Chapter 046 Chapter 46
Difficult cases don't come up every day, and unless the cases in the county or state are very serious, they are generally not allowed to be reported to higher levels. Yao Niang can also have some free time. It happens to be the Ramadan month now, and the Xie family is also preparing New Year's goods for the New Year.
The happiest people celebrating the New Year at the Xie family are Magistrate Xie and his old concubine. Xie's uncles and cousins are all in Dongshan, and now with Xie and Yao Niang here, the family has more popularity.
The flower thief has been eliminated, and Yao Niang can go out normally. Among the friends she knew before, Shao Xixi and Chen Shuyi are already engaged and can't go out easily. Yu Qing'er asked Yao Niang to go over and give her the horse whip he usually used. I heard that she was going to return to her hometown in Luzhou to live with her grandparents, and she didn't have to worry about her parents every day.
"Sister Yu, it's true that even if you travel thousands of miles to build a parasol, it will eventually end. I will also always remember that it was you who taught me how to ride a horse. I don't have anything to give you, but this is a kite I brought back from the capital. Give it to you, sister." Yao Niang said with a smile.
Yu Qing'er took the kite, which was a swallow-shaped kite with a pole, and looked very delicate. She raised her eyes and looked at Yao Niang: "Thank you, Sister Yan."
The two talked for a while, and before leaving, Yu Qing'er suddenly said, "Yao Niang, that Miss Lu seems to be spying on you, you should be careful."
"Are you asking about me?" Yao Niang turned around and asked.
Yu Qing'er smiled and said, "Nothing. My mother invited everyone to come that day, but you happened to be busy and didn't come. When she came, she heard us mention your last name Yan, so she asked a few more questions. Maybe I was overthinking."
Among the new friends made in Henan, if Ye Jingwan is cold on the outside but warm on the inside with a noble character, then Yu Qinger is a thoughtful person who is different from his appearance and can understand the elegance of others just by listening to their music.
Since she said so, Yao Niang had to pay attention to this person.
Just then, Mrs. Chen came over to deliver some beef. These days, whenever Mrs. Chen had something delicious to eat or drink, she would always give a portion to Xie and Yao Niang.
While Xie was thanking her, Yao Niang asked, "Mrs. Chen, I heard that Teacher Lu has been a teacher in Kaifeng for more than ten years. How come he speaks in Beijing dialect? Also, isn't she the teacher's daughter? How come she doesn't recognize a single word?"
Mrs. Chen took a look at Yao Niang. This girl was completely different from her mother. If Xie was born with a gentle and charming appearance, like a flower that could speak eloquently, she looked harmless and could please men. But this Miss Yan was completely different. She was young, but her mind was more cunning than her mother. She spoke and acted in an unstoppable manner, as if she disdained the governor of Henan.
"Lu Shan'er is the adopted daughter of Instructor Lu, who came from the capital. That's right. By the way, she came just after you. I heard that Mrs. Lu is teaching this girl to read now." Mrs. Chen said with a smile.
Yao Niang nodded: "Is that so? Is Sister Shuyi okay?"
Mrs. Chen waved her hands: "You are complaining to me about the endless sewing work."
Xie smiled and said, "It was like this before we got married."
Mrs. Chen thought to herself that such a beauty like Xie was only a second wife. The powerful and noble families were really extraordinary. The daughter of a prefect could actually be willing to be someone's second wife.
But she still looked friendly and amiable. When she turned around, Yao Niang narrowed her eyes.
"Yao Niang, do you think there is something wrong with Madam Chen?" Seeing Madam Chen walking away, Xie couldn't help but ask.
Yao Niang shook her head: "This person may not be a bad person, but her ability to intrigue is really strong. I think she is trying to stop me, afraid that I will play with Sister Shuyi. I don't know what shameful thoughts she has. In the future, we will accept the things she gives us, but we must also return them. If we don't owe her anything, she won't give us anything."
The reason why she gave gifts was simply because it was her habit. People would feel grateful for what they had received. Now that they did not accept the invitation, Mrs. Chen would not give gifts anymore.
"Okay, but aren't we estranged from her for no reason?" Xie said.
Yao Niang smiled and said, "Mother, you always want to be gentle, but you don't know that we should be kind to others, but we should also learn to have the courage to confront others. Only in this way will others be afraid and dare not offend us at will."
"After this trip, you are totally different from before." The worst person Xie had ever met was probably the Third Old Lady. As for the Yan family, she was almost forced into the game. She was always afraid that if she was too decisive in everything, she would provoke even greater retaliation from others.
But my daughter is completely different. When she was in the Yan family, although she was smart and lovely, she was still a timid little girl. Now, like her father and brother, she has become more ruthless.
Yao Niang took Xie to stay and said, "Mom, I was wondering if it was right for the two of us to come out like this."
Xie thought that Shen Linfeng was in Henan, and her husband might have sent them here on purpose. How dare he write a letter saying that she would not marry Shen Linfeng.
When her daughter asked, Xie was confused: "What does this mean?"
Yao Niang said, "When we leave, others will have the opportunity to take advantage of us. During the past few months I have been in Henan, the woman who lives closest to us, Mrs. Chen, is the most prominent one. I have no ill will towards her actions, and even her ability to maneuver is admirable. Although we don't like it, if someone takes advantage of the opportunity to do so, when we return, I am afraid that someone will take your place."
"Yao Niang, you don't have to worry about this. Your father is not what you think he is." Xie didn't know how to tell her daughter about her husband's feelings for her. He was definitely a power-hungry man. If nine out of ten things in his life were fame, wealth, and family power, then only one out of ten was for her.
It was not another woman who defeated the couple, but someone else. To some extent, Yan Yingqi was a villain. He was not indifferent to fame and fortune, and he liked power and chasing power. He was nothing in front of those things.
But if someone else takes her place, it's not because she is confident, but because she has never worried about it.
Yao Niang glanced at Li Shi secretly and stuck out her tongue. She knew that matters between her parents were not something she could interfere in.
At dinner time, Yao Niang and Magistrate Jie asked about the background of Lu Jiaoyu. Magistrate Jie smiled and said, "I know a little about this. Your brother's former wife Guan's family is related to the Lu family."
"No wonder you asked around when you heard my last name was Yan." Yao Niang thought of Guan, who was always like this. She thought Yan Jingzhao and she were not close, or maybe Yan Jingzhao had a favorite concubine in his bed. She did not blame her husband, but instead thought that Jie had a good temper and always wanted to suppress her mother-in-law.
Or she would look at things sent by Xie and herself as if they were thieves. Sometimes when her brother played music with her, her face would turn as dark as the bottom of a pot. This man only knew how to bully women, and he never blamed the instigator.
Before she committed suicide, the person she hated the most was probably not Yan Jingzhao, but them. And she had never seen this Lu Shaner in the Guan family before?
During the New Year, Shen Linfeng also returned to Shen Xunfu's home to celebrate the New Year. Shen Xunfu's two older sons were in Beijing, and the other four younger sons were studying with him, so he rarely had a chance to rest.
Shen Xunfu said: "You are wasting your time. You are already a scholar, but you are still taking the imperial examination. If you fail, you will not be able to enter the Imperial Academy in the future."
"What can I do? My affairs have made my parents a laughing stock. If I leave, they can rest in peace." Shen Linfeng never thought that at the age of eighteen, he passed the imperial examination and attracted's attention, but then he was laughed at because of a marriage, even though everyone was not his fault.
Shen Xunfu talked about the Yan family again: "I thought that Minister Yan would make amends to you after what happened, but he is still so stubborn. He will be investigated in Beijing soon. Your father said that he discussed it with him, but he did not agree."
"Uncle, don't talk about this. I have already sworn that I will never have anything to do with the Yan family again in this life. We will go our separate ways in the future." Shen Linfeng didn't want to mention the Yan family at all.
But Shen Xun smiled and said, "I'm asking you about someone in the Yan family. Don't worry, he has nothing to do with Yan Yingqi's family."
Shen Linfeng said, "Uncle, tell me. Yan Jingzhao and I are of the same age. He and I have a good relationship. I also know something about the Yan family."
"Do you know the son of the River Governor Yan Mai?" Shen Xunfu asked.
Shen Linfeng smiled: "Uncle, what are you talking about? Minister Yan is the son of Governor Yan, and Yan Yingqi is the son of both families. Take Yan Jingzhao, who is on the same list as me, for example. He is the son of the second wife."
Shen Xun comforted him and told him the story of Magistrate Jie's granddaughter. After listening to this, Shen Linfeng remembered what Miss Yan San said in person, saying that she was also dragged to other places.
Yes, he was criticized for his bride running away with someone else when they got married, and some people even deliberately taunted him by saying he was a cuckold. As for Yan Ningxin's sisters, they were probably more involved. With a sister like that, which wealthy family would dare to take the risk?
However, Shen Linfeng did not want to ruin someone's marriage, and said, "Uncle, the third Miss Yan is from a different family than the first Miss Yan. I heard that she is talented and decent, completely different from her sister. If the third brother can marry this girl, it will be a great honor. Moreover, although Minister Yan is unwilling to give in, the Yan family is a high-ranking official. Uncle must not be disturbed by rumors."
Shen Xunfu looked at him and said, "You are kind-hearted."
"She is filial and ambitious. Why should we be like those foolish people?" Shen Linfeng shook his head.
"You are right. Your third brother is a dull boy. He is not as smart as you, but he is the son that your aunt is most worried about. I might as well find him a smarter wife so that I don't have to worry about the future." Shen Xunfu said that the first three sons were born of legitimate parents, and the last three were born of concubines. Before his late wife died, the eldest and second sons had already married, but she was worried about the third son.
Shen Linfeng thought that his uncle seemed to admire Miss Yan San very much, otherwise he would not be like this. He remembered that although his third cousin was a little blunt, he was not a bad person.
It is also said that during the Lantern Festival, Yao Niang went out to play with her mother and the old concubine in the most lively place in Kaifeng Prefecture. There was a lantern tower on the left and a stage on the right. They rented a boat so that they could both watch the lanterns and the opera.
The servant bought a lot of snacks on the boat. Yao Niang was eating melon seeds very enthusiastically. She loved eating melon seeds the most. Xie poured her a cup of red date tea and said, "Be careful not to get big bubbles in your mouth."
"Don't be afraid, I don't know why I love to crack melon seeds and chew burnt bones, just like the heroes of Liangshan." Yao Niang herself found it funny.
Xie covered her mouth and laughed: "How can you say that about yourself?"
There were lively scenes all around. In previous years, the whole family would celebrate the Lantern Festival together. It was rare for the father to accompany the mother and daughter, because when the whole family was together, he couldn't favor one person over another, as this would easily cause resentment from others.
The martial artist on the stage was doing a lively tumbling, doing eighteen somersaults in a row. Yao Niang stood up and clapped her hands: "Mother, look, this guy is too amazing."
The old concubine seldom went out. She was promoted to concubine after giving birth to Mrs. Xie. She was afraid all her life that people would say she was a concubine and had a humble background, so she set higher and higher standards for herself. If Yao Niang hadn't acted coquettishly, she wouldn't have gone out. Now she was even more enthusiastic than Yao Niang.
Yao Niang picked up the tangerines on the table, peeled one for the old aunt and handed it to her: "Grandma, please taste this tangerine, it's very sweet. Don't just focus on watching the show, you should also eat something."
"Okay." The old concubine still stared at the stage.
A group of children were playing on the shore not far away. Yao Niang turned her head and took a look. She couldn't help but said, "Mother, look at those children playing there, while the adults are staring at the stage. Aren't they afraid that the children will be kidnapped by kidnappers?"
Xie also frowned: "Some adults are just careless. Every year during the Lantern Festival, there are children who get lost."
Yao Niang was about to say something when she saw someone in front of her fall into the water and someone was trying to rescue him. She heard that the person was almost dead in the freezing water. She sighed for a moment and then heard someone behind her crying heartbreakingly. It was said that the child was taken away by kidnappers.
Seeing this, Xie decided to go home. Although the old concubine loved watching the opera, she also agreed: "We have watched it here for more than an hour. It's enough. Yao Niang, go back. Those kidnappers don't just kidnap children, but also beautiful girls like you. It will be crowded and it's not a joke."
"Yes, let's go back and tell grandfather to send someone to guard here, otherwise it will be even more scary when the show is over. I just saw a few people climbing the lantern tower." Yao Niang observed carefully.
The oars soon reached the shore. Yao Niang helped the maid down, but she didn't expect a group of people to suddenly rush over. The team was immediately dispersed. Yao Niang panicked for a moment, turned around and saw that Xie Shi also wanted to come over to pull her...
"Qingdai Hongxiu, take off your hairpins. If someone pulls you, just put them down." Yao Niang ordered.
These two people usually listen to Yao Niang the most. As soon as she finished speaking, a man tried to come over to pull someone away, but was stabbed back by Qingdai Hongxiu. Immediately, there was a burst of "Wow" sounds.
The guards who were protecting secretly also came up and quickly handcuffed the hands of the two thieves.
Yao Niang said coldly to the two guards: "Tie them up tightly and send them to the government office."
The two guards said respectfully, "Yes, Miss."
Yao Niang was still walking in front, followed by a group of people, with an extraordinary momentum.
Not far away, Shen Linfeng was also watching this scene. He was originally pulled here to listen to the opera, but he didn't expect to see Miss Yan San being so domineering. It seemed that she was completely different from her sister. This future sister-in-law was really born from the same mother as Yan Jingzhao, and both of them had the demeanor of a real man.
After getting on the carriage, Xie was worried: "Who are those people?"
"They are kidnappers. These people are very brave. If I hadn't been accompanied by guards today, I would have been kidnapped."
Of course these people were arrested, and they also gave out their accomplices, but unfortunately their accomplices had already escaped. Yao Niang immediately reconciled with the prefect, and based on the descriptions of the two kidnappers, she drew portraits of the four people, a man and a woman.
It was probably after the dragon rose that she finished painting the portraits of several kidnappers. Prefect Xie of course notified all states and counties to conduct a thorough investigation, especially into the several dens that had been revealed. The case was solved in March, and 23 children were saved.
This time, without asking Prefect Xie to remind him, Shen Xunfu actually took the initiative to apply for the imperial decree for the sixth-rank Anren on Xie's behalf, and even commended Yao Niang's deeds and included her in the local biography of filial daughters.
Yao Niang really didn't expect that this matter would be accomplished like this. When she saw Anren's mother, she burst into tears and said, "Mother, I am incompetent and can only ask for a sixth-rank imperial decree for you. If your brother becomes an official in the future, you will definitely be a first-rank lady."
"Yao Niang, mother is very happy now. Mother is really very happy." Xie didn't know why her tears couldn't stop flowing.
This was supposed to be a happy event, and she was thinking of going to see the peonies with her mother next month, painting there for three days, and then returning home.
But I didn't expect that Shen Xunfu would personally send a matchmaker to come to the house.
Mrs. Chen was bringing Chen Shuyi to congratulate Mrs. Xie at the time, and she had not expected to encounter this incident. She sat there and did not leave, ready to listen to how Mrs. Xie would answer.
She really didn't expect that a dignified governor would actually send someone to propose marriage. The Wuxing Shen family is different from the governors like the Ye family. The Ye family came from a poor family and failed in two or three generations, but the Shen family had many high-ranking officials and capable ministers.
After taking a look at her daughter, she was just worried that her daughter might feel upset, so she still had to deal with the person.
It was obvious that the Yan family should have a good family background. She really made a mistake.
Xie was also very proud. She had not expected that Shen Xunfu had never seen his daughter, yet she had already found a matchmaker to come to her house. You should know that Shen Xunfu had contributed a lot to her getting the imperial edict this time.
The matchmaker was saying, "The third son of our Xunfu family entered the local Zhenghong Academy at the age of fifteen, and he is also very handsome. Our Xunfu has heard that Miss Yan is both talented and beautiful, and she is of the right age, so he wants to come and ask for her hand in marriage."
You have to know that after what happened with Yan Ningxin, the Shen family still wanted to marry the Yan family's daughter. It can be heard that they truly admire their daughter.
To be honest, this is indeed a generous gesture from others, and it is very sincere.
But this marriage thing...
Xie first said tactfully: "How about this, I still need to discuss these matters with my husband, it is not up to me alone to make the decision."
The matchmaker smiled and said, "Mrs. Yan is right. Marriage is indeed a matter that must be handled with extreme caution. However, our Shen Xunfu is very sincere."
Xie nodded: "My daughter is so pretty that she is favored by the inspector. This is really a blessing for her. We will consider it carefully."
In fact, it was not easy to refuse. He was a young man from a prominent family. Even his grandfather might not agree. After all, his grandparents had betrothed Guan to his brother last time, creating a pair of resentful couples.
Mrs. Chen wanted to ask something else, but Xie said to her coldly for the first time: "Mrs. Chen, I have something else to do. I'm sorry I can't accompany you any longer."
"Yes, yes." Mrs. Chen took her daughter home.
Lu Shan'er happened to come over, and Mrs. Chen told her what she had seen today: "I think Miss Yan is indeed beautiful, but her mother was hesitant when the patrol officer came to ask for marriage. I don't know who she will marry in the future. She is too ambitious."
Lu Shaner smiled and said, "This Miss Yan is the granddaughter of the Governor of the River, Yan Mai, and the daughter of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Yan Yingqi. Her brother is a Hanlin. She has a distinguished family background, outstanding talent and appearance, so it is normal for her to be picky."
She never dreamed that Yan Jingzhao's biological sister was actually the Miss Yan who had painted her portrait before.
Her life was bright and she had countless young men to choose from. She might live a good life in the future and would definitely follow her husband. But what about Guan? She said that on the first day of her marriage, her sister-in-law made things difficult for her. Often when she wanted to say something to her husband, she would be deliberately called away by her sister-in-law, and the brother and sister would play the piano for fun.
Clearly her mother-in-law had not allowed her to take those supplements before, saying that she was afraid that they would make her sick. But after she became pregnant, her mother-in-law sent her a lot of supplements, but she couldn't find anything.
Is this world really unfair? Lu Shaner thought that even now she couldn't deal with the Yan family.
**
“Why don’t we set off for Beijing tomorrow? By then, Shen Xunfu will know what we mean, and then let your father…” Xie was still afraid that her trouble would cause a rift between the Shen and Yan families.
Yao Niang smiled and said, "Mother, we don't have to rely on father for everything. Let's just say that I have made a promise that he can marry me only if he can pass my three tests. If he is a fool, he will naturally give up. But if he is really knowledgeable and handsome, then my daughter will marry such a man. What's the loss? My daughter is more afraid of those like my grandfather who only consider family background when marrying. I don't like that."
After hearing this, Xie also thought that her daughter's idea was a good one. If you deliberately refused to marry into the Shen family, it would mean that you had a prejudice against the Shen family, which would of course easily offend people.
However, Xie said, "What if they find someone to impersonate them?"
Yao Niang said, "That's even better. It was the Yan family's fault that my eldest sister broke off the engagement. If the Shen family finds someone to impersonate her, then that's the Shen family's fault."
"But this reputation..."
"Mother, it would not be good if we reject the Shen family directly! After all, Shen Xunfu helped us a lot this time. Otherwise, your imperial edict might not come down until we return to the capital." Yao Niang also felt it was difficult.
Xie agreed: "Yes, how about this? I will send someone to talk to Shen Xun and tell him what you mean. Then tell him that your father has very high expectations of your aunt and it is difficult to say anything. If the third young master can pass the test, we will help him speak well of him in front of your father. If not, there is nothing we can do."
Yao Niang was a little embarrassed and said, "Wouldn't it be Daddy who would be blamed for this?"
Xie said nothing: "Let him take the blame. Just go back and tell him."
Yao Niang was stunned. Her father was not an easy person to talk to.
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