When Zhulan and her group arrived, the crowd dispersed a little. Those who came to watch the fun were all villagers nearby. They knew that this was a carriage for a noble from the capital, and for a moment they all stared at the carriage, and the noise died down.
Zhulan and her husband got off the carriage and looked at Minghui. Minghui was standing at the entrance of the academy, and in front of him were the Shao siblings.
Minghui came over quickly, "Grandpa, Grandma."
Zhulan asked, "What happened?"
Minghui's expression was indescribable, and he whispered, "Miss Shao was scammed."
Zhulan looked at the family that was confronting the Shao brothers and sisters, with a gloomy face. Miss Shao was the one she favored. She walked over with a cold face and said to Shao Ting: "What grievances do you have? I will take care of it for you."
Shao Ting's eyes were red. She didn't care about her reputation, but she was afraid that she would not be able to teach in the academy because of the Liu family. "My brother and I have been dependent on each other for life. We have never been engaged. Our parents passed away and we didn't arrange marriage. Now the Liu family insists that I am already engaged. Please make the decision, Madam."
Zhulan looked at the Liu family with a serious face. They were easy to recognize. Everyone stayed away from the Liu family, so the Liu family stood out. She had seen this kind of top-notch people when she first came to ancient times, and never came into contact with them again.
The villagers nearby all knew that the dean of the academy was the Marquis’ wife. Although some of them had never seen her, they had eyes that were sharp enough to know who the distinguished guest was.
The old woman of the Liu family backed off. They dared to make trouble because the Shao brothers and sisters were easy to bully. They had no elders to support them and it was easy to bully them. They heard that Shao girl made one or two taels of silver a month. That was a lot of money she could earn from working in the fields in a year, and sometimes it was not even enough for food and drink.
That's why they set their sights on the Shao brothers and sisters. Women all care about their reputation, so they came to make trouble today.
Zhulan asked, "You said you are engaged, do you have a marriage certificate?"
The Liu family was dumbfounded. Why would they prepare a marriage certificate when it was just a scam
Minghui said calmly, "I want to ask you a question. Do you have a marriage certificate?"
The old woman of the Liu family trembled. She was nervous about the madam's momentum in front of her, and there were guards with knives. Her legs softened and she knelt down directly. "I thought about it carefully. Remember, I remembered it wrong."
Zhulan said calmly, "Are you sure you remembered it wrong?"
"Confirmed."
Zhulan looked at the rest of the Liu family. All of the Liu family members knelt together in front of the old lady. This was class oppression. Looking at the people around who were watching the excitement, they all lowered their heads and did not dare to look at Zhulan.
Zhulan felt upset, not because of the extreme class, but because under the clear class system, the common people did not even have the courage to stand up straight.
Zhou Shuren sensed his wife's emotions and stepped forward to support the arm of the bully.
Zhulan took a deep breath and said to Minghui, "Bring me the pen, ink, paper and inkstone."
After everything was ready, Zhulan told Minghui to write something and not to get involved, and asked everyone in the Liu family to put their fingerprints on it. Even after reading out what was written, the Liu family members were frightened. They put their fingerprints on it as if they were signing a contract to sell themselves. They didn't dare to say a word and just left and ran away.
Zhulan handed the written contract to Shao Ting and said, "Take it. The Liu family won't dare to bother you again in the future."
Shao Ting was in a daze. How could it be solved with just a few words? There was no quarrel, and it was solved smoothly. "Thank you, Madam, for making the decision for me."
Zhu Lan asked, "The Liu family came for your monthly salary. There must have been a lot of people coming to propose marriage recently."
Shao Ting was a little uncomfortable when she mentioned her marriage. "The news of Yueyin spread, and indeed many people came to my house to propose marriage, but I didn't accept any of them."
She had her ideals and did not want to get married too early. She had seen many women who regarded their husbands as their gods, and marriage would be a bondage for them. She wanted to find a husband who understood her and would not restrict her.
It’s a pity that it is hard to find one. Men hope that their wives can manage the household well, serve their parents-in-law and take good care of them!
After hearing her idea, her brother was also very worried, but fortunately he did not force her to get engaged.
Zhulan, "What kind of husband do you want?"
Shao Ting was stunned, thinking that the lady was helping to make the decision, and she was nervous for a moment. After thinking about it, she said what she was thinking, and then lowered her head and said, "I want to teach, and I want more women to be free from the backyard."
Zhulan raised her hand and touched Shao Ting's head, "Do a good job."
Shao Ting raised the corners of her mouth and nodded heavily, "Yeah."
Zhulan looked back but didn't see Shuren, so she motioned to Shaoting to go to class, then turned around to look for Shuren. She found him in the pavilion. Shao Ting's brother was standing straight. She didn't know what Shuren tested him on, but sweat broke out on the boy's forehead.
When Shuren saw his wife coming over, he put away his seriousness and said to Minghui, "Take Master Shao out."
Minghui: "Yes."
Zhulan and the others left, asking, "What did you test?"
Shu Ren said: "I didn't test him on anything, I just asked about his knowledge. Shao Xun is okay."
It's not just bookishness, it has some insights of my own.
Zhulan sighed, "Oh, class."
Shuren comforted him, “It can’t be changed overnight.”
"I know, it's just a little depressing."
If she wasn't the one handling the matter today, and someone else with the same status were to deal with it, there would be more trouble later. Because of her status and position, the Liu family would have wished they had never come, fearing that their entire family would be wiped out.
In the future, no one will dare to bully the Shao brothers and sisters because of her.
When they returned to Beijing, Minghui came back with them. Sitting in a carriage, Minghui's forehead was covered with sweat. Zhou Shuren spoke, "Be careful, kid."
Even if you have thoughts about it, you have to be careful, a girl's reputation is very important.
Minghui knew that he couldn't hide it from his grandparents, so he touched his nose and said, "My grandson knows his limits."
Zhou Shuren stopped talking. Minghui knew what he was doing. As for the difference in family background, this kid never said anything. He was just waiting for Shao Xun to take the imperial examination. Don't think he didn't know. Minghui lent Shao Xun some books.
If Minghui was the eldest grandson, he would pay more attention to him. Minghui is the third son of the eldest wife. As long as this kid does not endanger the Zhou family and does not have a confused mind, he will not interfere.
Minghui heaved a sigh of relief. Even though he knew that as long as he didn't overdo it, his wishes would come true, he still felt uneasy without his grandfather's words. Now he feels at ease.
At the next morning court, Zhou Shuren listened to the memorials that continued to criticize the Zheng family. Now even the crimes of occupying farmland and oppressing the people in the northwest were brought out. It was an attempt to crush the Zheng family to death.
The emperor listened quietly, but did not order Zheng Hong to be imprisoned. Zheng Hong was still under house arrest in the Earl's Mansion.
This makes some people anxious.
The emperor did not express his opinion and indicated that the investigation should continue, then he retired from court.
As Zhou Shuren walked out of the hall, General Huang came over and said, "My Lord."
Zhou Shuren paused. He had no contact with these generals. He had more contact with the Minister of War. He rarely talked with him when they went to court together. "General Huang."
General Huang was a little anxious, "My Lord, would you mind not talking?"
Zhou Shuren, "Okay."
When the two of them walked aside, General Huang whispered, "My Lord, can you say a few good words for Earl Zheng?"
He killed the enemy together with the Zheng family. Later, he returned to Beijing. The Zheng family continued to garrison in the northwest. They had a good relationship. He had been reporting to the Zheng family in recent days. He went to see the emperor for Zheng Hong, but the emperor refused to see him, so he felt uneasy.