"As the saying goes, a son of a wealthy family should not sit idle in the hall. Your Highness Prince Chen is worth a lot of money. Now that Bai Longyu has surrendered, my wife and I are of course happy, but Your Highness must still put his own safety first." Luo Zhizheng said.
Yu was also worried after hearing this: "Yes, Your Highness, you brought two people with you. What if something happens? It's not peaceful outside."
Gao Xuance said quickly, "Lord Luo, Madam Luo, you don't have to worry. Although I am traveling incognito, I have brought enough guards with me. It's just that they didn't come in. I am just passing by today and want to pay you a visit. Don't worry."
After hearing this, not only Yu, but also Luo Zhizheng breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing that it was time for dinner, Luo Zhizheng smiled and said, "It's time for dinner now. If the Third Prince doesn't mind, why don't you stay for dinner?"
Eating means seeing the guest off. He still didn't want the Third Prince to stay in his house for a long time. It would be bad if something really happened.
Gao Xuance didn't seem to understand what Luo Zhizheng meant. Instead, he said to Yu: "Thank you for your help. Yao Niang told me that your spring dish is very delicious. I have wanted to try it for a long time."
Spring plate? When Yu was a child, his family was very poor. The so-called spring plate was actually a thin pancake with vegetables. Later, after his father became an official, everyone still liked this dish. The thin pancake with vegetables was not just salted vegetables. You could stir-fry pork with leeks, add long egg strips, prepare a plate of sweet noodle sauce, and eat it with shallots.
After she married into the Luo family, the fillings became even richer, such as braised pork elbow, smoked pork elbow, big tripe, small tripe, roast duck, smoked chicken, and donkey meat. This was Yao Niang's favorite. She really loved eating this. Paired with a bowl of soup, it was simply a perfect match. Once, after she jumped the rope, she ate three cakes at once.
Originally, Yu was still worried about how to get along with this son-in-law who was from a noble family. Little did she know that the Third Prince was so approachable and caring about Yao Niang. She was actually ready to go into the kitchen and cook.
Luo Zhizheng could not help but said, "Tell them to prepare a table of delicious food and I will accompany His Highness to dine."
"Okay." Yu nodded immediately.
Gao Xuance thought to himself that he had heard Princess Zhenyang mention it before, and it was only when Princess Zhenyang made a fuss about wanting to eat the spring plate that he found out that it was because of Yao Niang. It seemed that he had done the right thing.
After Yu left, Gao Xuance and Luo Zhizheng played a game. Luo Zhizheng was proud of his literary talent. In the world today, apart from the great talent Fu Shen, he was the second best in the world. Little did he know that it was rare for him to meet an opponent when playing chess with Gao Xuance.
Yao Niang was called into the kitchen by Yu: "It's rare that His Royal Highness Prince Chen also likes to eat spring dishes. You should learn how to make it from me so that you can make it for your husband in the future. Look how much I care about you. You know that I make a good spring dish."
Yao Niang felt very happy after hearing this. She had only talked about this with Princess Zhenyang occasionally in the palace, and Prince Chen knew so much when he came to visit her.
"I understand. I'll help you now." Yao Niang asked the maid to roll up her sleeves.
While doing this, Yu was worried: "You said the Third Prince has eaten all kinds of delicacies from land and sea, will he dislike them? These are just some folk snacks."
Yao Niang thought for a moment and said, "I haven't heard about this from Concubine Hong, but since he ordered it, I'll just cook it for him. I can't worry about it."
"How can you say that?" Yu was a little worried.
Yao Niang tried to persuade her a few times, but seeing that Yu was still very excited and worried, she stopped.
While cooking, Yu said to Yao Niang, "I think His Royal Highness Prince Chen is a humble man, knowledgeable, and handsome. He is more approachable than your brother-in-law. He is not as arrogant as you say. On the contrary, he is a very good person."
"This is probably why the Emperor and Concubine Hong both favor him." Yao Niang thought to herself that she was inferior to him.
But Yu didn't dare to delay and prepare the spring dish. The dishes in the kitchen were almost ready. When Yu ordered someone to bring the dishes in, Luo Jingxi said in embarrassment: "Madam, it's hard to tell who is the winner between father and Prince Chen, this..."
When Prince Chen came to the mansion, Luo Jingxi naturally had to accompany him. He was originally very happy, but his father and Prince Chen were playing chess and he could only watch from the side. It happened that both of them walked with murderous auras.
For Prince Chen, no one except his father would let him make a move, and Luo Zhizheng was also a stubborn person, so the two of them really did not get along with each other.
Yu said, "How can that be possible? It's getting dark. Tell your father to let His Royal Highness Prince Chen eat early and return to the palace."
"Yes, son will go in and tell father now." Luo Jingxi was also anxious in his heart, but he did not dare to act rashly in front of his father.
Who is Gao Xuance? Hearing the unusual movement, he took the initiative to move half a chess piece. At the end of the game, Luo Zhizheng won half a chess piece. Looking at Gao Xuance in front of him, he couldn't help but worry: "This man is so perceptive. He let me move half a chess piece at the end, which not only shows his superb skills, but also shows his respect for me. It can be seen that he is very scheming. My daughter's silly sister must have been fooled by him."
But Luo Zhizheng was not completely aloof, otherwise he would not have been able to hold such a high position.
Therefore, he said to Gao Xuance: "I am ashamed. Your Highness is a great chess player. I really enjoyed playing chess today."
Gao Xuance said quickly, "I am the same. I will ask you for advice in the future. Unfortunately, my time is limited today. If not, I would like to ask you for advice on calligraphy. I have heard that you are a master of calligraphy."
Coincidentally, Luo Jingxi said that the meal had been prepared, and Gao Xuance happily took the seat. He only tasted the other dishes casually, but ate a lot of the spring plate. Luo Zhizheng nodded secretly. No matter what, he had done it for the sake of face.
Luo Jingxi was also flattering at the table. When Gao Xuance saw Luo Jingxi, he thought that this man was ambitious but lacked talent. It was unfortunate that a man like Luo Zhizheng gave birth to such a son. However, he did not reveal anything on his face and seemed to be talking to him cheerfully.
But after finishing his meal, he looked at the sky and stood up and said, "Uncle, brother, I've been busy for a long time today, and it's time for me to go. Oh, by the way, I came here in a hurry today and didn't have time to prepare any gifts. I only brought a few shads with me. Please don't reject them."
Upon hearing this, Luo Zhizheng and Luo Jingxi were both shocked.
Shad is a tribute. The emperor never gave more than six shads as a reward to the prime minister, which was the treatment of a powerful prime minister. The second-in-command only got four shads. But the prince gave six shads today, which was indeed a great honor.
You must know that the emperor will not bestow any rank below that of Shangshu.
Luo Jingxi was also very happy. After Gao Xuance left, he was so happy that he didn't know which direction to turn: "Dad, this is shad. I'll have someone put it in the ice cellar right away."
"Yeah." Luo Zhizheng did not comment.
That night, Yao Niang didn't say anything, but seeing that mother and eldest brother were very happy, father was indifferent and didn't seem to be interested. It's no wonder, father has always been the same to everyone, without any flattery.
Yu smiled and said, "The Prince of Chen likes the spring dishes I make. My spring dishes are eaten the most."
"Really? Prince Chen must like your cooking skills. I told you not to be nervous. He is a very good person and was very filial to Concubine Hong when he was in the palace." Yao Niang said.
When Luo Jingxi returned to his room at night, he mentioned this to Fan and was quite excited: "Most common brothers-in-law are somewhat arrogant. I see that His Royal Highness Prince Chen, a descendant of a noble family, treats me without any arrogance. He knew that I had failed several times and he was very appreciative of me. He even promised to recommend me in the future."
Fan nodded secretly: "That's good. Fifth sister finally married into a good family."
For most women, wealth and glory are not the most important thing, but whether the family is good or not. One of Fan's cousins married a good man, but the man liked to beat his wife. He was beaten to death before he was 20.
Like her, Luo Jingxi was born a playboy, and he didn't know how much he had suffered.
Luo Jingxi took off his boots and couldn't help but say, "I think he made the old man lose. It's rare that someone like the old man would lose to someone else. It's so strange."
"Really? Didn't they say that dad won the chess game?" Mrs. Fan asked curiously.
Luo Jingxi said, "No, it was Prince Chen who gave up half a chess piece, and my father was upset. Fortunately, I was there to smooth things over, otherwise everyone would have lost face."
If Luo Jingxi's concubine was here at this time, she would certainly start to flatter him. Fan rarely did that. She just said, "Prince Chen is not very old, but he can beat my father-in-law by so much. It shows that he is not an ordinary person."
Luo Jingxi didn't hear the compliment he wanted to hear, so he snorted coldly and said, "By the way, how is the second house going? Has the mistress' niece been brought into the house?"
At first he thought that she was his wife's niece, and his wife and third brother were special in his eyes. If he took action, it would be bad. He didn't know that his second brother Fa would take advantage of him.
Of course, that woman was not a peaceful person either.
Mrs. Fan shook her head: "How can we ask about such things? Besides, Madam was already ill because of this matter, and she sent Miss Yu to retreat. Unfortunately, this is really..."
"It's nothing, madam. Everyone should just live their own life. Why think so much? Women are timid after all. You don't even think about the fact that your second brother Fa is going to die, yet you still listen to that tigress." Luo Jingxi was very dissatisfied.
Fan could only sigh.
Prince Chen also sent six shads when he came to the house. When Xiao Jiang heard this from the second house, she felt very angry. Her attendant Mingyue said, "Second Madam, I'm afraid this won't be enough to deal with Yu Yan in the future."
"Yeah, who would have known that the fifth girl from the eldest house would be chosen as the prince's consort. It's such a great thing." Little Jiang felt like her teeth were about to break.
According to her temper, she should go to the main room to make trouble. This is definitely Yu's conspiracy. If it's not her conspiracy, she must be the one behind it. I know exactly what they are planning.
Since I can't push her away, I might as well take the initiative to welcome her back, and then let her see how powerful I am.
Thinking of this, Xiao Jiang snorted coldly.
Mingyue originally wanted to say that what the Second Master did was wrong, but what the Second Mistress needs most now is a son. Among the daughters-in-law of the same generation, Zhou, Fan and even Zhu have already given birth, but she is the only one who does not have a son. Even if she does not marry Yu Yan today, it is very likely that she will marry someone else.
But she herself was still under the control of Xiao Jiang, and she dared not say these things.
During the Chinese New Year this year, Yao Niang took over as Yu's housekeeper. Because the daughter of the Luo family was going to marry Prince Chen, there were more people coming to the house than in the past. Yu had Yao Niang and Shi Yu by her side. The two of them registered and assigned tasks during the day, and slept together at night.
On the day of Laba, Yao Niang and Shi Yu held hands and went to the kitchen together with Yu to cook Laba porridge. These Laba porridges were to be delivered everywhere, so there were often comparisons. The Luo family's Laba porridge was always tastier than that of other families.
Yu told them the secret: "You see, the reason why our Laba porridge is so good is because we add lotus root powder. Soak the black rice, glutinous rice, black beans, red beans, red kidney beans, peanuts, and red dates overnight before cooking. When it's almost done, scoop the lotus root powder in and stir. That's it."
The two girls were both approaching marriage age, and Yu wished she could teach them everything.
When the Laba porridge was ready, Yao Niang and Shi Yu personally brought it to Old Madam Dou. Shi Fang was copying Buddhist scriptures outside the room. When she saw them coming, she couldn't help but humiliate herself.
The two sisters from the eldest son's family would attract attention wherever they go, especially Yao Niang, with her slightly raised breasts and slender waist, looking like a woman.
"Fourth sister, we are bringing you some Laba porridge, and there is also a portion for you." Yao Niang said with a smile.
Shi Fang shook her head: "I've already had a big bowl of rice this morning. Come, I'll go in with you guys."
When Old Lady Dou saw them coming, she smiled and said, "Your mother has always been very good at doing big things. You two will benefit a lot if you learn from her."
"You're right. It was my mother who taught us how to make Laba Congee today." Yao Niang thought to herself, it wasn't easy for her mother either. She married into the Luo family as a clan wife from a family like the Yu family and won the praise of others. She really paid a lot.
"How is your brother? I haven't seen him in these days." Old Lady Dou mentioned Jinghao.
Yao Niang smiled and said, "He came back a few days ago, but Dad sent him to the academy again, and the teacher didn't let him come back. He is now studying in the upper residence, and he really doesn't relax for a moment."
Although Jinghao is not the smartest person, he is honest. Even his father said that only honest people can read well, and people with complicated minds cannot read well.
Old Lady Dou said, "Well, well, Jinghao had a lot of troubles when he was little, but he's doing much better now. I heard that he somehow fell into the pool last time, but he swam out on his own."
After hearing this, Yao Niang was startled. Why no one said anything about this?
After returning from Ganquanju, Yao Niang asked Shi Yu: "What happened? Did Jinghao fall into the water?"
You should know that Jinghao died by drowning in his previous life. After Yao Niang cured his cough in this life, he started to play frequently again and his health is much better than in his previous life. He even asked his father to teach him how to swim before entering the palace. He is no longer the same as before.
Shi Yu nodded: "That's true. It happened in the spring. The ice and snow hadn't melted yet. Jinghao was playing in the garden. He thought a cricket ran away and he fell down. Fortunately, he was strong and swam up by himself. But don't worry, Fifth Sister. He's fine."
"Fortunately, he is in much better health now. If he was a child, I really don't know what would have happened." Yao Niang was very fortunate.
But is there a driving force behind this? If there is a driving force, who is it?
Yao Niang was a little absent-minded while eating this Laba porridge. At this moment, the person who delivered the Laba porridge came back. Erzhen came back and said to Yu: "Madam, it's bad. Our second daughter wants to divorce."
Divorce?
Yu frowned: "Hasn't she always had a good relationship with my aunt? Why does she want to divorce now?"
Although Shan Yujing has become a commoner, she has a good reputation and will surely rise again in the future. Why do this? If Shan Yujing died and remarried, it would be fine. But now that the family is in trouble, she came back like this. What will happen to the other daughters in the family?
Yu was worried, but she had no idea that Jiang was more troubled. It was already a headache for her that her son was hanging out with the niece of her eldest brother's wife, and now something happened to the concubine's daughter. How come all the trouble happened in her family?
Others would only say that she was not good at educating her daughter or her son.
Jiang didn't dare to make the decision herself, so she discussed it with her husband Luo Zhixiao: "She said she wanted a divorce for no reason. She also said that Yujing was caught in bed with her, and she couldn't live a day longer."
"She is just an outside girl. You can take her as your concubine. Otherwise, you can just pay her money. I have already been disliked by the emperor because of Prince Heng. Now I am a low-ranking official. Fortunately, the fifth daughter of the eldest house is promised to Prince Chen, and the sixth daughter is promised to the Jiang family. If you say she should divorce and come back now, I am afraid that our Shi Lan will also be affected." Luo Zhizhong felt that Luo Shizhen was too worrying.
Jiang also said: "Yes, this kind of thing happens in every household. It's really a headache just thinking about it."
Yu mentioned this to Luo Zhizheng, who snorted coldly, "I don't know how the second wife's sister-in-law manages things. I didn't want to marry my daughter to the Shan family back then, but my second brother wanted to marry her to Shi Zhen, not knowing that his daughter would follow her husband wherever he married. Now that things have gotten to this point, I don't know what to do."
Yu said, "Isn't it Yujing who is also at fault? He is really something, being so close to his own cousin, look at that..."
"As a housekeeper, would you let other women get close to me? Would a normal person be like Luo Jingfa and Luo Jingxi and keep two perverts around? Isn't this a deliberate trap?" Luo Zhizheng was speechless.
Yu was shocked and asked, "Master, what are you talking about?"
One sentence offended three people. Yao Niang was eavesdropping on it all in the ear room. Her father first said that her mother was too strict, and then he called his son and nephew perverts.
Luo Zhizheng continued, "That's right. You're always afraid that someone will snatch me away, so you try your best to cling to me. Even the concubines and maids in the house don't dare to walk around freely, let alone outsiders. I'm also an upright person, unlike those two bastards Luo Jingfa and Luo Jingxi, who even dare to touch the nunnery. Yujing is a person whose career is more important than anything else. How could this happen if someone didn't deliberately condone her? What's more, she usually takes the initiative to take concubines, and now she's pretending to be a Hedong Lion. My words are harsh, but what I said is not true."
Yao Niang didn't know why, but she always wanted to laugh.
Because in her previous life, when she was caught in bed with Lu Xiao, Luo Zhizheng scolded her as stupid as a pig instead of an adulterer. This shows that he knew very well that if the so-called pig-dip cage was really to be carried out, Yu would not be able to stop it at all.
Probably he didn't really want to harm her, but just wanted to scare her. From then on, Yao Niang knew that she had to rely on herself for everything.
You can't rely on your parents' family, your husband, or even your relatives. Only when you have no way out can you make progress.
Yu seemed to feel aggrieved: "I don't judge others, but I have never been jealous, never controlled the master, and I treat my aunts, concubines, concubines, and even children who are not my own as my own. Now you still say this to me? You are really going too far."
After hearing this, Yao's mother nodded secretly. Yes, mother is quite tolerant. It is really wrong for father to say that to her.
She was afraid that her father would scold her mother again, so she wondered if she should go there by herself later. Adults would never quarrel in front of children, right?
Unexpectedly, she heard her always arrogant father coaxing people: "Lianlian, I hope you are jealous, I said that on purpose. As long as you are not jealous, I will feel that you don't care about us. I am old, but you are still in your prime."
"Master, there is no such thing. I am already a woman in my thirties, and I have long been a spent flower. Only Master does not despise me and always treats me so well."
…
Yao Niang was so embarrassed that she didn't want to listen to any more love words. It must be that Gao Xuance was praising her mother, and his father was actually jealous. It was really shocking.
After returning to her room, Yao Niang seemed to feel that she had misunderstood her parents' feelings before.
They must have had a very good relationship in private, but her brother died early and she was like that, so of course her mother felt bored and lost the will to live.
Even because of herself, she would always be criticized by others. But in the end, she was actually loved by her husband, but her father did not show it in public.
A few days later, Mrs. Shan came to visit. Yao Niang was buying New Year's goods with Yu. When she saw Mrs. Shan, she was about to avoid her, knowing that she must have come to talk about Luo Shizhen.
Yao Niang thought that this matter was nothing and they could divorce if they wanted to. But what was the real situation? She immediately hid behind the screen.
Yu pointed at her. Yao Niang thought her mother would scold her, but Yu said, "Hide well. Don't drink water or eat anything secretly."
"Hey, I know."
I had seen Mrs. Shan many years ago. She was plump and fair at that time, looking like a lady from a wealthy family. She is still plump now, but her skin has all drooped.
At this time, she no longer dared to put on airs like before, and instead begged Yu: "Cousin, we have no choice. Shi Zhen wants to divorce and take his grandson away. We have no choice."
Yu said, "That was just a spur of the moment. We in the Luo family are not unreasonable. Wouldn't it be better if you send your niece away?"
"That's it. She said that if we don't get a divorce, she will go to the government to sue Yujing, and she also asked us to prepare 60,000 taels of silver for her so that she can return our son to us." Mrs. Shan couldn't help crying.
She really didn't expect that Luo Shizhen, who was so kind to her son on weekdays, would plot against her son behind his back just to give him a plate of dumplings. She already had a lot of evidence against her son, and she even knew about the affairs of the Shan family. If he didn't comply, she would go and sue him directly.
I never thought that the person next to me would be a beautiful snake.
Hearing Mrs. Shan's words, Yu frowned and asked, "What are you going to do?" These things are too big.
"Please talk to Luo Shizhen for me, tell her not to go back to her parents' home and not to reveal Yujing's affairs. In short, don't even think about divorce. You know, the reason Yujing was like this was because of her trap. Ever since Yujing committed the crime, she claimed that she was recuperating and never slept with her again. That's why Yujing..." Mrs. Shan hated Luo Shizhen so much whenever she mentioned him.
Yu shook her head: "How can I control her?"
Madam Shan said anxiously, "You are the main branch of the Luo family. If you don't care, who will? Besides, you don't want to affect your daughter's marriage to the prince. Although the emperor has granted the marriage, there are many people who covet this marriage. If someone reports you, the Luo family, what will you do?"
Although Mrs. Shan was selfish, these words touched Yu's heart.
Yao Niang, who was hiding behind the screen, felt uncomfortable after hearing this. Mrs. Shan was clearly threatening her with her marriage, but if she really agreed, it would be like tofu falling into an ashes, which would not be good in any way. Luo Shizhen only cared about money and asked her to give up the divorce and live in harmony with the Shan family. The only requirement was to give her money.
That person was not the impression she gave when she was a noble lady, gentle and generous. Yao Niang had seen her true face in her previous life. A person who could force someone's entire family to death for a few acres of land was not a good person.
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