Because they did a good job in the Yangzhou mission, Emperor Mingzheng promoted Wang Suwen to the third rank and the minor official Zhang Guanghe to the fourth rank. Because he appreciated the two of them, he often summoned them to attend government meetings and gave them many rewards. As close ministers to the emperor, Wang Suwen and Zhang Guanghe were in great glory for a time.
Wang Suwen's mother, Shen, was delighted but also missed her younger brother Zhaoming. Upon her son's safe return, she went to Yunlan Temple to fulfill her vow and made another donation to accumulate merit for her brother.
Over the years, she has used all her connections, and her husband, son, and daughter have also helped to look for her, but there is still no news.
On the way home, she went to Tianyuan Temple and Lingtai Temple respectively. It always helps to pay one more visit.
Shen was a tough and intelligent person, and occasionally revealed her naive side in front of her husband, but when people were helpless, they would always try everything, including visiting more temples.
But this time, I unexpectedly ran into my father, Chen Xiao, at Lingtai Temple. Perhaps he also had people he wanted to pray for, such as Yumei and his half-brother.
Originally, they passed each other by and could have pretended not to see each other. But Shen Xiao was waiting for her on the way out, so Shen Zhaoshu had no choice but to bow: "Father."
"Well, sit down." Shen Xiao pointed to the stone table and stone bench next to him.
Shen Zhaoshu had no choice but to sit down and wait for her father to speak.
Shen Xiao hesitated for a moment and finally said, "Your sister is having a hard time in Rongguo Mansion. Can you help weigh her?
Your husband, Shangshu Wang, has promoted many people. Although your sister's child is not very good-looking, he is an honest person. Some positions that require reliable people can be left to this child.
Also, as for the money, can you take 10,000 taels? Just think of it as a loan from me."
It was all for Zhaoyu after all.
Zhao Shu only received 20% of her mother's dowry. Her father had taken the banknotes she'd saved from her wedding and given them to her eldest sister for emergency use. Zhao Shu's wedding was a faraway wedding, with no one to see her off. Her father hurried to give Zhao Yu the banknotes, even claiming they were loans.
It was said that 30% was left for his younger brother's marriage, but because of Zhaoming's disappearance, it was still in the hands of his father in the Marquis' Mansion.
Zhao Shu asked, "Has mother's dowry been used up for my eldest sister?"
Shen Xiao was silent in an awkward manner.
"My sister's child was expelled from the academy and was arrested twice by the Jingzhao Yin for fighting."
There was silence on both sides.
Shen Zhaoshu stood up and said goodbye. Shen Xiao suddenly said: "You all owe Zhaoyu. Her brother died to save you! This good marriage of yours was originally your sister's!"
Zhao Shu said, "Father, it's a life for a life. Mother and brother are both dead. Mother knelt before the Buddha for ten years, and my brother was just a scholar. Twelve Son of the Zhang family didn't survive..."
I also wish that my marriage had not been changed, so that my brother would not have gone to the battlefield."
Shen Xiao was extremely angry: "Are you blaming me for forcing your mother and your brother to death?"
Shen Zhaoshu bowed and said, "My daughter will take her leave." She had already walked over when she suddenly said, "Father investigated Mother very carefully at that time and wanted to put her in jail directly. Did Father investigate Auntie?"
Chen Xiao angrily said, "What nonsense are you talking about? Your eldest brother saved you, and you're throwing dirty water on his mother."
Zhao Shu said, "Father, I checked it later.
The reason why my eldest brother was able to save us was because he knew what my aunt was going to do.
Because of his actions, because of what my mother said at Yunlan Temple, and because my brother's deeds are irreversible, I don't want to do anything.
But please tell Zhaoyu not to cause trouble to me again. Otherwise, her biological mother's reputation will be ruined."
Shen Xiao was shocked beyond words.
Men fought in the court and outside the palace, and women in the inner chambers could not escape the domestic infighting.
Wang Lingyi hadn't expected to be poisoned by her husband's maid. Her husband, the young marquis, was still protecting the maid, and the relationship between the young couple suddenly cooled. The servants of Lanting and Fangfei Gardens, once close to each other due to the love between their two masters, now seemed to be cross-eyed due to the falling out between their masters.
Wang Lingyi lay on a double-decker bed made of huanghuali wood with a carved pattern. A bronze mirror was inlaid on the wall side of the bed frame, and beneath it stood a long row of small drawers. A hidden partition was placed on the wall side. Under the bed frame was a marble slab, topped with wooden planks. In the cold of winter, two silver-thread charcoal stoves could be placed underneath, warming the bed like spring. The bronze mirror was now gently shrouded by a crimson-colored veil, reflecting only a faint halo of light.
When Wang Lingyi's sister-in-law, Zhao Xinran, entered with the imperial physician, the maid, Beicui, had just opened the curtains. Beneath the brocade quilt, resting on a double-goose pillow, lay a face, unadorned with rouge and emerald, yet still strikingly beautiful. Even the court judge, accustomed to witnessing all manner of beauties in the palace, was still stunned by her brilliance when his eyes met this woman's face.
The woman extended her white wrist and said softly, "Thank you, Judge." The imperial physician hurriedly said, "Madam, you are too polite." The maid spread a silk handkerchief over the woman. The imperial physician felt Wang Lingyi's pulse for a long time before saying, "Madam, please excuse me for a moment."
Wang Lingyi watched the two leave and glanced at the maid Qingdai, who bowed her head and left. A moment later, she saw Qingdai return with red eyes. Wang Lingyi smiled softly and soothed, "Go ahead." Qingdai then whispered that the imperial physician had examined Lingyi's pulse and determined she wouldn't live past thirty. Wang Lingyi remained silent.
After a cup of tea, Wang Lingyi's mother-in-law and sister-in-law came in together. Wang Lingyi stood up to greet her mother-in-law, but her mother-in-law hurriedly told her to lie down. Her sister-in-law said to Wang Lingyi, "After hearing the news, Mother left the palace and came straight to the Marquis's residence. I'll go and greet her." Wang Lingyi asked her maid Chizhu to accompany her sister-in-law, knowing that her mother-in-law had something to say.
Her mother-in-law, Lady Yun, took Wang Lingyi's hand and said, "The Marquis's Mansion has let you down. This has happened. Don't worry, we'll take care of things for you. Relax and take good care of yourself." After a moment, she added, "Heng'er is not a fool. I've seen you and your wife always have a lively and happy life together. Don't let this incident drive you apart."
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