"The weather is getting hotter, and I have two troublemakers at home. I'm going back now. You should take care of yourself too. If you have nothing to do, come to our house. It's good for us to chat together. Mi Niang always says she misses you. I've also been learning to cook recently. If you don't mind, come to our house and play." Mrs. Ding held Madam Li's hand, not knowing how to comfort her.
It's really frustrating every day. When a child grows up, he is no longer under the control of his mother.
Mrs. Ding also has two sons of her own, and she would not be able to tolerate one of them being like Li Guan.
Mrs. Li smiled and said, "Okay, thank you for coming to see me today."
Then, Mi Niang followed Mrs. Ding Er out. When she was about to get on the carriage, she suddenly saw Fang Wei Yan running over. He, who had always been a graceful and handsome man, was actually sweating profusely.
"I was originally planning to go to your house to give you the pipa after I handed it over here, but since I knew you were here, I decided to wait here."
Mi Niang looked at the pipa held by his servant, and then at him sweating profusely. A warm feeling flowed through her heart. She took out a handkerchief and handed it to him: "It's such a scorching sun, why don't you go to the carriage to avoid it?"
Fang Weiyan smiled and said, "I was afraid I might miss you. Besides, I have to go to Longyan Temple today, so it's fine for me to wait here."
"Fool."
These words were spoken so gently that Fang Weiyan was stunned.
Seeing that he didn't wipe his sweat, she raised her chin again and said, "It's so hot, your sweat beads are really blinding your eyes."
Fang Weiyan took her handkerchief, but couldn't bear to wipe his sweat with it. He just said, "Okay, now that I've given it to you, I'm relieved. We'll be gone for a few days at Longyan Temple. Please take good care of yourself."
Mi Niang didn't expect that he was going to Longyan Temple to study. Seeing that he was just holding the handkerchief but not wiping it, she couldn't help but snatch the handkerchief from his hand and wipe the sweat off his face carefully.
Mrs. Ding coughed. Although she was standing not far away and did not want to disturb them, her daughter's behavior was inappropriate and did not match the reserve of a daughter. Although they were engaged, they had not yet entered the family.
When Mi Niang heard her mother cough, she quickly put down her hand, turned around and smiled at her mother, and then said to Fang Wei Yan: "I wish you success in the imperial examination, but you must also take care of yourself. The winter in Longyan Temple is very cold, and not everyone can stand it."
Somehow, after hearing these words, Fang Weiyan felt that the stuffiness and heat of standing there waiting for her just now were blown away by the wind, as if a gentle breeze was passing by.
He hummed and said nothing more because he didn't know what to say.
Mi Niang smiled: "Don't just say 'hmm', really remember it in your heart. I'm leaving..."
Looking at her back, Fang Weiyan seemed to be hesitant to speak. He wanted to say something but didn't know what to say.
But she took the pipa in her arms, walked a few steps, turned around and smiled at him: "Go quickly, and have a safe journey."
Fang Weiyan nodded heavily: "Okay."
Chang Shou waited until the Ruan family's carriage left before urging Fang Weiyan: "Fourth Master, hurry up. If you don't leave now, you may not get there before dark."
"Got it." Fang Weiyan then got on the carriage.
When Mi Niang got home, she couldn't wait to try out the new pipa. She played Xijiangyue, and the servants were all mesmerized by it. Bai Zhi smiled and said, "Miss, after listening to this piece of music, I always feel inexplicably happy."
"This is the essence of music, it can make people feel relaxed and happy."
Chun Tao covered her mouth secretly and laughed: "That means the young lady is in a good mood now."
Xia Lian also glanced over and said, "Of course, our aunt is so kind that she almost burned herself out just to give him a pipa. Such a kind person is hard to find even with a lantern."
"You little girls are so glib-tongued." Mi Niang snorted coldly.
"You're so shy, let's serve some snacks to the young lady."
A few little girls ran away laughing.
They were all going to be married off with Mi Niang in the future. Mi Niang always treated them well and cared about them sincerely. She would not always be proud of her status as a lady.
But Mi Niang doesn't expect them to be absolutely loyal.
There is no one in the world who is selfless. Even her father, if he were asked to choose between her and her brother, he would definitely choose her brother. Therefore, it is not advisable to use any harsh means, such as combining kindness with force, or beating with a stick to intimidate them.
In this world, good birds choose the trees to roost in. If you are a good person, there will be many people willing to work for you and serve you. If you are not a good person, no matter how good you are to others, you will be abandoned by others.
Of course, you can't be completely without any means, otherwise everyone will think you are easy to bully.
Mi Niang will usually remind them a few times. If they keep failing to do well or are trying to cross the line, she will sell it quietly. This will not alert others, but those who know will definitely be very alert.
The Duke's Mansion soon held another wedding. Miss Ruan Si was going to marry He Tinglan. This time, Mi Niang did not go. She had recently become fascinated by that kind of furry embroidery and was working very hard on it. Especially when she was embroidering a scene of a white fox playing under a red plum tree, she didn't want to go anywhere at all.
Second Madam Ding also went with her. Three days later, Second Madam Ding felt a little unwell and wanted Ruan Jiading to go, but Ruan Jiading refused to go.
She was surprised: "Why don't you go?"
Ruan Jiading glanced at Mi Niang, who left at the right moment. Ruan Jiading then said, "This Prince He proposed marriage to me before, but I didn't agree. If I go there again, won't it be very embarrassing?"
Mrs. Ding Er had not expected this to happen. She frowned and said, "Why didn't you tell me this before?"
"Didn't you later get engaged to the Dong'an Marquis' Mansion? I know that the Nanping Earl's Mansion and the Dong'an Marquis' Mansion are in-laws, so why should I tell them out? Wouldn't that be embarrassing for both of us?" Ruan Jiading naturally had his own considerations.
His son is still young, and his son-in-law is also his half-son.
Fang Weiyan's talent is indeed great, and his character is even more precious. He spent thousands of taels without hesitation just to save his fiancée, and he is not a person of noble status. This is enough to show that he has a very good character.
Ruan Jiading couldn't say these things to his wife and daughter at this time. Anyway, He Tinglan finally got married to the fourth girl of the Duke's Mansion. The matter was over, and it would be better not to mention it.
Mrs. Ding Er just knew the reason and understood: "In that case, if you don't want to go, just say you have something else to do. Just don't let Mi Niang know about this. She cares a lot about her son-in-law. It would be bad if she gets upset because of this. It's better to pretend that she knows nothing. This way, you can get along better with the Nanping Marquis's Mansion."
After all, the Nanping Marquis's Mansion is related to the Dong'an Marquis's Mansion, and the Nanping Marquis's wife is the Dong'an Marquis's biological sister. The two families always have contacts, and now they are married and have nothing to do with each other. If I say too much, it will leave some traces, which will be bad.
Therefore, the couple kept it a secret from Mi Niang, and Mi Niang had no idea about He Tinglan's thoughts.
Eleventh Brother studied until late at night every day, and Zhou still had to serve him meals and tea, and she was worried. This made Mi Niang terrified. This imperial examination was said to tire the candidates, but they didn't realize that the people around them were also tired.
Zhou also whispered to Mi Niang, "Your brother is actually very impatient when studying. He always says that he can't make progress in his studies. It would be better for him to work for Uncle Ding. When Uncle Ding gets promoted, he will also rise with him. It is not impossible for him to study at the Imperial College and wait for a make-up exam."
Mi Niang had also heard Ruan Jiading mention this. Although Ruan Shiyi is only in his twenties this year, he is not interested in imperial examinations. It is rare for him to be able to calm down. People who want to study must be able to calm down, just like Fang Weiyan, who was able to go to the temple to endure the hardship and concentrate on studying.
But in front of Zhou, Mi Niang advised: "No matter whether you succeed or not, since you already have Shuntianfu citizenship, you should take the exam in Beijing. What if you pass? As the saying goes, sometimes 30% depends on the person, and 70% depends on fate."
"My sister is comforting." Seeing her husband like this, Zhou felt really miserable.
But the imperial examination was too difficult.
She looked at Mi Niang with envy: "I heard that Miss Fang is very knowledgeable. Even your eleventh brother would be full of praise for her. Maybe when I get married next year, I won't have to work so hard like me. Now I am worried about your eleventh brother every day, and I am also thinking about your little nephew in my hometown. I am looking forward to the day when the dust settles and I can feel at ease."
Mi Niang knows that no one can help with studying. It all depends on one's understanding and diligence.
In his previous life, Fang Weiyan was able to enter the Hanlin Academy, and he was ranked second in the imperial examination, and he was even very young. This is something that others can only dream of in their lifetime, and this is why Mi Niang agreed.
The imperial examination was extremely difficult and only a few could succeed. Even Ruan Jiading was 30 years old when he passed the examination.
On the other hand, in order to let her son concentrate on the imperial examination, Mrs. Li made a condition with Li Guan: "I will only raise Guan girl as my daughter and will never treat her badly. After you finish the exam, I will let her have her day. Your daughter-in-law is a virtuous woman, but every woman is jealous. If that happens, the inner house will be in turmoil, which is not a good thing. If you judge cases in the back house every day, how can you do well in your studies?"
When Li Guan heard his mother's agreement, he immediately became happy. He was self-aware and knew that although Mrs. Wu was generous, some women were true Buddhas.
"Thank you, mother, for your help."
Mrs. Li said sternly, "Then you must not get too close to her recently, otherwise, how will others see her?"
Li Guan laughed again and said, "Son, save yourself the trouble."
Just like Madam Li knew that the backyard would definitely not be peaceful after Guan Huiqing came into the family, but if she was the one to deal with Guan Huiqing, her son would definitely hate her. In this case, it would be better to hand it over to Mrs. Wu. If Mrs. Wu was a virtuous woman, her wife and concubines would live in peace. If Mrs. Wu was not virtuous, she would naturally have her own ways. As a mother-in-law, she could just sit back and do the fishing. Why bother to deal with it herself?
So what Second Madam Ding said made sense. After all, children and grandchildren have their own blessings. Since the child was brought in by Mrs. Wu, just let her handle it.
As for Wu's poor handling of the matter, she would give him a few more warnings.
Of course, Wu knew her limits. She was well aware that the quarrels between wives and concubines were only matters within the inner house, but if they affected Li Guan's future, she would be courting death.
Her knowledge and interests made Mrs. Li even more satisfied.
The only one who was anxious was Guan Huiqing, but Madam Li sent Aunt Sun to watch over her. Aunt Sun was a smart person and coaxed Guan Huiqing with big cakes, so that she finally calmed down and waited for the next day.
Li Guan also secretly met with Guan Huiqing and promised: "Madam has promised me that when I pass the imperial examination next year, she will take good care of it for us."
"Is this true?" Guan Huiqing asked happily.
Li Guan nodded: "This is true. You and I have a different relationship, so I will definitely not treat you harshly. As for your niece, I will find a marriage for her in the future, so don't worry."
Guan Huiqing even cried with joy: "Okay, then Guanlang, you must study hard in the exam, so that we can have a future."
Although Guan Huiqing is not a smart person, she and Li Guan have been together for too long. They have known each other for several times longer than Wu. Moreover, they have physical contact with each other. They were separated at the peak of their passion and missed each other more and more.
Li Guan embraced her and said, "You know, I have always wanted to marry you. But Wu has never done anything wrong and is a virtuous and decent person. Don't worry."
Even though Guan Huiqing didn't have any feelings for Wu, she now realizes that something has changed. In the past, Li Guan would be wary of her, but now he can speak well of Wu in front of her.
People may change in an instant. She had experienced despair and she thought the only way to change her fate was to hold on to Li Guan tightly. Maybe she was lacking something in other aspects, but she put more effort into Li Guan than others.
During the years when she was not with Li Guan, Li Guan had already had children with another woman, had physical intimacy with her and slept in the same bed with her. Moreover, that person had a higher status and a stronger family background than her, and even the way she handled things was quite respected by Li Guan.
Guan Huiqing smiled softly: "Of course I believe you, Guanlang, don't worry, I will always be here waiting for you, no matter how long it takes."
Winter comes quickly in Kyoto. It seems that there is no winter since summer. The snow falls like flying catkins. Fang Weiyan is writing furiously in Longyan Temple. He seems like a Taoist who has got some inspiration from heaven, so everything in the world is no problem for him.
Chang Shou and Fu Quan came in with food boxes, but they didn't dare to disturb him, for fear that they would interrupt his train of thought.
They waited for a long time before Fang Weiyan stopped writing. Seeing the servants standing there, he smiled and said, "Serve the meal."
Chang Shou came over to serve the meal. The dishes were already warm, but Fang Weiyan was unaware of it. He ate a bowl of rice and then said, "Today I will go to say goodbye to the abbot and go home tomorrow."
Chang Shou and Fu Quan were extremely happy. Their master was suffering here, and they, as servants, had to accompany him. The buildings in Longyan Temple were like snow caves. The Fourth Young Master didn't know why, but he liked this place very much.
I drink bitter gourd tea every day and enjoy eating porridge and side dishes.
Besides, they went back this time for the imperial examination. If they could pass the provincial examination, those of them who served the Fourth Young Master would also benefit from it.
When Fang Weiyan came back, Xu was talking to her mother-in-law, Old Lady Weng, with her daughter Fang Yaqing. Sitting next to Old Lady Weng was a middle-aged woman with a gorgeous hairpin decorated with rubies and sapphires on her forehead. Her lips were painted red, and even her fingers were painted like rouge. At this time, she was talking to a young woman.
This young woman is pretty and charming, with a tall figure, bright cheeks, and soft skin. She looks very beautiful. She is Xiangjun, the wife of Fang Weiting, the third young master of the Fang family.
"Why hasn't the third brother come back yet?" The elegant woman was none other than Fang Furong, the third aunt of the Fang family.
I heard that when Mrs. Weng gave birth to her, hibiscus flowers were in full bloom in the mansion, so she was named Hibiscus.
The county lord was also a little worried: "I don't know either." But then he smiled and said: "But don't worry, aunt, the third young master is the most filial. He works very hard for our mansion and dares not be careless in doing things. If you ask me, it's not easy for a family like ours to become an official, but the third young master always says that he wants to make more achievements and bring honor to the old lady in the future."
Xu sneered in her heart. Fang Weiting was a man who hadn't even passed the imperial examination to become a scholar. He was just shameless pretending to be able to manage the family business.
The third son of the deceased concubine Ding was a man with high aspirations. The wife he married was the same. She was only the great-great-granddaughter of a prince and a illegitimate girl. Her dowry was mostly for show, but she acted like a royal lady here every day.
Old Madam Weng was very pleased to hear this, and she said to her youngest daughter Fang Furong, "The third son is a filial son."
Fang Furong nodded: "Mother is right, he has finally figured it out now. If you ask me, it doesn't matter what kind of position he gets, but why bother to work so hard and compete for fame and fortune with poor kids? I hate that the most."
This remark was completely directed at the monk scolding the bald donkey, that is, Fang Weiyan, but Xu Shi could not refute it. When she first came into the family, she did not know how powerful Fang Furong was. She refuted it once or twice, but later on, she was targeted everywhere, mainly because the Marquis and the old lady took sides. Even if she had all the means, she could not resist their partiality.
Fang Yaqing couldn't listen any more, she smiled and said, "Third aunt is right, but Song Zhenzong personally wrote "Poems to Encourage Learning" saying that men who want to fulfill their life's ambitions should study the Five Classics diligently in front of the window. Not everyone in our noble family can inherit the title. If we don't study, will we all be idle?"
"Shut up, you don't understand. Do you know why the emperor always prefers poor children to be the top three? It's because poor children have a hard time studying, so he gives them benefits. And the nobles are already extremely rich, and they want to compete with poor children for profit, that's too greedy."
Fang Furong always had a lot of principles. Xu thought her daughter was too impatient and said to Fang Yaqing, "Why don't you apologize to your aunt? What do you know as a kid?"
After saying that, Xu smiled at Fang Furong again and said, "Your niece is not sensible, please forgive me, Third Sister."
Fang Furong snorted coldly: "I have heard that Yaqing is not good at sewing. For a girl, learning to read is just to avoid being blind. The most important thing is to be a needlework master. Sister-in-law, please don't put the cart before the horse."
After saying that, she also smiled: "I also have good intentions, sister-in-law, please don't take it to heart."
Old Madam Weng always doted on her daughters. After hearing this, she not only did not think that she was wrong, but she thought that she was very insightful. She also said to Ye Jiayin and Jin Shuqin and Jin Shuhui, "Listen to your third aunt. When she was young, she married into the Zou family and became a clan wife. The least important thing for a girl is poetry and songs. Those are just superficial things. The most important thing is to manage the household and do needlework."
Ye Jiayin disagreed, but did not show it on her face. She just glanced at Xu. Jin Shuqin agreed with what Mrs. Weng said.
Because she was very dissatisfied with Xu's matchmaking for Fang Weiyan. She actually decided to marry someone just because she could play the pipa and paint, without considering whether this person from a poor family could live in a family like the Marquis' Mansion.
That girl was too powerful. Before she even entered the room, she instigated her cousin to kick out the girl who had been serving in the room for several years. She was so good at controlling people with her petty nose and eyes.
Fang Yaqing felt very aggrieved and almost cried. Xu's three daughters-in-law, the Crown Prince's wife Shen, the Second Young Master's wife Yu, and the Third Young Master's wife Xiangjun were all laughing at Xu.
Especially Shen and Yu, they were the most touched. It is no exaggeration to say that their husbands and Xu had a deep hatred. Since they entered the family, they have always been Xu's housekeeper, and she is still the mother-in-law. They don't know how much they have been humiliated. It is rare for a mountain guardian like Auntie to come, and Xu is so oppressed that she can't breathe. They are too willing to watch this joke.
At this moment, word came from outside that Fang Weiyan had returned and was coming to pay his respects.
Xu no longer cared about other people's attacks, and Fang Yaqing also stood up. No matter what, as long as her brother was there, no one would dare to bully them.
Old Madam Weng was also very happy to hear that Fang Weiyan had returned, and said, "We are all family, let Weiyan come in directly."
Everyone looked towards the door and saw Fang Weiyan in a white fox fur coat, a golden crown on his hair, and dark green sashes hanging on both sides, which made him look even more handsome and elegant, like a fine young man.
He saluted the elders neatly: "Wei Yan greets grandmother, mother and aunt. I am sorry for causing you trouble these days."
Old Madam Weng said hurriedly, "Get up quickly, get up quickly. You must have suffered a lot these days. I think it's good to be at home. Why do you have to live in a place like a snow cave?"
Fang Weiyan was good-tempered and did not refute, but just talked with the old lady.
After a while, he said, "Last time I went to submit my papers, Lord Li gave me some pointers for my father-in-law's sake. The exam will be held in two days, and I want to go to Ruan's house to ask my father-in-law for his advice."
Although Xu felt somewhat unhappy, she thought that Ruan Jiading was a former second-class Jinshi, with a high rank in the imperial examination, and would probably take the exam soon, so only a relative would tell him everything without reservation.
"Okay, then go ahead." After Xu said this, she noticed that Old Lady Weng looked unhappy.
Fang Weiyan smiled and said to Madam Weng, "I prayed for a longevity charm for grandma at Longyan Temple. This was personally given by the abbot. I wish grandma good health and longevity."
Only then did Mrs. Weng smile happily.
Fang Weiyan shook his head when he walked out of the house. There were too many women in the house, and there were a lot of gossips. Everyone's face was unpredictable. His mother and sister had been in a weak position since his aunt came back. Alas.
Sometimes, he thought it would be better to go to Ruan's house, as it was an isolated household and very quiet.
The big families all talk about helping each other, but when they fight, they all fight like black-eyed chickens.
When he came to the Ruan residence, Mi Niang was counting the days: "The provincial examination will be held in three days. I haven't been out for a long time and I don't even know what year it is today."
Xia Lian smiled and said, "You're right. There are only three days left. Madam Eleven has been worried every day these days. We are tired of watching her."
"I don't know how he is doing." Mi Niang held her chin and looked out the window.
But then Dancao came running over and said, "Mr. Fang came to visit today and was taken to the study by the old master to talk."
Xia Lian and Chun Tao were very happy for Mi Niang and hurriedly urged her: "Miss, you have sewn a lot of purses, don't you want to pick out a few?"
Mi Niang pushed them both and said, "You want to be matchmakers, but I don't want to be Cui Yingying yet."
Even so, when she saw Fang Weiyan, she took out her recent furry masterpiece, including a white fox under red plum blossoms, a deer running in the forest, and the four gentlemen of plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum. The petals of the crab chrysanthemum were especially like real flowers, and there was also a black and white Pixiu next to the bamboo...
“Does it look good?”
These words seemed to strike his heart immediately. She neither asked him how he was doing in his studies nor why he had to go to such a hard place. She just showed him the lovely purse.
He smiled.
"It's beautiful, very cute, and very interesting. I've never seen anything like it before."
Mi Niang urgently needed to share these beautiful things with others, so she quickly asked, "Which one do you like best?"
Fang Weiyan teased her deliberately: "So can I just pick whichever one I like?"
"This..." Mi Niang was a little confused. These were all carefully painted and embroidered by her, and she didn't want to give any of them away.
Seeing her like this, Fang Weiyan felt that the Queen Mother Ruan in his heart disappeared again, and now standing in front of him was the lovely little girl Ruan Mi Niang.
He laughed out loud: "Don't worry, you keep it for yourself. If you get worn out in the future, just give it to me."
Mi Niang was embarrassed and said, "It's not that I want to keep it for myself, but because my needlework is so dry that it can't breathe. I'll give you whichever one you want to wear in the future."
In the future, when she goes to her husband's house, she will have to show these so-called handicrafts to everyone, and she has to serve as a presence. If she gives one to Fang Weiyan, it means that she will have to make another one.
But Fang Weiyan heard the subtext that she would be given the necklace to wear after she married into their family, and she immediately became very happy.
In fact, it is not difficult to understand. Even if there is no love between them, as long as the handsome man and beautiful woman are well-spoken and interesting, it will be pleasing to the eye to look at each other.
"My eleventh brother will also take part in the Autumn Examination in a few days. I will go to see him off then. Can you come over then? I have something to give you." Mi Niang bit her lip boldly and looked at him.
Fang Weiyan was surprised: "What?"
"You'll know when the time comes."
Fang Weiyan, who was kept in suspense, felt even more anxious.
The day finally arrived, and Mi Niang arrived early. She was the first to see Jian Yuehua, and Jian Yuehua naturally saw her as well, and snorted coldly.
She learned that Jian Yuehua was engaged to the second son of the Prime Minister of the dynasty, which swept away all the haze she had before. Of course, this was also inseparable from Mrs. Jian's financial resources and Lord Jian's power. In short, Jian Yuehua is now in a stage of prominence, and she came here today to send her fiancé to the examination room.
She seemed to have learned how to change her face from the people in Shuzhou. She looked disdainful just now, but when she saw a young man in brocade clothes coming over, she immediately put on a gentle smile. Mi Niang raised her eyebrows.
When passing by her, Jian Yuehua said, "Oh, I'm sorry, someone has won the first prize this time."
Fang Weiyan was about to come over and ask her what she had given him, but Mi Niang looked at him and said, "You must strive to do well and try to win the first place in the imperial examination."
ah?
I have no idea what Mi Niang is talking about.
Fortunately, Mi Niang was in a good mood. She suppressed her long-lost competitive spirit and said, "I was just talking nonsense. Don't take it seriously."
Fang Weiyan only had one thing in mind: what would she give him? But it seemed like she didn't bring anything.
Seeing Fang Weiyan's dazed look, Mi Niang waved her hand in front of his eyes. Fang Weiyan then laughed. He had never been so dazed before, and now he finally understood why some people say that women can bewitch people.
Especially the one in front of me, he is the best at keeping you in suspense.
"I want to know what you are going to give me?" Fang Weiyan felt that he had to act mysteriously to cover up his stupidity just now.
There is also a sharp feeling of being the host.
Mi Niang smiled and took him to a place with few people. She tilted her head and said with a smile: "Put out your hand."
Fang Weiyan obediently stretched out his hand, thinking that it should be a lucky charm or a jade pendant or something. No matter what, he had to look happy and not let others down.
Unexpectedly, Mi Niang pulled his hand into the black veil, lowered her head, and kissed the palm of his hand.
It was like a little bird's nest that had not yet grown up in the palm of his hand, feeling a little wet and tingling.
Mi Niang opened her veil, looked at him with a smile and said, "Well, the gift I gave you is the best in the world, isn't it?"
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