Chapter 4 Rumors "Is there something wrong with the ancestral tomb?
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The housekeeper returned home in the moonlight and reported the previous events to Yan Siqing, who had just returned from the county government office, outside the study.
"This Mr. Jiang is a respectable man. He not only praised his wife for keeping her word, but was also ecstatic."
Yan Siqing put down the book with an unclear expression. She did not fully believe the housekeeper's judgment. She could even imagine that the domineering Mr. Jiang would probably have said such words in an extremely harsh and hypocritical manner at that time.
But she didn't know the other person's true nature, and it was not easy for her to make things up in front of him. After considering it for a moment, she said, "That's great. He's a good person."
The housekeeper agreed with this.
Yan Siqing then gave the order: "From now on, everyone in the mansion must be strictly monitored and all coming and going must be clearly registered. Especially the young ones, do not let them out."
The housekeeper was supported by her and was always considerate. He responded promptly, took people to the various courtyards to notify them, and also ordered the servants and guards in the mansion to be under his control.
The study curtains swayed with jewels and jadeite. After the quiet settled, only the candlelight inside the study was warm. The maid Liu'er was a little worried: "I always feel that there is something strange about this Mr. Jiang. Although his guards helped out out of kindness, it is obvious that they came for the Shen family. What a coincidence."
The other party didn't even try to hide this "coincidence".
How could a guard happen to see injustice on the official road in the wild while the host waits and watches in front of the government gate in the city?
Even Liu'er felt that something was wrong, let alone Yan Siqing.
However, Liu'er and others were not in a position to say it clearly: it might not be aimed at the Shen family, but it might also be aimed at their own wives.
There have been many such incidents in the past.
Yan Siqing lowered his eyes, placed the bookmark on a page, and gently closed the book. "Regardless of good or evil, he hasn't directly revealed his true colors and is willing to help. It just means he still has room for maneuver or concerns. He has to conceal his true intentions and wait and see what happens."
Not holding banquets and not having any contact means using stillness to control movement.
Liu'er: "But with the gift you just gave me, Madam, aren't you afraid he'll get angry? I think that man's aura is really scary."
As Yan Siqing walked, she put the book back to its original place on the bookshelf. She turned her back to Liu'er and faced the dazzling array of books. Her face was backlit and looked dim, and her thoughts also involved the master and servants she saw at noon.
Those sharp blades...are not owned by private merchants.
It looks like it was made by an official workshop. The common people in the martial arts world cannot produce weapons of this standard, especially the bow and arrow.
Is he an official? Or a military officer?
She saw the mark on it.
She had seen this mark when she was a child.
The red Xiezhi pendant hanging on the man's waist is priceless. The wealth and interests of the Shen family are of no concern to him, after all, he is a powerful person.
Are you coming here for yourself?
That's too arrogant.
Yan Siqing eliminated all possibilities one by one, and when he thought of his young family being in danger, his expression became a little stern.
Her life was mostly ordinary, with only one thing she didn't want to tell anyone, but everyone knew it - when her father retired and returned home with his relatives, he was killed. She seemed to hear the faint voice of her mother begging the criminals to spare her.
The knuckles of the fingers that were originally pressing against the book bent slightly, and he lowered his head slightly to adjust his labored breathing, which was barely detectable and fainter than the early night.
She turned around, her face bright in the candlelight, and said gently, "I just have a bad temper. I have a sharp tongue but a soft heart. If I can teach my subordinates to be kind and benevolent, I must set an example myself."
Liu'er felt that the "吧" that the lady said at the end of her sentence was very light. Usually, she would use this perfect attitude to hide her impatience with hypocrisy when dealing with some big customers who were extremely difficult and cunning but refused to give up the deal.
At this time, Jiang Hui asked Ruozhao to book another room in the inn.
Ruozhao and the others were surprised and thought they had to cancel the current rooms and book another inn.
Jiang Hui: "No refund, just add a reservation, but there's no need to do that. You have to make the reservation openly - book the inn she invested in, and it has to be the closest to the Chen residence."
"I have to let this Madam Yan know how grateful I, Jiang, am to her for receiving such a large sum of money."
Ruoqin was stunned and said bluntly, "Isn't that just spying on people nearby? How arrogant?"
Ruo Zhao quickly retorted, "Nonsense! This is a perfect countermeasure for His Highness. Madam Yan will undoubtedly be apprehensive when she learns of this and will ponder countermeasures. She will even take the initiative to test the waters."
Jiang Hui glanced at them, his expression cold and calm. "Spying on her? Of course not. I was spying on the mosquitoes in her mansion."
With a slap, he killed another mosquito and continued scratching.
"If you can still hurt me, you must have some extraordinary qualities and should not be underestimated."
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The incident between Shen Tongqing and others and the tenants was a big deal in Yu Yancheng. The common people talked about it with great relish and applauded it. They also heard that the Shen family had provided assistance to the victims such as the Lin family, helped them to settle down again, and the wages of other tenants who were harshly paid were also compensated.
Gain a good reputation again in a short time.
But for Yu Yansiqing, this kind of thing was not something that she was worried about or took up all her time. She was very busy and had many stalls in various places. The return of spices by ship alone was a major event in the near future.
While discussing matters at home, Yan Siqing met the Shen family's grandmother, Zhou.
Zhou had a turbulent life. She married a man of great talent and learning at a young age. He achieved fame and honor, and the family moved up the social ladder. She looked like she would have a bright future. However, not long after taking office, the court was in turmoil. He contracted a serious illness from overwork and died not long after. The family fell into decline before it could even move up the social ladder. She had to raise her children and grow them up to start their own families amidst the crises around them. She also had to manage the family. When her children had their own children, and the family was thriving and enjoying a good life, it was followed by another period of turmoil.
The current monarch is brave and powerful. He has fought wars to quell rebellions and changed dynasties for decades, but it is inevitable that many people have been exiled and their families have been destroyed. The Zhou family has also lost a lot of people, including Chen Cangyu's parents.
As time went by, Zhou became a grandmother, and her eldest grandson Chen Cangyu also grew up. She brought the latter to the door to ask for marriage, and established a marriage with the Xu family, Yan Siqing's mother's family, based on their old friendship.
In the tea room, Zhou listened to Yan Siqing briefly mentioning the events of the past two days. Liu'er and other close confidants, maids and nannies were beside her.
Yan Siqing also mentioned the county magistrate He Zhihong and Jiang Hui, the stranger who appeared out of nowhere. Liu'er was a little surprised, but lowered her head and said nothing.
Zhou looked at Yan Siqing and pushed a plate of butterfly cakes in front of the latter.
Yan Siqing ate it casually, but not intimately.
After a while, Zhou said, "The spices from the Western Regions carried by the Changyun, such as the wood and storax, are fine. But the deal you negotiated last year, for the most valuable cloud glue from Parthia, is over two months away. You were worried about changes before that. After all, this deal is secretive. Only people within the Shen family, several local abbey owners, and the ship's directors knew about the deal. You suspected a traitor, so you decided to deal with Chen Tongqing and the others."
Outsiders only thought it was a matter of livelihood for the tenants, and had no idea that there was a huge business behind it, with great value.
Otherwise, there would be no need to be so decisive and cooperate with the county magistrate He Zhihong.
Because the latter was young, handsome, and had a bright future, he was the first to come here to work and had dealt with the Shen family because of business matters. At that time, Yan Siqing had just stabilized the situation of the Shen family not long ago, and there were people inside and outside who were malicious or jealous and found fault and made up stories.
It is indeed difficult for women to deal with things. Yan Siqing reported the matter to the police directly at that time, and the matter was handled with great fanfare to make an example of her, but she did avoid such things later.
Although he is upright, the world is corrupt and people's hearts are based on his words.
If business requires undisclosed contact with clients, Yan Siqing will talk to the only senior relative currently in the family.
That is Zhou.
She doesn't like leaving anything at risk.
Liu'er and the others were surprised that Yan Siqing mentioned Mr. Jiang.
He Zhihong had a previous experience, which had caused a lot of controversy.
Could it be that this sudden appearance of Mr. Jiang would also become a viral topic?
It's just the first time we met.
Yan Siqing: "Yes, we can only investigate this matter after we have arrested the person. I hope it is not what I expected, but if something really happened, it is better to find out as soon as possible, rather than cramming at the last minute when the transaction date with Chang'an is due."
Zhou nodded, very satisfied with this treatment, otherwise she would not have asked several elders to cooperate.
This is doing things for the collective interests of the Shen family, and others will help.
but....
"What's wrong with that young man surnamed Jiang? You've already returned the gift, and the thank you gift is quite respectable. Unless he has other motives, he'll show up again. Is he that little bully-like bastard from General Lin's family?"
Yan Siqing took the initiative to understand, and Zhou Shi would not be sneaky and suspicious of her, so it was considered direct.
The little bully of the Lin family was the pervert who coveted Yan Siqing back then, and everyone hated him deeply.
"Not really. I just don't know their intentions. If I contact them again, I'm afraid there are people behind Chen Tongqing and others pushing them. It will be bad for my reputation and affect my family."
Yan Siqing had speculated in advance and informed the public in advance based on the worst-case scenario, so as to avoid any messy rumors spreading outside that would affect the whole government after the incident really happened.
Zhou was holding her teacup when she saw the old nanny's suspicious look behind the small door curtain. She put down her teacup and said slowly, "A fool who can be affected by such a small matter in the family is naturally not that powerful. You and I have never shared the power of management, so it is natural that you will not affect the major matters of the family. Have you been so busy lately that you haven't eaten much?"
Zhou had been in charge for many years and had authority. Her narratives were always steady and well-organized. Yan Siqing was listening and agreeing at first, but she paused at the last sentence and looked at the maids.
Zhou: "They dare not say anything, and they can't control you, but since you have come to me and told me these things, I am still your grandmother and can control you."
"Ignore that outsider named Jiang. Just handle your own affairs. Eat the food when it's ready."
The old lady waved her hand, and the meeting ended. She reached out and held Yan Siqing's hand, pulling her to the kitchen to eat.
The old man's hand looked withered, but it was actually warm. Yan Siqing was tall but thin. As he was led away, his originally cold and wise features relaxed a little, becoming less dignified. Instead, he held the old man's palm. Zhou, who was walking in front, curled her lips, seeming very satisfied. Qin Niang, the old nanny who was following her, saw this and smiled as well.
In the kitchen, a little girl with pigtails from a private school was tiptoeing to reach for a pastry on the table. Her chubby paws were greasy, and it was obvious that she had already eaten one. Her cheeks were bulging and she was still chewing it up and down, like a little rabbit.
The nanny next to her smiled and didn't care. It wasn't that she was negligent in her duties, but because the elders in the family loved and doted on the girl, and it was clear that they would not restrict the child's nature, nor would they constrain the little girl with strict etiquette.
Especially when there are no outsiders around.
"Oh, mother! Great-grandmother!"
The little girl was only five years old, and she was articulate. Although she was cute and naive, her eyes and eyebrows were delicate. When she smiled, she looked like a fat baby in the New Year pictures. When she saw her relatives, she swallowed the food in her mouth in one gulp, raised her hand to take the wet handkerchief handed to her by the maid, wiped her mouth and hands, and then ran away.
As soon as Mrs. Zhou passed the curtain and saw the little girl, she bent down and hugged the little girl who was running towards her, and kissed her for a long time.
Being busy with work all year round, it was impossible for him to raise children regularly, so Yan Siqing and Chen Cangyu's only daughter was mostly raised by Zhou, and was taken care of very well and healthily.
Yan Siqing stood by and watched gently, occasionally pinching the ends of her daughter's fluffy hair with her fingers.
The meal was a bit lively. After all, there was a child there and he was not restrained, so he made a lot of silly and naughty noises. The two adults responded and asked about what he had learned in private school and interesting things.
In the past, Yan Siqing would have already taken care of many matters in Guifang in such a short time, but she was not in a hurry to leave tonight. After dinner, she hugged her daughter and cuddled with her for a long time, then she held her cheek and smiled quietly as she watched the two of them chatting and laughing.
After a while, the little girl came over.
"Has mother lost weight?"
Yan Siqing, who seemed gentle and amiable but always kept a distance from others, was not at all repulsed by his daughter's intimacy. He held her around the waist with one hand and kneaded the girl's cheeks with the other hand. He did not use much force, as if he felt that the tender and trembling flesh was fun to play with.
She asked softly, "What do you think, Zhao Zhao?"
Chen Wanzhao, nicknamed Zhaozhao, was still just a little girl who reached Yan Siqing's knees. She leaned over Yan Siqing's knees and reached out to pinch her mother's wrist.
"There's not enough meat, not as much as Zhao Zhao."
She compared and measured carefully, and made a rigorous judgment. Looking at her chubby little hands and Yan Siqing's slender wrists and green fingers, the contrast was even more obvious, causing all the girls in the room to burst into laughter.
Yan Siqing couldn't help but smile for a moment.
The people in the room became quiet for a moment. Zhou also stared at Yan Siqing's face and silently ate another piece of cake.
Zhao Zhao was stunned for a moment, then moved closer, sobbing and kissing his sweet and soft mother.
Woohoo, my mother is so beautiful, the most beautiful lady in the world. Let all the brothers and sisters in the private school envy her!
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Yan Siqing still had a lot of things to do, so after she left, the little girl also had to take a nap.
The old lady returned to her own courtyard and drank tea to help digestion. The old lady, Qin Niang, who had been married to her when she was young, her sister for many years, and now her companion in her old age, complained that she had eaten too much and had not digested the food.
"I saw you taking the opportunity to dine with my wife today. You must have a good appetite, but you can't eat such a heavy meal. You don't like to move and you don't even want to walk a few steps around the garden."
She kept nagging, and Zhou was in the wrong. She rubbed her stomach and drank tea. After a while, she asked Madam Qin to privately control the mouths of the people in the mansion.
"Few of them can do harm, but don't let Siqing hear those rubbish. It's disgusting."
She also had her own days when she lost her husband and had to take charge of the family. She had seen more of what Yan Siqing had experienced.
Madam Qin understood and agreed, unable to help but say, "Most of the people in the family are good, but some are selfish. The young lady is a wise person and trusts you, so she entrusted this matter to you. In fact, she may not have the means to deal with these people."
It is a good thing for an old person to still be trusted by the younger generation. Zhou felt comfortable and understood Yan Siqing's intentions and tactics.
They are all foxes who are thousands of years old, and they have only known each other for more than a day or two. How can they manage such a large family and numerous industries without such ability?
"Si Qing may seem gentle, but she's actually been around since she was little. She's been through some serious battles with her uncle, and she's capable of handling big things. She'd rather fight powerful people than mess around with these unsavory things."
The more Zhou Shi mentioned this, the more she smiled. Madam Qin turned around and looked at her. "Yes, like you, the young lady also cares about you and wants you to walk around the garden more often every day to stretch your muscles. You are at a good age now."
"Don't come here, it's not time for a walk yet. But you seem to be better than me..."
She said that she had excellent vision, but her grandson was not lucky.
Thinking of the past, Zhou's eyes became depressed.
It turns out that she also has a very powerful grandson.
But no matter how good the Shen family is, they are unlucky and have only dragged down her and better women like Yan Siqing - if they could choose, they would deserve a better future.
"Maybe there's something wrong with the ancestral grave. I'll find some fortune tellers to take a look tomorrow." Zhou had this thought and became determined.
Lady Qin: “….”
The two of them actually made a plan and were waiting to find someone to pick a date to visit the Shen family's ancestral tomb.
The Feng Shui of the house was also mentioned, and just at this moment the maid outside announced the time.
The two of them went for a walk in the back garden together, passing by the garden that had been built under the house for many years. When they passed the lotus pond, the grandmother even commented on it.
"This pond is pretty good, and the flowers are pretty good too. Siqing and Zhaozhao both love to take a walk here and eat lotus roots."
"I know the masters like it and the servants are taking good care of it. Don't worry, old lady. The bamboo shoots in the forest are also produced."
Zhou's eyes lit up, and she planned to ask the kitchen to make pickled pork with preserved vegetables tomorrow...
After they passed by.
Across from the bamboo forest on the back mountain, in the gap of a stone window with a dragon carving on the wall covered with green ivy and red flowers, a gecko was crawling. Suddenly, it seemed to be frightened and fell off the carving, revealing an eyeball with bloodshot lower three white veins in the gap.
He stared straight inside and looked coldly at the backs of Zhou and others as they left.
After a while, a few fresh green ivy leaves fell from the wall.
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