Chapter 104

Chapter 104

Three days after her grandfather's departure, Qian Niang came to visit. She had always been rather hypocritical and enjoyed playing the good person afterward; this habit of hers had not changed over the years.

"That day I was originally planning to see your great-uncle off, but who knew that my sister-in-law’s relatives would call us over for help again. One thing led to another, and it ended up being delayed," Qian Niang said.

In her youth, her mother was only a concubine, not as favored as Lady Xie, nor did she have the status of Lady Zhen as the principal wife. Therefore, she had to be humble and obedient. However, since marrying into the Wen family, the dynamics had shifted. Yao Niang's father-in-law had long retired, her grandfather and elder brother were demoted, and her husband was merely a reviser, making their positions vastly different now.

Yao Niang said, "If you didn't come, then so be it. I didn’t really expect you to. When my grandfather was in the capital, he lived with no regrets before heaven and earth, and I admired him greatly. It’s just that the child in my belly will not receive his wise teachings."

Words failed to bridge the gap between them, and Qian Niang, feeling her current status was higher, said, "Since that's the case, I'll take my leave first."

"Please do." Yao Niang did not try to retain her.

This scene was witnessed by Shen Er's Lady, who couldn’t help but think that the wife Shen Linfeng had chosen lacked the necessary tact, focusing too much on her own dignity and even alienating her sisters.

How could one afford to be proud if they hadn’t reached that level?

But from Yao Niang’s perspective, even if Qian Niang became Empress, she wouldn’t genuinely help anyone. Those who truly cared for her, like Shen Linfeng, required no effort from her. They weren’t sisters for just a day.

Let her enjoy her moment of glory for a few more days.

"Auntie," Yao Niang quickly stood up when she saw Shen Er's Lady enter.

Shen Er's Lady asked, "How is your health? It’s already seven months, and there are only two or three months left until delivery. You mustn’t be careless."

Yao Niang smiled, "Rest assured, with your constant care, everything is better than anything else."

She had already inquired about wet nurses and postpartum attendants in advance and brought them home, waiting for the birth to avoid any last-minute rush. Liu Lady had also mentioned sending her attendant, Mother Hu, who was very skilled in childbirth, to assist. Mentioning this to Shen Er's Lady was merely a polite gesture.

Shen Er's Lady knew that Yao Niang was shrewd but overly proud, much like her brother and father. Such people often possessed great talent but lived a life of frustration, like Wang Bo.

However, her visit had two purposes: to probe and to sow discord.

"Do you still have the rose nitrate for treating spring eczema and the wind-dispelling jade complexion powder?" Shen Er's Lady inquired.

Yao Niang, who used to make these items when they lived under the same roof and had to socialize, now made them herself but no longer gave them away. At most, she would reward efficient servants with them, which was more valuable than anything else.

During that time, she noticed that Lady Shao gave her a meager birthday gift while giving Shen Er's Lady an extremely generous one, practicing such favoritism. Even when she admitted her mistake face-to-face, she would form cliques behind the scenes to isolate her. Not targeting her specifically was already a virtue for the sake of her unborn child, let alone thinking of her in every matter.

Thus, Yao Niang smiled, "I haven’t made them since I became pregnant last year."

When Shen Er's Lady returned, she shook her head at Lady Shao without saying much. Lady Shao covered her face and said, "I knew she had a small heart. Thank you, Aunt, for going to bat for me, a junior."

"I did it for the sake of my elder sister, hoping all of you would get along well," Shen Er's Lady sipped her tea.

Lady Shao pouted, "The way she behaves, our Shen family will likely offend everyone in the future. Just look at how fewer friends Daliang has after his marriage, even becoming distant from old relatives."

They talked back and forth about how isolated Yao Niang was, unaware that these words caused Yao Niang little concern. The sisters and friends she had known since childhood, along with many relatives, truly cared for her only a fraction of the time. When her grandfather fell into trouble, how many of those who frequented their mansion offered any help?

Most were either gleeful at her misfortune or avoided her like the plague.

Those who still indulged in socializing could only be considered fortunate, having never experienced the coldness of the world.

When Shen Linfeng returned that night, he said, "Prince Qi has died, and the new Prince Qi has ascended."

"Is that so? He was just a prince after all. Back then, he visited several times, trying to befriend important court officials, but my father avoided him at all costs. Yan Ningxin was on the same page as him. Now that he has smoothly inherited the title of Prince Qi, I hope he no longer harbors ulterior motives," Yao Niang sneered.

Upon hearing this, Shen Linfeng realized his misunderstanding, "Yao Niang, I see you hold him in low regard."

Yao Niang nodded: "Yes, my elder sister was originally supposed to marry him, but Prince Qi's mansion kept delaying the communication with our family and didn't send anyone back. My father then used my eldest brother's wedding as an excuse to bring her back. That Wei Wuji is also reckless, and my sister has even more issues."

Listening to Yao Niang criticize everyone, Shen Linfeng felt the reality of what people had been whispering in his ear about Yao Niang not getting along well with this one or that one. He even began to reflect on whether he had been too compromising.

However, he was delighted and took out a painting: "My dear, take a look."

The technique in this painting was still quite naive, after all, it was painted long ago. Yao Niang was very surprised: "This painting was supposed to be delivered to my elder sister by me. How did it end up in your hands?"

She now understood everything. Yan Ningxin was even more despicable than she had imagined. At that time, this person had no talent or virtue, yet deceived her by saying it was a farewell gift for Prince Qi, actually using her painting as a facade.

Shen Linfeng hadn't expected the truth to be so shocking. He said angrily: "How could you substitute peaches for plums? The prince's heir gave me these words. I always thought you had painted it and sent it to the prince's heir, who then used it to adorn Yan Ningxin's appearance."

It was only at this moment that both of them realized the truth. Yao Niang stroked his face: "Silly, since you later found out it was my painting, why didn't you clear things up?"

"I thought if our feelings were good, such things would be insignificant. If our feelings weren't good, why would I bring it up? If you liked him, using me as a substitute, as long as you stayed by my side, I would be content." Shen Linfeng gently pinched Yao Niang's nose.

Yao Niang's tears fell like rain: "Why do you have to make me feel so moved? What substitute, you are unique. Hearing you say this, I might just fall in love with you."

Shen Linfeng caught her tears with his palm: "Don't cry, seeing you cry hurts my heart."

**

At Qian Niang's place, someone sent two boxes of pearls. She opened them and sneered: "These pearls vary in size, how dare they send such a thing, who are they looking down upon?"

Bailu was twenty this year. Although Qian Niang hadn't let her marry, she still received generous rewards. She quickly grabbed a handful to make a hairpin for Bailu. Bailu immediately thanked her and smiled: "Those people outside know their place, they can still find their way here."

"Sending so little and asking for so much." Qian Niang wasn't bothered by this.

As the daughter-in-law of the Prime Minister, her wealth was boundless.

But then she heard that Wen Qilang had returned, and Qian Niang got up to greet him, recounting the matter. Wen Qilang said: "Since you think these pearls are not good enough, why don't you give some to your younger sister? Now that the Cold Food Festival is over, I've heard she will give birth in two months."

Qian Niang lowered her eyes: "She has never looked up to me, her elder sister, even less so after marriage. She doesn't want to come to my house."

"You're being foolish. Shen Linfeng has now entered the Wenyuan Pavilion, he is a favorite student of Chancellor Zhao. Originally, among Chancellor Zhao's students, he wasn't the strongest, but he worked hard without complaint, even when others took credit for his work. He is a broad-minded and magnanimous person. This time entering the Wenyuan Pavilion, first, it's because his writing is excellent, earning the admiration of the three chancellors and the president of the Imperial Academy. Second, it's also Chancellor Zhao's way of compensating him." Wen Qilang explained.

Qian Niang shook her head: "Shen Linfeng is indeed good, but my younger sister is not easy to deal with. Moreover, Shen Linfeng has only just entered the Wenyuan Pavilion; it will be many years before he truly stands out. Back then, everyone said my eldest brother had the talent of a chancellor, but he was still demoted."

Seeing Qian Niang like this, Wen Qilang didn't force the issue, after all, he was the son of the chancellor.

However, before long, Chancellor Wen resigned, and his resignation was sudden, catching almost everyone off guard. Fortunately, before resigning, Chancellor Wen arranged for Wen Qilang to enter the secretarial office as a secretary, which is a position of the eighth rank, but an important post in the capital. If it were in Nanjing, he could have been appointed as a deputy director of the Office of Seals, but Wen Qilang naturally didn't want to go to Nanjing. Being a secretary in the secretarial office meant working under the emperor's watchful eye, which was better than anything else.

Naturally, Qian Niang couldn't help but compare. Her younger sister, Ying Niang, was soon to marry the son of Minister Xu. Xu Si Jia, the eldest son of Minister Xu, had already passed the provincial examination. Though he failed the metropolitan examination, he would take it next year. If he passed, Ying Niang would become the wife of a jinshi (high-ranking scholar).

She realized that her advantages were dwindling. Her husband's appointment through family connections was certainly not as prestigious as entering service through the imperial examinations.

After Chancellor Wen stepped down, Chancellor Zhao was promoted to the position of Prime Minister.

Yao Niang specially chose a calligraphy piece from her dowry to give to Shen Linfeng. Shen Linfeng also presented a pair of jade elephants and two coral pots. These were priceless treasures. Giving gifts might not be good, but not giving them would definitely invite suspicion.

"You are too heavy with child, stay at home and rest. I'll go myself." Shen Linfeng smiled.

Yao Niang tiptoed and kissed her husband: "Go ahead."

The Imperial Academy was all about seniority. Shen Linfeng was now relying on his seniority, and he didn't shirk the hard work. Meanwhile, Lady Shao and Han Ruohua privately commented: "Look, the Wen family is gone, and the Yan family has lost all its support."

Han Ruohua's father was an inspector, and Lady Shao's uncle was a temple official. With their fathers' positions, their daughters had prospects in their in-laws' homes. Why could the Yan family overshadow them? It was entirely because of the Yan family's influence.

Therefore, although Han Ruohua didn't speak, she smiled without a word.

Just as the two were chatting happily, Lady Qing came over. Lady Qing frequently visited Lady Fan, and she had helped arrange the marriage for Fan Ruhui. Although Lady Fan had a daughter-in-law, she valued Lady Qing more due to her long-standing presence in the capital.

The three decided to decline once again when it was time for Yao Niang's child's third-day washing ceremony, though they didn't say it so bluntly.

At that moment, a servant boy reported: "Grandma, Second Grandma, Third Grandma, the main house is distributing rewards. They are sending servants to clean the Yan family's residence, saying that Minister Yan has been reinstated and appointed as a Grand Secretary of the Dongge Pavilion, and the imperial decree has been issued."