Springtime is a time of beauty everywhere; even the red apricot blossoms peeking over the wall are telling us that spring is in full bloom.
Shen Lian still brought Xiao Qiao'er along, accompanied by Zhang Liang. There were many gardens in the capital for leisure and strolling, and Shen Lian chose a place that was frequented by ordinary people.
Willows swayed gently by the lake, and little Qiao'er played happily on the grass. Seeing this scene, Chen Lian felt a strong urge to compose a poem.
“Master Shen, I think I saw a few people pointing and whispering about you,” Zhang Liang whispered to Shen Lian.
Shen Lian frowned slightly, looked around, and then saw Liu Yunliang's wife, Liu Yangshi, who was six months pregnant. What kind of twisted fate was this, that she could even choose a place where they would end up together?
"Just ignore them." Chen Lian could only pretend she didn't see them.
"That's her. My master was engaged to her before, but now he's getting on in years and still doesn't have a husband." Liu Yangshi, supported by her maid, walked slowly over with some other women accompanied by their maids and servants.
"I know her. Wasn't she a tutor in Master Liu's household before? I heard she was with Master Liu, well, you know."
"She's quite pretty, but she's getting on in years and still unmarried. There might be something wrong with her."
"I'm not a jealous person, but seeing that she's getting old, I suggested that my master rekindle his old flame and take a concubine. Ha, she doesn't even want one!" Liu Yangshi said sarcastically.
Shen Lian held back her anger, but Zhang Liang couldn't hold back any longer; he wasn't exactly an easy person to talk to!
"Bullshit! You gossipy old women, all you do is talk nonsense. Aren't you afraid of getting your comeuppance?" Zhang Liang shouted with a stern face.
"Oh, now I know why she doesn't get married, she must have a lover!" one of the women immediately said disdainfully. "In broad daylight, a man and a woman alone together, who would believe they weren't having an affair!"
“Auntie, your eyesight is bad, I’m right here!” Little Qiao’er said crisply, she didn’t want to tolerate anyone speaking ill of Master Shen. “Our Master Shen is a good person, unlike you, who do nothing all day and gossip about others, just like the aunties at the village entrance.”
"Whose child is this, speaking so recklessly? Chen Lian, I saw you with her last time, it couldn't be you..." Liu Yangshi said with displeasure.
"Madam Liu, please be careful with your words!" Shen Lian said, trying to calm herself down, though her expression was not pleasant either.
"My surname is Tao, and my name is Tao Linglong. My mother is Tao Wanniang," the little girl said magnanimously. "Master Shen is my teacher, and Uncle Zhang is the steward of my family. If you don't understand, why are you talking nonsense? What are you if not gossipy women?"
“This child is so sharp-tongued, Chenlian, is this the kind of child you raised?” Liu Yangshi scolded. “You are a woman, what are you doing learning to be a teacher like a man? Aren’t you afraid of misleading the children?”
“Madam Liu, I, Chen Lian, teach and answer questions based on my own knowledge. What does that have to do with you?” Chen Lian retorted. “Your hostility towards me probably stems from your guilty conscience for stealing my marriage back then, or perhaps from the domestic affairs that have taken their toll on you since our marriage. Seeing that I am still refreshed and beautiful, you feel even more uneasy?”
"Hmph, stop trying to make yourself look good. My husband had no official rank when he got engaged to you. Now he's the Vice Minister of Works. A widow like you, without parents, is of no use to a man at all," Liu Yangshi said disdainfully.
"That's right. How much favor can she get just because of her looks? Madam Liu, there's no need to say anything more to such a person. Let's see what kind of confidence she'll have when she gets old."
“You women, don’t you ever look in the mirror? Do you think you’re pretty just because you’re wearing gold and silver and powder? Compared to Master Shen, you’re just vulgar beauties!” Zhang Liang said bluntly. “If you’re married, you should stay home and be good wives and mothers. Why are you showing your face in public? Are you trying to have an affair?”
"Insolence!" Liu Yangshi shouted, "Shameless scoundrel!"
"Come on, don't say I don't hit women, none of you look like women!" Zhang Liang assumed a fighting stance.
"Chen Lian, you'd better watch yourself!" Liu Yangshi wouldn't dare to fight; if it got out of hand and went to the authorities, she would become a laughingstock.
“Madam Liu, you may be afraid of her, but we are not. This woman doesn’t look respectable.” Madam Liu Yang didn’t want to make a scene, but Madam Li in the crowd might not be so sure.
Tao Wanniang, isn't that the manager of Zhaixinglou? Her cousin's Ziyanglou used to be the largest restaurant in the capital, but after Zhaixinglou came along, Ziyanglou declined.
"And this little girl, she must have a mother but no father, that's why she's so unruly," Madam Li said disdainfully. "What, you can't even say a few words to me, you want to hit me? Madam Liu is six months pregnant, what if you scare her and something bad happens to her, can you take responsibility?"
"Madam Li!" Madam Liu protested. Why bring up her unborn child?
"Oh dear, Madam Liu, don't believe what this woman says. If it weren't for her ulterior motives, would your master want to take her as a concubine? Aren't there plenty of young girls in their late teens and early twenties? Why does he have to choose a middle-aged woman?" Madam Li sowed discord. "Let me tell you, it's highly likely that this woman gave your master a little hint behind his back!"
"You're spouting nonsense!" Shen Lian was furious when she heard such words from this person, as she had never met him before.
"Oh, so you're getting angry out of embarrassment? Would you be like this if you hadn't been told?" Madam Li said sarcastically. "Madam Liu, I think that's probably the case."
“That’s true. Lord Liu is the Vice Minister of Works. If he wants to take a concubine, he should naturally choose a pure young woman in her late teens or early twenties. Why would he want someone who is older and unmarried?”
"Mrs. Liu, you need to be more careful, don't let her fool you."
A group of people chimed in, their words causing Shen Lian's face to flush red and then pale with anger. "Shut up, all of you!" Shen Lian roared. "Liu Yangshi, listen carefully. Whether I, Shen Lian, marry a chicken or a dog, or remain unmarried for life, it has nothing to do with Liu Yunliang."
"You're saying my husband is worse than a chicken or a dog?" Madam Liu Yang retorted angrily. "You, Chen Lian, my husband is a fourth-rank official in the imperial court. How dare you insult him like that?"
Shen Lian was speechless, and Zhang Liang, standing to the side, was even more speechless. These women were clearly trying to bully people.
“Master Shen, Little Qiao’er, let’s go!” Zhang Liang said. “If we stay any longer, I’m really going to hit the woman.”
"Don't leave! You're not leaving until you apologize to me!" Liu Yangshi blocked Zhang Liang's way, then clutched her stomach and shouted, "Someone's been assaulted! Someone's beating the pregnant wife of a high-ranking official! Help!"
"Master Shen, she's such a scoundrel! Uncle Zhang didn't even run into her!" Little Qiao'er was speechless.
"Then...we'll go to the authorities!" Chen Lian said angrily. "We're not afraid of acting openly and honestly!"
"To see the officials!" Zhang Liang's heart skipped a beat, but he immediately replied firmly, "Yes, to see the officials!"
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