Chapter 90

This month has been about learning to cook oyster pancakes in the kitchen and painting flowers. Although Yao Niang kept thinking her bird and flower paintings were too detailed and not beautiful enough, Shen Linfeng saw them differently and it reminded him of something.

"These flowers you've painted are very good. The peony viewing season is almost here. I think if we bind your paintings into a book, those who wish to buy peonies can choose varieties without leaving their homes. This way, our garden will earn us some silver. If you still want to admire them, just keep them at home; they're not worth much anyway," Shen Linfeng said.

Yao Niang replied, "Once you leave, I'll have to stay indoors to avoid the dirty affairs of the Second and Third Houses. I won't invite anyone over, so there's no need for admiration. We have plenty of rare flowers and plants at home anyway."

Shen Linfeng nodded, "I'll keep a few extremely precious ones, and sell the rest as much as we can. Otherwise, once they wither, we'll have nothing left."

Yao Niang smiled, "I like how practical you are. My husband is the best in the world."

Actually, Shen Linfeng was just playing along because he noticed she was always particularly happy when he gave her money. But in truth, as a couple managing the household, they had to set an example; otherwise, they couldn't even manage their home, let alone serve in office or govern the people.

Shen Linfeng then scooped up Yao Niang, "After eating so many oysters, I have to work hard."

Yao Niang couldn't help but lean her head on his chest. Without mentioning how many times they needed water that night, the next morning Shen Linfeng started with the flower catalog, sending two young servants to the flower market with it. If someone liked a flower, they would negotiate the price, and if they wanted it, Rong An would be sent to finalize the deal.

Lu Shaner also thought of this method. Years ago, Old Master Shen specifically gave Qingyi Garden to his youngest son. Qingyi Garden had a greenhouse and many rare plants. She used to make a living selling flowers, and now, suddenly in charge of the household, none of the younger daughters-in-law were willing to step forward. She had to take the lead, but she couldn't live beyond her means.

The external accounts were managed by the chief steward and directly reported to the Governor Shen. She managed the internal accounts, but if things continued like this, within five years, they would be living beyond their means, and she had no other solutions.

There were hundreds of servants in the household, with twelve to thirteen attendants serving each daughter-in-law, not to mention their personal attendants. The monthly expenses for all these people amounted to several hundred taels of silver, plus seasonal clothing and daily living expenses, which were not small sums.

Therefore, Lu Shaner had to send people out to investigate the flower market, and after the investigation, she had the steward bring merchants into the house to select and sell flowers.

When the Third House's actions became known, the Second Lady frowned, "Such petty behavior, allowing merchants to come and go, completely lacking in dignity, just like common market people."

The servants of the Third House also whispered about Lu Shaner behind her back. Jiang Erniang and Qing Dama had a lukewarm relationship, but after Han Ruohua entered the household, she realized her husband wouldn't misbehave with his sister-in-law, so she felt relieved and often spoke with Han Ruohua.

Han Ruohua maintained good relations with everyone, but she knew Qing Dama liked to set traps for others. Lady Shao, on the other hand, was somewhat nicer, and her uncle was a high-ranking official in the Imperial College. Her dowry was substantial, and she was now pregnant. Moreover, Shen Linjiang was more warm-hearted than Shen Linqing.

Thus, the two of them grew closer, and Lady Shao enjoyed talking to Han Ruohua, feeling that they were compatible in temperament, and every word resonated with her.

"You say our lady is so young, letting merchants come and go. Look, when Elder Lady found out, I heard she came to ask if our family was short of money," Lady Shao said, incredulous.

Han Ruohua was surprised, "Elder Lady came?"

She knew well that life in a large family wasn't as easy as it seemed. Everyone wanted to eat well, drink well, and dress well, all at the expense of the family. The Han family looked good from the outside, but internally, things weren't so rosy, or she wouldn't have brought her dowry to live with her aunt.

Han Ruohua usually did her own needlework, and even when giving gifts, they were just old dresses she no longer wore.

But seeing Lady Yan dressed splendidly and spending lavishly, sometimes changing clothes four times a day, was truly extravagant. Now, as the head of the household, the future was uncertain.

Lady Shao nodded, "Yes, our Third Lady is just like a common market woman."

"Second Sister-in-Law, don't speak ill of our elders," Han Ruohua said.

"You're always so cautious. What's there to fear?" Lady Shao, who wasn't usually like this, had changed since becoming pregnant. If she gave birth to a son, he would be the eldest grandson of the Shen family, and her entire mindset had shifted.

Han Ruohua smiled, "Second Sister-in-Law, we're not like you."

Lady Shao said, "You always keep yourself aloof. Do you think it doesn't concern you? Once we step out, none of us can escape. I'm afraid my uncle's family will also ask if we're struggling, given all the commotion."

"Yes, I also heard that Lady wants to lay off some servants. For a family like ours, if we start selling people, who knows what people will think outside?" Han Ruohua quietly said.

Sell people? Lady Shao was unhappy again, "Since I'm pregnant, Lady didn't even hire a wet nurse or midwife for me, and now she wants to lay off people? I usually feel there aren't enough attendants."

This point was also agreed upon by Han Ruohua, who added, "The main house has only two masters, yet there are hundreds of people in the household. It's only our family that needs to lay off people."

These matters gradually reached Yao Niang's ears, and she finally understood why Shen Linfeng had taken the flower catalog out, thus not alarming anyone. In wealthy households, everyone has their means of livelihood, but it must be kept secret, not wanting others to know. Lu Shaner's actions were not entirely wrong. How could one put it? Just like in the court, who doesn't want political clarity, land returned to the people, and fewer taxes? But nowadays, the most land is owned by scholars and officials. The current emperor shares the world with these scholars; who dares to reform, knowing the outcome would likely not be good?

So, even in a small family, those accustomed to a good life, rinsing their mouths with bird's nest, wearing silk and satin, all know that the Shen family of Wu Xing is a wealthy household. How could they possibly be willing to live frugally? She thought too simply.

Unless this person has already established a firm footing, an order from them could be as swift as a bamboo shoot breaking through the earth. Otherwise, it would be very difficult.

In the evening, Shen Linfeng brought back the money to Yao Niang. This time, selling peonies, over a hundred pots in total, including both famous and ordinary varieties. The ordinary ones sold for several coins each, while the better ones fetched a few taels, and altogether, including the pots, they made fifty taels of silver.

Yao Niang had someone put it away and asked Shen Linfeng to sit down, then said, "With your departure, we won't see each other for months. I want to paint a portrait of you to keep in my room, so I can look at it and think of you."

"Do you miss me that much?" Shen Linfeng coughed lightly.

Yao Niang covered her mouth, "Not necessarily, I'm just painting for fun."

Shen Linfeng immediately said, "Wait a moment, I'll go bathe and change clothes first."

"That's not good, this is how you usually look. Sit down quickly, you've already eaten dinner." Yao Niang urged him to sit.

She then carefully began painting Shen Linfeng, thinking to herself as she painted that they were actually husband and wife. Indeed, he was a fine-looking man, worthy of being her husband.

As Shen Linfeng became more familiar with Yao Niang, he relaxed. Seeing her smile, he couldn't help but ask, "What are you grinning about? Are you so happy with me that you can't control yourself?"

"Nonsense, I'm just worried that after you leave, I'll be alone, and some scoundrels might try to take advantage of me. I'll hang your portrait there to see who dares to misbehave." Yao Niang joked.

Shen Linfeng's expression turned serious. Yes, with him around, Yao Niang naturally had protection. If he wasn't there, she would be alone, frail and vulnerable, indeed.

Seeing his stern face, Yao Niang quickly said, "Husband, smile. Why such a long face?"

...

An hour later, Yao Niang finished the painting. Shen Linfeng stood up and saw himself in the painting, walking on a jade mountain, his light illuminating all. He whispered something in Yao Niang's ear.

Yao Niang said, "Isn't that being too cautious? What if there's a mistake?"

"What mistake? In your inner chamber, you just need to prevent anyone from touching it. Remember, if there's danger, run here. Don't worry, I've learned a thing or two from being friends with Lin Long for so long." Shen Linfeng replied.

Yao Niang had no choice but to let him do as he wished, after all, he was doing it for her own good.

However, just before leaving, he slapped his head and couldn't help saying to Yao Niang, "How could I forget to take a small portrait of you? I was so busy with the mechanism yesterday."

Seeing his frustration, Yao Niang smiled and took out a painting of herself as the Peony Fairy, with the inscription: "My beloved wife, Goddess Yan, awaits your early return."

Only then did Shen Linfeng leave contentedly.

Once he left, Yao Niang closed the doors and windows, instructing the gatekeeper that if anyone came looking for Shen Linfeng, to tell them to come back in a few months.

With Shen Linfeng away, Yao Niang found herself with free time. She first had someone buy all the new books from the bookshop and read them to her heart's content. Then she started calling everyone in the household to have their portraits painted. One shouldn't assume that painting requires only talent; diligence is also necessary. Especially now, with Yao Niang often handling complex affairs, she felt she had lost some of her former inspiration and needed to regain it.

The servants were terrified, and one manager said, "Madam, if you paint our portraits, should any of us run away or commit crimes, you could track us down from a thousand miles away."

Sometimes, it's hard to focus on something without distractions, like now, with Shen Er's birthday banquet. As the only female member of the main house, she had to attend.

Upon arriving, she naturally presented her birthday gift: a embroidered screen depicting cranes for longevity, two baskets of silver-thread noodles, three Yellow River carp, four boxes of pastries, five wild chickens, and six platters.

The six platters included lamb platter, steamed fatty chicken platter, pork roll platter, roasted sika deer meat platter, five-spice pig trotter platter, and pickled fresh mandarin fish platter.

These items, carried over, surpassed what the third house had offered. Lu Shaner had once given Yao Niang similar gifts, thinking they were the same. However, she didn't realize that Shen Er's status was different from Yao Niang's. Shen Er was an elder, a matriarch, and thus deserved a grander gesture. Yao Niang chose the number six for this purpose.

Mrs. Shen Er said to Yao Niang as soon as she saw her: "We're all family, why be so formal?"

"This is Aunt Ruohua's birthday, though not a milestone one. It's my first time celebrating your birthday since I joined the family, and I'm unsure what to give. If there's anything inappropriate, please do guide me," Yao Niang smiled.

Mrs. Shen Er, as always, was very eloquent: "I couldn't be more satisfied with the gift." She then invited Yao Niang to sit with several sisters-in-law. When she arrived, the members of the Third House were already there, along with the eldest aunt and Chen Shi, the daughter-in-law from the old uncle's family of the Shen clan.

Yao Niang had a falling out with Mrs. Shao, so they didn't speak much. She sat between Chen Shi and the eldest sister-in-law. Chen Shi was known among relatives for being gentle and kind to everyone.

Chen Shi asked Yao Niang: "I heard your cousin has been appointed as an examiner?"

Yao Niang smiled: "He left a few days ago."

"Where did he go? Is it to our Southern Zhili?"

"No, he went to Nanchang in Jiangxi. Everyone is vying for the position of examiner in Southern Zhili. He only became a compiler last year, so such an important post might not be his turn yet," Yao Niang said modestly.

Chen Shi patted Yao Niang: "That's still quite impressive."

Yao Niang nodded slightly.

Nearby, another compiler's wife was sitting. This Mr. Huang, who entered the Imperial Academy as a Hanlin scholar with Mr. Shen Er, found it hard to advance and was still a compiler. She couldn't help but glance at Yao Niang, who looked like a young girl in her early teens, yet her husband was already a compiler. Mrs. Huang thought to herself that this girl must have great fortune.

At times like these, the other sisters-in-law often remained silent. Among the younger generation, Shen Linfeng, at just twenty, was already a compiler in the Imperial Academy and now appointed as an examiner in Jiangxi, which showed the trust of his superiors.

In fact, Shen Linfeng was already a remarkable talent in the Shen family. Even Yao Niang found it strange; if Shen Linfeng were in the Yan family, they would probably boast about him endlessly. Even Mrs. Zhen, who was inwardly displeased, had to praise him outwardly. Yet, despite Shen Linfeng's talents, few in the Shen family gave him special attention.

This was a collective suppression, a silent oppression. Yao Niang saw it all and felt increasingly that Shen Linfeng was undervalued.

The eldest sister-in-law noticed that Yao Niang wore new pointillist decorations on her head, jade bracelets on her wrists, and a dress of celestial green, making her look elegant and charming, truly a picture of nobility.

Looking at herself, she still wore the hairpins from the New Year. She couldn't help but say to Mrs. Shao: "Second Sister-in-Law, the hairpin you're wearing looks like it's made of Hetian jade filigree, it's really beautiful."

Mrs. Shao said proudly: "Today, I used a multi-jewel pearl crown. You don't know how unwilling I am to wear those complicated hairstyles in summer; they weigh heavily on my head."

Women enjoyed chatting about jewelry. Seeing that Mrs. Shao's headpiece was already exquisite and she still humbled herself, the eldest sister-in-law noticed that Yao Niang didn't join the discussion and showed little emotion.

Yao Niang, of course, knew that none of the people from the Third House were good. She didn't bother to chat with them. Having been married to Shen Linfeng for half a year, he had given her plenty of money. Yao Niang, apart from expensive painting materials, had few desires. Sometimes, when Shen Linfeng received a ten-tael fee for his work, he would give it to her. She also had interest from her dowry and income from the estate, but she didn't feel like mentioning it.

Mrs. Shao, feeling triumphant, usually tried to win over Han Ruohua. Seeing that the eldest sister-in-law spoke to her more, she felt even better about herself, thinking she had better relations than Mrs. Yan.

The eldest sister-in-law subconsciously glanced at Yao Niang, seeing no change in her expression, which puzzled her.

Being isolated should feel terrible, especially when Mrs. Shao was so pleased, Mrs. Yan should be angry. But Mrs. Yan showed no reaction at all. Given her character, this was unusual, and the eldest sister-in-law was confused.

Unbeknownst to her, Yao Niang, having grown up in the Yan family, was often isolated by Ying Niang and others. She had come to enjoy this solitude, finding that only in quiet moments could one truly learn. Useless socializing was pointless. Moreover, listening to their boasts only made her realize how limited their horizons were.

She wasn't looking down on anyone; she was friendly to anyone who spoke to her, but she wouldn't initiate unnecessary conversations. It was better to use that time to build relationships with those who could help her.

Seeing that guests were arriving at Mrs. Shen Er's, Wang Shi greeted them. Yao Niang recognized one of them as the wife of Deputy Prime Minister Zhao Linded. Zhao Linded was once the Minister of Rites and was Shen Linfeng's junior mentor. Yao Niang had visited her home recently.

Mrs. Zhao was more familiar with Yao Niang than with Wang Shi. Upon seeing her, she said: "I was wondering where you were, hiding here. Is Gongding around today?"

"Madam, you must be forgetting. Gongding left for Jiangxi a few days ago. He told me to visit you often and pay my respects," Yao Niang fibbed.

Mrs. Zhao replied: "My husband had a rash on his leg a few days ago. It was Gongding who searched for medicine everywhere, which helped him recover. My husband says that among his disciples, Gongding is the most filial, which moved him deeply."

This was Shen Linfeng, truly kind to others.

But hearing this, Mrs. Shen Er recalled that her own husband also had a rash, yet Shen Linfeng didn't search the city for medicine. She thought he was indeed biased.

Yao Niang invited Lady Zhao to sit down, and Lady Shen Er personally attended to the guest, saying to Yao Niang, "Go and sit with them; you young people should chat over there."

"Yes." With that, Yao Niang took her leave and returned to her seat.

This sudden turn of events left the eldest lady of the Qing family in a quandary. She naturally wanted to use someone else to do her dirty work. Her monthly cycle had not come this month, and she might truly be pregnant. Therefore, she did not want another older brother for her child. Moreover, the Shen family had an unwritten rule: if a concubine was to bear a child, she must be from a reputable and virtuous family, properly hired as the second wife.

Although the second wife could not undermine her position, if she bore a son, even as the principal wife, she would face a rival in the future.

However, she could not commit such a heinous act; if it went wrong, the consequences would be dire.

Sometimes, when others spoke of using someone else to do one's dirty work, it seemed easy, but in reality, few were willing to take the risk. Yao Niang sat at the table, enjoying the feast. Lady Shen Er prepared a banquet with no more than eighteen dishes, but she had reviewed the Shen family records and knew that before the division of the family, Lady Shen Er used to celebrate her birthday with a grand feast, serving at least twenty dishes.

Back then, they claimed to divide the property but not the family, yet they were actually taking advantage of the main house.

Lifting her head, she heard the elder aunt say to Yao Niang, "Niece, I hear you are very skilled in painting. Your sister-in-law Jiang is pregnant; why don't you paint a portrait for her? This is her first pregnancy."

The elder aunt had just heard from the eldest lady of the Qing family about the tension between Yao Niang and Lady Shao, hoping she could mediate, so she spoke up to ease the situation.

Yao Niang smiled, "Aunt, you flatter me."

She did not commit to painting or not, knowing her place. In public, one should not complain to relatives or others, as they would only treat your troubles as idle chatter.

The elder aunt could speak to Lu Shaner, but she had no leverage over someone like Yao Niang, who maintained her pride because she had nothing to reproach.

Seeing the elder aunt fall silent, the eldest lady of the Qing family grew even more anxious, pacing like an ant on a hot pan.

Initially, she had not placed much hope in this matter, but now she was more determined to see it through. Since she could not act against Lady Yan, she would have to target Lady Shao.

Speaking of which, the eldest lady of the Qing family also knew the concerns of Lady Jiang. Lady Jiang had married into the Shen family through her uncle, always feeling she had married up, and thus guarded against all women, especially unmarried ones, whom she viewed as thorns in her side.

Given this, she knew what to do. After all, Shen Linfeng was not at home.

After the banquet, the eldest lady of the Qing family walked with Lady Jiang, apologizing, "It's all my fault. I thought the elder aunt could help mediate, but..."

"Lady Eldest Sister, let's not mention it. I know your intentions were good, but some people may not appreciate it. Some things are better left unsaid," Lady Shao replied, unwilling to dwell on it.

The eldest lady of the Qing family said, "Sister-in-law, I usually don't bother with such trivial matters, but things are different now. If Lady Yan bears a son, he will be a scholar, and our eldest son is very promising. You must think of our family. If we become estranged, it will only benefit the third house and the main house, which is not worth it."

Lady Shao was taken aback, "So what? We are already separate households. Besides, even if we weren't, wouldn't the imperial examinations still require personal effort?"

In Lady Shao's view, her uncle was a high-ranking official, so why seek help from others?

As they spoke, they saw Shen Linjiang approaching. The eldest lady of the Qing family, using her position as the eldest sister, emphasized the severity of the situation, "I'm not doing this for any other reason, but for the sake of our third house. Lady Yan's future son will be a scholar from birth, and our Shen family has relied on the main house for generations."

With that, the eldest lady of the Qing family left. Shen Linjiang was about to say something to Lady Shao but held back, given their surroundings.

However, Shen Bangyan overheard everything and snorted. He had just been scolded by his father, and despite having many flattering friends, he remained upset.

He had endured being compared unfavorably to Shen Linfeng all his life, but could he really allow his own son to be outshone? If so, he would make sure Lady Yan bore an illegitimate child and see how the main house would react. Thinking this, he noticed You Da, his cousin, who was strong, brave, and a skilled warrior, currently serving as a constable in Daxing County.

"Cousin, come here, I have something good to tell you," Shen Bangyan beckoned to You Da.