Chapter 126

Chapter 126

Unconsciously, the next generation of Yao Niang's family began to attend school one after another. She felt a bit dazed when she saw her daughter come home from school, as it seemed like only yesterday that she herself had started learning the zither.

Yao Niang’s maternal grandfather had already retired, and her aunt, whom she was never allowed to call grandmother, was said to be seriously ill, possibly not having much time left.

Life is like this: some people or things wither away, while others are born anew.

Her sister-in-law Li gave birth to another boy, who was her brother's third son, with the nickname Chege. His full moon ceremony was lively, and she also took Fjie and Zhige back to their maternal home.

Fjie played with her younger uncle and cousins. She was over five years old now, tall for her age, probably because both Yao Niang and Shen Linfeng were tall.

Jingci, who was already seven and very wise, asked Fjie like a little adult, “What have you learned at home recently?”

“I’ve started reading the Four Books. Mother says I can learn music when I’m a bit older, but she doesn’t know what I like yet, so she plans to let me try everything and see which one I like best.” Ruo Fu was strong for her age, and her parents loved each other and were reasonable, making her unusually cheerful.

Renge, upon hearing Fjie’s words, added, “Fjie, do you still have any of the candied tangerines Aunt San sent? Last time we all ate them and said they were good, but Wenjie didn’t get any.”

Fjie felt something was off about this statement but, being young, couldn’t quite understand why. She shook her head, “I don’t know; those were sent by Father’s clan.”

Renge then smiled and mentioned where the pastries in front of them were bought. The children gathered together to eat, and after eating, Fjie ran around playing. She had excellent leg strength and ran very fast, outpacing several boys. Despite her young age, she was very skilled and could weave grasshoppers and dragonflies.

“Uncle, this is for you,” Fjie generously handed a small grasshopper to Jingci, who looked eager.

“Thank you,” Jingci said, his eyes sparkling.

She played with a small dragonfly on the ground, and Renge also wanted one. He immediately ran behind Fjie and begged, “Okay, but you have to recognize me as the leader, or I won’t give it to you.”

“Why did you give it to Uncle?” Renge asked.

Fjie huffed, “Uncle is my good friend, you’re not.” Then she turned to Wenjie, “Wenjie, I’ll make you a butterfly.”

Wenjie was delighted.

The three of them played together, and seeing this, Renge burst into tears and sat on the ground kicking his legs...

When he cried, everyone around them gathered. Fjie, instead of panicking, said, “Renge is a crybaby. If you keep crying, I won’t give you anything.”

To calm the situation, Wenjie offered her butterfly to Renge, but before he could take it, Fjie snatched it back, “If you always borrow things to give away, I won’t play with you anymore.”

The adults watched this scene, unsure of what to say, fearing it might hurt feelings. Yao Niang then said to Shen Linfeng, “Here, it’s up to you.”

Shen Linfeng walked over, pretending not to know what was happening, “Why is someone crying here? Can anyone tell me what happened?”

Jingci lowered his head silently, as he was usually not one to argue. Wenjie hid behind her nanny, but Fjie spoke up, “Renge wanted me to make him a grass animal, but he wouldn’t ask nicely. As soon as I refused, he started crying and whining. Father, isn’t it true that Mother said whining gets you nothing? When Zhige cries when he can’t do something, Mother ignores him and tells me to ignore him too.”

Shen Linfeng praised his daughter, “My daughter has a good memory. That’s exactly right. However, fairness and justice should be upheld in everything. If I don’t give, I shouldn’t give to anyone; if I give, I should give to everyone. Otherwise, it would be favoritism. Although age doesn’t determine who should be listened to, how would you feel if one day, others only gave to everyone around you but not to you?”

“I’m sorry, Father, I was wrong,” Fjie said.

Shen Linfeng then squatted down to Renge, “You’re a boy, and Fjie is younger than you. Say you won’t cry anymore, and we can all be good friends, okay?”

Renge glanced at Fjie, stopped crying, and said, “I’m sorry, Cousin. I won’t cry anymore.”

Fjie said, “Renge, if you stop crying, I’ll make you a grasshopper. We four can hold them and race to see who runs the fastest, okay?”

Renge stood up immediately and obediently stood beside Fjie, “Okay.”

The children quickly resumed playing together, and Shen Linfeng returned to Yao Niang and the others, saying, “Mission accomplished.”

Yao Niang said to Lady Li, "Sister-in-law, Fumei is spoiled at home." She didn't truly believe her daughter was wrong; as Shen Linfeng had pointed out, in noble families, one cannot act solely based on personal preferences.

When children are young, no one really minds, but those with ulterior motives might see it differently. Yao Niang respected her daughter, and Shen Linfeng did not criticize her either; he only asked her to put herself in others' shoes.

Fumei was actually a kind and generous little girl. After playing until she was drenched in sweat, she took a petal bath at her grandmother's house. When she came out, being so young, she ate and drank heartily in the room, savoring turtle soup and shredded chicken, thoroughly enjoying herself.

She had a broad mind, just like her father, and any unhappiness was quickly forgotten. By the time Yao Niang came to pick her up, she was already rubbing her eyes, ready for bed, while Runge still didn't want to part with his cousin Rufe.

Shen Linfeng could only say, "Runge will come to our place to play in a few days."

After they left, Lady Li still wondered, "I thought Runge usually prefers to play with Wenjia's sister, but I didn't expect him to be more reluctant to part with Shen's sister."

"Shen's sister, though young, has an extraordinary demeanor, full of vitality, and everyone likes her. She never acts petty. When she falls, she simply dusts herself off and smiles again." The people around Lady Li naturally favored Fumei, fearing that their mistress would be misled by Wenjia's sister.

Although Fumei was young, she had a cheerful disposition. Most importantly, her father-in-law, Shen Linfeng, had a smooth career path. In just a few short years, he had already become a Lecturer in the Imperial Academy, and he was only twenty-eight years old.

Wen's father-in-law, though a good person, had entered officialdom through favor, and still relied on his ancestors' influence, which was different.

Lady Li smiled and shook her head. Actually, the eldest brother had proposed a marriage alliance, but the younger sister and her husband both said they should wait until the children were older. Indeed, Shen Linfeng's own marriage had faced many obstacles, so they were being cautious.

**

Back at home, Yao Niang thought about how much thinner Xin Wan had become recently, so she sent Ziteng to deliver some tonics, saying, "I didn't realize Third Sister had become so thin until today."

Yan Jingwen, the eldest son of the main branch, had no hope of achieving scholarly success in recent years, but he and Xin Wan lived harmoniously. It was said that Lady Zhen was very dissatisfied, believing that Xin Wan had led Yan Jingwen astray, but who in the Yan family didn't know that Yan Jingwen's personality was unsuited for the scholarly path?

The current political climate was dark, and not just anyone could enter it.

As they spoke, Shen Linfeng came in from outside, "Yao Niang, Zhou Lingguang has been demoted by the Emperor for petitioning to establish a crown prince. I think he was indeed too bold."

"Oh, such a big event happened. But why does Elder Sister seem fine? She was laughing and chatting without any sign of trouble. Why did he do this?" Yao Niang thought that Yan Ningxin had been doing well since her marriage, and she often heard that Zhou Lingguang had been doing well in the Imperial Academy. How could he now petition to establish a crown prince, something the Emperor detested the most?

Shen Linfeng shook his head, "He's just seeking advancement. My teacher, Premier Zhao, has been in office for many years, and many of the pure officials are attacking him. What they dislike most is his failure to petition the Emperor to establish the national foundation. Zhou's brother-in-law has repeatedly advised me to speak to my teacher, but my teacher is more anxious about this than anyone else. However, anxiety doesn't help; it all depends on the Emperor's will."

Yao Niang said to him, "He is building his reputation now. In a few years, the pure officials will still use him, and even the future crown prince will remember his contribution when he ascends the throne. He is a man of strategy."

Most people in the Imperial Academy have to accumulate seniority, but Shen Linfeng, being the top scholar and a favorite student of the Premier, and also skilled in writing Qingci (a form of poetry), was highly favored and promoted quickly.

Besides him, Yan Jingzhao had served three years in the censorate and was now appointed as a Censor in Sichuan.

Moving from the pure officials to the corrupt officials, Yan Jingzhao initially found it hard to adapt, but after being posted outside, he was promoted rapidly, which was very different from the Imperial Academy. Some scholars in the Imperial Academy might spend decades just to become a compiler.

Zhou Lingguang thought the same way. Rather than spending years in the Imperial Academy, poring over texts and accumulating seniority, it was better to take a bold step. This way, if the future emperor ascended the throne, he would remember him, and he could carve out his own territory outside.

Moreover, he was fearless because his father-in-law was there. As long as his father-in-law was around, he wouldn't worry about being reinstated.

Thinking of this, Zhou Lingguang saw Yan Ningxin's panic and gently comforted her, "Don't worry. I did this for two reasons: first, for the court, as establishing the heir is the foundation of the state. The Emperor has not established a crown prince or appointed tutors for him, which will affect the future governance of the country. Second, it's for you."

Yan Ningxin was surprised. In the years since her marriage, she had remained childless, but Zhou Lingguang treated her very well, never pressing her to bear children, and even forbade the mention of it at home. His kindness was beyond what she could imagine.

Now, hearing that his demotion by the Emperor was partly for her sake, Yan Ningxin was puzzled, "For me?"

Zhou Lingguang nodded, "Because you love freedom and hate constraints. Once we are posted outside, we will have the sky to soar and the sea to swim in."

Yan Ningxin was deeply moved.

But Zhou Lingguang thought that even if it was for his daughter, Yan Yingqi wouldn't let them suffer.