Jian Ningchu had her hair simply tied up and was wearing a pink dress. Judging from the texture of the dress, it was made of high-quality material. Several servants followed her. She was walking on the road with a basket on her shoulder. It seemed that she had been out for fun and was about to go back.
"Why is it her? Wei Yan, why is she here?" Mi Niang looked at Jian Ningchu's figure and pointed to Fang Wei Yan.
Fang Weiyan thought it was nothing strange: "She was obviously rescued. Didn't Madam say that she didn't see her go to the Jiaofangsi at the beginning?"
As for who saved her, the person who was able to save her must have been very powerful, after all, Jian Ningchu was the descendant of a criminal official.
Mi Niang looked at her for a few more times and said, "Send someone to find out first. If she is doing well, that's fine. If she is not doing well, we can help her if we can."
Fang Weiyan nodded: "I know about this."
Mi Niang didn't say much and soon arrived at the gate of the manor. This manor was not like the farmlands she had seen in the countryside of Jiangling as Mi Niang had imagined. It was actually built extremely magnificently.
"Everyone is talking about the manor, but I thought it was a farm like the ones in our countryside. I didn't expect it to be built so well."
Fang Weiyan smiled and said, "Of course, if my husband and I come here, my mother will definitely arrange a nice farm for us to stay."
Soon the village head came out to greet them. Mr. Lei was over 50 years old and looked quite smart and capable. After a day of bumpy ride, Envy'er was so tired that he could hardly close his eyes. Fortunately, Mr. Lei had already prepared food for him.
He also said: "They are all country dishes. Although they are not as good as those in the Marquis' Mansion, they are better in that they have some rustic flavor."
These words are quite modest, but at least the delicious dishes cooked in a big stove placed under the tree with cool breeze have a unique taste.
Perhaps it was because she was no longer bound by the usual rules and regulations, Mi Niang felt much more relaxed. Besides, it was cool on the farm and she felt very comfortable even at night without using ice.
Mi Niang took a bite of the meat and praised it repeatedly: "In the past, I always felt that pork fat was greasy. No matter how delicious it was, it would become greasy after two or three slices. The braised pork here is rare in that it is glutinous and not greasy."
Apparently Fang Weiyan had been to this farm before. He explained, “I heard that when blanching the fish, they use water from lotus leaves to remove the greasy smell.”
"So that's how it is." Mi Niang was not good at cooking, but she knew how to eat. After listening to Fang Wei Yan's explanation, she suddenly understood.
Moreover, when the two were halfway through their meal, Xian Ge'er had fallen asleep completely. Mi Niang asked the wet nurse to send the child back to rest, and the couple started to talk in private.
"Why don't they want to come out to the farm to get some fresh air? It's easy to get sick if you stay stuck in the yard." Mi Niang was puzzled.
Fang Weiyan smiled and said, "Maybe they are afraid of trouble when there are too many people."
Mi Niang said angrily: "If we go to burn incense, everyone will rush to go. How can it be like what you said?"
In fact, when Fang Weiyan came to the manor, he was also suspected of avoiding right and wrong. The conflict between his husband Lu Rufa and Cui Ti had become irreconcilable. Although Cui Ti and Lu Rufa were both favored by the emperor and had great favor, they were actually completely different.
Lu Rufa was a simple official who dared to take on responsibilities. He was not afraid of offending the powerful or the wealthy. However, Cui Ti was a famous prime minister, and in terms of ability, Cui Ti could not compare with Lu Rufa.
This is the case with most things in this world: those who flatter others tend to hold high positions, while those who focus on getting things done are suppressed.
Fang Weiyan wanted to help Lu Rufa, but he was in mourning at the time. Lu Rufa told him not to get involved and to conserve his strength for the upper level fight. Fang Weiyan was in mourning at home now and had the will but not the strength, so he might as well lie low.
In his previous life, he was still working as an editor in the Hanlin Academy. Old Madam Weng had passed away long ago, so there was no need to observe mourning.
But at that time, he had just started out, and because his younger brother Weijun had passed away and his mother Xu and his eldest sister-in-law Shen were fighting, he had to protect himself.
Now that Wei Jun has obtained a title, he naturally does not want to be constrained like in his previous life. The emperor has too many selfish desires, and now that the throne is undecided, everything is completely different from his previous life.
But he couldn't do this anymore.
Without the strong support of Empress Dowager Ruan and Emperor Yingzong, Empress Dowager Ruan supported the Huang-Lao school of thought, always supported recuperation and rest, and spared no expense in cutting down on palace expenses. However, Emperor Yingzong was a young and talented man who trusted his ministers and supported reform.
Resting on the farm, I fell into a deep sleep and didn't even want to wake up, it was so comfortable.
And there was no need for the so-called greetings. Mi Niang felt that her hair had grown a few more strands, and after soaking in the hot spring, her whole limbs felt extremely comfortable. Even her jealous brother, who was often taken out by his father to run around because the hot spring was too big, seemed to have grown taller in just half a month.
At the same time, the people sent by Fang Weiyan also arrived. He said to Mi Niang in disbelief, "That manor is very secretive. Our people were lucky enough to see it once. It seems to be Gu Wangshu."
If it was Gu Wangshu, Mi Niang would feel relieved.
Although she hated Gu Wangshu very much in her previous life, the fact that Gu Wangshu married Jian Ningchu could give her a status, which was much better than her being in the Jiaofangsi.
Besides, now that Xu has married a new wife, she naturally doesn't want to mention the past Jian Ningchu anymore.
"The servants reported that she was living a good life. They often saw people bringing in high-quality silk, and every few days, freshwater seafood and supplements were delivered there."
If Gu Wangshu really treated her as a plaything, he wouldn't have to worry to such an extent.
Mi Niang nodded: "If that's the case, it's out of our control."
When they returned to the Marquis' Mansion, it was almost Mid-Autumn Festival. They had unexpectedly lived there for several months. The family of three came to pay their respects to Xu and Marquis Dong'an. Xu held Xian'er tightly and refused to let go.
"Have you grown taller again? Oh, it really is."
Mi Niang laughed and said, "He can run around on the farm, and when he's tired he eats a lot. The weather is cool, so he sleeps a lot. He's almost become a lazy pig. He won't even write. I say one thing, and he says three things in return."
Mrs. Xu felt sorry for her grandson: "He is still young, as long as he is safe."
Because Mi Niang and Fang Wei Yan were both overly diligent, but Xian Ge'er was still young, Xu was afraid that her grandson would suffer.
After a few people chatted and laughed for a while, Mi Niang also brought back a lot of local products from the farm and distributed them to everyone. Xu wanted to let her grandson stay overnight, and Mi Niang agreed.
This time when he went to the manor, Fang Weiyan was not idle. Xu took out only a tiny portion of Old Lady Weng's private property and distributed it to each room. Everyone was very happy, not knowing that the bulk of the money had been taken by Fang Weiyan. This time when he went to the manor, he was also trying to attract attention and prepare to put all these things away.
Thinking of what happened to Jian Ningchu, Mi Niang decided not to bring it up again when she saw Chang Yuzhu coming.
In her previous life, Chang Yuzhu had a high status in the palace. She was also said to be a good mother for a boy and was pregnant frequently. Therefore, the empress dowager valued her very much. But when she went to pay her respects to the empress dowager, she was also looked up to.
But the relationship between the palace and the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law is different from that in ordinary families. In ordinary families, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law have to meet every day, and the mother-in-law has great power in the inner house. After Xu found out that Chang Yuzhu was stubborn and self-righteous, and that she was good at making big promises but never finishing them, she lectured her every day. Even though Chang Yuzhu didn't want to change her previous habits at the border, she has changed a lot.
In addition, Fang Weijun listened to Xu's words very much. After knowing these things about Chang Yuzhu, although he did not distance himself from Chang Yuzhu, he was no longer as close to her as before.
After Mi Niang knew about it, she said, "Although it is said that it is difficult to change a person's nature, it would be a good thing for her if she could understand the power of this instead of fighting for supremacy."
The relationships between people are very subtle. Fang Weijun and Fang Weiyan have a good relationship now, but if they are not in harmony in the future, it will not matter to Fang Weiyan. He has his own ambitions and ideals, but it will be difficult for Fang Weijun to support the entire mansion. He needs someone to support him. If he doesn't look for his own brother, can he look for Fang Weichang?
Chun Tao poured a bowl of walnut milk for Mi Niang and said, "I just came back and heard a piece of news in the capital."
"Oh, what's the matter?" Mi Niang took a sip of walnut paste and found it delicious.
Chun Tao smiled and said, "Do you still remember Wang Sanniang?"
Mi Niang nodded: "Of course I remember."
Because of marrying Cui Ti, her value doubled, and she was always flattered wherever she went.
Chun Tao said, "Something happened to the Wang family. I heard that her father was corrupt while in office, and her brother, Xiao Shen's husband, was said to have treated her mother harshly."
Mi Niang was puzzled: "The Wang family's official position is not high, how could they be suddenly impeached by the historian Yu?"
Chuntao didn't know.
But the first thing that Mi Niang thought of was probably whether something happened to Cui Ti?
Generally, when dealing with a person, we first cut off the branches and then the main trunk, so that the disease can be completely eradicated.
But Cui Ti didn't go down so quickly in her previous life, so Mi Niang said: "Although the Wang family has been reported and may be ordered to retire, it's nothing."
Who wouldn't participate in the Shi Ke Dao?
Wang Sanniang returned to her parents' home at this time. When Lord Wang saw his third daughter, he felt relieved.
"Third Lady, you are back."
In the past, Wang Sanniang had no sense of existence at home. Her stepmother ignored her, and her father was also indifferent. But now, they are very attentive to her. Wang Sanniang lowered her eyes and said, "Father, what's going on?"
"Officialdom is like the water of purity where there is no fish. Sometimes you refuse to accept anything. How will others see you? I'm afraid that your father won't be able to continue to be an official." What Lord Wang said was true.
He asked again: "What does Yuanfu say?"
Wang Sanniang said, "Don't worry for now. Yuanfu will definitely get it. But you and mother should be more careful in the future. What if someone catches us again? Especially mother, it shouldn't be my fault as a married woman, but it was clearly mother's fault. She insisted on bringing her grandson with her and was not kind to grandmother. My brother just sent mother to live on the farm. Does that mean he is wrong?"
The status of a legitimate mother is high, but colluding with outsiders to mess with her own sons and sons-in-law is simply unacceptable in the world.
Wang Sanniang's meaning was very clear. Rather than letting her stepmother go out and cause trouble again, it would be better to make a decision early. If she died now, the family would still be able to worry about her. In three to five years, no one would remember such a thing.
Of course, what she meant was that it was more important to protect her eldest brother first. Her father was already old, and if he continued to advance, he would not be able to enter the cabinet as he was not a Hanlin, and it would be difficult for him to even be called a minister. In this case, it would be better to let her brother, who had passed the imperial examination at a young age, pursue a career in officialdom.
Lord Wang was furious: "What are you talking about? If it weren't for you, I have been an official for so many years, and I have been careful and cautious. How could I be implicated? It's not just me. Several of Yuan Fu's students have been impeached."
His family affairs cannot allow a concubine's daughter to interfere.
You married well, but if it weren’t for the Wang family, how could you have married so well?
If you were a commoner, would Cui Ti marry you?
Wang Sanniang said coldly, "When my husband was the prime minister, you all wanted him to help you with everything. Now, it's clear that mother is wrong, but father is still covering up for her. What will happen to brother in the future?"
"I really didn't expect you to be so heartbroken. Even though your mother didn't raise you since you were little, she still took good care of you. Why are you like this?"
Lord Wang thought to himself, you treat my stepmother like this now, how will you treat me in the future?
But Wang Sanniang knew that her father would agree, because men are selfish. They always think about their official positions and the future of their children and grandchildren. How could they care about women?
During the Double Ninth Festival, the Wang family observed the mourning period and returned to their hometown.
Cui Ti's position was still very stable, but Lu Rufa was not in the party because of ideological differences. He ignored Emperor Yonglong's attempts to retain him and returned to his hometown to retire due to poor health.
But Lu Rufa was clearly in his prime, and there was obviously nothing he could do. His political ideals could not be realized, so he had to return home.
Li Tan was still preserved and always followed Cui Ti's lead.
These are all important affairs of the court. For the Dong'an Marquis' Mansion, the things that Xu has to control are, first, to prevent deaths in the various rooms. During the mourning period, concubines are not allowed to be taken and children are not allowed. Second, they must start to eliminate the people who have always been close to Madam Weng.
These have nothing to do with Mi Niang. What she cares about is that Lu Rufa has returned home. What should she do if Fang Weiyan relapses?
Naturally they couldn't go out and about during the mourning period, so they took a taxi to the manor under the pretext of holding a ceremony for Old Madam Weng. Fang Weiyan would also visit the Taoist temple from time to time.
Fang Weiyan himself didn't mind: "Even if I don't have a mentor, I still have my own network in Beijing. Besides, many people of my age may not even have any fame."
"It might even be played out loud."
Speak out loud?
Mi Niang shook her head: "How can that be? The Hanlin Academy is so noble, why do you have to go from the clean stream to the muddy stream? And you can only go there if you have made a mistake. With your prudence as an official, even if Cui Ti targets you, she can't find any evidence against you."
This is true. Fang Weiyan doesn't have much contact with the eunuchs, and even Mi Niang, his bedmate, can't find his sore spots and weaknesses.
Whether dealing with family disputes or matters outside, he never reveals any clues.
Fang Weiyan, however, said nothing.
In his previous life, he was originally sent out this year, but because he had a disease that meant he couldn't get too much sun. If he got too much sun, he would vomit and have diarrhea, and his whole body became weak. No matter how much ice he put in, it didn't help. Instead, he suffered from alternating hot and cold and caught a cold, so he couldn't get up.
But this year, because Mi Niang was going to the farm, they were all in a good mood at the farm and did not get sick as much as before.
Therefore, he is in good health.
Moreover, he had never served as an official outside the capital, even in his previous life. He lacked practical experience. It would be a good thing for him if he could be sent out in this life. Moreover, he did not go in his previous life, but Zou Yunhe was sent instead, which caused great public anger.
After this incident, there were numerous uprisings, both large and small, and the country later experienced several major wars, which almost led to the end of the country. Emperor Yingzong ascended the throne. Although he was young, Empress Dowager Ruan was in power. She could not read much, but she was a smart person, especially she supported the Taoist Huang-Lao school.
In other words, governing a big country is like cooking a small fish, and no taxes will be collected within five years.
Life was very difficult at first, but then the country's fortunes gradually turned around. Moreover, she herself was not like Emperor Yonglong who liked to play a balancing act. Most of the time, she believed in whoever she believed in and never changed her mind.
Even a few years before Emperor Yingzong's reign, the court was unable to control the Miao rebellion in Guizhou, Annan refused to submit to Dayong, and even Haidong, which had always regarded Dayong as its parent country, attempted to establish itself. Queen Mother Nguyen was burdened with a lot of criticism.
Now it seems that it is right for the country to rest and recuperate.
At first, people criticized Ruan for comparing her to the chaos of Lu and Huo, but she continued to do her own thing. She did not like to employ literati and preferred to employ capable and honest officials.
However, there are no outstanding candidates among Emperor Yonglong's concubines, and even the king's head cannot be appointed.
He didn't know what the future would be like, but he could use his power to not only turn the tide, but also bring about gradual changes.
Compared to Fang Weiyan's mind full of national affairs, Mi Niang, in addition to mourning, occasionally heard some gossip, such as the second wife Ding came to the door and said: "We went to the palace to see the queen yesterday. The queen Defei is in very good health and seems to be pregnant again."
Fan Yuzhen is pregnant again, which is good news.
"Then can I be promoted to Noble Consort by then?" It is not impossible to skip the position of Consort Shu and be promoted to Noble Consort.
Mrs. Ding said, "That would be great if it were so. Old Madam Ruan might have the same idea, but matters like this are up to the Emperor."
Our emperor is not an ordinary person. If he likes you, he will make a commoner girl a concubine. If he doesn't like you, he will only make the daughter of a fourth-rank commander a low-rank concubine.
Everything depends on his preferences.
"No matter what, serve His Majesty wholeheartedly, and you will get what you deserve in the future." This is all Mi Niang could say.
However, since Concubine De had a status in the palace, the Duke of Hanhai knew that Fang Weiyan might become a lecturer and a close minister of the emperor in the near future, so they had close contacts with him. Even though Fang Weiyan refused several times, the Duke of Hanhai still treated him with generous gifts. Of course, they had sufficient reasons, after all, Mi Niang was a member of their Ruan family.
Outsiders didn't know this, and they all looked up to Mi Niang. Chang Yuzhu thought she was the most prestigious, but now she saw the courtesy that the Hanhai Mansion showed Mi Niang, and she was secretly jealous. Just like her mother said, Madam Weng was a wealthy woman, but she only gave them a few small things out of so much money. Xu was really too partial...
You always say that this title was given to you by Fang Weiyan. If you have the ability, don't give it up. It's because you are reluctant to give up your career.
Always pretending to be a good person.
Since ancient times, there can't be two tigers in one mountain, but it's too early for such a big family to split up now, and Chang Yuzhu is extremely depressed.
However, Chang Yuzhu was soon happy because Fang Weiyan was actually sent out after Ding You was reinstated.
As everyone knows, the Hanlin Academy is a clean stream, while being sent out is a muddy stream. Chang Yuzhu was so happy to go from a clean stream to a muddy stream. She could finally stop being bullied by that woman. Being compared to her every day was unbearable for anyone.
Now Fang Weiyan is going to be exiled, and it is unknown when he will come back...
Chang Yuzhu wanted to soar to the sky.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
