Chapter 108
After the major reshuffle of the Henan officialdom, many new officials were transferred here. Among them was an acquaintance, Cen Yuan, who was serving as the Assistant Commissioner of the Provincial Judicial Commission. Miao Zhen and Xiao Suyin had a good relationship and had not seen each other for several years. Unexpectedly, she looked even younger.
Xiao Suyin seemed to have had no one to confide in for a long time, and now she said happily, "It's the best that we sisters-in-law can be together. Now I don't hope for anything else, I just hope that everyone is well."
Xiao Suyin and Miaozhen became pregnant around the same time, but her eldest son had not yet achieved official rank, so she envied Zhao Ge'er and said she wanted her son to study with Zhao Ge'er more often, which Miaozhen naturally agreed to.
Before they knew it, the conversation turned to family matters, and Xiao Suyin couldn't stop: "Ever since we welcomed Aunt Hu into our family, Aunt Zhou has long been a thing of the past and is not worth mentioning."
"Really?" Xiao Suyin had tried to find someone to share her favor with before, but it hadn't worked. This Aunt Hu seemed to be much more capable.
Xiao Suyin curled her lips and whispered, "Aunt Hu's brother is quite something now; he's a commander in Fujian." She was embarrassed to mention that Aunt Hu was also Eunuch Hu's niece, as that would inevitably raise suspicions of collusion with eunuchs.
So that's how it is. There are Tartars in the north and Japanese pirates in the south. Zhao Rui was reinstated during the Fujian and Zhejiang incident, so it's no wonder that Cen Yuan favors him so much.
Miaozhen looked at her with some concern: "How are you?"
Xiao Suyin smiled and said, "I'm happy to see that she's more favored than Aunt Zhou. My son is all grown up now. Oh, and he was engaged in the capital a few days ago."
Miao Zhen hurriedly asked which family it was, and Xiao Suyin covered her mouth and laughed, "It's just a family that's related to each other."
Yes, Xiao Suyin has a very good relationship with her family. Although Gao's second daughter is several years younger than her son, the man is going to take the imperial examination. So what if they get married a few years later?
Miaozhen was definitely unwilling to arrange a marriage between relatives, given her knowledge of modern medicine. However, given the prevalence of incestuous relationships, she couldn't easily object. Although she and Xiao Suyin had a good relationship, she still couldn't bring herself to say such things.
Xiao Suyin was in a better mood because her future daughter-in-law was her niece, and she even had the leisure to say about Liu: "She's becoming more and more stubborn and unreasonable. My third sister-in-law finally managed to arrange a marriage for her, but she said it would harm her daughter and insisted on pretending to be crazy to ruin it."
"Is she saying this because she thinks it's not good?" Miaozhen asked, puzzled.
Xiao Suyin nodded: "Actually, what's wrong with Third Sister-in-law's choice? Fifth Brother is just a seventh-rank official with no real power. If we were to look in the capital, we would only be looking at families with similar backgrounds. Most of those families also have officials with the rank of seventh or eighth, or they would be illegitimate sons. That girl only has a dowry of a thousand taels of silver. What kind of good man can she marry?"
The second branch of the Xiao family provided a dowry of 6,000 taels of silver for their granddaughters because they were in business. The third branch now only makes a living by collecting rent from their fields. Even if Gao's dowry is generous, it is for her own children and she would never provide a dowry for her nieces from another branch of the family.
Fifth Master Xiao was born out of wedlock, so even if he were to divide the family property, he would be lucky to get two or three thousand taels. Since the family property has not been divided yet, this amount of money is probably only available from the public funds.
"Which family is Third Sister-in-law referring to?"
“He is the second son of the Assistant Magistrate of Huzhou. He and my third brother took the provincial examination in the same year, which is why he was willing to marry him.” Xiao Suyin felt that Liu’s ambitions were too high.
Miaozhen thought so too. She and Xiao Jingshi wanted to arrange a good marriage for their daughter because Xiao Jingshi was a Jinshi who passed the imperial examinations twice and held a high official position. In addition, the couple had accumulated a considerable amount of private savings and would give Fu Jie'er a dowry of 30,000 taels of silver. Moreover, Fu Jie'er was beautiful and charming.
Based on objective assessment, she felt that her daughter was suitable for marriage, and in the end, she met Zhao Ruiping by chance and they became a couple.
Liu's actions...
Miaozhen said, "Huzhou is a wealthy place, and even the Assistant Magistrate is a fifth-rank official."
Xiao Suyin shook her head: "That's right, even my third sister-in-law, who has such a good temper, got so angry that she said she wouldn't help her find a partner anymore."
Gao was more attentive to Liu than Liu. When she helped Fu Jie'er get married, she only took Fu Jie'er out to socialize. But this time, she directly used her own family connections to help, and Liu didn't appreciate it.
"Then this marriage proposal has to be called off," Miaozhen said with some regret.
Xiao Suyin smiled again: "Seventh brother's wife is very good to him. Seventh brother is only a student of the Imperial Academy, just like sixth brother. Seventh brother's wife's family is rich. They said they would give their daughter a dowry of five thousand taels, which makes her very happy."
Although Lady Bian had previously sided with Lady Liu, she never embarrassed anyone, which made her quite clever. It seems that Lady Bian only entered the palace when she went there to see a doctor that year, and her daughter was already thirteen or fourteen years old.
Miao Zhen used to dislike listening to these mundane family matters, but now she can listen attentively. After Xiao Suyin finished talking with Miao Zhen, she went to find Fu Jie'er alone.
Fu Jie'er was embroidering a peony pillowcase on the embroidery frame. She was wearing a cherry-colored jacket and a white silk skirt. Her skin was porcelain white and her appearance was stunning. Xiao Suyin thought that it was no wonder that a talented man like the heir of the Marquis of Yun Jian would take a liking to her and accept such a marriage, yet she showed no signs of arrogance.
She saw that Xiao Suyin had curtsied to herself and looked a little embarrassed, which made Xiao Suyin like her even more.
"You've raised this child too well. With such character, no wonder..."
The sedan chair was being carried by someone, and Sister Fu became even more humble upon hearing this.
After returning home, Xiao Suyin told Cen Yuan about the marriage: "I saw that their family was as usual, and they didn't have any arrogance."
“That’s not true. Everyone says that the heir of the Marquis of Yunjian is blinded by lust and wants to marry someone’s daughter, even though they are clearly enemies. But I heard that it was Governor Lu who arranged it…” Cen Yuan could only find out his own speculation.
Xiao Suyin understood the implication: "Does Master mean that the heir of the Marquis of Yunjian is also one of Governor Lu's men?"
"That should be the case. I once heard that after Xu went to the capital, she made a special trip to the Lu residence." Cen Yuan had heard this from Xiao Jingtian.
"Fourth Brother didn't even get into the Hanlin Academy, so how did he gain Governor Lu's favor? Was it just because of Fourth Sister-in-law? But Madam Huang has already passed away." Xiao Suyin also found it strange.
Cen Yuan coughed lightly. "Such things are not uncommon in officialdom, it's all about exchanging power for sex."
Xiao Suyin subconsciously shook her head. She didn't think Miaozhen was that kind of person, but thinking about how Miaozhen, whom she had just met, was thirty-four years old, yet her skin was still flawless, her appearance was pretty, her eyes were bright, and her waist was slender, like a ripe peach about to burst with juice...
Seeing that Xiao Suyin didn't believe him, Cen Yuan didn't want to linger on the topic of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, otherwise he would be finished if someone overheard.
Aside from discussing important matters, the couple usually went back to their own rooms. Cen Yuan returned to Aunt Hu's place. Aunt Hu was slender and had a naturally gentle and kind nature, which he liked very much.
Seeing Cen Yuan like this, Aunt Zhou, who was standing in the corner, couldn't help but feel sour. Once upon a time, she was the most favored one, but now she had become a haggard old woman.
**
Miaozhen has already set a date; she plans to go to the capital after the Mid-Autumn Festival to personally officiate at her daughter's wedding. Xiao Jingshi is unable to go this time due to his post, but his two sons, Zhaoge'er and Zhengge'er, will accompany him.
Just as Xiao Jingshi said, when he was seventeen, he helped his family with social engagements and managed the family business. Zhao Ge'er has been studying for the past few years and needs to gain more experience.
Arrive early to take stock of the dowry. If anything is missing, make up for it in the capital. It's better than being scrambling to find something later.
When Miao Zhen said she would go with Sister Fu, Sister Fu felt relieved.
Xiao Jingshi was very reluctant to part with them: "I really want to go with you all."
"I wish I could too, Jingshi. We're a couple who've been together since we were young, and we're inseparable now. I'm so reluctant to leave you." When she first married into the family, she wished the days would pass quickly, but now she always hopes they can pass more slowly, much more slowly.
Xiao Jingshi put his arm around her and said, "I never imagined that in the blink of an eye, our daughter would be getting married."
Miao Zhen thought that this was because it was ancient times, and that if a woman got married at twenty-seven or twenty-eight in modern times, it would be considered early marriage. Although she could get rid of some of the bad habits of marriage between cousins, she could not really keep her daughter until she was twenty-seven or twenty-eight.
Even if outsiders don't blame you, your daughter will be worried.
However, Miaozhen said, "Back then, the Yunjian Marquis's Mansion exiled the main branch and some of the collateral branches did not receive much punishment. I have already told Fu'er that after entering the Zhao family, she must get along well with the clansmen. When the truth comes out in the future, everything will be justified for us."
We're all in the same boat now, so it's only natural that we work together.
Xiao Jingshi nodded.
Outside, someone said that Zheng Ge'er had arrived. Xiao Jingshi held onto Miao Zhen tightly, saying, "Just tell her you're going to rest."
Miaozhen laughed and scolded, "What are you talking about resting in broad daylight? I never knew you were so solitary!"
When he first passed the imperial examination, he was full of ambition and wished he could make a name for himself in the world. But now he has returned to his old ways and he is unwilling to share his wife with others.
After chatting and laughing for a while, the two invited Zheng Ge'er in. Zheng Ge'er was carrying a bow and arrows and wanted someone to take him out for a horseback ride.
"Let two attendants accompany you out, and bring your personal attendant too, do you understand?" Miaozhen used to protect him all the time and not let him go out, but ever since Zhengge was bullied by two eighteen-year-old boys at the academy during the Dragon Boat Festival and beat them into submission, she could no longer stop her son.
Moreover, his archery skills were extremely accurate, even surpassing Xiao Jingshi's. Miaozhen thought that her youngest son often took Yang Youji as his role model, and if he could really reach that level, how amazing would that be?
Zhengge'er laughed and said, "I won't go far, so I'll be more relaxed. Don't worry, Mother."
"Don't run wildly in the street. If you can't keep your distance for a moment, the horse might trample you," Miaozhen warned.
Zhengge waved his hand to indicate that he understood, then turned and left.
As soon as he left, Miaozhen said to Xiao Jingshi, "This child is like a wild horse, I really can't control him. But then again, he's gone to study at the academy and rarely comes back, so it would be good if he could relax a bit."
Fu Jie'er envied Zheng Ge'er the most. Although she usually traveled around with her parents, she had already gone out more often than the average young lady. Her cousin, for example, only lived in the capital when she was young and later lived in Suzhou for a long time.
However, Zheng Ge'er brought back a young Taoist priest with him this time. It is said that this young Taoist priest was originally a substitute for a nobleman in the Zhou Prince's Mansion, but after the nobleman passed away, he lost his purpose. He wanted to leave the Taoist temple but was being controlled by his fellow disciples, so he happened to run into Zheng Ge'er today.
“Father, Mother, I didn’t bring him back just like that. His martial arts skills are extremely good.” Zheng’er wouldn’t bring someone back for no reason.
Xiao Jingshi laughed and said, "If you bring people from that Taoist temple back, what will you do if they blame me?"
Actually, this is a small matter; the Xiao family could simply send someone to say something. It wouldn't be a problem for Zheng Ge'er to have this child as a bodyguard or companion. However, the child seems to have something unsaid. Having served as an official for several years, Xiao Jingshi doesn't want any unknown people to appear in his family.
Miaozhen went into the room first, and when Xiao Jingshi returned in the evening, she said to her, "Did you know that this little Taoist priest actually has quite a background?"
“If she really had a background, she wouldn’t be someone else’s substitute,” Miaozhen said.
Xiao Jingshi said, "He came to us specifically because he probably heard that we are related to the Marquis of Yunjian by marriage. This child knows some things. When you go to the capital, you can hand him over to your son-in-law."
Miaozhen didn't ask any more questions, but she made a note of it. This young Taoist priest became Zhengge'er's companion, and Xiaoxi arranged for him to stay with other servants.
After the Mid-Autumn Festival, Xiao Jingshi ordered three boats: one to carry people, two to carry Fu Jie'er's dowry, and the rest of the dowry would be sent from his clansmen in Suzhou.
Fu Jie'er also asked, "Will my grandparents and maternal grandparents come over then?"
"Yes, your aunts and uncles should be coming too. Our house is big enough to accommodate them all," Miaozhen said with a smile.
Fu Jie'er couldn't help but whisper again, "Why didn't Father ask why he let Zheng Ge'er have this little Taoist priest by his side? Isn't that inappropriate?"
Miao Zhen smiled and said, "The fact that you can think of these things shows that you are very vigilant. Your father is now doing things discreetly, and even I don't know anything about him. We can just hand this little Taoist over to Prince Zhao when the time comes."
These things might be related to the case of Master Zhao killing innocent people and claiming credit for them. Perhaps her father's transfer to Henan was also discussed with the young master Zhao. Thinking of this, Fu Jie'er thought that Master Zhao's family had been pretending to be victims for many years. After being exiled, he was afraid of death again and sent Zhao Rui to the place with the most Japanese pirates. He never thought that he would come back.
After Zhao Rui fought his way out and regained his title, the Second Master Zhao and his wife obtained the power to manage the household under the pretext of showing filial piety to Marquis Yunjian.
The truth will come out sooner or later.
Just as Miaozhen and her party were heading to the capital, they encountered a group of military officers who were also heading to the capital. It turned out they were acquaintances. Years ago, Mrs. Ma, who lived next door to the Xu family, had wanted to arrange a marriage for her with the son of a centurion of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Her father felt that although a centurion was a good position, a scholar was still better.
Now, this woman, who has long been a hereditary centurion and has been promoted to chiliarch, was once asked by Xu Erpeng to treat his mother's illness when they were in Suzhou. Now, he has lost his wife and has only one daughter who is already married. He has only a concubine surnamed Yin by his side. Taking advantage of the ship's docking, she sent a lot of water gifts over.
Miaozhen read the invitation and invited her to sit down. Aunt Yin glanced at Miaozhen nervously. Miaozhen was the wife of a third-rank official, yet she had no airs at all. She said, "My family used to have some dealings with the Lu family. We are from the same hometown."
After saying that, he sent back two boxes of honey osmanthus cake, and said warmly, "We should visit each other more often in the future."
When Aunt Yin returned and told Commander Lu, her steps were light: "Madam Xiao sent her daughter to the capital for her marriage. She was so approachable. If she hadn't mentioned that her daughter was getting married, you really wouldn't have guessed she was so young..."
Commander Lu is forty years old this year, in his prime, of medium height, with a fair complexion. Although he is a soldier, he looks quite refined. Upon hearing what Aunt Yin said, a slight smile appeared on his usually stern face: "Their family has always been very kind."
When he was young, his family did send him to school, but he didn't like the rigid, formulaic writing style. Instead, he enjoyed reading stories of chivalry and justice. He often went to bookstores to buy books, and over time, he read the most books at Rulin Bookstore. Rulin Bookstore had the cheapest and most complete selection of books, so he often bought books there, and even borrowed books from them to read, afraid that his parents would find out.
It was often said that the Xu family's daughter studied both girls' school and medicine. The Xu family's servants all said that her prescriptions were more effective than those of the senior doctors, and that one dose was enough to cure the illness.
So when Mrs. Ma arranged a marriage for him with the Xu family, although his father felt that the Xu family was not well-off, he still asked his mother for help.
However, the Xu family did not agree. Later, Miss Xu married very well. Xiao Jingshi passed the provincial examination at the age of twenty and became a Jinshi at the age of twenty-four. Miss Xu was also ordered to go to the capital. They all lived respectable and good lives, unlike him, who tortured prisoners and did errands in the Embroidered Uniform Guard all day long. He was in contact with all sorts of demons and monsters.
Seeing that Commander Lu did not speak, Aunt Yin left first. Commander Lu then opened the food box and saw that the honey osmanthus cake inside was still slightly warm. He thought to himself that she was still as meticulous as ever in handling matters. She did not just find some random things to make do, but put so much thought into it.
very nice!
Zheng Ge'er was a restless boy who often went out to practice archery on the deck. He never missed a shot, which impressed Zhao Ge'er. "My brother is really amazing!"
"Brother, shall we have a barbecue here later?" Zheng Ge'er came up with a sudden idea.
Zhao Ge'er, however, was much more composed: "That won't do. Haven't you heard the story of borrowing arrows with straw boats? What if it catches fire?"
Zheng Ge'er said sheepishly, "I'll never dare to do it again."
“I think you’ve gone mad. If you’re out here for half a year, you’ll probably forget everything you’ve been studying. Come and study with me later, okay?” Zhao Ge’er looked at his younger brother.
Zheng Ge'er, of course, knew the gravity of the situation. Hearing his brother's words, he obediently listened. The servants around him also breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that if their master made a mistake, the servants would suffer the consequences.
And so, Zheng Ge'er studied with Zhao Ge'er for three hours every morning, and could only go out for fresh air in the afternoon. That's how he met Commander Lu, who also liked him very much and gave him a sable.
"Have you thought about how to reciprocate?" Miaozhen asked her youngest son.
If you accept someone's gift, you should definitely reciprocate. Zheng Ge'er shook his head like a rattle drum: "Son doesn't know, Mother. Commander Lu is an adult, and I'm just a child. I don't have anything good to give you."
Miaozhen poked her son's forehead: "Mother will prepare it for you."
Zhengge'er grinned. Zhaoge'er, standing to the side, glanced at his mother. His mother was quite open-minded and didn't seem to think anything of it. If his father were here, he would probably be extremely jealous. His father was only gentle with his mother; he wasn't like that with other people.
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