Heaven truly is unfair.
Third Madam Ning fanned herself vigorously.
"They even risked their lives to save the Emperor," she said. "What does this all mean?"
Although Fourth Madam Ning, who was sitting cross-legged on the kang, was not fanning herself, she was waving a handkerchief.
"Complete fabrication riddled with holes," she said. "It's utterly ridiculous."
Sitting across the table on the kang, Eldest Madam Ning's expression remained calm, and her eyes even appeared more compassionate.
"But it could be considered 'karma helps those with good hearts,'" she said.
"Elder sister," Third Madam Ning called out discontentedly, "a good-hearted person—there's no such thing as an absolute good-hearted person. They show kindness toward the Emperor, but they wouldn't be kind to us. Just look at what they are doing."
"Killing people and searching the city, they're only a step away from setting fires," Fourth Madam Ning added. "Is this really what the Emperor's imperial decree is meant for?"
"It's all to find someone," Eldest Madam Ning said softly. "When a family's child goes missing, it's inevitable for the parents to panic."
"Yes, but it's just a fifteen-year-old child staying out overnight," Fourth Madam Ning emphasized "fifteen years old," "and it caused such uproar, as fierce as wolves and tigers searching the homes."
"Has elder brother spoken to second brother about this? The Fang Family's actions must be made known to the Emperor," Third Madam Ning said.
Eldest Master Ning entered as they were speaking, followed by Ning Yunyan.
Having not stepped out for months, spending her days sewing and learning household management in the courtyard, she looked much plumper.
She also seemed somewhat detached and dull.
After paying respects to her mother and two aunts upon entering, she stood silently to one side.
"How could second brother speak of this matter," Eldest Master Ning said with a furrowed brow. "Such matters don't need to be mentioned by him, the Jinyiwei in Taiyuan prefecture will report it."
"But it's been so long already, how come there's no sign of any action?" Fourth Madam Ning said. "Why are the Jinyiwei as meek as cats this time?"
"That would naturally be because the Emperor doesn't wish for any disturbances," Eldest Master Ning said. "That goes without saying."
Of course, it goes without saying—the women of the Ning Family weren't foolish not to guess, but confirming this reality still left them deeply frustrated.
"It really is against all reason," Third Madam Ning said, shaking her fan angrily.
"You don't need to mock the Fang Family's preposterous story," said Eldest Master Ning as he sat down.
Ning Yunyan immediately stepped forward to pour tea.
Eldest Master Ning took a sip after receiving it.
"The story is meant for common folk to hear, naturally it fits their tastes—bizarre and strange," he said, looking at Eldest Madam Ning. "The cycle of karma, good begets good, there's gods and the Emperor, there's danger and turning danger to safety, unasked for rewards and unexpected outcomes, the ups and downs intrigue people—that's why the story spreads. As for the holes and absurdity, common people don't care about that."
"And the court officials don't care either?" Third Madam Ning said.
Eldest Master Ning laughed.
"Of course the court officials care," he said. "They only need to verify whether the imperial decree is authentic, that's enough. As for how the decree came about, they can ask privately and discuss it, but could they dare to question it publicly? That matter belongs to the time of the first emperor."
He took another sip of tea.
"The Emperor is indeed a filial son," he said meaningfully.
The emperor had ascended to the throne under difficult circumstances, and there were many criticisms. It was said he agreed because of his filial piety to the first emperor, otherwise, he would have killed himself to show his resolve.
If the Fang Family claims it was an imperial decree granted by the first emperor, how could the current emperor question it?
Furthermore, it had been verified that the handwriting and jade seal were indeed those of the first emperor and were recorded in the official registry.
Third Madam Ning and Fourth Madam Ning exchanged glances, somewhat displeased yet helpless.
"So, the Fang Family really can't be provoked by anyone," they said.
"Whether or not they can be provoked isn't up to others, but up to themselves," Eldest Master Ning stroked his beard and said, "A multitude of injustices will lead them to destroy themselves."
"How did such a thing even appear within the boundaries of Yangcheng," said Third Madam Ning, visibly upset.
What was most important was that this affair had some involvement with the Ning Family.
"Never mind them, if they come to search our house, I'll open the door and let them search, let them search however they want," Eldest Master Ning said with a laugh. "Even if they ransack our house, it's fine."
Laughing heartily, he continued, "Holding an imperial decree isn't the same as being the one who wrote the decree, do not lose your sense of propriety and forget your place."
In histories of the former dynasty, many high-ranking officials who held the Red Book Iron Certificates and acted arrogantly met their ends eventually.
The Fang Family using an imperial decree for revenge, clearing grievances, mobilizing troops, and officials, or searching a city might be arrogant but could still be tolerated. But such acts could be tolerated once or twice, and no more, especially when using the decree to influence court officials—those coming out to speak and question wouldn't only be common folk.
The Eldest Madam Ning, Third Madam Ning, Fourth Madam Ning and others all showed smiles on their faces.
"But, what if they aren't coming to search our house but are holding an imperial decree to force us to acknowledge the marriage arrangement with the Jun Family?" Ning Yunyan, who had been quiet, suddenly spoke.
The laughter in the room immediately died down, and the four grew tense.
After all, why were they so concerned and particular about the Fang Family having an imperial decree if not because of past disputes?
Given their difference in status and identity, they should have had the upper hand.
But time and again, they suffered in silence, unable to retaliate, only to step back, thinking, 'Retreat for a broader sky, let's wait and see.'
Yet before they had moved far or devised a long-term plan, the Fang Family produced another imperial decree.
A money business unexpectedly receiving treatment as if they were founders of the nation.
How frustrating indeed!
Eldest Master Ning twirled his beard and uttered a sound of realization.
"Do you think that father decided on the marriage with the Jun Family because he knew of the Fang Family's unusual origin with the imperial decree?" he suddenly asked.
Eldest Madam Ning slapped her hand on the table.
Her action startled everyone once more.
It was rare for the Eldest Madam Ning to lose her temper like that.
"How could you think of father in such a way?" Eldest Madam Ning said angrily, "What do you take father for?"
So that was the reason.
The atmosphere in the room relaxed, and the Eldest Master Ning also gave an embarrassed smile.
Indeed, speaking ill of Old Master Ning was disrespectful; he coughed lightly to alleviate the awkwardness.
"You don't need to worry about this matter, Yanyan," he said, looking at Ning Yunyan, "Only Old Lady Fang knows about Fang Family's imperial decree. Despite Miss Jun's earlier upheaval, Old Lady Fang never used it to coerce or pressure anyone, so she certainly wouldn't do so now."
"Yes, now Miss Jun is already one of the Fang Family's women," Third Madam Ning said, fanning herself with a look of disgust, "If the Young Master of Fang were to die and she became a widow, revealing the imperial decree to force a remarriage to our family would be exactly the shameless thing she's capable of. But now that the Young Master of Fang has recovered and won't die, would she really bring out an imperial decree just to cuck herself?"
"What nonsense are you talking?" Eldest Madam Ning rebuked with a frown, "Mind the child's presence."
Third Madam Ning looked at Ning Yunyan.
"Yanyan, that's why I said you shouldn't go out, lest you get entangled with Miss Jun and tarnish yourself," she said.
Ning Yunyan smiled and voiced her thanks.
"I understand, aunt," she said obediently, patting her chest, filled with relief, "Lucky enough, brother dodged a bullet there! Just like I said, such a good person as my brother couldn't possibly be so unlucky."
"Speaking of which, you haven't written to Yunzhao for a long time, have you?" Eldest Master Ning said, "Write him a letter and ask him how he's been lately."
"He's not a kid anymore; why are you still so worried?" Eldest Madam Ning laughed, looking at Ning Yunyan, "Go write a letter to your brother."
Ning Yunyan agreed.
As they spoke of the pride of their family, the atmosphere in the room became joyous. Just then, hurried footsteps approached from outside, and a maidservant lifted the curtain, entering in a panic.
"Madam, madam, they're talking about Fang Family again," she said hurriedly.
Fang Family's affairs have always been a topic of discussion, what's there to make such a fuss?
"How troublesome," Fourth Madam Ning said irritably, "We've heard so much our ears could get calluses."
"It's not about the imperial decree this time," the maidservant quickly explained, "It's about the Young Lady of Fang."
Young Lady of Fang?
The people in the room were momentarily taken aback.
Miss Jun? What about her could there possibly be to discuss?
.........…
With a crisp snap, the crowded teahouse fell silent, all eyes turning towards the stage.
The storyteller opened his folding fan.
"Today, we recount the affairs of the Fang Family and introduce the Linglong People."
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Still adding more.