Chapter 81

Chapter 81

With Shen Linfeng and Yao Niang accompanying him, the table was set with several dishes that Yan Mai loved, and both of them joined him for the meal. Yan Mai, unconcerned with formalities, picked up a bone and gnawed on it, even sucking out the marrow, while drinking heartily, and Shen Linfeng drank along with him.

"Grandfather, now that you hold the position of Grand Minister of Works, everyone envies my marriage into your family. I can learn so much more from you," Shen Linfeng said with a smile.

Yao Niang watched them chat with a smile, and Yan Mai patted his grandson-in-law's shoulder. "You're still young, sometimes don't see things too clearly. Life is better when you're a little bit foolish. Just like this world, we both know it's impossible to have a completely clean government, where powerful families occupy land and common people have no land to till. But is it really beyond our power to change? Perhaps one person can turn the tide."

...

Yao Niang listened to these words vaguely, occasionally refilling their drinks and changing the dishes. She prepared a few more dishes for those who came along to eat and gave them some money, asking them to take good care of her grandfather on the way back. She was busy but happy.

Shen Bangyan, however, was in his study, unable to write a single word. He had a few close friends inviting him, so he went out to drink with them. As the son of the Director of the Imperial College, he was an official's son, and his usual company were also sons of officials. Among them was Tong Er, the second son of a lecturer at the Imperial Academy, and Lu Balang, the youngest son of the Grand Minister of Agriculture.

The three of them were drinking at the Spring Moon Tower, which was a rare opportunity for Shen Bangyan to take leave from the Imperial College and meet with his friends.

Tong Er said, "Brother Shen, I just went to pick you up and heard that Grand Minister Yan was at your house. Why didn't you stay to entertain the guest, instead coming out with us? We can gather anytime."

"Grand Minister Yan specifically came to see my sister-in-law. My brother-in-law just returned from the Imperial Academy, and my sister-in-law came out to accompany him. What would I do there?" Shen Bangyan smiled.

Lu Balang couldn't help but say, "That's true, but since your families are related by marriage, you can meet anytime."

"Grand Minister Yan seems to be highly trusted by the Emperor and holds a high office, but it's a pity for Yan Boying, who has been demoted. He was about to stay in the Imperial Academy, but now, being sent away, he moves from the clear stream to the muddy one." Tong Er's father worked as a lecturer at the Imperial Academy, naturally knowing the difference.

Shen Bangyan said, "Yan Boying is Grand Minister Yan's grandson. Even if he can't stay in the Imperial Academy, it will be easy for him to return to the capital in the future."

Tong Er poured Shen Bangyan another cup of wine before saying, "I must say, Yan Boying does have the air of a hero, but he doesn't quite measure up to your brother. Your brother is now a compiler at the Imperial Academy and hasn't been affected by Grand Minister Yan's issues, remaining steady."

Lu Balang also said enviously, "Your brother truly makes us envious. He is very generous. The last time I was drinking at a tavern on Chessboard Street, I happened to run into your brother dining with Lin Long. They were chatting enthusiastically, and when I called out, he paid the bill for me."

It wasn't about paying the bill; all of them, being sons of officials, had money. It was about Shen Linfeng's generosity and sense of righteousness.

Shen Bangyan smiled, "My brother is a good man. He's always been very generous."

When people talked about the Shen family from Wu Xing, they never meant him but Shen Linfeng.

After drinking for a while, Shen Bangyan returned home drunk. At the door, he met Yan Mai, who, despite his age and having drunk a lot, still walked steadily and refused Shen Linfeng's offer to escort him home.

"Son-in-law Shen, don't bother. They can send me home," Yan Mai quickly stopped him.

Shen Linfeng, of course, wouldn't really let him go alone. He said, "Grandfather, I know you're fine, but my wife is worried and repeatedly asked me to make sure you get home safely. Besides, I want to spend more time with you. Please give me this favor."

At Yan Mai's age, who wouldn't wish for their descendants to be around? But he had no children of his own, fortunately, Yan Jingzhao was adopted by him, though he was later demoted and left the capital long ago. He treated Yao Niang as his granddaughter, but in reality, he saw her as his daughter. Today, she had made the steamed meat so delicious.

Shen Bangyan saw Shen Linfeng helping Yan Lao Shangshu (Old Minister Yan) into the carriage. He understood why his brother insisted on marrying a woman from the Yan family, even after suffering such humiliation. His brother indeed had better judgment than his mother.

Moreover, the Yan family treated him warmly, all being families of scholars, unlike the Xinning Marquis's household, which was full of military men. His brothers-in-law were short-sighted and relied solely on their ancestors' legacy.

Back in his room, Xiao Ya, who served him, had listened to everything with Lady Wang and hurriedly told Shen Bangyan many details. "Old Minister Yan is awe-inspiring. People say he's the reincarnation of Bao Gong, and everyone fears the dog-head axe. Even the lady of the house was scolded, as if he was standing up for the eldest madam."

Shen Bangyan frowned, "He shouldn't show off his authority in our house. If he wants to show off, he should do it elsewhere."

Xiao Ya, who had served him since childhood, naturally wished for Shen Bangyan's well-being and thus advised, "No daughter-in-law is like the eldest madam, standing firm and making everyone talk. But then again, it's the main house's business, not ours."

"Wait, did you say that if the eldest madam gives birth to a son, he will be granted the status of a student at the Imperial College?" Shen Bangyan recalled this matter.

He could enter the Imperial College because of his uncle's connections. Since Shen Linfeng passed the provincial examination at seventeen, his uncle gave the family quota to him, as his father was only a vice-director of the Imperial College and couldn't provide such a privilege.

Xiao Ya nodded quickly, "Yes, Old Minister Yan said it himself. Last year, the eldest sir and madam went to the palace, but we don't know why."

Shen Bangyan felt he had made a miscalculation. When Xiao Ya left and no one was around, he slammed his fist on the table.

The next day, Yao Niang went to pay her respects to Lady Shen. Seeing that Lady Shen treated her with indifference and coldness, she dared not ignore her, knowing that what her grandfather said yesterday was indeed a real warning. Lady Shen's little tricks were no match for her, and Lady Shen naturally knew that her daughter-in-law came from a powerful background. Even if she wanted to use other methods to deal with her, it wouldn't be easy, so she could only do this much.

However, Lady Shen did not dare to go too far. It was just that their auras did not match. Yao Niang clearly understood that although Lady Shen was the head of the Shen family, she appeared to be a mere facade. She liked people who flattered her and spoke sweetly, but when it came to those who were more capable and assertive, she felt they were stealing her thunder.

Yao Niang would not lower herself to flatter Lady Shen. After sitting for a short while, she considered her visit complete and returned.

As soon as she left, Lady Shen snorted coldly, "Look at her, unwilling to stay even a moment longer. And I still have to prepare for her coming-of-age ceremony."

Lady Zhou smiled and said, "It’s a bit of work for you, but when the eldest son and his wife can smoothly consummate their marriage and bear a child, especially if it’s a boy, he will be born a scholar."

"Our family is not lacking in such things," Lady Shen replied with a hint of pride.

Lady Zhou said, "Although we are not lacking, adding to our glory is always good. Others would envy such treatment. I heard that Old Chancellor Yan really likes our eldest son, and his wife suggested that our eldest son should visit the Yan family often to learn statecraft from the old master."

"He has no sons, so he naturally treasures others' sons," Lady Shen sneered, still harboring resentment over what Yan Mai had said to her yesterday.

She only dared to vent these small grievances to Lady Zhou, not even daring to speak about them to Lord Shen. Just as they finished talking, Shen Mo entered, "Mother, you need to arrange the coming-of-age ceremony for my sister-in-law."

"Even if it’s not a grand affair, it must still be proper," Lady Shen said.

Shen Mo, in a bad mood, retorted, "You have a sharp tongue but a soft heart. No wonder your daughter-in-law can bully you. If it were me, I wouldn’t fear her."

"You should talk less. In a few days, I’ll take you to the Dong family’s birthday banquet." She needed to find a suitable husband for her daughter quickly.

When Shen Mo was young, a fortune-teller said she had the destiny of a phoenix. But now the Shen family would not let her enter the palace; once she did, her father and brother would become idle nobles. This was also why she couldn’t marry the Crown Prince of Prince Qi or enter the palace.

"Mother, I will follow your wishes," Shen Mo said. She used to think that if her brother married Yan Ningxin, she could marry the Crown Prince of Prince Qi, but later realized she had been overly optimistic.

In this dynasty, imperial relatives were honored but mostly given nominal titles. The Shen family valued literature and poetry and did not wish to be merely honored. Especially the Second and Third Branches, if she became empress, her father and brother would certainly receive titles, but the Second and Third Branches would gain nothing.

Therefore, Shen Mo thought that since this match was introduced by her third uncle, her brother might be being manipulated, yet her brother remained stubbornly infatuated.

Since she couldn’t become empress and couldn’t marry into the imperial clan, marrying anyone else would suffice.

Shen Mo then asked Lady Shen, "Mother, are you really going to marry Cousin Han to Third Brother? I don’t think Third Brother is very suitable for her."

"Your third uncle agreed and gave me full authority. A clever woman with a dull husband, both sides are well-matched. If Cousin Han marries into our Shen family, I will have someone to rely on," Lady Shen thought that a close marriage was better than anything else.

Since the adults had decided, Shen Mo did not argue further. Soon, Yao Niang also heard about this good news.

Lady Zhou said, "The storeroom there is filled with Cousin Han’s dowry. She brought her dowry to the capital, and the Han family entrusted her to the care of the First Lady, who has the final say."

"But the Han family is not of low standing. Why would they send her off from another family’s home?" Yao Niang valued character more. Shen Third Brother was of average talent and known to be rather dull.

Lady Gu poured tea for Yao Niang, "Cousin Han’s father is at most a provincial governor, currently an inspector-general. Marrying into the Shen family would be a step up for her."

Initially, Yao Niang thought this matter had nothing to do with her, but Lady Shen, suffering from toothache and red eyes, saw Shen Second Lady and Third Lady Lu seated below, and finally looked at Yao Niang.

"This marriage should be handled by my daughter-in-law Feng. Although she has only been in the family for half a year and is still unfamiliar with many things, she is the head of our household and a legitimate mistress."

Despite disliking her daughter-in-law, Lady Shen was from the Second Branch, and Third Lady Lu was of humble origins. The wives of Shen Linqing and Shen Linjiang did not have sufficient status.

Shen Second Lady thought that although her sister-in-law usually seemed foolish, she was loyal to the family at critical moments. By letting her niece manage matters for the Third Branch, she was helping her establish authority within the family. No young bride started out handling weddings and funerals, but starting from here would ensure rapid progress.

Yao Niang did not expect her mother-in-law to entrust her with such responsibility at a crucial moment and tried to decline, "Madam, I am still young..."

But Lady Shen was unusually firm, "No, no, no. Although it’s not appropriate for you to take on such a role, who else can shoulder this responsibility?"

Everyone thought that she must have been frightened by Old Chancellor Yan.