Chapter 083 Chapter 83

Shen Linfeng left in a hurry before he could tell Yao Niang anything. After Yao Niang and her friends came to the capital, they had frequent contacts with the Gong family. The emperor would rather reinstate Wen Shoufu, who had retired long ago, than let Gong Ge become powerful.

The current emperor is no longer a child from a vassal state, and his government is stable and will not be controlled. If there is anyone who controls him, he will definitely get rid of him.

Although Yao Niang didn't know about the factional struggles in the court, the news that Mr. Gong Ge was going to retire and return home was undoubtedly shocking.

"Mother Gu, you stay here and guard this place. I'll go to my mother-in-law first." Yao Niang of course had to go in person to find out the news. After all, the Shen family and the Gong family were in the same boat.

The success of her marriage to Shen Linfeng was also due to the Gong family.

Later, her father made the Gong family unhappy by promoting Du Hongchen, so that now every time Mrs. Shen goes to the Gong family, she never takes her there.

As soon as she came out of the courtyard, she met Wang, who was in a hurry. Wang was of course scared. The Gong family fell, and although the Shen family was still an official family, what would happen if they were no longer officials?

"Sister-in-law." Although Wang was upset, she still respected the courtesy.

Yao Niang asked, "Did your sister-in-law also hear about the Gong family's affairs?"

At this time, Yao Niang found that Wang Shi was not able to handle the matter. Wang Shi was even afraid to hear about the Gong family's affairs. She just kept saying, "I don't know either. I'm just going to see my mother."

The two separated at the fork in the road. When Yao Niang came over, Shen Mo was already here, taking care of Madam Shen. When he saw Yao Niang coming in, he said, "Sister-in-law."

"Is mother feeling better?" Yao Niang asked.

Shen Mo shook his head: "I took the medicine today, but I got diarrhea instead."

"Is the medicine too cold?" Yao Niang asked concernedly.

Shen Mo couldn't explain it clearly, but Yao Niang said calmly, "Let's wait and see tomorrow. If it doesn't work, we should ask the doctor to change the prescription."

The two of them were silent for a moment. Mrs. Shen couldn't eat here at all, so her sister-in-law and her husband went outside. Shen Mo asked Yao Niang, "Sister-in-law, I heard that Mr. Gongge has resigned?"

"Yes, I just got the news, too." In fact, Yao Niang was not surprised. During the Chinese New Year, the Gong family was always mysterious.

Shen Mo was a little upset: "Will this not bring trouble to our family?"

"If the skin is gone, where will the hair be attached?" Just like after Yan Yingqi left the capital, some of his former disciples resigned and returned to their hometowns, while others were directly appointed to other posts.

This dynasty naturally does not kill scholars, but when Gong Ge retires, new people will naturally take over. As for people, if you want to get things done well, the only solution is to replace them with our own people, who are more obedient.

Shen Mo didn't expect Yao Niang to say such a thing. She couldn't help but ask, "Sister-in-law, why don't you go home and ask around?"

"This is not something I can find out by asking. Your brother and the others have already discussed it. If I run back in such a hurry, and someone with ulterior motives sees me, I don't know what to think. We can't mess up our situation." Yao Niang said.

At most, it would only affect the father-in-law and his family, but it would be very difficult for Shen Linfeng. In the officialdom, no one would kill anyone unless they were mortal enemies. Otherwise, things will change over time, and others will not be polite to you.

What’s more, the Yan family is still there?

Shen Linfeng was also discussing with his father and uncles in the study. Standing outside to keep watch were the brothers Shen Linqing and Shen Linjiang.

On the contrary, Master Shen was very calm: "I have been the Left Military Secretary for many years. I originally thought that I would be transferred to the Minister of Justice, but now it seems very difficult. But you, my second brother, have just been promoted to the Chief of the Imperial College. You must keep this position."

"Yes, second brother, now our nephew Linfeng has also entered the officialdom. Only you and he have a good chance of competing for the position of prime minister. My brother and I are not from the Hanlin Academy, so our life's end will be if we become a minister." Shen Xunfu also agreed.

Mr. Shen glanced at his son and asked, "Linfeng, what are you thinking about?"

Shen Linfeng glanced at his father and said, "Do you still remember the Zhou family, the family of the former Zhou Jijiu? At the beginning of the year, their family had been rehabilitated, and their son also went to Beijing. From then on, the son knew that the situation was over, and there was no more room for him to survive."

The other members of the Shen family looked at him in surprise, but Shen Linfeng remained calm: "Since ancient times, if you don't advance, you will retreat. The first assistant Wen was appointed to check and balance the second assistant Gong. The emperor has lost his heart. I'm afraid that Minister Yan saw this and sold it to Minister Du in advance to get the long-term connection between Commander Liu and the Du family. When he returns to the court in the future, he will definitely be rewarded by the Du family."

"My nephew Linfeng is right, brother. We have old Minister Yan in the capital now. He has only one granddaughter, and she will definitely take care of Linfeng. Even if Yan Yingqi comes back to power, Linfeng will still be taken care of. If you don't retreat, it will be bad if someone finds fault with you." Shen Xunfu analyzed calmly.

Elder Shen, who had been silent the whole time, said, "Third brother, are you forcing our second brother to quit? We can't ask our eldest brother to resign for our own future."

Master Shen glanced at his two younger brothers and said, "If I quit now, I will really be tied to Master Gong Ge in the future. I have to find some time to put on a show."

Shen Xun looked at Old Master Shen Er and said, "Second brother, although it was Big Brother who impeached Zhou Jijiu, it was you who collected evidence and set up the trap. If Big Brother retires after his success, you should be careful."

"Why are you saying this? If Zhou Lingguang wants to blame someone, he should blame his father for offending the emperor. If it's not our Shen family, it will be someone else. Besides, my brother works in the Historic Bureau, and he should impeach corrupt officials. There's nothing wrong with that." The second master Shen would never think that a young man who can't even lift a man can do anything. It's like an ant trying to shake a tree.

Shen Xun stroked his head and looked up at the sky: "It's time for me to go to Henan to take up my post. Linfeng, Sanlang's marriage will be left to you two."

Seeing that Third Uncle was upset about this family, Shen Linfeng couldn't help but find Shen Xun and comfort him after everyone left: "Third Uncle, isn't our marriage with the Han family too hasty--"

"I know what you are thinking. I am disappointed with Sanlang. He has no talent and is dull. Linfeng, when your aunt died, she was most worried about him. He is a good-for-nothing. If he were to marry someone from a powerful family again, I'm afraid Sanlang would not be able to cope. Your mother treats Sanlang as her own son. If he marries Miss Han, he will be even more of a family member, and I don't have to worry." Shen Xunfu's words were full of fatherly love.

Shen Linfeng had no choice but to say, "Yes, Uncle San is right."

Shen Xun patted Shen Linfeng on the shoulder and said, "Look at the next generation in our family. You are the only one who is a dragon and a phoenix. Linqing and Linjiang, one of them has entered the Imperial College, and the other is like a monkey. Unfortunately, neither of them passed the imperial examination. Your mother and I have already agreed on their marriages, and we have also asked your third aunt to stay to support them. Don't worry."

It was obvious that Shen Xunfu was going to Henan as he had a lot of things to do, so Shen Linfeng had to say goodbye.

The Shen family still seemed peaceful. After Shen Xun persuaded Lu Shan'er to stay, he took his people to Henan to take up his post. Lu Shan'er had previously thought that an old man and a young wife would be more likely to cause an old house to catch fire, but now it seemed that was not the case at all. Shen Xun persuaded her not only to help with Sanlang's marriage, but also to put the youngest Liulang under her lap to raise and take good care of him.

**

"Cousin, the eldest and second mistresses are here to see you." The maid came in and said.

Han Ruohua heard that Yaoniang and Wang were coming together, and hurriedly stood up to greet them. She saw that Yan was wearing a lake green spring dress today, which made her look fresh and natural, and her skin was even more white like jade. In comparison, Wang was much worse. Although she was dressed elegantly, Han Ruohua knew that Wang was full of hypocrisy, like a drinking buddy, who would chat and laugh together on weekdays, but would disappear when something happened.

The most responsible person among them is Yan. Even if she has no family background, she will be able to gain a foothold sooner or later and live a good life.

Moreover, she was bold enough to faint and frame her mother-in-law, and she also dared to persuade her husband to stand up for her.

However, she was on her aunt's side, so her stance was naturally different. If she had to gain her aunt's trust, she would not choose to harm her interests.

"My two cousins-in-law, why are you here?" Han Ruohua asked them to sit down and asked someone to serve tea.

Yao Niang looked at her and smiled, "How could you, the bride, forget that your engagement gift is coming soon? Even though we are relatives, we can't just let you marry like that. There are some rules that your parents are not in the capital, so we have to tell you."

The third room belongs to the man’s family, so naturally they can’t come over now.

Wang then described the process of making the small order, with so many details that it was exaggerated: "Other families prepare 64 pairs of baotou, 64 oil buns, 64 sesame cakes, etc. These are middle-class families. I'm afraid our family needs to prepare 120 dan."

"Second brother's wife, this is not the same as for others. If you prepare too much, it will just be sent from one courtyard to another, and all the things will be wasted. Besides, it may be too late." Yao Niang felt that she was quite good at making trouble. The Han family didn't give them a penny for the betrothal gift, and the third room only used the public funds for the gift. Sanlang gave three thousand two taels of silver, but the Han family didn't give a penny. They even wanted her to pay for it. She was dreaming.

Wang secretly thought Yao Niang was stingy. She said, "I don't know about that. When I got married, there had to be 120 couples anyway..."

She pulled Han Ruohua vigorously and said that she understood everything in the words and how polite her family was.

Did Yao Niang think she should give up? No, she certainly couldn't just pretend to be strong, and she couldn't just give up casually. Mrs. Shen was ill and had no energy to take care of things. She had thought it was very difficult, such as removing the pinhole, but she didn't expect that Mrs. Shen didn't have the time to take care of so many things.

This was known to Yao Niang again. She thought that others were as responsible as she was. In fact, most people didn't care at all unless they had some purpose.

Wang finished her rambling and said to Han Ruohua, "I heard that the hairpin has been cancelled. This is something that we women who go to the capital must have. Only when we wear the hairpin can we be considered to be favored."

"Second brother's wife, no one from the Han family is going to Beijing now, so how can we wear a hairpin?" Yao Niang suddenly felt that she was becoming more and more like her grandfather, and she didn't care about other people's opinions at all.

Wang was very surprised. She wondered if Yan didn't care about Han's opinion. The servants would definitely say that she was stingy and bullied her relatives. Han Ruohua also felt a little wronged.

Yao Niang felt even more puzzled when she saw Han Ruohua's expression. You are a cousin, your parents are both alive, and you are getting married in someone else's family. The money for the banquet comes from Madam Shen's own pocket, and you didn't spend a penny on it, and yet you feel wronged.