Chapter 118

Chapter 118

Shen Mo had just taken over the household management when she encountered her first issue: the problem of charcoal. Experienced families usually buy some in advance; Yao Niang’s family had already purchased plenty and even feared fires, so they had guards patrol every night.

Now, with ice and snow everywhere, buying charcoal was not only extremely expensive but also scarce.

"Brother-in-law, the price of charcoal has quintupled and it's hard to find any. I really don't know what to do, so I thought I'd ask you for advice," Shen Mo said. She turned to her natal family first, not for any other reason, but because her brother's family, consisting of three people, produced more than enough to spare some for her.

Yao Niang laughed upon hearing this, "Why didn't you buy earlier? Every winter, as the New Year approaches, the villagers around Zhuo Prefecture and nearby areas no longer go into the mountains to cut wood. It's your first year, so it's understandable that you lack experience, but you can't show weakness. Even if it's expensive, you should buy some to use temporarily. Things will be better after the New Year."

She wasn't foolish and wouldn't lend charcoal so easily. She could give Shen Mo some openly, but doing such favors privately for Shen Mo wasn't worth it.

Because someone like Shen Mo wouldn't favor you just because you were good to her or because you were a good person. Only if you were stronger than her would she look up to you.

Shen Mo knew that Yan Shi's kindness towards her was all fake. Previously, Yan Shi deliberately added six palanquins to her dowry in front of Pang Qian, making it seem like she was very kind. Now, when Shen Mo needed to borrow some charcoal, Yan Shi refused to help.

Thus, Shen Mo decided to speak plainly, "Brother-in-law, as you said, it's hard to buy charcoal near the end of the year. I was thinking of borrowing some from our home for now, and I'll return it when spring comes. What do you think?"

"If I had extra, I would have sent it to you long ago. Why mention returning it? I bought some for emergencies myself. Your brother recently got promoted to Lecturer, and we were supposed to host a banquet, but I'm pregnant, so we won't hold one this year. Naturally, I didn't buy much."

Her reasons were reasonable, and Shen Mo pleaded again, "Is there really no extra at all? I need it urgently. This is my first time managing the household, and I'm afraid people will say I'm incompetent and tarnish the Shen family's reputation."

Seeing her sincerity, Yao Niang relented, "How about this: my niece originally uses five pounds of charcoal a day. I'll have her stay with me, and I'll give you her share—about a hundred pounds. How does that sound?"

In fact, Fu Jie used silver frost charcoal at night, and her share wouldn't be reduced. Yao Niang just wanted to see if Shen Mo would rather take her niece's share than spend money on charcoal herself.

Hearing that Yao Niang was willing to give her a hundred pounds, Shen Mo spoke sweetly, "How can I take Fu Jie's share? But when I touched her hand, it was indeed warm. I've seen how close she is to you, Brother-in-law; I've never seen a mother and daughter get along so well."

"I'm a busy person, so I won't keep you. Send a cart to pick up the charcoal when you're ready," Yao Niang said.

Shen Mo expressed her gratitude and embarrassment but didn't refuse. Yao Niang initially thought Shen Mo was indifferent to her, which she didn't mind since a sister-in-law was an outsider. However, she was surprised to find that Shen Mo was also insincere towards her niece, and now her attitude towards Shen Linfeng was also lukewarm.

Since she was giving the charcoal, Yao Niang didn't want to appear unhappy. Instead, she prepared some tonics to send to Lady Pang, knowing that she needed to maintain a good image with Lady Pang and couldn't let Shen Mo shift the blame.

Shen Mo hadn't anticipated this. Although she felt the charcoal was too little, it would suffice for a while. The tonics would also help her save face with her in-laws.

After she left, Yao Niang remarked, "No matter how wealthy a person is, they always love to take advantage of situations."

Shen Mo had learned household management from Lady Shen, and she prided herself on understanding it well. However, in practice, she found many issues. As the head of the clan, Pang Qian traditionally had the matriarch handle sacrificial rites, but not everyone was as meticulous as Lady Shen, who, despite her dislike, taught everything thoroughly.

Lady Pang was already somewhat dissatisfied with her mother-in-law's overstepping by arranging her son's marriage without consulting her. Despite Shen Mo's sweet words and the tonics from Yao Niang, the natural tension between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law was exacerbated. Moreover, Pang Qian had three sisters married in the capital, and their presence often stirred up trouble.

Especially during the New Year, Shen Mo's natal family didn't invite the in-laws over because her sister-in-law was pregnant. Initially, Lady Pang didn't mind. But then, the eldest lady of the Pang family commented, "It's fine not to invite others, but we are the Shen family's in-laws. I heard they invited the Yan family, which seems like they are treating people differently."

"You mean the Yan family went?" Lady Pang frowned.

The eldest lady nodded, "Yes, I met Lady Zhen, the head of the Yan family, at Prime Minister Zhao's house yesterday. She mentioned that the Shen family invited them over for a whole day of festivities."

Lady Pang felt a twinge of jealousy, "The Yan family is a prestigious family of scholars and a renowned Jiangnan lineage, naturally different from us."

"But that's not entirely true. Sister-in-law, you always praise the Shen family highly. Now, it seems they are acting quite high and mighty. Mother, don't let her fool you. We need to think of a way to handle this," the eldest lady advised.

Yao Niang's New Year passed quietly without hosting a banquet. Unexpectedly, on the fifth day of the New Year, Shen Mo sent an invitation for the Shen family to attend a banquet at the Pang residence on the eighth day.

"I see the invitation says the eighth. I don't plan to go out, so you should go," Yao Niang told Shen Linfeng.

Shen Linfeng shook his head, "I have something important that day."

Yao Niang asked, "What is it? If it's trivial, you should cancel it. You should visit your sister's house."

"These days I've been busy writing Daoist hymns at home. Fang Sui has found me a Taoist master to review them. Originally, I was a scholar of poetry, so naturally, this is my main focus." Shen Linfeng was afraid of missing the opportunity, as it would be hard to find someone later.

Yao Niang agreed but suggested, "Why don't you send some gifts first, and then leave midway, claiming an urgent matter. Others won't say anything."

Shen Linfeng smiled and said, "Good idea, that's a great plan."

The couple always discussed matters together. Shen Linfeng naturally knew about Yao Niang giving her sister a hundred pounds of charcoal and sending tonics to Lady Pang, which could be considered very thoughtful.

They didn't know what the Pang family intended, and Lady Pang wouldn't show it openly. When Shen Linfeng visited the Pang residence, he also met several of Pang Qian's brothers-in-law, and they all greeted each other politely.

Pang Qian did not dare to take his brother-in-law lightly. Although Shen Linfeng was modest and courteous, he had served in office for years, often dealing with the Prime Minister, cabinet members, and officials from the six ministries. His demeanor was far beyond that of ordinary young gentlemen.

"Brother, we have invited performers to sing 'Linjiangxian' today, it's quite lively, all in Wu dialect," Pang Qian said.

Shen Linfeng nodded with a smile, but then saw Rong An come in. His face turned serious: "Son-in-law Pang, I'm sorry, but I have some urgent business. I'll visit again next time."

Pang Qian really thought something was wrong and escorted him to the door. Shen Linfeng quickly got into his carriage and left.

But Lady Pang was very dissatisfied, feeling that the Shen family was not showing respect. She told Pang Qian, "Why do you have to be so humble before him? I see the Shen family doesn't take us seriously. Your wife is just an old maid; if it weren't for your grandmother's decision, she wouldn't have entered our family so smoothly."

Pang Qian had also noticed that the Shen family didn't value this marriage alliance much.

However, with Shen Linfeng's career on the rise, Pang Qian could only try to reassure his mother. Lady Pang complained to Lord Pang that night. Lord Pang replied, "That young man from the Shen family has a bright future, but being so arrogant, he may not last long."

Unbeknownst to them, Shen Linfeng was appointed as a Daily Lecturer by the Emperor due to a Daoist hymn. A Daily Lecturer is also known as the Emperor's teacher. Although the Emperor rarely attended court sessions now, the significance of this position was entirely different.

This was the first time Shen Linfeng had not prioritized his family and relatives every day. He used to be the perfect heir of the Shen family, but now he had undergone a transformation. As Yao Niang said, how could a younger sister casually decide her brother's marriage for her own status? And how could a mother decide a marriage based solely on social standing?

Shen Linfeng even thought Yao Niang was generous. Not only did she provide six trousseau items for Shen Mo after her marriage, but she also sent charcoal for Fu Jie to help Shen Mo maintain her dignity in her new home.

What more could there be to complain about? She didn't even know that the Pang family disliked Shen Mo. Shen Mo felt hurt, believing she had done everything well in her new home, yet her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law still found fault. In the past, when her brother married his wife, she never interfered or caused trouble.

Before giving birth, Yao Niang heard the good news from her husband and was overjoyed.

"Really, a Daily Lecturer?" Yao Niang asked.

Shen Linfeng nodded with a smile, "There's no doubt about it. It seems I have a lot to learn in the official world. Although I can't be a sycophant, my father-in-law is right. My principles and talents must be recognized by the Emperor."

"It's rare to see you so pleased," Yao Niang said, holding his hand.

Shen Linfeng, who had been studying Daoist hymns until midnight every day for almost half a year, admitted to being pleased: "I passed the imperial examination at nineteen, and later passed the special examination. I'm twenty-five now, but I'm already twenty-seven by nominal age. I always thought I needed to build seniority, but now I realize why should we endure unnecessary hardships? Although I'm young, it doesn't mean I can't perform as well as others."

Yao Niang approved, "If age were the only factor, how could young people pass the imperial examination while older ones fail? However, being too pleased might not be good, as it could lead to traps. But I love my husband the most."

Shen Linfeng blushed, "You always praise me..."

Just as Yao Niang was about to say something, her labor pains began. This delivery was much smoother than the last. Before dinner was finished, the baby was born.

This time, she gave birth to a little brother for Ruofu. Shen Linfeng breathed a sigh of relief. The good things he had bought could finally be used, and his wife wouldn't have to suffer through childbirth again. The couple could enjoy their marital bliss.