Do you know: I should be fat and you should be thin!

After Zhou Ning finished talking with Minglan, he was seen off by Old Madam Sheng.

"Xiao Tao, keep everything you heard today to yourself. If even a single word gets out and ruins your reputation... do you know the consequences?" Old Madam Sheng said sternly.

Xiao Tao is Minglan's trusted confidante. Although they are mistress and servant, they are as close as sisters and she repeatedly promises not to say a word to anyone else!

Minglan didn't hide anything from her grandmother and relayed everything she had said to Zhou Ning.

Grandma Sheng snorted and said, "He has a good eye. He saw that the girl from the Yu family is quiet and gentle, and will be a good wife in the future."

"Yes, Sister Yanran is gentle and kind, and her embroidery skills are outstanding; she's famous throughout Bianjing," Minglan said with a smile.

Old Madam Sheng calmed down and prepared to find a suitable match for Minglan. In any case, she did not want Minglan to become someone's concubine.

Minglan nodded. She had also sworn an oath before her birth mother that she would rather be a farmer's wife than a concubine in a noble household.

Although Zhou Ning is quite good, and the eldest daughter-in-law is Yu Yanran's older sister, she can only be a fallback option...

The grandfather and grandson talked for a while longer. At this time, Sheng Hong, who had been imprisoned for two days and one night, came to Shou'an Hall to pay his respects.

"Your son is unfilial and has caused your mother worry." Sheng Hong bowed.

"It's alright now," said Grandma Sheng.

"My lord!" Wang Ruofu cried as she ran over, hugging Sheng Hong and sobbing uncontrollably.

Sheng Hong comforted her, and after they paid their respects to the old lady together, they returned to Wei Rui Xuan to rest.

Upon hearing the news, Lin Xige and his two companions came to Wei Rui Xuan to pay their respects.

Upon seeing Sheng Changfeng, Sheng Hong was filled with rage and beat the illegitimate son in public, ignoring all pleas for mercy.

Wang Ruofu felt relieved and continued to falsely accuse Lin Qinshuang of having an affair while he was in custody.

Not to be outdone, Lin Qinshuang immediately accused Wang Ruofu of lending money at exorbitant interest rates.

Overwhelmed with grief and indignation, Sheng Hong drove everyone away!

Sheng Changbai then came and said, "Father is indeed well, I am relieved. Zhou Ning has been waiting in the study for a long time, would you like to see him?"

Sheng Hong was surprised that Zhou Ning was still at home so late. Remembering that the money had arrived, he said, "Bai'er, you have to go to court tomorrow. You should rest early. I will go see him later!"

Sheng Changbai realized that the two wanted to talk alone, so he didn't follow them and went back to his room to rest.

Sheng Family Study!

"It's good that Master Sheng is back; I can rest assured now," Zhou Ning said with a bow.

Sheng Hong, still shaken, said, "Thank you for your concern. Please sit down! Changbai said you were in a hurry to see me, is something the matter?"

Zhou Ning said, "Indeed, there is something. The Emperor has appointed me to take up my post as the magistrate of Tianchang County within nine days. I am here for two reasons. First, I hope that Lord Sheng can arrange my marriage with my fourth sister as soon as possible. We should quickly go through the formalities of marriage and get married in the next few days. Second, how is Lord Sheng's fundraising for the house going? They are pressing me hard."

Sheng Hong asked curiously, "Pengqi, you are the newly appointed top scholar, how come you can't enter the Hanlin Academy? Bai'er has stayed in the capital, why are you being sent to serve as an official in a remote area, and only as a county magistrate?"

Zhou Ning explained, "I am too young, and many officials in the court have objections. The Emperor wants me to go out and gain experience first, and then return to the capital to serve in the Imperial Academy after I have achieved some political success."

Sheng Hong believed him; Zhou Ning was indeed young, and it wouldn't matter if he were sent away for a few years.

"I've raised the money and can give it to you now. But isn't this hasty marriage a bit too much? You haven't even come of age yet; it wouldn't be appropriate for word to get out!" Sheng Hong shook his head.

Will it damage my reputation?

Absolutely not!

Zhou Ning said, "Lord Sheng, I can have my coming-of-age ceremony early. I've read in historical records that King Wen of Zhou had his coming-of-age ceremony at twelve, and Duke Xiang of Lu at thirteen, so naturally I can too! It'll be at least two years before we go to Tianchang County, and this marriage can't be delayed indefinitely. If Fourth Sister doesn't get married, it will also affect the other sisters in the family, won't it?"

Sheng Hong hesitated. It was indeed inappropriate to delay for two years, as Mo'er had already come of age.

"How about this? Lord Sheng can tell Linxi Pavilion what I mean and see what Fourth Sister thinks. I believe she wouldn't want to be separated from me for so long," Zhou Ning said.

"Then you shall wait for news in the manor for the next few days," Sheng Hong said as he got up to take the money and handed it over.

Zhou Ning nodded, took the money, and left.

The goal of forcing marriage has been achieved. If Mo Lan doesn't want to marry him, the mother and daughter will find a way to force the Sheng family.

As Zhou Ning exited through the side gate of the Sheng residence, he stopped the maid who was seeing him off, took out a tael of silver, and said, "Go and call Miss Xiao Tao from the Sixth Miss's courtyard. This is yours!"

The maid's eyes lit up, she nodded and quickly left, soon tricking Xiao Tao into going to the side door.

Zhou Ning kept his word and gave her one tael of silver, which the maid happily accepted and left.

"Young Master Zhou...is something the matter?" Xiao Tao asked.

Zhou Ning handed her ten silver notes and a letter, saying, "Give this to my sixth sister for me."

Xiao Tao saw that they were silver notes, glanced around, and stuffed them all into her bosom.

"Goodbye!"

"Take care, Zhou brother!" Xiao Tao said.

Mu Cang Zhai!

"Miss, this is what Zhou's son just gave me. He asked me to give it to you," Xiao Tao said softly as she entered the room and handed the silver notes and letter to Minglan.

"Did he just leave?" Minglan asked.

Xiao Tao said, "Yes, they just left a moment ago."

Minglan saw that there were ten silver notes, each ranging from several thousand to tens of thousands of strings of cash, totaling a staggering 65,000 strings of cash.

He really delivered it, in just one afternoon...

Minglan looked at the letter, hesitated whether to open it, and finally gave Xiaotao a wink.

Xiao Tao understood and went outside to keep watch.

Minglan put all the silver notes into her iron box, then opened the letter by candlelight: "Sixth Sister, don't rush things when it comes to revenge. I will help you. Keep this money as your dowry, and take care of yourself from now on."

How did he know he was investigating me?

"Who needs your help to make someone a concubine!"

......

Only four days left until I take up my post in Beijing!

Snapped!

"Ning Lang, you've lost again!" Wei Zhi picked up a chess piece and slew the dragon!

Zhou Ning laughed and said, "Sister Wei, I'm out of money."

"You look so worried. How about I go for a walk with you? I heard there's a new shadow puppet show at Fanlou. Would you like to see it?" Wei Zhi asked.

Fanlou is the most luxurious restaurant in Bianjing, offering not only its own brewed wines but also professional song and dance performances.

Zhou Ning was also incredibly bored. Sheng Hong told him to wait for news, but five days had passed without a single word!

"Pear Head, go prepare the car!"

The two arrived at Fanlou, where they fed each other and watched the show, occasionally overhearing interesting gossip.

For example, Wei, the head of the Guangyuntai brothel, was redeemed by a wealthy man for a large sum of money and became his mistress!

Lord Zhang's wife was caught cheating by her mother-in-law...

"Sister Wei, do I look like a wealthy landowner?" Zhou Ning reached out and hooked her chin.

Wei Zhi glanced at him, her eyes brimming with charm!

"Come and have a bite!" Zhou Ning said with a smile.

"No, there are so many people watching!" Wei Zhi said shyly.

"Then come into my arms and give me a secret kiss!"

"Wei Xingshou's redemption was a matter of a few days ago! But today I heard some big news: the fourth young lady of the Sheng family fell down at Yuqing Temple, and the sixth young master of the Yongchang Earl's family helped her up. The two of them were hugging and cuddling, acting all lovey-dovey!"

Zhou Ning, who was being intimate with Wei Zhi, suddenly broke off their kiss and asked the person at the next table, "Brother, are you telling the truth?"

"Someone saw it with their own eyes, how could it be fake? The fourth daughter of the Sheng family isn't married yet, is she? Anyway, there are concrete evidence!"

......