Chapter 57: Gossip and Youyang [Thank you for your support, bow! Bow again!]

In the morning.

Si hour (around 10 AM).

The alley where the Yu family was located was full of carriages and sedan chairs.

Yu Ge Lao had been an official for decades; although he would not be enshrined in the Taimiao like Old Master Wang in the future, he had many students and disciples.

Colleagues who were officials in the same court, such as the Kang, Shen, Lu, and Wang families, and other family friends, all had Daniangs, daughters-in-law, etc., come to pay their respects.

Noble families with names in the capital all sent people.

In these few years, as the Yongyi Hou Fu gradually improved, more people talked to Sun Shi when they met, and she was no longer on the edge of the noble ladies' circle as before.

Because the Great Zhou Dynasty implicitly valued civil officials over military officers, most of the noble and official families were divided into two groups, except for those with marriage ties.

Sun Shi's front, back, left, and right were mostly noble families, so it was not easy to discuss the families of military officers, so the official family on the opposite side might become the topic of these noble Daniangs.

Just then, Wang Shi, the Daniang of the Kang family, walked out from inside.

After she got into her own carriage, the Daniangs of the noble families on this side buzzed and discussed.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law pricked up their ears,

faintly hearing someone say that this Daniang was famous for being pampered and spoiled with gold and jade when she was in her maternal family; her own sister-in-law's dowry Guanyin was snatched into her dowry after she cried and made a scene.

Sun Shi and the Daniang of the Xuanmen Hou beside her looked at each other.

A few years ago, the Xuanmen Hou gave away more than half of the family property to marry his daughter, repaying the great kindness of a life-saving benefactor; knowing gratitude and repaying it, life's great righteousness, the Xuanmen Hou family became a beautiful story in Bianjing for a time.

The family status was indeed somewhat fallen, but the men were still there, just needing to continue studying or join the army to achieve merit.

The Xuanmen Hou Daniang rarely went to join those wealthy families wearing gold and jade in front.

On some occasions that had to be attended, Sun Shi and she slowly became familiar.

The Da Niangzi of the Marquis of Xuanmen whispered, "I heard that the Child-Sending Guanyin was requested by her sister-in-law's own mother, who knelt every step of the way from the temple. It's just that her maiden family is useless; once bullied, she could only swallow her blood along with her grievances."

"Such sincerity begged for, forcibly demanded, not afraid of damaging virtue? That Wang Tai Da Niangzi doesn't talk about her own daughter?"

"Who knows, but that Kang Haifeng Kang official's official career is not going well, during the father's mourning period..." The Xuanmen Hou Daniang gave a look that you understand.

"With such an official, wouldn't their family have many concubines?"

"I heard that this Kang Wang Shi even pasted quite a bit of her own dowry into it."

"Ah? This is truly a relative with seven turns and eight folds to our family."

The Xuanmen Hou Daniang was stunned,

"Ah?"

Xie Er Daniang showed a look of surprise at eating melon.

The Xuanmen Hou Daniang thought to herself, "I am speaking ill of someone to the ears of their relatives?"

Sun Daniang looked at the other's expression and knew what she was thinking: "The daughter-in-law of that aunt of mine is the own sister of this one."

"The Sheng family of the Tanhualang?"

"Yes."

The Xuanmen Hou Daniang's complexion looked much better.

She knew about the matter of the Yongyi Hou's only daughter marrying into the Sheng family; this way, it couldn't be considered a very close relative.

"I heard that the maternal brother of this one is going to be sent out soon."

"Sent out to where?"

"I heard it is Runzhou..."

While talking, the funeral procession moved forward slowly.

Seeing the four or five-year-old orphan girl kneeling on the side in mourning clothes in the mourning hall, the Daniangs with children felt moved and also had sore noses.

When everyone went out, Sun Shi and her daughter-in-law went out with the Xuanmen Hou Daniang, and Xie Er Daniang whispered:

"Mother-in-law, I see that the few from the Fan family don't look like capable relatives."

The Xuanmen Hou Daniang whispered: "Yu Ge Lao's son, I heard he is also someone who doesn't let people worry; he is generous in treating colleagues to gatherings, and all use Fan Daniang's dowry."

"Ah? Such a scholarly family..."

A group of people whispered and left the Yu family.

When Xu Zaijing came to the courtyard, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were talking about how rich the dowry of that Fan Daniang was back then.

He also heard the name of the girl who lost her mother at a young age: Yu Yanran.

Thousands of miles away in Youyang, a motorcade of the Sheng family was driving slowly toward the Sheng family ancestral home.

In the motorcade were the official family members who had just been picked up from the pier.

This time coming to Youyang was forced by Sheng Old Madam pressing Eldest Daughter Wang.

In Yang Zhou, the dowry steward of Eldest Daughter Wang had a leak in business and was reported to Sheng Hong by Lin Qingshuang.

Sheng Hong and Wang Daniang had a big quarrel and took away her management power.

Of course, it was mainly the farmland and shops accumulated by the Sheng family that were allocated to Lin Qingshuang to manage on her behalf.

Wang Shi's own dowry was still in her own hands.

But the Sheng family's assets and wealth needed the master of the house to come forward, or when there were some human relations, the appearance of Lin Xiao Niang soon spread among the noble and official wives in Yang Zhou.

Sometimes, having a concubine come forward is an insult and contempt to the partner.

However, Sheng Hong is now the Yang Zhou Assistant Prefect, so no one dared to say much, and colleagues would also call Sheng Hong romantic and unrestrained.

But among the Daniangs who were the masters in Yang Zhou, they were very dissatisfied.

It was also not easy to speak directly to Sheng Hong, so they could only focus their firepower on Lin Qingshuang and Madam Wang.

Lin Qingshuang had a thick skin; no matter who said something unpleasant, she would greet them with a smile, not to mention that the occasions she needed to appear were extremely few.

But Wang Shi was Sheng Hong's Daniang; some social interactions, happy banquets, etc., all needed her to come forward, so naturally, there was no lack of cold words from noble ladies who were not on good terms.

Wang Ruofu was born in a family of generations of officials; although she was raised in her uncle and aunt's home, she was also pampered since she was a child, so how could she bear this anger.

She quarreled with Sheng Hong increasingly fiercely.

Sheng Old Madam saw the situation was not good, and under the pretext of thinking of her old sister in Youyang, she let Wang Shi accompany her, bringing Wang Shi's children to the Sheng family old mansion in Youyang.

Arriving at the gate of the Sheng family ancestral home courtyard, Sheng Wei's Daniang Li Shi naturally welcomed them warmly, but it was a hot face sticking to a cold butt.

Wang Shi had been hanging her face since she entered the gate of the Sheng family ancestral home courtyard, and she didn't let Hualan and other children recognize people when she entered the main hall.

The Old Madam let Sheng Wei's daughters, Shulan and Pinlan, who were left at home, come out to meet them; Shulan and Pinlan were quite lively, their eyes agile, and the two sisters squatted and saluted:

"Shulan/Pinlan see Old Madam, see Aunt, Hualan younger sister/elder sister, Changbai younger brother/elder brother, Rulan younger sister."

Hualan and the three smiled and naturally squatted or bowed to return the salute,

"Shulan, take your younger brothers and sisters out to play." Sheng Wei's Daniang Li Shi said.

"Play what play? Wild girls from a merchant family, don't bring bad my children for no reason." Wang Shi rolled her eyes and looked at Li Shi while holding Hualan.

Shulan's smile stalled, not knowing where to put her hands and feet, and could only look at her mother.

Pinlan was stunned.

Hualan heard her mother's words, looked at the extremely awkward main hall, and said quite angrily: "Mother!!!"

Changbai looked at his eldest aunt's very ugly expression and bowed:

"Eldest Aunt, please forgive me."

Li Shi squeezed out an ugly smile and didn't say anything unpleasant to prick back.

Li Shi was born in a merchant family and was used to the low status of merchants.

Moreover, this sister-in-law of hers was not an ordinary family; there was a father enshrined in the Taimiao, and the disciples' disciples could crush the Li family with a flick of a finger.

Li Shi couldn't even see the heels of the family's feet when she looked up.

So naturally, she didn't dare to argue with Wang Shi.

Liu Mama on the side looked at Sheng Old Madam and hurriedly helped her young lady up from the seat.

"Old Madam, Daniang, my Daniang was dizzy from exhaustion, please forgive her, I will help her to rest for a while."

Sheng Old Madam nodded and waved her hand.

Wang Shi also knew she had said the wrong thing, and seeing her mother-in-law's ugly expression from the corner of her eye, she left the main hall down the slope.

"I heard, Shulan is betrothed?"

Sheng Old Madam looked at her sister-in-law with a smile,

Sheng Eldest Madam's expression didn't change; Wang Ruofu's situation didn't count for anything in her life.

Hearing Sheng Old Madam's words, she showed a smile on her face and said quite gratifiedly:

"Yes. Our Youyang produced a prodigy some time ago, only twelve years old and passed the county examination, becoming a scholar; after some matchmaking, this marriage was settled."

"He is also a bitter child, lost his father since he was young, his mother relied on washing clothes for others to support his studies."

Hearing this, Sheng Old Madam also showed surprise:

"Oh? Such a young age and already a scholar, truly a limitless future! Having suffered since childhood, he can also have more consideration for others, it is a good family. Shu girl, come over, let me see you."

Shulan came to Sheng Old Madam somewhat timidly.

She had seen clearly just now that the aunt who was so temperamental that she couldn't be stopped also had to look at this grandmother's face.

Pinlan returned to her mother's side.

"Good child, when you get married, I don't know if this old woman can come; Suqin, bring that hairpin of mine."

She put the hairpin brought by Fang Mama into Shulan's hand and said: "Your aunt was angry in Yang Zhou, don't take it to heart."

Shulan looked at the hairpin style she had never seen before and hurriedly saluted: "Old Madam, I didn't..."

"Good child."

"Shulan, accept it."

"Yes, thank you, Aunt Grandmother."

The sisters-in-law talked a lot more and had dinner together after night fell.

Liu Mama beside Wang Shi said that her Daniang was not feeling well and ate in her own room.

That night, Wang Shi was called to her mother-in-law's room, and Sheng Old Madam sat on the couch.

"Daughter-in-law greets Mother."

"Hmm, sit."

"Thank you, Mother."

"You have been in the Sheng family for years; have I ever made you stand for rules, or pay morning and evening greetings every day?"

"Mother is the most benevolent, naturally not."

"Do you have any resentment toward me for not stopping that Lin Qingshuang from entering the door?"

Wang Shi was silent for a moment and said: "Naturally not."

"Whether you have it in your heart or not! This old woman doesn't care.

When you were a couple, you were harmonious and friendly.

But you were arrogant because of favor!

You were shouting and ordering among the official wives in the backyard.

Back then, you accepted the benefits of others to settle things, received the silver of others, and then thought of blowing pillow talk to influence your husband's actions in the officialdom.

Your husband didn't listen, and you actually moved the Wang family out to threaten him.

What was the result?

Also, in Quanzhou, you were very good with that Department Magistrate wife, and what was the result?"

The last sentence was shouted by Sheng Old Madam.

Wang Shi was startled, jumped up from the chair, and stood respectfully on the side.

"In Quanzhou Prefecture, your husband's official reputation was almost implicated by you!

If it weren't for his alert actions and clear investigation, what would he be promoted to Assistant Prefect?

Do you know who the son of that Zhuang Anren (title for seventh-rank) is?

Do you know how many noble descendants he has taught under his ruler?

And how many students passed the Jinshi?

Hmm?"

"Also!

Before, the Sheng family's business in Quanzhou was swallowed clean by others; you didn't reflect on your own mistakes, but only jumped in the backyard, scolded, and complained about your husband.

You were taken advantage of by Lin Qingshuang, and instead of repenting, you started acting up in this Sheng family ancestral home.

Truly great prestige!

You didn't look at the face of the eldest branch aunt!

The face of the eldest branch daughter-in-law was swept clean by you, and she didn't even dare to say a word! You are truly amazing! You don't even think about the year-end dividends, Wei Ge'er didn't give you half less!

Are you trying to make the Sheng brothers fight?"

Sheng Old Madam's words pierced the heart; every time she said one, Wang Shi's complexion became uglier.

"Mother, I, I was wrong." Wang Shi knelt in front of the Old Madam.

"Your husband is now a Yang Zhou Assistant Prefect of the from-fifth rank. The family affairs are always up to him; you act like this, one day he wants to divorce you, your various actions above, the Wang family can't say anything."

"Mother, I was wrong! I will go to apologize to sister-in-law tomorrow."

Wang Shi said tremblingly.

"Go now."

"But the sky is... then daughter-in-law takes her leave."

In the room, Sheng Old Madam eased her breath; she was getting angrier the more she spoke; if it weren't for the fact that she had worn down her temper for decades and cultivated herself for many years, she wouldn't have been able to scold her.

"Young lady, calm down, you are also a person of age."

"This daughter-in-law of mine, truly..."

"The Daniang is also a straight-tempered person, don't take it to heart. This is the letter sent by the eldest branch just now when you were speaking."

"Where is it from?"

"Sent from Bianjing to Yang Zhou, Yang Zhou hired a fast horse to send it."

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Thank you all for your various support. 6000 words updated today.

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(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 58 =====