Chapter 088 Chapter 88
Shen Linfeng had seen Yan Da and Yan Er, who followed Yao Niang, in Kaifeng. They were big and steady, ruthless and accurate. Yao Niang usually couldn't sleep after reading strange stories and was afraid of the dark, but now she was sitting on top, being dragged out to teach the servants a lesson, full of majesty, not at all timid.
"This Wanggu, don't allow her to enter our main room in the future." If she were in the Yan family now, she would definitely be kicked out. She even dared to smash the kitchen. It was really outrageous.
At this time, Wanggu was filled with regret. She had not expected that this old lady was so tough despite her young age.
Second Madam Jiang was waiting for breakfast, but no one showed up. She was hungry, but she heard a noise outside. A group of people came over, led by Yan's housekeeper. The maid came forward and bowed, saying, "Second Madam, yesterday you, a servant, broke into our house without any regard for others and smashed our kitchen. Today you are forcing us to break in again, and you even said in front of our first madam that you were the one who ordered you to do it. Our first madam said that anyone who slanders the master like this must not be a good person. Seeing that she was talking dirty, she gave her a lecture."
"Yes, Second Madam. Our First Madam said that the two families have been separated for so many days, how could you not know? It must be this little slave who is causing trouble. She is still one of our family members. If it was someone else, if she dropped the dishes in the kitchen or damaged things, she would not let off unless she paid three to five hundred taels as compensation and then handed her over to Shuntianfu for punishment. What about Wei Wuji back then? He was still exiled on the road." Qingdai said with a smile.
To be honest, Qingdai thinks that the Yan family is much better than the Shen family in handling personnel matters. The wet nurse of the eldest master Yan Jingzhao dared to hit his chin at will, and was forced to hang herself. Not to mention Wei Wuji, who kidnapped the eldest lady, who was the son of the governor. He was severely punished by the Yan family and was sentenced to eighty years of chastity and exiled.
Mrs. Shao had not expected things to develop to this point. She thought that even if Mrs. Yan was dissatisfied, so what, because that was the order from her aunt.
But now she was so embarrassed by the scene that she could only hold her stomach and cry out in pain. Mama Gu had someone release Wang Gu and said, "We were concerned about your stomach yesterday, but our grandmother was patient and didn't complain."
"Yes, the Second Madam must be severely punished." Qingdai added.
Mother Gu was really worried that something might happen to Shao's stomach, so she quickly took Qingdai away. When she returned home to report to Yao Niang, she mentioned Shao's stomach.
Yao Niang said, "She already smashed the kitchen when she went to someone's house, so why is she holding her belly now? She is not pregnant with Shen Linfeng's son, nor does she have a golden belly. I won't fall for her tricks."
As it happened, Shao had been lying there for the whole afternoon. When Shen Linjiang came back, she started crying again: "She is trying to intimidate me. She beat up my people and threatened me. We are sisters-in-law, how could she do this? I am angry now, you have to help me out."
Shen Linjiang also found this very unbelievable and asked, "Don't you have a good relationship with the Yan family?"
"I don't know what she is doing here." Shaw wiped away tears.
Shen Linjiang called Wanggu over again and saw that her face was indeed bruised and swollen. He asked again, "Tell me everything that happened. If you tell me even a lie, I will not let you go."
Wang Gu felt that she had encountered her master who was speaking out, so she said something like she rushed in and said that the lady asked them to go over and get food, and then she was beaten.
"When the grandmother was talking, where was the grandfather?" Shen Linjiang quickly grasped the key point of the problem.
Wanggu thought for a moment and said, "The eldest master will sit next to the eldest grandmother and eat."
"Did he say anything?" Shen Linjiang thought that even if something really happened, he and Shen Linfeng would have to negotiate, and there was no reason to ask his sister-in-law. Besides, the Yan family was a wolf in sheep's clothing, and the Shao family was probably no match for them.
Wang Gu recalled for a long time and said, "The eldest master didn't say a word. It was only when the eldest lady asked him to go to the kitchen that I found him there. He came back from the kitchen and said that the plates I broke were made from some official kiln or Ru kiln and were worth three hundred taels. The eldest lady said that being related to such a family was a curse for eight lifetimes, so I shouldn't damage her things or she would blame me later..."
Shen Linjiang was stunned, pointed at her and said, "You really went to smash someone's kitchen?"
Shao chimed in, "Before, Wang's servants from the second house didn't eat well, and she went to make trouble. The eldest aunt just asked the kitchen to make it right. We also know that these people in the kitchen are cunning and like to serve people dishes according to their power. The servants bully their masters."
"You are confused. My aunt passed away yesterday and my sister-in-law is now in charge of the household. She has just taken over the family and she won't allow others to act so presumptuously." After Shen Linjiang finished scolding, he asked people to find out how the other families solved the problem.
The person who went to get the news came back and said, "The second house is already building a stove. Yesterday, the second lady ordered a few tables of banquets at Chunfeng Manyue Tower and sent some to our grandmother. Grandma Qingda asked the servants to buy food. As for the third lady, she asked people to buy a lot of snacks."
After hearing this, Shao was stunned. This meant that apart from her, no one else went to the big house for dinner.
No wonder Yan dared to pick a fight with her.
**
Shen Linfeng was still worried for the whole morning. He was thinking that if someone came, he would rush to the front to protect Yao Niang. But he didn't expect that nothing happened. Everything was calm. There was no news that Shao Shi had a stomach problem or that they came to settle accounts with Yao Niang.
"Yao Niang, why haven't they come yet?" Shen Linfeng asked Yao Niang who was keeping accounts.
Yao Niang smiled and said, "Come on, if she dares to come, I will quarrel with her for three days and three nights. I am not afraid of her. Don't worry, when we are together, no one dares to risk his life."
Even if someone instigated something that caused the Shaw Brothers to get into trouble and she was blamed, she would still have to go and make trouble.
Madam Shen Er had never thought that Yao Niang was so fierce. As a big family, even if there was some discord, she would act very nicely. She had never been like this before. She was really a wolf. She was not even afraid of Shao's child being lost. Yes, even Shao, who was pregnant, could not take advantage of her, let alone others.
After that, Yao Niang made night patrols for three consecutive days. She punished those who were found gambling severely by beating them with sticks and sending them out. She also let the people who she usually thought were good take the place of the others. Suddenly, the whole house was in turmoil.
However, the servants' food was obviously improved to a higher quality, and their work became less. There were only two main masters in the first house, Yao Niang and Shen Linfeng. Shen Linfeng was often in the yamen, and Yao Niang was not a meddlesome person.
Normally, whenever people raised something, she could always come up with a plan, and she was fair in her actions. After only being the housekeeper for a few days, she was actually quite well-received.
Shen Linfeng couldn't wait to introduce his friends Lu Long, Qin Shubai and Fang Sui to him. Yao Niang had already asked the kitchen to prepare a feast, and everything was ready.
Yao Niang also came out to meet the three of them. Shen Linfeng introduced them, "Madam, let me introduce you to some of my good friends. This one is Master Lu Longlui."
"Mr. Lu." Yao Niang bowed. She saw that Lu Long had thin eyebrows and long eyes with a cunning look in them. His clothes were washed white, but his face did not show any embarrassment. He looked like an honest and talented gentleman, and he should be over 30 years old.
Qin Shubai had handsome features. Yao Niang heard from Shen Linfeng that he was originally a merchant who had entered the government, and he and Shen Linfeng were both successful candidates in the imperial examinations. Now he was the director of the Ministry of Works. This man was quite a good person, and he gave her a generous gift as soon as they met.
"Thank you, Mr. Qin." Yao Niang asked someone to put the things away and did not treat anyone differently.
The last one is Fang Sui. He is very young and a descendant of the famous official Fang Yan. He lives in the capital and likes to talk about lofty ideas. He has many scholars who are good at talking at home.
The three were very polite. Yao Niang also said, "This is your first time here, and I don't know what you like to eat, so I made more. Next time you come, I will know your taste by looking at which dishes are empty."
The three of them said they didn't dare, and Yao Niang said to Shen Linfeng, "You stay with them to eat, I'm leaving first."
Seeing Yao Niang's noble demeanor, proper manners, and generosity, everyone congratulated Shen Linfeng, and Shen Linfeng was full of praise: "She has nothing to say about me. The sachets and handkerchiefs I wear are all embroidered by her. She couldn't be more thoughtful."
Rulong took a sip of the wine and said, "Good wine, good wine."
"This was given to my wife's grandfather by someone, and my grandfather gave some to us." Shen Linfeng looked proud.
The four of them were talking loudly at the table. Qin Shubai said to Shen Linfeng, "I toast to you, Brother Shen. If you hadn't introduced me to Minister Yan, I, a Jinshi who was studying politics, wouldn't have been able to stay in the Ministry of Works so soon."
Shen Linfeng waved his hand: "It's because you are talented."
Qin Shubai thought for Shen Linfeng: "Although you are an editor now, how long will you finish compiling history? It would be better for you to take up the position of the inner cabinet earlier. If you are noticed by some cabinet assistant, you will have a bright future."
"I've also been considering what you said, but it's not that easy. We have so many talented people in the Hanlin Academy, and it's hard for me to get a turn. I'm an editor now, which is already much better than many people. My position is the same as the top scholar in the same list." Shen Linfeng said.
Qin Shubai waved his hand: "Brother Shen, in the official career, it is better to bully the old and not the young. I know you are thinking about age. You are young, and if you argue now, it will reveal traces. But as the saying goes, if you don't advance in your official career, you will retreat. Think about it carefully."
Among his three friends, Lu Long was good at Qimen Dunjia and some government skills, Fang Sui was the type who usually made trouble to enhance his reputation, and only Qin Shubai, who came from a merchant family, was resourceful and was determined to climb up the officialdom.
Shen Linfeng took their words to heart and invited them to eat and drink.
Yao Niang saw the gifts these three people gave her. Rui Long gave her an exquisite sleeve arrow, Fang Sui gave her spiced tea, and Qin Shubai gave her fashionable fabrics, a few boxes of Cuihua, two suckling pigs and two jars of Jinhua wine.
"They are very thoughtful. Put these gifts away properly." Yao Niang said.
Qingdai and the others put away their things. Yao Niang did not comment on Shen Linfeng's friends and observed silently. The reason why she met them was to see if these three people could get along.
Shen Linfeng was unaware of all this and was having a great time drinking with them. After they got drunk, it was Yao Niang who ordered the driver to take all three of them back safely.
The three were helped out and naturally seen by Shen Bangyan and Shen Linjiang. Shen Bangyan had long known what had happened before, and he couldn't help but say, "Brother really has a lot of friends all over the world."
"Yes, if it weren't for Linfeng's help, the son of the merchant surnamed Qin would not have been able to stay in Beijing and become the head of the Ministry of Works." Shen Linjiang knew all about this.
Shen Bangyan laughed and said, "No wonder my aunt didn't agree with my brother marrying the Yan family's daughter. He insisted on marrying her. He really has foresight."
Shen Linjiang heard this and felt that Shen Bangyan's words were a bit strange. You know, Shen Bangyan used to follow the lead of others. But I think the world is like this, and so are people.
Soon it was Yao Niang's birthday. Madam Shen II sent Wang to come over and presented a load of peaches and a pocket watch. Lu Shan'er from the third room presented a pair of purses and a pair of shoes. Madam Qing Da presented two pieces of colorful satin and two bottles of premium dew. Madam Jiang II had the best relationship with Yao Niang at first, and she even invited Yao Niang to come over on her birthday. Now that the two had just had a quarrel, she couldn't bring herself to do it.
She saw Han Ruohua, who lived across from her, having someone carry birthday gifts to the main room. Nan Gu went out to take a look and then came back and said, "Mrs. Yun San sent a basket of Henan bamboo noodles and prepared two boxes of milk cakes."
"What these people gave us is nothing!" Shaw said unhappily.
Nan Gu said, "How can those people compare with you?"
Shao's uncle was a high-ranking official and her family was well-off, which was why Mrs. Shen helped Shen Linjiang marry her. But now that they were all gone, she couldn't go, so Shao fell asleep and decided that she would also start to pull these sisters-in-law in the future.
In addition to the people from one branch of the Shen family who came to give gifts, there was also Mrs. Li who came with a big belly, Madam Li, the wife of the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Madam Liu came with Shan Jie'er and her mother, Madam Du, the Minister of Rites, not to mention grandfather, the old Minister Yan, who came in person, and the wives of Qin Shubai and Fang Sui, as well as the wives of Shen Linfeng's colleagues with whom he had a good relationship, also came.
Yao Niang couldn't help but laugh and said, "It was originally just a small birthday for me, but I never thought that everyone would come. I am really flattered."
"What are you surprised about? Yao Niang, look at the hairpin I gave you. I know you are not going to hold a coming-of-age ceremony, but I will still give you the gift." Li specifically pleaded for her sister-in-law.
Yao Niang opened it and saw that it was a golden hairpin inlaid with turquoise. This turquoise was not easy to come by. She said quickly, "Thank you, sister-in-law. You came to my birthday even though you were so pregnant. It's really..."
Madam Du and Madam Li also recognized her. Seeing Li like this, they couldn't help but say, "It's just like the saying that an elder sister-in-law is like a mother. That's it."
Mrs. Li recalled that her daughter and her son-in-law were demoted to a county magistrate not long after they got married. Fortunately, the Yan family was accommodating and allowed her to return to her parents' home to recuperate. When she was at the Li family, only her sister-in-law who married into the Shen family often visited her. Every time she came, she brought a lot of things. The relationship between the two was extraordinary.
The young daughter-in-law of the Shen family standing by did not expect that Yao Niang had such a strong network of contacts. Although they only emphasized minor incidents and the gathering of people they knew, today, all the people who came were wives of ministers, as well as wives of officials such as the wife of Marquis Jinghai's son and the wife of Commander Liu.
Yao Niang happened to be among them, and she introduced everyone one after another, "Madam Liu, you are from Changyang, Nanzhili, and I heard that Madam Qin is also from Changyang. It seems that you have a hometown relationship."
Mrs. Qin was originally a merchant's wife. Before her husband became successful, she was often ridiculed along with other wives of officials. Now her husband's future was introduced by Editor Shen. Although she only received a few words of advice from Mrs. Shen at this banquet, Mrs. Qin felt infinitely grateful.
Yao Niang recommended fruit wines everywhere, and it was she who invited everyone to taste the wines: "My family now brews lychee wine, green plum wine, and coconut wine. Although they are ordinary, if you try them, you will find that they are different from those of other families."
Wang is good at cooking. She took a sip of the coconut wine and said, "The usual coconut wine doesn't use yeast, but is made from naturally fermented coconut pulp. It's already delicious, but I didn't expect this to be even more mellow."
"Because it contains citron, it tastes not only mellow but also fresh, and has no taste of alcohol." Yao Niang said.
Seeing that Yao Niang was young but eloquent and full of wit, everyone could not help but nod. Mrs. Liu certainly had more private things to say to Yao Niang. After Yao Niang treated everyone to a meal in the flower hall, she said to Mrs. Liu while changing her clothes, "Do you have something to say to me?"
"Of course you should. You will consummate your marriage today. Remember, don't be shy. You are still too young, and don't let him torture you too much." Mrs. Liu said.
Yao Niang blushed and just nodded slightly.
Then, she invited everyone to listen to an opera. Everyone saw that the table was decorated with water lily flowers, fruits, drinks, snacks, etc., which was very thoughtful.
Madam Du looked at Yao Niang and said, "You are a very thoughtful child despite your young age. I see that the servants in your house are well organized."
The servants that Yao Niang brought with her as a dowry were originally simple four departments and six bureaus. This time, she first drew up the menu and added staff, so how could it not be in order? But she was so hard-working that she didn't want to tell others about it.
Here, Han Ruhua suddenly became alert, and took the initiative to help people pour wine, serve tea and talk. Seeing Han Ruhua like this, Wang also immediately showed her ability. Yao Niang was happy to see the two of them perform, and only praised them from time to time, which made them more energetic.
Outside, Shen Linfeng was sitting at the same table with Du Shangshu, Li Shilang, and Yan Mai, and asked Lu Long, Qin Shubai, Fang Sui, and the children of the Shen family to drink with them. He also said to everyone, "Commander Liu will be here today."
Yan Mai smiled and said, "He's coming too? Du Zongbo, your son-in-law is really scary. But he did help my granddaughter get a good thing. If you have such a thing in the future, look for my granddaughter. Although she is not a famous painter, she has a photographic memory. As long as she has seen someone once, she can paint him vividly."
"Is there really such a genius in the world?" Du Shangshu pinched his beard in doubt.
Shen Linfeng laughed and said, "If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed that my wife would be like this."
Du Shangshu looked at Yan Mai and said, "It's really enviable that the old man has such a daughter in his family."
"Don't say that. My granddaughter told me that your daughter takes good care of her. How about we just be close friends in the future?" Yan Mai laughed.
Minister Du was born in a poor family and could not stand alone in the officialdom. Although his son-in-law was commanded by Liu, it would definitely be good for him to have contact with a family like the Yan family. Minister Li was in danger. He was promoted by the Gong family. Now that Gong Cifu was gone, his position was probably in jeopardy.
This is how the officialdom works, one small move can affect the entire body.
Shen Linfeng personally poured wine for the elders. He was a generous person with great talent and wisdom. The elders liked young people like him. Du Shangshu even asked his son to ask Shen Linfeng for advice in person, but Shen Linfeng said he didn't dare.
Yan Mai looked very happy. When he heard Shen Linfeng mention that Lu Long was good at machinery, he was a man who valued talent. He immediately asked a few more questions and couldn't help but praise him, "Our Ministry of Industry is exactly in need of talents like you. After the banquet today, come to my house and we will discuss in detail."
Shen Linfeng had been trying to recruit Lu Long for a long time, but he didn't expect that such a talented person would be recruited by his wife's grandfather so quickly. He couldn't say no, but Yan Mai and Lu Long had a good chat. Lu Long looked at Yan Mai and said, "Old man, I'm very happy that you have promoted me, but after helping you, I have to go back to Editor Shen."
Yan Mai glanced at his grandson-in-law and said, "My grandson-in-law is looking for chapters and sentences in the Hanlin Academy, so I don't think he will need you. Why don't you follow me? You will definitely have a bright future in the future."
Lu Long still shook his head: "Although Brother Shen is younger than me, he once saved me from danger. He promised to provide me with food for the rest of my life. I appreciate the kindness of the old man."
"Okay, okay. Anyway, I will return you to me, your grandson-in-law, in the future. My grandson-in-law is born rich and can provide you with food and drink without any problem." Yan Mai waved his hands and gave up asking for the person from his grandson-in-law.
The children of the Shen family looked at him with envy. Shen Linfeng was only twenty years old, but he was already an editor in the Hanlin Academy and had many followers. He was simply the center of attention at the banquet.
A few people were talking and laughing when they heard outside that Commander Liu had come to the mansion to deliver the imperial edict. Shen Linfeng quickly asked the family to set up the incense table that had been prepared long ago, and asked Yao Niang to come out.
Yao Niang came out from the inner room, and she and Shen Linfeng knelt together to welcome the imperial edict.
"Your Majesty, I, your humble servant Yan, pay my respects to you and wish you longevity." Yao Niang even kowtowed.
Liu Ji smiled and said, "May your Majesty be well."
"You, the Yan family, are a family of noble character, virtuous, kind and harmonious. You have worked hard as a match for Shen Linfeng, the editor of the Hanlin Academy. Therefore, I have specially conferred you with the rank of Anren, a sixth-rank official, and your son has been specially allowed to enter the Imperial Academy. I am grateful for this."
Yao Niang kowtowed again, feeling very excited. She had helped her mother to obtain the imperial edict, and now she could also benefit her descendants. It would be great if she could be given an official position someday, but for now, she was already honored to have such a special honor today.
There is no need to say how to perform the ceremony again. As Liu came over, the banquet reached its climax. Yao Niang realized that Liu Ji actually loved to laugh. He and Shen Linfeng were whispering to each other, but no one knew what they were talking about.
After the banquet, the guests left.
When Yao Niang saw Shen Linfeng, she asked, "What did Commander Liu say to you just now?"
"It's nothing. In fact, if it weren't for these external identities, I think everyone is fine. Commander Liu knows that I am learning the Jingchu long sword, and he discussed the moves with me. Your grandfather jokingly asked Commander Liu and I to protect him on the left and right." Shen Linfeng was quite emotional.
Yao Niang couldn't help but laugh and said, "You're always talking about other people's business? Have you ever thought about what you want to do today?"
Shen Linfeng's face suddenly turned red. Naturally, he was thinking about it all the time.
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