Chapter 76: The Xie Estate Receives a Guest (9)

  Mrs. Xie lost interest in the temples and nunneries in Beijing as soon as she heard that Ci Xin An, which was said to be incredibly effective, was a deceitful place. She didn't want to go to Pu Jing Temple, but it wasn't convenient to refuse Madame Yun's face, so she reluctantly smiled and agreed.

  "I'll have someone get everything ready and we can go tomorrow at the same time. It's too late today! Why don't we go back to our place and play some cards instead?" Madam Yun invited enthusiastically.

  Ma thought of hurrying back to the house to discuss the matter with his confidants, and had no mind to play cards. He smiled and excused himself, saying he still had some things to attend to, so he wouldn't go, and asked which of the sisters wanted to go with their elder aunt.

  Mrs. Yundae smiled and let them all go, accompanying the old lady to chat, gathering with her cousins was also good, Yao Cunjia and others laughed in response, so a group of people went to the Yunfu again.

  Before leaving, Yao Cunhui gave Ma a deep glance. This time Ma should not have the heart to make trouble again! Hurting others is less important than self-protection after all!

  Yao Cunhui's luck was good that day. When Yao's mother went to find Qian Shan, she didn't expect that Qian Shan had already found out about the matter and was thinking of telling Yao Cunhui.

  As for the result, Qian Shan was also shocked. He didn't expect that after listening to Yao Cun Hui's words and conducting a thorough investigation, he would discover that the renowned Ci Xin An was actually a den of iniquity.

  Yao Cunhui estimated that the case of Ci Xin An would involve many wealthy and influential families, so it was unlikely to be publicly tried. The true circumstances would not be made public either. As for Ren An, in all likelihood, he would quietly meet his end in prison, with the outside world being told that he had taken his own life out of fear of punishment.

  In the previous life, Ci Xinyuan was not reported by someone, but was accidentally caught in the act and exposed. The government had no choice but to hold a public trial, resulting in countless families being ruined, including many high-ranking officials and noble families. Although they were victims, it was a huge scandal. In situations where it could be covered up, no official would be so foolish as to publicly announce it unless they wanted to die early.

  Yao Cunhui secretly instructed Qian Shan to try his best to drag the case out for a few more days, until Madame Xie left Beijing and then execute Ren An. This way, Ma Shi, who was nervous and on edge, wouldn't be able to do anything else.

  Qian Shan smiled and replied to Rong's mother, "Yao Cun Hui is a cunning old thief, with a hard mouth. It will take at least three or two days to settle the case, and this case is special. We need to discuss it with several seniors to come up with a unified plan before we can conclude it. So please rest assured that Rong An won't die in at least five or six days."

  Yao Cunhui finally felt at ease and focused her mind on Yao Cunjia's marriage.

  And the result of this matter was just as Yao Cunhui had expected, and it coincided with Qian Shan's words. After Madame Xie left Beijing, Ren An died in prison for fear of punishment, and all the nuns from Ci Xin An were exiled or driven away.

  The next day, the group arrived at Pujing Temple, with Yun's face and Mrs. Xie's face from Jiangning Weaving Bureau, Master Hongguang personally received them.

  Master Hong Guang's hair and beard were all white, his body was tall and slender, his face was thin, his eyebrows were kind and his eyes were full of warm and compassionate light. His expression was calm and serene, yet not lacking in dignity, with a hint of a smile on his face, his speech was gentle and measured, the Buddha's radiant spirit was fully revealed in him, making people feel an uncontrollable sense of reverence.

  When he heard the name of Yao Cunhui, Master Hong Guang's eyes flickered slightly. Yao Cunhui joined his hands together in respect and bowed, avoiding eye contact with him. If it weren't for Shen Que's own words, Yao Cunhui wouldn't have believed that Shen Que and Master Hong Guang were actually old friends.

  Master Hong Guang is truly a man of great virtue and prestige in Buddhist studies.

  Mrs. Xie was also stunned for a moment, with an extremely pious and respectful attitude, listening to Master Hongguang's lecture on the scriptures, almost unable to move her feet, staying in Pujing Temple for a whole day before reluctantly leaving the mountain, still feeling unsatisfied.

  "The capital is indeed the capital, under the emperor's feet, incomparable to anywhere else! Such a great Buddhist master has never been seen in Jiangnan before! Good sister, today is truly an arrival!" Madam Xie smiled and sighed and praised, deeply respectful.

  Madam Yun was also delighted, and took the opportunity to tell Madam Xie some anecdotes about Master Hong Guang. Madam Xie couldn't help but praise him repeatedly. With that, the shadow over Ci Xin An was lifted.

  She stayed for three more days, and then Madame Xie began to prepare to leave the capital and head south. It was already late October, and returning to Jiangnan would take until almost November. With many family matters to attend to at year's end, Madame Xie was also anxious in her heart.

  Ma thought about the Ci Xin An matter and was uneasy, she didn't have the heart to stay with Mrs. Xie, let alone that the one who was going to get married wasn't even her own biological daughter! When Mrs. Xie mentioned this, she just said a few words for the sake of appearances.

  Mrs. Xie was very satisfied with this trip to the capital, and her future daughter-in-law's words and deeds were very dignified and steady, a wise and elegant woman who could hold her own and match up to her son.

  The day before his departure, in front of everyone, Mrs. Xie handed a three-finger-sized biyu fish jade pendant to Yao Cun Jia's hand. The jade pendant was a beautiful purple color, smooth and delicate, without any impurities, exquisitely crafted like flowing clouds and water, with vivid patterns that seemed to come alive.

  This is almost settled then.

  Yao Cun gave it to her with a red face, and she thanked her with a bow. She then presented a pair of embroidered pouches she had made herself, which Mrs. Xie accepted with a smile and praised her embroidery skills.

  Mr. Yao smiled with a warm and relieved smile on his face, and Yao Cunhui also breathed a sigh of relief with a smile.

  After Mrs. Xie left Beijing, this marriage can be said to have been settled, Yao Cun Jia is even less likely to go out than before, and he is waiting for his wedding in Yaofangyuan with all his heart.

  Thinking that she was about to be married far away, the sisters would have few opportunities to meet in the future. Yao Cunhui and Yao Shizan often appeared at Yaofangyuan, but no one said anything. Moreover, Yun Lao Taikun pitied her grandson's wife and took Yao Cunjia over to stay for a short while every now and then, instructing and advising her on many things about being a person and a daughter-in-law, as well as many things about the Xie family.

  Being the legitimate daughter-in-law of a noble family is not an easy task, whether inside or outside, there are countless rules and doorways to follow. This has always been a worry for Yao Cunjia. Without her biological mother around, it's not good to bring up this matter on her own, so Cloud Old Lady taught her in this way, and ordered Cloud Madame to take her under her wing to learn, Yao Cunjia was very diligent and grateful.

  After hearing the news of Ren An's self-inflicted death, Ma's heart finally fell back into her chest, and she was able to sleep soundly that night.

  This time, she suddenly realized that the most important thing in the mansion nowadays is Yao Cun Jia's marriage. Everyone from top to bottom was busy with this matter, and Ma Shi's heart became unhappy again, secretly harboring resentment.

  Mrs. Xie gave face, and with the closeness of the Yun family, the status of the Yao family in Beijing was invisibly raised a lot. Mr. Yao received more courtesy and smiles in Beijing, and the benefits of business also became apparent. He couldn't help but look at this daughter with even higher regard, and the dowry was increased from 88 sets to 120 sets.

  All at once, a lot of things need to be added, and Old Master Yao waves his hand, allocating a large sum of money to the steward of the outer courtyard, ordering him to take good care of everything for the young lady's dowry, most importantly, it must look good.

  Fourth Aunt saw Old Master hesitating over the account book, looking troubled, and couldn't help but secretly smile to herself. At this moment, she naturally wanted to help Old Master share his worries and difficulties, so she casually smiled and said: "Old Master, why do you need to spend so much silver? In such a hurry, where can we find good things? What if we buy fake goods and people discover them later, wouldn't that be bad? I think it's better to choose a few really good items to add, and besides, aren't the dowry of the first wife still here? Why not use the first wife's dowry to make up for it? This way, it's both nice-looking and worry-free! And no need to spend more money!"

  Mr. Yao's eyes lit up, his face bloomed with a smile, and his hesitant worries were swept away. He hugged the fourth aunt and praised her lovingly.

  Things that come out of the Yun's household can't be ugly or fake, can they? The dowry was originally meant for their daughter anyway. This way, they don't have to spend their own money and still save face. Why wouldn't they do it?

  Then, Old Master Yao ordered Madam Ma to take out Yun's dowry from the warehouse and pick some good ones for Yao Cun to add. Madam Ma was so angry that she almost couldn't breathe, gritting her teeth in response.

  The first time, Mr. Yao was dissatisfied with the things picked out, and he re-marked many of them on the dowry list, ordering Mrs. Ma to add more according to his markings.

  Ma finally couldn't bear it anymore, and accompanied by a smile, said: "The eldest sister's dowry is too rich, the old master still has two young ladies to marry out, and not many years have passed. If we follow the example of the eldest sister, won't we empty our entire family's assets in the future!"

  Old Yao was taken aback, but then he said nonchalantly: "What do you know about these things! What kind of family is the Xie family? They gave such a generous betrothal gift and held such a grand wedding ceremony. Could they not have prepared a good dowry? As for the two daughters in the future, of course, I will follow the example of Jia's daughter. As long as their husbands' families give me face, I won't treat them unfairly!"

  The implication is that as long as they are lucky enough to marry into a family like the Xie's, what does it matter how much dowry they bring?

  Ma's anger left her speechless, secretly vowing to find a better husband for her daughter than the Xie family!

  As the New Year's Eve dinner came to an end, Yao Cun Jia couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness as he thought about leaving his family behind. His father had specifically instructed him to make this year's reunion dinner a grand one, and now that it was coming to a close, Yao Cun Jia felt a lump in his throat as he bid farewell to his loved ones. He thought about how far away he would be from them soon, and how he wouldn't have any familiar faces around him anymore. Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes as he smiled and reminded his father to take good care of himself, saying that his health was the most important thing.

  Mr. Yao sighed and praised her for being filial, then stroked Yaoshi's head and said: "Zan is still young, how can Dad really relax? I just hope that Zan will grow up quickly and take over the family business, and with your sisters' support, Dad can finally put his mind at ease!"

  "Dad, rest assured, I will always be a daughter of the Yao family. Zan is my younger brother, and as long as I can help him, I will not hesitate!" Yao Cunjia blinked her watery eyes with a choked tone.