Ming Dynasty: I, Yan Maoqing, am truly radiating auspicious energy!

Chapter 132 Those who are not family will not enter the same door!

"My two elder brothers, please allow me to consider this for a moment..."

After hearing Shen Kun and Gao Gong's words, Bai Lu did not respond immediately. Instead, she lowered her beautiful eyes slightly and carefully analyzed the truth about the "rebellious book" that she had just heard from Shen Kun.

She could easily tell that Shen Kun genuinely respected Yan Maoqing.

They said they would do everything in their power to try to rescue him.

However, she couldn't immediately connect the title "righteous and chivalrous man" with Yan Maoqing, and felt that there might be some misunderstanding.

Or perhaps her husband is incredibly shrewd and two-faced, completely fooling Shen Kun.

Or perhaps she misunderstood her husband's character because of her preconceived notions about the 400,000 taels of silver.

Now she's more inclined towards the latter.

Because people who act one way in public and another way in private are usually very good at protecting themselves and are unlikely to do something that would sacrifice their own interests.

and so……

"Brother Shen, I am just a woman and I don't understand the affairs of officialdom. May I ask what rank your position as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy is?"

When she looked up again, Bailu seemed to have made up her mind, and made a clear and melodious sound.

Shen Kun was puzzled upon hearing this. Although he didn't know why Bai Lu had asked such a question, he still bowed to the fifth-rank noblewoman before him and replied:
"Please forgive my humble position, sister-in-law. I am only a sixth-rank official."

"Then... I wonder what rank the Attendant Scholar mentioned by Brother Shen just now is?"

Bai Lu asked again.

“It is a fifth-rank official position,” Shen Kun added.

Upon hearing this, Bai Lu glanced sideways at Gao Gong, who seemed about to ask the same question, but ultimately looked away and simply nodded slightly.

"I see……"

"..."

Upon seeing this, Gao Gong felt a tightness in his chest.

He was originally thinking about how he, a lowly and unranked scholar, should answer the same question in order to avoid being looked down upon by his sister-in-law.

The fact that the sister-in-law didn't ask any questions has undoubtedly eased the awkwardness.

But why do I feel even more awkward now, and even a little depressed?
Then Bai Lu bowed slightly, seemingly with a hint of apology, and said:
“My two elder brothers, I did not mean to belittle you. I was just a bit blunt. I hope you will not take it to heart.”

"Now that the emperor has issued an edict designating this book as a seditious book, even if someone is manipulating and framing it, they are probably people who can speak to the emperor. There is an 80% chance that a high-ranking official in the court is involved."

"If only the Attendant Scholar and the Compiler of the Hanlin Academy try to rescue him, even if all our friends are mobilized and all our strength is used, we may still lack the necessary influence. The result may be like throwing an egg against a rock or a moth to a flame, and the chances of success will still be slim."

"I wonder if my two elder brothers think I am right?"

"..."

Shen Kun and Gao Gong exchanged a glance upon hearing this, then lowered their heads and fell silent.

Whether they like it or not, they have to admit that this sister-in-law is by no means an ordinary woman.

In this situation, most women would have panicked, but her mind remained extremely clear, and her thinking was very sharp. They simply couldn't refute her analysis.

"Since you two elder brothers are not speaking, I will take it as your agreement."

Bai Lu then added,

“My two elder brothers are a newly appointed top scholar and a newly appointed junior official; they must be the most learned among the younger generation of the Ming Dynasty.”

"I am a woman and I am quite familiar with the Three Cardinal Guides and Five Constant Virtues. My two elder brothers must know them well. I'm afraid you could probably compose a poem in seven steps if you just picked one of the Three Cardinal Guides or Five Constant Virtues."

"I wonder if my two elder brothers think I am right?"

"This……"

Shen Kun and Gao Gong exchanged bewildered glances again, wondering why Bai Lu would bring up such irrelevant matters at this crucial juncture. Then Bai Lu continued:
"According to the principles of social order, the husband is the head of the household."

“I am but a woman of limited knowledge, I do not understand the spirit of unwavering loyalty, nor do I seek any reputation for righteousness.”

"Now that I have married my husband, it is my duty to pull the deer cart with him. My husband's safety is my family's safety, and my husband's life or death is my family's life or death."

"Therefore, it is only natural for me to defend my husband, and my two elder brothers will understand, won't they?"

"I understand..."

Shen Kun and Gao Gong were both a little confused, and quickly bowed to show their agreement.

"In that case, please accept my bow, brothers. I earnestly request that you two spare no effort to help my husband with this matter. I will also bear any expenses incurred. Please feel free to ask!"

Bai Lu immediately bowed deeply to the two of them.

"but……"

Amidst Shen Kun and Gao Gong's polite refusals, Bai Lu raised her head again, but her gaze was fixed on Wu Cheng'en, who had been practically invisible since entering. Her voice grew colder, and the tone of her conversation abruptly shifted.
"Before things get done, I'm afraid we'll have to trouble this brother to stay in my backyard for the time being!"

"If you can accomplish this, I am willing to personally offer tea to this elder brother as an apology."

“If you are not of sufficient importance and ultimately fail to accomplish anything, then it will be time for me to fulfill my duties as a woman.”

“Although my husband is a man of great righteousness, I am but a woman of limited knowledge. I am afraid that I will have no choice but to hand over this elder brother to the Emperor and offer his life in exchange for my husband’s.”

"Even if my husband blames me and resents me afterward, and divorces me because of it, I will not hesitate!"

At this point, Bai Lu paused briefly, and before Shen Kun, Gao Gong, and Wu Cheng'en could recover from their unexpected shock, she turned to Wu Cheng'en and said seriously:
“Brother, my husband is ultimately speaking up for you because you were imprisoned.”

“If you truly appreciate my husband’s goodness, you should have this sentiment even if I don’t mention it. Only then would you be worthy of my husband’s sacrifice.”

"If you don't appreciate my husband's kindness and only want to protect yourself, then it's because my husband was blind and made a bad choice in friends. I despise you too..."

"I wonder what you're thinking right now, and whether you're willing to endure this injustice for the time being?"

"???"

"!!!"

Shen Kun and Gao Gong were speechless, and their gazes toward Bai Lu were filled with awe.

Gao Gong, who already knew something about Yan Maoqing, was especially amazed at this moment.

What does it mean that people who aren't family don't enter the same door?!
That’s what it’s called!
Argumentative and methodical, using diplomacy first and then force, and resorting to any means to achieve the goal!

Right now, she clearly intends to hold Wu Cheng'en hostage as a last resort.

Yet, he managed to make the whole thing sound so righteous and respectable without leaving any loopholes in his words, and without tarnishing Yan Maoqing's reputation for "righteousness and integrity," leaving no room for argument.

She even firmly occupies the moral high ground!
Even he now felt that if Wu Cheng'en refused to submit today and obediently surrendered to become Yan Maoqing's life-saving talisman, it would be a good opportunity.

Then he would be the most hypocritical, cowardly, and morally corrupt person in the world. Even if he survived, he would deserve to be despised and would never be able to hold his head up again.

"..."

At that moment, Gao Gong's vision suddenly blurred.

The surrounding scenery seemed to be gradually distorting, and amidst the bizarre and surreal sights, I vaguely felt as if I had returned to thousands of miles away, and was once again in the royal court of Altan Khan.

Then he heard the voice of "Anda Khan":

“One person does the work and the other takes responsibility!”

"Although I, Wu Cheng'en, am not talented, I am by no means a cowardly and petty person who fears death."

“Sister-in-law, if we truly cannot rescue Niu Bishan this time, I am willing to exchange my life for his. This is my destiny, so how can I say I feel wronged?”

What a decisive move!
Brother Jingqing, with a wife like this at home, no wonder you eat goose legs at every meal...

(End of this chapter)