Chapter 82

Chapter 82

Yao Niang naturally intended to use this matter to gain a clear understanding of the entire Shen family. Although Madam Shen had relinquished power, she might not offer much help; everything would have to be figured out on her own.

Just like when Yan Yingqi wanted to invite Madam Liu to become Madam Quanfu again, many people thought Madam Liu wouldn't agree because the last time she handled matters for the Yan family, it didn't go well, and others blamed her. But Madam Liu agreed, despite the setbacks, which might not necessarily be a bad thing.

However, looking at Madam Shen, she said, "Madam has entrusted me with this task, and I dare not refuse. However, I have never experienced such things before, and I hope Madam can give me more guidance. Otherwise, if there is any mistake, I will not be able to take responsibility."

Seeing Yao Niang's calm demeanor and the lack of submissive deference in her expression, Madam Shen realized that the first thing Yao Niang was doing was to clarify her responsibilities: "I know nothing about this. If you want me to do it, you must teach me. Otherwise, I won't take responsibility."

Although she was inwardly annoyed by Yao Niang's reluctance, Madam Shen knew that the Yan family was still a proper family, and now that her son was married, they couldn't always rely on the Second House or the Third House to step into the main hall. This time, it was the Third House's wedding, but the Shen family's property hadn't been divided yet.

Therefore, Madam Shen said, "I am not feeling well at the moment. Ask your second aunt more often; she knows a lot about these things."

Yao Niang then smiled and agreed.

With the person selected, Madam Shen felt relieved. Yao Niang also sent for the regular doctor to come and see Madam Shen's illness. The doctor said at length, "Madam's condition is due to an external wind pathogen and internal heat accumulation. The wind pathogen invades the body, causing poor circulation of qi and blood, which turns into fire and attacks the head and face, leading to symptoms such as toothache and red eyes."

Yao Niang asked him to write a prescription and gave him the consultation fee before asking Madam Shen, "Madam, we need to arrange the marriage for my cousin and find a wife for Third Son. Should we choose a matchmaker first? Do you have anyone in mind?"

For a marriage within the family, all formalities must be complete.

A matchmaker is indispensable.

Previously, their Yan and Shen families had invited Madam Gong, but this was a marriage between the Shen family's Third Son and a girl from the Han family, which didn't warrant such a grand gesture. It would be better to invite someone familiar.

Madam Shen did not specify who, but asked Yao Niang, "What do you think?"

"I will follow Mother's advice. Honestly, I have never handled such a significant event before; I don't even know where to start," Yao Niang replied truthfully. She was only fourteen, though she had experienced a few weddings and helped her mother a lot, the specific arrangements were still managed by the elders in her family.

Madam Shen then said, "Your Seventh Aunt on West Street used to be a matchmaker for Linjiang."

Linjiang was Linyun's elder brother, so this Seventh Aunt seemed suitable. Yao Niang nodded, "Then I will invite Seventh Aunt over to discuss the matter."

"You are the younger one, so it's appropriate for you to visit her," Madam Shen said.

Yao Niang didn't immediately agree but thought for a moment, "Is this Seventh Aunt the one with a mole under her lip and a somewhat rough voice?"

Madam Shen nodded, "You have such a good memory; yes, it's her."

"Seventh Aunt seems to have a straightforward temperament and should be easy to get along with. However, the last time she came here, she asked me for two bolts of Shu brocade, but I didn't have them at the time, so I couldn't give them to her. I wonder if she is still angry with me. Perhaps Madam could send someone to talk to her?" Yao Niang, having lived in a large family for years, knew that once the family decided to host a major event, the relatives would not hesitate to spend lavishly, often hoping to exhaust the family's resources.

The more luxurious and elaborate the ceremony, the more likely it would be imposed on you.

Madam Shen, well aware that during the New Year, relatives loved to take advantage of the family, mentioned how many times her son Linfeng's belongings were taken by others when he went out.

She was quite accommodating, "Alright, I'll send someone to talk to her."

"Thank you, Madam. Please eat lightly these few days. After I serve you your medicine, I'll go attend to other matters," Yao Niang supported her.

In fact, she was very anxious, being the first time handling matters in the Shen family. What if she failed? In the evening, she told Shen Linfeng, "I have never handled such matters before, and I'm afraid something might go wrong, and people will talk."

In the Yan family, men handled external affairs while women managed the household. Her mother said that when she managed the household, she was often bullied. People would pretend to forget tasks they had promised to do, just to isolate her. Or they would recommend stores or people that the family didn't use, and then refuse to help.

Fortunately, after hearing this, Shen Linfeng said, "Speaking of which, our marriage was already considered quick, but there are still many procedures to follow. The details are overwhelming, and customs vary from place to place."

Yao Niang then said, "For example, the hairpin ceremony. Now that Cousin Han and Third Son live under the same roof, we can skip the hairpin ceremony and directly exchange birth charts and perform the engagement ceremony."

Shen Linfeng, who had long been in the Shen family, always followed the instructions of the elders. After listening to Yao Niang, he said, "Isn't that a bit inappropriate? Shouldn't you listen to the elders?"

"Specific matters should be handled specifically. There's no one from the Han family in the capital, so how can we pin the hairpin? Do I have to go through great lengths to find some relatives for her? And about setting the wedding date, should Madam discuss it with Uncle and the others? When will they come to the capital, do they want the marriage to take place in the first half of the year or the second half?" Yao Niang said.

Shen Linfeng smiled, "You truly live up to your family’s reputation. I heard your grandfather always achieved remarkable results wherever he went, even staying awake day and night to catch a cunning bandit in Shandong, studying every day on how to deal with him. Many people advised him not to invite trouble, but he wouldn’t listen."

Yao Niang waved her hand, "Although my grandfather was low in rank at the time, he was still the top official. I’m not even a deputy, so these words are just for you. If Madam disagrees, I’ll just decline."

Shen Linfeng thought he had learned another way to decline tasks. If a superior insists on something, you can agree first and then propose your own views. If they agree to let you handle it, then fine; if not, you can simply refuse.

However, Shen Linfeng reminded her, "If you really decline, what will they do if they ask the second sister-in-law?"

"If she’s willing, I’d be more than happy to let her handle it. It would certainly be a lively show," Yao Niang couldn’t help but laugh.

Shen Linfeng was taken aback, "What do you mean? Is there some discord between them?"

Yao Niang snorted, "Dare you hear what I dare say? This kind of gossip scares many people before they even hear it."

"What exactly is going on?" Shen Linfeng dared to ask, for he was not a timid man.

Yao Niang walked into the inner chamber, turned around three times in front of a box, and finally took out a pair of embroidered shoes. The shoes were bright red, with apricot blossoms embroidered on the surface, exuding an air of intimacy and ambiguity.

"These are Cousin Han’s shoes. They were originally meant for your second brother, but my people accidentally found them," Yao Niang said.

Shen Linfeng hadn’t expected this, "You’re talking about those two? Weren’t she and Brother Jiang involved before?"

Yao Niang waved her hand, "She might not have anything with Brother Jiang. These days, I often visit her. Even when I accidentally met Brother Jiang and greeted him, she immediately glared at me and called out to Brother Jiang. But ever since you mentioned that Wei Wuji was invited by your second brother, I suspected something was wrong and had people secretly watch him. If I’ve wronged him, I won’t need to keep an eye on him in the future. If he really intends to harm you, I absolutely won’t allow it."

Shen Linfeng suddenly understood. He didn’t know Yao Niang was doing all this behind the scenes, and he couldn’t help but look at her with new respect.

"But if they’ve already been intimate, and now Cousin Han is going to marry Third Brother, isn’t that harmful?" Shen Linfeng was worried about Third Brother.

Third Brother was born dull, and marrying such a deceitful woman could lead to chaos in the household.

Yao Niang shook her head, "As the saying goes, catching a thief requires evidence, and catching an adulterer requires a pair. They are very cautious, at most sending a book once a month. They can easily deny this pair of embroidered shoes. I was afraid you wouldn’t believe me, so I never brought them out."

Shen Linfeng smiled, "I trust you the most. You worked hard to earn a title for your mother by painting, and you supported your grandfather even when he accused many people, never fearing any repercussions. You are a righteous woman who treats those who treat you well. I think I’ve treated you well, Shen Linfeng, and you would never harm me."

Yao Niang reached out, somewhat moved, "Brother Shen, thank you."

Finding a true friend is rare, and Yao Niang was pleasantly surprised that Shen Linfeng understood her so well.

"What did you call me?" Shen Linfeng was a bit dissatisfied.

Yao Niang laughed and hugged his arm, "Husband."

"That’s better, my dear." Shen Linfeng lifted his chin.

However, the marriage between the Shen and Han families was indeed difficult to manage. To expose the affair, they would have to reveal it to Madam Shen and Governor Shen, but who would do it? If the two became overly cautious and stopped seeing each other, Shen Linfeng would be seen as a meddler.

Moreover, Shen Bangyan had married Lady Wang, the beloved daughter of the Xinning Marquis. If this scandal broke out, it would ruin everything.

"The immediate task is to break off their engagement, right? What do you think?" Yao Niang looked at Shen Linfeng.

Shen Linfeng stood with his hands behind his back, "If I were handling a case outside, as a magistrate or judge, I would cleverly devise a plan to uncover the truth. But in a large family, things are different. As you said, they are only intimate in their actions, rarely sleeping in the same bed or embracing. Uncle Three has always wanted to find a good wife for Third Brother, and Cousin Han’s family background and abilities are excellent, which also brings us closer to our main branch. For Cousin Han, marrying into our family is a step up. Now that both families have agreed, even if there are complications, they will likely continue."

Yao Niang nodded, "I think so too. Since Uncle Three returned, Cousin Han hasn’t seen your second brother again. She is very cautious."

Besides, Yao Niang had heard that Third Brother Shen often took handsome young servants with him when he went out and kept beautiful maidservants in his study, so he wasn’t exactly a saint either. The two were equally flawed.

Just as Shen Linfeng was about to speak, someone rushed in from outside, "Master, Lord and Second Master are asking you to come over. It seems that Minister Gong has suddenly submitted his resignation."