When you work in the palace, you always need to be well-informed. On the fifth day of October, Shi Dingxuan came back from his mission and brought back the news that the palace will start a draft next month.
All officials of the fifth rank and above in the capital, as well as girls in their families who are over fifteen years old and have not yet been engaged, must participate in the draft.
Shi Fuyin's birthday is October 27th, which means she will turn fifteen this year.
"In this case, wouldn't Sister Yue and Sister Yin both have to participate in the draft?"
Regarding the draft, Shi's family was divided into two groups.
One group advocates running for election. If a girl from the Shi family is really selected, whether she enters the palace as a concubine or is appointed to the prince, she will be a supporter for the Shi family.
The Special Investigation Division's previous arrests of the Yan Party left many family members unable to sleep.
The other group is opposed to running for election, mainly people from the fourth and fifth houses, because the girls who meet the conditions for running are from these two houses.
"Sister Yue, Sister Yin, please go back to your room and rest. The family will discuss the best solution."
Seeing Shi Fuyue and Shi Funin sitting aside in silence, with some words difficult to say, Master Shi gave Mrs. Shi a look, and Mrs. Shi smiled and asked them to leave.
"By the way, it's getting late. You kids, please step aside." He didn't forget to dismiss the juniors present.
Of course Shi Fuxin didn't want to leave. If she left her sister's future to someone else, there was no telling what the consequences would be. Just as she was about to refute, Mrs. Shi spoke up.
"There is nothing to discuss about this matter. The fourth and fifth family will stay, and everyone else will leave."
Mr. Shi was stunned: "Mother..."
Mrs. Shi's attitude was particularly tough. She looked at Mr. Shi and others and said, "You guys should go back to your room."
Seeing this, Master Shi glanced at Mrs. Shi, turned around and left Yixiang Hall without saying anything more.
As soon as he left, others followed.
After there were only four and five people left in the house, Mrs. Shi looked at Shi Fuyue. Shi Fuyin said: "Sister Yue, Sister Yin, do you want to participate in the talent show?"
Shi Fuyue did not answer immediately, but looked at Shi Zhengde and Mrs. Shi Wu, thought for a moment and said, "Granddaughter, listen to your grandparents."
Mrs. Shi nodded and looked at Shi Fuyin again: "Sister Yin, where are you?"
Shi Fuyin shook her head: "Grandma, my granddaughter doesn't want to."
Mrs. Shi nodded to show that she understood, and then asked the children to leave, leaving only Shi Zhenghe and his wife, and Shi Zhengde and his wife talking.
After coming out of Yixiang Hall, Shi Fuyin couldn't help but ask Shi Fuyue: "Second sister, why didn't you just say that you didn't want to participate in the draft?"
She is also judging others by herself. Although the Shi family is a count's family, it does not have any strong power at all. By participating in the draft, there is almost no possibility of being designated as the prince's wife.
Then the rest would either enter the palace and become a concubine, or give birth to a child for the prince. Either way, it was not a good choice. She couldn't figure out why Shi Fuyue didn't decide.
Shi Fuyue smiled: "As a child, you should obey your parents' orders when it comes to marriage matters."
Hearing this answer, Shi Fuyin's face froze. She clearly expressed her unwillingness. Doesn't it mean that she did not obey her parents' orders?
Shi Fuxin smiled and pulled Shi Fuyin: "Sister, Jiulang and I are hungry. Let's go back quickly."
Shi Fuyin said goodbye to Shi Fuyue, then was pulled by Shi Fuxin and left together with Shi Dingxuan and Shi Dinghao.
Watching them walk away, the smile on Shi Fuyue's face faded away.
Of course she didn't want to participate in the talent show, but when she thought about the fact that she was at the bottom of the five houses in the house and had the lowest contribution to the house, she couldn't say no if she refused.
She still remembers how happy her mother was when she first learned that Uncle Zhengkun and his fourth uncle had made a mistake. She was not gloating about the misfortune, but simply felt that she was no longer the worst daughter-in-law in the uncle's house.
She knew that her mother, as a merchant girl, had always felt inferior when she married into an uncle's house.
When the eldest uncle, Zhengkun uncle, and seventh uncle want to take a concubine, the eldest uncle, great aunt, and seventh aunt can express their opposition with confidence. Only the mother, who has no confidence to object when her father takes a concubine.
, Therefore, they have the most concubines and concubines in the fifth house of the house.
The fourth aunt came from a small family, and her parents were just mountain people. My mother felt that she was no longer at the bottom, and could finally stand up and be a good person.
But who would have thought that the fourth uncle's family who came back from the border were more powerful and outstanding than everyone else in the family.
Yes, compared with other women in the family, the fourth aunt has many shortcomings, but she gave birth to four outstanding children. Now, even the eldest aunt in the house is very polite to her.
Mother has become the worst daughter-in-law in the house again.
As a child, she really wants to bring glory to her parents so that they can hold their heads high in the house.
So just now, she said that everything is subject to family arrangements.
If her family allows her to participate in the draft, it will make her parents feel better, and she is willing to do so.
On the other side, Shi Fuxin's four brothers and sisters have returned to Yiguiyuan.
Seeing Shi Fuyin frowning, Shi Fuxin comforted her: "Sister, don't worry. If you want to be selected in the draft, there are many uncontrollable factors. But if you don't want to be selected, we can do it ourselves."
"I'll make some medicine in a moment. It depends on whether you want to be disfigured or have body odor. These two are definitely the best ways to lose the chance."
Before Shi Fuyin could say anything, Shi Dinghao spoke up: "Huh body odor, the intention of disfigurement is too obvious. It was disfigured during the draft and then healed, so it's easy for people to spot the signs."
Shi Fuxin nodded: "Jiulang is right." After saying that, she looked at Shi Fuyin and said, "Sister, it's body odor. Anyway, this disease is relatively private, and even outsiders don't know about it."
Shi Fuyin: "...You've all finished talking, what else can I say?" Her heart finally fell back into her stomach.
Yiming Hall.
People from the first and seventh rooms gathered together and talked about the draft.
Master Shi: "Father, mother doesn't know what you think?"
Mrs. Shi Da: "Looking at mother's wishes, she probably won't let Sisters Yue and Yin be selected."
Mr. Shi Qi looked indifferent.
Seeing him like this, Mrs. Shi Da could only look at Mrs. Shi Qi: "Brother and sister, what do you think?"
When Mrs. Shi Qi opened her mouth, she first wanted to say that she had no idea. It was obvious that Mr. Shi and Mrs. Shi were looking at her, knowing that if she didn't say anything, she might not be able to get through.
"Choosing has the benefits of choosing, and not choosing has the benefits of not choosing."
"With two girls in the family running for election, no matter who is chosen in the end, it will be of great benefit to the uncle's house; but from the perspective of the happiness of the two girls, it may be better to marry an ordinary family."
Mrs. Shi disagreed a little: "Marrying into an ordinary family may lead to a more comfortable life, but there will be no future. Not only will you have no future, but your descendants will also have no future."
"This person, as long as he wants to live a good life, there is no such thing as ease. A good life does not fall from the sky. You need to fight for it and fight for it."
"Furthermore, when a woman gets married, there are indispensable worries. She must be filial to her parents-in-law, have children, support her husband and educate her children. Everything is indispensable. Since no matter which family she marries into, she will encounter these problems, why not marry into someone with a higher status?
The family?"
"At least my husband's family has a higher status, and I can watch less of other people's faces outside."
Mrs. Shi Qi nodded: "Sister-in-law is right, but everything you said must have a prerequisite, that is, marry as a wife. If you are a child, you will have to rely on the wife for food and clothing, and the rest will be even more important.
do not talk."
Mrs. Shi stopped talking. The royal family is noble. If you go to the royal family to be a child, unless you are particularly favored, it is no different from marrying to another family to be a child.
Master Shi Qi hurriedly went back to look at the newly acquired calligraphy and paintings, and said: "It's useless for us to discuss this matter here. It still depends on what the father and mother want. Brother and sister-in-law, let's go back first."
Watching Shi Zhengye and his wife leave, Mr. Shi sighed: "This seventh child is totally useless."
Mrs. Shi: "Seventh brother has always been like this, so why should I be angry?"
Mr. Shi shook his head: "I'm not angry, I'm just thinking that when something happens at home, I don't even have a brother to discuss it with."
Mrs. Shi immediately glanced at him: "Master, you are talking nonsense again. The fourth brother is not your brother, so you can't go to him?"
When Master Shi heard this, he laughed: "I was mistaken, I have a fourth brother." After saying that, he paused and said, "Sister Yin is good at swordsmanship, and her aura is comparable to that of most girls in Beijing.
It’s different and very eye-catching.”
Mrs. Shi also knew that if Shi Fuyin ran for election, she would probably be elected, but the fourth brother and his wife loved their children, so they might not agree.
"Let your parents arrange it."
Yixiang Hall.
Mrs. Shi also asked Shi Zhenghe and his wife, and Shi Zhengde and his wife, for their opinions.
Shi Zhenghe and Jin Yue'e naturally refused.
Mrs. Shi Wu was also reluctant, and Shi Zhengde was a little hesitant. Finally, he said the same thing as Shi Fuyue, and everything would be decided by his family.
Mrs. Shi glanced at him and didn't say anything. She just said: "If you don't want to participate in the draft, you must either find a good match for these two girls before the draft news is announced, or you will lose the draft."
"The draft is held in the palace. If you make too many small moves, you are likely to be noticed by others. Therefore, the best way is to get the two girls engaged as soon as possible."
Mrs. Shiwu was anxious: "Mom, where can I find a suitable candidate in less than a month?"
Mrs. Shi looked at her: "It's been more than a year since Sister Yue's marriage, haven't you been looking for her? You can't find a suitable candidate?"
Mrs. Shiwu pursed her lips and said nothing. She had taken a fancy to him before, but now seeing Wulang entering the palace and becoming an imperial guard, the situation of the Shi family was getting better day by day. Those whom she liked before could no longer despise him.
Mrs. Shi knew this concubine's daughter-in-law quite well, and she could roughly guess what was going on by looking at her appearance: "You are a mother, and you must put your daughter's happiness first in everything. Don't always think about what you have and what you don't have.
"
After all, Mrs. Shi Wu knew some people and could take the initiative to help her daughter meet people, but Jin Yue'e had just been in Beijing for a year and had no circle at all. She looked at Mrs. Shi eagerly: "Mother, what should I do here, Sister Yin?
"
Mrs. Shi was a little silent. Sister Yin's situation was no better than that of Sister Yue. Sister Yue's marriage had already started a year or two before the fifth daughter-in-law had seen each other. It would not be difficult to find a suitable match for her by taking some time.
But Sister Yin only got her haircut at the end of the month, and the fourth family had only been back to Beijing for a year, so she had never considered this matter at all.
Furthermore, Sister Yin is so outstanding, and she doesn’t want to just find someone to tell her life-long events in a hurry.
After a while, Mrs. Shi finally said, "During this period, I will take Sister Yin out to meet someone." Seeing Mrs. Shi Wu looking at her eagerly, she added, "Sister Yue, too."
...
Zeng Mansion.
"Mother, you called me back in a hurry, but what happened?"
Zeng Yuwei took Shi Furan and Shi Fuzhi back to Zeng Mansion in a hurry.
Mrs. Zeng glanced at her daughter: "Can't you hope for the good in the house?" She said, looking at Shi Furan and Shi Fuzhi with a smile, "Furan, Fuzhi, your cousin Ruoyun has been talking about you, you
Let’s go play in her yard.”
Seeing that her grandmother wanted to send them away, Shi Furan glanced at her mother and left with Shi Fuzhi.
After the two sisters left, Zeng Yuwei spoke: "Mother, what do you want to say to me?"
Mrs. Zeng looked at Zeng Yuwei: "Shi Wulang is the top martial arts champion in high school, have you come to congratulate me?"
Zeng Yuwei obviously hadn't come to see what Mrs. Zeng was telling her, and she immediately looked a little unhappy: "Mom, when we mother and daughter are talking, why do we mention that family?"
Seeing Mrs. Zeng glaring at him, he snorted, "My husband and I wanted to go to congratulate you, but they didn't invite us at all, so we can't be so shameless as to take the initiative."
Hearing this, Mrs. Zeng frowned: "Zhengkun is like the Shi family, how can the Shi family treat him like this?"
Zeng Yuwei curled her lips and said: "I have finally understood the Shi family. They will treat whoever is good to them. Now that the Northwest Barbarian family is in the limelight, how can they still see their husband-in-law?"
Mrs. Zeng still knew her daughter well and knew that she must have exaggerated the truth: "Don't be so weird here. I just ask you, do you still want to associate with the Shi family?"
Zeng Yuwei snorted and said nothing.
Mrs. Zeng looked at her daughter's stubborn look and said, "It's not too stupid. The Shi family has a martial arts champion. As long as Shi Wulang doesn't be too stupid, there will be no mistakes in his future."
Zeng Yuwei was not happy to hear this: "Mom, you always praise that family, are you trying to hurt your daughter's heart?"
Mrs. Zeng was too lazy to argue with her, and said to herself: "The future of Shi Wulang and the future of the Shi family are also good. As the saying goes, it is easy to enjoy the shade under the big tree. Having this relative on your back can only be good for your family.
"
Zeng Yuwei also understands this truth, but if her family has to rely on the Northwest Barbarian family, she is very worried: "Mother, what do you want to say?"
Mrs. Zeng: "Since you still want to interact with the Shi family, then put down your airs and work hard to repair the relationship with the Shi Zhenghe family."
Zeng Yuwei was stunned: "Mother, do you want me to take the initiative?"
Mrs. Zeng was too lazy to answer Zeng Yuwei, and said directly: "Now I have an opportunity for your family to improve the relationship with Shi Zhenghe's family."
Mrs. Zeng: "During this period, your mother-in-law always takes Shi Fuyin and Shi Fuyue out as guests. Did you know?"
Zeng Yuwei nodded: "I know."
Mrs. Zeng: "Your mother-in-law has a proud temperament. Now she is so eager to take her two granddaughters around. Why do you think it is?"
"The draft will be held next month. Judging from the look of your mother-in-law, she probably doesn't want those two girls Shi Fuyin and Shi Fuyue to participate in the draft. She is now giving them a job."
Zeng Yuwei sneered: "Not to mention such a short period of time, Shi Funue is just the daughter of a concubine. Shi Funin grew up in the northwest border. She is like a barbarian. Who can look up to them?"
Mrs. Zeng cast a sidelong glance at her daughter. She had no impression of Shi Fuyue, but Shi Fuyin, she also went there on the day of the National Women's Supervisory Examination, and saw Shi Fuyin with her own eyes.
Such a sassy girl looked like a barbarian in her daughter's eyes. Mrs. Zeng even suspected that there was something wrong with her eyes.
"Don't tell me, someone really takes a fancy to you."
Zeng Yuwei asked immediately: "Who?"
Mrs. Zeng picked up the tea and took a sip: "The eldest son of the third eldest son of the Duke of Qing."
Zeng Yuwei stood up as soon as she heard the "crash" sound in the Qingguo Palace. When she knew it was the third bedroom, her expression slowly returned to calm.
The third room in the Qingguo Duke's mansion was a concubine.
Anyone born as a concubine, no matter which family they are born into, will not have a good time. Duke Qing Guo is also known as a bastard. He can even kill his own legitimate son and daughter, let alone his concubine brother.
After Zeng Yuwei calmed down, she asked in surprise: "Why did the Duke of Qing fall in love with Shi Fuyin?"
Mrs. Zeng was also a little curious about this question. It was the second wife of the Duke of Qing who took the initiative to come to her and asked her to talk about the reconciliation.
"Maybe it's because Shi Fuyin looks pretty good."
Mrs. Zeng looked at Zeng Yuwei: "Although the third wife of the Duke of Qing is a concubine, she is still a son of the Duke. Didn't Shi Fuyin remember to find someone else? This is a very good candidate."
"I've given you the opportunity. If you work hard to make this happen, it's not a big deal that your family is in a stalemate like Shi Zhenghe's family."