Chapter 79

Chapter 79

"Grandfather, Grandfather, you're back! Why didn't you go to the Shen family? I even sent Gongding to welcome you," Yao Niang hurriedly asked as she returned from the Shen family and saw her grandfather.

Yan Mai was pleased to see Yao Niang but did not explain why he had not gone. Instead, he said, "You're married now, how is it going?"

Yao Niang nodded, "It's fine. Gongding treats me well, and I don't have to worry about the others."

The two sat down. Yan Mai, not one for sentimentality, told Yao Niang, "Your father is in mourning at home, and I fear your brother will eventually cause great trouble. You must take care of yourself at the Shen family, understand?"

His words were vague, but Yao Niang smiled, "Grandfather, what are you talking about? With you around, our family is like a stabilizing force."

Yan Mai glanced at her and could not help but say, "In politics, the more ambitious one is, the more they tend to hide their true intentions, acting timidly and believing that being smooth is wise. In fact, this is a great mistake. Officials should remember their initial intentions when they started. I, Yan Mai, am over sixty years old, and I have seen the corruption in the bureaucracy. Now, I can only do my best."

Hearing this, Yao Niang understood. These cases involving the river management implicated countless people, and even the Emperor might hesitate to make a decision. If the Emperor acted, it would implicate even more people, revealing the extent of the corruption and potentially destabilizing the regime.

Unable to solve the problem, they would target those who raised the issues. Despite knowing this, Yan Mai still chose to act.

He was truly brave.

Yao Niang firmly supported her grandfather, "Grandfather, scholars enter public service after achieving excellence in their studies. Our family is not the kind to stoop to low tactics for power. Heaven balances excess with deficiency; the rich own vast lands while the poor have nowhere to stand. I know some say corrupt officials cannot be eradicated, but if we don't remove these corrupt officials, honest ones will never rise."

Yan Mai had expected Yao Niang to either remain silent or be afraid, or perhaps be at a loss, like other women. But she was unexpectedly resolute, almost more like him than her brother.

"Good, you have backbone. However, while you have backbone, the Shen family may not," Yan Mai, who had seen through many people, remarked.

Yao Niang was unconcerned, "What does it matter if the Shen family or our family is like this? There are many self-serving people in this world. Grandfather, you are the Chief River Commissioner; your duty is to manage the rivers. Dealing with corrupt officials is the responsibility of the Censorate. Why should you submit names?"

Seeing his granddaughter's accurate assessment, Yan Mai laughed bitterly, "The officials form a solid block. Your father-in-law once told me to just apprehend a few major culprits and leave it at that."

"I didn't expect my father-in-law to say that. Sigh, it means the law doesn't punish the masses," Yao Niang knew her father-in-law meant well, as he was the Left Censor-in-Chief.

Yan Mai nodded, "But I think if I report these names, it will serve as a warning. As an official, I have no other request but to serve with integrity. If I don't speak up, when I eventually retire, these people will remain in the river management and become pests sooner or later."

Yao Niang agreed, "You place your life on the line, and I can only admire you. If I were selfish, I would wish for you to always hold a high position. But if I were a commoner, I would hope all officials were like you. No matter what you do, I will support you."

She was not someone obsessed with power. Even if she knew that if her grandfather were forced to resign or faced trouble, her position in the Shen family would be difficult, so what? A good man does not eat from the family pot, and a good woman does not wear her wedding clothes forever.

Yan Mai waved his hand, "Yao Niang, if you were a man, you would surely be a renowned minister. Throughout history, there have been many officials, but few become renowned ministers. Fewer still can set aside personal interests and think of the greater good."

"Grandmother, you flatter me too much. I have my own selfish desires, but Grandfather, you have your reasons. I, who have never entered the political arena, know far less than you," Yao Niang smiled.

Yan Mai said, "I didn't bring anything for you this time when I came to the capital. You're not angry with me, are you?"

Yao Niang shook her head, "Of course not. I made you a lined jacket and two pairs of socks. It's still chilly in spring, so try them on when you get the chance."

Yan Mai accepted them happily. Then, Yao Niang went to visit her sister-in-law Li, whose pregnancy was showing. Li looked well and told Yao Niang, "I don't know Grandfather's tastes. This morning, he only wanted to eat millet porridge and nothing else. He even told me he only eats that."

"That's fine. Just follow his instructions. He likes light meals in the morning, so prepare more meat dishes at noon. My mother once told me that Grandfather loves steamed pork, especially when it's cooked until it's translucent and fragrant," Yao Niang shared openly.

After chatting for a bit, Yao Niang returned to her in-laws' home.

Shen Linfeng was at home and asked Yao Niang, "Is Grandfather not coming over?"

"An imperial banquet is about to be held, so Grandfather probably won't come. It's fine, if he doesn't come, he doesn't come. It's not a big deal," Yao Niang replied.

Shen Linfeng supported her, "Let's not talk about that. You'll reach the age of adulthood in June, and we should celebrate it grandly."

Yao Niang shook her head, "If I were unmarried, reaching adulthood would be a significant event, but since I'm already married, it's not appropriate. Others might think I'm making a fuss."

But Shen Linfeng held her hand and said, "Isn't this what we should do? What's so troublesome about it?"

"Times have changed." Yao Niang hadn't expected that not long after her marriage, her father would be in mourning, and her grandfather might also be close to retirement.

Indeed, as if foretold, Yan Mai himself accused over a hundred officials of the river administration. The emperor originally planned for a joint trial by the three courts, but Prime Minister Wen advised against it. Instead, Yan Jingzhao was accused of abusing his wife, Lady Guan. Scholar Guan had once been a relative of the Yan family, but in politics, such ties meant little. Later, when Yan Jingzhao remarried, he did not choose someone from the Guan family. Naturally, the Guans claimed that Lady Guan fell ill, and the Yans not only failed to treat her but sent her to a remote area to fend for herself.

The Yan family, of course, had evidence, and Yan Jingzhao had witnesses, but with Yan Mai under attack, no one cared much about the truth.

As a result, before being appointed to an official post, Yan Jingzhao was demoted to Magistrate of Shangluo County. Everyone was worried about Yan Mai’s future prospects. When Yao Niang came to pay respects, Lady Shen sighed deeply, regretting the marriage alliance. It seemed that the Yan family was on the verge of collapse after just a few days of marriage.

But Yao Niang was unconcerned. She thought to herself that her grandfather had served in office for many years, and the more he was criticized, the higher he rose. How could he be without skill?

Sure enough, to everyone's surprise, instead of falling from grace, Yan Mai was promoted to Minister of Works.

At this moment, Yan Mai suddenly arrived at the Shen residence.

Mama Zhou ran over to Lady Shen and said, "Madam, Old Minister Yan is here. He is so tall and imposing, it's quite frightening."

Seeing Mama Zhou trembling, Lady Shen asked, "Why are you so afraid?"

"They say Old Minister Yan is like a clear sky, capable of slaying demons and monsters. When he sits there with his golden sword and majestic horse, everyone is afraid," Mama Zhou actually feared that the Yan family would hold Lady Shen accountable, but she didn't dare say it.

Lady Shen naturally understood. She stood up abruptly, "Mama Zhou, what if Old Minister scolds me?"

Old Minister Yan was a man who, right after passing the imperial exams, could impeach several cabinet ministers in a single day. Now, he had accused over a hundred officials and still thrived, rising even higher. He was even more ruthless than Yan Yingqi. It was said that this time in the capital, he saw no one but his own daughter-in-law, showing great affection for his young granddaughter.