She utterly despised this Shi Xing.
In her previous life, after growing up, Shi Xing took advantage of Shi Wenxia's influence and frequently abused the maids in the Marquis's mansion. Many maids cried to her, asking to be moved to another place to serve her.
Unfortunately, Shi Xing was an outsider living in the outer courtyard, and with that person protecting him, she really couldn't do anything about him.
Later, I heard that he was sent out on a mission by that person, but I don't know what mission he was on. Two or three years later, he returned to the capital city with a fortune.
...
At the end of November, the Su family, along with the former Marquis of Yun's female relatives and several young children, a total of more than ten people, returned to the capital in a grand procession and moved into the county magistrate's mansion, which had never been officially registered.
Fortunately, the place was big enough that after a flurry of activity, everyone settled down.
The Zhou family was the first to come and visit.
At this moment, Old Madam Yun was holding Old Madam Zhou's hand, tears streaming down her face, while Zhou Shi, standing beside her, was also filled with tears as she looked at her mother.
"My dear sister, I've heard everything. The Grand Tutor has been dismissed from his post, and Zhou's eldest son was also investigated and demoted for helping the Yun family last year. Our Yun family has truly let you down!" Old Madam Yun said with deep remorse.
Zhou knew about this and felt very guilty.
Li and Yu, who were standing to the side, could only lower their heads in guilt. Their fathers were not in the capital and they could not lend a helping hand.
Madam Yun sighed, "All of you daughters-in-law are good. I told you not to ask your families for help because I was afraid your families would be implicated."
Madam Zhou simply smiled faintly and said, "In the ups and downs of officialdom, how many people throughout history have remained unscathed? We have only done our small part and done what we thought was right. Now that you have returned to the capital, we are related by marriage, so we will naturally continue to visit each other when necessary."
Zhou couldn't help but inquire about Guo, the wife of the third branch of the family, "Mother, how is my third sister-in-law doing now that she has returned to the Guo family?"
Madam Zhou's expression revealed a hint of disdain. "She's been looking for a husband for her daughter everywhere lately, but how can her reputation be any good these days? Everyone knows she's the kind of woman who runs away on her own when her husband's family is in trouble. What wealthy or powerful family would want her daughter?"
Madam Li nodded, "Yin'er is the second daughter of the Yun family. She is fourteen this year and will be of marriageable age next year. It's time to start looking for a match."
She still remembered that when Yun Manyin wanted to return to the capital with Guo, her biggest hope was to find a good home in the capital.
Madam Zhou sneered, "Her reputation has been ruined because of her mother, and she herself is in poor health. There are also rumors that she has a cough. It is impossible for a girl like her to marry into a wealthy family."
Both Li and Yu couldn't help but sigh.
Marrying into a powerful and wealthy family is not an easy task.
After chatting for a while, Old Madam Zhou took her leave. Before leaving, she saw that the Yun family boys were in high spirits and praised them repeatedly. She then told them to go to the Zhou family academy for the first half of the year and, when the time was right, to take the entrance exams for Songyun Academy in batches.
The three Zhou sisters-in-law were overjoyed. The old tutor Zhou had served two emperors and his family had a long and distinguished academic tradition. Moreover, the Zhou family school had been established for centuries, with teachers for all ages, and many of its students were admitted to Songyun Academy every year.
With important issues like food, lodging, and education resolved, Zhou began to plan his business.
Having over a thousand taels of silver on hand gave him more confidence.
After discussing with the Su family, they decided to open a pastry shop first and move Liufangzhai from Wufeng County over.
Hongyu has already mastered Zhao Mama's teachings, and with the help of Yun Xiuer and Yun Qiaoer, the recipe and manpower are readily available.
All you need to do is buy a shop.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Youran immediately made a decision: "First, set aside a window on the first floor of my Youran Restaurant to sell Liufangzhai pastries. Once the comprehensive trade market is built, I will transfer a large shop at a low price! Zhao Mama, you can discuss with the restaurant's chef anything you want to do, whether it's pastries or not."
Upon hearing this, Zhou realized the risk was much lower and immediately agreed.
Upon hearing this, Zhao's mother and Su Yue and the others became very enthusiastic. These days, Zhao's mother had received a lot of inspiration and learned many new recipes, and she was looking forward to showing off her skills.
Su Yue had been thinking about the afternoon tea snack recipes that the young county princess had taught her before, and she really wanted to share them.
...
The second group to visit were the eldest princess and the old lady of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
With Xiao Youran around, the two noble ladies, who were so powerful that even the capital city would tremble at their slightest stomp, were incredibly affectionate towards each other.
With these examples set by the women, the noble ladies from several other families in the capital who were originally on good terms with the Yunhou family gradually began to visit each other in private.
This gave Madam Yun the opportunity to spread the word about the heartless and treacherous nature of the Jiang family of the Yong'an Marquis's Mansion.
Especially Yunni, who was kept in the county magistrate's mansion.
Yunni's pregnancy is now stable, and she is three months pregnant.
With Yunni and the child in her womb as witnesses, Jiang Junma became famous in the capital city again in just over a month.
Madam Su knew that this was Old Madam Yun standing up for her, so she didn't say anything.
Meanwhile, the Yong'an Marquis's mansion was sinking deeper and deeper into despair.
When Lady Yong'an learned that Old Madam Yun and Madam Su had all returned to the capital safely, she felt a deep sense of unease.
The case of the eldest son, Jiang Mingli, has been dragging on at the Dali Temple, and he has been detained there ever since.
At the end of September, her grandson Jiang Yuan, whom she had always favored, failed the imperial examination.
The autumn examination was held behind closed doors in the examination room for three days, but he couldn't make it through. He collapsed on the morning of the third day and had to be carried back to his residence.
The physician examined his pulse and said that he had been sexually active too much, which had weakened his body. He had been unable to continue for two days due to exhaustion.
Enraged, Lady Yong'an immediately ordered Madam Gao to raid his mistress's home and expel the courtesan.
When Jiang Yuan finally woke up, he burst into tears upon learning what had happened. He claimed that it had nothing to do with the courtesan, but was all the fault of the young master of the Li family. He said that the young master had deliberately arranged for him to be placed next to the outhouse, and that he had fainted because he couldn't stand the smell.
Madam Gao was also exasperated, scolding him that if it weren't for this courtesan, how could he have offended the young master of the Li family? Besides, the Earl's mansion was in such a predicament, where would they get extra money to support his mistress?
A few days later, before the Earl's family's financial straits had been alleviated, Gao brought another piece of bad news.
More than two months ago, she wrote a letter back to Dingzhou, asking Jiang Laosan to order half of the Jiang family's assets, which were sealed in Dingzhou, to be taken out and sent to the capital to relieve the Bo family's predicament.
Although Jiang Laosan was unwilling, he knew that the Earl's family had reached a dead end because of his father and mother's seals. He had no choice but to send half of his family's wealth to the capital.
Unexpectedly, just five days before reaching the capital, the Westerners entered the pass.
Originally, the Western barbarians were far away from Dingzhou and would not have affected Dingzhou.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com