Chapter 102 Chapter 102

During the winter solstice, Yao Niang's family prepared various kinds of glutinous rice balls. They were from the south, and the customs of the winter solstice were different from those in the north, so she also sent some to each room.

Shen Linjiang originally had a very good impression of Yao Niang, thinking that she was beautiful, talented, and most importantly, very capable, but then he discovered that she was aggressive and he began to dislike her. Men only like the kind of women who are good at everything and still want to be devoted to their husbands, even if they appear to be a little ruthless, their underlying nature is all for their husbands.

This Yan family is really thinking about herself, and she wants Shen Linfeng to run errands for her.

Take the winter solstice for example. Shen Linfeng wanted to go to Zhao Ci Fu's house, but Yan sent him to Marquis Jinghai's mansion first.

"Zhao Ci Fu is now in a powerful position, but Da Lang's wife wants her to go and see off the nobles. This is really putting the cart before the horse." Shen Linjiang was talking to Shao in the room.

Shao was delighted to hear her husband belittling Yan. Her face was red with rashes as she said, "Da Lang has been cheated by the Yan family many times, but there are some things that we cannot talk about. Don't you know that many people have been reporting Minister Yan recently, saying that he is a cruel official?"

Of course Shen Linjiang knew that she must have heard this from her brother-in-law. The situation in the court was changing rapidly. Yan Mai had offended many people before, and these people were trying their best to find his faults. However, he had even written a letter to the emperor to save the son of the Duke of Wei. Now that he had offended the emperor, he still claimed to be a loyal minister. He would definitely be punished by the emperor.

Therefore, he said, "Second Aunt's birthday is coming up in a few days. Have you prepared the birthday gift?"

Shao smiled and said, "I think Second Aunt really likes gold jewelry, and prefers the most delicate and small ones. I asked someone to make a gemstone ring with plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum as the base, and also prepared a pair of gold lychee and yellow bird hairpins, and a tortoise shell comb with a phoenix and flowers and a gold back. They are all top-quality items."

Of course, she and her husband also had something to ask for, especially Shen Linjiang, who wanted to rely on the second wife to get a shadow prisoner.

The only son that Shen Xunfu could help was his eldest son Shen Linqing. Shen Linjiang got nothing from him, so he thought of seeking the help of Second Madam Shen.

"If great aunt were still alive, we would just have to tell her about these things. Great aunt has always treated us as her own children, and second aunt is like a vulture that refuses to let go of a rabbit. We have to prepare these things." Shen Linjiang was also quite emotional.

Shao said, "My cousin still wants to eat the Wu Xing pickled fish from the first room. Every time we entertain guests, we use the chef Ma. Now that Yan is in charge, we feel uncomfortable even if we sit in the first room for a while."

The couple was naturally somewhat dissatisfied with Yan, but Shen Linjiang did not want to offend the eldest wife, so he advised Shao: "She is quite capable. Zhao Cifu and Jinghai Marquis's Mansion treat her as a guest of honor. Unless they completely fall, otherwise, we will continue as before."

Shao pointed at his face unhappily and said, "Of course I know that. I'll ask her to give me some anti-rashes medicine later."

The couple discussed it together, and Shen Linjiang went out only after someone outside said that Grandma Qing was coming. Grandma Qing came back from the Fan family with her heart pounding, as she really thought that Mrs. Fan was crazy.

Fortunately, she has been busy for a few days during the winter solstice and has gradually forgotten about it. She has gone crazy, really crazy.

He also wanted her to commit robbery and murder. Not to mention that she couldn't harm Yan, even if she could use some ghostly tricks, she would have to consume herself. This was definitely impossible.

This aunt had just been promoted from the local to the capital. There were many people who did things by any means necessary in the local area, but with so many eyes watching her in the capital, she would definitely not be able to do what she wanted. Moreover, Mrs. Fan had no idea of ​​the depth of the Yan family, so it was better for her not to get involved in such things.

Soon it was Mrs. Shen's birthday. As Yao Niang was pregnant, she gave up her habit of staying up late every day. At a certain time, Shen Linfeng forced her to sleep. Therefore, she woke up very early in the morning, walked around her room for a few times, and had breakfast with Shen Linfeng.

Shen Linfeng revealed a good news to Yao Niang: "I will soon be entering the Donggao Chifang."

"That's great. Zhao Ci Fu has several students. You are from the engineering department and are known for your diligence and efficiency. Now your hard work has finally paid off." Yao Niang nodded slightly.

Shen Linfeng smiled and said, "Actually, I have to thank you for your help, Madam. You and Madam Liu are good friends. Madam Liu can definitely influence Commander Liu. Although he is a military officer, he is the emperor's confidant. If you hadn't come to the palace to paint that time, the emperor wouldn't have remembered me. It was only because someone gave me some advice that I was able to catch the eye of the Prime Minister."

Yao Niang waved her hands: "You are really too modest, it is obviously my husband who is stronger."

However, she thought of her grandfather again: "Grandfather spoke for the son of Duke Wei, and he actually said something fair. Although Duke Wei was a little arrogant in the past, he really worked for the country and the people."

Shen Linfeng sighed, "Yes, because of this, your grandfather has become the target of public criticism. Those people have been wanting to sharpen their knives for a long time."

"As expected, after grandfather took office, he also granted the Tuntian Qinglisi the authority to cultivate military farms in the capital, and he also offended the nobles and royal relatives. Everyone is hoping that he will leave." Yao Niang knew this very well, but her grandfather was not afraid of anything.

Everyone has his own way to become an official. My grandfather was like this. He was a capable official and it was impossible for him to do nothing. Even if he was criticized for a while, he was not afraid at all.

Shen Linfeng said: "You told me not to meddle in my grandfather's affairs, but I don't dare to do so."

"That's right. Not only can you not help much, but you also hurt yourself. I don't blame you. As long as you agree with your grandfather's approach, you can carry on the torch when you are in power in the future." Yao Niang said.

Shen Linfeng was actually deeply moved by her words. He thought his wife's insights were a hundred times higher than those of other people.

After breakfast, the couple went to Mrs. Shen's place to celebrate her birthday. Although Yao Niang was pregnant, she wore loose clothes at home and even liked to wear old clothes. But whenever she went out, she would be so dazzling that Shen Linfeng couldn't look at her directly.

The couple went to the second room and then separated. Yao Niang went to pay her respects to Madam Shen Er first. Naturally, many other ladies came to the banquet. Yao Niang and Madam Fan also saw them. They looked at each other. She didn't know if it was her illusion, but she felt that Madam Fan was deliberately looking at her. She smiled at Madam Fan.

The person following Mrs. Fan was Fan Ruhui, who was with Zhou Lingguang that day. Fan Ruhui seemed very quiet, unlike the rumors.

Mrs. Shen also acted as a go-between and introduced them: "This is my nephew's wife, our Dalang Linfeng's wife Yan."

Mrs. Fan smiled and said, "Lin Feng was raised by me. Our master and Mr. Shen both worked together in the Dali Temple."

"Oh, there is such a thing?" Yao Niang pretended to be surprised.

Mrs. Fan saw that Yan's face was extremely good, not just ordinary good, but a real beauty, with a graceful demeanor, and she spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly. When she saw that she was the wife of the second-rank Zuodu Yushi, she showed no fear at all. This is not something that ordinary people can do.

She originally had some ideas in her mind, but now she feels that things are becoming difficult.

Therefore, Mrs. Fan nodded: "Yes."

Yao Niang said, "In that case, our two families should be old acquaintances. We should visit each other more often in the future."

This was originally just a polite remark. Mrs. Fan thought that Yan was very aware of current affairs, so this would be easy to deal with.

But Yao Niang chatted with her casually for a few words, and when she saw Zhao Cifu's wife coming over, she hurried to pay her respects. Mrs. Zhao looked at Yao Niang and smiled: "When I saw you were pregnant, your complexion was still very good, and it seems that the baby is also good."

"The child is sensible. I heard that a girl would be so well-behaved. If it were a boy, he would definitely be tougher." Yao Niang touched her belly and hoped for a boy or a girl. Otherwise, she would have too many dolls and no one would inherit them.

Mrs. Zhao said, "You are still young. What does it matter if it's a boy or a girl?"

Yao Niang responded with a smile. She and Madam Zhao were chatting and laughing happily. Madam Fan saw it clearly. She also saw the Duke of Fuguo and the wife of Marquis Xinning coming over. They also seemed to be very familiar with Yao Niang.

After seeing her greeting, Mrs. Fan sat back down. The sisters-in-law of the Shen family were all together, but she stood out from the crowd. Of course, she also used some tricks and deliberately sent a message to Yao Niang.

She originally wanted to find Grandma Qing, but unfortunately she never came back after being splashed with water that day. So the person she found was Madam Ping, Xie's cousin.

Mrs. Ping's father is now the deputy governor of the capital, and her husband is the prefect of Baoding, so she went back to her parents' home to visit her and was found by Mrs. Fan. Mrs. Fan certainly didn't say that she wanted Shen Linfeng to change his wife, she just wanted to use this matter to slowly hang Yao Niang.

When Yao Niang met Madam Ping here, they naturally reminisced about the past. Yao Niang didn't visit the Jie family very often, let alone Madam Ping's family. They were all her mother's relatives, and she had no reason to ask for help from them, so she became much more distant from them.

"I heard in Baoding that many people have written to the government to punish the old man, saying that he is a member of the same party as Duke Wei. Although Duke Wei was very famous during his lifetime, he was impeached for 136 major crimes, and the Wei family was confiscated..." Madam Ping's face was full of worry.

Yao Niang said, "Aunt is right. It's either this or that in the court now."

Madam Ping said, "It just so happens that I have a good relationship with Madam Fan, the wife of Zuo Du Yushi. The emperor has sent Lord Fan to investigate this case. Yao Niang, why don't you go and tell the old master to show mercy, and at the same time clear the old master of any involvement."

This sounds nice, but my grandfather was just saying a fair word about the Duke of Wei. This is also in line with my grandfather's personality: he hates evil and is an upright person.

The Imperial Guards are omnipresent. If my grandfather were to go and meet Zuodu Yushi like this, he might be a trap.

She could only take care of her own affairs. How could she arrange her grandfather's affairs at will? If she did something wrong, her grandfather might die a more miserable death. So Yao Niang said, "Thank you for your kindness, aunt, but I trust my grandfather. Why should I lobby anyone? Besides, even Zuo Du Yushi has to obey the emperor. This is related to Fan Zongxian's career. How can he help Duke Wei and grandfather because of your relationship?"

Mrs. Ping asked anxiously, "What if I say yes?"

Yao Niang smiled slightly: "Then you are very likely to be deceived. Is there anything in this world more important than one's official position? We have no relationship with the Fan family. He wants to help us? Unless there is a greater temptation."

Mrs. Ping was stunned, she didn't expect Yao Niang to be so stubborn. Mrs. Fan secretly sent someone to eavesdrop, but she didn't expect that Yan didn't care about her grandfather's future, property and life, and would not be fooled.

Yao Niang said, "Aunt, could it be that the Fan family asked you to come here and tell us about this matter, in order to force our family to admit the crime of colluding with the Wei family?"

Madam Ping waved her hands quickly and said, "That's not true. I was anxious and saw that Madam Fan was doing well, so I said that. I don't know anything else."

Mrs. Ping finished her words quickly, and left in a hurry because she was afraid that Yao Niang would be aggressive. She couldn't help thinking that her good intentions were questioned. Mrs. Fan had just heard the servant's message when she saw Yao Niang running towards her with no fear in her eyes. She was startled and felt guilty so much that she almost ran away. She thought, could it be that she knew her plan? It's impossible. She didn't tell anyone except Fan Ruhui.

But seeing Yao Niang approaching step by step, Mrs. Fan felt that this woman was coming with great force and she was a little breathless.