Chapter 055 Chapter 55

Zhen looked at Xie in astonishment. Xie's attitude was not like before, that of taking her daughter away. Instead, her attitude was very interesting: "Since the Shen family has asked you to come to their house, how can I refuse? However, the marriage of our third daughter still needs to be discussed with my husband."

Seeing Xie's soft attitude, Mrs. Gong, who was also an old hand, could tell that Xie had already agreed to something about 30%. It seemed that in the Yan family, Xie's words were more effective than Zhen's!

Xie did not want to say many things about Shen Linfeng and her daughter in front of others, but it was obvious that she was in a good mood. The one who was hit the hardest was Zhen. She really did not expect that Madam Gong would actually replace the real with the fake, while she was kept in the dark and was dreaming secretly. Even a few days ago, Minister Hu of the Ministry of Justice wanted to propose that his son be the biological father of his daughter, but she declined.

But if she showed any abnormality at this time, others would laugh at her for trying to get the man to want her daughter, but the man still didn't want her. It would be a great shame and humiliation.

Fortunately, at this time, Xie stood up and told someone to send the betrothal gifts over, and everyone's attention was diverted. Zhen bit her lower lip and revealed her thoughts. She was seen by Yu, who walked a little slower because of her pregnancy. Yu was startled, but immediately changed her face and went out.

The betrothal gift sent by the Yan family this time was the same as the one sent to the Guan family that year, and there was no favoritism. Minister Li and his wife were also very satisfied. Although Yan Jingzhao remarried, his previous wife had no children. He was young and handsome, very talented, and a scholar. It would be hard to find such a son-in-law even with a lantern, not to mention that his daughter was not a beauty. It was a very good match.

Mrs. Li had no son and was the mistress of the house. She had a lot of dowry and she wanted to give it all to her daughter.

Li Ruomei said, "Mother, keep these for yourself."

"I don't need it. But you have a dowry and you can stand up straight in your husband's family. The Yan family is a famous family in Jinling, full of high-ranking officials. You have also met the Second Madam Yan and the Third Miss Yan. I have seen that the Second Madam is gentle and the Third Miss is also a lady from a wealthy family. They don't even have a brother. Such a good family is hard to find even with a lantern. Now that you are married, don't miss home all the time. Live your own life well first." Mrs. Li spoke from the bottom of her heart.

She was also born as a second wife. After she married her husband, she had sons. Now there is no difference between her daughter's marriage and the original wife. People should cherish their blessings.

Li Ruomei just thought her future husband was particularly handsome. They had met once at Yan's house, and she heard the third girl mention her brother, who was very talented in poetry, and said that the two brothers and sisters often played the piano together, chanted poems and composed verses. Li Ruomei was envious when she heard this. Her life was really too poor. When she was at home, she was out of tune with others because she liked reading.

She even heard Miss Yan San say that Yan Jingzhao was so absorbed in reading that he neglected sleep and food, and even developed stomach problems, which made her feel very distressed.

"Mom, where is my storybook? I haven't finished reading it yet." Li Ruomei remembered that when she was reading storybooks, her cousin laughed at her and said that she had read too many and was always thinking about a man with both talent and good looks. Now she really got such a man.

She prayed to herself that all her dreams had come true.

The bride-to-be was full of joy the whole time, and even thought about what delicious food she would cook for Yan Jingzhao after she got married...

But Yingniang was shocked by Zhen's words: "Mother, what do you mean?"

Zhen said nothing at first, and only let her daughter come over after the engagement banquet was over. She closed the door and told Yingniang about the matter because she was afraid that her daughter would make a fuss and it would be a loss of face for her.

Yingniang yelled, "You clearly said that Shen Linfeng would come to marry your daughter, didn't you?"

"Keep your voice down. Do everyone know what you are trying to do? I heard that your great-uncle in Henan has already arranged a man for your third sister, but they have never let on. It was we who were careless." What Zhen is thinking of now is to have the family of the Minister of Justice come to propose marriage, so that she can restore some dignity.

Yingniang burst into tears: "Third sister, last time it was the eldest sister, now it's the third sister, is it possible that my daughter's life is not as good as theirs?"

Seeing her daughter crying, Zhen felt sad: "It's all because of mother's uselessness. Your father has always favored the third wife, you know this. I'm afraid he heard that Shen Linfeng went to Henan, so he let the mother and daughter refuse on the surface, but in fact he was secretly plotting against Chen Cang."

But she would not be discouraged. Instead, she taught her daughter: "Now you have seen clearly. You are older now and should be sensible. Even if you are unhappy, don't curse. Cursing will not solve any problems. Instead, it will make people laugh. You are making a fuss and cursing now. You know that the third girl will feel more happy when she sees you like this. She will think you have lost."

"But what should my daughter do?" Yingniang looked at Zhen in panic, as helpless as a young swallow.

Zhen smiled and said, "The Minister of Justice and I have a hometown relationship and we also want to marry his eldest son to his daughter. I think the person you said to catch on your fortune slip is probably him, not Shen Linfeng."

In order to save the situation, Zhen asked someone to call Yan Yingqi over to discuss the matter that day. Although Yan Yingqi did not live in the main house, he would still go to discuss matters concerning his children or family matters with Zhen.

When Yan Yingqi heard that Zhen was talking about Yingniang's marriage, he nodded.

Zhen smiled and said, "They told me before that they had that intention, but they didn't ask the master. I think it's not easy for them to make the decision."

In fact, Yan Yingqi had an evaluation of both Zhen and Jie in his heart. His idea of ​​Zhen had always been in line with the style of a mistress, but she was too thoughtful.

If it were according to Yan Yingqi's idea, for a girl like Yingniang whose thoughts were too obvious and exposed, and who did not have many tricks and often liked to put on airs, it would be better if she married a scholar from a poor family. Among poor families, Yingniang could be considered well-educated and well-mannered. But if she married a commoner, she would not have the tricks of her mother.

Just like Yao Niang, she went to Henan and was able to rely on her own ability to make Shen Xunfu willing to marry her as his daughter-in-law, even though he didn't know much about her family background. He just sent Shen Linfeng to prepare for the exam and let Shen Linfeng go against his parents' wishes, and this was when Yao Niang was completely reserved and was pushed by him.

So even if he spoke out his difficulties for Yingniang's sake, Zhen and Yingniang would definitely think he was evading the question. So Yan Yingqi smiled and said, "So he is Xu Qiuguan's son. I met him once and he is an honest man. If you think it's okay, I have no objection."

Zhen said, "If that's the case, I'm relieved. I was also very worried about Yingniang's fate."

For Zhen, her father passed away when she was young and she lived in a dependent family. As a result, she never believed in love. Marrying down meant falling into a lower class. She didn't want her daughter to suffer. This was also the reason why Zhen was the first to speak up. She was afraid that Yan Yingqi would find another ambitious scholar.

It turns out that the signature should be here.

Seeing her like this, Yan Yingqi said, "Why are you in such a hurry? We are the only ones who pick on others. How can others pick on us?"

"You are right, old man. This is just what I am thinking." Zhen thought that the third girl was in the limelight this time. If her daughter became jealous, she might make a big fuss. She was also afraid that if Yan Yingqi failed to get promoted this time, her daughter would always lag behind others.

It can be said that the third girl is still lucky. She is from the third room. As long as the old lady of the third room is still there, she is still the daughter of the governor and the younger sister of the Hanlin. If the old man encounters difficulties in his career, what will happen to his daughter?

More than ten years ago, Zhen had never thought that she would gradually become inferior to Xie. Xie gave birth to two children who died in succession, and the third old lady was wary of her like a thief. Now, it seems that she has lost everything.

Yan Yingqi knew that Zhen was always boring and deep-minded, so he didn't say much.

Even in a family, everyone has their own personality. For example, if Xie was poor now, Xie would sell steamed buns to support him and would never give up on him, but Zhen would pack up and leave. Zhen always wanted glory and wealth, and would not consider whether the two were suitable for each other. In this way, he would not tell her his true thoughts, and Zhen would not confide in her either.

The day before the birthday, the Shen family sent a matchmaker over. This made Yao Niang feel even better about Shen Linfeng.

Some men are good at sweet talk but never really do anything. Shen Linfeng may not love her, but he kept her words in his heart.

The next day was her birthday. Qianniang came first, holding two purses she had made herself. She said, "Third sister, I wish you a happy birthday."

"Thank you, second sister." Yao Niang said with a smile.

Compared to Qianniang who was the same as usual, Yingniang seemed stiff. She had never paid much attention to needlework, just like she did when she was studying, and was a show-off. Therefore, she would not send these needlework to Yaoniang. So she gave two round fans to Yaoniang, but Yaoniang said nothing.

Compared to Yingniang, Zhenli was much more proper; even the brocade box was very complete and tidy.

Yao Niang took a look at her and knew that it was not easy for her to live under someone else's roof, but she could still think so carefully. It was a pity that she was Zhen's niece. If not for this, with her appearance and talent, she would be much better than Miss Li.

Today they gathered together to watch plays, storytelling and other miscellaneous performances. It was so lively that Yao Niang felt relieved and enjoyed the performance without any burden.

The marriages of Xie's children were all settled, and she was more relaxed than before. She also asked the teahouse under her name to send a lot of fresh snacks to their homes.

"Second sister, fourth sister and sister Zhenjia, please try this snow-white rice cake. It's new from the teahouse and I really like the taste. How about you try it?" She pushed the plate of cakes forward.

Qianniang took a sip and said, "This tastes like what you eat, sweet but not greasy."

"My second sister still understands me." Yao Niang thought that since her second sister agreed to the marriage with the Wen family, she seemed to be different and more relaxed.

Yingniang still looked a little listless. Yaoniang had always been smart and quick-witted, and she already understood about 70% of the situation, because when Yan Ningxin and Shen Linfeng were going to get married, Yingniang had particularly targeted Yan Ningxin.

But that was Yan Ningxin, who had no roots in the mansion and was not very smart, so she was naturally bullied by her. But of course she didn't dare to do that to herself, and she was even more afraid of losing face, so she did this.

Even so, Yao Niang would not laugh at her, but changed the subject and said, "Mom said that when the weather gets hot in July, we can stay at the manor for a few days to escape the heat. What are you going to take with you?"

The topic of conversation continued like this, and Xie felt relieved seeing this. In the past, Yaoniang and Yingniang often quarreled, but now they have grown up and are at the age of marriage. Yingniang seemed to have grown up overnight, and she suddenly realized that many things in life are not always what you expect.

She could no longer deal with others by crying, quarreling or even venting as she did before, because her third sister would never fall for her tricks. Just like her mother said, she would be the one who would be embarrassed.

That evening, Yan Jingzhao came over. Normally he wouldn't come over at this time. Although he was her biological brother, there were still strict rules for sex, and Yao Niang was always very careful.

He came closer, took out a long box from his sleeve and put it on the table: "Someone asked me to give it to you."

After opening it, Yao Niang discovered that it was a long jade-colored hairpin with a pink lotus flower on the head. It looked both noble and lively, and was truly unique.

"Brother, who is this person?" Yao Niang smiled, obviously very happy.

Yan Jingzhao said, "Who else? It must be my colleague in the Hanlin Academy, Shen Linfeng, who passed the provincial, metropolitan and palace examinations with me."

"Brother, are you calling out the name? I know." Although Yao Niang guessed it was him, she didn't expect it to be really him.

Yan Jingzhao delivered the things. Seeing that his sister was in a good mood, he had to sit down and said, "Sister, although I have always thought that Brother Shen is a good person, I want to tell you as an experienced person. Don't obey men in everything. Men are mean by nature."

This was what he told his sister as a man, so he added a few more words: "Men all hope that their wives can be gentle and virtuous, but if they are too submissive, they will feel that they are boring, without personality and without interest, so you should not be too arrogant, but you should not be too submissive to men. These are my sincere words. Brother is leaving."

In fact, Yao Niang knows what it means, that is, you can't like a person and lose your own personality, and you can't revolve around that man completely, otherwise you will lose yourself and others will not be interested in you.

When I came to my senses, I found that Yan Jingzhao had disappeared.

On the other hand, Shen Linfeng had just returned from the government office. He had just started working as an editor and was currently editing books in the History Museum. He was very busy. He was thinking of asking Yan Jingzhao to bring the book to Yao Niang today, but he didn't know if she would like it.

It would be great if she liked it, as he had spent a lot of time picking it.

No, he couldn't think about it anymore. He had to read the book he had compiled first. It was related to his future. He had to finish it early and go to bed early. When he went to insert the golden hairpin at the appointed time, his third sister would see him looking radiant again. He couldn't look too gloomy now.