The world of film and television begins with Ning'an as a dream

Fortunately, the wild geese incident was used to cover up the matter and fooled most people. Although some people knew that things were not that simple, they also knew that it was none of their business and they should just stay out of it.

What's more, this is the family affair of the second-in-command of Yangzhou. If outsiders like them know too much, it will bring disaster upon themselves.

However, it was precisely because of these people's silence that a rumor spread through other people who were unaware of the situation, attracting the attention of the people in Yangzhou City.

……

"Have you heard? Something big happened in Yangzhou again?"

"Is it that the Tongpan family, which has been favoring concubines and ignoring wives for generations, has something happened again?"

"Yes, I heard that when the eldest daughter of the Tongpan family paid her dowry, the third son of their family actually released the conscripted wild geese."

"Is this true? I've seen the Third Young Master before, and he doesn't look like a playboy, so how could he do such a thing?"

"That's right! Isn't the third young master a bastard? How dare he touch the things of a legitimate young lady?"

"That's hard to say! After all, the Tongpan family has an ancestral habit of favoring concubines and killing wives. Isn't this a laughing stock in Yangzhou City?"

"Okay, you can also talk about the affairs of the Tongpan family?"

In a teahouse by the river, a few walking merchants were chatting as if they were alone. It was a rare opportunity for them to find a high-ranking official who could be a joke to them.

At this time, a middle-aged man who looked like a manager interrupted them with a smile and said, "What you said is all old news."

Hearing that this person seemed to have other news, the man who had asked earlier, not knowing which family this person was, asked in confusion, "Brother, do you know other news? Tell us quickly."

The middle-aged manager smiled but said nothing, showing no intention of answering.

The man immediately understood what this meant, and said to the waiter, "Waiter, bring this gentleman a pot of good tea."

After hearing this, the waiter quickly brought the tea over and carefully placed it in front of the middle-aged manager.

The middle manager took a look at the tea in front of him, which was considered the best tea in the store. He said with satisfaction, "Do you know that the pair of wild geese have already flown back?"

His words were like a thunderbolt, instantly attracting everyone's attention, and everyone hurriedly asked, "Is it true?"

“How can a wild goose that flies out fly back?”

"Yeah, you're not kidding, are you?"

Facing everyone's suspicion, the middle-aged steward picked up the tea bowl and took a sip. After whetting everyone's appetite, he said proudly, "My second uncle's cousin works for the Sheng family. He saw with his own eyes that the wild goose had been put back into the cage. Do you think this story could be false?"

The man who had asked earlier heard him say that and deliberately asked, "Could it be that the wild goose really flew back by itself?"

The middle-aged steward took another sip of tea, then blinked his lips and said with emotion, "My cousin heard that the wild geese didn't fly away at all, but flew directly to the eldest daughter of the Sheng family's room."

"Is there such a strange thing?"

"impossible?"

"That's right. The wild goose flew away, so there's no way it could come back. You can't make up such a lie!"

The steward shook his head and said firmly, "You don't understand this. Do you know why the lord of a wealthy family always sends wild geese when he gets married?"

"Why?" The man from before was still a good supporting actor.

The steward was very satisfied with his offer. He took another sip of tea and said, "It's because wild geese usually travel in pairs. If one dies, the other will surely die with it."

The man suddenly realized and explained, "It was because the other goose was locked up, so even though this goose flew away, it flew back to find the eldest lady of the Sheng family?"

The steward nodded and shook his head, and said uncertainly, "This wild goose is a spiritual being, but I don't know if that's why it flew to Miss Shengda's courtyard. Maybe it went to beg for mercy."

At this time, an idle man said, "What else can it be? We can only say that the eldest lady of the Sheng family and the second son of the Yuan family are a perfect match. Even wild geese are willing to fly over to bless them."

Chapter 169: Sheng family’s affairs became a hot topic!

"Yes, yes! That should be it. This animal is the most psychic. I've also heard that some animals like to repay favors."

"I heard from Zhang the hunter outside the city that he once saved a tiger cub out of pity. Later, when he was hunting, he encountered a few wolves and was rescued by an adult tiger."

"When did this happen?"

"It happened last winter. He had even thought about his funeral arrangements at that time."

"..."

The middle-aged manager and the man from before saw that the topic had gone off topic, so they looked at each other, then quietly retreated and ran towards the dock.

Guazhou Ferry, Linjiang Tower

The middle-aged steward came to the Tingfeng Pavilion on the second floor, bowed respectfully and said, "Sir, the matter has been settled."

Sheng Changbai originally had these doubts and didn't know why Wang Yue insisted on asking them to come to the busiest dock in Yangzhou City.

Seeing the Wang family's steward coming over, he looked at the middle-aged steward with some confusion and asked curiously, "Cousin, what are you doing here?"

Gu Tingye understood something. He smiled and said to Changbai, "I guess it must be about your elder sister, but I don't know what it is."

Wang Yue waved his hand and told him to go back to work. Then he smiled and said, "You will know in two days."

Seeing how mysterious Wang Yue was, Changbai and Gu Tingye were itching to get involved, but there was nothing they could do. They could only change the subject and continue talking about the canal.

Both of them were very curious about what Wang Yue said, that Emperor Yang of Sui committed a crime that will be remembered for eternity, and they wanted to listen carefully to it.

……

Sheng Family Shou'an Hall, two days later

After Sheng Hong bowed to Old Lady Sheng, he asked in confusion, "Mother, why did you suddenly call your son over? Is there anything else you want to tell me?"

Old Madam Sheng shook her head and said angrily, "Do you know what rumors are out there recently?"

Sheng Hong was stunned for a moment. He thought that Old Lady Sheng called him over because he easily revealed the fact that Chang Feng let the geese go, so she was going to call him over to teach him a lesson. However, he didn't expect that the old lady didn't mention that at all, but mentioned the message outside.

Sheng Hong didn't understand, so he asked a little embarrassedly, "Mother, I've been busy with official duties these days, so I didn't hear any messages?"

Old Madam Sheng was very disappointed when she looked at this illegitimate son, but she had already prepared herself mentally. She just shook her head helplessly but didn't say anything more.

Seeing that Sheng Hong wanted to ask, Fang Mama quickly stood up, bowed, and said, "Master, originally, these things should not be discussed by a servant like me, but I have to talk about them now."

Seeing what Fang Mama said, Sheng Hong quickly said politely, "Fang Mama, that's a bit polite. You've served mother for so many years, just like my elder. If you have anything to say, just say it directly, and I'll listen."

Madam Fang sighed deliberately, and then said helplessly, "I have one more thing to say. Although Aunt Lin's mother, Old Lady Lin, and Old Lady knew each other in the boudoir, they only met a few times. After they got married, they had no contact at all.

It was just that Aunt Lin's father behaved inappropriately, and although his property was not confiscated, the family fell into decline.

Old Mrs. Lin had no son, only a daughter. She heard the news from somewhere and sent her daughter to be raised by the old lady.

The old lady was a kind person, and out of pity for the child, she took good care of her after taking her in. She provided her with everything from food to clothing, and even thought about finding a good man to marry her off.

Who would have thought that Aunt Lin had big ideas and actually had an affair with grandpa, and later the master took the initiative to marry her.

Originally, the relationship between the eldest lady and the old lady was very harmonious, but because of this incident, the eldest lady thought that it was the old lady who arranged this, so she stopped interacting with the old lady, which also made the old lady feel disappointed. "

Sheng Hong didn't expect Fang's mother to say this suddenly. His old face turned red, and he knelt down in embarrassment and said, "It's all my fault. I did such a sin and made my mother unhappy. I am an unfilial son!"

Mother Fang had finished what she wanted to say, so she hurried forward to support Sheng Hong. After helping him up, she stood aside.

Mrs. Sheng saw that the time was right, so she sighed and said, "I know you and Concubine Xiang had a hard time back then, but I couldn't take care of myself at the time, and I couldn't even save your brother, so naturally I didn't take good care of you.

You were worried that Aunt Lin was wronged, so you bought her land, gave her face, and even gave her a chance to manage the household. I turned a blind eye and never asked about it. I just treated her like a living dead."

Sheng Hong didn't know why the old lady said that today. He was so scared that he quickly knelt on the ground again and said angrily, "The old lady is too serious. It was my son who broke the rules first. He deserves to die!"

Seeing that Sheng Hong was still protecting Aunt Lin, Old Lady Sheng said helplessly, "Don't talk about life or death. After you die, how will we orphans and widows survive?

I called you here today because there have been rumors all over Yangzhou City recently that the ancestral skill of our Sheng family is to favor concubines and kill wives.

Each of them speaks so convincingly, as if they had seen it with their own eyes. Don’t you think you have reached a critical juncture?”

Sheng Hong was stunned for a moment. It wasn't just one or two days before he favored his concubine over his wife. Everyone in Yangzhou City knew about it. How did it come to this critical moment?

He felt that the old lady was exaggerating, so he asked in confusion, "Old lady, it can't be that serious, right?"

Old Madam Sheng sighed and said helplessly, "You, in the past, the Yangzhou City prefect was the eldest and you were the second in command, so no one dared to spread your affairs.

But now it’s different. You know you’re going to Tokyo, and the prefect is leaving too. Do you think the people of Yangzhou will be able to keep their mouths shut after you leave?”

Sheng Hong suddenly broke out in a cold sweat, he really hadn't thought of this. He just felt that in Yangzhou City, the common people didn't dare to spread their family affairs. At most, they would be laughed at. And the lady couldn't hold her head up in the circle of Yangzhou officials' wives, so it didn't have much impact on other things.

But now it’s different. If he leaves Yangzhou, the Sheng family’s ancestral tradition of favoring concubines and killing wives will surely spread to the world.

At that time, if anyone reported him to the censors, his future would be ruined and he would never be able to make a comeback.

What's more serious is that the Sheng family has a tradition of favoring concubines over wives. From now on, the men of the Sheng family should not even think about marrying a good wife. Families that love their daughters will not marry them to such a family. Only those who want to be concubines will come to them eagerly.

He also knew that this matter was a bit serious, so he knelt on the ground again, much more sincerely than before, and respectfully bowed to Old Lady Sheng, then he said in a panic, "Please teach me, mother!"

Old Madam Sheng sighed and said helplessly, "What else can we do? Take advantage of this opportunity to quickly set things right and let your eldest lady stand up, which will naturally dispel those rumors."

Sheng Hong then understood why Old Lady Sheng asked Mama Fang to explain her relationship with Aunt Lin and her conflict with the eldest lady. This was all to make him face reality.

He was a little panicked, so he said excitedly, "Old lady, I will arrange it right away. I will sell all the servants who don't obey your orders."

Seeing Sheng Hong speak so resolutely, Mrs. Sheng felt even colder in her heart. This son only cared about his future and was probably not really sincere towards her.

Old Madam Sheng has always been a decisive person, otherwise she would not have rejected her natal family and arranged for her to remarry. She insisted on registering Sheng Hong under her own name and prepared to be a widow at the age of more than 20.

Since it comes down to interests, she doesn't need to consider personal feelings anymore, and it saves her from having to put in too much thought.

So, she said very seriously, "Not now! Let the lady vent her anger. He can arrange for someone to sell it, but you can't."

Sheng Hong was stunned for a moment, then asked in confusion, "Mom, why?"

Old Madam Sheng said seriously, "If you send them away at this time, will they keep it a secret for you? If someone carefully inquires about it, wouldn't it confirm the rumor that the Sheng family favors concubines over wives?

You are leaving Yangzhou soon. When you get to a new place, you can sell them far away. Even if they tell you, few people will believe it. "

Sheng Hong woke up from her dream and said seriously, "Mother is right. I will do it right away!"

Old Madam Sheng nodded and urged, "Then go quickly!"

After Sheng Hong stood up, he bowed to the old lady again and then left Shou'an Hall.

After Sheng Hong left, Fang's mother hesitated for a moment before saying, "Old lady, you are still soft-hearted."

The reason why she said that was that after Sheng Hong favored his concubine over his wife, Old Madam Sheng said that she would not manage the family affairs anymore. But she didn't expect that at the critical moment of the Sheng family, the old lady couldn't help but intervene?

Although this incident could make Madam Sheng change her attitude towards the old lady, it would also cause Lin Qinshuang to hate her. It was unclear whether it was a blessing or a curse.

Old Madam Sheng shook her head and said nonchalantly, "When the nest is overturned, how can the eggs remain intact? If I don't intervene in this matter, do you think the master will understand it? By the time he reacts, I'm afraid the Queen's decree will have come down from the palace."

Mother Fang has been with Old Lady Sheng for so many years and has gained some experience and knowledge about all this. She certainly knows the interests involved.

She didn't want to talk about the family anymore, for fear that the old lady would be sad again. She pretended to be a little curious and said, "Old lady, who did this?"

Old Madam Sheng thought about it for a while, and then said seriously, "Everything is decided by whoever benefits the most. That person must have done it."

Chapter 170 Who did this?

Mother Fang was stunned for a moment, then said uncertainly, "But the Madam is not that kind of person. If she had that kind of means, then Lin Qinshuang probably wouldn't be so rampant."

The mother in Old Lady Sheng's ward smiled whenever she mentioned the eldest lady. "Yes, I chose her as my daughter-in-law because she has a straightforward character. I wanted our family to be harmonious, but I didn't expect...

Mother Fang didn't expect to be led back to the same place after going in a circle, so she quickly changed the subject and asked, "But, who else could it be besides the Madam? If it was someone from the Wang family, they wouldn't have waited until today to take action!"

Old Madam Sheng turned the Buddhist beads in her hand. She imagined all the people in the Wang family in her mind. After going through them one by one, she pondered and said, "If it was the old lady of the Wang family's first house, or the girl who married into the Kang family, she might have this ability."

Seeing that the old lady had finally changed the subject, Fang Mama breathed a sigh of relief and analyzed in a serious manner, "Old lady, do you think it could be that old lady Wang? She followed my uncle to Runzhou on the other side of the river to take up her post. If it was her who did it, it is very likely."

Old Madam Sheng nodded, then shook her head and said with certainty, "It shouldn't be her. If it was her, she wouldn't have waited until now. The old lady of the Wang family is biased. If their eldest daughter was wronged, she would definitely rush over to help. Unfortunately, our eldest lady has been raised in her uncle's house since she was a child. Old Madam Wang is not very close to this girl. It's already the limit to send someone from Liu Kun's family. She won't bear the reputation of meddling in other people's affairs for our eldest lady."

Madam Fang probably saw that it was not likely, so she continued, "The only one left is the eldest daughter of the Wang family, but she has already married into the Kang family, and Mrs. Kang is not very close to this younger sister, so it is unlikely that she would take action."

Mrs. Sheng saw that the two most likely candidates were unlikely, and suddenly an idea flashed in her mind. She smiled and said, "After your reminder, I remembered someone. I'm afraid it was the work of that child."

Mrs. Fang was stunned for a moment, then asked in confusion, "Child? Are you talking about Dalang from the second branch of the Wang family?"

Old Madam Sheng nodded and said uncertainly, "Now the only Wang family in Yangzhou City is the second branch of the Wang family. Although Brother Yue's father is a businessman, he was trained by the second old master of the Wang family to have a good character and always put honesty first. Our eldest lady was raised in such a family, which is why she has the character she has today, so it is impossible that he did this."

Mother Fang hesitated for a moment, and then tentatively analyzed, "Brother Yue's mother is a concubine of our Yongyi Marquis's Mansion. I heard that she has a straightforward personality and is not someone who can make such a plan. With a child raised by the two of them, Brother Yue probably wouldn't do this, right?"

Old Madam Sheng shook her head and said seriously, "I am more and more certain that he did it. After all, after the news spread, it can be said that he killed two birds with one stone. It is something a decisive person like him would do."

Mother Fang was relieved to see that Old Lady Sheng had no reaction to her suggestion of the Yongyi Marquis' Mansion. It seemed that as she got older, the old lady probably missed the Xu family a little.

She felt that this gap had to be opened from Wang Yue's side, so she pretended to be a little curious and asked, "Old lady, how did you kill two birds with one stone? Why didn't I see it?"

Old Madam Sheng glanced at Fang Mama, then shook her head helplessly and said, "You just pretend to be ignorant. After this rumor spread, the fact that Dayan was released will no longer be a place for Hualan to be controlled by her future mother-in-law. Instead, it will be a place where she will be awarded. This is the first point.