Chapter 257: Promotion
Xiao Yanci moved to Prime Minister Wang’s Mansion and lived in the backyard, becoming Prime Minister Wang’s prospective son-in-law who was about to come through the door.
He was waiting for the Emperor’s summons. Even if there was none, his official position should still be promoted.
However, after waiting for several days, he did not receive news of the Emperor’s summons or promotion. Instead, from the servants’ mouths, he learned that Zhou Wangshu had been promoted again in a short time and was now Vice Minister of Personnel.
This was absolutely the youngest Vice Minister of Personnel in history and the fastest-rising official.
“Why? Because he has a good father-in-law, he doesn’t need to do anything to reach a position others couldn’t climb to in a lifetime. Is this fair to others?”
“Master, the Prime Minister asks you to go to the study to discuss political matters.” The attendant said to Xiao Yanci.
This was the attendant arranged for him by Prime Minister Wang’s Mansion.
Half a month later, Prime Minister Wang held his daughter’s wedding, and the groom was the newly selected Third Scholar.
In this half month, Xiao Yanci’s reputation quickly improved. Now everyone was saying that Xiao Yanci had been framed. Because he was too outstanding, he always encountered women seducing and scheming against him. Those women loved him but couldn’t have him, so they spread rumors about him everywhere. As for his ex-wife’s affair, it was because he devoted his whole heart to the imperial examination and neglected his wife. She couldn’t stand the loneliness; it was that woman who was shameless, and he was not at fault.
Prime Minister Wang and General Su were at odds. When General Su recognized his family back then, he did not invite Prime Minister Wang. But this time, for Prime Minister Wang’s daughter’s wedding, he invited General’s Mansion.
Su Rende originally did not want to go, but thinking that the other party had sent an invitation, if he didn’t go, it would seem like he was afraid of him.
Thus, Su Rende brought his wife and daughter as well as son-in-law who lives with the wife’s family to the door to offer congratulations.
“Protector General’s Mansion sends a pair of Jade Ruyi.” The servant in charge of registering gifts announced loudly.
Zhang Zhaodi heard the gift list and said to Su Rende, “You are really generous, actually sending such an expensive item like Jade Ruyi.”
Su Rende leaned close to Zhang Zhaodi’s ear and said, “Madam does not know, jade is the thing whose value is hardest to estimate. Top-quality jade is of course invaluable, but those of poor quality are not worth much. I definitely won’t let that old dog take this cheap advantage.”
“That’s more like it.” Zhang Zhaodi was satisfied. “You don’t like that Wang fellow, I don’t like his son-in-law who lives with the wife’s family. Birds of a feather flock together indeed. There isn’t a single good person in that family.”
“If Madam has someone you don’t like, no need to hold back. Beat or scold as you wish; your husband will cover for you.”
“Where are Yaoguang and Wangshu?” Zhang Zhaodi looked around.
“Wangshu is a male guest, probably pulled away by colleagues. As for Yaoguang, she was just here earlier; I’m afraid she was also pulled away by others.”
Xia Zhen saw his former playboy brothers not far away and was about to go over to join the fun with them, but saw those few people scatter hurriedly the moment they saw him, each going to different places.
Xia Zhen’s face turned ugly.
Ever since that damned horse kicked the Heir of the Duke of Zhenguo, he hadn’t had a single peaceful day. His father took him to Duke Zhenguo’s Mansion to apologize and nearly broke his leg. He was the only heir of the Xia family, yet his father was really willing to strike hard to preserve his own glory and wealth.
Xia Zhen was about to find a place to drink when he saw a familiar figure walking past from the opposite side. He would never forget that figure, even if it turned to ash. After all, in the dead of night lately, he always thought of that damned lowly person.
He heard that he was no longer a lowly person now, but the newly appointed Top Scholar and the son-in-law who lives with the wife’s family of the Protector General.
He told his father the origin of the Blood-Sweating Horse, but his father forbade him from going to Protector General’s Mansion to cause him trouble. He said Duke Zhenguo’s Mansion was not to be offended, and Protector General’s Mansion was not easy to offend either. They had already offended Duke Zhenguo’s Mansion; going to offend Protector General’s Mansion again would be somewhat stupid.
He couldn’t settle accounts with him openly, but secretly should be no problem.
As long as he acted without anyone knowing, who would know how that person died?
He—the Heir of Marquis Cheng’an—had never suffered such a big loss until now. Today was the perfect day for revenge.
“You two, follow the person ahead and see where he goes now. Scout it out clearly and come report immediately.”
Xia Zhen’s attendants had done many bad things with him before, so besides continuing to obey his orders, they didn’t dare betray him.
Even if they were uneasy inside and felt their young master shouldn’t provoke that general’s son-in-law who lives with the wife’s family, once the master gave the order, they could only obey.
Not long after, the attendant returned and said to Xia Zhen, “Young Master, that person just now went to the backyard. He seems drunk and wants to rest.”
“You few, do it this way and that…” Xia Zhen lowered his voice and gave a few instructions. “Make sure it’s done without anyone knowing and vent this anger thoroughly.”
The attendants received the order and left.
After instructing the attendants, Xia Zhen thought of Zhou Wangshu losing face at Prime Minister Wang’s banquet next, his eyes full of excitement.
Prime Minister Wang and the Protector General were at odds. Now, the Protector General’s son-in-law who lives with the wife’s family suffered a big loss in Prime Minister Wang’s Mansion, which would only make these two giants, one civil and one military, fight even harder.
Xia Zhen was very satisfied with his plan.
The groom was a son-in-law who lives with the wife’s family, so it was the bride’s side welcoming the groom through the door.
After the bride’s side welcomed the groom through the door, the wedding ceremony began immediately.
Su Yaoguang had just arrived at Prime Minister Wang’s Mansion when she was entangled by several official family women. She slipped away midway to use the outhouse, but even then someone accompanied her. Now that the ceremony had officially begun, people surrounded her on all sides, and it wasn’t convenient to squeeze out again.
Xiao Yanci and Wang Ruyan held the red silk and began the wedding ceremony under the witness of the crowd.
“First bow…”
“Wait a moment…” A voice with a crying tone rang out.
Everyone turned to look toward the doorway, only to see a rather plump woman standing there, holding a child in her arms.
The woman wore coarse cloth and hemp clothes, dressed poorly, like a beggar who had come begging all the way. However, she was different from those beggars; even in such a disheveled state, her face was still very clean, revealing a pitiable face that seemed to hold a thousand words.
“Husband, I brought Cheng’er to find you. Are you trying to marry a new wife and abandon us mother and son?” Wen Shi did not shout loudly; at this moment, silence was louder than words.
Her tears fell like pearls, one after another onto the child who looked a little over one year old.
The child hugged Wen Shi’s neck, nestled into a comfortable position, and looked around uneasily.
“This is…”
“Isn’t that the widow lover from Xiao the Third Scholar’s play?”
Xiao Yanci’s face turned ugly as he signaled the servant beside him with his eyes: “Drive this crazy woman away.”
“Husband…” Wen Shi ran over holding the child. “Come quickly and see your child; you haven’t seen him yet, have you?”
“I don’t know you.” Xiao Yanci said, “Come, take her away.”
“Wait a moment…” Su Rende in the crowd laughed: “Wen Shi, don’t be hasty. Groom, don’t be too hasty either. Who is this woman? We need to figure it out; we can’t let Miss Wang become a concubine for someone else.”
“Exactly, if the noble daughter of Prime Minister’s Mansion marries a man who has a wife, that would be a bit… Groom, tell us. Today you are marrying Miss Wang here; where did this woman come from? And the child she’s holding, is it really yours?”
Xiao Yanci signaled Wen Shi with his eyes, indicating she should leave first and he would find her later.
But Wen Shi didn’t move; she just stood there holding the child and sobbing.
“My status is lowly, unable to match with Xiao Lang. It’s normal for Xiao Lang to choose another delicate wife. But the child is innocent. Xiao Lang, you must look at the child.”
“Xiao Yanci, you tell us, who is this woman, who is this child, and how do you plan to handle this matter now?” Prime Minister Wang looked sharply at Xiao Yanci.
Xiao Yanci saw Wang Ruyan at the other end of the red silk speak up.
“Father, esteemed guests, I think I understand what this means. How about this: since it’s husband’s child and concubine, let them stay in the mansion and allocate a courtyard for them.”
“Yaner, when have you ever suffered such grievance? That woman has no marriage certificate and is not qualified to be Xiao Yanci’s wife.”
Xiao Yanci echoed from the side: “Father-in-law, Yaner, this woman’s child is not mine. Though I have some master-servant affection with her, it is limited to that.”
“Xiao Lang…”
“Wen Shi, I don’t know how much benefit others gave you to come slander me. No matter what, I showed you kindness before; you shouldn’t repay kindness with enmity. I am marrying now; my wife and I are harmonious and lovingly entwined. I absolutely will not take a concubine.”
“This child is yours…”
“I’ve never touched you; where would the child come from?”
“You…” Wen Shi glared at Xiao Yanci in fury.
Only at this moment did Wen Shi realize that the man she chose was such a hypocrite.
For the sake of climbing to glory and wealth, he even denied his own flesh and blood.
The household servants beside received Prime Minister Wang’s hint and immediately dragged away the troublesome woman. As she was dragged away, she kicked and cursed, with curses against Xiao Yanci coming from her mouth.
“Child… the child is innocent; don’t hurt my child…”
Su Yaoguang watched Wen Shi being dragged away, and at this time someone stood beside her. Smelling that familiar fragrance, she turned to look.
There was water on Zhou Wangshu’s face, and it was somewhat flushed. He stood at her side and asked her in a low voice, “What happened just now?”
“Wen Shi appeared, holding a child over one year old. She kept saying Xiao Yanci was the child’s father. Xiao Yanci didn’t admit it, and Prime Minister Wang felt it was disgraceful, so he immediately ordered his subordinates to drag Wen Shi away.”
“Do you feel relieved? If not, I’ll think of other ways to vent.” Zhou Wangshu said.
Su Yaoguang pointed at him in astonishment and then at the direction Wen Shi left: “I was wondering; with Wen Shi’s status, she shouldn’t have been able to barge into Prime Minister’s Mansion. Just the door boys of Prime Minister’s Mansion could have stopped her. Turns out this was all your doing.”
“This isn’t causing trouble; it’s helping them. Today is Xiao Yanci and the Wang Mansion miss’s big wedding day. After Xiao Yanci divorced Jiang Yihuan, he temporarily wanted someone to comfort him and accepted Wen Shi who offered herself. At that time, to appease Wen Shi, he was tender and affectionate with her for a few months.”
Wen Shi already admired him and was smug about snatching him from Jiang Yihuan’s hands.
But when she really got this man, she discovered he wasn’t as good as imagined. He was more hypocritical than many others.
If not for the pregnancy, Wen Shi would probably have found her next target already. But now that she had given birth to his child, he had to take responsibility for her.
Not to mention anything else, Xiao Yanci had now climbed onto Prime Minister’s Mansion, and she herself was an official. The child would have a better life following him.
She deliberately made a big scene in front of everyone to let all know she was Xiao Yanci’s woman. For the sake of face, Prime Minister’s Mansion would definitely keep her and let her and the child live in a courtyard. Not only that, nothing could happen to her and the child; if something did, that Miss Wang’s reputation would be ruined. She would become the famously fierce and jealous woman of the entire capital city.
“Prime Minister Wang, no matter what, today is a joyous day; we absolutely cannot see blood. Those are your son-in-law who lives with the wife’s family’s old flame and child.”
Prime Minister Wang forced an ugly smile and said impatiently, “General Su, rest assured. This Prime Minister is not petty. If it turns out that woman truly belongs to the son-in-law who lives with the wife’s family, I will naturally arrange for them well so the mother and son can live stably.”
“This general believes in Prime Minister Wang’s character. Now that woman has been dragged away; let’s continue the wedding ceremony!”
Under the witness of the crowd, this farce finally came close to an end.
However, it was only close; soon a young servant ran in and said to them, “Something happened in the backyard.”
“What happened?”
“In the backyard there is… Esteemed masters, esteemed benefactors, go see for yourselves.” That attendant had a look of being unable to speak it.
“This is Prime Minister’s Mansion; what could happen? Let’s go take a look.”
A group of guests hurried to the backyard.
Xiao Yanci and Wang Ruyan, who were originally preparing for the wedding ceremony, completed the ritual under the witness of a few guests. Immediately after, the bride was to be sent to the bridal chamber.
While the groom and bride were returning to the bridal chamber, something indescribable happened in the backyard.
In an empty courtyard of Prime Minister’s Mansion, ambiguous voices actually appeared; the sounds clearly indicated someone was making love.
“Who dares commit such filthy deeds in Prime Minister’s Mansion’s backyard?” Bang! Someone kicked open the door.
Xia Zhen’s two attendants stood in the crowd, watching the scene inside evilly.
However, when that door was kicked open and the scene inside was exposed to everyone, those two attendants’ faces turned ghostly pale.
Two men…
One man was fat, with a big fat head and ears.
One was young, fairly fair-looking, but notorious.
“Heir of Marquis Cheng’an…” Someone said, “This… so young, yet has such a quirk.”
That fat man was the cousin young master of Prime Minister’s Mansion.
“Young Master…” The two attendants hurriedly used the quilt to cover Xia Zhen’s body.
Xia Zhen had been conscious from beginning to end; only that fat man seemed off. At this time, the two attendants knocked that fat man unconscious.
