Chapter 084 Chapter 84

Wang grew up in the Xinning Marquis's mansion and married into the Shen family, a wealthy family. When her grandfather passed away, her family and her uncle's family jointly held a grand funeral. No one had ever seen someone like Yao Niang, who only cared about saving money in everything.

So when she came back, she was full of complaints and complained to Chunluo: "I always thought that the Yan family of Jinling was a prominent official family, but I never thought it was so unruly. To be honest, I have never seen such an outrageous daughter-in-law."

She doesn't often follow the rules with her mother-in-law, and when she's asked to do something, she won't do it properly and just thinks about how to slack off.

Chunluo also found it strange: "Miss Han brought her dowry with her to the capital. Although the first wife paid for the banquet, it didn't cost much money. The first lady seemed unwilling to worry so much."

After Yao Niang came back, she went to the Qingyi Garden of the Third House. The Yan family had previously hired someone to paint the new house for her brother Yan Jingzhao's wedding, so Yao Niang asked for a price and asked for someone to come over to build the walls and paint. Shen Qi's wife had originally recommended someone to come, but the price that person asked was too high.

In fact, Yao Niang did it on purpose. She just didn't want to be controlled by these people from the beginning.

She even knew that it would be difficult to make friends from now on, but in this house, friends or not were not important. What was important was that everyone should do the right thing. Moreover, she was not targeting people, only things.

The three thousand taels given by Shen Xun included the betrothal money, the cost of painting the new house, the wedding reception, the banquet, the opera and other expenses. It sounded like a lot, but it was not much when it was spent.

The house will be completed in a few days. The kitchen still has to prepare meals and hookah for the craftsmen. The manager has a ledger for every account, and Yao Niang also keeps a private account.

After leaving the Qingyi Garden, I went to Madam Shen's place. I didn't see Lu Shaner in the third room, but I saw her at Madam Shen's place.

"Madam, Third Aunt." Yao Niang walked in holding up the hem of her skirt.

Mrs. Shen saw Yao Niang and asked again, "What are you doing here at this time?"

"It's like this. After the date is set, which relatives should we invite? That way, I can ask someone to post an invitation and arrange a banquet." Yao Niang said.

Madam Shen said to Madam Zhou, "Give the favor book to Grandma."

In fact, Mrs. Shen is very good in this regard. She has been teaching carefully from the beginning. This is much better than those mothers-in-law who can only say nice things and watch you make a fool of yourself.

Especially after being scolded by her grandfather, although Mrs. Shen was a little awkward, she said everything she needed to say.

Yao Niang was a little hesitant to speak, but Lu Faner's bottom seemed to be born on the chair, so she had to take the favor book and leave first. Han Ruohua's mother also came to talk to Mrs. Shen in the evening: "The girl said that her affairs have troubled the Shen family these days, and she feels bad."

Madam Shen smiled and said, "She is just a little kid, why does she want to do so many things? I am not feeling well, so it is good to let our grandmother take care of me."

"Yes, but I think that the Han family is not in Beijing, so how can we put on the hairpin? Should we let our girl write a letter to the Han family?" asked Han's mother.

Madam Shen said, "Let's see how the eldest grandmother handles it. I'm sick now and I'm not in good spirits at all."

Han's mother said, "You should send someone to ask and then tell us."

"Okay, I'll let Mother Zhou go later." Mrs. Shen rubbed her temples.

The mother of the Han family quickly replied to Han Ruohua. Han Ruohua lit a stick of incense, washed her hands, and then did some needlework: "I didn't want to embarrass my eldest cousin's wife, but she embarrasses me everywhere. Mother Xu, we can't trust my aunt completely. She is no longer as powerful as she used to be."

Mother Xu also nodded: "Yes, I remember that at that time, my aunt still had Yi Ge'er. Yi Ge'er was different from Feng Ge'er. He was very close to us. He was going to take the imperial examination at the age of thirteen. Everyone said that he would definitely become a famous minister like Yi Yin in the future."

Han Ruohua started to cry as she listened: "Mom, do you still remember? That year I was still a child, and I was held up by a servant to look at the lanterns. My cousin Yi and I were taken away by the beggars. He was very smart at that time. He knew he was being taken away, so he kept quietly throwing things on the ground, fed me water, and kept comforting me. But I didn't expect that he would die like that."

Mother Xu hugged Han Ruohua and said, "Sister, forget it. Forget Young Master Lin Yi and start over."

Han Ruohua wiped away her tears and smiled again, "I noticed that Shen Bangyan looked a lot like my cousin Yi, but I used a little trick and he fell for it. But he is also heartless and ungrateful, and he is nothing like my cousin Yi."

"It's really strange. Young Master Linfeng doesn't look much like Young Master Yi." Mother Xu said.

Speaking of Shen Linfeng, Han Ruohua couldn't help but look down on him: "He used to stink, always fat and smelly. It's only because cousin Yi is gone that he has become the one in charge of the Shen family."

"It is just like this when a cuckoo takes over a magpie's nest."

**

In the evening, Yao Niang was having dinner with Shen Linfeng. She personally served him a bowl of fish ball soup: "This soup is delicious and refreshing. Eat more."

"I've been feeling thirsty these past few days, so this is just right for me. By the way, Yao Niang, give me fifty taels of silver. Brother Lu is in financial difficulty now, and this money will help him live a lot longer in the capital." Shen Linfeng said.

Yao Niang added, "Speaking of which, my family gave me a manor as a dowry. Last time I went to the Marquis of Jinghai's manor, Madam Liu told me that she was selling half of the roe deer and roe deer she gave as a gift from her manor, and the rest was either distributed to servants or given away. It just so happens that I have pickled venison and pheasants in a cage, why not give them to your friend together."

Shen Linfeng smiled and said, "That's great. I was afraid you would be unhappy."

"Brothers should share their wealth. You can't necessarily buy the things that Master Luo taught you even if you spend money. Sometimes, as long as people have similar personalities, they are much better than blood relatives. Just like Mrs. Liu and I, although we are not biological sisters, we have similar temperaments, which is much better than my sisters." Yao Niang could understand.

Shen Linfeng also agreed: "You are right. This month is the Dragon Boat Festival, and next month is your birthday. Yao Niang, I will prepare the best coming-of-age gift for you."

As he said this, he saw Yao Niang looking at him timidly, and his heart warmed up again, ready to hold Yao Niang's hand. Although the two of them had not consummated their marriage, as long as Yao Niang was in a good mood, they would whisper in each other's ears.

Just at this moment, Mother Zhou came over. Yao Niang quickly asked Mother Zhou to sit down. Mother Zhou saw that her young couple were eating sweetly and disturbed them by coming over.

"Grandpa, Madam, our Madam sent me to ask when Miss Han's hairpin-pin ceremony will be held and what plans are being made for it?" said Mother Zhou.

Yao Niang said, "I remember I told Madam a few days ago that the wedding ceremony couldn't be held at all. No one from the Han family is going to Beijing, so whose family are we? I also told my cousin Han about it today. Why did Madam ask me again? Did the Han family say something? If it was her family, then we can wait until the Han family goes to Beijing before holding the wedding ceremony. There is no need to rush the wedding date."

She doesn't have such a strong sense of responsibility. If you keep making trouble, I will stop the progress.

Mother Zhou smiled and said, "How could that be? It was the Madam who forgot. Today she just happened to remember the date, so she sent me to ask." After saying that, she looked at Shen Linfeng again, wanting him to say a few words for her. However, Shen Linfeng was like a dead man at this moment, and didn't say a word at all.

"That's good. To be honest, this is a time of great trouble. If Third Uncle really wanted me to organize a grand banquet, he wouldn't have given me just enough money for a medium-sized banquet. Besides, Aunt Zhou, I'm also taking the wife's money, so I have to be thrifty. Originally, all the supplies for her daughter were provided by our family, and she also brought a dowry, meaning that she would not take advantage of our family for a penny. In that case, I will do as much as I can with the money I have." Yao Niang took a sip of the soup.

Mother Zhou had no choice but to go back and tell Madam Shen: "Grandma said that she told you a few days ago that no one from the Han family would go to the capital, so the wedding ceremony could not be held, and you agreed at the time. Afterwards, she said that the money given by the third house was only enough for a medium-sized banquet. In this case, she would only hold it on this scale, and she also said that she had specially gone to talk to the Han family today."

"She also mentioned your personal expenses. She has to be careful with her money."

Madam Shen asked, "When she was talking about my confidant, was Lin Feng there?"

Mother Zhou nodded.

Mrs. Shen patted the table and said, "Okay, I knew she said that on purpose. She said I used money to help my niece get married. She really has deep thoughts."

But apart from this, Mrs. Shen couldn't say anything. She couldn't give more money to the Han family to marry off their daughter. Otherwise, her son and daughter-in-law would accuse her of favoring her mother's family, which would be another handle for them.

Mother Zhou asked hesitantly, "Madam, how about the hairpin-insertion ceremony?"

"Just do as she says. Do whatever she says and don't ask me." Mrs. Shen also lost her temper.

In the past, Second Lady Shen helped with Shen Linfeng's wedding and all the matters at home. Although Lady Shen seemed to be in charge, in fact, it was Second Lady Shen who did most of the work and the expenses were quite high. But now, for her daughter-in-law's wedding, she could handle so many things with only 3,000 taels from the third room, and she didn't spend a penny more.

Money is a small matter. I am just afraid of looking indecent and being laughed at for being shabby.

These young people don’t understand that when a person’s status collapses, anyone can come and step on him.

Mother Zhou said, "Madam, the eldest master was sitting next to the eldest mistress. When the old servant spoke, he said nothing and turned a deaf ear to me."

In fact, Mother Zhou was also doing this for Mrs. Shen's own good. Han Ruohua was just her niece. How could she be as important as her son?

Mrs. Shen said, "He doesn't say anything because he is biased towards his wife. He used to be so good to his sister, but now he has completely changed. He really forgot his mother after marrying his wife."

No matter how Mrs. Shen complained, Yao Niang took the lead in the end, and the so-called hairpin-insertion ceremony was naturally cancelled. Han Ruohua asked her wet nurse to ask Zhou's mother, but she also knew that there was no hope. The master and servant could not help but feel very frustrated.