Chapter 048 Chapter 48
Yao Niang, who was sitting behind the screen, still didn't understand why Shen Linfeng came?
Then he looked at Shen Linfeng in the hall, picking up the essay topic and glacing through it, writing with his mind focused. The servants standing in the hall were still glacing at him from time to time.
Is it true that people with good looks are more likely to attract attention? If so, why do I have to wear a veil every time I go out? Men and women really live differently in this world.
However, Xie noticed that her daughter looked at Shen Linfeng from time to time. She had also come here at that time. If a man and a woman were in love, they would be curious about each other at the beginning. Shen Linfeng heard that he had been hiding in Henan because of the eldest girl's affairs, and now he was willing to come here.
The topic Shen Linfeng got was "Excessive Expenses", which he was very familiar with. It was a policy question from the sixth year of Jiayou in the Northern Song Dynasty. He was actually asked about this. Before he took the imperial examination, he had also written many policy essays from previous years.
After a little thought, he began to write.
Although Yan Mai was drinking tea, he was also paying attention to Shen Linfeng. He originally thought that it was really a 15-year-old boy, but he didn't expect that it was the 19-year-old Shen Linfeng. As expected of someone who had won the second place, he was different. He was already somewhat satisfied in his mind, and seeing Shen Xunfu's calm and composed look, he could tell at a glance that he was confident.
Sure enough, in less than half an hour, Shen Linfeng had handed in his paper. The examiners were of course Yan Mai and Jie Zhifu, both of whom were successful candidates in the two imperial examinations and had very good abilities. After seeing Shen Linfeng's solution, they suddenly understood.
Most of the essays in the imperial examinations were made up of things that were criticized by previous generations, but being able to dance while wearing shackles was a real skill.
Shen Linfeng passed the policy discussion stage very smoothly.
Yan Mai also said to Shen Linfeng: "Young man, writing articles is a beautiful thing, but in the future, it is not just talk on paper to stabilize the country."
Shen Linfeng was very good at holding his temper, and he immediately said humbly: "The governor taught me that I am still young, and I will need your guidance in the future."
Generally young people tend to be impetuous, Yan Mai also has grandchildren, Jing Zhao is like this. Yao Niang also thought that her brother could not be like this. If he heard someone scold him like this, even if it was an elder, he would not accept it. He even wanted to blame the chief examiner for ranking second in the provincial examination.
When Xie saw Shen Linfeng like this, she nodded secretly.
The second level was about archery. Shen Linfeng pulled the bow from a hundred steps away. It was a bow with a force of seven and a half. He pulled it open in an instant and shot at the center of the target without any effort.
Shen Xun smiled and said to Yan Mai, "Master, I wonder what piece of music is in the third level? My nephew is well versed in music and plays the pipa very well."
Yan Mai glanced at Shen Linfeng and said, "You're a good young man. You have everything. But this time I'm not going to release the song. You guys should listen..."
A clear and melodious piano sound came, and Shen Linfeng thought to himself that this was the konghou being played.
"This is 'Yangchun Baixue', an ancient song composed by Shi Xuan of Jin and Liu Juanzi of Qi. Almost everyone knows it, but it is too high-brow and not appreciated by many." Shen Linfeng roughly knew what Miss Yan San meant. She was saying that it would not be so easy for her to marry, and that this girl had a very noble character.
Shen Xunfu and Yan Mai on the side were also listening leisurely. Suddenly, the sound of the piano stopped. Shen Linfeng quickly plucked the strings. Yan Mai had originally closed his eyes, but now he opened his eyes and looked at Shen Linfeng. The young man has quite a lot of tricks.
But a husband who is too handsome is not necessarily a good thing, as it is easy to attract peach blossoms. But thinking about the appearance and talent of my granddaughter, they are a perfect match.
Yao Niang heard Shen Linfeng playing the piano in the inner room. The sound of the piano was so smooth and fascinating that she couldn't help but smile and turn her head away.
Mother Song was watching from the side and came up to congratulate Xie: "Madam, congratulations on your happy marriage."
…
From time to time, Shen Xunfu said to Yan Mai: "Your Excellency, I will write a letter to my brother and sister-in-law in the capital. If they knew that my nephew married your daughter, I'm afraid they would be very happy."
Yao Niang said: "This Shen Futai is very good at handling things!"
"He is about the same age as your father, and he is already a provincial governor, and a capable official. This is already very remarkable," said Xie.
Yan Mai and Prefect Jie were also very satisfied with what Shen Xunfu said, and said to the uncle and nephew of the Shen family: "My meaning is very clear. My granddaughter and her mother plan to go to see the peonies in Luoyang next month and then return to the capital. I will let them take my letter back."
Shen Xun clapped his hands and smiled, "Isn't this a coincidence? My sister-in-law loves Luoyang peonies the most, and Linfeng is also a filial son, and he is also planning to go to Luoyang next month to pick a few pots of expensive peonies to bring back. It just so happens that we are all a family now, so let Linfeng escort Madam Yan and Miss Yan together. Isn't this the best of both worlds?"
Yan Mai glanced at Shen Linfeng and said, "Gong Ding, I'm going to trouble you."
Shen Linfeng had not expected such a coincidence. It was really a coincidence. He glanced into the inner room and said seriously, "I will definitely keep in mind the governor's entrustment."
…
Yao Niang had never expected that she had only wanted Shen Xunfu to back off, but she had not expected that her marriage would be settled so quickly. Her grandfather was her father's elder, and if he had spoken, and her father had already had that intention, the marriage might have been a done deal.
But she didn't seem to be so reluctant in her heart. After this trip, she realized that it was difficult for them to pick someone with similar talent, appearance and family background in such a blind marriage, not to mention having similar personalities, which they knew nothing about before marriage.
Perhaps, this world will allow men and women to interact freely one day. Otherwise, it would be like writing an eight-legged essay, dancing in shackles. She was lucky, at least she knew he was talented and well-educated before marriage. Her brother was directly chosen by the elders because of the relationship between the two families.
Just like my second sister-in-law, Yu, everything went well after she got married, but she was a very ambitious person at heart, while my second brother was a good-for-nothing. Another example was her brother, who had a rebellious temperament, and her sister-in-law could not control him, so she always felt uneasy.
Shen Linfeng had a stable temper, was extremely talented, had already passed the imperial examination, and even looked better than any other man she had ever met.
"Yao Niang." Xie personally brought in the Tremella soup.
Yao Niang stood up quickly: "Mom, why did you bring it here in person? Put it down quickly."
Xie smiled and said, "I was afraid that you had some grudges in your heart, but from your expression, it seems that you have already made up your mind."
Yao Niang nodded slightly: "When I was in the capital, I felt that I was pushed out to take the blame. I was unwilling in my heart. I always felt that I should have nothing to do with the Shen family and live my own life. But, mother, things are often unpredictable. We have already arrived in Henan, but we still get married. Since it is inevitable, why not think in a positive direction? Mother, just like the matter of your daughter asking for an imperial decree for you, if you don't try, you may think it is impossible in this life, but it really succeeded. Today, when we were playing Yangchun Baixue, he suddenly continued, and I thought maybe I could give it a try."
"I think it's good too, Yao Niang, don't think too much, just enjoy it." Xie also relaxed.
What does it mean to enjoy it? Yao Niang was suspicious.
After this matter was settled, Yan Mai returned to Guide, Shangqiu and other places to inspect the river. Shen Xunfu had to accompany him, but only Shen Linfeng was very nervous.
He actually arranged his own marriage and was going to accompany Xie's mother and daughter to Luoyang. The last time he was engaged, he played a polo match with Yan Ningxin. I didn't expect that he would have to accompany them this time. Of course, this was what he should do. If the mother and daughter walked alone, it would be easy for the scoundrels to covet them.
"Rong An, you should prepare more food for the road. By the way, what is the best thing to eat on the road?" Shen Linfeng asked.
Rong An smiled and said, "You don't like eating lamb skewers the most, why don't we take a lamb with us on the journey?"
Shen Linfeng waved his hand: "That's too bloody. Let me think about something suitable for girls to eat."
Rong An glanced at Shen Linfeng and said, "You've never been like this before! I see that you always like to sleep the most, but now you have to accompany Madam Yan and Miss Yan, you can't do that anymore."
Shen Linfeng hit him with a slap on the shoulder, feeling rather annoyed and angry: "What nonsense are you talking about? Don't say this outside."
Rong An covered his mouth and laughed secretly, and said quickly: "I know, I know."
Because April was going to Luoyang, Ye Jingwan, Shao Xixi and Chen Shuyi went to pray for her together. This time they almost knew her true identity. Ye Jingwan just found it funny and heard that her grandfather and grandmother had a quarrel.
You have to know that the Ministry of Personnel is in charge of the promotion of officials all over the world. If my brother could marry the daughter of the assistant minister of the Ministry of Personnel, his future prospects would be limitless. Even her grandfather was the governor of the river, and her brother was a Hanlin, and her family background was very prominent. It's a pity that it's too late to regret.
Yao Niang didn't care about these undercurrents: "I will be going to the capital soon. If you sisters go to the capital in the future, you can go to the Yan family in Anrenfang to find me."
Ye Jingwan raised her glass and said, "Sister Yan, the mountains remain green and the water flows forever."
"By the way, Yao Niang, you are going to Luoyang, are you and your mother going alone?" Shao Xixi was the most enthusiastic. She knew that both Yan's mother and daughter were like fairies. Although they brought guards with them, there were no men with them after all. She was afraid that the servants might collude with them.
Because of this, Shao Xixi was very worried and said, "You should bring more people."
Yao Niang remembered that Shen Linfeng wanted to go with her, so she couldn't tell them now, so she just said, "Okay, thank you Sister Shao for your concern, I will bring more people. But how are you now? I see that you have dark circles under your eyes."
Shao Xixi yawned as she spoke: "I have to embroider pieces and shoes every day, and even sew the water birds on the caps myself. Isn't it tiring?"
Yao Niang had witnessed two weddings, that of Yan Rubei and Yan Ningxin. The embroidered shoes and clothes were all custom-made in the embroidery workshop. The bride had to make things like purses and sachets, which were to be given to her in-laws.
Therefore, Yao Niang reminded her: "Sister Shao, why don't you order it at an embroidery shop? You might as well do more needlework so that you can see it at your husband's house. Although those embroidered clothes are nice, they have to be taken off after one day of wearing. Not only do they take a lot of effort, they may not even be as good as those fashionable embroidered clothes."
To put it bluntly, you are not an embroiderer. Our daily embroidery work is just a small one. How can it compare with the specialized embroidery workshops?
This is what she really thinks. If it weren't for Shao Xixi, she wouldn't have mentioned it.
Shao Xixi pursed her lips and said, "My stepmother is very eloquent. She said that only if the bride makes her own wedding dress can her marriage be happier. My father never cares about these menial matters, so I have no choice but to do this."
"So that's how it is, Sister Shao. I once bought a share in Sister Peng's rouge shop. I heard that the Peng family also has an embroidery workshop, and they are going to share the profits with me. It's a pity that I may not be here by then, and I won't be able to get the profits. Why not let Sister Peng change them into caps and embroidered shoes and send them to your house? This way, it can be regarded as a wedding gift from me to you. Oh, I really want to attend your wedding, but I just don't have the time. My father has also written to me several times, urging me and my mother to go back." Yao Niang added the last sentence, fearing that Shao Xixi would think she was giving her alms and that she would have some thoughts.
Maybe Yao Niang always has her mother, father and brother by her side. The biggest problem is the marriage issue, which has been solved now. Her life is much better than others. Sometimes things like what happened to Shao Xixi are unimaginable to her, so she will help if she can, and she doesn't expect any reward.
To be honest, after we say goodbye today, it may be difficult to see each other again in the future.
However, Shao Xixi refused: "Sister Yan, I appreciate your kindness. If the Peng family sends it to me, my family will ask all kinds of questions and we will not be able to live in peace."
Yao Niang didn't force herself: "Well, it's me who is meddling, please don't blame me, sister."
Ye Jingwan could see that Yao Niang was a little angry, because Shao Xixi was different from Yu Qing'er. Yu Qing'er's family background was there. Although her parents didn't love her, her grandmother was a princess from the royal palace. She and Yao Niang were from the same class, so they got along very well. But Shao Xixi seemed enthusiastic and lively, but in fact she was the kind of person who could distinguish things clearly. If Yao Niang could understand this, she wouldn't be so abrupt.
The situation was a little awkward for a moment. In fact, Yao Niang seldom dealt with such situations. Her father had always taught her at home to be reserved and arrogant. Every time she showed off her abilities, many people wanted to make friends with her. Today, she was sincerely thinking about Shao Xixi, but she didn't know why Shao Xixi was like this?
But since she didn't want it, I wouldn't force her. But they acted as if they had made a mistake.
It was still Mother Gu who reminded her: "Girl, it's getting late. You have to go back and pack your luggage today."
Yao Niang breathed a sigh of relief and said goodbye to them: "Thank you all for doing this for me today. We will meet again in the future if we are lucky enough."
After Yao Niang left, Chen Shuyi, who originally had a mediocre relationship with Ye Jingwan and Shao Xixi, also left first with an excuse. When they were left alone, Shao Xixi felt a little embarrassed: "I wonder if I did something wrong today?"
"No, you did nothing wrong. But you can also see that the Yan family of Jinling is just as the rumors say. You may not know that her grandfather and father are extremely tough people. I once heard my grandfather say that when her grandfather was still a Jinshi, he impeached two prime ministers in one day, and her father didn't even give face to the Shen family. So, if you reject her, she may be a little unhappy and feel that she has been very accommodating to you. But Xixi, I always feel that we are all friends. We have different personalities, but we are also people who share weal and woe. Yao Niang was able to stand up for you at your coming-of-age ceremony, which shows that she is a very good person. You don't have to care about whether others sympathize with you." Ye Jingwan patted her shoulder and said.
Shao Xixi wanted to say something, but was stunned for a while. When she came to her senses, she found that Ye Jingwan had also left.
On the way back, Yao Niang asked Gu's mother: "Why did you call me to do this? Actually, it's not necessary."
"Girl, as the saying goes, quality of friends is more important than quantity." Mother Gu was afraid that she would suffer a loss, because the girl had been well protected since she was a child. The only saddest time for her was when she was with her grandparents in the northwest, but at most it was just that the third old lady was partial to them. But outside, she was still the granddaughter of the Governor of Gansu and Shaanxi.
Yao Niang laughed and said, "Oh, I forgot about this matter. Why should I be so sensitive about it?"
"You were the same as them before, but now that they know your identity, isn't it..." said Mother Gu.
Yao Niang understood that people started to look at her because of her different status. In the past, she was at most the granddaughter of Magistrate Jie, and they could say whatever they wanted to her when they were with her. But now, if she was unhappy, she would have to tell her father, but her father was the Minister of Personnel.
This is the case even with friends of several months, so what about marriage?
After returning, Yao Niang talked about this situation with Xie Shi, and Xie Shi said, "This is the reason why it is important to marry someone of equal status. If you really marry someone of lower status, people will be very cautious when interacting with you, especially men, who cannot tolerate women with strong family backgrounds. Even if you are very reasonable, your existence is a kind of oppression. Otherwise, it is said that men like to get promoted and make money, but they want to kill their wives."
"Mom, this doesn't sound like something you would say." Yao Niang was a little suspicious. Her mother was the kind of person who wouldn't even say the words "fart" or "bitch".
Xie coughed twice and said, "This is what your father told me."
Yao Niang smiled and said, "No wonder. Forget it. I won't worry about these things anymore. I will leave for Luoyang in a few days. I will stay at home and accompany my grandparents for the next few days."
It was late at night, and Yao Niang fell asleep quickly. Xie called Mother Gu over and said to her, "You did the right thing today. Yao Niang is still inexperienced. She will be the mistress of Wuxing Shen's family in the future. It seems that Mr. Shen feels differently about her. I'm afraid she will say a few more words and accidentally tell everyone about her marriage to the Shen family."
Mother Gu said, "You are right."
"I'm going to Luoyang with Shen Linfeng soon. Don't worry too much on the way and let them have more contact. If it doesn't work out, the marriage will be called off." Xie was always afraid that her daughter would suffer a loss.
Mother Gu couldn't believe it: "Didn't the Third Old Lady agree?"
Xie smiled and said, "It's still me and her father who have the final say. Yao Niang is my baby, I can't let her suffer any loss. I also have to examine this Mr. Shen. Okay, don't tell anyone else what I said to you today."
Mother Gu said yes repeatedly.
The day of departure soon arrived, and Yao Niang specially changed into a spring shirt. The emerald green shirt was matched with a pearl white pleated skirt, which made her figure look agile and graceful, and even more fresh and lovely.
Even the veil on her head was made of light gauze and silk with willow leaves and tiny tassels and pearls. Yao Niang stood beside Xie and said to her in confusion, "Mother, it's just a veil, why did you make it so exquisite for your daughter?"
Although Xie may not know every man's mind, she knows that if a woman tries to beg a man in a servile way, the man will look down on her, and if she is too reserved and noble, the man will be deterred. It is conceivable that men like Shen Linfeng, who are courted by countless women, will not take the initiative to pursue others.
So to attract such men, as a woman you must be seductive, attractive, and able to firmly capture others. To do this, you must show it through your dress, demeanor, and facial expressions. Now, wearing a veil hat also needs to show the charm of a woman.
"You'll know soon." Xie patted her daughter.
Shen Linfeng came here on horseback. He was afraid that he had come too early and others had not gotten up yet. Naturally, he was also pushing others to do the same because he was the one lying in bed and couldn't even get up.
But he didn't expect that when he came, Xie and Yao Niang had already loaded their luggage on the carriage. It was obvious that they had gotten up earlier than him. Shen Linfeng felt embarrassed: "Madam Yan, Third Miss, I am late."
Xie smiled and said, "It's not that you're late, it's that we got up early and you had to rush over from the east, so naturally you're slower."
Shen Linfeng smiled and said, "Mrs. Yan, I have already planned to go from Kaifeng to Luoyang. We can stay at Songyang Inn and several other places. Take a look——"
"You tell our third girl that when I go out, I don't know where I am." Xie waved her hands quickly.
Shen Linfeng tightened his grip on the map. Yao Niang never expected that her mother would push her out. Didn't her mother always say that her daughter's reputation must be spotless?
But she also took a step forward generously, and the tassels on her veil brushed Shen Linfeng's hand. Shen Linfeng took a small step back, then felt something was wrong, and immediately glanced at Yao Niang. Even through a layer of veil, he could still see Yao Niang's eyes.
Seeing that he seemed to take a step back, Yao Niang looked at him with some doubt, her almond-shaped eyes showing confusion.
Shen Linfeng immediately stepped forward, took a deep breath, and introduced again: "We will first go to Songyang Inn, which is the first big inn after leaving Kaifeng Prefecture. Then we will stay at Runan Posthouse, which is a major transportation hub. After that, we will stay at Fenglin Inn in Luoyang, which is the closest place to the Peony Garden."
"You've made very good arrangements, but I heard that it's difficult to book a room at Fenglin Inn. Have you booked it in advance?" Yao Niang looked up at him. This man was really too tall.
Shen Linfeng smiled and said, "Don't worry, I've asked someone to go and take care of it first."
Yao Niang nodded: "Then we are relieved."
Shen Linfeng also breathed a sigh of relief, and suddenly said something without anyone noticing: "Do you think I look calm now?"
Yao Niang shook her head instantly, covered her mouth and laughed: "No, you look very nervous."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
