Nongmen Shenjue

The third lady was not surprised that he knew Feng Xiuying, after all Feng Xiuying came back with great fanfare and it was spread everywhere.San Niangzi didn't have a good impression of it, and whenever she saw people talking about it, she would just listen indifferently or walk away.

"Feng Xiuying married the Xu family in Beichang County. I heard that she is an imperial merchant."

Mu Qingyan didn't correct him, even though the Xu family's wine was eligible to be offered as tribute wine to the imperial palace, it did not become a genuine imperial merchant.It is not easy to be an imperial merchant. Although the Xu family has a solid foundation, there are many competitors in the wine making business, and their family has no advantage.

"Who does the Feng family make friends with in the temple?" Mu Qingyan asked.

"Tang Wanmei." The third lady mentioned this name, seeming to be mocking: "She is the third lady of the Tang family, Tang Youjun's cousin, married to a nobleman in the capital. Although she didn't say it clearly to the outside world, I think that the so-called nobleman , is a certain county king.

The temple was originally a pure place for women, but where there are people, there are fights, especially the Tang and Lou families have always wanted to compete.There are two situations when girls from the Tang and Lou families enter the temple. One is to follow the steps, and the other is to focus on training and prepare for succession.Tang Fengfei was the successor that the Tang family prepared in the early years, and Tang Wanmei was also very good, but obviously the Tang family prepared another path for her.but……"

Pausing for a while, I didn't know what I thought of, and I was a little dazed. After I recovered, I continued: "Tang Fengfei and Tang Youjun are very different in age, but Tang Wanmei is only two years old than Tang Youjun. It is said that the relationship between the two is good. Brother and sister had a good relationship since they were young. Because of this, Feng Xiuying flattered Tang Wanmei. Of course, there are other people besides her. In the eyes of outsiders, the girls of Tang and Lou are the proud daughters of heaven, and the Fairy Temple belongs to their two families. , we are the ones who are beneficiaries of his favor, and it is just a matter of understanding the current affairs. You see, Feng Xiuying's efforts were not in vain. Later, Tang Wanmei helped her marry the Xu family. If she returns home at the age, her family may point to a generous gift , Send her to the old man."

"It turned out to be Tang Wanmei's matchmaker." Reasonably, Mu Qingyan thought of her pause just now, and was a little concerned: "What did you think of just now?"

"Oh, it's nothing. Outsiders know that 'Feixian Shuangfeng' is to compete for successors, and then the two died one after another... The year Tang Fengfei died, Tang Wanmei was 17 years old. Because of Tang Fengfei's death, Lou Fengyang won the championship. The family had no one to contend with. There were rumors at the time that the Tang family had chosen Tang Wanmei to take over the position. He said he was sick and went home to recuperate, but he was actually married.

Although according to the temple rules, one can only leave the temple at the age of 20, but there are exceptions everywhere.If it is said that Tang Wanmei entered a noble family, it is already a little late, how can she really wait until she is 20 years old?I just find it strange that without the 'Shuangfeng' at that time, if Tang Wan raised her eyebrows, the Lou family would be powerless to resist, maybe the fairy aunt in the temple would have changed long ago. "

After hesitating for a moment, she said again: "However, it makes sense after thinking about it. I think Tang Wanmei is not willing to stay in the temple for the rest of her life. She is different from Tang Fengfei."

Tang Fengfei was taught and cultivated by the Tang family, focusing on the family and taking pride in being able to take over the Fairy Temple.For this reason, she is strict with herself and never takes her children's personal feelings to heart.

"Tang Youjun's wife, how much do you know?"

"The woman's surname is Qian. The Qian family is from the south and they run a silk and satin shop. The reason why they came to Feixian Town is because they heard that the fairies here can do unique embroidery and think it is profitable. The Qian family is very rich, and Mrs. Qian is The eldest daughter, and the next three younger brothers. The Qian family dotes on their daughter very much. It is said that the Qian family was very poor and almost lived in the ancestral home until the eldest daughter was born. Mrs. Qian is the life of Wang Jiawang Caiwangfu.

The reason why the Tang family was willing to form this relationship was because they liked the money of the Qian family.The Qian family didn't disappoint the Tang family either. The new wife came in with a generous dowry, and there were 1000 taels of gold in the bottom of the box alone.In addition, there are property shops and antique jade wares. Who wouldn't envy them?I can't complain that the Tang family would rather force Yuzhu to death than repent and remarry. "

"Does the Qian family know about Tang Youjun's early engagement?"

The third lady sneered: "I love my daughter so much. For such a big event as getting married, can I not inquire about the situation of the man's family? The matter of Tang Youjun and Yuzhu is not a secret. I don't believe that the Qian family doesn't know about it." As soon as the words stopped, the third lady responded Come over: "My lord, do you think the Qian family has done something?"

"Just asking. Do you remember Feng's appearance?" Mu Qingyan only had a vague guess, and asking this question was purely for exclusion.

"She...hasn't seen her for many years." The third lady frowned, and described as she recalled: "The name Feng Xiuying was only changed after entering the temple. She is very thin, even after being raised in the temple for several years, her body is still thin. The master in the temple said that Feng Xiuying suffered a lot when she was at home, which hurt her foundation. Which of us peasant daughters did not work at home? , daughters are used as livestock.

Because of this, she is thin and not tall, half a head shorter than me.Her complexion is not fair, it is a little yellowish, and to cover up this, she always puts on a lot of powder.She looks fairly handsome, with a pair of watery almond eyes, a small nose and a small mouth, and a small mole on the corner of her lips.Her hands do a lot of rough work, even if they try their best to maintain them, they are rough and can't do the fine work of embroidery. She has a good abacus and is good at keeping accounts. She even helped the temple to clear up old accounts. "

Mu Qingyan recalled that the witness of Sun Yuzhu's death was indeed thin and small, and when he ran out of the forest in panic, his face was exposed in the morning light, which was consistent with what San Niangzi described.

It should be Feng Xiuying.

It wasn't a surprise that Feng Xiuying would appear there.Feng Xiuying was jealous of Sun Yuzhu, so she would have paid special attention to Sun Yuzhu. When the Tang family intends to withdraw their marriage, others don't know, but Feng Xiuying, who is attached to Tang Wanmei, must know.The two quarreled that day, maybe it was because of Feng Xiuying's sarcasm at Sun Yuzhu, it was not known whether someone signaled it, but Feng Xiuying definitely had to keep an eye on Sun Yuzhu, so that she could ask Tang Wanmei, Tang Youjun, or even the Tang family for credit!

In the year of Sun Yuzhu's death, Tang Wanmei was already married, but there were more than one daughter of the Tang family in the temple.

Furthermore, it is also very likely that they contacted Tang Youjun directly.

Feng Xiuying got benefits, for example: a good marriage.

Two years after Tang Wanmei got married, did she still remember Feng Xiuying in the temple, who matched her as a matchmaker, was it just sisterhood?Mu Qingyan didn't think there was much sincerity between these two people.

Saying goodbye to the third lady, Mu Qingyan walked on the street, still thinking about the information he just received.

He felt that Sun Yuzhu's death may be the result of multiple oppression.

Tang Youjun, the Tang family, and even Feng Xiuying and the Qian family all played disgraceful roles in it.Sun Yuzhu lost her virginity and became pregnant, and she was always worried that the matter would be revealed. If someone threatened this matter and even implicated the Sun family, then for Sun Yuzhu, it would be tantamount to hopelessness and no way out.She has only one death, and if she dies, the Tang family will remarry as they wish, so that her reputation and the Sun family can be preserved.

It's just that I'm not reconciled to it.

That day she chose to commit suicide at Feixiantai, and there was Feng Xiuying watching. One can make a hypothesis, did Sun Yuzhu meet someone?If she really wanted to die, who would she want to see before she died?Tang Youjun!

A little helpless, but as guessed at the beginning, Sun Yuzhu couldn't find a "murderer" in this matter.

However, talking with San Niangzi has unexpected gains.

Feixian Shuangfeng case!

In the early years, it was just a guess, but now it is almost certain that the death of these two people was not normal.Once it is found out, the Tang and Lou families cannot escape their ties, and the whole body will be affected by it. The Tang Wanmei in the county prince's mansion will not even think about getting away!

Immediately, he asked the third lady to talk about "Flying Immortals and Two Phoenixes" in detail.

When I asked Tang Youhui at the beginning, Tang Youhui was drunk, and he didn't pay much attention to family affairs on weekdays, and it had been a long time, so he didn't know much.The three ladies are different. Although they are outsiders, they are in the Fairy Temple with "Flying Immortals and Two Phoenixes".As far as he knew, the fairies in the Fairy Temple were divided into the inner court and the outer court. Those who were outstanding in all aspects could directly enter the inner court, and the others could also be promoted to the inner court as long as they passed the assessment every three years.

Just like a college, the outer court is for general education, and the inner court is for elite education.

San Niangzi had no foundation at all when she entered the temple, but at the age of 19 she entered the inner courtyard.A fairy girl will have two chances to be assessed. San Niangzi entered the temple at the age of 13, and she happened to have the second chance at the age of 19. But she was able to enter the inner courtyard because of Sun Yuzhu's help.

The third lady's qualifications are dispensable to the inner court, and someone mediates among them to make an exception.

It was in this last year that San Niangzi learned the real superb embroidery technique, and also got acquainted with the cooking of some health-care medicinal meals. In addition, the daughter's family's various practices were more in-depth than those in the outer courtyard.

In the inner court, it is possible that San Niangzi and Tang Fengfei will have an intersection.

Sure enough, San Niangzi said some news.

"Tang Fengfei is different from us, even in the inner courtyard, there is a big difference. Tang Fengfei has been in the temple for 20 years, and she and Lou Fengyang are competing for succession, and they usually do things differently from us. For example, in the inner court, we are subject to their jurisdiction."

Mu Qingyan interjected, "How does Fairy Temple choose a successor?"

Since both families of Fairy Temple have a share, how can the two be convinced to choose someone?There must be a set of standards, but it has never been announced to the public. The outside world only knows when the succession ceremony is held in the temple.

The third lady shook her head: "I'm not sure about that, but someone asked Tang Wanmei back then, and Tang Wanmei only said that she was witnessed by a fairy statue, and no one knew what it meant."

"When Tang Fengfei died, was he in the temple?"

"Yes. I just entered the inner courtyard that year. I didn't want to let down the rare opportunity. I worked harder in everything I did. I rarely participated in the conversations among the fairies. There must be Muxiu in the temple, and I can go home on the last two days of each month. I don't want to go back, so I just let people take the money I saved back home. There are also many fairies who don't go back. As for Tang Fengfei, although she and Lou Fengyang are very close to home, they only go home for half a day every time they go to rest , will return to the temple in the evening.

That night, I slept soundly at first, but suddenly I heard noises outside.Four of us lived in one room, and the other three had gone home. I was the only one, and no one asked me, so I put on my clothes and went out.There were also people coming out from other rooms in the same courtyard, but before we left the courtyard, the night watchman ordered us to go back to the house and not to go out.At that time, we were still guessing whether a thief had entered, and we didn't know what happened the next day, but there was only Lou Fengyang in the morning class that day, and Tang Fengfei was not seen.The temple rules were recited in the morning class, which was led by Tang Fengfei and Lou Fengyang in turn. It should have been Tang Fengfei that morning.It was not until three days later that we got the news that Tang Fengfei had died.

For a while, there was a lot of discussion in the temple, and it was unanimously guessed that it happened that night.But the temple kept silent about it, and the fairies were not allowed to talk about it, and the Tang and Lou families were also strangely quiet.It was not until Tang Fengfei was buried that it was said that he died of a sudden illness.I don't think so, but I dare not mess with this kind of thing. "

Even though San Niangzi didn't know the inside story, she felt a little uneasiness from the surrounding atmosphere at that time.

People seek advantages and avoid disadvantages, after all, what does it have to do with themselves?The third lady stopped thinking about it.

"What day was that?" Mu Qingyan asked.

"It's October, the night of October 29. However, the Tang family said that Tang Fengfei died on the first day of November." That is, three days later, the Tang family released the news.

"Where's Lou Fengyang?"

"After Tang Fengfei's death, Lou Fengyang took the top spot in the temple. If the Tang family didn't have an outstanding person to take the top spot, there was no need to compete. Lou Fengyang must be the successor. In fact, apart from Tang Fengfei, it's not that there are no substitutes, but they can't compare to Lou Fengyang at all. Tang Wanmei is pretty good. , but her qualifications were too low, and the Tang family had no choice but to push her up. During that time... Tang Wanmei had a very bad life. She couldn't compete with Lou Fengyang, and she was at a disadvantage everywhere.

The next year's February [-] Flower Festival is an important festival for the temple, and the fairies will sacrifice to the flower god.We don't go to Huashen Temple, it's too far away, it's inconvenient.Every year we choose to go to Xinghua Mountain. Xinghua Mountain is not far from the town. After half an hour's walk, there are also wild apricot trees and other flowers and plants on the mountain, which is very suitable as a place for worshiping the flower god.

The Huachao Festival wants to "appreciate red", and Lou Fengyang is a well-deserved No.1.There were still many onlookers that day, and Tang Wanmei stood in a conspicuous position. After all, she represented the Tang family, but she made a mistake.When sticking the red on the tree, she suddenly sneezed, the kind that couldn't be stopped, the scarf on her face fell off, and her face was full of tears. I also saw a few small red bumps on her face.

Tang Wanmei lost face, and the rest of the Tang family hurriedly covered her up, and when she recovered, they held on until the end of the sacrificial ceremony.Although the Tang family reacted quickly, some of them saw the scene. For this reason, Tang Wanmei locked herself up for two or three days.

That is, in the middle of March, in the early morning of the [-]th, Lou Fengyang died, hanged on the beam of the main hall.It was the two fairy girls who were going to do morning classes who first discovered it. The screams attracted the Taoist nuns and masters in the temple, isolated the main hall, and notified Lou's family.

In fact, before that, that is, on the ninth day of March, Lou Fengyang was ill and did not go out.She didn't know what the disease was, so she went home for two days and then returned to the temple.It is often heard that she smashed things and scolded people, and she had a bad temper. Although she was proud before, she was not like this.

Lou Fengyang's death was disgraceful, and Lou's family also said it was an illness, and no one dared to talk about it.

After that incident, there were a few people missing in the temple, two of them were Xiangu who had witnessed the incident at the beginning, and the other was Tang Wanmei.Tang Wanmei claimed to be sick, but she never went back to the temple. It was not until a long time later that she found out that she was married. "

The third lady hesitated, and asked: "Master asked these..."

Mu Qingyan smiled: "It might be useful to find out."

It is indeed very useful, catching clues, it can be sure that the death of "Fei Xian Shuang Feng" is not normal.Leaving aside the matter of Tang Fengfei, Lou Fengyang's death may have been written by Tang Wanmei.

Tang Wanmei, she was involved in several things.

The long-standing memory was uncovered again, and the third lady couldn't stop her thoughts, and she often lost her mind when doing things.

She is a grateful person, and she will never forget the things Sun Yuzhu helped her without mentioning that she and Sun Yuzhu are as close as sisters.She is one year older than Sun Yuzhu, and she left the temple a year earlier. The reason why she chose the Yu family when choosing a relative was because Sun Yuzhu asked the Sun family to help investigate. Otherwise, as a peasant daughter, all she knew was superficial. The one with the highest price wins", who cares whether she is willing or not.

Two days later, the third lady suddenly received an invitation, which was sent by Feng Xiuying.

Holding the post, the third lady threw it on the table with a cold snort: "Xiao Xian came to me, it's really disgusting!"

Yu San heard her talk about some things in the past, so he advised her: "If you don't like it, don't go, there is no need to get angry."

"No, go! I have to go!" The third lady suddenly remembered what she had said to Mu Qingyan. She didn't think much of it at the time, but after thinking about it later, she always felt that what the other party asked had intentions.

You can't just ask about Feng Xiuying, who you've never met, for no reason, right?

When Sun Yuzhu had an accident, she learned that she had quarreled with Feng Xiuying during the day, so she went to question her.But Feng Xiuying only said that she was sick and hid in the house and refused to come out. In her opinion, she had a guilty conscience.Even so, she didn't think too much about it, but what if Feng Xiuying was more hateful than she thought?

Feng Xiuying is Mrs. Xu now, and she brought a lot of servants and maids with her when she came, which was very pompous.Naturally, it is impossible to be sloppy in setting up the banquet. The venue was given by the Tang family, and it is located in a house in the middle of the mountain.This house is not big, it looks simple, and the interior decoration is simple and elegant, it is a good place for entertaining guests.

The third lady went with Mrs. Li.

Mrs. Li also came from the Fairy Temple, a little older than San Niangzi by two years, and married a side branch of Lou's family.Like the Tang family, the Lou family is also prosperous, and there are many people in the first branch, not to mention the side branches.The money from the ancestral property is not enough every year, and she can only make a living by herself, so even though Li is the daughter-in-law of the Lou family, she only has a good name, and she and her husband get up early in the dark to open a small restaurant in the town.

The two families are close to each other, and they have intersected in the temple, and they are getting along pretty well now.

The reason why Feng Xiuying invited Mrs. Li was because they lived in the same room in the temple.

Mrs. Li is straight-hearted, with a straightforward personality, and she can't hide her words. She doesn't like Feng Xiuying, and she is close to the third lady, so she complains directly: "I have always been at odds with her, and we haven't seen each other for ten years, so suddenly invite me to a banquet , I always feel that something is wrong. If you say no, it’s not good. What’s the matter with you? I thought you definitely wouldn’t go.”

Mrs. Li knew that San Niangzi had always held grudges against Feng Xiuying because of Sun Yuzhu's matter.

"She is Mrs. Xu now, what a sight, it would be a pity not to see it."

"Just keep your mouth shut!" Of course Li Shi didn't believe it, but she didn't hold on to it, but said to her in a low voice: "You only know that she is a rich wife, but it's just that she looks good. I heard that she married After going in for so many years, I have never been happy."

"How could it be?" The third lady showed surprise: "I heard that she has a pair of children."

Mrs. Li curled her lips: "It wasn't born by her. You know I run a restaurant, and Xu's family also went to eat. I don't know how to talk about it, saying that this 'Mrs. Just adopt the child born by my aunt, or go to the mother and keep the child."

The third lady's eyes widened in disbelief.

This kind of thing is not unheard of, it is a method used by wealthy people, and it always feels far away from them.Although Feng Xiuying was annoying, she never thought that she would do such a thing.

"Well, what should the child do when he grows up and knows?" San Niangzi was a little hard to understand.

"Who knows, it's not our concern anyway."

When they arrived at the house, there were maids at the gate to receive them and lead them directly to the garden.More than a dozen people have already come to the garden, all of them are well-dressed, chatting in pairs.Seeing the two people coming, everyone else came to say hello.It was also from the outlines of the faces of these people that the third lady recalled her long-standing memories, and took her seats one by one.

Eighty percent of them are close relatives of the Tang family. People who used to be the same as Feng Xiuying, but now Feng Xiuying is the best one to marry.

The real lord has not yet appeared, but everyone is talking about her, seemingly praising and envious, but they can't hide the sourness and jealousy in it.

The third lady had no intention of chatting with everyone, her heart was full of fire, and she always wanted to question Feng Xiuying.But she also knew that if she asked the other party, she would not tell the truth. What's more, now that the other party relied on the Xu family, she really couldn't afford to offend her.

"Hey, Mrs. Xu is here!" a flatterer shouted.

In the eyes of everyone, Feng Xiuying walked slowly, holding the maid's hand.

Jewelry and costumes dazzle the eyes.

Feng Xiuying dressed very richly, walked slowly, raised a seemingly friendly but alienated smile, and greeted everyone present one by one.That kind of posture and tone immediately separated her from the crowd, making her look so condescending.

The third lady twitched the corners of her mouth and smiled mockingly.

Although Feng Xiuying was dressed richly, she was still very thin. It seemed to be for whitening. She had applied several layers of powder on her face. Although the texture was very good, it was unnatural and her face looked a little stiff.Feng Xiuying is now 29 years old, not young for a woman, but Feng Xiuying is pampered and in good condition, but in fact, she has fine lines at the corners of her eyes, and the corners of her mouth are turned down, she looks a bit mean .

Sure enough, Feng Xiuying didn't seem to be doing well in the Xu family.

The third lady suddenly felt that her breathing was smoother, and her smile became more natural.

Feng Xiuying naturally also saw the third lady. In fact, among so many people, the third lady was very conspicuous.Obviously not the most beautiful, but for no reason people think she is the most different, especially the smile on the other party's face, which is particularly dazzling.