Zhong Niangzi Wanfu

Chapter 19
一
Not even half a month had passed since Zhong Lan became the wife of the Shen family, but it was already the day when Shen Feng took office.

The newlywed Yan'er packed her bags, said goodbye to the Shen family and his wife, and headed straight for Tan Lin.

When Qin Lin came to the city, Jiang Liu got out of the carriage and stepped forward to identify himself as the master with the city guards.

Zhong Lan opened the curtain and glanced at Tan Lin's city plaque.

Times have changed. The last time I came here, I didn't see You Hanting's face clearly. Now when I come back, she is Shen Feng's wife.

"What are you thinking about?" Shen Feng asked gently when he saw Zhong Lai was absent-minded.

"It's nothing." Zhong Lan came back to his senses and shook his head. When he saw Jiang Liu coming back, he changed the subject and asked, "How's it going?"

"My lord, madam, the city guard has gone to report to the county magistrate. You can enter the city now."

As soon as the group entered the city, a man who looked like a master greeted them: "But the new county captain, Mr. Shen? Guo Kang, the master of the Yamen of Qinlin Mansion, has missed the welcome. I hope Mr. Shen will forgive me!"

"Master Guo, you are polite." Shen Feng got off the carriage and said humbly.

"The county magistrate has been waiting for you in the government office for a long time. I hope you can come to the government office as soon as possible after changing your clothes."

Seeing Shen Feng's kind face, Master Guo rolled his eyes, with a shrewd look in his eyes: "Master Shen must have not had a place to live when he first came to Tan Lin to take office. The head of the You family in the city has already opened a house for you, please come with me." Let's go and see together."

Shen Feng smiled quickly and said: "Thank you Master, thank you very much, Master of the You family. Shen Feng appreciates it. It's just that my wife is a virtuous person and sent someone to arrange a place to live in the city before she entered the city. I hope Haihan will come to thank Shen Feng in the future."

"Master, please go back to the government office first. After Shen Feng arrived at his residence and changed clothes, he went to the government office to pay a visit to the county magistrate."

Upon hearing this, Master Guo could only nod his head and said, "Your Majesty, the lady in your residence has thought carefully about it, so I won't bother you any more."

Before Zhonglan set out, he asked Wenshu to help find a house to rent in Qinlin City.

Considering the rent, the house Zhong Lan finally chose was not big. It was a small courtyard with two entrances. The location was also a bit remote. It was in Chunhua Lane in the east of the city. It was euphemistically called the long way to help Shen Feng exercise.

Shen Feng saw Zhong Lan's little thoughts at a glance and did not refute. He just smiled and agreed, freshened up and put on his official uniform, preparing to go to see the county magistrate.

"This dress suits you well." Zhong Lan arranged the blue official robe for Shen Feng and said, "I have only been to Qin Lin twice before, and both times were in a hurry. I don't know much about the county magistrate. Today is your first day in office, so you still have to handle everything with caution."

"Thank you." Shen Feng held Zhong Lan's hand, "Then I will go to work, and everything at home will be hard for my wife."

Zhong Lan's face turned red: "No, it's not hard."

After Shen Feng left, Zhong Lan directed the servants to move all the items in the carriage into the carriage, and carefully arranged the accommodation for the group of people.

Counting the few servants he brought with him to move in, there were only two guest rooms left.Zhong Lan is also satisfied: the only masters in the group are Shen Feng and Zhong Lan, and they don't need many people to serve them. After all, it's not a financial constraint for a house.

"Is there anyone living in the house?" Zhong Lan was leading people to clean up the house inside and outside, when a middle-aged woman wearing a floral shirt came in carrying a basket of eggs.

Chang Huan, who was in the courtyard, saw someone coming, so he put down his hands and greeted him: "That's right. Our master's surname is Shen. What is my aunt's name?"

Seeing that Chang Huan was well-dressed and had a kind face and a sweet mouth, the woman felt a little embarrassed and handed the egg over: "I am Ma Erniang from the first two households. I heard that a family has moved into Chunhua Lane, so I came here to have a look. This is Don’t be displeased by your family.”

"Thank you, Er Niang." Zhong Lan happened to come out of the central courtyard and asked Chang Huan to take the egg.

"This is our mistress." Chang Huan said with a smile.

Zhong Lan looked at the scattered servants around, and it really didn't look like he belonged to a wealthy family. He hurriedly said: "Second mother, just call me Zhong Lan. Let's sit in the house and have a cup of tea."

"No, there's still rice burning on the stove. You guys haven't finished your work here yet, let's wait another day." Ma Erniang saw that Zhong Lan didn't have any airs, so she smiled and waved her hand.

"Then Erniang will take a bag of snacks and go back." Zhong Lan asked Chang Huan to take a package of rose shortcakes from the house and stuff them into Ma Erniang's hands. "I'm new here. If there's anything I don't understand in the future, I'll ask Erniang for advice."

"Then I'll accept it." Ma Erniang smiled happily and said, "Don't worry, Miss Zhong. If you need help in the future, just come to me!"

"Thank you, Erniang!" Zhong Lan also liked Ma Erniang's straightforward temper, and sent him out with a smile.

Shen Feng resigned from his job and thought that the house had not been tidied up yet, so he hurried home with Jiang Liu.

Unexpectedly, when they arrived at home, they discovered that everything was in order. Zhong Lan had already tidied up and was leaning on a bamboo chair in the courtyard, sipping tea.

"You must be exhausted today." Shen Feng smiled and stepped forward.

"You're back?" Zhong Lan smiled when he heard the voice and stood up to pour a cup of tea for Shen Feng. "How was your first day in office? Is the magistrate an easy person to get along with?"

"Thank you, everything is fine." Shen Feng smiled and took the tea and sat on the soft stool beside the bamboo chair.

"I don't know, my lord. Before our lord entered the yamen, the county magistrate Qin came out to greet him in person." Jiang Liu on the side said proudly, "When he came up, he praised our lord for his youthful talents. There will also be a welcome banquet on the rest day What about our adults?"

"You're too talkative, why don't you go help prepare dinner." Shen Feng glanced at Jiang Liu.

"Yes." Jiang Liu stuck out his tongue and retreated from his interest.

Zhong Lan thought for a while and nodded: "Maybe he is a kind-hearted gentleman, but nothing is absolute. When you first enter the official career, you must keep an eye on this gentleman. Don't be someone like Magistrate Wuding Lu. "

"Okay." Shen Feng said with a gentle smile, "Are you worried that this adult will also marry me?"

Zhong Lan was stunned for a moment, feeling undignified for a moment, and retorted: "How can I be so shallow! In addition to marrying off his daughter, Magistrate Lu also used bad food to pass off good food during grain collection, and moved good grain into his own private treasury; on the surface, By setting up a porridge factory, you are actually distributing it to big households without spending a penny, and so on.”

Shen Feng laughed, stretched out his hand and patted Zhong Lan's shoulder: "It's because I have limited knowledge. I understand your lady's concerns, and I will definitely pay attention to them in the future."

Zhong Lan turned his face away, but he had no idea in his mind.

"Girl, dinner is ready." Chang Huan came out of the house and called.

"Are you hungry?" Shen Feng helped Zhong Lan stand up, "You go, I'll go and change out of this official robe first."

Seeing that Shen Feng had listened to his words, Zhong Lan nodded with some relief.

two

After seeing off Shen Feng the next day, Zhong Lan took Chang Huan to the street to identify some of the shops Wen Shu had given him.

After leaving Chunhua Lane, I saw Ma Erniang carrying water.

"Second wife, Zhuang'an." Zhong Lan nodded in greeting.

"Ms. Zhong," Ma Erniang said with a smile, putting down the water and wiping her sweat, "Is it a good place to live?"

"I'm used to it." Zhong Lan nodded obediently, "I wonder where Erniang is going to carry water?"

"The mill at home." Ma Erniang said with some pride, "The autumn harvest is coming soon, and there are a lot of orders for flour milling. I was afraid that the family would be too busy, and my son would not be able to come back from helping out, so I went to help. Zhong What are you doing, little lady?"

"We're new here, so we're going to go shopping today."

"It's time to take a stroll. I don't know if you're here for the first time. There are the most small vendors in the west of Qinlin City. Buying some katkats should be liked by girls your age."

"Okay, thank you Er Niang." Zhong Lan smiled and rolled his eyes.

"Child, if you want to thank me, I'll go to my second mother's house another day and get you some oil tea baked by my second mother." Ma Erniang smiled and picked up the water. "I won't say anything for now. I'll go and talk to you after I'm done with this." Mrs. Zhong chats."

"Er Niang, let's go." Zhong Lan watched Ma Er Niang go away.

"Girl, the carriage is hitched." Chang Huan greeted the carriage and helped Zhong Lan get on.

Wen Shu managed the shop with capable people and clear accounts, and Zhong Lan took over the business with ease. Now Zhong Lan can earn a considerable amount of income every month.

In addition to the shop, Zhong Lan also planned to take Chang Huan to the fields on the outskirts of the city.

On the carriage, Chang Huan looked at Zhong Lan who was concentrating with his eyes closed and said: "Girl, with the future profits of these shops given by Miss Wen, we will have more than enough to eat and drink. Why do girls bother to go to the farm again?"

"Silly Chang Huan," Zhong Lan tapped Chang Huan on the head, "We are now in Qinlin, and the owner of the Qinlin Chamber of Commerce is the You family. If the You family attacks us in the future, several shops will be closed down. "

"But acres are different. As long as they are cultivated well, the harvest will be real. Farmers will become rich, and this can be seen from this."

Zhong Lan memorized what Mr. Zhong said verbatim.

"With my uncle here, who dares to close our shop?" Chang Huan touched his head and said with a smile.

Zhong Lan was silent for a long time and then said: "Although Shen Feng treats me very well, I understand that I am not worthy of him after all, and I can't help his career ups and downs. Since ancient times, men and women have rarely been in love with each other when they married. Grandfather and My grandmother, uncle and aunt, as well as my father and mother, all became friends with Qin and Jin because they were beneficial to both families."

"The Shen family has high hopes for him. If Shen Feng wants to achieve success, apart from his own efforts, he must rely on his in-laws. One day, he will find the in-laws who are helpful to him and marry a woman who is helpful to him."

"What happened to Princess Shang last time was a wake-up call. He was still young when he first entered the officialdom, and he was able to refuse once. There is no guarantee that he will never have this intention in the future. By then, are we going to go back to Wuding and continue to embarrass our parents? We have to There is a way to settle down and make a living." Zhong Lan held Chang Huan's hand.

Chang Huan faltered twice before answering: "Chang Huan understands." With You Mansion present, there are many vendors in Tan Lin, and by comparison, the farmer households seem to be much more depressed.

As soon as he got out of the car, Zhong Lan found that the fields on the outskirts of the city were sparse and there were large tracts of wasteland. There were very few farmers in the fields, and most of them were elderly people.

Zhong Lan stepped forward and saluted an old man who was working in the fields: "Old man, it's almost time for the harvest. I wonder why the surrounding area is so desolate?"

The old man is old, avoiding the sparse seedlings in the field, reluctantly put down the hoe, gasped for a while and said, "The girl is from other places, right? Now the food in Qinlin is best provided by Youjia Farm in the western suburbs, and the fields in the eastern suburbs are considered to be planted." Even if it’s gone, it won’t fetch a good price.”

"Then why does the old man insist on going on? Don't the sons of the old man's family come to help?" Chang Huan was impatient for a while, but Zhong Yan gave him a glare before realizing that he had said the wrong thing.

The old man was not annoyed and smiled: "With the support of the government, the You family's business has grown so much that they need helpers in the shop. The children and grandchildren of the family have gone to work in the You family's shop, and they can earn more."

"It's just," the old man caressed the leaves of the seedlings lovingly, "it's just that we old guys can't let go of the land passed down from our ancestors, and can't bear them to go to waste."

Zhong Lan was silent for a moment, looked around, and had a plan in mind.

three

After everything was done, Zhong Lan's carriage entered the city. He rubbed his shoulders and felt a lot more relaxed: "Tomorrow, take the people and get the money to sign the contract with Old Man Chen and the others, and bring back the land deeds."

"Girl, didn't Old Man Chen say that even if he grows food, he can't sell it at a good price?" Chang Huan couldn't understand what Zhong Lan was doing and whispered worriedly.

"The food I grow is not for sale." Zhong Lan smiled.

"The girl spent a lot of money to buy the land, why don't you sell it?" Chang Huan was stunned, "In this case, I won't even be able to get back the principal."

"I know." Zhong Lan made up his mind, "Tomorrow you go to do something, and by the way, ask Mr. Chen about the number of farmers nearby and their general working conditions."

"Remember, don't alert the government about this matter, let alone let the You family know."

"Girl, aren't you embarrassing Chang Huan?" Chang Huan begged with a frown.

"You can." Zhong Lai patted Chang Huan on the shoulder, "How did you help me hide from my aunt before? What can you do this time? Do you want me to teach you again?"

"This, this is different."

"Why is it different?" Zhong Lan raised his eyebrows and pretended to sigh, "If you can't do it, then forget it. Your girl, I was thinking of rewarding you with half a year's monthly salary after the matter is completed."

"We can do it! We can do it!" Upon hearing the monthly payment, Chang Huan hurriedly agreed.

Zhong Lan nodded with satisfaction.

It was getting late, so Zhong Lan ordered Chang Huan to drive to the west of the city for a stroll.

Ma Erniang's words are true. The west of the city is indeed much more prosperous than the east.

Zhong Lan looked at the vendors selling small jewelry, and pulled Chang Huan to look around. It was so lively.

"Zhong Lan?" A clear and familiar female voice called Zhong Lan and turned his head.

Zhong Lan didn't realize it for a moment. The person coming was You Wei, the fourth daughter of You Mansion. She was the biological sister of You Hanting's mother.

This fourth girl was the closest to her brother. When Zhong Lan was engaged to You Hanting, she was the one who looked down on Zhong Lan the most and always had trouble with her.

But after all, she looked good on her face. Zhong Lan smiled and said, "It turns out to be Fourth Sister You."

"Since you haven't married into my third brother, who am I your sister?" Yuwei frowned.

Zhong Lan laughed, this little girl was still the same as before.

"Now that my third brother is married to the Lu family's sister-in-law, and you are also married, you will never have anything to do with each other again. For the sake of your reputation and that of my third brother, I advise you to know each other better and don't do what you did before. Keep pestering my third brother and live your life accordingly." Yuwei snorted coldly.

Chang Huan was about to refute, but Zhong Lan stopped him.

Zhong Lan felt that he had some confidence, and smiled and supported Bai Yu Buyao on the temples: "Miss You was joking. I have only met Mr. You once since the Zhong and You families broke off their engagement."

Upon hearing this, Yuwei's eyes widened again: "One side? One side is not enough? Is it you..."

"It's the day of my wedding to my husband."

Zhong Yan smiled lightly: "Miss Si's third elder brother is very good-natured, but for some reason he brought someone to my natal house to make trouble before I went out. If Miss You doesn't understand, you can go to Wuding City and ask."

It would be shameful for an unmarried girl to inquire about other people's marriages, let alone someone from a family like the You family.

"You," Yuwei was choked and speechless for a moment.

"Oh, also," Zhong Lan tilted his head slightly and shook his head pretending to be innocent, "It doesn't matter that I am already married and I have suffered some grievances. But Miss Yousi is still in the boudoir, and she talks about 'tangling'." 'Tangled'. The You family is also from a well-known family, so the fourth girl should take care of her own reputation and that of the family before she speaks or does anything."

"Zhong Yan, don't bully people too much!" You Wei was so angry that her eyes were clouded with mist.

Zhong Lan looked ridiculous: "I consider myself to be upright and innocent, but the fourth girl should just take care of herself."

"Zhong Lan, this Tan Lincheng still belongs to my You family. Now that you have just taken root in Tan Lin, you are the meat on the chopping board of my You family. Moreover, my third brother is an official in Wuding. Crushing your Zhong family to death is like crushing him to death." An ant, who wants to take care of himself?" Youwei stared at Zhong Lan and gritted her teeth.

Zhong Lan was about to speak when a familiar voice came from behind him.

"Are Miss Yousi's words true?" came a modest and gentle voice.

"Of course I take it seriously..." Youwei looked at the voice and saw a young man in official robes, and was silent for a moment.

Zhong Lan turned around and saw that it was Shen Feng. He couldn't help but calm down and whispered, "Why are you here?"

Shen Feng smiled and walked to Zhong Lan: "After leaving my post, I heard from Mr. Qin that there are many clever jewelry merchants in the west of the city. I came here to pick one or two to please my wife."

Zhong Lan blushed instantly: "Please take the trouble."

Shen Feng smiled slightly and raised his eyes to look at You Wei: "Although I am not talented, I am still an official in Beizhao. My wife married me and was registered in the Ministry of Officials. Although the Zhong family started as a farmer, they also spread over Wuding City. Hundreds of years. Mr. You and Mr. You want to touch me and my relatives, so please think twice."

Yuvi couldn't help but tremble when she heard this.

Shen Feng looked stern: "I would like to ask Miss You again, is what Miss You said true?"

"me……"

"What nonsense are you talking about, you bastard?" came a low voice.

Several people turned around and saw a man in brown brocade clothes walking over with his hands behind his back. His face was strange and intimidating.

Yuwei hurriedly knelt on the ground: "Brother, forgive me!"

Zhong Lan recognized that this was You Hankang, the eldest son of the You family, and saluted him together with Shen Feng: "Well, eldest son You, be well."

"Master Shen." You Hankang nodded slightly to Shen Feng in return.

"I wonder why Mr. You is here?" Shen Feng glanced at You Wei.

"My father went to the royal capital to visit relatives, and I came to take a look at our shop. Who would have thought that my sister-in-law lost her mind and spoke arrogantly, which ruined the family's reputation. Lord Shen, don't worry, I will take my sister-in-law back and discipline her strictly."

After saying that, he glared at Youwei again: "Why don't you apologize to Master Shen quickly?"

Youwei was trembling and did not dare to look at You Hankang, so she quickly confessed in a trembling voice.

Shen Feng looked at Zhong Lan and asked Zhong Lan to figure out what to do.

Zhong Lan understood and stepped forward to help Youwei up: "The fourth girl is still young. Please pay more attention to Mr. Lao and the people around you in the future."

After exchanging pleasantries with You Hankang, Shen Feng took Zhong Lan back to his carriage.

Zhong Lai pulled Shen Feng and said worriedly: "My quarrel with Youwei is just a joke at my daughter's house. You standing up for me will not be beneficial to your career. You have just taken office, so it's not worth it for me. This is just the beginning, I'm afraid …”

"You are my wife, and you have been tied to me since you married me." Shen Feng gently held Zhong Lai's slightly cold hand, "If I can't even protect you, how much more should I let others take care of me." After looking at it, it is even more useless to my career."

"I will support you if the sky falls, so you don't have to be afraid."

Zhong Lan didn't expect Shen Feng to be like this, and was stunned for a moment.

Shen Feng took out an eight-treasure hairpin with exquisite pearls from his arms: "I just picked it at a glance. I hope you will look good wearing it."

Zhong Lan pursed his lips, and after thinking about it, he turned slightly and said, "Put it on for me."

(End of this chapter)