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. Yan Jingzhao didn't know why Shen Linfeng was the one who sent his mother and sister back. He was younger than Yan Yingqi and reacted faster. He bowed and asked, "Thank you for taking care of me all the way, but I 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 hesitate, 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 everyone 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.
倩娘搖頭：“你聽四妹妹瞎說，八字沒一撇的事情，倒是你要好好給咱們講講你在開封、洛陽的見聞才好。”
窈娘也就揀了不少新鮮的事情說笑一番。
那邊沈臨風到家時，沈夫人和沈陌都迎着他進來，沈夫人當然最關心的就是他的親事：“我聽你叔父說你和顏家三姑娘的事情，這是怎麽回事啊？”
沈臨風就說了前因後果：“原本是叔父看中走親戚的顏三姑娘，說她聰穎絕倫，乃是一奇女子。”
“你這位叔父，看誰都覺得是好人。”沈夫人抿唇。
沈臨風笑道：“結果三堂弟溜走了，三叔父真的是氣死了，迫不得已我在那兒，只好讓我過去，要不然在顏制臺那裏丢臉了。孩兒過關之後，顏制臺親口說寫信給顏家，叔父也覺得和顏家冤家宜解不宜結，所以兩家都同意了。”
沈夫人看了兒子一眼：“你呀，顏家大姑娘雖說做了些醜事，可到底是身份高貴。這位三姑娘到底不是正出——”
“娘，三姑娘事母至孝，為人亦是端雅矜持，莫說她不是庶出了，就是庶出又如何？您怎麽能有這樣的看法呢？”沈臨風這一路都跟窈娘在一起，只覺得她一切美好。
沈夫人非常吃驚：“風兒，你以前可不是這樣的。”
沈陌也在一旁道：“哥哥，你怎麽這樣和娘說話。”
“娘，兒子沒有別的意思，兒子只是想說您不要因為那位顏大姑娘就誤會她，她對兒子亦是很好。”沈臨風頭一次撒了一次謊，因為窈娘其實和她接觸都很少，自然談不上如何，但是他也不想娘誤會她。
沈夫人見兒子風塵仆仆，也按捺下心中不快，對沈臨風道：“你先下去歇息，等會兒你父親還有你三叔父都要過來，你再去與他們說話。”
“是，那兒子先下去了。”沈臨風恭敬的退了下去。
見沈臨風下去後，沈陌和沈夫人最貼心，遂笑道：“哥哥提起這位顏家三姑娘就一幅維護的模樣，說起來也是緣分。”
沈夫人嘆了一口氣：“其實這位三姑娘才名不如二姑娘，身份倒也是實惠，她祖父是河道總督，父親是吏部侍郎，就連親哥哥是顏景昭，只是我原本是想把你嫁給他的。”
沈陌吃驚：“娘，您說什麽呢？”
“齊王世子那裏你不必想了，這種沒有實權的藩王也沒什麽好的，若是你懷有這樣的志向，我勸你趁早死了心。龔夫人有心幫我們兩家說和，你也見過顏家大公子，那才真真是神仙相貌，和你哥哥比也不差什麽。”沈夫人如此道。
這也是她們為何轉變想法的原因。
沈陌有些吃驚，但還是搖頭：“娘，叔父既然是顏制臺也知曉，此事怎麽能由着咱們來呢？”
“又沒有定下親事來，兩家聯姻，只要我們兩家成婚有什麽不好？至于你哥哥，我可不想她再娶一個顏家的姑娘了。”沈夫人也是被顏寧馨搞怕了，吳興沈家那日徹底成了笑柄，甚至毀了兒子的前途。
沈家沒有計較，已經是格外寬宏大量了。
沈陌總覺得不妥，她又有些自責：“當年是我和您說哥哥喜歡顏大姑娘的，其實我就是看顏大姑娘打馬球性子直爽，沒想到害了哥哥。”
“這又與你何幹？誰知道會出這樣的事情呢？”沈夫人還是想起那件事情都是恥辱。
沈陌笑道：“娘，還是別想這麽多了，哥哥眼看制科在即，我們還是先以這個為重吧。”
沈夫人點頭。
又說沈臨風則梳洗一番之後，晚上和父親叔父一起用飯，再默默回房，只可惜現在他看書的時候，再也沒有那種悠揚舒緩的琴聲了。
他總覺得無趣的緊，容安送了濃茶過來：“公子，清茶送過來了。”
沈臨風吃了一口，就放在旁邊，容安海奇怪：“公子，是小的沏茶沏的不好喝嗎？”
“不是，就是不想喝，放在這兒吧。”沈臨風想起那日他去探病時，窈娘給他點的茶，不知道她哪裏的鬼點子，把鮮果牛乳混在一起，要不就是給自己點小兔子啊，小老虎，雖然接觸的功夫可能幾天去一次，但每次他都覺得很有意思。
現在他一個人在家，總想起這些，看娘的态度好像不喜歡窈娘，顏侍郎和顏景昭對自己也頗為防備，難道他和顏三姑娘會遇到坎坷嗎？
**
回來三日後，甄氏才聽說解氏已經是六品安人了，她嘴上說着恭喜，心中卻不得已。即便六品比不得她這個三品侍郎夫人，但是有品級和無品級完全不同，日後至少請她是可以出門了，不必向以前那般了。
現在當務之急，倒不是窈娘的事情，而是顏景昭的親事。
以前顏景昭的親事是三老太太作主，現在歸解氏作主，首先解氏得先明确兒子的心意，她是個非常尊重孩子的母親，所以關于兒子的終身大事，也想聽聽兒子的見解，盡管以前也問過，現在就問的更清楚一些。
“昭兒，你和娘說說，你喜歡什麽樣長相的女子？是鵝蛋臉還是圓臉的，嘴巴要如何的？”解氏問的很清楚。
顏景昭卻來了一句：“娘，俗話說娶妻娶賢，我怎麽能只看人家的臉呢，只要清秀端正，人品端方我就很滿意了。”
解氏又問：“那家世呢？”
顏景昭心裏當然是想娶一位既合的來，家世又相對的，畢竟要做他顏景昭的妻子，日後可是家中長嫂，地位非同凡響，之前那個關氏出身是可以，可實在是太把自己當回事兒了。
“若是個絕代美女，人又和氣，家世雖然不是頂尖的，可也頗有些家世，這樣的姑娘你覺得如何？”解氏問起。
顏景昭很會抓重點：“娘，您是有人選了嗎？”
解氏搖頭：“我就這麽一說罷了。”
顏景昭笑道：“您也別太着急上火了，兒子身邊也不是沒人伺候。”
“那些人哪裏比得正妻呢，就是你自己也不能老是這樣打光棍啊，得有個知冷知熱的人才行。”解氏道。
顏景昭卻往娘的幾案上望去，有幾張美人圖，居然全部都是極致的美女，他忍不住問道：“娘，這是您為兒子找的嗎？”
“咳咳，這是你妹妹自己想象的牡丹仙子，讓我等會兒拿去讓你爹爹裱。”解氏都無語了。
顏景昭讪讪的把手收回來：“妹妹還真的是神筆，仿若真人一般。”
“那是自然了，這只有神仙才有這樣的長相，尋常人哪裏會有。你妹妹你是知曉的，每次喜歡想象，什麽牡丹仙子、桂花仙子，還有什麽仙君，恨不得自己編個話本子，所以她有空就畫，你可別當真。”解氏怕兒子真的覺得這紙上的人是真人了。
顏景昭還是忍不住多看了一眼：“娘，爹現在事情很忙，不如我拿回去替妹妹裱畫。”
解氏似乎看穿了兒子：“你這是想把美女帶回去吧？你妹妹等會兒就跟我要了，還是踏踏實實的啊。”
剛剛還說什麽娶妻娶賢，不看色，全部都是說假話。
顏景昭失望的出去，又轉念去窈娘這裏，窈娘今日又在畫荷花，正好想畫荷花仙子，聽說荷花花神是西施，窈娘正在幻想着畫，突然看到畫板上一個黑影，她猛一擡頭，居然是她哥哥。
“哥哥，你進來也不做聲。”
顏景昭平日自诩風流，多少女子都愛慕于他，可是看到窈娘畫的那幾幅美人圖，并不是顧恺之那種仕女圖，就是很小姑娘畫的那種仙女圖，卻讓他怦然心動。
“好妹妹，你這畫畫的可真好。”顏景昭笑着誇獎。
窈娘笑道：“我就是畫人下了一些功夫，別的有些地方還是比不上人家那種大師，差遠了呢。”
“妹妹，我在娘那兒看到那張牡丹仙子的畫像了，你畫的真好，是照着真人畫的嗎？”顏景昭佯裝不知問道。
窈娘何等聰明，一聽就笑：“不是，是我自己想象出來的人，你看這牡丹花雍容華貴。我就想那我畫的人，肯定要有羞花之貌，就像清晨的露珠似的，讓人不忍直視。皮膚我就按照詩經說的那樣膚若凝脂手若柔荑。所以，我覺得哥哥喜歡豐腴些的美人，好啦，我知道未來嫂子要找什麽樣的了。”
顏景昭聽到最後，和窈娘打鬧起來，最後又小聲求妹妹：“你可要幫我把把關。”
“哥哥，你看你。”窈娘捂嘴直笑。
在飯桌上，她就把這事兒和解氏說了，解氏呆了一下：“你哥哥那個樣子的人，真看不出來。”
因為顏景昭就是那種頗有些潇灑風流的人，所以解氏一直以為他喜歡的是那種清麗的才女，沒想到兒子喜歡的居然是這種嬌媚豐腴的美人。
顏應祁咳了兩聲：“什麽喜歡這個樣子，那個樣子，估計就是個色胚子。”
“爹爹，你怎麽能這麽說哥哥呢？”窈娘無語。
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.