"My son-in-law will be preparing for the autumn examination in a few months, so he is planning to study hard behind closed doors. If you and Miss Ruan have any problems, you can ask Changshou to tell me." Fang Weiyan pointed to the youngest child who was following behind him and said to Second Madam Ding.
Mrs. Ding was already satisfied with Fang Weiyan. She saw that he did everything properly. Now that he cared about them, she smiled so hard that she couldn't stop: "It's hard for you to think about us in everything."
Fang Weiyan said hurriedly, "This is as it should be. My sister is also preparing for her wedding and it's rare for her to go out. She must be feeling suffocated. She asked me to buy some books she likes. I want to ask Miss Ruan if there are any books she wants to read, and I will bring them to her."
As they were all experienced people, Mrs. Ding could tell what he was here for at a glance.
But she was not a conservative person. She smiled slowly and said, "Then go ask her yourself."
Fang Weiyan was happy to see that he had achieved his goal, but at the same time he felt a little nervous.
Mi Niang had just returned home and finally wanted to lie down for a while, but she came out to see people again. She secretly complained in her heart that he came at the wrong time. When she came out, she was smiling, but a little tired.
Unexpectedly, as soon as she came out, he stood up immediately, which scared Mi Niang.
"What's wrong? Is there something important you want to tell me? What happened?"
Fang Weiyan also felt that he had overreacted, and was far from being as comfortable as he was in front of Second Madam Ding just now, so he hesitated for a moment before saying, "Yaqing asked me to buy books for her. I wanted to ask if you have any books you want to read, and I will get them for you. In a few months, I will take part in the Autumn Examination, and I am afraid I will be staying indoors and will not have time to come over."
It turned out that it was because of this incident that Mi Niang breathed a sigh of relief: "I haven't finished reading the box of books you gave me. I have to do embroidery, write, and practice the piano all day long. When I wanted to read a little longer at night, the maids forced me to rest."
"You are so tired every day." Fang Weiyan felt distressed unconsciously.
In fact, this was just Mi Niang's excuse. She thought to herself, you are always busy. I heard from your mother that except for the occasional social activities, you almost always study from the crowing of the rooster until late at night. And yet you still say that I am tired.
But Mi Niang still nodded without hesitation, and said aggrievedly: "Sometimes I work until late at night doing needlework, and I still feel dizzy in the morning."
Fang Weiyan was a little anxious: "What should I do? Do you want to take supplements like me? I've been taking red ginseng recently." Although he passed the imperial examination in his previous life, he had to try his best to get a top score in this life, so he had to start all over again.
Sometimes when he felt low in spirits, he would drink more ginseng soup.
Seeing how anxious he was, Mi Niang said hurriedly, "It's okay, don't worry. I rarely take supplements, and I'm not like you who has to use your brain every day."
Fang Weiyan seemed to realize that he had lost his composure, and smiled. He then took out the purse from his waist and handed it to her, saying, "Yaqing liked this purse, and she insisted on snatching it from me. It's a little torn here. Could you fix it up for me?"
Mi Niang saw that the purse looked like one that was often worn, and she felt a little sweet in her heart. But she also thought of the maids in his room, and couldn't help saying, "You are not without needlework skills, so why don't you bring it here to me to mend it?"
Finally, the question got to the point. Fang Weiyan said in distress, "I stay in the study room all day and night. On weekdays, I only have Changshou and Fuquan to serve me. They are clumsy. Look, I combed my hair myself today."
"No way?" Mi Niang looked at Fang Wei Yan suspiciously. A young man from a noble family like him looked like he had a lot of people around him.
Fang Weiyan nodded affirmatively: "It's true."
The girls all carried sewing kits with them, and Mi Niang felt a little happy. She looked at his handsome face, took the purse from the table, and while looking for similar threads, she said, "Then you should tell your mother to ask the maids in your room to prepare some. Fortunately, these are just daily clothes. What if you forget something when you go to the examination hall?"
"Actually, I don't really want them to serve me." After saying this, Fang Weiyan breathed a sigh of relief.
Mi Niang didn't believe this. She looked at Fang Wei Yan with a smile and snorted coldly.
In fact, Fang Weiyan is usually the kind of person that others would come to for advice, so he is often known as the number one figure in the yamen for his resourcefulness. But now he always behaves like this in front of Mi Niang, and he doesn't know why.
"Miss Honey~"
"ah?"
It was the first time she heard him call her name so formally. Mi Niang cut off the thread with scissors and said, "You don't have to tell me this now. I don't care."
The real thing is that I don't care… Damn it.
Fang Weiyan smiled and said, "Sister Mi~"
"Silly boy, here's the purse." Mi Niang handed him the purse she had just sewn.
Until he got the purse, Fang Weiyan didn't hear Mi Niang say that she believed him or anything like that, but it still made him itchy.
Mi Niang certainly had her own considerations. Although Fang Wei Yan came here today and made some promises, if she really believed them, she would be easily manipulated in the future.
What you say is not important, what you do is important.
Fang Weiyan returned to the Marquis' Mansion in a bad mood and first went to pay his respects to the Marquis's wife, Mrs. Xu. Mrs. Xu had been suffering from a gynecological illness in recent days and was lying on the beauty couch to rest.
"My son pays his respects to his wife."
When Xu heard Fang Weiyan's voice, she immediately became energetic: "You went to the Shen family today and you must be tired. Come and have some tea and snacks here and then go and rest."
"Yes." Fang Weiyan looked at Xu with concern and asked, "How are you?"
Xu smiled and said, "I'm fine. I feel much better today than yesterday. How's it going? Is there anything new in the Shen family today?"
Fang Weiyan thought of Mi Niang and said to Xu: "Today, the daughters of various families performed in front of the old lady of the Shen family. Miss Ruan won the first prize. I didn't expect her to play the pipa so well. I wanted to give her a pipa, but she said it was not necessary. So I came back now."
"You, you..." Xu thought that although her son usually behaved flawlessly outside, he still didn't understand her daughter's thoughts.
"Mom, what I did was wrong?" Fang Weiyan pretended to be humble.
Xu said anxiously, "You went to the Ruan family and said you would give him a pipa but didn't. Sister Mi will definitely think you are teasing her and that you are just talking big but not doing anything. I happen to have a pipa made of precious Indian red sandalwood in my storeroom. You can give it to him."
Fang Weiyan shook his head and said, "Such a good pipa should be left to Yaqing. When I have time, I can buy a rosewood one."
When had her son ever been so cunning? Mrs. Xu simply couldn't stand it: "Your sister is now in pieces, but she can only pretend to be a talented woman. She is not even as good as your cousin Ye, who is weak and frail. If you are asked to send her away, then send her away."
Fang Weiyan accepted it without saying a word.
When he came out again, he felt very clever, and recalled that he had promised her today, but she was still like that, keeping him on tenterhooks and not saying anything for sure, so he thought of giving her the pipa as a gift.
Perhaps looking at this pipa, she should also realize my intentions towards her.
It is also said that when Fang Weiyan came back, Fang Yaqing was talking with Jin Shuqin and Pixiu Bishang. Fang Weiyan had four maids in total: Pixiu Bishang, Shuxiang and Moxiang. Among these four, Pixiu Bishang was a first-class maid and Shuxiang and Moxiang were second-class.
Jin Shuqin and Pinxiu had the best relationship, and Fang Yaqing and Jin Shuqin also had a good relationship, and they often talked and did needlework together.
"The days have been long and the nights short lately, and I can't sleep well. It just so happens that I have contracted the Thousand-Step Fragrance. I used to have fever often, but I haven't had it recently." Fang Yaqing said with a smile.
Jin Shuqin said "Oh" and then said: "I heard that this Qianbuxiang is a tribute, which can perfume people's muscles and bones and prevent all kinds of diseases. It is not easy to get."
Fang Yaqing nodded, "This was given to me by my brother's wife. She said that this was bought from the silver that our father-in-law bought. They are all very expensive spices, but she can't use them. She is also good at making incense. I also have a kind of incense that is as white as ice and snow. I heard that she learned it from the Western Regions. It's called Jiebuluo incense."
Everyone was curious about what the white as ice and snow looked like, so Fang Yaqing had to send someone to get it. Jin Shuqin's family also did business in the north and south, so she was familiar with spices. But she had rarely seen such an elegant one, which showed the ingenuity of the perfume maker.
"That's good. It shows his thoughtfulness." Jin Shuqin praised.
Fang Yaqing said proudly, "That's right. Not only is she good at making incense, she is also good at needlework, reading and writing." She looked at Pixiu and said, "Not only that, but she also has a very good temper. You will be blessed in the future."
How could a girl who grew up in a wealthy family not know what these maids were used for? Although they had never been in the open, they could warm the bed, and that was the role of the black sleeves and green clothes. When the wives gave them the birth of a girl, and they met a good mistress and had children, they would have endless wealth.
“Ahem.”
Everyone heard the man's clear cough outside the door. Jin Shuqin immediately reacted and wanted to say goodbye. Fang Yaqing immediately stood up and said, "My fourth brother is back."
Several women with black sleeves also stood up and served tea and water, just like they were serving a master.
When Fang Weiyan came in, he saw the incense that was as white as snow. He picked it up and smelled it: "It smells really good. Where did you get it from?"
Fang Yaqing joked: "Of course I got it from my good sister-in-law. I went to her house last month and saw many exquisite things she made herself. I said I couldn't sleep well and had a fever, so she gave me two kinds of incense."
He likes to hear the word "sister-in-law".
However, Fang Weiyan said to Pixiu Bishang: "I will take the exam in a few months. I am ready to study hard in Longyan Temple. You can go to the side room and rest first. Don't touch the things in my room."
It was normal for maids to keep watch at night, but Fang Weiyan's words surprised Pixiu and Bishang.
Jin Shuqin was also stunned when she heard this outside.
No matter what, as maids they have no choice but to obey the master's orders, and they are reluctant to move out of the room, which shows that they have ambitions to rise to the top.
Even if you have this ambition in your heart, you cannot let others know, otherwise you will be considered restless.
Fang Yaqing whispered, "You just came back from the Ruan family, and you're already alienating the girls. How will others view your sister-in-law? I don't think she's an intolerant person."
In fact, Fang Yaqing also liked Mi Niang. Although she had a good relationship with Jin Shuqin, she knew that Jin Shuqin was just a hypocritical person. She didn't treat people sincerely and was very cunning. But compared to her sister-in-law, she valued her brother more. If it was reported that her brother was controlled, others would think that her brother was weak.
Fang Weiyan immediately said, "This has nothing to do with her. She is a daughter of a noble family, how can I tell her this? It's just that I am older now and have to study, so it's better to be quiet."
"Could it be that they are causing trouble?" Fang Yaqing glanced at Pixiu and Bishang who were not far away. She knew that these two people did not get along and both wanted to suppress the other.
Fang Weiyan smiled and said, "It may not happen now, but it may happen in the future. I have my own reasons for doing this. Now, fame and fortune are the most important."
Fang Yaqing said meaningfully: "Fourth brother, I have no right to interfere with the affairs in your room, but they are just girls, like toys, and there is a huge gap between them and the legal wife. I am afraid that you are self-defeating. It is clear that Mi Niang is not that kind of person, and you are being a villain in vain."
Fang Weiyan looked at his sister who thought she knew it all, and he really wanted to say, young people, don't think you know it all.
He was just a villain and didn't know if he could gain her trust.
The provincial examination was approaching, and Ruan Shiyi had already shut himself up to study. Uncle Shang's son Ruan Yu-nian happened to be working for Ruan Jiading, and filled in Ruan Shiyi's vacancy.
Eleventh Brother never spares any effort in doing things, is very popular with everyone, has a warm personality, is a good person, and is even more useful to Ruan Jiading. However, Ruan Yunian was brought up being spoiled by Fourth Madam Shang, and cannot tolerate the slightest bit of anger.
Mrs. Ding couldn't help shaking her head: "He has a bad temper. I'm not worried about other things. If he gets into a fight with someone and something goes wrong, who will be held responsible?"
"It's okay. My brother Yuxin has the proper job, and Uncle Long is here too." Ruan Yuxin is Uncle Long's son. He is fourteen years old this year and is quite smart.
Mrs. Ding said, "You think I am afraid that we will be implicated. No, I am worried about your fourth aunt. She only has this one son. Your fourth uncle Shang has bought several houses outside and has countless sons and daughters."
Mi Niang thought to herself, Fourth Aunt Shang was such a powerful person, but now her only hope was her son.
My husband is unreliable, and no matter how strong I am, it seems I can only rely on my son.
Mi Niang shuddered. She couldn't let this happen.
But there are only a few women like Mrs. Ding who can always live in harmony with their husbands. For most people, it is good enough if they can maintain mutual respect. Which man does not hope to get promoted, get rich, and have his wife die?
Then I heard Second Madam Ding say, "The imperial inspection is coming up soon, and I have to go to the Li family. I just made some kimchi, which is very appetizing, so I might as well go there and sit for a while."
"Okay, I'll go with you. It's a good opportunity for me to go see Madam Li. She always feels unwell in the summer, so she got some good things last month and gave them to me specially." Mi Niang yawned when she said this.
It’s actually not that hot in Beijing at night, and there’s ice here during the day, so it’s not affected too much.
"Okay." Second Madam Ding knew that Madam Li liked Mi Niang very much, but Mi Niang was at home sewing her dowry, so she rarely went out. Her daughter was probably tired of staying at home and felt very depressed.
Unexpectedly, when she arrived at Li's house, Mi Niang lifted the curtain and looked out, and actually saw Fang Weiyan.
Chun Tao also saw it with her sharp eyes and asked curiously, "Why are so many scholars standing at the gate of Li's mansion?"
"This is called circulating the papers. Before the provincial and imperial examinations, scholars would send their papers everywhere. If an official praised their papers, it would be considered as having a reputation. Even if they did not pass, they could still gain the favor of officials as long as they had a reputation."
Her father was famous for fighting with the prefect in those days. Later, he was praised by Tie Yushi and became famous in Kyoto, and even reached the ears of the emperor. Therefore, he had a high score in the imperial examination and ranked second in the class.
Chun Tao was puzzled: "Then why is Mr. Fang here too? According to his family background, shouldn't he be allowed to enter the house?"
Mi Niang smiled and said, "You have to consider what kind of place this is. The Ministry of Personnel is where officials are selected. A small official in the Ministry of Personnel's Examination Department can show disrespect to foreign officials. This is the residence of the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. Besides, there is always a gap between nobles and civil officials."
For example, the fact that girls from noble families all marry civil officials shows the secret. Even many civil officials marry civil officials and are unwilling to marry nobles. The Queen's sister, Ruan Wuniang, only married the son of the Dali Temple's Shaoqing. Ruan Sanniang's marriage to the Shen family seemed to be of noble status, but it was said that the Shen family preferred to marry her to a fellow villager.
The sons-in-law chosen by the prime minister of the dynasty were all sons of successful candidates from the same hometown.
Those who hold real power are civil servants, and most of the nobles are wealthy and idle people.
This time, it was not Luzhu who came to pick her up at the Li family's house, but a maid who looked unfamiliar to her. Mi Niang and Mrs. Ding Er looked at each other and felt strange. After entering the main room, they saw Madam Li lying on the couch.
"Madam, what's wrong with you? Are you in trouble?" Mi Niang hurried forward.
When Mrs. Li saw that it was Mi Niang and Ding Er Niangniang, she felt as if she had met a kindred spirit. "You are finally here. I have no one to talk to. At least you are here. I feel relieved now."
"What's wrong with you?" Mrs. Ding seemed to have thought of something.
What worries Mrs. Li is definitely not the officialdom or Li Tan's affairs, but Li Guan's affairs.
Madam Li dismissed the servants, and Mi Niang followed Lu Zhu out quietly. Then Madam Li said, "My evil companion is really a naturally amorous person. He has to pay off his debts. I can't eat well or sleep well because of this."
"That Guan Huiqing actually showed up. The evil creature had initially arranged for her to stay outside, but guess what, she was discovered by my daughter-in-law. My daughter-in-law is very considerate and said she wanted to bring her in. But what's going on here..."
Second Mistress Ding was surprised: "After all, Miss Guan is the daughter of the eldest master and a famous scholar. If she becomes a concubine, how will others view her?"
Mrs. Li sat up in shock, almost dying. "Yes, I thought so too. Wouldn't this make people accuse us of bullying orphans and widows?"
Even if you marry a second wife, you can't marry someone like this.
Guan Huiqing's father was a famous scholar in Huguang and was highly respected. The orphan of such a person should be taken good care of, but this beast actually performed the Zhou Gong ritual. Guan Huiqing was also a girl, and you are so unruly. What should I do?
She wanted to send Guan Huiqing out, but she was afraid of the impact on Li Guan. After all, the imperial examination would be in February next year, and it would be bad if something happened at that time that affected the imperial examination.
The daughter-in-law, Mrs. Wu, invited someone else in. She temporarily kept Guan Huiqing by her side and did not want her to be the second wife.
Mrs. Li has many people around her who she can use, but not many of them can give her advice, especially Second Wife Ding, who is a person with some clever ideas. It was her idea that enabled Li Guan to settle down with Wu.
Sure enough, Second Madam Ding smiled and said, "Originally, I shouldn't say anything about your family affairs, but we are not outsiders. In my opinion, since your eldest madam has already made the decision, why should you stop it?"
Mrs. Wu was definitely not a naive little girl. She was even very virtuous. Would she really let Guan Huiqing, who had a good status, be her second wife? I'm afraid she had already thought of a way to deal with it.
If Guan Huiqing had always been kept as a concubine, Wu might have passed away one day and Guan Huiqing would have been made his wife's principal wife. But if she had been a concubine since she entered the family, it would have been difficult to make her their principal wife given the status of the Li family. Li Guanlian did not even have the courage to go against his parents in order to marry Guan Huiqing, so how could he possibly risk the world's condemnation and make a concubine his principal wife?
Madam Li sighed: "What you said makes sense, but the discord between wives and concubines is the source of chaos in the family."
Guan Huiqing used to like to throw tantrums and control Li Guan. This time, Li Guan felt extremely guilty and pitiful for not marrying her. Besides, she was not someone who could really obey the mistress, unlike those maids who were born as maids. Anyway, their starting point was low, so nothing would happen to her.
Mrs. Ding took a sip of tea and thought to herself, it’s a good thing my daughter didn’t marry into your family, otherwise, it would be my daughter who is in the dilemma today.
Mi Niang, who was in the back room, also heard what Lu Zhu said and couldn't help saying, "That means Guan Huiqing was originally outside and was later brought in."
"Yes, she is also stupid. Our grandmother is not easy to deal with. We invited her in and she really came in. In my opinion, it would be better for her to live outside. The truly virtuous one is a Bodhisattva." Luzhu curled her lips.
Mi Niang didn't care about the Li family's mess. She just said, "I saw a lot of scholars when I came in just now. Are they all here to submit their papers? If possible, can you please take care of one of them?"
Dewdrop asked in surprise, "Who is it?"
You know, Mi Niang is the kind of person who never uses backdoors and is very honest and reliable. It's really strange that she is now taking care of others.
Mi Niang whispered, "It's Fang Weiyan."
"Hey, isn't this your fiancé?" Luzhu smiled evilly.
Luzhu's father is a steward in the Li family, so he has some power. Moreover, Luzhu knows that Li Tan still admires Mi Niang very much, so she thinks her fiancé will not be bad in talent and ability either.
"Do you agree?" asked Mi Niang.
Luzhu covered her mouth and laughed secretly: "Don't worry, I'll do it for you."
The sun was scorching, and the scholars had piles of articles in their study bags. Fang Weiyan was the same. He only took the articles that were handy. After finishing the papers today, he would go to Ruan's house to deliver the pipa, and then go to Longyan Temple.
People kept complaining to her: "It's too hot. I can't even stand."
"Yeah, what will happen if I go in all sweaty?"
"My dear brothers, I am not afraid of waiting, but I am afraid that I won't even be able to see Minister Li."
Everyone sighed.
Fang Weiyan remained calm and composed. Everyone has to go through this process.
It was just very tiring waiting here. He had not wanted to come originally because he had experienced the same test questions before. However, his teacher was wholeheartedly doing this for his own good and had specially asked him to come and submit the test paper, so he had no choice.
At this moment, the gate of the Li Mansion was reopened, and a little boy came to Fang Weiyan and said, "Mr. Fang, please follow me."
Fang Weiyan was a bit confused. He really didn't pass the level today. The senior brother who came with him even said, "Brother Weiyan, didn't you say you were not familiar with the Li family?"
"Yes, why are they calling you?"
"Wei Yan, please say a few good words for us when you get in."
When he walked in, he saw a steward wearing a square scarf and a gold ingot suit saying, "Please come in, Mr. Fang. Please don't let me down. I am risking offending other scholars to invite you in."
Fang Weiyan had never thought that he would use the backdoor one day, so he couldn't help but ask, "Does the manager think so highly of me?"
The Li family steward cleared his throat and said, "I was asked by Miss Ruan to come here. She happened to be at home today."
Oh, it's her.
Luzhu glanced at Fang Weiyan from a distance. He was wearing an ivory-white round-necked robe with a landscape painting. He had an upright figure, a graceful demeanor, and an exceptionally handsome appearance.
While walking in the corridor, she couldn't help but say to the little maid beside her: "Look, did you see that young man just now? He is the son of the Marquis's Mansion, only nineteen years old this year, and very talented. This is Miss Ruan's future aunt, not bad, isn't he."
The little girl enviously said, "Miss Ruan is so good-looking, it's not unfair for her to be paired with a man like this."
Luzhu smiled and said, "That's right. I heard that the Marquis's wife also likes him very much. He has property, family background, handsome appearance, and high talent. If he passes the imperial examination and becomes a Jinshi next year, our Miss Ruan will be an official's wife when she marries him next year."
Guan Huiqing, who was standing behind the pillar, heard it all. She couldn't help feeling bitter. Now her status as a concubine was still unknown, but Ruan Mi Niang was going to marry into the Marquis's Mansion.
Unfortunately, she used to look down on her.
What people hate most is someone who was once worse than you, but now has surpassed you, and in the future, the gap may only get bigger and bigger.
Her niece Pan'er said displeasedly: "Aunt, didn't you say that her father was just a small official? How could she marry so well in such a prestigious place like the Li Mansion?"
Guan Huiqing was speechless.
She used to not take Ruan Mi Niang seriously at all. She was the daughter of a great scholar, with a higher status than her father, a male prostitute, and more dowry than her. She was almost the daughter-in-law of the minister. Now she was struggling to survive, and all she wanted was a place to settle down. Even being the second wife was a luxury.
However, it is said that after Fang Weiyan met Li Tan, Li Tan was indifferent at first, but after reading it, his attitude changed greatly. He thought to himself, this boy is truly a genius, his writing style is so sophisticated that I am afraid I will never be able to match him in the future.
Seeing Fang Weiyan's handsome appearance and good conversation, he praised him even more: "I will meet you again in the Golden Palace."
The meeting in the Golden Palace is the palace examination.
Everyone around was remembering Fang Weiyan's name. Fang Weiyan said calmly and with the crispness of a young man, "Thank you, Grand Chancellor, for your guidance."
I said goodbye without wasting time on other people, but after I walked out the door, I started to feel troubled.
His servant Chang Shou didn't know yet, so he quickly said, "Sir, let's go to Ruan's house quickly, because we still have to go to Longyan Temple later."
"But Miss Ruan is at the Li Mansion. If I go to the Ruan family, what if she thinks that I gave her the pipa because of her recommendation? What should I do?" Fang Weiyan was very afraid that Mi Niang would misunderstand him.
Chang Shou patted his head and said, "My goodness, you remained calm and talked freely even when I called you a first-rank official just now. Now you are getting anxious and angry over such a small matter."
"Changshou, what do you think I should do? Will she misunderstand me?" Fang Weiyan frowned.
Changshou shrank his neck and said, "Oh my God, you are still asking about me."
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