Madam Jian has always been a very strong person. She has been almost invincible in the business world for so many years. It would be easy for her to turn the situation around at this time. But just as she was about to lose her temper, Mi Niang took Madam Ding out and said to Madam Li as she walked, "We were rude today. We will come to apologize to you sooner or later."
He then said to Mrs. Jian, "Don't send me dowry or anything like that in the future. Give it to Miss Jian. You are a member of the Jian family now, and all your money is from the Jian family. Although we are poor, we also know that the poor should not accept charity."
"Mom, let's go."
The second wife of Ding followed Mi Niang into the carriage without even turning back. After they were seated, Mi Niang looked at the second wife of Ding and said, "Mother, you didn't blame me for acting on my own, did you?"
If they were to take advantage of the situation and recognize each other as relatives, Lord Jian would take better care of Ruan Jiading just for the sake of face. Besides, Mrs. Jian was rich, and any bit of her wealth would be enough for their family to live on for a lifetime. She naturally knew that her mother was a woman of integrity, but she was afraid that her mother would consider her husband and her son.
"No blame." Second Madam Ding said self-deprecatingly, "I always feel that I am not a broad-minded person. When she remarried before, she specially left half of her dowry for me. The ones I should really blame are my uncle and aunt. As a woman using someone else's identity, she is of course restricted in every way. It seems that I shouldn't blame her, but I just can't forgive it."
Mi Niang breathed a sigh of relief and smiled again, "As the saying goes, killing someone is heartbreaking. I couldn't understand why Madam Zhang targeted you before. She was probably afraid that Madam Jian would recognize you and affect her. That means that Madam Jian always pretends to be a loving mother in front of people who know you, but in fact, she has been indifferent for so many years. Now that I have exposed her loving mother's face, although I will lose a lot, people cannot live in this world only thinking about benefits."
"Just like Sima Qian once said, death can be heavier than Mount Tai or lighter than a feather."
Maybe Ding Er Niang didn't know that she had passed away in her previous life. Although it was said that Liao was the one who killed her in this life, it was possible that Liao was such an honest man and had the intention to harm others, but if he wanted to do it, there might be someone behind the scenes. Later, the Yu family's affairs tried every means to involve my father. It can be inferred that he wanted to kill my mother at first, but after failing, he was afraid of being discovered, so he set up a plan to kill my father in the end.
Yes, as long as something happens to Dad, her family will still stay in Jiangling for the rest of their lives, and they may never meet Mrs. Jian in their lifetime.
Mrs. Zhang acted very secretively, apparently because she was afraid of being discovered by Mrs. Jian. She probably thought that Mrs. Jian would attach great importance to her daughter.
But if you really love your daughter, how could you just express your love with words? Even if you don't take her to your side, but you look at her condition and lend a helping hand, it won't be like this.
"Mother, do you know the story of Empress Wang, the mother of Emperor Wu of Han?" Mi Niang suddenly brought up this matter.
Mrs. Ding Er had always known that her daughter was knowledgeable, but she didn't know why she brought up this matter, so she asked, "What is it?"
"It is said that before entering the palace, Queen Wang had married a man named Jin Wangsun, and gave birth to a daughter named Jin Su. However, Queen Wang's mother listened to the words of a sorcerer and believed that she was very lucky, so she forced her daughter back from the Jin family and sent her to the palace. Later, she was named a beauty, and gave birth to several princesses and Jiaodong King Liu Che, who later became Emperor Wu of Han. The woman from the Wang family was later named Queen Mother. But until this time, they had not recognized their daughters from the common people. Why do you think that was?"
Mi Niang looked at Second Mistress Ding with some hint of meaning.
Second Madam Ding thought that Jin Su's fate was somewhat similar to hers, except that her mother remarried after her husband died, while Empress Wang divorced for wealth and glory, which was different.
So, she said, "Maybe it's because she's the queen mother now, and she doesn't want people to talk about the past."
"Yes, this matter was discovered by Han Yan, the male favorite of Emperor Wu of Han. He immediately told the emperor that Emperor Wu had a commoner sister. Emperor Wu personally brought his sister back and made her Xiucheng Jun. When the empress dowager saw her daughter, she hugged her head and cried bitterly, as if she had a deep mother-son relationship. However, Han Yan, who mentioned this matter, was deeply disliked by the empress dowager, who sentenced Han Yan to death."
After hearing the last part, Aunt Ding was horrified.
Mrs. Jane's tearful face made her feel indescribably disgusted.
Why did the Queen Mother want to kill Han Yan? If she really wanted to meet her daughter and treat Jin Su well, shouldn't she be grateful to Han Yan? Why did she want to kill her?
Second Madam Ding said, "Jin Su was taken back by Emperor Wu of Han after all. Miss Jian's attitude towards you was not good, and there was also Madam Zhang..."
"So, I took the initiative." Mi Niang took over.
"Jin Su was named Xiucheng Jun by Emperor Wu of Han, his daughter married Prince Liu An of Huainan, and his son also ruled the capital. Mother, Madam Jian's granddaughter is not even as good as me, and my brothers will also rely on the imperial examinations to follow the right path in the future. In this case, we have nothing to ask of her."
Mrs. Ding laughed: "You kid... do you think I would be blinded by wealth and glory? Power and wealth are good things, but if I wanted them, I should have married you to Li Guan a long time ago. After all, the Li family is still the top official in the Ministry of Personnel."
However, she frowned and said, "You are too strong. If it gets out, people will say you are too strong. If a woman is too strong, neither the man nor the husband's family will like it."
After saying that, he emphasized again: "You are a girl."
Mi Niang said, "If it were me, I would just bear it, but I don't want you to be wronged. You've suffered enough in your first half of life. Do you want me to be lower than others in status? We are poor, but if my daughter enters the palace, even if she is as noble as the queen, she will still have to eat three meals a day like us. She won't live as well as you. Daddy only has you."
Grandma Ding was very moved, even beyond words.
"Mom, your daughter and my brothers will be filial to you in the future. You will never be bullied by others and you will live a good life in the future." Mi Niang nestled in her mother's arms.
The Li family was in an awkward situation. Mi Niang and her daughter left, and everyone looked at Mrs. Jian with excitement and curiosity.
Today, there were also people who were close to the Jian family, and of course they helped out: "Hey, that little girl is immature and doesn't know the nature of mother and son. No matter what, they have to recognize each other."
Someone immediately responded, "Yes, our Great Yong has always ruled the world with filial piety. There are no parents in the world who are not good. I don't believe that Madam Jian, such a good person, was said to be like this by her."
Seeing the situation reversed, Mrs. Jane also knew that the little girl thought that public opinion was not in her favor, so she said a lot of things in a proud manner, but in the end it was all in vain.
How can one person shake up the entire officialdom?
Just like what she said to herself was nothing more than an ant trying to shake a tree.
Mrs. Jian held her forehead and said, "I feel a little uncomfortable, so I'll go back first."
Everyone cordially sent her out, and no one mentioned what had just happened. However, the news had already spread everywhere, and even Mrs. Wu, who was in confinement, heard about it. She even asked Li Guan, who came to visit her, "I heard that Mrs. Ruan is Mrs. Jian's biological daughter. Is this true?"
Of course, Wu also knew Madam Ruan. She had some relationship with her husband's family. Her mother-in-law often called Madam Ruan to talk, and her father-in-law was said to think highly of this fellow villager. Of course, there was also the beautiful girl from the Ruan family. Anyone would pale in comparison to her.
Li Guan seemed to be thinking about something. "Yes, I heard about it. However, Madam Jian married as a daughter of the Weng family, and the stepdaughter she brought with her was also the granddaughter of the Weng family. Madam Ruan only found out about this when she came to Beijing."
"Why did I hear that Miss Ruan didn't let her mother recognize her?" Mrs. Wu found it unbelievable. No matter what, Mrs. Jian was the biological mother of Second Madam Ding. How could someone not recognize him or her own biological mother?
She didn't understand, but Li Guan did: "You don't know Miss Ruan's character. She has never been greedy for wealth and is very upright. When a poetry meeting was held in Wuchang Prefecture, a daughter of an official bribed the judges, but she exposed it."
Wu felt sad when she heard this. She married into the Li family, so naturally everything was good. Li Guan was gentle and affectionate, and he was also talented, but she had never seen her praise a girl like this. Fortunately, the relationship between the two was still good. Wu said sourly: "I didn't expect you to know so much about her."
Li Guan smiled and said, "Her father is my savior. Their family and ours have always been very close, so I naturally know a thing or two about them."
Although Wu wanted to ask something else, such as what your relationship with her is, she didn't say it in the end.
After she married into the Li family, she could not get along well with them in terms of diet. The Li family's dishes tended to be salty and spicy, while she preferred light and sweet food. Also, although she did not deliberately inquire about Li Guan's past, she had heard about it. Forget about his childhood sweetheart, this Miss Ruan was very much in love with her mother-in-law.
Li Guan stood up and said, "Take a good rest. I'm going to leave first."
There were guests outside, including Ruan Jiading who had just come back from the yamen. Li Guan happened to see Ruan Jiading and hurried forward to tell him about this.
Li Guan knew his lifesaver very well. He was not very smart as an official, but he had the ability to get things done. He heard that the Grand Minister Cao of the Ministry of Works admired him very much, especially in terms of water control. He made the matter clear as soon as possible: "Since Miss Ruan and Mrs. Ruan do not intend to recognize Mrs. Jian, it will be awkward for you to meet Minister Jian in the Ministry of Revenue. It is better to go to the Ministry of Works."
"Is that so?" Although Ruan Jiading had some dealings with Sikong Cao, it had not yet been three years and he had no connections. It would be better for him to wait for Lord Cao to transfer him there in the future.
It wasn't for any other reason, but even though he was the one who saved Li Guan, they had an average relationship. Now that he had come up with this idea, Ruan Jiading had to go home and discuss it with his wife and daughter.
Even if Second Madam Ding does not acknowledge her as her biological mother, then they are not the ones to blame, not him, Ruan Jiading. If that is the case, why should he try to escape? He was not promoted to this position by Lord Jian.
Li Guan nodded: "Go back and think about it. I told you this first to avoid you hearing other things when there are too many people talking today."
"Thank you very much." Ruan Jiading said with a smile.
Li Guan waved his hand: "It's not worth anything." He didn't know why he came out to tell Ruan Jiading. Perhaps he vaguely felt that the girl from the Ruan family was beyond the reach of ordinary people.
While drinking at the banquet, some of the people sitting around Ruan Jiading could not help gossiping. Men are no worse than women when it comes to gossip. When Ruan Jiading returned home, he and his wife and daughter talked about it and were all angry: "That doctor Huang said in a sarcastic way that I have a good father-in-law."
Mrs. Ding felt a little guilty: "It's all because of me that you've been gossiped about."
"It's not your fault." Ruan Jiading still knew what was going on.
He knew exactly what his wife's past life was like, even if others didn't know. She was so weak. It was raining that day, and she ran in and said that her family was going to give her away as a concubine, and asked him to save her.
He knew that marrying her was a mismatch and it would even cause trouble for his family, but he just couldn't bear to see her suffer.
Mi Niang's tears flowed down. She always felt that her father was a little old-fashioned, sometimes a little timid, and easily fickle, but in major matters he always put his mother first.
"No one can blame her for not taking your mother with her. It's not easy for her as a woman, but she is so rich. She has built roads and bridges everywhere and has countless talented people under her. If she had just sent someone to look after your mother, she wouldn't have ended up like that."
Ruan Jiading felt very sorry for his wife.
She was so thin and pale that sometimes when it rained, he was afraid that she would get wet.
"There's no need to talk about the past. The Jian family probably doesn't want us to get involved. It would be better if we were strangers in the future. We would have gotten through this even without the Jian family." Second Grandma Ding smiled.
She is very happy, her husband, daughter and everyone else are on her side.
Mi Niang nodded fiercely and said playfully to her father: "Mrs. Jian is almost fifty years old now, and she just became the wife of the Minister of Household Affairs. I don't believe that my father will not be able to be a very popular minister in another twenty years. It's just a matter of time. Why should we cling to wealth now? Besides, the Jian family has five sons, and his own sons may not be able to help them all, so how can they help my father."
Ruan Jiading stroked his newly grown beard and began to yearn for the day when he could become a high-ranking official.
While the old man was daydreaming, Mrs. Ding couldn't help but look at her husband with a tender and affectionate face.
Mi Niang felt a little cold as she watched from the side, so she hurried inside, leaving her parents behind.
After Mrs. Jian returned, she happened to see her husband, Master Jian. She smiled and said, "Master."
Mr. Jian nodded: "You are back." He then asked with concern: "Are you okay?"
Obviously he knew about this. Mrs. Jane shook her head and said, "I didn't expect this occasion to be so chaotic. It's good that they don't want us to disturb them, so we shouldn't disturb them."
Who knew that Lord Jian didn't have much reaction after hearing this. His wife was just like that. She was a ruthless person. When he was the prefect of Chuzhou that year, there was a drought in Chuzhou. His wife went out alone and got rice and grain from somewhere to save the people and restore his reputation as an official.
Later he found out that she was almost kidnapped.
But she never said a word and never complained about the hardship. The couple has supported each other for more than 20 years. Their relationship is no longer just that of a couple, but is even closer than that of family members.
This woman can take it and let it go.
Master Jian also respected her: "In that case, let's do it this way from now on."
"Well, Yuehua needs to reflect on herself at home. She caused all the trouble today. Her mother was too lenient with her. We have been away from home before, and now it is time to talk about her in-laws. If she continues like this, she will be laughed at. Even if she marries into someone else's family in the future, I am afraid she will not be able to live in peace."
Mrs. Jian has always had the final say on household affairs. Mr. Jian nodded: "I understand."
Mrs. Zhang learned about this from Jian Yuehua. She didn't expect that the second wife of Ding's family was very quiet. They didn't come to recognize their relatives, and they didn't go out. They simply didn't take the Jian family seriously. She secretly thought that Wen Lu Shujun was hiding something evil in her heart, but she was relieved. At the same time, she vaguely felt that she seemed to be greedy for wealth.
Although no one said so, she felt guilty about being a thief because she and Mrs. Jane actually had no relationship. Mrs. Jane treated her better than her own daughter and she enjoyed all the glory and wealth. Even if her biological mother were still alive, she might not be as capable as Mrs. Jane to give her a dowry of 180 sets and a stepfather who was a high-ranking official.
But the real Mrs. Jane's daughter doesn't care about all this.
He also refused to associate with Mrs. Jane.
After this incident, both families calmed down. Lord Jian and Ruan Jiading were also as usual, without any abnormal behavior.
However, Fang Weiyan of the Dong'an Marquis's Mansion was a little puzzled when he heard that Mi Niang was actually Madam Jian's granddaughter. In the previous life, the Jian family was confiscated and it was said that the last of the Jian family's assets were put into the private vault of the Imperial Concubine by Emperor Yonglong.
In the past life, no one had ever said that Mi Niang had any relationship with the Jian family. She had some connection with the Li family. There were rumors that Li Guan loved Concubine Xian, also known as Empress Dowager Ruan.
In his previous life, he and Li Guan were of the same age and served in the Hanlin Academy at the same time. Li Guan had a reputation as a romantic scholar and his wife was his childhood sweetheart. He was usually cautious in his words and actions and never relied on his father's official position. However, when Concubine Xian was conferred the title of Imperial Noble Consort, he was extremely fierce and even spoke for the Imperial Noble Consort after being beaten in the court.
Of course, the Imperial Concubine never responded, not even a hint of comfort.
When Fang Weiyan thought of Mi Niang again in this life, he realized that she was very straightforward, not greedy for wealth, and very strong-willed. Although his mother thought that Mi Niang was too stubborn in not allowing Second Lady Ding to recognize Madam Jian, Fang Weiyan could discover the way Mi Niang preserved her mother's self-esteem.
Perhaps most people would think that recognizing Mrs. Jian would be a happy thing for everyone, and the Ruan family would also enjoy a good life. However, some people are unwilling to do so. They heard that Second Madam Ding lost both her parents when she was young and had a very hard life. Mrs. Jian was so willing to let go of outsiders, but she didn't care about her own daughter. She would only recognize her daughter after she saw that she was living a good life.
The girl from the Jian family often bullied Mi Niang, thinking that she was inferior to them.
Therefore, she was probably filial to her mother and was afraid that she would suffer if she recognized her relatives, so she simply became a bad person.
It was just because she was so strong-willed that her grandmother, as Mrs. Jane's nominal sister, had some complaints. Her mother thought that Mrs. Jane was so generous, so why couldn't she be more tactful.
There are many people in this world whom you don't like but you have to deal with. Without any deep hatred, you should maximize your own interests. Obviously, Mi Niang is a little too bookish and too upright. If she were a man, she would be admired and a person of character. It is not a good thing for a woman to be too strong-willed.
Xu said to Fang Weiyan: "You can't judge a person by his appearance. I thought she was lively, but I didn't expect her to have such a strong temper. I heard that she made Madam Jian speechless."
"Mom, people are born in many ways. I see that she is usually calm, but everyone has their own secrets. Otherwise, it is said that it is difficult for a judge to judge family affairs. Moreover, why do they have to go to Madam Jian, who is powerful? Although it is everyone's instinct to seek benefits and avoid harm, there are always people who disdain those things. Could it be that if your son falls into poverty in the future, you don't want your daughter-in-law to share the hardships with your son, but instead hope that she can climb up the social ladder?"
Mrs. Xu finally understood: "You went through so much trouble just to speak for her. Don't worry, that's all I'm saying. The old lady gave me a lot of face for her, and she said behind my words that I invited her in. You know the old lady is from the Weng family, and the only one in her family who is doing well is her sister. I know you are a kind person. Because of this, your grandmother decided to give the yard that I liked to the third child. He got married this year and snatched your yard. I know you are not angry, but as a mother..."
Fang Weiyan shook his head: "Mother, if God wants to kill someone, he must first make him crazy."
"No matter how far you have traveled, there will always be a day when the awning will be dismantled. My grandmother will be seventy next year, and my father has already passed the age of knowing the destiny. Who knows if this mansion can be lived in for a long time?"
This seemed to be the only time her son showed some sharpness. Xu was a little surprised: "Yan'er, what are you talking about?"
Fang Weiyan returned to his usual gentle demeanor and said, "My son didn't say anything."
"Forget it. I think the girl from the Ruan family is still young. She doesn't know that things in this world are not black and white. I will give her a good lesson after she gets married." Xu herself had no opinion of Mi Niang. She was the one who chose this daughter-in-law. It could be said that she fell in love with her at first sight.
There was probably no one in the world who disliked her, and it was for this reason that Xu went against all odds and chose her as her daughter-in-law.
Mi Niang had never expected that her affairs would cause so much trouble in her future in-laws' house that the wedding room was even robbed. She was thinking about Madam Zhang's affairs. "We are in a low position now, but we can't ignore her. We can't let her go just because we are fine now. Dad, Mom, I even suspect that Liao's attempt to drug you was probably her doing."
This is the key point. Although it was difficult to find evidence in the past for Mrs. Zhang, and Yu Dazhong himself did commit a crime, she took advantage of the situation to prevent Ruan Jiading from going to Beijing to take the exam.
Mrs. Ding Er agreed and said, "Well, we will keep an eye on it."
However, this is easier said than done. Ruan Jiading sighed: "Fortunately, we didn't recognize our relationship. If we did, once we got involved in the interests, we wouldn't know how we died."
Mi Niang smiled and said, "It's good that you know this. Anyway, we should take precautions on weekdays. However, you are an official of the court now, so she can't do the same as before."
This matter came to an end. It was said that a few days later, one morning, before dawn, the Ruan family was still asleep, but they heard someone knocking on the door.
This person was none other than Aunt Qingfen who served the Empress.
She no longer had the glory of the eldest aunt, but her face showed a joyful look. Second Lady Ding and Mi Niang invited her in. She drank a cup of tea coldly and said with a smile: "The Empress did not agree, so I knelt for a few days, but finally came out."
Mrs. Ding and Mi Niang were both surprised: "Did the Queen give you dowry?"
"No, the Queen has other things to do, but I have my own affairs. Madam Ruan, I'm going to trouble you with my marriage." Qingfen knew that the Queen was very disappointed with her and thought she was going to hell. Liusu thought she was naive and believed that life outside the palace was more difficult than inside life. She also said that she would definitely regret marrying an old and poor man.
As for why the empress did not give her a dowry, she probably forgot it, because when she left the palace, Zheng Dou Niang was favored by the emperor, and the emperor asked Zheng Dou Niang to sleep with him, but Zheng Dou Niang was unwilling. The empress then went to plead with the emperor, saying that Zheng Dou Niang was going to marry out of the palace, and that the emperor would have no time to care about her in such a chaotic situation.
Mrs. Ding couldn't believe it. When the maids in their family got married in the future, they would be given a dowry, more or less, as a way of honor for the maids. What's more, for someone like Qingfen, the empress didn't even give her a dowry.
But Mi Niang sneered, saying that such things often happened to our queen and were not uncommon.
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