Chapter 115

Chapter 115

Yao Niang discovered she was pregnant in June, and by August, her pregnancy had just begun to show. It was her first time being pregnant, so she followed the instructions of the doctors and wet nurses to avoid any risks.

Now, she has read many medical books and relied on her own experience, realizing that she shouldn't drink anything just because it seems good. For example, she thought bird's nest was beneficial and drank it daily during her pregnancy, but the child ended up being more prone to allergies, even unable to eat egg custard at first. This made Yao Niang realize that following a strict regimen during pregnancy isn't always wise.

However, she believes that everything can be consumed in moderation, like eating sea cucumber soup once every ten days.

Shen Linfeng usually eats lunch at the government office, so most of the time, Yao Niang eats alone. Initially, Fu Jier would accompany her, but since Yao Niang is now pregnant, she can't hold her daughter, so Fu Jier eats in her room, and Yao Niang visits her afterward.

Qing Dama naturally wanted to come over and talk, and she had already found out that Yao Niang had finished her meal, but in the end, she gave up. She tapped the table and said, "Da Lang's wife is hard to talk to, but Da Lang is easier."

At most, Shen Linfeng would remain silent and not refuse outright, which could be seen as tacit approval.

So, when Shen Linfeng arrived home, he was immediately invited over by Shen Qing. Qing Dama quickly explained the situation: "The two were quarreling and started fighting. That person hit my cousin, who retaliated, but unexpectedly, one punch was too much for him, and he fainted. The other family is deliberately making a big fuss. They know we are related to the Shen family, yet they claim they will make our lives miserable, completely disregarding us."

The last part was added by Qing Dama herself; if she didn't make the matter seem serious, Shen Linfeng wouldn't help.

They all believed Shen Linfeng would assist, and Qing Dama even secretly wrote to Shen Furen, thinking she might help if needed.

But Shen Linfeng had only intended to return home to eat and sleep. Hearing the severity of the matter, he was somewhat displeased and asked, "Are you handling lawsuits?"

This question was quite pointed, as Shen Linfeng was questioning whether Qing Dama was profiting from resolving legal disputes.

Qing Dama immediately replied, "What are you saying, Da Lang? I would never do such a thing. This is my cousin, who was at a loss due to these events. My father-in-law is currently serving in Nanjing, not in Henan."

Shen Linfeng glanced at her and said, "It won't work to come to me. I'm just an ordinary scholar in the Imperial Academy; how can I have such influence?"

Talking about integrity and fairness with people like them was futile, as they wouldn't listen and would instead think you were incompetent.

Qing Dama always felt that Shen Linfeng spoke with the demeanor of a gentleman, so everyone in their family considered Yan Shi to be the bad one and Shen Linfeng the good one.

One couldn't touch Yan Shi's beard, but Shen Linfeng was easy to talk to.

Therefore, Qing Dama wasn't discouraged and smiled, "Da Lang, although you are a scholar, you serve in the Wenyuan Pavilion. Who in the region wouldn't give you some face? I remember when Elder Aunt was in the capital, she said the eldest branch would be under your charge. In our family, you are the most respected. Among our generation, who doesn't speak highly of you?"

Shen Linfeng usually talked the most with Yao Niang and noticed how different she was from Qing Dama. When her grandfather was implicated, Yao Niang never asked anyone in the Shen family for help, believing that even if they were demoted to commoners, her grandfather had done the right thing.

During famine years, she would waive rent for a season and frequently inspected the estates, warning the managers not to encroach on others' land, never covering up for anyone.

Now, there was a murder case, and they still wanted to involve the Shen family.

Shen Linfeng declined, "I'm afraid I can't help with this."

Qing Dama didn't really expect Shen Linfeng's position to be of much help. She had someone else in mind and said, "Alright, I won't put you in a difficult position. Can you at least introduce me to Minister Yan and Minister Xu? That should be possible, right?"

Without Shen Linfeng's introduction, even using the Shen family's name wouldn't guarantee their help.

Shen Linfeng hadn't realized how adept Qing Dama was at manipulating people, asking him to meet the prime minister and the minister of justice at the drop of a hat. He found this strange, as he used to not care much about such things, but after living with Yao Niang for a while, he learned the phrase "a big face fits in a basin."

"A murder case? You still want to use the Shen family's reputation to meddle in this? Do you want all our relatives to know about this? Even in front of Minister Yan and Minister Xu, I must uphold the dignity of the Wu Xing Shen family, the prominent Jiangzuo clan. You truly..." Shen Linfeng was speechless with anger.

When Shen Linfeng refused, Qing Dama tried to say something more, but Shen Linfeng interrupted, "Last time, Qing Dage borrowed two hundred taels from me, with interest, it amounts to two hundred and thirty-four taels. Also, since it involves a murder case, our family does not interfere in local litigation. You should find someone else."

Shen Qing hadn't expected Shen Linfeng to reveal his borrowing and the high interest, which was even worse than what moneylenders charged, leaving him speechless.

Naturally, Shen Linfeng was also worried that Qing Dama and her husband might go behind his back to the Yan family or the Xu family, so he added, "You'd better write to Uncle Three. He's in Nanjing and has served in several provinces for years. If Mr. Zhushan finds out, he is known for his impartiality."

After bidding farewell to the couple, when Shen Linfeng returned home, Yao Niang said, "Why did you come back so late? I'm starving. I won't wait for you anymore."

"It's my fault." He then recounted how Shen Linqing’s couple had called for her.

Yao Niang shook her head: "I think they will definitely find someone else, and it’s likely that Second Brother’s wife will help."

Shen Linfeng frowned: "Why are you so certain?"

"High-ranking families, with their titles, have always acted without restraint, unlike officials. The Emperor will also favor them, as they are all of the same blood. Those who truly want to be good officials must act in a way that leaves no room for others to seize any advantage, being cautious again and again." Yao Niang, born into a prominent official family, understood this well.

"Do you know why my mother was willing to marry my father, who was already in a secondary marriage, and without status or name? It’s because my maternal grandfather made a wrong judgment in his post, and my grandfather and others covered it up. Anyone who wants to rise must have no weaknesses, or they will easily be manipulated."

Only then did Shen Linfeng understand. He had been very puzzled before. Although the Jie family of Dongshan was not a top-tier noble family, they would not let their daughter enter a secondary marriage. Now it made sense.

He said, "Don’t worry, I won’t. Not only will I not, but I will also write to Father and Mother to tell them not to get involved."

No matter what relatives they were, when he was in trouble, none of them came to his aid. Some even tried to harm him. Shen Linfeng had seen through this long ago.

Yao Niang smiled: "I was afraid you’d be naive and always try to be a good person, which could lead to our family suffering."

"Don’t worry, I’m not foolish. No one can deceive me, I only listen to you," Shen Linfeng laughed.

Yao Niang glanced at him: "You’re just smooth-talking."

What Yao Niang predicted really came true. Despite Qing Damao’s usual connections, most of them were of lower status, and she didn’t dare show any weakness, fearing that others would look down on her. Therefore, she took three thousand taels to Wang Shi.

Wang Shi initially hesitated, but her boldness gradually grew. In the past, she only dared to send messages through others to earn a small sum, and to mediate among the ladies to receive some gifts, which were far more profitable than having servants run shops. Nowadays, business is not easy; one must seek out shopkeepers and sources of goods, and in the end, the silver earned is not enough to cover expenses. This method of earning money is much faster.

But then Qing Damao said, "These three thousand taels are to smooth the way for you. If the matter succeeds, there will be another two thousand taels as a special thank-you gift for you."

Wang Shi had an aunt married to the Shandong Censorate Commissioner, and she had heard that the matter was in Shandong territory, where both sides were local gentry.

Thus, she pretended to be hesitant, but in fact, she had a plan in mind.

Seeing her agree, Qing Damao felt relieved.

Regardless of how Wang Shi managed to suppress the situation locally, Yao Niang, due to her pregnancy, heard that Lady Jie had caught a cold and did not feel comfortable visiting. She sent a servant to inquire after her health.

Fortunately, Lady Jie was not seriously ill. Since giving birth to Jingci, her health had been good, and it was said that the cold was due to overindulgence in coolness. In autumn and winter, such illnesses were common. Fortunately, Li Shi was there to ensure she was served soup, allowing Yao Niang to rest assured.

Although Lady Jie was delicate, her health was generally fine. Xin Wan, however, had been ill since her marriage. Her mental state improved, but she was still fragile. Zhen Shi had entrusted her with managing the main house, comforting Yan Ningxin, and socializing, which had exhausted Xin Wan.

Zhen Shi certainly had her plans. With Xin Wan and her son together, Yan Jingwen became less motivated to study and advance. Managing the household while ill was also difficult. In the past, she had looked down on Li Shi, thinking her too ordinary. Now, seeing Li Shi’s good health and kindness, she naturally wanted to find a new wife for her son.

As the son of a prime minister, Jingwen would surely marry someone of higher status.

Of course, she wouldn’t resort to poisoning or anything like that, but making someone do exhausting tasks was within reason. Unlike Shen Furen, who imposed strict rules on weak individuals, making them manage the household and socialize frequently, nothing was more draining than that. Guan Shi from the third house was deliberately left on the mountain by Yan Jingzhao, and eventually, unable to bear it, she jumped into a well.

Lady Wei said, "Madam, Third Madam invited a doctor last night, who said she needs to rest and recuperate."

"Now that I’ve entrusted the household matters to her, if she needs to rest, that’s fine. Tell the managers to go to her courtyard if they need anything. Send more tonics to her as well," Zhen Shi said indifferently.

Lady Wei nodded and was about to leave when she added with a smile, "Madam, I heard something happened at the Shen family."

Zhen Shi perked up: "Was it Shen Linfeng?"

Lady Wei shook her head: "No, it was Shen Jijiu."