Chapter 80

Chapter 80

When Yan Mai entered the inner hall, Shen Xunfu was the first to come forward. The two had worked together in Henan; at that time, when inspecting the river, it was Shen Xunfu who accompanied him. Now, Shen Xunfu was preparing to return to Henan as the governor again and naturally treated Yan Mai with great respect.

Yan Mai didn't mind: "We shouldn't talk about official matters here. I just came to see my granddaughter and her husband. Her parents aren't around, and she's so young. Suddenly becoming the matriarch of your family, I need to give her some advice."

"Your niece is truly an excellent daughter-in-law for our family," Shen Xunfu praised.

Yan Mai didn't believe this, as he hadn't failed to hear Yao Niang speak of how Shen Furen treated her, and the entire Shen family didn't treat her like a true matriarch.

Yan Mai knew very well why this was the case. First, Yan Yingqi had been too hasty in sending his daughter to marry, but once she arrived, all the Yan family members left, making the Shens feel they had been tricked. Second, it was due to what her niece had done.

Good deeds are often forgotten, but bad deeds are hard to erase from people's minds.

Yao Niang hadn't expected her grandfather to come without saying a word. She first sent someone to inform Shen Linfeng to take leave and return, then asked Aunt Gu to prepare some dishes that Yan Mai loved, such as steamed meat with rice flour, along with several famous Jin Ling dishes.

She personally went to greet her grandfather.

Because of Yan Mai's sudden arrival, both Shen Linqing and Shen Linjiang were out, so Shen Xunfu asked Shen Bangyan to help entertain the guest. Yao Niang happened to see Shen Bangyan and thought of his relationship with Han Ruohua. According to Zhou Wang's wife, Han Ruohua rarely interacted with Shen Linjiang but met Shen Bangyan a couple of times a month.

Shen Bangyan was very delicate-looking, and apart from Shen Linfeng, he was the best-looking in the family. He was also known to be quite scholarly. However, Shen Linfeng was such a unique presence, having passed the imperial examination, and was especially outgoing and sociable, with many friends. Even Yao Niang felt inferior to him, let alone Shen Bangyan.

"Eldest Sister-in-Law," Shen Bangyan stopped and hurriedly bowed.

Yao Niang nodded in response: "Second Uncle, hello."

Then, she entered the main hall and saw her grandfather sipping tea. She quickly walked over: "Grandfather."

Yan Mai smiled: "I came to see you without notice. Did I disturb you?"

"Grandfather, I've already asked the kitchen to start cooking, and I've sent for Gongding to return. We will all accompany you for dinner. Please share more with us and guide us," Yao Niang offered to support Yan Mai.

But Yan Mai waved his hand: "No need, I'm quite healthy. There's no need for such fuss."

Having a reliable elder was indeed better than many things. Yao Niang asked Yan Mai: "Grandfather, would you like to bring Grandmother over?"

Bringing Grandmother over would mean her mother wouldn't have a mother-in-law above her, making life easier.

Yan Mai was taken aback: "Your grandmother is doing fine in Jin Ling. Why should she travel such a long distance?" He and Third Madam had a rather indifferent relationship. From a young age, Third Madam had a strong personality and always liked to compete. They had no children. During one of his missions, he almost died, and thus took a concubine who bore him two sons, both of whom died shortly after his return.

Later, they discussed adopting Yan Yingqi, and he agreed.

Now, mentioning Quan Shi, he didn't know what to say. After so many years, he no longer wanted to argue with her.

Seeing this, Yao Niang said: "Then perhaps I can often come back to visit you, which would also allow me to take care of Sister-in-Law."

No matter how tiring it was at home, it wasn't that tiring.

Yan Mai smiled: "A married woman shouldn't always return to her parents' home; your in-laws might blame you. As for your sister-in-law, I've already let her go back to her parents' home to be cared for during her pregnancy."

Although men and women usually didn't meet, since Yan Mai was not young and Shen Furen was a junior, she naturally had to come out to greet and pay respects, or she would be criticized for lacking manners.

This was the first time Shen Furen met Yan Mai, the famous clean official in charge of river management.

"Greetings, Old Matchmaker. We should have come to visit first," Shen Furen was skilled at saying such things.

Lu Shaner supported Shen Furen and secretly observed Yan Mai. It was said that Yan Jingzhao was demoted to a county magistrate because of the Guan family incident, but this old Master Yan was a rare clean and good official, even earning Lu Shaner's admiration.

Then, Yan Mai said: "Your father was once my examiner in the provincial examination. Twenty years ago, I attended his funeral. Speaking of which, we have a connection through our hometowns."

Yan Mai's words implied that he was a veteran and knew all the members of the Han family.

Madam Shen became even more cautious and hurriedly said, "Yes, I am originally from Jin Ling."

"That is also why I agreed to marry my granddaughter here. Thinking we are both from Jin Ling, our customs and sentiments should be the same. The mothers-in-law in Jin Ling all dote on their daughters-in-law..." Yan Mai smiled.

Even Lu Shaner could hear that this was a subtle reprimand to Madam Shen. Madam Shen was taken aback but did not dare to show her displeasure to Yan Mai; she only smiled and agreed.

Yan Mai nodded, "You don't put on airs. I remember you had a brother who served with me in Gansu and Shaanxi. At that time, there was public outrage, and your father, who was stationed there, had a shrine built for him by the locals, which was later torn down. It was pitiful, truly pitiful. Now that you have married into the Shen family, your younger brother-in-law is quite an able official."

"Cough, Grandfather," Yao Niang quickly tugged at her grandfather's sleeve, as he was completely stripping her mother-in-law of her dignity. Knowing these old stories, it wasn't something just anyone would know.

Yan Mai was indeed a master at reprimanding people and controlling situations. When the Jie family married their daughter to his family, Yan Mai directly controlled the Jie family.

Madam Shen was almost fainting. She had never been scolded so harshly in her life, and she didn't expect Old Man Yan to expose her past in front of everyone. Tears welled up in her eyes.

Yan Mai smiled as if he hadn't noticed anything, and only said to Yao Niang, "I came today mainly because you will be of age in two months. The Emperor told me that you once helped him greatly with your brush and ink. He has already agreed that on the day of your coming-of-age ceremony, he will issue an edict allowing one of your future sons to study at the Imperial Academy."

Clearly, Emperor Qianyuan was afraid that hastily bestowing an imperial decree on Yao Niang might cause trouble, especially since she was beautiful and the capture of the assassin could not be made public. If such news spread, it would raise suspicions about his relationship with a minister's wife.

By granting her son admission to the Imperial Academy, even if Shen Linfeng were to pass away, her son would still be a scholar. If she had no son, many would be willing to adopt one for her.

Though somewhat disappointed, she immediately said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, Grandfather."

Madam Shen also heard this. For families like theirs, securing a scholar position was not difficult, but it required the father to hold a certain rank. Among the six sons of the third branch, only Shen Linqing was a hereditary scholar, while the others had to pay or use connections to enter the Imperial Academy.

According to Wei Dynasty regulations, officials of the third rank or higher in the capital could request a hereditary position for one descendant after passing the performance evaluation, allowing them to enter the Imperial Academy as an official student.

"Old relative, how can I possibly deserve this?" Madam Shen was very pleased.

Yan Mai replied, "Why shouldn't you? My granddaughter is as talented as Xie Daoyun. She is young now, but we have nurtured her well. In the future, your family should also let her display her talents. Leave other trivial matters to the servants; that is the proper way."

Madam Shen did not dare to say much, and Yao Niang said, "Grandfather, please come to our courtyard and let my mother-in-law rest. When Gongding returns, I will warm some wine for you."

"Good, I love steamed meat with rice flour. I had it several times when I was in office in Huguang and couldn't forget it," Yan Mai smiled.

Yao Niang supported Yan Mai's arm and said, "Alright, rest assured, I've already asked someone to prepare it, and it will definitely be delicious."

As the grandfather and granddaughter left, Second Madam Shen said to Madam Shen, "Sister-in-law, you truly have good fortune. Once Linfeng's son is born, he will be a scholar."

Madam Shen was already in a daze and hurriedly nodded in agreement.

Second Madam Shen wanted to say more, but Madam Shen quickly instructed Aunt Zhou, "Go to the kitchen and send a few dishes from our hometown of Jin Ling to Old Master Yan."

Aunt Zhou hurriedly complied.

Lu Shaner quickly excused herself, realizing she had learned a lot today. Why did Yan Mai speak so harshly? She didn't understand and decided to ask Governor Shen.

Governor Shen's inner chambers were in need of someone like her. Seeing that Lu Shaner, though young, was not someone who acted rashly, he explained, "Old Chancellor Yan is a veteran of three dynasties, different from his elder brother. He started his career as an external official, with a straightforward character. One year, when there were many famine victims, the court had not yet decided to provide relief. Seeing the plight of the famine victims, he could not bear it and opened the granaries to distribute food early. Later, he was demoted and sent to Shandong as a Censor. At that time, Shandong had many bandits and frequent uprisings due to the famine. During his tenure, he worked day and night to catch cunning bandits, clearing almost all the unrest within a year. His jurisdiction became a place even bandits from other provinces avoided, earning him the nickname 'Living Yama.' This man is extraordinarily capable, far above the ordinary."

"Otherwise, the Emperor wouldn't have appointed him as the Chief Superintendent of the Riverways. Although he demoted Yan Jingzhao, he also promoted him, which can be considered a favor. He hasn't let down the old minister, and among the officials in the court, those who can get things done are few and far between."

Lu Shaner poured wine for Governor Shen, "This old chancellor is indeed a formidable person, but Sister-in-law is just a woman of the inner chambers. Why did he say those things? Could there be a feud between the two families?"

Governor Shen waved his hand, "Not at all. This involves an old matter, which you don't need to know. But I think it's probably about the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law issues, and the old man is standing up for his granddaughter."

Lu Shaner, taught by her parents, naturally said, "But the natal family can't interfere, right? My father always says that once a daughter is married, she's like water spilled out. Wouldn't this just escalate the conflict?"

Governor Shen stroked his beard and smiled, "Have you not understood Chancellor Yan's meaning? By exposing your family's past, he is warning you. If you continue to be unreasonable, he won't hesitate to do it again. After all, no matter who her granddaughter marries, her son will be a scholar."

Lu Shaner understood completely and smiled, "I used to know Miss Yan San; her brushwork and painting were unparalleled."

Shen Xunfu was also feeling frustrated. This daughter-in-law was clearly chosen by him, yet now the Yan family had received the Emperor's commendation. It was truly his own fault.

**

Yao Niang led her grandfather to the main hall first, personally pouring tea for him to drink: "Please try it; this is new tea."

"Young people like it, but I’m not used to it. The flavor is too light."

"What would you like to drink? Shall I have them prepare something else?"

"There’s no need to trouble yourself with me." Yan Mai waved his hand.

Yao Niang still had someone prepare another tea and then said happily, "Grandfather, you’re so good. My father has never stood up for me like this before."

Yan Mai waved his hand, "Your father is still young. I’ve been through countless battles and have met all kinds of people, so there’s nothing to be afraid of. In the past, I also thought that a woman should only be virtuous and gentle, but later I realized that women are not necessarily inferior to men. Back in the aristocratic families, they all married women from the five great surnames because these women came from prominent families and had top-notch education and upbringing. Many raised their children alone, and their children all became successful. They could support themselves and even more. Only by seeing more can one realize how ridiculous many fixed ideas are."

"Grandfather speaks the truth," Yao Niang nodded in agreement.

But she still felt flattered, "You remember my coming-of-age ceremony?"

Yan Mai smiled, "Your father wrote to me, saying your mother misses you."

Yao Niang stuck out her tongue, a bit embarrassed, "I just said some bad things about my father."

Yan Mai laughed heartily, "Don’t worry, he won’t hear it. Not only will he not hear it, but even your mother-in-law wouldn’t dare to mistreat you. With over two hundred dowry items and your talent and beauty, whoever marries you will have a son who becomes a supervisor student right away."

Yao Niang thought about it and laughed as well.

Just then, Shen Linfeng returned from outside. He went to greet Shen Furen first. Seeing her eyes red, as if she had been crying, he was startled, "What happened, Mother?"

Shen Furen couldn’t very well tell her son that her brother, when he was an official, made the people tear down the shrine dedicated to her father. She simply said, "Nothing much, that old statesman from the Yan family is just too formidable."

"That’s true. Who, during his probationary period as a Jinshi, impeached several cabinet members in a single day? He wasn’t an ordinary person. In Shandong, he worked day and night to catch bandits, and the bandits all feared him. Did the old statesman say something?" Shen Linfeng asked.

Shen Furen shook her head, "No, he didn’t say anything."

Shen Linfeng thought to himself that he must have said something, but there was no way to complain to his mother. This was indeed impressive. Thinking of this, he quickly ran off, "Mother, Sister Shenfei asked me to hurry and entertain Grandfather. I’ll go now, otherwise, the old statesman might think I’m being disrespectful."

Seeing her son leave so quickly, Shen Furen waved her hand. After Shen Linfeng ran off, she picked up her handkerchief and said to Aunt Zhou, "In all my life, no one has ever spoken to me so harshly or treated me so rudely..."

"Madam, everyone says that Minister Yan is like a celestial general descended from heaven, so he naturally has a commanding presence. Even I am terribly afraid of him, let alone you." Aunt Zhou had heard that the old Minister Yan once piled up the heads of bandits to intimidate others, scaring many people senseless. If Madam was afraid, she was afraid too, and she dared not say anything more.