Chapter 95: Thoughts and the Four Courtyards of the Sheng Household [Thank You, Readers]

Who can say for sure what the future holds? A prince might die from an epidemic or an accident; if there’s a chance to vie for that position, being prepared makes all the difference.

Preparing for rain before it comes?

The master nodded and said:

Never underestimate others’ patience—I’ve seen layouts spanning decades, then executed in a single moment.

Master, which family?

Hmph.

Xu Zaijing learned—it was the Qin family.

Funny enough, Xu Zaijing had seen it too—it was the Qin family as well.

It seems the Qin family has a tradition of extreme patience.

The Qin family may have begun secretly allying with some prince long ago.

After all, in today’s power hierarchy, unless the Qin family produces a scholarly prodigy, their prospects for rising are slim.

Xu Zaijing suddenly recalled a line spoken by a character in a TV drama from his past life: Chaos is a ladder to advancement.

Xu Zaijing’s current position benefits from chaos—he has the ability to seize opportunity and achieve glory.

But for ordinary people of the Great Zhou—like Qingcao, Qingzhi, the Ni siblings—they could face utter ruin.

They might starve to death from being unable to afford rice and flour amid the chaos.

They might be killed by rogue soldiers.

Xu Zaijing did not wish for these things to happen, and would do his best to prevent them; but if they did occur, he had the means to protect his own family.

He shook his head, dismissing these thoughts, and smiled:

Master, let’s go stew a chicken—your cooking, paired with Deng Bo’s mushrooms, is unmatched.

Watching his disciple seamlessly shift from court affairs to chicken stew, the master nodded.

Yangzhou

In winter

Sheng Hong enjoyed his lunch in Wang Ruofu’s warmly heated room.

His wife’s family had many disciples; often, her elder brother from Runzhou would send a cart full of gifts from his disciples.

Wang Ruofu smiled as she placed a bowl of soup into Sheng Hong’s hands:

Husband, all the ladies of Yangzhou are envious of me—they hear I’m the one whose in-laws are a marquis and his lady, and they look at me with such admiration.

Sheng Hong was equally proud:

Among the nobility of Bianjing, only Marquis Yuan and I truly get along. After leaving the Xu household that day, we drank together again—he’s suffered too, and his son Wenshao was raised early on household affairs; he’s a good boy.

Wang Ruofu continued smiling:

Mother is very pleased with the family you’ve chosen for our daughter.

Sheng Hong nodded proudly.

Husband, my elder sister sent word through a messenger—her eldest daughter is soon to be betrothed; she asked if I had any suitable matches.

Hearing this, Sheng Hong shook his head slightly and clicked his tongue.

But remembering that the Kang family, like the Wang family, had served as officials for generations, with networks spanning the court, and had once helped him, Sheng Hong asked:

Do you have someone in mind?

Wang Ruofu said happily: Husband, hasn’t Mother gradually built ties with the Xu family these past years? Now the Xus have two young masters still unmarried—

Heaven above, what are you thinking?

Wang Ruofu’s smile vanished; she stared wide-eyed at her husband:

What’s wrong? I think it’s perfect!

Sheng Hong looked at his wife’s expression and suppressed his anger:

Do you still think the Kang family is what it was when we first married?

Wang Ruofu sat on the embroidered stool, frowning:

Kang’s master and my father were close friends—both scholarly families. Though my brother-in-law—

Sheng Hong spoke with righteous certainty:

Look at what your brother-in-law has done! He’s neglected all the connections his father built up, spending his days lounging among concubines! His official career is clearly doomed!

He glanced at Wang Ruofu.

Wang Ruofu fell silent, embarrassed—the Kang household was full of concubines, and even her sister’s ruthlessness couldn’t clear them out.

Her brother-in-law acquired new concubines too quickly.

Thinking of it, she glanced at Sheng Hong.

Sheng Hong himself was handsomer than Kang Haifeng, and now his career was thriving—he radiated confidence.

Thinking of her sister’s situation,

Wang Ruofu even felt a pang of happiness.

If not for that wretched Lin Qige,

her happiness could have been even greater,

yet she still muttered stubbornly: The Kang family isn’t as fallen as you say.

Oh come now, what do you, a woman locked in a secluded household, know? Do you know what carriages lined the streets when I visited the Xu household? Your husband is merely a fifth-rank official!

But isn’t there Mother? Wang Ruofu shot back.

Mother is of the Sheng family—she’s my mother, not the Kang family’s, Sheng Hong hissed.

If you won’t, then don’t yell at me.

Sheng Hong sighed—this meal shouldn’t have been eaten here.

Shou’an Hall

Hua Lan helped Sheng Laofuren return from the Buddha hall to her room; a faint scent of sandalwood clung to her.

Hua Lan stood by, supporting her.

Grandmother, shouldn’t Xu Pingmei have already married by now?

Mm, according to the calendar, it’s been some time. Why bring up the Xus now?

Grandmother, I was thinking—let’s distribute some of the Xu family’s cotton fluff to others in the household. I had mine last year; I won’t take any this year.

Hmph, you little rascal. Fine, do as you wish. Distribute the fluff—but remember to save some for your good friends in Yangzhou.

Granddaughter thanks Grandmother.

Go on.

Watching Hua Lan’s cheerful departure, Sheng Laofuren’s face softened with pleasure.

Fang Mama said beside her:

The eldest girl is truly a kind-hearted child.

Sheng Laofuren’s smile slowly faded:

The Yuan family is acceptable enough. But I hear Yuan Dalang’s wife is also from the Zhang family—among the nobility of the capital, relationships are tangled. If Hua marries into them—

With your years of guidance, the eldest girl won’t fall short.

Sigh, these are all my clumsy methods. The capital is overflowing with clever people—each glance hides countless schemes. Every noblewoman’s daughter-in-law is a master of manipulation.

Fang Mama knew her mistress’s hardships and changed the subject:

Your sixtieth birthday after the New Year—

Tell my son. It’ll coincide with Hua’s betrothal; don’t overburden the Lady.

Yes, Miss.

Lin Qige

Lin Qinshuang caressed the fresh, snowy-white cotton fluff just delivered to her table:

This is truly a fine thing.

Xueniang beside her said: Little Lady, I heard outside, this stuff is worth its weight in silver.

Oh? So expensive? If Lin Qige had such a valuable product or industry, I’d never have to bow to Weirui Pavilion’s face.

Little Lady, you now manage the Sheng household’s affairs—your business hasn’t lost a single coin; you don’t need to look at them for anything! Truly impressive—I wish I could learn more of your tricks.

Hmph, you’re just good with words! That old woman in Shou’an Hall may be no good, but her words hold some truth.

Little Lady, what did she say?

In this household, you need two things: money and people. With both, life becomes peaceful and comfortable.

Xueniang smiled: Little Lady is right!

Lin Qinshuang picked up the scissors on the table and glanced at them,

then strolled to a potted plum tree in the room,

trimming as she spoke: Money? Her family has none—they’re a ruined house. A worthless woman with no influence dares challenge me for favor? Has the setup begun?

Xueniang glanced around; only Mo Lan slept soundly on her bed. She leaned close to Lin Qinshuang and whispered:

Everything’s arranged. When the Yuan family comes to deliver the betrothal gifts, we’ll strike during the chaos, with outsiders present.

Lin Qinshuang smiled faintly: Sometimes, I really ought to thank that old woman in Shou’an Hall for her lessons~ The side courtyard has no money, and soon, no people either~ Worthless trash, daring to fight me!

On the thick trunk of the plum tree in the room, a sturdy branch split off—Lin Qinshuang slashed the scissors down hard upon it.

The scissors closed—the branch fell.

Side Courtyard

Hua Lan waved goodbye to her younger sister Minglan.

“Miss, Minglan, hurry back inside—the outside is cold.”

“A gift from Miss Xie.”

“Thank you, big sister!”

Minglan and Xiaotao ran happily back inside.

Xiaodie followed behind Wei Shuyi.

“Mother, Xiaodie sister says this heavy down and this much silver are worth the same!” Minglan, full of excitement, gazed at the large pile of down.

Wei Shuyi stroked the soft down, her eyes filled with contentment.

“This stuff is truly wonderful. Once I finish embroidering this picture of Lady Li guarding Niangzi Pass, I’ll make padded jackets for all three of you, stuffed with this—Miss Xie says it’s so warm you’ll sweat even indoors.”

“Mother, is it really that warm?”

“Ming’er, you must call her ‘Little Mother’!” Wei Shuyi corrected.

“Big Sister Moelan calls her ‘Mother’—I want to too.”

“You!”

“Little Mother, don’t be angry—be careful, you might harm the baby,” Xiaodie quickly interceded.

Wei Shuyi shot a glance at her daughter and said:

“Xiaodie, in a few days it’s your mother’s memorial day—don’t forget. Sell your embroidery, buy some spirit money to burn.”

“Yes, Little Mother, I know.”

“It’s pitiful you’ve followed a mistress with no ability—otherwise—”

Xiaodie looked at the plum blossom pot beneath the window, its flowers yet to bloom, and shook her head:

“Little Mother, my mother’s illness is in her heart—it has nothing to do with how much money we have. My brother died for the country; her heart died with him.”

Xiaodie swiftly wiped away her tears: “Little Mother, let’s not speak of that. Miss Xie said someone from Bianjing is coming to celebrate Grandma’s birthday?”

Wei Shuyi said: “Yes, Grandma’s family from her natal home.”

As she spoke, Wei Shuyi seemed to recall something, her gaze drifting to the embroidery of Lady Li guarding Niangzi Pass, still in progress nearby.

Her eyes flickered several times,

『I wonder if that embroidery will stir curiosity among the Marquis’s daughters.』

“Little Mother, I’m going out now.”

“Go ahead.”

With that, Wei Shuyi sat beneath the window, carefully selecting embroidery thread, and resumed stitching.

Xiaodie stepped outside and, seeing Xiaotao following her, patted her head: “Don’t worry—I’ll buy you something tasty when I come back.”

Xiaotao’s eyes lit up.

Update these for now—I’ll aim for 10,000 characters on the 24th!

If you spot any typos, please kindly point them out!

I’ve been organizing the timeline these past two days and am preparing to enter the main plot.

After going premium, I issued bonus updates for tips (cough, one ten-thousand-coin tip adds one update),

so far the accumulated extra tips total 4,800 coins; I’ll keep tallying tomorrow, and another update will come at 10,000.

That’s all.

The author has severed a major artery with this chapter break! Deeply sorry—I admit my mistake again, and I promise to improve.

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(End of Chapter)