Chapter 051 Chapter 51
I hadn't seen her for half a year. Yan Yingqi saw that Xie had lost some weight and looked even more charming. I felt sorry for her and immediately ran forward to support her: "Why have you lost some weight?"
"I caught a cold when I came back, and I had no appetite. Actually, I have always had a good status." Xie explained, fearing that her husband would worry too much.
Sure enough, when Yan Yingqi heard that she had caught a cold, he couldn't help but say, "I said you can't take good care of yourself..."
Yao Niang had never seen such a nagging and overly worried father. Even she thought it was just a cold, why was Daddy like this? It was even a little bit too much.
Shen Linfeng, who usually cared about her every move, wanted to stay away from him. Yao Niang wondered why he was so distant. Only Yan Jingzhao was thanking Shen Linfeng. They were the same age. don't know how you came back with my mother and sister?"
Shen Linfeng thought that although his uncle in Henan had said something, it was difficult to say what happened to the Yan family, especially Yan Yingqi. It was said that the two families had frictions many times. He thought more than Yao Niang did, and now he could not ruin Miss Yan's reputation, so as not to make things difficult for both the Shen and Yan families.
So, Shen Linfeng smiled and said, "It was Governor Yan who knew that I was coming back, so he asked me to escort Madam Yan and Miss Yan back together."
Yao Niang, who was not far away, heard Shen Linfeng say this and felt a little upset. She thought to herself, "Could it be that he doesn't want to marry me?" So, he didn't tell the truth. Humph!
Yan Jingzhao thought that his grandfather was not his mother-in-law's man, so why would he care about such matters concerning his mother and sister.
But it was not easy to ask in front of so many people, so he just smiled and said, "Thank you very much, Brother Shen. I will definitely come to visit you someday."
Shen Linfeng added: "My parents have sent a housekeeper over, so I will go there first."
"Please." Yan Jingzhao smiled and made a gesture of invitation.
After Shen Linfeng left, Yan Jingzhao quickly walked to Yao Niang's side. Yao Niang was of course happy to see her brother and said to him affectionately: "Although you didn't go to the Peony Garden, I added you to the Peony Garden and drew a picture for you."
"Really?" Yan Jingzhao was very happy to receive such a carefully prepared painting.
Yao Niang whispered: "I have another secret to tell you."
Yan Jingzhao pretended to be very interested: "What secret? Tell it to your brother."
"It was me who helped my mother obtain the imperial decree of a sixth-rank official." Yao Niang said with a smile.
Yan Jingzhao widened his eyes and asked in disbelief, "What did you say?"
Xie, who was receiving Yan Yingqi's greetings in front, turned around and confirmed, "It's true. Our Yao Niang is amazing. She helped Kaifeng Prefecture paint the portraits of criminals and solved five major cases. According to the laws of this dynasty, men are granted the title of 100 households, while women are generally given rewards. Yao Niang asked your grandfather to discuss with the inspector and give me the imperial decree."
This is what Xie really needs, and Yan Yingqi cannot give it. His wife is still alive, and he cannot ask for an imperial decree for his concubine, unless Yan Jingzhao honors his biological mother in the future.
Yan Yingqi was still asking about her well-being, but for some reason he suddenly felt a pain in his heart. Yan Jingzhao patted his sister on the shoulder and said, "I am a step behind. I will do my best to be an official and win an imperial decree for you."
Yao Niang noticed that the atmosphere was a bit heavy after she said this, so she couldn't help but joked: "Maybe what brother wants most now is a wife."
Yan Jingzhao pointed at his sister and said, "You just love to make fun of your brother."
Among the four people, except Yan Jingzhao who rode a horse, Yao Niang sat alone in a carriage. In front was Yan Yingqi who accompanied Xie. As soon as they got on the carriage, Yan Yingqi hugged Xie.
"I miss you every day. Please don't leave me easily in the future."
Xie leaned against him, feeling relieved: "No, I'm also scared this time when I go out. I encountered a lot of things."
"By the way, what's going on with Shen Linfeng? Didn't I say that there is no need to marry into the Shen family? I will help Yao Niang pick a good one in the future. You really don't have to compromise. I was wrong before." Yan Yingqi touched her hair, feeling relieved.
Xie turned her head and said, "You have told me this many times, and you have admitted your mistakes many times, but the situation is different now, and they just got together."
"Ahem, wait, what do you mean it's done now?" Yan Yingqi felt that he almost heard it wrong.
Xie told her all the details and said, "Linfeng is a very considerate child. Our son is so old now. When I am not at home, I am worried that he can't take care of himself. But Master Shen has taken good care of us along the way. He is very talented and polite."
Yan Yingqi breathed a sigh of relief: "You mean Shen Linfeng is using someone else's power to take our place? He wouldn't do it on purpose, would he? He also wants to walk away when the time comes to get married and take revenge on us."
"No, why do you think so badly of him? What good will it do for him if he does that?" Xie felt that Shen Linfeng and her daughter were indeed a good match.
Yan Yingqi was the kind of person who would plot against others even when there was nothing to do. He did think Shen Linfeng was a good guy before, but it was such a coincidence that he met him, and his wife and daughter were also involved, so it was like someone had taken some kind of drug.
Seeing Yan Yingqi hesitated, Xie gave him a push and said, "This is a letter from Dad. He gave it to you."
But Yan Yingqi threw the letter aside and said, "My uncle has always been away from home, so he may not understand the real situation in Beijing. Even if he agrees, I may not agree."
"You..." Xie was furious and found it very difficult to understand him: "Last time Yao Niang and I were forced to go to Henan, it was you who tricked us into going there. Now that we really look good together, you don't allow it again."
Seeing that she was angry, Yan Yingqi coaxed her and said, "Okay, I agree. Isn't it enough to agree? Whatever you say is what it is."
In fact, Xie wanted to know Yan Yingqi's attitude. Now that he had expressed his position, she felt much more comfortable. She said, "Shen Xunfu said that he had already sent a letter to Mr. and Mrs. Shen Zongxian in Beijing. If they come to propose marriage, we can test the waters. If they don't come, we can just ignore it and call it a day."
"What? Does their family still look down on my daughter?" Yan Yingqi actually knew that because of Yan Ningxin's matter and the bad relationship between the two families, this marriage would be difficult now.
It's really a different time.
Seeing that he was still so angry, Xie said to him, "Don't be angry. Our daughter is amazing. She has gone through three stages of recruiting a son-in-law, and some people were actually scared away."
"That's right, otherwise why would I win the imperial decree for you." Yan Yingqi held Xie's shoulders distressedly: "I will definitely let you have an imperial decree in the future."
Xie and Yan Yingqi knew all these things in their hearts, but they would never say them openly. Xie was proud of herself, and if she said them out loud, she would feel like she was begging for mercy. Yan Yingqi certainly had his own reasons. When one is in a high position, he cannot afford to let others find any evidence against him.
When Xie heard her husband say this, she just lowered her head and said, "I'm fine. I'm actually living a good life. I won't expect too much now, or God will say I'm too greedy."
"You are so kind." Yan Yingqi couldn't help but feel a little moved, but he was afraid that she was not in good health, so he had to suppress it.
It is also said that Yao Niang was a little angry in the carriage. If a person who has always praised you and obeyed you ignores you today, she would certainly feel a little upset. But no matter how much she loves Shen Linfeng and likes him, it has not come to that point yet. Nothing is settled yet and she has to restrain herself.
When she returned home, Zhen had prepared a welcoming banquet. After met each other, Zhen saw that Jie's appearance had not changed at all. Instead, she looked even more pitiful. She also secretly cursed her for being a coquettish person, saying that she was so old, but still acted like a little girl and had no shame.
Yaoniang, Qianniang, and Yingniang all brought gifts back, and the newly-acquainted Zhenli also brought a gift, without favoritism. They were all a box of exquisite peony silk flowers, a Bian embroidery painting, and two boxes of watermelon frosting.
When Qianniang saw Yaoniang again, she always felt that although she had been tired from the journey, her face looked rosy, like a peony that had been nourished, and her appearance became more and more outstanding. Even Zhen Li saw the newly returned third daughter of the Yan family. She was talking with her head down, her hair was shiny black, and a half-moon shaped comb inlaid with coral and tortoise shell honey wax was inserted in the middle.
She smiled and said, "We bought a few pots of expensive peonies from Luoyang. When we have everything ready, we will invite you to come and have a look."
Yingniang received the gift and looked at Yaoniang and asked, "Sister, are you doing well in Henan?"
"Nowhere is better than your own home. When I was confined at home before, I always felt suffocated. But after going out for a walk, I felt more comfortable at home." Yao Niang meant what she said.
In the past, she thought that life outside must be comfortable and carefree, but she found that there is no pure land in the world. Even many officials and families may not live well. The reason why they can do whatever they want today is because of their father's high position and power, and they are treated with courtesy wherever they go.
The world is so big, there really is no such thing as a paradise.
Yingniang smiled and said, "Third sister, it's good that you're back. Our second sister's wedding is coming soon."
Yao Niang looked at Qian Niang in surprise. Qian Niang held her handkerchief and said, "Fourth sister, what nonsense are you talking about again? What good thing is coming?"
"Second sister, congratulations first." Yao Niang was also thinking that Qian Niang had already reached the age of 15 this year, and it would be abnormal if her marriage had not been decided yet. Although Yan Ningxin's matter had an impact now, her grandfather had been promoted to the governor of the river, and the family was full of high-ranking officials, so there were many people who wanted to marry into the family.
Qianniang shook her head: "You just listened to Fourth Sister's nonsense. It's nonsense. You should tell us about your experiences in Kaifeng and Luoyang."
Yao Niang also picked up a lot of new things to talk about and laugh about.
When Shen Linfeng arrived home, Madam Shen and Shen Mo came to greet him. Madam Shen was of course most concerned about his marriage: "I heard from your uncle about you and the third daughter of the Yan family. What's going on?"
Shen Linfeng explained the whole story: "Originally, my uncle took a liking to Miss Yan San, who was visiting as a relative. He said that she was extremely intelligent and a rare woman."
"Your uncle thinks everyone he looks like is a good person." Mrs. Shen pursed her lips.
Shen Linfeng laughed and said, "In the end, my third cousin ran away. My third uncle was really furious. I had no choice but to be there. He had to let me go, otherwise I would be embarrassed in front of Yan Zhitai. After the child passed the test, Yan Zhitai personally said that he would write a letter to the Yan family. My uncle also felt that it was better to resolve the feud with the Yan family than to create one, so both families agreed."
Mrs. Shen glanced at her son and said, "You, even though the eldest daughter of the Yan family did some ugly things, she is still of noble status. This third daughter is not a legitimate daughter--"
"Mother, the third young lady is very filial to her mother, and she is also dignified and reserved. Don't say that she is a concubine's daughter. Even if she is, what does it matter? How can you have such an opinion?" Shen Linfeng has been with Yao Niang all the way, and he thinks that everything about her is perfect.
Mrs. Shen was very surprised: "Feng'er, you were not like this before."
Shen Mo also said, "Brother, why do you talk to mother like this?"
"Mother, I don't mean anything else. I just want to tell you not to misunderstand her because of Miss Yan. She is also very good to me." Shen Linfeng lied for the first time, because he had very little contact with Yao Niang, so naturally he couldn't say anything, but he didn't want his mother to misunderstand her.
Seeing her son exhausted, Madam Shen suppressed her annoyance and said to Shen Linfeng, "Go down and rest first. Your father and your third uncle will be here soon. Go and talk to them."
"Yes, the son will go down first." Shen Linfeng retreated respectfully.
After Shen Linfeng left, Shen Mo and Madam Shen were the most caring, so he smiled and said, "Brother always looks protective of the third daughter of the Yan family when he mentions her. It's fate after all."
Madam Shen sighed, "In fact, this third girl is not as talented as the second girl, but her status is quite affordable. Her grandfather was the governor of the river, her father was the minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and even her brother is Yan Jingzhao. But I originally wanted to marry you to him."
Shen Mo was shocked: "Mom, what did you say?"
"You don't have to think about the Prince of Qi. There's nothing good about a vassal king without real power. If you have such an ambition, I advise you to give up as soon as possible. Madam Gong is willing to reconcile our two families. You have also seen the eldest son of the Yan family. He has a truly god-like appearance and is not much different from your brother." Madam Shen said.
That's why they changed their minds.
Shen Mo was a little surprised, but still shook his head: "Mom, since my uncle is Yan Zhitai and he knows about it, how can we do this?"
"The marriage has not been arranged yet. What's wrong with the marriage between the two families as long as our two families get married? As for your brother, I don't want him to marry another girl from the Yan family." Mrs. Shen was also scared by Yan Ningxin. The Wuxing and Shen family became a complete laughing stock that day, and even ruined her son's future.
The Shen family didn't make any plans, which was already very generous.
Shen Mo always felt something was wrong, and she felt a little guilty: "I was the one who told you that my brother liked Miss Yan. In fact, I just saw Miss Yan's straightforward personality when she played polo, but I didn't expect to hurt my brother."
"What does this have to do with you? Who knew this would happen?" Mrs. Shen still felt ashamed of the incident.
Shen Mo smiled and said, "Mom, don't think too much about it. My brother is about to take the imperial examination, so let's focus on this first."
Mrs. Shen nodded.
It is also said that Shen Linfeng would wash up, have dinner with his father and uncle in the evening, and then return to his room quietly. It is a pity that when he reads now, there is no longer that kind of melodious and soothing piano sound.
He always felt bored, Rong An sent him a cup of strong tea: "Sir, the light tea is here."
Shen Linfeng took a bite and put it aside. Rong Anhai was surprised: "Master, is it that the tea I brewed is not tasty?"
"No, I just don't want to drink it. Leave it here." Shen Linfeng remembered the tea that Yao Niang ordered for him when he went to visit the patient. He didn't know where she got the idea to mix fresh fruits and milk together, or she would order little rabbits or little tigers for him. Although he might only come into contact with them once every few days, he found it very interesting every time.
Now that he is alone at home, he keeps thinking about these things. His mother seems to dislike Yao Niang, and Minister Yan and Yan Jingzhao are also quite wary of him. Could it be that he and the third Miss Yan will encounter some difficulties?
**
Three days after returning, Zhen heard that Xie had become a sixth-rank official. She congratulated Xie, but felt helpless in her heart. Even though the sixth rank was not as good as her, a third-rank official, but having a rank was completely different from having no rank. At least she could invite her out in the future, instead of doing it like before.
The most urgent matter now is not Yao Niang's matter, but Yan Jingzhao's marriage.
In the past, the third old lady had made the decision on Yan Jingzhao's marriage, but now it was decided by Mrs. Xie. First of all, Mrs. Xie had to make clear her son's wishes. She was a mother who respected her children very much, so she wanted to hear her son's opinion on his life-long affairs. Although she had asked before, she would ask more clearly now.
"Zhao'er, tell your mother, what kind of appearance do you like in a girl? An oval face or a round face? What kind of mouth should she have?" Xie asked very clearly.
Yan Jingzhao said, "Mother, as the saying goes, marry a virtuous woman. How can I just look at her face? As long as she is pretty and has good character, I will be satisfied."
Xie asked again, "What about the family background?"
Of course Yan Jingzhao wanted to marry someone who was compatible with him and had a suitable family background. After all, she would be his, Yan Jingzhao's, wife and the eldest sister-in-law in the family in the future, with an extraordinary status. The previous Guan family background was acceptable, but she took herself too seriously.
"If she is an extremely beautiful woman who is also amiable, and her family background is not top-notch but at least has some background, what do you think of such a girl?" Xie asked.
Yan Jingzhao was very good at grasping the key points: "Mom, have you chosen someone?"
Xie shook her head and said, "That's all I have to say."
Yan Jingzhao smiled and said, "Don't be too anxious. Your son has someone to take care of him."
"How can those people compare to a legal wife? Even you can't always be single. You need someone who understands your feelings." Xie said.
Yan Jingzhao looked at his mother's desk and saw several pictures of beauties. All of them were extremely beautiful women. He couldn't help but ask, "Mom, did you find these for your son?"
"Hehe, this is the Peony Fairy that your sister imagined herself. Let me take it to your father to frame it later." Xie was speechless.
Yan Jingzhao took his hand back awkwardly: "Sister, your pen is really a magic pen, it looks just like a real person."
"Of course, only gods have such appearance, not ordinary people. You know your sister, she likes to imagine things like the peony fairy, the osmanthus fairy, and some immortal king. She even wants to write her own storybook, so she draws whenever she has time. Don't take it seriously." Xie was afraid that her son really thought the person on the paper was a real person.
Yan Jingzhao couldn't help but take another look at it: "Mom, Dad is very busy right now, why don't I take it back and frame it for my sister."
Xie seemed to see through her son: "You want to take the beauty back with you, right? Your sister will ask me for her later. You are still down-to-earth."
Just now you were saying that you should marry a virtuous woman instead of a pretty one. That was all a lie.
Yan Jingzhao went out disappointed, and then changed his mind to go to Yao Niang. Yao Niang was painting lotus again today, and wanted to paint the lotus fairy. She heard that the lotus goddess was Xi Shi. Yao Niang was fantasizing about the painting, and suddenly saw a black shadow on the drawing board. She looked up suddenly, and it was her brother.
"Brother, you came in without making any noise."
Yan Jingzhao usually prided himself on being a romantic man, and many women admired him. However, when he saw the paintings of beauties painted by Yao Niang, which were not the kind of ladies painted by Gu Kaizhi, but the kind of fairies painted by very young girls, his heart was moved.
"My dear sister, you draw so well." Yan Jingzhao praised with a smile.
Yao Niang smiled and said, "I have put some effort into drawing people, but in other aspects I am still not as good as the masters. I am far behind."
"Sister, I saw the painting of the Peony Fairy at mother's place. Your painting is so beautiful. Did you paint it based on the real person?" Yan Jingzhao asked, pretending to be ignorant.
Yao Niang was so smart that she laughed as soon as she heard it: "No, it's the person I imagined. Look at this peony, it's so elegant and graceful. I thought the person I drew must have a face that is as beautiful as the flowers, like the dewdrops in the morning, which makes people unable to bear to look directly at it. For the skin, I made it as smooth as cream and as soft as catkins as described in the Book of Songs. So, I think my brother likes plump beauties. Well, I know what my future sister-in-law will look for."
After hearing the last part, Yan Jingzhao started quarreling with Yaoniang, and finally begged his sister in a low voice: "You have to help me check it."
"Brother, look at you." Yao Niang covered her mouth and laughed.
At the dinner table, she told this to Xie, who was stunned for a moment: "I really can't tell what kind of person your brother is."
Because Yan Jingzhao was a rather unrestrained and romantic man, Xie had always thought that he liked that kind of beautiful and talented woman. She never expected that her son actually liked this kind of charming and plump beauty.
Yan Yingqi coughed twice and said, "What do you mean by liking this look or that look? I guess he is just a pervert."
"Daddy, how can you say that about my brother?" Yao Niang was speechless.
Yan Yingqi spread his hands: "We are all men, who knows who. Yao Niang, you think that if you hide your paintings, it will only confuse your elder brother Jingzhao. If it is Yan Jingzhang and Yan Jingwen, those two little perverts, I am afraid they will lose their appetite."
"Dad, you're exaggerating." Yao Niang couldn't stand it.
Xie also said to him: "You are also an elder."
"I understand. Isn't it okay if I don't say anything?" Yan Yingqi immediately sat down obediently.
The room was full of noise and quarreling, but it was the first time that Zhen broke the teacup in the house because Mrs. Gong sent an invitation to Xie.
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