Chapter 106: Misunderstandings Pile Up

  Mrs. Shen listened quietly, her heart skipping a beat: "How did you know?"

  Wang's mother laughed and said: "When Zhou Bing bought the house, our little kid saw it and thought he had some bad intentions, so he ran to tell me. At that time, I didn't understand either, so I told my wife. As a result, my wife checked and only then did she know that the house was actually bought for you."

  Li gave the two rooms in Baizhangfang to Wang Mama and also helped Wang Mama's family get rid of their debt. Although Li Gui and Wang Mama are still working for the Shen family, her son and daughter-in-law now use those two rooms for a small food business. The house and shop were bought together, so they must be close by. She had asked Zhou Bing to buy a shop near the house... Who would have thought that it would turn out like this!

  "Third Young Mistress, don't worry," said Wang's mother with a smile, seeing Shen Muqing's unhappy face. "The mistress didn't say anything else. She just asked me to pass on a message to you, saying 'Haste makes waste'."

  It seems like everyone who knows thinks I want to get a divorce!

  Calm and peaceful, with a clear conscience, I can finally put my mind at ease.

  "Let the madam go, I know what's deep and shallow. Above there are Mrs., madam and all the sisters-in-law, even if we split the family property, it wouldn't be my turn to speak up. I just hope that husband can be appointed outside earlier, so I can follow him when the time comes."

  Wang's mother smiled with pursed lips: "I'll definitely bring this letter."

  The two of them chatted for a few more sentences before Mrs. Wang stood up and bid farewell.

  Although she received such a letter, Shen Muqing's heart was still uneasy. She asked Bai Mu to help her find out what was happening outside.

  Seven or eight days later, this matter involved a secretary in the Ministry of Revenue.

  Shen Mu Qing An said it was not good, so she found an excuse that Shen Zhen was washing his body at home on the day he was supposed to return to his mother's house.

  Madam Tai heard that Shen Zhen was at home resting and happily agreed to Shen Muqing's request. She let a young servant go to the Hanlin Academy to inform them, and had Liang Jiming leave the government office to go to the Shen residence to pick up Shen Muqing.

  Shen Mu Qinghong nodded in response and then took Liu Chun and Bu Yue, two maidservants, back to the Shen residence.

  Mrs. Li's complexion was better than the last time she saw her, and seeing her daughter return, she was overjoyed, instructing the kitchen to make her favorite dishes, and also having someone go out to buy her favorite snacks.

  Shen Muqing and Li talked for a few words, and then they changed the subject to this.

  Li smiled and said, "You let it go, the old master took what he should take. If we investigate this thoroughly, then there is no one in the entire Zhou Dynasty who is clean."

  Shen Muqing thought of her dowry and a hint of hesitation appeared on her face.

  Mrs. Li hugged her daughter and smiled: "I know you're worried. What I've been through with your father is more than the salt you've eaten, don't worry!" She then asked about the boat capsizing on the lake, "...they said the small boat overturned and everyone fell into the water, why didn't they come back to tell me?"

  Shen Mu Qing pouted and said, "I'm afraid of what Madam will say, if it wasn't for me, the boat wouldn't have capsized!"

  "Oh, you child!" Mrs. Li looked at her daughter in front of her with a rosy complexion and a smile like a flower, and just smiled it off.

  Li came out from there. Shen Muqing went to Shen Zhen's study room.

  Shen Zhang Zheng and Mr. Ouyang were talking, Shen Mu Qing waited for a while before being led into the house by a young servant.

  Two people sat on either side of the warm pavilion in Jiuxi Zhai, when they saw Shen Muqing enter, Mr. Ouyang took advantage of the opportunity to bid farewell.

  Shen Muqing saw himself coming in when the atmosphere seemed very relaxed, and he put down half of his mind.

  Shen Zhen saw his daughter and said to Liang Jiemin: "I heard that you have been getting close to Chen Yazhi recently... Although Chen Yazhi is knowledgeable, he has a very introverted personality. This small matter, I'm afraid if I mention it to him, he might not be pleased. You should find an opportunity to remind him, and instead of socializing with him, why not get closer to Mr. Min?"

  Shen Mu Qing smiled and said: "Chen Yazi was the champion of the Shun Kang year, although his talent is not good, but his learning is indeed first-rate. Mr. Xiang is a bookworm, how would he think of these things? If he had been appointed as the champion earlier, it would have been better for him to stay in the Hanlin Academy and revise books all his life, which suits his temperament."

  Shen Zhen bitterly smiled: "How could I not have thought of that? Giving up this old face to protect him as a champion, was just to make the Emperor happy, to get a 'three yuan plus first' prize, who knew, Yuan Baozi actually wholeheartedly wanted to protect Min Bie Shan."

  "Oh!" Shen Mu Qing's eyes widened slightly as she stared blankly.

  Shen Zhen smiled and shook his head: "During the imperial examination, Min Bieshan answered brilliantly. When the emperor was about to decide on the top scholar, he was hesitant, and it happened that Yuan Paozi was on duty at night, so he called him over to ask for his opinion. Yuan Paozi responded with a single sentence: 'When selecting scholars, one should ask about their strategies, not their writing skills.' The emperor's face turned bright red with anger, and as a result, Ji Min was ranked tenth. This Yuan Paozi is really something... he almost ruined his own reputation! But it all worked out in the end. A few years later, I sent Ji Min to Sichuan, where my connections are strong. After three years of hard work, he can be transferred to a new place, and within ten years at most, he can become a high-ranking official. You shouldn't listen too much to your wife's nonsense about dividing the family property and rushing to take office. If Ji Min goes to Sichuan, the weather is bad, the people are rough, and the customs are harsh... what kind of suffering will you have to endure by following him?"

  Shen Mu smiled quietly and didn't answer, instead asking about the Magistrate of Linshan County's affairs.

  Shen Zhen probably didn't want to talk about these things either. Smiling and comforting Shen Muqing: "This matter still needs the emperor's consent, let alone my household department's accounts have always been clear."

  Shen Zhen was able to achieve what he has today, he must have his own ways. Maybe I'm just being too cautious!

  Shen Muqing comforted herself and chatted with Shen Zhen for a while. Then the whole family had lunch together. At the end of the afternoon, Liang Jiming came to pick them up. The two men-in-law talked again, and as the sky was getting dark, Mrs. Li invited her daughter and son-in-law to stay for dinner before sending them off.

  Paid respects to Tai Furen and Feng Shi, both returned to Die Cui Yuan.

  On the road, Shen Mu Qing asked Liang Ji Min: "Every time Master stays with you in the study for half a day, what does he talk to you about?"

  Liang Jimin slightly frowned and said somewhat impatiently, "Oh, nothing."

  Shen Muqing was like this, and Shen Jian entrusted her with his words of persuasion, which she swallowed.

  Entering June, both the imperial court and the officials began to busy themselves with the martial arts competition, and their attention to Linshan County Magistrate decreased a lot.

  Shen Mu Qing Pai had heard about Wu Jue's affairs from a hundred mouths.

  By June 24th, the results of Wu Jue's martial arts examination were announced.

  Shanxi Licheng County's Xiao Saodong got the title of Wu Zhuangyuan, Zhejiang Chuzhou Prefecture's Wu Jiang got the second place, and Tan Hua was Nan Zhili Suzhou Prefecture's Du Yun.

  Shen Mu Qing listened and let out a huge sigh of relief.

  The seventeen-year-old Wu Zongyuan, everyone who heard it couldn't help but feel a little curious. For a time, the streets and alleys of Kyoto were all talking about this matter.

  When Shen Muqing went to see Gu Jie, he met Liang Shuxin, who looked somewhat disheartened.

  "These young people nowadays are really something!"

  "What" Shen Mu Qing didn't know what Liang Shu Xin was referring to.

  Liang Shu's smile was somewhat forced: "I'm talking about this year's Wu Zhuangyuan Xiao Sa."

  Shen Muqing greatly appreciated Liang Shu's attitude towards his daughter, so when the two met, they often chatted warmly. Since being overheard by Shen Muqing criticizing Shen Jian behind his back, Liang Shu felt a bit guilty whenever he encountered her.

  Now that Shen Muqing is taking the initiative to make amends, he naturally wants to make up for it. One has a heart and the other has an intention, and the two can actually say a few words to each other now.

  Shen Mu Qing listened in stunned silence.

  In his mind's eye appeared Xiao Xiao's eyes, like an ancient well, deep and mysterious.

  Liang Shu Xin said to himself: "Xiao Xiao had studied at the Imperial Academy, on the day of your wedding, he even sent a gift and drank with us... It was I who introduced him to the husband. At that time, I felt that he was not simple. In just a few days, the two of them were together like old friends, drinking wine... Being pointed out as the top scholar should be the path of the royal family."

  Deeply shocked and saddened.

  I didn't expect Xiao Saohua to attend her own wedding... and she even has dealings with people from the Liang and Feng families!

  She felt like she had turned over a box of seasonings in her heart and muttered to herself: "Second Uncle was talking about Wang Xi, the eunuch who holds the pen for the Imperial Censorate."

  Liang Shu nodded: "It's him."

  Wang Xi was originally a fallen scholar, later promoted from the eunuch's palace. When the emperor was still the crown prince, he served by his side and was the most favored in the inner court, also having great power and influence.

  How did Ke Liang Shu know about Xiao Sa's whereabouts so clearly? He even inferred that Xiao Sa was taking Wang Xi's route.

  She had many questions to ask but didn't know how to start.

  Li Shu said he didn't notice any of this and continued to chat with Xiao Xiao: "Master Wang took a liking to him as soon as he saw him and wanted to take him in as his godson. Who knew that this guy was so cunning, just a few words and he had already tricked Master Wang into getting into bed with Cui Niang, how would Master Wang have the heart to care about whether he agreed or not?"

  Shen Muqing was extremely shocked.

  Xiang Niang, just hearing this name already knows what kind of person she is... and Xiao Sa actually treated the eunuch with a woman's hospitality.

  She couldn't help but rub her forehead.

  Liang Shu suddenly realized his mistake, his face turned bright red, and he muttered for half a day without speaking.

  For a moment, the atmosphere between them was quite awkward.

  Luckily, Elder Sister Guì burst into loud wailing at just the right moment.

  Shen Mu Qing smiled as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders and said: "Oh dear! Nangong sister must be hungry, I'll take her to see the wet nurse!"

  Liang Shu Xin also let out a sigh of relief and smiled: "Yes! Quickly take her to see the wet nurse!"

  Shen Muqing handed the child over to the wet nurse and accompanied Jiang Shuangrui for a few more words before excusing herself on the pretext of having something to attend to in Cuichun Hall.

  Jiang Shuangrui let Yan Hong see her out.

  On the road, Shen Mu Qing was thinking about Xiao Xiao's affairs.

  Although it is said that survival in officialdom requires some means, don't go too far because of this.

  The days passed quickly and it was already July 7th. Shen Youhui pulled Shen Muqing to see the water bowl she had placed on the platform early in the morning.

  "If a needle can float on water tonight, then Seventh Sister has heard my plea!"

  Shen Muqing is already a married woman and has lost the qualification to ask Qiujie. She beats Liang Yuhui: "What did you ask Qiujie for?"

  Liang Youhui's eyes dimmed slightly, and her rare heart was heavy with worry.

  Girls grow up and naturally have their own thoughts!

  Shen Mu Qing didn't ask further and smiled as she called out to Ying Fen: "Today is the night of the fallen plum blossoms, I'll let you few go follow Second Young Miss to pray for cleverness, but don't play too wildly!"

  Yingfen, Mingxia and the others all smiled and responded, surrounding Liang Youhui: "Second Aunt, today we're going to follow you and have some fun!"

  Liáng Yòu Huì was delighted again, and smiled as she went with several of them to see the melons and fruits for Qī Jiě.

  Who knew that day the weather was bad, after lunch, it started raining heavily.

  Liang Youhui paced back and forth at home like a caged beast: "If it's still raining tonight, we can't invite Seventh Sister."

  "Otherwise, we can just stay in and have some fruit and tell jokes. It's all about having fun anyway!"

  "That's different." Liang Youhui was very disappointed. "I asked Seventh Sister to ask Third Aunt to give birth to a nephew for me as soon as possible."

  Shen Mu Qing was stunned into silence.

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  Chapter 106: Misunderstandings Pile Up