Chapter 434: Power is stronger than people and the aunt of the Fang family [Thank you

"It was the two's younger sister who seduced someone first, and the Kang family made an unintentional mistake later! Even if you report it to the Kaifeng Prefecture and convict the Kang family, when it reaches the Dali Temple..."

Although the Liu family steward didn't say the following words, the meaning was already very clear.

As he spoke, the Liu family steward picked up the teacup and drank the hot tea.

While this steward was drinking tea with lowered eyebrows and eyes, he was still secretly cursing in his heart. He didn't know about the Kang family First Madam lending money at high interest!

Such an important joint, if his master knew, he would definitely tell him when he came forward to mediate, so that he would have a count in his heart.

'Who is hiding this from my master?'

Thinking of these, the Liu family steward drank a sip of hot tea calmly, put down the teacup, and looked at the two women who were whispering.

After the two women finished talking, the woman who accompanied the Feng family girl Feng Ziyi to marry into the Fu family said: "This steward, to tell you the truth, the silver the Kang family is offering, our sisters could earn in four or five years!"

"And, when the Kang family's Mama Qi went to the tooth agency to find a maidservant, she also knew that our little sister was aiming to be a concubine! Now she has ended up in such a state..."

The Liu family steward pointed his finger on the table and understood, knowing it was time to talk about the price. He said:

"Two First Madams, this little one believes you can earn it! But after deducting the expenses of the whole family, how much is left? The silver the Kang family is giving doesn't need to deduct those expenses!"

"The Kang family naturally knew this girl's thoughts; it was just that the Kang family was careless!"

"I believe you two are people who are close to the nobles!"

"But, would your masters really be willing to offend the Wang family, who is enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and the Marquis of Yongyi, who is in the limelight, because of a maidservant?"

"Don't waste the master-servant relationship in vain; that is the right principle!"

Hearing the Liu family steward's words, both women had some concerns on their faces.

The woman in dark clothes said: "This little woman has heard that Master Kang is currently seeking reinstatement!"

After speaking, she glanced at the Liu family steward.

This sentence was the key. The Liu family steward glanced at the entrance of the hall, where eight-tenths of the Kang family's trusted stewards would be standing, so he nodded repeatedly: "This Feng family's news is truly well-informed. Since this First Madam has said so, the Kang family will offer another three hundred guan, making it a total of one thousand guan! Let this matter stop here, how about it?"

Looking at the expressions in the eyes of the two women, the Liu family steward took advantage of the situation and said: "This is the Kang family's benevolence. You must know that the brother-in-law of the Kang family master is the Sheng official serving in the Ministry of Personnel, and Minister Li of the Ministry of Personnel is a relative of the Wang family, in charge of the performance evaluation of all officials! It is not difficult for the Kang family master to be reinstated!"

"This little one feels that the two First Madams should stop while they are ahead! Don't end up with nothing, making both families look bad, and it's also easy to ruin the reputation of the girls in your family later!"

When the Liu family steward said the last two sentences, every time he said one, the handkerchiefs in the hands of the two women tightened once.

After the words fell, the Fu family's managing mama nodded: "Good! Power is stronger than people; our family recognizes this matter. How is the silver given?"

The Liu family steward bowed with a smile: "First Madam has good judgment! Someone!"

After signing the document and pressing the handprint to guarantee no further pursuit of this matter, the two women took the one thousand guan of silver and walked straight out of the Kang family and got into the carriage.

In the carriage,

The two women looked at the silver in their hands and sighed with sorrow. The Fu family's managing mama said: "I didn't expect the Sheng family to be able to exert such great strength for the Kang family. Even with the Feng family's news, we are powerless and unable to get an explanation for our little sister!"

The Guo family's managing mama said: "Sister, what explanation can there be? It's not bad to be able to get this silver!"

"Before, we couldn't see our little sister and knew something had happened! If it weren't for the critical moment of the Kang family master's reinstatement, with the Kang family's previous reckless appearance, we wouldn't even be able to enter the Kang family's door."

The woman called sister nodded and hesitated: "Liao Shuye wrote in a letter that he would return to the capital around the second month. How do we tell him then?"

The Guo family's managing mama said: "What the Liu family steward said is right. Liao Shuye joined the army and gave up his life to make such contributions. Our little sister has already left... let's tell him according to the Kang family's statement."

"This Second First Madam of the Xu family and the Kang family First Madam are real relatives. We are settling the matter, so it's not good to make it difficult for Liao Shuye in the army!"

Second day of the New Year, beginning of the Wei hour (around 1:00 PM)

Jiying Lane,

Sheng family,

In Weiruixuan, a banquet was set, and Zaizuan, who came to pay New Year's greetings to his wife's family, sat at the banquet, with Hualan in light-colored clothes beside him.

Beside Hualan was Rulan.

After picking up the dishes Rulan liked into Rulan's bowl, and helping Zaizuan, who was clinking glasses with Sheng Hong, pick up dishes, Hualan looked at First Madam Wang Ruofu, who had a tired expression, and said: "Mother, didn't you sleep well last night?"

Wang Ruofu glanced at Zaizuan, hid a yawn with her sleeve, and nodded: "Yes."

After speaking, Wang Ruofu said to Sheng Hong: "Master, you two drink less and eat more vegetables!"

"Hmm!" Sheng Hong nodded and filled the wine glass again.

Seeing that neither parent noticed her, Rulan whispered a few words into Hualan's ear.

Listening to Rulan's words, Hualan looked at her parents and her eyes widened slightly.

Half an hour later,

Zaizuan, who was already somewhat unsteady, was supported by servants to the side room to rest.

Sheng Hong, whose face was flushed, sat steadily in the hall of Weiruixuan to ease the alcohol.

In Wang Ruofu's bedroom,

Hualan's son was sleeping soundly on the bed.

Hualan pulled Wang Ruofu's sleeve and said: "Mother, what happened to Wei Wei Yima's family? You didn't do anything under the name of the Marquis's residence, did you?"

Wang Ruofu looked at Hualan as if she were making a fuss, then continued to look at her eldest grandson and said indifferently: "Just a matter of a small maidservant, why would I need the name of the Marquis's residence?"

Hualan looked at Wang Ruofu uncertainly.

Wang Ruofu looked at Hualan and said: "Really nothing! If I were to use the name of the Marquis's residence, I would have gone to the Xu family to beg for help long ago!"

Hualan then nodded.

At this moment,

Dongrong went to the hall, leaned down and whispered a few words in Sheng Hong's ear.

Dongrong stood up straight, and Sheng Hong, in the chair, breathed out a deep breath of alcohol and nodded.

In the afternoon,

Zaizuan, Hualan, and their son, who had been wrapped into a rice dumpling by Wang Ruofu with thick clothes, returned to the Marquis's residence on Quyuan Street.

Shou'an Hall,

The golden sunset made the hall very bright,

The Old Madam was sitting cross-legged on the Luo Han chair preparing to make incense,

A little maidservant announced at the door: "The Master is here."

Sheng Hong walked in with the smell of alcohol and bowed: "Mother, you were looking for me?"

The Old Madam nodded: "Zaizuan and Hualan have both been sent off?"

Before leaving, Zaizuan and Hualan had said goodbye to the Old Madam with their child.

Sheng Hong bowed and said yes.

The Old Madam nodded and gave Mama Fang a look.

Soon, 【434

The maidservants in the reception hall were then led out by Fang Mama.

Cui Mama, meanwhile, stood by to serve.

"I hear you handled the Kang family's affair properly?" the Old Madam said while beginning to prepare incense.

"Replying to Mother, it is settled. My child asked a contemporary of mine from the Liu family to intervene, and by borrowing the names of the Xu and Li families, that family knew when to retreat and the matter was concluded."

Sheng Hong finished speaking and glanced at the Old Madam.

The Old Madam nodded: "A living human life was just snuffed out like that; that Madam Kang truly is ruthless in her actions! This matter was so difficult to smooth over, Hong'er, do you know why?"

Sheng Hong lowered his head to acknowledge this, then said: "Mother, my child believes it is eight or nine parts likely that someone from the Feng family of the Duke of Cheng exerted effort; for so many years, the Feng family still hasn't swallowed that breath of resentment."

The Old Madam looked at Sheng Hong with appreciation: "Sit."

"Yes, Mother."

The Old Madam did not continue preparing incense, but looked at Sheng Hong and said:

"Hong'er, tell the Madam that when the Kang family relatives come in two days, just say that this old woman is not feeling well and they need not come to pay their respects to me, lest they pass on any sickness."

"Mother! Your health has always been robust, how can you say such things!" Sheng Hong stood up and said urgently.

"It is fine! It is never good to tear one's face! Hong'er, since you used the names of two families, you must also tell them!"

Sheng Hong hurriedly agreed.

While Sheng Hong was at Shou'an Hall,

outside the courtyard of Lin Qige,

Zhou Xueniang stuffed a banknote from her hand into Dong Rong's hand, and with a look of envy in her eyes, said: "Little Brother Dong Rong, this is from my Wei Xiaoniang to thank you."

Dong Rong looked at the amount on the banknote, and with a look of surprise in his eyes, pushed the banknote back: "This, this money is too much."

Zhou Xueniang forcefully pushed the banknote back into Dong Rong's hand and smiled: "Compared to the news Little Brother Dong Rong provided, this money is really nothing! Accept it!"

After hesitating for a moment, Dong Rong tucked the banknote into his bosom: "This lowly one thanks the Wei Xiaoniang and thanks Sister Zhou."

After speaking, Dong Rong went out through the side door of Lin Qige leading to the outside of the courtyard, and then re-entered the courtyard through the main gate of the Sheng residence.

In Lin Qige,

Zhou Xueniang, while helping Lin Qinshuang pass plum blossom branches, said: "Wei Xiaoniang, for just one piece of news, you gave too much."

Lin Qinshuang used scissors to trim the plum blossom branches twice, then said: "What do you understand! This is just like playing leaf cards; the more trump cards you have in your hand, the better you can play."

"Wei Xiaoniang is right!"

"By the way, tell the maidservants in the courtyard for the Third Young Master, whoever dares to delay my Feng Ge'er from participating in the provincial examination, I will definitely sell her into a brothel!"

"Yes, Wei Xiaoniang!"

The storm involving the Kang family seemed to have passed just like that.

After the first day of the first lunar month, Xu Zaijing went to visit his aunt's house, which was different from previous years.

Xu Zaijing's mother was the tenth in the Sun family, and his aunt was the sixth, older than Sun Shi, and married into a scholarly family in Bianjing with the surname Fang.

Previously, Xu Zaijing's uncle had always been an official outside the capital with his family and rarely returned to the capital.

They only returned to Bianjing this year; whether there was a reason involving the Xu family relative, Master Sheng, in this is hard to say.

The aunt of Xu Zaijing and the others was also the aunt or great-aunt of everyone in the Sun family.

Although the relatives of the Xu and Sun families were mostly men and children who went, the Fang family's courtyard still felt a bit cramped.

Fortunately, the Fang family had the foresight to prepare many things, and for the stir-fried dishes, they hired kitchen staff from the city's restaurants; otherwise, even if the Fang family members worked their hands to the bone, they could not have prepared meals for so many people.

The Fang family had three cousins who were already married, and only one cousin, who was older than Xu Zaijing, had not yet been betrothed.

The reason was similar to Xu Zaijing's: waiting until after the imperial examinations.

The Fang family had been back in Bianjing for more than half a year, and they were already familiar with the neighbors around their ancestral home.

After Xu Zaijing and the group of younger relatives were full of food and drink, they were accompanied by the Fang family uncle and cousins to pay New Year greetings to the neighbors.

A whole crowd of people from the Sun and Xu families—those who knew thought they were paying New Year greetings, while those who didn't might have thought it was a group of Bianjing ruffians gathering to cause trouble.

Very close to the Fang family ancestral home,

at the main gate of the Huang family, the Marquis of Shoushan,

the Huang family's gatekeeper looked at the crowd in the street and hurriedly sent a Huang family servant to investigate the situation.

Before long,

the clever servant had explained the whole story clearly.

The Huang family gatekeeper hurriedly ran toward the inside of the courtyard.

The Marquis of Shoushan was an only son,

and the Marchioness of Shoushan had only one younger brother, the original Marquis of Zhongqin, Yuan Bingkai.

In the main hall of the Huang family,

so today, the Huang siblings were not visiting relatives.

And the Marquis and Marchioness of Shoushan, hearing the gatekeeper relay the matter of the New Year greetings at the second gate, looked at each other and hurriedly stood up, saying: "Yue Ge'er, hurry to the gate and take a look! It would be best if you could invite them in for a cup of tea!"

"Yes, Father!"

Huang Qingyue stood up and walked quickly toward the main gate.

"Meng'er, come back! They are all men from outside, what are you going for!"

The Marchioness of Shoushan shouted sternly.

Near the Huang family main gate,

Xu Zaijing's uncle was leading Zaiduan and several others who were older—in fact, Zaiduan was the leader—and while walking, he said: "Ahead is the home of the Marquis of Shoushan. My grandfather and the old Marquis of Shoushan were classmates, so there is some friendship."

Xu Zaijing heard this, looked at Zaizhang beside him with a smile, and said: "Uncle, this is actually the home of the Marquis of Shoushan?"

"Yes!"

Uncle Fang knew some of the connections between the Yuan family, the Sheng family, and the Xu family through his own Madam, but that was, after all, a matter for the relatives, and there was no need to avoid suspicion for that.

While talking,

the group of people came to the Huang family main gate while chattering.

"Are you Yue Ge'er?" Uncle Fang said uncertainly, and while speaking, he also glanced at the Huang family gatekeeper.

The gatekeeper naturally nodded with a smile.

Huang Qingyue bowed and said: "Yes! Huang Qingyue of the Huang family has met Uncle Fang, met General Xu, met the Fifth Young Master..."

Zaiduan, who was beside Uncle Fang, waved his hand: "There is no need to call me General today; just call me 'Brother' will do. I have heard of you more than once!"

Huang Qingyue smiled, bowed, and said: "Then Uncle Fang, Brother, and the Fifth Young Master, please come into the house for a cup of tea!"

Zaiduan looked back at the large group of people from the Sun and Xu families and said with a smile: "Better not. If we all go in, I'm afraid the children will disturb the Marquis and the Marchioness."

"Not at all, not at all. It was Father and Mother who specifically instructed me to come to the gate to welcome you."

Huang Qingyue said with a smile.

Uncle Fang smiled: "First time here, let's go in! If we really cause trouble, I will find time to come and apologize!"

Zaiduan glanced at Huang Qingyue, looked back at his two younger brothers who were nodding incessantly and looking very much like they wanted to watch the excitement, and said: "Good! Then we will intrude!"

Subsequently, the group of people, big and small, filed in one after another.

Xu Zaijing walked on the side closer to Huang Qingyue,

and seeing Xu Zaijing, Huang Qingyue specifically bowed and said: "Jing Ge'er, long time no see."

Xu Zaijing stopped, bowed, and smiled: "Yue Ge'er, you weren't hurt that time at the Zhu family's, were you?"

Huang Qingyue hurriedly waved his hand: "No, no! Jing Ge'er, please come in."

Xu Zaijing lifted his foot and stepped over the threshold of the Huang family main gate,

while Zaizhang, who was beside him, scanned the Huang family courtyard; after all, they had never been to the Huang family home before.

"Yue Ge'er, have you seen that scoundrel Gu Tingye these days?"

Zaizhang, who had withdrawn his gaze, said.

Huang Qingyue smiled slightly: "I have seen him. Er Lang's martial arts are truly not bad."

Hearing this, Xu Zaijing and his brother looked at each other, and Xu Zaijing said: "Have you sparred?"

"Tried a few moves."

Looking at the scar on Huang Qingyue's cheek, the Xu brothers looked at each other and smiled; they would have a lot to say to Gu Tingye after school started.

In the inner courtyard of the Huang family,

Huang Mengjie looked out through the screen, and seeing the large group of people led by Uncle Fang and Zaiduan, she said to herself in surprise: "So many people!"

(End of chapter)