accompanied her son to her husband's post, also returned.
The son-in-law, Zhang Jin, is a promising young man. He achieved the third-highest rank in the imperial examinations years ago and was highly regarded by the Regent. Now that he has completed his term and returned to the capital, rumors have been circulating that he will be transferred to the Ministry of Revenue.
Zhang Jin had no powerful backing; his father had only been a clerk in the government office in his early years.
But Zhang Jin lived up to expectations. He passed the imperial examination and became a third-ranked scholar. After leaving the capital to take up a post in another region, the regent even spoke to him personally.
I've heard that his achievements during his tenure have been remarkable.
Now that he's back in Beijing, he's sure to achieve great things in the future.
Back then, Old Madam Yin didn't approve of this marriage, feeling that the Zhang family was too low-class, owning only a few acres of meager land, an old house, and a few worthless small shops.
Life was barely enough to get by. His mother had passed away early, leaving him with only an elderly father. He had hired a cook and a cleaner, which was nothing compared to the life of the Marquis of Pingyin.
Unfortunately, his daughter took a liking to Zhang Jin, saying he was a promising man.
Left with no other option, Madam Yin prepared a generous dowry for her daughter.
Later it proved that the daughter's judgment was indeed sharp; Zhang Jin won the third-highest rank in the imperial examination, and his writings were praised by the Grand Secretary year after year.
Now that her son-in-law has returned to Beijing, her daughter's good days have finally begun.
The Zhang residence was quite far from the Yin residence, and Old Madam Yin was waiting anxiously. Finally, a servant came in to report that the young lady, her husband, and young master Zijin had arrived.
Yin Wenxiao greeted his brother-in-law Zhang Jin in the front yard, while Yin Wenxuan brought her son Zhang Zijin to the back yard to pay their respects to their mother.
This was the first time Qin Sheng had met this sister-in-law.
Yin Wenxuan was ten years older than Yin Wenxiao. Her eldest son died young from illness, and her health had been poor ever since. When she gave birth to her second son, Zijin, she was also on the verge of death. Therefore, she doted on this son.
Qin Sheng and Yin Wenxuan exchanged greetings.
"This must be your sister-in-law?" Yin Wenxuan smiled and took Qin Sheng's hand. "She really is a girl from a scholarly family. Look at her temperament, she's truly different."
As she spoke, she had her personal maid bring over a box. "It's just a small gift, nothing valuable. Please don't find it offensive, sister-in-law."
The box contained some jewelry.
Qin Sheng accepted the gift with a smile, and then had her maid give the gift she had prepared to her nephew—an inkstone.
After exchanging pleasantries, everyone sat down to drink tea, and Yin Wenxuan told them about her time in office.
Seeing that it was almost time, Qin Sheng stood up and said with a smile that she would go to the kitchen to take a look.
Today, the eldest aunt is returning with her son-in-law and cousin. To make this a grand occasion, not a single mistake can be made. It's understandable that Qin Sheng wants to go to the kitchen to check on things personally.
As soon as Qin Sheng left, Zhang Zijin went to the front yard.
He's just a boy, it's enough for him to come in and pay his respects to his maternal grandmother and aunt; it's not appropriate for him to stay in the backyard.
After everyone had left, Yin Wenxuan immediately asked her mother, "Didn't they say Wenxiao took a concubine? Why didn't I see her?"
When Ye Jiaoniang was mentioned, Old Madam Yin's mood became somewhat complicated.
Today, the eldest aunt and son-in-law came back, and Old Madam Yin didn't let the two concubines come over, because seeing them would upset her.
"I had a miscarriage a while ago and my health hasn't been good, so I've been resting and recuperating."
Yin Wenxuan only knew that Yin Wenxiao had taken a country girl as a concubine, and thought she was some kind of stunning beauty.
"Let's not talk about her. It's you. Although your mother-in-law passed away early, your husband still has a younger brother and sister. They say that the eldest sister-in-law is like a mother, so you'll have to worry about them."
Although the son-in-law himself was ambitious, Madam Yin had heard that his younger brother was a good-for-nothing who was all talk and no action.
"I know all of that, so you don't need to worry."
Yin Wenxuan moved closer to her seat. "Mother, I've heard that the Regent is setting up some kind of academy. He'll be selecting suitable children from aristocratic families to enter the academy, and those children will be trained for His Majesty in the future."
Ever since she learned about this, Yin Wenxuan had already made her plans.
The Zhang family was not a prominent clan, so no matter how outstanding her son was, he couldn't get into a prestigious university.
However, the Yin family was a hereditary noble residence, and she had already found out that the affairs of the academy were now being handled by her sister-in-law's father.
If Lord Qin is willing to recommend him to the Regent...
Moreover, Yin Wenxuan had already discussed it with her husband, and they planned to have Zijin become a disciple of Grand Secretary Nian. If Grand Secretary Nian spoke well of them, then Zijin's future would be bright.
Yin Wenxuan explained all these plans to her mother in detail.
"this……"
Madam Yin was not confused. If her grandson could really get into the academy and become His Majesty's right-hand man in the future, the Pingyin Earl's Mansion would naturally benefit as well.
But thinking of Qin Sheng's words that day, Old Madam Yin couldn't help but feel a little discouraged.
“This matter needs to be done slowly. Fortunately, the academy is only just starting to be built, so we still have time,” said Madam Yin.
As long as it benefits her grandson or the Yin family, Old Madam Yin will seize the opportunity.
...
After lunch, the son-in-law went home first.
As for Yin Wenxuan, having been away from Beijing for many years, she was reluctant to leave her daughter and grandson and asked them to stay at the mansion for a few more days.
During her afternoon nap, Old Madam Yin asked Granny Shi, "How is things at Rainbow Courtyard?"
I heard yesterday that Aunt Mei vomited repeatedly during breakfast. I don't know if she's pregnant or just feeling unwell.
"There's no news yet. It's been too short to tell," sighed Granny Shi.
Madam Yin's face was grim. "She's only been in the manor for a short time. If she's really pregnant, it's probably an illegitimate child brought in from outside. If she gives birth to it, how will Wenxiao ever face anyone again!"
Granny Shi's heart skipped a beat: "That's right, what should we do then?"
Madam Yin said, "Have someone keep an eye on things, and as soon as it's confirmed that the actress is really pregnant, come and tell me immediately."
Granny Shi's expression was solemn as she nodded, "Don't worry, this old servant knows what's important."
Old Madam Yin lay on the bed, half asleep, when she suddenly opened her eyes again, thinking of something: "Has Wenxiao been to Zhefang Courtyard these past few days?"
"The Lord has caught a cold these past few days and is afraid of passing on his illness to the Madam, so he hasn't come."
The old lady frowned and pondered.
She was starting to get anxious. Now that Jiao Niang's baby was gone, if Qin Sheng was smart enough, he should seize this opportunity.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com