"Have you heard? County Magistrate Lu's daughter also went to that Jiangnan teahouse."
"Jiangnan teahouses only accept female customers. Isn't it normal for the county magistrate's daughter to go there?"
"Didn't they say the teahouse was closed because it was spreading heretical ideas? Why did the county magistrate's daughter go there too?"
"I think there's something else going on. Maybe the county magistrate's daughter was offended in there? She felt wronged and went back to file a complaint..."
"Don't talk nonsense. Our County Magistrate Lu is not the kind of official who can't distinguish right from wrong and bullies others by taking advantage of his power!"
The news spread quickly in the city that the county magistrate's daughter had also been to the Jiangnan Teahouse, and the reason why the Jiangnan Teahouse was closed became confusing.
Xie Dianshi was already having a headache. On the one hand, many people came to report that there was something fishy going on at the Jiangnan Teahouse, and on the other hand, there was the Shen family, a well-known wealthy family in the city, with whom he had the intention of marrying. He didn't know how to deal with it. He wanted to protect the Shen family, but he was worried that it would be difficult to intercede with the county magistrate.
As soon as the news about the county magistrate's daughter came out, he had an excuse for those who came to report him. What big problem could there be in a place where the county magistrate's daughter went?
As a result, the original rumors that Jiangnan teahouses spread unorthodox ideas gradually disappeared, and people began to discuss what happened to County Magistrate Lu's daughter in the Jiangnan teahouse.
Just two days later, the seal on the door of the Jiangnan Teahouse was torn off by officials again.
When they got the news, Liu Wanyun was sorting out clothes with Shen Chaodong. The two of them packed up and prepared to go out to attend Cousin Ma's wedding.
Seeing that the smile on her face grew a little more, Shen Chaodong scratched her nose and said, “You don’t have to worry about it now!”
Liu Wanyun blinked, "I wasn't worried in the first place!"
Shen Chaodong did not expose her, but curled his lips with a doting look, took her hand and walked out the door.
When they reached the gate and were about to get on the carriage, Zhang Xinyue ran out and stopped them.
Without even saying hello excitedly, she asked directly, "The seal has been removed. Are you open for business today?"
Liu Wanyun smiled and said to her, "No rush! These few days, you and Xiaoyu should quickly prepare for the teaching studio. It will open in three days! For the next two days, focus on this matter and put the teahouse work on hold for now."
"Okay—after you finish your drink, come back soon!"
Zhang Xinyue watched them leave unhappily.
Originally, when Du Zhubu's daughter was getting married, the Shen family also sent gifts to the Du family and could have attended the banquet on the bride's side. However, Mrs. Du felt that it was not glorious for her daughter to marry a clerk in the county government office, so she did not want to publicize the wedding.
No outside guests were invited to the banquet except family members.
Even the Ma family repeatedly warned people not to be too ostentatious.
But Mrs. Ma would never listen to her. She only had this one son, and how could she not arrange such a big event as his marriage? Even if it didn't become known to the whole city, at least all the relatives who should be invited had to be invited.
Naturally, only Liu Wanyun and her husband attended the Ma family's banquet.
Mrs. Ma was very satisfied that Ma Fen was able to marry Du Zhubu's daughter. On the wedding day, she didn't care how many people came from her family or how much dowry there was. She happily showed off to every guest how capable her son was and what status her daughter-in-law had.
Liu Wanyun and Shen Chaodong went there, and Mrs. Ma started to brag again about the Liu family's niece and son-in-law. It was obvious from her words that she disliked the Ma family's relatives for being useless. Those people were also very tactful and stayed away from her.
So, the table where they sat was occupied by only Liu Wanyun and her family.
With no one else present, Shen Chaodong's expression softened a lot when facing his father-in-law and brother-in-law.
"I heard that my brother-in-law has passed the county exam and is preparing to take the imperial examination next year. Congratulations!"
Dehua was a little flattered by the sudden praise from his cold-faced brother-in-law.
“Thank you, brother-in-law!”
Just then, Ma Fen came over and patted Dehua's head in appreciation. "My cousin is very smart. He will definitely pass the exam and become a scholar. Then he can go on to the provincial exam, the metropolitan exam, and finally the palace exam!"
Dehua touched his nose and said, "My cousin, you are praising me too much. My talent is limited and I am not as good as yours..."
Liu Wanyun liked this younger brother very much. He was well-behaved, obedient and polite, but he was too modest.
"Dehua, I believe in you. You are only thirteen years old now, which is the time when your learning ability is the strongest. You can do it!"
Dehua smiled shyly in response to everyone's praise and encouragement.
Unexpectedly, as soon as Ma Fen left, Dehua came up to his sister and whispered, "Sister, I've seen the article written by cousin Ma, and I don't think it's as good as mine. Maybe I can do it. He passed the exam to become a scholar, so I can definitely become a juren!"
Liu Wanyun laughed. This naughty little brother seemed well-behaved on the surface, but she didn't tell him to be humble or anything like that. Judging from his performance just now, it was probably because his parents often taught him like that.
She lowered her voice and encouraged him, "Your ambition is too low. Your father was a juren, so you must be a jinshi at least! Then you can become a local official. Then I will be relying on you to enjoy a happy life."
Dehua pursed her lips and made an exaggerated expression, "Sister, you are too bold!"
"Just focus on studying hard. Don't worry about the money. I'll find a way for you!"
The two siblings were whispering to each other, and seeing the look of Liu's mother and father, they were very pleased.
Because the weather was hot, Liu Wanyun had no appetite. After eating a little, she hid away, ran to the kitchen, brought two plates of delicious food, and sneaked into the new house.
She remembered that on her wedding day, no one brought her any food, and she almost choked to death while eating the cakes and pastries prepared in the house.
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
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