Chapter 036 Chapter 36
The woman in the mirror is no longer young, but still elegant and majestic. But sometimes, having the upper hand is more useful than anything else. Xie came first, and Yan Jingzhao is five years older than her son. All the glory was taken by others.
She sighed deeply and saw Mother Wei hurried in.
"Madam, that's a good thing." Mother Wei said with a smile.
Zhen looked at her and said, "What good news? What good news can I have now?"
Mother Wei smiled and said, "I was ordered to go see the eldest grandmother. I feel that her pregnancy is unstable and it doesn't look good. Giving birth is like the gate of hell. If something unexpected happens to her, then the eldest wife--"
"What else can it be? My eldest brother can marry a girl from a high-class family, who may be of higher status than Guan. Xie will be even more powerful." Zhen didn't think it was a good thing.
Mother Wei thought to herself, “I haven’t thought of this yet.”
"Before, Jing Zhao was just the son of the Vice Minister of Rites in Nanjing. Now, he will soon be a newly-appointed Jinshi, with both talent and beauty, and a distinguished family background. What men hope for most is to get promoted, make money, and have a good wife. You, you see things too superficially." Zhen shook her head.
Mother Wei was horrified.
After the joint examination is the palace examination. During this period, the new scholars have to pay homage to the masters, including the senior and junior teachers, as well as their classmates. Yan Jingzhao and Shen Linfeng are both young talents, and they enjoy great glory.
Shen Linfeng was quite satisfied with the Yan family, or to be more precise, he was very satisfied with the men in the Yan family. This was also normal. Nowadays, getting married would form a strong alliance and be closely related to each other, so that one could continue in officialdom.
Just as he was thinking, his sister Shen Mo came over. She said with a smug look on her face, "It seems that I told mom that you like Miss Yan, so mom and dad came to mention it. Now it seems that this marriage is right, right?"
"I wonder why they are like this. Forget it. It doesn't matter who I marry. As long as she can be the mistress of my Shen family, that's fine."
"My vision is not good enough. Didn't the eldest son of the Yan family pass the imperial examination just like my brother?" Shen Mo said with a smile.
Shen Linfeng looked at his sister and asked, "Has the Prince of Qi written to you recently?"
Shen Mo smiled and said, "One after another."
In Shen Mo's opinion, his sister is definitely very ambitious, because she was predicted to be the "Phoenix Queen" since she was a child, so she is particularly concerned. In fact, the Shen family has always been good at betting, but it is not necessary for the sister to go first, and it is the same to let others go.
Therefore, Shen Linfeng said: "If a man and a woman have an affair, what will be the consequences once it is discovered? You know this better than me. Besides, the Prince of Qi is a vassal prince. A few days ago, I had a drink with Yan Jingzhao. I wanted to ask the Prince of Qi about it. After all, the Prince of Qi told us confidently that the Yan family supported him very much. But I think Yan Jingzhao seemed to have distanced himself from the Prince of Qi and didn't even bother to mention the relationship of marriage."
Shen Mo was shocked: "Brother, are you saying that Prince Qi is deceiving us?"
Shen Linfeng hesitated for a moment and said, "Think about it yourself. I need to go out for a while."
"What are you doing outside?" Shen Mo asked.
Shen Linfeng waved the book in his hand and said, "Go read."
Shen Mo came out of the house in anger and complained to the maid beside him: "My brother is really something. I wanted to tell him about Miss Yan's preferences, but he left immediately."
The maid smiled and said, "Second Master probably wants to go riding. He has been studying day and night these days and has suffered a lot. It would be good for him to relax a little."
Shen Mo shook his head: "That's not the case. My eldest brother died young. My second brother was the youngest son and his temperament is different from now. He looks bright and cheerful now, but in fact he is not even half as bright as before. When he was a child, he loved to play and laugh the most."
"We just need to wait for Miss Yan to come in. I heard that Miss Yan is lively and good at playing polo. Her personality is different from the other young ladies in the Yan family." The maid had also heard about this.
Shen Mo sighed: "If it weren't for me pushing him, my brother wouldn't have any interest in women. Mother would have suspected him—"
She didn't say anything more.
**
"Second sister, why are you here?" Yao Niang was still learning tailoring. While she was sewing, she saw Qian Niang coming over.
Qianniang said, "Third sister, I heard that Zhao Xian didn't win, is that true?"
Yao Niang nodded: "I asked the housekeeper, and it is true. My brother said that Master Zhao has followed his father to live in the capital. Now Master Zhao is no longer an official, and he is studying with Master Zhao."
"Thank you, third sister." Qianniang pursed her lips.
Yao Niang looked at the sky again and said, "My elder brother is already taking the palace examination. I wonder how he did?"
In fact, Yao Niang didn't really want to hear Qian Niang's words, because she knew very well that Qian Niang seemed to only care about Zhao Xian, and she probably wanted her to let her guard down.
If she really only had her eyes on Zhao Xian, why would she bother to curry favor with Yan Ningxin? Her relationship with Yan Ningxin was just average before.
For some people, you don't have to look at what she says, but what she does.
Qianniang thought she had achieved her goal, and congratulated Yaoniang: "After big brother's palace examination, Donghua will naturally call out your name. Third sister, your blessing is still to come."
Yao Niang laughed and said, "Second sister, what are you talking about? Even if my brother is an official, if he is ranked second, it's fine. If he is ranked third, he has to be sent out to work. He has to work his way up from the seventh rank, and there are still many opportunities. You know the officialdom nowadays. I just hope that everyone is safe and happy."
It is also very difficult to praise or criticize Yao Niang, because she thinks she has her own judgment. Although people outside often say that she is a talented woman, in fact, Yao Niang has already surpassed her in terms of writing and painting.
The two sisters both pretended to be ignorant even though they knew the truth. It was actually very difficult for them to get along well with each other. They were close in age and neither of them was willing to be mediocre, so naturally there was no question of them getting along peacefully.
After Qianniang left, Hongxiu came in and said, "Third Miss, I just heard from the First and Second Madams that after our eldest master passes the imperial examination, the whole family will go to the Dagu Temple to pray for the eldest grandmother as well."
"Really?" Yao Niang asked happily.
Hong Xiu smiled and said, "Mother Song told me to tell you this, how could it be false?"
"That's good. I remember there was a man selling some burnt cakes outside the Dagu Temple. They were very delicious. We should buy some and try them when the time comes." There were often many people selling snacks like this near temples, Yao Niang thought happily.
Living up to public expectations, Yan Jingzhao won the first place in the second class of the palace examination at the age of 19. He also won the second place in the provincial examination. Now that he has been selected as one of the second class, he naturally enjoys unlimited glory.
Everyone was waiting for news in the main room, and when they saw Yan Jingzhao like this, they all had different expressions.
Xie and Yao Niang were really happy. Yan Jingzhao was now an official. With his age, he would definitely be selected into the Hanlin Academy as a scholar.
"Where is Mr. Shen?" Zhen glanced at Yan Ningxin and asked with a smile.
"Mr. Shen ranked ninth in the second class."
…
The two houses immediately became lively, and the Yan family and the Shen family also announced their marriage to the outside world, and at the same time prepared to invite the eldest lady of the Gong family to be the wife of Quanfu. Although Gong Gefu is now only the third assistant, he and Yan Yingqi are political allies. The reason why Yan Yingqi was successfully recommended to serve as the Minister of Personnel this time is because of the Gong family.
Naturally, next year is the year of the imperial examination. Who knows how many people's fate will rise and fall in the political game. The Gong family needs Yan Yingqi, and Yan Yingqi now also has to rely on the Gong family.
As it happens, Gong Gefu and Shen Zongxian also have some relationship. This is what Zhen said: "Gong Gefu is Shen Zongxian's junior tutor. Shen Zongxian also passed the imperial examination at the age of 18. I didn't expect that Mr. Shen would also pass the imperial examination at the age of 18."
Xie smiled and said, "This is also the eldest lady's blessing. It has always been so when the husband is prosperous, the wife is honored."
"That's true. You should also talk to your eldest brother's wife about it." Zhen joked.
Xie said, "She is pregnant now, so she shouldn't be too sad or happy. But I think such a happy event doesn't need me to tell you, because everyone in the mansion already knows about it."
Everyone agreed, and the house was bustling with activity for several days.
Besides, Yan Jingzhao and Shen Linfeng were both selected as Hanlin Academy students. Zhen and Xie also took their female relatives to the Dagu Temple. Yao Niang and Xie rode in the same carriage.
Xie explained, "I heard that this ancient temple is very effective in praying for marriage. Your elder sister has found such a good husband now. I just hope everything goes smoothly."
"Mom, if big sister is successful, we will be more successful, right?" Yao Niang said with a smile.
"Of course. She is the eldest sister and she married well. If she behaves better after marriage, then people will see the good qualities of the Yan family's daughter and naturally you won't have to worry. But your eldest sister..." Thinking of this, Xie felt a headache.
It's not that she can't stand people being good, but if a person's virtue is not worthy of his position, he will have a very hard life. Just like her daughter-in-law Guan, who looks dignified on the outside but always thinks highly of herself on the inside. If such a person finds someone with a softer personality, or marries someone of lower status, she can be controlled.
However, Yan Jingzhao was a first-class rebellious and bloodthirsty person, both in terms of family background and personal temperament and ability. Guan couldn't control him, but she felt suffocated if she obeyed him. Seeing that Xie had a good temper, she repeatedly ignored her elders and tried to seize power as soon as she entered the house. Later, she was counterattacked by Xie. She was still ignorant of the current situation and always wanted to compete with her mother-in-law. Her relationship with Yan Jingzhao was also dull.
When Yao Niang thought of this, she said to Xie: "Mother, it would be great if marriages between men and women could be like this."
"What nonsense are you talking about? You can't control your mouth. If someone hears you, just imagine what they will say about you." Xie poked her daughter on the forehead.
Yao Niang pleaded, "I know, I know, I'll just tell you."
In the Dagu Temple, the thing that people look forward to most, besides eating burnt cakes, is drawing lots.
Even Yan Ningxin was looking forward to it. She silently chanted three times and solemnly drew out the lottery. Yingniang quickly picked up the lottery and after reading it, her face changed: "Big sister, here you go."
When everyone looked at it, they found it was a bad fortune, which meant that one had met a bad person.
"No, Mr. Shen is a rare talent." Zhen frowned.
解簽之人則道：“今之所逢遇耶。伊人是害人之人也。明知不可交，宜速止之。另擇佳偶去可也，要不如就是遇人不淑。”
這話的意思是說現在相逢的人這個人是害人的人，知道是不可交的人，應該速速停止，另擇佳偶。
顏寧馨也顯得憂心忡忡的，因倩娘怕自己抽到下簽，就先讓窈娘抽，窈娘倒是不怕，迅速抽了一張，她松了一口氣，上面寫着上簽，簽詞是可妻也。
“算命先生，這是什麽意思？”解氏問起。
解簽人笑道：“字面意思說明三姑娘娶嫁皆宜。只是目前尚有若幹問題之存在。均是瑣碎不必彈慮者。日後若成好事，将來必永浴愛河，白頭偕老。”
窈娘看了解氏一眼，解氏暗自道女兒的婚事可能會有些波折，雖然有問題存在，但還算是好事。
而瑩娘抽的也是上上之簽，簽詞則是得其所哉，得其所哉。
這個意思都不必解簽人說，窈娘就知道了，她道：“這出自《孟子·萬章上》，說的是各得其所之意，這要四妹妹在面臨重要的選擇或決定時，應該果斷決定，如果猶豫不決可能會導致失去機會。抓住機會，如此才有好機緣。”
見解簽之人點頭，瑩娘頭一次的簽文是上上大吉，比窈娘和顏寧馨都好，她着實歡喜異常，又催着倩娘抽。
倩娘拗不過她，只好誠心求着，還好她求的簽是中上，簽詞是不愧于天，不怍于人。
解簽人看了倩娘一眼：“這是說一人之言行方正之時也，對天而不愧，對地而不昧。視人生之財，也如浮雲。心若守正，即便半夜有人敲門，心中也不會被驚到。故而也有為人之守則，必須守之意。”【1】
因為有了簽詞，窈娘又覺得自己一個小姑娘怎麽和大姐姐一樣什麽為妻，這也有些羞人，
同時又在想自己會遇到什麽瑣碎的事情呢。
“姑娘，素齋送到了。”青黛讓人端了幾樣素菜米飯進來。
窈娘吃完之後，睡了個午覺，她現下和小時候不同，就怕随意被人看到，所以解氏都拘着她。瑩娘則是因為抽了上上簽，心情十分好，拉着倩娘叽叽喳喳說個不停，因此和甄氏說了一聲，到附近散散心。
甄氏也知道她抽的簽不好，還寬慰道：“這些簽詞也不必過分放在心上。”
顏寧馨年紀到底也不算大，今年也不過十五歲，她還是很放在心上，因此走到大古寺的桃花林中散步。
偏她不喜歡人亦步亦趨的跟着她，遂道：“你們就在這兒等我，我折一枝桃花就出來。”
“大姑娘，大夫人可是讓我們一定要跟着您的。”金盞也覺得不妥。
顏寧馨拿着帕子擦汗：“你看這麽熱，這裏的樹枝密密匝匝的，咱們三人一起走，反而紮的衣裳破了，到時候旁人說閑話就不好了。”
在顏家這些奴才們，你若弱些，他們可是和你打擂臺的，暗地裏整你的那些法子可是多的很。
金盞和銀丹果然就在林外停下，反正她們站在這裏也能看到姑娘，只是沒想到顏寧馨剛進入林中，就見一個七八歲的小沙彌端着蜜水過來：“兩位施主，師傅讓我端過來的，說今兒天熱。”
金盞和銀丹雖然嫌棄這只是白瓷碗，有些粗鄙，但此時也實在是熱，因此二人遂謝過這小沙彌，只是沒想到喝了這碗蜜水之後，兩人接連倒下。
而顏寧馨卻在擡眸時見到了一個熟悉的人，那人五官相貌完美，身形高大，雙目含着複雜的感情看着她。
“大哥。”
是的，因為她陪魏無忌在軍中，不好以主人相稱，所以稱他為大哥。這個稱呼因為一直是喊魏無忌的，她對真正的大哥顏景昭，也只喊大哥哥。
魏無忌平複了一下自己的心情，才道：“你就那麽突然消失了，為何連道別都沒有？”
顏寧馨抿唇，想起當時魏夫人說要給他定親了，定的是門當戶對的指揮佥事之女，魏無忌許諾說他娶她只是因為門當戶對，成婚之後絕對不會虧待她。可顏寧馨如何願意當妾，本來就準備逃的她，正好遇到了找上門的齊王世子，齊王世子認下了她，又帶她回到王府。
在王府熟悉的小屋子裏，她的記憶也慢慢清晰起來，而世子表兄告訴她，這麽多年她曾經住處的地方，不管齊王妃怎麽想改，他都阻止了，可他一直在暗中找她。
尤其是他有了自己勢力之後，從未停歇。
只是顏家并不知道她曾經走失，齊王府就弄了個障眼法，因此她曾經在魏家的蹤跡一切都不能告訴任何人。
可齊王府看似花團錦簇的地方，更是危機重重，還好顏家來人過來接人，說顏家大公子要成婚了，想請她回去，齊王表兄為了讓她逃脫陰謀，也拼命突出重圍送她出來。
之後就一直在顏家學着做大小姐，似乎都快忘記曾經的日子了。
“大哥，我……”她把自己這一路以為認親的歷程都說了。
魏無忌心痛無比：“你走了之後，我才知道我缺的是什麽，四娘，我現在是不是說什麽都晚了？我已經說服我母親了，和江家小姐退親了。”
顏寧馨現在也學了不少規矩，尤其是顏家這樣的人家，議親的時候都根本沒她的份，她甚至私下和沈臨風說話的機會都寥寥無幾。
所以她有些害怕：“不行，我已經過了庚帖，合了八字，現在京城裏所有的人都知道我們要成親了。”
想到這裏，她還往外看去，生怕金盞銀丹看到，還是魏無忌道：“你放心，她們會安靜的睡半個時辰的。”
顏寧馨睜大眼睛：“是你做的？”
魏無忌握住她的手：“若非這般，我如何能和你說話？你的身份我打聽出來時，我就知道咱們終于可以在一起了。那個時候，每次我摔摔打打的，你都心疼個半死，臉皺的跟包子似的。四娘……”
顏寧馨咬唇，還是搖頭：“不，不行，你不知道我現在早已是身不由己了。”
“哦，你是貪慕吳興沈氏的高門大戶權勢富貴吧。”魏無忌甩開她的手。
顏寧馨皺眉看着他：“你居然如此看我。”
魏無忌還欲說什麽時，顏寧馨聽到有人聲過來，她拼命掙紮，魏無忌卻箍着他的手，似鐵焊在她的手上一樣，顏寧馨聽到是顏寧馨身邊丫鬟的聲音，吓的不行，眼淚瞬間流出來。魏無忌似乎感覺到她淚水砸下，瞬間跟燙手似的放開了。
……
從大古寺回來之後，女眷們都很疲勞，即便是坐馬車也很颠簸，解氏還幫關氏求了幾道平安符，正差人送過去。
窈娘則打着哈欠道：“娘，您真是看着瘦，其實比我有精神多了。”
“那是因為我現在很少熬夜，不像你總點燈看書，仔細眼睛疼，要不然眼裏總紅紅的。”解氏就決定幫女兒做菊花枕頭下火，再每日泡菊花枸杞茶給女兒喝。
窈娘道：“娘，說起眼睛紅，我看大姐姐回來的時候眼睛紅紅的，您說是不是因為她抽到下簽的緣故，所以很傷心難過啊。”
“也不是沒可能，她的婚事就在今年，你說突然抽到這樣的簽文。遇人不淑，任誰也看不出來沈公子是不好的人啊？”解氏也看不清。
從大古寺回來之後，得知三哥哥顏景文縣試已經過了，四月份要參加府試，其實顏景璋之前縣試通過就是大興縣縣令看在顏應祁面子過的，顏應祁直接讓顏景昭今年重考一次，不能無才無德靠老子。
還好顏景璋縣試終于過了，這次和顏景文一起參加府試。
窈娘正好學裁剪，找于氏和甄氏拿了他們倆的尺寸，替他們各做了一件道袍，這道袍是士子們居家常穿的，時下還時興把袖子做的越廣越好，她做衣裳的手藝并沒有那麽厲害，但是知道怎麽做好看。
還好在他倆府試前把衣裳送了過去，顏景璋那裏說多謝她，穿着正好，又有顏景文，直接穿着過來道謝。
窈娘知道這位三哥哥素來年輕心熱，也和她們女兒家門說的來話，見他特地過來，還問：“有沒有要改的地方？”
“我看挺好的，三妹妹這手藝真好。”顏景文還轉了個圈。
“頭一次做，哥哥們就如此捧場，那我祝三哥哥前程似錦，手到擒來。”窈娘笑道。
顏景文來說了幾句話，又問顏景昭在不在府上，窈娘則道：“今日休沐，大哥哥正好在家，只不過這個時候有大夫過來給我嫂嫂把脈，三哥哥不如在我這裏吃兩盞茶再過去。”
卻說東跨院中，顏景昭請了大夫過來，路上不由得道：“先生，您是別人薦的婦科能手，內子這已經有妊三月餘，不知道胎兒如何？到時候還請您仔細把脈，顏某感激不盡。”
"You are too polite, Hanlin Yan. I will do my best." The doctor was very fond of Yan Jingzhao because he was young and as light as a jade tree with a jade-like body and a golden appearance. Moreover, he was courteous to the wise and humble, so he would do his best.
But he didn't expect that after he took Guan's pulse, he found that there was something wrong with it: "No, your wife is not pregnant. Although she seems to have the symptoms of pregnancy, she is not actually pregnant."